Messages of hope and redemption from Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, with Louie Giglio.
#Salvation
#Hope
#Fear
#Gospel
#Religion
#Christmas
#Encouragement
#inActive
#Savior
#PassionwithLouieGiglio
#LouieGiglio
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Passion with Louie Giglio | Louie Giglio - We Beheld | December 22, 2024
- Little children,
- 00:00:12.094 --> 00:00:15.964
- Ladies, and gentlemen,
- 00:00:16.065 --> 00:00:19.168
- Seniors in high school
- 00:00:19.268 --> 00:00:20.702
- And senior citizens,
- 00:00:20.803 --> 00:00:23.639
- I have good news for you.
- 00:00:23.739 --> 00:00:26.708
- Prodigal sons
- 00:00:26.809 --> 00:00:27.943
- And faithful daughters,
- 00:00:28.043 --> 00:00:29.545
- Wanderers and wanderers,
- 00:00:29.645 --> 00:00:31.647
- The lost and the found, behold.
- 00:00:31.747 --> 00:00:37.219
- I bring you good tidings
- 00:00:37.319 --> 00:00:38.754
- Of great joy
- 00:00:38.854 --> 00:00:41.190
- And it's for everyone.
- 00:00:41.290 --> 00:00:43.992
- It's for everyone asking when
- 00:00:44.093 --> 00:00:45.427
- The good part will get here,
- 00:00:45.527 --> 00:00:47.362
- For everyone wanting
- 00:00:47.463 --> 00:00:48.330
- A fresh start.
- 00:00:48.430 --> 00:00:50.032
- Everyone thinking there has
- 00:00:53.836 --> 00:00:54.870
- To be more than this.
- 00:00:54.970 --> 00:00:56.972
- It's for anyone who needs
- 00:00:57.072 --> 00:00:58.040
- Some good news because this
- 00:00:58.140 --> 00:00:59.842
- Is good news and it's for you.
- 00:00:59.942 --> 00:01:05.047
- A savior has been born,
- 00:01:05.147 --> 00:01:07.382
- He is the messiah
- 00:01:07.483 --> 00:01:08.851
- And he's the lord.
- 00:01:08.951 --> 00:01:10.819
- They've been talking about him
- 00:01:10.919 --> 00:01:11.954
- For a while and it turns out
- 00:01:12.054 --> 00:01:13.088
- Everything they've said is true.
- 00:01:13.188 --> 00:01:16.225
- He's as strong as
- 00:01:16.325 --> 00:01:16.992
- You were hoping he'd be,
- 00:01:17.092 --> 00:01:18.260
- He's as patient
- 00:01:18.360 --> 00:01:18.994
- As you need him to be.
- 00:01:19.094 --> 00:01:20.596
- He is just and merciful
- 00:01:20.696 --> 00:01:22.865
- And genuinely,
- 00:01:22.965 --> 00:01:23.932
- Indescribably good,
- 00:01:24.032 --> 00:01:25.667
- And he's been looking for you.
- 00:01:25.767 --> 00:01:28.137
- You don't need
- 00:01:28.237 --> 00:01:28.704
- To wait any longer,
- 00:01:28.804 --> 00:01:29.838
- You don't need to look up
- 00:01:29.938 --> 00:01:30.973
- Directions because
- 00:01:31.073 --> 00:01:32.241
- It's true for everyone,
- 00:01:32.341 --> 00:01:34.376
- For every student and teacher,
- 00:01:34.476 --> 00:01:37.045
- For every doubter and believer,
- 00:01:37.146 --> 00:01:39.581
- Everyone who thinks
- 00:01:39.681 --> 00:01:40.849
- They've run too far
- 00:01:40.949 --> 00:01:43.018
- And everyone who thinks
- 00:01:43.118 --> 00:01:44.052
- They haven't run far enough.
- 00:01:44.153 --> 00:01:46.455
- Anyone who seeks this king will
- 00:01:46.555 --> 00:01:48.757
- Find him no matter where you
- 00:01:48.857 --> 00:01:50.993
- Come from or where you've been,
- 00:01:51.093 --> 00:01:53.362
- No matter what you're afraid
- 00:01:53.462 --> 00:01:54.830
- Somebody will see
- 00:01:54.930 --> 00:01:56.265
- When they look at you,
- 00:01:56.365 --> 00:01:57.366
- No matter what you're facing
- 00:01:57.466 --> 00:01:58.534
- When you leave this room,
- 00:01:58.634 --> 00:01:59.902
- When you seek him,
- 00:02:00.002 --> 00:02:01.203
- You will find him.
- 00:02:01.303 --> 00:02:03.372
- If you can hear these words,
- 00:02:03.472 --> 00:02:05.307
- Behold the savior he's here.
- 00:02:05.407 --> 00:02:09.344
- Behold the chain breaker,
- 00:02:09.444 --> 00:02:12.214
- He's here.
- 00:02:12.314 --> 00:02:13.215
- Come and behold his glory.
- 00:02:26.929 --> 00:02:28.564
- The author of the story,
- 00:02:28.664 --> 00:02:30.065
- The alpha and omega,
- 00:02:30.165 --> 00:02:31.533
- And spotless lamb,
- 00:02:31.633 --> 00:02:33.168
- The rescuer and redeemer,
- 00:02:33.268 --> 00:02:35.404
- The salvation for sinners,
- 00:02:35.504 --> 00:02:36.872
- The hope for believers,
- 00:02:36.972 --> 00:02:38.840
- The great i am.
- 00:02:38.941 --> 00:02:42.578
- Your spring in the desert,
- 00:02:42.678 --> 00:02:44.279
- Your healer and helper,
- 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:45.647
- Your friend.
- 00:02:45.747 --> 00:02:46.882
- He's...
- 00:02:46.982 --> 00:02:47.149
- So, no matter who you are,
- 00:02:56.992 --> 00:02:58.961
- No matter what your story is,
- 00:02:59.061 --> 00:03:02.097
- Come and behold jesus,
- 00:03:02.197 --> 00:03:04.566
- Your glorious king.
- 00:03:04.666 --> 00:03:05.434
- ♪ ♪
- 00:03:05.767 --> 00:03:08.136
- >> i was reading recently
- 00:03:14.409 --> 00:03:15.477
- >> i was reading recently an article by the people
- 00:03:15.544 --> 00:03:17.212
- An article by the people who have put the bible app
- 00:03:17.279 --> 00:03:20.148
- Who have put the bible app in our hands and who monitor
- 00:03:20.215 --> 00:03:23.185
- In our hands and who monitor that app throughout the year.
- 00:03:23.252 --> 00:03:25.754
- That app throughout the year. by the way, how many of you have
- 00:03:25.821 --> 00:03:26.755
- By the way, how many of you have the bible app on your phone
- 00:03:26.822 --> 00:03:28.056
- The bible app on your phone or on your tablet?
- 00:03:28.123 --> 00:03:29.491
- Or on your tablet? did you know there was
- 00:03:29.558 --> 00:03:30.325
- Did you know there was a bible app?
- 00:03:30.392 --> 00:03:31.093
- A bible app? okay.
- 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:31.727
- Okay. lot of folks do,
- 00:03:31.793 --> 00:03:32.594
- Lot of folks do, lot of folks don't,
- 00:03:32.661 --> 00:03:33.362
- Lot of folks don't, so that's pretty exciting
- 00:03:33.428 --> 00:03:34.096
- So that's pretty exciting on both sides.
- 00:03:34.162 --> 00:03:35.931
- On both sides. seven hundred million people
- 00:03:35.998 --> 00:03:38.300
- Seven hundred million people have downloaded the bible app,
- 00:03:38.367 --> 00:03:39.701
- Have downloaded the bible app, that i fantastic.
- 00:03:39.768 --> 00:03:41.837
- That i fantastic. it's in multiple languages
- 00:03:41.903 --> 00:03:43.338
- It's in multiple languages and it puts the scriptures right
- 00:03:43.405 --> 00:03:45.841
- And it puts the scriptures right at your fingertips day or night.
- 00:03:45.907 --> 00:03:48.844
- At your fingertips day or night. and, they've got reading plans
- 00:03:48.910 --> 00:03:50.579
- And, they've got reading plans on the bible app and all
- 00:03:50.646 --> 00:03:52.247
- On the bible app and all different kind of tools
- 00:03:52.314 --> 00:03:53.448
- Different kind of tools to help and encourage us
- 00:03:53.515 --> 00:03:54.850
- To help and encourage us as we read god's word.
