WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.839 Luke's Gospel, Chapter 2. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:26.500 We're going to read from that in just a minute. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.820 We've been hearing lots of bad news recently, haven't we? 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:35.899 We can't escape the bad news. 00:00:35.980 --> 00:00:40.820 Every time we turn on the news, the bad news of COVID. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:45.259 Well, this morning we want to think about some good news. 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:48.859 The good news of Christmas. 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:53.659 And so we're going to read an account of the Christmas story. 00:00:54.340 --> 00:00:58.640 The Christmas story from the shepherd's perspective. 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:05.180 So let's read Chapter 2, Verse 1 to Verse 21. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:09.680 Follow along with me in your Bibles. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:13.379 Luke 2, Verse 1. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:18.560 In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:21.760 that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:24.960 This was the first census that took place 00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:27.240 while Quinerius was governor of Syria. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:31.679 And everyone went to their own town to register. 00:01:32.459 --> 00:01:36.819 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:38.619 to Bethlehem, the town of David, 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:43.000 because he belonged to the house and line of David. 00:01:43.739 --> 00:01:45.780 He went there to register with Mary, 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:47.759 who was pledged to be married to him 00:01:47.759 --> 00:01:49.899 and was expecting a child. 00:01:49.900 --> 00:01:54.580 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:58.160 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:01.760 She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger 00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:04.300 because there was no guest room available for them. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:08.540 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:11.080 keeping watch over their flocks at night. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:13.760 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them 00:02:13.760 --> 00:02:15.940 and the glory of the Lord shone around them 00:02:15.940 --> 00:02:17.000 and they were terrified. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:20.520 But the angel said to them, 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:23.620 Do not be afraid. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:26.620 I bring you today good news 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:30.160 that will cause great joy for all the people. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:32.920 Today in the town of David, 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.700 a Saviour has been born to you. 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:36.680 He is the Messiah, the Lord. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:39.140 This will be a sign to you. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:42.379 You will find a baby wrapped in cloths 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:43.560 and lying in a manger. 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:48.240 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts 00:02:48.240 --> 00:02:49.420 appeared with the angel, 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:51.260 praising God and saying, 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:54.760 Glory to God in the highest heaven 00:02:54.760 --> 00:02:58.719 and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:03.620 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:05.140 the shepherds said to one another, 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:08.819 Let's go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:10.979 which the Lord has told us about. 00:03:12.459 --> 00:03:13.819 So they hurried off 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:15.500 and found Mary and Joseph 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.439 and the baby who was lying in the manger. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:20.639 When they had seen him, 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:22.479 they spread the word concerning 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:24.839 what they had been told about this child. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:27.039 And all who heard it were amazed 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:28.759 at what the shepherd said to them. 00:03:30.279 --> 00:03:32.859 But Mary treasured up all these things 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:35.260 and pondered them in her heart. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:38.380 The shepherds returned, 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:41.020 glorifying and praising God 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:43.260 for all the things they had heard 00:03:43.260 --> 00:03:44.340 and seen, 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.680 which were just as they had been told. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:50.480 On the eighth day, 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:52.740 when it was time to circumcise the child, 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:55.800 he was named Jesus, 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:59.160 the name the angel had given him 00:03:59.160 --> 00:04:01.480 before he was conceived. 00:04:04.040 --> 00:04:04.620 Well, 00:04:04.920 --> 00:04:08.080 we're going to look at three things this morning 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:09.500 from this text. 00:04:10.260 --> 00:04:12.140 An amazing encounter, 00:04:13.220 --> 00:04:15.640 a joyful announcement, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:18.879 and a transformed life. 00:04:19.580 --> 00:04:20.460 Three things. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:22.479 So here's the first one. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.060 An amazing encounter. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:28.279 Look at verse 8. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:29.519 Follow along with me 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:30.759 in your Bibles. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:31.459 Verse 8. 00:04:33.539 --> 00:04:34.959 There were shepherds 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:36.879 living out in the fields nearby, 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:38.959 keeping watch 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:40.899 over their sheep at night. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.560 And an angel of the Lord 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:43.419 appeared to them. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:45.919 Now, I don't know about you, 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:47.079 but I don't think 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:48.479 that I've ever met 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:49.420 an angel. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.600 And it's not every day 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.640 that you hear in 6.1 News 00:04:53.640 --> 00:04:56.140 of angels appearing in the sky. 00:04:57.400 --> 00:04:58.240 Could you imagine 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.720 being out for a walk at night 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:02.480 or maybe at home in your room 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:03.980 and then all of a sudden 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:05.759 this angel shows up? 00:05:07.660 --> 00:05:10.040 How would you feel 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:11.020 if that was you? 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:13.400 Special? 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.000 Excited? 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.040 Shocked? 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:21.620 Well, you see, 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:22.819 you and I can read 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:23.879 through this story 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:24.860 and you can think, 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:25.560 well, you know what? 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:27.660 I wish that was me 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:29.439 because I would love 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:30.579 to meet an angel. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:32.740 I wish an angel 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.319 showed up at my door 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:35.560 because, well, 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:36.860 if an angel showed up, 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:37.920 well, then for sure 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:38.519 I would know 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:40.480 that this Christmas account 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:41.300 is true. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:42.480 I mean, 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:43.959 if an angel was there, 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:45.959 it must be believable. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:48.879 That would be some story 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:50.040 to be able to go back 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:51.079 and tell your friends 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.199 that an angel appeared. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:56.279 But when the angels 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:57.660 came to the shepherds, 00:05:59.060 --> 00:05:59.680 they were, 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:01.079 look at the end of verse 9, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.439 they were what? 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.180 They were terrified. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:07.000 You see, 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.300 visiting angels 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:09.459 is really not 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:10.899 a normal experience. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.279 It's extraordinary. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:16.619 angels are God's 00:06:16.619 --> 00:06:17.659 servants 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:19.279 and God's 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:20.979 messengers. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:23.219 So when an angel 00:06:23.219 --> 00:06:24.000 shows up, 00:06:24.059 --> 00:06:24.519 it means 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:25.819 God has something 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.919 really important 00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:27.879 to tell us. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:30.159 Angels appearing, 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.959 well, that's incredible. 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:33.579 That would be amazing. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:35.379 But here's something 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:36.519 even more amazing. 00:06:37.119 --> 00:06:38.819 It's their message. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:40.500 You see, 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.439 God might not 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:42.240 send you 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.399 a personal angel 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:44.540 today or tomorrow 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:45.579 or next week, 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.920 but God has made sure 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:49.060 that the message 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:50.480 from the angels 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:52.680 has been kept 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.959 for you. 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:55.339 You see, 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.439 God wants us 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:57.620 today to hear 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:59.360 what the angels 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:00.639 said to the shepherds 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:01.899 because it's a message 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:03.199 for you and I. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:04.740 That means 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.339 we need to listen 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.439 very carefully 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.360 to what is being 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.219 said. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.259 So first, 00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:14.339 an amazing encounter. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.099 Second, 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.459 a joyful announcement. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:21.699 The message 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:22.500 of the angels 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.480 comes in 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.500 in three things. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:26.120 Well, at least 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.219 that's how we're 00:07:27.219 --> 00:07:27.839 going to look at it. 00:07:27.919 --> 00:07:28.759 Three parts 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:30.099 to the message 00:07:30.099 --> 00:07:30.719 of the angel. 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:31.839 Here's the first one. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.839 It's good news. 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:37.019 Look at verse 10. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:38.779 The angel said 00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:39.479 to the shepherds, 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:40.399 Do not be afraid. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:41.319 I bring you 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:43.159 good news 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:44.620 that will cause 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.699 great joy 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.860 for all the people. 00:07:49.099 --> 00:07:50.319 This wasn't just 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.579 any news. 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:54.120 This was good news. 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:55.579 In other words, 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.419 it was an announcement, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:59.039 a declaration 00:07:59.039 --> 00:08:00.259 that was going 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:00.860 to cause 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:02.500 real excitement 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:03.339 and joy 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:04.100 and happiness 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:04.579 for 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.420 not just 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.240 shepherds, 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:09.120 but for 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:11.160 all the people, 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.459 including you 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:12.860 and I. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.019 It's going to be 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.740 life transforming. 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:19.500 Think about 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:20.319 this good news 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:20.939 like this. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:22.079 We've all seen 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.160 our Taoiseach 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:24.100 Micheál Martin 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:25.340 make his way 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:26.139 down from 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.400 Leinster House 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:28.620 and he stands 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:29.900 in front of the podium, 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:30.980 doesn't need to 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.519 address the nation 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:33.419 just like I'm 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.440 standing here now 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:35.500 and he makes 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:36.460 his declaration 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:37.759 to the nation, 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.560 an announcement. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:41.539 And most of the time 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.820 it's bad news. 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:44.419 News about 00:08:44.419 --> 00:08:44.860 COVID 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:45.600 and further 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.300 restrictions 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:47.560 and out of 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:48.120 the pubs 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:48.840 and the restaurants 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.820 by eight o'clock 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.279 and all sorts 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.320 of things like that. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.139 But imagine 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:55.139 on this occasion 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.639 he walks down 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.259 the steps, 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.840 down the red carpet, 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.480 he stands in front 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.320 of the microphone 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:02.279 to make his 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:02.879 announcement, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:03.820 a declaration. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:05.480 I bring you 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.320 good news 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:07.539 of great joy 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.060 for all the people. 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:10.740 COVID 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.919 is no more. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:14.820 A pill 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.960 has been found 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:17.860 that kills 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.299 COVID 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:19.500 and heals 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.360 you of COVID. 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.279 All you have 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.820 to do 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:25.480 is take it. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:26.720 Somebody 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.180 has done 00:09:27.180 --> 00:09:27.840 all the 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.639 scientific 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.659 and medical 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.680 work on your 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.120 behalf, 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:32.019 all you have 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:32.340 to do 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.440 is take it 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:34.600 and everything 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:35.440 will be right. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:36.899 Wouldn't that 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:38.019 be good news? 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:40.399 Well that's 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:41.159 what the angels 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.019 have come to do. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.379 They are announcing 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.360 good news. 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:45.559 They're telling us 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.059 all that 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:47.379 something has 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:47.960 been done 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:48.379 for you. 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:49.419 You don't have 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.120 to do it. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.220 You just have 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:54.120 to receive it. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.159 Something 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:56.919 has been 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.539 done 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.319 for you 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:00.000 and for me 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:01.579 and it's 00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:02.419 good news. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:05.840 Well what is it 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:06.379 that has been 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:06.699 done? 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:08.699 Well, 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:10.059 here's the second 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:10.679 part of the 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:11.159 message. 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:13.919 It's all been 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:14.779 done by a 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:15.579 saving king. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.159 Look at the 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:16.620 announcement 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.439 from the angel 00:10:17.439 --> 00:10:18.179 verse 11. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:19.899 Today in the 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:20.659 town of David 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:21.519 a saviour 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.000 has been 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:22.819 born to you. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.039 He is the 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:24.620 Messiah, 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:26.139 the Lord. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.519 Now Messiah 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:30.899 is a 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:31.319 title 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.579 just like 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:33.039 we have 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.059 Taoiseach. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.019 That's a 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:35.439 title. 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:35.919 It's a 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.419 special 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.319 office. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:38.240 Well, 00:10:38.300 --> 00:10:38.780 Messiah 00:10:38.780 --> 00:10:39.520 is a 00:10:39.520 --> 00:10:40.040 title, 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.700 a special 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:41.840 office reserved 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.480 for one 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.080 person and 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:43.720 one person 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.100 alone. 00:10:44.640 --> 00:10:45.240 God's 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:45.520 son, 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:46.720 the Lord 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:47.080 Jesus 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:47.580 Christ. 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:48.379 Messiah 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.879 really means 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.360 God's 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.040 promised 00:10:52.040 --> 00:10:53.640 saving 00:10:53.640 --> 00:10:54.700 king. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.200 God's 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:56.760 promised 00:10:56.760 --> 00:10:57.740 saving 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.160 king. 00:10:58.420 --> 00:10:59.140 God has 00:10:59.140 --> 00:10:59.720 sent to the 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:00.280 world a 00:11:00.280 --> 00:11:00.940 saviour. 00:11:01.260 --> 00:11:01.860 The baby 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.700 born to 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:03.460 Mary and 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:03.860 Joseph, 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.320 Jesus 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:05.100 Christ is 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.779 God's 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:06.480 saving 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:06.940 king. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:09.120 But what 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.779 kind of 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.379 saviour 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:11.379 is he? 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:12.779 What's he 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.240 going to 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:13.820 save us 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:14.399 from? 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.259 That's a 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:16.919 really important 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.480 question. 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.820 Well, as we 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.480 read on in 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:20.159 Luke's gospel, 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.759 and you can 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.440 follow with me, 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.019 have a look at 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.940 chapter 5. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:24.820 So just go on a 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:25.240 couple of 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:25.960 chapters to 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:27.000 chapter 5 in 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.500 your Bible. 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:30.100 as we read 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.860 into Luke's 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.440 gospel, we 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:33.240 discover what 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.259 Jesus saves 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:34.700 us from, 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:36.100 because Jesus 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.259 actually tells 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:37.600 us. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:38.580 We don't have 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.240 to figure it 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:39.419 out. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.059 He tells 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:40.460 us. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.360 And here we 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.059 get the answer, 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.840 chapter 5. 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.340 He's been 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.440 talking to some 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.700 religious leaders 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.320 who've been 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:48.539 very upset with 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.220 Jesus because 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:49.779 he's hanging 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.559 around with 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.580 so-called 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:52.120 sinners, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.200 naughty people. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.340 What's he 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:55.820 doing with 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.100 them? 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.700 Well, he 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:58.379 answers them. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.340 Verse 31, 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:00.200 chapter 5, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:00.840 verse 31, 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.519 Jesus said, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.259 it's not the 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.000 healthy who 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:03.779 need a doctor, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.600 but those who 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.259 are ill. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.700 I have not 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.720 come to call 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.620 the righteous, 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.519 or I haven't 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:13.159 come to call 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.580 those who 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.139 think they're 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.720 good, 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.500 but sinners 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:19.360 to repentance. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.200 Now, if 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:23.879 you're sick, 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.560 if you're not 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.420 feeling well, 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.480 you go to 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:27.960 the doctor, 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.700 you ring up 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:29.320 your GP, 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:29.899 don't you, 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:30.360 and you get 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.019 a bottle of 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.379 medicine, 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.180 a few pills, 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:32.879 or whatever is 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.860 needed to 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.340 help you 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:34.820 better, 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:35.540 get better. 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:36.960 You don't 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.620 go to the 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.120 doctor to 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.759 announce that 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.320 you're well. 00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:41.920 You don't 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.519 ring up and 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:42.920 make an 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:43.399 appointment and 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.540 say, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.680 hi doctor, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.560 great to see 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:45.700 you, 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.620 high five, 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.000 I'm feeling 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.879 really well 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.159 today, 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:49.879 I just wanted 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.480 to come and 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.060 tell you that 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:52.920 I've never 00:12:52.920 --> 00:12:53.740 felt better. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:55.240 that would 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:55.560 be a bit 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.039 ridiculous, 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:56.740 wouldn't it? 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.259 Well, in the 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.000 same way, we 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.720 don't go to 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.399 Jesus to 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.259 tell Jesus, 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.820 Jesus, I'm 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:04.759 doing great, 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.480 I'm a really 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.659 good person, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:09.379 I've done 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.500 brilliant things 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.120 this week, 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:14.060 I'm spiritually 00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:14.940 pure. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:17.680 no, we 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:18.940 run to 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.800 Jesus because 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:21.320 we're sinners, 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.320 we're all 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.780 spiritually sick, 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.100 and the only 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.780 person who's 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:27.280 going to be 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:28.180 able to heal 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.800 us from 00:13:29.800 --> 00:13:31.700 our sin is 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.060 the Lord 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:32.460 Jesus. 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:34.340 You see, the 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.180 Bible tells us 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:35.840 very clearly 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.120 that we've 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.820 all been 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:39.540 born sinners. 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.220 We live in 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.660 the rebel 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:42.300 county, 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.240 County Cork. 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.240 But we're 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.080 all rebels, 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.900 not because we 00:13:47.900 --> 00:13:48.280 live in 00:13:48.280 --> 00:13:48.840 Cork, but 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.380 because of 00:13:49.380 --> 00:13:49.820 our birth. 00:13:50.260 --> 00:13:50.780 That means 00:13:50.780 --> 00:13:52.040 we've replaced 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.080 God with 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.760 self. 00:13:54.380 --> 00:13:54.940 God's the 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:55.760 creator of 00:13:55.760 --> 00:13:56.320 the universe. 00:13:57.140 --> 00:13:57.680 He's the 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.460 centre of 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:58.880 the universe. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.900 He owns 00:13:59.900 --> 00:14:00.420 everything. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.320 He's in 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.360 the charge 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.880 of everything. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.740 He's the 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.340 boss of 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:04.720 everything. 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:05.720 He's in 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.240 the centre. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.180 But we've 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:07.580 all come 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.020 along and 00:14:08.020 --> 00:14:08.840 we've pushed 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.440 him out and 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:10.980 we've put 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.680 ourselves in 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.220 the centre. 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:14.120 rather than 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.800 God be 00:14:14.800 --> 00:14:15.240 king of 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.800 our life, 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:17.840 I'm king 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.300 of my 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:18.759 life. 