WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.679 Well, good evening, everyone. Great to be in church with you tonight. My name's Steve. I've not met you before, which I can't tell if I have or not. It's all black out there. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:26.960 I'm the senior pastor here at St Paul's, and in this Christmas season, the last number of weeks for us, we've been really focusing on really the song that we've just sang right at the beginning about preparing him room. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:45.540 That is a season of actually inviting Jesus into the centre of our life, and the reason for that is that despite the fact that Christianity and Christmas makes an astounding claim, it is in fact believable. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:01:03.859 And it's not just believable, but it is unbelievably good when you come to see what Christmas is declaring, because if you can get to the centre of Christmas and the meaning of Christmas, you actually get to the centre and the heart of the Christian faith. 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:18.260 That this is an infinite God who has made all things, who has made himself known to us, and yet fully aware that we're in 2025, and many in our world do not believe this. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:21.120 And in fact, it's not a new thing. 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:30.080 Back in 1961, the Russian Yuri Gagarin was the first human being to go into space. 00:01:30.600 --> 00:01:38.640 At the time he went into space, Nikita Khrushchev was the premier of Russia. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:52.140 And one of the things that Khrushchev said, which really kind of went global in the media, was that when Gagarin went up into space, he discovered that there was no God there. 00:01:52.219 --> 00:01:53.200 He found no God. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.620 He had to look out the window of the spacecraft and he couldn't see God. 00:01:56.620 --> 00:02:08.740 And so in response to Khrushchev making that claim, the Oxford professor, C.S. Lewis, wrote an article titled The Seeing Eye. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:17.980 And so what Lewis writes there in this article is that if there was a God, he said, if there was a God who created us, 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:25.340 then that God would not be discovered by going up into space to look for them. 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:36.420 You could not relate to God in the same way that a human being might relate to another human being, a human being on the first floor, 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:39.980 and the way that they would relate to a human being on the second floor. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:44.319 He said, because both of them are the exact same beings. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:54.960 Lewis wrote that for God to relate to humanity, the way that God relates to humanity is the same kind of way that, 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:58.379 for instance, Shakespeare might relate to Hamlet. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:03.159 Shakespeare is the creator of Hamlet and the world of Hamlet. 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:20.520 And so Hamlet has no way of knowing or acknowledging Shakespeare at all unless Shakespeare was to write himself into the play of Hamlet. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:36.380 And so Lewis's point is that the only way that we could know if there is a God who exists was if that God was to write themselves into the story, 00:03:36.580 --> 00:03:39.640 the history of his world. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:41.639 And therefore, 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:43.479 not just write himself in, 00:03:43.559 --> 00:03:56.319 but write himself in as a character in that story so that other characters could interact with the God who's written himself into the story. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:59.680 And so the claim of Christmas, 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:03.759 which is really the central claim of Christianity, 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:10.139 is that that is exactly what the God who has made all things has actually done. 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:16.639 God does not just write information about himself and send it to us, 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:22.740 but that he has, in fact, written himself into the very drama of history. 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:27.900 That is the extraordinary claim of Christianity. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:30.420 It's the story of Christmas. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:35.199 And it's a story that isn't just, 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:35.759 you know, 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:39.480 good for our heads to get our minds around in some way. 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:43.980 It's actually a true story that happened in history. 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:46.960 And this still leaves us, 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:53.680 even if you were to grapple with that and come to acknowledge it in some philosophical way, 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.980 it still leaves us with the so what question. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:04:58.640 That is, 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:00.780 if that did happen, 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:05.580 if Christmas is true in any way, 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:09.720 what does it mean for us? 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:11.920 And in actual fact, 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.340 to flip that around, 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:15.080 if Christmas isn't true, 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:20.580 we don't just lose the wonder of this time of year. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:21.980 We, in fact, 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:23.960 lose everything. 00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:25.580 Lose everything. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.160 We lose meaning. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.320 We lose life. 00:05:28.460 --> 00:05:30.400 We lose good and evil, 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.580 even you and me. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:35.200 So what I want to do in the next little bit of our time together 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:37.519 is look at the story of Christmas, 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.219 the alternatives that are out there with that. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:45.259 And I know it's late at night and maybe your brain like mine is switching off. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.259 So I'll try to be brief. 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:48.860 And I don't assume that I'm going to be able to, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:49.180 you know, 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:50.819 convince you in this moment. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.120 But just to give you a snapshot. 00:05:53.419 --> 00:05:54.379 So first of all, 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:56.079 no news story. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:59.519 In his global bestseller, 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:00.240 Sapiens, 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:02.519 A Brief History of Humankind, 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:07.339 the Israeli historian Yuval Harari, 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:10.000 what he attempts to do in his book there 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:14.719 is to tell the story of humanity from its beginning. 00:06:15.799 --> 00:06:17.159 And what Harari, 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:18.399 as a person, 00:06:18.539 --> 00:06:20.899 rejects the claims of Christianity. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:22.939 He rejects the claims of Christmas. 00:06:23.539 --> 00:06:25.560 But he does recognise 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:29.139 the substantial influences it has had 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:31.620 on the history of humanity. 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:34.899 And what he does is he argues in his book 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:36.139 that in fact, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.879 our deepest moral beliefs today 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:43.439 are not self-evident truths 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:47.439 that many in our world want to claim right now. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.399 They're not self-evident truths at all. 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:50.680 He says they are, 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:51.759 in actual fact, 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:53.600 they are beliefs 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:56.420 that are grounded in the Bible. 00:06:56.420 --> 00:07:00.060 This is how he puts it. 