- 00:03:54.916 --> 00:03:56.985
- As we read god's word. and, obviously they're
- 00:03:57.052 --> 00:03:58.120
- And, obviously they're monitoring all of that
- 00:03:58.186 --> 00:03:59.521
- Monitoring all of that and so they know,
- 00:03:59.588 --> 00:04:00.389
- And so they know, the bible app people,
- 00:04:00.455 --> 00:04:01.823
- The bible app people, as much about our
- 00:04:01.890 --> 00:04:02.791
- As much about our spiritual journey with scripture
- 00:04:02.858 --> 00:04:05.127
- Spiritual journey with scripture as anybody else does 'cause
- 00:04:05.193 --> 00:04:05.994
- As anybody else does 'cause they know when you start
- 00:04:06.061 --> 00:04:07.663
- They know when you start a reading plan,
- 00:04:07.729 --> 00:04:08.230
- A reading plan, they know if you finished
- 00:04:08.297 --> 00:04:09.665
- The reading plan,
- 00:04:09.765 --> 00:04:10.632
- The reading plan, they know how much
- 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:11.566
- They know how much of the bible you read
- 00:04:11.633 --> 00:04:12.601
- Of the bible you read this year.
- 00:04:12.668 --> 00:04:13.101
- This year. they know what parts
- 00:04:13.168 --> 00:04:13.902
- They know what parts of the bible that
- 00:04:13.969 --> 00:04:14.936
- Of the bible that you read this year.
- 00:04:15.003 --> 00:04:16.405
- You read this year. and in this article that
- 00:04:16.471 --> 00:04:17.806
- And in this article that i was reading they said
- 00:04:17.873 --> 00:04:18.840
- I was reading they said the most searched theme
- 00:04:18.907 --> 00:04:20.976
- The most searched theme in 2023 --
- 00:04:21.043 --> 00:04:23.111
- In 2023 -- so, you got
- 00:04:23.178 --> 00:04:23.478
- So, you got 700 million downloads
- 00:04:23.545 --> 00:04:25.180
- Of this app,
- 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:26.315
- Of this app, all these people
- 00:04:26.381 --> 00:04:27.215
- All these people are searching for
- 00:04:27.282 --> 00:04:28.083
- Are searching for different things,
- 00:04:28.150 --> 00:04:28.650
- Different things, looking for
- 00:04:28.717 --> 00:04:29.184
- Looking for different scriptures,
- 00:04:29.251 --> 00:04:29.851
- Different scriptures, different circumstance,
- 00:04:29.918 --> 00:04:31.353
- Different circumstance, different occasion.
- 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:32.587
- Different occasion. and, they said
- 00:04:32.654 --> 00:04:33.221
- And, they said the most searched word
- 00:04:33.288 --> 00:04:35.123
- The most searched word or theme this year,
- 00:04:35.190 --> 00:04:37.726
- Or theme this year, in scripture, was hope.
- 00:04:37.793 --> 00:04:41.396
- In scripture, was hope. people are looking for hope.
- 00:04:41.463 --> 00:04:45.233
- People are looking for hope. and in that
- 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.134
- And in that the most searched scripture --
- 00:04:46.201 --> 00:04:47.402
- The most searched scripture -- what do you think
- 00:04:47.469 --> 00:04:47.903
- What do you think that would be?
- 00:04:47.969 --> 00:04:48.470
- That would be? of all the scriptures
- 00:04:48.537 --> 00:04:49.171
- Of all the scriptures in the bible,
- 00:04:49.237 --> 00:04:49.571
- In the bible, what do you think
- 00:04:49.638 --> 00:04:50.238
- What do you think the most searched scripture
- 00:04:50.305 --> 00:04:52.407
- The most searched scripture was in 2023?
- 00:04:52.474 --> 00:04:53.809
- Was in 2023? what do you think?
- 00:04:53.875 --> 00:04:55.877
- What do you think? don't think?
- 00:04:55.944 --> 00:04:56.712
- Don't think? okay, great.
- 00:04:56.778 --> 00:04:57.346
- Okay, great. "so just tell us," alright,
- 00:04:57.412 --> 00:04:58.880
- "so just tell us," alright, great, i'll tell you.
- 00:04:58.947 --> 00:04:59.681
- Great, i'll tell you. the most searched scripture --
- 00:04:59.748 --> 00:05:01.049
- The most searched scripture -- not john 3:16, not psalm 23.
- 00:05:01.116 --> 00:05:06.455
- Not john 3:16, not psalm 23. this word from the prophet
- 00:05:06.521 --> 00:05:07.689
- This word from the prophet in isaiah 41:10,
- 00:05:07.756 --> 00:05:10.058
- In isaiah 41:10, the most searched scripture
- 00:05:10.125 --> 00:05:12.194
- In the bible this year says,
- 00:05:12.294 --> 00:05:16.098
- In the bible this year says, "so do not fear,
- 00:05:16.164 --> 00:05:18.066
- "so do not fear, for i am with you."
- 00:05:18.133 --> 00:05:19.868
- For i am with you." remember people
- 00:05:19.935 --> 00:05:20.435
- Remember people are looking for hope.
- 00:05:20.502 --> 00:05:21.803
- Are looking for hope. they came up with
- 00:05:21.870 --> 00:05:23.071
- They came up with that word by triangulating
- 00:05:23.138 --> 00:05:25.340
- That word by triangulating the most searched scriptures
- 00:05:25.407 --> 00:05:27.042
- The most searched scriptures and all of the most searched
- 00:05:27.109 --> 00:05:28.744
- And all of the most searched scriptures had to do with
- 00:05:28.810 --> 00:05:30.245
- Scriptures had to do with people who were afraid
- 00:05:30.312 --> 00:05:32.013
- People who were afraid or in troubled times
- 00:05:32.080 --> 00:05:33.448
- Or in troubled times looking for comfort,
- 00:05:33.515 --> 00:05:35.083
- Looking for comfort, looking for assurance,
- 00:05:35.150 --> 00:05:36.451
- Looking for assurance, looking for hope,
- 00:05:36.518 --> 00:05:38.153
- Looking for hope, and they found it in this verse.
- 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:40.422
- And they found it in this verse. "so do not fear,
- 00:05:40.489 --> 00:05:41.990
- "so do not fear, for i am with you.
- 00:05:42.057 --> 00:05:45.160
- For i am with you. do not be dismayed,
- 00:05:45.227 --> 00:05:46.628
- Do not be dismayed, for i am your god.
- 00:05:46.695 --> 00:05:48.897
- For i am your god. i will strengthen you
- 00:05:48.964 --> 00:05:50.966
- I will strengthen you and help you,
- 00:05:51.032 --> 00:05:52.434
- And help you, i will uphold you with
- 00:05:52.501 --> 00:05:56.238
- I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
- 00:05:56.304 --> 00:05:59.775
- My righteous right hand." what a promise is that.
- 00:05:59.841 --> 00:06:03.311
- You see, what we mostly
- 00:06:03.412 --> 00:06:04.446
- You see, what we mostly want from god is the plan,
- 00:06:04.513 --> 00:06:05.947
- Want from god is the plan, but what god is offering to us
- 00:06:06.014 --> 00:06:08.383
- But what god is offering to us is even better than the plan,
- 00:06:08.450 --> 00:06:09.851
- Is even better than the plan, he's offering us his hand.
- 00:06:09.918 --> 00:06:13.088
- He's offering us his hand. you know what that says,
- 00:06:13.155 --> 00:06:14.122
- You know what that says, it says that god isn't
- 00:06:14.189 --> 00:06:15.524
- It says that god isn't interested in us just
- 00:06:15.590 --> 00:06:16.792
- Interested in us just having a transactional
- 00:06:16.858 --> 00:06:18.026
- Having a transactional relationship with him
- 00:06:18.093 --> 00:06:19.327
- Relationship with him that he actually wants
- 00:06:19.394 --> 00:06:20.495
- That he actually wants a personal relationship
- 00:06:20.562 --> 00:06:22.798
- A personal relationship with you and me and we see
- 00:06:22.864 --> 00:06:24.032
- With you and me and we see that in the manger.
- 00:06:24.099 --> 00:06:25.367
- That in the manger. if god wanted
- 00:06:25.434 --> 00:06:26.134
- If god wanted a transactional relationship,
- 00:06:26.201 --> 00:06:27.969
- A transactional relationship, then he could've used
- 00:06:28.036 --> 00:06:29.371
- Then he could've used crypto currency to pay
- 00:06:29.438 --> 00:06:31.139
- Crypto currency to pay for our ransom and just
- 00:06:31.206 --> 00:06:33.909
- For our ransom and just made an exchange.
- 00:06:33.975 --> 00:06:35.544
- Made an exchange. but he sent his own
- 00:06:35.610 --> 00:06:37.379
- But he sent his own son, jesus christ from
- 00:06:37.446 --> 00:06:39.915
- Son, jesus christ from heaven into humanity
- 00:06:39.981 --> 00:06:42.517
- Heaven into humanity to show us that his priority
- 00:06:42.584 --> 00:06:44.186
- To show us that his priority was a relationship
- 00:06:44.252 --> 00:06:46.588
- Was a relationship with you and me.
