1 00:00:00,700 --> 00:00:05,300 Let's stand for the reading of God's holy word. 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:10,700 We're going to be in the Book of Revelation as we have been 3 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:16,700 preaching through the on2 Fonz, these seven prayers that make up 4 00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:21,000 the Christmas Anthem. O, Come Emmanuel, we've come to 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,600 the one where we even early in our service saying O Come Thou 6 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:30,200 Dayspring from on high and cheer Us by thy drawing nigh. 7 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:35,400 Disperse, the gloomy clouds of night and deaths, Dark Shadows 8 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:40,000 put to flight. Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall 9 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:41,400 come to thee. O Israel. 10 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,400 This is the sixth in the series. Next Sunday, will be the final 11 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:50,100 as we look at these Atlanta Fonz and to understand where it comes 12 00:00:50,100 --> 00:00:51,900 from work. Begin going to begin in the Book 13 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:54,600 of Revelation. Invite you to turn there in your 14 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,400 bulletin, but also use the blue Pew Bible. 15 00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,100 If you did not bring your own, because we're going to move 16 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:01,300 through a few It's of the scriptures today. 17 00:01:01,300 --> 00:01:06,100 I'll begin at revelation 22. These are the last verses of the 18 00:01:06,100 --> 00:01:08,800 Bible recorded in the Book of Revelation. 19 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:15,800 Jesus speaks, I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you about 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,300 these things. For the churches, I am the root 21 00:01:19,300 --> 00:01:24,100 and the descendant of David, the Bright Morning, Star, the 22 00:01:24,100 --> 00:01:28,300 spirit, and the bride, say come, and let the one who hears say 23 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:32,400 come and let the one who Who is thirsty, come let the one who 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:36,000 desires, take the Water of Life without price. 25 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,900 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this 26 00:01:39,900 --> 00:01:43,000 book. If anyone adds to them, God will 27 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,200 add to him. The plagues described in this 28 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:47,600 book. And if anyone takes away from 29 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,000 the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his 30 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,700 share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are 31 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:58,000 described in this book. He Who testifies to these things 32 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:02,900 says, surely I I am coming soon. Amen. 33 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:08,100 Come Lord, Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus, be 34 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:13,600 with all, amen. This is the word of the Lord. 35 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:16,900 Thanks. Be to God, please be seated. 36 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:26,400 How many of you slept more than 8 hours last night? 37 00:02:26,700 --> 00:02:31,900 Raise your hands. How many of you less than 4? 38 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:37,200 Raise your hands. Somewhere in between most the 39 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,800 longest day of the year for most children. 40 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:45,400 It's Christmas Eve. The longest day from my parents 41 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:50,200 was Christmas Day because I never slept on Christmas Eve. 42 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,600 I've told you that before, I couldn't miss soon as the light 43 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:55,300 went out from underneath the door. 44 00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:59,300 I waited a little longer, one of five children the middle child, 45 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:02,700 I then moved to the tree and I began playing with all that was 46 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:06,800 there. Until my dad would come and 47 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:10,700 discipline me and send me back to my bed and I still wouldn't 48 00:03:10,700 --> 00:03:13,400 sleep. I waited and waited and waited. 49 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:17,300 Waited. Now I'm a parent, five children, 50 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:22,200 two son-in-law's a granddaughter, the two married 51 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:25,200 ladies are not with us this Christmas for the first time. 52 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:27,800 That's a New Journey, a new experience there with their 53 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,600 extended families. So it's just the three of our 54 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,700 youngest children. We woke them up this morning. 55 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,900 So those who are weary and tired, it will come. 56 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:40,700 There'll be a time that will come. 57 00:03:41,300 --> 00:03:45,000 It's good to be with you today. Children, I know for many of 58 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,200 you, you are thinking Church on Christmas. 