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.120 And I'm 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.580 going to 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.300 decide what 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:22.000 is right or 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.779 wrong and 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.580 I'm going to 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.320 decide how 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:24.759 I should 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.139 live. 00:14:27.040 --> 00:14:27.840 The problem 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.259 with that 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.519 is all 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.960 of us are 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.120 fighting for 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.680 the centre. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.300 We all 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:35.980 want to be 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.259 king. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:36.720 We all 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.259 want to be 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:37.519 in the 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:37.759 middle. 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:39.480 It means 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:39.940 we're all 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:41.280 in conflict 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:43.040 with God. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.300 It means 00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:44.740 we're his 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.160 enemies. 00:14:46.400 --> 00:14:46.780 And if 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:47.160 we're his 00:14:47.160 --> 00:14:47.560 enemies, 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.960 we can't 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.460 live in 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:49.920 God's 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:50.740 good and 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.240 eternal 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.900 kingdom. 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:52.280 You see, 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:52.680 God has 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:53.260 promised that 00:14:53.260 --> 00:14:53.700 one day, 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:54.280 yes, 00:14:54.380 --> 00:14:54.940 Jesus has 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:55.900 come once, 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:57.140 that's what 00:14:57.140 --> 00:14:57.740 we celebrate 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.300 at Christmas, 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.560 but Jesus 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.260 is going to 00:15:00.260 --> 00:15:01.040 come again 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.740 in the future. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.180 We don't 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.840 know when, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.160 but when 00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:04.600 he comes 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:04.900 again, 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.300 he's going 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:05.780 to sort 00:15:05.780 --> 00:15:06.520 out all 00:15:06.520 --> 00:15:07.080 the trouble 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.540 and all 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:09.100 the suffering 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:09.600 is going 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.080 to end 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.779 and all 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.500 the evil 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:11.940 is going 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.300 to end, 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.060 all the 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.960 bad things 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.279 that we 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:14.840 read about 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.519 and see 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.759 and experience 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.320 in our 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.680 life will 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.560 all be 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:19.960 gone. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.680 But if 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.139 we're in 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.740 conflict 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.580 with God, 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.759 if we're 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.360 his enemies, 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:32.019 we can't 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.519 share in 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.139 that eternal 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.580 kingdom. 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:35.779 I'd love 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.300 to be able 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:36.879 to stand 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.420 and tell you 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:37.700 and say, 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:37.980 you know 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.240 what, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.879 it's going 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.100 to be 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.519 okay, 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.580 it's just 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.000 going to 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.600 work out 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.080 fine, 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.080 and we'll 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:43.680 all be 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.120 part of 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.560 the kingdom. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.220 If we're 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.720 still in 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.279 conflict, 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.399 still fighting 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:51.299 for center 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:51.879 place, 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.060 pushing God 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:54.560 off his 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.039 throne, 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:58.700 we can't 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.200 share in 00:15:59.200 --> 00:15:59.480 it. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.539 So God 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.279 sent his 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.680 son, 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.860 the saving 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.379 king, 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:05.740 to make 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.139 us his 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:06.659 friends, 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:08.120 so that 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.659 we can. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.079 How does 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:10.360 he do 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.799 that? 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:11.860 Well, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.219 here's the 00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:12.759 third part 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.019 of the 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.480 message. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.639 Peace. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:16.879 Listen 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.480 again to 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:17.860 what the 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.679 angel said. 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.519 Let's go 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.000 back to 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.740 chapter 2 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:23.120 and verse 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.120 13. 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.659 This is 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.039 what the 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.480 angels 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.519 said. 00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:28.939 Suddenly, 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.179 a great 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.980 company of 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.439 the heavenly 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.279 hosts appeared 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:32.659 with the 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.000 angel. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.740 That is, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.419 there were 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.059 hundreds of 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:35.740 other angels 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.440 joined that 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:37.080 one angel 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.740 in the sky 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.399 and they 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.059 all started 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.539 singing, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.860 glory to 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.320 God in 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.759 the highest 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.039 heaven and 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.659 on earth 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:46.580 peace to 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.500 those on 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.139 whom his 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:50.000 favour rests. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.620 Peace. 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.679 We've been 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:56.320 promised peace. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.080 Now that 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:58.940 peace doesn't 00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.460 mean a 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.500 suffering free 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.240 life, a 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:02.720 life where 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.139 we'll be 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.940 free from 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.779 troubles and 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.579 no more 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.460 bad things 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.900 will ever 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.440 happen to 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.819 us ever 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.220 again. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.099 No, what 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.920 it means is 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.799 peace with 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.279 God. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.859 It means to 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.940 be reconciled, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.140 to be put 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:17.900 back again 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.460 into a 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.220 right 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.180 relationship. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.059 Instead of 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.559 being his 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:22.960 enemy, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.259 facing 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.480 punishment and 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.420 being shut 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:26.960 out of his 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.480 presence, 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.579 we receive 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.980 his peace. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.019 We become 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.759 his friends. 