WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:45.860 --> 00:00:47.120 Well, good morning. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.460 Glad that you are here with us. 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:56.780 It is cold and wet and nasty outside, but glad that you guys are gathered in here today 00:00:56.780 --> 00:00:57.320 with us. 00:00:57.340 --> 00:01:00.900 And if you're online, thank you for joining us as well. 00:01:00.980 --> 00:01:04.940 If you've got your Bibles, go ahead and open them up to Luke chapter 2, as we're going to 00:01:04.940 --> 00:01:06.960 talk about the birth of Christ today. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:11.800 As you turn there, I want to remind you, we have the announcements to place. 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:14.180 I want to remind you of a couple of announcements. 00:01:14.580 --> 00:01:16.860 The first one is our Christmas Eve service. 00:01:17.240 --> 00:01:19.160 We will be having a Christmas Eve service. 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:24.160 This is the first Christmas Eve service that we've had in a COVID world, right? 00:01:24.220 --> 00:01:29.660 We're kind of getting used to how we can navigate through our normal Sunday mornings, but this 00:01:29.660 --> 00:01:31.100 is going to be different for us. 00:01:31.160 --> 00:01:33.000 And so we're doing some things different. 00:01:33.380 --> 00:01:37.180 We're going to have, instead of one combined Christmas Eve service, we're going to have 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:38.780 it at 4 and 515. 00:01:38.960 --> 00:01:44.860 Now, if you're planning on attending here with us on campus, here's what we need from you. 00:01:45.300 --> 00:01:47.960 Please go and register, okay? 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:53.760 Normally, that's the largest attended service that we have of the year, as far as everyone 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:54.820 being face-to-face. 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:58.180 And we hope we can accommodate everyone by doing two services. 00:01:58.580 --> 00:02:02.760 And the only way that we can ensure that and that we can know what we're going to have 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:04.940 is for you to come and register. 00:02:05.220 --> 00:02:06.440 So please do. 00:02:06.600 --> 00:02:07.280 Please still. 00:02:07.460 --> 00:02:09.220 We've had people ask, can we invite people? 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:11.380 Can we bring our friends and our family with us? 00:02:11.940 --> 00:02:12.380 Absolutely. 00:02:12.760 --> 00:02:17.820 Just register them with you, and we'll get everybody taken care of and get y'all there. 00:02:18.160 --> 00:02:18.320 All right. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:23.260 So if you're going to watch us online, we are going to stream the 515 service. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:27.500 And so if you're staying at home still, or if you can't make it that day, then please 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:28.520 join us online. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:31.360 And we will be taking the Lord's Supper together. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:35.800 So if you're going to be watching, then please make sure that you have that and have it all 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:36.840 taken care of. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:39.380 And so we'll worship together that way. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:45.360 Also, at the end of the service today, Pastor Dave's going to come up on stage and take us 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:49.420 into our business meeting, where we will vote on the budget and the trustees. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:53.040 And so after the last song, please don't start heading out. 00:02:53.160 --> 00:02:55.720 You want to make sure that you're around for that. 00:02:55.900 --> 00:02:59.520 So I want to ask you guys a question as we get started today. 00:03:00.860 --> 00:03:06.040 When was the last time someone humbled you? 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:15.620 Think there was a moment where you thought something of yourself, and someone through what 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:20.280 they did or what they said humbled you a little bit. 00:03:20.660 --> 00:03:23.120 Maybe they humbled you a lot. 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:24.880 I want you to think about that. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:31.140 For me, the last one that I can remember, I've got to think all the way back to yesterday. 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:31.920 All right? 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:36.360 Yesterday, we got together with Aaron's family for Christmas. 00:03:36.540 --> 00:03:39.960 We typically get together the Saturday before Christmas with them. 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:44.940 And so it's Aaron's mom and dad, and her brother, his wife, and their daughter, and our 00:03:44.940 --> 00:03:45.760 crew are there. 00:03:46.100 --> 00:03:46.900 And so we're there. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.740 And Lily, that's my seven-year-old niece. 00:03:49.940 --> 00:03:53.780 Every time we're around each other, we like to spend time together and have some really 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:54.620 good conversations. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:56.820 And I like to pick at her a little bit, right? 00:03:56.920 --> 00:03:59.140 Like that's the relationship that we have. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.340 I don't even really call her by her name. 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:02.720 I just call her Felicia. 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:04.940 And so that's the relationship that we have. 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:07.960 And so we're sitting there yesterday, and we're talking about school. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:11.000 And we're having lots of conversations about school. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:15.420 And she begins to tell me about her boyfriend. 00:04:15.660 --> 00:04:17.200 Now, now she's seven, okay? 00:04:17.200 --> 00:04:21.620 And she's telling me about her boyfriend at school, which you can ask Emma. 00:04:22.280 --> 00:04:24.340 I take a stand on that. 00:04:24.460 --> 00:04:25.720 I tell Emma all the time. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:31.060 She's allowed to start dating three days after I'm dead, right? 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.140 That's when she can start. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:35.080 Let the body get good and cold and in the ground, sweetie. 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:36.860 And then you can start dating, all right? 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:39.780 And so, but Lily tells me she has a boyfriend. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:42.620 And I begin to tell her that this is nonsense. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.000 Like you shouldn't have a boyfriend. 00:04:45.280 --> 00:04:50.380 And she begins to give me all the ins and outs of the drama that has taken place at her 00:04:50.380 --> 00:04:52.080 first grade Ben Lippin class, right? 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.600 And so we're talking, having a good time about that. 00:04:54.640 --> 00:04:56.640 And I said, well, why do you like him? 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:57.960 She's like, well, but I like him. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:04:59.580 Like, why do you like him? 00:05:00.140 --> 00:05:02.420 And she said, well, because he's cute. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:05.100 Okay, all right. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:08.200 And I said, well, I bet he's not as cute as me. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:12.740 She kind of looks at me like I'm crazy, which is probably accurate, right? 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:14.800 And I said, Lily, do you think I'm cute? 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:18.780 And she kind of gives me this look like I don't quite know how to answer this. 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:23.500 And I said, well, let me ask you a different question. 00:05:24.380 --> 00:05:30.400 Do you think that your Uncle Bo, who loves you, who cares for you, who's brought gifts 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:33.180 for you, do you think he's handsome? 00:05:34.520 --> 00:05:37.260 She looked at me and she goes, no, not really. 00:05:39.900 --> 00:05:43.960 To which my father-in-law, sitting on the opposite side of the room, says this. 00:05:44.200 --> 00:05:45.320 Here's the humility, right? 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:46.560 Here's where I got humbled. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:48.800 He said, you got to love seven-year-olds. 00:05:48.900 --> 00:05:49.780 They speak the truth. 00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:53.060 Here's what he's saying, I'm ugly, right? 00:05:53.140 --> 00:05:56.580 Like my father-in-law affirmed that there in that moment. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:06:02.100 But there's like this humility that in that moment that she spoke something that maybe that 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:05.640 I want to deny, but to establish what's there, right? 00:06:05.760 --> 00:06:12.100 So a lot of times when we think of humility or being humbled, like we think of taking someone 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:17.980 who elevates themselves and knocking them down a few notches to get them back to where 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:18.640 they are, right? 00:06:18.640 --> 00:06:22.960 Now, everything yesterday was in good fun and we got to laugh about it. 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:27.540 But when we look at Scripture, it's got to be very clear and very evident to you. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:29.320 And this is going to really connect with us a lot. 00:06:29.380 --> 00:06:33.540 What we talked about last week is that God loves humility. 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:38.960 It's a characteristic and a trait that we see throughout Scripture. 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:41.760 And so what I want to do, I want to read very quickly. 00:06:41.880 --> 00:06:43.640 These aren't even going to be on the screen. 00:06:43.640 --> 00:06:51.600 There's, I think, nine verses from Scripture that show God's heart for the humble, that show 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:53.460 God's heart for humility. 00:06:53.700 --> 00:06:56.220 So we're just going to go quickly, speed read through these. 00:06:56.760 --> 00:06:57.900 Psalm 18, 27. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:04.320 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. 00:07:04.320 --> 00:07:05.960 Psalm 25, 9. 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:11.320 He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way. 00:07:11.780 --> 00:07:13.000 Proverbs 3, 34. 00:07:13.540 --> 00:07:18.300 Toward the scoffers he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:19.980 James 4, 6. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:28.760 But he gives more grace, therefore it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:30.240 Proverbs 11, 2. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:35.420 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:37.580 Proverbs 15, 33. 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:44.760 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:46.240 Matthew 18, 4. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:52.220 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:53.920 In 1 Peter 5, 6. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:08:01.800 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 00:08:02.320 --> 00:08:09.780 So what we find in Scripture, and this is just a small sampling of when humility is used and 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:15.360 described by God as an attribute that should be possessed by his people. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:23.300 Just in this sampling, we see that humility is connected to salvation, to guidance from God, 00:08:23.440 --> 00:08:28.180 to grace from God, to wisdom, to honor, and to greatness. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:34.560 So humility should be something that you and I can not only see in our life, 00:08:34.660 --> 00:08:37.880 but it is something that we are pursuing. 00:08:37.880 --> 00:08:41.600 Now, as we look through this, we started with it last week. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:48.660 As we look through this early birth narrative of Jesus Christ found in Scripture all the way back 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:53.580 to Mary finding out that she'll be the mother of the Lord, to the song that she sings, 00:08:53.760 --> 00:08:59.260 we see that humility fills the pages of this narrative. 