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:01.140 For instance, 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.840 the idea of equality 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:06.000 is inextricably intertwined 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.080 with the idea of creation. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:10.819 If we do not believe 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:12.480 in the Christian myths 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:13.800 about God, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.500 creation, 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.400 and souls, 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:17.600 what does it mean 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:20.000 that all people are equal? 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:22.519 Now, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.279 most people 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.519 in our society 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:25.240 nowadays 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:26.680 have a sense 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.300 that human rights 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:29.000 are good, 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:30.759 that things like racism 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:31.480 are wrong, 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:32.540 anti-Semitism 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.399 is wrong, 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.180 that men 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.279 and women 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:37.100 are equal, 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:38.740 that things like murder 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:39.579 is evil, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:40.899 and that the rich 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:41.839 should oppress 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:42.399 the poor. 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:43.399 the poor, 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:44.719 but why? 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:47.039 Why do we have a sense 00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:47.879 that those things 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.859 are good and right? 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:51.479 What Harari says 00:07:51.479 --> 00:07:53.319 is that in actual fact, 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:54.919 if there is no God 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:56.639 who has created all things, 00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:58.159 he says, 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.620 there is in fact 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:00.839 no moral facts 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:01.500 at all. 00:08:02.359 --> 00:08:04.299 They are just opinions, 00:08:04.919 --> 00:08:05.779 nothing more 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:06.859 than just opinions. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:09.339 The British historian 00:08:09.339 --> 00:08:10.359 Tom Holland 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:12.339 makes a very similar book 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:14.139 in his book 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:14.859 Dominion. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.599 He stopped himself 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:19.000 believing in a God 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.139 as a kid, 00:08:20.539 --> 00:08:21.859 but after years 00:08:21.859 --> 00:08:22.739 and years 00:08:22.739 --> 00:08:24.539 as a historian 00:08:24.539 --> 00:08:25.419 and as a researcher, 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.859 he actually found himself 00:08:27.859 --> 00:08:29.159 being drawn back 00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:30.279 to the person 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:31.179 of Jesus 00:08:31.179 --> 00:08:33.579 as he's portrayed 00:08:33.579 --> 00:08:34.860 in the New Testament. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.759 It was mainly 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.620 because he found 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:41.379 that many of the values 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:42.700 that he held deeply, 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:44.600 he held them dearly, 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:46.100 were intimately 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:46.799 connected 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:47.559 to the person 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:48.120 of Jesus. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.639 They weren't just 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:53.620 inherent beliefs. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.259 Human rights, 00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:58.240 equality, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.159 equality of men, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:08:59.500 women, 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:00.720 love for foreigners, 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.500 care for the poor, 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:01.960 vulnerable, 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:02.720 the marginalized, 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.620 are specifically 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.840 Christian beliefs. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:11.440 And history shows us 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:12.720 that it was only 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.879 as Christianity 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.980 spread in the world 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:17.060 that these beliefs 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.620 became generally accepted 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.779 and particularly 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:20.980 became the foundation 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:21.779 and framework 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.580 for Western civilization. 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:26.460 Because the ancient world 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:28.340 in Jesus' time 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:30.639 laughed at these ideas. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:34.399 and yet we exist 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:35.259 in a culture, 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:36.699 in a society nowadays, 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.419 where the broad consensus 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:39.980 is that you can actually 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:41.139 keep the values, 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.860 but you can get rid 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:43.500 of the God 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:45.379 who's behind those values. 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:47.399 And Harari explains 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:48.360 what happens 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.199 when we do that. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:51.519 As far as we can tell 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.500 from a purely 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.840 scientific viewpoint, 00:09:54.319 --> 00:09:55.120 human life 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:56.179 has absolutely 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:57.559 no meaning. 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:59.059 that is based 00:09:59.059 --> 00:10:00.719 entirely on scientific terms, 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:01.479 human life 00:10:01.479 --> 00:10:02.319 has no meaning. 00:10:02.719 --> 00:10:04.179 Humans are the outcome 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:06.519 of blind evolutionary processes 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.319 that operate 00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:08.399 with our goal 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:09.319 or purpose. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:10.699 Our actions 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:11.500 are not part 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.000 of some 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:13.699 divine cosmic plan. 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:14.599 Hence, 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:16.219 any meaning 00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:17.179 that people 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:17.959 ascribe 00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:18.919 to their lives 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.119 is just 00:10:20.119 --> 00:10:21.059 a delusion. 00:10:23.839 --> 00:10:25.319 Any honest 00:10:25.319 --> 00:10:26.059 atheist 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:27.139 agrees 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:27.819 with Harari 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:28.600 at this point. 