WEBVTT 00:00:03.927 --> 00:00:07.894 Well, as the band is coming up, we're getting ready to start our celebration tonight. 00:00:07.894 --> 00:00:22.554 I just want to take a minute to acknowledge that there are some of us in the midst of this evening of joy that maybe our joy is a little bit muted tonight because we've experienced a loss this year. 00:00:22.554 --> 00:00:29.208 And for those of us who are in that camp, I just want to just say a few words and pray for us. 00:00:29.208 --> 00:00:45.808 This time of year can be difficult for us, but these are the very pains that Christ came in the world to heal and in a sense it's a very real. 00:00:45.808 --> 00:01:06.093 Reason that we celebrate Christmas is that God himself stooped down and stepped into flesh and he entered our broken world and he did not look down from afar, but he took upon flesh and he came to be Emmanuel, god with us. 00:01:07.740 --> 00:01:13.471 My favorite poem is actually a Christmas poem and it's by Lucy Shaw. 00:01:13.471 --> 00:01:14.853 It's called Mary's Song. 00:01:14.853 --> 00:01:22.313 It's a beautiful poem that views the incarnation of Jesus through the eyes of Mary, his mother. 00:01:22.313 --> 00:01:23.647 So it's a mother's viewpoint. 00:01:23.647 --> 00:01:36.240 So if you can think of Mary looking down at her sleeping child as I read portion of this poem, quiet he lies, whose vigor hurled a universe. 00:01:36.240 --> 00:01:46.236 He sleeps whose eyelids have not closed before His breath, so slight it seems no breath at all. 00:01:46.236 --> 00:01:53.349 Once ruffled the dark deeps to sprout a world Older than eternity. 00:01:53.349 --> 00:01:57.215 Now he is new, now native to earth. 00:01:57.215 --> 00:02:06.227 As I am nailed to my poor planet, caught then I might be free, blind in my womb. 00:02:06.245 --> 00:02:07.927 Are you despised? 00:02:07.927 --> 00:02:23.825 So was he. 00:02:23.825 --> 00:02:29.127 Are you feeling searing pain of rejection? 00:02:29.127 --> 00:02:30.931 So did he. 00:02:30.931 --> 00:02:36.425 Are you a person of sorrows? 00:02:36.425 --> 00:02:37.348 So is he. 00:02:37.348 --> 00:02:59.219 In fact, the only wounds that we're going to see in heaven are the wounds of our man of sorrows, the suffering servant king, who chose in his glorified body to maintain those wounds as proof of his love, as proof of his fellowship of our sufferings. 00:03:01.042 --> 00:03:15.437 So the Jesus that we sing of tonight is the one who laid aside his glory and came to earth to feel our pangs of hunger and thirst and longing and emotional pain. 00:03:15.437 --> 00:03:23.312 And though he is high above the heavens, yet he stoops down to lift the needy. 00:03:23.312 --> 00:03:26.026 He's near to the brokenhearted. 00:03:26.026 --> 00:03:31.288 The Lord upholds all who are falling and he raises up all who are bowed down. 00:03:31.288 --> 00:03:38.007 And a bruised reed he will not break when we're lonely and vulnerable. 00:03:38.007 --> 00:03:39.324 He does not scorn. 00:03:39.324 --> 00:03:54.709 He lifts us and even now he's in work in our wounded hearts, expanding them to know him more, pouring in the balm of his presence and his love through his spirit and through his people. 00:03:54.709 --> 00:04:00.907 And Jesus said blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. 00:04:00.907 --> 00:04:15.561 We who mourn will know God in ways we've never dreamed of, and from the soil of our sorrow will spring strength and praise from hearts that truly know their God. 00:04:15.561 --> 00:04:17.285 So be encouraged. 00:04:17.285 --> 00:04:18.829 Even now he's with us. 00:04:18.829 --> 00:04:20.572 Even now he's working inside of us. 00:04:20.572 --> 00:04:25.165 We're not abandoned, we're not orphans. 00:04:27.247 --> 00:04:29.853 Let me pray for you, father. 00:04:29.853 --> 00:04:32.584 I thank you for the promise of Jesus. 00:04:32.584 --> 00:04:38.240 I thank you for the heart that you have, from which this promise springs. 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:50.411 I thank you that we have a Savior who is a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering and grief, and tempted in every way, as we are yet without sin. 00:04:50.411 --> 00:05:12.930 So he's able to comfort those of us who are suffering, and I pray for every heart tonight that's breaking or suffering for any kind of loss, lord, loss that's loss of a loved one, or loss of a relationship, or loss of a dream, or loss of expectations that weren't met. 00:05:12.930 --> 00:05:16.598 Lord, all of these things that you have also felt. 