1 00:00:02,390 --> 00:00:07,360 Well, good morning, everyone. As Grant might say, if I'm a new 2 00:00:07,370 --> 00:00:12,360 face, my name is Allison and I love that I might be a new face 3 00:00:12,370 --> 00:00:14,720 to many of you. Because I had the privilege. 4 00:00:14,730 --> 00:00:17,120 Of serving as one of the. Pastors here for. 5 00:00:17,130 --> 00:00:21,020 Seven years and in the year and a half since I stepped down, so 6 00:00:21,030 --> 00:00:22,440 many new. Faces are. 7 00:00:22,450 --> 00:00:26,240 Here among us, and I just love that, but one of my favorite 8 00:00:26,250 --> 00:00:27,790 things that I got to do when I was on. 9 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,960 Staff was to be. Part of our preaching team. 10 00:00:31,100 --> 00:00:34,630 You maybe heard Pastor Grant and Justin talk about this. 11 00:00:34,820 --> 00:00:37,530 So three of us pastors. Would meet weekly. 12 00:00:37,540 --> 00:00:40,030 We'd study the passage. Together in preparation for 13 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,130 whoever would be speaking that week. 14 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,050 And when I left staff, I knew that one of the things that I 15 00:00:46,060 --> 00:00:49,550 would miss most was those times together and so. 16 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:53,510 I was really delighted. When Grant and Justin kindly let 17 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,070 me start tagging along with them, I've definitely had some 18 00:00:57,080 --> 00:00:59,230 confused faces. When I tell people that. 19 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:01,910 They're like you do. What? 20 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:05,990 You volunteer to do something that you were once. 21 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,470 Paid to do. And I say Yep, and I'm the lucky 22 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,520 1. And there's a few reasons for 23 00:01:11,530 --> 00:01:15,230 this, but the main one that I want to talk about today. 24 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:17,770 Is because of the story that we get. 25 00:01:17,780 --> 00:01:19,670 To talk about in those times together. 26 00:01:20,820 --> 00:01:25,410 I love stories. I have this image of me. 27 00:01:25,460 --> 00:01:28,130 As a little girl that. Really stands out that I think 28 00:01:28,140 --> 00:01:30,420 just kind of captures me as a child. 29 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:35,530 Do you have something like that? Maybe it's a photo or a memory 30 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:36,830 or maybe something that somebody. 31 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,530 Told you about yourself. Well, mine comes from a home 32 00:01:40,540 --> 00:01:43,290 video. Now I know when we think home 33 00:01:43,300 --> 00:01:49,570 videos today we think like this, but I'm talking suitcase cracked 34 00:01:49,580 --> 00:01:54,730 open giant camcorder on the shoulder home video. 35 00:01:55,450 --> 00:01:59,960 Now that I've lost everyone under 25, we'll continue. 36 00:01:59,970 --> 00:02:04,730 So one of these old giant VHS tape home videos of me I think 37 00:02:04,740 --> 00:02:06,580 I'm about. Four or five. 38 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,880 And I'm standing in the kitchen after dinner. 39 00:02:09,910 --> 00:02:14,480 I've got a colander on top of my head and yellow rubber gloves up 40 00:02:14,490 --> 00:02:18,840 to my elbows and very serious expression on my face, and I'm 41 00:02:18,850 --> 00:02:24,360 deep into telling a story about Paddington Bear now, when the 42 00:02:24,370 --> 00:02:29,140 camera inevitably veered away from my long story toward my 43 00:02:29,190 --> 00:02:30,790 obnoxiously. Adorable. 44 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:35,460 Little brother, I would say. Daddy, listen to this story. 45 00:02:36,060 --> 00:02:38,600 And the focus would come back and I'd continue. 46 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:41,770 I love stories. And though I know that. 47 00:02:41,780 --> 00:02:45,310 We are all hardwired. And drawn to stories my 48 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,530 counselor one time told me. You are really. 49 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,610 Wired for stories and some good ways and some less helpful ways. 50 00:02:53,730 --> 00:02:56,600 But I love telling stories. It's my favorite part of my 51 00:02:56,610 --> 00:02:59,080 current. Job as a podcast producer, but 52 00:02:59,090 --> 00:03:00,820 it's also. Why I hang out? 53 00:03:00,830 --> 00:03:03,910 With these guys. Every Monday morning because in 54 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:09,140 the Bible we. Truly have the best stories. 55 00:03:09,550 --> 00:03:13,720 Honestly, there's nothing. Like these stories, the depth, 56 00:03:13,770 --> 00:03:16,320 the. Layers the meaning, the humor, 57 00:03:16,330 --> 00:03:21,120 the power, the wonders, and the. Incredible God that they reveal 58 00:03:21,410 --> 00:03:25,290 they are the best stories. And not only are. 59 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:28,010 They the best. Stories to begin with, but they 60 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:30,690 actually come alive. They're living stories. 61 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:33,990 Because of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit highlights. 62 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,790 Things or says things that bring us new realizations or speaks 63 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,170 into these particular moments in our lives. 64 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:44,260 Through these stories. So we're talking about stories 65 00:03:44,270 --> 00:03:47,000 again today. The best story, but. 66 00:03:47,010 --> 00:03:50,560 Also about our stories. What happens when? 67 00:03:50,570 --> 00:03:55,020 Our story gets sidetracked. When the happily ever after 68 00:03:55,030 --> 00:03:58,630 doesn't come. When our stories do not feel. 69 00:03:58,690 --> 00:04:01,120 Like the best stories? When we. 70 00:04:01,130 --> 00:04:04,560 Wrestle with our stories. And struggle with the situations 71 00:04:04,570 --> 00:04:07,620 that we find ourselves in. We're going to. 72 00:04:07,630 --> 00:04:10,150 Revisit the story. From last week, so if you 73 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,270 weren't here I'd encourage. You to check out. 74 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,000 Last week's message, but we're also gonna take this story. 