Mike Novotny - God's Kind of Christmas: Real Hope for Real People

November 24, 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.

#Christmas #Bible #Savior #Messiah #Salvation #Gospel #Hope #MikeNovotny

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - God's Kind of Christmas: Real Hope for Real People | November 24, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> there's two huge
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>> there's two huge christmas-related questions
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Christmas-related questions you need to ask
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You need to ask and appropriately answer.
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If you're taking notes
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If you're taking notes in your program,
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In your program, i want you to write them down
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I want you to write them down here from the start.
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Here from the start. the questions are,
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The questions are, is christmas for real?
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Is christmas for real? and second, is christmas for me?
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And second, is christmas for me? well, i'm happy
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Well, i'm happy you're here today because,
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You're here today because, do you know how many pages
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Do you know how many pages of the new testament
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Of the new testament you have to read until you
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You have to read until you find the answers to both
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Of those questions?
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Of those questions? just one.
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Just one. i want to warn you though,
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I want to warn you though, it's a page of the bible
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It's a page of the bible that lots of people
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That lots of people skim or entirely skip,
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But i want to propose
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But i want to propose to you that on this page,
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To you that on this page, which is all i'm going
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Which is all i'm going to read to you today,
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To read to you today, there are answers
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There are answers to those two questions.
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To those two questions. is this for real?
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Is this for real? and is this for a person
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And is this for a person like me or like you?
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Like me or like you? today, we're going
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Today, we're going to read the genealogy
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To read the genealogy of jesus, the messiah.
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Of jesus, the messiah. it's the way that
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It's the way that the new testament begins.
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The new testament begins. i want to give you
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I want to give you god's compelling answers
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God's compelling answers to these two crucial
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To these two crucial christmas questions.
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Christmas questions. so, here's how
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So, here's how the new testament begins,
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The new testament begins, the story of the birth, life,
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The story of the birth, life, death, and resurrection
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Death, and resurrection of jesus.
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Matthew says this,
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Matthew says this, "this is the genealogy
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"this is the genealogy of jesus the messiah,
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Of jesus the messiah, the son of david,
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The son of david, the son of abraham."
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The son of abraham." i remember star wars when
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It begins with the words that
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It begins with the words that would scroll up like this?
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Would scroll up like this? remember how it starts?
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Remember how it starts? a long time ago in?
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A long time ago in? in a galaxy far, far away.
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In a galaxy far, far away. and none of you, like,
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And none of you, like, paused the movie and said,
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Paused the movie and said, "wait, was this before or after
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"wait, was this before or after george washington lived?"
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George washington lived?" he just knew.
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He just knew. no, this is a story,
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No, this is a story, this is a tale.
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This is a tale. this is fictional.
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This is fictional. now, contrast that with what
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Now, contrast that with what we find here in the gospel
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We find here in the gospel of matthew document,
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Of matthew document, the historical record
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The historical record of the genealogy
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Of the genealogy of jesus the messiah.
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Of jesus the messiah. either matthew is
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Either matthew is the worst writer in all
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The worst writer in all of fiction history,
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Of fiction history, or he's giving us something
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Or he's giving us something that's not fictional,
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That's not fictional, but instead historical fact.
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But instead historical fact. he's trying to tell you
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He's trying to tell you from the jump that this
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From the jump that this is not just some story,
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Is not just some story, this is actual history,
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This is actual history, this is for real.
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This is for real. and what's super interesting,
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And what's super interesting, as you keep reading the pages
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As you keep reading the pages of the new testament is that all
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Of the new testament is that all of the earliest christians were
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Of the earliest christians were emphatic about this fact.
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Emphatic about this fact. read matthew, read mark,
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Read matthew, read mark, read luke, read john,
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Read luke, read john, listen to the preaching
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Listen to the preaching of peter and paul,
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Of peter and paul, and what they keep
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And what they keep coming back to,
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Coming back to, time and time again
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Time and time again is the simple message,
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Is the simple message, this is for real.
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This is for real. luke for example,
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Luke for example, some of you know his famous
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Some of you know his famous christmas story from luke 2.
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Christmas story from luke 2. he begins his gospel by saying,
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He begins his gospel by saying, "because i want you to be sure
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"because i want you to be sure of everything i'm telling you,
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Of everything i'm telling you, i have carefully
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I have carefully investigated everything.
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Investigated everything. the eye-witnesses
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The eye-witnesses who saw and heard jesus,
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Who saw and heard jesus, this is what
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This is what i'm recording for you."
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I'm recording for you." john, who was one of jesus'
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John, who was one of jesus' closest friends who spent
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Closest friends who spent three years following
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Three years following in his footsteps,
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In his footsteps, he wrote things like,
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He wrote things like, "what we have seen from jesus,
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"what we have seen from jesus, what we have heard with
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What we have heard with our own ears,
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Our own ears, we've touched him
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We've touched him with our own hands,
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With our own hands, this is what we're writing
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This is what we're writing in this book for you."
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In this book for you." when the apostle peter
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When the apostle peter wrote his letter in
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Wrote his letter in the new testament he said,
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The new testament he said, "we didn't share cleverly
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"we didn't share cleverly invented stories when
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Invented stories when we told you about jesus,
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We told you about jesus, we were eye-witnesses
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We were eye-witnesses of his majesty."
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Of his majesty." and when the apostle paul
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And when the apostle paul began to preach,
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Began to preach, he would say things like,
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He would say things like, "hey, y'all were witnesses
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"hey, y'all were witnesses of what happened."
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Of what happened." he wasn't preaching
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He wasn't preaching about a jesus who lived
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About a jesus who lived like 500 years before,
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Like 500 years before, but there were people still
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But there were people still alive who had seen him on
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Alive who had seen him on the cross and who could testify
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The cross and who could testify that his tomb was empty.
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That his tomb was empty. all of the earliest christians
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All of the earliest christians didn't say, "well, this just
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Didn't say, "well, this just sounds nice,"
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Sounds nice," or, "this is nostalgic,"
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Or, "this is nostalgic," or, "this makes me feel good."
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Or, "this makes me feel good." no, what they came back to
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No, what they came back to is that this was not
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Is that this was not a blind faith.
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A blind faith. no, christianity was
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No, christianity was based on fact.
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Based on fact. and so, friends i want to tell
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And so, friends i want to tell you today that when you see
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You today that when you see a manger scene,
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A manger scene, you are no fool to think,
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You are no fool to think, "that's for real."
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"that's for real." it doesn't mean you're not
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It doesn't mean you're not a critical thinker,
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A critical thinker, it doesn't make you
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It doesn't make you unintelligent or gullible.
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Unintelligent or gullible. it's not just because you were
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It's not just because you were raised in a certain place or in
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Raised in a certain place or in a certain kind of family.
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A certain kind of family. no, christianity is not
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No, christianity is not based on blind faith.
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Based on blind faith. it's based on real people,
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It's based on real people, real places,
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Real places, real eye-witness documents,
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Real eye-witness documents, like the gospel of matthew
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Like the gospel of matthew because christmas is for real.
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Because christmas is for real. now, some of you might
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Now, some of you might push back and say,
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Push back and say, "oh, hold up, pastor.
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"oh, hold up, pastor. okay, maybe i believe that a guy
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Okay, maybe i believe that a guy named jesus existed and sure
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Named jesus existed and sure bethlehem is a real place,
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Bethlehem is a real place, but you're telling me
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But you're telling me a story of a virgin who
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A story of a virgin who gave birth to god.
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Gave birth to god. you want me to believe that?"
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You want me to believe that?" i love the answer
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I love the answer to that objection that
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To that objection that a christian author named
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A christian author named glenn scrivener gave.
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Glenn scrivener gave. how about this quote.
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How about this quote. he said, quote,
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He said, quote, "christians believe in
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"christians believe in the virgin birth of jesus.
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The virgin birth of jesus. atheists believe
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Atheists believe in the virgin birth
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In the virgin birth of the universe."
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Of the universe." the one has an all-powerful
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The one has an all-powerful god who caused it,
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God who caused it, which makes it very believable,
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Which makes it very believable, the other does not.
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The other does not. so, how much faith does it
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So, how much faith does it take to be an atheist?
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Take to be an atheist? friends, this is why many
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Friends, this is why many years ago i fell in love
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Years ago i fell in love with biblical archaeology.
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With biblical archaeology. where my archaeology fans at?
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Where my archaeology fans at? six of us, yeah!
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Six of us, yeah! there'll be a meeting in
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There'll be a meeting in the conference room afterwards.
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[laughing]
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Now, i do have friends
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Now, i do have friends that make fun of me
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That make fun of me because i'm an official
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Because i'm an official subscriber to biblical
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Subscriber to biblical archaeology review,
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Archaeology review, the magazine.
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The magazine. if you want to see me
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If you want to see me do a happy dance,
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Do a happy dance, watch me open the mailbox
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Watch me open the mailbox and find that inside.
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And find that inside. to be honest with you,
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To be honest with you, i really didn't care about
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I really didn't care about biblical archaeology
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Biblical archaeology for the first 30 years
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For the first 30 years of my christian life.
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Of my christian life. who cares about some old rocks
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Who cares about some old rocks and inscriptions and stuff
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And inscriptions and stuff they found in the dirt?
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They found in the dirt? but then in 2010,
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But then in 2010, you know what happened?
