1 00:00:32,419 --> 00:00:33,099 Well, amen. 2 00:00:33,099 --> 00:00:34,579 That was a blessing to my heart. 3 00:00:34,819 --> 00:00:36,179 Hearing the Music Tonight. 4 00:00:37,539 --> 00:00:41,899 I titled what I thought I had a title and then I heard the Music 5 00:00:41,899 --> 00:00:43,139 Tonight and it changed. 6 00:00:43,699 --> 00:00:47,419 But the title that I had was this Pondering Christ During Christmas 7 00:00:47,419 --> 00:00:47,779 chaos. 8 00:00:47,779 --> 00:00:49,699 And I thought, man, that's a great title. 9 00:00:50,099 --> 00:00:50,939 That's awesome. 10 00:00:50,939 --> 00:00:51,939 That's pretty good stuff. 11 00:00:51,939 --> 00:00:53,619 I really thought a lot about it. 12 00:00:54,099 --> 00:00:57,179 And then I heard all these Christ centered songs and it made 13 00:00:57,179 --> 00:00:58,799 me think, here's a good one. 14 00:00:58,959 --> 00:01:00,559 Oh, come let us adore him. 15 00:01:01,039 --> 00:01:02,159 What a beautiful thought. 16 00:01:02,159 --> 00:01:05,199 Or Cherish that beautiful name. 17 00:01:05,679 --> 00:01:06,879 Those are better titles. 18 00:01:07,039 --> 00:01:09,199 Turn your Bibles to Luke, chapter two, please. 19 00:01:09,759 --> 00:01:10,479 Luke two. 20 00:01:14,479 --> 00:01:17,759 Tonight I would like us to consider the name of Jesus. 21 00:01:17,759 --> 00:01:20,159 And I'd like us to consider the story of Jesus. 22 00:01:20,479 --> 00:01:24,479 The key word in whatever of these three titles that we've heard 23 00:01:24,479 --> 00:01:26,959 here would be the word ponder or consider. 24 00:01:28,579 --> 00:01:29,459 Or cherish. 25 00:01:30,419 --> 00:01:34,899 What we do with his name, what we do with the truths that we know. 26 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:39,699 And we'll be also in the book of First Peter, if you want to put 27 00:01:39,699 --> 00:01:43,618 a thumb there, or a crayon if you're in my family with his kids 28 00:01:43,618 --> 00:01:46,139 always around with things in their hands or whatever it might 29 00:01:46,139 --> 00:01:46,419 be. 30 00:01:47,059 --> 00:01:50,379 What comes into your mind, though, when you think about the 31 00:01:50,379 --> 00:01:53,499 phrase, this is a terrifying thought. 32 00:01:53,499 --> 00:01:54,179 Are you ready? 33 00:01:55,179 --> 00:01:59,179 Christmas is in 22 days. 34 00:01:59,259 --> 00:01:59,979 Is that right? 35 00:02:00,699 --> 00:02:04,139 Christmas is in just 22 days. 36 00:02:04,859 --> 00:02:08,739 I am certain that, as I say, that many of you have a whole lot 37 00:02:08,739 --> 00:02:10,778 of different thoughts that go into your mind. 38 00:02:10,939 --> 00:02:15,339 It might be panic as you think about all the things that have to 39 00:02:15,339 --> 00:02:15,819 get done. 40 00:02:16,779 --> 00:02:19,739 Maybe a little bit of anxiety immediately sets in. 41 00:02:20,559 --> 00:02:24,119 You might think, well, what presents have I not bought? 42 00:02:24,119 --> 00:02:26,879 Or who have I not thought of yet? 43 00:02:26,879 --> 00:02:31,919 Or am I going to be able to get to the post office or FedEx or 44 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:33,759 wherever it is that you ship your things through? 45 00:02:34,159 --> 00:02:36,479 They're all terrible during this time of the year, let's be honest. 