[0.00 --> 4.00] . [30.00 --> 59.98] Let's pray. [60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. [90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. [120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. [150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. [180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. [210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. [240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. [270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. [300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. [330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. [360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. [390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. [420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. [450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. [480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. [510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. [540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. [570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. [600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. [630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. [660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. [690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. [720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. [750.00 --> 779.98] Thank you. [779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. [809.96 --> 839.94] Thank you. [839.94 --> 869.92] Thank you. [869.92 --> 899.90] Thank you. [899.90 --> 929.88] Thank you. [929.88 --> 959.86] Thank you. [959.86 --> 989.84] Thank you. [989.86 --> 1019.84] Thank you. [1019.86 --> 1049.84] Thank you. [1049.86 --> 1079.84] Thank you. [1079.84 --> 1109.82] Thank you. [1109.82 --> 1139.80] Thank you. [1139.82 --> 1169.80] Thank you. [1169.80 --> 1199.78] Thank you. [1199.80 --> 1229.78] Thank you. [1229.80 --> 1259.78] Thank you. [1259.78 --> 1289.76] May you. [1289.78 --> 1319.76] Thank you. [1319.78 --> 1349.76] Thank you. [1349.78 --> 1379.76] Thank you. [1379.78 --> 1409.76] Thank you. [1409.76 --> 1439.74] Thank you. [1439.76 --> 1469.74] Thank you. [1469.74 --> 1499.72] Thank you. [1499.74 --> 1529.72] Thank you. [1529.72 --> 1559.70] Thank you. [1559.72 --> 1589.70] Thank you. [1589.72 --> 1619.70] Thank you. [1619.70 --> 1649.68] Amen. [1649.68 --> 1679.66] Thank you. [1679.68 --> 1709.66] Thank you. [1709.68 --> 1739.66] Thank you. [1739.68 --> 1769.66] Thank you. [1769.68 --> 1799.66] Thank you. [1799.66 --> 1829.64] Thank you. [1829.66 --> 1859.64] Thank you. [1859.64 --> 1889.62] Thank you. [1889.64 --> 1919.62] Thank you. [1919.64 --> 1949.62] Thank you. [1949.64 --> 1979.62] Thank you. [1979.64 --> 2009.62] Thank you. [2009.64 --> 2039.62] Thank you. [2039.64 --> 2069.62] Thank you. [2069.62 --> 2099.60] Thank you. [2099.62 --> 2129.62] Thank you. [2129.62 --> 2159.60] Thank you. [2159.62 --> 2189.60] Thank you. [2189.62 --> 2219.60] Thank you. [2219.60 --> 2249.60] Thank you. [2249.60 --> 2279.60] Thank you. [2279.60 --> 2309.60] Thank you. [2309.60 --> 2339.60] Thank you. [2339.60 --> 2369.58] Thank you. [2369.60 --> 2399.60] Thank you. [2399.60 --> 2429.60] Thank you. [2429.60 --> 2459.60] Thank you. [2459.60 --> 2489.60] Thank you. [2489.60 --> 2519.60] Thank you. [2519.60 --> 2549.60] Thank you. [2549.60 --> 2579.60] Thank you. [2579.60 --> 2609.60] Thank you. [2609.60 --> 2639.60] Thank you. [2639.60 --> 2669.60] Thank you. [2669.60 --> 2699.60] Thank you. [2699.60 --> 2729.60] Thank you. [2729.60 --> 2759.60] Thank you. [2759.60 --> 2789.60] He's God. [2789.60 --> 2819.60] Thank you. [2819.60 --> 2849.60] Thank you. [2849.60 --> 2879.60] Thank you. [2879.60 --> 2880.60] Thank you. [2909.60 --> 2910.60] Thank you. [2939.60 --> 2969.60] Thank you. [2969.60 --> 2970.60] Thank you. [2999.64 --> 3000.60] you. [3000.60 --> 3005.32] are with you to share life, to share companionship. And some of you know that all too well as you get [3005.32 --> 3011.48] around the Christmas table and there's somebody missing because they have passed away. Paul, [3011.66 --> 3020.32] in