WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.220 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast, where you can listen to audio from our most 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:13.860 recent sermons and more. Thanks for listening, and be sure to add this show to your library 00:00:13.860 --> 00:00:16.820 if you'd like to automatically receive new episodes each week. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:29.120 Good morning again. If you've got your Bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:36.240 join us in Matthew chapter 2. Usually I'm able to get all my stuff ready while the announcements 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:41.920 are going, but we'll quick stage change up here. I want to echo what Pastor Dave said. If you're 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:46.000 a first-time guest, thank you so much for being here. Thank you for worshiping with us. At the 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:49.880 end of the service, if you wouldn't mind, I'll be back here at this connections table. I would love 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:53.980 for you to take the time to come back there, just stop by for just a moment so that I could personally 00:00:53.980 --> 00:00:58.240 thank you for being here and worshiping with us. But also, if you have any questions about us 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:03.700 as a church, I would love to be able to answer those for you. So there's several pieces of paper 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:09.680 kind of around where you're seated at, but I want to point two of those to you and kind of take just a 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:15.480 couple minutes to go over these. This blue one that is December and January at Willow Ridge, 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:20.640 we have a lot that's going on over the next couple weeks. A lot of adjustments, a lot of special things 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:26.380 during our normal worship times. And so this is a great piece for you to grab, put on your refrigerator, 00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:31.600 have nearby so that you can be reminded of all of our times and all of our activities. Some of those 00:01:31.600 --> 00:01:35.940 that I want to point out to you, number one is tonight at six o'clock. And this is this one. It is 00:01:35.940 --> 00:01:41.780 our Kanda Christmas Cantata. If you've been here for that before, you know why we call it a Kanda 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:47.280 Christmas Cantata. If you've never been here before for that, I invite you to come tonight so that you can 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:51.800 find out why it is kind of a Christmas Cantata. It's a little bit different than a traditional church, 00:01:52.100 --> 00:01:57.440 but it is a time for us to gather together to celebrate, to have fun. All of the family is 00:01:57.440 --> 00:02:01.900 invited. All of the family is welcome. There's going to be hot chocolate. There's going to be time 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:08.880 together and you will absolutely be blessed. So be back here tonight, six o'clock. I promise the heat 00:02:08.880 --> 00:02:14.800 will be cranked up. It'll feel good in here. I know the cold air is tearing through, but you'll want to 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:19.500 be here and not miss this tonight. So then back to this, a couple of things over the next few weeks 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:27.160 on Sunday, the 21st, that is our, during our 950 fellowship time. That's a little Christmas party 00:02:27.160 --> 00:02:31.680 that we throw as a church together. So we'll have a bunch of homemade goodies that Dave has 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:35.560 coordinated with different individuals that they are going to bring. We will have that set up in the 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:40.980 lobby. And so you'll want to come here. You'll want to be here early because certain things 00:02:40.980 --> 00:02:48.140 like cinnamon rolls get gone really quick. All right. So you'll want to be here early to be there and be 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:54.260 a part of that at 950 on here is our Christmas Eve service at 530. We will take communion together 00:02:54.260 --> 00:02:59.360 as a church that night. And then honestly, one of my favorite Sundays of the year is on Sunday, 00:02:59.440 --> 00:03:03.540 December 28th is where we're going to have our prayer breakfast. And so that's a little bit 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:09.480 different service than what we typically do. We'll gather at 950. We'll have breakfast. We're going to have 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:15.340 grits, bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes, fruit, in case you want something a little bit less carvy 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:20.060 and a little bit healthier for you. We'll have some fruit. And then we'll spend time as a church family 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:25.440 and breakfast together. And then our worship service time will be led by our church staff 00:03:25.440 --> 00:03:32.560 as we come together in prayer for the upcoming year. And I was excited. Typically, I lead our prayer 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:38.660 breakfast in our prayer time, but we sat down as a staff this week and planned it out. And each staff 00:03:38.660 --> 00:03:43.460 member is going to have a time of leading during that. And so it's going to be a wonderful time and 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:49.000 you will want to be here for that. So there's even more dates after that, but make sure that you pay 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:55.920 attention and that you have all of that. Well, before we get into Matthew 2, I do want to read a verse 00:03:55.920 --> 00:04:03.040 out of Luke chapter two. Luke chapter two, verse 10 says, and the angel said to them, fear not for 00:04:03.040 --> 00:04:11.360 behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Would you pray with me? 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:21.680 God, I thank you for this opportunity that we had to gather in here this morning. God, I thank you for 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:29.140 our kids who led us in worship. I thank you for Dawn and her team as they week in and week out, 00:04:30.020 --> 00:04:35.400 invest in these kids and engage them with the gospel, with, with worship, with discipleship, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:42.180 as she engages with families to help come alongside them, to help them mold and shape and point their 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:51.260 kids toward Jesus. What a blessing it was Lord to have them here. And God, I know that you were glorified 00:04:51.260 --> 00:04:59.160 God as they worshiped you. God, be with us as we look at the Christmas story this morning. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:09.760 As we look at the invitation that is sent to all to come and to respond to Jesus. And God, I pray that 00:05:09.760 --> 00:05:17.800 you'd be glorified in all that is said and all that is done. And it's in Jesus that we pray. Amen. Amen. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:24.060 So we had our New York mission trip last week and that's where, that's where I was. Brent Hawkins led 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:27.840 the trip. Let me tell you, Brent did a great job. Brent did a wonderful job. I was telling someone 00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:34.860 this morning, uh, it was a wonderful for me as, as your pastor to be able to go on the very first 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:40.020 mission trip that I've gone on with adults where I'm not the leader. It was wonderful, wonderful. Brent, 00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:46.380 Brent took it and he led. Um, but I learned a really important lesson on this mission trip. 00:05:46.880 --> 00:05:55.560 I learned that a lot can happen as a result of an invitation. It was a wonderful trip. And I know you 00:05:55.560 --> 00:06:01.280 guys had a wonderful day of worship back here. I want to thank Josh Nix for preaching and for Josh 00:06:01.280 --> 00:06:06.380 Nix open and being faithful to God's word. I want to thank my son, thank Grayson, um, for, for him being 00:06:06.380 --> 00:06:11.580 willing to share his testimony. And as a dad, I do want to say this to you guys as a congregation, 00:06:11.580 --> 00:06:16.080 uh, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you and your encouragement, uh, not only to him, 00:06:16.140 --> 00:06:21.400 but to me as Grayson shared with you, his call to ministry and his desire to continue on and to 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:26.680 become a pastor one day. And just the encouragement that you gave him in that. I want to thank you so 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:34.220 much for that. But while we were in New York, I learned that a lot can happen as a result of an 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:40.240 invitation. I've never been to coats for the city. This is the, the, the project that we go up and do, 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:45.840 uh, in New York where we're basically a bunch of churches around South Carolina and North Carolina, 00:06:45.840 --> 00:06:50.860 North Carolina collect coats. And then they're, they're shipped up to New York with partnering 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:56.100 churches and churches can go up there and we give away coats. And if we think it's cold here, 00:06:56.220 --> 00:07:03.820 if we think it's tough here, it's way tougher in New York, right? On Friday for us, it never got 00:07:03.820 --> 00:07:10.620 above freezing, never got above freezing. And for us, that's an extreme, but for them, that's normal. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:16.600 But a lot of people can't afford or don't have. And so it's a wonderful ministry. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:25.140 I learned a lot. What could happen as a result of an invitation. Here's what would happen for us. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:31.840 Two people volunteered to stand outside in the cold. And what they would do is they would stand 00:07:31.840 --> 00:07:39.040 outside and they would invite people into the church so that they could receive something. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:44.320 You know, we are traveling around here. Like we see churches, we know where churches are, but, 00:07:44.320 --> 00:07:52.200 but this church in New York is actually in Queens is positioned in a very unique area. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:57.800 If you're looking at the church, you know that they're shared wall spaces. It's not a freestanding 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:07.120 buildings like we're used to. On the left-hand side is, is a bar known as the jar. And on the right-hand 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:14.100 side is a restaurant and sandwiched in between is this church. And if you, if you're not looking for it, 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:19.600 you might miss it. So men and women in their, in their day and in the hustle of what it takes to, 00:08:19.700 --> 00:08:24.820 to survive and hopefully to thrive in New York city, they've got their head down and they're going. 00:08:26.080 --> 00:08:31.100 And so we took two of our, our ladies and positioned them outside. And then their nice, 00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:38.460 wonderful Southern accents, they invited strangers inside. Once they came inside, there were some 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:43.220 opportunities. We had two to three people set up at a, at a little craft table. 00:08:43.880 --> 00:08:50.160 would help them make Christmas ornaments for the kids. They, we had someone set up and was working 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:56.940 like a barista set up and had hot chocolate and, and coffee and, and hot tea. And in typical 00:08:56.940 --> 00:09:04.640 Willow Ridge fashion, hot chocolate wasn't sufficient. So there must be whipped cream. And then for some 00:09:04.640 --> 00:09:16.120 reason sprinkles that are thrown on top, never placed. I learned a lot as a result of an invitation. 00:09:17.380 --> 00:09:25.340 You see an invitation to come inside, an invitation to, to, to make a craft, an invitation for, for a cup 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:30.620 of a hot, of a hot beverage on a cold day. An invitation to come get a coat. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:39.040 I want to tell you two stories. First story is this young mom comes in. Now I also, I think this is 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:45.280 relevant. We're, we're largely in a Hispanic neighborhood. Most people don't speak English. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:55.260 This young mom with two young kids, like one's in a stroller and one she's having to hold on to, to, to, to, to get where they need to go. 00:09:56.780 --> 00:09:58.800 She speaks English, but very minimal. 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:05.200 They come in and, and, and by looking at them, they're, they're not prepared in their dress for the day. 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:13.840 So she comes in as, as they were the church, the church is a Hispanic church. So they're able to communicate and speak well. 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:22.080 And as she leaves, this was later on in the day, she ended up leaving with not only a coat for herself, 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:30.780 but with full winter ski suits for the small toddler all the way up to her other child. 00:10:30.880 --> 00:10:37.520 So not only would it keep them warm for this season, but the seasons to come as well. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:46.820 A mom frustrated, a mom scared, a mom and her two kids who were cold, 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:55.480 left warm, not only physically, but spiritually as they were ministered to. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:11:00.440 Then I met a guy named David. I want to tell you about David. 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:03.000 David's an interesting guy. 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:05.620 What did I do during all this? 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:11.620 I kind of bounced around. I was outside some, I was inside some, I got to make some crafts. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:18.000 Oh, the part that I left off, Brent started this several years ago about making balloon animals. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:26.460 And I made some balloon animals that did not look like animals, but they were balloons. 00:11:26.880 --> 00:11:27.140 All right. 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:35.200 And so, so I'm outside and you're watching people who are either receptive and they come inside. 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:39.260 Polite with a, with a head nod, but a no, thank you. 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:44.300 Or they're just, they got the look on their face and they're angry. 00:11:44.640 --> 00:11:47.540 They're bitter and they just don't want to be bothered. 00:11:49.380 --> 00:11:55.460 We're standing outside and this guy, David, comes walking down the road, walking down the sidewalk. 00:11:56.440 --> 00:11:59.420 And he's got that angry, he's got that bitter look on his face. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:03.860 And our two ladies, they invite him in. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:11.800 And when David comes by, I can smell David. 00:12:13.760 --> 00:12:27.400 And it's very evident that it's, it's, it's been a while since he's bathed, but already very early that morning, it's very evident that he's been drinking and been drinking heavily. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:38.680 What we find out is we, we find out his name, Pastor Walter comes over and begins to minister to him, begins to share with him. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:43.580 And what we find out about David is he's, he's homeless. 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:46.140 He's an alcoholic. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:51.020 He's without a job and with no hopes for a job. 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:57.800 He's living in a shelter and he just is broken. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.800 Nothing's going well. 00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:02.660 Nothing's going right. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.120 So he asked if we pray for him. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:10.340 And so we rally around him and we pray for him. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.400 Lay hands on him. 00:13:13.900 --> 00:13:15.220 Pray, Walter prays. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:18.080 Beautiful time, wonderful time gets done. 00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:20.440 And he's weeping. 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:27.420 And then Walter learned a lot about invitations. 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.480 Invites him to church the next day. 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:33.080 They've been inviting everybody to church. 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:36.480 But I was there for this invitation. 00:13:37.640 --> 00:13:40.040 Most people said maybe or no. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:41.740 Some people said, okay. 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:43.880 David was quick. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.560 David said, sure. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.220 David said, absolutely. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:57.940 And in that, in full transparency, as I hear David say he'll come back to church the next morning, sin crept into my heart. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:01.860 And I thought, yeah, right. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.720 I've heard this story. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:06.980 I've seen it play out a thousand times before. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.240 He came and he got his coat. 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.640 He came and has people pray with him. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.580 I don't think he'll come back. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:17.820 Odds and statistics point to something different. 00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:23.240 The next day, we get there. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.540 We get there early. 00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:27.100 We get ready for worship. 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:29.600 I'm going to be speaking that morning. 00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:33.340 Wonderful time and worship and fellowship together. 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:39.360 And as we're preparing for the service to start, the door opens. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.740 You feel the cold rush of the New York air fill the room. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.400 Here comes David. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.160 David comes walking in. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:53.420 I immediately thought, good one God, bad one Bo. 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:53.920 Right? 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:57.680 But guess what he did? 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.600 He invited someone to come with him. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:07.900 And there sitting on row three was David. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:16.240 This other man worshipped, were prayed for, were prayed over, and offered prayers. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:31.600 All because, all because two ladies stood out on the street, stood out on the sidewalk, and invited him. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:39.420 And when he walked in, a young man invited him to have a cup of coffee. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:43.520 Another person invited him to have a conversation. 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:48.200 Another person invited him to have a coat. 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:52.060 Another person invited him to share his story. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:57.160 Another person invited him to be prayed for. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:08.120 And in every single one of these invitations, through the power of moving of what God is doing, David said, yes. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.100 And David said, yes. 00:16:10.880 --> 00:16:11.920 And David said, yes. 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:15.420 The power of an invitation. 00:16:17.540 --> 00:16:21.300 Christmas is God's invitation to you. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:26.080 Christmas is God's invitation to me. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:36.480 And this invitation is an invitation into a relationship with God through his son, Jesus. 00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:40.800 This morning, I ask you this question. 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:44.740 What will you do with your invitation? 00:16:45.880 --> 00:16:47.900 What will you do with your invitation? 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:54.040 If you do not know Christ, will you come into relationship with him this morning? 00:16:54.880 --> 00:17:05.500 If you do know Christ as your Lord and Savior, will you dig down into a deeper layer of obedience and commitment in relationship with him this morning? 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:13.420 You see, Christmas is an invitation. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:13.740 It's an invitation to lunches. 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.660 It's an invitation to cantatas. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.880 It's an invitation. 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:20.820 Some of you got invited here this morning to see these cute kids come and sing. 00:17:21.060 --> 00:17:22.320 It's about invitations. 00:17:23.040 --> 00:17:27.940 But the most important invitation connected with Christmas is this. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:31.460 It's an invitation into a relationship with God. 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:41.740 And what's remarkable is the Christmas story is filled with people saying yes to the invitation. 00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:56.540 So let's read, starting in Matthew 2, let's read the first two verses as we read about God's invitation to the wise men. 00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.560 It says, 00:17:58.560 --> 00:18:11.820 Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:17.380 Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:25.080 For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:33.240 First thing that we see in this story of the invitation to the wise men and the invitation to you and I today is this. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:35.720 God invites you to come to Jesus. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.340 God invites you to come to Jesus. 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:47.880 I feel like there's more of wondering what we actually know about this group of men known as the wise men. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:51.540 Some Bibles refer to them as wise men. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:53.400 Some refer to them as magi. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:55.200 Some refer to them as kings. 00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:59.400 They're probably, the better translation is magi. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:02.040 And there are things that we think that we know. 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:04.060 And then there's things that we actually know. 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:07.220 So what do we know about this group of travelers? 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:13.420 Well, they were wise, but specifically, they were astrologers. 00:19:13.520 --> 00:19:15.480 They were students of the stars. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:25.920 They would have looked out into the night sky and studied the constellations and where the stars aligned and studied and charted all of those things and the information that they got. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:31.120 We know that they were men of prominence and power. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:34.500 We'll see that through the gifts that they bring. 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:46.120 But we also know that historically speaking, when they referred to magi, they were probably both religious leaders and political leaders as well. 00:19:47.280 --> 00:19:50.100 We also know that they were Gentiles. 00:19:51.020 --> 00:19:51.780 They were Gentiles. 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.920 They were not Jewish people. 00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:57.880 They were not God's chosen people. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.700 They were foreigners from a foreign land. 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:02.420 That's what we know. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.740 What do we not know? 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:08.640 Number one, we technically, we don't know how many. 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:20.240 We assume three, oftentimes because of the three gifts that were given, but we don't know how many that came. 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:23.240 We just know that the plural, more than one. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:29.020 We don't know specifically what country they come from. 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:33.440 All that the Bible tells us is that they come from the east. 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:47.760 So different traditions point to different areas and regions of the world, but no one knows factually for sure where they came from specifically. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:21:05.520 So here's a question for us this morning to think about is how do Gentile astrologers come to search for the king of the Jews? 00:21:06.520 --> 00:21:28.140 Like what happens in the course of their life, in the course of their tradition to set themselves on a journey that would have not been, hey, let's hop there, be there in a couple hours, days, weeks, months of traveling in order to arrive at their destination. 00:21:28.780 --> 00:21:33.920 How do Gentile astrologers come to search for the king of the Jews? 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.820 Here's what I think. 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:42.320 Here's what I think we can look to in the Bible and see some biblical evidence of. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.000 Here's what I think. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:54.760 If you remember from a couple weeks ago when we were working through the book of Daniel, about 500 years before the birth of Jesus was Daniel. 00:21:55.760 --> 00:22:10.100 In Daniel, we go all the way back to Daniel 1, Daniel was a Jewish boy who was devout in his faith, who knew his scriptures, who was committed to his God. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:21.660 And he was taken from his father and he was taken from his home to Babylon, which would become Persia, which is set in the east. 00:22:23.020 --> 00:22:34.140 And if you remember in his story, while he was there, he became a chief leader in the government, working with the king and the king's council. 00:22:35.460 --> 00:23:05.220 Daniel, what we know during his life was faithful to God, continued to be a student of the scriptures and was given prophetic visions concerning Christ. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:25.600 And I believe from what we see in scripture and what we know about Daniel and his faith, that he would have shared the news of the one day coming Messiah to those around him. 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:31.320 To those who he was in relationship with, to those he encountered. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:41.700 And I believe that in doing this, what was communicated is God's plan of salvation. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.040 And you're like, but that's impossible. 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.680 That's impossible. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:56.120 You're talking about 400, 500, 600 years that this would be spread out for these magi to come and to work and to move. 00:23:57.060 --> 00:23:58.640 But isn't that how God works? 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:01.340 Not in the norm, but in the miracle. 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:17.240 And I believe what we see here in the coming of the magi is the evidence of the missionary heart of God, of what God has said since the time and the calling of Abraham is you're going to be a blessing to the nations. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:38.480 So I believe what we see here are these Persian, Babylonian descended magi, whose great, great, great, great, great, great granddaddies would have heard about a Messiah, would have heard about the King of the Jews. 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:52.960 And the scripture would have heard about the King of the Jews, in Numbers 24, in a prophetic verse passage that's given to us, we see connected with Jesus a star. 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:57.240 It says, I see him, but not now. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.560 I behold him, but not near. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:07.160 A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:14.080 It shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheheth. 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:19.260 We see Jesus in connection with a star. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:24.920 We see Jesus as a Savior, not for some, but for all people. 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:31.220 What the angels announced to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2, the verse we read earlier, 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:41.500 And the angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:45.680 Not just for the Jewish people, but for all of the people. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:49.440 So what God does is here, is he comes down to here. 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:54.940 He takes on flesh, becomes the form of a baby, and then he invites us to come to him. 00:25:55.540 --> 00:26:00.080 And he's going to invite Mary, he's going to invite Joseph, and he's going to invite the shepherds, 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:05.920 and he's going to invite these Gentile magi. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:12.340 They're going to make the choice, and they're going to come to Jesus. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.920 You see, you're here today. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:19.180 You're here with the news of the gospel. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:25.500 See, the magi didn't quite exactly know where they were going, or how this would work out. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:27.940 There's going to be surprises that fill their journey. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:32.760 But they knew that there was an invitation to come to Jesus. 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:35.460 And they just said yes. 00:26:36.780 --> 00:26:43.360 Today, if you're here this morning, you might not know what it all means, or what it all looks like. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:46.340 But would you say yes to Jesus? 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:49.440 Would you say yes to come to Jesus? 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:56.460 Would you say yes to take a step into a relationship with him? 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:59.640 Let's keep reading verses 3 through 11. 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:06.160 So they come, and when Herod the king heard this, he was troubled. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:08.040 Let's pause real quick about Herod. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.320 Herod's crazy. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.360 Herod's a psychopath. 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:15.360 Herod kills some of his wives. 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:23.740 Herod kills some of his very own sons in order to protect his power and his throne. 