- 00:06:46.655 --> 00:06:47.789
- And god, he has not promised --
- 00:06:47.889 --> 00:06:50.292
- And god, he has not promised -- i'm not sure if you
- 00:06:50.358 --> 00:06:51.226
- I'm not sure if you figured this out or not,
- 00:06:51.293 --> 00:06:52.160
- Figured this out or not, and maybe it's what's
- 00:06:52.227 --> 00:06:53.462
- And maybe it's what's frustrating you about
- 00:06:53.528 --> 00:06:54.629
- Frustrating you about god the most right now,
- 00:06:54.696 --> 00:06:56.031
- God the most right now, but he has not promised
- 00:06:56.097 --> 00:06:57.199
- But he has not promised to tell you the whole plan.
- 00:06:57.265 --> 00:06:59.501
- To tell you the whole plan. that doesn't mean
- 00:06:59.568 --> 00:07:00.101
- That doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan,
- 00:07:00.168 --> 00:07:01.503
- You were born on purpose
- 00:07:01.603 --> 00:07:05.006
- You were born on purpose and you were born
- 00:07:05.073 --> 00:07:05.807
- And you were born for a purpose.
- 00:07:05.874 --> 00:07:07.509
- For a purpose. god has a reason
- 00:07:07.576 --> 00:07:08.643
- God has a reason for you to be alive,
- 00:07:08.710 --> 00:07:10.245
- For you to be alive, and he has things
- 00:07:10.312 --> 00:07:11.146
- And he has things that he wants you to do
- 00:07:11.213 --> 00:07:12.280
- That he wants you to do in this life for him.
- 00:07:12.347 --> 00:07:15.550
- In this life for him. he sees the steps that
- 00:07:15.617 --> 00:07:16.818
- He sees the steps that he has ordered for your life,
- 00:07:16.885 --> 00:07:18.553
- He has ordered for your life, he knows right now
- 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:19.921
- He knows right now every detail of every story
- 00:07:19.988 --> 00:07:22.224
- Every detail of every story in this room and trust me
- 00:07:22.290 --> 00:07:23.992
- In this room and trust me he's got a plan.
- 00:07:24.059 --> 00:07:25.026
- He's got a plan. put he's not gonna give
- 00:07:25.093 --> 00:07:26.161
- Put he's not gonna give you and me the whole plan.
- 00:07:26.228 --> 00:07:28.530
- You and me the whole plan. someone said to me when we were
- 00:07:28.597 --> 00:07:30.799
- Someone said to me when we were talking about this at church
- 00:07:30.866 --> 00:07:31.600
- Talking about this at church a few weeks ago they said,
- 00:07:31.666 --> 00:07:32.467
- A few weeks ago they said, "i would have a lot more peace
- 00:07:32.534 --> 00:07:34.002
- "i would have a lot more peace if god would just
- 00:07:34.069 --> 00:07:34.803
- If god would just give me the plan."
- 00:07:34.870 --> 00:07:36.404
- Give me the plan." and i was like,
- 00:07:36.471 --> 00:07:36.938
- And i was like, "no, you would have
- 00:07:37.005 --> 00:07:38.173
- "no, you would have a lot less peace if god
- 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.574
- A lot less peace if god gave you the plan."
- 00:07:39.641 --> 00:07:41.409
- Gave you the plan." think about what you
- 00:07:41.476 --> 00:07:42.577
- Think about what you have been through in 2023.
- 00:07:42.644 --> 00:07:44.679
- Have been through in 2023. and, if you knew everything
- 00:07:44.746 --> 00:07:46.381
- And, if you knew everything you were gonna go through
- 00:07:46.448 --> 00:07:47.449
- You were gonna go through this year at the end of 2022,
- 00:07:47.516 --> 00:07:50.519
- This year at the end of 2022, you would not have had peace
- 00:07:50.585 --> 00:07:52.420
- You would not have had peace at the end of 2022 if god
- 00:07:52.487 --> 00:07:54.923
- At the end of 2022 if god told you everything you were
- 00:07:54.990 --> 00:07:56.424
- Told you everything you were gonna go through in 2023.
- 00:07:56.491 --> 00:07:59.127
- Gonna go through in 2023. god know start peace doesn't
- 00:07:59.194 --> 00:08:00.962
- God know start peace doesn't come from giving us the plan,
- 00:08:01.029 --> 00:08:02.764
- Come from giving us the plan, peace comes from
- 00:08:02.831 --> 00:08:04.466
- Peace comes from giving us his hand.
- 00:08:04.533 --> 00:08:09.237
- Giving us his hand. and to put a different spin
- 00:08:09.304 --> 00:08:10.238
- And to put a different spin on that word behold,
- 00:08:10.305 --> 00:08:11.773
- On that word behold, that's what he's inviting
- 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:12.607
- That's what he's inviting us to do today,
- 00:08:12.674 --> 00:08:14.242
- Us to do today, he's inviting us,
- 00:08:14.309 --> 00:08:14.876
- He's inviting us, a: to behold light.
- 00:08:14.943 --> 00:08:16.311
- A: to behold light. the behold which is,
- 00:08:16.378 --> 00:08:17.546
- The behold which is, "wow, i get it."
- 00:08:17.612 --> 00:08:18.547
- "wow, i get it." that's behold.
- 00:08:18.613 --> 00:08:19.714
- That's behold. "wow, i see it."
- 00:08:19.781 --> 00:08:21.416
- That is what behold
- 00:08:21.516 --> 00:08:22.284
- That is what behold is all about.
- 00:08:22.350 --> 00:08:23.318
- Is all about. "wow, it's finally
- 00:08:23.385 --> 00:08:24.386
- "wow, it's finally making sense to me."
- 00:08:24.452 --> 00:08:25.620
- Making sense to me." that's behold.
- 00:08:25.687 --> 00:08:26.855
- That's behold. but he's also saying,
- 00:08:26.922 --> 00:08:28.723
- But he's also saying, "i'm extending a hand to you,
- 00:08:28.790 --> 00:08:30.959
- "i'm extending a hand to you, encouragement to you.
- 00:08:31.026 --> 00:08:32.227
- Encouragement to you. this is hope, this is what
- 00:08:32.294 --> 00:08:34.129
- This is hope, this is what you're looking for.
- 00:08:34.195 --> 00:08:35.196
- You're looking for. this is what everyone's
- 00:08:35.263 --> 00:08:36.464
- Looking for.
- 00:08:36.565 --> 00:08:37.799
- Looking for. "it is my righteous,"
- 00:08:37.866 --> 00:08:40.001
- We're gonna talk about that
- 00:08:40.101 --> 00:08:40.702
- We're gonna talk about that at the end today,
- 00:08:40.769 --> 00:08:41.836
- At the end today, "right hand."
- 00:08:41.903 --> 00:08:44.973
- "right hand." he's extending to you
- 00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:47.275
- He's extending to you and to me and he's saying,
- 00:08:47.342 --> 00:08:48.276
- And to me and he's saying, "take hold,
- 00:08:48.343 --> 00:08:50.412
- "take hold, take hold of my hand."
- 00:08:50.478 --> 00:08:53.181
- Take hold of my hand." not only that,
- 00:08:53.248 --> 00:08:53.782
- Not only that, we could take hold of him.
- 00:08:53.848 --> 00:08:55.917
- We could take hold of him. i love luke's account
- 00:08:55.984 --> 00:08:57.919
- I love luke's account of the christmas story
- 00:08:57.986 --> 00:08:59.654
- Of the christmas story and i wanted us
- 00:08:59.721 --> 00:09:00.589
- And i wanted us to get around behold
- 00:09:00.655 --> 00:09:01.856
- To get around behold and to get around behold
- 00:09:01.923 --> 00:09:03.158
- And to get around behold we had to go
- 00:09:03.224 --> 00:09:04.025
- We had to go to the king james version
- 00:09:04.092 --> 00:09:06.027
- To the king james version of scripture.
- 00:09:06.094 --> 00:09:06.795
- Of scripture. and, i always, you know,
- 00:09:06.861 --> 00:09:08.496
- And, i always, you know, kinda make fun of that
- 00:09:08.563 --> 00:09:09.397
- Kinda make fun of that because every now and then
- 00:09:09.464 --> 00:09:10.899
- Because every now and then somebody will tell me that,
- 00:09:10.966 --> 00:09:12.367
- Somebody will tell me that, "i like your preaching,
- 00:09:12.434 --> 00:09:13.134
- But your preaching isn't really
- 00:09:13.234 --> 00:09:15.303
- But your preaching isn't really accurate because you're not
- 00:09:15.370 --> 00:09:16.438
- Accurate because you're not preaching out of the king james
- 00:09:16.504 --> 00:09:17.772
- Preaching out of the king james version of the bible."