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.240 And here's why I think this is so important. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:06.360 Go all the way back to our first week and remember that the setting in which, or I'm sorry, 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:08.760 the audience into which Luke is writing. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:15.200 The Gospel of Luke and the Gospel Acts, both written by Luke, written to Theophilus. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:22.700 And he tells Theophilus that he is writing them so that he may know Jesus, that he's heard. 00:09:22.900 --> 00:09:28.660 Like Theophilus, this isn't his first introduction to Jesus, but that he's heard about Jesus, 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:35.240 but that his friend Luke is writing these things to him in order to confirm in him accurate belief. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:39.520 And so as Luke is telling this narrative to someone that he deeply loves, 00:09:39.900 --> 00:09:45.740 woven into this under God's inspiration is this concept of humility. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.060 All right, so what is humility? 00:09:48.540 --> 00:09:54.680 Because humility has got to be different than you and I seeking to knock each other down a peg, 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.200 to picking at each other. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:10:02.020 And I'll say this, that spiritually speaking, concerning Scripture in the heart of God is this, 00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:08.380 that the heart of humility is seeing yourself accurately. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:12.280 Like, humility is not thinking less of yourself, okay? 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:15.020 Humility is not beating yourself up. 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:18.580 Humility is not this punishment that you and I have to take on. 00:10:18.900 --> 00:10:22.300 Humility is not a sign of weakness, all right? 00:10:22.520 --> 00:10:23.680 Jesus is humble. 00:10:24.520 --> 00:10:27.520 Jesus has lived his life, embraced humility. 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:32.340 But humility is seeing yourself accurately, right? 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:36.160 And that's kind of hard for us to do sometimes. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:39.960 And as we read through this morning, the first part of chapter 2, 00:10:40.140 --> 00:10:44.280 what I want us to see is the humility that's found in this story. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.740 So we'll start reading in verse 1. 00:10:47.900 --> 00:10:48.240 It says, 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:51.380 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:53.860 that all the world should be registered. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:58.540 And this was the first registration when Canarius was governor of Syria. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:02.160 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:06.400 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, 00:11:06.520 --> 00:11:09.920 to Judea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:13.860 because he was of the house and lineage of David, 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:18.660 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:11:19.280 --> 00:11:22.540 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:25.080 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:26.700 and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, 00:11:26.760 --> 00:11:28.160 and locked him in the manger, 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:31.220 because there was no place for them in the inn. 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:35.300 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:37.400 keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:40.000 And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:42.240 and the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:11:42.380 --> 00:11:44.500 And they were filled with great fear. 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:46.600 And the angel said to them, 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:51.380 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy 00:11:51.380 --> 00:11:52.620 that will be for all people. 00:11:53.020 --> 00:11:55.600 For unto you is born this day in the city of David 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.880 a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.780 And this will be a sign for you. 00:11:59.780 --> 00:12:03.420 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and line in a manger. 00:12:03.900 --> 00:12:07.760 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, 00:12:08.140 --> 00:12:09.680 praising God and saying, 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:11.860 Glory to God in the highest, 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:16.460 and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:19.540 And when the angel went away from them into heaven, 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:21.600 the shepherds said to one another, 00:12:21.900 --> 00:12:26.680 Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:29.240 which the Lord has made known to us. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:34.840 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.640 And when they saw it, 00:12:36.880 --> 00:12:40.800 they made known the saying that they had been told them concerning this child. 00:12:41.140 --> 00:12:44.660 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:47.780 But Mary treasured up all these things, 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:49.640 pondering them in her heart. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.900 And the shepherds returned, 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:54.240 glorifying and praising God 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.900 for all they had heard and seen 00:12:56.900 --> 00:12:59.220 as it had been told to them. 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:04.840 And what I want us to do in this story that, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.520 let's be honest, for many of us, 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:08.360 we've heard multiple times. 00:13:09.260 --> 00:13:12.120 For many of us, the story, the narrative, 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:15.460 we can find in our nativity scene 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:17.740 that's placed at our house this time of year. 00:13:17.900 --> 00:13:22.100 We can see the story told in a Charlie Brown cartoon. 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.020 And what I want us to see, 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.000 what I want us to focus in on 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:28.060 is the humility in the story. 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:31.600 And then what is the humility drawing us toward? 00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:33.860 What does the humility point us toward? 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:36.400 And so the first thing that I want us to look at 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:37.820 are the places. 00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:42.580 The places that we find in this story. 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:45.680 Yesterday, Erin and I on our drive there, 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.400 I just asked her. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:48.620 I said, you know, 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:50.700 I've really been thinking about this this week 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.280 as we've been seeing different things 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.820 that are going on in the news. 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.800 She and I are listening to a couple of podcasts 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:58.140 that are dealing with different areas in Syria. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.480 and what's happening there. 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:02.720 And I said, do you ever just wonder why 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.160 God in his sovereignty, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:08.680 the creator of the world, 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:12.920 who knows every mountain peak in every valley, 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:17.660 who knows every square inch of this planet, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:22.180 that why God chose this area of the world 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:24.360 for all of this to take place 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.000 and for all of this to happen, right? 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.060 From Genesis all the way through 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:31.740 when we are associated with biblical areas, right? 00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:34.140 It's been areas marked of turmoil 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:37.440 and fighting and strife and struggle 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:39.120 time and time again 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.920 that why in the world 00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:44.000 would God choose these places 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:46.860 in order to reveal himself, right? 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:49.140 We just read in this passage of scripture 00:14:49.140 --> 00:14:53.100 within it the connection to Syria that's there. 00:14:53.400 --> 00:14:55.500 And it got me even thinking more 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:58.040 of the locations in the places now 00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:59.520 because they all matter. 00:14:59.900 --> 00:15:02.820 They're not chosen by random circumstance 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:04.360 that God in his purpose, 00:15:04.520 --> 00:15:05.740 that God in his time, 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.960 that God in his will made these choices. 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:09.560 And for us, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:12.200 we hear these names in scripture a lot, 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:16.080 but we don't understand the impact of what's there 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.080 because we're not from that time, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.460 we're not from that place, 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:21.160 and so you don't know what it's like 00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:22.940 until you walk through that 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.980 and you get to experience that. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:27.920 Well, the first place that we hear in this 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:32.300 that helps us understand the story is Nazareth, 00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:35.240 that this is where they're going to come from 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.260 to Bethlehem. 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:37.760 This is where Jesus is going to live 00:15:37.760 --> 00:15:39.420 much of his childhood. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:42.920 It's why he's referred to as Jesus of Nazareth. 00:15:43.020 --> 00:15:45.900 So let's talk about this place for just a second. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:48.040 Let me describe it this way. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:51.060 Nazareth is kind of the tough area. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.860 Nazareth is the difficult area. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:59.200 Nazareth is the hard to live in area. 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:02.000 Like Nazareth is not a place 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.720 where people of influence come from there. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.980 Nazareth would never be a place 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:09.480 that you would go to or vacation. 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:11.260 It would probably be a place 00:16:11.260 --> 00:16:13.340 where you could get land really cheap 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.500 for a really good reason 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.080 because you can't give it away 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.480 kind of Nazareth place. 