00:27:26.540 --> 00:27:30.180 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled in all of Jerusalem with him. 00:27:31.300 --> 00:27:37.380 And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:43.300 And they told him, in Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet, this is Micah, 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:49.300 and you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:53.660 for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 00:27:54.820 --> 00:28:00.820 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:06.100 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, go and search diligently for the child. 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:11.660 And when you have found him, bring me word that I too may come and worship him. 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:14.520 After listening to the king, they went on their way. 00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:22.560 And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place the child was. 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:28.340 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:36.420 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:45.360 Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:50.520 So God invites you to Jesus, the story of Christmas. 00:28:51.620 --> 00:29:00.780 And to say yes to this invitation to come to Jesus means that God also invites you to give yourself to Jesus. 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:03.820 To give yourself to Jesus. 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:08.280 The wise men are coming to Jesus, but there are other characters that are here. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:10.460 There's other characters in play. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:16.060 And these characters have alternative motives than what the wise men had. 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.060 You see, Herod doesn't want Jesus. 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.820 Herod wants his power. 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.680 Herod wants authority. 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.040 Herod wants control. 00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:25.160 He wants what is his. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.780 Not willing to give of himself. 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.280 We see here the priests. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.140 The chief priests. 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:38.020 This will be a theme all throughout the Gospels in their conflict with Christ who has come, Messiah. 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:40.580 And the priests, what they wanted was they wanted worship. 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:45.160 Not the worship to God, but they wanted the people's worship. 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.720 Control again. 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:51.380 You see, the scribes, the rulers of the law of the land. 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:53.660 And what did they want? 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:57.900 They wanted to determine the morality of the place. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.200 They were the moral police. 00:30:01.040 --> 00:30:05.280 Not based off of who God is, but based off of who they are. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:12.560 You see, this group of individuals were not interested in coming themselves to Jesus. 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:17.980 They were more interested of what they could keep for themselves. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:31.020 But the wise men, the wise men, the Magi, with no expectation, with no preconceived notion, 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:36.460 with no rule book as to what's to come next or what to expect, 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:41.760 they just wanted Jesus. 00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:47.520 I read an author this week who said this about their trip. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:53.920 Jesus was the culmination of their journey. 00:30:55.180 --> 00:31:00.360 Jesus was the culmination of their journey. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.920 So they travel from far away. 00:31:03.060 --> 00:31:05.000 They travel from far in the east. 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:13.020 These men, this band of people of great prominence, of great power, and great wealth. 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:21.120 And they bring with them, of not fully knowing what to expect or what to find. 00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:24.020 But they bring with them three gifts. 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:27.260 These gifts are very interesting gifts. 00:31:28.260 --> 00:31:29.460 There's one of these gifts. 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:32.400 If you're looking to get me this for Christmas, okay. 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.440 I'll take it. 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:37.260 It's the gift of gold, right? 00:31:37.860 --> 00:31:39.260 The gift of gold. 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:45.360 And there's a deep layer of beauty in the gifts that they bring. 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:49.540 It says they give gold that the gift says something. 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:53.860 The gift teaches us something. 00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:56.500 The gift says something about Jesus. 00:31:57.580 --> 00:32:01.680 They give the gift of gold for the royalty of Jesus. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:05.000 You see, gold was always associated with royalty. 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.560 Kings would be surrounded by it. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:13.320 They would wear great large medallions from their necks. 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:16.620 Their arms would be filled with bracelets. 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:19.820 Their fingers would be covered with rings. 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:23.800 All from the finest gold in the land. 00:32:24.760 --> 00:32:30.300 But then every king is not only surrounded by it, but what sits on his head. 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:33.900 A crown of gold. 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:37.700 And they brought this gold to a king. 00:32:39.300 --> 00:32:41.200 But Jesus would be a different king. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:51.620 During his life, on this earth, he wouldn't be a king that would take up residency in a palace. 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:57.200 But he's a king that would not be guaranteed where he would lay his head down at night. 00:32:57.340 --> 00:33:00.580 Would travel from town to town ministering to the people. 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:10.140 He's a king that was not clothed with garments of gold or great jewelry. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:14.180 But instead would wear the clothing of commoner. 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:22.720 And definitely would not receive, in his ministry here, in his 33 years of life, 00:33:23.260 --> 00:33:26.200 would not receive a crown of gold. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:32.760 But instead, as he endured the pain of the cross, 00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:35.360 would receive a different crown. 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:38.140 A crown of thorns to wear. 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:40.660 But he is still king. 00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:46.000 We see the gift of gold, but also was the gift of frankincense. 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:49.400 Frankincense would speak to the deity of Jesus. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:56.760 You see, frankincense was obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. 00:33:56.840 --> 00:34:01.740 It was highly fragrant when burned and was used in worship, 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:06.260 where it was placed to be an offering to God. 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:15.540 Frankincense was a symbol of his holiness, his righteousness, his perfection. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:22.200 So these travelers from the east, they come and they say that you're king. 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:25.440 They come and say that you're God. 00:34:26.560 --> 00:34:28.180 But they also bring myrrh. 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:34.260 They bring myrrh for the humanity of Jesus. 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:41.140 Myrrh was a product of Arabia, obtained also, like frankincense, from a tree. 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:43.600 But it was a spice. 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:48.920 And specifically, this spice could be used in many different ways, 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:52.960 but specifically was used for embalming. 00:34:53.620 --> 00:34:57.760 In fact, the Bible tells us that Joseph and Nicodemus, 00:34:58.720 --> 00:35:01.320 after Christ is crucified on the cross, 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:04.880 when they prepare his body for burial, 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:09.020 they prepare it with myrrh. 00:35:10.560 --> 00:35:15.440 And so what we see is Jesus comes to be our king, 00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:18.900 that Jesus comes and he is God, 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:21.920 and that Jesus comes to die. 00:35:24.620 --> 00:35:29.980 And these men lay these gifts down. 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:34.420 The gift of his kingdom, which will be eternal. 00:35:35.140 --> 00:35:39.240 The gift of who he is, fully divine in God. 00:35:40.080 --> 00:35:46.900 And the gift of who he is, as a man who died on the cross for your sins. 00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:50.420 But praise God, rose from the dead. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.160 So they give gifts. 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.900 But if you're not careful, 00:35:57.120 --> 00:36:00.940 you can come and see these gifts 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:04.360 and miss the other gift that they give. 00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:06.540 And completely miss it. 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:09.920 Remember, because I didn't say Jesus invites you 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:13.780 to give gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:18.120 The point is, Jesus invites you 00:36:18.120 --> 00:36:21.140 to give yourself to Jesus. 00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:23.900 So look back with me. 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.740 Verse 11. 00:36:26.660 --> 00:36:28.480 And going into the house, 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:32.780 they saw the child with Mary his mother, 00:36:33.640 --> 00:36:37.720 and they fell down and worshiped him. 00:36:39.660 --> 00:36:40.940 They show up, 00:36:41.600 --> 00:36:44.120 and they submit themselves. 00:36:44.120 --> 00:36:45.980 They offer themselves. 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:48.880 They surrender themselves 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:51.380 to a king who is a child. 00:36:52.660 --> 00:36:54.560 They don't surrender themselves 00:36:54.560 --> 00:36:55.820 because he's won a battle. 00:36:56.720 --> 00:36:58.520 They don't surrender themselves 00:36:58.520 --> 00:37:00.000 because he's expanded a border. 00:37:00.760 --> 00:37:02.240 They don't surrender themselves 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:03.600 because he's passed a law. 00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:05.460 They surrender themselves 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:08.180 not because of not yet of what he's done, 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:09.880 but because of who he is. 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.580 You see, 00:37:14.580 --> 00:37:18.180 sometimes we think the response 00:37:18.180 --> 00:37:22.520 is to bring our stuff to God. 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:25.480 But let me tell you this. 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:28.720 Before you bring your stuff to God, 00:37:29.560 --> 00:37:31.740 please bring yourself to God. 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:36.620 and when you bring yourself to him 00:37:36.620 --> 00:37:42.200 and you surrender yourself to him, 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:45.420 all the things just come with you. 00:37:46.060 --> 00:37:47.960 All the things just come with you. 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:51.680 Today, you're invited to come to Jesus. 00:37:53.080 --> 00:37:58.960 Today, you're invited to give yourself to Jesus. 00:38:00.640 --> 00:38:02.020 Not part of you, 00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:04.280 not some of you, 00:38:05.140 --> 00:38:08.000 but to give all of you to Jesus. 00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:10.600 And then the last thing, 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:12.060 let's look at verse 12. 00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:18.140 And being warned in a dream 00:38:18.140 --> 00:38:21.260 not to return to Herod, 00:38:22.580 --> 00:38:24.800 they departed to their own country 00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:26.780 by another way. 00:38:28.680 --> 00:38:30.280 Being warned in a dream 00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:33.260 not to return to Herod, 00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:36.200 they departed to their country 00:38:36.200 --> 00:38:38.280 by another way. 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:40.020 The third thing is this. 00:38:41.620 --> 00:38:42.860 God invites you 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:46.020 to leave a different way 00:38:46.020 --> 00:38:47.460 than you came. 00:38:48.620 --> 00:38:50.060 God invites you 00:38:50.060 --> 00:38:52.760 to leave a different way 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:53.940 than you came. 00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:56.740 The Bible tells us 00:38:56.740 --> 00:38:58.540 they were warned in a dream. 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.680 Who do you think 00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.540 that dream came from? 00:39:03.520 --> 00:39:05.780 That dream came from God. 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:08.140 You see, God said, 00:39:08.280 --> 00:39:10.060 I brought you to Jesus this way. 00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:13.660 But now that you've responded 00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:14.520 and you've come, 00:39:15.520 --> 00:39:17.300 now that you've responded 00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:18.660 and given of yourself, 00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:19.900 you see, 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:20.940 I gotta send you back 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:22.180 different than the way you came. 00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:25.380 It's a beautiful picture 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:26.460 of what it means 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:28.180 to come to Jesus. 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.320 You see, 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:30.100 coming to Jesus 00:39:30.100 --> 00:39:30.880 doesn't mean 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:32.160 come to Jesus 00:39:32.160 --> 00:39:33.520 and then you 00:39:33.520 --> 00:39:34.640 in yourself 00:39:34.640 --> 00:39:36.200 go and get all the things right. 00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:38.020 You in yourself, 00:39:38.140 --> 00:39:38.780 you better check 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.680 all of the boxes, 00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:40.440 you better dot 00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.300 all of the I's, 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:41.920 you better dot 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:43.120 all of the T's. 00:39:44.640 --> 00:39:45.880 Coming to Jesus 00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:47.900 means coming to Him, 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:49.440 giving of yourself 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:51.180 and then following Him. 00:39:52.080 --> 00:39:52.940 Following Him. 00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.920 Follow me, 00:39:55.040 --> 00:39:57.400 is the invitation 00:39:57.400 --> 00:39:58.860 given by Jesus 00:39:58.860 --> 00:40:01.960 mostly in the gospel accounts. 