Mike Novotny - Can I Really Trust God?

December 11, 2025 | 29:5

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Can I Really Trust God? | December 11, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> the strength
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>> the strength of your relationship
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Of your relationship with god comes back
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To this very same principle.
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To this very same principle. do you believe in the depth
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Do you believe in the depth of your heart that this
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Of your heart that this is a god who means
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Is a god who means what he says and only
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What he says and only says what he means?
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And this is the struggle that
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And this is the struggle that there is so much blessing
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There is so much blessing in simply believing god.
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In simply believing god. but believing god is one
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But believing god is one of the hardest things that
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Of the hardest things that you and i will ever have
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You and i will ever have to do in this life.
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To do in this life. that's why i'm so happy
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You're here today because today
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You're here today because today you and i get to jump into
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You and i get to jump into the book of matthew.
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The book of matthew. now, if you're, kind of,
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Now, if you're, kind of, new to church
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New to church and to christianity,
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And to christianity, if you're watching at
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If you're watching at home and this is all
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Home and this is all brand-new to you,
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Brand-new to you, you should know that
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You should know that 2,000 years ago
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2,000 years ago there were four biographies
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There were four biographies written about the life of jesus,
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Written about the life of jesus, what we call the four gospels,
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What we call the four gospels, matthew, mark, luke and john.
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Matthew, mark, luke and john. and although they all talk about
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And although they all talk about the birth, life, death,
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The birth, life, death, and resurrection of jesus,
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And resurrection of jesus, the big story,
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The big story, each of those four gospels
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Each of those four gospels has a unique purpose.
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Has a unique purpose. for example, the gospel of mark,
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For example, the gospel of mark, i kind of call it jesus' reels.
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I kind of call it jesus' reels. it's the shortest gospel by far,
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It's the shortest gospel by far, 11,000 words compared to luke's
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11,000 words compared to luke's 18,000 words and it is, like,
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18,000 words and it is, like, fast moving, power packed,
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Fast moving, power packed, quickly paced.
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Quickly paced. you don't need
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You don't need a long attention span.
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A long attention span. like mark just wants
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Like mark just wants to give you jesus, like,
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To give you jesus, like, fast food style so you
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Fast food style so you can digest the simple
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Can digest the simple message of the faith.
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Message of the faith. the gospel of luke is all about
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The gospel of luke is all about the historicity of jesus.
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The historicity of jesus. he loves to include
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He loves to include people and places
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People and places and politicians and dates.
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And politicians and dates. so, you can fact check him
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So, you can fact check him and know this isn't just some
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And know this isn't just some fictional, nostalgic story,
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Fictional, nostalgic story, this really happened in history.
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This really happened in history. you can trust it
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You can trust it and be certain of it.
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And be certain of it. john loves the kind
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John loves the kind of philosophical emotion,
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Of philosophical emotion, emotional dimension of faith.
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Emotional dimension of faith. he talks about light,
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He talks about light, and darkness and truth,
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And darkness and truth, and lies and life and death.
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And lies and life and death. so, the biggest questions
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So, the biggest questions of the human heart
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Of the human heart can be answered in jesus.
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Can be answered in jesus. but matthew, the matthew i want
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But matthew, the matthew i want to share with you today,
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To share with you today, he has a specialty too,
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He has a specialty too, and his specialty is the promise
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And his specialty is the promise keeping nature of god.
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Keeping nature of god. did you know that?
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Did you know that? matthew was a jewish man
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Matthew was a jewish man who had read what we call
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Who had read what we call the old testament,
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The old testament, the jewish scriptures?
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The jewish scriptures? he knew all these promises
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He knew all these promises that god had made.
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That god had made. and matthew's specialty
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And matthew's specialty is showing us time,
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Is showing us time, and time, and time,
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And time, and time, and time again from bethlehem
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And time again from bethlehem in the birth of jesus
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In the birth of jesus and beyond, that our god
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And beyond, that our god is the kind of god who,
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Is the kind of god who, even if he takes his time,
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Even if he takes his time, is always true to his word.
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Is always true to his word. so, today,
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So, today, i want to jump back into
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I want to jump back into the christmas story
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The christmas story in the gospel of matthew.
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In the gospel of matthew. and i'll show you
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And i'll show you not just the fact
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Not just the fact that jesus came
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That jesus came into this world,
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Into this world, but he came into this world
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But he came into this world to prove to you that you can
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To prove to you that you can always trust in god.
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Always trust in god. so, let's jump in.
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So, let's jump in. i want to start by
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I want to start by reading matthew 1:22-23,
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Where matthew says this,
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Where matthew says this, "all this took place
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"all this took place to fulfill what the lord had
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To fulfill what the lord had said through the prophet:
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Said through the prophet: "the virgin will conceive
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"the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they
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And give birth to a son and they will call him immanuel"
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Will call him immanuel" (which means "god with us").
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(which means "god with us"). did you catch that?
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Did you catch that? matthew says all this.
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He's referring to mary
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He's referring to mary and joseph and baby jesus.
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And joseph and baby jesus. the whole christmas story.
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The whole christmas story. all this did not just happen.
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All this did not just happen. it didn't randomly occur.
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It didn't randomly occur. it didn't coincidentally
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It didn't coincidentally take place.
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Take place. he says, "all this took place
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He says, "all this took place to fulfill what the lord
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To fulfill what the lord had said through the prophets."
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Had said through the prophets." it's not just a historical fact.
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It's not just a historical fact. it's actually the fulfillment
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It's actually the fulfillment of a promise that god
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Of a promise that god had previously made,
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Had previously made, which is why i brought this.
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Which is why i brought this. let's imagine that
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Let's imagine that this water pitcher,
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This water pitcher, if you're listening
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If you're listening right now on the radio
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Right now on the radio or on a podcast,
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Or on a podcast, i'm holding a big pitcher
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I'm holding a big pitcher of water in my hand.
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Of water in my hand. imagine this is god.
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Imagine this is god. imagine this black piece
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Imagine this black piece of gorilla tape that i jankily
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Of gorilla tape that i jankily wrapped around the top
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Wrapped around the top of this water pitcher.
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Of this water pitcher. imagine this represents like
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Imagine this represents like the full trustworthiness of god.
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The full trustworthiness of god. like a god you never
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Like a god you never have to doubt,
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Have to doubt, never have to question.
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Never have to question. you can always --
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You can always -- everything he says
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Everything he says he's going to do.
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He's going to do. matthew knew that in
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Matthew knew that in the first part of the bible,
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The first part of the bible, we call the old testament,
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We call the old testament, god had made
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God had made a ton of promises,
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A ton of promises, hundreds and hundreds
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Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of promises,
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And hundreds of promises, and people had waited
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And people had waited and waited generations without
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And waited generations without seeing their fulfillment.
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Seeing their fulfillment. so, matthew's question was,
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So, matthew's question was, exactly how trustworthy
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Exactly how trustworthy is our god?
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Is our god? how many of those
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How many of those promises will he keep?
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Promises will he keep? you know, half the time does
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You know, half the time does he do what he says?
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He do what he says? occasionally, most of the time?
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Occasionally, most of the time? or is god 100% worthy of your
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Or is god 100% worthy of your faith and your trust?
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Faith and your trust? that was matthew's
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That was matthew's big question.
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Big question. and it turns out that
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And it turns out that the christmas story has
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The christmas story has most of matthew's answer.
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Most of matthew's answer. in fact, today for
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In fact, today for the rest of this message,
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The rest of this message, i want to show you only
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I want to show you only from the gospel of matthew,
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From the gospel of matthew, 4 specific times where god
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4 specific times where god keeps his promise through
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Keeps his promise through the christmas narrative
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The christmas narrative and the birth of jesus.
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And the birth of jesus. so, here's the first one.
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So, here's the first one. if you're taking notes
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If you're taking notes in your program.
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In your program. at christmas,
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At christmas, god had promised the persons.
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Let me show you a specific quote
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Let me show you a specific quote from today's text.
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From today's text. "the lord had said
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"the lord had said through the prophet:
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Through the prophet: 'the virgin will conceive
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'the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
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And give birth to a son and they will call him immanuel"
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And they will call him immanuel" (which means god with us").
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(which means god with us"). it's a promise that goes back
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700 years before jesus was born.
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700 years before jesus was born. that's the prophet isaiah 7:14,
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That's the prophet isaiah 7:14, where god revealed to isaiah
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Where god revealed to isaiah two specific persons.
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The first one was the virgin.
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The first one was the virgin. so, not just a woman,
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So, not just a woman, not just a mother,
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Not just a mother, but a woman who had
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But a woman who had never been with a man.
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Never been with a man. she will conceive and then
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She will conceive and then give birth to a son.
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Give birth to a son. there's the second person,
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There's the second person, not a daughter, specifically,
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Not a daughter, specifically, a male child, but not just
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A male child, but not just any male child.
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Any male child. they will call him immanuel,
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They will call him immanuel, which means god with us.
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Which means god with us. so that son, truly human,
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Will also be truly god.
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Will also be truly god. god's promise about the coming
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God's promise about the coming messiah came down to this.
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Messiah came down to this. there's going to be some virgin
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There's going to be some virgin somewhere who's going to give
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Somewhere who's going to give birth not just to any child,
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Birth not just to any child, but to a male child who
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But to a male child who is also god with us.
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Is also god with us. now, quick christmas quiz.
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Now, quick christmas quiz. did god keep that promise?
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Did god keep that promise? an angel showed up to mary,
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An angel showed up to mary, "you're going to have a son."
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"you're going to have a son." she didn't say, "sweet, joseph
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She didn't say, "sweet, joseph and i have been trying."
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And i have been trying." she said, "what?
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She said, "what? how can this be?
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How can this be? i've never known a man.
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I've never known a man. you know, i haven't crossed that
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You know, i haven't crossed that line sexually just yet."
