WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.900 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.500 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:27.800 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:30.880 and be sure to check back next week to hear the latest message. 00:00:31.200 --> 00:00:32.080 Thanks for listening. 00:00:44.760 --> 00:00:47.720 Amen. It is a long story, but it is a good one. Amen? 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:51.660 Amen. Well, good evening and Merry Christmas. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:57.080 We're excited for you guys to be here with us tonight as we celebrate the birth 00:00:57.080 --> 00:00:59.740 of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:02.600 A lot of you are here, and you call Willow Ridge Church home, 00:01:02.800 --> 00:01:05.680 and you know us, and we're grateful, and we're glad that you're here, 00:01:05.800 --> 00:01:06.980 but a lot of you don't. 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:10.480 And so whether you came because some friends invited you, 00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:11.920 and you live here in the area, 00:01:12.040 --> 00:01:14.720 or maybe you're in town visiting friends and family, 00:01:14.800 --> 00:01:15.800 and so you came with them, 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:18.520 we're just glad that each and every one of you are here 00:01:18.520 --> 00:01:20.460 as we celebrate together. 00:01:20.660 --> 00:01:23.200 A couple of things as we kind of go through the service. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:24.760 If you've been around Willow Ridge, 00:01:24.820 --> 00:01:26.260 you know all the things that I'm talking about, 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:29.520 but if not, I want to make sure everybody's aware of what we're going to be doing tonight. 00:01:29.880 --> 00:01:32.880 First off, at the end of this service, or toward the end of the service, 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:34.840 we're going to celebrate Lord's Supper together. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:37.720 And so hopefully you're able to go back as you came in 00:01:37.720 --> 00:01:39.860 and grab you one of these Lord's Supper cups. 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:42.260 Got the bread on top and the juice underneath. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.460 If you didn't get one, I promise we won't think less of you. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:47.880 You can go back right now and grab one of those. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:51.780 We want you to have that so you can take part in the Lord's Supper together. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:54.080 But then also at the end of our service, 00:01:54.160 --> 00:01:57.060 something that we started doing during the month of December 00:01:57.060 --> 00:01:59.600 was above our normal tithes and offerings. 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:03.480 We decided that we were going to look to bless Hope Valley Church, 00:02:03.580 --> 00:02:05.280 which is in West Jordan, Utah. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:08.880 We've been working and partnered with the Stotman family now 00:02:08.880 --> 00:02:11.060 for a little bit over a year. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:13.760 We've sent a missions team out to work with them 00:02:13.760 --> 00:02:18.020 and they are planting a church outside of Salt Lake City 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:21.400 to reach that community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:02:21.540 --> 00:02:23.280 And so over the course of this month, 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:26.120 we've been collecting an additional offering 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:29.440 to bless the Stotmans and to bless Hope Valley Church. 00:02:29.600 --> 00:02:32.200 And so as you leave, there's a box right here. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:34.180 You could come up and you could put it right here. 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:35.420 But then as you leave also, 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:38.600 right straight at the back of our auditorium underneath the exit sign, 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:42.380 there's another box that looks just like this with a hole in the top of it. 00:02:42.440 --> 00:02:46.340 And so if you wanted to drop an additional offering in that as well, 00:02:46.660 --> 00:02:51.280 all the money that we raise will go directly to them. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:55.780 Well, tonight as we take part in this exciting service, 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:00.500 we want to start off by reading about the birth of Jesus Christ. 00:03:00.820 --> 00:03:04.040 And so I'm going to read starting in Luke chapter 2, 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:05.780 starting in verse 1. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:07.080 It says, 00:03:07.200 --> 00:03:13.240 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the world should be registered. 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:18.780 And this was the first registration when Canerius was governor of Syria. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:22.900 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:29.060 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.920 to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:35.440 because he was of the house and lineage of David, 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:39.720 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:03:40.720 --> 00:03:44.080 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:49.080 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.220 and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for him in the inn. 00:03:54.260 --> 00:03:55.040 In verse 8, 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.400 In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, 00:03:58.540 --> 00:04:00.420 keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:03.220 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:05.440 and the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.420 And they were filled with great fear. 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:09.700 And the angel said to them, 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:14.760 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:20.320 For unto you is born this day in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:22.680 And this will be a sign for you. 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:26.620 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:31.980 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:33.300 praising God and saying, 00:04:33.760 --> 00:04:35.240 Glory to God in the highest, 00:04:35.900 --> 00:04:38.960 and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. 00:04:39.840 --> 00:04:43.260 And when the angels went away from them into heaven, 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:45.160 the shepherds said to one another, 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:49.760 Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 00:04:50.320 --> 00:04:52.420 which the Lord has made known to us. 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:57.560 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph in the baby line in a manger. 00:04:57.880 --> 00:05:02.740 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:07.140 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 00:05:07.840 --> 00:05:11.820 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:18.620 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:21.460 as it has been told to them. 00:05:22.260 --> 00:05:24.520 As we look at this Christmas narrative, 00:05:24.520 --> 00:05:32.360 I want to connect with us some of the things and the traditions that we've brought into this Christmas season. 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:37.000 And one of them, and it kind of adds to the excitement in the room, right, 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.960 especially with kids in the room, 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:42.720 is Christmas is filled with exchanging. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.760 Maybe even before today or tonight, 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:49.200 more than likely tomorrow, 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:51.920 and even maybe in some days after tomorrow, 00:05:52.140 --> 00:05:55.420 you're going to exchange things with one another, 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:57.980 and you'll exchange things with others. 00:05:58.640 --> 00:05:59.840 You'll exchange gifts. 00:06:00.760 --> 00:06:02.020 You'll exchange hugs. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:07.080 You'll exchange cards and greetings and so many more. 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:10.880 And even some of my favorite, you'll exchange baked goods as well, right? 00:06:11.760 --> 00:06:15.360 And the story of the birth and life of Jesus, 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:19.160 and what we want to draw from this before we take in the Lord's Supper, 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:21.980 is it's filled with exchanges as well. 00:06:22.940 --> 00:06:28.160 And what you and I have in Christ is to stand in the benefit of that exchange. 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:31.120 And so I want us to look at, just quickly tonight, 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:37.600 a handful of these that we can draw from this telling of the birth of Christ. 00:06:38.320 --> 00:06:44.220 And the first one that I want us to look at tonight is the exchange from a throne to a manger. 00:06:45.520 --> 00:06:50.380 Luke begins his telling of the birth of Christ by giving us a historical time stamp. 00:06:51.080 --> 00:06:53.320 And this isn't the first time that this is done in Scripture. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:56.080 It's not the only time that this happens and takes place. 00:06:56.140 --> 00:06:58.420 It's done in other books of the Bible as well, 00:06:58.420 --> 00:07:02.300 where the author of the writing of a passage of Scripture 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:05.420 will want to give us some evidence about when it was written, 00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:09.180 so that we'll know the validity and the truth of what is being told. 00:07:09.900 --> 00:07:11.440 And Luke gives us some of these. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:16.240 Luke tells who the rulers of the empire and who the governor is, 00:07:16.280 --> 00:07:19.380 so that as people would read this in a historical account, 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:22.020 there could be truth that was brought to the narrative 00:07:22.020 --> 00:07:25.120 because of the specific time in which these occurred. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:32.560 Luke gives historical events to align with conceding events in the history 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:36.100 so that we can affirm and know that these things are true. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.980 Luke tells the historical journey of a family, 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:43.520 and it would have made sense to know where this family was coming from 00:07:43.520 --> 00:07:47.680 and the reason that they had to go and register to the place that they were going 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:50.060 so that it would resonate the truth of what's there. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:56.080 And in this, we can see the historical accuracy of Christ, 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:59.200 of those things that would be made known. 00:08:00.020 --> 00:08:02.420 But then from the throne to a manger, 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:05.880 he gives this wonderful, beautiful detail in verse 7. 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:07.380 And it says, 00:08:07.440 --> 00:08:09.420 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:11.920 and wrapped him with swaddling cloths 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.180 and laid him in a manger 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:16.040 because there was no place for him in the inn. 00:08:16.760 --> 00:08:19.340 From a throne to a manger, 00:08:20.340 --> 00:08:24.140 stepping out of the established of the kingdom of what was there 00:08:24.140 --> 00:08:28.900 to step into, as the kids told us beautifully, 00:08:29.820 --> 00:08:32.480 into the stable where the animals were, 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:35.300 where our Savior, Christ the Lord, would be born. 00:08:36.140 --> 00:08:39.100 And in this, we see the humility of Christ, 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:40.400 of which he came to display. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.360 When we think about the rule and reign of Jesus Christ, 00:08:44.420 --> 00:08:45.900 of our Lord and Savior, 00:08:45.920 --> 00:08:48.280 we see the victorious king oftentimes 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:51.780 of what we look at and picture in Revelation and his return. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:55.880 We see the rule and reign of what he has in our hearts and our lives. 00:08:55.920 --> 00:08:58.860 We see the rule and reign in which he establishes for us. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.320 But he came in humility. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:06.460 He came in humility and obedience to which he obeyed the Father. 00:09:07.020 --> 00:09:11.940 He came in humility to those that he would serve that came across his path. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:18.520 And he came in humility to save all that would call upon his name, 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:24.180 exchanging his life for ours from a throne to a manger. 00:09:24.900 --> 00:09:30.160 Another exchange that we see is from fear to joy. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:32.020 I want to ask you a question. 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.780 Have you ever been startled? 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.360 We all have. 00:09:35.780 --> 00:09:36.920 We've all been startled. 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:39.480 And I love the fact that I just heard a kid say me, right? 00:09:39.760 --> 00:09:40.700 I love that. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:43.080 We've all been startled. 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:46.420 But have you ever been startled at night? 00:09:47.880 --> 00:09:48.360 Outside? 00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:50.980 It's a little different, right? 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:54.440 And when we see this passage of Scripture, 00:09:55.280 --> 00:09:57.520 we find the shepherds are in a field, 00:09:58.180 --> 00:10:02.260 watching over their flocks, doing what shepherds do. 00:10:02.920 --> 00:10:07.060 And I have to imagine that what they were hoping for 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:09.680 was not a night that was filled with action, 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:11.660 but an uneventful night. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:16.120 And late in that night, as they were watching over their flocks, 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:19.240 probably like, hey, man, you got this watch tonight, 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.640 so we're going to drift off, you know, back and forth with that 00:10:21.640 --> 00:10:23.840 as they worked all the way through the night 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:26.320 as they would take care of what they need to take care of. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:32.680 Looking for wolves, thieves, and any that would seek to attack. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:38.720 And all of a sudden, the angel of the Lord appeared to them 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.120 and shone with the glory of God. 00:10:41.940 --> 00:10:45.820 And verse 9 says that they were afraid. 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:47.880 They were afraid. 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:52.000 But the exchange of the gospel from fear to joy. 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:54.280 And the angel said to them, 00:10:55.140 --> 00:10:55.860 Fear not. 