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:19.000 This is where we find 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.440 and this is where Jesus 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.100 is going to be associated with. 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:24.580 So I want us to think about this. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.400 As Jesus is walking 00:16:26.400 --> 00:16:28.760 and as Jesus is being identified 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:30.480 in all of the sovereignty 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.760 of all of what God could have chosen, 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:34.600 of where God could have placed him, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:37.800 he labeled him with this type 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:39.340 of rough place 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.640 where he would be from 00:16:40.640 --> 00:16:42.460 that people would associate him with. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.860 He was from the wrong side of the tracks, 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:46.320 the bad side of town. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:49.220 And this is where we find 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.300 that Jesus will be from. 00:16:51.020 --> 00:16:52.640 But God in his sovereignty 00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:54.340 didn't have him born there. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:56.760 Instead, he had him born in Bethlehem. 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:58.600 And this was intentional by God 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.360 as revealed in Micah 5 too 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.040 when it's declared 00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:02.620 that this is where the Messiah 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.540 will come from. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.300 Now, Bethlehem is different 00:17:05.300 --> 00:17:06.620 than Nazareth. 00:17:07.260 --> 00:17:08.800 It's got some importance. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.920 You hear the name 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:13.180 and it's associated with royalty. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.700 Bethlehem is called 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:16.740 the city of David for a reason. 00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:19.500 It's where great King David, 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.860 the one who slayed Goliath, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.580 the father of Solomon, 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:27.500 it was where he would be anointed king. 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:30.620 It's where Ruth and Boaz 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.960 would call home. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.160 So when you hear Bethlehem, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.000 you can think back 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.640 to some Old Testament days 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.540 of the royalty 00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:39.740 and of notable people 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.740 from Scripture who was there. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.420 It's an important known city. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.640 And so if Jesus is going to be 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.100 from Nazareth, 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.660 then at least God, right, 00:17:49.760 --> 00:17:51.380 gives him some notability, 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.720 some notoriety, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.020 and has him born 00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:56.260 in this noble town. 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.240 But let's begin to look 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.860 at the pieces 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:02.300 as God orchestrates this, right? 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:04.660 So God had Joseph born 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.400 in the lineage 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.460 that would bring them 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.940 through Bethlehem 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:09.220 in order to make this happen. 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.860 God willed and purposed Mary 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:14.220 to get engaged to Joseph. 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:16.380 And then through something else 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.360 that we can talk about 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:18.500 at a much different time 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.820 as God even works 00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:20.580 and orchestrates 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.380 in the hearts 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.740 and in the lives 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.020 of non-believers, 00:18:24.280 --> 00:18:25.460 takes a pagan ruler 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.840 and Caesar Augustus 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:28.480 and has him declared 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.180 that the whole world, right, 00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:31.620 not just a group of people, 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.300 but God says, 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.040 we're going to declare 00:18:33.040 --> 00:18:34.260 that the whole world 00:18:34.260 --> 00:18:36.000 must be registered 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.880 so that they have to journey 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.080 into this town 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.160 where I said 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.820 that Jesus would be born. 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.380 And so we look at that 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.260 and we're kind of blown away. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:44.640 Like, wow, 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:46.120 like God has handled 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:48.240 all of these details. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:50.580 God has worked this all out 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.700 that God knew 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.660 that this person 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.460 needed to be empowered 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.620 to make this decision 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.440 that they would have 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.260 to come here 00:18:56.260 --> 00:18:57.180 and do this thing 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.560 so that Micah 5, 2 00:18:58.560 --> 00:18:59.600 could be fulfilled. 00:18:59.760 --> 00:19:00.920 But if you know the story, 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.120 you know there's one part 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.960 in the logic 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.680 of working everything out 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:06.120 that's been left out. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.600 There's no place for them. 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.140 So why would it be 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:13.320 that God could purpose 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.980 and will 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.260 and to set in place 00:19:15.260 --> 00:19:16.600 in his sovereignty 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:18.900 that this carpenter man 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.140 from this town 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:21.520 through this lineage 00:19:21.520 --> 00:19:23.100 would make this journey 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.420 with his wife 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.260 and they would head 00:19:25.260 --> 00:19:26.040 into this town 00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:27.160 so that the prophecy 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.260 could be fulfilled 00:19:28.260 --> 00:19:30.040 but God missed out 00:19:30.040 --> 00:19:30.880 on the detail 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.840 to make sure 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.820 that there was just 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.980 one room open 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.980 at the inn. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.580 And here's the whole point 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.180 of the humility. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.920 God never missed it. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.060 God never missed it. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.640 Because in the telling 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.740 of the narrative 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.760 and the humility 00:19:45.760 --> 00:19:46.640 that is found 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.480 that the Savior 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.400 of the world, 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.400 the Messiah, 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.280 the King 00:19:50.280 --> 00:19:51.180 would be born 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.900 in this town 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.560 but not in a hospital, 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:56.340 not in an inn, 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:59.060 not in a home 00:19:59.060 --> 00:20:01.640 but that he would be born 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:03.580 in a cave 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.780 where livestock 00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:06.280 were kept. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.180 And so in the filth 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:11.340 and in the dirt 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:13.720 and in the nastiness 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.620 that was there 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:17.060 and the smells 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:19.220 is where Jesus 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:19.800 would be born. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.820 And we continue 00:20:21.820 --> 00:20:22.620 to see 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:24.220 the humility. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:25.860 You see, 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.640 Jesus was not going 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.240 to be a man 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.340 from Jerusalem 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:30.480 born in Rome 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.620 that would take place 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.720 in a palace. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.900 But he would be 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.780 this little boy 00:20:35.780 --> 00:20:37.160 from Nazareth 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.820 who his parents 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:39.880 would have to journey 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:41.480 and be told, 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:41.780 no, 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.840 you're not valuable 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:44.000 enough 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.620 for someone else 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.820 to be moved out. 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.020 Instead, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.340 let's move you 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:51.500 where the animals live. 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:53.720 and when you're born 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:55.780 will place you 00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.400 literally 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:58.100 in the trough 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.320 that they eat from. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.820 It's in the very beginning 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.740 of the narrative 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.840 of the life of Christ 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:05.560 and God's desire 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:07.160 to bring about us 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.400 a sense of humility. 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:09.720 We see the places 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.960 in which Jesus 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.040 is going to be from, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.760 the places in which Jesus 00:21:13.760 --> 00:21:15.680 is going to be associated with 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.520 or filled 00:21:16.520 --> 00:21:17.560 with humility. 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.120 But it's not just 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.680 the places, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.340 it's also the people. 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.080 Talked about her 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:23.980 last week, right? 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:24.420 Mary, 00:21:24.760 --> 00:21:25.920 somewhere between the ages 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:27.480 of 12 to 14 years old, 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.020 little Jewish girl 00:21:29.020 --> 00:21:30.240 from nowhere, 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.680 and she was chosen 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.300 by God. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.800 She wasn't chosen 00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:34.380 by God 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.560 because of the claim 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:36.260 that she had. 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.440 She wasn't chosen 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.900 by God 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.620 because people said, 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.280 you see this girl, 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.540 we can follow her, 00:21:40.780 --> 00:21:41.920 she's got great leadership. 00:21:42.260 --> 00:21:43.160 She was chosen 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.100 by God 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:45.620 because of her humility 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.540 and obedience 00:21:46.540 --> 00:21:47.800 because she lived 00:21:47.800 --> 00:21:48.520 her life 00:21:48.520 --> 00:21:49.320 to not do 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.260 what she wanted, 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.920 not to assert herself 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.620 to be the strong personality, 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.180 but she lived her life 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.860 in humility 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.640 out of obedience. 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:57.580 And so that's 00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.480 the mother of God. 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.700 But within this, 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.380 there's also 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.640 the earthly father, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.360 Joseph. 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:02.740 Now, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.900 we don't know 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:05.580 a lot about Joseph, 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:05.900 all right? 00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:07.220 Here's what we do know, 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.660 that he's a carpenter. 00:22:09.260 --> 00:22:09.640 We don't know 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.380 if he's a successful carpenter 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:13.360 or not a successful carpenter, 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.360 but that's what he does 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:14.860 for a living, 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.760 which means this. 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:17.640 He's not in politics. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.500 He's not in power. 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:21.360 He doesn't have authority 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:23.320 and he doesn't have influence. 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.760 And so in the lineage 00:22:24.760 --> 00:22:25.620 that you would find 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.520 from King David, 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.100 this has not been 00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:29.860 passed down to him. 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:30.820 This is not 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:32.180 where we see Joseph. 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.080 So the earthly parents 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:34.840 of Jesus 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:36.340 are just going to be 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.520 your regular, 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.500 everyday, 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.300 average people. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.980 And this is who God 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.780 chooses. 00:22:43.780 --> 00:22:45.000 The humble people 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.860 that will come 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:47.560 in their obedience 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:49.540 to be the earthly 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:50.900 parents of Jesus. 00:22:51.780 --> 00:22:52.300 But at least 00:22:52.300 --> 00:22:53.020 the audience, 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.360 right? 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.740 Like God could do 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.700 something different 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.840 in the audience. 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.420 God could choose 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:00.240 kings and queens 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.940 that night 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.720 to come celebrate. 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.800 God could choose 00:23:02.800 --> 00:23:04.100 religious leaders 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.160 in this narrative 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.720 to be able to 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.440 point us to. 00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.460 God could choose 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.680 people of power 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:10.160 and people of authority. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.960 but he chooses 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.440 shepherds. 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.100 Shepherds. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.360 Now, 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.960 shepherds live 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.600 their life 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:19.240 basically by camping. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:19.640 All right? 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:19.860 Now, 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.180 my family, 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.360 we love to camp. 00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:23.060 Here's what I want 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:23.660 to tell you guys 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.420 about camping. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.200 We got any campers 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.720 in here? 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.320 Raise your hand 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.920 if you like to camp. 00:23:27.020 --> 00:23:27.260 All right? 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:28.680 Here's what I want 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.140 to tell you 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.800 about those of us 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:32.020 who like to camp. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.640 When you go camping, 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.140 there's something 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.860 that happens 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.760 between here 00:23:37.760 --> 00:23:38.700 and there. 00:23:39.520 --> 00:23:40.700 It's a level 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.860 of you stop caring 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.380 what you're going 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.940 to look like 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.440 for as long 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.960 as you camp, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.140 right? 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.120 Like everybody's camping 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.460 and you're like, 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:45.620 yeah, 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.120 that's kind of 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.740 what we do, 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:46.980 right? 00:23:47.020 --> 00:23:47.960 Like you get there 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.880 and you go camping. 00:23:49.020 --> 00:23:49.080 Now, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:51.280 your depth of camping 00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:53.120 will affect that greatly, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.440 right? 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.300 So if you go tent camping, 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:57.240 like I can sometimes 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.540 convince my wife 00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.340 to go do, 00:23:59.580 --> 00:23:59.740 right? 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.600 Very quickly, 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.340 it's like we're just 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.120 going to be covered 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.800 in dirt 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.640 and bug bites 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.340 for the next two 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:04.900 or three days, 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.100 right? 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.760 And that's what 00:24:05.760 --> 00:24:06.200 it's going to be. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.600 Now, 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.940 when we go glamping 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.020 in the big old camper 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:10.060 where there's showers 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.980 and all that, 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.860 that kind of looks 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.520 a little different. 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.440 But if you're going 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:13.980 to camp, 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:15.360 you kind of, 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.540 it's not the same thing 00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:17.600 as staying at the resort 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.920 or going on the cruise ship, 00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:19.180 right? 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:21.000 Like leave those clothes away. 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.820 So you look a little rougher 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.620 when you get back, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.440 at least I am. 