WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.440 Turn back to Isaiah chapter 7. We'll be looking at verses 1-14 and in particular verse 14. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:20.679 ! Have a think, do you know what the most common, the most mentioned command in the Bible is? Have a think, don't say out loud. Have a guess. This is one of the classic Bible trivia questions. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:32.820 So the most mentioned command in the Bible, it isn't believe, it isn't praise the Lord, that would be a good guess. No, the most common command in the Bible is do not fear. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:44.019 Do not fear. You can have that for your Christmas quiz later in the year. And if we think about it, the reality of this, if you think about just the reality of this world, 00:00:44.020 --> 00:00:49.780 the fact that do not fear is the most common command, that shouldn't be a surprise to us. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:58.980 Because we are constantly scared about where the world is heading. You look at these wars going on now, all this conflict, these negotiations, 00:00:59.900 --> 00:01:05.859 and it just feels like we're on the brink of World War 3. And we can be scared of where the world is heading. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:09.640 Is this all just going to end in a nuclear apocalypse? 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:18.939 We can look at our country and it feels like everything is falling apart, economically, morally, like everything is going downhill. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:21.760 And we can fear, where is all this going to end? 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:25.299 And we can feel that about the church. 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:34.740 We see the decline of the church in the UK, the constant opposition we get at work, at school, just the godlessness around us. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:38.740 And we can fear about the future. Where is the church heading? 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:46.759 If you're not a believer here tonight, and you might look at the church and think, is this all just a fad? 00:01:47.619 --> 00:01:49.959 Just a passing religion of this world? 00:01:50.199 --> 00:01:55.000 And when humanity just kind of comes to its senses, then the church will just fizzle out. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:01.439 The Bible tells us that this world is a spiritual war zone. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:03.840 That's what Paul says in Ephesians. 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:08.140 We wrestle against the cosmic powers over this present darkness. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:12.180 Against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:20.199 We may not realise it, but if you pull back the curtain of reality, we are in a spiritual war. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:22.780 Satan wants your soul. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:26.360 Sin lurks in our hearts. 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:30.380 Guilt hangs over a cursed humanity. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:34.640 And death is the final enemy that goes after all of us. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:41.260 God is bringing in his kingdom, but a kingdom of darkness fights against it. 00:02:41.259 --> 00:02:50.019 And as we see the spiritual forces at work, as we see the state of this world, it can be scary. 00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:55.419 We can be filled with fear and we can wonder, what is the outcome of this war? 00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:58.079 Where is all of this heading? 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:07.439 Well, today, God is saying to us, I can guarantee you where all of this is heading. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:10.939 I am going to win this war. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:16.680 History ends with the victory of the church. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:21.060 Because that's also what's going on in this passage in Isaiah. 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:24.620 God's people are in the midst of war. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:28.400 God's very kingdom is on the line. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:30.400 And things just seem impossible. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.219 And it seems like the church is actually about to come to an end. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.420 And the question is, where is all this heading? 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:40.500 Is God going to lose this world? 00:03:42.040 --> 00:03:45.700 And in fact, this passage even has that most common command of the Bible. 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:46.500 Look at verse 4. 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:51.180 Be careful, be quiet, do not fear. 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:57.280 This passage is all about God addressing our fears in the war zone. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:01.280 But this passage also contains a very familiar Christmas verse. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:02.060 Did you spot it? 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:02.719 Verse 14. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:05.879 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:10.939 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:20.040 This verse is directly quoted in Matthew 1, when Joseph is told Mary will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:23.620 In fact, turn there with me now, page 807. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:24.839 Keep a finger in Isaiah 7. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:27.480 But turn to page 807. 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:35.180 Matthew chapter 1. 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:37.360 And just look at verse 22. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:40.080 Matthew, all this took place. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:44.680 All this, Jesus being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:51.080 Matthew says all this took place to fulfill this verse here in Isaiah 7. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:55.259 And today, I want us to see why. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:03.780 I want us to see how exactly Jesus' birth and the command not to fear in this war zone, 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:05.659 I want to see how they're linked. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:12.219 When Matthew quotes Isaiah here, it's kind of like a hyperlink on a website, you know? 00:05:12.659 --> 00:05:16.819 So you know when you get an email, let's say, and it says, click here to find out more, 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:19.159 and it's kind of blue and bold and underlined, right? 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:23.419 And you can click on those words, and then it pops up a new window, 00:05:23.419 --> 00:05:26.739 and it opens kind of like a whole new page of information. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:29.360 Well, that's like Matthew 1. 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:33.860 Today, I want us to click on the hyperlink of verse 23, 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:37.240 and it opens up the page of Isaiah 7. 00:05:38.280 --> 00:05:42.439 And I want us to see how exactly Jesus fulfills this verse. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:46.980 Because if we do, we will see Jesus doesn't only fulfill this 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:49.480 only because of the Virgin Mary, 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:52.900 and not only because he is God with us, 00:05:52.899 --> 00:05:59.439 but also because his birth is God saying to a world at war, 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:02.339 to us scared about where all this is heading, 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:06.299 this is God saying, do not fear. 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:10.539 And so this evening is the first of our Advent sermons, 00:06:10.539 --> 00:06:13.039 but it's really kind of the Advent to Advent, 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:15.519 the build-up to the build-up, 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:17.779 the story behind the prophecy. 00:06:18.919 --> 00:06:20.639 And so let's click on that hyperlink now. 00:06:21.239 --> 00:06:22.560 And the first thing to see is this. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:24.719 The world is at war. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:26.919 So turn back to Isaiah 7. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:29.519 Isaiah 7. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:33.120 This Christmas prophecy, it comes in a time of war. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:34.019 So look at verse 1. 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:37.120 Ahaz is king in Jerusalem. 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:39.560 That's in Judah in the south. 00:06:39.679 --> 00:06:41.560 That's where God's king rules from. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.679 But Jerusalem is under threat. 00:06:45.479 --> 00:06:49.639 So the northern kingdom of Israel have teamed up with Syria, 00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:52.639 and they want to wage war with Judah. 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:54.199 So look at verse 2. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:57.459 Syria is in league with Ephraim. 00:06:57.979 --> 00:06:59.500 That's Israel, the northern kingdom. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:02.560 This is kind of like your worst enemy 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:06.159 and your own brother teaming up against you. 00:07:06.799 --> 00:07:08.379 And what are they trying to do, verse 6? 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:10.060 They've been saying, 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:13.439 let us go up against Judah and terrify it. 