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:05.460 Over 20 times 00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:08.880 these two words 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.840 are given 00:40:09.840 --> 00:40:12.340 where Jesus looks 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:14.340 at those who are desperate 00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:17.380 and they're coming to Him 00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:18.360 for healing, 00:40:19.180 --> 00:40:20.320 they're coming to Him 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:21.100 for peace, 00:40:21.520 --> 00:40:22.680 they're coming to Him 00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.380 for hope, 00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:24.700 they're coming to Him 00:40:24.700 --> 00:40:25.480 for purpose, 00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:27.780 and His invitation to Him 00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:28.380 is, 00:40:28.560 --> 00:40:28.780 all right, 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:29.900 if you want it, 00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:31.960 follow me. 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:33.940 Follow me. 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.820 Follow me. 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.280 It's interesting 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.640 when you, 00:40:37.720 --> 00:40:38.720 when you look at the word 00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:39.540 follow, 00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:41.480 it's linked 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:43.020 into the same family 00:40:43.020 --> 00:40:44.420 where the word road 00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:45.280 comes from. 00:40:46.140 --> 00:40:48.640 It means to be on the same path. 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:50.460 It means to be on the same journey. 00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:53.620 It means to be on the same destination. 00:40:54.020 --> 00:40:56.120 A literal translation of the word 00:40:56.120 --> 00:40:59.860 is to be in the same way with. 00:41:01.720 --> 00:41:03.040 So when Jesus says 00:41:03.040 --> 00:41:05.440 come and follow me, 00:41:06.180 --> 00:41:07.560 what He's saying is 00:41:07.560 --> 00:41:12.560 follow me in my way. 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:16.500 Follow me in my love. 00:41:17.580 --> 00:41:22.100 Follow me in who I am 00:41:22.100 --> 00:41:26.380 and who I've called you to be. 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:28.020 I'm going to invite 00:41:28.020 --> 00:41:28.860 the worship team 00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:31.640 to come here 00:41:31.640 --> 00:41:33.200 and lead us in worship 00:41:33.200 --> 00:41:35.020 in just a moment. 00:41:36.780 --> 00:41:37.980 But I love 00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:39.360 Matthew's account 00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:40.760 of this. 00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:42.220 You know, 00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.720 Matthew could have left 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:45.340 verse 12 out. 00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:48.420 Being warned in a dream 00:41:48.420 --> 00:41:50.460 not to return to Herod, 00:41:51.280 --> 00:41:51.940 they departed 00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:53.160 to their own country 00:41:53.160 --> 00:41:53.960 by another way. 00:41:54.620 --> 00:41:54.800 You know, 00:41:54.820 --> 00:41:55.640 I've probably read that 00:41:55.640 --> 00:41:56.600 a thousand times 00:41:56.600 --> 00:41:58.420 and it's never struck 00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:58.900 with me 00:41:58.900 --> 00:42:01.000 as much as it has today. 00:42:02.140 --> 00:42:03.100 And I got to think 00:42:03.100 --> 00:42:03.980 about that this week. 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.320 And I was like, 00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:05.740 you know what? 00:42:05.800 --> 00:42:05.940 Like, 00:42:06.020 --> 00:42:07.040 this makes sense 00:42:07.040 --> 00:42:08.700 that Matthew 00:42:08.700 --> 00:42:10.680 would put this in here. 00:42:11.660 --> 00:42:12.840 This makes sense 00:42:12.840 --> 00:42:13.780 that Matthew 00:42:13.780 --> 00:42:14.940 would have said, 00:42:15.160 --> 00:42:15.260 yeah, 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:15.360 yeah, 00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:16.260 here it is. 00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:17.200 It's important 00:42:17.200 --> 00:42:18.200 that you come to Jesus. 00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:18.880 It's important 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:19.680 that you give yourself 00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:20.140 to Jesus, 00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:21.560 but don't miss it. 00:42:21.680 --> 00:42:22.420 You got to go 00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:23.280 with Jesus. 00:42:24.360 --> 00:42:26.040 When you come to Him 00:42:26.040 --> 00:42:26.860 and you surrender 00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.580 yourself to Him, 00:42:27.820 --> 00:42:28.440 you see something 00:42:28.440 --> 00:42:29.040 by the power 00:42:29.040 --> 00:42:29.760 of the Holy Spirit 00:42:29.760 --> 00:42:31.080 should happen in you 00:42:31.080 --> 00:42:32.120 and you should change 00:42:32.120 --> 00:42:33.220 in who you are 00:42:33.220 --> 00:42:34.560 and you should lead 00:42:34.560 --> 00:42:35.440 differently 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:36.700 now that you 00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:38.200 are with Jesus. 00:42:38.400 --> 00:42:39.400 Not now that you've 00:42:39.400 --> 00:42:40.400 encountered Jesus, 00:42:40.660 --> 00:42:41.480 not now that you've 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:42.520 just heard about Jesus, 00:42:42.680 --> 00:42:43.560 but now that you're 00:42:43.560 --> 00:42:44.660 with Jesus, 00:42:44.900 --> 00:42:45.940 this should be different. 00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:47.220 And why does this 00:42:47.220 --> 00:42:47.920 make sense? 00:42:48.120 --> 00:42:49.400 Because in Matthew 9, 00:42:50.260 --> 00:42:51.140 in Matthew 9, 00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:52.600 Matthew tells the story 00:42:52.600 --> 00:42:53.260 of Himself. 00:42:56.140 --> 00:42:56.680 And it says, 00:42:56.780 --> 00:42:58.660 as Jesus passed on 00:42:58.660 --> 00:42:59.320 from there, 00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:01.420 He saw a man 00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:02.460 called Matthew 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:04.980 sitting at a tax booth. 00:43:05.600 --> 00:43:06.300 Let's pause there 00:43:06.300 --> 00:43:06.900 for a second. 00:43:08.580 --> 00:43:09.560 Matthew's not there 00:43:09.560 --> 00:43:10.760 getting his taxes done. 00:43:13.020 --> 00:43:14.540 Matthew's the tax collector. 00:43:15.420 --> 00:43:16.260 He's the chief. 00:43:16.560 --> 00:43:17.260 He's the criminal. 00:43:17.560 --> 00:43:18.440 He's the betrayer. 00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:19.340 He's the thief. 00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:25.760 And it says, 00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:26.400 Jesus 00:43:26.400 --> 00:43:28.440 passing by. 00:43:29.580 --> 00:43:31.180 He just says, 00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:32.820 follow me. 00:43:34.100 --> 00:43:34.860 Follow me. 00:43:37.420 --> 00:43:39.320 And here's what Matthew 00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:42.100 shares. 