59 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,900 This one happened, very many times in your life and it's a 60 00:03:51,900 --> 00:03:58,700 sweet gift that you're here. Church worship on Christmas, not 61 00:03:58,700 --> 00:04:03,700 an interruption. But a privilege to be together 62 00:04:03,700 --> 00:04:06,800 as the body of Christ to do. The very thing that we have been 63 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,900 created to do. It is a gift, a gift, the gift 64 00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:14,200 that continues to give as we think and meditate upon the 65 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,800 Indescribable gift of Jesus, our son. 66 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,200 I know that already most of you have torn into packages. 67 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,300 You've received things and you're grateful for what your 68 00:04:23,300 --> 00:04:25,900 friends and family have provided for you. 69 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,100 I know when I think back on my own Christmas is I love those 70 00:04:29,100 --> 00:04:32,800 morning's where we Would unwrap the things that our parents had 71 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:35,900 purchased for us, then or made for us that the joy of what have 72 00:04:35,900 --> 00:04:37,600 been brought and put under the tree. 73 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,400 Some of the things. I also remember that I purchased 74 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:44,300 for others and I didn't do a lot of that when I was little, I 75 00:04:44,300 --> 00:04:47,700 would buy something for each of my siblings and my mom and dad. 76 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,100 And I remember some of those in my favorite thing I ever got, my 77 00:04:51,100 --> 00:04:54,700 father was a snake for Christmas. 78 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,100 Sometimes you give gifts that you know are going to benefit 79 00:04:59,100 --> 00:05:01,700 you as well as the one who would receive it. 80 00:05:02,900 --> 00:05:06,300 And in 1995, I gave my dad a snake. 81 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:09,500 Now, it's not the kind of snake, you're thinking of the one that 82 00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:11,800 would freak everybody out on Christmas morning. 83 00:05:12,300 --> 00:05:16,700 It was a new invention by Black & Decker, which would be calm 84 00:05:16,700 --> 00:05:19,100 their greatest seller for a long season. 85 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:24,300 It was called the snake light. It was a flashlight that would 86 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:28,900 wrap around some apparatus and then shine light on the 87 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:34,400 carburetor or on a broken part of the refrigerator or the AC 88 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:36,100 unit. And the reason it was a great 89 00:05:36,100 --> 00:05:39,900 gift is because if the snake wasn't in my father's hands, I 90 00:05:39,900 --> 00:05:43,200 was the snake. I was the one like many of you 91 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,800 who had a father, who said here, hold the flashlight and you had 92 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,400 no idea. Whether that was going to take 93 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:53,600 five minutes or five hours, you had no idea how long you would 94 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,200 to hold the light. So your diet could do the work, 95 00:05:56,500 --> 00:06:01,200 that's the gift. I gave my dad a 1995 He loved 96 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,700 it. We all loved it. 97 00:06:04,100 --> 00:06:06,300 If you've never had that experience in because time has 98 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:08,900 passed the bed, but it was a great gift, a snake. 99 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:11,300 It Christmas. I want to talk about the other 100 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:14,500 snake at Christmas for a bit. You may be thinking, why would 101 00:06:14,500 --> 00:06:17,800 you bring up Satan on Christmas day? 102 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:21,200 Well, how can you really understand this Indescribable 103 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,800 gift if you don't really understand the story? 104 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,700 Not just the back story, but the story that's happening. 105 00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:32,100 Now that even now, this powerful Enemy Satan were told in the 106 00:06:32,100 --> 00:06:35,300 word of God, the Revelation that he roams around looking for 107 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:38,300 someone to devour, he and he's crafty. 108 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:40,800 One of the ways he seeks to devour people is by making 109 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,400 Christmas. Nothing more than sentiment. 110 00:06:43,500 --> 00:06:47,400 Nothing more than just this one, wonderful warm feeling. 