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.720 The thing that I like to do 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.000 when we get back camping 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.840 is I like to take 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.440 the longest shower 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.840 of the year for me, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.020 right? 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:32.260 I just let it all 00:24:32.260 --> 00:24:33.560 get off of me. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:33.980 Now, 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:34.500 here's the deal. 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.720 Shepherds live 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.860 their whole life camping. 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.780 This is who they are. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.620 They were dirty. 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:43.080 They smelled bad. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.860 They live nomadic lives. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.980 And like when I say 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.120 camping for them, 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:49.980 it would be 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.280 they kept their cloak 00:24:51.280 --> 00:24:52.040 with them. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:53.200 They laid their head 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.360 down on the rock. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:57.220 They laid in the same area 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.940 where their animals were. 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:01.180 they began to smell like them 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.820 and this is the life 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.760 that they lived. 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:06.700 They typically didn't have families. 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:09.240 They typically were strangers 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:12.580 out in the wilderness. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.820 And most times, 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.640 I read a guy 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.400 that just said 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.980 the politest way 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.480 that it could be 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.980 that basically shepherds 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.800 were not known 00:25:20.800 --> 00:25:21.840 for what he called 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.420 their depth 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.400 of thinking abilities, 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:23.720 right? 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:25.060 Like this is who they are. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.580 But God 00:25:26.580 --> 00:25:28.400 in his sovereignty 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:30.420 who could have chosen 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.500 anyone 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:33.080 on that first 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:34.780 Christmas night 00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:36.480 sends them. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.180 The outcast. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.660 The least of these. 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.820 And so what we see 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:44.700 in this Christmas story 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:46.300 is humble people 00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:48.040 from humble places 00:25:48.040 --> 00:25:49.560 and this is where 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:50.980 God brings in 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.760 the Savior 00:25:51.760 --> 00:25:52.860 of the world. 00:25:53.780 --> 00:25:54.660 Not born 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:56.340 to a virgin queen, 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:58.220 to a father 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.420 who rules nations, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.480 to be celebrated 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.140 by those 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.120 who live in power, 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.480 but humble people 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:07.280 in humble places. 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:09.460 So the question 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.960 that I have 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.680 for us this morning 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:12.200 is why? 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.860 Why? 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.140 God wrote the narrative. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.140 God set it all 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.800 into place. 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:21.620 God in his writing 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.320 of history 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:25.000 chose this setting 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.200 for the Messiah 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.280 to come. 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.680 Why? 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.400 Here's the only thing 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.120 that I can come to 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.980 because it fits 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.580 the message. 00:26:37.020 --> 00:26:38.300 It fits the message 00:26:38.300 --> 00:26:40.480 that God 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.200 who created 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.980 and who wrote 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.800 the story 00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:45.400 with humble people 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.440 in humble places 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:48.160 is calling 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.080 to himself 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:50.720 humble people 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.460 from humble places 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:54.440 to respond to him 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:56.600 because what he needs 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:58.080 is people 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.060 who have 00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.800 an accurate 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.780 picture 00:27:00.780 --> 00:27:02.620 of themselves. 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.360 Mary knew 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.120 who she was. 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:06.480 You heard it 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.120 in her song. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.080 Joseph knew 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.220 who he was. 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.440 He stood 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.500 alongside Mary 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.240 the shepherds 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.760 knew what they 00:27:14.760 --> 00:27:15.160 were 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.640 and they were 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.480 willing to obey 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:19.900 that the message 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.400 of God 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.140 drawing 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.820 humble hearts 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.480 to himself. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.680 Look at the 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.200 declaration 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.780 that the angel 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:28.240 gives 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.000 to him 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.600 in Luke 2 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.120 verse 10. 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:32.180 And the angel 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.920 said to them 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:34.500 fear not 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.960 for behold 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.560 I bring you 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:37.380 good news 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.840 of great joy 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.880 that will be 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.680 for all people. 00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:42.280 for unto you 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:42.780 is born 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:43.420 this day 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.140 in the city 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.960 of David 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.280 a savior 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:48.860 who is 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.880 Christ 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.600 the Lord. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.040 That from the 00:27:52.040 --> 00:27:53.040 very first 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:53.700 proclamation 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.740 of what's 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.220 publicly 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.120 going to be 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.660 made known 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.480 that the hope 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.360 of Jesus 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.160 who comes 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.540 and what 00:28:01.540 --> 00:28:02.420 he is coming 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.000 to do 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.100 Jesus is going 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.560 to do a lot 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.140 of things. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.720 Jesus is going 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.300 to heal. 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:09.020 Jesus is going 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:09.740 to restore. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.380 Jesus is going 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:11.720 to teach 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.580 about relationships. 00:28:13.020 --> 00:28:13.400 Jesus is going 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.080 to work through 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.260 all of these 00:28:15.260 --> 00:28:16.260 things but that 00:28:16.260 --> 00:28:17.380 in and who 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.280 he is 00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:19.120 he is 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.240 from the very 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.060 meaning 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:22.500 of his name 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:24.840 he is a savior. 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.080 And so Jesus 00:28:27.080 --> 00:28:27.960 didn't come 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.720 to make you 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.280 and I feel 00:28:30.280 --> 00:28:30.780 better about 00:28:30.780 --> 00:28:31.420 who we are. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.300 Jesus didn't 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:34.440 come to make 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.220 us feel better 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.120 about the bad 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.860 decisions we've 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.200 made. 