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:23.252 I pray, god, for all of our hearts who are feeling this point of emptiness, this point of pain. 00:05:23.293 --> 00:05:25.473 Lord, I thank you that you meet us in that point of pain and that there's a revelation of emptiness, this point of pain. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:31.163 Lord, I thank you that you meet us in that point of pain and that there's a revelation of yourself, lord, that you open our eyes to see you in fresh ways. 00:05:31.163 --> 00:05:36.869 And I pray, lord, what the psalmist says in Psalm 126. 00:05:36.869 --> 00:05:50.166 I pray that those who go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, will doubtless come again with joy, bringing the fruit with them. 00:05:50.166 --> 00:06:05.452 I thank you that fruit comes from this, lord, and I thank you that you gently shepherd our souls in the midst of our pain so that we can see the joy of walking with you and the joy that we're never alone. 00:06:05.452 --> 00:06:09.069 And I pray for that kind of joy to happen in this season. 00:06:09.069 --> 00:06:14.151 I ask you to protect and to comfort and to grant peace. 00:06:14.151 --> 00:06:23.084 Lord, your shalom, your presence in the hearts and the homes of those who've experienced loss this year, and we thank you for that. 00:06:23.084 --> 00:06:28.528 Father, thank you for the joy that comes out, the joy that comes in the morning. 00:06:28.528 --> 00:06:31.166 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:46.949 We're going to start with just a song of worship. 00:06:46.949 --> 00:06:49.067 You're welcome to stand up with us if you'd like to. 00:06:49.067 --> 00:06:52.687 We're singing about joy to the world. 00:06:52.687 --> 00:07:09.449 We all know this song, but I'd like for us to just remind ourselves that he is our joy, he is our hope, he is our peace in this season and in every season of our joy. 00:07:09.449 --> 00:07:11.199 He is our hope, he is our peace in this season and in every season of our lives. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:12.482 Thank you, jesus. 00:07:12.482 --> 00:07:39.269 Father, I pray that our focus is on you tonight, that we can just let all of our burdens go, that we can set them at your feet, that we can just focus in on the story of the gospel this evening as we worship together and bring you honor and praise. 00:07:39.569 --> 00:07:41.872 Thank you, lord, amen. 00:07:41.872 --> 00:07:44.894 Joy to the world. 00:07:44.894 --> 00:07:47.076 The Lord is come. 00:07:47.076 --> 00:07:57.059 Let earth receive her King. 00:07:57.059 --> 00:08:03.379 Let every heart prepare Him room In heaven and nature. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:10.550 Sing In heaven and nature sing in heaven and nature sing in heaven. 00:08:10.550 --> 00:08:15.939 Heaven, nature sing. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:29.629 Joy to the earth. 00:08:29.629 --> 00:08:30.617 The Savior reigns. 00:08:30.617 --> 00:08:45.490 Let men their songs employ While fields and flood, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy. 00:08:45.490 --> 00:08:46.615 Repeat the sound in joy. 00:08:46.615 --> 00:08:49.828 Repeat the sound in joy. 00:08:49.828 --> 00:08:54.950 Repeat, repeat the sound in joy. 00:08:54.950 --> 00:09:09.594 Oh yeah, oh no more. 00:09:09.594 --> 00:09:17.128 Let no more listening In sorrow's door, nor thorns infest the ground. 00:09:20.923 --> 00:09:29.289 He comes to make His blessings flow, for as the curse is found, he comes to make his blessings known Far as the curse is found. 00:09:29.289 --> 00:09:38.846 Far as the curse is found, far as far as the curse is found, he rules the world. 00:09:38.846 --> 00:09:54.033 He rules the world. 00:09:54.033 --> 00:10:32.678 He makes the nations prove the glories Of his righteousness, wonders of his love, wonders of his love, wonders, wonders Of his love, of His love. 00:10:32.678 --> 00:11:02.404 He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love and wonders of His love and wonders, wonders of His love. 00:11:02.404 --> 00:11:28.298 Oh, wonders of His love, oh, wonders of His love. 00:11:28.298 --> 00:11:40.868 Let Him open up, let it open up, let it open up, Let Him open up To receive the King. 00:11:40.868 --> 00:11:52.541 Let it open up, let it open up, king, to receive the key. 00:11:52.541 --> 00:12:37.423 Oh, the reason is righteousness, glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love. 00:12:37.423 --> 00:12:41.706 He's the Lord. 00:12:52.219 --> 00:12:58.928 So here we are this evening to answer one question Is he worthy? 00:12:58.928 --> 00:13:02.990 And if he is worthy, what of it? 00:13:02.990 --> 00:13:14.688 The age-old case of Christ versus my doubts, my shame, my disdain has he really earned my praise? 