111 00:06:47,900 --> 00:06:52,200 But it's not listen to what you lifted your voice just a few 112 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:56,200 minutes ago and said in song go to page 4 in your bulletin 113 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:00,400 listen to verse 1 of God Rest. Ye Merry Gentlemen, God Rest. 114 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:05,200 Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay remember 115 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:08,300 Christ. Our Savior was born on Christmas 116 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:09,800 day. Now imagine the songwriter 117 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,900 thinking of the words that he would put two pin to paper next 118 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:22,600 born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan's power, all of 119 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:28,400 this. Exist because of the evil that 120 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,500 he brought into this world. All of this exists because the 121 00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:37,100 war was waged and it's not dualism, it's not Star Wars, 122 00:07:37,100 --> 00:07:39,600 it's not, maybe the dark will win. 123 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,500 Maybe the light will win, but the dark is real. 124 00:07:43,700 --> 00:07:47,500 And Christ came as the light to conquer the darkness. 125 00:07:48,300 --> 00:07:55,800 We sang to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone 126 00:07:55,800 --> 00:08:00,300 astray. All of us, the word of God tells 127 00:08:00,300 --> 00:08:02,100 us like sheep. Have gone astray. 128 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,600 In each of us, has turned to his own way and the lord has laid on 129 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:06,600 him. That's Jesus. 130 00:08:06,900 --> 00:08:11,000 The iniquity of us. All later, in verse 3. 131 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:15,300 It says fear, not then said the angel, let nothing you. 132 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:19,400 Affright this day is born, a savior of a pure virgin, bright 133 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:25,500 to free, all those who trust in him from Satan's power and might 134 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:30,300 If you're new to our church, we believe every word of this 135 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:34,000 Revelation and it speaks of this enemy who roams around like a 136 00:08:34,008 --> 00:08:37,799 roaring lion. It tells us how we are to engage 137 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:41,799 and resist him but the story from the beginning of the Bible 138 00:08:41,799 --> 00:08:47,200 to the end is about to this child promised name Jesus. 139 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:53,200 Who is Victorious over him? But this side of Heaven, it's 140 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,600 not nights filled with anticipation that often keep us 141 00:08:56,600 --> 00:09:02,400 up children your parents. And as you get older you'll see. 142 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:06,600 There's something we heard earlier called gloomy nights 143 00:09:07,100 --> 00:09:08,800 nights. Were we stay awake? 144 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,600 Not because we're anticipating something so joyful, and 145 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,200 beautiful and exciting but we're anticipating things that are 146 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:22,200 hard and dark. Doctors reports relationships 147 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,900 that are broken. We feel the effect of this dying 148 00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:30,800 and dark world and that's where we come. 149 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:35,700 And why we come to find hope? Now, the reason I'm starting 150 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:40,700 here is because in the Book of Revelation Jesus is describing 151 00:09:40,700 --> 00:09:42,500 himself as the Bright Morning Star. 152 00:09:42,500 --> 00:09:48,200 Go back with me now to Revelation 22:16 verse 16. 153 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,400 It says, I Jesus. And so Jesus, this is being 154 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:55,900 recorded by John the Apostle. I Jesus have sent my angel to 155 00:09:55,900 --> 00:09:59,800 testify to you about these things for the churches. 156 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,600 I am the root and descendant of David. 157 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,400 That's also one of the ont fauns and that was preached a couple 158 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:10,500 of weeks ago, then he says I am the root and the descendant of 159 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:17,800 David, the Bright Morning Star. So the very last book in the 160 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:23,700 Bible speaks of Jesus being the Bright Morning Star. 161 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,900 It fulfills. What was said about him in 162 00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:30,900 John's gospel, which we rehearsed earlier, he is the 163 00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:33,600 light, the light of the world, the darkness has not overcome 164 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:38,600 it, but this phrase is very interesting, the Bright Morning 165 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:42,000 Star. It's the idea of like Venus that 166 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,400 star, that comes up still seen in the dark before the sun 167 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,000 itself Rises. But this isn't the only place 168 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:52,800 that occurs it actually occurs in the oldest book in the Bible. 169 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,600 So glad grab the blue. Bloop you Bible in front of you 170 00:10:55,900 --> 00:11:01,200 and turn to the Book of Job. Go to chapter 38. 