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.860 Jesus came 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.400 because the 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.500 world needed 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.480 to be saved 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.700 from themselves 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.840 and only 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:45.320 he can do 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.600 it. 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.820 As we begin 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.700 to understand 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.180 as we begin 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.700 to process 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:52.140 through an 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.000 accurate picture 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.640 of ourselves 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.980 and God 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.660 helps us do 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.040 this. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.400 God doesn't 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.660 say go be 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.520 humble and 00:28:59.520 --> 00:29:00.240 not begin to 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.320 birth within 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:02.180 us the 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.780 ability to 00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:04.480 see within 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.400 ourselves who 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:05.900 we are. 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.660 the depravity 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.220 that fills 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.660 us the 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:10.340 sin that 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:11.380 consumes us 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:11.940 and one of 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.200 the most 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:13.260 gracious things 00:29:13.260 --> 00:29:13.980 that God 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.960 does is he 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.380 gives us 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:16.020 the law. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.260 Now growing 00:29:17.260 --> 00:29:18.180 up when you 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.680 walked into 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.140 the house 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.620 which we 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.220 lived in 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.340 you walked 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:21.800 into our 00:29:21.800 --> 00:29:22.340 front door 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:22.900 and I'll 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.520 never forget 00:29:23.520 --> 00:29:24.360 on the wall 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.200 as you saw 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.120 it as you 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.560 were coming 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:27.740 in my mom 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.280 had ordered 00:29:28.280 --> 00:29:28.860 from the 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.660 home interior 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.660 company right 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.900 this wooden 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:33.000 brass 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.780 declaration right 00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.340 of the ten 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:36.600 commandments so 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.160 that when we 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:38.200 walked in 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:39.020 that's what 00:29:39.020 --> 00:29:39.620 we saw on 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.020 the wall 00:29:40.020 --> 00:29:40.820 and that's 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.360 what marked 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.220 us and for 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.240 for so many 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.100 people when 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.360 they see the 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:46.160 ten commandments 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.180 what they see 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.380 it as is a 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.440 is a standard 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.520 at which to 00:29:50.520 --> 00:29:51.720 live by and 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.880 that by looking 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.660 at that standard 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.640 we can set the 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.160 goal for 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:55.800 ourselves of 00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.420 what we're 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.260 supposed to do 00:29:57.260 --> 00:29:57.960 and what we're 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.560 supposed to be 00:29:58.560 --> 00:29:59.080 and I don't 00:29:59.080 --> 00:29:59.540 want to take 00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.360 away from that 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.780 right like 00:30:00.780 --> 00:30:01.620 like everything 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.280 within there 00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:03.140 is the truth 00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:03.880 of god's word 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.680 that we push 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.240 at and as we 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.240 pursue as to 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.880 the power of 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.480 the holy spirit 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.380 he transforms 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.660 that but have 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.740 you ever taken 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:12.520 an honest reading 00:30:12.520 --> 00:30:13.600 of the ten 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:14.600 commandments and 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.220 then compared 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.080 yourself to it 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:17.940 have you ever 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.940 had an honest 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:20.520 conversation within 00:30:20.520 --> 00:30:22.340 who you are by 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:23.240 holding yourself 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.100 up to the 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.800 standard of god 00:30:24.800 --> 00:30:26.240 if you haven't 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.940 let's do that 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.420 real quick 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:29.160 now I want 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:29.460 to tell you 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.860 I want to 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.880 leave out some 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.440 of the really 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.380 bad stuff 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.600 we're going to 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.860 keep this g-rated 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:36.280 for the audience 00:30:36.280 --> 00:30:37.880 today and I'm 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.320 going to be a 00:30:38.320 --> 00:30:39.140 little gracious to 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.960 us because I 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.400 got to beat 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.180 myself up this 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.900 week by going 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.380 through this 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.940 we're going to 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.620 kind of eliminate 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.900 the first handful 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.740 that deal with 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.980 idolatry not 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.620 that that's not 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.600 important but that 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.220 would take us way 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.900 too long to 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.840 navigate through 00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.580 all that so 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:51.900 we're going to 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.580 pick back up a 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.160 little bit farther 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.980 down and kind 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.600 of work through 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.140 some of these 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.600 so I want to 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.040 ask you this 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.840 question oh and 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.240 by the way 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.020 we're going to 00:30:58.020 --> 00:30:58.840 let your answers 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.540 be between you 00:30:59.540 --> 00:30:59.960 and the lord 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.520 all right so 00:31:00.520 --> 00:31:01.500 no showing of 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.000 hands or anything 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.580 like that all 00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.360 right number 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:05.080 one have you 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:05.720 ever taken the 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.300 lord's name in 00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:07.820 vain so let's 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:08.300 let's talk about 00:31:08.300 --> 00:31:08.820 that for a second 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:10.060 keeping this 00:31:10.060 --> 00:31:10.880 like I said a 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.660 little g-rated 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.060 so here's what 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:12.420 I want to say 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:12.900 here's what that 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:14.180 means have you 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.080 ever in a moment 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.740 through the words 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.320 that come out of 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:17.180 your mouth used 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.760 God or the name 00:31:18.760 --> 00:31:20.200 Jesus flippantly 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:23.120 God I hope not 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.780 we say 00:31:23.780 --> 00:31:30.660 Jesus not in the 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.300 context that we're 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:31.900 talking to him 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:34.540 and in those 00:31:34.540 --> 00:31:36.820 moments we use it 00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:37.260 in a way that 00:31:37.260 --> 00:31:37.680 you're not bringing 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:41.040 glory the standard 00:31:41.040 --> 00:31:43.480 says remember the 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:46.580 sabbath have you 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:48.220 ever taken what's 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.340 precious to God in 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:50.080 the time that he 00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:51.000 