46 00:02:36,479 --> 00:02:38,559 But you might be thinking, well, how am I going to get all that 47 00:02:38,559 --> 00:02:38,839 done? 48 00:02:38,839 --> 00:02:43,559 You might think, well, what party that I'm being asked to be 49 00:02:43,559 --> 00:02:46,919 at can I get out of somehow maybe one of my kids will get sick 50 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,329 or something and I don't have to be there or whatever it might 51 00:02:49,329 --> 00:02:49,649 be. 52 00:02:49,889 --> 00:02:52,289 And there's always all the things that are going on. 53 00:02:52,289 --> 00:02:55,329 There's so many different groups and factions trying to gain 54 00:02:55,329 --> 00:02:58,609 our attention and get us to do something more. 55 00:02:59,169 --> 00:03:03,529 During what we call Christmas season or in December, it might be 56 00:03:03,529 --> 00:03:08,369 even something like, you know, I hope I don't have to be at that 57 00:03:08,369 --> 00:03:09,129 house this year. 58 00:03:09,129 --> 00:03:11,569 I hope I don't have to do this, or I hope I don't have to see 59 00:03:11,569 --> 00:03:13,489 that person during this time of the year. 60 00:03:14,379 --> 00:03:17,819 But again, when we think about the fact that Christmas is in just 61 00:03:17,899 --> 00:03:22,059 22 days, in some ways it makes me stress out. 62 00:03:22,059 --> 00:03:24,219 It makes me think of a lot of things that I know I need to get 63 00:03:24,219 --> 00:03:24,859 done as well. 64 00:03:25,339 --> 00:03:29,459 Maybe it even makes you think about things that are unpleasant 65 00:03:29,459 --> 00:03:30,099 in your life. 66 00:03:30,099 --> 00:03:34,619 And in some ways, holidays and the holiday season can bring about 67 00:03:34,619 --> 00:03:35,739 thoughts of loneliness. 68 00:03:35,739 --> 00:03:40,309 And some people even it brings on a bout of depression and maybe 69 00:03:40,309 --> 00:03:43,189 just different types of anxieties that maybe no one else 70 00:03:43,189 --> 00:03:43,749 knows about. 71 00:03:43,749 --> 00:03:48,189 Personal feelings and things that might make you feel lonely. 72 00:03:48,189 --> 00:03:51,349 And when we think about the thought that Christmas is coming 73 00:03:51,349 --> 00:03:57,509 and coming soon, I want us just to think about the thought that 74 00:03:57,749 --> 00:03:59,029 we ought to adore him. 75 00:03:59,509 --> 00:04:03,669 The thought that we ought to take a moment and stop and ponder 76 00:04:03,829 --> 00:04:07,679 and cherish the name, that beautiful name of Jesus. 77 00:04:09,199 --> 00:04:12,479 We need to be aware of the trap. 78 00:04:14,479 --> 00:04:19,439 Of business and being busy and busyness and be intentional. 79 00:04:20,479 --> 00:04:23,519 Intentional enough to be able to hear the voice of God. 80 00:04:24,639 --> 00:04:27,759 And hear the voice, I would say, even of God the Father. 81 00:04:28,959 --> 00:04:31,239 And maybe you'd hear something like this. 82 00:04:31,239 --> 00:04:34,829 And maybe you'd hear something like from the Father. 83 00:04:35,309 --> 00:04:37,029 Well, Merry Christmas. 84 00:04:37,029 --> 00:04:41,549 Aaron, I want to remind you about a gift that I've given you. 85 00:04:42,109 --> 00:04:45,229 And that gift would be capital G. That gift is a person. 86 00:04:45,229 --> 00:04:48,669 And you'd say, that gift is my son, Jesus Christ. 87 00:04:50,189 --> 00:04:54,669 Jesus Christ, the Emmanuel, the one that came to be with us, 88 00:04:54,669 --> 00:04:59,199 to dwell with us, to live as us, and to live among us for us. 89 00:05:00,079 --> 00:05:04,799 What a beautiful truth the incarnation of Jesus Christ is. 90 00:05:05,199 --> 00:05:10,959 What a beautiful truth to see in the Gospel records God becoming 91 00:05:11,039 --> 00:05:12,959 flesh without ceasing to be God. 92 00:05:13,359 --> 00:05:16,399 All of it with you in mind and with me in mind. 93 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:23,079 We've probably all been in the Christmas setting where Christmas 94 00:05:23,079 --> 00:05:25,639 gifts are being opened and maybe there's a child or two. 95 00:05:25,639 --> 00:05:29,539 And when there's a particular child, maybe you can think of a scenario 96 00:05:29,539 --> 00:05:34,859 where a kid is just opening gift after gift after gift, and it's 97 00:05:34,859 --> 00:05:36,379 just happening so quickly. 