00:13:20.260 --> 00:13:24.451 Advent is the time of year when earth holds its breath and waits. 00:13:24.451 --> 00:13:27.638 Advent is the time of year when earth holds its breath and waits. 00:13:27.638 --> 00:13:38.253 In the silence of a snow-fallen winter, you can almost hear the earth groaning, groaning under the weight of sin, of grief, of what is and what never should have been. 00:13:38.253 --> 00:13:42.860 Do you hear it? 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.160 Do you feel it? 00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:45.662 Waiting is cold and empty. 00:13:45.662 --> 00:14:11.153 Waiting is Adam and Eve hiding in the garden, hagar in the desert, job deep in grief, moses in the basket, joseph in a prison, rahab in Jericho, daniel in the lion's den, jonah in the belly, hannah crying for a babe, ruth on the threshing floor, david hiding in a cave. 00:14:12.234 --> 00:14:15.174 Waiting is a pregnant woman being turned away. 00:14:15.174 --> 00:14:27.390 When all seems lost in the deepest sorrow, when you wish to not wake up tomorrow, there is something all more precious here that doesn't shy away from fear. 00:14:27.390 --> 00:14:31.450 A hope, though frail, is hard to kill. 00:14:31.450 --> 00:14:41.470 And as the earth seems to still, let me join the angels, proclaim the news, good news, gospel of hope for me and you. 00:14:41.470 --> 00:14:55.249 Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men, because the Christ who came at Christmas is the God who wants to dwell, is the King who is coming again. 00:14:55.249 --> 00:14:58.408 You see, heaven loves the waiting. 00:14:58.408 --> 00:15:08.741 A countdown for the big event, when we are lost in the longing, is when angel choirs begin to sing O come. 00:15:08.902 --> 00:15:34.234 O come, emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. 00:15:34.234 --> 00:15:52.336 Rejoice, emmanuel, shall come to thee. 00:15:52.336 --> 00:15:53.440 O Israel. 00:15:53.440 --> 00:16:00.407 O come thou Dayspring. 00:16:00.407 --> 00:16:26.414 Come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here and rife away the shadows of night and pierce the clouds and bring us light. 00:16:26.414 --> 00:16:38.384 Rejoice, rejoice, emmanuel Shall come to thee. 00:16:38.384 --> 00:16:39.285 O Israel. 00:16:39.285 --> 00:16:46.754 Israel O come. 00:16:46.754 --> 00:16:58.833 Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind. 00:16:58.833 --> 00:17:13.653 Bid thou our sad division cease and be thyself our King of peace. 00:17:13.653 --> 00:17:28.192 Rejoice, rejoice, emmanuel Shall come to thee. 00:17:28.192 --> 00:17:48.335 O Israel, rejoice, rejoice, emmanuel shall come to thee, o Israel. 00:17:48.335 --> 00:17:59.224 Shall come to thee, o Israel. 00:18:17.738 --> 00:18:19.740 Redeem, restore. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:28.143 We dare to question, second guess and even despise this. 00:18:28.143 --> 00:18:43.089 God does not shy away from our questioning, but he opens his whole filled hands to Thomas and invites us to come and see the man of sorrows acquainted with grief. 00:18:43.089 --> 00:18:48.112 Is he worthy of our time, our talent, our treasure? 00:18:48.112 --> 00:18:53.791 Let us look back, make our measure and be sure Is he worthy? 00:18:53.791 --> 00:19:06.471 He is everything the seed of a woman in Genesis 3, serpent crushing heel bitten for you and for me. 00:19:06.471 --> 00:19:09.702 He was despised and rejected by men. 00:19:09.702 --> 00:19:16.201 A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces. 00:19:16.201 --> 00:19:19.865 He was despised and we esteemed him not. 00:19:19.865 --> 00:19:23.648 In Rome ruled Nazarethareth. 00:19:23.648 --> 00:19:25.170 An angel meets a girl. 00:19:25.170 --> 00:19:37.766 10 generations of withheld waiting, 400 years of earth groaning, heaven comes down and meets a girl. 00:19:39.867 --> 00:19:45.313 That can't be right, but it is the upside down. 00:19:45.313 --> 00:19:46.933 Kingdom is coming at last. 00:19:46.933 --> 00:19:51.682 The king is coming, oh yes, at last. 00:19:51.682 --> 00:19:56.789 Surely he will be triumphant and militant, ruling. 00:19:56.789 --> 00:20:04.143 Oh no, he's coming, humbly, an infant cooing. 00:20:04.143 --> 00:20:22.970 Why would God, creator, sustainer, holy, righteous and crowned, take off his robes and let himself be held by his mother, mary, young unsure, and his father, joseph, frightened all the more? 00:20:22.970 --> 00:20:25.269 They must have found him worthy. 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:34.990 Mary, maybe 15, suddenly gives up everything Her reputation, her future, her life. 00:20:34.990 --> 00:20:40.772 And Joseph, betrothed to Mary, feeling betrayed, sleeping alone. 