WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 Good morning, everyone. Great to be at church with you this morning. My name is Steve, the senior pastor here. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:08.939 And if you've got your Bibles open there, that'd be fantastic. 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:14.500 And I'll take a quick look at that passage, which is in front of us in Luke chapter 2. 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:25.440 I read an article this morning by a journalist who said that we are drawing the curtain on 2023 as we celebrate Christmas. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:32.300 And it's a year that you really, that you could only really describe as bizarro year. 00:00:33.120 --> 00:00:37.299 A year of great uncertainty and turmoil. 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:45.340 They went on and listed a whole heap of things that would classify as unusual, bizarre things that governments around the world are doing. 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:52.240 But also very mindful of a, we're closing the year at a time of great turmoil. 00:00:52.240 --> 00:01:02.859 It's not far from our minds, conflicts in the Middle East, but also in Ukraine and Russia. 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:13.579 There have been tens of thousands upon tens of thousands of lives that have been lost in these conflicts. 00:01:14.520 --> 00:01:18.560 Communities fractured, people stricken in life. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:27.020 And they're just two of the big ones in terms of conflicts that are in the media in our world in this last year. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:33.840 In 2023 alone, there were 114 wars globally. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:36.540 We just really hear about two of them. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:38.000 114. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:45.120 The definition of a war is an active conflict where over 1,000 lives have lost. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:50.920 And there's been 114 of them in this world this year. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:59.620 Of the past 3,400 years of recorded history, there has only been 268 years war-free. 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:05.880 268 years with no recorded war. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:10.960 That is a meagre 8% of recorded history. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:12.219 That's all. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:19.259 For those who think that religion is to blame for that, of all those recorded wars in history, 00:02:19.860 --> 00:02:22.599 less than 7% have anything to do with religion. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:24.780 Less than 7%. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:32.919 In more recent history, from 1945 to 2015, 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:42.000 there were only 26 days of no recorded war somewhere in the world. 00:02:43.019 --> 00:02:44.159 26 days. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:50.019 So what are we to make then of the message that we just heard? 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:52.419 From Luke chapter 2. 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:54.699 From 2,000 years ago. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.639 That at the heart of Christmas, 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:02.319 which half of the world's population is celebrating right now, 00:03:03.279 --> 00:03:06.739 what are we to make of the promise of peace? 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.599 It was right there. 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:12.419 Verse 14. 00:03:12.619 --> 00:03:14.659 Glory to God in the highest, 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:18.899 and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:19.460 Peace. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:21.480 Peace. 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:22.680 That's something that we desire. 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:24.460 We desire peace in our relationships. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:28.400 Our world is in desperate need for peace. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:30.020 And frankly, 00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:33.800 many of us would love peace deep inside of our hearts, 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:35.439 in the recesses of our hearts. 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:38.319 We're in turmoil and conflict with ourselves. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:41.560 And the Bible promises peace, 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:44.500 and that's the reason for Christmas, we are told. 00:03:45.019 --> 00:03:47.759 To bring peace to humanity. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:52.459 So what is this peace that the birth of Jesus promises, 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:53.439 and how do we get it? 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:56.060 That's the three things I kind of want to, you know, 00:03:56.819 --> 00:03:58.579 tackle this morning really briefly. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:03:59.819 Say three things. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:02.019 I want to treasure the message of Christmas, 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:04.979 and when we do, we find peace, 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:07.340 and when we find peace, we start to live fearlessly. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:08.920 They're the three things I want to do 00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:12.180 as we look at Luke 2 this morning. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:13.840 So first of all, 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:15.039 treasuring the message of Christmas. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:20.319 Really hearing the Christmas story 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:25.000 isn't easy to do when you've heard it so, so many times. 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:26.860 I mean, so many times. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:31.579 There is an over-familiarity to the story of Christmas, 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:33.819 and to hear well, we know, 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:35.899 is the important thing in life. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:39.219 Not just important in this passage. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.259 We are told here that the shepherds 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:43.560 were told something by the angels. 00:04:44.719 --> 00:04:47.699 Then they went and saw 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:50.620 that it was as they were told. 00:04:51.179 --> 00:04:52.959 Then we are told in verse 17 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:55.000 that when they saw Jesus, 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:58.019 they then went and spread the word 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:02.719 about everything that they had heard about Jesus. 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.940 Verse 18 we read, 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:07.980 And all who heard it 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:11.320 were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 00:05:12.580 --> 00:05:14.840 And there is an even deeper hearing. 00:05:16.020 --> 00:05:18.460 In verse 19, it says, 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.100 Mary treasured up all these things 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:25.000 and pondered them in her heart. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:32.959 This is more than just merely hearing some news. 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:35.360 You know, we all hear news every day 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.300 and on the most part, 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:37.920 it has no impact on us at all. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:41.300 Those with children 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:45.079 know the experience of telling them something 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:47.819 and it's not being followed through with. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:51.719 Probably those with husbands as well. 00:05:54.599 --> 00:05:56.099 Did we hear the information? 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:56.919 Did they hear the information? 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:57.339 Yes. 00:05:57.539 --> 00:05:58.339 Heard the information? 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:00.919 Did it get our attention? 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:02.899 Do we think through the implications? 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:04.319 I mean, really understand 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:05.199 of what we were told? 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:07.560 Well, on the most part, no. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:13.079 The first thing we are told here 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.860 is that God speaks to and through the ordinary. 00:06:16.479 --> 00:06:18.159 The shepherds get an angel 00:06:18.159 --> 00:06:21.180 and everyone else gets a shepherd. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:27.519 Just ordinary, low-class, 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:30.099 first-century shepherds. 