98 00:05:36,379 --> 00:05:39,699 And you're starting to wonder, where even are all of these gifts 99 00:05:39,699 --> 00:05:40,339 coming from? 100 00:05:40,659 --> 00:05:45,299 And you know, the child is just ripping paper and boxes apart 101 00:05:45,299 --> 00:05:50,019 like a little busy beaver, and he's tearing apart things like a 102 00:05:50,019 --> 00:05:50,819 wood chipper. 103 00:05:51,219 --> 00:05:55,019 And all of a sudden there's a pile of paper all over the middle 104 00:05:55,019 --> 00:05:56,019 of the family room. 105 00:05:56,019 --> 00:06:00,069 So much so that you can literally not tell the difference 106 00:06:00,069 --> 00:06:03,869 between what might be trash and what might be treasure. 107 00:06:04,429 --> 00:06:07,629 And maybe you've even been guilty of accidentally throwing away 108 00:06:07,629 --> 00:06:10,549 a gift card, and you probably don't even know about it. 109 00:06:10,549 --> 00:06:11,389 Isn't that terrible? 110 00:06:11,949 --> 00:06:14,109 If you could just go to the dumpster right now and you could 111 00:06:14,109 --> 00:06:16,189 find all the Christmas gift cards that will be thrown away. 112 00:06:16,189 --> 00:06:17,069 It's incredible. 113 00:06:17,469 --> 00:06:19,949 And by the way, businesses are banking on that. 114 00:06:20,429 --> 00:06:22,289 They are banking on the fact that. 115 00:06:22,359 --> 00:06:24,999 That those precious little gift cards are going to get lost 116 00:06:24,999 --> 00:06:26,039 in all of that trash. 117 00:06:27,239 --> 00:06:29,919 But, you know, you think about that child and you think of the parent 118 00:06:29,919 --> 00:06:32,439 that eventually just can't handle it anymore and says, whoa, 119 00:06:32,439 --> 00:06:33,959 hey, slow down. 120 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:37,359 And then the kid would maybe look back up at mom and ask, well, 121 00:06:37,359 --> 00:06:38,759 why in the world would I slow down? 122 00:06:38,759 --> 00:06:42,279 There's still more to unwrap, and there's just so much going on 123 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:43,079 all at once. 124 00:06:44,119 --> 00:06:46,279 Sometimes I think we can treat Christmas that way. 125 00:06:46,679 --> 00:06:47,879 Maybe we are not the. 126 00:06:47,879 --> 00:06:48,359 Maybe. 127 00:06:50,319 --> 00:06:54,119 The picture of that child tearing gifts apart, but maybe there 128 00:06:54,119 --> 00:06:57,479 are other things that are taking all of our attention away 129 00:06:57,479 --> 00:07:01,199 from the Lord when he would desire to have his rightful place 130 00:07:01,599 --> 00:07:02,639 in our hearts. 131 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:06,959 You know, one of the things that we do as a family, and I love 132 00:07:07,039 --> 00:07:07,599 traditions. 133 00:07:07,599 --> 00:07:08,719 I love Christmas traditions. 134 00:07:08,719 --> 00:07:10,399 I know every family has them. 135 00:07:12,639 --> 00:07:15,719 I have been in the homes that I've described and seen those things 136 00:07:15,719 --> 00:07:16,839 happening, and it's just kind of. 137 00:07:16,839 --> 00:07:18,119 It almost feels like mayhem. 138 00:07:18,119 --> 00:07:19,759 It's almost not even enjoyable. 