00:20:40.772 --> 00:20:47.913 When suddenly he's met with an angelic dream from the God on high, he changes his plans. 00:20:47.913 --> 00:21:06.355 He gives Mary her life so that they could together raise the life Not the people I would choose, perhaps, but it was spoken before the king born of a virgin raised by David's son in a town called Bethlehem. 00:21:06.355 --> 00:21:48.528 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore, the seal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 00:21:54.347 --> 00:21:55.518 In the darkness. 00:21:55.518 --> 00:22:03.886 We were waiting, without hope, without light, till from heaven you came running. 00:22:03.886 --> 00:22:10.789 There was mercy in your eyes To fulfill the law and prophets. 00:22:10.789 --> 00:22:20.682 To a virgin came the Word From a throne of endless glory To a cradle in the dirt. 00:22:20.682 --> 00:22:36.567 Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit. 00:22:36.567 --> 00:22:39.874 Three in one. 00:22:39.874 --> 00:22:52.607 God of glory, majesty, praise forever Son, praise the Spirit. 00:22:52.607 --> 00:23:13.788 Free in one. 00:23:13.788 --> 00:23:25.372 God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King of kings. 00:23:25.372 --> 00:23:47.432 We sing Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, the one God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King of kings. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:04.006 Speaking of things that have been spoken before. 00:24:04.006 --> 00:24:05.489 What about Elizabeth? 00:24:05.489 --> 00:24:07.032 Asked to hope once more. 00:24:07.032 --> 00:24:13.165 Can you imagine her wide eyes when Zachariah came home and opened his mouth? 00:24:13.165 --> 00:24:14.450 But no words came out. 00:24:14.450 --> 00:24:21.950 A babe in her womb, once barren, now filled, jumped in recognition at his cousin, revealed. 00:24:21.950 --> 00:24:27.603 How could a child in the womb know what was held in another, prophesied long ago? 00:24:27.603 --> 00:24:29.807 But back to the baby. 00:24:29.807 --> 00:24:35.544 Fully God, fully man, here to live a perfect life, change the world without sin. 00:24:36.306 --> 00:24:43.167 They traveled to Bethlehem and there he was lain in a manger owned by strangers, nothing to his name. 00:24:43.167 --> 00:24:55.723 He wasn't found worthy of room in the inn, but across the city, in a sky once dim, dozens of angels sing and proclaim to several cold shepherds of this glorious day. 00:24:55.723 --> 00:25:03.931 So the shepherds come running, stumbling, wondering if they'd become like sheep, him the shepherd, the babe in the hay. 00:25:03.931 --> 00:25:11.071 If I were to announce an arrival so fine, I'd proclaim it to people much more refined. 00:25:11.071 --> 00:25:20.513 And while I'm at it, I'd probably choose a castle, a mansion, some glorious clothes, though it'd pale in comparison to his heavenly robes. 00:25:20.513 --> 00:25:40.633 But now in the palace, king Herod, until he is paid a disturbing visit, wise men from the east searching the stars, a new one appears, abrams promised and sends them out far they come bearing gifts, seeking the one they have deemed deserving of honor, of treasure. 00:25:40.633 --> 00:25:57.517 All hail the newborn King Silent night, holy night. 00:26:00.203 --> 00:26:09.326 All is calm, all is bright round yon. 00:26:09.326 --> 00:26:23.269 Virgin mother and child, holy infant, so tender and mild. 00:26:23.269 --> 00:26:29.130 Sleep in heavenly peace. 00:26:29.130 --> 00:26:49.635 Sleep in heavenly peace, silent night, holy night. 00:26:49.635 --> 00:27:06.813 Shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar. 00:27:06.813 --> 00:27:15.375 Heavenly hosts sing alleluia. 00:27:15.375 --> 00:27:22.288 Christ the Savior is born. 00:27:22.288 --> 00:27:45.877 Christ the Savior is born, silent night, holy night. 00:27:45.877 --> 00:28:08.317 Son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace. 00:28:08.317 --> 00:28:15.132 Jesus, lord at Thy birth. 00:28:15.132 --> 00:28:27.238 Jesus, lord at thy birth. 00:28:33.181 --> 00:28:36.871 Herod fakes a smile and lies through his teeth. 00:28:36.871 --> 00:28:40.347 Wise men are warned through a heavenly dream. 00:28:40.347 --> 00:28:47.808 Left alone, herod paces, fumes, hatred, seething. 00:28:47.808 --> 00:28:55.266 He will not submit to this kid they call king who cares about the stars. 00:28:55.266 --> 00:29:02.384 I hold the scepter and the crown, and now there will be weeping all over the town. 00:29:03.666 --> 00:29:06.634 But wait, why should Herod care? 00:29:06.634 --> 00:29:10.925 Why so disturbed by a foreigner's tale? 00:29:10.925 --> 00:29:18.105 There must be some truth to the story they told, or else he would have just let it unfold. 