1 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:16,000 What an honor it is to be able to celebrate our Lord and 2 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,100 savior. What a precious privilege and 3 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:22,800 Grace for us to be able to gather together around one 4 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,000 common desire. Hoping that's the exalt, the 5 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:28,900 person of Jesus Christ, we did it in song and now we will do it 6 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:31,800 in the hearing and the proclamation and prayerfully in 7 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:33,400 the obedience to the word of God. 8 00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:36,300 I hope you have your Bibles tonight because I encourage you 9 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:40,300 to turn with me in your copy of God's word and the gospel of 10 00:00:40,300 --> 00:00:51,500 Matthew chapter 1. What a day to be a Christian. 11 00:00:58,100 --> 00:00:59,400 Let's pray. One more time, shall we? 12 00:01:00,500 --> 00:01:04,400 Louis, thank you. We thank you that in so much 13 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,500 Darkness, we can sense your light. 14 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:10,100 We thank you that as we are surrounded by so much chaos and 15 00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:15,100 confusion, we sense, you're anchoring, peace, we feel 16 00:01:15,100 --> 00:01:20,700 secure, we feel hopeful and Lord in this moment tonight we pray 17 00:01:20,700 --> 00:01:24,500 that you would only intensify that that sense of glory. 18 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:30,700 Lord, we already admit that we will fail and attempting to 19 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:34,000 describe your beauty. Your majesty in your wisdom. 20 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,900 But we ask that with our limited language and our limited 21 00:01:37,900 --> 00:01:40,900 capacity to understand that you would work in our hearts and our 22 00:01:40,908 --> 00:01:45,600 minds and our you would help us. See Christ. 23 00:01:46,700 --> 00:01:51,600 Christ incarnate Christ, and coming into this world to rescue 24 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,900 men. We pray Lord, that there would 25 00:01:53,900 --> 00:01:57,500 be Redemption tonight, that there'd be genuine salvation, 26 00:01:57,500 --> 00:02:00,100 that there will be even Revival Lord. 27 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:03,900 We pray that this Christmas weekend would serve as a Revival 28 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:08,100 that you would rejuvenate our faith and our devotion. 29 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:13,100 Going into the new year, with new mandates, with new 30 00:02:13,100 --> 00:02:16,200 standards, with a new way of life lore, we need a fresh touch 31 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:21,600 from Even a fresh touch Lord Kill lukewarmness Tonight, 32 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:28,700 destroy unbelief, rescue us from any sin that has dominance over 33 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:31,200 us. And Lord, we just pray that you 34 00:02:31,208 --> 00:02:35,100 would be exalted. You would be exalted Lord, we do 35 00:02:35,100 --> 00:02:38,200 not take it for granted that we are in a church building 36 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:41,100 tonight. We are extremely grateful 37 00:02:41,900 --> 00:02:44,000 grateful for people that want to be here. 38 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:47,100 Grateful for people that are not afraid of sickness. 39 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:52,300 Help us help us remain Fearless in a fearful time. 40 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:57,400 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. the gospel of Matthew 41 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:01,800 chapter 1, beginning in verse 18, we read Now, the birth of 42 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,000 Jesus Christ, took place in this way. 43 00:03:04,900 --> 00:03:08,600 When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph before they 44 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:12,000 came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy 45 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:17,100 Spirit and her husband. Joseph being a just man and 46 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:20,300 unwilling to put her to shame resolved to divorce her quietly. 47 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:26,200 But as he considered these things behold, an angel of the 48 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,300 Lord appeared to him in a dream saying Joseph, son of David do 49 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:35,200 not fear to take Mary as your wife for that which is Even in 50 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,800 her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you 51 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,900 shall call his name Jesus for. He will save his people, from 52 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:47,700 their sins. All this took place to fulfill 53 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:49,900 what the Lord had spoken. By the prophet. 54 00:03:50,300 --> 00:03:53,300 Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and 55 00:03:53,300 --> 00:03:55,800 they shall call his name Emmanuel. 56 00:03:58,100 --> 00:04:01,300 Don't answer audibly. But how many babies do you think 57 00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:03,500 are born worldwide every single day? 58 00:04:03,500 --> 00:04:11,100 Please do answer audibly. If you guessed close to 400,000, 59 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:13,500 you're right. There are three hundred. 60 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:18,300 And eighty-five thousand babies, born World ride every single 61 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:19,700 day. By midnight tonight, there will 62 00:04:19,700 --> 00:04:24,300 be close to 400,000 children entering into this world. 63 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,300 And what's amazing about that though it is a large number, it 64 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:32,600 does not diminish, the intrinsic value that each child carries 65 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:37,400 and it does not dilute the almost miraculous event of a 66 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:41,300 baby that was inhabiting. Another humans womb for nine 67 00:04:41,300 --> 00:04:46,600 months, all for sudden comes comes into this world flesh and 68 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,500 blood. So innocent so vulnerable, so 69 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:54,700 dependent. and it causes us to wonder even though it is so 70 00:04:54,700 --> 00:04:58,900 common, it still causes us to be an odd because such a thing 71 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:04,100 points to a Divine architect, And there is no doubt that when 72 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:07,700 we when we realize and contemplate conception and we 73 00:05:07,700 --> 00:05:12,300 realize and contemplate the birth of a child, it is 74 00:05:12,300 --> 00:05:16,600 extraordinary. And as extraordinary as every 75 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:20,200 single birth of a child maybe even though there may be close 76 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:25,100 to 400,000 a day, there is still one birth that surpasses them 77 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:30,600 all There is one birth that stands out in all of history and 78 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,500 it is the birth of a person named Jesus of Nazareth. 79 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:39,300 As Christians, we do not merely observe the birth of Jesus 80 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:41,500 Christ. As we do, our fellow loved ones, 81 00:05:41,900 --> 00:05:46,400 many cultures, including our own take time, and effort to invest 82 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:51,600 in the birthday of another, to show them how much we appreciate 83 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,700 and love them. And how grateful we are that 84 00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:59,800 they are present with us today but recognizing the birth of 85 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:04,600 Jesus Christ demands so much more than mere appreciation. 