00:10:30.939 --> 00:10:31.539 Now, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.159 there are certainly 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:33.100 people 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:33.639 who think 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.279 their lives 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.139 have no meaning, 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.840 but on the most part, 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:37.899 none of us 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:39.279 actually want Harari 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:40.100 to be right 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:40.819 at all. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:42.740 That meaning 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:44.080 in our lives 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:45.100 is a delusion. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:48.779 The bad news story 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.639 is though 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:50.860 that if there 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.220 is no God, 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.819 then we are left 00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:55.679 with the reality 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:57.099 that we live 00:10:57.099 --> 00:10:58.019 and we die 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:58.979 and we decay 00:10:58.979 --> 00:10:59.979 and that 00:10:59.979 --> 00:11:01.000 is it. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:02.919 That's it. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.679 But Christmas, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.599 which is why 00:11:07.599 --> 00:11:08.419 it is full of 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.219 joy 00:11:09.219 --> 00:11:10.039 and light 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.819 and hope, 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:11.979 Christmas 00:11:11.979 --> 00:11:13.379 is the alternative. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:15.259 The Christmas story 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.479 is in fact 00:11:16.479 --> 00:11:17.620 the good news story. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:18.679 So that's where 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:19.219 we want to jump 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:20.819 into that passage there. 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:21.219 If you've got it 00:11:21.219 --> 00:11:21.699 in front of you 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:23.500 in John chapter 1, 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:24.220 you see, 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:24.860 at the beginning 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.259 of John's biography 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.580 on the life of Jesus, 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:29.040 we don't get, 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.259 he doesn't start 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.340 with the birth of Jesus, 00:11:32.140 --> 00:11:33.060 but he starts 00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:33.640 with the birth 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:34.300 of the universe. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:37.080 And he mentions here 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.600 a key figure 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:41.700 who he calls 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:42.500 the Word. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.440 I'll read the first 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:45.540 few verses for us. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.339 In the beginning 00:11:46.339 --> 00:11:47.360 was the Word 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.179 and the Word 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:49.259 was with God 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.819 and the Word 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.699 was God. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.740 He was with God 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.379 in the beginning. 00:11:53.099 --> 00:11:53.939 Through him, 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:54.779 that's talking 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.439 about the Word, 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:56.860 through him 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.159 all things 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.899 were made. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:11:59.879 Without him 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.839 nothing was made 00:12:00.839 --> 00:12:01.719 that has been made. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.179 In him was life 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:04.459 and that life 00:12:04.459 --> 00:12:05.559 was the light 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:07.019 of all mankind. 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:08.839 The light 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:09.679 shines 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.819 in the darkness 00:12:10.819 --> 00:12:12.419 and the darkness 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:14.339 has not overcome it. 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.560 And so 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.780 what you do 00:12:17.780 --> 00:12:18.840 is if you read 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:19.600 John's biography 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:21.200 as it unfolds, 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:22.540 we in fact discover 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:24.379 that the key figure 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.759 that he's referring to here 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.100 known as the Word 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.600 is in fact 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.700 Jesus. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.000 You see, 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:33.259 what the Bible teaches 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:35.740 is that the created God 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:37.220 is one God 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.220 in three persons, 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:38.980 Father, Son 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:40.620 and Holy Spirit 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.340 who have always 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.639 existed together 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.039 for all eternity 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:47.919 in perfect love 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.539 relationship 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:49.419 with one another. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.779 What that says is 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:52.080 what the Christian faith 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.620 believes 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.539 at the centre 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:55.480 of all reality, 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.439 of all ultimate reality 00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:58.980 is a God 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.819 of perfect love 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:01.639 relationship. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.360 And what happens 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.879 on the very first Christmas, 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.960 it marks the moment 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.060 when God 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.720 the Son, 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.840 the Word, 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:11.500 the Creator 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:11.980 of all 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.920 became a human being 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:16.160 with a very specific purpose. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.580 John's biography 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.840 tells the story 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:21.560 of our lives 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.980 being part 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.240 of a loving 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.920 cosmic plan 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.920 of a loving God. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.920 I'll read it again, 00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:30.639 verse 9. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.819 The true light 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:33.539 that gives light 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.379 to everyone 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.620 was coming 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.439 into the world. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.159 He was in the world 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.000 and though the world 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.679 was made through him, 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.299 the world did not 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:43.179 recognise him. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.039 He came to that 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.960 which was his own 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.000 but his own 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.939 did not receive him. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.799 Yet to all 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.759 who did 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.799 receive him, 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:52.419 to those 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.000 who believed 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.679 in his name, 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.740 he gave the right 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.559 to become children 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.139 of God, 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.319 children born 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.519 not of natural descent 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.559 nor of human decision 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.739 or a husband's will 00:14:00.739 --> 00:14:02.299 but born of God. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.699 And then 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:06.159 we read 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:06.859 right at the end, 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:08.179 the Word became flesh 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.559 and made his dwelling 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.299 amongst us. 00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:11.519 We have seen 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.299 his glory, 00:14:12.739 --> 00:14:13.339 the glory 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:14.419 of the one and only 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.159 who came 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.199 from the Father 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.779 full of grace 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.599 and truth. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.179 And a couple of verses 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.219 later it tells us 00:14:22.219 --> 00:14:23.179 the one full of grace 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.799 and truth 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:25.219 is none other 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:26.579 than Jesus the Christ. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.419 So what that's saying 00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:30.659 there is that 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:33.139 Jesus is the 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.839 author 00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:35.500 of the story 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.539 of history 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:41.379 but he's also 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.439 the lead character. 00:14:43.599 --> 00:14:44.519 The God 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.659 who made the universe 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.339 who creates 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:47.500 and defines history 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.219 enters it, 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.659 enters history 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:53.139 in order to 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.639 redeem it 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.319 and rescue it. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.339 And instead of 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:57.099 being celebrated, 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:57.839 he's rejected. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.920 instead of being 00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.280 honoured, 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.120 he is killed. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.320 And the wonder 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.139 of it though, 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:05.899 in writing himself 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.820 into the story, 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.960 the wonder of it 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.300 is his death 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:10.220 was written 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.420 into the script 00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:12.759 as the central 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.519 part of it. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.000 It wasn't an accident. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:21.299 So if it is true 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:22.179 that there is a God 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.840 who made us 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.720 and loves us, 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.340 then this is 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.279 fantastic news. 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.039 Christmas 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.960 is 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.519 unbelievable 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.200 news. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.340 There is 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:33.879 in fact 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.600 such a thing 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.279 as meaning 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.879 and purpose. 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.139 There is 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.720 in fact 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.399 such a thing 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.379 as good 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.100 and evil. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.720 And yet, 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.600 if you sit 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.080 and you 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.940 ponder it 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.980 and let it 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.840 sink in a little 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.120 bit, 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.680 you also 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.580 start to see 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.060 that this 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:52.360 Christmas news 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.580 is also 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.060 terrible news. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.899 It is 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.920 humbling news 00:15:56.920 --> 00:15:58.019 because it's 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.639 saying that 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.740 all of us, 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:01.180 all of humanity, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.879 we need us, 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:03.019 we need 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.560 saving. 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.460 We need 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.060 rescuing. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:06.940 We need 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.779 saving from a 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.580 judgement that we 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:09.519 rightly deserve 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.539 for living 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.879 our day-by-day 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.500 life, 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.220 trying to 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.960 create purpose 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.399 and meaning 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.079 for ourselves 00:16:15.079 --> 00:16:16.120 and keeping 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.779 God at 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.500 arm's length. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:19.699 Now, 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.419 some of us 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:22.379 are deeply 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.019 aware 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.840 of our 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.299 failures 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:24.879 and our 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.240 sin, 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.500 even if we 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:26.879 might not 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.439 use the 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.039 word sin. 