139 00:07:21,059 --> 00:07:22,979 But what our family does. 140 00:07:22,979 --> 00:07:24,459 And maybe this is an idea for some of you. 141 00:07:24,459 --> 00:07:26,859 I don't know if you have a young family and you're looking for 142 00:07:26,859 --> 00:07:28,939 ideas or maybe you think this idea is terrible. 143 00:07:28,939 --> 00:07:32,939 But what we like to do is when we're at our house, we'll have all 144 00:07:32,939 --> 00:07:35,699 the gifts there at the tree, and there's a ton of them, and it's 145 00:07:35,699 --> 00:07:36,179 incredible. 146 00:07:36,179 --> 00:07:38,819 And the more kids you have seems the more presents end up being 147 00:07:38,819 --> 00:07:39,059 there. 148 00:07:39,059 --> 00:07:41,459 And we all do look forward to opening gifts together. 149 00:07:41,459 --> 00:07:44,219 And I just find myself more and more. 150 00:07:44,219 --> 00:07:47,729 Maybe I'm just getting old, but I want to teach my children to 151 00:07:47,729 --> 00:07:53,089 be able to stop and ponder for a moment at least, and just think 152 00:07:53,569 --> 00:07:57,289 about the blessings of the people that have given those gifts 153 00:07:57,289 --> 00:07:58,529 and all those different types of things. 154 00:07:58,529 --> 00:08:00,649 And there's so much to think and ponder about. 155 00:08:00,649 --> 00:08:01,009 And. 156 00:08:03,169 --> 00:08:06,729 What we do now is, what we will do is we'll sing a song together, 157 00:08:06,729 --> 00:08:11,889 we'll read scripture together, we'll pray, and then we'll open up, 158 00:08:12,529 --> 00:08:14,529 all of us a gift. 159 00:08:15,409 --> 00:08:19,809 We all open up a single gift, and then we stop and we throw the 160 00:08:19,809 --> 00:08:23,809 trash in a bag, and then we look at the gifts and we kind of 161 00:08:23,809 --> 00:08:24,809 enjoy them for Just a moment. 162 00:08:24,809 --> 00:08:27,089 And then we think about the people that gave us the gifts. 163 00:08:27,089 --> 00:08:28,008 And then what do we do? 164 00:08:28,008 --> 00:08:29,849 Well, we don't jump into another gift. 165 00:08:29,849 --> 00:08:33,689 We actually stop and we all think of another song to sing, and 166 00:08:33,689 --> 00:08:36,649 we sing another Christmas song, and then we open up another 167 00:08:36,649 --> 00:08:37,009 gift. 168 00:08:37,009 --> 00:08:38,209 Everybody opens up another gift. 169 00:08:38,209 --> 00:08:39,449 And then we just kind of keep doing that. 170 00:08:39,449 --> 00:08:41,889 Well, then after that, we throw the trash away, and then we 171 00:08:42,239 --> 00:08:44,159 think of the people, and then we think of the Lord, and then we 172 00:08:44,159 --> 00:08:46,799 sing another song and we all sing together as a family. 173 00:08:46,799 --> 00:08:49,279 And then we open up another gift and we just keep doing that. 174 00:08:49,279 --> 00:08:51,199 And I like that tradition. 175 00:08:51,359 --> 00:08:55,599 To me, that helps me, because my mind is always racing. 176 00:08:55,759 --> 00:09:00,519 And if I don't force myself to stop and consider a thing, I will 177 00:09:00,519 --> 00:09:02,679 be guilty of what I despise. 178 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:06,799 And that's failing to see Jesus of all times in Christmas. 179 00:09:07,199 --> 00:09:08,679 And so I want to see the Lord. 180 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:11,778 And I hope, and I know that you do, too, in verse number eight 181 00:09:11,778 --> 00:09:12,858 of Luke chapter two. 182 00:09:12,858 --> 00:09:14,338 I want to read a few verses here. 183 00:09:15,538 --> 00:09:16,454 So Luke 2. 