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.579 Let me 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:37.779 explain how 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.500 we can all 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:38.920 know and 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.099 experience that 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.559 peace. 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:41.980 In a 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.740 moment, Asia 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.559 is going to 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.599 get baptised. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.319 That's why we 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.900 have this 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.500 large tub of 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.460 water at 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:48.980 the front. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.519 And two 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.019 actions are 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.940 involved in 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.639 baptism, 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.200 aren't they? 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.299 There's the 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.119 going down 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.639 into the 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:58.720 water and 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.119 then the 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.079 coming up 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.879 out of 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.359 the water. 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.439 It's 00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:02.959 symbolic. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:03.639 That means 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:05.019 it represents 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.779 something. 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:06.859 It's a 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:08.519 picture of 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:08.939 the good 00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:09.399 news. 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:09.819 It's a 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.479 picture of 00:18:10.479 --> 00:18:11.099 the death 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.719 of Jesus 00:18:11.719 --> 00:18:13.019 going down 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.500 into the 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.079 water and 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.419 it's a 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:16.059 picture of 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.779 the resurrection 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.939 of Jesus 00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:18.719 coming up 00:18:18.719 --> 00:18:19.739 out of 00:18:19.739 --> 00:18:20.239 the water. 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:21.799 You see, 00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:22.439 when Jesus 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:23.359 died, 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.519 his death 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:24.879 on the 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.379 cross, 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:27.119 he was 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.479 taking my 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.620 sin and 00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:30.299 your sin, 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:30.700 all the 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.120 things that 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.559 we've done 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:31.880 wrong, 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.620 all our 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.180 rebellion, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.539 all that 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.339 conflict, 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.779 is all 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:38.019 taken by 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.440 Jesus. 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.160 He's taking 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.819 the punishment 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.500 you and I 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:40.920 deserve. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.579 And when 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.640 Jesus rose 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.279 again from 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.980 the grave, 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.019 he's giving 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.039 us new 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.460 life. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.740 He's making 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.819 peace with 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.920 us so that 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.700 we can be 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.860 friends with 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.180 God. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.700 It's as if 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.720 he reaches 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.240 out his 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.799 hand, 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.220 a handshake 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.299 of peace. 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.079 And when 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.759 Asia gets 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.419 baptized, 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.359 what she's 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.079 saying is, 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.059 hands up, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.559 I'm a 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:09.799 sinner, 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:12.139 I'm trusting 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:13.940 that Jesus 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.359 died for 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:15.680 me. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.079 I've done 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.799 bad things, 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.220 I've done 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.059 wrong things, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:21.399 but his 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:23.159 death is a 00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:23.619 death for 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:23.940 me. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.019 Isn't that 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.240 right, 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.519 Asia? 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:27.740 And Asia, 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.119 when she 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:28.759 gets baptized, 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.519 is saying, 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.659 I need 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.480 new life. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.220 I'm 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.579 trusting that 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.319 when Jesus 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.240 rose again, 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.279 he rose 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.879 again for 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.419 me. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.099 His 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.779 life is 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.299 my new 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.799 life. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.779 I'm no 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.460 longer his 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:47.839 enemy, 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.240 but his 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.680 friend. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.819 I no 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.579 longer fear 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.220 punishment, 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.079 but I now 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.899 can enjoy 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:57.939 peace with 00:19:57.939 --> 00:19:58.419 God. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.919 It's like 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:01.319 Asia 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:03.679 has kind 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:04.079 of taken 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.019 center place 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.679 because that's 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:06.199 what we all 00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:06.359 do. 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:06.819 We take 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.599 center place, 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.079 we push 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.619 God out, 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.659 and in 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.460 repentance we 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.879 turn and 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.059 say, 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:11.379 no, 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:12.779 God's the 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.179 center, 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.859 and I 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.579 live to 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.559 serve him, 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:19.019 and I 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.339 want to 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:20.019 follow him 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.119 all my 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.619 life. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.419 You see, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:23.960 the angels 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.480 came to 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:24.859 announce 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.639 good news, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.399 the good 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:26.819 news of 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.419 a savior 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:28.220 who makes 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.279 peace with 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.000 God for 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.599 us. 00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.139 That's 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.599 brilliant. 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.599 So how did 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.179 the shepherds 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.659 respond? 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:37.880 respond? 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.660 Well, 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.920 we've looked 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.279 at an 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.680 amazing 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.340 encounter, 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:45.060 we've looked 00:20:45.060 --> 00:20:45.440 at a 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:45.840 joyful 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.480 announcement, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.500 and then 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:48.940 last, 00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:50.380 a transformed 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.180 life. 