1 00:00:00,610 --> 00:00:04,394 ...to Matthew chapter 2 and Luke chapter 2. 2 00:00:04,394 --> 00:00:07,794 And you can go to both those places. 3 00:00:07,794 --> 00:00:13,918 You can stick your finger in Luke 2, 4 00:00:13,918 --> 00:00:16,235 and open your Bibles to Matthew 2. 5 00:00:16,235 --> 00:00:18,031 And we're going to go back and forth 6 00:00:18,031 --> 00:00:21,091 between them. 7 00:00:21,091 --> 00:00:22,859 Today, I do want to speak to you 8 00:00:22,859 --> 00:00:26,180 about the birth of Christ 9 00:00:26,180 --> 00:00:29,593 and the Magi 10 00:00:29,593 --> 00:00:32,350 and the star that led the Magi 11 00:00:32,350 --> 00:00:36,337 to Bethlehem. 12 00:00:36,337 --> 00:00:46,626 So, this is our sixteenth Christmas 13 00:00:46,626 --> 00:00:49,090 as a church 14 00:00:49,090 --> 00:00:52,689 since our church was started. 15 00:00:52,689 --> 00:00:55,858 I have never intentionally preached 16 00:00:55,858 --> 00:01:02,772 a Christmas sermon. 17 00:01:02,772 --> 00:01:04,570 If you're visiting our church today, 18 00:01:04,570 --> 00:01:07,146 you may notice there's no lights. 19 00:01:07,146 --> 00:01:08,896 There's no tree. 20 00:01:08,896 --> 00:01:14,709 We don't even have a manger scene. 21 00:01:14,709 --> 00:01:17,092 You probably noticed we didn't even 22 00:01:17,092 --> 00:01:19,167 sing a Christmas song. 23 00:01:19,167 --> 00:01:23,221 I purposely like to sing them in the summer. 24 00:01:23,221 --> 00:01:24,641 I was half-minded to sing 25 00:01:24,641 --> 00:01:26,194 "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" 26 00:01:26,194 --> 00:01:27,633 just because the words in it, 27 00:01:27,633 --> 00:01:29,472 I think are glorious, 28 00:01:29,472 --> 00:01:35,947 and they do have to do with the message today. 29 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,455 I don't think it's necessarily wrong 30 00:01:39,455 --> 00:01:40,953 for preachers that do preach 31 00:01:40,953 --> 00:01:42,081 Christmas sermons. 32 00:01:42,081 --> 00:01:43,623 I'm not knocking that. 33 00:01:43,623 --> 00:01:45,701 I have just never personally 34 00:01:45,701 --> 00:01:49,043 felt compelled to preach a sermon 35 00:01:49,043 --> 00:01:52,591 based on a man-made holiday. 36 00:01:52,591 --> 00:01:55,423 And I personally am not going to be 37 00:01:55,423 --> 00:01:59,019 driven by those holidays, 38 00:01:59,019 --> 00:02:00,454 whether they be Christmas, 39 00:02:00,454 --> 00:02:07,717 Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day... 40 00:02:07,717 --> 00:02:09,716 I smile because just thinking 41 00:02:09,716 --> 00:02:10,805 about Mother's Day - 42 00:02:10,805 --> 00:02:12,828 Mack Tomlinson - he told us 43 00:02:12,828 --> 00:02:14,340 just a hilarious story 44 00:02:14,340 --> 00:02:16,032 that when he was a young preacher, 45 00:02:16,032 --> 00:02:17,456 he was preaching 46 00:02:17,456 --> 00:02:18,887 and he was preaching on hell 47 00:02:18,887 --> 00:02:21,687 and he was really giving it to the people. 48 00:02:21,687 --> 00:02:22,916 And he said suddenly, 49 00:02:22,916 --> 00:02:24,819 about five minutes left in his message, 50 00:02:24,819 --> 00:02:26,130 he noticed that the women 51 00:02:26,130 --> 00:02:27,894 were dressed really fancy. 52 00:02:27,894 --> 00:02:29,622 And he said with five minutes left, 53 00:02:29,622 --> 00:02:37,576 "Now, a word about mothers..." 54 00:02:37,576 --> 00:02:39,387 Our smallest crowds are probably 55 00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:41,554 at Christmas and especially Easter 56 00:02:41,554 --> 00:02:43,533 because we do our Denton conference 57 00:02:43,533 --> 00:02:50,624 at Easter. 58 00:02:50,624 --> 00:02:54,957 The world's holidays haven't dictated 59 00:02:54,957 --> 00:02:57,985 to me what I'm going to preach. 60 00:02:57,985 --> 00:03:02,382 And brethren, we do have to be honest. 61 00:03:02,382 --> 00:03:06,752 Christmas and Easter are 62 00:03:06,752 --> 00:03:10,575 man-made holidays. 63 00:03:10,575 --> 00:03:12,917 That doesn't mean that 64 00:03:12,917 --> 00:03:18,196 biblical things might not be 65 00:03:18,196 --> 00:03:21,900 spoken about. 66 00:03:21,900 --> 00:03:23,985 But they're man-made. 67 00:03:23,985 --> 00:03:26,975 God has never told us to observe these. 68 00:03:26,975 --> 00:03:29,260 In fact, there's really only one celebration 69 00:03:29,260 --> 00:03:31,831 in Scripture that God in an ongoing fashion 70 00:03:31,831 --> 00:03:33,723 tells us to observe. 71 00:03:33,723 --> 00:03:35,670 What might that be? 72 00:03:35,670 --> 00:03:37,311 The Lord's Supper. 73 00:03:37,311 --> 00:03:38,806 And not just once yearly. 74 00:03:38,806 --> 00:03:40,069 As often as you do this, 75 00:03:40,069 --> 00:03:42,069 do this in remembrance of Me. 76 00:03:42,069 --> 00:03:45,898 So, that's what we're called to remember. 77 00:03:45,898 --> 00:03:48,698 That's what we're called to celebrate. 78 00:03:48,698 --> 00:03:50,453 Now look, I'm not here this morning 79 00:03:50,453 --> 00:03:54,900 to bash Christmas. 80 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:58,670 From a pastoral perspective, 81 00:03:58,670 --> 00:04:00,839 personally it's been a non-issue. 82 00:04:00,839 --> 00:04:02,364 I think for our church largely 83 00:04:02,364 --> 00:04:03,416 it's been a non-issue. 84 00:04:03,416 --> 00:04:05,865 Some of you do things. Some of you don't do things. 85 00:04:05,865 --> 00:04:06,951 Some of you do more. 86 00:04:06,951 --> 00:04:10,996 Some of you do less. 87 00:04:10,996 --> 00:04:12,647 It's just been a non-issue. 88 00:04:12,647 --> 00:04:13,886 I think it's something 89 00:04:13,886 --> 00:04:16,406 between you and the Lord. 90 00:04:16,406 --> 00:04:17,984 If you're going to make any sort 91 00:04:17,984 --> 00:04:20,891 of observation you want it 92 00:04:20,891 --> 00:04:23,089 in line with Romans 14. 93 00:04:23,089 --> 00:04:24,958 You want to do it unto the Lord. 94 00:04:24,958 --> 00:04:26,488 And if you don't do it, 95 00:04:26,488 --> 00:04:28,272 you don't do it unto the Lord. 96 00:04:28,272 --> 00:04:30,311 I think it's the same way with preaching. 97 00:04:30,311 --> 00:04:32,406 If a man wants to preach a message 98 00:04:32,406 --> 00:04:34,649 around Christmastime on things 99 00:04:34,649 --> 00:04:36,514 that have to do with the Incarnation, 100 00:04:36,514 --> 00:04:38,351 well, if he can do it unto the Lord, 101 00:04:38,351 --> 00:04:39,912 let him do it unto the Lord. 102 00:04:39,912 --> 00:04:43,122 If he wants to preach about the cross 103 00:04:43,122 --> 00:04:44,228 around Easter time, 104 00:04:44,228 --> 00:04:47,710 let him do it unto the Lord. 105 00:04:47,710 --> 00:04:49,874 But I say all that to say this, 106 00:04:49,874 --> 00:04:54,156 this year, I do feel compelled to preach 107 00:04:54,156 --> 00:04:57,364 on the birth of Christ at this season. 108 00:04:57,364 --> 00:04:59,735 Just recently, here's what happened: 109 00:04:59,735 --> 00:05:04,942 Just recently, you know that a group of us men 110 00:05:04,942 --> 00:05:09,094 went to prison over in Huntsville. 111 00:05:09,094 --> 00:05:10,461 We were in the chapel. 112 00:05:10,461 --> 00:05:12,143 Let me describe the chapel to you. 113 00:05:12,143 --> 00:05:19,630 It's probably somewhat the size of this room. 114 00:05:19,630 --> 00:05:22,552 Maybe not as long. 115 00:05:22,552 --> 00:05:24,177 But it's fairly big. 116 00:05:24,177 --> 00:05:26,039 Much higher ceilings. 117 00:05:26,039 --> 00:05:29,543 It's a chapel that sticks off of the prison. 118 00:05:29,543 --> 00:05:31,214 It's like a church building. 119 00:05:31,214 --> 00:05:33,250 Up front, they had a choir. 120 00:05:33,250 --> 00:05:35,667 To the right, sitting in the seats 121 00:05:35,667 --> 00:05:37,033 over here - 122 00:05:37,033 --> 00:05:38,725 behind there was a choir, 123 00:05:38,725 --> 00:05:40,530 over here there was a band. 124 00:05:40,530 --> 00:05:42,818 We sat, all 8 of us that went, 125 00:05:42,818 --> 00:05:44,668 we sat across the front row there. 126 00:05:44,668 --> 00:05:46,442 And on either side, 127 00:05:46,442 --> 00:05:47,875 they had t.v. monitors. 128 00:05:47,875 --> 00:05:49,745 And I'm supposing those were wired 129 00:05:49,745 --> 00:05:51,575 into a computer in the back. 130 00:05:51,575 --> 00:05:54,550 And so what was happening is 131 00:05:54,550 --> 00:05:56,182 not only do they have to count 132 00:05:56,182 --> 00:05:57,410 the prisoners - this was 133 00:05:57,410 --> 00:05:59,054 a maximum security prison; 134 00:05:59,054 --> 00:06:00,970 and once in awhile cell block numbers 135 00:06:00,970 --> 00:06:02,454 would come up on those screens, 136 00:06:02,454 --> 00:06:03,836 and everybody would stand up 137 00:06:03,836 --> 00:06:06,124 in that cell block and just immediately exit 138 00:06:06,124 --> 00:06:08,004 when their cell block came up. 139 00:06:08,004 --> 00:06:10,390 But, when you didn't have cell block numbers, 140 00:06:10,390 --> 00:06:13,618 you actually had the words to the songs. 141 00:06:13,618 --> 00:06:15,538 And because it was around Christmas time 142 00:06:15,538 --> 00:06:17,686 and many of the songs they were singing 143 00:06:17,686 --> 00:06:19,943 were Christmas-related, 144 00:06:19,943 --> 00:06:22,068 they also, not only had words 145 00:06:22,068 --> 00:06:23,051 to the songs, 146 00:06:23,051 --> 00:06:25,675 they had pictures. 147 00:06:25,675 --> 00:06:29,827 Christmas-esque pictures. 148 00:06:29,827 --> 00:06:32,684 And one of them 149 00:06:32,684 --> 00:06:35,927 was just a picture of the night sky 150 00:06:35,927 --> 00:06:41,260 with a bright, shining star. 151 00:06:41,260 --> 00:06:44,450 And you know how it is in the Christian life? 152 00:06:44,450 --> 00:06:47,772 You can take certain things for granted. 153 00:06:47,772 --> 00:06:49,460 You know they're there. 154 00:06:49,460 --> 00:06:52,865 You come across them as you read Scripture. 155 00:06:52,865 --> 00:06:53,927 You know it's truth. 156 00:06:53,927 --> 00:06:55,431 You know it's fact. 157 00:06:55,431 --> 00:06:56,771 But you know it is sometimes 158 00:06:56,771 --> 00:06:58,459 when certain truths from the Bible, 159 00:06:58,459 --> 00:07:00,061 they just lay hold on you? 160 00:07:00,061 --> 00:07:02,251 They come to you with power. 161 00:07:02,251 --> 00:07:05,747 I look at that star and I thought, 162 00:07:05,747 --> 00:07:06,700 that's real. 163 00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:08,501 Kevin Woodell was sitting next to me. 164 00:07:08,501 --> 00:07:17,902 I said, "Kevin, there really was a star." 165 00:07:17,902 --> 00:07:20,468 It's called "His star" in Scripture. 166 00:07:20,468 --> 00:07:22,085 That's what the Magi called it: 167 00:07:22,085 --> 00:07:23,057 His star. 168 00:07:23,057 --> 00:07:26,102 "We have seen His star." 169 00:07:26,102 --> 00:07:29,185 It's the Christ's star. 170 00:07:29,185 --> 00:07:32,869 I was affected by that. 171 00:07:32,869 --> 00:07:40,758 So, I decided maybe we'd look at that. 172 00:07:40,758 --> 00:07:45,577 God put a star in the sky 2,000 years ago. 173 00:07:45,577 --> 00:07:48,469 A star that had never been seen before. 174 00:07:48,469 --> 00:07:50,035 And it wasn't seen after. 175 00:07:50,035 --> 00:07:52,499 It was just there at that time 176 00:07:52,499 --> 00:08:00,610 to guide certain men to Christ. 