86 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:10,500 It is much more significant than that because his arrival, 2,000 87 00:06:10,500 --> 00:06:14,400 years ago, goes beyond him, just making an impression on certain 88 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,600 Hearts during his lifetime. Oh, yes, it does. 89 00:06:18,900 --> 00:06:23,600 The arrival of Christ into this world demands, more than just 90 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:29,600 some songs demands more than just an attendance demands true 91 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:35,900 heartfelt worship. True worship a surrendered life. 92 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:43,400 a sense of Inward bowing down continually, as we reflect on 93 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:48,700 the fact that God became a man because this birth 2,000 years 94 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:52,700 ago, impacts the Eternal destinations of those who choose 95 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:55,700 to believe in him. There is no other birth like 96 00:06:55,700 --> 00:06:58,300 that, there is no other man like this. 97 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:05,200 The birth of Jesus Christ is not disconnected from his Redemptive 98 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:10,400 plan for Humanity. In fact, it is an integral part 99 00:07:10,900 --> 00:07:14,400 for salvation to even be a possibility for us. 100 00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:18,000 And tonight, as we gathered together, I want to contemplate, 101 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,400 I want to just consider three elements of the birth of Jesus 102 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,100 Christ. Number one, the men of his 103 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:26,700 birth. Number two, the reason for his 104 00:07:26,700 --> 00:07:30,900 birth and number three, the Fulfillment of his birth. 105 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,400 And so we read in verse 18 down to verse 20, as you heard the 106 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,800 manner of the birth of the Lord. Jesus Christ. 107 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:44,900 After spending 17 whole versus to describe the human genealogy 108 00:07:44,900 --> 00:07:51,400 of Jesus Matthews spends half. Of one verse to tell us about 109 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:55,600 his divine origins. This author inspired by the 110 00:07:55,600 --> 00:08:00,500 spirit of God had to give necessary real estate to tell us 111 00:08:00,700 --> 00:08:05,400 exactly where Jesus Christ came from in a legal sense. 112 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:10,400 To prove that he was in fact, that link to the davidic Royal 113 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:14,000 line. But then when it comes to his 114 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:19,500 eternal nature, We were merely told that he was conceived by 115 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:22,500 the Holy Spirit, it reminds us of the brevity of the creation 116 00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:25,800 account, doesn't it? I always tell people. 117 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,400 It's amazing how much attention is given to a structure called 118 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,200 The Tabernacle? Close to 50 chapters in the 119 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,600 whole Bible is about a building that we don't even relate to. 120 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,400 And yet, one and a half chapters are given to us concerning 121 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:45,400 creation. That doesn't really satisfy the 122 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,700 Curious. Mind, does it, but it's by 123 00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:53,400 Divine Design. And as we come here, we realize 124 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,700 that so much is given to the fact that Jesus Christ, which is 125 00:08:56,700 --> 00:09:00,500 important concerning his Humanity, his historical 126 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:02,600 background, not as much as given. 127 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:06,800 There's not much expansion given to the fact that this is God 128 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:11,400 becoming man. How little detail is given to us 129 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,900 about how that process went about, just like, how we would 130 00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:19,100 want to know how did God create everything from nothing? 131 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:22,000 We want to know, you gave his one and I have chapters and you 132 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,800 give it as 50 chapters of a building with every measurement 133 00:09:26,300 --> 00:09:28,500 that we don't even need any more in the New Covenant. 134 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:33,800 Here we are. We're told God became man 135 00:09:34,300 --> 00:09:38,600 conceived by the Holy Spirit. Well how, how does that take 136 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:40,000 place? It's a mystery. 137 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,500 It's the mystery of the Incarnation and if you sit on it 138 00:09:42,500 --> 00:09:46,100 long enough, if you if you give your attention to it, more than 139 00:09:46,100 --> 00:09:50,600 just your verse of the day, you'll find yourself wandering 140 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:55,900 into amazing imaginations. Better in light with scripture. 141 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:00,600 You know, when a baby is born, the loved ones and the parents 142 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,600 celebrate New Life. Something that wasn't or someone 143 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:08,700 that wasn't now is. And that's the miracle of of a 144 00:10:08,708 --> 00:10:11,500 birth. That's the miracle of conception 145 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,700 and we praise God for his wisdom, that he orchestrated 146 00:10:14,700 --> 00:10:17,700 Humanity to flourish in this way. 147 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,100 But in light of the birth of Christ, we don't celebrate New 148 00:10:22,100 --> 00:10:25,300 Life. We celebrate the Fact, that God 149 00:10:25,300 --> 00:10:29,600 always was. He always existed. 150 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:35,900 He didn't become someone as some would falsely suggest this God 151 00:10:35,900 --> 00:10:38,900 who was the king and still is the king of glory. 152 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,300 The Ancient of Days, the beginning in the end, he became 153 00:10:42,300 --> 00:10:46,100 a boy. You don't celebrate, Jesus 154 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:48,500 coming into existence, he always did exist. 155 00:10:48,500 --> 00:10:51,600 We celebrate the fact that he wrapped himself with flesh and 156 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:59,400 blood I think about it longer, and you realize, That the God 157 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:03,600 who created Mary? is now the God who would be 158 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:08,700 carried in Mary's arms, And it was Charles Spurgeon who said? 159 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,800 Now wonder you Angels. The infinite has become an 160 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:16,900 infant. Think about it longer and you 161 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:20,500 realize that he who holds the systems of the universe and the 162 00:11:20,500 --> 00:11:27,200 structure of our globe. Would one day be nurtured by two 163 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:32,200 imperfect parents? And this God, by the power of 164 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,400 His word would have his little fingers held by a young virgin 165 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:39,100 girl. And would be dependent upon the 166 00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:40,200 milk. That would come from her 167 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:45,700 breasts. Deep meditation on this truth 168 00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:48,200 will humble us. Because as you reflect on a you 169 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:53,300 are be holding a humble God. And though we are not giving 170 00:11:53,300 --> 00:11:55,000 much information about the process. 171 00:11:55,000 --> 00:12:00,800 How this went about how Jesus was fully God, fully, man, truly 172 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:06,100 God, truly man, there's a ceiling in our mind to even get 173 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:12,300 to the foothills of such a thought All we are told by God's 174 00:12:12,300 --> 00:12:16,200 wisdom, is that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and in God's 175 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:20,400 perfect wisdom, that is sufficient for every reader to 176 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:24,800 be totally convinced that this Jesus of Nazareth. 