WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:02.060 Good morning. 00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:05.220 You guys are a lively bunch today, huh? 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:11.780 Why is it we tend to make life so complicated? 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:19.560 No doubt life is considered by most as a journey. 00:00:21.220 --> 00:00:24.800 A journey in which entails all sorts of adventures. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:27.340 All sorts of ups and downs. 00:00:27.520 --> 00:00:31.740 Joys and pains, excitement and even boredom. 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:38.260 In fact, the journey that we experience in life helps shape who we are as people. 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:41.310 It brings us character. 00:00:42.220 --> 00:00:44.040 It carries with us some beliefs. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:44.460 It helps. 00:00:44.760 --> 00:00:46.800 It helps make who we are. 00:00:48.440 --> 00:00:53.840 But oftentimes in especially around the holidays, we tend to complicate that journey. 00:00:55.820 --> 00:01:02.860 Here at our church, we try to simplify that, knowing that as America, we are good at complicating things to Intel, that 00:01:02.860 --> 00:01:05.870 what life really is about is relationships. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:09.760 God created you for a relationship. 00:01:11.380 --> 00:01:17.720 He created you for a relationship with him, and he also created us to experience the depth of relationships with one another. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:23.460 God really designed us to experience the journey of life with him. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:26.880 We've been studying a series together. 00:01:26.880 --> 00:01:34.120 We just started last week called An Unbelievable Christmas, and today we're going to look at an unbelievable Christmas through one aspect, 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:37.660 and that being Christmas was about an unbelievable journey. 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:46.300 In fact, when you study about Christmas, what you begin to discover is that Christmas didn't start with Mary in 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:48.800 a manger in O little town of Bethlehem. 00:01:50.300 --> 00:01:53.480 See, God created us from the very beginning to have a relationship with him. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:57.060 And the Bible records throughout all of the Old Testament and to the New Testament. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.100 The response of man towards God has been to reject him. 00:02:02.080 --> 00:02:08.240 In fact, in Mark chapter 12 and verse 29, it says, we say to ourselves, let's eat, drink and marry. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:12.900 And in verse 30 it says, you fool, your very soul will be required of you this day. 00:02:14.980 --> 00:02:23.040 And we have the tendency of robbing ourselves, of experiencing life with God, and just focusing life on just ourselves, not 00:02:23.140 --> 00:02:27.100 worrying about a relationship with him, not challenging ourselves to come to know him. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:30.220 But God has created us for that relationship. 00:02:31.880 --> 00:02:35.540 In Genesis chapter three, it records a very important point of all of history. 00:02:35.600 --> 00:02:38.220 After God created Adam and Eve, he breathing into the breath of life. 00:02:38.220 --> 00:02:40.660 He gave them his spirit for the purpose of communing with him. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:43.940 Adam and Eve rejected God and sin entered the world. 00:02:43.940 --> 00:02:45.680 Their relationship with God was forever marred. 00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:53.500 And throughout your entire Old Testament, there is the fulfillment or coming of a messiah who would die for the sins of this world. 00:02:53.720 --> 00:02:57.500 That way our relationship with God could once again be reunited with him. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:06.520 In fact, the first promise in Scripture comes in Genesis chapter three and verse 15, when we talk about an unbelievable journey 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.640 and we think about the Christmas story. 00:03:08.660 --> 00:03:15.860 The Christmas story really began in Genesis chapter three, in verse 15, as her future promised to all people 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:18.320 that a messiah would come and die for their sins. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:25.290 Christmas it says in Genesis 315 it says, and I will put enmity between you and the woman. 00:03:25.320 --> 00:03:32.460 This is God talking to Satan, and between your seed and her seed, he shall 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:35.820 bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the hill. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:39.200 Something significant about the life of Christ. 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:42.400 Here we see that Jesus is going to be bruised on the hill as he was when he was crucified. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:46.300 And it says in the very beginning that it will come from the seed of the woman. 00:03:47.820 --> 00:03:52.540 Interesting when you read in all other parts of Scripture and you talk about the birth of children, it always refers to the seed of man. 00:03:52.580 --> 00:03:55.820 But when it came to the promise of the Messiah, it only referred to the seed of the woman. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:00.420 The reason we know is because Jesus was born of a virgin. 00:04:02.820 --> 00:04:05.880 It goes on in Scripture and begins to share more with us about the coming of this Messiah. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:12.300 As you read the Old Testament, you see all sorts of prophecy being fulfilled in the life of Christ when he came to this earth. 00:04:12.720 --> 00:04:19.899 A place where he would live, where he would grow up, the things that he would do in his ministry, how he would die, the specific people that would betray him, all 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:22.640 hundreds of prophecies that exist on the coming of the Messiah. 00:04:23.340 --> 00:04:26.480 Specifically, this morning, I just want to focus on the ones dealing with his birth. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:36.110 It says in Genesis chapter 12, and I will bless those who bless you, talking to Abraham and the one who curses you, I will curse in you. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:38.540 All the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:43.640 All the families of the earth being blessed through one man, because Jesus died for all. 00:04:45.440 --> 00:04:49.780 It goes on and says in Genesis 17, But God said, no, but Sarah, your wife shall bear you a son. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:53.210 He's still talking to Abraham, and you shall call his name Isaac. 00:04:53.320 --> 00:04:59.540 And I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:05.680 Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, and the Bible tells us that the promise of the Messiah would come through the lineage of Isaac. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:15.260 In Deuteronomy chapter 18, Moses shows up on the scene hundreds of years after Abraham and says, the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from 00:05:15.260 --> 00:05:22.560 among you, for from your own countrymen you shall listen to him identifying for the people that this 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:24.180 Messiah was coming through Moses. 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.700 He would be symbolic of Moses. 00:05:25.700 --> 00:05:32.080 It tells us in Genesis 49 and verse ten, the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet. 00:05:33.840 --> 00:05:41.000 It's saying to us, not only did the promise come through Abraham, through a prophet that looks like Moses, but it's also going to come through the tribe of 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:41.450 Judah. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:47.660 Israel had 12 tribes, one of which was the nation of Judah. 00:05:47.660 --> 00:05:52.040 And God gives us a promise that when the Messiah comes, it would come through the name of Judah. 00:05:53.840 --> 00:05:57.960 God has been writing his Christmas story since creation began. 00:06:00.820 --> 00:06:07.980 It says in Micah five two, but as for you, Bethlehem Ephrata To those who are Hebrew 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:10.600 scholars, that means a fruitful house of bread. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.160 Too little to be among the clans of Judah. 00:06:14.520 --> 00:06:18.700 From you one will go forth to me to be ruler in Israel and listen to this. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:24.440 His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. 00:06:26.760 --> 00:06:34.200 As God gives us the promise of the coming of the Messiah, and he writes his Christmas story from the beginning of creation, that man could experience a 00:06:34.200 --> 00:06:35.380 relationship with him. 00:06:35.380 --> 00:06:42.080 He tells us that this Messiah is going to come from maybe the term podunk town of Bethlehem would fit. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:45.240 We sing it in your songs, right? 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:46.540 How big is Bethlehem? 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.540 Oh, little town of Bethlehem, right? 00:06:52.420 --> 00:06:55.750 But yet the Messiah came from this humble town. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:07:03.240 Such a small town that when Mary and Joseph journeyed to this town, there weren't enough hotels and motels in the area to find a place. 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:05.940 So they had to spend the night in a cave at Christmas. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:07.640 Imagine those temperatures. 00:07:09.980 --> 00:07:15.460 But yet it tells us that Jesus came from Bethlehem of Epitath from all eternity. 00:07:15.460 --> 00:07:22.460 His going forth had come from writing the story of eternity, and it tells us, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I shall 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:29.640 raise up for David a righteous branch, that this Messiah, when he comes, not only will come from Abraham, not only will come from 00:07:29.640 --> 00:07:35.520 Judah, not only will come from Bethlehem of Epitath, but he's also going to come from the house of David, from King David. 00:07:35.520 --> 00:07:38.740 His descent will be and he himself will be a king. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:45.840 It says, I will rise up for you, David a righteous branch, and he will reign as king and act wisely, and do justice and righteousness in the land. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:50.430 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:55.000 And this is his name, by which he will be called the Lord our righteousness. 00:07:57.230 --> 00:08:00.500 This Messiah would come from the King of David. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:08.780 And finally the Bible tells us in Isaiah chapter seven and verse 14, therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign behold, a 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:16.180 virgin will be with child, and will bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which 00:08:16.200 --> 00:08:18.540 in Hebrew means God with us. 00:08:20.820 --> 00:08:28.760 Jesus has declared to us his coming in the Christmas story through the nation of Israel, to 00:08:28.760 --> 00:08:32.450 the tribe of Judah from the King of David and the town of Bethlehem. 00:08:33.260 --> 00:08:35.820 And to top it all off, born of a virgin. 00:08:37.780 --> 00:08:40.980 God is writing his Christmas story for us. 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:49.380 Christmas isn't about a time where we just stop and think about the birth of Jesus, but it's a time for us to stop and reflect 00:08:49.380 --> 00:08:54.590 on the sovereign hand of God dictating all of history. 00:08:55.260 --> 00:09:02.260 At the moment in which Jesus was born is not just a simple fruition that came true, but something that God has been proclaiming to us as people 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:07.880 throughout the ages since the beginning of creation to the time of Mary. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:16.780 Until we sit today, the Bible has proclaimed that what God desires, nothing more from you as to experience a relationship for 00:09:16.780 --> 00:09:23.380 you to have an unbelievable Christmas by having an unbelievable journey with God. 00:09:24.260 --> 00:09:27.280 This story, we know, culminates in the life of Mary. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.670 If you brought a Bible this morning, I'm going to encourage you to turn to the Book of Luke. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:39.160 We end in chapter one, and I think in verse 20 last week, we're going to pick up in verse 26 and carry on in the book of Luke together 00:09:41.040 --> 00:09:44.420 and together, what we're going to understand and an unbelievable journey with God. 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:46.340 We're going to ask Mary this question. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.470 I'm going to pretend to be a girl today. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:49.620 Yeah. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:52.060 Connecting to my lady audience. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:10:00.340 we're going to look at Mary chapter one and verse starting in verse 26. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:03.500 Excuse me, Luke chapter one and verse 26, looking at the life of Mary. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:09.840 We're going to ask this question, Mary, what was it like to experience this unbelievable journey with God? 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:14.420 It starts off in Luke chapter one and verse 26. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:21.980 It says, now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:27.620 a virgin engaged to a man who was name was Joseph, of the descendants of David. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:29.340 And the virgin's name was Mary. 00:10:29.380 --> 00:10:29.700 That's good. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:32.540 We've got two prophetic fulfillments here Virgin and the descendant of David. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:37.380 And coming in he said to her, greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:42.550 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:54.000 The angel said to her, do 00:10:54.280 --> 00:10:54.860 not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:54.860 And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:59.080 By the way, in verse 28 and 29, the words favored and favored in Greek is grace. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.100 It's Keras. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:03.840 Mary found God's grace. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:12.940 It says in the next verse that he will be great and will be called the son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:16.820 he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end. 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:20.100 And Mary said to the angel, how can this be, since I am a virgin? 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:25.800 The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:29.300 And for this reason the holy child shall be called the Son of God. 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:35.080 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:38.440 And she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.970 I'm just going to stop right there for a moment. 00:11:41.880 --> 00:11:49.060 The story of Christmas culminates in the life of Mary, and everything that God desires comes 00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:56.260 to fruition in this lady who finds the grace of God working in her life, and pause for a moment 00:11:56.260 --> 00:12:03.000 and wonder what the circumstance would have been like for Mary if she were to sit amongst us today. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:08.680 And we were to ask the question, Mary, what was it like for you to experience this journey with God? 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:10.840 What do you think she would say? 00:12:13.420 --> 00:12:14.080 It was unbelievable. 00:12:16.380 --> 00:12:21.510 Mary's Christmas story is just another story of what a journey with God is all about. 00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:23.860 She began to learn. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:30.700 It tells us in verse 37 that with God, nothing is impossible. 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:34.780 And as we ask Mary this question this morning, Mary, what was it like for you to journey with God? 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:42.120 We're going to begin to understand that as God intertwined his story with the life of Mary, what would it look like if God intertwined his story from 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:47.670 the beginning of creation to begin to for us to experience our story with him? 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.300 This morning, I'm going to give you seven points. 00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:53.840 What I don't want you to do is leave today trying to remember seven points. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:13:02.300 But as we look at the life of Mary, what we want to ask ourselves is, as she began to experience this journey of God, what thing could I take away 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:07.200 from this message this morning that's going to encourage me to continue to pursue God with my life? 00:13:08.760 --> 00:13:15.600 For Mary, as she began to experience this journey, the first thing I think Mary found was it's bigger than herself. 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:25.540 She says in verse 37, Or God says to her, for with not for nothing will be impossible with God. 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:30.440 Mary's first understanding in her relationship and journey with God is it's much bigger than me. 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.870 See, in life. 00:13:32.880 --> 00:13:36.440 And we find this oftentimes in churches, and I'm glad the Lord works this way. 00:13:36.760 --> 00:13:39.020 I wish he didn't always have to work this way in our lives. 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.400 I wish we were more in tune to him. 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:47.700 But many times what you find when people begin to come to church, when they come to church, the reason they come is because, we're broken. 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:53.240 And finally, we're in a position in our lives that we're so broken that we don't know where else to turn. 00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:55.800 And so we look to God for help. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:58.700 And I'm glad God's able to answer our needs. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:03.490 But I wish we didn't require us to get to a point of desperation where we've been in life just trusting ourselves. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:09.580 We're eating, drinking, and being merry and thinking everything's fine with me until all of a sudden something bad happens. 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:19.340 Mary, in this situation, she began to realize that in order for God to meet her needs, she had to understand that God 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:21.200 was bigger than herself. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:27.900 Looking at the situation as God began to communicate with her God, how in the world is all this going to happen? 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:29.220 How am I a virgin going to conceive? 00:14:29.260 --> 00:14:31.200 Do you know how the people of my time are going to view this? 00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:34.180 No one has babies without being married. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:40.300 God says to her, With God all things are possible. 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:47.390 For Mary, she began to learn the lesson that God and this journey is bigger than ourselves. 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:56.420 So when God begins to interact in our lives, he allows us to realize that life is bigger than me, and 00:14:56.420 --> 00:15:02.560 that when God wants to work in my heart, he doesn't just want to work in my heart, he wants to work through me and the lives of other people. 00:15:04.760 --> 00:15:06.180 And Mary, could you imagine this moment? 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.500 She's just thinking about herself. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.820 She's about to be married to this Joseph. 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:11.660 She's just went and shopped for a wedding gown and it didn't look very good. 00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:14.060 And she's wondering what in the world she's going to win or where. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.660 And she's thinking, mee mee mee mee mee mee mee. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:19.370 And then all of a sudden God comes into her world and says, listen, I'm going to give you this baby. 