75 00:04:15,010 --> 00:04:17,959 A little bit farther. Today, so I'd really encourage 76 00:04:17,970 --> 00:04:19,589 you to. Pull out your Bible if you have. 77 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:21,180 It or a phone if that's what you. 78 00:04:21,190 --> 00:04:23,250 Do or there's bibles at the back there? 79 00:04:23,290 --> 00:04:26,020 Because I'd really love for you to be able to see this. 80 00:04:26,030 --> 00:04:28,050 Story in its context. Today. 81 00:04:29,650 --> 00:04:32,840 This Advent we are looking at stories from the Gospel of 82 00:04:32,850 --> 00:04:35,880 Matthew. Matthew is one of the. 83 00:04:35,890 --> 00:04:39,180 Biographies that tells the story of the life of Jesus. 84 00:04:39,510 --> 00:04:42,580 And here's how Matthew, the author, introduces. 85 00:04:42,590 --> 00:04:46,760 Our story for today. In Matthew chapter one, verse 86 00:04:46,770 --> 00:04:49,400 18, that's where our story starts for today. 87 00:04:49,570 --> 00:04:54,540 He says this is how the birth. Of Jesus the Messiah came about, 88 00:04:55,730 --> 00:04:58,400 but we're actually gonna. Back up a little bit before. 89 00:04:59,250 --> 00:05:02,380 Matthew actually has two versions of this birth 90 00:05:02,390 --> 00:05:04,640 announcement. Two versions of how this. 91 00:05:04,650 --> 00:05:06,550 Birth came about, so we're gonna. 92 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,420 Flip back a page. Or we're gonna scroll. 93 00:05:08,430 --> 00:05:10,780 Up a little bit. And see how Matthew. 94 00:05:10,790 --> 00:05:14,760 Starts off his book. So if you've done that, if 95 00:05:14,770 --> 00:05:17,080 you've. Scrolled or flipped back? 96 00:05:17,510 --> 00:05:20,860 You may be relieved to know that I won't be reading the long list 97 00:05:20,870 --> 00:05:24,260 of names that you're seeing there, but I want us to pay 98 00:05:24,270 --> 00:05:27,850 attention to a few things here, Matthew. 99 00:05:27,860 --> 00:05:31,350 Starts his book, his gospel, his whole story. 100 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:35,860 About the person of Jesus by saying this is an account the 101 00:05:35,870 --> 00:05:40,710 Genesis, the origin story of Jesus the Messiah, the son of 102 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:44,570 David, the son of Abraham, and then he spends. 103 00:05:44,580 --> 00:05:48,730 The rest of this whole chapter. Helping us to understand how 104 00:05:48,740 --> 00:05:53,700 Jesus came to be those things, the Messiah, the Son of David 105 00:05:53,710 --> 00:05:57,850 and the son of Abraham. So the genealogy that you see 106 00:05:57,860 --> 00:06:02,540 written there starts with Abraham, and it traces a line 107 00:06:02,550 --> 00:06:06,400 through the ancestors, through names some of us may have. 108 00:06:06,410 --> 00:06:10,150 Heard of through Isaac. And Jacob and King David through 109 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,870 this whole long list of names. But do you know? 110 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,970 What word is? Repeated on that page 39 times. 111 00:06:19,660 --> 00:06:21,930 Father. So here it. 112 00:06:21,940 --> 00:06:26,110 Is some of you know, I love to highlight and mark things up 113 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,730 when I'm studying. Don't worry about all the names, 114 00:06:28,740 --> 00:06:29,830 but look at. All of that. 115 00:06:29,840 --> 00:06:30,930 Father, father. Father. 116 00:06:30,940 --> 00:06:31,760 Father. Father. 117 00:06:32,670 --> 00:06:36,640 It's actually 39 times. That we have this father. 118 00:06:37,410 --> 00:06:39,640 But it's actually a more. Active. 119 00:06:39,650 --> 00:06:41,880 Word than our English translation father. 120 00:06:41,890 --> 00:06:47,730 It's more like fathered 39 times fathered Abraham fathered. 121 00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:51,560 Isaac, Isaac, Father Jacob. Jacob, Father Judah. 122 00:06:51,660 --> 00:06:55,320 And on and on. That's what we call a. 123 00:06:55,330 --> 00:06:59,720 Pattern 39 times. And patterns are important 124 00:06:59,770 --> 00:07:01,680 because we're supposed to notice two things. 125 00:07:02,210 --> 00:07:05,740 First of all, we notice the pattern itself, but we also 126 00:07:05,750 --> 00:07:09,860 notice any interruption to the pattern, when the pattern stops 127 00:07:09,870 --> 00:07:12,820 being a pattern, when the pattern is broken. 128 00:07:13,270 --> 00:07:15,720 And look what happens here. So we'll zoom in on the end. 129 00:07:16,450 --> 00:07:20,560 Eliezer fathered Matthan, Matthan father Jacob and Jacob, 130 00:07:20,570 --> 00:07:27,040 father Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born. 131 00:07:28,330 --> 00:07:31,200 This train comes to a screeching halt. 132 00:07:31,940 --> 00:07:34,430 Something different is happening. 133 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,510 Something is slicing into. History A. 134 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:42,450 Fresh story that is both new and part of the old story at the 135 00:07:42,460 --> 00:07:47,140 same time. Joseph is introduced to us not 136 00:07:47,150 --> 00:07:52,240 as the father of a son, but as the husband of Mary. 137 00:07:52,610 --> 00:07:55,580 And when it comes to introducing this son, the text is careful 138 00:07:55,590 --> 00:07:58,300 not to say Joseph. Fathered like. 139 00:07:58,310 --> 00:08:03,690 The 39 times before rather, it says of whom Jesus was born. 140 00:08:04,430 --> 00:08:08,800 Fathered, fathered, fathered. 39 times, and then Joseph, husband 141 00:08:08,810 --> 00:08:15,550 of Mary, of whom Jesus was born. But this story, that long list 142 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:20,550 of 39 names, this tracing the generations the son of Abraham, 143 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:22,410 son of David. All the way to. 144 00:08:22,420 --> 00:08:25,190 Joseph, husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born. 145 00:08:25,700 --> 00:08:30,780 That story almost didn't happen. That's where we're gonna. 