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You know what happened? i got to go to israel
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I got to go to israel for the first time,
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For the first time, and i had an experience
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And i had an experience that a few of you have had
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That a few of you have had and i hope that
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And i hope that many more of you will get
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Many more of you will get to have in your life.
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To have in your life. i had those moments where i was
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I had those moments where i was standing somewhere and i said,
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Standing somewhere and i said, "for real."
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"for real." i suppose i had always
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I suppose i had always believed it in here
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Believed it in here that the bible was true,
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That the bible was true, but to stand on the shores
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But to stand on the shores of the sea of galilee,
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Of the sea of galilee, to be literally in the spot
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To be literally in the spot where jesus died,
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Where jesus died, to step into bethlehem
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To step into bethlehem and see the church
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And see the church that marks the place
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That marks the place of his very birth, to say,
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Of his very birth, to say, "oh, yeah, this isn't just
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"oh, yeah, this isn't just a long, long time ago.
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A long, long time ago. the things we read in the bible
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The things we read in the bible are historical fact and it
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Are historical fact and it happened right here."
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Happened right here." in fact, i took some pictures
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In fact, i took some pictures to prove it to you.
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To prove it to you. let me show them to you.
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These are two of the most
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These are two of the most famous findings connected
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Famous findings connected to the story of jesus.
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To the story of jesus. do you recognize them?
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Do you recognize them? to my left is the pilot stone
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To my left is the pilot stone found in israel,
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Found in israel, right on the shores
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Right on the shores of the mediterranean sea.
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Of the mediterranean sea. that ancient stone
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That ancient stone dates all the way back
00:06:41.090 --> 00:06:41.924
Dates all the way back to the first century
00:06:41.991 --> 00:06:42.725
To the first century and contains the name
00:06:42.792 --> 00:06:43.559
And contains the name of pontius pilate in
00:06:43.626 --> 00:06:44.927
Of pontius pilate in the official government position
00:06:44.994 --> 00:06:46.462
The official government position that the bible says that he held
00:06:46.529 --> 00:06:48.264
That the bible says that he held during the days of jesus.
00:06:48.331 --> 00:06:50.633
During the days of jesus. and it's connected
00:06:50.700 --> 00:06:51.100
And it's connected to that fancy box.
00:06:51.167 --> 00:06:53.135
To that fancy box. that's the elaborate box
00:06:53.202 --> 00:06:54.504
That's the elaborate box that held the bones
00:06:54.570 --> 00:06:55.538
That held the bones of caiaphas the high priest,
00:06:55.605 --> 00:06:58.574
Of caiaphas the high priest, a man who pushed
00:06:58.641 --> 00:06:59.208
A man who pushed pontius pilate to put
00:06:59.275 --> 00:07:00.176
Pontius pilate to put jesus on that cross.
00:07:00.243 --> 00:07:02.044
We literally have found, like,
00:07:02.144 --> 00:07:03.913
We literally have found, like, the place where jesus died,
00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:05.481
The place where jesus died, marked by historical record.
00:07:05.548 --> 00:07:06.949
Marked by historical record. the high priest who demanded his
00:07:07.016 --> 00:07:08.284
The high priest who demanded his death and the judean governor
00:07:08.351 --> 00:07:10.353
Death and the judean governor who allowed it.
00:07:10.419 --> 00:07:13.856
Who allowed it. and if you and i had two hours,
00:07:13.923 --> 00:07:14.824
And if you and i had two hours, i would nerd out on you
00:07:14.891 --> 00:07:16.225
I would nerd out on you so bad about all the other
00:07:16.292 --> 00:07:17.360
So bad about all the other rocks that we have found.
00:07:17.426 --> 00:07:19.095
Rocks that we have found. man, i love digging in the dirt,
00:07:19.161 --> 00:07:21.063
Man, i love digging in the dirt, because it gets me back
00:07:21.130 --> 00:07:21.864
Because it gets me back to the simple thing that
00:07:21.931 --> 00:07:22.765
To the simple thing that i'm no idiot for believing
00:07:22.832 --> 00:07:25.801
I'm no idiot for believing that jesus was born for me.
00:07:25.868 --> 00:07:28.938
That jesus was born for me. i'm not just spinning the wheel
00:07:29.005 --> 00:07:29.872
I'm not just spinning the wheel and picking a religion.
00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:30.907
And picking a religion. there's something historical,
00:07:30.973 --> 00:07:32.842
There's something historical, and beautiful, and evidential
00:07:32.909 --> 00:07:33.876
And beautiful, and evidential about the christian faith.
00:07:33.943 --> 00:07:36.178
About the christian faith. so, i just want to make you
00:07:36.245 --> 00:07:37.046
So, i just want to make you a quick offer.
00:07:37.113 --> 00:07:37.914
A quick offer. if you ever come to that
00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:38.648
If you ever come to that point in your life where you
00:07:38.714 --> 00:07:39.549
Point in your life where you question if this is true,
00:07:39.615 --> 00:07:42.785
Question if this is true, if any of you go
00:07:42.852 --> 00:07:43.386
If any of you go off to college and for
00:07:43.452 --> 00:07:44.120
Off to college and for the first time interact
00:07:44.186 --> 00:07:45.755
The first time interact with people of other faiths
00:07:45.821 --> 00:07:46.689
With people of other faiths or religions and say,
00:07:46.756 --> 00:07:47.657
Or religions and say, "why exactly am i a christian?"
00:07:47.723 --> 00:07:50.459
"why exactly am i a christian?" i want to throw open the door
00:07:50.526 --> 00:07:51.961
I want to throw open the door of this church and the doors
00:07:52.028 --> 00:07:53.996
Of this church and the doors of the offices of our pastors
00:07:54.063 --> 00:07:55.498
Of the offices of our pastors and say, "please ask us."
00:07:55.565 --> 00:07:58.868
And say, "please ask us." we will not say,
00:07:58.935 --> 00:07:59.602
We will not say, "well, just believe it!"
00:07:59.669 --> 00:08:02.305
"well, just believe it!" instead, we will do
00:08:02.371 --> 00:08:03.072
Instead, we will do what the first christians
00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:03.906
What the first christians did and say,
00:08:03.973 --> 00:08:04.640
Did and say, "here's the evidence of it."
00:08:04.707 --> 00:08:06.709
"here's the evidence of it." here's the compelling proof
00:08:06.776 --> 00:08:07.643
Here's the compelling proof why we believe god came down,
00:08:07.710 --> 00:08:10.079
Why we believe god came down, that jesus was born,
00:08:10.146 --> 00:08:10.780
That jesus was born, why he died,
00:08:10.846 --> 00:08:11.581
Why he died, why the tomb we believe
00:08:11.647 --> 00:08:13.115
Why the tomb we believe historically is empty.
00:08:13.182 --> 00:08:16.953
Historically is empty. because at the end of the day,
00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:17.820
Because at the end of the day, we know the most important
00:08:17.887 --> 00:08:18.588
We know the most important question you can ask about
00:08:18.654 --> 00:08:19.355
Question you can ask about christmas is this,
00:08:19.422 --> 00:08:20.590
Christmas is this, is it for real?
00:08:20.656 --> 00:08:23.259
Is it for real? and the first verse
00:08:23.326 --> 00:08:23.826
And the first verse of the new testament answers
00:08:23.893 --> 00:08:24.694
Of the new testament answers emphatically, yes.
00:08:24.760 --> 00:08:33.603
Emphatically, yes. which brings us
00:08:33.669 --> 00:08:34.170
Which brings us to question number two.
00:08:34.236 --> 00:08:36.505
To question number two. okay, it's true, but is it good
00:08:36.572 --> 00:08:38.941
For a person like you?"
00:08:39.041 --> 00:08:43.980
For a person like you?" abraham was the father of isaac,
00:08:44.046 --> 00:08:45.281
Abraham was the father of isaac, isaac the father of jacob,
00:08:45.348 --> 00:08:46.082
Isaac the father of jacob, jacob the father of judah
00:08:46.148 --> 00:08:46.882
Jacob the father of judah and his brothers,
00:08:46.949 --> 00:08:47.717
And his brothers, judah the father
00:08:47.783 --> 00:08:48.217
Judah the father of perez and zerah,
00:08:48.284 --> 00:08:49.018
Of perez and zerah, whose mother was tamar,
00:08:49.085 --> 00:08:50.586
Whose mother was tamar, perez the father of hezron,
00:08:50.653 --> 00:08:51.487
Perez the father of hezron, hezron the father of ram,
00:08:51.554 --> 00:08:52.321
Hezron the father of ram, ram the father of amminadab,
00:08:52.388 --> 00:08:53.923
Ram the father of amminadab, amminadab the father
00:08:53.990 --> 00:08:54.390
Amminadab the father of nahshon,
00:08:54.457 --> 00:08:54.857
Of nahshon, nahshon the father
00:08:54.924 --> 00:08:55.391
Nahshon the father of salmon,
00:08:55.458 --> 00:08:55.825
Of salmon, salmon the father of boaz,
00:08:55.891 --> 00:08:56.626
Salmon the father of boaz, whose mother was rahab,
00:08:56.692 --> 00:08:58.127
Whose mother was rahab, boaz the father of obed,
00:08:58.194 --> 00:08:58.828
Boaz the father of obed, whose mother was ruth,
00:08:58.894 --> 00:08:59.662
Whose mother was ruth, obed the father of jesse,
00:08:59.729 --> 00:09:00.396
Obed the father of jesse, and jesse the father
00:09:00.463 --> 00:09:00.963
And jesse the father of king david.
