1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Your Move with Andy Stanley
  4. Episodes
  5. Andy Stanley - The Way In A Manger (Part 2)
Your Move with Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley - The Way In A Manger (Part 2)

December 20, 2025 | 28:29

Andy Stanley - The Way In A Manger (Part 2)
Your Move with Andy Stanley — to help people make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.
#Christmas #Jesus #Savior #Messiah #VirginBirth #Covenant #NewCovenant #Gospel #WalkwithGod #EternalLife #Faith #TrustGod #Belief #Reconciliation #AndyStanley

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Your Move with Andy Stanley | Andy Stanley - The Way In A Manger (Part 2) | December 20, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.351
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:05.723 --> 00:00:15.600
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:15.733 --> 00:00:25.610
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:25.743 --> 00:00:35.553
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:35.687 --> 00:00:45.563
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:45.697 --> 00:00:45.864
  • Andy stanley: one of jesus's most controversial statements is
  • 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:54.038
  • Also one of his most quoted and one of his most
  • 00:00:54.038 --> 00:00:57.442
  • Best-known statements.
  • 00:00:57.442 --> 00:00:58.776
  • In fact, if you're not a christian or you're from a
  • 00:00:58.776 --> 00:01:00.245
  • Different faith tradition, you've probably heard this
  • 00:01:00.245 --> 00:01:02.881
  • Before, and this may be problematic.
  • 00:01:02.881 --> 00:01:04.382
  • In fact, this statement of jesus may be the reason that you kind
  • 00:01:04.382 --> 00:01:07.519
  • Of push back or resist christianity, and we touched on
  • 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:10.488
  • It last time.
  • 00:01:10.488 --> 00:01:11.823
  • He said, "i am the way, the truth, and the life," and, you
  • 00:01:11.823 --> 00:01:14.726
  • Know, on this, that's a lot, but by itself it's a little bit
  • 00:01:14.726 --> 00:01:18.396
  • Vague, right?
  • 00:01:18.396 --> 00:01:19.731
  • I mean, i'm the way to what, you know?
  • 00:01:19.731 --> 00:01:22.233
  • I'm the way to where?
  • 00:01:22.233 --> 00:01:23.601
  • And how can a person, i, he says i, how can a person be the truth
  • 00:01:23.601 --> 00:01:28.072
  • And how can a person be the life?
  • 00:01:28.072 --> 00:01:31.075
  • And if he'd stopped there, it would be a little bit odd, but
  • 00:01:31.075 --> 00:01:34.412
  • It certainly wouldn't be controversial, but he didn't
  • 00:01:34.412 --> 00:01:36.314
  • Stop there.
  • 00:01:36.314 --> 00:01:37.682
  • He went on to claim, as you know, who he was on--or who he
  • 00:01:37.682 --> 00:01:41.085
  • Was the way to.
  • 00:01:41.085 --> 00:01:43.421
  • Now, unfortunately, and this may disturb you a little bit if you
  • 00:01:43.421 --> 00:01:46.257
  • Grew up in church like me, and that's okay, it's okay to
  • 00:01:46.257 --> 00:01:48.493
  • Be disturbed.
  • 00:01:48.493 --> 00:01:49.827
  • Unfortunately, what follows after this, and many of us can
  • 00:01:49.827 --> 00:01:52.931
  • Quote this.
  • 00:01:52.931 --> 00:01:54.265
  • What follows after this is usually interpreted as
  • 00:01:54.265 --> 00:01:58.002
  • Very exclusive.
  • 00:01:58.002 --> 00:01:59.637
  • In fact, maybe one of the reasons you're not a christian
  • 00:01:59.637 --> 00:02:01.539
  • Is what jesus says next, it's like, it's just too exclusive,
  • 00:02:01.539 --> 00:02:04.375
  • It's too small, it's, you know, it's too limiting.
  • 00:02:04.375 --> 00:02:08.179
  • And that's understandable and, unfortunately, what--the way
  • 00:02:08.179 --> 00:02:11.049
  • This passage has been interpreted oftentimes, it makes
  • 00:02:11.049 --> 00:02:13.051
  • It sound that way: an attempt to exclude people.
  • 00:02:13.051 --> 00:02:15.820
  • But if you read the gospels or if you follow jesus through the
  • 00:02:15.820 --> 00:02:18.790
  • Book of matthew, mark, luke, or john, you cannot walk away from
  • 00:02:18.790 --> 00:02:22.026
  • The gospels with the impression that jesus was trying to be
  • 00:02:22.026 --> 00:02:25.196
  • Exclusive or limiting.
  • 00:02:25.196 --> 00:02:27.131
  • In fact, it was the very opposite.
  • 00:02:27.131 --> 00:02:29.434
  • This was not--that was not jesus's intent.
  • 00:02:29.434 --> 00:02:31.302
  • He was not drawing a smaller circle.
  • 00:02:31.302 --> 00:02:33.438
  • I mean, that's what the first century religious leaders did.
  • 00:02:33.438 --> 00:02:35.974
  • They drew a small circle, our four and no more.
  • 00:02:35.974 --> 00:02:38.743
  • Actually, it was our 12, the 12 tribes of israel and no more,
  • 00:02:38.743 --> 00:02:42.013
  • And not even all the 12 tribes of israel.
  • 00:02:42.013 --> 00:02:44.015
  • Only the law-abiding and in some cases, only the law-abiding men.
  • 00:02:44.015 --> 00:02:48.486
  • The women were kind of on the edge.
  • 00:02:48.486 --> 00:02:50.021
  • There was some doubt as to whether or not, you know, women
  • 00:02:50.021 --> 00:02:52.457
  • Would even be a part of god's future kingdom.
  • 00:02:52.457 --> 00:02:55.026
  • It was very strange, and jesus wasn't coming to draw a
  • 00:02:55.026 --> 00:02:57.729
  • Smaller circle.
  • 00:02:57.729 --> 00:02:59.063
  • He was--he came to expand the circle.
  • 00:02:59.063 --> 00:03:00.565
  • I mean, the other--the verse that we've all heard: "for god
  • 00:03:00.565 --> 00:03:03.034
  • So loved the world," yeah, like, the whole thing, right?
  • 00:03:03.034 --> 00:03:06.904
  • So he wasn't being exclusive.
  • 00:03:06.904 --> 00:03:08.239
  • What he says next is actually inclusive, which is great news
  • 00:03:08.239 --> 00:03:12.076
  • For everybody.
  • 00:03:12.076 --> 00:03:13.444
  • That god's covenant with israel that we talk about from time to
  • 00:03:13.444 --> 00:03:16.147
  • Time, it was exclusive on purpose for a purpose, and it
  • 00:03:16.147 --> 00:03:19.450
  • Was perfect for the reason it was given, but jesus's new
  • 00:03:19.450 --> 00:03:22.887
  • Covenant was the way for the rest of us, for the world.
  • 00:03:22.887 --> 00:03:26.524
  • And so he continues, "i am the way, the truth, and the life,
  • 00:03:26.524 --> 00:03:30.395
  • And no one comes to the father except through me."