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:16.019 And let us conquer it for ourselves 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:19.379 and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:22.899 They want to invade, take over, destroy, 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:24.480 get rid of God's king 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.779 and set a new foreign king on the throne. 00:07:27.779 --> 00:07:31.159 And how have God's people been feeling? 00:07:31.159 --> 00:07:31.659 Verse 2. 00:07:33.099 --> 00:07:36.559 The heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook. 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:38.839 That's the trees of the forest. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:41.619 They're shaking in their boots. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.419 It looks like the end. 00:07:44.619 --> 00:07:45.719 Everyone is against them. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.159 Everyone is against God. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.919 That this world is just going off the rails around them. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:55.240 And it looks like all of God's plans are about to fail. 00:07:56.580 --> 00:07:59.939 Because if these enemies come in and kill and replace the king, 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:02.100 what happens to God's promise of a kingdom? 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:03.920 It's ended. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:06.980 Kids, you thought about this earlier. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.960 You can't have a kingdom without a king. 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.900 God's rule in this world, 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.319 the protection over his people, 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:16.800 his promise to save the world through a king, 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.180 it feels like all those promises 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.280 are just about to be wiped out. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.579 And so we need to realise 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:27.699 that this is not simply a political war going on here. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:31.300 This is the spiritual war in action. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:35.820 This is Satan, through Israel and through Syria, 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:38.279 trying to win the spiritual war. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:41.639 Trying to destroy God's kingdom and his king. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:44.980 Just like we've seen in Genesis, 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:48.159 Satan tries to stop salvation, 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:50.039 stop God restoring this world, 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:52.480 but by going after God's chosen family. 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:56.579 Well, this is Satan going after the royal family. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.459 As with any war, 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:01.319 this spiritual war, 00:09:01.459 --> 00:09:02.740 it's a battle of kings. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:05.959 And so if you take out God's king, 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.459 just like in chess, 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:08.500 you take out the king, 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:09.860 game over. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:14.039 And it looks like that's about to happen here. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:18.279 It's like they're faced with the impossible. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:23.320 A terrifying future where God doesn't win in their lives. 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:27.039 And that's like how we can feel, isn't it? 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:31.360 We see all the forces against God, 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.200 against his church, 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.800 piling up against us. 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:36.879 All this godlessness flourishing around us, 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:37.519 and we can fear, 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:39.159 where is this world heading? 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:43.240 All the pressure against our faith at work, 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:43.799 and at school, 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:44.759 even in our families, 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:47.299 all that pressure just not relenting. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:49.039 And we can fear, 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:50.259 where is the church heading? 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.759 And our hearts are at war, aren't they? 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:57.439 We feel like we just want to give in. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.139 All those things inside us, 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.559 that pull us away from God. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:01.840 And we can fear, 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:03.440 where is my heart heading? 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:06.760 And we're scared because we wonder, 00:10:07.380 --> 00:10:10.040 can God even do anything about this? 00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:13.660 Is he really in control of this world, 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.440 of my life? 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.900 And that's spiritual war. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.180 It's happening here on the global stage, 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:20.700 here in Judah. 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:24.080 But what does God say to Ahaz, verse 4? 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.940 Be careful. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.620 Be quiet. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:30.420 Do not fear. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.160 And do not let your heart be faint 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:36.080 because of these two smouldering stumps of firebrands. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:39.740 While the world is on fire, 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.420 God says, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:42.580 relax. 00:10:43.920 --> 00:10:44.520 Calm down. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:46.980 Do not fear. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:48.700 Why? 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.080 Because those threats, 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:52.780 those two nations that you see, 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:55.439 they're just two smouldering stumps. 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:58.439 So you know when you make a fire, 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.279 you ever made a fire? 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:01.519 And you let it burn down. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:03.079 And after a few hours, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:03.720 what do you get? 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:06.500 You kind of get these faintly glowing lumps of wood. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:08.459 And you know, 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:10.879 as you see those kind of slightly glowing lumps, 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.079 you know you can't relight that. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:15.459 There's no life in it. 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.740 It's just going to die soon. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:19.819 Well, that's Israel and Syria. 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:22.640 It looks big and scary, 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:24.960 but God is going to kill that fire. 00:11:25.140 --> 00:11:25.800 Look at verse 7. 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:28.200 It shall not stand. 00:11:29.020 --> 00:11:30.720 And it shall not come to pass. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:32.900 Syria and Israel, 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.400 your enemies, 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.480 they're going to be extinguished. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:37.300 I'm in control of all of this. 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:40.280 In this spiritual war, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.360 I am the one who wins. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:45.300 And that is what happens. 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:47.460 Israel and Syria both get invaded, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.840 brought into exile, 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:51.639 and those nations are put out. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.399 And so God says, 00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:55.600 do not fear. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:00.560 But it's one thing saying that. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.860 It's another thing showing us 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.600 why we don't need to fear. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.340 So imagine you're up a tall ladder 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:11.540 and it feels sketchy and wobbly at the top. 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:14.019 And someone below just shouts to you, 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.100 relax, don't worry. 