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Line sexually just yet." god miraculously conceived
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God miraculously conceived in her womb the birth
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In her womb the birth of the child and the child
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Of the child and the child that mary gave birth to,
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That mary gave birth to, was that a male or a female?
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Was that a male or a female? he was a male.
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He was a male. and was he just any kid like
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And was he just any kid like joseph, and james, and jude,
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Joseph, and james, and jude, and all the other male
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And all the other male jewish babies?
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Jewish babies? he was not.
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He was not. he was the one that
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He was the one that angels sang praises of,
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Angels sang praises of, that people bowed before
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That people bowed before and worshipped.
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And worshipped. he was the child that
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He was the child that would later walk on water,
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Would later walk on water, raise the dead,
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Raise the dead, and conquer death himself.
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And conquer death himself. so, if this was
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So, if this was the promise of isaiah 7:14,
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The promise of isaiah 7:14, when the virgin
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When the virgin gave birth to a child,
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Gave birth to a child, that promise was partly kept.
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That promise was partly kept. when the child was male,
00:06:59.108 --> 00:07:00.510
When the child was male, that child was mostly kept.
00:07:00.576 --> 00:07:01.644
That child was mostly kept. and when that male child turned
00:07:01.711 --> 00:07:02.945
And when that male child turned out to be god himself with us,
00:07:03.012 --> 00:07:04.780
Out to be god himself with us, the promise that god had made,
00:07:04.847 --> 00:07:07.083
The promise that god had made, was fully fulfilled.
00:07:07.149 --> 00:07:11.754
Was fully fulfilled. but it wasn't just the persons.
00:07:11.821 --> 00:07:13.890
But it wasn't just the persons. number two, if you're
00:07:13.956 --> 00:07:14.557
Number two, if you're taking notes.
00:07:14.624 --> 00:07:16.425
Taking notes. god had also
00:07:16.492 --> 00:07:17.126
God had also promised the people.
00:07:17.193 --> 00:07:21.464
Promised the people. if you could speed read your
00:07:21.531 --> 00:07:22.365
If you could speed read your whole bible right now in church,
00:07:22.431 --> 00:07:25.268
Whole bible right now in church, you'd find out on about page ten
00:07:25.334 --> 00:07:27.203
You'd find out on about page ten or twelve that god had made
00:07:27.270 --> 00:07:28.404
Or twelve that god had made a promise around 2,000 b.c.
00:07:28.471 --> 00:07:30.673
A promise around 2,000 b.c. to a man named abraham.
00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:33.743
To a man named abraham. and he said to abraham,
00:07:33.809 --> 00:07:34.944
And he said to abraham, "one of your descendants
00:07:35.011 --> 00:07:35.878
"one of your descendants will be the messiah,
00:07:35.945 --> 00:07:37.179
Will be the messiah, the one who will bless
00:07:37.246 --> 00:07:37.980
The one who will bless all the nations.
00:07:38.047 --> 00:07:40.349
All the nations. literally someone will
00:07:40.416 --> 00:07:41.117
Literally someone will come from your family tree
00:07:41.183 --> 00:07:42.685
Come from your family tree who won't just bless
00:07:42.752 --> 00:07:43.753
Who won't just bless jewish people or just
00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.887
Jewish people or just gentile people,
00:07:44.954 --> 00:07:46.255
Gentile people, not just american people
00:07:46.322 --> 00:07:47.223
Not just american people or mexican people.
00:07:47.290 --> 00:07:48.090
Or mexican people. he will be a blessing
00:07:48.157 --> 00:07:48.758
He will be a blessing for all the people."
00:07:48.824 --> 00:07:52.295
For all the people." but a thousand years after that,
00:07:52.361 --> 00:07:53.496
But a thousand years after that, in the days of king david,
00:07:53.563 --> 00:07:54.463
In the days of king david, god appeared and gave
00:07:54.530 --> 00:07:56.165
God appeared and gave another promise.
00:07:56.232 --> 00:07:56.832
Another promise. he said to david, who was
00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:57.967
He said to david, who was a descendant of abraham,
00:07:58.034 --> 00:07:58.901
A descendant of abraham, "it's actually going to be
00:07:58.968 --> 00:07:59.702
"it's actually going to be from your branch
00:07:59.769 --> 00:08:00.970
From your branch of abraham's family tree
00:08:01.037 --> 00:08:02.805
Of abraham's family tree that a king will come,
00:08:02.872 --> 00:08:04.807
That a king will come, will not just sit
00:08:04.874 --> 00:08:05.641
Will not just sit on the throne for 40 years
00:08:05.708 --> 00:08:06.509
On the throne for 40 years like you did, king david.
00:08:06.576 --> 00:08:07.743
Like you did, king david. he will sit on the throne of god
00:08:07.810 --> 00:08:09.712
He will sit on the throne of god forever and ever and ever."
00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:11.047
Forever and ever and ever." somehow he will defeat death
00:08:11.113 --> 00:08:12.481
Somehow he will defeat death and be an eternal king.
00:08:12.548 --> 00:08:16.886
And be an eternal king. back to our christmas quiz,
00:08:16.953 --> 00:08:18.921
Back to our christmas quiz, when jesus was born of mary,
00:08:18.988 --> 00:08:20.256
When jesus was born of mary, whose family was he from?
00:08:20.323 --> 00:08:23.926
Whose family was he from? well, the very first
00:08:23.993 --> 00:08:24.660
Well, the very first verse of matthew's gospel
00:08:24.727 --> 00:08:25.995
Verse of matthew's gospel has the answer.
00:08:26.062 --> 00:08:26.562
Has the answer. it says this.
00:08:26.629 --> 00:08:27.296
This is the genealogy
00:08:27.396 --> 00:08:28.598
This is the genealogy of jesus, the messiah,
00:08:28.664 --> 00:08:29.665
Of jesus, the messiah, the son of --
00:08:29.732 --> 00:08:31.267
The son of -- the son of david,
00:08:31.334 --> 00:08:33.402
The son of david, the son of abraham.
00:08:33.469 --> 00:08:36.105
The son of abraham. so, when the birth happened,
00:08:36.172 --> 00:08:36.906
So, when the birth happened, when mary pushed
00:08:36.973 --> 00:08:38.207
And jesus came out,
00:08:38.307 --> 00:08:38.941
And jesus came out, what line of people
00:08:39.008 --> 00:08:40.743
What line of people were they from?
00:08:40.810 --> 00:08:41.844
Were they from? abraham's family tree?
00:08:41.911 --> 00:08:42.945
Abraham's family tree? the answer is yes.
00:08:43.012 --> 00:08:44.380
The answer is yes. were they from
00:08:44.447 --> 00:08:44.814
Were they from the specific branch
00:08:44.880 --> 00:08:45.648
The specific branch of a king named david?
00:08:45.715 --> 00:08:46.882
Of a king named david? the answer was yes.
00:08:46.949 --> 00:08:48.050
The answer was yes. god had made a promise about
00:08:48.117 --> 00:08:49.218
God had made a promise about the people of christmas,
00:08:49.285 --> 00:08:51.253
The people of christmas, about the persons of christmas,
00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.521
About the persons of christmas, and those promises were
00:08:52.588 --> 00:08:53.222
And those promises were perfectly fulfilled
00:08:53.289 --> 00:08:54.523
Perfectly fulfilled at the birth of jesus.
00:08:54.590 --> 00:08:57.693
At the birth of jesus. ah, but wait, there's more.
00:08:57.760 --> 00:08:59.095
Ah, but wait, there's more. number three.
00:08:59.161 --> 00:09:01.030
Number three. god had also promised the place.
00:09:01.097 --> 00:09:06.702
God had also promised the place. some of you know the story
00:09:06.769 --> 00:09:07.436
Some of you know the story of the wise men who came
00:09:07.503 --> 00:09:08.604
Of the wise men who came to see jesus after his birth.
00:09:08.671 --> 00:09:11.273
To see jesus after his birth. they found their way
00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:12.008
They found their way to the big city of jerusalem.
00:09:12.074 --> 00:09:12.942
To the big city of jerusalem. they asked the king named herod,
00:09:13.009 --> 00:09:14.210
They asked the king named herod, where is the promised messiah?
00:09:14.276 --> 00:09:16.579
Where is the promised messiah? where is this newborn king?
00:09:16.646 --> 00:09:17.680
Where is this newborn king? and do you remember
00:09:17.747 --> 00:09:18.447
And do you remember the answer to that question?
00:09:18.514 --> 00:09:20.616
I'll show you from matthew 2:5,
00:09:20.716 --> 00:09:23.819
I'll show you from matthew 2:5, "'in bethlehem in judea,'
00:09:23.886 --> 00:09:25.588
"'in bethlehem in judea,' they replied,
00:09:25.655 --> 00:09:25.955
They replied, 'for this is what
00:09:26.022 --> 00:09:27.089
'for this is what the prophet has written.'"
00:09:27.156 --> 00:09:31.394
The prophet has written.'" if you grew up in church,
00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:32.128
If you grew up in church, you might know that
00:09:32.194 --> 00:09:32.995
About 700 b.c.,
00:09:33.095 --> 00:09:34.030
About 700 b.c., right when isaiah lived,
00:09:34.096 --> 00:09:34.897
Right when isaiah lived, there was another
00:09:34.964 --> 00:09:35.564
There was another prophet named micah.
00:09:35.631 --> 00:09:37.533
Prophet named micah. he wrote a short little book
00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.267
He wrote a short little book you can find in your bible.
00:09:38.334 --> 00:09:39.135
And in micah 5:2,
00:09:39.235 --> 00:09:41.871
And in micah 5:2, we find these words.
