← ArchiveAdventCreative ChristmasDateDecember 15, 2019SpeakerBethel Worship ChoirText—Passages in this sermon2 Timothy 13:34Genesis 1:122:03Jeremiah 125:09Luke 12:725:18Genesis 327:18Genesis 3:1527:24John 6:3553:13TranscriptMachine transcribed. Click any line to jump there.0:00I want you to meet a young lady named Claire Sewell. Claire has given her life to Jesus Christ, and several weeks ago, during life group time, she was baptized in front of her life group and her family. And today, she wants to show you, the rest of the church and the rest of our community, that she has followed Jesus Christ. So watch Claire as she demonstrates her faith in Christ alone. So Claire, do you believe, do you really believe in your heart that Jesus came,0:24He lived a sinless life, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again? Yes, sir. And do you believe and declare today that Jesus Christ is your Lord? The Bible says, Lord, that means that Jesus is your boss, He is your King. Can you say that? Do you believe that Jesus is your Lord and your King? Well, with that public display of your faith, we want to baptize you today.0:54And we want to say, welcome to the family of Christ. And we're excited to see what God is going to do in your life. So let's baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Okay?1:21So Claire, it's my honor to baptize you a sister in Christ, because we are all one. We are all equal in Jesus. And we baptize you today in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You're raised to new life. My name is Diane Parsons. As a young child, I was christened, and that decision was made for me.1:49But now, I would like to be baptized to profess my faith, even though I've followed my entire life. I've never made that decision as an adult to be fully baptized and show my faith.2:08My name is Diane, and Jesus has changed my life. This is Diane, and she is getting baptized today because Jesus Christ is her personal Lord and Savior. So it's my honor, on behalf of this church and the Church of Christ, to baptize you now, our sister. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.2:38Thank you. Hi, my name is Ian Kelly. I am here today to show everyone that I am a father in Christ, and I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, and that He died on the cross for my sins, and to persuade people who haven't accepted Him as their Savior to do so.3:03Good morning. This little gentleman right here is Ian Kelly. Ian Kelly is the result of a godly mom, dad, parents, and grandparents praying for Him.3:24I think of 2 Timothy 1, 5, and 6. When Paul addressed young Timothy, and he said these words, That faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, dwelt also in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded it is also in you as well. Ian, Jesus is coming to your heart, hasn't He?3:54You believe He's the Son of God, and you know that He's going to come again. And you've asked Him to forgive you of your sin. Well, Ian, upon your profession of faith, and in obedience to our Lord's command, I baptize you my little brother, Ian Kelly, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Planted with Him unto death, raised up by the power of His resurrection.4:20Planted with Him unto death, raised up by the power of His resurrection.4:45Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let heaven and heaven and heaven and nature sing.5:12Let heaven and heaven and nature sing. Let heaven and heaven and nature sing. No more is saved, then sorrows grow, nor arms infest the ground.5:42He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found. Far as, far as the curse is found, He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove.6:11The glory of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.6:35Will you please be seated.6:57The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love.7:25The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love.7:53The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. 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The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love.10:51The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love.11:19and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. The glory of His love, and wonders of His love. Thank you.11:48Thank you. Thank you.12:18Thank you. Thank you.12:48Thank you. Thank you.13:18Thank you.13:48Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.14:16Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.14:44stranger, recklessly, wildly loving the dangerous world. Who is this light invading our darkness, glorious might. The sun rising for us, conquering might. He captures the hardest of hearts.15:11And we sing, this is our God, living and breathing. Call Him courageous, relentless and brave. This is our God, loving and reaching. Scandalous mercy and mighty to save.15:38Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. sing praise. Who is this one who will not condemn us? Why would He come to shoulder16:07our sentence? Nothing we've done will keep Him from giving us praise. Who is this one? We watch and we're speechless. God's only Son, embracing our weakness. He overcomes16:32all death. He loves