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.800 Three things 00:20:52.800 --> 00:20:53.120 we're just 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:53.460 going to look 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.860 at very 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:55.340 briefly to 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.120 show us 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.640 what we 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.320 can learn 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:58.320 from the 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:58.960 shepherds 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.960 about how 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.460 you and 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.640 I can 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.340 respond to 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:03.900 the angels 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.460 announcement. 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.060 Because this 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.800 is good news, 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:07.200 not just 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.359 for the 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.000 shepherds, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.139 but for 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.579 everyone. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.899 Here's the 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.460 first thing, 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.039 to receive 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.059 God's 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.460 grace. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.180 I wonder, 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.519 did you 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.319 take note 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.519 of who 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.019 the angels 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.680 went to? 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:22.859 Who did 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.339 the angels 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.919 go to? 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.099 We know 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.579 the answer, 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.099 don't we? 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.659 To the 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.639 shepherds. 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:29.919 Now, 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.599 shepherds in 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.319 those days 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.079 were very 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.799 unimportant 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.319 people. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.180 Shepherds 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.879 today are 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.740 really important 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.380 people because 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.019 they provide 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.480 us with 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.680 lovely legs 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.380 of juicy 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.859 roast lamb. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.620 Mmm, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.019 my favourite. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.880 But shepherds 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.519 in those days 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.400 weren't very 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.420 important people. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:47.940 In fact, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.620 they were 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.420 considered the 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.120 lowest of 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:50.559 the low. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.960 We're told 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.620 in verse 8 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.059 that they 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.099 lived out 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.480 in the 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:54.859 fields. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.319 They had 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:55.680 to make 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.120 their own 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.620 shelter, 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.559 get their 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.160 own food, 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.660 their own 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.079 water. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.279 In fact, 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.259 when people 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.200 were walking 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.620 by, 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:02.980 when they 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.680 were journeying 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.200 from one 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:04.640 place to 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:04.960 another, 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:06.039 shepherds 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.100 would rob 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.059 other people 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.840 because they 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.279 didn't have 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.779 much. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.279 Nobody liked 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.380 shepherds. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.120 They were 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.640 the most 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.779 unimportant, 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.319 despised 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.519 people that 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.860 you could 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.279 find. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.400 But amazingly, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.440 God chose 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.600 the shepherds 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.900 to be the 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:29.019 very first 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.299 people in 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.880 the whole 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.400 world to 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.799 hear the 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.340 good news 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.699 from the 00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:34.119 angels. 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.599 How amazing 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.779 is that? 00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:38.519 God chose 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.199 the lowest 00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:39.699 of the 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:39.939 low. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:40.779 He didn't 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.299 go running 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:41.679 to the 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.119 political 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.579 leaders, 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.059 the ones 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.299 that we 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.779 read about 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.220 in chapter 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.559 2, 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.119 verse 1, 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.059 Caesar, 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:46.779 Augustus, 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.819 Quinerius, 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.500 all these 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.119 political, 00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:49.939 important 00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.339 people. 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.279 God didn't 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.980 send angels 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.579 to them. 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.000 He didn't 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.699 send angels 00:22:54.699 --> 00:22:55.259 to the 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:57.220 self-important 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.799 people. 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:57.859 people. 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.460 He goes 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.379 to rotten 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.680 thieving 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.899 sinners. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.720 He goes 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.839 to shepherds 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:07.220 to announce 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.240 the news 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.480 of Jesus' 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.220 birth. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.180 You see, 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.700 that's God's 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:15.259 amazing grace. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.639 He doesn't 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.220 come to us 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.639 and say, 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.599 I want you 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.039 to sort 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.619 your life 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.000 out, 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.180 then you 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.599 can come 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.039 to me. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.559 He doesn't 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:23.920 say, 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.659 promise me 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.139 that you'll 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.000 do better 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.159 and that 00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:28.700 you'll try 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.779 harder and 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.920 then I'll 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.519 help you. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.799 God doesn't 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.200 say, 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.920 make a 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.359 commitment 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.539 to never 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.299 ever fail 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.539 again and 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.659 then I'm 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.119 going to 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.740 save you. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.259 No, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.399 God has 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.940 sent his 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:46.159 son to 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:47.779 invite sinners, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.619 people like 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.279 you and me. 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.579 He comes 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.279 to seek 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.879 and save 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.079 the lost. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.200 He comes 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.720 to people 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.200 who know 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.859 they need 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.279 help, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.920 people who 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.500 know they 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.019 need a 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.480 saviour, 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.579 people who 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.240 know they're 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.879 not good 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.200 enough, 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.319 people like 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.399 Asia, 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.359 people like 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.599 me and 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.359 people like 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.299 you. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:13.759 Well, 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.359 receive 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:15.940 grace. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.119 Here's the 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.899 second response, 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.740 check it out. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.220 After hearing 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.600 the good 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.120 news, 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.779 the shepherds, 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.480 look at 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.200 verse 15, 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.460 when they 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:26.980 heard this, 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.559 they said, 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.000 let's go to 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.920 Bethlehem and 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.019 see this thing 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.400 that has 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.500 happened which 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.160 the Lord has 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.860 told us about. 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.940 Let's go check 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.380 it out. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.539 Let's go see 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.600 if this is 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:37.940 true. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.539 We've heard 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.140 a message, 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.039 maybe it's 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.920 fake news, 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.640 maybe it's 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.380 all made 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:43.779 up. 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.319 Let's go 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.920 and find 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.360 out. 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.700 So, 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.519 verse 16, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.619 they hurried 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.119 off and 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:50.779 found Mary 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.339 and Joseph 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.680 and the 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.160 baby who 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.579 was lying 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:52.879 in the 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.220 manger. 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.119 And when 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.700 they'd seen 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:54.980 him, 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.180 they spread 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.660 the word 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.579 concerning what 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.180 had been told 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.900 about this 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.339 child. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.740 You see, 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.579 they went to 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.359 find out, 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.200 to check out, 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.139 if what they'd 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.680 heard was 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.700 true. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:08.420 And we're 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.000 hearing the 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.819 same message 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.680 today. 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.580 And you're 00:25:11.580 --> 00:25:12.140 maybe sitting 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.720 here thinking, 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.360 I'm not quite 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:15.319 sure I believe 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.700 this. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.759 It's a nice 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.519 story, 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.559 but I don't 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.120 know if it's 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.519 true. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.960 Well, 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.500 check it 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:23.860 out. 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.600 How do you 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:25.940 check it 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.160 out? 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.840 Read Luke's 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.220 Gospel. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.220 Luke was 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.319 one who 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.039 went and 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.600 interviewed 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.539 people and 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.580 searched for 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:34.940 all the 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.539 evidence and 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.420 he got all 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.139 the stories 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.720 together, 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.899 he got all 00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.500 the witnesses 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.019 together, 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.579 and then he 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.659 wrote down 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.420 Luke's Gospel 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.200 so that we 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.819 could know 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.059 the truth. 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:45.940 Read it 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.720 for yourself. 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.099 Check out 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.639 if the story 00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:51.119 is true. 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:52.059 The shepherds 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.420 did, 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.339 and they 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.059 discovered 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.420 something 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.539 amazing. 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.259 They checked 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.759 it out, 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:02.180 and they 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:04.019 came to 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.759 worship him. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.879 look at 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.579 verse 20. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.759 The shepherds 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.359 returned, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.220 back to 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.519 where they 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.819 had come 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.099 from, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.519 back to 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.240 their fields, 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.200 glorifying and 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.139 praising God 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.879 for the things 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.559 they had heard 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.159 and seen, 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.240 which were 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.839 just as 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.379 they had been 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.799 told. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.519 You know 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.859 when you 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.240 glorify someone, 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.599 or you 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.799 praise someone, 00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:30.559 what you're 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.200 doing is 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.579 you're 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.920 worshipping 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.279 them. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.400 You're 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:34.940 saying what 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.340 they have 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:35.620 done, 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.140 if somebody 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.860 scores a 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.500 great goal 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.440 or somebody 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.100 achieves 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.779 something really 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.100 good, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.120 you clap and 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.660 applaud and 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.240 you jump up 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.620 and down and 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:42.740 go, 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.200 yes, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.840 brilliant, 00:26:44.060 --> 00:26:44.620 fantastic. 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.539 You're giving 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.320 them praise, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.460 you're giving 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.259 them your 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.400 worship. 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.660 You see, 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.380 the shepherds 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.940 had come to 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.779 understand what 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.420 this baby 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.880 means. 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.860 He's not just 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.960 an ordinary 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.600 baby, 00:26:58.599 --> 00:27:00.740 he is the 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.259 saviour of 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.779 the world. 00:27:03.699 --> 00:27:04.179 Therefore, 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.099 he deserves 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.439 our worship. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.419 He deserves 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:09.359 my whole 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.939 life. 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.159 Do you 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.599 remember how 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.259 the shepherds 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.119 responded when 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.779 they saw the 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.119 angel? 