171 00:11:02,700 --> 00:11:08,500 Jobs horrific account. Near the end has him in an 172 00:11:08,500 --> 00:11:12,300 encounter with God, where the Lord is speaking to job. 173 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:16,400 If you ever struggle with anxiety, and I'm sure like me, 174 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:21,600 you do, when you can have your mind reminded of how great God 175 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:26,200 is of how in control God is, it can bring Great Piece to you. 176 00:11:26,300 --> 00:11:29,000 And this is an interesting part of the Bible that can actually 177 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:33,300 do that when you. And I remember who he is, I'm 178 00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:35,700 going to begin, reading at verse one in Job 38. 179 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:40,100 Eight and I'm going to show you where this idea of this bright 180 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:43,500 star comes. So Job. 38 verse 1, then the 181 00:11:43,500 --> 00:11:47,300 Lord answered job out of the world went and said, so now this 182 00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:52,500 is what job heard as God spoke. Who is this that darkens counsel 183 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:56,700 by words without knowledge? That's pretty strong dress for 184 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,000 Action. God says to job dress for 185 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,400 Action. Like a man. 186 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:02,900 I will question you and you make it known to me. 187 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,200 Now, listen to God's questions to job. 188 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:10,100 Where were you, when I laid the foundation of the Earth, tell me 189 00:12:10,100 --> 00:12:14,000 if you have understanding who determined its measurements, 190 00:12:14,300 --> 00:12:19,600 surely, you know, or who stretched the line upon it on 191 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,100 what words, basis sunk our, who laid its Cornerstone. 192 00:12:23,300 --> 00:12:29,800 When the, you see it? When the morning Stars sang 193 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:35,400 together and all the sons of God shouted for Joy, the morning, 194 00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:40,000 Stars are the angels angels from the realm of Glory. 195 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,900 We were singing about it just a minute ago. 196 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:44,400 That's what's so great about these Christmas carols. 197 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:46,600 So often we just sing them and move on. 198 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:51,200 They are taking us into layer after layer of the gospel, and 199 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:58,200 all these rich rich lyrics. So, the Angels were the morning 200 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,100 Stars. They sang together and all the 201 00:13:01,100 --> 00:13:05,200 sons of God shouted for Joy. This is amazing. 202 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,000 One of those mornings Stars was Satan. 203 00:13:10,900 --> 00:13:16,600 In fact, Satan was one of the brightest of the morning Stars. 204 00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:20,500 A high ranking Angel before his fall. 205 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:26,100 His primary job was to take the praise that was coming and the 206 00:13:26,100 --> 00:13:30,400 center ascended up to God. The father in his fall, he 207 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:35,900 wanted that which he did not deserve that which was only for 208 00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:38,200 god. Father son, Holy Spirit, the 209 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:43,500 Trinity only for them M, how do we know go with me to the book 210 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:47,600 of Isaiah where we get so many of the prophecies that come 211 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:50,600 about? Jesus and listen to what has 212 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:53,500 spoken of the fall of one? Who is evil. 213 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:58,700 Isaiah, 14 verse 12. I hope you're there with me, 214 00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:04,400 it's pretty amazing. The word of God says this how 215 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:10,100 you were fallen from Heaven, o Day star, son of dawn. 216 00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:17,000 The same name. The same name given to Satan, 217 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:22,900 that's given to the son. But the difference is the son. 218 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:28,800 Our Savior constantly send by this one who had the same name 219 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,900 constantly tempted by him, not just in the wilderness, but 220 00:14:32,900 --> 00:14:37,200 throughout his life suffering in those Temptations, Hebrews 2 221 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:41,100 says because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able 222 00:14:41,100 --> 00:14:43,100 to help those who are being tempted. 