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.659 If there 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.679 is a God 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.360 who sees 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:32.879 everything 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.419 and knows 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:33.899 everything, 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.720 then we 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.240 know that 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.779 this isn't 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.199 good. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:39.659 Now, 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.100 on one 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.360 level, 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:40.699 that's 00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.620 good and 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:41.879 that's 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.279 healthy. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.659 The 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:43.939 Christmas 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.439 story, 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.559 the message 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.679 of Christianity 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.579 is in 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.399 no way 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.960 a self-help 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.579 message 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.699 where we 00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:54.439 are told 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.399 that you're 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.779 kind of 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.579 mostly good 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:57.740 enough and 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.480 God just 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:58.819 gives you 00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:59.179 that little 00:16:59.179 --> 00:16:59.579 bit extra 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.039 help along 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.559 the way. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.240 You see, 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.199 every time 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:03.899 we see 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.700 Jesus helping 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.259 someone in 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.079 the biographies, 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.119 it's those 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.039 who knew 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.619 they weren't 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.059 enough. 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.319 They're the 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.839 ones that 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.159 Jesus 00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:13.799 welcomes. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.079 Those who 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.679 were considered 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:17.879 too bad 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.159 or too 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:19.759 broken 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.139 were the 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.639 preferred 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.419 company 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:23.959 of Jesus, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.459 the Son 00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:24.979 of God. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.000 And that's 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.379 us. 00:17:29.459 --> 00:17:29.759 You see, 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.219 the reality 00:17:30.219 --> 00:17:31.779 is none 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.259 of us 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:34.939 gathered here 00:17:34.939 --> 00:17:35.859 right now 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.519 would escape 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.199 even a 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:38.839 moment of 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.559 embarrassment. 00:17:40.479 --> 00:17:41.699 If every 00:17:41.699 --> 00:17:42.459 single one 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:42.759 of our 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.439 thoughts 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:44.179 and our 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:44.819 actions, 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.219 every 00:17:45.219 --> 00:17:45.519 motor 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.339 heart 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.519 was 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.219 projected 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:48.799 on these 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.519 screens 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.159 and live 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:51.319 streamed 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.240 for everyone 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.779 to see 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.219 tomorrow, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.500 the reality 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.359 is I'd be 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.019 crushed if 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.740 it was just 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.259 today's 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.740 tally was 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.199 thrown up 00:18:01.199 --> 00:18:01.519 on the 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.899 screen. 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.219 And yet 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.319 this God 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.680 sees it 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.140 all, 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.200 the all 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.019 seeing eye. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.279 He sees 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.759 it all. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.299 This is 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.740 terrible, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.539 but it's 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:14.960 not the 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.200 end of 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.759 the story. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.460 You see, 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:16.960 the Christmas 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.559 story, 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:18.880 we are told 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.100 Jesus is 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.980 presented with 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.759 three gifts. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:22.400 We sang it 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:22.940 just a moment 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.319 ago. 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.980 Three gifts 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.799 by the 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.799 astrologers who 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.380 came from 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.839 the east, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.539 the Magi. 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.240 And one 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.660 of those 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.279 gifts was 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.779 myrrh. 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.440 Now, 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.640 any new 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.460 mother in 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.040 first century 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:34.640 Palestine 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.500 would have 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.560 been thrown 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.200 by this 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.660 gift of 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:37.980 myrrh. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.240 Why are 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.700 you giving 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.360 me myrrh? 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.360 It's because 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.380 myrrh was 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.520 used to 00:18:43.520 --> 00:18:44.240 embalm 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.920 the dead. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.520 Myrrh was 00:18:47.520 --> 00:18:47.940 a symbol 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.600 of death. 00:18:49.780 --> 00:18:50.480 It's like, 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.000 you know, 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.600 instead of 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.420 baubles hanging 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.759 on your 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.560 Christmas tree, 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.520 you know, 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.280 hanging little 00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:55.940 coffins on 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.680 there instead. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.200 Bizarre. 00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.660 And yet 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.140 that's what 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.820 Jesus came 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.139 to do. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.720 He came 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.279 to die. 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:04.879 That's in 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.200 fact what 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.659 he needed 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.899 to do to 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.359 bring about 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.000 reconciliation 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.200 between God 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.139 and humanity. 00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:12.039 Jesus would 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.119 die for the 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.339 sins of 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.960 humanity. 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.359 About 33 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.399 years after 00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:18.099 his birth, 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.659 he was 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.740 crucified just 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.419 outside of 00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:20.879 Jerusalem. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.679 But his 00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:23.240 death was 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.740 not the end 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.399 of the story 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.339 because three 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.079 days later, 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.779 I'm getting 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.399 into Easter 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:28.720 here. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.620 Come back 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:29.860 for the 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.340 full story. 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:32.759 But three 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.460 days later, 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.540 the tomb 00:19:34.540 --> 00:19:35.140 was empty 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.460 and Jesus 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.080 appeared to 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.620 his followers 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.060 and over 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:39.180 500 people 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.700 at different 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.500 times and 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.820 he was 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.500 alive 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.280 physically. 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.100 He faced 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:44.980 death in 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.540 order to 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.580 defeat death. 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.519 He paid for 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.140 our sins so 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.640 that we don't 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.140 have to. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.560 He knows 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:52.240 the deepest 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.400 secrets 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.519 of our 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:54.920 hearts. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.820 He knows 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:56.680 the failures 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.280 and the 00:19:57.280 --> 00:19:57.820 shame that 00:19:57.820 --> 00:19:58.440 we carry 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.680 but he 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.500 loves us 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.200 all the way 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.640 to death 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.140 and back 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:04.140 and all 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.480 we have to 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:04.740 do is 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.320 trust him. 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:07.660 That in 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.400 reality is 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.800 the answer 00:20:08.800 --> 00:20:09.120 to the 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.560 so what 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.100 question of 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.560 Christmas. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.940 That is, 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.519 the so what 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.280 question is 00:20:14.280 --> 00:20:15.340 this good 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.900 news story 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.540 can be in 00:20:16.540 --> 00:20:17.140 fact your 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.160 good news 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.960 story. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.440 So which 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.240 story is 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.700 yours? 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:25.780 You see, 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.180 the Christmas 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.700 story is 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.080 part of 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:27.480 God's 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.380 story of 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:28.860 time and 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.340 eternity 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:30.100 and it 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.640 really has 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.580 four parts 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.320 very briefly 00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:32.640 there. 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.300 Chapter 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:33.660 one, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.060 the God 00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:34.580 who stands 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.160 outside of 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.580 creation, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.100 who always 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.560 existed, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.759 creates all 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.320 things by 00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:38.940 speaking into 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.360 existence. 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.360 It's the 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:40.780 only 00:20:40.780 --> 00:20:41.519 storyline. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.259 That is, 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:43.680 the Christian 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.640 storyline is 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.240 the only 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.500 storyline of 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.620 all storylines 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.100 in the 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.200 history of 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.820 humanity 00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:52.100 that declares 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.000 that a 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.019 divine being 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.000 created all 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.000 things out 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.640 of love. 