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:17.379 You hear that. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:19.379 That alone is pretty useless. 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:21.820 Maybe I should worry. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.440 Maybe I am going to fall. 00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:28.259 But if you look down the ladder 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:31.500 and that person is holding the ladder 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.960 and they're saying, 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:33.620 don't worry, 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.759 I've got you, 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:38.179 well, that's an entirely different situation. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.600 That's a sign 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:42.259 that I really don't need to worry. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.860 Well, as the kingdom feels wobbly, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.519 that the fate of God's people feels sketchy 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.299 and it looks like God's promises 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.000 are about to fall, 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.379 God says to King Ahaz, 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.820 look down the ladder. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.960 I'm going to give you a sign 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:59.419 to show you 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:01.480 that you don't need to fear. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:04.180 A sign showing you 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:05.460 that the enemies of this world, 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.019 all these spiritual forces 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.879 behind the curtain, 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.200 will not win 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:10.460 and my kingdom will come. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.840 And what is that sign? 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.480 Verse 14. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.580 Therefore, the Lord himself 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:18.259 will give you a sign. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.899 Behold, 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:22.240 the virgin shall conceive 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.759 and bear a son 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.360 and shall call his name Emmanuel. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:30.300 Here's why you don't need to fear 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:30.980 in this war zone. 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:33.879 Here's why my kingdom will come. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.639 Here's why the fears 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.620 of all this world 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.639 are about to end 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:39.740 because God has given a sign 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.300 that he's holding the ladder. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.779 He's in control 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.000 and that sign 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.639 is the miraculous birth 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.860 of a son. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.340 And this is my next point. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.960 The virgin birth 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:54.680 is God's sign 00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:55.440 not to fear. 00:13:56.400 --> 00:13:57.220 The virgin birth 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.800 is God's sign 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.259 not to fear. 00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.580 I want 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:01.540 to look closely 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:02.300 at what God promises 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.060 here in this verse. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.100 And I want us to see 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.300 why this sign 00:14:06.300 --> 00:14:07.040 is the reason 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:07.900 you don't need to fear 00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:08.259 in this world. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.379 So look what God says. 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.019 Behold. 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.860 It's like God saying, 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:15.160 just watch. 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.620 You're scared 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.460 about your future. 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.280 You think, 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.519 I can't do anything 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.220 about this world. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.700 You think this is the end 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.139 of the line 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.759 for my kingdom? 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:25.580 Just watch. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.920 And watch what? 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.759 What's coming? 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.480 A son. 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.320 The big threat 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:33.840 has been, 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.120 what if God's 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.360 royal line ends? 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.700 God promised a king 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.540 to come from the line 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:39.899 of David 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.639 to rule the world. 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.379 But what if these enemies 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.460 actually come in 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:45.220 and end that line? 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.639 God's rule ends. 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.639 The war is lost. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.720 The world is lost. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.420 Satan wins. 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:53.980 But what does God say? 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.080 Just watch. 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:57.860 Behold. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.740 I'm going to bring 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.759 a son. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:04.080 And this is the son. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.920 This son is the king 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.980 to end this war. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.899 And who will that son 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.500 come from? 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.820 Behold. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:15.460 The virgin shall conceive 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.360 and bear a son. 00:15:18.040 --> 00:15:18.680 God is saying, 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.759 even if Satan 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.719 ends this line, 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:21.479 Ahaz, 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.839 even if you die, 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.539 do you think 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.759 that that can stop me? 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.859 Do you think 00:15:27.859 --> 00:15:28.679 I'm dependent 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:29.539 on you 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.399 for my plans? 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.159 Do you think 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.799 you're the one 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.579 in control here? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:32.939 No. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.939 Even if you die, 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:35.579 Ahaz, 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.659 I can even 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.839 raise up a king 00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:39.559 from a virgin. 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.239 Syria. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.460 Kings. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.560 Satan himself 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.500 cannot stop me. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.379 I am bringing 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.899 my king. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.279 And how he arrives 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.019 from a virgin, 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.419 this is the sign 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.120 of my power 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.639 in this world. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.299 I can do the impossible. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:58.839 But this won't be 00:15:58.839 --> 00:15:59.399 any old king, 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.679 not just any old son. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.979 What will he be called? 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.799 She shall call 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.419 his name 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.579 Immanuel. 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.459 Now, 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.159 the word Immanuel 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.479 literally means 00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:09.859 in Hebrew 00:16:09.859 --> 00:16:10.839 with us God. 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:12.259 I'm going to give you 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.259 a quick Hebrew lesson. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.299 Imah, 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.859 that means with. 00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.139 Nu 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.219 means us. 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.339 El 00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:20.179 means God. 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:22.099 Put that together. 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.759 With us God. 00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.219 God with us. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.479 This son 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.319 is going to be 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:29.699 God himself. 00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:32.199 Come to his people 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:33.259 to rule them 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.259 and protect them 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.599 and bring victory 00:16:35.599 --> 00:16:36.399 over the forces 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.919 of darkness 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.500 in this world. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:39.039 God himself 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.799 bringing his own kingdom. 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:44.039 God is saying here 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.839 as you look 00:16:45.839 --> 00:16:47.959 at your fear-filled lives, 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:49.679 as you look 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.539 at this war zone 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.179 and the evil 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.759 in this world 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.439 and the battle 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:53.219 in your hearts 00:16:53.219 --> 00:16:54.139 and you wonder 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.299 if God can do 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.219 anything about 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.700 this, 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.220 here's the sign, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.180 here's the proof 00:16:59.180 --> 00:16:59.779 that I can. 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.779 It's a son, 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.500 a boy 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:06.240 and when you 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.299 see this boy 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:09.160 you can know 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.380 I'm in complete 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:10.839 control. 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.160 I'm holding 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.600 the ladder, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.279 the future 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.000 of my people 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.640 is certain 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:17.180 and I will 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.860 win this war. 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.140 That is what 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.900 God is promising 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.259 here. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:23.579 And so, 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.200 if we follow 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.019 the hyperlink 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.940 back to Matthew, 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.200 it gives an even 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.000 deeper meaning 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.460 to Jesus' 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.160 conception. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.440 As Jesus 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.500 first appears 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:34.940 in the womb 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.460 of Mary, 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.359 that little speck, 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.960 as the nine-month 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.400 wait to his birth 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.079 begins, 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.900 that little boy 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.099 growing in her womb, 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.980 that son, 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:48.059 is the guarantee 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.440 of God's victory 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.019 in this world. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.700 That son 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.799 is the one 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.420 to end all fears 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.079 in this world. 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.759 And that is 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.880 exactly who we find 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.480 in the Lord Jesus. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:03.420 as you look 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.500 back to that 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.000 birth, 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.779 that son, 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.680 we can say, 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:09.839 behold, 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:12.680 this is the 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.079 son, 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.640 the king, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.660 to end the war 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.200 of this world. 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.279 The child 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.880 who came 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.599 to guarantee 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.519 God's victory 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.099 in the war zone, 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.339 to defeat evil, 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.500 to defeat the devil 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.799 and end even 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.620 death itself, 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:26.559 to bring God's 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.339 perfect kingdom 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:28.099 into this world. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.519 And that is what 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.200 Jesus has done. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.819 on the cross, 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.900 bearing the guilt 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:34.519 of his people, 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.740 the Lamb of God, 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.019 taking away 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.099 the sin of the world, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.680 bearing the curse 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.319 of creation 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.200 upon his brow, 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.900 and in doing so, 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.380 disarming the devil, 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.980 taking all power 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.860 from the evil one. 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.220 And three days later, 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.319 rising from the dead 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.180 in victory 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.980 over death, 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.200 and now 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.660 enthroned as king 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.680 with complete control 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.279 over creation, 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.200 sitting in victory 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.000 over this war. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.339 That is who 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.240 the Lord Jesus is. 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.399 The sign 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.399 of God's victory 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.019 in this world. 