00:09:41.937 --> 00:09:42.538
We find these words. "but you, bethlehem, ephrathah,
00:09:42.605 --> 00:09:44.874
"but you, bethlehem, ephrathah, though you are small
00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.808
Though you are small among the clans of judah,
00:09:45.875 --> 00:09:48.044
Among the clans of judah, out of you will come from me,
00:09:48.110 --> 00:09:49.645
Out of you will come from me, a ruler whose origins
00:09:49.712 --> 00:09:50.546
A ruler whose origins are from of old,
00:09:50.613 --> 00:09:52.314
Are from of old, from ancient times."
00:09:52.381 --> 00:09:56.118
Amazing.
00:09:56.218 --> 00:09:57.420
Amazing. god had said that that ruler,
00:09:57.486 --> 00:09:58.521
God had said that that ruler, that messianic king would
00:09:58.587 --> 00:10:00.489
That messianic king would come from bethlehem.
00:10:00.556 --> 00:10:02.224
Come from bethlehem. i love this, though.
00:10:02.291 --> 00:10:02.958
I love this, though. but not just any beth --
00:10:03.025 --> 00:10:03.993
But not just any beth -- did you know that
00:10:04.060 --> 00:10:04.527
Did you know that there were multiple bethlehems
00:10:04.593 --> 00:10:05.361
There were multiple bethlehems in the days of jesus?
00:10:05.428 --> 00:10:07.563
In the days of jesus? and so, god's promise wasn't,
00:10:07.630 --> 00:10:08.497
And so, god's promise wasn't, "yup, in one of them.
00:10:08.564 --> 00:10:09.665
"yup, in one of them. i'm not sure which one."
00:10:09.732 --> 00:10:10.499
I'm not sure which one." no, he said,
00:10:10.566 --> 00:10:11.033
No, he said, but you bethlehem, ephrathah.
00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.635
But you bethlehem, ephrathah. but you, bethlehem in judea,
00:10:12.702 --> 00:10:14.103
But you, bethlehem in judea, that specific bethlehem that's
00:10:14.170 --> 00:10:15.538
That specific bethlehem that's five miles south of jerusalem,
00:10:15.604 --> 00:10:17.473
Five miles south of jerusalem, that's the little town where
00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:18.607
That's the little town where a virgin will be with child
00:10:18.674 --> 00:10:19.842
A virgin will be with child and give birth to a son
00:10:19.909 --> 00:10:20.676
And give birth to a son who happens to be god.
00:10:20.743 --> 00:10:24.080
Who happens to be god. absolutely incredible.
00:10:24.146 --> 00:10:24.714
Absolutely incredible. and so, back to our
00:10:24.780 --> 00:10:25.848
And so, back to our christmas quiz.
00:10:25.915 --> 00:10:26.549
Christmas quiz. do any of you know
00:10:26.615 --> 00:10:27.183
Do any of you know where jesus was born?
00:10:27.249 --> 00:10:29.785
Where jesus was born? if you don't pass this one,
00:10:29.852 --> 00:10:30.553
If you don't pass this one, talk to me afterwards.
00:10:30.619 --> 00:10:31.253
Talk to me afterwards. you need to do
00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:31.821
You need to do some extra credit.
00:10:31.887 --> 00:10:33.823
Some extra credit. you know, it's actually
00:10:33.889 --> 00:10:34.323
You know, it's actually kind of tricky, though,
00:10:34.390 --> 00:10:35.057
Kind of tricky, though, because the virgin
00:10:35.124 --> 00:10:35.591
Because the virgin lived up in galilee,
00:10:35.658 --> 00:10:38.127
Lived up in galilee, three marathons north
00:10:38.194 --> 00:10:40.396
Three marathons north of the town of bethlehem,
00:10:40.463 --> 00:10:41.297
Of the town of bethlehem, a little town called nazareth.
00:10:41.363 --> 00:10:42.364
A little town called nazareth. but what happened?
00:10:42.431 --> 00:10:44.600
But what happened? in those days caesar augustus
00:10:44.667 --> 00:10:45.501
In those days caesar augustus issued a decree,
00:10:45.568 --> 00:10:47.369
Issued a decree, that a census should be taken
00:10:47.436 --> 00:10:48.204
That a census should be taken of the entire roman world,
00:10:48.270 --> 00:10:49.138
Of the entire roman world, and everyone had to go
00:10:49.205 --> 00:10:49.839
And everyone had to go to their own town to register.
00:10:49.905 --> 00:10:51.407
To their own town to register. and because mary and joseph were
00:10:51.474 --> 00:10:52.241
And because mary and joseph were from the line of king david,
00:10:52.308 --> 00:10:53.075
From the line of king david, where did they go?
00:10:53.142 --> 00:10:54.710
Where did they go? the town where david was from.
00:10:54.777 --> 00:10:56.078
The town where david was from. and what town was david from?
00:10:56.145 --> 00:10:58.914
And what town was david from? a little town called bethlehem.
00:10:58.981 --> 00:11:01.784
A little town called bethlehem. god made a promise that
00:11:01.851 --> 00:11:02.585
God made a promise that the messiah, the eternal king,
00:11:02.651 --> 00:11:03.786
The messiah, the eternal king, would be born in a little town
00:11:03.853 --> 00:11:04.820
Would be born in a little town of a virgin from
00:11:04.887 --> 00:11:05.921
Of a virgin from the line of david,
00:11:05.988 --> 00:11:06.956
The line of david, from the line of abraham,
00:11:07.022 --> 00:11:08.557
From the line of abraham, and he kept every word
00:11:08.624 --> 00:11:10.392
And he kept every word of that promise.
00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:12.027
Of that promise. but then there's my favorite,
00:11:12.094 --> 00:11:13.028
But then there's my favorite, number four.
00:11:13.095 --> 00:11:14.897
Number four. god had also promised around
00:11:14.964 --> 00:11:15.898
God had also promised around christmas the purpose.
00:11:15.965 --> 00:11:20.569
Christmas the purpose. like why?
00:11:20.636 --> 00:11:21.971
Like why? what was the purpose
00:11:22.037 --> 00:11:22.671
What was the purpose of all of this?
00:11:22.738 --> 00:11:23.305
Of all of this? why was god coming to earth?
00:11:23.372 --> 00:11:26.142
Why was god coming to earth? was he coming to lecture us?
00:11:26.208 --> 00:11:27.209
Was he coming to lecture us? was he coming to correct us?
00:11:27.276 --> 00:11:28.410
Was he coming to correct us? was he coming to grade us?
00:11:28.477 --> 00:11:30.880
Was he coming to grade us? no, matthew has the answer
00:11:30.946 --> 00:11:31.714
No, matthew has the answer to that one too.
00:11:31.781 --> 00:11:32.414
"you are to give
00:11:32.515 --> 00:11:33.916
"you are to give this child the name jesus,
00:11:33.983 --> 00:11:36.652
This child the name jesus, because he will save
00:11:36.719 --> 00:11:37.553
Because he will save his people from their sins."
00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:42.324
If you don't just
00:11:42.424 --> 00:11:42.825
If you don't just believe in god but you
00:11:42.892 --> 00:11:43.659
Believe in god but you believe that about god,
00:11:43.726 --> 00:11:47.029
Believe that about god, you will be insanely blessed.
00:11:47.096 --> 00:11:50.466
You will be insanely blessed. it reminds you
00:11:50.533 --> 00:11:51.033
It reminds you of the classic christian book,
00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.402
Of the classic christian book, "the pilgrim's progress."
00:11:53.469 --> 00:11:55.271
"the pilgrim's progress." any of you heard of it?
00:11:55.337 --> 00:11:57.339
Any of you heard of it? way back in the 1600s,
00:11:57.406 --> 00:11:58.541
Way back in the 1600s, there was a christian pastor
00:11:58.607 --> 00:11:59.608
There was a christian pastor named john bunyan,
00:11:59.675 --> 00:12:01.710
Named john bunyan, not paul bunyan.
00:12:01.777 --> 00:12:02.478
Not paul bunyan. don't get that confused.
00:12:02.545 --> 00:12:03.746
Don't get that confused. he was thrown into prison
00:12:03.813 --> 00:12:05.047
He was thrown into prison for his christian beliefs,
00:12:05.114 --> 00:12:05.848
For his christian beliefs, and there in prison
00:12:05.915 --> 00:12:06.849
And there in prison he wrote what's probably
00:12:06.916 --> 00:12:07.883
He wrote what's probably become one of the top five
00:12:07.950 --> 00:12:09.084
Become one of the top five most famous
00:12:09.151 --> 00:12:09.752
Most famous christian books ever.
00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:10.586
Christian books ever. it was called
00:12:10.653 --> 00:12:11.287
It was called "the pilgrim's progress."
00:12:11.353 --> 00:12:13.355
"the pilgrim's progress." it's kind of a story
00:12:13.422 --> 00:12:14.123
It's kind of a story he made-up a fictional tale
00:12:14.190 --> 00:12:15.191
He made-up a fictional tale of a young man named christian
00:12:15.257 --> 00:12:17.026
Of a young man named christian who is on this long journey
00:12:17.092 --> 00:12:18.460
Who is on this long journey as a pilgrim trying
00:12:18.527 --> 00:12:19.628
As a pilgrim trying to progress all the way
00:12:19.695 --> 00:12:20.763
To progress all the way to the gates of heaven.
00:12:20.830 --> 00:12:22.531
To the gates of heaven. it's about all the obstacles
00:12:22.598 --> 00:12:23.299
It's about all the obstacles and challenges that
00:12:23.365 --> 00:12:24.133
And challenges that he faced on that road.
00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:26.368
He faced on that road. and one of them, though,
00:12:26.435 --> 00:12:27.269
And one of them, though, maybe one of the most chilling
00:12:27.336 --> 00:12:28.270
Maybe one of the most chilling parts of the book,
00:12:28.337 --> 00:12:29.905
Parts of the book, christian and his buddy
00:12:29.972 --> 00:12:30.706
Christian and his buddy fall asleep in this
00:12:30.773 --> 00:12:31.807
Fall asleep in this beautiful field and they're
00:12:31.874 --> 00:12:33.108
Beautiful field and they're woken up by the gnarled hands
00:12:33.175 --> 00:12:35.845
Woken up by the gnarled hands of a human eating giant.