177 00:08:00,610 --> 00:08:03,224 That's what I want to bring a sermon on today. 178 00:08:03,224 --> 00:08:06,949 There really was a star. 179 00:08:06,949 --> 00:08:07,912 Let's look at that. 180 00:08:07,912 --> 00:08:11,366 Matthew 2. 181 00:08:11,366 --> 00:08:13,910 Notice verses 1-2. 182 00:08:13,910 --> 00:08:21,656 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem 183 00:08:21,656 --> 00:08:26,676 of Judea in the days of Herod the King, 184 00:08:26,676 --> 00:08:30,397 behold, wise men..." 185 00:08:30,397 --> 00:08:36,894 The word is magoi: Magi. 186 00:08:36,894 --> 00:08:41,175 "...from the East came to Jerusalem, 187 00:08:41,175 --> 00:08:44,669 saying, 'where is He Who has been born 188 00:08:44,669 --> 00:08:46,158 King of the Jews? 189 00:08:46,158 --> 00:08:50,987 For we saw (here it is) His star." 190 00:08:50,987 --> 00:08:54,490 The Messiah has His own star. 191 00:08:54,490 --> 00:08:56,214 That doesn't mean that He doesn't 192 00:08:56,214 --> 00:08:58,430 own all of them and uphold all of them. 193 00:08:58,430 --> 00:09:00,179 Here's a star that's His star 194 00:09:00,179 --> 00:09:04,255 and it's uniquely there 195 00:09:04,255 --> 00:09:09,536 for His coming into this world. 196 00:09:09,536 --> 00:09:11,912 "For we saw His star when it rose 197 00:09:11,912 --> 00:09:14,584 and have come to worship Him." 198 00:09:14,584 --> 00:09:15,891 Now jump down to v. 7. 199 00:09:15,891 --> 00:09:18,089 I'm just going to give you the verses here 200 00:09:18,089 --> 00:09:21,085 that speak specifically of this star. 201 00:09:21,085 --> 00:09:26,597 "Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly 202 00:09:26,597 --> 00:09:28,454 and ascertained from them 203 00:09:28,454 --> 00:09:32,561 what time the star had appeared." 204 00:09:32,561 --> 00:09:34,976 You see, there was a time that it appeared. 205 00:09:34,976 --> 00:09:38,597 Before that, it hadn't appeared. 206 00:09:38,597 --> 00:09:41,156 And you know, after these Magi 207 00:09:41,156 --> 00:09:42,902 find the Christ, 208 00:09:42,902 --> 00:09:44,395 there's no biblical evidence 209 00:09:44,395 --> 00:09:49,964 that it ever appeared again. 210 00:09:49,964 --> 00:09:56,404 V. 9, "After listening to the king (Herod,) 211 00:09:56,404 --> 00:09:59,128 they went on their way, 212 00:09:59,128 --> 00:10:02,182 and behold, the star that they had seen 213 00:10:02,182 --> 00:10:05,482 when it rose..." 214 00:10:05,482 --> 00:10:08,057 That's how they talked about it. 215 00:10:08,057 --> 00:10:16,537 They said, "we saw His star when it rose." 216 00:10:16,537 --> 00:10:18,324 It rose. 217 00:10:18,324 --> 00:10:20,897 Like the sun rises, the moon rises. 218 00:10:20,897 --> 00:10:22,496 The stars also rise, 219 00:10:22,496 --> 00:10:24,835 because we're spinning. 220 00:10:24,835 --> 00:10:26,924 It rose. 221 00:10:26,924 --> 00:10:32,134 And they saw it rise. 222 00:10:32,134 --> 00:10:36,520 "The star that they had seen when it rose..." 223 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:38,810 Now, here's the thing, 224 00:10:38,810 --> 00:10:42,255 it rose like other stars 225 00:10:42,255 --> 00:10:44,279 that come up over the horizon, 226 00:10:44,279 --> 00:10:47,121 but now it went before them. 227 00:10:47,121 --> 00:10:50,366 That's really an interesting statement. 228 00:10:50,366 --> 00:10:56,010 "It went before them 229 00:10:56,010 --> 00:11:03,204 until it came to rest." 230 00:11:03,204 --> 00:11:09,193 Is that like the sun stopping in its orbit? 231 00:11:09,193 --> 00:11:10,880 Is that a linear thing 232 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,351 where it basically tracks straight 233 00:11:13,351 --> 00:11:16,213 and then it stopped? 234 00:11:16,213 --> 00:11:17,761 Or is this thing moving, 235 00:11:17,761 --> 00:11:19,123 like it goes that way 236 00:11:19,123 --> 00:11:21,653 and it goes this way? 237 00:11:21,653 --> 00:11:24,286 It came to rest. 238 00:11:24,286 --> 00:11:26,932 There was motion in this star. 239 00:11:26,932 --> 00:11:31,016 And then it came to rest. 240 00:11:31,016 --> 00:11:35,432 "...over the place where the child was. 241 00:11:35,432 --> 00:11:38,108 When they saw the star, 242 00:11:38,108 --> 00:11:42,484 they rejoiced exceedingly 243 00:11:42,484 --> 00:11:45,740 with great joy." 244 00:11:45,740 --> 00:11:49,047 Now, here's the first thing. 245 00:11:49,047 --> 00:11:53,314 The first thing I want to emphasize: 246 00:11:53,314 --> 00:11:58,391 The historicity of this thing. 247 00:11:58,391 --> 00:12:00,035 It's historical. 248 00:12:00,035 --> 00:12:02,441 We're talking about actual events 249 00:12:02,441 --> 00:12:05,070 that actually happened in the course 250 00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:07,164 of human history. 251 00:12:07,164 --> 00:12:09,078 There was a star. 252 00:12:09,078 --> 00:12:09,967 It's real. 253 00:12:09,967 --> 00:12:11,412 It's not fictitious. 254 00:12:11,412 --> 00:12:13,382 There were Magi. 255 00:12:13,382 --> 00:12:15,299 They're not imaginary - they're real. 256 00:12:15,299 --> 00:12:18,315 There was the birth of the child King. 257 00:12:18,315 --> 00:12:20,136 We are talking about reality here. 258 00:12:20,136 --> 00:12:21,881 We are talking about fact. 259 00:12:21,881 --> 00:12:24,355 We are talking about history. 260 00:12:24,355 --> 00:12:25,538 I stress this. 261 00:12:25,538 --> 00:12:27,858 Brethren, I stress this. 262 00:12:27,858 --> 00:12:30,844 Because we are in the midst of a world 263 00:12:30,844 --> 00:12:33,511 that is controlled by the evil one. 264 00:12:33,511 --> 00:12:36,540 There is satanic deception on every side. 265 00:12:36,540 --> 00:12:38,235 And what did Paul fear? 266 00:12:38,235 --> 00:12:40,128 What did Paul fear for the Corinthians? 267 00:12:40,128 --> 00:12:42,595 That Satan would do what to them? 268 00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:44,698 That he would deceive them 269 00:12:44,698 --> 00:12:46,894 and move them away from this 270 00:12:46,894 --> 00:12:52,400 simple devotion to Christ. 271 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:54,362 There is so much falsehood. 272 00:12:54,362 --> 00:12:55,333 You know what? 273 00:12:55,333 --> 00:12:56,757 We might say, 274 00:12:56,757 --> 00:12:58,414 well, we have to remember 275 00:12:58,414 --> 00:13:00,300 the reason for the season. 276 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:02,176 Look, I don't know who the author 277 00:13:02,176 --> 00:13:03,435 of this season is, 278 00:13:03,435 --> 00:13:08,802 but oftentimes I suspect it's not God. 279 00:13:08,802 --> 00:13:11,524 Brethren, let me tell you something. 280 00:13:11,524 --> 00:13:14,068 Yeah, it's true that during this time 281 00:13:14,068 --> 00:13:14,921 of the year, 282 00:13:14,921 --> 00:13:17,868 the world will tolerate the mention of Jesus. 283 00:13:17,868 --> 00:13:19,010 They will tolerate 284 00:13:19,010 --> 00:13:22,117 "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." 285 00:13:22,117 --> 00:13:23,669 But you know as well as I do 286 00:13:23,669 --> 00:13:25,344 that right next to the manger scene 287 00:13:25,344 --> 00:13:26,157 is Santa Claus. 288 00:13:26,157 --> 00:13:28,047 And right next to "Hark! The Herald..." 289 00:13:28,047 --> 00:13:29,911 is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," 290 00:13:29,911 --> 00:13:32,820 and "Rudolph," and "Frosty," and all that. 291 00:13:32,820 --> 00:13:34,189 And you see, we say, 292 00:13:34,189 --> 00:13:36,813 the world basically has this mindset. 293 00:13:36,813 --> 00:13:38,493 We're going to deceive our children 294 00:13:38,493 --> 00:13:39,409 with these things; 295 00:13:39,409 --> 00:13:41,245 tell them that Santa's real, 296 00:13:41,245 --> 00:13:42,815 but then at some point we know 297 00:13:42,815 --> 00:13:44,590 that they're going to be undeceived. 298 00:13:44,590 --> 00:13:46,668 We try to push the lie as far as possible. 299 00:13:46,668 --> 00:13:48,828 But you see, all the lies get mixed in 300 00:13:48,828 --> 00:13:50,341 with anything that's true. 301 00:13:50,341 --> 00:13:52,749 And even what's true is stretched 302 00:13:52,749 --> 00:13:55,049 to where it's not true. 303 00:13:55,049 --> 00:13:56,578 Since when did the wise men 304 00:13:56,578 --> 00:13:58,567 come to a stable? 305 00:13:58,567 --> 00:13:59,702 They didn't. 306 00:13:59,702 --> 00:14:02,379 Since when was the star over the stable? 307 00:14:02,379 --> 00:14:03,715 It wasn't. 308 00:14:03,715 --> 00:14:05,707 Since when did the wise men 309 00:14:05,707 --> 00:14:07,418 ride camels? 310 00:14:07,418 --> 00:14:08,782 It never says so. 311 00:14:08,782 --> 00:14:10,794 Since when were there three of them? 312 00:14:10,794 --> 00:14:12,927 There wasn't. 313 00:14:12,927 --> 00:14:15,074 I mean, what we have is all manner 314 00:14:15,074 --> 00:14:16,742 of fictitious stuff 315 00:14:16,742 --> 00:14:18,984 all thrown together 316 00:14:18,984 --> 00:14:20,665 with a bunch of lies. 317 00:14:20,665 --> 00:14:23,871 Brethren, this season men talk about 318 00:14:23,871 --> 00:14:25,797 good will, but it's a lie. 319 00:14:25,797 --> 00:14:27,062 Men don't have good will 320 00:14:27,062 --> 00:14:28,315 towards one another. 321 00:14:28,315 --> 00:14:30,301 And then, this idea that what? 322 00:14:30,301 --> 00:14:31,839 We're going to worship Christ 323 00:14:31,839 --> 00:14:33,341 one time out of the year? 324 00:14:33,341 --> 00:14:35,433 As we remember, the Lord's Supper 325 00:14:35,433 --> 00:14:37,716 is as often as you do this. 326 00:14:37,716 --> 00:14:39,173 It's an ongoing thing. 327 00:14:39,173 --> 00:14:40,886 It isn't once a year at Christmas 328 00:14:40,886 --> 00:14:43,310 or twice a year at Christmas and Easter. 329 00:14:43,310 --> 00:14:44,789 It's a deception. 330 00:14:44,789 --> 00:14:46,459 What it wants to do is say 331 00:14:46,459 --> 00:14:49,759 you know it's ok to mix all this 332 00:14:49,759 --> 00:14:52,750 error with some things that might be true. 333 00:14:52,750 --> 00:14:54,349 And as though we're just going to 334 00:14:54,349 --> 00:14:55,992 be able to discern what's true, 335 00:14:55,992 --> 00:14:57,020 what's not true. 336 00:14:57,020 --> 00:14:59,065 Well, we better be able to discern that. 337 00:14:59,065 --> 00:15:00,583 And we better be able to look 338 00:15:00,583 --> 00:15:02,343 at everything through the Word of God 339 00:15:02,343 --> 00:15:03,665 and sort through it. 340 00:15:03,665 --> 00:15:05,242 We need to be discerning people. 341 00:15:05,242 --> 00:15:06,584 And so much of what happens 342 00:15:06,584 --> 00:15:07,602 this time of the year 343 00:15:07,602 --> 00:15:09,098 is a mirage. 344 00:15:09,098 --> 00:15:10,544 It sets out a hope. 345 00:15:10,544 --> 00:15:12,083 Oh, the Christmas spirit... 346 00:15:12,083 --> 00:15:14,250 It gives people this hope. 347 00:15:14,250 --> 00:15:17,729 There is a sense of anticipation 348 00:15:17,729 --> 00:15:20,231 and expectation this time of year. 349 00:15:20,231 --> 00:15:21,287 And what happens? 350 00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:23,398 It leaves men hollow and empty. 351 00:15:23,398 --> 00:15:25,386 And what happens afterwards? 