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.119 Remember when 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.539 the angel 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:18.939 appeared? 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.199 Do you 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:20.279 remember their 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.899 response? 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.539 They were 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.519 terrified. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.240 Why were 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.019 they terrified? 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.879 well, 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.500 the shepherds 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.240 knew exactly 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.879 what kind of 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.480 life they'd 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.799 lived. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.519 They weren't 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:33.879 the most 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.420 reputable 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.279 people around. 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.940 They were 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.579 downright 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.639 dirty sinners. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.400 Now God 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:41.900 had appeared 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.299 with an 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.839 angel in 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.379 the sky, 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.259 with a 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.720 message. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.539 That could 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.139 only mean 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.859 one thing. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.379 We're doomed. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.000 God's coming 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.099 to strike us 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.519 down. 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:53.079 We're lost. 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.920 But no. 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.799 What did 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.220 the angel 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.660 say? 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.440 Don't be 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.799 afraid. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.700 No, you're 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.299 not going to 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.940 get struck 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.359 down. 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.819 God hasn't 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.359 come to 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.379 wipe you 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:09.759 out. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.000 God has 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.420 come to 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.160 save you. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.099 He's come 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.440 to give 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.960 his life 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.359 for you. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.539 That's why 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.180 he deserves 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.000 our worship. 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.839 It means 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.299 to make 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.579 Jesus the 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.759 most important 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.500 person to 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.720 you. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.000 It's to 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.480 make him 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.059 the greatest 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.079 treasure in 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.559 your whole 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.980 life. 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.180 It's saying 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.339 that if I 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.940 don't have 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.740 Jesus in 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.579 my life, 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.660 I'm lost 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.180 forever. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.519 I'm dead. 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.119 The shepherds 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.259 worshipped him. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.700 They gave 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.519 their life 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.759 to Jesus. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.680 Asia 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.900 has given 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.619 her life 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.220 to Jesus. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.799 she has 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.380 come to 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.500 worship 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.600 Jesus 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:57.460 because of 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:57.819 what he 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.240 has done 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.839 for her. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.759 The 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.680 question is 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.539 to you, 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.140 do you 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.539 worship 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.000 Jesus? 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.019 Have you 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.440 given your 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.000 life to 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.259 him? 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.480 Most 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.980 important 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.500 thing we 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:13.880 could ever 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.180 do. 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.000 And maybe 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.400 you're here 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.660 and you're 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:16.920 thinking, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.180 yeah, 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.680 I've done 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.000 that. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.120 Well, 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.620 let me ask, 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.079 have you been 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.460 baptized? 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:23.160 as a 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:23.980 demonstration 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.600 of your 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:26.180 love 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.819 and trust 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.200 in the 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.799 Lord Jesus. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.460 Maybe that's 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.000 something you 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.460 need to be 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.220 thinking about. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.120 Worship 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.480 him. 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.220 Give your 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.680 life to 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:36.920 him. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.799 He's your 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.160 savior. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.240 Let's 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.500 pray. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.600 Amen. 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.019 Father, 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.279 we're 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.900 amazed 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.680 at such 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.200 good news. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.420 We all 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.340 were just 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.280 desperate to 00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:57.040 hear good 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:59.019 news and 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.880 we've just 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.680 listened to 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.000 it. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:04.060 Thank you, 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.740 Lord Jesus, 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.640 for being 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:08.180 the perfect, 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.519 full, 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.840 and sufficient 00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.940 savior of 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.560 our life. 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.320 Help us 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.680 to trust 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.000 you. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:19.000 help us 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.460 that we 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.799 might 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.299 worship 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.740 you 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.819 with our 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.220 life. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.859 Thank you 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.240 for the 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.799 work you've 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.099 done 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:27.619 in Asia's 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:27.980 life. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.460 Thank you 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.779 for the 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.180 work you 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.660 can do 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.720 in our 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.400 life too. 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.579 In 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:33.880 Jesus' 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.380 name, 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:35.839 Amen. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:35.939 Amen. 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.119 Well, 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.959 before we 00:30:39.959 --> 00:30:41.000 baptize, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.220 we're 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.480 going to 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:41.779 sing. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.279 We're 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.480 going to 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.899 sing about 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.279 what the 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.720 angels 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.799 announced. 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.500 Hark, 00:30:47.500 --> 00:31:17.480 Thank you.