177 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:31,700 Was sinless. Though he was quietly woven in 178 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:37,700 the womb of Mary. Being fashioned to be as human 179 00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:42,100 as any of us yet without the lacing of sin that we all 180 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:44,000 inherit at Birth. What? 181 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:48,200 Matthew by this spirit is saying, yes, he is human, but he 182 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:54,800 is not corrupt with Adam sinned. The Holy Spirit himself, 183 00:12:55,000 --> 00:13:00,300 constructed him fashioned him designed him. 184 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:05,800 And yes, this king of glory. At one point became an embryo. 185 00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:11,000 Why is understanding what we read in verse 18 down to verse 186 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,700 20? Why is this important? 187 00:13:12,700 --> 00:13:15,300 Why is this detail? So crucial? 188 00:13:15,500 --> 00:13:18,500 And how does it relate to us? Well, let me tell you this, the 189 00:13:18,500 --> 00:13:21,400 conception and the birth of Jesus Christ was not a 190 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,300 supernatural, stunt void of purpose. 191 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:30,100 In fact, it was a necessary execution in order to secure or 192 00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:33,100 even make possible your Redemption and mind. 193 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:36,200 Why? Because the Life of Christ was 194 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:41,900 substitutionary, In other words, the sinlessness of Jesus didn't 195 00:13:41,900 --> 00:13:46,700 just stand in contrast to our sinfulness, no more than that. 196 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:52,200 It is the Perfection his Perfection that becomes our 197 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:55,200 Perfection upon the transfer of faith. 198 00:13:56,500 --> 00:14:01,100 You see the righteousness that God demands is only found in the 199 00:14:01,100 --> 00:14:06,700 possession of Christ person. There is no other life that will 200 00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:12,100 satisfy God's righteous demands other than the person of Jesus 201 00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:15,700 Christ. And this is important because 202 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:20,800 that Perfection found in Christ ever since he gave his first 203 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:24,600 cry, as a human to the moment where he hung his head and gave 204 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,800 his final breath. All of that, Perfection from 205 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:33,300 beginning to end becomes, H becomes the possession of the 206 00:14:33,300 --> 00:14:36,700 Soul. Who Realizes that he needs the 207 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:40,100 transferable Obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ. 208 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:46,200 And when you come into Faith to Jesus Christ, when you give 209 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:51,100 yourself to him, what happens is that as you stand before God 210 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:56,400 with his record, you stand before God as though, you live 211 00:14:56,400 --> 00:15:00,500 the life of Christ. In other words, the fact that he 212 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:04,200 was perfect from the moment that he entered into this world, to 213 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,300 the moment that he exited this world, everything in between 214 00:15:07,300 --> 00:15:12,400 that a spotless and blameless record now has your name on it. 215 00:15:13,900 --> 00:15:18,200 Upon faith. And so Christ being born of the 216 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:22,100 Holy Spirit was in just something to show that God can 217 00:15:22,100 --> 00:15:27,400 make a child without the intimacy of a man and a woman it 218 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:31,000 was the ingredient that was necessary for you to even have a 219 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,400 chance to stand before a holy God. 220 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:40,900 And we see here that Jesus was born of the holy spirit, being a 221 00:15:40,900 --> 00:15:43,100 crucial pillar to the Christian faith. 222 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:45,300 You can't be a Christian if you don't believe this. 223 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,200 But consider the Practical truth behind it. 224 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:53,100 We are told in verse 18 of the birth of Jesus Christ took place 225 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:56,900 in this way and Matthew what he's doing here, he's giving 226 00:15:56,900 --> 00:16:01,100 Joseph's perspective on this event, he's giving Joseph's 227 00:16:01,100 --> 00:16:04,700 perspective on this event. When his mother Mary had been 228 00:16:04,700 --> 00:16:08,700 betrothed engaged to Joseph before they came together. 229 00:16:08,700 --> 00:16:12,900 She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 230 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:17,500 So, there was a moment where Joseph realized something about 231 00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:22,100 his fiancee, she's pregnant and we didn't get married yet. 232 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:28,700 Before they came together now you and I know that this 233 00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:33,800 pregnancy was inspired by the hand of God, Joseph didn't know 234 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:38,700 it at the moment. In fact, his mind went to what 235 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:42,900 your mind would go to. If you were surprised with such 236 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:45,000 a news, she was unfaithful to me. 237 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:52,200 She was unfaithful to me. And and this suspicion would 238 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:54,500 follow Mary and not just follow Mary. 239 00:16:54,500 --> 00:16:58,800 The gospel tells us that it would follow Jesus, and his 240 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:02,500 critics, and the Skeptics. And his enemies would even use 241 00:17:02,500 --> 00:17:07,000 this to scorn him and to mock him and to ridicule him. 242 00:17:08,599 --> 00:17:10,900 So this woman here had a reputation. 243 00:17:10,900 --> 00:17:16,900 Somehow word got around that Mary got pregnant and she didn't 244 00:17:17,300 --> 00:17:21,599 marry Joseph yet. And Joseph finds out for 245 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:23,800 himself, and I almost makes you think, doesn't it? 246 00:17:24,300 --> 00:17:27,800 Why did God do it in this way? Why did God do it in such a way 247 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:34,400 that he put Mary in a position to even be questioned to even be 248 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,600 a target of slander. And gossip could not have got 249 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,900 done it any other way? Well, we already heard one 250 00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:44,700 reason why he did it this way. But I believe God Is providing a 251 00:17:44,700 --> 00:17:49,000 principal for all generations. The core principle is the 252 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:54,400 theological pillar of the sinlessness of Jesus but I look 253 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,800 at this and I realize that Mary is an example. 254 00:17:56,800 --> 00:18:00,000 An illustration that there is a high price to be used by God. 255 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:06,100 You want to be used by God? You want to be an instrument for 256 00:18:06,100 --> 00:18:08,600 God's service? Great. 257 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:12,600 Maybe you already know it, maybe you don't let me remind you. 258 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:17,800 There is a price to pay. And this Sumerian gods eyes and 259 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:22,400 all the host of the Angel. Armies was highly favored, was 260 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,500 blessed. The face of God shined on her 261 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:29,700 with great. Great, great favor. 