146 00:08:30,790 --> 00:08:34,890 Pick up our story for today. Let's pray before we read 147 00:08:34,900 --> 00:08:42,510 together. God, I thank you that you gave 148 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,310 Matthew vision to see. Who you are? 149 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,310 To remember the things that you said and did and the. 150 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,170 Story. Of how you, the Messiah came 151 00:08:51,180 --> 00:08:53,990 about. I pray that just. 152 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:58,010 As Matthew wants to convince us. Of this truth that you would do 153 00:08:58,020 --> 00:09:00,170 that. Work in our hearts that you 154 00:09:00,180 --> 00:09:02,590 would open our eyes to see and our. 155 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:04,570 Ears to hear the. Truth. 156 00:09:04,660 --> 00:09:06,790 About who you are. This morning and I. 157 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,970 Pray that that truth. Might continue to change us. 158 00:09:10,300 --> 00:09:13,870 For your good and for your glory and your name we pray Jesus, 159 00:09:13,940 --> 00:09:17,790 Amen. So Luke chapter 1 and we're 160 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:23,390 picking up at verse 18. This is how the birth of. 161 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:28,730 Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother, Mary was pledged to 162 00:09:28,740 --> 00:09:29,990 be married to. Joseph. 163 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,170 But before they came together, she was found to be pregnant 164 00:09:33,180 --> 00:09:34,250 through the holy. Spirit. 165 00:09:36,670 --> 00:09:41,040 I made a mistake, I told the sound booth, Luke 118. 166 00:09:42,140 --> 00:09:45,080 That's on me. Good thing you all have your 167 00:09:45,090 --> 00:09:48,540 Bibles and your phones out in front of you and we're going to 168 00:09:48,550 --> 00:09:50,500 ignore the screen. Sorry, Clement. 169 00:09:50,510 --> 00:09:54,460 My bad. How many months have we been in 170 00:09:54,470 --> 00:09:56,200 Luke? A lot of months. 171 00:09:57,530 --> 00:10:00,120 I forgot and wrote. Luke instead of Matthew. 172 00:10:00,130 --> 00:10:03,000 So Bibles in front of you. Thank you, friends. 173 00:10:03,870 --> 00:10:08,030 Sorry, sound booths. Matthew 118 to 25. 174 00:10:08,070 --> 00:10:11,170 I'm going to start again. This is how the birth of. 175 00:10:11,180 --> 00:10:15,330 Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother, Mary was pledged to 176 00:10:15,340 --> 00:10:17,110 be married to. Joseph but. 177 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,980 Before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through 178 00:10:19,990 --> 00:10:20,800 the holy. Spirit. 179 00:10:21,690 --> 00:10:23,380 Because Joseph, her husband, was. 180 00:10:23,390 --> 00:10:26,040 Faithful to the law. And yet did not want to. 181 00:10:26,050 --> 00:10:29,280 Expose her to public disgrace. He had in mind. 182 00:10:29,290 --> 00:10:33,130 To divorce her quietly. But after he had considered 183 00:10:33,140 --> 00:10:36,510 this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and 184 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:41,590 said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home 185 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,310 as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the 186 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,930 Holy. Spirit, she will give birth. 187 00:10:47,940 --> 00:10:51,650 To a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because. 188 00:10:51,660 --> 00:10:54,180 He will save his. People from their sins. 189 00:10:55,460 --> 00:10:59,240 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through 190 00:10:59,250 --> 00:11:02,240 the Prophet. The virgin will conceive and 191 00:11:02,250 --> 00:11:06,660 give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which 192 00:11:06,670 --> 00:11:08,420 means. God with us. 193 00:11:09,610 --> 00:11:11,420 When Joseph. Woke up he did. 194 00:11:11,430 --> 00:11:14,820 What the Angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took Mary 195 00:11:14,830 --> 00:11:15,990 home as. His wife. 196 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:19,690 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to 197 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,310 his son and he gave him the name. 198 00:11:22,460 --> 00:11:26,440 Jesus. Thank you, Clement. 199 00:11:26,450 --> 00:11:28,420 You are fast back. There. 200 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,310 Did I mention we're talking about interruptions in our story 201 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,780 or things maybe not going quite as planned? 202 00:11:36,230 --> 00:11:42,020 That was not intentional. So Messiah Matthew starts off 203 00:11:42,030 --> 00:11:44,420 saying this. Is how the birth of? 204 00:11:44,430 --> 00:11:49,210 Jesus the Messiah came about after telling us that larger. 205 00:11:49,220 --> 00:11:51,950 Story that we looked. At at the beginning of chapter 1 206 00:11:52,020 --> 00:11:55,510 of How This Came about through the Generations, we are now 207 00:11:55,520 --> 00:12:01,730 zooming in way in on a particular couple in a specific 208 00:12:01,740 --> 00:12:07,410 town at an exact time, and Matthew's job is to convince. 209 00:12:07,420 --> 00:12:11,690 Us that this particular. Baby, this baby from Nazareth. 210 00:12:11,740 --> 00:12:14,600 Is actually the savior of the world. 211 00:12:15,830 --> 00:12:18,680 Messiah is the title that's given to Jesus. 212 00:12:19,570 --> 00:12:23,980 Messiah is a Hebrew. Word meaning anointed 1 and 213 00:12:23,990 --> 00:12:25,740 Christ. Is just the Greek. 214 00:12:25,750 --> 00:12:31,510 Version of that both Messiah and Christ mean anointed 1 now. 215 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:34,210 This was a loaded. Term and one that would have 216 00:12:34,220 --> 00:12:35,770 been very familiar. To the Jewish. 217 00:12:35,780 --> 00:12:40,020 People at that time there was much anticipation for this 218 00:12:40,030 --> 00:12:42,650 Anointed 1 to come and rescue them. 219 00:12:43,460 --> 00:12:45,810 This term would have meant something, would have sent off 220 00:12:45,820 --> 00:12:47,900 flashing alarms for the people listening. 