352 00:15:25,386 --> 00:15:27,360 People have to be confronted 353 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:28,495 by the reality of life. 354 00:15:28,495 --> 00:15:29,692 But I'll tell you this, 355 00:15:29,692 --> 00:15:31,190 if you're a genuine Christian, 356 00:15:31,190 --> 00:15:32,544 after the Christmas season 357 00:15:32,544 --> 00:15:33,717 and New Year's is over, 358 00:15:33,717 --> 00:15:35,303 you're not left empty and hollow. 359 00:15:35,303 --> 00:15:36,052 Why? 360 00:15:36,052 --> 00:15:37,143 You've got the Christ! 361 00:15:37,143 --> 00:15:38,148 You've got salvation! 362 00:15:38,148 --> 00:15:39,823 You've got the real deal! 363 00:15:39,823 --> 00:15:42,443 It wasn't all hinged on Santa and presents 364 00:15:42,443 --> 00:15:45,133 and materialism and family coming together 365 00:15:45,133 --> 00:15:46,746 and songs and football games 366 00:15:46,746 --> 00:15:48,369 and all the things that the world 367 00:15:48,369 --> 00:15:49,871 looks forward to at this time; 368 00:15:49,871 --> 00:15:53,304 drink and song and festivity. 369 00:15:53,304 --> 00:15:57,653 If you've got the Christ, you've got Him forever! 370 00:15:57,653 --> 00:15:59,842 And look, I'm not knocking 371 00:15:59,842 --> 00:16:02,052 if people get together as families. 372 00:16:02,052 --> 00:16:04,183 There's certainly nothing wrong with that. 373 00:16:04,183 --> 00:16:05,347 I'm not knocking 374 00:16:05,347 --> 00:16:08,712 if people come together at this time of the year 375 00:16:08,712 --> 00:16:11,527 and they want to actually open up Luke 2. 376 00:16:11,527 --> 00:16:13,068 I'm not knocking that. 377 00:16:13,068 --> 00:16:15,440 But brethren, there is deception. 378 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,963 And this whole season is just full of deception. 379 00:16:19,963 --> 00:16:22,510 It's everywhere. 380 00:16:22,510 --> 00:16:27,119 Everywhere. 381 00:16:27,119 --> 00:16:32,208 We need to cut through the garbage. 382 00:16:32,208 --> 00:16:35,169 We need to cut through all the lies. 383 00:16:35,169 --> 00:16:37,918 I'll tell you this, 384 00:16:37,918 --> 00:16:39,868 Scripture tells us, 385 00:16:39,868 --> 00:16:45,688 there was a baby born 2,000 years ago. 386 00:16:45,688 --> 00:16:51,938 This is history. 387 00:16:51,938 --> 00:16:54,189 A workplace at the North Pole? 388 00:16:54,189 --> 00:16:56,800 That's not history. 389 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,425 That's akin to Mormonism. 390 00:16:59,425 --> 00:17:01,284 You want to make up fictitious lands, 391 00:17:01,284 --> 00:17:02,774 fictitious places. 392 00:17:02,774 --> 00:17:05,719 It's fiction. 393 00:17:05,719 --> 00:17:06,773 But I'll tell you, 394 00:17:06,773 --> 00:17:08,415 there really was a baby born 395 00:17:08,415 --> 00:17:09,696 2,000 years ago. 396 00:17:09,696 --> 00:17:12,048 And there really was a star 397 00:17:12,048 --> 00:17:13,633 that wasn't there before. 398 00:17:13,633 --> 00:17:18,889 And there really were Magi who came. 399 00:17:18,889 --> 00:17:23,845 We're talking about a historical Christ. 400 00:17:23,845 --> 00:17:26,283 We need to remember that. 401 00:17:26,283 --> 00:17:28,195 This isn't myth. 402 00:17:28,195 --> 00:17:30,701 This is history. 403 00:17:30,701 --> 00:17:32,472 And if anybody was the historian, 404 00:17:32,472 --> 00:17:34,241 it was Luke. 405 00:17:34,241 --> 00:17:36,315 I mean Luke isn't messing around. 406 00:17:36,315 --> 00:17:37,953 He doesn't just dream up something 407 00:17:37,953 --> 00:17:39,280 about the North Pole. 408 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:41,409 He's talking about real people 409 00:17:41,409 --> 00:17:44,500 in a real time in real places. 410 00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:47,727 You notice how articulate he is? 411 00:17:47,727 --> 00:17:49,425 I mean, he tells us, 412 00:17:49,425 --> 00:17:52,615 in the days of Caesar Augustus. 413 00:17:52,615 --> 00:17:54,465 In the days when Quirinius 414 00:17:54,465 --> 00:17:57,458 was in a certain position of leadership. 415 00:17:57,458 --> 00:17:59,871 In those days... 416 00:17:59,871 --> 00:18:02,202 He's very exact. 417 00:18:02,202 --> 00:18:02,988 Look. 418 00:18:02,988 --> 00:18:07,027 Look there at chapter 2:1. 419 00:18:07,027 --> 00:18:08,590 "He was born in Bethlehem." 420 00:18:08,590 --> 00:18:09,588 It's a real place. 421 00:18:09,588 --> 00:18:10,876 It's not like these places 422 00:18:10,876 --> 00:18:12,428 that the Mormons dream up 423 00:18:12,428 --> 00:18:14,145 that nobody can find. 424 00:18:14,145 --> 00:18:15,512 These are real places. 425 00:18:15,512 --> 00:18:17,568 Bethlehem of Judea. 426 00:18:17,568 --> 00:18:18,970 And real days. 427 00:18:18,970 --> 00:18:19,968 What days? 428 00:18:19,968 --> 00:18:21,828 In the days of Herod the King, 429 00:18:21,828 --> 00:18:23,970 behold, wise men from the East 430 00:18:23,970 --> 00:18:26,246 came to Jerusalem. 431 00:18:26,246 --> 00:18:27,962 Real days. 432 00:18:27,962 --> 00:18:30,724 Real places. 433 00:18:30,724 --> 00:18:32,837 I'm quoting Matthew here, 434 00:18:32,837 --> 00:18:35,242 but we're going to look at Luke 435 00:18:35,242 --> 00:18:36,032 in a second. 436 00:18:36,032 --> 00:18:37,710 Anyway, he was the real historian. 437 00:18:37,710 --> 00:18:38,997 He spells this out. 438 00:18:38,997 --> 00:18:41,203 In fact, you've got your finger there still. 439 00:18:41,203 --> 00:18:45,316 Look over at Luke. 440 00:18:45,316 --> 00:18:48,799 Luke 2. 441 00:18:48,799 --> 00:18:50,666 I mean, he's all the more historian 442 00:18:50,666 --> 00:18:51,659 than Matthew was. 443 00:18:51,659 --> 00:18:52,757 Like I said, 444 00:18:52,757 --> 00:18:54,845 he's very articulate here. 445 00:18:54,845 --> 00:18:57,516 "In those days..." 446 00:18:57,516 --> 00:18:58,785 You see that? 447 00:18:58,785 --> 00:18:59,700 Those days. 448 00:18:59,700 --> 00:19:01,259 There were really days. 449 00:19:01,259 --> 00:19:04,100 This is a historical account. 450 00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:07,999 "A decree went out from Caesar Augustus 451 00:19:07,999 --> 00:19:10,216 that all the world should be registered." 452 00:19:10,216 --> 00:19:12,939 There was a registration. 453 00:19:12,939 --> 00:19:16,244 There were really register books. 454 00:19:16,244 --> 00:19:18,288 There were places you went to register. 455 00:19:18,288 --> 00:19:20,414 It was a taxation. 456 00:19:20,414 --> 00:19:25,074 The people registered that they might be taxed. 457 00:19:25,074 --> 00:19:27,126 Let's keep going here. 458 00:19:27,126 --> 00:19:28,823 "This was the first registration 459 00:19:28,823 --> 00:19:32,510 when Quirinius was governer of Syria, 460 00:19:32,510 --> 00:19:34,067 and all went to be registered, 461 00:19:34,067 --> 00:19:36,534 each to his own town." 462 00:19:36,534 --> 00:19:38,464 (Incomplete thought) 463 00:19:38,464 --> 00:19:40,549 Look, this is the Word of God. 464 00:19:40,549 --> 00:19:43,363 This is true no matter what the history books say. 465 00:19:43,363 --> 00:19:45,821 In fact, you don't want to trust history. 466 00:19:45,821 --> 00:19:47,726 There's always somebody with an agenda. 467 00:19:47,726 --> 00:19:49,344 And it's always being rewritten. 468 00:19:49,344 --> 00:19:51,229 And God has never promised to keep it 469 00:19:51,229 --> 00:19:52,508 free of error. 470 00:19:52,508 --> 00:19:56,013 But you can even look at secular history, 471 00:19:56,013 --> 00:19:57,006 and you know, 472 00:19:57,006 --> 00:19:58,780 Caesar Augustus was real. 473 00:19:58,780 --> 00:20:00,139 Quirinius was real. 474 00:20:00,139 --> 00:20:02,107 Look at your secular geography books. 475 00:20:02,107 --> 00:20:03,812 You know Bethlehem is real. 476 00:20:03,812 --> 00:20:06,979 Judah is real. 477 00:20:06,979 --> 00:20:12,131 These are real places. 478 00:20:12,131 --> 00:20:16,513 "In those days..." 479 00:20:16,513 --> 00:20:18,709 What Scripture will never let us 480 00:20:18,709 --> 00:20:19,959 get away from is 481 00:20:19,959 --> 00:20:28,062 the fact that all of this is historical. 482 00:20:28,062 --> 00:20:31,354 It's real. 483 00:20:31,354 --> 00:20:33,221 It's there in Scripture. 484 00:20:33,221 --> 00:20:34,797 And you know what it will never 485 00:20:34,797 --> 00:20:37,103 let us get away from as well? 486 00:20:37,103 --> 00:20:41,129 That the historical Christ 487 00:20:41,129 --> 00:20:44,328 is the supernatural Christ. 488 00:20:44,328 --> 00:20:46,522 You don't want to get away from that. 489 00:20:46,522 --> 00:20:49,006 We've got a lot of people out here 490 00:20:49,006 --> 00:20:49,788 in the world, 491 00:20:49,788 --> 00:20:51,479 they're ready and willing to admit 492 00:20:51,479 --> 00:20:52,758 that Jesus was historical, 493 00:20:52,758 --> 00:20:54,773 but if there's anything supernatural 494 00:20:54,773 --> 00:20:56,198 about Him, then they deny it. 495 00:20:56,198 --> 00:20:57,612 They don't want to go there. 496 00:20:57,612 --> 00:21:00,471 This is simply the pride and arrogance of man. 497 00:21:00,471 --> 00:21:01,807 Man says I cannot understand 498 00:21:01,807 --> 00:21:03,754 how a star can simply appear 499 00:21:03,754 --> 00:21:05,242 where there wasn't one before. 500 00:21:05,242 --> 00:21:06,396 I cannot understand it, 501 00:21:06,396 --> 00:21:10,597 therefore it must not be real. 502 00:21:10,597 --> 00:21:12,358 This is constantly what happens 503 00:21:12,358 --> 00:21:16,320 when little men face 504 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,891 the incomprehensible and supernatural 505 00:21:19,891 --> 00:21:22,379 divine being of the living God. 506 00:21:22,379 --> 00:21:24,024 Well, we cannot understand it, 507 00:21:24,024 --> 00:21:25,706 therefore we cannot believe it. 508 00:21:25,706 --> 00:21:29,693 But the historical Christ is the supernatural Christ. 509 00:21:29,693 --> 00:21:30,971 You look back then. 510 00:21:30,971 --> 00:21:31,798 What did you see? 511 00:21:31,798 --> 00:21:32,947 You see a virgin birth. 512 00:21:32,947 --> 00:21:34,259 You see a star in the sky. 513 00:21:34,259 --> 00:21:35,855 You see the supernatural. 514 00:21:35,855 --> 00:21:37,302 You see angels appearing 515 00:21:37,302 --> 00:21:39,053 and declaring to the shepherds 516 00:21:39,053 --> 00:21:41,227 that the Christ has been born. 517 00:21:41,227 --> 00:21:43,084 Christ - He is born. 518 00:21:43,084 --> 00:21:44,769 And He lives His life 519 00:21:44,769 --> 00:21:46,505 and it's full of the supernatural. 520 00:21:46,505 --> 00:21:48,418 Water made into wine. 521 00:21:48,418 --> 00:21:50,042 He walked on water. 522 00:21:50,042 --> 00:21:51,102 Where He went, 523 00:21:51,102 --> 00:21:52,749 the supernatural happened. 524 00:21:52,749 --> 00:21:55,177 You see, God broke into history. 525 00:21:55,177 --> 00:21:58,138 And what happens when God becomes man 526 00:21:58,138 --> 00:22:00,674 is it just turns everything upside down. 527 00:22:00,674 --> 00:22:02,432 You can say, "I don't understand it." 528 00:22:02,432 --> 00:22:05,044 Well, there's a lot about it I don't understand either. 529 00:22:05,044 --> 00:22:07,898 But Scripture tells us it's so. 530 00:22:07,898 --> 00:22:12,471 The historical Christ is a supernatural Christ. 