262 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:33,300 But if you want to be used by God, you want God's hand to be 263 00:18:33,300 --> 00:18:35,800 on your life, you want God to use you for great things, you 264 00:18:35,808 --> 00:18:40,600 want God to launch you into something. realize that as his 265 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:45,700 face will shine upon, you other phases will shun you You ready 266 00:18:45,700 --> 00:18:49,100 to be judged, you're ready to be misunderstood you ready? 267 00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:52,200 As you're trying to Faithfully serve, God, for people to gossip 268 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,300 and slander. You and to even hate you and 269 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:58,000 mock, you and even criticize you of doing something that you 270 00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,200 never did. You want that? 271 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:04,600 You want to be used by Ghana? Well, we think about this, and 272 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:08,000 we have romanticized this right with the nice and tivity scene 273 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,400 and it's beautiful Know, This Woman, This Woman paid a price, 274 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,100 this woman almost lost her marriage and her obedience to 275 00:19:14,100 --> 00:19:18,400 God. There's a high price to be used 276 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:22,300 by the Lord, but you read Mary and you never see her 277 00:19:22,300 --> 00:19:23,900 complaining about it. You never see. 278 00:19:23,900 --> 00:19:25,100 You're trying to defend yourself. 279 00:19:25,100 --> 00:19:26,700 You never see, you're trying to retaliate. 280 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:28,900 You know why? Because who cares? 281 00:19:28,900 --> 00:19:33,600 What men says when God has his light on you and his favor on 282 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,000 you and his hand upon you, when you know that your life is 283 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,500 pleasing your lord. Say what you want? 284 00:19:41,900 --> 00:19:44,700 But this is more about Joseph's perspective, the marries and we 285 00:19:44,700 --> 00:19:49,100 re here that Joseph comes, he learns this news and we are told 286 00:19:49,100 --> 00:19:54,100 but he was a just man. And the nasb. 287 00:19:54,700 --> 00:19:57,700 It uses the word righteous. He was a righteous man. 288 00:19:58,500 --> 00:20:02,000 He was a righteous man. And his righteousness was proven 289 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:06,300 in this way that when he had figure it out, when he was told 290 00:20:06,900 --> 00:20:11,500 that this was This was taking place that something happened 291 00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:14,600 with Mary. He decided that he's going to 292 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:16,500 make this as private as possible. 293 00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:21,400 He made a decision that, although he could not marry her, 294 00:20:21,500 --> 00:20:26,700 he would not scandalize her. He would not embarrass her. 295 00:20:27,700 --> 00:20:32,500 He would not expose her. and I read that and I realized 296 00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:35,200 something very, very important if you go with the translation 297 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:39,900 that says righteous When you come to the New Testament after 298 00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:42,500 you finish the Old Testament Library, the first book is 299 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:45,700 Matthew and the first chapter is what we're covering today. 300 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:49,900 And in the first time in the New Testament Library, you, and I 301 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:54,000 see the word righteous attributed to a man's actions. 302 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,500 The first mention of righteousness and connection to 303 00:20:58,500 --> 00:21:03,700 a man and his conduct has to do with a decision, not to shame 304 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:09,000 somebody. In their sin, A person who knew 305 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,100 how to graciously handle the failures of others. 306 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:19,000 A person who in love. Decided to cover sin. 307 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:25,400 Instead of expose it and amplify it and spread it Joseph doesn't 308 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:30,100 seek revenge here. Joseph doesn't try to hurt Mary 309 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:33,900 even though he's a man, he's definitely hurt in this moment 310 00:21:33,900 --> 00:21:37,900 because his mind is not is not seeing the supernatural behind 311 00:21:37,900 --> 00:21:40,000 this. He's seeing the humanity of it, 312 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:43,300 and so, this man realizes what's going on here? 313 00:21:43,300 --> 00:21:46,000 But he chooses, because he's a righteous man. 314 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:51,100 To keep it as low-key as possible to just move on with 315 00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:54,100 his life. If you and I want an indicator 316 00:21:54,100 --> 00:21:57,300 tonight of where we stand in terms of reflecting God's 317 00:21:57,300 --> 00:22:00,600 character, can I encourage you to ask this question to 318 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,800 yourself, what do I do when I find out about somebody sin? 319 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:09,000 What do I do when somebody send against me? 320 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:14,400 What is my reflex when I've been wronged? 321 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,100 Righteousness is connected to a decision. 322 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,800 Not to further hurt someone who might have hurt you. 323 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:28,900 And you know what's amazing about this as somebody commented 324 00:22:28,900 --> 00:22:32,200 I thought it was great. Imagine the embarrassment that 325 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:37,300 Joseph would have felt if he had publicized what Mary had done. 326 00:22:37,300 --> 00:22:41,400 Apparently only to realize that he was wrong. 327 00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:47,900 Only to realize that all of that was actually God's doing what a 328 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:54,100 wise man, what a wise man, he chose to keep it as private as 329 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:58,100 possible and although this man was not the actual father of the 330 00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:00,600 Lord Jesus Christ, he was the legal father. 331 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:04,500 And I believe that he serves as an illustration of the attitude 332 00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:08,000 of Jesus Christ, who would soon be born in his household. 333 00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:10,500 Which brings us to our next point. 334 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:12,600 We covered the manner of his birth. 335 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,100 Now we consider the reason for his birth. 336 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:21,200 We are told in verse 21 After an angel of the Lord clarifies to 337 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,700 Joseph. About what is really happening 338 00:23:24,700 --> 00:23:28,000 with Mary? We are told she will bear a son 339 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,400 and you shall call his name Jesus. 340 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:35,000 Why for he will save his people from their sins. 341 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:39,300 He did not come to shame. His people in their sins. 342 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,900 He came to save his people from their sins. 343 00:23:44,900 --> 00:23:47,500 And we see that, even the verses prior to this, with the 344 00:23:47,500 --> 00:23:52,300 genealogy, you know, this that Christ intentionally links 345 00:23:52,300 --> 00:23:55,900 himself with four different women who did not have the most 346 00:23:55,900 --> 00:23:59,100 impressive resumes and our Bibles. 347 00:24:01,100 --> 00:24:03,100 Most of them are connected with idolatry. 