00:29:18.105 --> 00:29:29.940 Perhaps that's part of the evidence that you seek, when just hearing his name causes demons to shriek, just like Cain and Abel. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:32.066 Blood cries from the ground. 00:29:32.066 --> 00:29:35.805 Have you ever what heaven hears now? 00:29:35.805 --> 00:29:41.185 But God is not outsmarted, surprised or distraught. 00:29:41.185 --> 00:29:45.926 He is holy and righteous and one who fears not. 00:29:45.926 --> 00:29:50.267 The king of heaven's armies will not be dismayed. 00:29:50.267 --> 00:29:58.702 He is here to flip the script, change the ending, save the day Joseph met in another dream. 00:29:58.702 --> 00:30:10.983 Given direction, heaven sent Takes the girl and the babe away to Egypt, led here and there to and fro, till at last it is deemed Nazareth. 00:30:10.983 --> 00:30:11.746 They should go. 00:30:11.746 --> 00:30:18.228 As for us, we could just ignore him or hate him like Herod. 00:30:18.228 --> 00:30:20.422 But what about the temple? 00:30:20.422 --> 00:30:25.186 What about Anna and Simeon, who called him sacred? 00:30:29.895 --> 00:30:44.085 Now, when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him. 00:30:44.085 --> 00:30:50.989 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. 00:30:50.989 --> 00:30:55.817 This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet Out of Egypt. 00:30:55.817 --> 00:30:58.457 I called my son, then Herod. 00:30:58.457 --> 00:31:29.968 When he saw he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 00:31:30.028 --> 00:31:35.613 Whom angels greet with anthems sweet. 00:31:36.435 --> 00:31:41.646 While shepherds watch are keeping. 00:31:41.646 --> 00:31:55.069 This this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. 00:31:57.795 --> 00:32:04.084 Haste, haste to bring Him, Lord, the. 00:32:04.144 --> 00:32:09.111 Babe, the Son of Mary. 00:32:18.994 --> 00:32:22.242 So bring him incense golden. 00:32:22.242 --> 00:32:26.012 Come, peasant king, to own him. 00:32:26.012 --> 00:32:33.650 The king of kings salvation brings. 00:32:33.650 --> 00:32:40.228 Let loving hearts enthrone Him. 00:32:40.228 --> 00:32:44.265 Raise, raise a song on high. 00:32:44.265 --> 00:32:57.885 The Virgin sings her lullaby Joy, joy. 00:32:57.885 --> 00:33:06.906 For Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary. 00:33:06.906 --> 00:33:32.403 Yes, this is Christ, the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste, haste to break Him down, the faithful son of Mary. 00:33:42.977 --> 00:33:50.361 Let's turn the pages and skip ahead to a dove coming down from the sky, a heavenly spirit. 00:33:50.361 --> 00:34:02.586 Did you hear father say he is pleased with the son, the one his cousin proclaimed Now off to the woods For testing, Fasting Ongoing? 00:34:02.586 --> 00:34:06.840 Surely Satan himself Can trip up the king. 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:09.844 I wonder why Satan bothered himself. 00:34:09.844 --> 00:34:12.300 He's the boss of a legion. 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.543 Could have sent someone else. 00:34:13.543 --> 00:34:17.023 He must have known whom he was tempting. 00:34:17.023 --> 00:34:24.684 King never stumbled, wasn't caught in the snare, Just quoted the scriptures that Moses listed. 00:34:24.684 --> 00:34:36.987 Then the angels cared and Jesus said to him be gone, Satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord, your God, and him only shall you serve. 00:34:36.987 --> 00:34:43.527 Then the devil left him and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 00:34:46.195 --> 00:34:52.266 The Savior sets out, it's time to go fishing, making disciples of men rough and messy. 00:34:52.266 --> 00:34:58.666 A dozen close friends, a dozen companions, including one with disdain in his heart. 00:34:58.666 --> 00:35:00.429 Bitterness steeped in. 00:35:00.429 --> 00:35:10.306 If he's really the king, if he knows everything, why would he let Judas dwell in the camp, handle the money, eat from his hand? 00:35:10.306 --> 00:35:12.230 What mercy. 00:35:12.230 --> 00:35:18.099 He showed compassion again by loving still Judas, knowing death was his plan. 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:21.806 The king at a wedding, the wine ran dry. 00:35:21.806 --> 00:35:24.856 Mary came to her son, asked him to intervene. 00:35:24.856 --> 00:35:28.202 Jesus not convinced that was for him to be doing. 00:35:28.202 --> 00:35:33.876 But honor won out and the water ran red, a prophetic image of his blood to be shed. 00:35:33.876 --> 00:35:36.561 It was only the beginning. 