00:09:01.030 --> 00:09:03.032
Of king david. david was the father of solomon,
00:09:03.099 --> 00:09:03.833
David was the father of solomon, whose mother had been
00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:04.667
Whose mother had been uriah's wife,
00:09:04.734 --> 00:09:05.901
Uriah's wife, solomon the father of rehoboam,
00:09:05.968 --> 00:09:06.936
Solomon the father of rehoboam, rehoboam the father of abijah,
00:09:07.003 --> 00:09:08.404
Rehoboam the father of abijah, abijah the father of asa,
00:09:08.471 --> 00:09:09.205
Abijah the father of asa, asa the father of jehoshaphat,
00:09:09.271 --> 00:09:10.439
Asa the father of jehoshaphat, jehoshaphat
00:09:10.506 --> 00:09:10.906
Jehoshaphat the father of jehoram,
00:09:10.973 --> 00:09:11.674
The father of jehoram, jehoram the father
00:09:11.741 --> 00:09:12.174
Jehoram the father of uzziah,
00:09:12.241 --> 00:09:12.742
Of uzziah, uzziah the father
00:09:12.808 --> 00:09:13.342
Uzziah the father of jotham,
00:09:13.409 --> 00:09:13.743
Of jotham, jotham the father of ahaz,
00:09:13.809 --> 00:09:14.610
Jotham the father of ahaz, ahaz the father of hezekiah,
00:09:14.677 --> 00:09:15.645
Ahaz the father of hezekiah, hezekiah the father
00:09:15.711 --> 00:09:16.245
Hezekiah the father of manasseh,
00:09:16.312 --> 00:09:16.712
Of manasseh, manasseh the father of amon,
00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:17.413
Manasseh the father of amon, amon the father of josiah,
00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:18.147
Amon the father of josiah, and josiah the father
00:09:18.214 --> 00:09:18.848
And josiah the father of jeconiah and his brothers
00:09:18.914 --> 00:09:19.815
Of jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile
00:09:19.882 --> 00:09:20.549
At the time of the exile to babylon."
00:09:20.616 --> 00:09:22.451
To babylon." you with me?
00:09:22.518 --> 00:09:23.052
You with me? "after the exile to babylon:
00:09:23.119 --> 00:09:23.886
"after the exile to babylon: jeconiah was
00:09:23.953 --> 00:09:24.420
Jeconiah was the father of shealtiel,
00:09:24.487 --> 00:09:25.054
The father of shealtiel, shealtiel the father
00:09:25.121 --> 00:09:25.621
Shealtiel the father of zerubbabel,
00:09:25.688 --> 00:09:26.122
Of zerubbabel, zerubbabel
00:09:26.188 --> 00:09:26.889
Zerubbabel the father of abihud,
00:09:26.956 --> 00:09:27.657
The father of abihud, abihud the father of eliakim,
00:09:27.723 --> 00:09:28.791
Abihud the father of eliakim, eliakim the father of azor,
00:09:28.858 --> 00:09:29.892
Eliakim the father of azor, azor the father of zadok,
00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:30.760
Azor the father of zadok, zadok the father of akim,
00:09:30.826 --> 00:09:33.029
Zadok the father of akim, akim the father of elihud,
00:09:33.095 --> 00:09:33.896
Akim the father of elihud, elihud the father of eleazar,
00:09:33.963 --> 00:09:34.797
Elihud the father of eleazar, eleazar the father of matthan,
00:09:34.864 --> 00:09:35.798
Eleazar the father of matthan, matthan the father of jacob,
00:09:35.865 --> 00:09:36.666
Matthan the father of jacob, and jacob the father of joseph,
00:09:36.732 --> 00:09:37.900
And jacob the father of joseph, the husband of mary,
00:09:37.967 --> 00:09:38.734
The husband of mary, and mary was the mother of jesus
00:09:38.801 --> 00:09:41.103
And mary was the mother of jesus who is called the messiah.
00:09:41.170 --> 00:09:42.505
Who is called the messiah. thus there were
00:09:42.571 --> 00:09:43.172
Thus there were fourteen generations in all
00:09:43.239 --> 00:09:44.206
Fourteen generations in all from abraham to david,
00:09:44.273 --> 00:09:45.174
From abraham to david, fourteen from david
00:09:45.241 --> 00:09:46.409
Fourteen from david to the exile to babylon,
00:09:46.475 --> 00:09:47.109
To the exile to babylon, and fourteen from
00:09:47.176 --> 00:09:48.110
And fourteen from the exile to the messiah."
00:09:48.177 --> 00:09:50.112
As i read that long list
00:09:50.212 --> 00:09:50.846
As i read that long list of rather difficult
00:09:50.913 --> 00:09:52.048
Of rather difficult to pronounce names,
00:09:52.114 --> 00:09:54.216
To pronounce names, i came to the conclusion
00:09:54.283 --> 00:09:55.051
I came to the conclusion that christmas is for us.
00:09:55.117 --> 00:10:00.389
That christmas is for us. and if you have
00:10:00.456 --> 00:10:00.923
And if you have a pen in your hand,
00:10:00.990 --> 00:10:01.557
A pen in your hand, i'd love you to write down
00:10:01.624 --> 00:10:02.291
I'd love you to write down the reason why, because this
00:10:02.358 --> 00:10:03.225
The reason why, because this list is filled with nobodies
00:10:03.292 --> 00:10:08.531
List is filled with nobodies and with naughty people.
00:10:08.597 --> 00:10:13.436
And with naughty people. there are so many nobodies
00:10:13.502 --> 00:10:14.970
There are so many nobodies on this list.
00:10:15.037 --> 00:10:16.572
On this list. there's some "a" list
00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.673
There's some "a" list old testament influencers
00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.808
Old testament influencers like abraham, and isaac,
00:10:18.874 --> 00:10:20.209
Like abraham, and isaac, and jacob, and king david,
00:10:20.276 --> 00:10:21.610
And jacob, and king david, but how many of you could update
00:10:21.677 --> 00:10:23.345
But how many of you could update the wikipedia page for hezron,
00:10:23.412 --> 00:10:26.382
The wikipedia page for hezron, nashon, or salmon?
00:10:26.449 --> 00:10:30.820
Nashon, or salmon? yeah, i couldn't either.
00:10:30.886 --> 00:10:33.456
Yeah, i couldn't either. and so, the interesting
00:10:33.522 --> 00:10:34.290
And so, the interesting christian question is,
00:10:34.356 --> 00:10:35.157
Christian question is, then why are they here?
00:10:35.224 --> 00:10:37.927
Then why are they here? in ancient genealogies,
00:10:37.993 --> 00:10:38.994
In ancient genealogies, historians never intended
00:10:39.061 --> 00:10:40.763
Historians never intended to put every generation from
00:10:40.830 --> 00:10:42.898
To put every generation from point "a" to point "b,"
00:10:42.965 --> 00:10:44.166
Point "a" to point "b," they would pick and choose
00:10:44.233 --> 00:10:45.367
They would pick and choose to try to make a point that
00:10:45.434 --> 00:10:46.335
To try to make a point that certain people were on the list.
00:10:46.402 --> 00:10:47.603
Certain people were on the list. so, if matthew had all
00:10:47.670 --> 00:10:48.938
So, if matthew had all the flexibility to leave some
00:10:49.004 --> 00:10:50.372
The flexibility to leave some names in and leave them out,
00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:51.907
Names in and leave them out, why would he risk you zoning out
00:10:51.974 --> 00:10:54.810
Why would he risk you zoning out to fill the first page of his
00:10:54.877 --> 00:10:55.911
To fill the first page of his gospel with so many nobodies?
00:10:55.978 --> 00:10:59.248
Gospel with so many nobodies? he could have just said,
00:10:59.315 --> 00:11:00.015
He could have just said, "jesus is the son of david,
00:11:00.082 --> 00:11:01.217
"jesus is the son of david, the son of abraham,
00:11:01.283 --> 00:11:01.717
The son of abraham, and here's how he was born."
00:11:01.784 --> 00:11:04.587
And here's how he was born." but instead he risks losing
00:11:04.653 --> 00:11:05.654
But instead he risks losing the reader by putting name
00:11:05.721 --> 00:11:07.389
The reader by putting name after name, after name,
00:11:07.456 --> 00:11:08.023
After name, after name, after name that most
00:11:08.090 --> 00:11:08.924
After name that most of us would say,
00:11:08.991 --> 00:11:09.592
Of us would say, "i have no clue
00:11:09.658 --> 00:11:10.893
"i have no clue who these people are."
00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:14.063
Who these people are." here's my theory,
00:11:14.130 --> 00:11:15.965
Here's my theory, i think matthew did that because
00:11:16.031 --> 00:11:16.999
I think matthew did that because from the start he wants you
00:11:17.066 --> 00:11:18.167
From the start he wants you to know that jesus can turn
00:11:18.234 --> 00:11:20.102
To know that jesus can turn nobodies into somebody.
00:11:20.169 --> 00:11:25.708
Nobodies into somebody. and through a connection
00:11:25.775 --> 00:11:26.342
And through a connection to jesus people who are nobody
00:11:26.408 --> 00:11:27.209
To jesus people who are nobody in the eyes of the world
00:11:27.276 --> 00:11:29.111
In the eyes of the world become somebody very precious
00:11:29.178 --> 00:11:32.515
Become somebody very precious to our father in heaven.