184 00:09:16,542 --> 00:09:20,218 8, it says, and there were in the same country shepherds abiding 185 00:09:20,218 --> 00:09:22,818 in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 186 00:09:23,458 --> 00:09:26,498 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of 187 00:09:26,498 --> 00:09:29,938 the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 188 00:09:30,498 --> 00:09:34,898 And the angel said unto them, fear not, for behold, I bring you 189 00:09:34,898 --> 00:09:38,409 good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 190 00:09:38,729 --> 00:09:43,289 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which 191 00:09:43,289 --> 00:09:45,049 is Christ the Lord. 192 00:09:45,769 --> 00:09:48,329 And this shall be a sign unto you. 193 00:09:48,729 --> 00:09:53,649 Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a 194 00:09:53,649 --> 00:09:54,009 manger. 195 00:09:54,969 --> 00:09:58,009 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly 196 00:09:58,009 --> 00:10:02,409 host, praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and 197 00:10:02,409 --> 00:10:05,739 on earth, peace, goodwill to men, toward men. 198 00:10:05,899 --> 00:10:08,859 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into 199 00:10:08,859 --> 00:10:13,379 heaven, the shepherds said, one to another, let us now go even 200 00:10:13,379 --> 00:10:16,939 unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass which 201 00:10:16,939 --> 00:10:19,419 the Lord hath made known unto us. 202 00:10:20,139 --> 00:10:25,099 And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe 203 00:10:25,259 --> 00:10:26,539 lying in a manger. 204 00:10:27,579 --> 00:10:30,179 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying 205 00:10:30,179 --> 00:10:31,979 which was told them concerning this child. 206 00:10:32,769 --> 00:10:36,249 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were 207 00:10:36,249 --> 00:10:37,569 told them by the shepherds. 208 00:10:37,969 --> 00:10:39,969 And notice the phrase in verse number 19. 209 00:10:40,929 --> 00:10:46,209 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 210 00:10:46,769 --> 00:10:48,769 I think that's a good verse to underline. 211 00:10:49,169 --> 00:10:53,729 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 212 00:10:54,129 --> 00:10:57,729 And then it says, and the shepherds returned, glorifying and 213 00:10:58,149 --> 00:11:01,989 praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen 214 00:11:02,389 --> 00:11:04,469 as it was told unto them. 215 00:11:05,109 --> 00:11:06,709 And so think about. 216 00:11:06,949 --> 00:11:09,069 Think about Bethlehem in this time. 217 00:11:09,069 --> 00:11:13,749 Think about them during this, if you will, first Christmas season. 218 00:11:15,669 --> 00:11:20,269 Heaven is singing, the angels are rejoicing, shepherds are shouting 219 00:11:20,269 --> 00:11:23,949 and hearing and retelling a story, and traveling and racing and 220 00:11:23,949 --> 00:11:28,789 hustling, and local businesses are booming and taxes are being collected, 221 00:11:28,789 --> 00:11:30,069 and all the things are happening. 222 00:11:30,069 --> 00:11:33,789 And if you look past all the excitement, all the things that are 223 00:11:33,789 --> 00:11:34,429 going on. 224 00:11:36,029 --> 00:11:42,269 There'S a woman, a young woman in her late third, late part of her 225 00:11:42,269 --> 00:11:47,389 third trimester, is about to give birth to a baby that she knows 226 00:11:47,709 --> 00:11:52,669 of all people on earth is an absolute, absolute, complete. 227 00:11:55,709 --> 00:11:58,349 Undescribable miracle. 