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:57.720 Fear not. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:01.300 For behold, I bring you good news of great joy 00:11:01.300 --> 00:11:03.560 that will be for all the people. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:07.900 For unto you is born this day in the city of David 00:11:07.900 --> 00:11:11.560 a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:14.920 Let's understand something very quickly this evening. 00:11:15.640 --> 00:11:18.160 Fearing God and being afraid of God 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:19.800 are two completely different things. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:23.600 This past week, as we gathered in here on Sunday morning 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.480 and worshiped together, 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:26.720 we talked about what it meant to fear God, 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.660 which is what the Bible calls us to do, 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.080 which is to stand in awe of Him. 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:35.120 But that's not what the shepherds are experiencing in this moment. 00:11:35.640 --> 00:11:39.040 When out of nowhere, the glory of the Lord shone. 00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:41.900 The angel of the Lord appeared. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:43.400 And they were afraid. 00:11:43.400 --> 00:11:47.680 And what the angel wanted to communicate in the very beginning of this, 00:11:47.900 --> 00:11:52.120 of the unfolding of the gospel that will be the Savior for all of the people, 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.400 was fear not. 00:11:55.140 --> 00:11:59.480 Because the message of the gospel eliminates fear. 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:02.900 But instead, what we bring to you 00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:05.960 is a message of great joy 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:09.080 that is going to be found in Christ. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.540 Because the message of the gospel 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:13.480 is not one of fear. 00:12:14.020 --> 00:12:15.580 The message of the gospel 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.900 is one of joy. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:19.760 And so for the shepherds then 00:12:19.760 --> 00:12:20.900 and for us today, 00:12:21.900 --> 00:12:23.980 you no longer need to be afraid of God, 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:26.560 but because He came to save you. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:29.780 You don't need to be afraid of God 00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:31.500 because He is for you. 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:34.360 You don't need to be afraid of God 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:37.240 because He did not send His Son to condemn you. 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:39.520 But the beauty of the gospel, 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:40.940 what we're reminded of, 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:44.660 is because He sent His Son to save you. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:47.160 And what the angel of the Lord 00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:49.740 proclaimed to the shepherds 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.800 on that night, 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:54.800 the Word of God proclaims to us today. 00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:57.660 We've got a lot of different people here 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:59.180 and a lot of different backgrounds 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:01.860 and a lot of different views or thoughts of God. 00:13:03.140 --> 00:13:04.740 And if you're here tonight 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.980 and you feel like, 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:08.020 because of all the things that you've done, 00:13:08.160 --> 00:13:10.400 because of all the things that you've been a part of, 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.860 because of who you are, 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:14.900 and so there's a fear of God within that, 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:16.700 because of who I am, 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.860 then understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:21.380 greets you with fear not. 00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:24.660 I bring you a message of great joy 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:26.340 that's found in salvation 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.740 because of who He is. 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:30.280 In the Christmas story, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.760 another exchange that we see 00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:36.040 is from conflict to peace. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:39.460 So the angel tells the shepherds 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.920 how to find Jesus. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:44.860 And then a multitude of angels appear. 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.880 And in verse 14, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:47.900 they say, 00:13:48.260 --> 00:13:50.500 glory to God in the highest 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:53.020 and on earth peace 00:13:53.020 --> 00:13:58.540 among those with whom He is pleased. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.860 You know, 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.420 in Rome during that time, 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.500 as Rome was seeking to spread 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:05.560 their power and their influence, 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:08.160 they sought to have a culture 00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:09.980 of peace. 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:13.840 But their peace was a different peace. 00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:16.140 It came through war. 00:14:16.280 --> 00:14:18.760 It came through fear of the sword. 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.280 And so as the angels proclaim, 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:23.820 they're proclaiming a different peace. 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:27.060 A peace that is made between God 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:28.620 and all of mankind. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:31.320 Glory to God in the highest 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:33.340 and on earth peace 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:36.580 amongst those 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:39.880 with whom He is pleased. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:43.360 There are many different people 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.660 with many different views 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:45.440 and perspectives 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:47.120 of God. 00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:49.820 With the way they view God 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.720 and how they believe 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.220 that God views Him. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.900 But the Bible is very clear 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:55.760 and it tells us 00:14:55.760 --> 00:14:57.200 that there's two types 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.080 of relationships 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:00.620 that people can have with God. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:03.400 And one relationship with God 00:15:03.400 --> 00:15:04.380 is a relationship 00:15:04.380 --> 00:15:06.940 that is formed in conflict, 00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:08.700 separated by sin, 00:15:08.760 --> 00:15:10.640 because God in His holiness 00:15:10.640 --> 00:15:12.840 cannot tolerate sin. 