223 00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:47,200 So, whatever you were tempted with self-righteousness, pride 224 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:52,900 lust, greed, anger, Gluttony you name it, he was tempted in the 225 00:14:52,900 --> 00:15:00,400 same ways, sexual sin. Lying all of it. 226 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,600 Christ was tempted but he never fell. 227 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:08,300 This Angel, the Daystar, the son of dawn. 228 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:14,900 Isaiah goes on how you are cut down to the ground, you who laid 229 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:18,800 the nation's low, you said, in your heart, I will Ascend to 230 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:22,400 Heaven above the stars of God and I will set my Throne on 231 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,700 high. I will sit on the Mount of 232 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:28,400 assembly in the far, reaches of the north, I will Ascend above 233 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,200 the heights of the clouds. I will make myself like the most 234 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:36,900 high, but you are brought down to sheol to the far reaches of 235 00:15:36,900 --> 00:15:42,800 the pit. What we seeing at Christmas and 236 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,400 all throughout the year. Really matters these layers of 237 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,300 the Gospel from the beginning of Genesis to the end. 238 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,500 Let me show you another way. When G's go back to revelation, 239 00:15:53,500 --> 00:15:59,700 22, when Jesus is speaking in verse 16 it says I Jesus have 240 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:03,100 sent my angel to testify to you about these things. 241 00:16:03,100 --> 00:16:07,000 For the churches, I am the root and the descendant of David, the 242 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:12,800 Bright Morning Star. We have in here recorded the 243 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:17,700 last words recorded in scripture of Jesus. 244 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:21,200 It's not necessarily the last things Jesus spoke, but it is 245 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:24,700 the last Worded words we have. What is it? 246 00:16:24,700 --> 00:16:28,600 That Jesus said, Look with me at verse 20. 247 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:34,400 He who testifies to these things says surely I am coming soon. 248 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:39,000 Amen. How does this give us hope? 249 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:44,800 God's time and God's economy is not the same as ours. 250 00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:49,800 What seems like soon to us clearly is not soon to him. 251 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:56,800 God knows the father knows when he is going to send his son 252 00:16:56,800 --> 00:17:03,700 again to this earth and he's going to what gives us hope is 253 00:17:03,700 --> 00:17:07,300 his return. What gives us hope is that he 254 00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:10,800 has promised to return. He is going to come for his 255 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,500 bride, he is the bridegroom. What gives us hope is these 256 00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:18,500 words that he spoke recorded in the last book of the Bible? 257 00:17:18,500 --> 00:17:20,300 He who testifies to these things. 258 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:28,400 It says surely I am coming soon. Amen, and he is well in the 259 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:30,300 service singing Joy to the World. 260 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:32,800 It's actually a second Advent him. 261 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,900 It's really pointed to. The second coming of Christ. 262 00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:42,500 He's going to come for us. He promises. but when the gloomy 263 00:17:42,500 --> 00:17:47,000 night is more than tonight, when the gloomy night, moves into his 264 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:51,700 season, and that season stays with you, when your soul fills 265 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:55,500 the darkness, when you find yourself and despair, when you 266 00:17:55,500 --> 00:17:58,900 find yourself living in dread, when your soul was in 267 00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:02,700 depression, when your body is aching when relationships are 268 00:18:02,700 --> 00:18:05,800 not going well, where you seem to find yourself in conflict 269 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:09,700 with almost everyone, When your body, or the body of a, loved 270 00:18:09,700 --> 00:18:12,700 one is giving out these. Create the gloomy nights. 271 00:18:13,700 --> 00:18:18,000 And what gives us hope is this promise of his return. 272 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:21,600 But there's another thing that gives us hope in that is his 273 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,400 Revelation. And when I say his Revelation, I 274 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:31,600 simply mean this from beginning to end, he has spoken to us in 275 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:36,200 his word. This revelation we have seen 276 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,700 what John recorded as his last words. 277 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:43,400 Surely, I am coming soon. Well, what were his last 278 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,100 commands? Look with me at Verse 18. 279 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:52,300 Jesus speaks these words, I warned everyone who hears these 280 00:18:52,300 --> 00:18:54,600 words of the prophecy of this book. 281 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,800 If anyone adds to them, God will add to him. 282 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:00,900 The plagues described in this book. 283 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,600 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this 284 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:08,900 prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life. 285 00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:12,200 And in this the holy city which are described in this book. 286 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:18,500 What is Jesus Christ? Final recorded words in the 287 00:19:18,500 --> 00:19:20,500 final book of the Bible. Surely. 