348 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:10,800 Many of them are connected with sexual sin, unfaithfulness and 349 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:16,500 even perversion And yet Jesus from another world chose to 350 00:24:16,500 --> 00:24:18,200 include them in this. Why? 351 00:24:18,300 --> 00:24:21,000 Because he wants to even say through his genealogy, I did not 352 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:25,300 come to shame people in their sin but to save them and I'm not 353 00:24:25,300 --> 00:24:28,100 afraid to associate my name with them. 354 00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:32,600 Not because I condone it, but I've come to rescue people like 355 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:37,200 this. And what's amazing here, is that 356 00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:41,100 often times when we read this verse, we immediately recognized 357 00:24:41,500 --> 00:24:44,900 that when the Angels said this, that Jesus would come become a 358 00:24:44,908 --> 00:24:50,100 man, and by becoming a man, he would receive the guilt of man's 359 00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:53,300 sin. Be the object of God's Wrath and 360 00:24:53,300 --> 00:24:57,700 then cancel the record of any of those who would give themselves 361 00:24:57,700 --> 00:25:01,200 tin. But listen, if that's that's how 362 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,300 you understand. This verse, you have limited the 363 00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:07,400 saving power of Jesus Christ. What I mean by that, if you 364 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:11,600 think that what this Angel is saying is that Jesus came to 365 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:15,800 remove the the debt and the legal demands that your 366 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:20,600 transgression and mind call for, you have limited, the saving 367 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:25,800 plan of Jesus Christ. And oftentimes, when we present 368 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,200 the gospel, that's what we tell people Christ will come. 369 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:31,800 Any race. Your record true. 370 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:33,600 Hallelujah. Amen. 371 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:39,200 But if this verse only meant that then perhaps the word that 372 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:43,600 would have been used this. For he will forgive his people 373 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:46,900 from their sins. Does it say that? 374 00:25:47,700 --> 00:25:51,600 No, Does it include that absolutely and again. 375 00:25:51,700 --> 00:25:54,100 Hallelujah. Amen. 376 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,800 But he says he will save them from their sins. 377 00:25:59,100 --> 00:26:05,100 Save them from their sins. Save them from what will fill in 378 00:26:05,100 --> 00:26:08,800 the blank. For, he will save his people 379 00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:13,600 from the Love of Money. He will save his people from 380 00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:16,500 anger and hatred. He will save his people from 381 00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:19,300 pride and arrogance. He will save his people from 382 00:26:19,300 --> 00:26:21,900 jealousy and envy. He will save his people from 383 00:26:21,900 --> 00:26:25,800 idolatry selfishness self-exalting worship. 384 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:31,000 He will save his people from actual sin reigning and ruling 385 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:34,000 over your life. That's a complete gospel. 386 00:26:35,900 --> 00:26:40,900 That's the purchase of Christ. That there is a present reality 387 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:45,300 to his saving work and not just some future thing that we hope 388 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:46,600 for you saying, what do you mean? 389 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,500 I mean this when the angel says he will come and save it does 390 00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:53,400 not mean that he will just cancel our sin but he also 391 00:26:53,400 --> 00:27:00,400 cleanse our hearts that precious blood on the beam of that cross 392 00:27:00,700 --> 00:27:04,800 on the hill of Calvary does not just go into heaven and be 393 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:08,000 sprinkled upon an altar. That would give us entrance into 394 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:13,200 Glory that precious blood floods, the soul, And makes it 395 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:16,700 white as snow. And I've said it before, and 396 00:27:16,700 --> 00:27:20,700 I'll say it again, that if you claim that Jesus Christ has 397 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:23,400 saved you, but Jesus Christ, did not change you then. 398 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:30,000 Jesus Christ did not save you. He didn't He didn't there is no 399 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:31,800 way. You cannot tell me that this 400 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:35,400 blood has been applied to your life and your priorities haven't 401 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:38,700 changed. And your passions haven't 402 00:27:38,700 --> 00:27:43,600 changed and your attitude towards sin, hasn't changed and 403 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:46,100 your love for righteousness hasn't been enhanced. 404 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:48,100 Hasn't been made alive, how can it be? 405 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:51,200 Because we've been told something about the saving work 406 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:55,000 of Jesus, he will save his people from their sins. 407 00:27:55,900 --> 00:27:57,400 Is there any ambiguity? There? 408 00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:59,900 Is there any ifs and buts? It's a promise. 409 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,900 In other words, if we've claimed that he has saved us but there 410 00:28:04,900 --> 00:28:08,100 is no changing in us, then somebody's a liar. 411 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:14,700 Somebody is a liar. I'm going to go with Jesus being 412 00:28:14,700 --> 00:28:19,200 truthful. And I will not diminish, the 413 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:23,000 power of the Gospel to accommodate, what, people are 414 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:26,800 comfortable with this idea that I can claim that Jesus Is My 415 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:30,300 Savior, but I can be hesitant with my obedience to him. 416 00:28:32,500 --> 00:28:36,100 No such thing. This gospel says that he will 417 00:28:36,100 --> 00:28:39,800 save you from their sins. And what's amazing here, it says 418 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:43,900 that you shall call his name, Jesus, that was a command that 419 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:47,800 was an instruction. You have to make sure that Mary 420 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:53,300 calls this son Jesus. The Greek form of the Hebrew 421 00:28:53,300 --> 00:28:59,600 word named Joshua, Joshua, which means Yahweh is salvation. 422 00:28:59,900 --> 00:29:03,200 And those before this moment, who have bore the name through 423 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:06,900 their name testify, God is the one who truly brings Deliverance 424 00:29:06,900 --> 00:29:12,500 all but when Bore the name. He was not testifying to God. 425 00:29:12,500 --> 00:29:14,200 Being the deliverer. He was testifying. 426 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:16,400 I myself. Am the god who delivers? 427 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:19,300 Yahweh is salvation. I am Yahweh. 428 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:23,000 But it's amazing here because you know, the story of Joshua, 429 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:26,400 I'm sure. That wonderful Israel leader 430 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:30,000 that led the people into the promised land that led them into 431 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:34,900 the goodness of God, the Deliverance of God, the place 432 00:29:34,900 --> 00:29:37,100 where he purchased for them to dwell. 