- 00:09:17.839 --> 00:09:19.074
- Version of the bible." and i'm like,
- 00:09:19.140 --> 00:09:19.741
- And i'm like, "that's because nobody
- 00:09:19.808 --> 00:09:20.642
- "that's because nobody says thee, and wherefore,
- 00:09:20.709 --> 00:09:22.644
- Says thee, and wherefore, and thou all alt, and, you know,
- 00:09:22.711 --> 00:09:26.214
- And thou all alt, and, you know, where art thouest, you know,
- 00:09:26.281 --> 00:09:27.215
- Where art thouest, you know, and these kinds of phrases."
- 00:09:27.282 --> 00:09:28.850
- And these kinds of phrases." we don't use that
- 00:09:28.917 --> 00:09:29.784
- We don't use that language anymore.
- 00:09:29.851 --> 00:09:31.086
- Language anymore. but, the king james is an
- 00:09:31.152 --> 00:09:32.454
- But, the king james is an incredibly amazing translation
- 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:35.824
- Incredibly amazing translation nonetheless even though
- 00:09:35.890 --> 00:09:36.891
- Nonetheless even though some of the language
- 00:09:36.958 --> 00:09:38.259
- Some of the language isn't what we use today.
- 00:09:38.326 --> 00:09:39.995
- And, in this particular
- 00:09:40.095 --> 00:09:41.730
- And, in this particular translation we get the word
- 00:09:41.796 --> 00:09:44.065
- Translation we get the word "behold," and we need it today
- 00:09:44.132 --> 00:09:45.967
- "behold," and we need it today because we're gonna take
- 00:09:46.034 --> 00:09:47.702
- Because we're gonna take some time with that word,
- 00:09:47.769 --> 00:09:48.970
- Some time with that word, behold, today.
- 00:09:49.037 --> 00:09:50.672
- Behold, today. it says, "now there were
- 00:09:50.739 --> 00:09:52.307
- It says, "now there were in the same country shepherds
- 00:09:52.374 --> 00:09:53.975
- In the same country shepherds living out in the fields,
- 00:09:54.042 --> 00:09:54.909
- Living out in the fields, keeping watch over
- 00:09:54.976 --> 00:09:55.977
- Keeping watch over their flock by night.
- 00:09:56.044 --> 00:09:58.079
- Their flock by night. and behold," there's our word.
- 00:09:58.146 --> 00:09:59.814
- And behold," there's our word. you probably won't find that
- 00:09:59.881 --> 00:10:01.282
- You probably won't find that in your niv, your esv,
- 00:10:01.349 --> 00:10:04.552
- In your niv, your esv, your new living translation,
- 00:10:04.619 --> 00:10:05.954
- Your new living translation, you're not gonna get behold.
- 00:10:06.021 --> 00:10:07.956
- You're not gonna get behold. "an angel of the lord
- 00:10:08.023 --> 00:10:09.357
- "an angel of the lord stood before them,
- 00:10:09.424 --> 00:10:10.659
- Stood before them, and the glory of the lord
- 00:10:10.725 --> 00:10:12.494
- And the glory of the lord shone around them,
- 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:14.029
- Shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
- 00:10:14.095 --> 00:10:16.698
- And they were greatly afraid. then the angel said to them,
- 00:10:16.765 --> 00:10:19.334
- Then the angel said to them, 'do not be afraid,'"
- 00:10:19.401 --> 00:10:23.204
- 'do not be afraid,'" isn't that interesting?
- 00:10:23.271 --> 00:10:24.139
- Isn't that interesting? the most searched thing
- 00:10:24.205 --> 00:10:26.174
- The most searched thing in the bible this year
- 00:10:26.241 --> 00:10:27.642
- In the bible this year was god saying,
- 00:10:27.709 --> 00:10:29.477
- Was god saying, "do not be afraid."
- 00:10:29.544 --> 00:10:32.881
- "do not be afraid." this message is
- 00:10:32.947 --> 00:10:34.349
- This message is god's message to you today.
- 00:10:34.416 --> 00:10:36.117
- God's message to you today. it was the message
- 00:10:36.184 --> 00:10:37.152
- It was the message to the shepherds on that day
- 00:10:37.218 --> 00:10:38.887
- To the shepherds on that day and it is still the message
- 00:10:38.953 --> 00:10:40.689
- And it is still the message to you and me on this day.
- 00:10:40.755 --> 00:10:43.358
- To you and me on this day. "'do not be afraid for behold,
- 00:10:43.425 --> 00:10:48.863
- "'do not be afraid for behold, i bring you good tidings
- 00:10:48.930 --> 00:10:50.432
- I bring you good tidings of great joy which will
- 00:10:50.498 --> 00:10:51.766
- Of great joy which will be to all people.'"
- 00:10:51.833 --> 00:10:54.035
- Be to all people.'" everybody is getting in
- 00:10:54.102 --> 00:10:55.303
- Everybody is getting in on this good news
- 00:10:55.370 --> 00:10:57.072
- On this good news and this great joy.
- 00:10:57.138 --> 00:10:58.373
- And this great joy. "'for there is born to you
- 00:10:58.440 --> 00:10:59.474
- "'for there is born to you this day in the city of david a
- 00:10:59.541 --> 00:11:02.444
- This day in the city of david a savior, who is christ the lord.
- 00:11:02.510 --> 00:11:05.747
- Savior, who is christ the lord. and this will be
- 00:11:05.814 --> 00:11:06.381
- And this will be the sign to you,
- 00:11:06.448 --> 00:11:07.048
- The sign to you, you will find a babe
- 00:11:07.115 --> 00:11:08.516
- You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,'"
- 00:11:08.583 --> 00:11:10.852
- Wrapped in swaddling cloths,'" thank you kjv for giving us
- 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:13.722
- Thank you kjv for giving us the swaddling cloths,
- 00:11:13.788 --> 00:11:15.523
- The swaddling cloths, "lying in a manger."
- 00:11:15.590 --> 00:11:17.325
- "lying in a manger." who is in a manger?
- 00:11:17.392 --> 00:11:18.626
- Who is in a manger? a baby is in the manger, yes,
- 00:11:18.693 --> 00:11:20.695
- A baby is in the manger, yes, but there's more than that
- 00:11:20.762 --> 00:11:22.063
- But there's more than that to the story today.
- 00:11:22.130 --> 00:11:23.431
- To the story today. the baby in the manger
- 00:11:23.498 --> 00:11:25.166
- The baby in the manger is a savior who is christ
- 00:11:25.233 --> 00:11:29.504
- Is a savior who is christ and who is lord.
- 00:11:29.571 --> 00:11:32.741
- And who is lord. "and suddenly there was
- 00:11:32.807 --> 00:11:34.576
- "and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
- 00:11:34.642 --> 00:11:36.111
- With the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
- 00:11:36.177 --> 00:11:37.512
- Of the heavenly host praising god and saying,
- 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:39.180
- Praising god and saying, 'glory to god in the highest,
- 00:11:39.247 --> 00:11:42.817
- 'glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace,
- 00:11:42.884 --> 00:11:45.353
- And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'"
- 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:48.823
- Goodwill toward men!'" "behold i bring you
- 00:11:48.890 --> 00:11:52.727
- "behold i bring you good tidings of great joy
- 00:11:52.794 --> 00:11:55.864
- Good tidings of great joy for all the people."
- 00:11:55.930 --> 00:11:58.099
- For all the people." we get a little
- 00:11:58.166 --> 00:11:59.100
- We get a little different version of this
- 00:11:59.167 --> 00:12:00.168
- Different version of this in john's gospel.
- 00:12:00.235 --> 00:12:01.636
- In john's gospel. and, in john
- 00:12:01.703 --> 00:12:02.937
- And, in john he's telling us that jesus,
- 00:12:03.004 --> 00:12:04.806
- He's telling us that jesus, the creator of the cosmos,
- 00:12:04.873 --> 00:12:06.341
- The creator of the cosmos, is come to us in human form.
- 00:12:06.407 --> 00:12:09.244
- Is come to us in human form. and, he refers to him
- 00:12:09.310 --> 00:12:10.979
- And, he refers to him as the word.
- 00:12:11.045 --> 00:12:12.313
- As the word. capital "w" o-r-d.
- 00:12:12.380 --> 00:12:14.582
- Capital "w" o-r-d. jesus is god,
- 00:12:14.649 --> 00:12:15.950
- Jesus is god, jesus was with god,
- 00:12:16.017 --> 00:12:17.519
- Jesus was with god, jesus encompassed all of god,
- 00:12:17.585 --> 00:12:19.721
- Jesus encompassed all of god, all the wisdom of god,
- 00:12:19.788 --> 00:12:20.989
- All the wisdom of god, all the knowledge of god,
- 00:12:21.055 --> 00:12:22.157
- All the knowledge of god, all of the vocabulary of god.
- 00:12:22.223 --> 00:12:24.092
- All of the vocabulary of god. everything god wanted to say
- 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.860
- To you about everything
- 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.495
- To you about everything that god is and was
- 00:12:27.562 --> 00:12:29.497
- That god is and was this is the word, jesus.