longs to spend with 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:53.440 us and he used 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:56.360 it selfishly in a 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:56.960 time that's been 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.640 taken away from 00:31:57.640 --> 00:32:01.060 him God's word 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.940 says and parents 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.640 if you're in here 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.520 you love this one 00:32:03.520 --> 00:32:04.780 right I do honor 00:32:04.780 --> 00:32:05.640 your father and 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.400 mother but let's 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.260 be honest God 00:32:07.260 --> 00:32:08.120 never sets an age 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:10.800 limit on that so 00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:11.240 I don't care if 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.040 you're one or 00:32:12.040 --> 00:32:14.640 you're 100 God's 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:16.120 standard says honor 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:17.060 your father and 00:32:17.060 --> 00:32:17.920 mother and have 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:19.240 you ever done or 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.900 said anything that 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:22.000 brought attack or 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.180 disgrace onto your 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:25.460 parents and this is 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.260 the standard that we 00:32:26.260 --> 00:32:29.360 accept not just if 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:29.980 your parents are 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:32.960 believers do not 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.800 murder thinking well 00:32:34.800 --> 00:32:35.820 I'm good at that 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:37.320 one but Jesus's words 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:38.920 are very clear have 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.660 you ever hated 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:42.180 someone have you 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.320 ever hated someone 00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:45.920 says do not commit 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.960 adultery and we can 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.860 break this down 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:49.880 multiple ways but 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.700 we'll just kind of 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.360 go into at the 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.620 easiest way maybe 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.500 maybe the less 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.620 aggressive way and 00:32:54.620 --> 00:32:56.380 say this do not 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.740 commit adultery what 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:59.000 does your thought life 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:07.160 look like if you're 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.200 married have you ever 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:09.160 wish that your spouse 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.240 was a little bit like 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.900 someone you worked 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:13.220 with and your heart 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:15.360 began to kind of like 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:17.020 that aspect of them more 00:33:17.020 --> 00:33:17.900 than the commitment to 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:21.020 them do not steal 00:33:21.020 --> 00:33:23.780 all right maybe we have 00:33:23.780 --> 00:33:24.760 no bank robbers in 00:33:24.760 --> 00:33:26.580 here that's good but 00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.560 have you ever stolen 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.940 time from your 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.900 employer showed up 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.680 five minutes late and 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.520 then lied about it 00:33:32.520 --> 00:33:34.560 have you ever taken 00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.600 credit for something 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.440 that someone else has 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.660 done or maybe just 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.600 not refuted when 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.740 someone else praises 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.520 you when you know you 00:33:40.520 --> 00:33:41.240 had nothing to do with 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.960 it have you ever 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:45.760 just fudged a little 00:33:45.760 --> 00:33:46.600 bit on your taxes 00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:48.260 right like you drop 00:33:48.260 --> 00:33:50.600 off that bag of nasty 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.740 tore up clothes at 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.900 Goodwill and they give 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.940 you the blank receipt 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.840 and you come home and 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.780 now you've given like 00:33:56.780 --> 00:33:58.080 ten flat screen TVs to 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:58.640 them like have you ever 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.060 done that 00:33:59.060 --> 00:34:01.940 Bible says do not bear 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.780 false witness 00:34:02.780 --> 00:34:05.960 have you ever heard 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:07.060 information about 00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:08.040 someone else that's 00:34:08.040 --> 00:34:08.980 negative and you don't 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.800 know whether it's true 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.660 or not but you repeated 00:34:10.660 --> 00:34:11.500 it to someone else 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:13.120 I didn't know it's just 00:34:13.120 --> 00:34:13.700 what I heard 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:16.500 do not covet 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:19.020 have you ever seen 00:34:19.020 --> 00:34:20.340 something that someone 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.560 else has that you 00:34:21.560 --> 00:34:22.560 don't have and you 00:34:22.560 --> 00:34:24.140 felt more deserving to 00:34:24.140 --> 00:34:25.000 have it than they did 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:28.580 it's the standard 00:34:28.580 --> 00:34:31.600 now here's the thing 00:34:31.600 --> 00:34:33.640 scripture is clear 00:34:33.640 --> 00:34:37.740 if you've only done 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:40.640 one of these one time 00:34:40.640 --> 00:34:43.300 in your life just one 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:46.240 just one time then 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:46.680 you're guilty 00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:48.820 you're guilty 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:50.540 you're guilty 00:34:50.540 --> 00:34:53.100 and the standing 00:34:53.100 --> 00:34:54.980 that we have 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:56.400 before God 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:58.240 says that we're 00:34:58.240 --> 00:35:00.280 not worthy 00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.320 of him 00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:03.940 and so God 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:05.540 appears 00:35:05.540 --> 00:35:07.820 in humble places 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.660 to humble people 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:11.600 to show us something 00:35:11.600 --> 00:35:12.140 powerful 00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:14.500 that when we come to 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:14.840 him 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:17.260 it's not what we 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.320 can bring to him 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:20.720 it's not what we 00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.400 can do 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.160 for him 00:35:22.160 --> 00:35:24.060 that the heart 00:35:24.060 --> 00:35:24.660 of the gospel 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.280 for you 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.940 and for me 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:27.760 says that we've 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.220 broken 00:35:28.220 --> 00:35:29.980 and we've offended 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.540 God 00:35:30.540 --> 00:35:31.600 more times 00:35:31.600 --> 00:35:32.200 than we know 00:35:32.200 --> 00:35:34.280 but that not only 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:34.740 that 00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:36.220 but in 00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.880 and of 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.600 ourselves 00:35:37.600 --> 00:35:38.940 when we do 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.480 good 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:41.440 when we do 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.020 these things 00:35:42.020 --> 00:35:42.440 and we say 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:43.260 but God 00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:43.780 I can do 00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:44.160 this 00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:45.000 but God 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.260 I did 00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:45.700 this 00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:46.440 but God 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:46.780 I did 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.240 this 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:48.520 that God's word 00:35:48.520 --> 00:35:49.500 says that our 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:50.040 righteousness 00:35:50.040 --> 00:35:51.260 that comes from 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:52.300 within ourselves 00:35:52.300 --> 00:35:53.480 of all that we 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.060 can muster 00:35:54.060 --> 00:35:55.060 is like filthy 00:35:55.060 --> 00:35:56.020 rags before him 00:35:56.020 --> 00:35:59.380 and so what we 00:35:59.380 --> 00:35:59.820 need 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:01.940 is exactly 00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:03.940 what the angels 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:05.220 come to say 00:36:05.220 --> 00:36:07.240 I love their first 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:07.800 two words 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:09.240 fear 00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:10.500 not 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:12.400 right 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.480 sitting in this 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:13.920 room 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:16.700 watching online 00:36:16.700 --> 00:36:18.960 is a bunch 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.040 of guilty 00:36:20.040 --> 00:36:20.500 people 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:22.620 who all 00:36:22.620 --> 00:36:22.980 deserve 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.540 wrath 00:36:23.540 --> 00:36:25.340 who all 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:25.700 deserve 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:26.180 hell 00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:27.680 but in the 00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:28.300 proclamation 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:29.140 of all 00:36:29.140 --> 00:36:29.600 that we've 00:36:29.600 --> 00:36:29.920 done 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.200 the word 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:31.600 of God 00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:32.240 comes before 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:32.620 us 00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:33.440 and says 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:34.180 