the face of a brutal, violent world full of death, says, there is one person who overcame death. [3021.04 --> 3026.40] And here's the important word, firstborn. When I say that I have a firstborn child, what does that [3026.40 --> 3034.18] imply? It implies I have more kids, doesn't it? Right? I don't say firstborn. And the reason Paul [3034.18 --> 3039.52] uses this language, and we see this elsewhere, is because the point and the purpose of Jesus rising [3039.52 --> 3045.04] from the dead was not just a trick to show how much power he had. The reason for it was that those who [3045.04 --> 3054.02] follow him by faith also rise from the dead because they follow a resurrected king. It's at this point [3054.02 --> 3061.34] that you can say amen, by the way. You got this. If you were to visit, and you still can do this, [3061.76 --> 3068.06] a cemetery in different parts of Europe, you would see on many tombstones a statement in Latin that [3068.06 --> 3075.04] says resurgam. Anyone know what that means? It's a Latin word that says quite defiantly, I might add, [3075.04 --> 3084.04] I shall rise. And many Christians throughout history have said, what's the thing I want on my tombstone? [3084.24 --> 3088.80] Well, I follow Jesus, and so the word on my tombstone will be resurgam, because by faith, [3089.00 --> 3094.18] I share in the resurrection life of Jesus, who not only brings renewal and life to me now, [3094.78 --> 3100.30] but raises my body back from death after I die. Praise the Lord. [3100.30 --> 3109.40] Now I want to get to the part that gets even more controversial, you might say, because Paul says [3109.40 --> 3113.40] he's the firstborn of creation. He's the firstborn among the dead. And what's his next line? [3114.28 --> 3123.20] So that in all things, Jesus will have the supremacy. You have to remember, Paul's writing this at a time [3123.20 --> 3130.24] where people all kind of knew who had the supremacy. He kind of sat on a throne. He was known as the [3130.24 --> 3134.82] Caesar people. We're worshiping him and burning incense in his name. And Paul's got the guts to be [3134.82 --> 3141.30] like, in all things, the firstborn of creation, the firstborn among the dead, Jesus Christ must have [3141.30 --> 3150.42] supremacy. And in my opinion, Paul gets in our business with this passage, because he knows then, [3150.42 --> 3157.76] just like now, people will organize their lives around something or someone. And many people in [3157.76 --> 3162.52] Roman cities, they place their hope, they place their trust, they place their love and affection [3162.52 --> 3169.18] on this Caesar. Many people worshiped him as a God. And Paul says, he's not someone who will triumph [3169.18 --> 3173.76] over the grave. He will live and he will die, but there is someone who has supremacy, who has defeated [3173.76 --> 3179.60] death, and that is Jesus. But for us, maybe some of us put our hope in a political leader. I certainly [3179.60 --> 3183.50] hope not. These are not easy days to put hope in political leaders. I'm not going to get all political, [3183.50 --> 3186.78] but I think you can agree with me on that. It doesn't matter where you live in the world. [3187.44 --> 3193.82] But we organize our life around something for meaning, purpose, for joy. Perhaps it's some [3193.82 --> 3200.14] accomplishment at work that you hope gives you your legacy. Perhaps it's the favor of those around you. [3200.28 --> 3205.66] Perhaps it's a certain level of influence on Instagram or certain wealth by the end of your life. [3206.46 --> 3211.78] And Paul says, in all things, Christ must have supremacy. And all other created things, [3211.78 --> 3216.10] even though they are good, like world leaders and relationships and our work, [3216.46 --> 3221.52] they cannot be the center that gives meaning, purpose, and significance to our lives. [3221.88 --> 3229.98] The child who comes in fragility in the moment of Christmas is also the risen Lord who claims [3229.98 --> 3237.46] supremacy over all of our lives after his resurrection. But now I want to finish with where the poem finishes. [3237.46 --> 3241.16] And it really