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.720 And the problem 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:15.220 for all of humanity, 00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.020 for us, 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:17.640 is that we're all sinful 00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:18.580 by nature. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.300 And so we're in conflict. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.920 We're broken. 00:15:24.520 --> 00:15:25.580 We're separated. 00:15:26.380 --> 00:15:27.340 The Bible tells us 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.740 that we're objects of wrath. 00:15:28.880 --> 00:15:31.100 We're enemies of God. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.860 And so the gospel comes 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.280 to make a way. 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.300 The gospel comes 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:38.700 to mend. 00:15:38.760 --> 00:15:40.300 And so the story 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:40.880 of Christmas 00:15:40.880 --> 00:15:42.160 is what we think 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.180 is peace. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.920 And so it's either 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.040 conflict 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:47.540 or peace 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:49.880 made by the work 00:15:49.880 --> 00:15:51.160 of Christ. 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.340 Glory to God 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.600 in the highest 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.300 and on earth 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:57.240 peace 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:59.320 among those 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.340 with whom 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.660 He is pleased. 00:16:02.260 --> 00:16:03.260 Those who were 00:16:03.260 --> 00:16:04.480 found in Him. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.320 Those who have surrendered 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.780 their life to Him. 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:09.180 those who long 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.960 for Him. 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:11.740 Those who love Him. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.100 Those who have been 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.400 saved by Him. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.600 And we could end 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.540 the story here. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.680 We could end 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.260 the story 00:16:20.260 --> 00:16:21.600 with the shepherds 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.020 going 00:16:22.020 --> 00:16:24.140 and the shepherds 00:16:24.140 --> 00:16:24.600 seeing 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.740 a baby 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.320 in the manger. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.880 We could end 00:16:27.880 --> 00:16:28.480 the story 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.540 with talking about 00:16:29.540 --> 00:16:30.460 how the shepherds 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.320 left and began 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:31.940 to proclaim 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.260 what they had seen 00:16:33.260 --> 00:16:33.740 and what they had 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.220 experienced. 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:35.800 We could end 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.260 tonight 00:16:36.260 --> 00:16:37.340 by the verse 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.940 that we love 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.420 that we talked 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:38.860 about in our 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.480 staff meeting 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.460 for so long 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:40.900 this week 00:16:40.900 --> 00:16:41.660 verse 19 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.500 but Mary 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.280 treasured up 00:16:43.280 --> 00:16:44.520 all these things 00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:45.660 pondering them 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.400 in her heart. 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.740 But the story 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.480 as those kids 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.100 told us 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.700 it's a long 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.200 story 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:54.280 and the story 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:55.120 continues 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.800 and we begin 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.700 to see another 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.380 exchange 00:16:58.380 --> 00:16:59.900 as the narrative 00:16:59.900 --> 00:17:00.860 unfolds 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:02.120 from Bethlehem 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.140 to Calvary. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.780 In a day 00:17:05.780 --> 00:17:06.400 and a time 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.000 and a season 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.720 where we think 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.540 about Christ 00:17:08.540 --> 00:17:09.500 as a baby 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.920 come to us 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.860 brought into 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:12.880 this world 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.640 it's important 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.380 to remember 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.500 the full story 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.940 from Bethlehem 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.620 to Calvary 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:20.360 that Jesus 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:20.860 who came 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:21.520 and as a baby 00:17:21.520 --> 00:17:22.060 would grow 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:23.000 into a man 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.500 would spend 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.320 roughly about 00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:26.160 three years 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.900 as an adult 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.920 preaching 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.160 performing miracles 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.060 calling a group 00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:30.760 of individuals 00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:31.840 to follow him 00:17:31.840 --> 00:17:32.920 and he would die 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.040 on a cross 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:36.040 for the sins 00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:36.680 of mankind. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.340 And in fact 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:39.340 Luke chapter 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.260 9 00:17:40.260 --> 00:17:42.280 Jesus tells 00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:43.200 his followers 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.680 this 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.840 he says 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.920 the son of man 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.640 must suffer 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.800 many things 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:49.660 and be rejected 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.520 by the elders 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.780 and the chief priests 00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:53.040 and scribes 00:17:53.040 --> 00:17:54.220 and be killed 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:56.300 and on the third 00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:57.160 day 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.280 be raised. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.780 You can't tell 00:17:59.780 --> 00:18:00.480 the story 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.320 of Jesus 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:03.000 and end in Bethlehem 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.880 because Jesus 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.820 came not just 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.580 to be born 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:08.520 but Jesus 00:18:08.520 --> 00:18:09.620 came to die. 00:18:10.260 --> 00:18:11.360 he came 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.040 to take on 00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:12.940 the punishment 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.920 and the death 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.140 that you 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:15.740 and I 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.480 deserved 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.920 and he 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:18.600 bore it 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.940 so that you 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.720 and I 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.220 may have life. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.480 And if we 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.620 ended with his death 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:27.340 then it would be 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.120 both tragic 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.860 and incomplete 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:30.800 because the last 00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.600 thing that I want 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:32.940 us to look at 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.160 in the story 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.200 of the understanding 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.540 of the life 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:37.240 of Jesus 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.480 whom's birth 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.360 we celebrate 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.880 is the last 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.600 exchange 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:43.040 from death 00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:43.960 to life. 00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:45.740 That Jesus 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.280 came 00:18:46.280 --> 00:18:47.860 to defeat 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:49.420 and undo 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:49.900 death 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.560 and he 00:18:51.560 --> 00:18:52.320 himself 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:53.440 died 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.760 and rose 00:18:54.760 --> 00:18:55.080 again. 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:57.040 The beauty 00:18:57.040 --> 00:18:58.640 of the hope 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.860 of the gospel 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:02.160 and he promises 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.660 that 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.480 for not 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:04.880 only 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.460 himself 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.720 but for 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.100 us. 00:19:08.280 --> 00:19:08.620 In Luke 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.020 9 00:19:09.020 --> 00:19:10.620 verse 23 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:12.500 scripture 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.020 says 00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:13.680 and he 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.600 being Jesus 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.820 said to 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:16.200 all 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.840 if anyone 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.360 would come 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.100 after me 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:20.300 let him 00:19:20.300 --> 00:19:21.360 deny himself 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.740 take up 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.400 his cross 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:23.980 daily 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.120 and follow 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.500 me. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.500 Verse 24 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.780 for whoever 00:19:28.780 --> 00:19:29.580 would save 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:30.340 his life 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:31.660 will lose 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:31.940 it 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.420 but whoever 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.120 loses 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.580 his life 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.620 for my 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:36.960 sake 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.940 will save 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.160 it. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.740 The death 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.400 that Jesus 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.240 endured 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.660 three days 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.100 later 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.120 he rose 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.480 again 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:46.000 and in 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.720 his death 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.700 he calls 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.380 us to 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.940 identify 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.700 in his 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:49.980 death 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.460 so that 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.820 we are 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.520 crucified 00:19:51.520 --> 00:19:52.720 with Christ 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.280 when we 00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:53.800 are found 00:19:53.800 --> 00:19:54.600 in him 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.160 and it's 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.840 not no 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.460 longer I 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.220 who live 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.260 but it's 00:19:58.260 --> 00:19:58.800 Christ 00:19:58.800 --> 00:19:59.580 who lives 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:00.240 within me. 