  • 00:03:30.395 --> 00:03:35.366
  • Or put another way, you could say this in a positive way, and
  • 00:03:35.366 --> 00:03:39.404
  • This was his point, read the gospels.
  • 00:03:39.404 --> 00:03:41.939
  • "everybody has access to the father through me."
  • 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:47.779
  • His point and what these guys heard because this is important,
  • 00:03:47.779 --> 00:03:50.548
  • They were gathered for their passover meal, so they're
  • 00:03:50.548 --> 00:03:53.017
  • Celebrating this extraordinary event that happened in the
  • 00:03:53.017 --> 00:03:55.386
  • History of the jewish people.
  • 00:03:55.386 --> 00:03:57.355
  • So when he said this, this is a--for us, it's like, yeah,
  • 00:03:57.355 --> 00:04:00.658
  • Duh, we're christians, we get it.
  • 00:04:00.658 --> 00:04:02.060
  • This was a major paradigm shift.
  • 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:04.062
  • This was so disruptive.
  • 00:04:04.062 --> 00:04:05.730
  • Essentially, jesus was saying the old way is no longer
  • 00:04:05.730 --> 00:04:09.467
  • The way.
  • 00:04:09.467 --> 00:04:11.102
  • The old way was you had to be born a son or perhaps a daughter
  • 00:04:11.102 --> 00:04:14.739
  • Of abraham to be part of god's righteous tribe and god's
  • 00:04:14.739 --> 00:04:18.676
  • Righteous acceptable group.
  • 00:04:18.676 --> 00:04:20.545
  • And jesus is saying, no, that was the old way, and it's over.
  • 00:04:20.545 --> 00:04:23.648
  • I'm introducing something brand new, and this new way, you're
  • 00:04:23.648 --> 00:04:27.485
  • Not born into it, you can't birth your way, you can't obey
  • 00:04:27.485 --> 00:04:31.155
  • Your way, you can't sacrifice your way in, you can't serve
  • 00:04:31.155 --> 00:04:34.425
  • Your way in, you can't even pray your way to the father.
  • 00:04:34.425 --> 00:04:39.063
  • But there is a way to the father.
  • 00:04:39.063 --> 00:04:42.066
  • He said--they're looking at him.
  • 00:04:42.066 --> 00:04:43.835
  • This was so difficult for them.
  • 00:04:43.835 --> 00:04:45.503
  • He said, "i am the way.
  • 00:04:45.503 --> 00:04:48.473
  • Everyone can come to the father.
  • 00:04:48.473 --> 00:04:50.775
  • Everyone can come to the father by means of me.
  • 00:04:50.775 --> 00:04:56.080
  • I am the way in."
  • 00:04:56.080 --> 00:04:57.482
  • In fact, if you have any doubts about this, if you're thinking,
  • 00:04:57.482 --> 00:04:59.384
  • "oh, andy, i think you're kind of messing with this popular
  • 00:04:59.384 --> 00:05:02.120
  • Text," just remember this, and if you grew up in church like
  • 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.522
  • Me, you know this.
  • 00:05:04.522 --> 00:05:05.857
  • And if you didn't grow up in church, gosh, i wish you
  • 00:05:05.857 --> 00:05:07.658
  • Knew this.
  • 00:05:07.658 --> 00:05:09.026
  • At the end of jesus's ministry after he rose from the dead and
  • 00:05:09.026 --> 00:05:11.329
  • He gathers with his guys and the men and women in the group, you
  • 00:05:11.329 --> 00:05:14.932
  • Remember, this is such a famous scene, what he said to them.
  • 00:05:14.932 --> 00:05:18.469
  • He said, "i want you--" this was--his message was
  • 00:05:18.469 --> 00:05:21.606
  • So inclusive.
  • 00:05:21.606 --> 00:05:22.974
  • He said, "i want you to take what i've taught you and what
  • 00:05:22.974 --> 00:05:27.745
  • You have seen to the entire world."
  • 00:05:27.745 --> 00:05:31.616
  • And our english text says, "to all nations," which some of them
  • 00:05:31.616 --> 00:05:35.386
  • Were thinking, "you--whoa, whoa, you mean all neighborhoods like
  • 00:05:35.386 --> 00:05:37.889
  • From judea to galilee, and maybe we'll skirt around the
  • 00:05:37.889 --> 00:05:40.992
  • Samaritans because we know they're kind of off, you know,"
  • 00:05:40.992 --> 00:05:43.461
  • And jesus is like, "no, this isn't a jewish message.
  • 00:05:43.461 --> 00:05:45.897
  • This is a message for the entire world.
  • 00:05:45.897 --> 00:05:49.333
  • I'm drawing a circle larger than you ever thought imaginable,
  • 00:05:49.333 --> 00:05:53.371
  • Because i have come to reveal the will of the father for every
  • 00:05:53.371 --> 00:05:57.175
  • Single person in every single nation, for every
  • 00:05:57.175 --> 00:06:00.812
  • Single generation."
  • 00:06:00.812 --> 00:06:03.414
  • That--this was a message for sinners like me and sinners like
  • 00:06:03.414 --> 00:06:10.388
  • Your husband or your wife, kidding.
  • 00:06:10.388 --> 00:06:13.558
  • For sinners like all of us, right?
  • 00:06:13.558 --> 00:06:15.393
  • For your middle schoolers and your high school students, this
  • 00:06:15.393 --> 00:06:17.762
  • Was a message for all people.
  • 00:06:17.762 --> 00:06:19.230
  • So when the shepherds were out in the fields watching over
  • 00:06:19.230 --> 00:06:21.532
  • Their flock by night and lo, the angel of the lord shone round
  • 00:06:21.532 --> 00:06:23.901
  • About them and they were sore afraid, you know the story, the
  • 00:06:23.901 --> 00:06:25.970
  • Christmas story.
  • 00:06:25.970 --> 00:06:27.305
  • The angels were correct when they said, "we have good news of
  • 00:06:27.305 --> 00:06:29.440
  • Great joy for all people.
  • 00:06:29.440 --> 00:06:32.343
  • Today in the city of david, a savior has been born to you."
  • 00:06:32.343 --> 00:06:36.948
  • The doors have been thrown wide open and everybody is invited.
  • 00:06:36.948 --> 00:06:42.086
  • So at christmas, we celebrate the arrival of that way, the
  • 00:06:42.086 --> 00:06:46.424
  • Way, the truth, and the life.
  • 00:06:46.424 --> 00:06:47.925
  • We celebrate the way in a manger.
  • 00:06:47.925 --> 00:06:53.130
  • Andy: hey, thanks so much for watching this episode, but
  • 00:06:53.130 --> 00:06:55.366
  • Before we continue, i wanna take just a moment to share something
  • 00:06:55.366 --> 00:06:58.169
  • Special with you.