gets more at the why of Christmas. [3242.46 --> 3252.44] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself [3252.44 --> 3260.04] all things, whether things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. [3260.04 --> 3264.28] If you don't already know this, I will say this as clearly as possible. [3264.62 --> 3271.60] The goal of God in sending Jesus was to bring healing to the whole creation. [3272.40 --> 3277.78] If you didn't notice this, a repeated phrase throughout this whole passage is all things. [3278.62 --> 3281.78] Not just certain individuals, but the whole of creation. [3282.26 --> 3288.94] And then, yes, healing and forgiveness to a world that is corrupted by sin and lives in rebellion and rejection to God. [3288.94 --> 3290.56] God came for us also. [3290.78 --> 3295.76] And then also to overcome the finality and the brutality of death itself. [3297.06 --> 3302.54] And the reason we worship today is because we believe that God did what God sent Jesus to do. [3303.50 --> 3304.84] The grave is empty. [3306.30 --> 3307.34] Forgiveness has come. [3308.40 --> 3309.42] Death has been defeated. [3309.68 --> 3313.78] And Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God. [3314.50 --> 3315.38] Praise the Lord. [3315.38 --> 3320.66] And so I'm going to finish with some poetry by Charles Wesley. [3321.82 --> 3323.82] Words that we will sing in just a minute. [3324.26 --> 3326.86] In fact, as I read it, I'll invite the worship team up on the stage. [3327.20 --> 3331.26] But this is the third verse to Hark the Herald Angels Sing. [3331.26 --> 3361.24] Hark the Herald Angels Sing. [3361.26 --> 3362.68] Herald Angels Sing. [3362.68 --> 3366.30] Glory to the newborn King. [3367.30 --> 3367.90] Amen. [3368.62 --> 3370.88] Let's stand and sing to this King. [3370.88 --> 3372.00] Amen. [3378.52 --> 3380.46] Amen. [3380.46 --> 3380.80] Amen. [3382.02 --> 3382.16] Amen. [3382.16 --> 3382.24] Amen. [3382.24 --> 3382.52] Amen. [3382.52 --> 3382.92] Amen. [3382.92 --> 3383.84] Amen. [3383.84 --> 3384.28] Amen. [3384.28 --> 3388.32] Amen. [3397.12 --> 3398.28] Amen. [3398.28 --> 3398.56] Amen. [3398.56 --> 3408.50] Let the herald angels sing [3408.50 --> 3412.74] Glory to the newborn King [3412.74 --> 3417.10] Peace on earth and mercy mild [3417.10 --> 3421.30] God and sinners reconciled [3421.30 --> 3425.68] Joyful all ye nations ride [3425.68 --> 3429.84] Join the triumph of the sky [3429.84 --> 3433.84] With angelic calls proclaim [3433.84 --> 3437.68] Christ is born in Bethlehem [3438.34 --> 3442.50] Hark the herald angels sing [3442.50 --> 3446.68] Glory to the newborn King [3447.54 --> 3453.68] Christ by highest heaven adore [3453.68 --> 3457.68] Christ the everlasting Lord [3458.48 --> 3462.84] Mid in time behold Him come [3462.84 --> 3466.88] O offspring of the virgin day [3466.88 --> 3470.68] Hail in flesh the Godhead see [3471.20 --> 3474.68] Hail the incarnate deity [3474.68 --> 3479.58] Please as men with us to dwell [3479.58 --> 3483.28] Jesus our Emmanuel [3483.28 --> 3488.08] Hark the herald angels sing [3488.08 --> 3492.68] Glory to the newborn King [3492.68 --> 3499.68] Hail the heaven Prince of Peace [3499.68 --> 3503.84] Hail the song of righteousness [3503.84 --> 3507.88] Life and life to all He brings [3507.88 --> 3511.84] Risen when He leads me [3511.84 --> 3516.84] While He lays His glory by [3516.84 --> 3521.00] Born that when no more may die [3521.00 --> 3525.08] Born to raise the sons of earth [3525.08 --> 3528.84] Born to give them second birth [3528.84 --> 3533.00] Hark the herald angels sing [3533.00 --> 3538.40] Glory to the newborn King [3538.40 --> 3552.54] Glory to the newborn King [3552.54 --> 3555.48] Well friends this is the part of our service where we get to light our Christ candles [3555.48 --> 3558.48] And I'll ask that we bring the house lights down for this [3558.48 --> 3564.48] If you did not grab a candle on your way in there should be some in the foyer [3564.48 --> 3570.04] And the only request that our custodian has made is we try not to burn the building down [3570.04 --> 3572.12] We've had some close calls in the past [3572.12 --> 3577.42] But