00:35:36.561 --> 00:35:38.304 His power exploding. 00:35:38.304 --> 00:35:41.938 Lepers healed den men raised, his love overflowing. 00:35:41.938 --> 00:35:44.967 He broke all their rules and was abhorred for it. 00:35:44.967 --> 00:35:52.284 A sloppy, worthless campaign from where some sit, but enough took notice to make religious men tremble. 00:35:52.284 --> 00:35:56.099 Their power control, legalism made example. 00:35:56.099 --> 00:36:00.047 His parables taught, ripped apart, turned upside down. 00:36:00.047 --> 00:36:02.860 What the leaders had twisted came undone. 00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:05.608 Burdens lifted, yokes lightened. 00:36:14.135 --> 00:36:15.257 And on and on miracles. 00:36:15.257 --> 00:36:38.137 Lives changed until Jesus, in a garden alone and betrayed, blood, soaked, sweat, hitting the ground, knowing what he was awaiting but the King of heaven's armies, who let himself be bound, all so that you and I could be found. 00:36:38.137 --> 00:36:43.206 You see, they put him on trial, they accused him and abused him. 00:36:43.206 --> 00:36:50.023 They deemed him worthy of a sinner's death, of a mocking, piercing crown. 00:36:50.023 --> 00:36:58.458 They ripped the beard from his face, the skin peeled off of his back, nailed him to the cross. 00:36:58.458 --> 00:37:08.005 As the earth stops, the king of heaven takes a final breath and with the exhale, the earth erupts. 00:37:08.005 --> 00:37:18.418 As the earth, the worthy one, the, the only son, hangs dead upon the cross, the sky turns black and the ground shakes. 00:37:18.418 --> 00:37:22.344 The veil rips and hell celebrates. 00:37:22.344 --> 00:37:28.659 A roman soldier on his face says surely this was the son of god. 00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:39.324 They placed him in a borrowed tomb, rolled the stone and sealed it shut and all of a sudden, the light of heaven was in the dark. 00:37:44.836 --> 00:37:46.501 The moon and stars. 00:37:46.501 --> 00:38:17.224 They wept the morning sun was dead, the Savior of the world was fallen, his body on the cross, his blood poured out for us the weight of every curse upon Him, upon him. 00:38:17.603 --> 00:38:27.349 When final breath he gave. 00:38:27.349 --> 00:38:39.541 As heaven looked away, the Son of God was laid in darkness. 00:38:39.541 --> 00:38:44.188 A battle in the grave, a war on death was waged. 00:38:57.931 --> 00:38:59.114 The power of hell forever broken. 00:38:59.114 --> 00:39:06.025 Can you imagine the disciples' despair, mary's grief, peter's shame? 00:39:06.025 --> 00:39:08.000 All hope seemed lost. 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:14.619 Darkness reigned, but the King is worthy of his name. 00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:16.724 Death was really just the waiting place. 00:39:16.724 --> 00:39:27.407 While they were all weeping and mourning and distraught and questioning everything that they had ever thought, heaven held its breath and counted to three. 00:39:27.407 --> 00:39:35.503 You see, the hope of Christmas, the hope of waiting is that the story isn't over. 00:39:35.503 --> 00:39:44.532 When all hope seemed lost, jesus fought and won the keys of death, hell and the grave. 00:40:15.157 --> 00:40:17.461 The King of heaven, now gloriously raised. 00:40:17.461 --> 00:40:19.405 Now, death, where is your sting? 00:40:19.405 --> 00:40:21.329 Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated. 00:40:21.329 --> 00:40:25.021 Forever. 00:40:25.021 --> 00:40:40.387 He is glorified, forever. 00:40:40.387 --> 00:40:41.469 He is alive. 00:40:41.469 --> 00:40:46.382 He is alive. 00:40:46.382 --> 00:40:54.045 The ground began to shake. 00:40:54.045 --> 00:40:56.461 The stone was run away. 00:40:56.461 --> 00:41:02.893 His perfect love could not be overcome. 00:41:02.893 --> 00:41:07.246 Now, death, where is your sting? 00:41:07.246 --> 00:41:12.862 Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated. 00:41:12.862 --> 00:41:16.717 Our resurrected King has resurrected you to be Forever. 00:41:16.717 --> 00:41:25.739 He is alive, and mine Forever. 00:41:25.739 --> 00:41:26.099 He is alive. 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:39.461 He is alive. 00:41:47.961 --> 00:41:49.094 You are alive. 00:41:49.094 --> 00:41:49.998 You are the Lord. 00:41:49.998 --> 00:41:58.112 You are the Lord, you are the Lord. 00:41:58.112 --> 00:41:58.554 You are the Lord. 00:41:58.554 --> 00:42:07.411 We sing. 00:42:07.411 --> 00:42:20.403 We sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah. 00:42:20.403 --> 00:42:33.909 The Lamb has overcome and we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah. 00:42:33.909 --> 00:42:37.144 The Lamb has overcome. 