228 00:11:59,949 --> 00:12:05,309 And she cannot get past the thought that she is a virgin about 229 00:12:05,309 --> 00:12:10,749 to give birth to a child and has been told by God through angels, 230 00:12:11,149 --> 00:12:12,509 all what is happening. 231 00:12:13,389 --> 00:12:17,709 And she is just floored and amazed at what is really happening. 232 00:12:17,709 --> 00:12:18,029 And. 233 00:12:18,829 --> 00:12:19,869 And she gets it. 234 00:12:20,189 --> 00:12:21,629 She gets the big picture. 235 00:12:22,189 --> 00:12:25,869 She's piecing together so many things, and she's starting to recognize 236 00:12:26,269 --> 00:12:30,749 just how important Christmas, if you will, is. 237 00:12:31,389 --> 00:12:34,829 So when you look at verse 19, it does say Mary kept all these things 238 00:12:34,989 --> 00:12:37,789 and pondered them in her heart. 239 00:12:37,949 --> 00:12:40,309 I think it's wise that we just look at that word pondered. 240 00:12:40,309 --> 00:12:42,189 And that's kind of what I've been doing and thinking about. 241 00:12:42,189 --> 00:12:46,419 I've been pondering about the word ponder a lot today, but the 242 00:12:46,419 --> 00:12:49,579 word ponder is used six times in Scripture. 243 00:12:49,899 --> 00:12:52,419 And when I say it's used six times in Scripture, I'm referring 244 00:12:52,419 --> 00:12:57,579 to if you see that word in the original language as it is used throughout 245 00:12:57,579 --> 00:12:59,419 the New Testament, it's seen six times. 246 00:12:59,419 --> 00:13:02,699 And it might look a little bit different in the English in different 247 00:13:02,699 --> 00:13:05,259 passages, but we'll look at one here in particular. 248 00:13:05,339 --> 00:13:07,099 But the idea of the word there is. 249 00:13:07,179 --> 00:13:11,179 It's the word symbolo, and it's really two words into one. 250 00:13:11,779 --> 00:13:16,699 And it is syn or syn, which means together, and then the word 251 00:13:16,699 --> 00:13:18,739 balo, which means to throw. 252 00:13:18,979 --> 00:13:23,059 So the idea is that it is, and the interpretation of the Word is 253 00:13:23,059 --> 00:13:31,379 to bring together, to compare, to piece together, to assemble toward 254 00:13:32,179 --> 00:13:33,139 understanding. 255 00:13:33,379 --> 00:13:38,519 Think of those three words, to assemble toward understanding. 256 00:13:39,879 --> 00:13:41,159 It's not daydreaming. 257 00:13:41,159 --> 00:13:42,759 Mary's not daydreaming here. 258 00:13:42,839 --> 00:13:45,799 Mary's not just thinking about things and just distracted. 259 00:13:46,039 --> 00:13:47,399 She's intentional here. 260 00:13:47,799 --> 00:13:49,479 She's piecing things together. 261 00:13:50,039 --> 00:13:54,199 She's mentally laying out all the pieces of what God is showing 262 00:13:54,199 --> 00:13:57,879 her, and she's fitting them, and she's fastening them together 263 00:13:58,039 --> 00:13:58,839 in her mind. 264 00:13:58,839 --> 00:14:04,449 And she's in her own mind creating a beautiful Gospel Christmas 265 00:14:04,769 --> 00:14:05,409 picture. 266 00:14:06,049 --> 00:14:07,569 And what does she see? 267 00:14:08,609 --> 00:14:14,129 She sees a clearer vision of who God is, a clearer vision of who 268 00:14:14,449 --> 00:14:15,329 Jesus is. 269 00:14:15,729 --> 00:14:18,729 Would you turn with me now into 1 Peter, chapter 2, please? 270 00:14:18,729 --> 00:14:22,649 Let's keep our place in Luke 2, but let's turn to 1st Peter, chapter 271 00:14:22,649 --> 00:14:25,129 2, and we'll read about five or six verses. 272 00:14:25,129 --> 00:14:27,249 I want you to see it 1st Peter, chapter 2. 