this is the image that we have that Christ Himself gives us [3577.42 --> 3581.54] In John chapter 8 Jesus has the boldness to say [3581.54 --> 3585.52] I am the light of the world [3585.52 --> 3589.60] That lights up into the darkness and brings healing [3589.60 --> 3594.30] But also in Matthew 5 Jesus says to those who follow Him and will believe in Him [3594.30 --> 3597.50] You are the light of the world [3597.50 --> 3599.44] And so we light these candles [3599.44 --> 3602.54] I'm going to light my candle in a moment from the Christ candle [3602.54 --> 3603.68] And then I'm going to go to the front [3603.68 --> 3605.96] And light some of the candles of those in the front [3605.96 --> 3609.32] And if you could just be so kind as to sort of turn behind to those behind you [3609.32 --> 3610.14] And light their candles [3610.14 --> 3613.24] And as we do that we are going to sing O Holy Night [3613.24 --> 3615.94] And as I already mentioned this is another song [3615.94 --> 3618.10] That has been banned through the years [3618.10 --> 3619.62] Because it was so controversial [3619.62 --> 3622.56] And it was poetry that challenged oppression [3622.56 --> 3625.32] Because Jesus Christ is our Prince of Peace [3625.32 --> 3627.94] So let's light our candles from the Christ candle [3627.94 --> 3629.88] And we'll sing together O Holy Night [3629.88 --> 3642.14] O Holy Night [3642.14 --> 3647.24] The stars are brightly shining [3647.24 --> 3654.74] It is the night of our dear Savior's birth [3654.74 --> 3666.58] Long lay the world in sin and ever pining [3666.58 --> 3674.68] Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth [3674.68 --> 3679.96] A thrill of hope [3679.96 --> 3684.68] The weary world rejoices [3684.68 --> 3687.78] For yonder breaks [3687.78 --> 3693.72] A new and glorious Lord [3693.72 --> 3701.34] Far on your knees [3701.34 --> 3708.92] O hear the angel's voices [3708.92 --> 3714.02] O night divine [3714.02 --> 3715.92] O night divine [3715.92 --> 3725.78] O night when Christ was born [3725.78 --> 3732.92] O night divine [3732.92 --> 3738.02] O night and night divine [3738.02 --> 3739.92] O night divine [3739.92 --> 3741.92] O night divine [3741.92 --> 3742.02] O night divine [3742.02 --> 3742.92] O night divine [3742.92 --> 3746.92] Truly He taught us to love one another [3746.92 --> 3750.92] Truly He taught us to love one another [3750.92 --> 3751.92] Love one another [3751.92 --> 3757.92] Is not His love [3757.92 --> 3763.92] And His gospel is peace [3763.92 --> 3765.90] Do you please [3765.90 --> 3766.92] He prayed and His love [3766.92 --> 3767.92] O Lord [3767.92 --> 3768.92] O night divine [3768.92 --> 3769.92] năm [3769.92 --> 3782.86] Lord [3782.86 --> 3785.92] He prayed and His? [3785.92 --> 3786.92] � tulul [3786.92 --> 3788.50] of joy [3788.50 --> 3790.60] in grateful [3790.60 --> 3793.04] chorus raise [3793.04 --> 3795.26] we that all [3795.26 --> 3796.42] within [3796.42 --> 3799.12] as praise [3799.12 --> 3800.92] his holy name [3801.96 --> 3804.92] Christ [3805.82 --> 3806.96] is the [3806.96 --> 3808.92] Lord [3808.92 --> 3810.92] O praise [3811.76 --> 3814.88] his name [3814.88 --> 3815.40] for [3815.40 --> 3817.40] ever [3817.40 --> 3819.50] his [3819.50 --> 3821.40] love [3823.02 --> 3823.40] and [3823.82 --> 3825.40] glory [3827.24 --> 3829.40] ever [3829.40 --> 3831.40] more [3832.16 --> 3833.40] proclaim [3833.40 --> 3835.40] his [3836.76 --> 3837.40] love [3839.52 --> 3840.90] and [3840.90 --> 3843.40] glory [3843.40 --> 3845.40] evermore [3845.40 --> 3849.40] proclaim [3849.40 --> 3853.40] Christ [3853.40 --> 3859.40] is the Lord [3859.40 --> 3861.40] Lord [3861.40 --> 3863.40] O praise [3863.40 --> 3865.40] his name [3865.40 --> 3867.40] forever [3867.40 --> 3869.40] his [3869.40 --> 3871.40] power [3871.40 --> 3875.40] and glory [3875.40 --> 3877.40] ever [3877.40 --> 3879.40] and glory [3879.40 --> 3881.40] evermore [3881.40 --> 3883.40] proclaim [3883.40 --> 3885.40] his [3885.40 --> 3887.40] power [3887.40 --> 3889.40] and [3889.40 --> 3891.40] glory [3891.40 --> 3893.40] evermore [3893.40 --> 3895.40] proclaim [3895.40 --> 3897.40] glory [3897.40 --> 