531 00:22:12,471 --> 00:22:13,662 And I'll tell you what, 532 00:22:13,662 --> 00:22:14,835 the Word tells us 533 00:22:14,835 --> 00:22:16,210 there was a star - 534 00:22:16,210 --> 00:22:18,215 a star created just for this occasion 535 00:22:18,215 --> 00:22:24,110 to lead a group of (get this) Gentiles 536 00:22:24,110 --> 00:22:25,592 from a far away place 537 00:22:25,592 --> 00:22:27,330 to come and fall down and worship 538 00:22:27,330 --> 00:22:29,832 before a baby. 539 00:22:29,832 --> 00:22:34,259 And what a baby! 540 00:22:34,259 --> 00:22:39,538 If you've got your finger still in Matthew 1, 541 00:22:39,538 --> 00:22:44,562 you can keep your fingers there. 542 00:22:44,562 --> 00:22:48,364 It says in Matthew 1:21, 543 00:22:48,364 --> 00:22:51,539 "She will bear a Son, 544 00:22:51,539 --> 00:22:53,234 and you shall call His name Jesus, 545 00:22:53,234 --> 00:22:54,878 for He will save His people 546 00:22:54,878 --> 00:22:57,083 from their sins. 547 00:22:57,083 --> 00:23:00,755 All this took place to fulfill the prophet. 548 00:23:00,755 --> 00:23:03,304 What the Lord had spoken by Isaiah, 549 00:23:03,304 --> 00:23:06,310 'behold, the virgin shall conceive 550 00:23:06,310 --> 00:23:08,794 and bear a Son, 551 00:23:08,794 --> 00:23:13,185 and they shall call His name Immanuel.'" 552 00:23:13,185 --> 00:23:15,370 We're not talking about the birth 553 00:23:15,370 --> 00:23:20,135 of a great man. 554 00:23:20,135 --> 00:23:23,058 God came among us. 555 00:23:23,058 --> 00:23:24,721 Oh, He was a great man, 556 00:23:24,721 --> 00:23:26,778 but more. 557 00:23:26,778 --> 00:23:29,771 God came among us to be with us. 558 00:23:29,771 --> 00:23:30,968 This is the Eternal One 559 00:23:30,968 --> 00:23:32,126 coming into the world. 560 00:23:32,126 --> 00:23:34,080 You know the verse. 561 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:42,412 "In the beginning was the Word." 562 00:23:42,412 --> 00:23:45,191 In the beginning. 563 00:23:45,191 --> 00:23:46,851 What beginning? 564 00:23:46,851 --> 00:23:48,157 Go back to the beginning. 565 00:23:48,157 --> 00:23:49,517 Well, wasn't there something 566 00:23:49,517 --> 00:23:50,740 before that beginning? 567 00:23:50,740 --> 00:23:53,187 Yeah, go back in the beginning 568 00:23:53,187 --> 00:23:54,916 before that beginning. 569 00:23:54,916 --> 00:23:59,247 Back, back, back, further back. 570 00:23:59,247 --> 00:24:03,102 Before there was a beginning. 571 00:24:03,102 --> 00:24:05,328 There's the Word. 572 00:24:05,328 --> 00:24:10,387 And the Word was God. 573 00:24:10,387 --> 00:24:12,932 And the Word was with God. 574 00:24:12,932 --> 00:24:19,717 And the Word became flesh. 575 00:24:19,717 --> 00:24:22,039 That's what we have going on here. 576 00:24:22,039 --> 00:24:26,124 He didn't start to exist. 577 00:24:26,124 --> 00:24:30,539 You have a star in the sky. 578 00:24:30,539 --> 00:24:32,545 And it's a messenger. 579 00:24:32,545 --> 00:24:36,240 It's a beacon 580 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:42,742 that God and humanity are coming together 581 00:24:42,742 --> 00:24:46,714 in the womb of a virgin 582 00:24:46,714 --> 00:24:50,184 to be born into the world. 583 00:24:50,184 --> 00:24:54,218 That's what we have. 584 00:24:54,218 --> 00:24:58,039 God coming into the world. 585 00:24:58,039 --> 00:25:00,641 But you think about this, 586 00:25:00,641 --> 00:25:05,405 God coming into the world - 587 00:25:05,405 --> 00:25:11,363 think about what you have done. 588 00:25:11,363 --> 00:25:12,819 You think about the things 589 00:25:12,819 --> 00:25:15,047 you've done in your life. 590 00:25:15,047 --> 00:25:16,593 God's coming into the world. 591 00:25:16,593 --> 00:25:17,341 You hear that. 592 00:25:17,341 --> 00:25:18,711 God's coming into the world. 593 00:25:18,711 --> 00:25:19,558 You know what? 594 00:25:19,558 --> 00:25:22,994 This is the God Who has a score to settle. 595 00:25:22,994 --> 00:25:27,873 We've done things. 596 00:25:27,873 --> 00:25:30,386 I mean just that by itself is not good news. 597 00:25:30,386 --> 00:25:35,508 That might actually be reason for some alarm. 598 00:25:35,508 --> 00:25:38,924 But think about those words. 599 00:25:38,924 --> 00:25:42,568 I mean, those angels appeared out there 600 00:25:42,568 --> 00:25:45,741 on those plains. 601 00:25:45,741 --> 00:25:47,618 Quiet. 602 00:25:47,618 --> 00:25:50,753 It's night. 603 00:25:50,753 --> 00:25:53,156 It's peaceful. 604 00:25:53,156 --> 00:25:55,289 The sheep. 605 00:25:55,289 --> 00:25:59,881 The shepherds standing watch by night. 606 00:25:59,881 --> 00:26:01,240 And I mean, what happened? 607 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:03,088 The sky split open. 608 00:26:03,088 --> 00:26:06,964 They weren't expecting that. 609 00:26:06,964 --> 00:26:08,733 You would be shocked, 610 00:26:08,733 --> 00:26:10,100 as I'm sure they were. 611 00:26:10,100 --> 00:26:12,997 But you've got to hear in those words, 612 00:26:12,997 --> 00:26:18,452 those angels said that that very day 613 00:26:18,452 --> 00:26:20,585 a Savior was born. 614 00:26:20,585 --> 00:26:22,576 Just think about those words. 615 00:26:22,576 --> 00:26:24,428 That baby that came forth 616 00:26:24,428 --> 00:26:25,515 is a Savior. 617 00:26:25,515 --> 00:26:27,614 Sometimes we have to stop. 618 00:26:27,614 --> 00:26:29,536 It's kind of like the star hitting me 619 00:26:29,536 --> 00:26:30,492 there in the prison. 620 00:26:30,492 --> 00:26:32,004 Sometimes you just have to stop 621 00:26:32,004 --> 00:26:33,440 and hear that word: 622 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:35,949 Savior. 623 00:26:35,949 --> 00:26:39,270 Somebody came to save us. 624 00:26:39,270 --> 00:26:42,446 Somebody came to free us. 625 00:26:42,446 --> 00:26:43,955 Savior. 626 00:26:43,955 --> 00:26:45,112 He came to save us. 627 00:26:45,112 --> 00:26:46,871 He didn't come to destroy us. 628 00:26:46,871 --> 00:26:49,092 He's come to take our sins upon Himself. 629 00:26:49,092 --> 00:26:51,784 Not to deal with us according to our sins, 630 00:26:51,784 --> 00:26:55,347 but that star that's shining 631 00:26:55,347 --> 00:26:57,608 up there in the sky - 632 00:26:57,608 --> 00:26:58,697 it's a beacon of hope, 633 00:26:58,697 --> 00:27:00,758 not of destruction; not of doom. 634 00:27:00,758 --> 00:27:02,536 That's the reality. 635 00:27:02,536 --> 00:27:03,862 Listen to this. 636 00:27:03,862 --> 00:27:06,003 Matthew 2. 637 00:27:06,003 --> 00:27:07,591 Look at it there in v. 10. 638 00:27:07,591 --> 00:27:10,315 "When they saw the star..." 639 00:27:10,315 --> 00:27:11,470 Not the shepherds - 640 00:27:11,470 --> 00:27:13,247 we're talking about the Magi here. 641 00:27:13,247 --> 00:27:16,341 "When they saw the star, 642 00:27:16,341 --> 00:27:19,660 they rejoiced exceedingly 643 00:27:19,660 --> 00:27:21,136 with great joy." 644 00:27:21,136 --> 00:27:23,925 This is a reflection of the shepherd's joy as well. 645 00:27:23,925 --> 00:27:25,631 We could look over there at Luke 2. 646 00:27:25,631 --> 00:27:28,028 There was joy. 647 00:27:28,028 --> 00:27:30,001 This One Who came into the world 648 00:27:30,001 --> 00:27:32,524 came to produce joy. 649 00:27:32,524 --> 00:27:34,373 Listen! 650 00:27:34,373 --> 00:27:39,028 That's not what this world experiences 651 00:27:39,028 --> 00:27:45,607 in this season of Christmas. 652 00:27:45,607 --> 00:27:47,258 There's a hope. 653 00:27:47,258 --> 00:27:49,306 There's an anticipation. 654 00:27:49,306 --> 00:27:52,780 There may be some kind of cheer 655 00:27:52,780 --> 00:27:56,994 and happiness. 656 00:27:56,994 --> 00:28:01,181 But not the abiding joy. 657 00:28:01,181 --> 00:28:03,160 Rejoice in the Lord always, 658 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:06,388 and again I say, rejoice. 659 00:28:06,388 --> 00:28:15,762 The world doesn't rejoice come January. 660 00:28:15,762 --> 00:28:20,066 Something was happening here. 661 00:28:20,066 --> 00:28:22,161 Here's the thing, 662 00:28:22,161 --> 00:28:25,308 even though it's misplaced - 663 00:28:25,308 --> 00:28:29,015 the star was not over the stable. 664 00:28:29,015 --> 00:28:30,924 The star didn't lead the Magi 665 00:28:30,924 --> 00:28:32,123 to the stable. 666 00:28:32,123 --> 00:28:37,380 The star led the Magi to the house 667 00:28:37,380 --> 00:28:40,874 where Joseph and Mary and the baby were 668 00:28:40,874 --> 00:28:46,511 after the Christ was born. 669 00:28:46,511 --> 00:28:48,287 So when you see the manger scene, 670 00:28:48,287 --> 00:28:49,401 you see a star there, 671 00:28:49,401 --> 00:28:51,250 it's misplaced. 672 00:28:51,250 --> 00:28:53,407 How it ever got on top of a Christmas tree 673 00:28:53,407 --> 00:28:54,731 I don't know. 674 00:28:54,731 --> 00:28:57,494 But I can tell you this, 675 00:28:57,494 --> 00:28:59,982 you see that star on top of a Christmas tree; 676 00:28:59,982 --> 00:29:03,245 you see that star on the front of a stable 677 00:29:03,245 --> 00:29:06,556 or the back wall of the stable, 678 00:29:06,556 --> 00:29:09,957 you can think about what that means. 679 00:29:09,957 --> 00:29:13,663 That thing shined in the sky 680 00:29:13,663 --> 00:29:17,751 guiding men to a Savior. 681 00:29:17,751 --> 00:29:21,506 A Savior has come. 682 00:29:21,506 --> 00:29:24,813 Man need not be damned. 683 00:29:24,813 --> 00:29:27,465 A Savior has come. 684 00:29:27,465 --> 00:29:28,833 God has come! 685 00:29:28,833 --> 00:29:31,777 Immanuel: God with us 686 00:29:31,777 --> 00:29:33,801 to redeem us, to help us, 687 00:29:33,801 --> 00:29:36,245 to save us, to take us to glory, 688 00:29:36,245 --> 00:29:38,207 to give us life everlasting, 689 00:29:38,207 --> 00:29:39,971 to give us pleasures forevermore 690 00:29:39,971 --> 00:29:40,987 at His right hand, 691 00:29:40,987 --> 00:29:42,525 to give us life, 692 00:29:42,525 --> 00:29:43,972 life more abundantly, 693 00:29:43,972 --> 00:29:45,878 to free us. 694 00:29:45,878 --> 00:29:48,304 Brethren, to forgive us! 695 00:29:48,304 --> 00:29:49,924 No lake of fire! 696 00:29:49,924 --> 00:29:51,455 I deserve the lake of fire. 697 00:29:51,455 --> 00:29:53,403 That's what that star says. 698 00:29:53,403 --> 00:29:56,631 There's hope. 699 00:29:56,631 --> 00:29:58,780 That's what it was saying. 700 00:29:58,780 --> 00:30:00,397 Now listen, 701 00:30:00,397 --> 00:30:02,918 I want you to think about this. 702 00:30:02,918 --> 00:30:06,598 (Incomplete thought) 703 00:30:06,598 --> 00:30:11,958 I cannot help but see election 704 00:30:11,958 --> 00:30:12,978 in that star. 705 00:30:12,978 --> 00:30:13,836 You say, election? 706 00:30:13,836 --> 00:30:14,757 What do you mean? 707 00:30:14,757 --> 00:30:15,509 I mean this. 708 00:30:15,509 --> 00:30:17,426 I mean that God chooses some people 709 00:30:17,426 --> 00:30:19,219 and not other people. 710 00:30:19,219 --> 00:30:20,243 You say, really? 711 00:30:20,243 --> 00:30:22,813 Well, look, if you haven't been here for our Ephesians series 712 00:30:22,813 --> 00:30:24,130 and you're calling that into question, 713 00:30:24,130 --> 00:30:25,540 I would encourage you to go study 714 00:30:25,540 --> 00:30:27,313 the first 14 verses of Ephesians, 715 00:30:27,313 --> 00:30:29,774 because you will not come away 716 00:30:29,774 --> 00:30:32,177 convinced that election doesn't exist 717 00:30:32,177 --> 00:30:33,998 if you have eyes to see 718 00:30:33,998 --> 00:30:36,058 what those verses say. 719 00:30:36,058 --> 00:30:37,472 But in that star, 720 00:30:37,472 --> 00:30:39,513 I see election. 