273 00:14:27,489 --> 00:14:31,519 And we're going to look at verse number four, 1st Peter 2. 274 00:14:31,519 --> 00:14:32,719 I'll give you a minute to turn there. 275 00:14:32,719 --> 00:14:34,919 Verse number four. 276 00:14:38,359 --> 00:14:39,719 And the Bible says this. 277 00:14:39,719 --> 00:14:42,679 And so we're thinking again about this word pondered. 278 00:14:42,679 --> 00:14:44,998 And we're going to see here in another part of the New Testament 279 00:14:44,998 --> 00:14:50,719 where this Greek word symbolo is used, but there's some text behind 280 00:14:50,719 --> 00:14:51,399 it wanting to see. 281 00:14:51,399 --> 00:14:52,519 So look at verse number four. 282 00:14:52,919 --> 00:15:00,039 And it says, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed 283 00:15:00,039 --> 00:15:06,759 of men, but chosen of God, and precious ye also, as lively stones 284 00:15:06,759 --> 00:15:11,198 are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer 285 00:15:11,198 --> 00:15:14,799 up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 286 00:15:15,279 --> 00:15:17,839 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture. 287 00:15:17,839 --> 00:15:23,489 Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious. 288 00:15:23,889 --> 00:15:28,209 And he that believeth on him shall not be confounded unto you 289 00:15:28,209 --> 00:15:33,409 therefore, which believe he is precious, but unto them which be 290 00:15:33,409 --> 00:15:34,249 disobedient. 291 00:15:34,249 --> 00:15:38,569 The stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the 292 00:15:38,569 --> 00:15:39,209 head of the corner. 293 00:15:39,209 --> 00:15:42,569 So I want you to be thinking about Mary and remember what she's 294 00:15:42,569 --> 00:15:42,729 doing. 295 00:15:42,729 --> 00:15:44,209 She's pondering and she's building. 296 00:15:44,289 --> 00:15:45,809 She's piecing together. 297 00:15:45,889 --> 00:15:50,879 She's taking lots of bits of information that she knows, and she's 298 00:15:50,879 --> 00:15:51,599 building something. 299 00:15:51,599 --> 00:15:54,479 And I would say that anytime we're building something and we see 300 00:15:54,479 --> 00:15:58,039 a clear vision of who Jesus is, it makes me think of a passage 301 00:15:58,039 --> 00:16:00,719 like this where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. 302 00:16:00,719 --> 00:16:04,479 And it says in verse eight, and a stone of stumbling and a rock 303 00:16:04,479 --> 00:16:08,359 of offense, even to them which stumble at the word being disobedient. 304 00:16:08,439 --> 00:16:10,199 Where unto also they were appointed. 305 00:16:10,519 --> 00:16:15,339 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a 306 00:16:15,339 --> 00:16:19,219 holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth 307 00:16:19,219 --> 00:16:23,459 the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his 308 00:16:23,459 --> 00:16:27,859 marvelous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now 309 00:16:27,859 --> 00:16:31,259 the people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have 310 00:16:31,259 --> 00:16:33,139 obtained mercy. 311 00:16:33,619 --> 00:16:37,099 And so as we think about that thought again, this picture that's 312 00:16:37,099 --> 00:16:42,529 being taken from many different viewpoints and many bits 313 00:16:42,529 --> 00:16:46,289 of information, Mary's piecing it all together Almost like a puzzle. 314 00:16:46,369 --> 00:16:49,129 And she's seeing this beautiful thing constructed in her 315 00:16:49,129 --> 00:16:52,289 mind, and it is an image of the Lord Jesus Christ. 316 00:16:52,609 --> 00:16:55,729 And she puts those things together. 