3899.40] and [3899.40 --> 3901.40] glory [3901.40 --> 3903.40] ever [3903.40 --> 3905.40] proclaim [3905.40 --> 3907.40] glory [3907.40 --> 3909.40] and [3909.40 --> 3911.40] glory [3911.40 --> 3913.40] amen [3913.40 --> 3915.40] to [3915.40 --> 3917.40] the [3917.40 --> 3919.40] glory [3919.40 --> 3921.40] and [3921.40 --> 3923.40] glory [3923.40 --> 3925.40] and [3925.40 --> 3927.40] glory [3927.40 --> 3929.40] and [3929.40 --> 3931.40] glory [3931.40 --> 3933.40] and [3933.40 --> 3935.40] glory [3935.40 --> 3952.94] Bar [3953.40 --> 3954.92] to [3954.92 --> 3957.16] Lecture [3957.40 --> 3961.40] n [3961.40 --> 3963.68] Finally, let me say this as words of sending. [3964.56 --> 3968.06] The way Jesus shines his light in the world [3968.06 --> 3970.16] is through the church. [3971.04 --> 3973.72] It is through your ordinary acts of love, [3974.62 --> 3978.78] of generosity, of sacrifice and justice [3978.78 --> 3981.30] in your family over Christmas, [3981.64 --> 3983.60] in your workplace when you go back, [3983.88 --> 3984.76] in your neighborhood. [3985.10 --> 3987.12] That is how the light of Christ shines. [3987.28 --> 3991.06] And so we are sent to bear witness with our little lights [3991.06 --> 3993.72] to Jesus Christ, the light of the world. [3994.66 --> 3996.10] And so receive his blessing. [3997.54 --> 3999.14] Go in the love of God. [4000.24 --> 4002.98] Go in the grace of Jesus Christ, his son, [4003.12 --> 4004.78] who has rescued us by the cross. [4005.26 --> 4009.24] And go in the power and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. [4009.94 --> 4010.28] Amen. [4011.40 --> 4014.50] Now I've got a request that came after the 4 p.m. service. [4015.18 --> 4016.80] Is there any chance we could sing [4016.80 --> 4019.10] Go Tell It on the Mountain one more time? [4019.10 --> 4022.76] Does that sound favorable to our worship team? [4023.54 --> 4024.82] And to our media people? [4024.88 --> 4025.90] Is that something we want to do? [4026.50 --> 4027.76] Okay, let's sing it together. [4027.98 --> 4029.84] And you can also, after we sing, [4029.92 --> 4030.88] you can blow out your candles [4030.88 --> 4031.84] and there's little basins. [4031.94 --> 4034.16] You can put the finished off candlesticks [4034.16 --> 4034.90] on your way out. [4034.98 --> 4035.60] Go in peace. [4035.60 --> 4055.04] Go tell it on the mountain [4055.04 --> 4058.92] Over the hills and everywhere [4058.92 --> 4062.36] Go tell it on the mountain [4062.36 --> 4066.10] That Jesus Christ is born [4066.10 --> 4069.80] While shepherds kept their watching [4069.80 --> 4073.62] O'er silent thoughts by night [4073.62 --> 4077.38] Behold, throughout the heavens [4077.38 --> 4081.04] There showed a holy light [4081.04 --> 4086.36] Go tell it on the mountain [4086.36 --> 4090.26] Over the hills and everywhere [4090.26 --> 4093.86] Go tell it on the mountain [4093.86 --> 4097.32] That Jesus Christ is born [4097.32 --> 4101.32] The shepherds leered and trembled [4101.32 --> 4104.94] When low above the earth [4104.94 --> 4108.86] Play out the angel chorus [4108.86 --> 4112.48] That hailed the Savior's birth [4112.48 --> 4117.80] Oh tell it on the mountain [4117.80 --> 4121.70] Over the hills and everywhere [4121.70 --> 4125.22] Go tell it on the mountain [4125.22 --> 4128.86] That Jesus Christ is born [4128.86 --> 4131.86] Down in a lonely manger [4132.48 --> 4136.30] The humble Christ was born [4136.30 --> 4139.80] And God sent us salvation [4139.80 --> 4143.92] That blessed Christmas was born [4143.92 --> 4149.34] Go tell it on the mountain [4149.34 --> 4153.24] Over the hills and everywhere [4153.24 --> 4156.76] Go tell it on the mountain [4156.76 --> 4159.76] Sing it one more time [4159.76 --> 4161.14] Go tell it on the mountain [4161.14 --> 4164.14] Go tell it on the mountain [4164.14 --> 4168.04] Over the hills and everywhere [4168.04 --> 4171.56] Go tell it on the mountain [4171.56 --> 4174.14] That Jesus Christ is born [4174.14 --> 4178.42] That Jesus Christ is born [4178.42 --> 4184.08] That Jesus Christ is born [4184.08 --> 4188.42] Amen [4188.42 --> 4189.68] Go in peace [4189.68 --> 4190.48] Merry Christmas