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.440 That was 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:58.900 the purpose 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.279 of it. 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:00.920 Chapter 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.259 two, 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:01.740 humanity 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.579 rejects the 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.359 authority and 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.700 love of 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.059 God. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.900 All people 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.660 live life 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.420 with no 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:06.920 consideration 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.799 for God 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.900 and relationship 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.640 with God 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.579 and with each 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:10.980 other and 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.339 with our 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.819 world is 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.259 deeply 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.819 fractured. 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.160 All 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.819 brokenness 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.380 and evil 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.119 and carnage 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.440 in this 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.259 world is 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:16.900 connected to 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.519 chapter two. 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.339 Chapter 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.319 three is 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:19.940 God's plan 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.460 to reverse 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.000 all this 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.620 brokenness 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.039 and sin. 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.319 That's what 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.740 we're talking 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.319 about here 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.039 in the 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.720 Easter and 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.140 the Christmas 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.680 story. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:29.200 Jesus takes 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.819 the punishment 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.440 of God 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:30.819 for our 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.259 rebellion. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.299 It's the 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.700 death that 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.059 we should 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.539 have died. 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.740 Everyone who 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.120 puts their 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.700 trust in 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.480 him is 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.460 gathered back 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.779 into 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.299 relationship 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.920 with God 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.440 and with 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.920 each other. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.579 Chapter 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:43.299 four is 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.519 not really 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.279 the end 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.620 of the 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.160 story at 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.380 all. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.740 It's the 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.200 beginning of 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.579 a chapter 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:47.939 that has 00:21:47.939 --> 00:21:48.519 no end. 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.220 It's a 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.639 chapter where 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.460 God, where 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.519 Jesus reigns 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.019 with his 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.000 people in 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.480 a world of 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.179 perfection and 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.699 peace that 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.419 is remade. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.279 That's the 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.659 good news 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.220 story of 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.639 Christmas. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.319 Written in 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.339 history and 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.299 billions of 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.259 people over 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:03.819 the past 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.079 2,000 years 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.139 have found 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:06.960 hope and 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.659 light and 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.399 meaning and 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:09.559 joy in 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.599 that story. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.799 There is 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.659 another story 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.419 however that's 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.019 risen in the 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.519 last couple 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:15.799 of hundred 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.799 years only. 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.839 It's taken 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.619 up residence 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.619 particularly in 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.259 the soul of 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.519 Western 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.419 civilization 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:25.119 mainly in 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.699 a big way 00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:26.159 in the last 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:27.019 60 years. 00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:28.460 The technical 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.179 term for it 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:29.879 is philosophical 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.399 naturalism. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.299 It's really 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.220 secular 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.079 materialism. 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:36.859 It's a 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.359 three-chapter 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.879 story. 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.099 In the 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.000 first chapter 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.759 it states 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.240 that there's 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.519 no supernatural 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.659 or spiritual 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.359 or personal 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.079 power that 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.119 rules the 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.579 physical 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.339 universe. 