221 00:12:49,050 --> 00:12:51,580 New Testament scholar RT France puts it like. 222 00:12:51,590 --> 00:12:55,340 This. The colourless translation Jesus 223 00:12:55,350 --> 00:12:59,140 Christ in many English versions does not. 224 00:12:59,150 --> 00:13:02,260 Do justice to the. Excitement in Matthew's 225 00:13:02,270 --> 00:13:07,080 introduction of Jesus under the powerfully evocative title 226 00:13:07,130 --> 00:13:12,880 Messiah, the long-awaited delivered of God's people in 227 00:13:12,890 --> 00:13:19,240 whom their history has now come to its climax, and Matthew. 228 00:13:19,250 --> 00:13:21,860 'S job, like we said, is. To convince his. 229 00:13:21,870 --> 00:13:25,420 Readers, that baby Jesus. From Nazareth. 230 00:13:25,570 --> 00:13:30,310 Really is. This anointed 1 this one in whom 231 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,940 their history has now come to its climax. 232 00:13:34,130 --> 00:13:37,590 But there are some hurdles that Matthew has to overcome in 233 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,220 convincing his. Readers of this. 234 00:13:39,980 --> 00:13:43,430 They knew some things already. They had some expectations about 235 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:47,290 this Messiah from the prophets. The Messiah is to be from the 236 00:13:47,300 --> 00:13:50,270 line of David. That means the Messiah has to be 237 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,090 related to King David in some way. 238 00:13:52,100 --> 00:13:53,680 Some. Great, great, great, great. 239 00:13:53,690 --> 00:13:56,300 Great, great, great grandson 2nd. 240 00:13:56,310 --> 00:13:58,620 The Messiah is supposed to come from Bethlehem. 241 00:13:59,990 --> 00:14:03,760 Mary and Joseph live in a backwards town in Galilee. 242 00:14:03,830 --> 00:14:08,300 There's no royal connection, and Galilee is certainly no place 243 00:14:08,310 --> 00:14:14,130 for a Messiah to come from. But Matthews readers are not the 244 00:14:14,140 --> 00:14:16,300 only ones that need to be convinced. 245 00:14:16,690 --> 00:14:19,640 Joseph also needs to be convinced. 246 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:23,570 Now we learned. That, Joseph, is a faithful 247 00:14:23,620 --> 00:14:25,870 rule. Following Jewish man who's 248 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:28,470 engaged to a wonderful young woman named Mary. 249 00:14:28,820 --> 00:14:31,300 They have their whole. Life ahead of them. 250 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,790 They've entered into engagement, which is actually a much more 251 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,550 serious arrangement than than what we think of with 252 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,360 engagement. They would have entered into a 253 00:14:41,370 --> 00:14:44,900 binding legal contract in front of witnesses. 254 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:48,630 Engagement was a legal arrangement, not just a 255 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:52,200 relational commitment. So they've entered into this 256 00:14:52,210 --> 00:14:55,220 engagement and are in the midst of waiting. 257 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:58,880 Usually about a year. Making preparations for their 258 00:14:58,890 --> 00:15:02,980 life ahead and after this year's time, they would have then had a 259 00:15:02,990 --> 00:15:06,080 public ceremony, a coming together where Mary. 260 00:15:06,090 --> 00:15:09,140 Would leave her father's. Home and go and live with 261 00:15:09,150 --> 00:15:12,940 Joseph. And it's in the midst of this 262 00:15:12,950 --> 00:15:17,120 anticipation and preparation. For their life together, the 263 00:15:17,130 --> 00:15:20,120 Joseph's world. Comes to a screeching halt. 264 00:15:21,330 --> 00:15:24,210 Everything changes in a moment and the. 265 00:15:24,220 --> 00:15:26,290 Rug is pulled out. From beneath him. 266 00:15:27,130 --> 00:15:29,630 His whole. World comes crashing down. 267 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:37,690 Marry His bride is pregnant and he knows he is not the. 268 00:15:37,700 --> 00:15:41,980 Father this. Seemingly ultimate betrayal 269 00:15:41,990 --> 00:15:45,940 ruins the plans and the hopes. He has for their life together. 270 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:51,360 What is Joseph to do? Even though they're not living 271 00:15:51,370 --> 00:15:55,920 together and have not completed the marriage, they have already 272 00:15:55,930 --> 00:15:57,720 entered into this legal arrangement. 273 00:15:59,210 --> 00:16:03,460 As RT France explains, this binding contract can only be 274 00:16:03,470 --> 00:16:05,140 terminated. By death. 275 00:16:05,390 --> 00:16:06,800 Which would leave the woman as a. 276 00:16:06,810 --> 00:16:11,490 Widow or by divorce? As if for a full marriage, 277 00:16:12,630 --> 00:16:16,850 however, sexual infidelity during the engagement. 278 00:16:17,850 --> 00:16:20,790 Was actually a basis for divorce. 279 00:16:21,230 --> 00:16:24,740 And more than that. The law actually required. 280 00:16:24,810 --> 00:16:26,740 The termination of the engagement in the. 281 00:16:26,750 --> 00:16:30,990 Case of adultery. And the way that this was done, 282 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:32,690 this termination of the engagement. 283 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:37,360 Was through a public. Trial, as France explains. 284 00:16:37,830 --> 00:16:40,240 As a law. Abiding man, Joseph. 285 00:16:40,250 --> 00:16:43,160 Would be expected to repudiate his. 286 00:16:43,230 --> 00:16:47,600 Errant fiancee publicly in a. Trial for adultery. 287 00:16:48,610 --> 00:16:53,940 She would be made an example of. Joseph is between a rock and a 288 00:16:53,950 --> 00:16:54,840 hard. Place. 289 00:16:55,660 --> 00:17:01,020 But what about Mary as a woman at that time who could not own? 290 00:17:01,030 --> 00:17:04,119 Property, but was the property. Of a man. 291 00:17:04,270 --> 00:17:07,220 Either her father. Or a husband her. 292 00:17:07,230 --> 00:17:11,400 Options were dire. After being humiliated and 293 00:17:11,410 --> 00:17:15,079 ostracized in a public. Trial her best hope. 294 00:17:15,089 --> 00:17:19,220 Would be for her family to have pity and take her in and allow 295 00:17:19,230 --> 00:17:21,420 her to continue. To be part of their household. 