721 00:30:39,513 --> 00:30:41,457 You say, what are you talking about? 722 00:30:41,457 --> 00:30:42,852 What do you mean? 723 00:30:42,852 --> 00:30:46,156 How do you see that? 724 00:30:46,156 --> 00:30:47,682 Let me explain. 725 00:30:47,682 --> 00:30:50,389 Just think with me. 726 00:30:50,389 --> 00:30:52,144 David and I were talking about this 727 00:30:52,144 --> 00:30:55,429 the other night. 728 00:30:55,429 --> 00:30:57,594 A star appears. 729 00:30:57,594 --> 00:30:58,587 A new star. 730 00:30:58,587 --> 00:31:00,337 Something nobody's ever seen before. 731 00:31:00,337 --> 00:31:02,235 A new star appears in the sky. 732 00:31:02,235 --> 00:31:05,254 Here's the first question I would ask you. 733 00:31:05,254 --> 00:31:09,025 Who would even notice? 734 00:31:09,025 --> 00:31:11,246 I mean, the truth is, 735 00:31:11,246 --> 00:31:16,958 if a new star appeared in the sky tonight, 736 00:31:16,958 --> 00:31:19,267 would you notice? 737 00:31:19,267 --> 00:31:21,788 I wouldn't. 738 00:31:21,788 --> 00:31:24,388 I came to the prayer meeting the other night, 739 00:31:24,388 --> 00:31:26,545 and these are the shortest days of the year, 740 00:31:26,545 --> 00:31:28,415 and so it was already getting dark 741 00:31:28,415 --> 00:31:32,330 when I showed up around 6:30. 742 00:31:32,330 --> 00:31:34,398 The Montgomery's were out here. 743 00:31:34,398 --> 00:31:36,366 And somebody made a comment 744 00:31:36,366 --> 00:31:38,864 about a star in the sky. 745 00:31:38,864 --> 00:31:40,481 We were surmising that it was 746 00:31:40,481 --> 00:31:42,588 probably a planet. 747 00:31:42,588 --> 00:31:44,038 It was bright. 748 00:31:44,038 --> 00:31:45,059 But you know what, 749 00:31:45,059 --> 00:31:46,860 if there had been two up there, 750 00:31:46,860 --> 00:31:48,221 I'd have just said, 751 00:31:48,221 --> 00:31:50,801 it's two planets. 752 00:31:50,801 --> 00:31:52,716 I would not have gone home, 753 00:31:52,716 --> 00:31:53,905 packed the car, 754 00:31:53,905 --> 00:31:55,730 put the family in 755 00:31:55,730 --> 00:31:57,424 and headed out in the direction 756 00:31:57,424 --> 00:31:58,906 where the star was. 757 00:31:58,906 --> 00:32:00,745 I would not have taken it as a sign 758 00:32:00,745 --> 00:32:04,038 that I needed to go to Canada. 759 00:32:04,038 --> 00:32:05,490 I wouldn't have even noticed 760 00:32:05,490 --> 00:32:10,274 that it was even new. 761 00:32:10,274 --> 00:32:11,717 A star appeared. 762 00:32:11,717 --> 00:32:14,312 They said to Herod, 763 00:32:14,312 --> 00:32:18,846 we saw it rise. 764 00:32:18,846 --> 00:32:21,884 Huh. They saw it. 765 00:32:21,884 --> 00:32:28,098 You know, who notices a new star in the sky? 766 00:32:28,098 --> 00:32:29,649 I'll tell you who notices, 767 00:32:29,649 --> 00:32:32,005 somebody who's looking at the sky. 768 00:32:32,005 --> 00:32:33,806 Somebody who looks at those things. 769 00:32:33,806 --> 00:32:37,926 Somebody who pays attention to those things. 770 00:32:37,926 --> 00:32:39,796 These are people that paid attention. 771 00:32:39,796 --> 00:32:43,052 And here's the thing 772 00:32:43,052 --> 00:32:46,949 God put that star 773 00:32:46,949 --> 00:32:52,406 where these people were looking. 774 00:32:52,406 --> 00:32:54,613 You say, you see election in that? 775 00:32:54,613 --> 00:32:56,756 Yeah, I do. 776 00:32:56,756 --> 00:32:58,548 Because He put it where these folks 777 00:32:58,548 --> 00:33:03,047 were looking. 778 00:33:03,047 --> 00:33:04,569 Other people may be looking 779 00:33:04,569 --> 00:33:05,634 in other places, 780 00:33:05,634 --> 00:33:08,691 but He didn't put it in those places. 781 00:33:08,691 --> 00:33:09,921 The sign. 782 00:33:09,921 --> 00:33:11,340 He put it here. 783 00:33:11,340 --> 00:33:13,967 Now there may be other signs. 784 00:33:13,967 --> 00:33:17,206 But He put one right where these people 785 00:33:17,206 --> 00:33:20,065 would look at it. 786 00:33:20,065 --> 00:33:21,787 And like I say, 787 00:33:21,787 --> 00:33:25,381 here's another thing. 788 00:33:25,381 --> 00:33:28,701 Even if you discover a new star, 789 00:33:28,701 --> 00:33:30,672 or even if you said, hey, 790 00:33:30,672 --> 00:33:32,220 we watch the sky. 791 00:33:32,220 --> 00:33:34,230 We're astronomers. 792 00:33:34,230 --> 00:33:35,996 We track the stars. 793 00:33:35,996 --> 00:33:42,239 There is a star that was not there last year. 794 00:33:42,239 --> 00:33:44,282 Like I say, 795 00:33:44,282 --> 00:33:46,155 who packs the camels? 796 00:33:46,155 --> 00:33:47,975 Or the mules? 797 00:33:47,975 --> 00:33:53,254 Or the horses and heads off to Jerusalem? 798 00:33:53,254 --> 00:33:57,484 Why would you do that? 799 00:33:57,484 --> 00:34:00,096 It's like seeing a tree you never saw before. 800 00:34:00,096 --> 00:34:03,310 You don't just pack up and move 801 00:34:03,310 --> 00:34:08,334 because something's new in your environment. 802 00:34:08,334 --> 00:34:10,765 But that's what they did. 803 00:34:10,765 --> 00:34:12,390 And there's more. 804 00:34:12,390 --> 00:34:14,890 You know that when these Magi 805 00:34:14,890 --> 00:34:16,413 got to where they were going - 806 00:34:16,413 --> 00:34:17,745 in fact, if you look here 807 00:34:17,745 --> 00:34:24,268 in Matthew 2, you will see that 808 00:34:24,268 --> 00:34:27,979 in v. 11, "...going into the house, 809 00:34:27,979 --> 00:34:29,910 they saw the child." 810 00:34:29,910 --> 00:34:31,524 They actually went in the house. 811 00:34:31,524 --> 00:34:33,903 They weren't standing out front of a stable. 812 00:34:33,903 --> 00:34:38,233 They went in the house. 813 00:34:38,233 --> 00:34:40,291 "They saw the child with Mary, His mother, 814 00:34:40,291 --> 00:34:42,466 and they fell down and worshiped Him 815 00:34:42,466 --> 00:34:44,438 then opening their treasures, 816 00:34:44,438 --> 00:34:45,523 they offered Him gifts - 817 00:34:45,523 --> 00:34:47,163 gold, frankincense, and myrrh." 818 00:34:47,163 --> 00:34:49,248 You say, what about that? 819 00:34:49,248 --> 00:34:50,908 Just this: 820 00:34:50,908 --> 00:34:57,311 So God put a star where they could see it. 821 00:34:57,311 --> 00:34:58,801 But when they saw it, 822 00:34:58,801 --> 00:34:59,673 they packed up. 823 00:34:59,673 --> 00:35:01,059 And as they're packing up, 824 00:35:01,059 --> 00:35:03,139 they just didn't put food and water 825 00:35:03,139 --> 00:35:04,712 in their bags, 826 00:35:04,712 --> 00:35:07,723 they put treasures in their bags. 827 00:35:07,723 --> 00:35:10,197 Why? 828 00:35:10,197 --> 00:35:16,198 Because, listen, when they got to Jerusalem, 829 00:35:16,198 --> 00:35:20,923 they specifically said to Herod; 830 00:35:20,923 --> 00:35:25,301 they specifically said to the Jews, 831 00:35:25,301 --> 00:35:30,236 "We have seen His star - 832 00:35:30,236 --> 00:35:33,146 the King of Israel." 833 00:35:33,146 --> 00:35:34,684 Ok, now here's this. 834 00:35:34,684 --> 00:35:37,426 Not only who packs up the camels 835 00:35:37,426 --> 00:35:40,057 or the horses when they see a star, 836 00:35:40,057 --> 00:35:43,155 but who sees a star and says 837 00:35:43,155 --> 00:35:44,631 we've got to go to Jerusalem 838 00:35:44,631 --> 00:35:46,943 because this means that the King of the Jews 839 00:35:46,943 --> 00:35:48,286 has been born? 840 00:35:48,286 --> 00:35:49,443 I'll tell you this. 841 00:35:49,443 --> 00:35:51,765 The Magi had revelation. 842 00:35:51,765 --> 00:35:53,575 Something was going on with the Magi 843 00:35:53,575 --> 00:35:55,478 that wasn't going on with other people. 844 00:35:55,478 --> 00:35:57,126 God was dealing with these Magi 845 00:35:57,126 --> 00:35:59,166 in a way that was very specific. 846 00:35:59,166 --> 00:36:00,622 Do you see election here? 847 00:36:00,622 --> 00:36:02,393 God deals with different people 848 00:36:02,393 --> 00:36:03,615 in different ways. 849 00:36:03,615 --> 00:36:05,091 These people had a blessing. 850 00:36:05,091 --> 00:36:07,073 These people had their eyes opened 851 00:36:07,073 --> 00:36:10,877 in a way that other people simply did not. 852 00:36:10,877 --> 00:36:13,506 Here's another thing: 853 00:36:13,506 --> 00:36:20,365 Even more telling is that 854 00:36:20,365 --> 00:36:25,288 when they got to Jerusalem, 855 00:36:25,288 --> 00:36:27,928 you notice there's no indication - 856 00:36:27,928 --> 00:36:31,916 listen to this: 857 00:36:31,916 --> 00:36:37,129 Here they come 858 00:36:37,129 --> 00:36:39,477 to Jerusalem. 859 00:36:39,477 --> 00:36:41,409 Matthew 2:1. 860 00:36:41,409 --> 00:36:42,788 And what do they say? 861 00:36:42,788 --> 00:36:44,741 "Where is He Who has been born 862 00:36:44,741 --> 00:36:46,780 King of the Jews?" 863 00:36:46,780 --> 00:36:48,608 Well, now, they would have known 864 00:36:48,608 --> 00:36:49,544 those in Jerusalem 865 00:36:49,544 --> 00:36:50,874 who he was speaking about. 866 00:36:50,874 --> 00:36:52,757 He was speaking about the Messiah. 867 00:36:52,757 --> 00:36:54,346 "For we saw His star when it rose 868 00:36:54,346 --> 00:36:56,151 and have come forth to worship Him." 869 00:36:56,151 --> 00:36:57,844 You see, they came with an agenda. 870 00:36:57,844 --> 00:36:59,505 That star was all about 871 00:36:59,505 --> 00:37:03,726 going to worship Jesus Christ. 872 00:37:03,726 --> 00:37:05,271 "When Herod the king heard this, 873 00:37:05,271 --> 00:37:07,375 he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. 874 00:37:07,375 --> 00:37:08,945 They assembled the chief priests 875 00:37:08,945 --> 00:37:10,679 and scribes and he inquired of them 876 00:37:10,679 --> 00:37:12,282 where the Christ was to be born." 877 00:37:12,282 --> 00:37:13,809 They knew exactly Who this was. 878 00:37:13,809 --> 00:37:14,731 It was the Christ. 879 00:37:14,731 --> 00:37:18,572 "And he said, 'Bethlehem.'" 880 00:37:18,572 --> 00:37:20,828 V. 7 "Herod summoned the wise men 881 00:37:20,828 --> 00:37:22,657 and secretly ascertained from them 882 00:37:22,657 --> 00:37:24,137 the time the star had appeared. 883 00:37:24,137 --> 00:37:25,777 He sent them to Bethlehem saying, 884 00:37:25,777 --> 00:37:27,732 'Go and search diligently for the child, 885 00:37:27,732 --> 00:37:29,975 and when you have found Him, bring me word that I too may 886 00:37:29,975 --> 00:37:31,241 come and worship Him.' 887 00:37:31,241 --> 00:37:32,685 After listening to the king 888 00:37:32,685 --> 00:37:38,247 they went on their way." 889 00:37:38,247 --> 00:37:42,582 You know what I find extremely interesting 890 00:37:42,582 --> 00:37:44,742 is this: 891 00:37:44,742 --> 00:37:48,779 They not only knew 892 00:37:48,779 --> 00:37:54,128 and recognized the significance of that star, 893 00:37:54,128 --> 00:37:58,345 they were the only ones who did. 894 00:37:58,345 --> 00:38:00,069 You say, what do you mean? 895 00:38:00,069 --> 00:38:02,619 I mean this: 896 00:38:02,619 --> 00:38:06,230 You notice they went on the Bethlehem. 897 00:38:06,230 --> 00:38:08,820 All the Jews that were gathered together - 898 00:38:08,820 --> 00:38:11,990 none of them went. 899 00:38:11,990 --> 00:38:14,152 None of the Jewish leaders went. 900 00:38:14,152 --> 00:38:16,127 None of the political leaders went. 901 00:38:16,127 --> 00:38:18,455 Herod didn't pack his horses 902 00:38:18,455 --> 00:38:23,984 and his gold and frankincense and myrrh. 903 00:38:23,984 --> 00:38:29,166 They went on by themselves. 