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:33.399 Secondly, we are told 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:35.479 that Mary is a model for us 00:06:35.479 --> 00:06:36.339 on how to hear. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:39.759 She heard the news from the angel 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:41.419 and then she hears the news 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:42.279 from the shepherds. 00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:45.639 And we are told she treasures it. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.639 She ponders in her heart 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:48.979 what she has just heard. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:50.679 The word ponder here 00:06:50.679 --> 00:06:51.959 means to put into context, 00:06:52.359 --> 00:06:53.419 to think it through, 00:06:54.039 --> 00:06:55.179 to make the connections 00:06:55.179 --> 00:06:56.539 between what I'm hearing 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:57.959 and the rest of my life. 00:07:00.359 --> 00:07:02.219 How does it explain my life? 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:03.860 What does it mean for the way I'm living? 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:08.680 It is focused mental discipline. 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:13.120 Treasuring is also a little bit more emotional 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.560 than just mere study. 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:17.640 It means to keep this news alive. 00:07:17.760 --> 00:07:19.080 It is to keep the fire burning, 00:07:19.440 --> 00:07:20.100 to relish it, 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:21.060 to savor it, 00:07:21.580 --> 00:07:23.400 turn it over and over 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:24.240 and get in my mind 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:24.920 heart 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.980 to see how it connects 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.319 with my life. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:33.000 That is, 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:34.319 what we are told here 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:35.340 is Mary doesn't 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:37.199 just know the news 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:38.879 of the arrival of God intellectually. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:42.040 She fans the flame of it 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:42.939 in her heart 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.920 by pondering it again 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:45.500 and again 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:46.079 and again 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.540 and again 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:47.699 and making connections 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:49.420 in the rest of her life. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:52.420 She takes this news 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:53.680 into the centre 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:55.080 of her being 00:07:55.080 --> 00:07:56.780 until it means 00:07:56.780 --> 00:07:58.020 everything to her. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.120 This hearing that she has 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.439 is an attitude 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:02.240 of the heart. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.500 We shouldn't underestimate 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.500 our ability 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:08.259 to hear 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.960 and also 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:10.860 not to hear 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:12.400 the good news 00:08:12.400 --> 00:08:14.160 of Christmas. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:16.840 We don't really want 00:08:16.840 --> 00:08:17.900 to be like the crowd 00:08:17.900 --> 00:08:19.439 who just marvels 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.820 at this birth. 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:22.320 We want to be like Mary 00:08:22.320 --> 00:08:23.020 and ponder 00:08:23.020 --> 00:08:23.700 and treasure 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:24.760 the good news of Jesus 00:08:24.760 --> 00:08:26.120 and the reason is 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:27.580 is because when we do hear well 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:28.700 we discover 00:08:28.700 --> 00:08:29.740 the remarkable promise 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:30.180 of peace. 00:08:30.260 --> 00:08:30.960 Have a look at it there 00:08:30.960 --> 00:08:31.940 if you've got your Bibles 00:08:31.940 --> 00:08:33.220 verses 13 and 14. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:33.820 Suddenly 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:35.840 a great company 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.000 of the heavenly hosts 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.080 appeared with the angel 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:38.940 praising God 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:39.680 and saying 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:41.399 glory to God 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.759 in the highest heaven 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.820 and on earth 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:44.879 peace to those 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:45.820 on whom 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:47.040 his favour rests. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.560 It's a very 00:08:48.560 --> 00:08:50.100 specific 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:51.340 promise 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:52.180 of peace. 00:08:53.800 --> 00:08:54.800 It's peace 00:08:54.800 --> 00:08:55.680 for those 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:57.020 to whom 00:08:57.020 --> 00:08:57.900 God's grace 00:08:57.900 --> 00:08:58.700 and favour 00:08:58.700 --> 00:08:59.460 and mercy 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:00.020 rest. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.340 On the surface 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.660 it looks like 00:09:05.660 --> 00:09:06.740 well this is just 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:07.100 a promise 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:07.900 for a select group 00:09:07.900 --> 00:09:08.320 of people. 00:09:08.760 --> 00:09:09.720 That's all this is. 00:09:10.780 --> 00:09:12.160 But you have to read it 00:09:12.160 --> 00:09:13.140 in the light 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:14.059 of verse 10. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:15.240 The angels 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.299 said to them 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:17.919 do not be afraid 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.840 I bring you 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:19.539 good news 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.240 that will cause 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:21.220 great joy 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.019 for all 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:24.059 people. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:26.439 Today 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:27.460 in the town 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:28.039 of David 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:28.819 a saviour 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:29.480 has been born 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:29.919 to you 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:30.779 he is the 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:31.259 Messiah 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:31.939 the Lord. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:33.659 So what 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:34.319 Luke 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:34.879 the writer 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.419 of this 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:36.379 the recorder 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:36.980 of this biography 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.159 is saying here 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.000 is that one of the 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.919 great benefits 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:41.159 secrets of grasping 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.659 the good news 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:43.659 about God's grace 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:44.659 to us in Jesus 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.399 Christ 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:46.719 at Christmas 00:09:46.719 --> 00:09:49.240 is that you now 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.479 have peace with God. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.879 That's crucial. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.799 That is so crucial 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:55.979 because one of the 00:09:55.979 --> 00:09:56.439 great 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:59.099 and important 00:09:59.099 --> 00:09:59.799 themes 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:00.620 of the 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.919 New Testament 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.219 is that 00:10:03.219 --> 00:10:05.259 before we embrace 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:05.899 God's grace 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:06.639 grace and mercy 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:08.379 we are 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.159 in fact 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.199 at war 00:10:10.199 --> 00:10:10.959 with him. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.100 Most people 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:16.879 don't believe 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.240 that. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:18.840 Most people 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:19.539 have not grasped 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.379 that aspect 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.659 of the Christmas 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:22.179 story. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:25.779 Many would say 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.360 that they just 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:26.860 don't simply 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.379 don't believe 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:27.840 in God 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:29.519 or that they 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.299 are indifferent 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:30.899 to God. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:32.340 Hardly 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:32.980 anyone 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.059 wanders around 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:34.879 and says 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.779 I'm hostile 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.799 towards God. 00:10:39.119 --> 00:10:39.839 I'm in 00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:41.019 open conflict 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.639 with him. 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:44.279 And yet 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:44.939 the New Testament 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:45.979 puts it like that. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.079 It says 00:10:47.079 --> 00:10:47.599 the mind 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:48.299 governed by 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:49.159 the flesh 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.500 is hostile 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.159 to God. 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.159 It does 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.379 not submit 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:55.279 to God. 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:58.259 That is 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:58.939 at the heart 00:10:58.939 --> 00:10:59.539 of Christianity 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:00.359 before it's 00:11:00.359 --> 00:11:00.879 great news 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.699 of God's love 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:03.219 is the 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:03.740 reality 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.960 of open 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.440 warfare 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.320 against God. 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:08.680 Our 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:09.440 relationship 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:09.980 with God 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.460 is not 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.040 disbelief 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:12.259 and indifference 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.639 it's actually 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.379 hostility 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.220 towards him. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.440 And let me 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:19.899 just be clear 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.940 this is for 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.259 both the 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:21.920 religious person 00:11:21.920 --> 00:11:22.259 and the 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.660 irreligious 00:11:22.660 --> 00:11:23.220 person. 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:24.720 Open 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.360 hostility 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:30.080 overtly 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:30.800 asserting 00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:31.840 our independence 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.360 from our 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:32.840 creator. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.360 Both the 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:37.759 religious 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.320 and the 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:39.160 irreligious 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:40.700 are openly 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.240 declaring 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.620 they want 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.019 to live 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.480 life 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.360 their way. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:45.759 The 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.120 religious 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.740 person 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.519 covertly 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.100 asserts 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:48.379 their 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.259 independence 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.980 from God. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.540 You know 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.480 they do 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:51.860 religious 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:52.399 activities 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:52.840 you know 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.160 they turn 00:11:53.160 --> 00:11:53.420 up to 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:54.000 church 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.860 they read 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.200 the Bible 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:55.740 they pray 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.160 try and 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:56.519 follow the 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.200 Ten Commandments 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.620 that kind 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.179 of stuff 00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:58.759 try to be 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:58.960 a good 00:11:58.960 --> 00:11:59.560 person 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.340 with the 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:01.299 expectation 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:03.340 that it 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.279 wins God's 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.120 favour towards 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.679 them in some 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:05.919 way. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:07.960 It's an 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:09.100 attempt to 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:09.899 control 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.360 my life 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:11.799 and my 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:12.279 relationship 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.820 with God. 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:15.960 It's a 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.700 declaration that 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.220 I ultimately 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:17.639 do not 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.279 trust God. 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.500 No matter 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.159 who we are 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:21.539 in our 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.039 nature we 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:22.419 are hostile 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:23.000 to God 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.200 and particularly 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:24.560 in the 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.299 western world 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.219 we are 00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:26.819 committed to 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.539 the idea 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:28.299 that we 00:12:28.299 --> 00:12:28.939 will only 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:29.539 ever be 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.019 truly 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:30.539 deeply 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:30.979 happy 00:12:30.979 --> 00:12:31.500 if we 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:31.939 are in 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:32.279 charge 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:32.579 of our 00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:32.799 own 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.299 lives. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.399 The 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:36.879 mark of a 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.439 real Christian 00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:38.459 is that they 00:12:38.459 --> 00:12:39.059 come to see 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.339 the hostility. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.839 They've seen 00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:44.799 not only that 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.279 they have done 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.120 wrong things 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.299 but even 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:48.019 the right 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:48.459 things that 00:12:48.459 --> 00:12:49.059 they've done 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:49.899 have been 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.559 done for the 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.279 wrong reasons 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:51.639 the wrong 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.240 motives. 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:55.859 Christmas 00:12:55.859 --> 00:12:58.559 is the 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.359 beginning of 00:12:59.359 --> 00:12:59.819 what God 00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:00.579 does for us 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.139 through Jesus 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.620 Christ to 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.419 initiate a 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.179 peace treaty. 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:07.159 God's grace 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.620 to us and 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:10.019 peace go 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.479 together. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.799 Those who 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.359 grasp the 00:13:14.359 --> 00:13:15.039 grace of 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.259 God are 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.839 those who 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:17.339 have peace 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:17.919 with God 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:19.079 and at the 00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:19.679 very least 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.039 it means 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.539 Christmas 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.939 sorry at the 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:22.359 very least it 00:13:22.359 --> 00:13:22.839 means that for 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.500 Christians we 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:23.939 ought to be 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:24.679 peacemakers. 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.059 At the 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:26.819 very least 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:28.299 peacemakers 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.939 are people 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:30.339 who have 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.159 admitted their 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:31.899 wrongs, their 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.859 flaws, their 00:13:32.859 --> 00:13:33.959 hostility towards 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:34.819 God, they 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.379 have swallowed 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.799 their pride, they 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:37.419 have surrendered 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.159 to their God, 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.879 they've accepted 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.639 his grace and 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:40.279 his goodness and 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:40.679 they've found 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.399 peace with him. 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:42.379 And when that 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.219 happens between 00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:44.120 you and God 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.039 it means that you 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.000 actually go out 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.079 into a world and 00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:47.740 you do it with 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.159 others. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.759 A 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.319 Christian 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:56.000 is someone 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:58.040 who knows 00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:58.800 how to admit 00:13:58.800 --> 00:13:59.280 that they are 00:13:59.280 --> 00:13:59.760 wrong, 00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:02.620 how to 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.240 forgive, 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.020 how to 00:14:05.020 --> 00:14:05.480 reconcile 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.040 because that 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:07.740 is what God 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.320 has done for 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:08.600 them. 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:10.780 And we 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:11.780 become peacemakers 00:14:11.780 --> 00:14:12.600 between races 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.460 and classes, 00:14:14.660 --> 00:14:15.440 family members, 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:15.840 neighbours, 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.480 colleagues. 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:19.460 Peace comes 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.260 to those who 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:21.660 grasp God's 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:23.679 grace and 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.199 threw them 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:24.500 to the 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:24.819 world. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:26.360 So, 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.559 treasure the 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:28.039 message, 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.199 discover the 00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:29.620 peace, 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.419 and thirdly, 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.600 being at peace 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.100 with God 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.779 leads to 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.039 fearless living. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.679 I get that 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.120 from verses 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.679 8 and 10, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.039 have a look 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.299 at it. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:38.719 Those, 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.399 sorry, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:39.919 there were 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.299 shepherds 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:40.779 living out in 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.079 the fields 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.439 nearby, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.459 keeping watch 00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:43.059 over their 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:43.539 flocks at 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:43.839 night. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:44.600 An angel of 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:44.939 the Lord 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.399 appeared to 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:45.679 them and 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:45.980 the glory 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.339 of the Lord 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:46.799 shone around 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.439 them and 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.220 they were 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.480 terrified. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:51.340 But the 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:51.820 angel said 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.039 to them, 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:52.620 do not 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.320 be afraid, 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:53.879 I bring 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.379 you good 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.460 news that 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:55.980 will cause 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.980 great joy 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.480 for all 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:57.879 people. 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.480 The 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.120 shepherds 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.300 were terrified. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:02.960 Angels 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.320 tell them, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.700 don't be 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.200 afraid, 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.980 because I 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.399 bring you 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.120 good news. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.320 That's the 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.700 reason why 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:08.940 you shouldn't 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:09.379 be afraid, 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:09.680 because I've 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.000 got good 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.460 news for 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:10.700 you. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.259 Embracing 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.740 the good 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.220 news of 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.560 Christmas 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.200 means that 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:14.879 we can 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.220 be at 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.580 peace and 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:16.779 we can 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:16.980 live 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.580 fearlessly. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.080 You see, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.759 what normally 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.240 happens in 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.720 the Bible 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.220 is that 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.740 when God 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.360 shows up, 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:24.860 people are 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.519 terrified. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.659 First time 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.039 it ever 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.539 happened was 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:29.779 in the 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.100 Garden of 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.399 Eden with 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:30.759 Adam and 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.060 Eve. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.659 After they 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.420 sinned, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.600 before sin 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.180 was in the 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.420 picture, 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.100 before there 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.759 was hostility 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.360 with God, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.360 there was 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.480 no fear. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.740 When we 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.259 have perfect 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.820 relationship 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.259 with God, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.060 there is no 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.500 fear in 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:47.860 life. 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.360 that's so 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.440 crucial as 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:51.899 we come to 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.300 the end of 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:52.899 2023, 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.220 because most 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.840 of us come 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.000 to Christmas 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.100 living lives 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.700 of some 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.379 element of 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.039 fear and 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.639 anxiety. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.899 The fear of 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.279 rejection, 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:02.920 the fear of 00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:03.300 failure, 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.220 the fear of 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.720 bad things 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.019 happening, 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.440 the fear of 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:05.920 the future, 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.580 the fear of 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.519 death. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.680 We live 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.279 each day 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:10.940 trying to 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.379 earn our 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.720 self-worth 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.620 and people's 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.000 respect, 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.539 and if we 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.539 don't constantly 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.519 get affirmation 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.300 and love from 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:18.720 people, 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:20.180 we just 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.700 die inside. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.600 We are 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.340 slaves to 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.080 our performance 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.259 and other 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.720 people's 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.560 perceptions of 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:27.820 us. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.180 It's a life 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:29.820 of fear, 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.840 knowing that 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.560 ultimately we 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.300 cannot control 00:16:32.300 --> 00:16:32.940 our lives. 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:36.200 Deep down 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:37.040 in the 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:37.779 recesses of 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.440 our hearts, 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.100 we are in 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.860 conflict with 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.360 ourselves. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.000 It's hard 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.440 enough trying 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:43.940 to manage 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.060 other people's 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:45.740 perception of 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.100 us, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.220 us, 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.080 let alone 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.580 our own 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:48.980 perceptions 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.560 of us. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.200 Every time 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.720 something 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.320 unexpected 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.060 happens to 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:54.279 us, 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:54.639 it's just 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.960 another 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.440 reminder 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.440 that we 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:56.899 are not 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.659 in 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.540 control. 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:01.659 We're 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.100 especially 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.680 afraid of 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.040 death. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.079 In death, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.620 we lose 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:06.360 absolutely 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:07.059 everything. 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.220 We are 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.799 filled with 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.299 fear, 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.420 but we 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:11.799 fill our 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.360 lives with 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:13.579 distractions in 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.360 order to not 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.000 think about 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.319 it. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.959 Distractions 00:17:18.959 --> 00:17:19.419 so that we 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.139 can't listen 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:21.319 well to 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.699 the good 00:17:21.699 --> 00:17:23.179 news and 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:24.000 find peace. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.519 We are 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.000 our own 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.519 masters and 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:27.859 we are 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:28.559 unqualified 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.079 for the 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.439 job. 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:30.979 And when 00:17:30.979 --> 00:17:31.479 push comes 00:17:31.479 --> 00:17:31.839 to shove, 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.199 we know 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:32.359 it. 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:33.559 We have 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.379 taken God's 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.939 crown and 00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:36.419 placed it 00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:37.059 in our own 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.839 heads, so 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.419 to speak, 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.599 and we 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.159 are way 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.039 over our 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.479 heads. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.380 We are 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.000 usurposed 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.319 to a 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.799 throne that 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.279 we don't 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.759 deserve, nor 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.480 are qualified 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.819 for, and 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.519 on the first 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.819 Christmas, the 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.519 real king 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.980 turned up, and 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.380 we are 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:54.019 terrified. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.740 His beauty 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.880 shows us 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.200 our 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.900 ugliness. 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.120 His power 00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:03.880 shows us 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.940 our impotence. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.259 His light 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.880 shows us 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.599 our darkness. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:07.839 us. 00:18:10.959 --> 00:18:11.619 And yet 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.159 his grace 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:12.480 to us 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.939 shows us 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.559 the solution. 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:17.240 Verse 11, 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:18.279 again, a 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.919 saviour has 00:18:18.919 --> 00:18:19.480 been born 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:19.959 to you. 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:21.059 He is the 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.359 Messiah, the 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.779 Lord. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.079 He is the 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.079 saviour of 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.459 the human 00:18:26.459 --> 00:18:26.879 race. 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:27.819 To have 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.339 peace and 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.619 to live 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.719 fearlessly, we 00:18:29.719 --> 00:18:30.000 need to 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.359 abandon 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.519 every form 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.980 of self 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.319 salvation and 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.119 rest in his 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:35.699 salvation. 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:35.799 salvation. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.240 The baby 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.180 born in the 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.160 manger, we 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.700 are told 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.420 here in 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.480 verse 11, is 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.299 the Lord. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.240 And the 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.940 word Lord 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.640 there in the 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.700 original language 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.779 is a direct 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.940 translation from 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.559 the Hebrew 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:51.680 word Yahweh. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.440 Yahweh. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.960 It's a 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.000 significant word. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.620 It's the 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.299 covenant name 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:01.019 of God in 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.340 the Old 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:01.799 Testament. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.640 The baby 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.240 born in the 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.100 manger is not 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.920 just a saviour 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.680 or a sage. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.480 He is the 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.100 creator of 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:07.560 the universe. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.980 That's what 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.420 that word 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.160 Lord means. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.660 If the 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.120 God who 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:12.640 made all 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.200 things is 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.740 prepared to 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.560 humble himself 00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:15.200 and to 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.800 come to 00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:18.900 earth, for 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.320 us he is 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.019 trustworthy. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.820 Is that 00:19:26.820 --> 00:19:27.300 plausible? 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:31.319 way back in 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:33.779 1961, the 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.359 Soviet Union 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:37.159 put a man 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.919 in space for 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:38.299 the first 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.720 time. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.379 27-year-old 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.359 Yuri Gagarin 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.440 orbited the 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.500 earth for 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.919 about 90 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:46.359 minutes, an 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:46.579 hour and a 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:46.919 half, something 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.339 like that. 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.579 When he 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.139 came back to 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.779 earth, the 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.460 head of the 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.039 Soviet Union at 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.799 time, Nikita 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.879 Khrushchev, said 00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:59.480 that we have 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.220 sent someone 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:02.700 into space and 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.379 we did not 00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:04.200 find God. 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.659 God does not 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:06.079 exist. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.019 There's no God 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.500 up there. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.159 The Oxford 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:14.180 scholar C.S. 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.960 Lewis read 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.659 that and 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:20.099 fired off an 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.220 article in 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.059 response called 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.620 the seeing 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.140 eye. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.860 This is part 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.220 of what he 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.740 wrote. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.860 The Russians, I 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.740 am told, report 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.180 that they have 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.019 not found God 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.039 in outer space. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.259 Looking for 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.339 God or 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.539 heaven by 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.920 exploring space 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.460 is like reading 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.880 or seeing all 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.039 of Shakespeare's 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.440 plays in the 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.079 hope that you'll 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.920 find Shakespeare 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.740 as one of the 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.180 characters. 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.579 Shakespeare is 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.440 in one sense 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.220 present at 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.160 every moment 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.839 in every one 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.779 of his plays. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.680 But he's 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.440 never present 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.120 in the same 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.579 way that 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.579 Princess Hamlet 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.079 is. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.860 My point is 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.559 that if God 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.380 does exist, 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.519 he is related 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.420 to the universe 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.460 more as an 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.600 author is 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.400 related to a 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.500 play than as 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.460 one object in 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.180 the universe is 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.980 related to another 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.720 object in the 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.160 universe. 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.200 He went on to 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.920 ask the question, 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.160 how then do we 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.880 find God or 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:21.620 also avoid 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.160 God? 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.500 He first 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.320 answered how 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:27.060 we avoid 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:28.400 God and 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.760 maybe at 00:21:29.760 --> 00:21:30.420 the end of 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.860 this crazy 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.820 year of 2023 00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:33.780 this might be 00:21:33.780 --> 00:21:35.520 a pertinent 00:21:35.520 --> 00:21:36.140 message for 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.380 you. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.260 He says, 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.460 avoid silence. 00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:41.540 This is how to 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.020 avoid God. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.940 Avoid silence, 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.180 avoid solitude, 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:45.400 concentrate on 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.480 money, sex, 00:21:46.760 --> 00:21:47.640 status, health, 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.520 and your own 00:21:48.520 --> 00:21:49.140 grievances. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.200 Keep the radio 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.080 turned on or 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:51.800 the television or 00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:52.340 YouTube or 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.880 whatever it is 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:53.640 he might have 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.180 said if he was 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.020 existing right 00:21:55.020 --> 00:21:55.340 now. 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.520 Live in a 00:21:56.520 --> 00:21:57.120 crowd. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.100 Use plenty of 00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.720 sedation. 00:22:00.280 --> 00:22:01.040 If you must 00:22:01.040 --> 00:22:01.680 read books, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.320 select those 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:02.800 books very 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.920 carefully, but 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.860 you'd be better 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.720 off just to 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.300 stick with the 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:06.820 newspapers. 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.820 To some, 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:10.040 God is 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:10.880 discoverable 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.580 everywhere. 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.200 To others, 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.600 nowhere. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:16.980 It depends 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.419 on the 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.039 attitude of 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.699 your heart. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.399 And I 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:20.859 would add it 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.419 would depend 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:21.919 on the 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.299 level of 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.179 hostility that 00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:23.500 you have 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.219 towards God. 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.519 Lewis went 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.219 on to write 00:22:29.219 --> 00:22:30.339 that he had 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.439 less advice on 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.459 how to find 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:34.139 God, he 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:34.980 said because it 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.779 was God who 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.599 came to find 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.519 us on the 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.019 very first 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.419 Christmas. 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.559 His point 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.939 was that the 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.959 only way to 00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:43.740 know God who 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.559 made everything 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.019 is if this 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:48.059 God writes 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.579 himself into 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.559 his own 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:52.659 story, as a 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.440 character in 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.460 his own story. 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.460 It's the only 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.460 way that we 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.099 would ever know 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.399 him. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.200 If he chooses 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.299 to write himself 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.500 into the history 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.299 of the world 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.779 that he has 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.940 made, and 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.799 that is what 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.179 C.S. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.759 Lewis says, 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.839 is the claim 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.579 of Christian, 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.059 the claim of 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.500 Christmas. 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.139 It's the 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.460 infinitely wonderful 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.119 moment of 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.739 Christmas, that 00:23:14.739 --> 00:23:16.000 God writes 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.079 himself into 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.519 his own 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.159 story. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.639 It means 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.419 that God 00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:23.079 looks at the 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.699 world that he 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.979 created, he 00:23:24.979 --> 00:23:26.119 could see the 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.739 terrible trouble 00:23:27.739 --> 00:23:28.579 that humanity 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.839 was in, the 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.839 hostility, the 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.899 chaos, the 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:33.079 conflict, the 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.839 war, both 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.839 externally and 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:36.799 internally, and 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.299 he wrote 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.239 himself into the 00:23:38.239 --> 00:23:39.819 history as 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:41.179 Jesus Christ, the 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.820 saviour of the 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.120 world. 00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:43.740 And he 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.440 didn't come 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.080 simply to 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:48.060 embrace us, but 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:49.000 to take our 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.140 hostility upon 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:52.060 himself and to 00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.980 die for us. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.820 He lost his 00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:56.360 peace so that 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.000 we can have 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.740 peace forever. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.080 And so I'm not 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.860 sure what 2023 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.740 has been like 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.160 for you. 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.440 Many people are 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.500 claiming it's the 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.200 hope, the year 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.620 that they hope 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.360 never to revisit. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:09.539 Look to 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.639 Christmas at the 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.119 end of the year 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.939 and find peace. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.779 To the degree 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.339 that we grab 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.879 hold of the 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.699 good news and 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.439 ponder it and 00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:17.059 treasure it and 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.079 play it over, to 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.919 the degree that 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.699 our fears will 00:24:19.699 --> 00:24:21.339 diminish and 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.219 peace will rise 00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:22.979 in our hearts. 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.479 What's your 00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:25.039 next step? 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.979 Maybe it might 00:24:26.979 --> 00:24:27.779 be just to 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.559 wander across, 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:29.619 literally take 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.240 your next step 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.099 and wander across 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:33.039 the atrium in 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.679 church here and 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:34.279 you'll find some 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:36.000 free resources such 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.139 as the case for 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.480 Christmas. 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.340 Is Christmas 00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:39.240 believable? 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.460 Christmas uncut? 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.340 First part, maybe 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:43.460 it might be simply 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.380 this Christmas 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.520 season to grow a 00:24:45.520 --> 00:24:46.300 bit of quietness 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:47.200 and a bit of 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.780 solitude and 00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:49.940 ponder the 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.420 message. 00:24:51.080 --> 00:24:51.740 Merry Christmas.