- 00:12:29.564 --> 00:12:32.300
- This is the word, jesus. "and the word who was
- 00:12:32.367 --> 00:12:34.903
- "and the word who was with god now was made flesh
- 00:12:34.969 --> 00:12:38.139
- With god now was made flesh and dwelt among us,
- 00:12:38.206 --> 00:12:40.441
- And dwelt among us, (and we beheld),"
- 00:12:40.508 --> 00:12:43.111
- (and we beheld)," the angel said, "behold,"
- 00:12:43.178 --> 00:12:44.612
- The angel said, "behold," but now we,
- 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.080
- But now we, "beheld his glory,
- 00:12:46.147 --> 00:12:48.149
- "beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
- 00:12:48.216 --> 00:12:49.784
- The glory as of the only begotten of the father,)
- 00:12:49.851 --> 00:12:51.653
- Begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth."
- 00:12:51.719 --> 00:12:54.722
- Full of grace and truth." eugene peterson gave us
- 00:12:54.789 --> 00:12:56.257
- Eugene peterson gave us this verse in language
- 00:12:56.324 --> 00:12:57.992
- That you would use or that
- 00:12:58.092 --> 00:12:59.861
- That you would use or that i would use and he says,
- 00:12:59.928 --> 00:13:02.964
- I would use and he says, john 1:14 this way,
- 00:13:03.031 --> 00:13:04.432
- John 1:14 this way, "the word," jesus,
- 00:13:04.499 --> 00:13:07.001
- "the word," jesus, "became flesh and blood,
- 00:13:07.068 --> 00:13:08.970
- "became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
- 00:13:09.037 --> 00:13:12.640
- And moved into the neighborhood. we saw the glory with
- 00:13:12.707 --> 00:13:14.042
- We saw the glory with our own eyes," that's behold.
- 00:13:14.108 --> 00:13:16.477
- Our own eyes," that's behold. "we saw it, we beheld it,
- 00:13:16.544 --> 00:13:19.347
- We got it.
- 00:13:19.447 --> 00:13:20.448
- We got it. we said, 'i see it."
- 00:13:20.515 --> 00:13:22.717
- We saw the glory
- 00:13:22.817 --> 00:13:26.988
- We saw the glory with our own eyes.
- 00:13:27.055 --> 00:13:28.156
- With our own eyes. "the one-of-a-kind glory,
- 00:13:28.223 --> 00:13:30.592
- "the one-of-a-kind glory, like father, like son,
- 00:13:30.658 --> 00:13:33.428
- Like father, like son, generous inside and out,
- 00:13:33.494 --> 00:13:36.497
- Generous inside and out, true from start to finish."
- 00:13:36.564 --> 00:13:40.068
- True from start to finish." we beheld.
- 00:13:40.134 --> 00:13:43.605
- Let's just dive
- 00:13:48.877 --> 00:13:49.878
- Let's just dive a little deeper,
- 00:13:49.944 --> 00:13:50.578
- A little deeper, why is behold and beheld
- 00:13:50.645 --> 00:13:54.082
- Why is behold and beheld get such a prominent place
- 00:13:54.148 --> 00:13:56.150
- In this christmas eve message?
- 00:13:56.251 --> 00:13:58.753
- In this christmas eve message? because this, god tells us,
- 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:01.356
- Because this, god tells us, is who he is.
- 00:14:01.422 --> 00:14:03.191
- Is who he is. all the way back
- 00:14:03.258 --> 00:14:03.958
- All the way back to the burning bush
- 00:14:04.025 --> 00:14:04.792
- To the burning bush with moses.
- 00:14:04.859 --> 00:14:05.526
- With moses. you're like,
- 00:14:05.593 --> 00:14:05.960
- You're like, "man, we're covering ground
- 00:14:06.027 --> 00:14:07.028
- For christmas eve."
- 00:14:07.128 --> 00:14:07.896
- For christmas eve." yeah, we are,
- 00:14:07.962 --> 00:14:08.763
- Yeah, we are, and it's beautiful.
- 00:14:08.830 --> 00:14:10.198
- And it's beautiful. we're tying all
- 00:14:10.265 --> 00:14:11.332
- We're tying all of the chords together.
- 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:13.668
- Of the chords together. and, in exodus 3
- 00:14:13.735 --> 00:14:15.203
- Moses said to god,
- 00:14:15.303 --> 00:14:16.371
- Moses said to god, "suppose i go to the israelites
- 00:14:16.437 --> 00:14:17.672
- "suppose i go to the israelites and say to them,
- 00:14:17.739 --> 00:14:18.907
- And say to them, 'the god of your fathers
- 00:14:18.973 --> 00:14:20.074
- 'the god of your fathers has sent me to you,'
- 00:14:20.141 --> 00:14:21.342
- Has sent me to you,' and then they ask me,
- 00:14:21.409 --> 00:14:22.777
- And then they ask me, 'what is his name?'
- 00:14:22.844 --> 00:14:25.013
- 'what is his name?' then what shall i say to them?"
- 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:27.115
- Then what shall i say to them?" and god answers moses and he's
- 00:14:27.181 --> 00:14:28.616
- And god answers moses and he's about to tell him his name.
- 00:14:28.683 --> 00:14:31.486
- About to tell him his name. this is so powerful, he says,
- 00:14:31.552 --> 00:14:33.888
- This is so powerful, he says, "i am who i am.'
- 00:14:33.955 --> 00:14:37.959
- "i am who i am.' wow, that's a mighty name.
- 00:14:38.026 --> 00:14:41.462
- Wow, that's a mighty name. "this is what you're to say
- 00:14:41.529 --> 00:14:42.931
- "this is what you're to say to the israelites, say,
- 00:14:42.997 --> 00:14:44.399
- To the israelites, say, 'i am has sent me to you.'
- 00:14:44.465 --> 00:14:49.804
- 'i am has sent me to you.' god also said to moses,
- 00:14:49.871 --> 00:14:50.772
- God also said to moses, "say to the israelites,
- 00:14:50.838 --> 00:14:52.006
- "say to the israelites, 'the lord, the god
- 00:14:52.073 --> 00:14:52.907
- 'the lord, the god of your fathers.
- 00:14:52.974 --> 00:14:53.541
- Of your fathers. the god of abraham,
- 00:14:53.608 --> 00:14:54.542
- The god of abraham, the god of isaac
- 00:14:54.609 --> 00:14:55.910
- The god of isaac and the god of jacob,
- 00:14:55.977 --> 00:14:57.145
- And the god of jacob, has sent me to you.'
- 00:14:57.211 --> 00:14:58.313
- Has sent me to you.' this is my name forever,
- 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:05.253
- This is my name forever, the name you shall call me
- 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.621
- The name you shall call me from generation to generation.
- 00:15:06.688 --> 00:15:09.791
- From generation to generation. my name is i am.'"
- 00:15:09.857 --> 00:15:14.395
- My name is i am.'" and what's powerful
- 00:15:14.462 --> 00:15:15.296
- And what's powerful about it is scripture was
- 00:15:15.363 --> 00:15:17.632
- About it is scripture was given originally in hebrew
- 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:21.336
- Given originally in hebrew and so we have
- 00:15:21.402 --> 00:15:22.270
- And so we have five english words,
- 00:15:22.337 --> 00:15:23.838
- Five english words, "i am who i am," but only
- 00:15:23.905 --> 00:15:27.408
- "i am who i am," but only one hebrew word.
- 00:15:27.475 --> 00:15:30.211
- One hebrew word. and, the hebrew word,
- 00:15:30.278 --> 00:15:31.045
- Interestingly is a verb
- 00:15:31.145 --> 00:15:33.147
- Interestingly is a verb and it's the verb "to be."
- 00:15:33.214 --> 00:15:35.216
- And it's the verb "to be." the present tense active form
- 00:15:35.283 --> 00:15:36.985
- The present tense active form of the word to be.
- 00:15:37.051 --> 00:15:38.286
- Of the word to be. so, god is saying, "i be."
- 00:15:38.353 --> 00:15:41.089
- So, god is saying, "i be." you don't really
- 00:15:41.155 --> 00:15:41.689
- You don't really even need the to be,
- 00:15:41.756 --> 00:15:43.558
- Even need the to be, you just need "be."
- 00:15:43.624 --> 00:15:45.360
- You just need "be." so, it's fair to say
- 00:15:45.426 --> 00:15:46.961
- That if you're running into
- 00:15:47.061 --> 00:15:48.696
- That if you're running into god at some point you're
- 00:15:48.763 --> 00:15:50.698
- God at some point you're gonna see him with this on.
- 00:15:50.765 --> 00:15:53.701
- [laughter]
- 00:15:54.068 --> 00:15:55.470
- "hello, my name is be.