00:11:32.581 --> 00:11:35.684
To our father in heaven. that you don't
00:11:35.751 --> 00:11:36.152
That you don't have to be famous,
00:11:36.218 --> 00:11:37.419
Have to be famous, you don't have
00:11:37.486 --> 00:11:37.887
You don't have to have influence,
00:11:37.953 --> 00:11:38.554
To have influence, you don't have to be rich,
00:11:38.621 --> 00:11:39.989
You don't have to be rich, your name doesn't have
00:11:40.055 --> 00:11:40.923
Your name doesn't have to be known by anyone
00:11:40.990 --> 00:11:42.825
To be known by anyone but god in his goodness and love
00:11:42.892 --> 00:11:44.627
And grace knows our names.
00:11:44.727 --> 00:11:49.265
About a year ago i had
00:11:49.331 --> 00:11:50.699
An interesting conversation
00:11:50.766 --> 00:11:51.467
With a friend of mine
00:11:51.534 --> 00:11:52.802
Who's a pastor at a local
00:11:52.868 --> 00:11:53.803
Christian high school.
00:11:53.903 --> 00:11:56.505
Christian high school. he mentioned that after all
00:11:56.572 --> 00:11:57.807
He mentioned that after all these years of seeing hundreds
00:11:57.873 --> 00:11:59.141
These years of seeing hundreds and hundreds and hundreds
00:11:59.208 --> 00:12:00.075
And hundreds and hundreds of teenage young men and women,
00:12:00.142 --> 00:12:04.346
Of teenage young men and women, that he came to this conclusion
00:12:04.413 --> 00:12:06.849
That he came to this conclusion that if a kid is not smart,
00:12:06.916 --> 00:12:09.819
That if a kid is not smart, not athletic, not musical or not
00:12:09.885 --> 00:12:13.455
Not athletic, not musical or not beautiful, high school
00:12:13.522 --> 00:12:16.692
Beautiful, high school can be really hard.
00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.830
Can be really hard. that is, people,
00:12:20.896 --> 00:12:21.564
That is, people, even young christian people,
00:12:21.630 --> 00:12:22.731
Even young christian people, are searching for
00:12:22.798 --> 00:12:23.599
Are searching for their identity.
00:12:23.666 --> 00:12:24.366
Their identity. they're trying to figure out
00:12:24.433 --> 00:12:25.034
They're trying to figure out who am i and why do i matter
00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.502
Who am i and why do i matter in the world?
00:12:26.569 --> 00:12:27.236
In the world? what's the point
00:12:27.303 --> 00:12:27.837
What's the point of me being here?
00:12:27.903 --> 00:12:29.271
Of me being here? that if they're one
00:12:29.338 --> 00:12:30.239
That if they're one of those four things
00:12:30.306 --> 00:12:30.973
Of those four things or any combination of them,
00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.674
Or any combination of them, they often find an answer
00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.708
They often find an answer to that question.
00:12:32.775 --> 00:12:35.211
To that question. if you're smart,
00:12:35.277 --> 00:12:36.245
If you're smart, killed it on the act,
00:12:36.312 --> 00:12:37.546
Killed it on the act, if your gpa is amazing,
00:12:37.613 --> 00:12:38.581
If your gpa is amazing, if you're giving
00:12:38.647 --> 00:12:39.081
If you're giving the valedictorian speech,
00:12:39.148 --> 00:12:39.849
The valedictorian speech, if the teacher's literally
00:12:39.915 --> 00:12:40.916
If the teacher's literally writing you notes,
00:12:40.983 --> 00:12:41.517
Writing you notes, "this is an amazing essay."
00:12:41.584 --> 00:12:43.619
"this is an amazing essay." just the praise
00:12:43.686 --> 00:12:44.286
Just the praise and the attention
00:12:44.353 --> 00:12:45.287
And the attention and the affirmation,
00:12:45.354 --> 00:12:45.988
And the affirmation, it makes you feel like someone.
00:12:46.055 --> 00:12:49.291
It makes you feel like someone. or if you're athletic,
00:12:49.358 --> 00:12:49.892
Or if you're athletic, if you're wearing
00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:52.194
If you're wearing the varsity jersey as
00:12:52.261 --> 00:12:53.062
The varsity jersey as you walk through the halls,
00:12:53.128 --> 00:12:53.929
You walk through the halls, if people know that you're
00:12:53.996 --> 00:12:55.264
If people know that you're the guy that no one can tackle.
00:12:55.331 --> 00:12:57.800
The guy that no one can tackle. if you're the middle blocker
00:12:57.867 --> 00:12:58.434
If you're the middle blocker that gets up and stuffs
00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.568
That gets up and stuffs the point and everyone
00:12:59.635 --> 00:13:00.402
The point and everyone cheers your name.
00:13:00.469 --> 00:13:01.604
Cheers your name. if you get the starting spot,
00:13:01.670 --> 00:13:02.471
If you get the starting spot, the all conference,
00:13:02.538 --> 00:13:03.339
The all conference, like, you're somebody.
00:13:03.405 --> 00:13:07.076
Like, you're somebody. if you're musical, you can
00:13:07.142 --> 00:13:09.645
If you're musical, you can pick up a guitar and like
00:13:09.712 --> 00:13:11.947
Pick up a guitar and like people hold their breath.
00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:12.915
People hold their breath. if you can sing
00:13:12.982 --> 00:13:13.449
If you can sing a solo for the choir,
00:13:13.515 --> 00:13:14.717
A solo for the choir, if you can have a leading role
00:13:14.783 --> 00:13:15.651
If you can have a leading role in the school musical,
00:13:15.718 --> 00:13:16.652
In the school musical, you get praise and attention.
00:13:16.719 --> 00:13:18.020
You get praise and attention. and if you're beautiful,
00:13:18.087 --> 00:13:19.121
And if you're beautiful, everyone wants to take you
00:13:19.188 --> 00:13:19.889
Everyone wants to take you to homecoming.
00:13:19.955 --> 00:13:20.623
To homecoming. if, like, girls whisper
00:13:20.689 --> 00:13:21.991
If, like, girls whisper about you when you walk past
00:13:22.057 --> 00:13:23.158
About you when you walk past in the hallway, like, well,
00:13:23.225 --> 00:13:24.693
In the hallway, like, well, just kind of feel good
00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:25.728
Just kind of feel good about yourself.
00:13:25.794 --> 00:13:26.095
About yourself. but if you're not
00:13:26.161 --> 00:13:26.595
But if you're not any of those things,
00:13:26.662 --> 00:13:28.898
Any of those things, if you're a "c" student
00:13:28.964 --> 00:13:31.000
If you're a "c" student who can't hold a tune,
00:13:31.066 --> 00:13:33.102
Who can't hold a tune, who got cut from jv and who
00:13:33.168 --> 00:13:34.536
Who got cut from jv and who doesn't have a date to prom,
00:13:34.603 --> 00:13:37.640
Doesn't have a date to prom, you might look yourself
00:13:37.706 --> 00:13:38.874
You might look yourself in the mirror and say,
00:13:38.941 --> 00:13:40.509
In the mirror and say, "who am i?
00:13:40.576 --> 00:13:43.279
"who am i? does my life
00:13:43.345 --> 00:13:43.846
Does my life really matter that much?"
00:13:43.913 --> 00:13:47.416
Really matter that much?" you know, my friend brad told me
00:13:47.483 --> 00:13:48.617
You know, my friend brad told me about that i thought,
00:13:48.684 --> 00:13:50.452
About that i thought, "i think that's not
00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.353
"i think that's not a teenage thing,
00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:52.087
A teenage thing, i think that's a human thing."
00:13:52.154 --> 00:13:55.324
I think that's a human thing." maybe the categories change
00:13:55.391 --> 00:13:57.359
Maybe the categories change as we get older.
00:13:57.426 --> 00:13:58.694
As we get older. maybe we think more
00:13:58.761 --> 00:13:59.361
Maybe we think more of beauty and family
00:13:59.428 --> 00:14:01.730
Of beauty and family and success and influence,
00:14:01.797 --> 00:14:06.135
And success and influence, but all of us maybe wrestle
00:14:06.201 --> 00:14:07.469
But all of us maybe wrestle with, like, who am i?
00:14:07.536 --> 00:14:08.837
With, like, who am i? why do i matter?
00:14:08.904 --> 00:14:09.872
Why do i matter? what's the point?
00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.572
What's the point? does anyone care about me?
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:14.944
Does anyone care about me? and this is why i love
00:14:15.010 --> 00:14:15.778
And this is why i love the genealogy of jesus.
00:14:15.844 --> 00:14:19.248
The genealogy of jesus. matthew just could have
00:14:19.315 --> 00:14:20.115
Matthew just could have listed the "a" listers
00:14:20.182 --> 00:14:21.417
Listed the "a" listers from the old testament,
00:14:21.483 --> 00:14:22.451
From the old testament, but instead, he drops in
00:14:22.518 --> 00:14:23.719
But instead, he drops in all of these names so that
00:14:23.786 --> 00:14:24.586
All of these names so that you would know that
00:14:24.653 --> 00:14:25.754
You would know that if you have jesus,
00:14:25.821 --> 00:14:27.256
If you have jesus, you're never a nobody.
00:14:27.323 --> 00:14:30.292
You're never a nobody. that jesus turns
00:14:30.359 --> 00:14:31.093
That jesus turns nobodies into somebodies.