433 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:40,900 And I believe that the reason why Jesus more than just the 434 00:29:40,900 --> 00:29:43,600 definition of them and I believe Jesus was associated with the 435 00:29:43,608 --> 00:29:47,900 name Joshua because you and I have the right to parallel the 436 00:29:47,900 --> 00:29:53,900 leadership characteristics of Joshua of old and the Jesus, who 437 00:29:53,900 --> 00:29:56,800 is our savior, what do I mean by that? 438 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,500 Think about it. This way, Joshua was the man 439 00:29:59,500 --> 00:30:04,400 that God chose to lead the people into the promises of God. 440 00:30:05,100 --> 00:30:08,500 To lead the people to know, Victory to lead, the people to 441 00:30:08,500 --> 00:30:12,800 be exactly where God wanted them to be and how did how did Joshua 442 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:16,400 do that? Was it instantaneous, was it 443 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:19,900 just one step over into the Jordan River and everything was 444 00:30:19,900 --> 00:30:22,900 just into the hands of the Israelites, or was it what you 445 00:30:22,900 --> 00:30:28,000 see in the Book of Joshua that step by step bit by bit corner 446 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:31,100 by Corner stronghold? After strangled, it was a 447 00:30:31,100 --> 00:30:34,700 process of seeing the people led by him. 448 00:30:34,900 --> 00:30:38,300 To know, victory. And the Joshua of the New 449 00:30:38,300 --> 00:30:41,200 Covenant, the captain of our Salvation leads us in the same 450 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:45,600 way when he saves us from our sins how when you choose to be 451 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:48,800 led by the Lord Jesus Christ, he leads you the same way Joshua 452 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:54,400 LED Israel step by step. He empowers you, he provides the 453 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,400 wisdom. He provides the encouragement to 454 00:30:56,400 --> 00:31:00,800 pull down strongholds like Jericho, and to see greater 455 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:05,600 dominance over sin to No Greater righteousness and Holiness. 456 00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:09,800 No greater transformation to know the greater promises that 457 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:14,400 have been purchased by Christ. He is the greater Joshua and 458 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:18,700 that's how he saves the same way Joshua led the people into the 459 00:31:18,700 --> 00:31:20,500 goodness of God to the will of God. 460 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:24,200 And so why do I bring that up? Because I'm not here to guilt 461 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:26,000 you? That if you have not been 462 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:28,700 transfigured into christlikeness, the moment you 463 00:31:28,700 --> 00:31:30,800 became a Christian and you're not a Christian, no. 464 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:34,000 You just put your hand in the hand of Christ and you let him 465 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:37,900 lead, you step by step. And you are more like Christ 466 00:31:37,900 --> 00:31:40,400 than you were two years ago. And you were more like Christ 467 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:43,000 more in love with Christ and you were five years ago. 468 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:46,700 And what is that called? That's called Jesus saving you 469 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:52,300 saving you day by day, week by week month by month year by 470 00:31:52,300 --> 00:31:53,700 year. It's a process. 471 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:59,900 And that's an encouragement. But then, we come, as we cover 472 00:31:59,900 --> 00:32:04,300 the manner of his birth. And the reason of his birth to 473 00:32:04,300 --> 00:32:08,700 the Fulfillment of his birth, we are told here in verse 22, all 474 00:32:08,700 --> 00:32:11,400 this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the 475 00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:15,400 prophet. You and I tonight are looking 476 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:18,700 back, thousands of years ago, how Jesus became a man. 477 00:32:18,700 --> 00:32:22,200 But there is a time when there are people anticipating the 478 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:26,800 birth of the Messiah. Looking forward wondering when 479 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:30,800 it would be that the Messiah, the anointed one with would come 480 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:36,800 and rescue the nation of Israel. And Matthew takes Liberty 481 00:32:36,800 --> 00:32:39,100 because he is led by the Holy Spirit to inform us. 482 00:32:39,100 --> 00:32:43,200 That Jesus Christ is the satisfaction of that prophetic 483 00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:46,800 declaration. And that declaration is very 484 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:51,400 clear. That God would become a man and 485 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:55,700 he would dwell with man, he would actually breathe the same 486 00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:59,500 air as man, and he would eat the same food as man and he would 487 00:32:59,500 --> 00:33:02,700 know the same weaknesses as man, and he would actually feel the 488 00:33:02,700 --> 00:33:08,100 Temptations and the pole of man. But never succumbing to it. 489 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:13,500 Jesus Christ fulfills it but the meaning of this name tells us so 490 00:33:13,500 --> 00:33:17,100 much more than just the Glorious mystery of God, becoming a man 491 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:20,200 and it tells us so much more that God when he says something, 492 00:33:20,300 --> 00:33:22,600 he will accomplish it, even if he said it hundreds of years 493 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:27,000 ago, it means so much more than that speaks of his heart. 494 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:36,200 Emmanuel God With Us. God With Us showing us what that 495 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:41,300 God was willing to be with us. God was willing to leave. 496 00:33:42,300 --> 00:33:47,100 A place where he received perfect worship and perfect 497 00:33:47,100 --> 00:33:51,700 reverence. To come into this world to be 498 00:33:51,700 --> 00:33:55,700 questioned and doubted and even mocked and spat. 499 00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:59,200 Upon God With Us. God willing to leave the 500 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:04,300 hallways of Heavens Holiness to travel through the slums of a 501 00:34:04,300 --> 00:34:10,600 sinful Dark World. God With Us. 502 00:34:11,900 --> 00:34:16,100 Willing to reach down and to grab our hand from the muck and 503 00:34:16,100 --> 00:34:20,500 the mire and pull us out. Instead of looking down and 504 00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:24,500 saying you find your way to get to me because I'm too holy to go 505 00:34:24,500 --> 00:34:27,600 down there. God With Us. 506 00:34:29,699 --> 00:34:35,900 You're saying, why? God with us because God wants us 507 00:34:35,900 --> 00:34:42,000 to be with him. God entered into time and lived 508 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:44,199 33 years. So that if you would believe on 509 00:34:44,199 --> 00:34:47,100 him, you would enter Heaven and live with him forever. 510 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:53,699 God was born of a virgin so that you would be born again. 511 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:59,800 God was willing. To come into time. 512 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:04,100 When before this moment, he supervised time he was above 513 00:35:04,100 --> 00:35:10,000 time, he chose to enter into time so that he can make a 514 00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:15,900 transaction with humanity and that you would have a security 515 00:35:15,900 --> 00:35:18,800 know that I'm escaping time, and I'm going to be with him for 516 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:23,700 eternity, God With Us. And although Jesus Christ 517 00:35:23,700 --> 00:35:28,400 fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of the Incarnation that that yes 518 00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:32,100 God actually came and he planted his feet on the earth and more 519 00:35:32,100 --> 00:35:33,400 than that. He actually had to learn how to 520 00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:38,100 walk and learn how to talk and he developed in wisdom. 521 00:35:38,100 --> 00:35:42,100 And he grew in stature though that prophecies fulfilled the 522 00:35:42,100 --> 00:35:46,100 experience of what the name means is yet to be known. 523 00:35:47,600 --> 00:35:50,700 Is yet to be experienced God With Us? 524 00:35:50,700 --> 00:35:54,800 Yes, we celebrated 2000 years ago, but God is still waiting to 525 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:59,000 be with us. This is not the only place where 526 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:01,600 we are. Told that God dwelt with man. 527 00:36:02,800 --> 00:36:06,700 I'm reading this and I'm closing here in Revelation. 21 verse 1 528 00:36:06,700 --> 00:36:08,100 and 3. You don't have to turn there. 