- 00:15:55.903 --> 00:16:01.209
- "hello, my name is be. yes, i'm father.
- 00:16:01.275 --> 00:16:02.176
- Yes, i'm father. yes, i'm jesus.
- 00:16:02.243 --> 00:16:03.311
- Yes, i'm jesus. yes, i'm holy spirit.
- 00:16:03.378 --> 00:16:04.846
- Yes, i'm holy spirit. yes, i am almighty.
- 00:16:04.912 --> 00:16:06.347
- Yes, i am almighty. yes, i am king of kings.
- 00:16:06.414 --> 00:16:07.582
- Yes, i am king of kings. yes, i am lord,
- 00:16:07.648 --> 00:16:08.950
- But you could also call me be,
- 00:16:09.050 --> 00:16:11.686
- But you could also call me be, because i be.
- 00:16:11.753 --> 00:16:15.023
- Because i be. yesterday i be, today i be,
- 00:16:15.089 --> 00:16:17.692
- Yesterday i be, today i be, tomorrow i be.
- 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.260
- Tomorrow i be. i always have be
- 00:16:19.327 --> 00:16:21.229
- I always have be and i always will be.
- 00:16:21.295 --> 00:16:23.531
- And i always will be. i be."
- 00:16:23.598 --> 00:16:25.099
- I be." terrible grammar,
- 00:16:25.166 --> 00:16:26.467
- Terrible grammar, amazing theology.
- 00:16:26.534 --> 00:16:28.236
- [laughter]
- 00:16:28.536 --> 00:16:28.836
- I be god.
- 00:16:29.237 --> 00:16:33.408
- I be god. i am that i am.
- 00:16:33.474 --> 00:16:37.145
- I am that i am. so, therefore, at christmas,
- 00:16:37.211 --> 00:16:42.683
- So, therefore, at christmas, when the angel said, "behold,'
- 00:16:42.750 --> 00:16:46.487
- When the angel said, "behold,' he could've been saying
- 00:16:46.554 --> 00:16:48.790
- He could've been saying to mary in the same breath
- 00:16:48.856 --> 00:16:51.559
- To mary in the same breath after speaking
- 00:16:51.626 --> 00:16:52.260
- After speaking to the shepherds
- 00:16:52.326 --> 00:16:53.761
- To the shepherds the angel could've said,
- 00:16:53.828 --> 00:16:55.263
- The angel could've said, "and to you, young lady behold,
- 00:16:55.329 --> 00:17:05.206
- "and to you, young lady behold, i am is now in the arms
- 00:17:05.273 --> 00:17:11.012
- I am is now in the arms of a teenage girl in bethlehem."
- 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:15.883
- Of a teenage girl in bethlehem." the miracle
- 00:17:15.950 --> 00:17:17.418
- The miracle of the omnipotent one,
- 00:17:17.485 --> 00:17:20.421
- Of the omnipotent one, the almighty god,
- 00:17:20.488 --> 00:17:23.791
- The almighty god, coming in human form
- 00:17:23.858 --> 00:17:27.728
- Coming in human form with flesh and blood.
- 00:17:27.795 --> 00:17:30.798
- With flesh and blood. he moved into
- 00:17:30.865 --> 00:17:33.267
- He moved into the neighborhood.
- 00:17:33.334 --> 00:17:35.570
- The neighborhood. why?
- 00:17:35.636 --> 00:17:36.671
- Why? because god knows,
- 00:17:36.737 --> 00:17:37.538
- Because god knows, a, that we need a savior,
- 00:17:37.605 --> 00:17:39.407
- A, that we need a savior, and b, he wants a relationship
- 00:17:39.474 --> 00:17:42.677
- And b, he wants a relationship with you and with me.
- 00:17:42.743 --> 00:17:45.880
- With you and with me. and so, when we say we beheld --
- 00:17:45.947 --> 00:17:49.083
- And so, when we say we beheld -- which i am praying
- 00:17:49.150 --> 00:17:50.318
- Which i am praying that every one of us
- 00:17:50.384 --> 00:17:51.519
- That every one of us will be able to say when
- 00:17:51.586 --> 00:17:52.787
- Will be able to say when we leave this gathering.
- 00:17:52.854 --> 00:17:56.624
- We leave this gathering. when we say we beheld his glory,
- 00:17:56.691 --> 00:17:59.127
- When we say we beheld his glory, one-of-a-kind glory,
- 00:17:59.193 --> 00:18:00.761
- One-of-a-kind glory, no one like him glory,
- 00:18:00.828 --> 00:18:02.497
- No one like him glory, never been one like him before,
- 00:18:02.563 --> 00:18:04.365
- Never been one like him before, never be another like him,
- 00:18:04.432 --> 00:18:05.666
- Never be another like him, the only son of god
- 00:18:05.733 --> 00:18:07.268
- The only son of god sent from heaven for
- 00:18:07.335 --> 00:18:08.769
- Sent from heaven for the sins of the world.
- 00:18:08.836 --> 00:18:09.770
- The sins of the world. the only god
- 00:18:09.837 --> 00:18:10.838
- The only god come in human flesh,
- 00:18:10.905 --> 00:18:12.140
- Come in human flesh, we beheld him.
- 00:18:12.206 --> 00:18:15.543
- We beheld him. it's true, we now beheld.
- 00:18:15.610 --> 00:18:22.350
- It's true, we now beheld. that's not how you spell beheld.
- 00:18:22.416 --> 00:18:23.918
- [laughter]
- 00:18:24.252 --> 00:18:25.119
- Fortunately, we have one
- 00:18:25.987 --> 00:18:27.588
- Fortunately, we have one of those the miracle
- 00:18:27.655 --> 00:18:28.990
- Of those the miracle of christmas.
- 00:18:29.056 --> 00:18:30.158
- Of christmas. when we say we beheld,
- 00:18:30.224 --> 00:18:32.727
- When we say we beheld, we did beheld.
- 00:18:32.793 --> 00:18:35.296
- We did beheld. we beheld, we held be.
- 00:18:35.363 --> 00:18:42.637
- We beheld, we held be. but you can flip it around
- 00:18:42.703 --> 00:18:44.005
- But you can flip it around the other way.
- 00:18:44.071 --> 00:18:44.505
- The other way. i got this from my dad,
- 00:18:44.572 --> 00:18:45.773
- All these linguistic gymnastics
- 00:18:45.873 --> 00:18:48.776
- All these linguistic gymnastics is what my sister and i
- 00:18:48.843 --> 00:18:50.044
- Is what my sister and i got from my father,
- 00:18:50.111 --> 00:18:51.112
- Got from my father, who would say to us when
- 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:52.480
- Who would say to us when we were going to be,
- 00:18:52.547 --> 00:18:54.315
- We were going to be, "don't bite the bed bugs."
- 00:18:54.382 --> 00:18:57.385
- "don't bite the bed bugs." just have to think
- 00:18:57.451 --> 00:18:58.252
- Just have to think about it for a minute.
- 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:58.953
- [laughter]
- 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.321
- So, we held be,
- 00:19:01.589 --> 00:19:04.225
- So, we held be, but the miracle and the hope
- 00:19:04.292 --> 00:19:05.960
- But the miracle and the hope is found now in knowing
- 00:19:06.027 --> 00:19:07.061
- Is found now in knowing that yes god came in a form
- 00:19:07.128 --> 00:19:08.863
- That yes god came in a form that we could behold,
- 00:19:08.930 --> 00:19:10.531
- That we could behold, but the beauty now is
- 00:19:10.598 --> 00:19:12.066
- But the beauty now is that we beheld.
- 00:19:12.133 --> 00:19:16.604
- That we beheld. so, we held the baby, but now
- 00:19:16.671 --> 00:19:18.940
- So, we held the baby, but now the baby is holding you.
- 00:19:19.006 --> 00:19:23.945
- The baby is holding you. and that is
- 00:19:24.011 --> 00:19:24.378
- And that is the miracle of christmas,
- 00:19:24.445 --> 00:19:28.316
- The miracle of christmas, that we held god in our arms
- 00:19:28.382 --> 00:19:35.456
- That we held god in our arms but now that same baby
- 00:19:35.523 --> 00:19:38.125
- But now that same baby he holds everyone who takes hold
- 00:19:38.192 --> 00:19:42.797
- He holds everyone who takes hold of his righteous right hand.
- 00:19:42.863 --> 00:19:48.202
- Of his righteous right hand. and this christmas,
- 00:19:48.269 --> 00:19:49.670
- And this christmas, god is offering
- 00:19:49.737 --> 00:19:52.940
- God is offering for you to be upheld.