288 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:26,400 I am coming soon. Secondly, do not add to this 289 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:31,500 book and do not take anything from this book. 290 00:19:32,500 --> 00:19:36,400 And we are tempted to do it all the time. 291 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,500 Why? Because the serpent in the very 292 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:46,600 first book of the Bible, asking the very first question in the 293 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:51,900 Bible comes attacking the revealed word of God. 294 00:19:52,700 --> 00:19:58,100 The serpent says to Eve, did God really say? 295 00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:03,600 And he does the same thing to this day. 296 00:20:04,700 --> 00:20:09,100 Did God really say not to add anything to this book friends, 297 00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:14,000 we add things all the time, we add our own self-righteousness, 298 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:20,400 we create rules like the Pharisees did that cause us to 299 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:23,100 think of ourselves better than we should. 300 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,900 I could be wrong, but I would imagine there's some even this 301 00:20:26,900 --> 00:20:32,500 morning who sinfully, of thought me my family were better than 302 00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:35,400 others. Or our church is better than 303 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:38,900 other churches. Because we had church on Sunday, 304 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:43,700 the day after Christmas Eve. When we were just here, if 305 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:46,600 that's in your mind and self-righteous, if it's in your 306 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:50,600 mind, you're adding two things that you think would cause God 307 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:55,300 to see you better because of your own actions. 308 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:59,900 Yes, he is pleased that we are together but just because you're 309 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:03,600 here doesn't mean he suddenly sees you better and says now I I 310 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:05,800 will accept you. That's called 311 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:07,900 self-righteousness, that's pharisaism. 312 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,300 And the Pharisees were the ones who added to the scriptures all 313 00:21:11,300 --> 00:21:15,800 the time. Do not add to the Gospel of 314 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:18,700 Jesus Christ. Do not add to the scriptures. 315 00:21:18,700 --> 00:21:22,800 Do not add to the good news of the Gospel, with anything that 316 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:26,900 you yourself are bringing as if it makes a difference in how God 317 00:21:26,900 --> 00:21:32,700 sees you, we are seen as Justified because of what Christ 318 00:21:32,700 --> 00:21:36,200 did. We are seen as Justified because 319 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:40,800 of what Christ is doing, even now in our lives, don't add to 320 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:46,000 it, don't add to it. But also don't take from it. 321 00:21:47,100 --> 00:21:52,900 Did God really say? This is the way. 322 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:59,300 That pleases me. In all aspects of life that God 323 00:21:59,300 --> 00:22:02,300 spoke to he's given us this truth. 324 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:08,000 And whatever he says in regards to the way he Wills for things 325 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:13,700 to be, we are to tear no Pages out when we read the book of 326 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:17,200 Romans chapter 1, and we see the way in which the world has 327 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:24,800 fallen certainly even before now, Some think it's too harsh. 328 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:30,400 Some think it's too judgmental, something, it's not right to 329 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:34,300 stand up for things that create such societal. 330 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,700 Evil. Don't judge another person. 331 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:44,900 God's word. Is not to be deleted. 332 00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:50,100 And the cost of not deleting it. Is great. 333 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:56,300 It will be great. But we can't take pages and tear 334 00:22:56,300 --> 00:23:00,500 them out because it doesn't fit in the world that we live. 335 00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:03,900 Paul says, do not conform any longer to the pattern of the 336 00:23:03,900 --> 00:23:06,900 world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 337 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:11,100 That's this and his Spirit then you will be able to test and 338 00:23:11,100 --> 00:23:12,700 approve. What God's will is his good 339 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:21,000 pleasing and perfect will What's the last verse in the Bible? 