all death and He frees us to live. And we sing, this is our God, suffering and dying. Call Him the hero, redeeming the lost. This is our God, love sacrificing. All that is holy, accepting our cross.16:50Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God.17:19Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. Hallelujah, this is our God. Sing praise. This is our God, living and breathing. This is our God, living and breathing. Call Him courageous, relentless, and brave. This is our God, loving and reaching. Scandalous mercy, mighty to save.17:38Hallelujah. This is our God. Hallelujah. This is our God. Hallelujah. This is our God.18:06Sing praise, sing praise, sing praise, sing praise.18:24Oh, this, this is Christ the King, whose shepherds guard and angels sing.18:47Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. This, this is Christ the King, whose shepherds guard and angels sing.19:12Haste, haste to bring Him all. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary.19:41Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary.20:04Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary.20:33Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Hallelujah, this is our God. Sing praise.20:59Sing praise.21:22Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe, the son of Mary. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe. Haste, haste to bring Him all, the babe.21:50Good story has a beginning. And the story, the narrative of the Lord is no different. The first we see in Scripture in Genesis 1:1 begins this way. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty.22:17Darkness covered the surface of the watery depths. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. You see, the world was formless. It was useless. It had no purpose until God created and gave it order. Not only is this the beginning of what we see as history, but this is the Lord telling us His story also.22:45And at this moment, when formlessness and darkness covered everything, God spoke. And He said, "Let there be light." You see, God never intended to leave us in darkness. From the very beginning, Christmas was merry and bright.23:11From the moment God said, "Let there be light." And there was. But it doesn't end there. You see, really, the Christmas story begins in not a manger, but a garden. But a garden. The Lord personally created man. Adam from the ground. Adamah in Hebrew. See, God breathed life into the first man and the first woman.23:40So for a moment, simply do this. Breathe in. And then breathe out.24:00You can do that because God gave you that breath. I can do that because the Spirit of the living God breathed into my soul. You see, from the very beginning, the first Christmas gift that the world ever received was the gift of life. By His breath and His Spirit inside each and every one of us. Why is this important?24:28Because for you and for me, to Adonai, to Yahweh, to the Lord, you're personal. You're not another animal. You're not part of the dust. You're not like the trees and the sun and the moon and the stars. You're not another tool in the closet. You were created personally and uniquely. Listen to how God speaks about you.24:56I find this fascinating. God uses this language in His Word. He says that He breathed His Spirit into us. Personal breath. The Bible says in Jeremiah 1, it says that I chose you and formed you in your mother's womb. Luke 12:7 even says that God knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows what some of you are thinking. He knew the number of hairs that were on your head.25:25See, to you, to me, this is personal for God. We are personal. And the Lord placed man and woman in the garden with Himself to walk with Him face to face because they were perfect, whole, and righteous. But something happened to Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman.25:55Being everything that God wanted them to be was not enough. Even more. So they rebelled. God said you can eat of any tree that you see except this one. These trees are better for you. They give you life. This tree brings you death and destruction. Don't eat of that.26:25But being with God and being His personal creation and having communion and fellowship was not enough. They chose to sin. They were tempted by the serpent Satan and they walked away from their loving Creator. And because of this first sin, they were scarred for life. They had their relationship broken. They were made unholy and God banished them from His presence forever. And unfortunately for many of us, this story sounds completely foreign to each and every one of us because we only know the consequences.26:54We don't know what it was like in the garden. We don't know what it was like to be holy and perfect and righteous. You see, when we turn away from God, it's personal. But God, despite their rebellion, made them this promise in Genesis 3. Genesis 3:15, the first gospel.27:24God said this. He says to the serpent, which is Satan, the tempter, the adversary, I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He, this Messiah, one day will strike your head and you will strike your heel. Why is this important? Because Christmas has always been the story of relationship and