- 00:19:53.007 --> 00:19:57.678
- For you to be upheld. no matter what your situation,
- 00:19:57.745 --> 00:19:59.080
- No matter what your situation, your season of life,
- 00:19:59.146 --> 00:20:00.648
- Your season of life, your season of waiting,
- 00:20:00.715 --> 00:20:02.316
- Your season of waiting, your struggle,
- 00:20:02.383 --> 00:20:03.784
- Your struggle, your strife, your trying,
- 00:20:03.851 --> 00:20:07.888
- Your strife, your trying, he says, "i got you.
- 00:20:07.955 --> 00:20:10.958
- He says, "i got you. you can be in a relationship
- 00:20:11.025 --> 00:20:12.526
- You can be in a relationship with me where you know
- 00:20:12.593 --> 00:20:13.828
- With me where you know that the god of abraham
- 00:20:13.894 --> 00:20:15.496
- That the god of abraham and isaac and jacob,
- 00:20:15.563 --> 00:20:18.065
- And isaac and jacob, the great i am has got you,
- 00:20:18.132 --> 00:20:22.169
- The great i am has got you, and he's not gonna
- 00:20:22.236 --> 00:20:22.870
- And he's not gonna let you go."
- 00:20:22.937 --> 00:20:23.571
- Let you go." he's not gonna let you fall,
- 00:20:23.638 --> 00:20:26.641
- He's not gonna let you fall, he's gonna uphold you with
- 00:20:26.707 --> 00:20:28.342
- He's gonna uphold you with his righteous right hand,
- 00:20:28.409 --> 00:20:30.444
- His righteous right hand, and he's offering that
- 00:20:30.511 --> 00:20:31.545
- And he's offering that to you and me today.
- 00:20:31.612 --> 00:20:33.948
- To you and me today. the miracle of this day
- 00:20:34.015 --> 00:20:37.251
- The miracle of this day is for him to give us all
- 00:20:37.318 --> 00:20:38.986
- Is for him to give us all the gift of sight.
- 00:20:39.053 --> 00:20:42.523
- The gift of sight. all through this day
- 00:20:42.590 --> 00:20:43.624
- All through this day people have made a decision
- 00:20:43.691 --> 00:20:46.594
- People have made a decision to put their faith
- 00:20:46.661 --> 00:20:48.262
- To put their faith in jesus christ
- 00:20:48.329 --> 00:20:49.530
- In jesus christ as savior and lord.
- 00:20:49.597 --> 00:20:51.732
- As savior and lord. they made a decision to do more
- 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.334
- They made a decision to do more at the end of the day than
- 00:20:53.401 --> 00:20:54.502
- At the end of the day than just come to church,
- 00:20:54.568 --> 00:20:55.469
- Just come to church, they made a decision
- 00:20:55.536 --> 00:20:56.370
- They made a decision to come to christ.
- 00:20:56.437 --> 00:20:59.140
- To come to christ. they made a decision
- 00:20:59.206 --> 00:21:00.508
- They made a decision to say yes to jesus,
- 00:21:00.574 --> 00:21:02.276
- To say yes to jesus, to accept what
- 00:21:02.343 --> 00:21:03.644
- To accept what he had done for them.
- 00:21:03.711 --> 00:21:05.546
- He had done for them. in every gathering today
- 00:21:05.613 --> 00:21:07.214
- In every gathering today at every location at
- 00:21:07.281 --> 00:21:09.150
- At every location at passion city church people
- 00:21:09.216 --> 00:21:10.851
- Passion city church people have said yes, why?
- 00:21:10.918 --> 00:21:12.553
- Have said yes, why? because their eyes were opened
- 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:14.855
- Because their eyes were opened on christmas eve to behold.
- 00:21:14.922 --> 00:21:19.827
- On christmas eve to behold. and when their eyes
- 00:21:19.894 --> 00:21:20.728
- And when their eyes were opened they reached out
- 00:21:20.795 --> 00:21:22.063
- Were opened they reached out for the hand of jesus
- 00:21:22.129 --> 00:21:24.765
- For the hand of jesus and they took hold of the hand
- 00:21:24.832 --> 00:21:27.068
- And they took hold of the hand that he was extending to them.
- 00:21:27.134 --> 00:21:30.805
- That he was extending to them. isaiah the prophet called it
- 00:21:30.871 --> 00:21:32.640
- Isaiah the prophet called it his righteous right hand.
- 00:21:32.707 --> 00:21:36.177
- His righteous right hand. what does that mean?
- 00:21:36.243 --> 00:21:37.978
- What does that mean? he's extending that
- 00:21:38.045 --> 00:21:39.613
- He's extending that to you today,
- 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.281
- To you today, his righteous right hand.
- 00:21:40.348 --> 00:21:41.916
- His righteous right hand. what does that mean?
- 00:21:41.982 --> 00:21:43.718
- What does that mean? it means, a, that god is right.
- 00:21:43.784 --> 00:21:46.954
- It means, a, that god is right. it means a, that god is
- 00:21:47.021 --> 00:21:48.422
- It means a, that god is righteous and it means that
- 00:21:48.489 --> 00:21:50.758
- Righteous and it means that jesus came to do more than just
- 00:21:50.825 --> 00:21:53.594
- Jesus came to do more than just give us a sentimental story
- 00:21:53.661 --> 00:21:55.730
- Give us a sentimental story for a wintertime season.
- 00:21:55.796 --> 00:22:00.368
- For a wintertime season. it means that jesus came to be
- 00:22:00.434 --> 00:22:02.803
- It means that jesus came to be the savior of the world.
- 00:22:02.870 --> 00:22:06.107
- The savior of the world. do you know what
- 00:22:06.173 --> 00:22:06.640
- Do you know what that means today?
- 00:22:06.707 --> 00:22:07.875
- That means today? it means the world
- 00:22:07.942 --> 00:22:09.343
- It means the world needed saving.
- 00:22:09.410 --> 00:22:12.413
- Needed saving. it means that humanity
- 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:15.416
- It means that humanity had turned away from
- 00:22:15.483 --> 00:22:18.119
- Had turned away from the righteous one
- 00:22:18.185 --> 00:22:20.721
- The righteous one and turned their own way.
- 00:22:20.788 --> 00:22:25.860
- And turned their own way. but yet, god made a way
- 00:22:25.926 --> 00:22:29.797
- But yet, god made a way by sending his only son,
- 00:22:29.864 --> 00:22:34.668
- By sending his only son, righteous, true,
- 00:22:34.735 --> 00:22:38.105
- Righteous, true, full of grace,
- 00:22:38.172 --> 00:22:39.974
- Full of grace, and full of truth.
- 00:22:40.040 --> 00:22:42.109
- And full of truth. a baby born for a reason.
- 00:22:42.176 --> 00:22:49.350
- A baby born for a reason. and what was that reason?
- 00:22:49.417 --> 00:22:51.919
- And what was that reason? to exchange an innocent life
- 00:22:51.986 --> 00:22:54.822
- To exchange an innocent life for one marred by sin,
- 00:22:54.889 --> 00:22:58.459
- For one marred by sin, and marred by shame,
- 00:22:58.526 --> 00:23:00.594
- And marred by shame, and marred by guilt.
- 00:23:00.661 --> 00:23:02.430
- And marred by guilt. to exchange an innocent life
- 00:23:02.496 --> 00:23:05.032
- To exchange an innocent life for marred by the effects
- 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:09.537
- For marred by the effects of our own willful way.
- 00:23:09.603 --> 00:23:13.707
- Of our own willful way. and on a cross,
- 00:23:13.774 --> 00:23:17.411
- And on a cross, jesus christ stretched out
- 00:23:17.478 --> 00:23:19.580
- Jesus christ stretched out his righteous right hand
- 00:23:19.647 --> 00:23:23.517
- His righteous right hand and a nail was driven
- 00:23:23.584 --> 00:23:25.352
- And a nail was driven through his wrist
- 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:27.221
- Through his wrist and through his feet
- 00:23:27.288 --> 00:23:28.923
- And through his feet as he gave his innocent life
- 00:23:28.989 --> 00:23:33.427
- As he gave his innocent life for the sins of the world.
- 00:23:33.494 --> 00:23:36.697
- For the sins of the world. and that's how god today
- 00:23:36.764 --> 00:23:39.633
- Can offer a righteous right hand
- 00:23:39.733 --> 00:23:43.237
- Can offer a righteous right hand to people like me
- 00:23:43.304 --> 00:23:45.539
- To people like me and people like you
- 00:23:45.606 --> 00:23:46.974
- And people like you who've messed up 10,000 times
- 00:23:47.041 --> 00:23:51.579
- Who've messed up 10,000 times but yet the righteous one
- 00:23:51.645 --> 00:23:52.780
- But yet the righteous one can still say,
- 00:23:52.847 --> 00:23:54.448
- “i will be your god.
- 00:23:54.548 --> 00:23:56.050
- “i will be your god. you don't have to be afraid,
- 00:23:56.116 --> 00:23:57.818
- You don't have to be afraid, i will uphold you,
- 00:23:57.885 --> 00:24:00.321
- I will uphold you, and i'll offer you
- 00:24:00.387 --> 00:24:01.222
- And i'll offer you my righteous right hand.”