00:42:48.295 --> 00:42:50.021 The women were the first, he told. 00:42:50.021 --> 00:42:52.226 And then it spread like wildfire. 00:42:52.226 --> 00:42:57.547 Now behold the Savior, lord and friend, with holes in his hands. 00:42:57.547 --> 00:43:05.001 He loved them, saved them, restored them and warned them that waiting was coming. 00:43:05.001 --> 00:43:07.980 But not to fret, there would be a helper. 00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:16.498 Heaven sent and with that and instructions to sow wide and far, he raised up his hands and they watched him ascend. 00:43:16.498 --> 00:43:23.079 But now what they must have wondered, waiting in the darkened cold of Jerusalem room. 00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:30.036 Beloved this God is always worth the wait because his gift is of himself. 00:43:30.036 --> 00:43:35.188 His Holy Spirit sets ablaze the hearts and tongues of the believers. 00:43:35.188 --> 00:43:44.947 The resurrection is made indwelling and the believers scatter, making disciples, saving lives, souls, the only thing that matter. 00:43:45.695 --> 00:43:48.585 They multiplied quickly and encountered great trial. 00:43:48.585 --> 00:43:59.516 The price of his name ever growing Stephen, the first to his name, ever growing Stephen, the first to deem him worthy of all, cries out to heaven as they make him fall. 00:43:59.516 --> 00:44:04.264 And when the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 00:44:04.264 --> 00:44:13.744 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 00:44:13.744 --> 00:44:20.027 Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. 00:44:20.027 --> 00:44:30.070 At this, they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. 00:44:30.070 --> 00:44:35.722 Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 00:44:35.722 --> 00:44:42.643 While they were stoning him, stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 00:44:42.643 --> 00:44:49.423 Then he fell on his knees and cried out Lord, do not hold this sin against them. 00:44:49.423 --> 00:44:53.184 And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 00:44:57.516 --> 00:44:59.443 The call of Christ is a weighty thing. 00:44:59.443 --> 00:45:03.465 While the yoke is easy, the cost is high. 00:45:03.465 --> 00:45:07.184 Even now, holy Spirit indwells. 00:45:07.184 --> 00:45:12.440 God is with us, emmanuel In our new position. 00:45:12.440 --> 00:45:14.867 With him we rule and we reign. 00:45:14.867 --> 00:45:33.963 But there is still so much more for which we can hardly wait, but tarry we will and ache we do feel the whole earth continues to groan, groaning under the weight of sin, of grief, of what is and what never should have been. 00:45:33.963 --> 00:45:35.115 Do you hear it? 00:45:35.115 --> 00:45:37.119 Do you feel it? 00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:45.670 We are here, weary, waiting, worn, remembering when the Savior was born. 00:45:45.670 --> 00:45:55.936 Every day we must pick up the cross, thankful we are no longer lost in the hustle and bustle in Satan's biggest schemes. 00:45:55.936 --> 00:46:06.478 All of hell is screaming to distract us from the king, and so today we must answer this question is he worthy? 00:46:06.478 --> 00:46:08.440 Is he worthy of our time? 00:46:08.440 --> 00:46:10.224 Is he worthy of our treasure? 00:46:10.224 --> 00:46:13.250 Is he worthy of our life? 00:46:18.476 --> 00:46:31.268 And what more shall I say For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, barak, samson, jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who, through faith, conquered kingdoms, enforced justice. 00:46:31.268 --> 00:46:44.228 Prophets who, through faith, conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 00:46:44.228 --> 00:46:47.237 Women received back their dead by resurrection. 00:46:47.237 --> 00:46:54.309 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:46:54.309 --> 00:46:59.443 Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. 00:46:59.443 --> 00:47:04.661 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. 00:47:04.661 --> 00:47:20.085 They went about in the skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about in deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. 00:47:20.085 --> 00:47:32.688 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that, apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:47:37.777 --> 00:47:39.322 Are you ready for the hope of Christmas? 00:47:39.322 --> 00:47:43.764 Catch your breath, listen in. 00:47:43.764 --> 00:47:48.545 The author of salvation hasn't yet put down his pen. 00:47:48.545 --> 00:47:50.701 The king is coming. 