community.27:52That's why many of you are going to get together with your family. Many of you are going to get together a family you don't even want to gather with. And if I'm that person, you just hold your tongue. But why? Because we know naturally that there's something about this time that we are made and built for community. Christmas is the story of a fight.28:22And it is a fight for your soul. But God loves us so much. He has created us to know Him. And He knows that we can't because of our sin. God wants you to know that you will never be good enough to be back in a relationship with Him. Because of your sin, you are scarred, you are bruised, you are marked for life. But Christmas is the day of expectation.28:49The day where that one seed that will strike the serpent on His head, that is what Christmas is about. You see, the moment that Christ struck the serpent in the head, a fatal blow, something marvelous happens. Jesus was striking the very thing that prevents us from being back in relationship.29:12Jesus breaks that. So let me ask you very quick, what is your battle today? If Christmas is a battle for your soul, what is warring within you this morning? Maybe it is distraction. Maybe when they were singing and through the baptism you have been distracted. You have been worried. There are cares in your life that make you not care about God right now.29:41Maybe you don't know Jesus Christ. And Satan is doing everything he can to distract you. He is bruising that heel. He is striking that heel. And Jesus is saying, "I am about to strike you in the head." Maybe you know Jesus and you've lost your first love. What is the battle for your soul?30:08Don't miss the child who has everything that you need. Everything that you hope for and has brought you back into the presence of your Creator. The Italians have a fable and a story about Christmas. And it's a strong reminder to each and every one of us that we shouldn't miss it. Listen to the story of a lady named Baphana.30:37Baphana lived along the dusty road that led to Bethlehem. She was her village's best housekeeper. Meticulous, which is no small task remembering that she lived along the dusty road to Bethlehem. And late one night there was a knock at her door. And to her surprise, she opened it to find three men dressed really well.31:04And they told her that they were bearing gifts and they wanted to see the baby who was born King of the Jews. The one who was Prince of Peace and Everlasting Father. The one who was the Great I Am. But frankly for Baphana, all she saw was the dust blowing in the house. They asked to rest a while and invited her to join them on the journey.31:32She told them that she would love to join them, but first she had to sweep the house and get it in order. She said, "Let me finish up and then I'll be right behind you." And they told her as they departed, "All you have to do is follow the star." She worked all night and finally near dawn, she put on her heavy coat. She took a straw doll that she wanted to give to the baby and she left her house quickly.31:59But she left her house spick and span. But as she looked up in the sky, the clouds had covered the star. And it began to rain a little and her doll was ruined. Finally she gave up and she said, "I am a foolish woman. I have missed my chance to worship the Prince of Peace. Perhaps I will find him someday."32:29And so in parts of Italy even today, the legend goes that Baphana brings each child a bag of toys with the hopes that maybe one of these children, maybe this child is the Prince of Peace. You don't have to miss the child this year. As we continue to sing about King Jesus, will you boldly pray with me this prayer?32:55Lord, send your spirit upon me right now that I will not miss what you want to do with my life. Let me lead us in that prayer as we continue to sing. Father, help us not be so busy that we miss the child.33:18Lord, clear our minds and our hearts and fill us with your promises. Send your spirit upon us right now that we will see and hear and do what you desire within us. Lord, we long for the day that we receive by faith this child who will strike a fatal blow to everything that prevents us from knowing you fully.33:47Lord, we give you the glory and the honor, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy.34:16Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. 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Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy.37:58Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. 