904 00:38:29,166 --> 00:38:31,526 I mean, you have the Magi come 905 00:38:31,526 --> 00:38:35,246 and explain the significance of the star. 906 00:38:35,246 --> 00:38:39,064 They still didn't go. 907 00:38:39,064 --> 00:38:40,703 The presence of the coming Christ 908 00:38:40,703 --> 00:38:43,384 is proclaimed by this star. 909 00:38:43,384 --> 00:38:46,950 Who are the Magi? 910 00:38:46,950 --> 00:38:49,027 They're not Jews. 911 00:38:49,027 --> 00:38:53,483 They're just foreigners. 912 00:38:53,483 --> 00:38:55,231 A band of foreigners. 913 00:38:55,231 --> 00:38:56,639 We don't know how many. 914 00:38:56,639 --> 00:38:59,413 It doesn't say three. 915 00:38:59,413 --> 00:39:00,905 It doesn't call them kings. 916 00:39:00,905 --> 00:39:03,670 Not "We Three Kings..." 917 00:39:03,670 --> 00:39:05,594 It's the Magi. 918 00:39:05,594 --> 00:39:07,434 Foreigners. 919 00:39:07,434 --> 00:39:08,623 Isn't it interesting? 920 00:39:08,623 --> 00:39:10,064 I mean, think with me here. 921 00:39:10,064 --> 00:39:11,974 God gives us this picture 922 00:39:11,974 --> 00:39:15,162 about the coming of His Son into the world, 923 00:39:15,162 --> 00:39:18,857 and who are the only people 924 00:39:18,857 --> 00:39:22,878 who are on the same wavelength with God? 925 00:39:22,878 --> 00:39:27,974 A band of foreigners. 926 00:39:27,974 --> 00:39:29,834 God chooses people. 927 00:39:29,834 --> 00:39:32,199 God puts His hand on people. 928 00:39:32,199 --> 00:39:34,420 God opens certain people's eyes 929 00:39:34,420 --> 00:39:36,328 and not others. 930 00:39:36,328 --> 00:39:39,204 That's what you see going on here. 931 00:39:39,204 --> 00:39:41,049 And then, I just draw your attention 932 00:39:41,049 --> 00:39:42,767 back to v. 9-10 again. 933 00:39:42,767 --> 00:39:45,359 "Listening to the king, they went on their way. 934 00:39:45,359 --> 00:39:46,750 And behold the star, 935 00:39:46,750 --> 00:39:48,532 that they had seen when it rose 936 00:39:48,532 --> 00:39:51,103 went before them until it came to rest 937 00:39:51,103 --> 00:39:52,870 over the place where the child was. 938 00:39:52,870 --> 00:39:54,120 When they saw the star, 939 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:56,933 they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." 940 00:39:56,933 --> 00:40:00,580 Brethren, I do see election in this star. 941 00:40:00,580 --> 00:40:06,424 Why? The star went before them. 942 00:40:06,424 --> 00:40:08,061 It went before them. 943 00:40:08,061 --> 00:40:12,282 Listen, this star is leading them. 944 00:40:12,282 --> 00:40:14,748 It's like the thing is alive. 945 00:40:14,748 --> 00:40:19,686 There is a living God behind it. 946 00:40:19,686 --> 00:40:24,223 And it directs them: foreigners. 947 00:40:24,223 --> 00:40:26,128 Not the Jews. Not the Pharisees. 948 00:40:26,128 --> 00:40:28,671 Not the scribes. Not the priests. 949 00:40:28,671 --> 00:40:31,061 Not Herod. Not his entourage. 950 00:40:31,061 --> 00:40:35,233 Not the Romans. 951 00:40:35,233 --> 00:40:39,190 Some Magi from the East. 952 00:40:39,190 --> 00:40:40,352 Isn't that amazing? 953 00:40:40,352 --> 00:40:41,895 It's kind of like Jesus saying, 954 00:40:41,895 --> 00:40:44,035 you know there are many lepers; 955 00:40:44,035 --> 00:40:47,479 there are many widows. 956 00:40:47,479 --> 00:40:48,924 Doesn't God have a way of 957 00:40:48,924 --> 00:40:54,036 just choosing the insignificant. 958 00:40:54,036 --> 00:40:58,197 He chooses those we often would least expect. 959 00:40:58,197 --> 00:41:01,718 Are you still floored by that? 960 00:41:01,718 --> 00:41:07,183 God chose me. 961 00:41:07,183 --> 00:41:11,303 There's election. 962 00:41:11,303 --> 00:41:13,983 In the same way, brethren, 963 00:41:13,983 --> 00:41:18,245 most are unaware. 964 00:41:18,245 --> 00:41:22,821 Most are unaware of the significance of things. 965 00:41:22,821 --> 00:41:25,031 Do you recognize that that is true 966 00:41:25,031 --> 00:41:28,001 on this morning that the world labels 967 00:41:28,001 --> 00:41:32,799 as Christmas Day? 968 00:41:32,799 --> 00:41:35,519 Everybody thinks what's significant? 969 00:41:35,519 --> 00:41:36,611 The presents. 970 00:41:36,611 --> 00:41:37,972 The family. 971 00:41:37,972 --> 00:41:39,377 The tree. 972 00:41:39,377 --> 00:41:42,466 The lights. 973 00:41:42,466 --> 00:41:47,495 How many people are truly connected 974 00:41:47,495 --> 00:41:53,228 with what's really significant in this world? 975 00:41:53,228 --> 00:41:57,065 Maybe a little band of foreigners 976 00:41:57,065 --> 00:42:00,293 that meet in this place? 977 00:42:00,293 --> 00:42:03,246 We're outsiders. 978 00:42:03,246 --> 00:42:07,152 Gentiles. 979 00:42:07,152 --> 00:42:10,225 Those who are far off. 980 00:42:10,225 --> 00:42:12,267 Most are unaware. 981 00:42:12,267 --> 00:42:13,663 Think about even the night 982 00:42:13,663 --> 00:42:15,790 when Jesus was born. 983 00:42:15,790 --> 00:42:17,486 By the way, 984 00:42:17,486 --> 00:42:19,660 you recognize the time differential here. 985 00:42:19,660 --> 00:42:22,140 Christ was born; 986 00:42:22,140 --> 00:42:23,684 they laid Him in a manger. 987 00:42:23,684 --> 00:42:26,142 It really doesn't even say that there was a stable. 988 00:42:26,142 --> 00:42:30,289 The manger may have been under the stars. 989 00:42:30,289 --> 00:42:32,159 The shepherds came. 990 00:42:32,159 --> 00:42:35,494 It was sometime later that the Magi 991 00:42:35,494 --> 00:42:39,320 arrived at the house 992 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,642 where Joseph had taken his family. 993 00:42:42,642 --> 00:42:44,851 His family was from there. 994 00:42:44,851 --> 00:42:47,143 It may have very well been family. 995 00:42:47,143 --> 00:42:49,854 But that night when Jesus was born, 996 00:42:49,854 --> 00:42:54,404 do you notice how unaware the world was? 997 00:42:54,404 --> 00:42:56,071 You just think about it. 998 00:42:56,071 --> 00:43:00,203 People just go on with their lives. 999 00:43:00,203 --> 00:43:02,412 What was happening? 1000 00:43:02,412 --> 00:43:04,146 There was a registration. 1001 00:43:04,146 --> 00:43:05,982 Oh, you think that stirred people up? 1002 00:43:05,982 --> 00:43:07,337 You think that was something 1003 00:43:07,337 --> 00:43:08,487 they were talking about? 1004 00:43:08,487 --> 00:43:09,935 You think if we got conquered 1005 00:43:09,935 --> 00:43:11,304 by a foreign power, 1006 00:43:11,304 --> 00:43:13,149 the Romans - Caesar comes in 1007 00:43:13,149 --> 00:43:14,669 and he sets up a registration 1008 00:43:14,669 --> 00:43:16,396 where we have to all go register 1009 00:43:16,396 --> 00:43:17,634 and pay our taxes. 1010 00:43:17,634 --> 00:43:20,475 If you're somebody like Joseph 1011 00:43:20,475 --> 00:43:22,103 and you actually have to pack up 1012 00:43:22,103 --> 00:43:24,340 in Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem 1013 00:43:24,340 --> 00:43:26,381 because that's where your family is from. 1014 00:43:26,381 --> 00:43:28,584 That's what was required. 1015 00:43:28,584 --> 00:43:31,353 You can look at the secular history books. 1016 00:43:31,353 --> 00:43:33,972 They had various registrations in these days. 1017 00:43:33,972 --> 00:43:35,545 And they would make people go 1018 00:43:35,545 --> 00:43:37,372 to where their families were from. 1019 00:43:37,372 --> 00:43:38,579 And they would go there 1020 00:43:38,579 --> 00:43:40,395 and they would pay these taxes. 1021 00:43:40,395 --> 00:43:43,704 If an outsider like Caesar came in 1022 00:43:43,704 --> 00:43:45,530 and took over your country, 1023 00:43:45,530 --> 00:43:46,890 and then taxed you. 1024 00:43:46,890 --> 00:43:48,462 And now made you travel - 1025 00:43:48,462 --> 00:43:50,095 pack up your family and travel, 1026 00:43:50,095 --> 00:43:52,044 now it's affecting you monetarily, 1027 00:43:52,044 --> 00:43:53,480 not only in the tax you pay, 1028 00:43:53,480 --> 00:43:55,368 but in the fact you can't stay and work 1029 00:43:55,368 --> 00:43:57,909 the farm and work your home. 1030 00:43:57,909 --> 00:44:00,319 You've got to leave your business. 1031 00:44:00,319 --> 00:44:01,367 Joseph would leave 1032 00:44:01,367 --> 00:44:03,957 if he was a carpenter in those early days 1033 00:44:03,957 --> 00:44:05,690 he would have to leave that trade. 1034 00:44:05,690 --> 00:44:07,038 So now there's no income. 1035 00:44:07,038 --> 00:44:08,210 And he has to travel 1036 00:44:08,210 --> 00:44:10,404 and pay the traveling expenses. 1037 00:44:10,404 --> 00:44:12,451 You know what it was like in the inn? 1038 00:44:12,451 --> 00:44:13,701 Everybody was complaining. 1039 00:44:13,701 --> 00:44:16,431 Everybody was talking about what this was doing to them financially. 1040 00:44:16,431 --> 00:44:17,763 You know how it is in our world? 1041 00:44:17,763 --> 00:44:19,627 Everybody's talking about the new president. 1042 00:44:19,627 --> 00:44:21,553 They would have been talking 1043 00:44:21,553 --> 00:44:27,801 about Caesar, taxes, finances. 1044 00:44:27,801 --> 00:44:29,682 What it does to their whole 1045 00:44:29,682 --> 00:44:31,213 financial outlook. 1046 00:44:31,213 --> 00:44:33,000 That's what people talk about today. 1047 00:44:33,000 --> 00:44:34,809 That's what people are concerned about. 1048 00:44:34,809 --> 00:44:37,150 That's what they would have been concerned about back then. 1049 00:44:37,150 --> 00:44:38,071 The inn was full. 1050 00:44:38,071 --> 00:44:38,963 Why was the inn full? 1051 00:44:38,963 --> 00:44:41,007 Because everybody was traveling in those days. 1052 00:44:41,007 --> 00:44:42,773 They were trying to get home. 1053 00:44:42,773 --> 00:44:45,969 Trying to get home for the registration. 1054 00:44:45,969 --> 00:44:47,743 Caesar's taxing us. 1055 00:44:47,743 --> 00:44:49,194 It's all an inconvenience. 1056 00:44:49,194 --> 00:44:50,790 And yet, here's the thing. 1057 00:44:50,790 --> 00:44:52,636 You can imagine them packed in there - 1058 00:44:52,636 --> 00:44:53,497 tight quarters. 1059 00:44:53,497 --> 00:44:55,279 What are we going to do to eat? 1060 00:44:55,279 --> 00:44:56,938 Here we are. We're all packed in. 1061 00:44:56,938 --> 00:44:58,026 Everybody's traveling. 1062 00:44:58,026 --> 00:44:59,560 We've got to find food. 1063 00:44:59,560 --> 00:45:01,278 We've got to find our meals. 1064 00:45:01,278 --> 00:45:03,091 We've got to provide for the family. 1065 00:45:03,091 --> 00:45:06,416 Ah, this tax! How much is the tax? 1066 00:45:06,416 --> 00:45:08,571 It's too high! It's always too high, right? 1067 00:45:08,571 --> 00:45:10,110 Everybody complains about taxes 1068 00:45:10,110 --> 00:45:10,939 being too high. 1069 00:45:10,939 --> 00:45:12,252 They would have complained. 1070 00:45:12,252 --> 00:45:14,289 Do you think they were somehow sanctified 1071 00:45:14,289 --> 00:45:15,283 back in those days? 1072 00:45:15,283 --> 00:45:16,900 And they were entirely different? 1073 00:45:16,900 --> 00:45:18,641 And they all were back there 1074 00:45:18,641 --> 00:45:22,374 in this imaginary manger scene 1075 00:45:22,374 --> 00:45:24,342 with a placarded on star 1076 00:45:24,342 --> 00:45:25,398 on the front of it? 1077 00:45:25,398 --> 00:45:27,291 And all had halos over their heads? 1078 00:45:27,291 --> 00:45:28,716 And everybody was out there saying 1079 00:45:28,716 --> 00:45:30,834 oh, this is the greatest thing in the world? 