00:12:35.911 --> 00:12:39.248
Of a human eating giant. they apparently fell asleep
00:12:39.315 --> 00:12:39.949
They apparently fell asleep in his backyard.
00:12:40.015 --> 00:12:40.416
In his backyard. the giant found them,
00:12:40.482 --> 00:12:41.884
The giant found them, grabbed them, dragged them
00:12:41.951 --> 00:12:43.152
Grabbed them, dragged them by the scruff of their necks
00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:44.220
By the scruff of their necks back to his castle,
00:12:44.286 --> 00:12:45.754
Back to his castle, called the castle of doubt.
00:12:45.821 --> 00:12:47.690
Called the castle of doubt. and he threw them,
00:12:47.756 --> 00:12:48.457
And he threw them, locked them in a cell
00:12:48.524 --> 00:12:49.191
Locked them in a cell in the dungeon of despair.
00:12:49.258 --> 00:12:52.194
In the dungeon of despair. they're scattered all around
00:12:52.261 --> 00:12:53.062
They're scattered all around where the bones of other
00:12:53.128 --> 00:12:54.330
Where the bones of other pilgrims who had been devoured
00:12:54.396 --> 00:12:55.497
Pilgrims who had been devoured in that dungeon.
00:12:55.564 --> 00:12:57.566
In that dungeon. the giant breathed
00:12:57.633 --> 00:12:58.334
The giant breathed murderous threats,
00:12:58.400 --> 00:12:59.134
Murderous threats, how he and his wife
00:12:59.201 --> 00:12:59.768
How he and his wife were going to cook them,
00:12:59.835 --> 00:13:00.936
Were going to cook them, boil them and then eat
00:13:01.003 --> 00:13:01.904
Boil them and then eat them alive.
00:13:01.971 --> 00:13:02.638
Them alive. that they would never escape.
00:13:02.705 --> 00:13:03.539
That they would never escape. and christian
00:13:03.606 --> 00:13:05.040
And christian and his friend tried.
00:13:05.107 --> 00:13:07.009
And his friend tried. they rattled the chains,
00:13:07.076 --> 00:13:08.010
They rattled the chains, but they couldn't break free.
00:13:08.077 --> 00:13:09.011
But they couldn't break free. they couldn't slip through
00:13:09.078 --> 00:13:10.145
They couldn't slip through the bars to escape.
00:13:10.212 --> 00:13:11.146
The bars to escape. like their death was coming.
00:13:11.213 --> 00:13:12.615
Like their death was coming. in that dungeon,
00:13:12.681 --> 00:13:13.249
In that dungeon, they started to despair.
00:13:13.315 --> 00:13:17.052
They started to despair. in a castle, they started
00:13:17.119 --> 00:13:17.987
In a castle, they started to doubt the love of god.
00:13:18.053 --> 00:13:19.688
To doubt the love of god. where was god?
00:13:19.755 --> 00:13:20.623
Where was god? why would he let this happen?
00:13:20.689 --> 00:13:22.224
Why would he let this happen? they asked for freedom,
00:13:22.291 --> 00:13:23.525
They asked for freedom, but the doors never swung open.
00:13:23.592 --> 00:13:25.694
But the doors never swung open. where was god when they
00:13:25.761 --> 00:13:26.528
Where was god when they needed him most?
00:13:26.595 --> 00:13:29.798
Needed him most? but then, right before
00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:30.399
But then, right before the giant came down
00:13:30.466 --> 00:13:31.133
The giant came down to devour them alive,
00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.569
To devour them alive, christian remembered
00:13:33.636 --> 00:13:35.671
Christian remembered the promise.
00:13:35.738 --> 00:13:39.942
The promise. he remembered that around
00:13:40.009 --> 00:13:40.676
He remembered that around his neck was hung a key
00:13:40.743 --> 00:13:43.012
His neck was hung a key called promise.
00:13:43.078 --> 00:13:47.049
Called promise. the day he came
00:13:47.116 --> 00:13:47.750
The day he came to believe in jesus,
00:13:47.816 --> 00:13:49.451
To believe in jesus, he had forgotten this fact
00:13:49.518 --> 00:13:50.552
He had forgotten this fact that a key had been hung
00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:51.320
That a key had been hung around his neck.
00:13:51.387 --> 00:13:53.422
Around his neck. and when he took that
00:13:53.489 --> 00:13:54.023
And when he took that key off of his neck,
00:13:54.089 --> 00:13:55.157
Key off of his neck, there in the cell
00:13:55.224 --> 00:13:56.292
There in the cell in the dungeon of despair,
00:13:56.358 --> 00:13:57.293
In the dungeon of despair, he tried the lock that held him
00:13:57.359 --> 00:14:01.563
He tried the lock that held him and the doors flew open.
00:14:01.630 --> 00:14:03.832
And the doors flew open. he tried it on the chains that
00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.200
He tried it on the chains that were snapped around his ankles,
00:14:05.267 --> 00:14:08.737
Were snapped around his ankles, and they popped free.
00:14:08.804 --> 00:14:11.073
And they popped free. and before he died
00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:11.707
And before he died in that despair,
00:14:11.774 --> 00:14:12.775
In that despair, before the giant came
00:14:12.841 --> 00:14:13.742
Before the giant came and ended his life,
00:14:13.809 --> 00:14:14.944
And ended his life, christian and his friend escaped
00:14:15.010 --> 00:14:16.345
Christian and his friend escaped into the light and hope
00:14:16.412 --> 00:14:17.980
Into the light and hope and peace of the sunshine.
00:14:18.047 --> 00:14:19.248
And peace of the sunshine. they escaped
00:14:19.315 --> 00:14:19.915
They escaped the castle of doubt.
00:14:19.982 --> 00:14:22.785
The castle of doubt. it turns out the answer to their
00:14:22.851 --> 00:14:23.652
It turns out the answer to their problems wasn't another prayer.
00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:26.622
Problems wasn't another prayer. it was using the promise that
00:14:26.689 --> 00:14:27.790
It was using the promise that god had actually given.
00:14:27.856 --> 00:14:31.961
God had actually given. anyone get what i'm getting at?
00:14:32.027 --> 00:14:34.763
Anyone get what i'm getting at? maybe what you and i need
00:14:34.830 --> 00:14:35.798
Maybe what you and i need is not some supernatural
00:14:35.864 --> 00:14:37.299
Is not some supernatural intervention from god.
00:14:37.366 --> 00:14:38.334
Intervention from god. maybe what we need most
00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:39.535
Maybe what we need most is just to remember that
00:14:39.601 --> 00:14:40.803
Is just to remember that we have a promise from god.
00:14:40.869 --> 00:14:44.773
We have a promise from god. that god, when we became
00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.808
That god, when we became followers of jesus,
00:14:45.874 --> 00:14:46.976
Followers of jesus, gave us this book
00:14:47.042 --> 00:14:48.210
Gave us this book and in this book are promises
00:14:48.277 --> 00:14:49.345
And in this book are promises that he has made that
00:14:49.411 --> 00:14:50.612
That he has made that you and i can always use.
00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:52.648
You and i can always use. can you imagine what christmas
00:14:52.715 --> 00:14:53.782
Can you imagine what christmas would be like if we actually
00:14:53.849 --> 00:14:54.950
Would be like if we actually believed the promises that
00:14:55.017 --> 00:14:56.585
Believed the promises that god made to us right here?
00:14:56.652 --> 00:14:58.554
God made to us right here? what kind of chains
00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.555
What kind of chains would be loosed,
00:14:59.621 --> 00:15:00.489
Would be loosed, what kind of freedom
00:15:00.556 --> 00:15:01.657
What kind of freedom that we would have?
00:15:01.724 --> 00:15:05.027
That we would have? jesus would say,
00:15:05.094 --> 00:15:07.997
Jesus would say, "i'm immanuel,"
00:15:08.063 --> 00:15:10.432
"i'm immanuel," which means god with us.
00:15:10.499 --> 00:15:17.139
Which means god with us. not god waiting for us
00:15:17.206 --> 00:15:19.241
Not god waiting for us when we get to heaven,
00:15:19.308 --> 00:15:19.842
When we get to heaven, but a god who
00:15:19.908 --> 00:15:20.409
But a god who is with us right now.
00:15:20.476 --> 00:15:21.310
Is with us right now. jesus would say,
00:15:21.377 --> 00:15:22.211
Jesus would say, "you might feel very lonely,
00:15:22.277 --> 00:15:23.946
"you might feel very lonely, but the fact is,
00:15:24.013 --> 00:15:24.546
But the fact is, you are never alone."
00:15:24.613 --> 00:15:25.381
You are never alone." and in fact the most amazing
00:15:25.447 --> 00:15:26.548
And in fact the most amazing person who has ever existed
00:15:26.615 --> 00:15:28.150
Person who has ever existed is with you right now.
00:15:28.217 --> 00:15:31.487
Is with you right now. he's better than
00:15:31.553 --> 00:15:32.254
He's better than the perfect girl.
00:15:32.321 --> 00:15:32.988
The perfect girl. he's better than the most
00:15:33.055 --> 00:15:34.089
He's better than the most hallmark kind of guys.
00:15:34.156 --> 00:15:35.257
Hallmark kind of guys. he's better than having
00:15:35.324 --> 00:15:36.025
He's better than having your grandkids in your arms,
00:15:36.091 --> 00:15:37.960
Your grandkids in your arms, better than all
00:15:38.027 --> 00:15:38.794
Better than all your best friends
00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:39.528
Your best friends around the table.
00:15:39.595 --> 00:15:40.029
Around the table. god himself.