fear not 00:36:34.180 --> 00:36:35.560 because I bring 00:36:35.560 --> 00:36:36.480 good news 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.800 of the gospel 00:36:37.800 --> 00:36:38.760 to you 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:40.160 and that as I 00:36:40.160 --> 00:36:40.940 bring this 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.320 as I project 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.080 forth about 00:36:43.080 --> 00:36:43.740 the savior 00:36:43.740 --> 00:36:44.600 of the world 00:36:44.600 --> 00:36:45.400 that there's a 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.080 positioning 00:36:46.080 --> 00:36:47.520 found in God's 00:36:47.520 --> 00:36:47.820 people 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.800 to receive it 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:50.220 and it's 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:50.940 not one 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:51.700 that says 00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:53.520 look at me 00:36:53.520 --> 00:36:55.360 it's not one 00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:55.840 that says 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.620 well I deserve 00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:57.380 to be saved 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.920 it's not one 00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.320 that says 00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.920 I know 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:01.720 it's one 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.340 that says 00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:03.800 I bring 00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:04.520 nothing to 00:37:04.520 --> 00:37:04.900 you 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:06.440 but instead 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:07.780 you give 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.480 this to me 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:10.400 humility 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.200 an accurate 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:12.900 picture of 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.580 who we are 00:37:13.580 --> 00:37:15.060 completely 00:37:15.060 --> 00:37:15.820 lost without 00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.300 Christ 00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:17.660 and an 00:37:17.660 --> 00:37:18.520 accurate picture 00:37:18.520 --> 00:37:19.060 of who he 00:37:19.060 --> 00:37:19.340 is 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.940 completely 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:22.080 holy 00:37:22.080 --> 00:37:23.540 and just 00:37:23.540 --> 00:37:24.700 and good 00:37:24.700 --> 00:37:25.620 and loving 00:37:25.620 --> 00:37:27.760 and so that's 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:28.040 why 00:37:28.040 --> 00:37:29.860 God reveals 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.400 himself 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.680 to humble 00:37:31.680 --> 00:37:32.180 people 00:37:32.180 --> 00:37:33.420 in humble 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.000 places 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:35.380 because it 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:35.780 helps us 00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.300 understand 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.400 the message 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:38.020 of the gospel 00:37:38.020 --> 00:37:39.160 would you pray 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:39.980 with me 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:44.900 Lord we thank 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.660 you so much 00:37:45.660 --> 00:37:49.580 for who you 00:37:49.580 --> 00:37:50.040 are and for 00:37:50.040 --> 00:37:50.400 what you've 00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:50.640 done 00:37:50.640 --> 00:37:53.440 your word 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:53.900 is very 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:54.340 clear 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.740 Lord 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:56.400 that you 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:56.880 have a 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:57.300 standard 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.740 that we 00:37:57.740 --> 00:37:58.160 cannot 00:37:58.160 --> 00:37:58.740 fulfill 00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.360 that we 00:37:59.360 --> 00:37:59.780 cannot 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.700 uphold 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:01.320 that we 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:01.700 cannot 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:02.440 see through 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.680 as much 00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:03.920 as we 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:04.640 may try 00:38:04.640 --> 00:38:06.660 to be 00:38:06.660 --> 00:38:07.100 religious 00:38:07.100 --> 00:38:09.040 as much 00:38:09.040 --> 00:38:09.280 as we 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:09.920 may try 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.540 to be 00:38:10.540 --> 00:38:10.900 good 00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:11.540 we can 00:38:11.540 --> 00:38:11.900 never 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.160 be 00:38:12.160 --> 00:38:12.620 religious 00:38:12.620 --> 00:38:13.160 enough 00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:13.680 we can 00:38:13.680 --> 00:38:14.060 never 00:38:14.060 --> 00:38:14.380 be 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:14.660 good 00:38:14.660 --> 00:38:15.160 enough 00:38:15.160 --> 00:38:17.160 and so 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:17.740 Lord you 00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.660 come to 00:38:18.660 --> 00:38:19.240 us 00:38:19.240 --> 00:38:20.940 to save 00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.460 us 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:23.100 Lord those 00:38:23.100 --> 00:38:23.420 who are 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:23.880 who are 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.460 saved 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.340 need to be 00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:26.140 saved 00:38:26.140 --> 00:38:26.660 because they 00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:27.340 cannot save 00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:27.960 themselves 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.980 and that's 00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:29.380 where you 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:30.060 appear 00:38:30.060 --> 00:38:31.960 and that's 00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:32.260 where you 00:38:32.260 --> 00:38:32.860 reveal 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.200 and that's 00:38:34.200 --> 00:38:34.500 what you 00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.140 show as 00:38:35.140 --> 00:38:35.940 you draw 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.660 hearts 00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:38.060 to yourself 00:38:38.060 --> 00:38:39.700 because of 00:38:39.700 --> 00:38:40.160 who you 00:38:40.160 --> 00:38:40.840 are Lord 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:42.080 and what 00:38:42.080 --> 00:38:42.360 you've 00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:42.740 done 00:38:42.740 --> 00:38:44.140 God I 00:38:44.140 --> 00:38:44.780 pray that 00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.440 this morning 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.620 if we 00:38:46.620 --> 00:38:47.300 walked into 00:38:47.300 --> 00:38:47.940 this room 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.700 with any 00:38:48.700 --> 00:38:49.680 sense of 00:38:49.680 --> 00:38:51.000 self-righteousness 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.840 if we walked 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.200 into here 00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:52.780 with any 00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:53.540 sense of 00:38:53.540 --> 00:38:54.460 saying that 00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.620 we deserve 00:38:55.620 --> 00:38:56.300 anything 00:38:56.300 --> 00:38:56.940 from you 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.080 anything 00:38:58.080 --> 00:39:02.300 Lord can we 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:02.860 take that 00:39:02.860 --> 00:39:03.400 part 00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:04.520 of our 00:39:04.520 --> 00:39:04.860 sinful 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.340 heart 00:39:05.340 --> 00:39:08.000 and lay 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:08.560 it down 00:39:08.560 --> 00:39:09.160 and repent 00:39:09.160 --> 00:39:11.340 so that 00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:11.820 we may 00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:12.400 experience 00:39:12.400 --> 00:39:12.980 the joy 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.240 and the 00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:13.680 life that 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:14.120 comes from 00:39:14.120 --> 00:39:14.320 you 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.860 may this 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.180 be our 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:16.680 posture 00:39:16.680 --> 00:39:17.580 of every 00:39:17.580 --> 00:39:18.000 day 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:18.580 of every 00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:19.120 moment 00:39:19.120 --> 00:39:19.680 of every 00:39:19.680 --> 00:39:20.220 hour 00:39:20.220 --> 00:39:20.840 of what 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.440 it means 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.060 to show 00:39:22.060 --> 00:39:22.960 fear of 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.600 the Lord 00:39:23.600 --> 00:39:24.540 humility 00:39:24.540 --> 00:39:25.320 before the 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:25.720 Lord 00:39:25.720 --> 00:39:29.100 who you 00:39:29.100 --> 00:39:29.500 are 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:32.440 what you 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:32.760 done 00:39:32.760 --> 00:39:36.700 so Lord 00:39:36.700 --> 00:39:37.040 I thank 00:39:37.040 --> 00:39:37.340 you that 00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:37.760 you come 00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:37.980 to 00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:39.800 weak 00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:40.840 dirty 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.420 outcast 00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.120 shepherds 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:43.820 like us 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:46.160 and you 00:39:46.160 --> 00:39:47.000 speak the 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.460 joy 00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:48.680 of salvation 00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:49.820 into our 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.200 lives 00:39:50.200 --> 00:39:51.780 Jesus we 00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.340 love you 00:39:52.340 --> 00:39:53.240 we praise 00:39:53.240 --> 00:39:53.540 you 00:39:53.540 --> 00:39:54.500 it's your name 00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:54.880 we pray 00:39:54.880 --> 00:40:09.760 thanks again 00:40:09.760 --> 00:40:10.280 for listening 00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:10.640 to the 00:40:10.640 --> 00:40:11.060 Willow Ridge 00:40:11.060 --> 00:40:11.780 Church weekly 00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.960 podcast we 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.380 hope that you 00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.040 enjoyed listening 00:40:14.040 --> 00:40:14.680 to this week's 00:40:14.680 --> 00:40:15.740 message if 00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:16.200 you'd like to 00:40:16.200 --> 00:40:16.580 learn more 00:40:16.580 --> 00:40:17.020 about who 00:40:17.020 --> 00:40:17.720 we are or 00:40:17.720 --> 00:40:18.500 explore additional 00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:19.820 resources visit 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:20.820 us online at 00:40:20.820 --> 00:40:24.080 www.willowridgechurch.com 00:40:24.080 --> 00:40:25.280 or by searching 00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:25.960 for Willow Ridge 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.560 Church on 00:40:26.560 --> 00:40:27.260 Facebook and 00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:27.660 Instagram