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:24.100 And the reason I'm giving you this baby is because through you, all of the world will be blessed. 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.740 You're thinking so small, Mary. 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.380 You're thinking about you and just your family. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:31.700 But when I come into your life, it requires something bigger than just you. 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:37.780 He says to Mary, with God all things are possible. 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:43.810 Isaiah chapter 55 and verse eight, my thoughts are not like your thoughts, says the Lord. 00:15:44.760 --> 00:15:46.980 My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:53.220 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:59.830 When God calls us on a journey with him, that journey is bigger than ourselves. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:05.920 Second, I would say this is a pretty simple statement to think, but it requires faith. 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:11.660 Do you know you're never going to journey further with God than you trust him to take you? 00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:19.870 Meaning, when something in life looks bigger to you than your God, you're going to stop depending on your God to see you through it. 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.970 For Mary, it could have been the same situation. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.710 God, you're going to do what? 00:16:25.760 --> 00:16:28.420 And people are going to think all of this bad stuff about me. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.860 Forget that man. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:32.060 Go pick another virgin somewhere down the road. 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.220 I'm not up for that. 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:39.980 But it says in verse 38, after Mary spoke with the angel, it says, Mary responded, I am the Lord's servant. 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:44.020 May everything you have said about me come true. 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:47.950 And then the angel left her a little bit later. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:55.120 It tells us in that passage in chapter one that Mary goes and visits Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says, you are blessed because you believe 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:58.260 that the Lord would do what he said. 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:05.040 Elizabeth simply says to Mary, Mary, you have exercised faith and trusting in God. 00:17:06.540 --> 00:17:09.859 And this is the reason why God is choosing to work through you. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:17.940 The Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse six, without faith it is impossible to please him. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:22.300 A journey with God is always built on trust. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:29.800 A journey with God is always about realizing that God is more capable of satisfying you than anything else. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:36.440 For Mary, it could have stopped as the angel came and visited her, but she desired to trust in the Lord. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:45.080 Matthew chapter 17 Jesus said, I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, move 00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:47.100 from here to there, and it would move. 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:49.400 Nothing would be impossible. 00:17:51.540 --> 00:17:54.420 When we journey with God, we recognize it's bigger than ourselves. 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.660 When we journey with God, we recognize it's about faith. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:18:01.140 When we journey with God, it causes us to grow. 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.240 I love this story. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:10.300 I know this skips just a little a little bit ahead, but if you look in Luke chapter two, Mary goes and visits Elizabeth until nine months is up 00:18:10.300 --> 00:18:11.440 and she jumps on a donkey. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:14.400 Brave woman journeys to Bethlehem, right? 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.680 They don't make them like they used to. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:21.500 Mary has a baby and the angels come from heaven. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:25.510 And they share to the shepherds in the field that the Messiah has been born, the long awaited Messiah. 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:28.500 And the shepherds go and visit Jesus, baby Jesus. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:35.880 And they're worshiping a baby as God And it says in verse 19 of chapter two, but Mary kept 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:40.000 all these things in her heart and thought often about them. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:44.700 A journey with God causes us to grow. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:50.950 I recognize this morning that when we talk about growing, Mary did grow in a particular way. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.500 But what I'm not talking about her circumference. 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:55.740 I'm talking about her faith. 00:18:57.420 --> 00:19:00.240 Mary's faith began to grow. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:06.240 You know, sometimes we recognize in our life that God has a goal for us to achieve. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:11.020 It says in Ephesians chapter two and verse ten, for you created in Christ Jesus for good works. 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:14.480 God wants to work in you to magnify himself in this world. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.260 You were created in Christ to display. 00:19:16.260 --> 00:19:19.380 When he created us, he said, be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth. 00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:23.820 No better way you have in this world to reflect the glory of God than by living through works. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:31.980 It reflects this world, the glory and goodness of who God is, but an understanding the goal that God has desire for us to 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.420 achieve. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.540 We forget to experience the journey along the way. 00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:39.300 We get so fixed on accomplishing the task. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:45.180 We forget all about the moment to reflect on the goodness of God. 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:52.900 And I can think, as Mary was desiring to have some sort of thermostat in the cave that she was living in, probably still kicking Joseph for riding a donkey for so long. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:55.200 She took time to stop and think. 