340 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:27,500 It really summarizes why we can't add to or take away from 341 00:23:27,500 --> 00:23:31,900 the word of God. The Revelation Jesus says surely 342 00:23:31,900 --> 00:23:36,300 I'm coming soon, his return gives us hope he gives us his 343 00:23:36,300 --> 00:23:39,400 Revelation, we're not to delete it or add to it. 344 00:23:39,700 --> 00:23:44,800 And then he says this the grace of the Lord Jesus, be with all, 345 00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:51,100 let me unpack this as I close. earlier in the service, Paul 346 00:23:51,100 --> 00:23:56,800 gave us the words of comfort and Assurance from Ephesians 2 347 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:03,500 Ephesians 2 describes the war were in with Satan. 348 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:06,200 This is what it says. I just want you to listen. 349 00:24:06,500 --> 00:24:11,700 Don't turn there, just listen. This is about all people and you 350 00:24:11,700 --> 00:24:14,600 were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you. 351 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:19,800 Once walked following the course of this world, following the 352 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:23,000 prince of the power of the air that is now at work among the 353 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:27,800 sons of Disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the 354 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:31,300 passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and 355 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:34,100 the mind. And we're by Nature children of 356 00:24:34,100 --> 00:24:38,400 Wrath, like the rest of mankind, all of us. 357 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:45,900 Long to Satan. All of us were flooded by this 358 00:24:45,900 --> 00:24:47,600 one. Who's the prince of the power of 359 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:51,600 the air? Now, listen to the Revelation 360 00:24:52,600 --> 00:25:01,200 but God, but God being rich in Mercy because of the great love 361 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:07,700 which he had for us, made us alive together in Christ. 362 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:12,500 And this is not from yourself. It's Christmas Day. 363 00:25:12,500 --> 00:25:14,900 Listen, this is not from yourself. 364 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:20,400 It is the gift of God not by works. 365 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:24,300 Don't add to it. It is the gift of God. 366 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:31,100 The gift of God, the grace of God is the gift of God so that 367 00:25:31,100 --> 00:25:38,100 no man can boast. I gave my dad a snake. 368 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:43,400 For Christmas. About six years later. 369 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:49,700 He had an infection that 808, the ate away, the mitral valve 370 00:25:49,700 --> 00:25:53,200 of his heart. I had no idea where my father 371 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:56,600 stood with the Lord, they couldn't figure out what the 372 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:58,500 infection was. He was in the hospital. 373 00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:02,400 I think right under not right under 40 days around 38 days, 374 00:26:03,300 --> 00:26:04,900 they finally found the infection. 375 00:26:06,100 --> 00:26:09,800 They killed the infection and then they did the surgery on his 376 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:15,400 heart and he survived and lived many number of years longer. 377 00:26:16,300 --> 00:26:22,100 But why was in the hospital not knowing if he would survive God, 378 00:26:22,100 --> 00:26:29,600 used me his son with his Revelation, his light. 379 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:35,200 And I took this light and the power of the spirit. 380 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:38,100 And I didn't take one thing out of it. 381 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:43,000 And I didn't take one thing and add to it. 382 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:46,600 My dad had grown up in a religious tradition where they 383 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:48,800 added many things to the scriptures. 384 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:51,800 He rebelled against that in such a way, where he was now, 385 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:55,500 deleting things from the scriptures, saying things like, 386 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,200 it doesn't really matter as long as you just believe in 387 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,100 something. That's deleting things from 388 00:27:01,100 --> 00:27:05,000 scriptures at other times, he would say, well, I haven't been 389 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,700 good enough. You're right Dad, you haven't 390 00:27:08,100 --> 00:27:10,600 and you never will. Be nobody will be only one, ever 391 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:15,200 was its Christ in that moment in that hospital room. 392 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:18,600 My father prayed to receive Christ. 393 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:24,600 This was a great day, a great day down the hall from my 394 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,800 father, was my uncle. I've told you about my uncle 395 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:30,400 Carol, especially at Thanksgiving. 396 00:27:31,500 --> 00:27:35,100 Uncle Carol was in the hospital for a heart condition. 397 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:39,400 It was not his heart being destroyed by a bacteria, but by 398 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:44,100 bad living really bad. Living alcohol. 