00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:32.895
Nobodies into somebodies. you could walk into
00:14:32.962 --> 00:14:33.696
You could walk into a local mcdonald's
00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:34.897
A local mcdonald's and no one would even
00:14:34.964 --> 00:14:35.664
And no one would even look up from their
00:14:35.731 --> 00:14:36.231
Look up from their chicken nuggets to look at you
00:14:36.298 --> 00:14:37.633
Chicken nuggets to look at you it doesn't matter to god.
00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:40.069
It doesn't matter to god. you get the full attention
00:14:40.135 --> 00:14:40.736
You get the full attention of a father in heaven,
00:14:40.803 --> 00:14:42.371
Of a father in heaven, you don't have
00:14:42.438 --> 00:14:42.771
You don't have to increase your gpa,
00:14:42.838 --> 00:14:43.672
To increase your gpa, boost your influence,
00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:45.007
Boost your influence, or have 1,000 more people
00:14:45.074 --> 00:14:46.008
Or have 1,000 more people following you on instagram
00:14:46.075 --> 00:14:47.743
Following you on instagram because of what jesus did.
00:14:47.810 --> 00:14:50.546
Because of what jesus did. people who are no one in
00:14:50.612 --> 00:14:51.313
People who are no one in the eyes of the world are
00:14:51.380 --> 00:14:52.281
The eyes of the world are someone treasured and special
00:14:52.348 --> 00:14:54.450
Someone treasured and special and beautiful to god.
00:14:54.516 --> 00:14:58.087
And beautiful to god. listen, you're going to find --
00:14:58.153 --> 00:14:59.288
Listen, you're going to find -- going to try to find identity
00:14:59.355 --> 00:15:00.622
Going to try to find identity in something in your life.
00:15:00.689 --> 00:15:03.192
In something in your life. you're going
00:15:03.258 --> 00:15:03.692
You're going to work crazy hours,
00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.426
To work crazy hours, you're going to go on
00:15:04.493 --> 00:15:05.527
You're going to go on a crash diet and hit the gym.
00:15:05.594 --> 00:15:07.196
A crash diet and hit the gym. you're going to try to be
00:15:07.262 --> 00:15:08.197
You're going to try to be successful in your field.
00:15:08.263 --> 00:15:09.064
Successful in your field. you're going to find, you know,
00:15:09.131 --> 00:15:10.532
You're going to find, you know, miss perfect and have
00:15:10.599 --> 00:15:11.500
Miss perfect and have a great family.
00:15:11.567 --> 00:15:12.234
A great family. do not, please, do not
00:15:12.301 --> 00:15:13.736
Do not, please, do not at the end of the day think
00:15:13.802 --> 00:15:14.803
At the end of the day think that you matter because
00:15:14.870 --> 00:15:15.738
That you matter because of anything like that.
00:15:15.804 --> 00:15:16.872
Of anything like that. instead find your true peace
00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:18.874
Instead find your true peace and your lasting joy
00:15:18.941 --> 00:15:20.376
And your lasting joy in the promise that if you
00:15:20.442 --> 00:15:21.343
In the promise that if you have a connection to jesus,
00:15:21.410 --> 00:15:22.644
Have a connection to jesus, your name is something special
00:15:22.711 --> 00:15:24.847
Your name is something special in the eyes of our
00:15:24.913 --> 00:15:25.714
In the eyes of our heavenly father.
00:15:25.781 --> 00:15:31.687
But i notice it's not
00:15:31.787 --> 00:15:32.588
But i notice it's not just nobodies on this list,
00:15:32.654 --> 00:15:35.157
Just nobodies on this list, it's also very naughty people.
00:15:35.224 --> 00:15:39.728
I remember 15 years ago, a guy
00:15:39.828 --> 00:15:41.930
I remember 15 years ago, a guy came to our church named tj.
00:15:41.997 --> 00:15:43.465
Came to our church named tj. he'd never read
00:15:43.532 --> 00:15:43.999
He'd never read the bible before,
00:15:44.066 --> 00:15:44.633
The bible before, brand-new to christianity,
00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.734
Brand-new to christianity, and i challenged him
00:15:45.801 --> 00:15:46.335
And i challenged him to read the whole book.
00:15:46.402 --> 00:15:47.536
To read the whole book. he read through
00:15:47.603 --> 00:15:47.936
He read through the entire new testament
00:15:48.003 --> 00:15:48.637
The entire new testament or old testament
00:15:48.704 --> 00:15:49.671
Or old testament and at the end of it,
00:15:49.738 --> 00:15:50.572
And at the end of it, you know what he said to me?
00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.940
You know what he said to me? "pastor mike, where are all
00:15:52.007 --> 00:15:54.243
"pastor mike, where are all the good people?"
00:15:54.309 --> 00:15:58.480
The good people?" i mean, you know, these stories,
00:15:58.547 --> 00:16:00.549
I mean, you know, these stories, abraham was going to be
00:16:00.616 --> 00:16:01.950
Abraham was going to be the father of the jewish nation,
00:16:02.017 --> 00:16:03.619
The father of the jewish nation, but he didn't trust
00:16:03.685 --> 00:16:04.153
But he didn't trust god's promise.
00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:04.686
God's promise. so, he slept
00:16:04.753 --> 00:16:05.621
So, he slept with like his maidservant
00:16:05.687 --> 00:16:06.789
With like his maidservant and got her pregnant
00:16:06.855 --> 00:16:07.656
And got her pregnant because he didn't trust god.
00:16:07.723 --> 00:16:09.558
Because he didn't trust god. jacob was a notorious liar.
00:16:09.625 --> 00:16:10.859
Jacob was a notorious liar. he didn't just lie
00:16:10.926 --> 00:16:11.593
He didn't just lie to his enemies,
00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.227
To his enemies, he lied to his own
00:16:12.294 --> 00:16:13.195
He lied to his own brother and in fact,
00:16:13.262 --> 00:16:14.196
Brother and in fact, to his aging father
00:16:14.263 --> 00:16:15.464
To his aging father who couldn't see well enough
00:16:15.531 --> 00:16:17.266
Who couldn't see well enough to know if this was
00:16:17.332 --> 00:16:18.033
To know if this was the right son.
00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.401
The right son. do you know about judah?
00:16:19.468 --> 00:16:21.737
Do you know about judah? he apparently had
00:16:21.804 --> 00:16:22.571
He apparently had a prostitute problem.
00:16:22.638 --> 00:16:24.706
A prostitute problem. you just know that
00:16:24.773 --> 00:16:25.274
You just know that the one prostitute he slept
00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.008
The one prostitute he slept with listed here, tamar,
00:16:26.075 --> 00:16:27.409
With listed here, tamar, was actually related to him.
00:16:27.476 --> 00:16:29.144
Was actually related to him. you know the story
00:16:29.211 --> 00:16:29.711
You know the story of king david,
00:16:29.778 --> 00:16:32.347
Of king david, a powerful but perverted man
00:16:32.414 --> 00:16:34.249
A powerful but perverted man who looked lustfully at a woman,
00:16:34.316 --> 00:16:35.284
Who looked lustfully at a woman, found out that she was married,
00:16:35.350 --> 00:16:36.552
Found out that she was married, and didn't let the ring
00:16:36.618 --> 00:16:37.519
And didn't let the ring on her finger stop him from
00:16:37.586 --> 00:16:39.054
On her finger stop him from getting her pregnant.
00:16:39.121 --> 00:16:41.623
Getting her pregnant. these were not just like,
00:16:41.690 --> 00:16:43.592
These were not just like, unknown, really nice people
00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.294
Unknown, really nice people from ancient times.
00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.495
From ancient times. these were messed up,
00:16:46.562 --> 00:16:48.330
These were messed up, often sexually dysfunctional,
00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:50.365
Often sexually dysfunctional, bad, sinful people.
00:16:50.432 --> 00:16:54.336
Bad, sinful people. and yet, here they are
00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:56.105
And yet, here they are on the first page
00:16:56.171 --> 00:16:56.939
On the first page of the new testament.
00:16:57.005 --> 00:17:01.743
Of the new testament. and the other day,
00:17:01.810 --> 00:17:03.145
And the other day, as i was thinking about
00:17:03.212 --> 00:17:03.779
As i was thinking about nice and naughty people,
00:17:03.846 --> 00:17:04.680
Nice and naughty people, i decided to ask
00:17:04.746 --> 00:17:05.781
I decided to ask a very specific question
00:17:05.848 --> 00:17:06.915
A very specific question to santa claus.
00:17:06.982 --> 00:17:10.552
To santa claus. i'll show you a picture.
00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.186
I'll show you a picture. some of you know that
00:17:11.253 --> 00:17:11.920
Some of you know that i got punked for my birthday
00:17:11.987 --> 00:17:13.222
I got punked for my birthday a couple weeks ago and my
00:17:13.288 --> 00:17:15.057
A couple weeks ago and my friends turned my office
00:17:15.124 --> 00:17:16.391
Friends turned my office into a winter wonderland.
00:17:16.458 --> 00:17:17.726
[laughter]
00:17:18.060 --> 00:17:19.328
It was so beautiful.
00:17:19.828 --> 00:17:20.963
It was so beautiful. i'm talking ten christmas trees,
00:17:21.029 --> 00:17:22.464
I'm talking ten christmas trees, all the books from my library
00:17:22.531 --> 00:17:23.966
Wrapped in presents.
00:17:24.066 --> 00:17:25.300
Wrapped in presents. took me what, eight
00:17:25.367 --> 00:17:26.168
Took me what, eight or nine hours to clean up.