  • 00:06:58.169 --> 00:06:59.504
  • At "your move," we're committed to reaching people with the
  • 00:06:59.504 --> 00:07:01.839
  • Teaching of jesus right where they are and when they least
  • 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:05.710
  • Expect it, and this is possible because of generous viewers
  • 00:07:05.710 --> 00:07:08.980
  • Like you.
  • 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:10.314
  • And right now for a gift of $20 or more, we will send you a
  • 00:07:10.314 --> 00:07:12.683
  • 14-day gratitude guide as a way of showing our gratitude to you.
  • 00:07:12.683 --> 00:07:17.655
  • Our gratitude guide is filled with inspiration, practical
  • 00:07:17.655 --> 00:07:20.458
  • Steps, and reflection questions to help you practice gratitude.
  • 00:07:20.458 --> 00:07:24.095
  • To make your donation and to claim your copy, simply visit
  • 00:07:24.095 --> 00:07:26.898
  • The website or call the number on your screen.
  • 00:07:26.898 --> 00:07:29.400
  • And now back to today's episode.
  • 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:32.537
  • Andy: if you weren't with us last time, we're in part two of
  • 00:07:32.537 --> 00:07:34.605
  • This series entitled, "the way in a manger," where we're
  • 00:07:34.605 --> 00:07:38.175
  • Talking about this extraordinary thing that jesus said and this
  • 00:07:38.175 --> 00:07:41.245
  • Extraordinary thing that jesus demonstrated throughout
  • 00:07:41.245 --> 00:07:43.514
  • His ministry.
  • 00:07:43.514 --> 00:07:44.849
  • Now, understandably, when jesus made this statement, "i'm the
  • 00:07:44.849 --> 00:07:48.085
  • Way, the truth, and the life.
  • 00:07:48.085 --> 00:07:49.453
  • No one comes to the father-- through me," the guys in the
  • 00:07:49.453 --> 00:07:51.055
  • Room because this is the very night he's arrested, so there's
  • 00:07:51.055 --> 00:07:53.424
  • A lot going on.
  • 00:07:53.424 --> 00:07:54.759
  • There's a lot of emotion.
  • 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:56.127
  • Judas slips out, they don't know where he's going.
  • 00:07:56.127 --> 00:07:57.461
  • I mean, a lot's about to happen.
  • 00:07:57.461 --> 00:07:59.263
  • They didn't understand this the way he meant it.
  • 00:07:59.263 --> 00:08:02.066
  • I mean, they, in fact, if you read the passage, they ask so
  • 00:08:02.066 --> 00:08:04.435
  • Many questions, they're so confused.
  • 00:08:04.435 --> 00:08:06.904
  • And it did not become clear to them, honestly, until after
  • 00:08:06.904 --> 00:08:11.008
  • The resurrection.
  • 00:08:11.008 --> 00:08:12.376
  • In fact, the night that he said this, they're thinking, by the
  • 00:08:12.376 --> 00:08:14.378
  • End of that night they're thinking, "yeah, you're the way,
  • 00:08:14.378 --> 00:08:16.013
  • All right, you're the way to a short-lived life, you're the way
  • 00:08:16.013 --> 00:08:18.749
  • To an early execution, you're a way to get arrested.
  • 00:08:18.749 --> 00:08:21.385
  • I mean everything about your way is bad," because that's why they
  • 00:08:21.385 --> 00:08:24.121
  • Ran off when he was arrested, but after the resurrection, this
  • 00:08:24.121 --> 00:08:28.159
  • Becomes clear to them.
  • 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:29.827
  • In fact, it was so clear, some of you know this, the early
  • 00:08:29.827 --> 00:08:33.164
  • Christian movement was called "the way."
  • 00:08:33.164 --> 00:08:37.001
  • This was so central.
  • 00:08:37.001 --> 00:08:38.903
  • They named their movement after this idea that jesus is the way,
  • 00:08:38.903 --> 00:08:42.740
  • So they just called their movement--we just called it,
  • 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.675
  • They didn't call it the church, they called it "the way."
  • 00:08:44.675 --> 00:08:48.145
  • Jesus was, in fact, they discovered who he claimed to be,
  • 00:08:48.145 --> 00:08:51.215
  • The way to the father, but more than that, as we talked about
  • 00:08:51.215 --> 00:08:54.352
  • Last time, jesus's actions and his reactions to everyone he met
  • 00:08:54.352 --> 00:08:59.857
  • Reflected not just the way to the father, but the ways of
  • 00:08:59.857 --> 00:09:03.194
  • The father.
  • 00:09:03.194 --> 00:09:04.562
  • And this is why he says, "i'm the truth and i'm the life.
  • 00:09:04.562 --> 00:09:07.498
  • I'm the truth of how the world works and what's best for you,
  • 00:09:07.498 --> 00:09:10.267
  • And i am the life you must live and i'm a reflection of the life
  • 00:09:10.267 --> 00:09:13.838
  • That has been given to you, and i'm a reflection of the life you
  • 00:09:13.838 --> 00:09:16.807
  • Have been called to live if you're gonna be my follower."
  • 00:09:16.807 --> 00:09:19.944
  • So his invitation, this is so powerful, we talk about it all
  • 00:09:19.944 --> 00:09:22.346
  • The time.
  • 00:09:22.346 --> 00:09:23.681
  • His invitation didn't begin or end with believe something or
  • 00:09:23.681 --> 00:09:28.586
  • Believe in me.
  • 00:09:28.586 --> 00:09:29.920
  • His invitation began then and it begins with each of us with this
  • 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:32.990
  • Invitation: "i want you to follow me.
  • 00:09:32.990 --> 00:09:36.127
  • I want you to follow me."
  • 00:09:36.127 --> 00:09:37.461
  • He was more than simply a way to life.
  • 00:09:37.461 --> 00:09:41.298
  • He was the way of life, and he taught and he modeled and
  • 00:09:41.298 --> 00:09:46.137
  • Illustrated this different way of life, a different way of
  • 00:09:46.137 --> 00:09:49.173
  • Living and your heavenly father sent his son into the world, not
  • 00:09:49.173 --> 00:09:52.743
  • Simply to be the way to the father, but to show us and
  • 00:09:52.743 --> 00:09:55.546
  • Demonstrates the--demonstrate the ways of the father, the way
  • 00:09:55.546 --> 00:09:59.917
  • That leads to a full life, a fulfilling life.
  • 00:09:59.917 --> 00:10:03.020
  • On one occasion, jesus called it an abundant life.
  • 00:10:03.020 --> 00:10:07.324
  • But this is challenging for us, because this way, this way of
  • 00:10:07.324 --> 00:10:12.730
  • Jesus, it requires something of us, but it's like a good parent
  • 00:10:12.730 --> 00:10:17.501
  • Requiring something of their children.
  • 00:10:17.501 --> 00:10:19.804
  • Sometimes we require things of our children, they resist, but
  • 00:10:19.804 --> 00:10:21.906
  • We know, son, if you'll just trust me, if you'll just do
  • 00:10:21.906 --> 00:10:25.543
  • This, if you'll just practice this, if you'll just do what i'm
  • 00:10:25.543 --> 00:10:28.946
  • Saying, in a few years you're gonna look back and you're gonna
  • 00:10:28.946 --> 00:10:31.215
  • Be so glad that you did.