399 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:49,400 Lots of unhealthy food just destruction to his body, the 400 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:51,700 very same day. I walked out of my dad's 401 00:27:51,700 --> 00:27:55,400 hospital room having trade with him, the sinner's prayer, I 402 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,700 turned and saw my uncle standing in the hallway. 403 00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:00,000 He said, Mark, come here I want to talk to you. 404 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:03,900 I went in to talk to him. It was Good Friday, by the way. 405 00:28:05,500 --> 00:28:08,300 He said, on his bed and said they say they can't help me. 406 00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:12,900 My heart's too far gone, would you pray with me? 407 00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:14,400 Cuz I don't know what will happen. 408 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,000 If I die. Uncle Carol. 409 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:20,200 Do you want to know what it would mean to live forever with 410 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:21,700 Christ? Yes. 411 00:28:21,700 --> 00:28:23,200 I know you're the preacher in the family. 412 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:26,700 I was still in college. By the way. 413 00:28:27,300 --> 00:28:31,900 Tell me. And I did I held up the same 414 00:28:31,900 --> 00:28:35,000 light. The same Revelation talked about 415 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,500 the same Christ who had come the same Christ who promised to 416 00:28:38,500 --> 00:28:41,400 return the same Christ that we would live with forever. 417 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:46,800 If we simply received him and there in that hospital room just 418 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:50,100 Doors Down from my father. He to prayed the sinner's 419 00:28:50,100 --> 00:28:55,000 prayer, it was Good Friday. He went home on Saturday, they 420 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,600 found him dead on Easter morning. 421 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,500 Hallelujah. He's in the presence. 422 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:09,600 Of the man. Who is God, Jesus? 423 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:15,900 For most of his life that enemy saw it to keep him from ever 424 00:29:15,900 --> 00:29:20,300 receiving the truth. God has you here today? 425 00:29:21,500 --> 00:29:25,300 You have heard the truth, some of you have already received it. 426 00:29:26,500 --> 00:29:29,500 Some of you may think you've received some of, you know, you 427 00:29:29,500 --> 00:29:31,700 haven't, I don't know where you are. 428 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:36,100 But I know that you're here and the Julie for which we who are 429 00:29:36,100 --> 00:29:40,700 in Christ, seen is a joy that comes from the constant reminder 430 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:46,800 that like you we didn't deserve it like you, we can't earn it. 431 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:54,400 Mike you if you open this gift and receive it, we have not 432 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,700 adding to it, not deleting from it. 433 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:05,800 And so we have a joy and a hope that is in this day spring, this 434 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:12,200 Bright Morning Star, which This Side of Heaven, we need him 435 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:18,200 constantly to remind us of his promise return and remind us. 436 00:30:18,700 --> 00:30:26,400 Of his Revelation and he does. He does, he gives us everything 437 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:31,900 we need. Merry Christmas friends, Merry 438 00:30:31,900 --> 00:30:38,500 Christmas, Merry Christmas, Jesus before we stand and lift 439 00:30:38,500 --> 00:30:43,500 our voices and song. If there are any who are here, I 440 00:30:43,500 --> 00:30:45,200 pray. This would be the moment for 441 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:47,700 them. Like my uncle Carol, like my 442 00:30:47,700 --> 00:30:53,400 father and Lord, we hold up and have held up the light to them 443 00:30:53,900 --> 00:30:59,200 that they may see that you have overcome the darkness that they 444 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:03,100 would receive you. Even now friend, if that is, you 445 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:08,100 simply pray for Christ to forgive, you, ask him. 446 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:14,300 To be your lord receive his salvation right now. 447 00:31:15,300 --> 00:31:18,000 And father for those who know you are ready? 448 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,200 I pray that they would not have missed the point. 449 00:31:22,300 --> 00:31:25,000 Where they have thought this message was just for those who 450 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,900 are lost. For if that's our attitude, 451 00:31:27,900 --> 00:31:31,900 Lord, that's a sign that we are living disconnected from the 452 00:31:31,900 --> 00:31:35,300 reality of who you are even now. So whatever. 453 00:31:35,300 --> 00:31:39,700 Gloomy night we have been in will be in or in right now 454 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:42,000 whether that is a night or a season. 455 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:47,700 I pray that you would overwhelm all of us with the good news of 456 00:31:47,700 --> 00:31:50,700 Christ. His promise return. 457 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:55,300 His Revelation given even this day in his word. 458 00:31:56,200 --> 00:32:01,500 Father, we need you. Thank you for giving us your son 459 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:06,000 and thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is in us. 460 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:10,100 Even now we pray in Jesus name, amen.