00:15:40.095 --> 00:15:41.130
God himself. can you imagine this?
00:15:41.196 --> 00:15:42.431
Can you imagine this? god himself.
00:15:42.498 --> 00:15:43.832
God himself. this glorious god is with you.
00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.768
This glorious god is with you. and you might be sitting
00:15:45.834 --> 00:15:46.935
And you might be sitting on the love seat alone,
00:15:47.002 --> 00:15:48.003
On the love seat alone, but you should look
00:15:48.070 --> 00:15:48.871
But you should look at that three seater couch
00:15:48.937 --> 00:15:49.838
At that three seater couch and see god the father,
00:15:49.905 --> 00:15:50.839
And see god the father, and god the son,
00:15:50.906 --> 00:15:51.807
And god the son, and god the holy spirit
00:15:51.874 --> 00:15:53.709
And god the holy spirit like the most beautiful dad
00:15:53.776 --> 00:15:54.910
Like the most beautiful dad with a smile on his face
00:15:54.977 --> 00:15:55.944
With a smile on his face and jesus shining in glory,
00:15:56.011 --> 00:15:58.047
And jesus shining in glory, and the holy spirit,
00:15:58.113 --> 00:15:58.947
And the holy spirit, gushing with counsel,
00:15:59.014 --> 00:16:00.315
Gushing with counsel, and good news, and wisdom.
00:16:00.382 --> 00:16:01.583
And good news, and wisdom. and if you go out for,
00:16:01.650 --> 00:16:03.352
And if you go out for, like, christmas brunch
00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.353
Like, christmas brunch and it's just you,
00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:05.320
And it's just you, you should order a table
00:16:05.387 --> 00:16:06.088
You should order a table for four because you
00:16:06.155 --> 00:16:08.223
For four because you and god are showing up.
00:16:08.290 --> 00:16:09.725
And god are showing up. and this god has made a promise
00:16:09.792 --> 00:16:10.759
And this god has made a promise that he's not just stopping
00:16:10.826 --> 00:16:11.593
That he's not just stopping in on occasion to see how
00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.694
In on occasion to see how you're doing.
00:16:12.761 --> 00:16:13.429
You're doing. he said, "i will be with you
00:16:13.495 --> 00:16:15.397
He said, "i will be with you always, always to the very
00:16:15.464 --> 00:16:17.933
Always, always to the very end of the age."
00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:20.536
End of the age." and so, i hope you have tons
00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:21.670
And so, i hope you have tons of great family
00:16:21.737 --> 00:16:22.604
Of great family and friends time.
00:16:22.671 --> 00:16:23.205
And friends time. but even if you don't,
00:16:23.272 --> 00:16:24.339
But even if you don't, god has made a promise that
00:16:24.406 --> 00:16:25.507
God has made a promise that releases the key of loneliness.
00:16:25.574 --> 00:16:27.009
He is immanuel, god with us.
00:16:27.109 --> 00:16:32.448
Or maybe your problem
00:16:32.514 --> 00:16:33.215
Isn't loneliness.
00:16:33.282 --> 00:16:33.749
Maybe you feel just overwhelmed
00:16:33.816 --> 00:16:36.218
By the holiday season.
00:16:36.285 --> 00:16:39.054
Maybe you're trying
00:16:39.121 --> 00:16:39.555
To raise a toddler
00:16:39.621 --> 00:16:40.122
Right now and you think,
00:16:40.189 --> 00:16:40.789
"i cannot do this."
00:16:40.856 --> 00:16:43.192
You ever have
00:16:43.292 --> 00:16:43.625
You ever have those moments, parents,
00:16:43.692 --> 00:16:44.326
Those moments, parents, where you, like, give the baby
00:16:44.393 --> 00:16:45.861
Where you, like, give the baby to your partner and say,
00:16:45.928 --> 00:16:46.728
To your partner and say, "take your child.
00:16:46.795 --> 00:16:48.397
"take your child. that's not mine anymore.
00:16:48.464 --> 00:16:49.565
That's not mine anymore. i can't."
00:16:49.631 --> 00:16:51.166
I can't." or maybe your family
00:16:51.233 --> 00:16:51.967
Or maybe your family is tense or complicated.
00:16:52.034 --> 00:16:54.470
Is tense or complicated. you're co-parenting because
00:16:54.536 --> 00:16:56.004
You're co-parenting because the marriage didn't make it.
00:16:56.071 --> 00:16:56.772
The marriage didn't make it. you're trying
00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:58.574
You're trying to forgive someone,
00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.241
To forgive someone, or love them, or be in
00:16:59.308 --> 00:17:00.075
Or love them, or be in the same room with
00:17:00.142 --> 00:17:00.642
The same room with your dad or your sister.
00:17:00.709 --> 00:17:02.377
Your dad or your sister. maybe you're overwhelmed
00:17:02.444 --> 00:17:03.278
Maybe you're overwhelmed by just all the stuff
00:17:03.345 --> 00:17:03.946
By just all the stuff on your plate or final exams
00:17:04.012 --> 00:17:05.347
On your plate or final exams at school and you get
00:17:05.414 --> 00:17:06.448
At school and you get to that moment where
00:17:06.515 --> 00:17:06.949
To that moment where you just think,
00:17:07.015 --> 00:17:07.483
You just think, "i can't do this."
00:17:07.549 --> 00:17:10.452
"i can't do this." but then jesus
00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.053
But then jesus shows up and he says,
00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:11.887
Shows up and he says, "wait, wait,
00:17:11.954 --> 00:17:12.454
"wait, wait, my name is immanuel."
00:17:12.521 --> 00:17:18.460
My name is immanuel." el is hebrew for god.
00:17:18.527 --> 00:17:23.398
El is hebrew for god. jesus isn't, like,
00:17:23.465 --> 00:17:23.932
Jesus isn't, like, chilling on the couch like
00:17:23.999 --> 00:17:24.900
Chilling on the couch like some empathetic friend who
00:17:24.967 --> 00:17:25.834
Some empathetic friend who can't do anything.
00:17:25.901 --> 00:17:26.502
Can't do anything. he's god.
00:17:26.568 --> 00:17:27.302
He's god. he's the god who walks on water,
00:17:27.369 --> 00:17:29.071
He's the god who walks on water, the god who conquered the grave.
00:17:29.138 --> 00:17:30.839
The god who conquered the grave. this god that says, "i got it.
00:17:30.906 --> 00:17:33.175
This god that says, "i got it. i promise, i have every hair
00:17:33.242 --> 00:17:35.744
I promise, i have every hair on your head counted.
00:17:35.811 --> 00:17:36.778
On your head counted. i know exactly what you need.
00:17:36.845 --> 00:17:37.980
I know exactly what you need. you don't have
00:17:38.046 --> 00:17:38.580
You don't have to fret about this.
00:17:38.647 --> 00:17:39.181
To fret about this. you don't have to panic.
00:17:39.248 --> 00:17:40.782
You don't have to panic. i know it's hard, but i'm going
00:17:40.849 --> 00:17:42.618
I know it's hard, but i'm going to get you through it.
00:17:42.684 --> 00:17:44.720
To get you through it. i've gotten a billion people
00:17:44.786 --> 00:17:45.621
I've gotten a billion people like you through it before.
00:17:45.687 --> 00:17:46.555
Like you through it before. i'm going to do it again.
00:17:46.622 --> 00:17:48.190
I'm going to do it again. and so, you don't need to worry,
00:17:48.257 --> 00:17:49.124
And so, you don't need to worry, and you don't need to fear,
00:17:49.191 --> 00:17:50.225
And you don't need to fear, and you don't have to freak out.
00:17:50.292 --> 00:17:51.493
And you don't have to freak out. you don't have to scream
00:17:51.560 --> 00:17:52.094
You don't have to scream into your pillow
00:17:52.161 --> 00:17:52.961
Into your pillow because i'm immanuel,
00:17:53.028 --> 00:17:54.363
Because i'm immanuel, i'm a god who is with you."
00:17:54.429 --> 00:17:58.367
I'm a god who is with you." maybe for you,
00:17:58.433 --> 00:17:59.001
Maybe for you, it's not loneliness.
00:17:59.067 --> 00:18:00.936
It's not loneliness. maybe it's not
00:18:01.003 --> 00:18:01.303
Maybe it's not feeling overwhelmed,
00:18:01.370 --> 00:18:01.837
Feeling overwhelmed, maybe it's guilt.
00:18:01.904 --> 00:18:05.340
Maybe it's guilt. at the end of every year,
00:18:05.407 --> 00:18:06.208
At the end of every year, i always look back
00:18:06.275 --> 00:18:06.909
I always look back on the past 12 months
00:18:06.975 --> 00:18:09.478
On the past 12 months and i'm kind of overwhelmed
00:18:09.545 --> 00:18:10.279
And i'm kind of overwhelmed by the amazing things
00:18:10.345 --> 00:18:11.413
By the amazing things that god did and then all
00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.414
That god did and then all the messes that i made.
00:18:12.481 --> 00:18:16.051
The messes that i made. maybe at christmas,
00:18:16.118 --> 00:18:16.552
Maybe at christmas, if you're struggling
00:18:16.618 --> 00:18:17.286
If you're struggling with relationships
00:18:17.352 --> 00:18:17.953
With relationships or something in your family,
00:18:18.020 --> 00:18:18.954
Or something in your family, you think about the things
00:18:19.021 --> 00:18:19.988
You think about the things you said or the times
00:18:20.055 --> 00:18:22.124
You said or the times you should have showed up
00:18:22.191 --> 00:18:22.891
You should have showed up but you didn't.
00:18:22.958 --> 00:18:25.761
But you didn't. you reflect on your weaknesses,
00:18:25.827 --> 00:18:26.628
You reflect on your weaknesses, on your failures, on the sins
00:18:26.695 --> 00:18:28.163
On your failures, on the sins you still struggle with.