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.099 Everything 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.439 that can 00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:49.919 be seen 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.500 and measured 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.719 is a result 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.039 of an 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.739 explosion that 00:22:52.739 --> 00:22:53.399 appeared out 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:53.919 of nothing 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:55.399 billions of 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.519 years ago. 00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:58.519 Chapter 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.399 two of the 00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:00.979 story is 00:23:00.979 --> 00:23:01.379 that against 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.379 all scientific 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.139 evidence and 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.899 even scientific 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:05.259 reason and 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.959 even scientific 00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:07.799 logic in 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.959 any way life 00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:10.199 came from 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.099 no life 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.679 miraculously 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.680 and eventually 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.400 humanity 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.320 evolved from 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:17.120 the prehistoric 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:17.720 suit to be 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.160 the dominant 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.880 species of 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.380 the earth 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.980 and therefore 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.240 despite every 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.039 sense that we 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.900 might feel 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:26.039 there is no 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.000 such thing 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.100 as right 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:28.799 and wrong. 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.440 No matter 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.100 how much I 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.779 create purpose 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.539 there is no 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.160 such thing as 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.779 purpose and 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.160 meaning. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.160 Everything in 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.019 this world is 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.660 an accident 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.480 so life has 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.340 no purpose 00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:41.880 and it's best 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.800 therefore just to 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:43.500 make the most 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.120 of life, 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.360 live it the best 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:46.140 you can because 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.940 chapter three will 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.320 come and 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:48.960 chapter three is 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.519 just simply the 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:49.840 end. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.980 The sun will 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.540 burn up, 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.540 humanity will 00:23:53.540 --> 00:23:54.400 cease to exist, 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.500 there's no form 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.480 of afterlife or 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.200 survival of the 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.440 conscious and 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.360 the story of 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.320 materialism is 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:00.800 that what you 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.560 have right now 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.960 is as good as 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.340 it's going to 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.540 get. 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.080 The Christmas 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:07.060 story says 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.539 that we have 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.279 a loving 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.000 creator who 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.740 has triumphed 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.619 over evil at 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.319 great cost to 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:13.379 himself to 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.440 love each one 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.240 of us dearly 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:17.099 and we look 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.940 forward to a 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.399 day when 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.440 everything wrong 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.159 in this world 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:20.679 will be made 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:22.319 right and 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.960 we'll live with 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.200 him in blissful 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.440 joy for 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.019 eternity. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.379 Whichever 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:30.299 story you 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:31.039 hold to, 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.200 it starts with 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.799 a premise 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.819 where you need 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.519 to put faith. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:39.559 which story 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.059 is yours? 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.259 The Christmas 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.019 story might be 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.980 hard to believe 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:46.339 as in fact so 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.039 is the secular 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.379 materialistic story 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:50.839 but the Christmas 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.399 story is 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.259 unbelievably good 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.639 news. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.960 But to get to 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.720 the point of 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.279 being good 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:59.399 news, we 00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.379 must start by 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.539 seeing humanity 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.700 is that we 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:06.139 are the 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.500 villain in 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.359 God's story 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.659 and Jesus 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.299 is the 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.599 hero. 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:10.700 So 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.340 the 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:12.700 man 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.460 is the 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.700 one 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.080 who 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.600 is the 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:14.900 one 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.759 who 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.400 is the 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.640 one 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:16.940 who 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.240 is the 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.240 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.840 who 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.100 !