296 00:17:22,099 --> 00:17:25,190 Her prospects for another. Marriage or traditional future? 297 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:29,500 Were slim to none. What is Joseph to do? 298 00:17:30,580 --> 00:17:35,350 In order to follow the law, he thinks he must divorce Mary, but 299 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:38,590 he doesn't want to inflict the shame of a public trial on her. 300 00:17:40,170 --> 00:17:43,200 There was a possible. Allowance for divorce in front 301 00:17:43,210 --> 00:17:46,240 of just two witnesses. And perhaps this is what he was 302 00:17:46,250 --> 00:17:51,040 considering, but again, after a public and legal engagement, 303 00:17:51,110 --> 00:17:55,060 even if he did not subject her to the shame of a big trial, a 304 00:17:55,070 --> 00:17:57,660 quiet and. Discreet divorce was hardly. 305 00:17:57,670 --> 00:18:02,200 Possible, but looking at what seemed to be the facts in front 306 00:18:02,210 --> 00:18:04,560 of him, he can't think of another way. 307 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:10,030 Mary is pregnant, He knows how babies are made and he knows 308 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:13,670 he's not the father. What is he to do? 309 00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:17,370 This is not. The story. 310 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:21,790 He had in mind. His story has veered way off 311 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:22,910 the. Road and into a. 312 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:26,620 Ditch. Do you ever feel like that? 313 00:18:28,810 --> 00:18:31,070 Have you had any interruptions in your story? 314 00:18:32,140 --> 00:18:35,900 Things not going as planned, assumptions you've. 315 00:18:35,910 --> 00:18:38,280 Made about how things. Will go that you didn't even 316 00:18:38,290 --> 00:18:40,960 realize were assumptions until they were no longer your 317 00:18:40,970 --> 00:18:45,180 reality. I've had a number of 318 00:18:45,190 --> 00:18:49,620 interruptions in my story, and one particular interruption that 319 00:18:49,630 --> 00:18:51,880 as many of you know. I've really wrestled with. 320 00:18:53,170 --> 00:18:54,480 So I wanna. Take you back. 321 00:18:54,490 --> 00:18:56,120 For a second. To high school. 322 00:18:56,470 --> 00:19:00,300 Do you remember superlatives? Those are those things that are 323 00:19:00,310 --> 00:19:02,660 like most likely to be a millionaire. 324 00:19:02,670 --> 00:19:04,480 Or best dressed. Or most. 325 00:19:04,490 --> 00:19:06,820 Likely to succeed. Or those kind of things. 326 00:19:06,830 --> 00:19:11,570 That's a superlative. So when I was in high school, I 327 00:19:11,580 --> 00:19:14,760 was voted most likely to have more than 10 kids. 328 00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:19,530 I loved. Stories of big families. 329 00:19:19,540 --> 00:19:21,830 When I was 16, I thought that sounded really. 330 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:25,600 Cool, Fast forward. A bunch of years. 331 00:19:25,610 --> 00:19:29,730 Some unnamed number of years since high school, and like I 332 00:19:29,740 --> 00:19:31,520 said, some of. You have walked this story 333 00:19:31,530 --> 00:19:37,980 really closely with us, but we. Have one daughter, Zoe now. 334 00:19:37,990 --> 00:19:43,250 Zoe is incredible. She's, she really is. 335 00:19:43,460 --> 00:19:46,170 She's funny. She's creative, she's 336 00:19:46,180 --> 00:19:49,310 thoughtful. She's kind, she's compassionate. 337 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:50,330 She's athletic. I could. 338 00:19:50,340 --> 00:19:53,020 Go on and on. Every. 339 00:19:53,030 --> 00:19:54,980 Day, I am grateful. For her. 340 00:19:55,780 --> 00:20:01,410 She's amazing, but most of us who took any level of math know 341 00:20:01,420 --> 00:20:04,860 that one. Is not more than 10. 342 00:20:06,670 --> 00:20:09,050 That. Story didn't play out for me, 343 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:16,140 and even if I'd long gotten over the 10 kids, Story 1 was never 344 00:20:16,150 --> 00:20:17,130 the. Story I would. 345 00:20:17,140 --> 00:20:21,450 Have written What's the interruption in your? 346 00:20:21,460 --> 00:20:26,260 Story What grief are you? Experiencing because. 347 00:20:26,330 --> 00:20:28,960 Part of your life. Isn't going the way that you 348 00:20:28,970 --> 00:20:32,040 wanted. Maybe you didn't get into that 349 00:20:32,050 --> 00:20:34,180 school program, or maybe you didn't get. 350 00:20:34,190 --> 00:20:37,730 The job or lost the job? Maybe the relationship you? 351 00:20:37,740 --> 00:20:39,870 Desperately hoped. For didn't pan out. 352 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,740 Maybe a diagnosis changed everything in your story. 353 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:47,330 Maybe the? Rug has been pulled out from 354 00:20:47,340 --> 00:20:51,130 beneath what once felt stable and dependable, and you don't 355 00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:55,780 know which end is up. There are infinite ways our 356 00:20:55,790 --> 00:21:02,400 stories are interrupted. In Joseph and Mary's story, 357 00:21:03,150 --> 00:21:07,270 their stories are interrupted in such a drastic and shocking way. 358 00:21:07,990 --> 00:21:10,240 That they both. Actually get their own angelic 359 00:21:10,250 --> 00:21:12,470 announcement to help them understand that. 360 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:14,720 The bigger story. That God is writing and 361 00:21:14,730 --> 00:21:20,420 unfolding literally inside them. Mary's story is highlighted more 362 00:21:20,430 --> 00:21:21,420 in the Gospel. Of Luke. 363 00:21:22,100 --> 00:21:25,110 But here in Matthew. It's Joseph that. 364 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,750 Is in the. Spotlight for a. 365 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:30,820 Brief moment. God wants Mary and Joseph to 366 00:21:30,830 --> 00:21:35,820 know that what seems on the surface like interruptions like. 367 00:21:35,890 --> 00:21:39,820 Impossibilities like betrayals like. 368 00:21:39,830 --> 00:21:45,040 Humiliation and even death. Is actually part of the bigger 369 00:21:45,050 --> 00:21:48,040 story. That he is writing even the 370 00:21:48,050 --> 00:21:51,320 parts that seem messy, even the parts that don't make sense. 