00:19:56.100 --> 00:20:00.600 Think to herself and how grace filled God has allowed me to be. 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:09.200 Because not only is this moment special, as I'm seeing the shepherds come and worship this baby, but God has been declaring the coming 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.880 of this Messiah throughout history. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:19.920 And I am in this moment, and I'm experiencing this joy when it comes to your relationship with 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.880 God. 00:20:22.020 --> 00:20:28.380 Now there's some times when we become new Christians in Christ, we get frustrated very easily that we're not growing as fast as we want to. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:31.220 We don't know everything as much as what we would want to know. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:35.100 But don't forget to enjoy the journey. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:42.580 And you people who would call yourself seasoned Christians in Christ, gotten so used to the Christian lingo and 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:44.860 routine and knowing what needs to get done. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:51.750 When you walk into a room for the church and whatever ministry we're carrying out, don't forget to enjoy the journey. 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:59.880 Every moment with God is an unbelievable journey and a special journey that he has desired to intertwine his story with your story. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:08.890 It says in verse 19 that Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 00:21:10.320 --> 00:21:17.340 It's all healthy for all of us, as we understand that God desires to intervene in our lives, to reflect on his goodness as it's 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.920 been made known. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:27.360 Meaning, when you became a believer in Christ, when you started to follow Jesus in your life, just taking the opportunity to reflect 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:32.240 on that special moment in God's glorious hand being made known to you. 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:37.820 Don't forget about the journey in spite of the goal that God desires for you to achieve. 00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:44.850 I would say for us this morning as well, others might not understand it. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.720 Faith in Christ is bigger than ourselves. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:54.840 It requires us to exercise faith in finding ourselves, exercising, exercising faith, we begin to grow. 00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:58.800 But what we find is we desire to follow Jesus and pursue God in our lives. 00:21:59.020 --> 00:22:00.640 Other people just don't understand it. 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:07.680 Some people will challenge us and question us in our desire to pursue God with our lives. 00:22:09.540 --> 00:22:15.820 Not knowing that the pursuit of God and journeying with him in this world is the reason for which we were created, and we desire to have a relationship with God. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:18.280 All other areas of our lives are blessed from it. 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:21.980 Rather than thinking selfishly, we begin to think about others. 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:28.700 Rather than pursue relationships in our marriage and with our kids for my own gain and emotional fulfillment. 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.920 We begin to think the way Jesus would think. 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:33.420 How can I love my spouse more greatly? 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:35.720 How can I love my children better? 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:37.980 How can I love the way that Jesus has shown me to love? 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:41.510 But others might not understand it. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:49.820 You know, when the story came to Mary, the reason we often look at it as an unbelievable Christmas is that everyone who got the message about Christmas didn't 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.720 first believe the message. 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:58.760 Zacharias on the birth of John the Baptist, the one who would proclaim the coming of Jesus, couldn't believe that an angel was speaking to him. 00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:04.110 It says in Luke chapter one and verse 29, Mary was confused and disturbed. 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:10.560 Mary tried to think what the angel could mean, and not only was Mary confused, but so was Joseph. 00:23:11.800 --> 00:23:18.040 It says in Matthew 119, And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:26.540 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to 00:23:26.540 --> 00:23:27.440 take Mary as your wife. 00:23:27.520 --> 00:23:30.460 For the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.220 Now look at this moment. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:38.760 And I say, for both of them, I couldn't blame them for feeling the way that they feel. 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:45.600 Mary and Joseph would have been very much ashamed in their society in which they grew up. 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:53.180 Having Mary been pregnant without being married to her would have been a difficult circumstance for both of them to 00:23:53.280 --> 00:23:55.710 face much ridicule in their community. 00:23:55.820 --> 00:24:03.460 In fact, when you read the Gospels, Jesus was called various names because Mary had Jesus out of wedlock. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.980 People don't understand it. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.100 Isaiah chapter seven. 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:18.200 No matter how many times they could quote the verse that a version would give birth to Jesus, people still didn't understand it. 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:25.350 But at the end of the day, the reality is that you have to lay your head on the pillow for the decisions that you make in this world. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:33.960 And when you know Jesus is who he claims to be and that Jesus is more than capable of meeting your needs, as Mary 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.180 saw in verse 37. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:38.700 Then you know Jesus is worth it. 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.840 Amen. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.620 Don't fear man. 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:46.460 The Bible tells us in acts chapter four, don't fear what man can do with you, but fear God. 00:24:47.800 --> 00:24:51.260 God's rewards and your sacrifice is worth it. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:59.720 And even though other people may not begin to understand it, you can understand and see in Scripture that God created you for relationship with 00:24:59.720 --> 00:24:59.900 him. 