00:17:26.235 --> 00:17:27.369
Or nine hours to clean up. but the part that got me
00:17:27.436 --> 00:17:28.470
But the part that got me the most was that
00:17:28.537 --> 00:17:29.271
The most was that they rented a santa.
00:17:29.338 --> 00:17:31.940
They rented a santa. i opened my door and there's
00:17:32.007 --> 00:17:33.709
I opened my door and there's santa and he says,
00:17:33.775 --> 00:17:35.477
Santa and he says, "merry birthday, mike!"
00:17:35.544 --> 00:17:37.045
So, i had santa for
00:17:39.414 --> 00:17:40.382
30 minutes to myself
00:17:40.482 --> 00:17:41.583
30 minutes to myself so i started to grill him
00:17:41.650 --> 00:17:42.351
So i started to grill him with some theological questions.
00:17:42.417 --> 00:17:44.686
With some theological questions. first i asked him
00:17:44.753 --> 00:17:45.354
First i asked him if his elves could help me
00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.221
If his elves could help me clean up my office.
00:17:46.288 --> 00:17:47.322
Clean up my office. he said, "no, they were very
00:17:47.389 --> 00:17:48.056
He said, "no, they were very busy this time of season."
00:17:48.123 --> 00:17:49.057
Busy this time of season." i asked santa what
00:17:49.124 --> 00:17:50.092
I asked santa what his favorite gospel was.
00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:52.261
His favorite gospel was. he said, "away in a manger."
00:17:52.327 --> 00:17:54.796
He said, "away in a manger." i said, "oh santa, i have so
00:17:54.863 --> 00:17:55.898
I said, "oh santa, i have so much to teach you."
00:17:55.964 --> 00:17:56.498
[laughter]
00:17:56.865 --> 00:17:57.799
But then i asked him
00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.534
But then i asked him the big question i wanted
00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.168
The big question i wanted to ask him, i said,
00:17:59.234 --> 00:17:59.835
To ask him, i said, "santa, tell me about this
00:17:59.902 --> 00:18:00.736
"santa, tell me about this naughty and nice list,
00:18:00.802 --> 00:18:01.904
Naughty and nice list, and be good for goodness sake."
00:18:01.970 --> 00:18:03.338
And be good for goodness sake." that sounds more like karma
00:18:03.405 --> 00:18:04.239
That sounds more like karma than god's grace.
00:18:04.306 --> 00:18:05.607
Than god's grace. and you know what
00:18:05.674 --> 00:18:06.308
And you know what santa said to me?
00:18:06.375 --> 00:18:08.210
Santa said to me? he said, "ah mike,
00:18:08.277 --> 00:18:08.810
He said, "ah mike, times have changed.
00:18:08.877 --> 00:18:10.279
Times have changed. we really don't have
00:18:10.345 --> 00:18:10.979
We really don't have a naughty list anymore,
00:18:11.046 --> 00:18:12.514
A naughty list anymore, we just have a 'really nice'
00:18:12.581 --> 00:18:13.849
We just have a 'really nice' list and a 'kind of nice' list."
00:18:13.916 --> 00:18:19.321
List and a 'kind of nice' list." and i thought, "santa,
00:18:19.388 --> 00:18:20.222
And i thought, "santa, you probably give out
00:18:20.289 --> 00:18:20.856
You probably give out participation trophies too."
00:18:20.923 --> 00:18:22.391
Participation trophies too." come on, man.
00:18:22.457 --> 00:18:22.858
[laughing]
00:18:23.225 --> 00:18:24.326
I appreciate
00:18:28.096 --> 00:18:28.463
I appreciate st. nick's positivity,
00:18:28.530 --> 00:18:29.198
St. nick's positivity, but i think you and i
00:18:29.264 --> 00:18:31.767
But i think you and i are smart enough to know
00:18:31.833 --> 00:18:32.434
Are smart enough to know that that's not true.
00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:34.770
That that's not true. we might try to repackage
00:18:34.836 --> 00:18:36.338
We might try to repackage or move the scale,
00:18:36.405 --> 00:18:37.439
Or move the scale, but some things
00:18:37.506 --> 00:18:38.073
But some things really are not nice.
00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:41.810
Really are not nice. some of the things that people
00:18:41.877 --> 00:18:42.578
Some of the things that people say to us or that we say
00:18:42.644 --> 00:18:43.912
Say to us or that we say to other people are not nice.
00:18:43.979 --> 00:18:46.315
To other people are not nice. some of the things that happen
00:18:46.381 --> 00:18:47.049
Some of the things that happen during the holiday season
00:18:47.115 --> 00:18:49.384
During the holiday season are not nice.
00:18:49.451 --> 00:18:52.521
Are not nice. i mean, the holidays can be
00:18:52.588 --> 00:18:53.255
I mean, the holidays can be a spiritually tempting time.
00:18:53.322 --> 00:18:57.426
A spiritually tempting time. like when we overindulge
00:18:57.492 --> 00:18:58.093
Like when we overindulge and we eat too much
00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.094
And we eat too much and we drink too much,
00:18:59.161 --> 00:18:59.761
And we drink too much, and we spend too much,
00:18:59.828 --> 00:19:00.762
And we spend too much, and then we pray in january
00:19:00.829 --> 00:19:02.097
And then we pray in january that god would bail us out
00:19:02.164 --> 00:19:03.031
That god would bail us out from our financial debt
00:19:03.098 --> 00:19:04.433
From our financial debt and our diabetes.
00:19:04.499 --> 00:19:07.202
And our diabetes. sometimes, christmas tempts us
00:19:07.269 --> 00:19:09.137
Sometimes, christmas tempts us to be super controlling.
00:19:09.204 --> 00:19:10.405
To be super controlling. we have this vision of how
00:19:10.472 --> 00:19:11.340
We have this vision of how the family christmas should be
00:19:11.406 --> 00:19:12.574
The family christmas should be and who should come and when
00:19:12.641 --> 00:19:13.475
And who should come and when we're going to leave.
00:19:13.542 --> 00:19:14.142
We're going to leave. and if someone doesn't submit
00:19:14.209 --> 00:19:15.410
And if someone doesn't submit to the plan that we created
00:19:15.477 --> 00:19:16.378
To the plan that we created in our own minds we get
00:19:16.445 --> 00:19:17.145
In our own minds we get impatient and unkind,
00:19:17.212 --> 00:19:20.115
Impatient and unkind, which is not nice.
00:19:20.182 --> 00:19:21.216
Which is not nice. sometimes the --
00:19:21.283 --> 00:19:22.284
Sometimes the -- all the gratitude
00:19:22.351 --> 00:19:23.218
All the gratitude of the thanksgiving season
00:19:23.285 --> 00:19:24.486
Of the thanksgiving season disappears as soon as we get
00:19:24.553 --> 00:19:25.554
Disappears as soon as we get that christmas list
00:19:25.621 --> 00:19:26.521
That christmas list and we have expectations
00:19:26.588 --> 00:19:27.623
And we have expectations and desires, and wants.
00:19:27.689 --> 00:19:28.991
And desires, and wants. we think about what
00:19:29.057 --> 00:19:29.825
We think about what we don't yet have instead
00:19:29.891 --> 00:19:31.426
We don't yet have instead of everything that god has
00:19:31.493 --> 00:19:32.261
Of everything that god has given to us in his son, jesus.
00:19:32.327 --> 00:19:35.230
Given to us in his son, jesus. the fact is, no matter what
00:19:35.297 --> 00:19:37.332
The fact is, no matter what santa claus told me that
00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.200
Santa claus told me that there really are naughty things
00:19:38.267 --> 00:19:39.901
There really are naughty things and there really are
00:19:39.968 --> 00:19:40.502
And there really are sinful people.
00:19:40.569 --> 00:19:43.872
Sinful people. and the more we take
00:19:43.939 --> 00:19:44.506
And the more we take the filters off and we're
00:19:44.573 --> 00:19:45.440
The filters off and we're honest about our own sins.
00:19:45.507 --> 00:19:46.608
Honest about our own sins. as more we operate
00:19:46.675 --> 00:19:47.743
As more we operate not by modern standards
00:19:47.809 --> 00:19:48.744
Not by modern standards that everything's okay
00:19:48.810 --> 00:19:49.578
That everything's okay and it's just brokenness
00:19:49.645 --> 00:19:50.679
And it's just brokenness and not sinfulness.
00:19:50.746 --> 00:19:52.748
And not sinfulness. but when we really take
00:19:52.814 --> 00:19:53.815
But when we really take the filter off
00:19:53.882 --> 00:19:54.716
The filter off and look ourselves
00:19:54.783 --> 00:19:55.284
And look ourselves in the mirror we might ask
00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:56.585
In the mirror we might ask that big christmas question,
00:19:56.652 --> 00:19:57.653
That big christmas question, is this all for me?
00:19:57.719 --> 00:20:01.990
Is this all for me? man, a guy who's tried
00:20:02.057 --> 00:20:02.991
Man, a guy who's tried for so long to change
00:20:03.058 --> 00:20:04.192
For so long to change so many things and has
00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.427
So many things and has made such little pro --
00:20:05.494 --> 00:20:06.428
Made such little pro -- like, is this really for me or
00:20:06.495 --> 00:20:08.196
Like, is this really for me or is jesus for better people?