1080 00:45:30,834 --> 00:45:32,340 No, that's not what happened. 1081 00:45:32,340 --> 00:45:37,972 What you had was some unobtrusive, 1082 00:45:37,972 --> 00:45:47,585 insignificant couple came in there. 1083 00:45:47,585 --> 00:45:50,714 This young girl's back there. 1084 00:45:50,714 --> 00:45:52,258 It doesn't even say in a stable. 1085 00:45:52,258 --> 00:45:53,021 Maybe she was. 1086 00:45:53,021 --> 00:45:54,253 I mean, if you're Joseph, 1087 00:45:54,253 --> 00:45:56,624 you would have tried to find a protected area 1088 00:45:56,624 --> 00:45:57,954 since there was no room. 1089 00:45:57,954 --> 00:46:01,546 She's giving birth. 1090 00:46:01,546 --> 00:46:03,742 Just insignificant. 1091 00:46:03,742 --> 00:46:05,284 The crowds are in the inn. 1092 00:46:05,284 --> 00:46:06,516 Nobody's out there. 1093 00:46:06,516 --> 00:46:08,334 Nobody cares. 1094 00:46:08,334 --> 00:46:13,769 In fact, until the shepherds got there, 1095 00:46:13,769 --> 00:46:16,668 it doesn't even say there were animals there. 1096 00:46:16,668 --> 00:46:18,394 A manger is what animals eat out of, 1097 00:46:18,394 --> 00:46:19,754 but we don't even know that. 1098 00:46:19,754 --> 00:46:20,625 But it's an inn, 1099 00:46:20,625 --> 00:46:21,782 people were traveling, 1100 00:46:21,782 --> 00:46:23,241 you can be sure there were... 1101 00:46:23,241 --> 00:46:25,518 The carts; it was probably relatively 1102 00:46:25,518 --> 00:46:26,967 packed back there. 1103 00:46:26,967 --> 00:46:29,214 And you may have had people back there. 1104 00:46:29,214 --> 00:46:31,092 If you're Joseph, you're going to try 1105 00:46:31,092 --> 00:46:33,995 to get her in as protected and quiet 1106 00:46:33,995 --> 00:46:35,073 a back corner. 1107 00:46:35,073 --> 00:46:36,408 Can you imagine, ladies? 1108 00:46:36,408 --> 00:46:38,676 You're required to travel 1109 00:46:38,676 --> 00:46:41,109 at nine months pregnancy? 1110 00:46:41,109 --> 00:46:44,015 And you're at an inn and there's no room? 1111 00:46:44,015 --> 00:46:46,321 Back on the straw with you, 1112 00:46:46,321 --> 00:46:48,237 one of the most amazing things 1113 00:46:48,237 --> 00:46:52,772 is happening in all of human history. 1114 00:46:52,772 --> 00:46:56,096 And the world is just disconnected. 1115 00:46:56,096 --> 00:46:58,411 The momentus thing imaginable 1116 00:46:58,411 --> 00:46:59,973 is happening back there. 1117 00:46:59,973 --> 00:47:01,431 Maybe it's a stable. Wherever. 1118 00:47:01,431 --> 00:47:02,908 So quiet. 1119 00:47:02,908 --> 00:47:04,403 So ordinary. 1120 00:47:04,403 --> 00:47:05,925 No fanfare. 1121 00:47:05,925 --> 00:47:08,386 Everyone caught up in the events of the day. 1122 00:47:08,386 --> 00:47:09,508 No one took notice. 1123 00:47:09,508 --> 00:47:12,495 Nobody's giving any concern to this. 1124 00:47:12,495 --> 00:47:13,386 No account. 1125 00:47:13,386 --> 00:47:15,189 Some girl back there on the straw - 1126 00:47:15,189 --> 00:47:16,238 she's having a baby. 1127 00:47:16,238 --> 00:47:18,491 They lay it in probably some rough, 1128 00:47:18,491 --> 00:47:21,367 wooden animal trough. 1129 00:47:21,367 --> 00:47:23,209 When the shepherds came to town, 1130 00:47:23,209 --> 00:47:26,097 that's what they were looking for. 1131 00:47:26,097 --> 00:47:30,783 Find a baby in the trough. 1132 00:47:30,783 --> 00:47:32,792 Salvation. 1133 00:47:32,792 --> 00:47:34,243 Do you recognize? 1134 00:47:34,243 --> 00:47:36,708 Salvation has come. 1135 00:47:36,708 --> 00:47:39,323 The One Who has been long awaited. 1136 00:47:39,323 --> 00:47:42,244 All human history is pointing to this child. 1137 00:47:42,244 --> 00:47:44,016 And He's come. 1138 00:47:44,016 --> 00:47:46,654 And nobody knows it! 1139 00:47:46,654 --> 00:47:48,784 The shepherds wouldn't have known it. 1140 00:47:48,784 --> 00:47:50,678 No fanfare. 1141 00:47:50,678 --> 00:47:52,512 Miracle of the greatest magnitude 1142 00:47:52,512 --> 00:47:53,723 is taking place. 1143 00:47:53,723 --> 00:47:56,537 God and man joined together in this child. 1144 00:47:56,537 --> 00:47:58,908 The most unique Person ever. 1145 00:47:58,908 --> 00:48:00,349 I wanted to sing that song: 1146 00:48:00,349 --> 00:48:02,724 "Hail! The Incarnate Deity!" 1147 00:48:02,724 --> 00:48:05,725 But who's there to hail Him? 1148 00:48:05,725 --> 00:48:08,876 It's just quiet. 1149 00:48:08,876 --> 00:48:09,970 Everybody in the inn - 1150 00:48:09,970 --> 00:48:14,437 taxes and everything filling their minds. 1151 00:48:14,437 --> 00:48:16,034 Who's there to hail Him? 1152 00:48:16,034 --> 00:48:18,032 I'll tell you who. 1153 00:48:18,032 --> 00:48:23,609 Some lowly shepherds. 1154 00:48:23,609 --> 00:48:27,792 And then days, may have even been weeks, 1155 00:48:27,792 --> 00:48:30,608 just some time before Joseph 1156 00:48:30,608 --> 00:48:37,528 fled to Egypt with his family; 1157 00:48:37,528 --> 00:48:38,964 it was before Herod sent 1158 00:48:38,964 --> 00:48:40,717 and had all those children killed 1159 00:48:40,717 --> 00:48:44,629 in Bethlehem. 1160 00:48:44,629 --> 00:48:47,233 Some foreigners. 1161 00:48:47,233 --> 00:48:51,257 You see how God works? 1162 00:48:51,257 --> 00:48:53,859 It wasn't the Jewish elite. 1163 00:48:53,859 --> 00:48:56,260 Brethren, think of all the people 1164 00:48:56,260 --> 00:49:00,835 of power and money 1165 00:49:00,835 --> 00:49:04,152 and high rank in this world 1166 00:49:04,152 --> 00:49:08,270 that God has passed over 1167 00:49:08,270 --> 00:49:12,444 that you might know 1168 00:49:12,444 --> 00:49:16,413 the significance of all these things. 1169 00:49:16,413 --> 00:49:19,622 He's given you eyes to see. 1170 00:49:19,622 --> 00:49:21,813 Why didn't everybody else follow the star? 1171 00:49:21,813 --> 00:49:23,469 Maybe they couldn't see it. 1172 00:49:23,469 --> 00:49:25,349 Maybe they did; they just didn't know 1173 00:49:25,349 --> 00:49:28,037 the significance of it. 1174 00:49:28,037 --> 00:49:29,133 But you know what? 1175 00:49:29,133 --> 00:49:31,568 That star guided the Magi. 1176 00:49:31,568 --> 00:49:33,462 It led them. 1177 00:49:33,462 --> 00:49:36,083 No indication it led anybody else. 1178 00:49:36,083 --> 00:49:38,252 God's electing love. 1179 00:49:38,252 --> 00:49:42,975 He just draws these people to His Son. 1180 00:49:42,975 --> 00:49:48,787 The world like some great, flowing river; 1181 00:49:48,787 --> 00:49:51,334 the course of this world. 1182 00:49:51,334 --> 00:49:52,636 That's what we were - 1183 00:49:52,636 --> 00:49:54,579 following the course of this world. 1184 00:49:54,579 --> 00:49:57,155 Following the prince of the power of the air. 1185 00:49:57,155 --> 00:50:00,693 By and large, that's what this season is. 1186 00:50:00,693 --> 00:50:02,651 It's just a mass of humanity 1187 00:50:02,651 --> 00:50:03,714 in this river; 1188 00:50:03,714 --> 00:50:05,858 it's just being swept along. 1189 00:50:05,858 --> 00:50:11,564 Everybody's just flowing with it. 1190 00:50:11,564 --> 00:50:15,869 Unaware of what really is significant. 1191 00:50:15,869 --> 00:50:20,096 Just like they were 2,000 years ago. 1192 00:50:20,096 --> 00:50:22,428 Football games and Christmas trees 1193 00:50:22,428 --> 00:50:24,854 and lights and all of it. 1194 00:50:24,854 --> 00:50:26,004 I'll tell you this: 1195 00:50:26,004 --> 00:50:27,507 There really was a star shining 1196 00:50:27,507 --> 00:50:31,424 back in the sky in that day. 1197 00:50:31,424 --> 00:50:35,505 It was a guide at that time to Christ. 1198 00:50:35,505 --> 00:50:37,613 Today, we have the star. 1199 00:50:37,613 --> 00:50:38,469 We have the light. 1200 00:50:38,469 --> 00:50:40,149 It's the Gospel light. 1201 00:50:40,149 --> 00:50:42,331 It beckons men. 1202 00:50:42,331 --> 00:50:43,674 But isn't it interesting, 1203 00:50:43,674 --> 00:50:47,582 it's so much like it was then. 1204 00:50:47,582 --> 00:50:51,446 You get these people far off. 1205 00:50:51,446 --> 00:50:57,030 That's how they're described in Ephesians. 1206 00:50:57,030 --> 00:51:01,446 Those who are far off. 1207 00:51:01,446 --> 00:51:05,046 We come near. 1208 00:51:05,046 --> 00:51:10,760 We draw near. 1209 00:51:10,760 --> 00:51:13,399 Those who are far off have been brought near 1210 00:51:13,399 --> 00:51:16,811 by the blood of Christ. 1211 00:51:16,811 --> 00:51:20,293 Same thing. 1212 00:51:20,293 --> 00:51:21,370 Isn't it amazing? 1213 00:51:21,370 --> 00:51:25,871 God gives some people eyes to see. 1214 00:51:25,871 --> 00:51:28,382 There's some in here. 1215 00:51:28,382 --> 00:51:30,900 You just go out the doors. 1216 00:51:30,900 --> 00:51:33,512 You'll just be swept away. 1217 00:51:33,512 --> 00:51:37,595 Just swept away with all of it. 1218 00:51:37,595 --> 00:51:41,768 You really don't have eyes to see. 1219 00:51:41,768 --> 00:51:43,191 But if you have eyes to see, 1220 00:51:43,191 --> 00:51:44,457 if you have ears to hear - 1221 00:51:44,457 --> 00:51:46,115 even if God is just giving them to you 1222 00:51:46,115 --> 00:51:47,021 right now, 1223 00:51:47,021 --> 00:51:48,734 you need to recognize this: 1224 00:51:48,734 --> 00:51:50,158 These are all facts. 1225 00:51:50,158 --> 00:51:51,448 This is history. 1226 00:51:51,448 --> 00:51:53,848 God the Son broke into time 1227 00:51:53,848 --> 00:51:55,525 2,000 years ago, 1228 00:51:55,525 --> 00:51:57,903 and what He did was He came 1229 00:51:57,903 --> 00:52:00,089 and He did not stay a baby. 1230 00:52:00,089 --> 00:52:01,422 He grew up. 1231 00:52:01,422 --> 00:52:02,502 And when He grew up, 1232 00:52:02,502 --> 00:52:04,501 there was a day the Spirit of God 1233 00:52:04,501 --> 00:52:05,654 descended on Him. 1234 00:52:05,654 --> 00:52:07,853 He was baptized in those waters of Jordan. 1235 00:52:07,853 --> 00:52:10,463 That Spirit came, filled Him. 1236 00:52:10,463 --> 00:52:12,466 There was a voice from Heaven, 1237 00:52:12,466 --> 00:52:14,266 from the Majesty on High: 1238 00:52:14,266 --> 00:52:16,140 "This is My beloved Son." 1239 00:52:16,140 --> 00:52:18,292 And He went forth, and He faced the devil. 1240 00:52:18,292 --> 00:52:19,490 And He conquered. 1241 00:52:19,490 --> 00:52:20,603 And He went forth. 1242 00:52:20,603 --> 00:52:21,878 And He did miracles. 1243 00:52:21,878 --> 00:52:23,321 And He showed the people 1244 00:52:23,321 --> 00:52:24,809 He could raise the dead. 1245 00:52:24,809 --> 00:52:26,095 He showed the people 1246 00:52:26,095 --> 00:52:27,585 He could heal our diseases. 1247 00:52:27,585 --> 00:52:29,189 And He showed people 1248 00:52:29,189 --> 00:52:30,923 He was minded to do it. 1249 00:52:30,923 --> 00:52:33,669 "If You will, You can make me clean." 1250 00:52:33,669 --> 00:52:35,236 And He said, "I will." 1251 00:52:35,236 --> 00:52:37,362 And if you have eyes to see 1252 00:52:37,362 --> 00:52:38,565 and ears to hear, 1253 00:52:38,565 --> 00:52:40,471 we've been given a Messiah 1254 00:52:40,471 --> 00:52:42,632 Who is willing that we should be saved. 1255 00:52:42,632 --> 00:52:44,742 And reaches out His hand 1256 00:52:44,742 --> 00:52:46,099 and beckons sinners, 1257 00:52:46,099 --> 00:52:47,842 "Come unto Me, all you that labor 1258 00:52:47,842 --> 00:52:48,994 and are heavy laden." 1259 00:52:48,994 --> 00:52:50,609 This is historical fact. 1260 00:52:50,609 --> 00:52:51,996 This is not fiction. 