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:02.640 And regardless of what other people think, that's why God made you. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.340 And it's worth pursuing. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:13.570 I'd say we also find if we were to ask Mary this morning, I know I haven't used my Mary voice, but I didn't want to scare anyone. 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:18.770 Mary, what else was a relationship with God like? 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:22.060 We understand that you grew understand it took faith. 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:24.800 We understand that other people didn't understand it. 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.930 What else was it like? 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:33.590 I think she would say to us this morning, it was scary, but it was exciting. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.760 I love that her kids are having a great time. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:43.430 You know, I find in a relationship with God it is never boring. 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:49.160 I love my position in place of where I am in my relationship with the Lord. 00:25:51.020 --> 00:25:58.060 being able to move to Utah to start a church, asking people to jump on board and help us out that aren't even from this state. 00:25:58.600 --> 00:26:01.260 Man, it requires you every day to get on your knees and pray. 00:26:02.280 --> 00:26:04.510 My family can't live without help from other people. 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:10.090 It is a scary time of trust in God, but it's also exciting. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:15.340 A relationship with God can be scary, but it's also exciting. 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:22.520 It says in verse 29 that Mary was confused and disturbed, but the angel said to her, don't be afraid, Mary, the angel told her, for you have found 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:24.120 favor with God. 00:26:26.020 --> 00:26:28.920 By the grace of God, go forth I. 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:33.640 Why are we even able to begin to experience the blessings of God in our life? 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:37.460 Why are we even be able to experience a relationship with God in our life? 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:43.460 Well, the short answer is it's nothing apart from the grace of God at the moment. 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:47.560 That man chose to sin against God and reject God and His position over us. 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:55.720 God could have wiped us off the face of the earth, but instead God has continued to extend us his grace and 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:59.380 his grace whenever we as people have need. 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.020 God gives us his grace. 00:27:01.020 --> 00:27:08.060 And when we find in the Christmas story is that we, as all people, have had a need and God has extended his grace to 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:10.360 all people for all time through Jesus. 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:18.520 Mary recognized that the ridicule was nothing compared to knowing and experiencing that relationship with Christ. 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:21.260 You ever heard of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? 00:27:22.780 --> 00:27:24.840 Do you know that song forsook the Lord? 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:25.960 But the king said, no. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.640 Well, it says this about these guys. 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.200 They came before Nebuchadnezzar. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:32.560 It says, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:36.920 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, that God whom we serve is able to save us. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:40.740 He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:48.880 But even if he doesn't, we want to make clear to you that if we will, that we excuse me will never 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:56.100 serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up, following and pursuing 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:57.020 God in your life. 00:27:57.040 --> 00:28:02.880 We recognize that it can be scary and exciting, but we also recognize that it's not always safe. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:07.860 Mary traveling by night on a donkey that would have been done there. 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.680 I don't ride things that are bigger than me. 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:13.520 Mary is traveling on a donkey by night. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:17.860 She's going to Bethlehem to birth this child away from all of her family. 00:28:18.260 --> 00:28:22.200 And the only thing she's going to be able to lay him in is a bunch of hay and some swaddling clothes. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.340 What in the world are swaddling clothes? 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:23.700 Right? 00:28:25.080 --> 00:28:29.380 But Mary journeys into this unsafe situation trusting in God. 00:28:30.040 --> 00:28:37.000 And as if that wasn't enough, it tells us that wise men begin a journey following the star from the east, and they come before King Herod. 00:28:38.260 --> 00:28:43.800 And King Herod says to the wise men, tell me where this Messiah is born, that I can go and worship him when you discover him as well. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:51.840 But it tells us that King Herod had a separate motive for what King Herod ultimately really desired to do was kill Jesus. 00:28:53.520 --> 00:29:00.560 And so now, when the wise men come to the throne of Christ, and they begin to worship him, not only is Mary thinking about the journey that she had on this donkey, but 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:04.500 now just after having this baby, she's got to get back on this donkey and run from the king. 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:08.200 It is not the safest place in the world to be. 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:16.820 And 40 tells us 40 days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph take Jesus into the temple. 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:25.700 They take him into the temple to perform a special ceremony in which they were all all the children of Israel were supposed to do when they had their 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.380 first child. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:29.840 It was to make a sacrifice for purification for the first born kid. 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:35.580 And they walk into this temple, and they begin to make the sacrifice of some turtledoves. 