00:18:28.230 --> 00:18:28.997
You still struggle with. and you're like weighed down
00:18:29.064 --> 00:18:31.767
And you're like weighed down and you lose your peace
00:18:31.833 --> 00:18:33.535
And you lose your peace and your joy this season.
00:18:33.602 --> 00:18:34.503
And your joy this season. but then jesus shows up
00:18:34.570 --> 00:18:35.837
But then jesus shows up and here's what he says,
00:18:35.904 --> 00:18:37.639
And here's what he says, "my name is jesus.
00:18:37.706 --> 00:18:43.011
"my name is jesus. why did they name me jesus?
00:18:43.078 --> 00:18:45.080
Why did they name me jesus? because i was born to save
00:18:45.147 --> 00:18:46.481
Because i was born to save people like you from your sins.
00:18:46.548 --> 00:18:50.118
People like you from your sins. for all the sins, for that sin.
00:18:50.185 --> 00:18:53.522
For all the sins, for that sin. for the one you can't shake,
00:18:53.589 --> 00:18:54.456
For the one you can't shake, the one you still think about.
00:18:54.523 --> 00:18:55.924
The one you still think about. i was held to a cross,
00:18:55.991 --> 00:18:57.259
I was held to a cross, so you don't have to hold on
00:18:57.326 --> 00:18:58.126
So you don't have to hold on to that sin anymore.
00:18:58.193 --> 00:19:00.429
To that sin anymore. don't forget my name
00:19:00.495 --> 00:19:01.396
Don't forget my name and the promise that it implies.
00:19:01.463 --> 00:19:03.031
And the promise that it implies. you are god's beloved child
00:19:03.098 --> 00:19:04.833
You are god's beloved child because i bled for you.
00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:06.134
Because i bled for you. so be loved, don't stiff arm
00:19:06.201 --> 00:19:09.404
So be loved, don't stiff arm the acceptance of god.
00:19:09.471 --> 00:19:11.073
The acceptance of god. receive it with open hands
00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.874
Receive it with open hands as the most amazing
00:19:12.941 --> 00:19:14.142
As the most amazing christmas present."
00:19:14.209 --> 00:19:14.910
Christmas present." what?
00:19:14.977 --> 00:19:16.478
What? what a god, huh?
00:19:16.545 --> 00:19:18.347
What a god, huh? name him immanuel,
00:19:18.413 --> 00:19:19.214
Name him immanuel, call him jesus,
00:19:19.281 --> 00:19:20.716
Call him jesus, so that lonely people
00:19:20.782 --> 00:19:22.117
So that lonely people will know they're not alone,
00:19:22.184 --> 00:19:22.851
Will know they're not alone, so that overwhelmed people
00:19:22.918 --> 00:19:24.386
So that overwhelmed people could find peace,
00:19:24.453 --> 00:19:24.886
Could find peace, so that guilty
00:19:24.953 --> 00:19:25.420
So that guilty and ashamed people
00:19:25.487 --> 00:19:26.455
And ashamed people could rejoice today.
00:19:26.521 --> 00:19:27.990
Could rejoice today. all these promises are true
00:19:28.056 --> 00:19:29.591
All these promises are true because god is the kind of god
00:19:29.658 --> 00:19:31.260
Because god is the kind of god who does exactly what he says.
00:19:31.326 --> 00:19:34.863
Who does exactly what he says. so, i want to give you
00:19:34.930 --> 00:19:35.631
So, i want to give you some holiday homework.
00:19:35.697 --> 00:19:36.531
Some holiday homework. if you battle like
00:19:36.598 --> 00:19:38.500
If you battle like some negative emotions
00:19:38.567 --> 00:19:39.301
Some negative emotions this holiday season,
00:19:39.368 --> 00:19:41.069
This holiday season, i want you either to grab
00:19:41.136 --> 00:19:42.404
I want you either to grab a bible or just google
00:19:42.471 --> 00:19:44.906
A bible or just google "bible passages for,"
00:19:44.973 --> 00:19:48.210
"bible passages for," and then fill in the blank.
00:19:48.277 --> 00:19:50.078
And then fill in the blank. google's actually very,
00:19:50.145 --> 00:19:50.846
Google's actually very, very good at this.
00:19:50.912 --> 00:19:52.781
Very good at this. and when the results come up
00:19:52.848 --> 00:19:53.548
And when the results come up and you start to read,
00:19:53.615 --> 00:19:54.383
And you start to read, i just want you to do
00:19:54.449 --> 00:19:55.117
I just want you to do one simple thing,
00:19:55.183 --> 00:19:57.252
One simple thing, just say, "and he meant it."
00:19:57.319 --> 00:20:04.026
Just say, "and he meant it." this isn't some pop up ad
00:20:04.092 --> 00:20:06.528
This isn't some pop up ad promising more than
00:20:06.595 --> 00:20:07.095
Promising more than it can deliver.
00:20:07.162 --> 00:20:07.562
It can deliver. this is god speaking
00:20:07.629 --> 00:20:08.697
This is god speaking in his word and he meant it.
00:20:08.764 --> 00:20:11.300
In his word and he meant it. this isn't some politician
00:20:11.366 --> 00:20:11.933
This isn't some politician trying to get elected promising
00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.201
Trying to get elected promising you the world even though
00:20:13.268 --> 00:20:14.002
You the world even though it'll never actually happen once
00:20:14.069 --> 00:20:15.570
It'll never actually happen once he or she gets into office.
00:20:15.637 --> 00:20:16.471
He or she gets into office. this is a god of truth
00:20:16.538 --> 00:20:17.773
This is a god of truth who said it and he meant it.
00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:20.242
Who said it and he meant it. when you feel like you're losing
00:20:20.309 --> 00:20:20.976
When you feel like you're losing your hope and peace and joy,
00:20:21.043 --> 00:20:22.611
Your hope and peace and joy, just come back to the promises
00:20:22.678 --> 00:20:23.578
Just come back to the promises that god made.
00:20:23.645 --> 00:20:25.013
That god made. and remember, they're not
00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:25.580
And remember, they're not just anyone's promises.
00:20:25.647 --> 00:20:26.214
Just anyone's promises. they're the promises
00:20:26.281 --> 00:20:27.015
They're the promises of a god who cannot lie.
00:20:27.082 --> 00:20:31.186
Of a god who cannot lie. my friends, if you do that,
00:20:31.253 --> 00:20:33.422
My friends, if you do that, your christmas season will
00:20:33.488 --> 00:20:34.256
Your christmas season will turn out to be even better
00:20:34.323 --> 00:20:35.290
Turn out to be even better than the day i stepped
00:20:35.357 --> 00:20:37.993
Than the day i stepped into that airport lounge.
00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:42.130
Into that airport lounge. quick question,
00:20:42.197 --> 00:20:42.664
Quick question, how many of you ever been
00:20:42.731 --> 00:20:43.432
How many of you ever been in an airport lounge before?
00:20:43.498 --> 00:20:46.568
In an airport lounge before? yeah, maybe 20% of you.
00:20:46.635 --> 00:20:48.003
Yeah, maybe 20% of you. for 40-some years of my life,
00:20:48.070 --> 00:20:49.071
For 40-some years of my life, i'd never stepped into one.
00:20:49.137 --> 00:20:50.172
I'd never stepped into one. i was used to
00:20:50.238 --> 00:20:50.672
I was used to sitting at gate a3,
00:20:50.739 --> 00:20:52.541
Sitting at gate a3, paying $14 for a large fry
00:20:52.607 --> 00:20:55.210
Paying $14 for a large fry and feeling very uncomfortable.
00:20:55.277 --> 00:20:57.446
And feeling very uncomfortable. but in the last year, my wife
00:20:57.512 --> 00:20:58.647
But in the last year, my wife got one of those credit cards
00:20:58.714 --> 00:20:59.448
Got one of those credit cards that gives you access
00:20:59.514 --> 00:21:00.449
That gives you access to an airport lounge.
00:21:00.515 --> 00:21:00.949
To an airport lounge. and so, one day i'm at this
00:21:01.016 --> 00:21:01.983
And so, one day i'm at this layover in miami and i got like
00:21:02.050 --> 00:21:04.252
Layover in miami and i got like 25 minutes before they start
00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.320
25 minutes before they start boarding my plane.
00:21:05.387 --> 00:21:05.754
Boarding my plane. so, i said,
00:21:05.821 --> 00:21:06.288
So, i said, i'm going to check out
00:21:06.355 --> 00:21:07.255
I'm going to check out what this lounge is like.
00:21:07.322 --> 00:21:08.123
What this lounge is like. and so, i go walk in there
00:21:08.190 --> 00:21:09.024
And so, i go walk in there and this woman and one
00:21:09.091 --> 00:21:09.825
And this woman and one of those airport employees
00:21:09.891 --> 00:21:11.026
Of those airport employees with the big golf carts,
00:21:11.093 --> 00:21:12.361
With the big golf carts, you know what
00:21:12.427 --> 00:21:12.794
You know what i'm talking about?
00:21:12.861 --> 00:21:13.195
I'm talking about? she said, "where you going?"
00:21:13.261 --> 00:21:13.862
She said, "where you going?" i said, "the lounge."
00:21:13.929 --> 00:21:14.629
I said, "the lounge." and she said,
00:21:14.696 --> 00:21:15.030
And she said, "hey, i'll take you there."
00:21:15.097 --> 00:21:15.831
"hey, i'll take you there." so, i jump in, she's this
00:21:15.897 --> 00:21:16.732
So, i jump in, she's this wonderful cuban woman.
00:21:16.798 --> 00:21:18.266
Wonderful cuban woman. we're talking in spanish.
00:21:18.333 --> 00:21:18.867
We're talking in spanish. she says, "can i see
00:21:18.934 --> 00:21:19.601
She says, "can i see your boarding pass?'