00:47:50.701 --> 00:47:55.565 The king, the worthy one, the only son. 00:47:55.565 --> 00:48:02.867 The king, once broken and bruised, now robed and seated at the right hand of the father. 00:48:02.867 --> 00:48:05.898 It's been his plan since the very beginning. 00:48:05.898 --> 00:48:26.559 The God born to die, to dwell, to deliver, is coming again to rule, to reign, to restore, to make all the wrong things right again and make all the bad things untrue, to break the seal and open the scroll and to make all things new. 00:48:26.559 --> 00:48:29.143 He is everything, as he said he would be. 00:48:29.143 --> 00:48:35.416 He fulfilled 400 prophecies, everything he said he would be. 00:48:35.416 --> 00:48:39.106 He fulfilled 400 prophecies the son of suffering, the prince of peace, the Lord of lords acquainted with grief. 00:48:39.106 --> 00:48:44.958 The king is coming, listener, he's coming for you and for me. 00:48:44.958 --> 00:48:49.525 I implore you, I beg of you, don't keep him waiting. 00:48:49.525 --> 00:48:58.184 Declare with full-throated tone he is worthy, he is worthy, he is worthy of all. 00:49:08.976 --> 00:49:11.483 Do you feel the world is broken? 00:49:11.483 --> 00:49:13.128 We do. 00:49:13.128 --> 00:49:17.885 Do you feel the shadows deepen? 00:49:17.885 --> 00:49:19.780 We do. 00:49:19.780 --> 00:49:27.949 Do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? 00:49:27.949 --> 00:49:29.960 We do. 00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:36.579 Do you wish that you could see it all made new? 00:49:36.579 --> 00:49:45.927 We do. 00:49:45.927 --> 00:49:48.309 Is all creation groaning? 00:49:48.309 --> 00:50:08.800 It is, it is, it is, it is. 00:50:08.800 --> 00:50:13.007 Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? 00:50:13.007 --> 00:50:20.251 It is. 00:50:20.251 --> 00:50:24.445 Is anyone worthy? 00:50:24.445 --> 00:50:26.920 Is anyone whole? 00:50:26.920 --> 00:50:34.387 Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? 00:50:34.387 --> 00:50:41.166 The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave. 00:50:41.166 --> 00:50:47.313 He is David's root and the lamb who died to ransom the slave. 00:50:47.313 --> 00:50:51.766 Is he worthy? 00:50:51.766 --> 00:50:59.268 Is he worthy Of all blessing and honor and glory? 00:50:59.268 --> 00:51:05.126 Is he worthy of this? 00:51:05.126 --> 00:51:08.918 He is. 00:51:08.958 --> 00:51:17.371 Does the Father truly love us. 00:51:17.371 --> 00:51:20.940 He does Does the. 00:51:20.980 --> 00:51:23.346 Spirit move among us. 00:51:27.523 --> 00:51:28.146 He does. 00:51:30.978 --> 00:51:31.860 And is Jesus our Messiah forever. 00:51:31.860 --> 00:51:34.802 Those he loves, he does. 00:51:37.295 --> 00:51:37.695 Does our? 00:51:37.737 --> 00:51:42.427 God intend to dwell again with us? 00:51:42.427 --> 00:51:45.445 He does. 00:51:45.445 --> 00:51:50.179 Is anyone worthy? 00:51:50.179 --> 00:51:52.688 Is anyone worthy? 00:51:52.688 --> 00:51:55.059 Is anyone whole? 00:51:55.059 --> 00:52:02.608 Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? 00:52:02.608 --> 00:52:22.385 The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave he saved his root and the lamb who died To ransom the slave From every people and tribe, from every nation and tongue. 00:52:22.385 --> 00:52:29.804 He has made us a kingdom and praise to God To reign with his son. 00:52:29.804 --> 00:52:32.184 Is he worthy? 00:52:32.184 --> 00:52:33.291 Is he worthy? 00:52:33.291 --> 00:52:41.327 Is he worthy of all blessing and honor and glory? 00:52:41.327 --> 00:52:44.565 Is he worthy? 00:52:44.565 --> 00:52:52.664 Is he worthy of all blessing and honor and glory? 00:52:52.664 --> 00:52:54.086 Is here. 00:52:54.086 --> 00:53:04.398 Oh, yes, he is, he is. 00:53:04.398 --> 00:53:26.594 He's worthy, he's worthy, he is worthy, he is worthy, he is, he is, he is worthy, he is worthy. 00:53:26.594 --> 00:53:29.268 Is anyone worthy? 00:53:29.268 --> 00:53:31.780 Is anyone worthy? 00:53:31.780 --> 00:53:32.967 Is anyone whole? 00:53:32.967 --> 00:53:38.967 Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? 00:53:40.996 --> 00:53:48.860 The lion of Judah who conquered the grave he saved his fruit. 00:53:48.860 --> 00:53:58.586 And the lamb who died To ransom the slave From every people and tribe, from every nation and tongue. 00:53:58.586 --> 00:54:05.726 He has made us a kingdom of grace and God to reign with the Son. 00:54:05.726 --> 00:54:09.338 Is he worthy? 00:54:09.338 --> 00:54:10.659 Is he worthy? 00:54:10.659 --> 00:54:14.925 Is he worthy of all blessing and honor and glory? 00:54:14.925 --> 00:54:23.927 Is he worthy of this? 00:54:23.927 --> 00:54:43.507 He is, he is. 00:54:43.507 --> 00:55:34.175