371 00:21:52,630 --> 00:21:56,580 A Messiah from Nazareth. We haven't got there yet, but 372 00:21:56,590 --> 00:21:58,460 many may remember the. Baby will actually. 373 00:21:58,470 --> 00:22:00,970 Be born in Bethlehem. Just as was prophesied. 374 00:22:01,820 --> 00:22:04,510 Of the line of David. Well, that's where. 375 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:08,620 Joseph and his family line come in conception without 376 00:22:08,630 --> 00:22:11,640 intercourse. A baby from the Holy. 377 00:22:11,650 --> 00:22:14,560 Spirit. Now that part might seem like 378 00:22:14,570 --> 00:22:19,080 the most miraculous of all, and. Indeed it is, but perhaps we 379 00:22:19,090 --> 00:22:21,240 should be less. Surprised than we are. 380 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:24,130 The Holy. Spirit has actually been an 381 00:22:24,180 --> 00:22:27,750 agent in creation and giving life through. 382 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:29,780 All of history as told by the old. 383 00:22:29,790 --> 00:22:33,870 Testament Scriptures at the time of creation. 384 00:22:34,060 --> 00:22:36,970 The Spirit of God hovered over the waters. 385 00:22:37,340 --> 00:22:40,630 And then in places, in Psalms and Ezekiel and others, they 386 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:44,110 bear witness to the life generating power. 387 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:48,730 Of the Spirit. As part of his plan to convince. 388 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,470 Us, the reader. That Jesus is the Messiah, the 389 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,560 anointed One, Jesus reminds. Us that this. 390 00:22:54,570 --> 00:22:57,890 Shocking news of virgin pregnant. 391 00:22:58,660 --> 00:23:00,210 Was actually. Foretold. 392 00:23:00,660 --> 00:23:02,320 It should not. Be a surprise. 393 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:08,900 He links this situation with what was promised in Isaiah 714. 394 00:23:09,860 --> 00:23:12,690 Therefore the Lord Himself. Will. 395 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:16,790 Give you a sign the Virgin will conceive and give birth. 396 00:23:16,860 --> 00:23:20,160 To a. Story and will call him Emmanuel 397 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:24,070 and so Joseph. Has a choice. 398 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,270 He has two stories. In front of him. 399 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:31,350 Two sets of facts, 2 perspectives to choose. 400 00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:35,980 Between he can dismiss the dream, the angels announcement, 401 00:23:35,990 --> 00:23:39,060 the prophecy, and hang on to what he is known to. 402 00:23:39,070 --> 00:23:42,610 Be true for his. Decades of living that babies 403 00:23:42,620 --> 00:23:47,080 come in a certain way and that a Messiah surely won't come from 404 00:23:47,090 --> 00:23:49,030 Nazareth. Or. 405 00:23:50,120 --> 00:23:54,190 He can suspend all he knows of how things work and instead 406 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:58,510 cling to the God he has been. Faithful, true and trust God is 407 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:02,390 being faithful to him. He can believe that what seems 408 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:09,100 impossible just might be true, and there's only all in OR. 409 00:24:09,110 --> 00:24:11,410 All out here. There's no room for middle 410 00:24:11,420 --> 00:24:15,840 ground. The angelic messenger asked. 411 00:24:15,890 --> 00:24:19,670 Two things of Joseph Don't be afraid to take Mary. 412 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:22,580 As your wife. And name the child. 413 00:24:22,630 --> 00:24:26,130 Jesus. So what's Joseph gonna do? 414 00:24:28,470 --> 00:24:30,440 Well, as we know from reading it, he. 415 00:24:30,450 --> 00:24:32,330 Chooses. All in. 416 00:24:33,470 --> 00:24:36,460 He lets go of his old story of his hopes. 417 00:24:36,470 --> 00:24:39,510 And plans and trades it for a new story. 418 00:24:40,210 --> 00:24:43,620 A story full of. Questions and unknowns. 419 00:24:44,050 --> 00:24:48,440 Out with the predictable. And control in with uncertainty 420 00:24:48,450 --> 00:24:52,510 and dependence a small. Story for a big one. 421 00:24:53,820 --> 00:24:59,160 And Joseph follows through. He takes Mary as his wife, and 422 00:24:59,170 --> 00:25:04,360 the word is more than takes. He welcomes her as his wife, 423 00:25:04,450 --> 00:25:09,360 welcomes her into his home, as his wife aligns himself with her 424 00:25:09,370 --> 00:25:12,100 and whatever social disgrace that may entail. 425 00:25:12,170 --> 00:25:18,220 He makes a family with her and together they welcome a child, a 426 00:25:18,230 --> 00:25:22,340 son. RT France tells us that in that 427 00:25:22,350 --> 00:25:26,680 culture it was the responsibility of the father to 428 00:25:26,690 --> 00:25:29,560 name the child. It was actually a legal. 429 00:25:29,570 --> 00:25:35,020 Act that ensures the official status of the son and heir, and 430 00:25:35,030 --> 00:25:37,940 so by naming him. Jesus. 431 00:25:38,430 --> 00:25:40,580 Joseph Legally. And. 432 00:25:40,590 --> 00:25:45,040 Wholeheartedly adopts the child and says he is. 433 00:25:45,050 --> 00:25:48,700 His son and. So the child Jesus. 434 00:25:49,340 --> 00:25:54,130 Through the line of Joseph is now also a son of David. 435 00:25:54,610 --> 00:26:02,130 Just as the prophets for tools. The father names the child, but 436 00:26:02,140 --> 00:26:04,590 notice who is involved in the naming. 437 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:07,630 Of this child. Yes, Joseph. 438 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:11,000 Legally names him Jesus and so adopts him as son. 439 00:26:11,780 --> 00:26:13,670 But it was. God the Father. 