00:20:08.263 --> 00:20:14.269
Is jesus for better people? and then, i open
00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:14.770
And then, i open the new testament,
00:20:14.836 --> 00:20:17.439
The new testament, and i learn that
00:20:17.506 --> 00:20:17.939
And i learn that jesus, the messiah,
00:20:18.006 --> 00:20:18.874
Jesus, the messiah, is the son of david,
00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:21.410
Is the son of david, the adulterer and the murderer.
00:20:21.476 --> 00:20:22.544
The adulterer and the murderer. he's the son of abraham,
00:20:22.611 --> 00:20:23.412
He's the son of abraham, the man who didn't trust him
00:20:23.478 --> 00:20:25.714
The man who didn't trust him and gave into his desires.
00:20:25.781 --> 00:20:26.848
And gave into his desires. i realize that jesus is not
00:20:26.915 --> 00:20:28.183
I realize that jesus is not ashamed to have his name next
00:20:28.250 --> 00:20:30.886
Ashamed to have his name next to notorious sinners.
00:20:30.952 --> 00:20:34.489
To notorious sinners. it's the bible's way of saying
00:20:34.556 --> 00:20:35.557
It's the bible's way of saying what it says so many times
00:20:35.624 --> 00:20:37.025
What it says so many times in the pages to come,
00:20:37.092 --> 00:20:38.060
In the pages to come, that jesus didn't come
00:20:38.126 --> 00:20:38.927
That jesus didn't come for good people,
00:20:38.994 --> 00:20:40.796
For good people, he came for all people.
00:20:40.862 --> 00:20:43.298
He came for all people. that god so loved
00:20:43.365 --> 00:20:43.932
That god so loved the whole world,
00:20:43.999 --> 00:20:45.867
The whole world, no matter where you're at
00:20:45.934 --> 00:20:46.535
No matter where you're at on the nice or naughty list.
00:20:46.601 --> 00:20:47.436
On the nice or naughty list. in fact, we all are,
00:20:47.502 --> 00:20:48.970
In fact, we all are, in one way or another,
00:20:49.037 --> 00:20:49.971
In one way or another, and he gave his one
00:20:50.038 --> 00:20:51.873
And he gave his one and only son that we could
00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.774
Find eternal life in him.
00:20:52.874 --> 00:20:55.077
Find eternal life in him. i don't know your struggle
00:20:55.143 --> 00:20:56.545
I don't know your struggle and i don't need to know
00:20:56.611 --> 00:20:57.479
And i don't need to know your struggle because the bible
00:20:57.546 --> 00:20:59.348
Your struggle because the bible makes this objective,
00:20:59.414 --> 00:21:00.182
Makes this objective, all inclusive promise
00:21:00.248 --> 00:21:01.516
All inclusive promise that if you come to jesus
00:21:01.583 --> 00:21:03.685
That if you come to jesus all of it's forgiven.
00:21:03.752 --> 00:21:06.521
All of it's forgiven. if his death on the cross wasn't
00:21:06.588 --> 00:21:07.723
If his death on the cross wasn't a 50% off coupon to heaven,
00:21:07.789 --> 00:21:10.058
A 50% off coupon to heaven, and instead it was
00:21:10.125 --> 00:21:10.992
And instead it was the golden ticket that
00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.094
The golden ticket that gets you there through
00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.695
Gets you there through faith and in his name.
00:21:13.762 --> 00:21:14.763
Faith and in his name. so, if you are a chris --
00:21:14.830 --> 00:21:15.997
So, if you are a chris -- a sinner, i'm going to tell you
00:21:16.064 --> 00:21:18.100
That christmas is for you.
00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:21.737
That christmas is for you. you might look around and feel
00:21:21.803 --> 00:21:22.537
You might look around and feel unworthy, and you are.
00:21:22.604 --> 00:21:27.442
Unworthy, and you are. i might not think i deserve
00:21:27.509 --> 00:21:28.443
I might not think i deserve a spot in heaven,
00:21:28.510 --> 00:21:29.678
A spot in heaven, and i don't, but god,
00:21:29.745 --> 00:21:33.048
And i don't, but god, and praise god, he did not
00:21:33.115 --> 00:21:34.116
And praise god, he did not let your unworthiness
00:21:34.182 --> 00:21:35.550
Let your unworthiness or my sinfulness
00:21:35.617 --> 00:21:37.452
Or my sinfulness stop his goodness,
00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:39.454
Stop his goodness, instead he just gave his son,
00:21:39.521 --> 00:21:41.790
Instead he just gave his son, and jesus gave his life.
00:21:41.857 --> 00:21:44.092
And jesus gave his life. and this long list
00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.760
And this long list of hard to pronounce names
00:21:44.826 --> 00:21:45.761
Of hard to pronounce names is the simple proof
00:21:45.827 --> 00:21:46.695
Is the simple proof that christmas is for you
00:21:46.762 --> 00:21:49.131
That christmas is for you and it's for me.
00:21:49.197 --> 00:21:51.466
And it's for me. so, this holiday season,
00:21:51.533 --> 00:21:52.134
So, this holiday season, when the devil tells you,
00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.934
When the devil tells you, you don't deserve it,
00:21:53.001 --> 00:21:54.536
You don't deserve it, you don't stand
00:21:54.603 --> 00:21:55.237
You don't stand a chance to get it,
00:21:55.303 --> 00:21:55.937
A chance to get it, you shouldn't
00:21:56.004 --> 00:21:56.371
You shouldn't bother coming back,
00:21:56.438 --> 00:21:57.072
Bother coming back, you're never going
00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.572
You're never going to belong in a place like
00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.607
To belong in a place like this or in a place like that,
00:21:58.673 --> 00:22:00.675
This or in a place like that, you open your bible and just
00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:01.810
You open your bible and just read the first page.
00:22:01.877 --> 00:22:03.979
Read the first page. stumble through the names
00:22:04.045 --> 00:22:04.980
Stumble through the names that you can't pronounce
00:22:05.046 --> 00:22:05.881
That you can't pronounce and let your heart
00:22:05.947 --> 00:22:06.681
And let your heart come to this conclusion
00:22:06.748 --> 00:22:07.549
Come to this conclusion that jesus is not ashamed to be
00:22:07.616 --> 00:22:09.985
That jesus is not ashamed to be next to people like you.
00:22:10.051 --> 00:22:14.356
Next to people like you. that's why i want to give you
00:22:14.423 --> 00:22:15.257
That's why i want to give you some homework today.
00:22:15.323 --> 00:22:17.592
Some homework today. the next time you see
00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.326
The next time you see a little nativity set,
00:22:18.393 --> 00:22:20.662
A little nativity set, i want you to notice
00:22:20.729 --> 00:22:21.530
I want you to notice who's the closest to jesus.
00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:25.834
Who's the closest to jesus. can you picture it?
00:22:25.901 --> 00:22:28.336
Can you picture it? little jesus in manger,
00:22:28.403 --> 00:22:30.739
Little jesus in manger, who's right behind the manger?
00:22:30.806 --> 00:22:33.275
Who's right behind the manger? mary and joseph.
00:22:33.341 --> 00:22:35.410
Mary and joseph. do you know how many
00:22:35.477 --> 00:22:36.044
Do you know how many instagram followers mary had
00:22:36.111 --> 00:22:37.979
Instagram followers mary had before she had jesus?
00:22:38.046 --> 00:22:40.282
Before she had jesus? she was a nobody from nowhere.
00:22:40.348 --> 00:22:41.850
She was a nobody from nowhere. her husband was a poor craftsman
00:22:41.917 --> 00:22:45.620
Her husband was a poor craftsman from a dinky, country town
00:22:45.687 --> 00:22:47.956
From a dinky, country town and yet they're the closest
00:22:48.023 --> 00:22:48.824
And yet they're the closest to the birth of jesus that
00:22:48.890 --> 00:22:50.592
To the birth of jesus that human beings can get.
00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.526
Human beings can get. and who's hovering over
00:22:51.593 --> 00:22:52.294
And who's hovering over their shoulders?
00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.795
Their shoulders? the shepherds.
00:22:53.862 --> 00:22:56.231
The shepherds. notoriously naughty men
00:22:56.298 --> 00:22:57.165
Notoriously naughty men from the first century,
00:22:57.232 --> 00:22:57.999
From the first century, not trusted to tell the truth,
00:22:58.066 --> 00:22:59.201
Not trusted to tell the truth, stealing other flocks of sheep.
00:22:59.267 --> 00:23:01.002
Stealing other flocks of sheep. but an angel came from heaven
00:23:01.069 --> 00:23:02.204
But an angel came from heaven to tell them to go and see
00:23:02.270 --> 00:23:03.905
To tell them to go and see this baby born in bethlehem.
00:23:03.972 --> 00:23:05.106
This baby born in bethlehem. the people who are gathered
00:23:05.173 --> 00:23:06.208
The people who are gathered around the manager are not
00:23:06.274 --> 00:23:07.943
Around the manager are not the saints but the sinners.
00:23:08.009 --> 00:23:10.145
The saints but the sinners. they're not notoriously famous,
00:23:10.212 --> 00:23:11.313
They're not notoriously famous, they were nobodies,
00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.314
They were nobodies, but god called them near
00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.648
But god called them near to jesus back then and he does
00:23:13.715 --> 00:23:15.383
To jesus back then and he does the same for us today.
00:23:15.450 --> 00:23:18.119
The same for us today. so, if you wonder,
00:23:18.186 --> 00:23:18.854
So, if you wonder, is christmas for me?