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Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy.42:33Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy.43:02Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Lord, we long for the day that we will be so busy. Jesus saves, Jesus saves43:30See the sky alive with praise Melt in darkness in His grace There is light forevermore Jesus saves We'll live our sorrow-sharing44:00Jesus saves, Jesus saves He will die, our burden bearing Jesus saves, Jesus saves David's dawn will shout upon us Rise and hail, redemption's dawn44:26While the empty, empty, empty, empty He's our sin Freedom's falling, chains of falling Hope is falling Hope is falling Bright and true Day is breaking44:52Night is waking Night is waking God is waking Love is new Rain is falling Days are falling Hope is falling I am true Day is breaking Night is waking Night is waking God is waking45:20God is waking Love is heaven Jesus saves Jesus saves Jesus saves Jesus saves Jesus saves Jesus saves, Jesus saves, all the saints who shout together, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, rising up so vast and small.45:35Living our salvation song, the redeemed will sing forever, Jesus saves, rising up so vast and small.46:05Living our salvation song, the redeemed will sing forever.46:27Jesus saves, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.46:41Jesus saves, Jesus saves.47:04I had a person tell me one time, if you can't preach after this song, you need to change jobs. That's right.47:31That's right. You remember how his story began in Genesis? In the beginning, God created. One of Jesus' disciples, the one that he called the Beloved, bring us back to that first gift of life. The Gospel of John in chapter 1 and verse 1 recalls a familiar phrase. Listen to what the Gospel of John says.48:00"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." Sound familiar? Now remember, go back to Genesis again. In the beginning, God... Verse 3. John says, Everything that God began from the beginning of time, He continues in Jesus Christ.48:28Everything was created that has been created. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. Everything that God began from the beginning of time, He continues in Jesus Christ.48:50Everything. This is the one who John calls the Word. You see, John wants you to know that you were created through Jesus, and because of Jesus, you have life, and light, and not darkness. So if the first Christmas gift was life and breath, the best Christmas gift was abundant life, and eternal life.49:18Some people say this, to know Jesus is to know life. And I love the reminder that God does not want anyone to live in darkness. That's why He created light and everything from nothing. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus, in the beginning, who is called the light of the world.49:42Christmas began in a garden, but it was birthed in a manger. But not everything that night was merry or bright. Another Gospel writer, Luke, the good doctor, tells us this about the Christmas night. "Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,50:09because he was the house and the family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth." I know what you're thinking. Some of you are thinking this is the Son of God, palace, VIP hospital room.50:36"The way has been prepared for this child." This is what Luke says. "Then she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."50:55Now, in the South, this is where we as Southerners would say to Mary, when she would tell us this birth story, "Bless your heart. Your husband took you on that journey and you were pregnant? And he didn't even know there was a hospital room waiting the other ends?"51:24God does not share the story of his birth, of his only son, that we would feel sorry for the way that his son came into the world. "Christmas, remember, began in a garden and looked forward to this birthday." God knew that there would be no guest room that would eventually come for his son. Why would God want us to know that this was the circumstance of Christmas?51:51This was the birth of the Son of God. I believe that Luke is shouting this to us. "Josh, insert your name. You are Bethlehem. Jesus came for you. And because of your sin, you had no room. Adam, God made you perfect and whole and complete.52:18God made you everything he wanted you to be, and it wasn't enough. You wanted more. There was no room in Bethlehem that night to remind us that our lives, as a default, because of our sin and our rebellion, we have no room." That is who we are. But here's the beautiful story of Christmas. The fact that there was no room in Bethlehem didn't stop God.52:47God doesn't say, "Well, Josh, you don't have any room for me. I'm going to give up." No. He was born anyway. Jesus was born for the inhabitants of Bethlehem, house of bread. Because he, the Messiah, knew that one day they would need the bread of life. And John 6:35.53:13You see, the birth of Jesus provides new birth for you and for me. And again, I say, if the very first Christmas gift was breath and life, the greatest Christmas gift was eternal life and abundant life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is why Ian. This is why Claire.53:42This is why Diane today declared to you that they have been crucified and they are dead to their cells, but, but they are raised in new life, in new birth. This is the true story of Christmas. But not everyone knows the story. And not everyone in this room, I believe, has responded by faith to this story.54:08Let me share an article I read from 2007. It's a young lady from China named Su Zhu Yan. The story was found in the Chicago Tribune. Being a Chinese living in America, she felt like it was her patriotic duty to celebrate Christmas.54:28She saw that relatives give gifts, that neighbors prepared feasts, and the storefronts in Chinatown