440 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:15,340 Through his angelic messenger and. 441 00:26:15,350 --> 00:26:17,230 Through the Holy Spirit as told by the. 442 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:21,830 Prophet Isaiah that names this child, he's named by Joseph, but 443 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,170 he's only named by Joseph as he was. 444 00:26:24,180 --> 00:26:28,690 Instructed to do so by God. God is active. 445 00:26:28,740 --> 00:26:32,660 In naming this child and therefore claiming him as his 446 00:26:32,670 --> 00:26:38,170 son, Joseph naming Jesus. As instructed by God. 447 00:26:38,220 --> 00:26:39,950 Points. To this child's earthly. 448 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:45,070 And heavenly parentage. And just as Joseph names this 449 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,260 child Jesus and so adopts him as Son the Prophet. 450 00:26:48,270 --> 00:26:51,140 Isaiah tells us God. Does the same for us. 451 00:26:52,220 --> 00:26:55,070 Isaiah 43 one. I have called. 452 00:26:55,080 --> 00:27:00,070 You by name, you are mine. I've called you by name. 453 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,270 Not only are you known to me, but when I call you by name, I'm 454 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:08,550 claiming you as mine. I'm adopting you and making you 455 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,570 my daughter and son. I have called you by name. 456 00:27:12,580 --> 00:27:17,050 You are mine. For. 457 00:27:17,060 --> 00:27:20,460 Joseph's choosing this story. Is a costly path. 458 00:27:21,490 --> 00:27:25,900 He steps outside social norms, beyond the ordinary, the safe, 459 00:27:25,910 --> 00:27:29,970 the comfortable, and into the extraordinary, but in his 460 00:27:29,980 --> 00:27:32,800 obedience and costly faithfulness. 461 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:38,740 Look what he gets to be part of. Think what he might have missed 462 00:27:38,790 --> 00:27:42,900 out on. He gets to be part of the story 463 00:27:42,910 --> 00:27:46,300 of all stories. The story that makes sense. 464 00:27:46,310 --> 00:27:52,730 Of our stories, the best story. Now a careful. 465 00:27:52,740 --> 00:27:54,290 Reader may have noticed that there are. 466 00:27:54,300 --> 00:27:56,880 Actually two names given for the child. 467 00:27:57,690 --> 00:27:59,660 The Prophet says he will be called. 468 00:27:59,670 --> 00:28:04,160 Emmanuel, but the Angel tells Joseph to name him Jesus. 469 00:28:04,830 --> 00:28:06,790 Let's take a closer look at. These two names. 470 00:28:08,790 --> 00:28:12,700 Jesus is the Greek. Form of the name Joshua and 471 00:28:12,710 --> 00:28:15,490 Joshua means Jehovah is salvation. 472 00:28:15,500 --> 00:28:18,290 Or God saves or God to the rescue? 473 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:23,050 Some may remember the famous. Hebrew leader Joshua, who led 474 00:28:23,060 --> 00:28:25,390 the Israelites. Out of the wilderness and into 475 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:29,710 the promised land, fulfilling his name, that God did indeed 476 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:31,650 save and. Rescue his people. 477 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:34,950 And in honor. Of this beloved leader. 478 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:37,930 Many Jewish boys were named. Jesus. 479 00:28:38,100 --> 00:28:42,370 It was a common name, but let's not confuse common for 480 00:28:42,380 --> 00:28:46,480 insignificance. The Angel actually highlights. 481 00:28:46,490 --> 00:28:48,780 The significance of the name and saying. 482 00:28:48,870 --> 00:28:50,240 You. Are to call him. 483 00:28:50,250 --> 00:28:56,200 Jesus, for he will save. His people from their sins and 484 00:28:56,210 --> 00:29:01,170 yes, rescue from the things that we've done wrong, from the ways 485 00:29:01,180 --> 00:29:05,130 that we've missed the mark. But it's not just rescue from 486 00:29:05,140 --> 00:29:09,850 our sins, but also from the consequences of sin itself, 487 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:16,690 rescue from the ramifications of sin, from all the ways that the 488 00:29:16,700 --> 00:29:22,560 world is not as God intended. This rescue as the Jesus 489 00:29:22,570 --> 00:29:26,440 Storybook Bible describes. Is making all the sad things 490 00:29:26,450 --> 00:29:30,210 come untrue. And how is this? 491 00:29:30,220 --> 00:29:32,890 Possible. How could that ever be? 492 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:36,630 How will this be accomplished? Well, that's in the second name 493 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:41,640 that's given Emmanuel. God with us, God. 494 00:29:41,650 --> 00:29:44,670 Will rescue the entire world from the sin and the 495 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:48,290 consequences of sin, the very things that separate us from God 496 00:29:48,300 --> 00:29:52,480 and the life that He intended by sending God Himself. 497 00:29:53,130 --> 00:29:58,200 God into the world God. Into our lives, God Into the 498 00:29:58,210 --> 00:30:02,080 Mass, God into the way things were not as they were meant to 499 00:30:02,090 --> 00:30:04,220 be. God into the disorder. 500 00:30:04,550 --> 00:30:07,600 God right here in the pain, the heartache, the brokenness. 501 00:30:07,610 --> 00:30:12,900 The despair. God himself sent to rescue and 502 00:30:12,910 --> 00:30:15,760 make all the sad things come untrue. 503 00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:23,170 Hard things happen, Emmanuel. God is with us. 504 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:29,770 Hard things happen. Jesus, God is at work. 505 00:30:29,780 --> 00:30:35,670 Rescuing and redeeming the hard things when we chose to know. 506 00:30:35,680 --> 00:30:40,270 Best to be. Independent to not need God when 507 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:44,280 we made a mess. Of our lives, a gap was created. 508 00:30:44,290 --> 00:30:47,730 Between us and God came into. That gap. 509 00:30:48,920 --> 00:30:50,950 He stepped into the distance and to. 510 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:55,610 Draw us back to. Himself once again back to him 511 00:30:55,660 --> 00:30:57,710 and the life we were intended to live. 512 00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:03,620 Because that is life. With him and so Jesus of 513 00:31:03,630 --> 00:31:05,610 Nazareth, Son. Of David. 