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.040 And so 00:20:01.040 --> 00:20:01.700 just as 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.660 Jesus 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.980 defeated 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.540 death 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:06.260 he defeated 00:20:06.260 --> 00:20:06.640 death 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.200 not just 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.900 for himself 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.100 but for 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.600 you and 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.060 for me 00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:11.980 and just 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.560 as Jesus 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.340 came to 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:13.940 undo 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.780 death 00:20:14.780 --> 00:20:16.260 he undid 00:20:16.260 --> 00:20:16.560 death 00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.120 not just 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.720 for you 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.580 but for 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.120 you and 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.680 for me 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:25.620 so that 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.140 for all 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.720 of us 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.880 who are 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.220 found 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.740 in him 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:31.580 for all 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.200 of us 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.820 with whom 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:34.300 he is 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:34.860 pleased 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:37.240 should have 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.880 life not 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.580 just here 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:40.560 but for 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:41.000 all of 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.440 eternity 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:43.300 with him 00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:46.600 tonight 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.160 tomorrow 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.720 maybe 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.300 earlier 00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:50.660 you've 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.420 exchanged 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:51.740 or 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.660 will 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.200 exchange 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.620 gifts 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:56.080 there's 00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:56.260 no 00:20:56.260 --> 00:20:56.780 greater 00:20:56.780 --> 00:20:57.960 exchange 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.440 that you 00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.840 could ever 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.380 make 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:02.020 in the 00:21:02.020 --> 00:21:02.580 course of 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.200 your life 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:05.560 than 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:06.340 exchanging 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:08.260 your sin 00:21:08.260 --> 00:21:10.520 your shame 00:21:10.520 --> 00:21:12.440 your death 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:14.300 for the 00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:14.760 hope 00:21:14.760 --> 00:21:16.500 and peace 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:18.420 and life 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.900 of Jesus 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.460 Christ 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:23.220 so I have 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.800 this question 00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:24.180 for you 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.500 tonight 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.520 would you 00:21:26.520 --> 00:21:27.280 exchange 00:21:27.280 --> 00:21:29.260 would you 00:21:29.260 --> 00:21:29.840 lay down 00:21:29.840 --> 00:21:30.560 your sin 00:21:30.560 --> 00:21:32.620 and tonight 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.260 receive 00:21:33.260 --> 00:21:34.080 forgiveness 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:36.440 would you 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.380 lay down 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.200 your throne 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:40.360 and instead 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.040 bow down 00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:41.860 before his 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:44.280 and then 00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:44.780 tonight 00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:46.300 as we 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.060 celebrate 00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:48.900 the birth 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.520 of a baby 00:21:49.520 --> 00:21:51.200 who came 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.760 to be our 00:21:51.760 --> 00:21:52.180 savior 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:54.180 would you 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.740 surrender 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.600 your life 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:57.200 and find 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.740 life in 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.040 his 00:21:58.040 --> 00:22:11.840 thanks again 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.440 for listening 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.800 to the 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:13.240 Willow Ridge 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.580 Church 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:13.940 weekly 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.360 podcast 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:15.300 we hope 00:22:15.300 --> 00:22:15.560 that you 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:15.880 enjoyed 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.200 listening 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.580 to this 00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:16.840 week's 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.180 message 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.080 if you'd 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:18.360 like to 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:18.740 learn more 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.180 about who 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.580 we are 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.240 or explore 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.660 additional 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.180 resources 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.200 visit us 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.980 online at 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:26.240 www.willowridgechurch.com 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.460 or by searching 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.120 for Willow Ridge 00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:28.740 Church on 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.440 Facebook and 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.820 Instagram 00:22:41.840 --> 00:23:11.820 Thank you.