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.779 And that's what's 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.220 going on 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.700 in creation 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.200 right now. 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.399 Like Judah, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.119 we can feel 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.660 the threats 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.500 all around us. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.420 Like we're in 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.220 a losing battle. 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.700 Like it is just 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.500 getting harder 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.059 and harder 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.700 to be a Christian. 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.960 Like the whole world 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.839 is up against us. 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.319 It's not easy 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.779 at work, 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:27.539 it's not comfortable 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.099 at school, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.819 I'm not looking 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:30.439 forward to the 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.039 family gathering 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.539 at Christmas. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.639 Like Judah, 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.539 it feels like 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.319 we're losing 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.259 this spiritual war. 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.720 You see the decline 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.240 of the church 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.740 in the UK 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.339 like it's fizzling out, 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:43.179 you see godlessness 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:44.079 becoming normal, 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.079 and it feels like 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.079 just Satan's winning 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.980 this spiritual war. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:49.380 We feel that 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.059 in our hearts 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.000 as our faith 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.860 feels fragile 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.299 and thin, 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.200 and it feels like 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.259 sin has the real 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.099 power in my heart. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.440 And we are just 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.140 scared about 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.019 what lies ahead, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.500 and we wonder 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.720 how can the church 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.259 even survive? 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.259 How can I survive? 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.660 That is what it 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.220 feels like. 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.500 But what is the 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.940 reality? 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.200 God says, 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.740 look. 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.839 Behold. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.160 Look back 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.140 to this son, 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:17.240 his birth, 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.180 his work, 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.420 all that he has done, 00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:21.420 this son is God's side. 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.820 He's proof 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:24.259 that God has 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.340 victory in this war. 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.720 He's now 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.880 already sat 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.600 in victory 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.420 over this war. 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:31.120 Yes, 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:32.340 battles rage 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.100 down here, 00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:34.840 but with the 00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:35.700 coming of Christ, 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.320 the war 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.400 has now been won. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.800 All that is 00:20:40.800 --> 00:20:41.300 going on 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:42.180 in this world 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.480 is actually 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.420 just a losing 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.480 battle for Satan. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:47.640 he cannot 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.580 kill the church. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.140 For those 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.460 who belong 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:50.860 to Christ, 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.480 he cannot 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.080 snatch you 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.460 out of the 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.020 Father's hand. 00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:54.480 He's not 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.100 in control 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.800 of your future. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.020 No, 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.740 God is in 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.280 control of 00:20:57.280 --> 00:20:58.120 Satan's future. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.340 Satan 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:01.340 and evil 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:02.040 and even 00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:02.620 death, 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.440 they are like 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.240 smouldering 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.259 stumps in this 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.560 world. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.520 They're still 00:21:08.520 --> 00:21:08.920 there, 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.880 but they're 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.220 going to be 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.660 utterly 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.640 extinguished 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.180 soon. 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:16.160 And so 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.840 God says 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.160 to his 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.560 people, 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.160 you don't 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:19.539 need to 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.120 fear about 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.120 your future. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.820 You don't 00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.140 need to 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.180 fear about 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.779 the battle 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.299 that lies 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.680 ahead, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:26.920 because I'm 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.380 in control. 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.860 I am the 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.320 one who 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:30.820 wins in 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.279 your life, 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.100 and how 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:32.380 do you 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:32.700 know, 00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:33.720 well, 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.279 behold, 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.820 my son. 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.320 This is 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.019 the sign, 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.560 the proof. 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.059 you can 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.940 look back 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.339 to the 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.799 birth of 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.259 Christ, 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.720 and know 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.659 that is 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.139 God's 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.579 sign, 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:47.039 guaranteeing 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.740 my future. 