- 00:24:01.288 --> 00:24:03.724
- My righteous right hand.” i wonder if there's anyone
- 00:24:03.791 --> 00:24:05.826
- I wonder if there's anyone in this gathering today
- 00:24:05.893 --> 00:24:07.428
- In this gathering today who's having sight
- 00:24:07.495 --> 00:24:09.396
- Who's having sight come to you right now,
- 00:24:09.463 --> 00:24:11.065
- Come to you right now, and somehow it's all adding up.
- 00:24:11.131 --> 00:24:13.534
- And somehow it's all adding up. and on this christmas eve
- 00:24:13.601 --> 00:24:15.069
- And on this christmas eve you're saying,
- 00:24:15.135 --> 00:24:15.903
- You're saying, “how did i not see this before?
- 00:24:15.970 --> 00:24:17.972
- “how did i not see this before? i get it, i see it, i want it!
- 00:24:18.038 --> 00:24:22.409
- I get it, i see it, i want it! behold, i get it, and i get him,
- 00:24:22.476 --> 00:24:27.181
- Behold, i get it, and i get him, and i get christmas,
- 00:24:27.248 --> 00:24:29.783
- And i get christmas, and i want a relationship
- 00:24:29.850 --> 00:24:32.019
- And i want a relationship with the god who extended
- 00:24:32.086 --> 00:24:33.587
- With the god who extended his righteous hand toward me,
- 00:24:33.654 --> 00:24:36.624
- His righteous hand toward me, and i want a relationship
- 00:24:36.690 --> 00:24:38.158
- And i want a relationship through christ who stretched out
- 00:24:38.225 --> 00:24:40.294
- Through christ who stretched out that hand to bring me life.”
- 00:24:40.361 --> 00:24:44.899
- That hand to bring me life.” “whoever puts their faith
- 00:24:44.965 --> 00:24:46.867
- “whoever puts their faith in the finished work of jesus,
- 00:24:46.934 --> 00:24:48.669
- In the finished work of jesus, in his death, and his burial,
- 00:24:48.736 --> 00:24:50.037
- In his death, and his burial, and his resurrection,
- 00:24:50.104 --> 00:24:51.372
- And his resurrection, their sins are forgiven.”
- 00:24:51.438 --> 00:24:52.973
- Their sins are forgiven.” whoever puts their faith
- 00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:54.275
- Whoever puts their faith in the finished work of jesus
- 00:24:54.341 --> 00:24:55.910
- In the finished work of jesus their guilt is taken away.”
- 00:24:55.976 --> 00:24:58.012
- Their guilt is taken away.” the sin stain is gone,
- 00:24:58.078 --> 00:24:59.680
- The sin stain is gone, they have a brand new
- 00:24:59.747 --> 00:25:01.549
- They have a brand new spiritual heart
- 00:25:01.615 --> 00:25:02.850
- Spiritual heart and a brand new relationship
- 00:25:02.917 --> 00:25:04.818
- And a brand new relationship with almighty god.
- 00:25:04.885 --> 00:25:06.220
- With almighty god. they have the hand of god
- 00:25:06.287 --> 00:25:09.890
- They have the hand of god and they have god
- 00:25:09.957 --> 00:25:12.159
- And they have god forever and ever and ever.
- 00:25:12.226 --> 00:25:16.130
- Forever and ever and ever. i wonder, is there
- 00:25:16.196 --> 00:25:17.264
- I wonder, is there anyone in this gathering,
- 00:25:17.331 --> 00:25:19.366
- Anyone in this gathering, anyone at cumberland today,
- 00:25:19.433 --> 00:25:20.801
- Anyone at cumberland today, anyone, anywhere
- 00:25:20.868 --> 00:25:21.802
- Anyone, anywhere on planet earth,
- 00:25:21.869 --> 00:25:23.070
- On planet earth, in church with us online today
- 00:25:23.137 --> 00:25:24.872
- In church with us online today who wants to say,
- 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.839
- Who wants to say, “behold, behold, behold,
- 00:25:25.906 --> 00:25:27.942
- “behold, behold, behold, this is my day,
- 00:25:28.008 --> 00:25:28.642
- This is my day, this is my moment,
- 00:25:28.709 --> 00:25:29.810
- This is my moment, this is my time?
- 00:25:29.877 --> 00:25:33.581
- This is my time? i see jesus,
- 00:25:33.647 --> 00:25:36.283
- I see jesus, and i wanna be saved today.
- 00:25:36.350 --> 00:25:39.453
- And i wanna be saved today. christmas eve is my day?”
- 00:25:39.520 --> 00:25:45.426
- Christmas eve is my day?” i wanna invite you
- 00:25:45.492 --> 00:25:46.560
- I wanna invite you if you would to pray with me.
- 00:25:46.627 --> 00:25:48.729
- If you would to pray with me. and i wanna ask you if you will
- 00:25:48.796 --> 00:25:50.998
- And i wanna ask you if you will just to close your eyes
- 00:25:51.065 --> 00:25:52.333
- Just to close your eyes and give the person next to you,
- 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:54.468
- And give the person next to you, the person in front you,
- 00:25:54.535 --> 00:25:55.603
- The person in front you, the person behind you,
- 00:25:55.669 --> 00:25:57.738
- The person behind you, just a sense of privacy
- 00:25:57.805 --> 00:25:59.640
- Just a sense of privacy in this moment.
- 00:25:59.707 --> 00:26:01.909
- In this moment. a precious moment and time
- 00:26:01.976 --> 00:26:06.280
- A precious moment and time for someone to say today,
- 00:26:06.347 --> 00:26:08.616
- For someone to say today, “i see jesus.
- 00:26:08.682 --> 00:26:11.352
- “i see jesus. i've never seen him
- 00:26:11.418 --> 00:26:12.086
- I've never seen him like this before.
- 00:26:12.152 --> 00:26:13.554
- Like this before. i've never fully
- 00:26:13.621 --> 00:26:14.588
- I've never fully understood it all before,
- 00:26:14.655 --> 00:26:16.256
- Understood it all before, but i understand it right now
- 00:26:16.323 --> 00:26:18.993
- But i understand it right now and i wanna be saved today.
- 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:22.863
- And i wanna be saved today. i wanna take hold of the hand
- 00:26:22.930 --> 00:26:25.899
- I wanna take hold of the hand that was pierced for me.”
- 00:26:25.966 --> 00:26:29.970
- That was pierced for me.” i'm gonna lead you,
- 00:26:30.037 --> 00:26:31.038
- I'm gonna lead you, but it has to be your prayer,
- 00:26:31.105 --> 00:26:32.039
- But it has to be your prayer, it has to be your words,
- 00:26:32.106 --> 00:26:33.907
- It has to be your words, but i'll help you.
- 00:26:33.974 --> 00:26:34.742
- But i'll help you. just say, “dear jesus,
- 00:26:34.808 --> 00:26:36.944
- Just say, “dear jesus, thank you for opening
- 00:26:37.011 --> 00:26:38.178
- Thank you for opening my eyes to see,
- 00:26:38.245 --> 00:26:41.215
- My eyes to see, and i see you today.
- 00:26:41.281 --> 00:26:44.385
- And i see you today. i see what you have
- 00:26:44.451 --> 00:26:45.386
- I see what you have done for me and i wanna
- 00:26:45.452 --> 00:26:49.156
- Done for me and i wanna ask you to save my life
- 00:26:49.223 --> 00:26:51.325
- Ask you to save my life right here and right now.”
- 00:26:51.392 --> 00:26:54.928
- Right here and right now.” just thank him for
- 00:26:54.995 --> 00:26:55.963
- Just thank him for giving his life for you.
- 00:26:56.030 --> 00:27:01.702
- Giving his life for you. tell him, “jesus is wanna
- 00:27:01.769 --> 00:27:02.603
- Tell him, “jesus is wanna ask you to forgive me
- 00:27:02.670 --> 00:27:03.604
- Ask you to forgive me for all my sins.
- 00:27:03.671 --> 00:27:06.407
- For all my sins. i wanna ask you
- 00:27:06.473 --> 00:27:07.041
- I wanna ask you to take all of the guilt
- 00:27:07.107 --> 00:27:08.008
- To take all of the guilt and all this shame away,
- 00:27:08.075 --> 00:27:11.178
- And all this shame away, and i'm asking you to give me
- 00:27:11.245 --> 00:27:12.079
- And i'm asking you to give me a brand new heart,
- 00:27:12.146 --> 00:27:13.781
- A brand new heart, a brand new start,
- 00:27:13.847 --> 00:27:15.215
- A brand new start, a brand new life with you.”
- 00:27:15.282 --> 00:27:17.418
- ♪ ♪
- 00:27:18.452 --> 00:27:27.461