  • 00:10:31.215 --> 00:10:33.350
  • And so the father sent the son with that same sense of urgency.
  • 00:10:33.350 --> 00:10:39.223
  • Because simply believing-- simply believing doesn't require
  • 00:10:39.223 --> 00:10:44.028
  • A way of life.
  • 00:10:44.028 --> 00:10:45.463
  • If we're just gonna be believers, all that requires is
  • 00:10:45.463 --> 00:10:47.732
  • A box of beliefs, and a box of beliefs hasn't ever
  • 00:10:47.732 --> 00:10:52.036
  • Changed anything.
  • 00:10:52.036 --> 00:10:53.404
  • In fact, you know, in fact, if you're not a christian, you get
  • 00:10:53.404 --> 00:10:55.906
  • This, because you're not a christian and you know some
  • 00:10:55.906 --> 00:10:59.276
  • Christians and they're like the worst people you've ever met.
  • 00:10:59.276 --> 00:11:01.979
  • And they lead with their beliefs.
  • 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:04.181
  • They are so quick to tell you what they believe.
  • 00:11:04.181 --> 00:11:06.217
  • Here's what we believe, here's what christians believe, here's
  • 00:11:06.217 --> 00:11:08.252
  • What the people in our church believe and you say to yourself,
  • 00:11:08.252 --> 00:11:10.955
  • Or maybe you say to them, and we deserve it, it's like, "yeah,
  • 00:11:10.955 --> 00:11:13.791
  • That's what you say you believe.
  • 00:11:13.791 --> 00:11:15.226
  • I don't see it."
  • 00:11:15.226 --> 00:11:17.328
  • I mean, i don't know, you may say, "i've never read the whole
  • 00:11:17.328 --> 00:11:19.597
  • Bible, but i know enough about jesus to know you ain't
  • 00:11:19.597 --> 00:11:23.467
  • Him, okay?
  • 00:11:23.467 --> 00:11:24.835
  • There's not very much i see in you that reminds me of anything
  • 00:11:24.835 --> 00:11:27.271
  • I've read about jesus."
  • 00:11:27.271 --> 00:11:28.639
  • That's what happens when our faith is just a box of beliefs,
  • 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.975
  • And we lead with our beliefs, rather than leading with the way
  • 00:11:30.975 --> 00:11:36.914
  • That jesus has called us to live and modeled us to live, the way
  • 00:11:36.914 --> 00:11:39.850
  • Of life that he came to demonstrate for us.
  • 00:11:39.850 --> 00:11:44.655
  • Jesus did not leave us with the option of living with a box and
  • 00:11:44.655 --> 00:11:48.058
  • A list of beliefs.
  • 00:11:48.058 --> 00:11:49.426
  • Later, in fact, and this is really convicting, okay, so i'm
  • 00:11:49.426 --> 00:11:51.996
  • With you, i'm sitting with you in the audience on this one,
  • 00:11:51.996 --> 00:11:53.597
  • All right?
  • 00:11:53.597 --> 00:11:54.965
  • Later in that same conversation where jesus said, "i'm the way,
  • 00:11:54.965 --> 00:11:56.600
  • The truth, and the life, nobody gets to the father except
  • 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.335
  • Through me."
  • 00:11:58.335 --> 00:11:59.670
  • In that same conversation, he smiles and he says to these guys
  • 00:11:59.670 --> 00:12:02.273
  • Who've been with him for 3 or 3.5 years, he says, "now guys,
  • 00:12:02.273 --> 00:12:05.009
  • If you love me," to which when we read this, we think, "what do
  • 00:12:05.009 --> 00:12:09.847
  • You mean if we love you, of course we love you.
  • 00:12:09.847 --> 00:12:13.317
  • I mean, you died on the cross for our sins, you paved the way
  • 00:12:13.317 --> 00:12:16.554
  • To god, we can live with a clear conscience, we can live with
  • 00:12:16.554 --> 00:12:18.956
  • Hope that we're gonna see loved ones again.
  • 00:12:18.956 --> 00:12:20.791
  • I mean, what do you mean, if we love you, we have peace with
  • 00:12:20.791 --> 00:12:24.161
  • God, there's no if about it.
  • 00:12:24.161 --> 00:12:25.763
  • I mean, jesus, it's christmas.
  • 00:12:25.763 --> 00:12:28.265
  • This is why we celebrate your birth because we love you."
  • 00:12:28.265 --> 00:12:32.102
  • For which i would imagine, i don't know, that jesus is very
  • 00:12:32.102 --> 00:12:34.805
  • Grateful that we celebrate his birthday.
  • 00:12:34.805 --> 00:12:38.242
  • But you'll notice he didn't finish it this way, "if you love
  • 00:12:38.242 --> 00:12:40.344
  • Me, you'll celebrate my birthday," right?
  • 00:12:40.344 --> 00:12:45.850
  • Do you know what he said?
  • 00:12:45.850 --> 00:12:47.585
  • This isn't as famous a verse, but it's in the
  • 00:12:47.585 --> 00:12:49.286
  • Same conversation.
  • 00:12:49.286 --> 00:12:50.654
  • "if you love me," this is the good father speaking through the
  • 00:12:50.654 --> 00:12:52.489
  • Son, "you'll keep my commandments."
  • 00:12:52.489 --> 00:12:55.426
  • In other words, if you trust me, if you really believe i'm who i
  • 00:12:55.426 --> 00:13:00.264
  • Say i am, then you will keep my commands because you'll know, as
  • 00:13:00.264 --> 00:13:03.701
  • Later another author says, "because my commands are
  • 00:13:03.701 --> 00:13:05.903
  • Not burdensome."
  • 00:13:05.903 --> 00:13:07.771
  • Because my way, as jesus would say, "i'm the good shepherd and
  • 00:13:07.771 --> 00:13:10.407
  • I'm leading you in a good way, and yes, there's some bumps, and
  • 00:13:10.407 --> 00:13:12.810
  • Yes, it's gonna be difficult, and yes, there are challenges,
  • 00:13:12.810 --> 00:13:14.712
  • But trust me, if you love me, you will keep my commands."
  • 00:13:14.712 --> 00:13:18.716
  • Believers, you know, christians, you just wanna be believers are
  • 00:13:18.716 --> 00:13:21.385
  • Like, "whoa, whoa, whoa, i thought we were done
  • 00:13:21.385 --> 00:13:22.853
  • With commands.
  • 00:13:22.853 --> 00:13:24.221
  • I thought this was just about, you know, loving jesus.
  • 00:13:24.221 --> 00:13:27.191
  • Can't we just celebrate your birthday and be done with it?
  • 00:13:27.191 --> 00:13:30.527
  • Can we make it that simple?"
  • 00:13:30.527 --> 00:13:31.929
  • Again, jesus doesn't leave us that option.