00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:50.639 But this 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.000 victory, 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:51.619 it's also 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.319 related to 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.859 this son 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.779 being from 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.279 a virgin. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.839 Have you 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.480 ever wondered 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.539 why a 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.179 virgin birth 00:21:58.179 --> 00:21:58.639 is promised 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:58.899 here? 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.639 Why this 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.419 is so key 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:01.720 to the 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.240 Christian faith? 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.919 We even 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.399 confessed it 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.819 this morning 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.019 in the 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.319 Apostles' 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:04.599 Creed. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.799 We said, 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.299 I believe 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.639 in Jesus 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.119 Christ, 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.159 who was 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.579 conceived 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:08.960 by the 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.539 Holy Spirit, 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.799 born of 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:10.960 the 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.579 Virgin Mary. 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.599 Why, 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:13.960 of all 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.179 things, 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.659 why is 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:14.879 the 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.259 virgin 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.039 birth 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.579 a sign, 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.159 proof, 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.659 that God 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:18.960 will win 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.319 this war? 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.200 Well, 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.980 it's because 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.899 it's key 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.859 to how 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.659 God wins 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.159 this war. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.359 Because what 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.940 does it take 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.240 to win 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.700 this spiritual 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:28.960 war? 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.319 Our sins 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:31.779 need to be 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.159 paid for. 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.119 We need 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.859 a sinless 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.220 human, 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:35.919 a sinless 00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:36.539 son, 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.659 to bear 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.339 our sin 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.919 for us. 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.240 But what 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.519 is the 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:40.940 problem 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.099 with how 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.799 every 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.079 human, 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:43.359 every 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:43.879 son, 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.759 is usually 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.359 born in 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:45.740 this world? 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.720 When anyone 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.299 is born 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.159 naturally in 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:49.720 this world, 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.079 we are born 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.819 in sin. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.059 I won't do 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.919 the birds and 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.379 the bees for 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:55.559 you, 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:56.460 but when a 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.000 father and a 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.200 mother have a 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.740 child in this 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.000 world, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.799 that is two 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.419 sinners producing 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.480 another sinner in 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:03.819 this world. 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.339 we all 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.000 inherit the 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.700 sinful nature 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.019 of our 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.460 parents. 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.319 But, 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:11.399 what if you 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:11.740 have a 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.679 child not 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.220 conceived 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.019 naturally, 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.439 but 00:23:15.439 --> 00:23:16.439 supernaturally? 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.460 Not by 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.319 two sinners 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.139 coming together, 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.619 but by the 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.700 Holy Spirit 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.839 creating something 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.319 new. 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.179 What will 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:26.879 that child 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.559 be like? 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.200 he will 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.639 be 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.599 sinless. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.679 Still a 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:32.980 man, 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.240 but he 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.559 wouldn't 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.299 inherit that 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.960 sin that we 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.500 are all born 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:36.859 into. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.559 And that is 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.259 key to God's 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.619 victory in 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.000 this world. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.259 We see 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.919 evil all 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.399 around us. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.819 It feels 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.899 like sin 00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:45.899 has the 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.419 power in 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:46.779 this world, 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.899 but as that 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:49.099 sinless child 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.179 appears in 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:50.700 that womb, 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.539 that is God 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.679 breaking the 00:23:53.679 --> 00:23:54.359 power of 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.919 evil in 00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:55.319 this world. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:56.980 With 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.079 every pure 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.779 thought he 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.140 had, 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.799 with every 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.079 righteous act 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.640 of obedience, 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.220 with all 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.039 that love 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.680 in his heart 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.059 that he 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.519 had for 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.220 his father, 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.779 that was 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.440 the Lord 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.339 ensuring 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.140 victory for 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.640 his church. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.799 It is 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.420 through the 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.140 sinless Christ 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.319 that is how 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.900 God wins 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.339 this war. 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.240 Satan tries 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.779 to accuse 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.200 us of all 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.460 that we've 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.839 done wrong. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.599 He tries 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.140 to bring up 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.819 all our sin 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.559 before God, 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:25.559 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.179 And so 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.319 how do I 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.399 know Satan 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.000 won't win 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.419 that court 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:30.759 case? 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.619 How do I 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.379 know I'm 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.539 truly accepted 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.379 before God 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.259 and that my 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.119 sin isn't 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.819 what defines 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.440 me anymore? 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.839 Why do I 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.579 not have to 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.200 fear about 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.539 that? 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.419 What's the 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:42.720 sign? 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.259 What's the 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.779 proof? 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.039 Behold, 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.720 look to the 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.339 virgin birth. 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.960 That is God's 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.720 sign for you. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:54.299 that is your 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.059 sinless 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.640 saviour. 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.000 God has 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.740 brought victory 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.380 in this world 00:24:59.380 --> 00:24:59.799 and it's 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.360 through the 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.319 virgin birth. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.920 And it's 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.400 through this 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.759 son being 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.360 Emmanuel. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.600 In the 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.000 womb of the 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.600 Virgin Mary, 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.680 that little 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.140 speck, 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.420 that is God 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.640 taking on 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.539 human flesh 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.620 to be with 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.019 his people, 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.640 to dwell 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.420 with us. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.900 and that 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.620 is key 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.700 to how 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.160 God brings 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.700 victory into 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.120 this world. 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.120 Because how 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.700 did this war 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.200 start? 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:28.640 Where did 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.060 all this 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:29.880 evil and 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.800 fear and 00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:31.360 threat and 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:31.680 all these 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.360 enemies come 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:32.720 from? 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.300 It all 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:34.940 stems from 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.500 us not 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.120 being with 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.360 God. 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.500 We walked 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.039 away from 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.340 God in 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:39.740 that garden. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.840 He cast 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.420 us out of 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.920 his presence 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.820 and that 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.140 was the 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.539 beginning of 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:44.860 the war. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.259 And salvation 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.860 and victory 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.160 in this 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.740 spiritual war 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.579 has always 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.359 been found 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.299 by coming 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.339 back into 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.700 God's 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.099 presence. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.039 It's there 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.259 in the 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.740 tabernacle. 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.319 It's there 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.579 in the 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:57.799 temple. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.720 That is 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.559 where humanity 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:01.079 always finds 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.160 restoration and 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.779 safety in 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.200 this war. 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.319 And here, 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.720 in the 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.079 birth of 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.519 Christ, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.079 the 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.579 restoration 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.539 has come. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.039 God 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.420 with us. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.800 God 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.940 is the 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.460 promise here 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.100 in Isaiah 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.380 is the 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:18.140 advent of 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.820 God making 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:19.380 this world 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.080 right again. 