514 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:09,850 Is. Indeed, Jesus, God rescues. 515 00:31:10,290 --> 00:31:14,670 And he rescues because he is Emmanuel, God coming. 516 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:18,650 To be with us. And that does indeed make him 517 00:31:18,660 --> 00:31:23,480 the Messiah, the anointed one, the one we've been waiting for. 518 00:31:23,550 --> 00:31:28,590 The savior of the world. But whatever ways. 519 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:30,370 They have been waiting for rescue. 520 00:31:30,380 --> 00:31:33,610 He is more. Whatever ways we. 521 00:31:33,620 --> 00:31:37,290 Need rescue? Whatever mess we are in, he is 522 00:31:37,300 --> 00:31:41,560 more. He enters in and does far more 523 00:31:41,570 --> 00:31:45,670 than we can ask or imagine. He is at work. 524 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,400 Redeeming all things. Making this sad things come 525 00:31:49,410 --> 00:31:54,830 untrue, Making things right again when I finally. 526 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:59,070 Realized that the very. Things I struggled with were the 527 00:31:59,080 --> 00:32:01,750 very things that ultimately. God was at work. 528 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:05,620 Redeeming, making right, Everything changed for me. 529 00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:09,220 All. The sad things we experience, 530 00:32:10,730 --> 00:32:15,000 infertility and cancer and car accidents and broken 531 00:32:15,010 --> 00:32:18,660 relationships and disease and addictions and idols and death, 532 00:32:18,730 --> 00:32:22,760 were not what was intended and are in fact. 533 00:32:22,810 --> 00:32:26,180 What will be abolished? With the fullness of his Kingdom 534 00:32:26,190 --> 00:32:30,460 coming and this. Is why we say let your. 535 00:32:30,470 --> 00:32:33,320 Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 536 00:32:33,710 --> 00:32:35,930 Let Earth. Look like heaven. 537 00:32:36,630 --> 00:32:38,600 Let it be the. Same here. 538 00:32:38,670 --> 00:32:45,080 As it is there. And so I find great comfort in 539 00:32:45,090 --> 00:32:47,580 rooting my story within God's bigger. 540 00:32:47,590 --> 00:32:51,950 Story. To know that even though I may 541 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:55,050 not see the outcomes I've been hoping for on this side of 542 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:58,710 heaven, even though we likely will not have more children, 543 00:32:59,650 --> 00:33:02,250 infertility won't. Be part of God's. 544 00:33:02,260 --> 00:33:06,070 Story in the end. It doesn't get the last word. 545 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:11,870 And yes, my ultimate hope is in the not yet in the future coming 546 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:15,420 of the fullness of His Kingdom, but it also changes the now. 547 00:33:16,930 --> 00:33:19,480 I get to see how God takes this story. 548 00:33:19,490 --> 00:33:23,040 I find myself in and make it. A good story. 549 00:33:24,530 --> 00:33:28,590 Make it a story. Of hope, A story of life. 550 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:35,770 Of mothering, of new life. And have joy. 551 00:33:37,810 --> 00:33:42,920 The good news is good news for what will ultimately one day be 552 00:33:42,930 --> 00:33:46,490 true. But it's also good news for now. 553 00:33:49,430 --> 00:33:53,230 What's your story? How has your? 554 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,460 Story gone off. The rails how has. 555 00:33:55,470 --> 00:33:58,710 The plan been interrupted. What is the mess you find 556 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:02,160 yourself in? It doesn't matter if it's the 557 00:34:02,170 --> 00:34:03,880 consequences. Of choices. 558 00:34:03,990 --> 00:34:07,340 You've made or things beyond your control. 559 00:34:07,790 --> 00:34:12,719 Jesus, Emmanuel. Jesus, God rescues. 560 00:34:13,380 --> 00:34:15,590 Emmanuel. He rescues. 561 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,070 By entering in by closing the gap. 562 00:34:18,710 --> 00:34:20,500 God rescues. By being. 563 00:34:20,550 --> 00:34:25,800 God with us. And he takes the story we find 564 00:34:25,810 --> 00:34:29,850 ourselves in, and he shows. Us how it's part of his big 565 00:34:29,860 --> 00:34:33,610 story. His big story of redeeming the. 566 00:34:33,620 --> 00:34:38,679 Whole world. And if we let him, he makes our 567 00:34:38,690 --> 00:34:41,850 story into. A really good story. 568 00:34:43,929 --> 00:34:54,310 Let's pray. God, we thank you and we stand 569 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:58,550 in wonder that you are indeed making all the sad things come 570 00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:02,440 untrue, the things that are not as you intended. 571 00:35:02,610 --> 00:35:04,070 Not what? You would have had. 572 00:35:05,400 --> 00:35:09,860 That you are ultimately writing that bigger story in the end, 573 00:35:10,470 --> 00:35:12,160 but we thank. You, Jesus, that you. 574 00:35:12,170 --> 00:35:16,770 Also enter in now that you can change and redeem our story now. 575 00:35:18,050 --> 00:35:20,320 I pray that you would give us the courage to let. 576 00:35:20,330 --> 00:35:24,260 Go where we need to. To trust you with our stories. 577 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:28,450 And I pray that you would meet us in that, and that you would. 578 00:35:28,460 --> 00:35:31,810 Fill us with your spirit, with your. 579 00:35:31,820 --> 00:35:37,410 Joy and your peace as we know what it means to experience life 580 00:35:37,460 --> 00:35:40,390 in you. For we ask this in your name, 581 00:35:40,400 --> 00:36:17,650 Jesus, Amen. Friends, we are going to 582 00:36:17,660 --> 00:36:20,470 continue worshipping now by celebrating communion. 583 00:36:21,370 --> 00:36:25,680 And communion is a meal that Christians for generations have 584 00:36:25,690 --> 00:36:29,380 been gathering to celebrate, sometimes in large groups and 585 00:36:29,390 --> 00:36:32,280 gatherings and church services during worship, and sometimes in 586 00:36:32,290 --> 00:36:37,310 their homes in smaller groups with friends and family, but 587 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:39,750 always to remember.