00:21:19.668 --> 00:21:20.569
Your boarding pass?' so, i handed my boarding pass
00:21:20.635 --> 00:21:21.370
So, i handed my boarding pass and she looks at
00:21:21.436 --> 00:21:22.003
And she looks at the time and she says,
00:21:22.070 --> 00:21:22.738
The time and she says, "oh, no, like we're like
00:21:22.804 --> 00:21:26.375
"oh, no, like we're like 12 minutes away from
00:21:26.441 --> 00:21:28.577
12 minutes away from the airport lounge and you have
00:21:28.643 --> 00:21:29.344
The airport lounge and you have to board in 25 minutes.
00:21:29.411 --> 00:21:30.212
To board in 25 minutes. like you're going to have
00:21:30.278 --> 00:21:31.079
Like you're going to have like a minute in there."
00:21:31.146 --> 00:21:34.483
Like a minute in there." so, i said to her...
00:21:34.549 --> 00:21:35.817
So, i said to her... [speaking spanish]
00:21:35.884 --> 00:21:36.651
[speaking spanish] like...
00:21:36.718 --> 00:21:36.985
Like... [speaking spanish]
00:21:37.052 --> 00:21:37.686
[speaking spanish] we got to get going.
00:21:37.753 --> 00:21:38.487
We got to get going. punch it.
00:21:38.553 --> 00:21:39.054
Punch it. so she does.
00:21:39.121 --> 00:21:39.654
So she does. we're zipping
00:21:39.721 --> 00:21:40.489
We're zipping through the airport.
00:21:40.555 --> 00:21:40.956
Through the airport. she's honking the horn.
00:21:41.022 --> 00:21:41.690
She's honking the horn. and when i pull up, i got like
00:21:41.757 --> 00:21:43.358
And when i pull up, i got like 13 minutes until boarding.
00:21:43.425 --> 00:21:44.126
13 minutes until boarding. she tells me, "you have
00:21:44.192 --> 00:21:45.327
She tells me, "you have one minute, go."
00:21:45.394 --> 00:21:46.862
One minute, go." so, i run inside,
00:21:46.928 --> 00:21:48.330
So, i run inside, i show my boarding pass
00:21:48.397 --> 00:21:49.131
I show my boarding pass and i step in.
00:21:49.197 --> 00:21:50.665
And i step in. some of you don't know this.
00:21:50.732 --> 00:21:51.666
Some of you don't know this. i step into paradise.
00:21:51.733 --> 00:21:53.769
I step into paradise. i'm like, this isn't --
00:21:53.835 --> 00:21:54.803
I'm like, this isn't -- this is inside an airport.
00:21:54.870 --> 00:21:56.037
This is inside an airport. there was a buffet,
00:21:56.104 --> 00:21:57.139
There was a buffet, i can still remember,
00:21:57.205 --> 00:21:57.906
I can still remember, where they had these, like,
00:21:57.973 --> 00:21:59.608
Where they had these, like, delicate croissant sandwiches,
00:21:59.674 --> 00:22:01.510
Delicate croissant sandwiches, like flaky croissants,
00:22:01.576 --> 00:22:02.711
Like flaky croissants, thinly sliced deli meat.
00:22:02.778 --> 00:22:04.613
Thinly sliced deli meat. and you know how much they cost?
00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:06.014
And you know how much they cost? they were free.
00:22:06.081 --> 00:22:07.282
They were free. and they were right next
00:22:07.349 --> 00:22:07.949
And they were right next to a giant wheel of cheese,
00:22:08.016 --> 00:22:09.584
To a giant wheel of cheese, a wheel of cheese in an airport,
00:22:09.651 --> 00:22:11.219
A wheel of cheese in an airport, gourmet cheese, and it was free.
00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:13.155
Gourmet cheese, and it was free. there were olives.
00:22:13.221 --> 00:22:13.822
There were olives. i looked at the wall of drinks.
00:22:13.889 --> 00:22:15.490
I looked at the wall of drinks. there was water for free,
00:22:15.557 --> 00:22:16.792
There was water for free, soda for free, beer for free,
00:22:16.858 --> 00:22:18.894
Soda for free, beer for free, wine for free,
00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.861
Wine for free, mixed drinks for free,
00:22:19.928 --> 00:22:21.129
Mixed drinks for free, coffee for free.
00:22:21.196 --> 00:22:22.330
Coffee for free. all of it was free.
00:22:22.397 --> 00:22:23.031
All of it was free. i stepped into this paradise
00:22:23.098 --> 00:22:24.099
I stepped into this paradise and i said to like an employee,
00:22:24.166 --> 00:22:25.901
And i said to like an employee, "can i take this to go?"
00:22:25.967 --> 00:22:28.370
"can i take this to go?" and she said no.
00:22:28.437 --> 00:22:31.406
And she said no. and i said, "oh."
00:22:31.473 --> 00:22:33.275
And i said, "oh." thankfully, however,
00:22:33.341 --> 00:22:33.942
Thankfully, however, this was before i preached
00:22:34.009 --> 00:22:34.776
This was before i preached the gluttony sermon
00:22:34.843 --> 00:22:35.610
The gluttony sermon at our church.
00:22:35.677 --> 00:22:36.211
[laughter]
00:22:36.578 --> 00:22:38.447
So, i was like
00:22:38.814 --> 00:22:39.247
So, i was like scooby-dooing it.
00:22:39.314 --> 00:22:39.981
Scooby-dooing it. i was like --
00:22:40.048 --> 00:22:40.582
I was like -- i wasn't chewing.
00:22:40.649 --> 00:22:41.349
I wasn't chewing. i was just putting food
00:22:41.416 --> 00:22:42.150
I was just putting food in my mouth.
00:22:42.217 --> 00:22:42.751
In my mouth. and, like, for 60 seconds,
00:22:42.818 --> 00:22:44.119
And, like, for 60 seconds, i ate as much
00:22:44.186 --> 00:22:44.786
I ate as much as i possibly could,
00:22:44.853 --> 00:22:45.620
As i possibly could, and then i ran out the door.
00:22:45.687 --> 00:22:46.488
And then i ran out the door. my cuban friend was
00:22:46.555 --> 00:22:47.355
My cuban friend was in the getaway cart.
00:22:47.422 --> 00:22:48.490
In the getaway cart. and she says...
00:22:48.557 --> 00:22:49.024
And she says... [speaking spanish]
00:22:49.090 --> 00:22:49.691
[speaking spanish] "we got to go!"
00:22:49.758 --> 00:22:50.192
"we got to go!" and so, i jump in
00:22:50.258 --> 00:22:51.393
And so, i jump in and we took off and made it
00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.260
And we took off and made it to the gate just in time.
00:22:52.327 --> 00:22:54.930
To the gate just in time. i think most christians
00:22:54.996 --> 00:22:56.231
I think most christians have a christmas that's
00:22:56.298 --> 00:22:56.832
Have a christmas that's a little bit like that.
00:22:56.898 --> 00:23:00.068
A little bit like that. i think we rush like mad
00:23:00.135 --> 00:23:01.069
I think we rush like mad to get to the season.
00:23:01.136 --> 00:23:01.870
To get to the season. it's momentary and over,
00:23:01.937 --> 00:23:03.505
It's momentary and over, and then we rush back
00:23:03.572 --> 00:23:04.606
And then we rush back to january.
00:23:04.673 --> 00:23:07.175
To january. what if the point of christmas
00:23:07.242 --> 00:23:07.976
What if the point of christmas wasn't just christmas?
00:23:08.043 --> 00:23:11.146
Wasn't just christmas? what if the point of christmas
00:23:11.213 --> 00:23:11.880
What if the point of christmas was to convince you that god
00:23:11.947 --> 00:23:12.948
Was to convince you that god keeps his promises?
00:23:13.014 --> 00:23:16.351
Keeps his promises? that whether it's january 2nd,
00:23:16.418 --> 00:23:18.186
That whether it's january 2nd, or june 16th, or december 25th,
00:23:18.253 --> 00:23:22.257
Or june 16th, or december 25th, the real source of hope,
00:23:22.324 --> 00:23:23.959
The real source of hope, and peace and joy
00:23:24.025 --> 00:23:24.759
And peace and joy isn't in a day or a tree
00:23:24.826 --> 00:23:27.062
Isn't in a day or a tree or wrapping paper and a bow.
00:23:27.128 --> 00:23:27.863
Or wrapping paper and a bow. it's in a god who speaks
00:23:27.929 --> 00:23:31.566
It's in a god who speaks and makes sure that every one
00:23:31.633 --> 00:23:32.767
And makes sure that every one of his words is golden.
00:23:32.834 --> 00:23:35.971
Of his words is golden. my brothers
00:23:36.037 --> 00:23:36.438
My brothers and sisters in jesus,
00:23:36.505 --> 00:23:37.305
And sisters in jesus, the best relationships
00:23:37.372 --> 00:23:38.373
The best relationships rely on promises kept
00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:41.209
Rely on promises kept and christmas is the proof
00:23:41.276 --> 00:23:42.010
And christmas is the proof that our god keeps every promise
00:23:42.077 --> 00:23:44.546
That our god keeps every promise that he makes.
00:23:44.613 --> 00:23:47.916
That he makes. let's pray.
00:23:47.983 --> 00:23:49.351
Let's pray. oh god, you are
00:23:49.417 --> 00:23:50.151
Oh god, you are so good to us.
00:23:50.218 --> 00:23:53.054
So good to us. it's wild that
00:23:53.121 --> 00:23:54.089
It's wild that you didn't just command us.
00:23:54.155 --> 00:23:54.756
You didn't just command us. you would have had
00:23:54.823 --> 00:23:55.290
You would have had every right to,
00:23:55.357 --> 00:23:56.725
Every right to, but that you made promises
00:23:56.791 --> 00:23:57.926
But that you made promises of good things for us.