529 00:36:08,100 --> 00:36:13,500 I'm just going to read it. Then I saw a new Heaven and a 530 00:36:13,500 --> 00:36:17,500 new Earth for the first Heaven. And the first Earth had passed 531 00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:20,300 away. And the sea was no more. 532 00:36:20,900 --> 00:36:24,900 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of 533 00:36:24,900 --> 00:36:28,900 Heaven, from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, 534 00:36:28,900 --> 00:36:33,500 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, behold, The 535 00:36:33,500 --> 00:36:35,400 Dwelling Place of God is with men. 536 00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:42,100 He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God 537 00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:44,900 himself will be with them as their God. 538 00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:51,900 God With Us. God came into this world. 539 00:36:53,500 --> 00:36:55,300 So that one day you would be with him. 540 00:36:56,700 --> 00:37:01,200 But that's not a universal promise, it's not a universal 541 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:03,800 application. Some would like to comfort 542 00:37:03,800 --> 00:37:06,200 themselves and thinking that Jesus is so loving that you 543 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:08,100 don't have to believe in him, or you can have a different name 544 00:37:08,100 --> 00:37:11,700 for him, where you can celebrate and recognize who he is in your 545 00:37:11,700 --> 00:37:13,400 own way, and he will still accept you. 546 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:17,200 Isn't that nice? He's too precious and holy for 547 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:22,800 that to even be an idea. He's too glorious and Majestic 548 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,400 for you to make him equal with Allah. 549 00:37:26,900 --> 00:37:31,100 Or with Buddha. Or anybody else that claims to 550 00:37:31,100 --> 00:37:34,600 be divine or to be a prophet of a different God? 551 00:37:35,900 --> 00:37:40,200 He's too precious, he's too Mighty, he's too loving, he's 552 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:43,700 too true. He is exclusive. 553 00:37:43,700 --> 00:37:45,700 He is transcendent. He is perfect. 554 00:37:45,700 --> 00:37:48,500 He is above and beyond and all those names that I just 555 00:37:48,500 --> 00:37:50,600 mentioned, and the ones that I forgot to mention will bow their 556 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:56,900 knee to him. There's only one way. 557 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:02,100 And shame on anybody that would suggest otherwise after God has 558 00:38:02,100 --> 00:38:04,900 done so much to make that way possible. 559 00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:09,600 Those who would even entertain the thought that there is a 560 00:38:09,600 --> 00:38:13,500 different way, have to answer to the God, who chose to come into 561 00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:16,400 the womb of a virgin girl and lived there for nine months. 562 00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:22,700 And to be born of that woman. And to succumb to all the things 563 00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:27,300 that limit us. To be a servant unto, man. 564 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:31,400 And to be a sacrifice on a cross. 565 00:38:33,200 --> 00:38:36,000 I'm here to remind you for those who are watching and those who 566 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:39,100 might be here, who don't know, maybe never heard what I'm 567 00:38:39,100 --> 00:38:42,500 saying. There's only one way. and if you 568 00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:44,900 don't go through that way, there is no way and the only way for 569 00:38:44,900 --> 00:38:51,700 you is eternal hell judgment. And I will not apologize for 570 00:38:51,700 --> 00:38:54,400 that after my God has done so much to get a hold of you. 571 00:38:56,000 --> 00:39:00,000 And to get a hold of me. We should not apologize for the 572 00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:02,600 gospel. We should not be ashamed of the 573 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:06,200 Gospel. We should not try to diminish 574 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:11,600 the exclusivity of the Gospel. Tonight in this covid stricken 575 00:39:11,600 --> 00:39:15,100 world. Where whether or not you can 576 00:39:15,100 --> 00:39:17,800 even go to a restaurant the way you desires determined by 577 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:19,900 somebody else, all you thought you were Sovereign over your 578 00:39:19,900 --> 00:39:23,000 life, huh? Now, you have to wear something 579 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:27,300 over your mouth all the time. And soon enough you might have 580 00:39:27,300 --> 00:39:30,400 to put something into your body if you want to live regularly as 581 00:39:30,400 --> 00:39:33,800 you once knew. Let this be a lesson that as 582 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:35,900 much as you thought that you were in control, you're not in 583 00:39:35,900 --> 00:39:37,300 control. And if you're not in control of 584 00:39:37,300 --> 00:39:38,700 this life, I can guarantee you this. 585 00:39:38,700 --> 00:39:40,300 You're not going to be in control of where you go on the 586 00:39:40,300 --> 00:39:45,700 next one. All of those that we think are 587 00:39:45,700 --> 00:39:50,300 so proud and intellectually Giants. 588 00:39:51,400 --> 00:39:55,500 They will look like babies when they stand before Christ. 589 00:39:57,000 --> 00:40:01,900 They will look like little children begging for mercy, when 590 00:40:01,900 --> 00:40:05,600 they stand before, the one who gave them a chance to repent and 591 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:09,500 believe, but they mock the idea. But tonight you're here. 592 00:40:11,300 --> 00:40:14,200 Tonight, you're here. Remind me. 593 00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:16,600 Did we have Christmas in person last year? 594 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:19,700 Did we? My memory is not serving me, 595 00:40:19,700 --> 00:40:22,700 right? Well there are places in this 596 00:40:22,700 --> 00:40:24,200 world right now because of what's Happening. 597 00:40:24,200 --> 00:40:28,000 They can't meet in person and here you are God by his grace 598 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:30,400 and mercy allows you to hear the gospel one more time. 599 00:40:30,400 --> 00:40:32,600 You probably heard it from your mom 1000 times. 600 00:40:34,100 --> 00:40:37,700 You probably heard it in a wanna a billion times probably heard 601 00:40:37,700 --> 00:40:40,800 in Sunday School. You probably heard it from your 602 00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:41,800 friend, maybe you've never heard it. 603 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:43,300 Maybe this is like your fourth time hearing it. 604 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:45,000 Maybe this is your first time hearing it. 605 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:47,400 But let me tell you this, God is so just and holy. 606 00:40:47,600 --> 00:40:50,600 He has every right to damn a man after hearing it once and 607 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:58,500 refusing it Time is short. We're not here to sing Jingle 608 00:40:58,500 --> 00:41:00,700 Bells. There's a mission. 609 00:41:02,100 --> 00:41:04,600 There's a serious mission. You think this world is all we 610 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:06,800 have. You think that the ultimate 611 00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:09,400 thing in life is for you to create your little Utopia here 612 00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:12,800 in America? Now, you're headed for eternity. 613 00:41:14,200 --> 00:41:18,100 You're headed for eternity in God is sending off the fireworks 614 00:41:18,300 --> 00:41:21,600 to get your attention. This world will never know. 615 00:41:21,600 --> 00:41:25,700 Peace. This world with all the mines 616 00:41:25,700 --> 00:41:29,600 combined will never be able to create what Christ will only be 617 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:35,700 able to usher in. And so as a Ministry, we have a 618 00:41:35,700 --> 00:41:38,200 duty to tell you, whether you're uncomfortable, 29, thought you 619 00:41:38,207 --> 00:41:40,200 were, just going to hold a fake candle and sing. 620 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:42,600 Some nice songs. We're going to do that in a 621 00:41:42,607 --> 00:41:45,400 moment, it's going to be wonderful, but more importantly, 622 00:41:45,400 --> 00:41:48,800 I want to tell you and make sure that your soul is secure in the 623 00:41:48,800 --> 00:41:52,800 hands of a gracious God Do you know Christ? 624 00:41:54,600 --> 00:41:58,300 Do you know the saving work of? Have you been saved? 625 00:42:00,100 --> 00:42:02,500 Have you repented? And believed on him, have you 626 00:42:02,500 --> 00:42:06,100 made a decision to say? I need his obedience to be my 627 00:42:06,100 --> 00:42:08,400 obedience. I need his life to represent my 628 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:10,900 life. I need my sin to be covered by 629 00:42:10,900 --> 00:42:12,900 his blood. Did you make that choice? 