  • 00:13:31.929 --> 00:13:34.531
  • In fact, i, again, i'm putting words in the mouth of jesus, so,
  • 00:13:34.531 --> 00:13:37.801
  • You know, don't take this too seriously, but i think jesus
  • 00:13:37.801 --> 00:13:41.038
  • Would respond to that, hey, if you gotta choose one or the
  • 00:13:41.038 --> 00:13:43.574
  • Other, i would prefer you embrace the way i live over
  • 00:13:43.574 --> 00:13:45.643
  • Celebrating the day i was born.
  • 00:13:45.643 --> 00:13:48.812
  • Celebrating the day i was born doesn't mean you love me, it
  • 00:13:48.812 --> 00:13:51.382
  • Just means you're grateful for what i've done for you, but if
  • 00:13:51.382 --> 00:13:54.118
  • You love me, i want you to follow me.
  • 00:13:54.118 --> 00:13:57.755
  • The way in a manger came to show us the way we were created
  • 00:13:57.755 --> 00:14:02.793
  • To live.
  • 00:14:02.793 --> 00:14:04.161
  • That's why he came as one of us to live as--among us, to show
  • 00:14:04.161 --> 00:14:07.131
  • Us the ways of the father, the way of the father, the way that
  • 00:14:07.131 --> 00:14:09.934
  • The father actually created us to live, it's the best way to
  • 00:14:09.934 --> 00:14:14.371
  • Live and central, and here's where we're going for the next
  • 00:14:14.371 --> 00:14:16.573
  • Few minutes, and central to that way of life, the way of living
  • 00:14:16.573 --> 00:14:19.610
  • That jesus modeled and called us to, his commands.
  • 00:14:19.610 --> 00:14:22.579
  • At the epicenter of that is the command, we talk about it all
  • 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:25.849
  • The time, that informs all the other commands, the command that
  • 00:14:25.849 --> 00:14:28.719
  • Informs all of our behavior, the command that's supposed to shape
  • 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:31.922
  • Our actions and our reactions, and it's namely that we are
  • 00:14:31.922 --> 00:14:35.559
  • Called to do for others precisely what jesus did for us.
  • 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:39.830
  • That we're called to live our lives in such a way that reflect
  • 00:14:39.830 --> 00:14:42.399
  • That we do for others what god through christ has done for us,
  • 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:46.136
  • And what did he do for us?
  • 00:14:46.136 --> 00:14:48.205
  • He reconciled us to god, the father.
  • 00:14:48.205 --> 00:14:54.144
  • And then as we're gonna see in the next 10 minutes, he looks at
  • 00:14:54.144 --> 00:14:57.448
  • Us who have said, "we love you," and he says, "if you love me,
  • 00:14:57.448 --> 00:14:59.650
  • You'll keep my commands."
  • 00:14:59.650 --> 00:15:00.985
  • Okay, what are your commands?
  • 00:15:00.985 --> 00:15:02.353
  • Well, let me give you the big one because this is kind of the
  • 00:15:02.353 --> 00:15:04.221
  • Overarching one.
  • 00:15:04.221 --> 00:15:05.556
  • I want you to respond and treat people the way that god--that i
  • 00:15:05.556 --> 00:15:07.424
  • Have treated you through my son, and you've seen how he's treated
  • 00:15:07.424 --> 00:15:09.093
  • You, and specifically, i want you to begin by reconciling with
  • 00:15:09.093 --> 00:15:15.299
  • Each other, because i have reconciled with you.
  • 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:21.005
  • He's commanded us to reconcile with each other because god
  • 00:15:21.005 --> 00:15:24.241
  • Through christ has allowed us and given us the opportunity to
  • 00:15:24.241 --> 00:15:26.543
  • Reconcile with him, and our tendency, i get this, this is
  • 00:15:26.543 --> 00:15:29.079
  • How i was raised.
  • 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.414
  • Our tendency is to go, "wow, thank you for allowing me to
  • 00:15:30.414 --> 00:15:33.250
  • Have a relationship with you, we're good to go."
  • 00:15:33.250 --> 00:15:35.085
  • And jesus is like, "no, we're not done now.
  • 00:15:35.085 --> 00:15:37.654
  • Now i want you to turn around and do for your brother and your
  • 00:15:37.654 --> 00:15:40.190
  • Sister and your enemy, what i have done for you."
  • 00:15:40.190 --> 00:15:46.030
  • And jesus says, "if you love me, you will.
  • 00:15:46.030 --> 00:15:48.432
  • And if you love me, you'll trust me.
  • 00:15:48.432 --> 00:15:49.767
  • And trust me," he would say, this is what--how you were
  • 00:15:49.767 --> 00:15:53.337
  • Designed and created to live.
  • 00:15:53.337 --> 00:15:55.406
  • You were created to live a life of reconciling relationships.
  • 00:15:55.406 --> 00:16:00.177
  • You were not created to live with anger, you were not created
  • 00:16:00.177 --> 00:16:03.847
  • To live with bitterness, you were not created to live
  • 00:16:03.847 --> 00:16:06.450
  • With resentment.
  • 00:16:06.450 --> 00:16:07.785
  • You were not created to live with unresolved conflict with
  • 00:16:07.785 --> 00:16:10.087
  • People, and though you can't control how they respond to you,
  • 00:16:10.087 --> 00:16:13.123
  • You were created to open the door to relationship to them
  • 00:16:13.123 --> 00:16:16.493
  • Just like my father opened the door of relationship to you."
  • 00:16:16.493 --> 00:16:21.832
  • That reconciliation was the purpose of the way in the manger
  • 00:16:21.832 --> 00:16:24.868
  • To begin with, to reconcile god to his rebel race.
  • 00:16:24.868 --> 00:16:28.672
  • And those of us who have experienced that reconciliation,
  • 00:16:28.672 --> 00:16:31.041
  • That fix, that peace with god that we long for and desire, we
  • 00:16:31.041 --> 00:16:37.381
  • Have been called to extend that same reconciliation to the
  • 00:16:37.381 --> 00:16:41.351
  • People around us.
  • 00:16:41.351 --> 00:16:42.719
  • We're to do for others what god through christ did for us.
  • 00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:46.223
  • As god, and this is hard, okay, as god took the initiative, "for
  • 00:16:46.223 --> 00:16:50.994
  • God so loved the world," he's like, "i'm sending my son in."
  • 00:16:50.994 --> 00:16:54.865
  • As god took the initiative to reconcile with us, we, as jesus
  • 00:16:54.865 --> 00:16:59.870
  • Followers, are to take the initiative to reconcile with our
  • 00:16:59.870 --> 00:17:03.173
  • Brothers and our sisters and our friends in the broken
  • 00:17:03.173 --> 00:17:05.142
  • Relationships and even the people that have no desire to
  • 00:17:05.142 --> 00:17:07.911
  • Reconcile with us.
  • 00:17:07.911 --> 00:17:09.246
  • Just as god, and this is so important, just as god removed
  • 00:17:09.246 --> 00:17:11.515
  • Obstacles, we are as well to reconcile.