00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.355
Is christmas for me? i want you to pause
00:23:20.422 --> 00:23:21.022
I want you to pause the next time you see it,
00:23:21.089 --> 00:23:23.024
The next time you see it, i want you to notice
00:23:23.091 --> 00:23:23.692
I want you to notice who's close to jesus,
00:23:23.758 --> 00:23:25.660
Who's close to jesus, and i want you to take heart
00:23:25.727 --> 00:23:26.561
And i want you to take heart and know that your sins
00:23:26.628 --> 00:23:27.429
And know that your sins are forgiven.
00:23:27.496 --> 00:23:31.733
Are forgiven. you're going to have
00:23:31.800 --> 00:23:32.234
You're going to have to answer some big questions
00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:33.101
To answer some big questions this christmas,
00:23:33.168 --> 00:23:33.668
This christmas, what shall we eat
00:23:33.735 --> 00:23:34.536
What shall we eat and what shall we drink,
00:23:34.603 --> 00:23:36.404
And what shall we drink, and what shall we wear?
00:23:36.471 --> 00:23:38.740
And what shall we wear? but the biggest questions
00:23:38.807 --> 00:23:39.441
But the biggest questions have been answered with just
00:23:39.508 --> 00:23:40.408
Have been answered with just one page of this amazing book
00:23:40.475 --> 00:23:42.310
One page of this amazing book that god gave for us.
00:23:42.377 --> 00:23:43.311
That god gave for us. is christmas for real?
00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:45.413
Is christmas for real? is christmas for us?
00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.349
Is christmas for us? absolutely, and amen.
00:23:47.415 --> 00:23:51.152
Absolutely, and amen. let's pray.
00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:53.255
Let's pray. god, i thank you so much for
00:23:53.321 --> 00:23:56.124
God, i thank you so much for your insane goodness to us.
00:23:56.191 --> 00:23:59.060
Your insane goodness to us. you could've just told us
00:23:59.127 --> 00:24:00.161
You could've just told us to believe it because,
00:24:00.228 --> 00:24:02.764
To believe it because, but you gave us so much
00:24:02.831 --> 00:24:03.598
But you gave us so much more than that.
00:24:03.665 --> 00:24:05.300
More than that. thank you, god,
00:24:05.367 --> 00:24:06.034
Thank you, god, for the eyewitnesses.
00:24:06.101 --> 00:24:07.869
For the eyewitnesses. thank you, holy spirit,
00:24:07.936 --> 00:24:08.537
Thank you, holy spirit, for inspiring matthew,
00:24:08.603 --> 00:24:10.071
For inspiring matthew, and mark, and luke,
00:24:10.138 --> 00:24:11.172
And mark, and luke, and john, and peter, and paul,
00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:13.241
And john, and peter, and paul, and james, and jude.
00:24:13.308 --> 00:24:14.943
And james, and jude. thank you for filling
00:24:15.010 --> 00:24:16.111
Thank you for filling the new testament with
00:24:16.177 --> 00:24:16.811
The new testament with so many words connected
00:24:16.878 --> 00:24:17.846
So many words connected to so many people
00:24:17.913 --> 00:24:19.047
To so many people and so many places that
00:24:19.114 --> 00:24:19.948
And so many places that we can verify in history.
00:24:20.015 --> 00:24:22.584
We can verify in history. god, strengthen our faith,
00:24:22.651 --> 00:24:23.818
God, strengthen our faith, help us to remember that we are
00:24:23.885 --> 00:24:25.353
Help us to remember that we are not intellectually behind,
00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.788
Not intellectually behind, but instead have been honest
00:24:26.855 --> 00:24:27.822
But instead have been honest about the evidence that
00:24:27.889 --> 00:24:28.823
About the evidence that you have given to us.
00:24:28.890 --> 00:24:30.592
You have given to us. i pray that when rumors
00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:32.093
I pray that when rumors come of other ways to think
00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:33.528
Come of other ways to think or other things to believe
00:24:33.595 --> 00:24:34.896
Or other things to believe that we would come back
00:24:34.963 --> 00:24:35.964
That we would come back to the simple fact
00:24:36.031 --> 00:24:36.865
To the simple fact that christmas is for real.
00:24:36.932 --> 00:24:39.401
That christmas is for real. and god, i pray for
00:24:39.467 --> 00:24:40.802
And god, i pray for an unspeakable joy
00:24:40.869 --> 00:24:41.736
An unspeakable joy this holiday season.
00:24:41.803 --> 00:24:43.939
This holiday season. help us to turn our eyes away
00:24:44.005 --> 00:24:45.206
Help us to turn our eyes away from the mirror where
00:24:45.273 --> 00:24:46.374
From the mirror where we see our unworthiness
00:24:46.441 --> 00:24:47.442
We see our unworthiness and instead turn to the manger
00:24:47.509 --> 00:24:48.877
And instead turn to the manger of your son where we see
00:24:48.944 --> 00:24:49.811
Of your son where we see your unending greatness.
00:24:49.878 --> 00:24:51.780
Your unending greatness. help us to believe these very
00:24:51.846 --> 00:24:52.647
Help us to believe these very simple but profound things
00:24:52.714 --> 00:24:54.049
Simple but profound things that you say are true,
00:24:54.115 --> 00:24:54.883
That you like us,
00:24:54.983 --> 00:24:56.284
That you'll accept us in
00:24:56.351 --> 00:24:57.152
The name of jesus so that
00:24:57.218 --> 00:24:58.286
Our sins are absolutely gone,
00:24:58.353 --> 00:25:00.488
So that you can wrap
00:25:00.555 --> 00:25:01.089
Your arms around us
00:25:01.156 --> 00:25:01.756
In full acceptance.
00:25:01.823 --> 00:25:04.159
This is a message that
00:25:04.225 --> 00:25:05.427
So many people think they don't
00:25:05.493 --> 00:25:06.461
Stand a chance to believe.
00:25:06.528 --> 00:25:09.431
So, open our lips
00:25:09.497 --> 00:25:10.031
This christmas season
00:25:10.098 --> 00:25:10.699
Like the shepherds of so long
00:25:10.765 --> 00:25:12.067
Ago to run and tell people
00:25:12.133 --> 00:25:13.602
The good news of what
00:25:13.668 --> 00:25:14.636
We have seen and heard
00:25:14.703 --> 00:25:15.537
In the gospel of your son.
00:25:15.604 --> 00:25:17.706
Help this to be
00:25:17.772 --> 00:25:18.239
An amazing christmas for us,
00:25:18.306 --> 00:25:20.075
For our families,
00:25:20.141 --> 00:25:20.909
And for our church.
00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:22.210
We pray this all in
00:25:22.277 --> 00:25:23.378
The beautiful name of jesus,
00:25:23.445 --> 00:25:25.413
And all god's people say, amen.
00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:28.650
>> thank you, pastor mike,
00:25:29.184 --> 00:25:30.285
>> thank you, pastor mike, for such a wonderful message
00:25:30.352 --> 00:25:31.553
For such a wonderful message to kick off this
00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.287
To kick off this christmas season.
00:25:32.354 --> 00:25:33.521
Christmas season. reminding us that jesus' birth
00:25:33.588 --> 00:25:34.923
Reminding us that jesus' birth was a real event
00:25:34.990 --> 00:25:36.291
Was a real event and that he came into
00:25:36.358 --> 00:25:37.092
And that he came into the world for us.
00:25:37.158 --> 00:25:38.827
The world for us. continue to keep jesus
00:25:38.893 --> 00:25:40.061
Continue to keep jesus front and center,
00:25:40.128 --> 00:25:41.129
Front and center, being in god's word everyday.
00:25:41.196 --> 00:25:42.998
Being in god's word everyday. you can do that with
00:25:43.064 --> 00:25:43.765
You can do that with our new 365 day devotional,
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Our new 365 day devotional, "grace and truth."
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"grace and truth." these simple encouragements
00:25:47.202 --> 00:25:48.269
These simple encouragements from the bible offer peace,
00:25:48.336 --> 00:25:49.771
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00:25:49.838 --> 00:25:50.972
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♪ ♪
00:25:55.944 --> 00:25:58.847
So many voices,
00:26:01.182 --> 00:26:02.517
So much chaos.
00:26:02.617 --> 00:26:04.452
And maybe you've wondered,
00:26:04.552 --> 00:26:05.920
"is there something more?"
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Yes!
00:26:07.956 --> 00:26:09.224
Find a little clarity,
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00:26:10.525 --> 00:26:11.926
"grace & truth"
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Is our new, 365 day devotional
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With short, daily reflections
00:26:15.530 --> 00:26:17.265
Straight out of the bible.
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Not complicated, not churchy,
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Just real hope and truth
00:26:21.002 --> 00:26:22.504
You can trust.
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You don't have to have
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It all figured out.
00:26:24.739 --> 00:26:25.540
"grace & truth" is our way
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Of thanking you
00:26:27.308 --> 00:26:28.076
For helping us show
00:26:28.176 --> 00:26:28.943
More people the everyday
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Hope found in jesus.
00:26:30.045 --> 00:26:31.579
Request yours today
00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.681
By calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:32.781 --> 00:26:35.850
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:35.950 --> 00:26:37.352
Or writing us at
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Po box 301,
00:26:38.186 --> 00:26:39.888
Milwaukee, wisconsin, 53201.
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Mike Novotny - God's Kind of Christmas: Real Hope for Real People

November 24, 2025 | 29:5

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