1261 00:52:51,996 --> 00:52:54,294 And I'll guarantee, it lines up perfectly 1262 00:52:54,294 --> 00:52:56,674 with the historical fact of your sin 1263 00:52:56,674 --> 00:52:57,901 and your guilt 1264 00:52:57,901 --> 00:52:59,744 and the reality that you and I know 1265 00:52:59,744 --> 00:53:02,565 you must die. 1266 00:53:02,565 --> 00:53:04,739 And He came to suffer in our place. 1267 00:53:04,739 --> 00:53:06,257 And He came to taste death 1268 00:53:06,257 --> 00:53:08,224 on behalf of all men. 1269 00:53:08,224 --> 00:53:09,456 That's what Scripture says. 1270 00:53:09,456 --> 00:53:10,530 This is real. 1271 00:53:10,530 --> 00:53:11,806 This is not like the Grinch. 1272 00:53:11,806 --> 00:53:13,572 This is not like Santa Claus. 1273 00:53:13,572 --> 00:53:15,347 This is not all this garbage. 1274 00:53:15,347 --> 00:53:17,879 This isn't some stable 1275 00:53:17,879 --> 00:53:21,505 with a placarded star on the front of it. 1276 00:53:21,505 --> 00:53:23,119 We're talking about reality. 1277 00:53:23,119 --> 00:53:24,995 We're talking about a star in the sky 1278 00:53:24,995 --> 00:53:28,555 that actually led men to the Christ. 1279 00:53:28,555 --> 00:53:29,867 And they fell down 1280 00:53:29,867 --> 00:53:31,527 and they worshiped Him. 1281 00:53:31,527 --> 00:53:33,845 And that's what He calls us to do. 1282 00:53:33,845 --> 00:53:36,313 Come unto Me. 1283 00:53:36,313 --> 00:53:38,841 And bow down to Him. 1284 00:53:38,841 --> 00:53:40,235 That's what they did. 1285 00:53:40,235 --> 00:53:42,207 Oh, those Magi, in glory 1286 00:53:42,207 --> 00:53:43,464 when so many of the Jews - 1287 00:53:43,464 --> 00:53:44,402 and Jesus said it - 1288 00:53:44,402 --> 00:53:45,660 so many are going to come 1289 00:53:45,660 --> 00:53:47,141 from East - they came from the East; 1290 00:53:47,141 --> 00:53:48,070 and from the West. 1291 00:53:48,070 --> 00:53:49,813 And they're going to sit down 1292 00:53:49,813 --> 00:53:51,202 with Abraham and with Isaac 1293 00:53:51,202 --> 00:53:52,099 and with Jacob 1294 00:53:52,099 --> 00:53:53,231 in the Kingdom. 1295 00:53:53,231 --> 00:53:54,333 But so many, 1296 00:53:54,333 --> 00:53:55,986 so many that were privileged, 1297 00:53:55,986 --> 00:53:58,215 and so many that had rank, 1298 00:53:58,215 --> 00:53:59,938 and so many that had light, 1299 00:53:59,938 --> 00:54:04,977 and so many are not going to be there. 1300 00:54:04,977 --> 00:54:06,863 And they just assume. 1301 00:54:06,863 --> 00:54:08,694 They just assume. 1302 00:54:08,694 --> 00:54:10,811 But in faith, if we go to Christ, 1303 00:54:10,811 --> 00:54:12,902 and we fall down before Him 1304 00:54:12,902 --> 00:54:14,276 and we worship - 1305 00:54:14,276 --> 00:54:17,476 oh, those Magi, there was great joy. 1306 00:54:17,476 --> 00:54:18,615 If you're a sinner 1307 00:54:18,615 --> 00:54:20,549 and you come to recognize that a Savior 1308 00:54:20,549 --> 00:54:23,001 has been sent Who became sin for us 1309 00:54:23,001 --> 00:54:25,527 that we might become the righteousness of God in Him; 1310 00:54:25,527 --> 00:54:27,662 He came and He conquered 1311 00:54:27,662 --> 00:54:29,319 and He faced death, 1312 00:54:29,319 --> 00:54:33,034 and He faced the consequences of sin 1313 00:54:33,034 --> 00:54:34,224 on that cross. 1314 00:54:34,224 --> 00:54:35,848 He faced the wrath of God. 1315 00:54:35,848 --> 00:54:37,793 He faced a broken law. 1316 00:54:37,793 --> 00:54:41,197 And He conquered that we might be set free 1317 00:54:41,197 --> 00:54:42,895 and that we might have life. 1318 00:54:42,895 --> 00:54:44,915 Oh, they jumped with exceeding joy. 1319 00:54:44,915 --> 00:54:46,047 I'll tell you this, 1320 00:54:46,047 --> 00:54:49,024 if you actually look at that star 1321 00:54:49,024 --> 00:54:50,489 on top of a Christmas tree, 1322 00:54:50,489 --> 00:54:53,579 or taped onto the manger scene, 1323 00:54:53,579 --> 00:54:55,507 and you really recognize 1324 00:54:55,507 --> 00:54:59,241 at least the significance of the reality 1325 00:54:59,241 --> 00:55:00,482 behind that, 1326 00:55:00,482 --> 00:55:03,105 you would jump out of your shoes. 1327 00:55:03,105 --> 00:55:05,249 When they saw that star 1328 00:55:05,249 --> 00:55:07,186 and it was leading them to Bethlehem - 1329 00:55:07,186 --> 00:55:08,448 see, they'd heard 1330 00:55:08,448 --> 00:55:10,707 the prophecies were being fulfilled. 1331 00:55:10,707 --> 00:55:13,763 A virgin (Isaiah 7) coming to pass. 1332 00:55:13,763 --> 00:55:16,586 Micah 5: One who is from old, 1333 00:55:16,586 --> 00:55:18,002 even from everlasting; 1334 00:55:18,002 --> 00:55:19,705 He is going to be born 1335 00:55:19,705 --> 00:55:23,752 in Bethlehem Ephrathah. 1336 00:55:23,752 --> 00:55:25,330 These things are coming to pass. 1337 00:55:25,330 --> 00:55:28,204 They're exceedingly joyful. 1338 00:55:28,204 --> 00:55:30,576 Can you imagine? 1339 00:55:30,576 --> 00:55:33,457 The Christ. 1340 00:55:33,457 --> 00:55:35,534 And though we cannot see Him 1341 00:55:35,534 --> 00:55:37,958 as they could see Him with the physical eye, 1342 00:55:37,958 --> 00:55:39,817 yet we can hear His words. 1343 00:55:39,817 --> 00:55:41,639 And they beckon to us. 1344 00:55:41,639 --> 00:55:43,641 They call us like the star of old 1345 00:55:43,641 --> 00:55:45,064 called those men. 1346 00:55:45,064 --> 00:55:47,610 Come. Come. 1347 00:55:47,610 --> 00:55:49,993 That star just guided - 1348 00:55:49,993 --> 00:55:51,620 come, come. 1349 00:55:51,620 --> 00:55:54,008 And who had eyes to see? 1350 00:55:54,008 --> 00:55:56,570 None but the Magi. 1351 00:55:56,570 --> 00:55:58,125 But they came. 1352 00:55:58,125 --> 00:56:00,355 It didn't matter that they were foreigners. 1353 00:56:00,355 --> 00:56:01,399 They came. 1354 00:56:01,399 --> 00:56:03,007 You say, weren't they magicians? 1355 00:56:03,007 --> 00:56:03,953 Isn't that a cult? 1356 00:56:03,953 --> 00:56:05,662 Whatever you want to make of it - 1357 00:56:05,662 --> 00:56:07,925 they came! 1358 00:56:07,925 --> 00:56:09,303 Come! 1359 00:56:09,303 --> 00:56:11,642 And you will find Him 1360 00:56:11,642 --> 00:56:16,336 the Savior to the uttermost. 1361 00:56:16,336 --> 00:56:18,798 A star. 1362 00:56:18,798 --> 00:56:21,103 If you really recognize, 1363 00:56:21,103 --> 00:56:23,332 it's just a star. 1364 00:56:23,332 --> 00:56:27,525 No, it's a star that just proclaims 1365 00:56:27,525 --> 00:56:34,474 thunderously: Man need not be damned 1366 00:56:34,474 --> 00:56:38,867 any longer for his sins. 1367 00:56:38,867 --> 00:56:43,928 That is good news. 1368 00:56:43,928 --> 00:56:45,979 You don't want to lose that truth 1369 00:56:45,979 --> 00:56:49,075 in this season or any other season. 1370 00:56:49,075 --> 00:56:50,362 So much deception, 1371 00:56:50,362 --> 00:56:53,724 but that is not deception. 1372 00:56:53,724 --> 00:56:58,461 That is the truth. That is the fact. 1373 00:56:58,461 --> 00:57:00,544 And it is a fact that this same baby, 1374 00:57:00,544 --> 00:57:01,856 when He grew up, 1375 00:57:01,856 --> 00:57:05,015 He went to the cross. 1376 00:57:05,015 --> 00:57:06,856 That's a fact. 1377 00:57:06,856 --> 00:57:08,513 He died on that cross. 1378 00:57:08,513 --> 00:57:10,057 It's a fact. 1379 00:57:10,057 --> 00:57:11,817 You may say it's incredible. 1380 00:57:11,817 --> 00:57:13,836 It's unbelievable. 1381 00:57:13,836 --> 00:57:16,627 How can it happen 1382 00:57:16,627 --> 00:57:18,495 that He'd die and three days later, 1383 00:57:18,495 --> 00:57:21,068 He'd raise from the dead? 1384 00:57:21,068 --> 00:57:22,744 I'll tell you this: 1385 00:57:22,744 --> 00:57:24,011 It is supernatural. 1386 00:57:24,011 --> 00:57:25,770 It is amazing. 1387 00:57:25,770 --> 00:57:27,236 It is miraculous. 1388 00:57:27,236 --> 00:57:29,194 If He didn't come out of that grave, 1389 00:57:29,194 --> 00:57:30,961 we are yet in our sins. 1390 00:57:30,961 --> 00:57:32,455 He did come out of the grave. 1391 00:57:32,455 --> 00:57:34,781 And you don't want to stick 1392 00:57:34,781 --> 00:57:38,559 as Christmas perpetually brings us back 1393 00:57:38,559 --> 00:57:40,408 to the manger; 1394 00:57:40,408 --> 00:57:42,295 brings us back to the Incarnation; 1395 00:57:42,295 --> 00:57:44,115 it brings us back to the baby. 1396 00:57:44,115 --> 00:57:45,648 I'll tell you this: 1397 00:57:45,648 --> 00:57:47,607 one of the deceptions in this world 1398 00:57:47,607 --> 00:57:48,986 is Christ as an infant, 1399 00:57:48,986 --> 00:57:51,059 and they love to perpetually keep Him 1400 00:57:51,059 --> 00:57:53,565 as a harmless, little infant. 1401 00:57:53,565 --> 00:57:55,938 But He is not that. 1402 00:57:55,938 --> 00:57:58,357 You need to see the rest of the story. 1403 00:57:58,357 --> 00:58:00,429 Because when He came out of that grave, 1404 00:58:00,429 --> 00:58:01,925 He didn't linger around here for too long. 1405 00:58:01,925 --> 00:58:03,073 Forty days. 1406 00:58:03,073 --> 00:58:04,538 Enough time to let it be known 1407 00:58:04,538 --> 00:58:06,283 to His followers that He actually 1408 00:58:06,283 --> 00:58:07,415 was risen from the dead. 1409 00:58:07,415 --> 00:58:08,827 And they needed to know that 1410 00:58:08,827 --> 00:58:10,727 because they were going to be His mouthpieces. 1411 00:58:10,727 --> 00:58:12,029 They were going to be His witnesses. 1412 00:58:12,029 --> 00:58:13,979 They were going to go forth and tell what happened. 1413 00:58:13,979 --> 00:58:15,207 And after forty days, 1414 00:58:15,207 --> 00:58:17,772 He went up and He sits crowned. 1415 00:58:17,772 --> 00:58:19,360 And He is King. 1416 00:58:19,360 --> 00:58:22,823 And He is going to judge all of mankind. 1417 00:58:22,823 --> 00:58:24,844 We must all stand before 1418 00:58:24,844 --> 00:58:26,400 the judgment seat of Christ. 1419 00:58:26,400 --> 00:58:29,130 The day is at hand. 1420 00:58:29,130 --> 00:58:31,544 Do not think of Him as a little baby anymore. 1421 00:58:31,544 --> 00:58:32,533 He is not. 1422 00:58:32,533 --> 00:58:33,906 Little babies are harmless. 1423 00:58:33,906 --> 00:58:36,273 This is not One Who is harmless. 1424 00:58:36,273 --> 00:58:37,808 This is the God-man. 1425 00:58:37,808 --> 00:58:39,110 He is crowned. 1426 00:58:39,110 --> 00:58:40,749 He is enthroned. 1427 00:58:40,749 --> 00:58:42,139 He is Lord of Lords. 1428 00:58:42,139 --> 00:58:44,106 And you must answer to Him. 1429 00:58:44,106 --> 00:58:45,562 Right now, He beckons you 1430 00:58:45,562 --> 00:58:46,745 to come to Him 1431 00:58:46,745 --> 00:58:48,295 and He'll save you if you do. 1432 00:58:48,295 --> 00:58:49,992 And He is no lightweight Savior. 1433 00:58:49,992 --> 00:58:51,887 He is powerful to the uttermost. 1434 00:58:51,887 --> 00:58:54,619 He is strong to save. 1435 00:58:54,619 --> 00:58:55,750 But I'll tell you this, 1436 00:58:55,750 --> 00:58:57,288 if you ignore Him and will not 1437 00:58:57,288 --> 00:58:59,273 fall down and worship Him like the Magi, 1438 00:58:59,273 --> 00:59:00,524 He is strong to condemn. 1439 00:59:00,524 --> 00:59:02,360 And He is strong to judge. 1440 00:59:02,360 --> 00:59:05,162 And He will. 1441 00:59:05,162 --> 00:59:08,441 He will. 1442 00:59:08,441 --> 00:59:11,876 He is coming. 1443 00:59:11,876 --> 00:59:16,382 He is coming. 1444 00:59:16,382 --> 00:59:19,112 Father, 1445 00:59:19,112 --> 00:59:22,399 even so, 1446 00:59:22,399 --> 00:59:29,813 Lord Jesus, come. 1447 00:59:29,813 --> 00:59:31,658 Amen.