00:29:37.300 --> 00:29:44.900 And it tells us while they're in the temple, this man named Simeon comes up to Mary and as if her situation didn't seem safe 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:51.980 already, this man gives this prophecy to her, and he says, And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, behold, this child is 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:59.040 appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be oppressed, and a sword will 00:29:59.040 --> 00:30:06.060 pierce even your own soul to the end, that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:11.540 And this is when life gets complicated. 00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:15.780 You know, safety is kind of a tricky thing. 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:21.280 I really think in many ways it's an illusion to us. 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:26.720 We live life as if it's promised to us, but no one can really guarantee that we have tomorrow. 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:31.660 We buy all the insurances in the world to protect us from different problems. 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:34.300 What can I tell you? 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:38.620 The safest place in the world to be is in the center of God's will. 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:39.760 Amen. 00:30:39.760 --> 00:30:40.540 Amen. 00:30:41.260 --> 00:30:46.400 Nothing in this world is going to happen apart from God allowing it to happen as you walk with Him in His will. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:54.680 And Mary may have described the situation as not being safe, but Mary knew that she was safe, resting in the will of God. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:59.900 And this man comes to her and tells her that even her own soul will be pierced. 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:07.140 We know what she's talking about, having known the rest of the story that Jesus would die. 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:13.700 Now, having had a kid recently. 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:17.880 I would have to say to this world, tough luck. 00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:24.070 If there's one thing I'm not going to experience, it's the loss of my kid. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:29.200 You can think about the life of Mary in this moment. 00:31:30.760 --> 00:31:37.800 She's going through all this trauma, thinking about and pondering in her heart this unbelievable journey of Christmas that began from the beginning 00:31:37.800 --> 00:31:40.420 of time, this grace and favor from God. 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:43.860 And she gets this moment and she realizes how much this is going to cost. 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:49.920 Mary, that this pain will be so real that even your soul will be pierced. 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.280 You know what? 00:31:53.300 --> 00:32:01.600 I look at people like this throughout history that have given their lives for the sake of Christ and continued to be reminded, man, 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.380 it's worth it. 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:09.820 It's worth whatever heartache I might experience that other people may come to know the joy of Jesus in their life. 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:18.280 It's worth those scary moments of getting on your knees and just asking God to depend or depend on God in particular situations to 00:32:18.300 --> 00:32:21.040 meet your needs, no matter how unsafe it may seem. 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:23.160 Because the safest place to be is in the center of God's will. 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:25.700 And it's important that people need to know Christ. 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:34.520 And I've determined when we talk about being unsafe and scary and exciting in this world, the best 00:32:34.520 --> 00:32:38.720 place you could be to really depend on God in this life is to have a teenager. 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.180 You think about that for a minute. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:49.240 Teenagers really get you trusting in God because now they're asking for the keys, and they're going places that you don't know what they're doing sometimes 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.780 and the decisions that you're making. 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:56.140 And the only thing you could do as a parent is drop to your knees and say, God help. 00:33:00.080 --> 00:33:04.240 If you're looking to grow in faith, I guess I'm saying get a teenager or borrow somebodies. 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:14.360 God's desire for us is to grow in that faith and depend on him, even in those scary moments, because the safest place to be is 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:15.660 in the center of God's will. 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:19.960 Jesus, when he delivered his sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter five, he said this. 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:26.080 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:34.760 Meaning God sees everything that you're going through for his sake, and he is busting those doors wide open in the kingdom of heaven to allow 00:33:34.760 --> 00:33:38.260 you in with great praise for your sacrifice for him. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:44.100 God loves that you give up the luxuries of life for him. 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:52.360 And can I say no greater time in your life when you reflect Jesus to this world than when you're sacrificing for him? 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:57.790 Because Jesus came to this world and sacrificed everything for you. 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.580 A relationship with God. 00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:00.700 Mary. 00:34:01.560 --> 00:34:02.280 It's not safe. 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.800 It's scary. 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.810 What else is it? 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.060 How about this? 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:10.040 It's filled with all in wonder. 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:15.600 It says when the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other. 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.510 Let's go to Bethlehem. 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:19.600 Let's see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. 00:34:20.600 --> 00:34:22.620 And they hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.449 And there was the baby lying in the manger. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:30.560 And after seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened, and what the angel had said to them about this child. 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:33.620 All who heard the shepherds story were astonished. 00:34:35.040 --> 00:34:39.139 And the shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:41.679 And it was just as the angel had told them. 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:49.000 Do you realize as people God, in that relationship he created you for, also created you to stand in awe and wonder? 