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.220 And God 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.720 is saying, 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.640 I'm ending 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.320 this war 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.500 by being 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.140 with you. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.460 And this 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.140 is why God 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.920 says to his 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.220 people, 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:30.779 do not 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.080 fear. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.360 In this 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:33.820 sketchy 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.220 world, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.820 and everything 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:36.700 seems against 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.200 God, 00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.120 and it feels 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.620 like we're 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.019 about to 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.460 fall, 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.060 and the 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.640 church just 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.400 feels wobbly, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.320 God says, 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.160 here's the 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.520 sign. 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.200 Here's the 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.840 proof that 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.240 I'm in 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.680 control, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.620 and holding 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.060 the ladder, 00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:49.040 look to 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:49.420 the virgin 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.820 birth. 00:26:51.020 --> 00:26:51.759 Look to 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.240 Emmanuel. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:52.900 Do not 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.300 fear. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.620 I'm with 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:54.860 you. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.600 And for 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:57.940 those in 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.259 Christ, 00:26:59.280 --> 00:26:59.780 that goes 00:26:59.780 --> 00:27:00.380 for everything 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.740 in your 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.080 life. 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.300 You may 00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:04.080 fear where 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.440 the world 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.860 is heading, 00:27:05.040 --> 00:27:05.240 or where 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.800 your faith 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.180 is heading, 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.460 or where 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:06.900 the church 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.300 is heading, 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.120 but you 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.600 also may 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:08.940 just be 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.160 fearing what 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.620 lies ahead 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.379 this week. 00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.439 That 00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:13.939 meeting, 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.379 that phone 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:15.619 call, 00:27:15.719 --> 00:27:16.339 just the 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.899 unknown, 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.559 and it 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.479 feels like 00:27:19.479 --> 00:27:20.219 threats all 00:27:20.219 --> 00:27:20.659 around. 00:27:21.239 --> 00:27:21.399 Well, 00:27:21.479 --> 00:27:22.039 God says 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.479 to you, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.579 do not 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:23.839 fear. 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.719 Look to 00:27:25.719 --> 00:27:26.079 the virgin 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.379 birth, 00:27:26.479 --> 00:27:26.839 look to 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.319 Emmanuel, 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.339 I'm with 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:29.619 you. 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:32.519 And if 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.839 you're here 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.159 tonight, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.739 and you're 00:27:33.739 --> 00:27:35.379 scared about 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:35.819 where this 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.219 world is 00:27:36.219 --> 00:27:36.459 heading, 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.059 and you've 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.639 come here 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.479 just looking 00:27:39.479 --> 00:27:40.219 for answers, 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.819 God says, 00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:44.299 you can 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.000 actually know 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.559 the future. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.679 You can 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.379 know where 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.279 all of this 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.119 is going to 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:50.539 end up. 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.279 He's given 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.119 you a sign, 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.739 proof. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.519 Behold, 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.599 look at the 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.000 birth of 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.539 his son. 00:27:59.159 --> 00:27:59.939 History is 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:00.639 going to end 00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.279 with God 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.699 winning. 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.619 And not 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.179 only that, 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.259 trust in 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.699 him and 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.539 your future 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.059 becomes 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.719 secure. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:09.779 people, 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.680 you get 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.500 to share 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.980 in the 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.600 victory in 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:14.120 this world. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.680 History 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.360 ends with 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:16.980 the church 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.259 winning. 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.200 Christ has 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.600 come to 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.000 end the 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.319 fears of 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.720 this world, 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.039 to guarantee 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.059 the future 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.579 of this 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:25.860 world. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.019 Trust in 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.279 him and 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.539 you will 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.200 have nothing 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.620 to fear. 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.539 Let's 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:32.720 pray. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.720 God 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.680 to 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:34.680 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.620 to 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:35.620 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:35.620 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:35.620 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.420 to 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:36.759 have 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.160 to 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.319 have 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:37.839 to 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.259 have 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.259