00:43:44.100 --> 00:43:45.840 And He rose 00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:49.640 and followed 00:43:49.640 --> 00:43:51.160 Him. 00:43:53.180 --> 00:43:54.640 Just as simple 00:43:54.640 --> 00:43:56.320 as that. 00:43:57.960 --> 00:43:59.180 That He rose 00:43:59.180 --> 00:44:01.580 and He followed 00:44:01.580 --> 00:44:02.980 Him. 00:44:05.620 --> 00:44:05.980 Number one, 00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:06.580 I want you to come 00:44:06.580 --> 00:44:07.500 to Jesus this morning. 00:44:08.840 --> 00:44:10.000 Maybe you came here 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:11.840 to listen to some kids sing. 00:44:12.780 --> 00:44:14.040 Maybe you came here 00:44:14.040 --> 00:44:14.900 because someone 00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:15.620 invited you. 00:44:16.320 --> 00:44:17.280 Maybe you came here 00:44:17.280 --> 00:44:17.680 and you don't know 00:44:17.680 --> 00:44:18.600 why you came here, 00:44:18.880 --> 00:44:19.900 but you came here. 00:44:21.640 --> 00:44:23.160 And before you know 00:44:23.160 --> 00:44:24.100 who I am, 00:44:25.240 --> 00:44:26.060 before you know 00:44:26.060 --> 00:44:26.900 who we are, 00:44:27.800 --> 00:44:28.660 we thank you 00:44:28.660 --> 00:44:30.560 that you came here 00:44:30.560 --> 00:44:32.080 and you came 00:44:32.080 --> 00:44:33.160 to Jesus. 00:44:35.000 --> 00:44:35.620 What are you going 00:44:35.620 --> 00:44:36.080 to do with that? 00:44:37.260 --> 00:44:37.900 What are you going 00:44:37.900 --> 00:44:38.380 to do with that? 00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:39.480 Well, 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:41.680 Jesus has invited you 00:44:41.680 --> 00:44:43.780 to give yourself 00:44:43.780 --> 00:44:44.760 to Him. 00:44:46.160 --> 00:44:47.240 To give yourself 00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:47.640 to Him. 00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:48.920 And let me tell you, 00:44:48.980 --> 00:44:49.500 here's what it means 00:44:49.500 --> 00:44:50.220 to give yourself 00:44:50.220 --> 00:44:51.180 to Jesus. 00:44:52.700 --> 00:44:53.440 All of it. 00:44:54.980 --> 00:44:55.740 All of it. 00:44:56.060 --> 00:44:59.420 every bit of you, 00:45:00.380 --> 00:45:01.540 every success, 00:45:02.000 --> 00:45:03.020 every failure, 00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:04.720 every triumph, 00:45:05.080 --> 00:45:06.220 every tragedy, 00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:08.560 every sin, 00:45:08.920 --> 00:45:10.260 every moment of regret, 00:45:10.700 --> 00:45:11.900 every moment of grief, 00:45:12.180 --> 00:45:13.260 every moment of hurt, 00:45:13.560 --> 00:45:14.820 every moment of pain, 00:45:15.120 --> 00:45:16.600 every moment of accomplishment, 00:45:17.640 --> 00:45:18.900 every moment of praise. 00:45:19.200 --> 00:45:19.900 Jesus says, 00:45:19.900 --> 00:45:20.940 I want it all. 00:45:21.960 --> 00:45:22.800 Give it to me. 00:45:23.580 --> 00:45:24.840 Don't just give me your gold. 00:45:25.160 --> 00:45:25.800 Don't just give me 00:45:25.800 --> 00:45:26.700 your frankincense. 00:45:26.940 --> 00:45:27.900 Don't just give me 00:45:27.900 --> 00:45:28.360 your myrrh. 00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:29.200 But give it all. 00:45:32.400 --> 00:45:33.420 And when you do, 00:45:35.080 --> 00:45:36.060 and you surrender 00:45:36.060 --> 00:45:36.900 before Him, 00:45:37.900 --> 00:45:38.540 and you say, 00:45:38.740 --> 00:45:38.900 God, 00:45:38.980 --> 00:45:40.060 I give you 00:45:40.060 --> 00:45:41.460 all of me. 00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:43.680 I don't know 00:45:43.680 --> 00:45:44.460 fully what that's 00:45:44.460 --> 00:45:44.980 going to mean 00:45:44.980 --> 00:45:46.420 for my life 00:45:46.420 --> 00:45:46.840 and what it's 00:45:46.840 --> 00:45:47.620 going to look like. 00:45:49.180 --> 00:45:49.780 I don't know 00:45:49.780 --> 00:45:50.520 what tomorrow's 00:45:50.520 --> 00:45:51.160 going to hold. 00:45:51.340 --> 00:45:51.680 I don't know 00:45:51.680 --> 00:45:52.500 what this afternoon's 00:45:52.500 --> 00:45:53.080 going to be like. 00:45:53.240 --> 00:45:53.540 But God, 00:45:53.600 --> 00:45:54.320 you have me. 00:45:54.760 --> 00:45:55.640 You have my sin 00:45:55.640 --> 00:45:56.520 and you forgive it. 00:45:58.420 --> 00:45:59.800 You have my failure 00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:01.260 and you define me 00:46:01.260 --> 00:46:01.960 as your son 00:46:01.960 --> 00:46:02.660 or your daughter. 00:46:04.660 --> 00:46:06.320 You have my success 00:46:06.320 --> 00:46:07.840 and you say 00:46:07.840 --> 00:46:08.860 moral weights 00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:10.820 in His name. 00:46:13.400 --> 00:46:14.140 And then, 00:46:14.220 --> 00:46:14.420 God, 00:46:14.500 --> 00:46:16.420 you just say, 00:46:16.420 --> 00:46:18.060 follow me. 00:46:26.960 --> 00:46:27.940 And you know what? 00:46:30.880 --> 00:46:32.540 You're following me. 00:46:33.700 --> 00:46:34.180 Maybe 00:46:34.180 --> 00:46:36.760 standing out there. 00:46:37.920 --> 00:46:38.000 Hey, 00:46:38.020 --> 00:46:38.700 would you like a coat? 00:46:39.780 --> 00:46:40.500 Would you like a coat? 00:46:41.500 --> 00:46:42.340 Would you like a cup of coffee? 00:46:43.340 --> 00:46:44.180 Can I pray with you? 00:46:46.420 --> 00:46:48.040 You're following me 00:46:48.040 --> 00:46:50.360 may be to forgive someone 00:46:50.360 --> 00:46:51.080 that's hurt you. 00:46:52.460 --> 00:46:53.500 You're following me 00:46:53.500 --> 00:46:54.740 may be to find your identity 00:46:54.740 --> 00:46:55.840 not in what you want it to be 00:46:55.840 --> 00:46:57.320 but in who God is. 00:46:58.980 --> 00:46:59.460 Today, 00:46:59.940 --> 00:47:01.600 will you come 00:47:01.600 --> 00:47:03.660 before the God 00:47:03.660 --> 00:47:06.180 of all creation 00:47:06.180 --> 00:47:09.400 and follow Him? 00:47:10.620 --> 00:47:11.520 I'm going to pray. 00:47:11.660 --> 00:47:12.480 When I'm done praying, 00:47:12.600 --> 00:47:13.600 there will be prayer encouragers 00:47:13.600 --> 00:47:14.420 on either side 00:47:14.420 --> 00:47:15.440 of our auditorium. 00:47:16.020 --> 00:47:16.940 The team's going to lead us 00:47:16.940 --> 00:47:17.780 in a couple of songs 00:47:17.780 --> 00:47:18.860 of worship this morning. 00:47:19.740 --> 00:47:21.280 We invite you to respond 00:47:21.280 --> 00:47:22.960 not to us 00:47:22.960 --> 00:47:25.100 but respond to Him 00:47:25.100 --> 00:47:27.060 who's invited you. 00:47:27.880 --> 00:47:28.860 Would you pray with me? 00:47:31.040 --> 00:47:31.440 God, 00:47:31.500 --> 00:47:32.340 we thank you so much 00:47:32.340 --> 00:47:33.340 for who you are, Lord, 00:47:33.400 --> 00:47:34.300 and what you've done. 00:47:35.320 --> 00:47:35.700 Lord, 00:47:35.740 --> 00:47:36.200 we thank you 00:47:36.200 --> 00:47:36.880 for the invitation 00:47:36.880 --> 00:47:37.940 that you've placed 00:47:37.940 --> 00:47:38.680 on our life, 00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:39.780 on our heart 00:47:39.780 --> 00:47:40.320 to come 00:47:40.320 --> 00:47:41.260 and to follow you. 00:47:41.980 --> 00:47:42.300 God, 00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:43.640 I pray with every fiber 00:47:43.640 --> 00:47:44.120 in me 00:47:44.120 --> 00:47:44.860 that that would be 00:47:44.860 --> 00:47:45.760 the declaration 00:47:45.760 --> 00:47:47.260 of our hearts today. 00:47:48.860 --> 00:47:50.280 Just to follow you, 00:47:50.380 --> 00:47:50.600 Jesus. 00:47:51.820 --> 00:47:53.180 To follow your will, 00:47:53.280 --> 00:47:54.380 to follow your way, 00:47:54.880 --> 00:47:56.580 to follow you faithfully, 00:47:57.120 --> 00:47:58.300 day by day, 00:47:58.480 --> 00:47:59.520 moment by moment, 00:47:59.760 --> 00:48:00.640 step by step. 00:48:02.340 --> 00:48:03.300 Trust in you 00:48:03.300 --> 00:48:06.300 because you are worthy 00:48:06.300 --> 00:48:06.840 of it all. 00:48:07.960 --> 00:48:08.780 you are worthy 00:48:08.780 --> 00:48:09.280 of it all. 00:48:10.120 --> 00:48:10.640 And it's in Jesus 00:48:10.640 --> 00:48:11.140 that we pray. 00:48:11.960 --> 00:48:12.220 Amen. 00:48:14.820 --> 00:48:15.460 That's it 00:48:15.460 --> 00:48:16.580 for this week's message. 00:48:17.120 --> 00:48:17.960 Be sure to check back 00:48:17.960 --> 00:48:18.560 next week 00:48:18.560 --> 00:48:19.380 for a new episode. 00:48:19.980 --> 00:48:20.700 And in the meantime, 00:48:20.980 --> 00:48:22.220 you can visit us online 00:48:22.220 --> 00:48:24.160 at willowridgechurch.org 00:48:24.160 --> 00:48:25.220 or by searching 00:48:25.220 --> 00:48:26.300 for Willow Ridge Church 00:48:26.300 --> 00:48:27.040 on Facebook, 00:48:27.380 --> 00:48:27.800 Instagram, 00:48:28.120 --> 00:48:28.600 and YouTube. 00:48:29.040 --> 00:48:29.540 Thanks again 00:48:29.540 --> 00:48:29.980 for listening. 00:48:29.980 --> 00:48:30.980 Bye.