  • 00:17:11.515 --> 00:17:13.617
  • Here's the kind of the bottom line if you have to leave early.
  • 00:17:13.617 --> 00:17:16.353
  • The reconciled should be reconcilers.
  • 00:17:16.353 --> 00:17:20.357
  • This is the way of jesus, and if we love him, this will become
  • 00:17:20.357 --> 00:17:26.096
  • Our way as well.
  • 00:17:26.096 --> 00:17:29.333
  • Now, to just show you what a big deal this is, perhaps in my
  • 00:17:29.333 --> 00:17:33.737
  • Opinion as i read the gospels, perhaps, in fact, i think this
  • 00:17:33.737 --> 00:17:36.173
  • Is jesus's most, i would say inconvenient application of
  • 00:17:36.173 --> 00:17:40.277
  • Anything he taught has to do with reconciling with
  • 00:17:40.277 --> 00:17:42.513
  • Other people.
  • 00:17:42.513 --> 00:17:43.847
  • I mean, the thing that i think when jesus said what i'm about
  • 00:17:43.847 --> 00:17:45.582
  • To read, when jesus said this, i think everybody in the audience
  • 00:17:45.582 --> 00:17:48.819
  • Was like, "oh, we're not doing that."
  • 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:51.255
  • I mean, this is so-- this is so extreme.
  • 00:17:51.255 --> 00:17:53.824
  • But because it's so cultural, we read it, we read right through
  • 00:17:53.824 --> 00:17:56.426
  • It, but i'm at the end of the message today, i'm gonna try to
  • 00:17:56.426 --> 00:17:58.328
  • Bring this back around and kinda wrap a little more
  • 00:17:58.328 --> 00:18:00.430
  • Modern application.
  • 00:18:00.430 --> 00:18:01.798
  • But here's what he said.
  • 00:18:01.798 --> 00:18:03.133
  • He said, "if you go to jerusalem," and if they didn't
  • 00:18:03.133 --> 00:18:06.003
  • Live in jerusalem, "and you decide to go to the altar to
  • 00:18:06.003 --> 00:18:08.906
  • Make a sacrifice, if you are offering your gift at the
  • 00:18:08.906 --> 00:18:11.808
  • Altar," and again, if you lived in jerusalem, this took maybe a
  • 00:18:11.808 --> 00:18:14.912
  • Quarter of a day, depending on how long the line was.
  • 00:18:14.912 --> 00:18:18.081
  • If you lived outside jerusalem, this could take days to travel
  • 00:18:18.081 --> 00:18:21.985
  • To jerusalem, spend the night on your way, especially if you
  • 00:18:21.985 --> 00:18:24.721
  • Lived in galilee, and you've got an offering you could purchase
  • 00:18:24.721 --> 00:18:27.491
  • It there in jerusalem or at the temple, or you bring it with
  • 00:18:27.491 --> 00:18:29.560
  • You, and you're going to make a peace offering with god, you're
  • 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:32.362
  • Going to sacrifice for some sin you committed.
  • 00:18:32.362 --> 00:18:34.998
  • Again, you're there to clear your conscience, so you and god
  • 00:18:34.998 --> 00:18:37.968
  • Are on good terms.
  • 00:18:37.968 --> 00:18:39.736
  • He says, "if you get there and you are in line, and you're, you
  • 00:18:39.736 --> 00:18:43.207
  • Know, there's 3 people ahead of you and you're doing that thing
  • 00:18:43.207 --> 00:18:45.209
  • Where it's like, "three, two, oh, she is so slow."
  • 00:18:45.209 --> 00:18:48.445
  • Like the grocery line.
  • 00:18:48.445 --> 00:18:49.813
  • Like, "oh my goodness, i got in the wrong line.
  • 00:18:49.813 --> 00:18:51.348
  • Can i come up there and get--" you know, because there were
  • 00:18:51.348 --> 00:18:53.183
  • Multiple lines to make sacrifices, you know, at the
  • 00:18:53.183 --> 00:18:56.320
  • Altar of the temple.
  • 00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:57.654
  • He says, "if you're offering your gift and you remember that
  • 00:18:57.654 --> 00:19:01.592
  • Your brother or sister," and this could be literal or
  • 00:19:01.592 --> 00:19:03.827
  • Figurative, you know, a son or daughter of abraham.
  • 00:19:03.827 --> 00:19:06.997
  • "you remember that your brother or sister has something against
  • 00:19:06.997 --> 00:19:09.433
  • You, they're angry with you," either because there's something
  • 00:19:09.433 --> 00:19:12.035
  • You did or maybe something they did and the relationship is
  • 00:19:12.035 --> 00:19:15.405
  • Strained, it's broken, you hope you don't see each other in the
  • 00:19:15.405 --> 00:19:17.874
  • Marketplace, "leave your gift there in front of the altar."
  • 00:19:17.874 --> 00:19:26.049
  • "but i, whoa, whoa, whoa," this is why they were like, "we're
  • 00:19:26.049 --> 00:19:27.884
  • Not doing that.
  • 00:19:27.884 --> 00:19:29.253
  • I--it took me days to get here.
  • 00:19:29.253 --> 00:19:30.654
  • I've been in line for hours."
  • 00:19:30.654 --> 00:19:32.356
  • He says, "i know, i want you to take your little cage of pigeons
  • 00:19:32.356 --> 00:19:34.491
  • That you were gonna sacrifice.
  • 00:19:34.491 --> 00:19:35.826
  • I want you to set them in the shade.
  • 00:19:35.826 --> 00:19:37.661
  • I want you to tie your lamb up.
  • 00:19:37.661 --> 00:19:38.996
  • I want you to look to the people behind you and say, "hey, can
  • 00:19:38.996 --> 00:19:41.131
  • You take care of this?
  • 00:19:41.131 --> 00:19:42.466
  • I have something to do."
  • 00:19:42.466 --> 00:19:43.834
  • He says, "first, before you clear your conscience with god
  • 00:19:43.834 --> 00:19:46.236
  • Or before you make this sacrifice to be right with god,
  • 00:19:46.236 --> 00:19:48.839
  • First, of first importance, first in sequence, before you do
  • 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:54.878
  • Business with god," this is what just, i mean, this was
  • 00:19:54.878 --> 00:19:57.314
  • Completely backwards from everything they've been taught,
  • 00:19:57.314 --> 00:19:59.449
  • Backwards from everything i was taught.
  • 00:19:59.449 --> 00:20:01.585
  • He says, "first, you go be reconciled," there's our word,
  • 00:20:01.585 --> 00:20:07.057
  • To the brother or sister, the employer, the ex, that you've
  • 00:20:07.057 --> 00:20:11.428
  • Left things kind of hanging loose with, and you know there's
  • 00:20:11.428 --> 00:20:14.264
  • More to be done, you know there's another conversation to
  • 00:20:14.264 --> 00:20:16.133
  • Be had, you know there's restitution to be made, you know
  • 00:20:16.133 --> 00:20:18.435
  • There's apology that's--apology that's hanging out there.