even advertised sales. But during her eight years in the United States, not one person had shared with her the biblical story of Christmas.54:48And then it happens. In 2007, Yan, one Sunday morning, celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ for the first time by immersing herself in the waters of baptism. At Chinese Christian Union Church, gripping the pastor's hands with both of hers, she let him plunge her into the water, and as she resurfaced, she wiped away the water from her face.55:12And this is her comment. She said, "Today is like a holiday. It is like having two Christmases." That is what new birth in Jesus Christ looks like. From the very beginning, when you were created, your relationship with God was personal.55:37And when you sinned and you ran away from God, your sin was personal. And when you said, "God, there is no room for you here." He said, "But Josh, I'm going to send my son anyway. Because I know one day you're going to realize that you're hungry. And that you need me, and the day that you realize you need bread, I'm going to offer you the bread of life."56:03Born in Bethlehem. To a place that had no room. That we might be brought back into relationship. That way, everything that prevents us from being with God, the fatal blow of the cross and the resurrection, will destroy those chains. And new birth will come. He sent his only son to be born of a virgin.56:30That you and I might be reborn into eternal life. Listen to how John MacArthur tells this story. Those soft little hands, fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb, were made so that the nails might be driven through them. Those baby feet, pink and unable to walk, one day would walk up a dusty hill to be nailed to the cross.56:57That sweet infant's head with sparkling eyes and this eager mouth was formed so that someday men might force a crown of thorns onto it. You see, all this happens that you might have eternal life.57:20And maybe you're like this young lady from China. Maybe this is the first time where you've actually heard this story. Really heard it. And you're thinking, "Did God do all of this for me?" Yes. "But I've sinned and I don't deserve this."57:45Yes. "But I can never be whole and righteous and perfect where God wanted me to be again." Yes. "So if I put my faith in this Messiah, the one who was born of a virgin, I will have new birth and be reborn again into abundant life." Yes. This is the story of Christmas. And all of this happens because your relationship with God is personal.58:14Maybe this morning you have heard this with fresh ears and you want to put your faith in Jesus Christ. What does that look like? God will hear every prayer prayed from an authentic heart. And if you've never given your life to Jesus Christ, the first thing you need to say is, "God, I am sorry. Because I have sinned. I have run. I have rebelled. I have turned away.58:43God, forgive me." And you know what he'll say? "Josh, I've been waiting for the day you would ask that." Then you can say, "God, I believe in Jesus. I believe that He took my sin and nailed it to the cross. And then in turn, He gave me His righteousness. God, I believe that He died on the cross, that He rose again. God, I believe." And today I say with my mouth what my heart believes, that you are my Lord.59:09If you do that, God promises in His Word that you will be saved. He doesn't say, "might be saved." He doesn't say, "I'll think about it." Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will. And whatever God promises happens. And we would love to celebrate that. Maybe you need to get baptized as a demonstration of your faith like Ian and Claire and Diane.59:34We're going to have prayer partners down front to share with you and to pray with you. Maybe you're like Bufana. And you are so busy and you look back and you just realize, "I missed it." And when I realized that I walked up and it was too cloudy to see, "God, forgive me." Maybe in our time of response, you just need to come and prepare your heart for the Lord's Supper.1:00:00Because you know right now you're not ready. Maybe you need just to sing to the top of your lungs. And say, "God, you save." God, when they say shout, I'm not going to whimper. When they say shout, I'm going to shout because you saved me. I don't know how you need to respond.1:00:27But I know we need to. I know we need to. So I invite you to stand with me right now. We're going to sing a song of response. You can come down and pray. I'll be down here to pray with you. Our prayer partners will be down front if you want to fill out a Connect card. But do not miss a chance to prepare your heart. To trust in Him. To rejoice in the joy of our salvation.1:00:51Let me pray for us, Lord. As we sing. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of our salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation.1:01:20To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. 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To be in the joy of salvation.1:04:22To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation. To be in the joy of salvation.1:04:52To be in the joy of salvation.← Previous in AdventBorn for ThisNext in Advent →Joy Worth Sharing