00:23:57.993 --> 00:24:00.629
Of good things for us. that's all your grace.
00:24:00.695 --> 00:24:01.630
That's all your grace. it's all your unconditional love
00:24:01.696 --> 00:24:02.898
It's all your unconditional love and we are so grateful
00:24:02.964 --> 00:24:03.732
And we are so grateful for it today.
00:24:03.798 --> 00:24:05.767
For it today. i'm praying, god,
00:24:05.834 --> 00:24:06.735
I'm praying, god, that you would,
00:24:06.801 --> 00:24:07.435
That you would, you would free us from
00:24:07.502 --> 00:24:08.270
You would free us from the lies of the enemy
00:24:08.336 --> 00:24:09.304
The lies of the enemy that try to convince us
00:24:09.371 --> 00:24:10.438
That try to convince us because you haven't
00:24:10.505 --> 00:24:11.373
Because you haven't answered yet, it means
00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:13.041
Answered yet, it means you won't answer.
00:24:13.108 --> 00:24:15.911
You won't answer. because we haven't seen
00:24:15.977 --> 00:24:17.412
Because we haven't seen the goodness of your plan
00:24:17.479 --> 00:24:18.647
The goodness of your plan come to fruition just yet,
00:24:18.713 --> 00:24:20.081
Come to fruition just yet, it means there's no goodness
00:24:20.148 --> 00:24:21.082
It means there's no goodness to your plan.
00:24:21.149 --> 00:24:24.286
To your plan. and father, i want to pray
00:24:24.352 --> 00:24:25.020
And father, i want to pray that especially for people
00:24:25.086 --> 00:24:25.787
That especially for people who are struggling
00:24:25.854 --> 00:24:26.555
Who are struggling to the point of doubting,
00:24:26.621 --> 00:24:28.723
To the point of doubting, for those who have just lost
00:24:28.790 --> 00:24:30.258
For those who have just lost sight of your glorious face,
00:24:30.325 --> 00:24:33.562
Sight of your glorious face, they're clouds over their life
00:24:33.628 --> 00:24:35.130
They're clouds over their life and they start to wonder
00:24:35.196 --> 00:24:35.964
And they start to wonder and question if you really
00:24:36.031 --> 00:24:37.899
And question if you really are the kind of god who
00:24:37.966 --> 00:24:38.833
Are the kind of god who keeps his promises.
00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.035
Keeps his promises. god help us to look into
00:24:40.101 --> 00:24:40.769
God help us to look into the manger and see not
00:24:40.835 --> 00:24:42.904
The manger and see not one or two and not 4 or 20,
00:24:42.971 --> 00:24:45.373
One or two and not 4 or 20, but hundreds of promises
00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.508
But hundreds of promises kept in jesus.
00:24:46.575 --> 00:24:48.410
Kept in jesus. and may our hearts have
00:24:48.476 --> 00:24:49.144
And may our hearts have that faith to believe
00:24:49.210 --> 00:24:49.911
That faith to believe that even if it hasn't
00:24:49.978 --> 00:24:50.512
That even if it hasn't happened yet,
00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:52.480
Happened yet, even if it feels like
00:24:52.547 --> 00:24:53.148
Even if it feels like we're living 100 years before
00:24:53.214 --> 00:24:54.616
We're living 100 years before the promise was fulfilled,
00:24:54.683 --> 00:24:55.550
The promise was fulfilled, you will fulfill your promise.
00:24:55.617 --> 00:24:57.752
You will fulfill your promise. god, we don't
00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.286
God, we don't want to be people
00:24:58.353 --> 00:24:58.853
Want to be people who just believe in you,
00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:01.189
Who just believe in you, want to be the kind
00:25:01.256 --> 00:25:01.790
Want to be the kind of christians who believe you,
00:25:01.856 --> 00:25:04.025
Of christians who believe you, who have the faith of a child,
00:25:04.092 --> 00:25:04.893
Who have the faith of a child, that just trust that
00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.127
That just trust that if you said it,
00:25:06.194 --> 00:25:06.695
If you said it, it has to happen.
00:25:06.761 --> 00:25:08.530
You're not a man, god,
00:25:08.630 --> 00:25:09.631
That you should lie,
00:25:09.698 --> 00:25:10.632
Exaggerate, or over promise.
00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:13.001
You're the god of truth.
00:25:13.068 --> 00:25:14.836
So, help us to believe
00:25:14.903 --> 00:25:15.537
That everything you say
00:25:15.604 --> 00:25:16.237
Today is true.
00:25:16.304 --> 00:25:18.073
We pray this in the name
00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:18.807
Of the one who came down
00:25:18.873 --> 00:25:19.975
From heaven as immanuel,
00:25:20.041 --> 00:25:21.810
As jesus, to be our savior.
00:25:21.876 --> 00:25:23.244
It's in his name that we pray
00:25:23.311 --> 00:25:25.547
And everyone said amen.
00:25:25.614 --> 00:25:28.617
♪ ♪
00:25:28.883 --> 00:25:30.185
>> when i'm here in church,
00:25:30.785 --> 00:25:31.653
>> when i'm here in church, i get to talk about jesus,
00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:34.389
I get to talk about jesus, the one who matters more than
00:25:34.456 --> 00:25:35.156
The one who matters more than anything in the world,
00:25:35.223 --> 00:25:36.558
Anything in the world, the savior who
00:25:36.625 --> 00:25:37.258
The savior who forgives our sins,
00:25:37.325 --> 00:25:38.727
Forgives our sins, the one who fills that
00:25:38.793 --> 00:25:40.462
The one who fills that void in our hearts
00:25:40.528 --> 00:25:42.163
Void in our hearts and provides the kind of joy
00:25:42.230 --> 00:25:43.098
And provides the kind of joy and peace that nothing in this
00:25:43.164 --> 00:25:44.199
And peace that nothing in this world can even match.
00:25:44.265 --> 00:25:46.801
World can even match. but because of your support,
00:25:46.868 --> 00:25:47.569
But because of your support, jesus doesn't stay here
00:25:47.636 --> 00:25:49.037
Jesus doesn't stay here in churches, he moves.
00:25:49.104 --> 00:25:51.539
In churches, he moves. he gets into our community.
00:25:51.606 --> 00:25:52.974
He gets into our community. he gets into our living rooms
00:25:53.041 --> 00:25:54.142
He gets into our living rooms and into our workplaces,
00:25:54.209 --> 00:25:56.144
And into our workplaces, coffee shops,
00:25:56.211 --> 00:25:56.878
Coffee shops, onto the streets of these cities
00:25:56.945 --> 00:25:58.613
Onto the streets of these cities that we love so much.
00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.248
That we love so much. recently, some amazing friends
00:26:00.315 --> 00:26:01.182
Recently, some amazing friends of time of grace have offered
00:26:01.249 --> 00:26:02.717
A $375,000 challenge grant
00:26:02.817 --> 00:26:06.021
A $375,000 challenge grant that more and more people
00:26:06.087 --> 00:26:07.055
That more and more people can hear about the savior
00:26:07.122 --> 00:26:08.256
Can hear about the savior that you and i love so dearly.
00:26:08.323 --> 00:26:10.525
That you and i love so dearly. they're challenging me and you
00:26:10.592 --> 00:26:11.693
They're challenging me and you and all of our partners to reach
00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:13.194
And all of our partners to reach that number by december 31st.
00:26:13.261 --> 00:26:15.897
That number by december 31st. as a thank you for your support,
00:26:15.964 --> 00:26:16.765
As a thank you for your support, i want to send you a copy
00:26:16.831 --> 00:26:17.632
I want to send you a copy of the book soul care
00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:19.067
Of the book soul care by my friend
00:26:19.134 --> 00:26:19.601
By my friend amber albee swenson.
00:26:19.668 --> 00:26:21.302
Amber albee swenson. with your support,
00:26:21.369 --> 00:26:21.970
With your support, we can point people to jesus,
00:26:22.037 --> 00:26:23.738
We can point people to jesus, the one who matters most
00:26:23.805 --> 00:26:24.472
The one who matters most in this life
00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.440
In this life and in the life to come.
00:26:25.507 --> 00:26:26.574
>> with your support,
00:26:27.075 --> 00:26:27.876
You remind people that
00:26:27.976 --> 00:26:29.110
Those who have jesus have
00:26:29.210 --> 00:26:30.745
What matters most.
00:26:30.845 --> 00:26:32.213
Give today by
00:26:32.313 --> 00:26:33.081
Calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:33.181 --> 00:26:37.519
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.387
Or writing us at po box 301,
00:26:39.487 --> 00:26:42.190
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:42.290 --> 00:26:45.460
>> time of grace
00:26:52.667 --> 00:26:53.401
Doesn't end here.
00:26:53.501 --> 00:26:55.203
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:55.303 --> 00:26:56.705
And explore
00:26:56.805 --> 00:26:57.505
Encouraging resources
00:26:57.605 --> 00:26:59.007
Or sign up for our daily email
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And have everything delivered
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Right to your inbox, like our
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Grace moments devotions,
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Blog, and podcasts.
00:27:05.113 --> 00:27:07.682
Follow us on social media
00:27:07.782 --> 00:27:09.317
Where you'll find a supportive
00:27:09.417 --> 00:27:10.752
Christian community.
00:27:10.852 --> 00:27:12.153
Do you need prayer?
00:27:12.253 --> 00:27:13.221
Contact us and let us know
00:27:13.321 --> 00:27:14.456
What's on your heart.
00:27:14.556 --> 00:27:15.657
Thank you so much
00:27:15.757 --> 00:27:16.324
For your support.
00:27:16.424 --> 00:27:17.058
>> see you next week
00:27:18.126 --> 00:27:18.827
On time of grace.
00:27:18.893 --> 00:27:19.994

Mike Novotny - Can I Really Trust God?

December 11, 2025 | 29:5

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