630 00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:15,600 If not, what are you waiting for? 631 00:42:16,700 --> 00:42:19,800 I always ask this question and I'll ask it to you tonight. 632 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:23,200 What's holding you back from following Jesus Christ. 633 00:42:23,200 --> 00:42:27,300 Are you angry at him tonight? Did you have expectations that 634 00:42:27,300 --> 00:42:30,400 he would do something? And because he hasn't performed 635 00:42:30,400 --> 00:42:31,400 it. He's not worthy. 636 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,200 He's not worthy for your life to be surrendered to him. 637 00:42:36,200 --> 00:42:38,100 Let me tell you this, are you better at managing your own 638 00:42:38,100 --> 00:42:40,700 life? Are you more Sovereign and wise 639 00:42:40,700 --> 00:42:45,900 than he Do you love your sin tonight so much? 640 00:42:45,900 --> 00:42:47,900 You'd be amazed to know how many people are going to be going to 641 00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:51,000 Services whether in virtual reality world or in person. 642 00:42:54,200 --> 00:42:59,100 Who love the world. Who loved the world? 643 00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:03,100 Who love the toys of this world and the experiences of this 644 00:43:03,100 --> 00:43:06,900 world and the sensuality of this world, they can't give it up. 645 00:43:09,600 --> 00:43:11,500 They will disappoint you if they haven't already. 646 00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,800 And they will not deliver you and you will be able to never 647 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:19,300 know a peace that only Christ can offer, you will not know his 648 00:43:19,300 --> 00:43:22,700 satisfaction, a wholeness that only Jesus can supply. 649 00:43:23,900 --> 00:43:27,200 You were created for his glory and unless you live for his 650 00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:30,600 glory you will always feel incomplete. 651 00:43:32,900 --> 00:43:36,200 Cuz you are not operating by the design manual for your life. 652 00:43:37,600 --> 00:43:40,000 You've created your own manual and you're trying to make it 653 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:44,500 work and it will never work. Do you believe that you can 654 00:43:44,500 --> 00:43:46,300 attain your own righteousness tonight? 655 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:50,700 Do you believe that your performance will persuade God? 656 00:43:51,900 --> 00:43:56,600 Are you relying upon what a priest said over your life? 657 00:43:57,500 --> 00:44:01,100 Are you relying over what, some man said that if you just repeat 658 00:44:01,100 --> 00:44:03,300 a simple magical prayer, then you're in. 659 00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:07,500 Or is your confidence based on what Christ said and his 660 00:44:07,500 --> 00:44:09,500 Apostles and His prophets have said? 661 00:44:10,200 --> 00:44:12,600 Does your heart testify and isn't in line with what 662 00:44:12,600 --> 00:44:14,800 scripture says? Because this is the final 663 00:44:14,800 --> 00:44:19,200 Authority. On that day, this will be upheld 664 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:22,200 and this will be the very thing that will hold us accountable. 665 00:44:22,200 --> 00:44:26,500 So, this is your testimony. Does your faith align with this? 666 00:44:26,500 --> 00:44:29,100 And this will tell you that you can never attain your own 667 00:44:29,100 --> 00:44:34,700 righteousness. And that you must Surrender Your 668 00:44:34,700 --> 00:44:40,100 pursuit of perfection. And receive Christ Perfection by 669 00:44:40,100 --> 00:44:43,000 the transaction of repentance and belief. 670 00:44:43,400 --> 00:44:47,700 Have you done that? Tonight's your night? 671 00:44:49,100 --> 00:44:51,700 And if you respond to this tonight, it will be the best 672 00:44:51,700 --> 00:44:55,600 gift you will ever receive. I don't care what you're getting 673 00:44:55,600 --> 00:45:00,000 for this Christmas. All of that will rot all of that 674 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:04,600 is susceptible to being stolen tarnished and as you know, 675 00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:10,500 easily replaceable by the newest next year, but this gift, as 676 00:45:10,500 --> 00:45:15,300 Paul says is inexpressible, you can't even communicate how 677 00:45:15,300 --> 00:45:18,400 wonderful it is. Where are those Christians that 678 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:22,700 can say Christ in me and inexpressible Glory? 679 00:45:25,400 --> 00:45:28,100 I make that invitation to you tonight to receive the gift of 680 00:45:28,100 --> 00:45:32,300 Jesus Christ that you would say. Yes, I want to be saved. 681 00:45:32,300 --> 00:45:36,100 Yes, I want to be delivered. Yes, I want to know that I have 682 00:45:36,100 --> 00:45:37,700 eternal life. What are you waiting? 683 00:45:37,700 --> 00:45:41,100 For my friend. It's not going to get any better 684 00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:45,600 any time soon. And so I admonish you I plead 685 00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:48,900 with you may not like me, you may feel like this is intense 686 00:45:49,600 --> 00:45:53,700 but I have a mandate to make sure that every person in this 687 00:45:53,700 --> 00:45:57,500 place mask or no mask that your heart is washed in the blood of 688 00:45:57,500 --> 00:46:03,100 Christ. And one day, we will see him. 689 00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:08,000 And one day, we will realize every sermon, including this 690 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:11,300 sermon tonight, fail to describe him fell. 691 00:46:11,300 --> 00:46:17,200 So short to declare how glorious and wonderful he is but we 692 00:46:17,200 --> 00:46:20,400 submit the words that have been declared tonight into the hands 693 00:46:20,400 --> 00:46:24,700 of a wise and gracious, King who is able to save even with 694 00:46:24,700 --> 00:46:29,300 stammering lips, The heart, who's willing to Humble 695 00:46:29,300 --> 00:46:31,400 themselves and say I need this Jesus. 696 00:46:32,000 --> 00:46:33,500 Would you bow your heads with me tonight? 697 00:46:52,600 --> 00:46:54,800 Well, we thank you for the Incarnation. 698 00:46:57,100 --> 00:47:01,500 We thank you that you've done a unique work in that blessed 699 00:47:01,500 --> 00:47:09,000 young woman. Were God chose to come and to be 700 00:47:09,000 --> 00:47:15,400 fashion by the Holy Spirit. To be a Jewish boy. 701 00:47:17,000 --> 00:47:19,700 That would be greater than a teacher greater than a prophet 702 00:47:19,700 --> 00:47:23,700 greater than a milk Miracle Worker, but our atonement. 703 00:47:26,400 --> 00:47:28,400 Although that work will never be repeated Lord. 704 00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:31,000 We ask that you would make Christ real in all of us. 705 00:47:32,900 --> 00:47:36,800 That you would make Christ live in our hearts. 706 00:47:39,100 --> 00:47:41,900 Lord, we thank you for the piercing light. 707 00:47:43,000 --> 00:47:47,400 Of this gospel truth. As we feel the darkness, only 708 00:47:47,400 --> 00:47:53,200 getting thicker above us. We thank You, O Lord that this 709 00:47:53,200 --> 00:47:57,200 joy that you deposit in a soul, cannot be taken by anything or 710 00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:00,300 anyone. And we pray God that even one in 711 00:48:00,300 --> 00:48:04,200 here who doesn't know you would make that decision to know you 712 00:48:04,600 --> 00:48:08,000 and to be known by you. That if there's anything that 713 00:48:08,000 --> 00:48:12,500 they heard tonight, that there is a God, who loves me and who 714 00:48:12,500 --> 00:48:16,800 came himself, he didn't send an angel, he didn't send a prophet. 715 00:48:16,800 --> 00:48:21,600 He came himself to rescue me and we pray. 716 00:48:21,600 --> 00:48:23,700 Lord, that we would all sense that rescue. 717 00:48:24,400 --> 00:48:28,800 We would all be reminded that we have been saved by by grace. 718 00:48:30,000 --> 00:48:31,800 It's too low. We worship you tonight. 719 00:48:33,100 --> 00:48:36,800 We worship you for our salvation and we pray o, God, that you 720 00:48:36,800 --> 00:48:39,200 would only add to the Celebration tonight. 721 00:48:40,400 --> 00:48:42,300 Because a soul would come to Christ. 722 00:48:42,700 --> 00:48:45,600 Only, you can make that happen. Lord, we step back and we say 723 00:48:45,600 --> 00:48:50,200 there's only so much we can say so much, we can declare so much. 724 00:48:50,200 --> 00:48:54,100 We can try to prove your Holy Spirit has to do the work to 725 00:48:54,100 --> 00:48:57,400 save a heart and we submit that to you tonight. 726 00:48:57,400 --> 00:49:00,500 Not just in this church, but in churches, all across this world 727 00:49:00,900 --> 00:49:04,500 have your way have your way in Jesus name we pray. 728 00:49:05,100 --> 00:49:07,100 Amen. Can we stand and Worship the 729 00:49:07,107 --> 00:49:07,900 Lord together?