  • 00:20:18.435 --> 00:20:21.571
  • "you first go be reconciled with them, then you come offer
  • 00:20:21.571 --> 00:20:24.207
  • Your gift."
  • 00:20:24.207 --> 00:20:25.575
  • And i'm telling you, when he said this, the audience is like,
  • 00:20:25.575 --> 00:20:28.912
  • "that's crazy.
  • 00:20:28.912 --> 00:20:30.414
  • Wait, wait, wait, you want me to prioritize my relationship with
  • 00:20:30.414 --> 00:20:33.417
  • My brother-in-law over making peace with god?"
  • 00:20:33.417 --> 00:20:38.488
  • To which, when you read the teaching of jesus, jesus would
  • 00:20:38.488 --> 00:20:40.691
  • Say, "well, see, you can't have peace with god until you make
  • 00:20:40.691 --> 00:20:44.761
  • Peace with your brother-in-law."
  • 00:20:44.761 --> 00:20:47.664
  • Because you are to be a reconciler, because you have
  • 00:20:47.664 --> 00:20:51.568
  • Been reconciled, the way of jesus, the way of jesus, it's
  • 00:20:51.568 --> 00:20:55.305
  • The way of reconciliation.
  • 00:20:55.305 --> 00:20:57.007
  • With god, yes.
  • 00:20:57.007 --> 00:21:00.243
  • But with the people around us as well and when possible,
  • 00:21:00.243 --> 00:21:06.950
  • Your enemy.
  • 00:21:06.950 --> 00:21:09.853
  • Your enemy.
  • 00:21:09.853 --> 00:21:11.588
  • I mean, the same sermon that he told this story, he's like,
  • 00:21:11.588 --> 00:21:13.824
  • Yeah, and love your enemy, and pray for those who
  • 00:21:13.824 --> 00:21:19.229
  • Persecute you.
  • 00:21:19.229 --> 00:21:20.564
  • You know what prayer for--you know what--why we pray for
  • 00:21:20.564 --> 00:21:22.165
  • Those who persecute us?
  • 00:21:22.165 --> 00:21:23.500
  • Praying for those who persecutes us, you know what it does?
  • 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.968
  • It brings the temperature down in our heart, so we can begin to
  • 00:21:24.968 --> 00:21:28.472
  • See little baby steps we could take toward reconciliation, to
  • 00:21:28.472 --> 00:21:31.975
  • Reconcile, this is the message of jesus, this is the way of
  • 00:21:31.975 --> 00:21:35.045
  • Jesus, this is what we're called to.
  • 00:21:35.045 --> 00:21:36.613
  • For those of you who aren't christians, you might be one if
  • 00:21:36.613 --> 00:21:39.015
  • We'd gotten this right.
  • 00:21:39.015 --> 00:21:40.917
  • The reconciled should be reconcilers.
  • 00:21:40.917 --> 00:21:45.422
  • So let me just ask this question.
  • 00:21:45.422 --> 00:21:46.757
  • Is this a--is this really that big a deal?
  • 00:21:46.757 --> 00:21:49.459
  • Yes.
  • 00:21:49.459 --> 00:21:50.794
  • Here's how big a deal it is.
  • 00:21:50.794 --> 00:21:52.362
  • What is the number one complaint right now about our nation?
  • 00:21:52.362 --> 00:21:57.501
  • We're so--yeah, some of you said it.
  • 00:21:57.501 --> 00:22:01.138
  • We're so divided, and what is the antidote for division?
  • 00:22:01.138 --> 00:22:05.041
  • It's not agreement.
  • 00:22:05.041 --> 00:22:07.010
  • You don't have to agree with someone to reconcile a
  • 00:22:07.010 --> 00:22:09.312
  • Relationship with someone.
  • 00:22:09.312 --> 00:22:10.947
  • The antidote, the solution, isn't agreement.
  • 00:22:10.947 --> 00:22:14.951
  • It's reconciliation.
  • 00:22:14.951 --> 00:22:18.321
  • Just a thought.
  • 00:22:18.321 --> 00:22:19.689
  • If the christians in our country, because there's so many
  • 00:22:19.689 --> 00:22:22.159
  • Of us, there's so many people who claim to be christians.
  • 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:24.761
  • If the christians in our country adopted this posture, and this
  • 00:22:24.761 --> 00:22:28.064
  • Isn't extra credit, this is central to what it means to
  • 00:22:28.064 --> 00:22:31.168
  • Follow jesus, right?
  • 00:22:31.168 --> 00:22:32.803
  • If the christians in our nation adopted this posture, we could
  • 00:22:32.803 --> 00:22:37.274
  • Fix that.
  • 00:22:37.274 --> 00:22:39.342
  • If we decided--if we decided collectively, we're not gonna
  • 00:22:39.342 --> 00:22:43.146
  • Listen to and we're not gonna celebrate the dividers, things
  • 00:22:43.146 --> 00:22:49.319
  • Would change.
  • 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.654
  • See, this isn't complicated.
  • 00:22:50.654 --> 00:22:52.789
  • But it's really difficult.
  • 00:22:52.789 --> 00:22:54.658
  • It's not complicated and it's really hard, and some of you are
  • 00:22:54.658 --> 00:22:57.594
  • Listening today and you're, i know what you're thinking, and i
  • 00:22:57.594 --> 00:22:59.830
  • Get it.
  • 00:22:59.830 --> 00:23:01.198
  • I'd be thinking the same thing, you're like, "andy, you need to
  • 00:23:01.198 --> 00:23:02.799
  • Hear my story first."
  • 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.134
  • I understand that, and i would never stand up here and make
  • 00:23:04.134 --> 00:23:05.936
  • These blanket statements if jesus hadn't.
  • 00:23:05.936 --> 00:23:09.673
  • But it's just, it's not complicated, it's just--it's
  • 00:23:09.673 --> 00:23:13.610
  • Just hard because i'm a divider by nature, and most of you are
  • 00:23:13.610 --> 00:23:20.984
  • Dividers by nature because you're sinners, and sin
  • 00:23:20.984 --> 00:23:24.521
  • Always divides.
  • 00:23:24.521 --> 00:23:25.889
  • The very first sin divided human race from--the human race
  • 00:23:25.889 --> 00:23:29.659
  • From god.
  • 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.994
  • The very first sin divided the first man from the first woman.
  • 00:23:30.994 --> 00:23:33.864
  • Sin always divides.
  • 00:23:33.864 --> 00:23:36.766
  • Selfishness divides.
  • 00:23:36.766 --> 00:23:38.568
  • Selfishness says, "i want my-- what's coming to me and i want a
  • 00:23:38.568 --> 00:23:41.905
  • Little bit of what's coming to you too, 'cause i think it's
  • 00:23:41.905 --> 00:23:43.840
  • Actually coming to me and if i don't get what's coming to me,
  • 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:45.909
  • Then i can't have anything to do with you and we're divided."
  • 00:23:45.909 --> 00:23:48.678
  • Fear divides, pride divides.