00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:51.120 Do you know why? 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:55.139 Sometimes on vacation we like to go to the beach, and other times we want to go to the Grand Canyon. 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:58.560 Sometimes when you get a day off, you go to a major sporting event. 00:35:00.080 --> 00:35:01.290 Things that are spectacular. 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.840 You want to be captivated with your mind. 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:06.590 You want to stand in awe and glory of things that are glorious. 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:12.280 God created you to stand in all of his creation, and in seeing the glory of his creation, began to worship him. 00:35:13.180 --> 00:35:18.880 You think about standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, or on the side of the beach and thinking about the glory of God. 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:21.300 Now magnify that in the presence of God in heaven. 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:26.060 God created you to stand in awe and glory of everything that he is. 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:34.580 And it says, when Jesus appeared on the scene that the shepherds saw this glorious king lying in a manger, and the response to the people was to stand 00:35:34.580 --> 00:35:36.990 in all and wonder. 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:40.970 God created you to stay that way. 00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:48.860 A journey with God, which I love, is never boring, but it's always inspiring to continue to 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:56.040 reflect on his goodness and to see his presence working in this world, to magnify back to him the glory in which he's deserving of. 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.760 I would say last this morning. 00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:58.960 Whoa. 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:01.000 What happened? 00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.020 There we go. 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:07.140 A relationship with God gives life meaning. 00:36:09.100 --> 00:36:11.740 A journey with God gives life meaning. 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:18.720 The same man that told Mary that her soul would be pierced begins to share. 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:23.970 In verse 25 of Luke it says, at that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:29.060 He was righteous and devout, and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:36.960 The Holy Spirit was upon him, and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:36:37.660 --> 00:36:39.480 That day, the spirit led him to the temple. 00:36:40.060 --> 00:36:47.220 So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there, and he took the child in his arms and 00:36:47.220 --> 00:36:51.760 praised God, saying, sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you promised. 00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:55.200 I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. 00:36:57.020 --> 00:37:04.300 God had promised Simeon that in his relationship with God and as he pursued God with his life, God would validate that relationship by 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:06.620 allowing him to see the Messiah who would come. 00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:12.860 And he tells us that all people would be blessed through this, that all people would find meaning in life through this Christ. 00:37:14.720 --> 00:37:17.960 This is like, I think Tim McGraw said it right. 00:37:18.710 --> 00:37:23.210 Skydiving, Rocky Mountain climbing, 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu. 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:23.580 Right? 00:37:24.100 --> 00:37:25.200 Live like you were dying. 00:37:26.180 --> 00:37:29.000 You've not found anything worth living for in this life. 00:37:29.020 --> 00:37:31.050 Till you find something worth dying for. 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:38.440 It says in this passage that for Simeon, Jesus validated his life's meaning. 00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:43.140 A relationship and a journey with God gives life meaning. 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:46.340 Paul said it this way in Philippians three. 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:53.020 I do not mean to say that I have already achieved and achieved these things, or that I have already reached perfection. 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:59.400 But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:02.620 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it. 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:08.380 But I focus on this one thing forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. 00:38:09.060 --> 00:38:15.680 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:21.320 Our relationship with God gives life meaning. 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:25.400 God's call to salvation in Christ. 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:28.680 God's journey with you as a calling of hope. 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:32.980 God gives us something worth dying for. 00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:41.860 You know, I think when you get to the end of this journey and you see the story of the life of Mary and knowing that it gave her life meaning. 00:38:43.520 --> 00:38:47.830 I think at the very end Mary would say this, and I would do it all over again. 00:38:50.780 --> 00:38:53.770 That's the kind of life I'm after in this world. 00:38:55.440 --> 00:39:02.600 When I lay down my head at night, I didn't make decisions based on what other people wanted me to believe, but I pursued Jesus because I knew 00:39:02.600 --> 00:39:03.560 it was worth it. 00:39:05.680 --> 00:39:10.530 And in the end, I could say to myself, and I would have done it all over again. 00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:13.900 You think about Christmas. 00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:22.520 Christmas isn't just about a moment in which Jesus was born, though it is important. 00:39:24.600 --> 00:39:32.140 Christmas is a reminder to all of us that God's sovereign hand has been working throughout all of history to the 00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:35.710 culminating of the birth of Jesus in the life of Mary. 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:43.900 And the reason that God has written his story throughout all of Scripture about the coming of Jesus, that we may experience a relationship with him, is so that 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:50.020 one day when your opportunity came to trust in Christ, you would choose to journey with God as well. 00:39:52.820 --> 00:40:00.120 And take a moment in this Christmas story and pause and thank God that it's not just a random chance that we 00:40:00.180 --> 00:40:08.120 have the opportunity to know Jesus, but God has been sovereignly working his hand in history to the point that you are present here today to know him, and 00:40:08.120 --> 00:40:10.580 that a journey with God is worth it.