  • 00:23:48.678 --> 00:23:52.482
  • But if the spirit of god lives in you, if the spirit of god
  • 00:23:52.482 --> 00:23:56.152
  • Lives in me, sin is not the boss of me, my savior is.
  • 00:23:56.152 --> 00:24:01.992
  • So, initiate.
  • 00:24:01.992 --> 00:24:06.196
  • Be the first to apologize, whether they deserve it or not.
  • 00:24:06.196 --> 00:24:10.100
  • He didn't deserve it, but be quick to forgive.
  • 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:14.137
  • Don't sit on it.
  • 00:24:14.137 --> 00:24:15.572
  • Don't have those imaginary conversations where you come out
  • 00:24:15.572 --> 00:24:17.974
  • Looking good and they look awful.
  • 00:24:17.974 --> 00:24:19.543
  • In my imaginary conversations there's always a crowd and i
  • 00:24:19.543 --> 00:24:21.912
  • Have one great one-liner and drop the mic and walk off and
  • 00:24:21.912 --> 00:24:24.447
  • Everybody's like, "oh, andy's amazing, you know.
  • 00:24:24.447 --> 00:24:26.683
  • The other guy's a loser," you know?
  • 00:24:26.683 --> 00:24:28.685
  • That's just me.
  • 00:24:28.685 --> 00:24:30.053
  • I know you never do that.
  • 00:24:30.053 --> 00:24:31.388
  • You never have imaginary conversations.
  • 00:24:31.388 --> 00:24:32.756
  • And what do those imaginary conversations do?
  • 00:24:32.756 --> 00:24:34.090
  • They do nothing but rob you of energy, and your savior who love
  • 00:24:34.090 --> 00:24:37.060
  • You says, "i don't want you to live this way.
  • 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:38.895
  • You were not created to live that way.
  • 00:24:38.895 --> 00:24:40.864
  • You will rot from the inside out.
  • 00:24:40.864 --> 00:24:43.333
  • How many examples do you need to see that?"
  • 00:24:43.333 --> 00:24:46.670
  • So make that call you've been putting off, write that note
  • 00:24:46.670 --> 00:24:51.741
  • You've been putting off, refuse, come on, refuse to return evil
  • 00:24:51.741 --> 00:24:57.147
  • For evil, do what jesus did and return good for evil.
  • 00:24:57.147 --> 00:25:03.853
  • Again, i'm gonna put words in jesus's mouth for just a second,
  • 00:25:03.853 --> 00:25:06.356
  • Maybe if he were here preaching this sermon, he would end it
  • 00:25:06.356 --> 00:25:09.059
  • Like this.
  • 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:12.295
  • He might say, "so, if you're on your way to the christmas eve
  • 00:25:12.295 --> 00:25:18.969
  • Celebration at church and suddenly you remember that your
  • 00:25:18.969 --> 00:25:26.910
  • Brother or sister has something against you, and it may be your
  • 00:25:26.910 --> 00:25:31.548
  • Fault, and it may be their fault, and it's probably
  • 00:25:31.548 --> 00:25:33.350
  • Everybody's fault."
  • 00:25:33.350 --> 00:25:35.452
  • Perhaps he would say to us, "first--first, before you come
  • 00:25:35.452 --> 00:25:42.459
  • Celebrate what i've done for you, and before singing to me
  • 00:25:42.459 --> 00:25:46.096
  • About how much you love me, how about you prove it by keeping
  • 00:25:46.096 --> 00:25:51.635
  • My commandment?
  • 00:25:51.635 --> 00:25:54.270
  • Go be--first go and be reconciled to them.
  • 00:25:54.270 --> 00:25:59.209
  • Then go celebrate my birthday."
  • 00:25:59.209 --> 00:26:04.080
  • So inconvenient.
  • 00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:07.150
  • No guaranteed outcome.
  • 00:26:07.150 --> 00:26:09.219
  • In some cases it's risky, because you're kind of putting
  • 00:26:09.219 --> 00:26:11.988
  • Yourself out there, maybe you've tried before.
  • 00:26:11.988 --> 00:26:16.326
  • But the cross was inconvenient.
  • 00:26:16.326 --> 00:26:20.764
  • And when jesus died for your sin, there was no guarantee you
  • 00:26:20.764 --> 00:26:23.266
  • Would respond, but he left heaven, and he came to dwell on
  • 00:26:23.266 --> 00:26:27.804
  • Earth as one of us anyway.
  • 00:26:27.804 --> 00:26:34.044
  • The way of jesus is the way of reconciliation.
  • 00:26:34.044 --> 00:26:40.383
  • The reconciled, we're called and we're commanded to be the
  • 00:26:40.383 --> 00:26:45.121
  • Reconcilers, and if we love him, we will.
  • 00:26:45.121 --> 00:26:52.228
  • If we love him, we'll try.
  • 00:26:52.228 --> 00:26:55.265
  • If we love him, we'll begin removing even the smallest
  • 00:26:55.265 --> 00:26:59.636
  • Obstacles between us and that other person because our
  • 00:26:59.636 --> 00:27:04.874
  • Heavenly father removed all the obstacles between himself and
  • 00:27:04.874 --> 00:27:09.612
  • Us, and that's why we celebrate the birth of our savior and
  • 00:27:09.612 --> 00:27:16.152
  • Our king.
  • 00:27:16.152 --> 00:27:17.687
  • And we will pick it up right there next time as we conclude
  • 00:27:17.687 --> 00:27:21.091
  • Our series, "the way in a manger."
  • 00:27:21.091 --> 00:27:26.930
  • Andy: hey, thanks so much for watching today.
  • 00:27:26.930 --> 00:27:28.898
  • Before you go, i want to tell you about a special offer.
  • 00:27:28.898 --> 00:27:31.434
  • When you support "your move" with a gift of $20 or more,
  • 00:27:31.434 --> 00:27:34.771
  • We're gonna send you our gratitude guide.
  • 00:27:34.771 --> 00:27:36.673
  • This resource is designed to help you pause, re-center, and
  • 00:27:36.673 --> 00:27:39.943
  • Reflect on what you already have to be grateful for.
  • 00:27:39.943 --> 00:27:42.746
  • And it's our way of saying thank you for being a part of what
  • 00:27:42.746 --> 00:27:46.249
  • We're doing here at "your move."
  • 00:27:46.249 --> 00:27:47.717
  • And here's why your gift matters.
  • 00:27:47.717 --> 00:27:49.819
  • Your generosity helps us place the teaching of jesus in front
  • 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:52.956
  • Of people who are asking life's hardest questions but don't yet
  • 00:27:52.956 --> 00:27:56.726
  • Realize that jesus is actually the answer.
  • 00:27:56.726 --> 00:27:59.395
  • To make a donation and to claim your copy of the gratitude
  • 00:27:59.395 --> 00:28:01.931
  • Guide, just visit the website or call the number at the bottom of
  • 00:28:01.931 --> 00:28:05.268
  • Your screen, and now it's your move.
  • 00:28:05.268 --> 00:28:22.018
  • ...
  • 00:28:25.255 --> 00:28:25.255