317 00:16:56,449 --> 00:17:00,769 And now, before we go back to Luke chapter two, I'd like us to 318 00:17:00,769 --> 00:17:01,809 turn to Acts chapter four. 319 00:17:01,809 --> 00:17:05,129 And we're going to read just another few verses here in Acts chapter 320 00:17:05,129 --> 00:17:05,409 four. 321 00:17:06,459 --> 00:17:07,259 Acts chapter four. 322 00:17:07,259 --> 00:17:09,339 And we're going to look at verse number eight. 323 00:17:09,659 --> 00:17:12,859 So Acts four, eight. 324 00:17:14,539 --> 00:17:19,179 The Bible says, then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said 325 00:17:19,179 --> 00:17:23,019 unto them, ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we 326 00:17:23,019 --> 00:17:26,739 this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, 327 00:17:26,739 --> 00:17:28,539 by what means he is made whole. 328 00:17:28,539 --> 00:17:28,939 That's key. 329 00:17:28,939 --> 00:17:30,619 That there is a man that has been made whole. 330 00:17:30,619 --> 00:17:32,219 A miracle has been performed. 331 00:17:32,779 --> 00:17:33,499 Verse number 10. 332 00:17:33,579 --> 00:17:37,899 Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that 333 00:17:37,899 --> 00:17:43,219 by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom 334 00:17:43,219 --> 00:17:49,019 God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before 335 00:17:49,099 --> 00:17:50,299 you whole. 336 00:17:51,179 --> 00:17:56,259 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which 337 00:17:56,259 --> 00:17:58,379 is become the head of the corner. 338 00:17:59,809 --> 00:18:03,569 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other 339 00:18:03,569 --> 00:18:07,329 name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 340 00:18:07,809 --> 00:18:09,169 Now look at verse number 13. 341 00:18:09,889 --> 00:18:14,489 Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, so now 342 00:18:14,489 --> 00:18:16,049 there are some people putting some things together. 343 00:18:16,209 --> 00:18:20,649 They saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that there 344 00:18:20,649 --> 00:18:24,769 were unlearned, and that they were unlearned and ignorant men. 345 00:18:25,329 --> 00:18:29,689 They marveled and they took knowledge of them, and that they 346 00:18:29,689 --> 00:18:30,689 had been with Jesus. 347 00:18:31,089 --> 00:18:33,809 So they're piecing these things together in verse number 14, 348 00:18:34,449 --> 00:18:39,929 and beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they 349 00:18:39,929 --> 00:18:41,649 could say nothing against it. 350 00:18:42,289 --> 00:18:46,969 But when they commanded them to go aside out of the council, they 351 00:18:46,969 --> 00:18:51,609 conferred among themselves, saying, what shall we do to these 352 00:18:51,609 --> 00:18:51,969 men? 353 00:18:52,129 --> 00:18:52,289 For. 354 00:18:52,439 --> 00:18:55,399 For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is 355 00:18:55,399 --> 00:18:59,799 manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot 356 00:19:00,439 --> 00:19:01,239 deny it. 357 00:19:01,639 --> 00:19:07,239 If you see in verse number 15, it says that they would go aside 358 00:19:07,239 --> 00:19:07,879 out of the council. 359 00:19:07,879 --> 00:19:10,839 Then it says they conferred, maybe want to underline that word 360 00:19:10,839 --> 00:19:11,039 there. 361 00:19:11,039 --> 00:19:12,799 Conferred among themselves. 362 00:19:12,799 --> 00:19:13,879 Do you know what word that is? 363 00:19:14,279 --> 00:19:15,319 Symbalo. 364 00:19:15,719 --> 00:19:16,759 What were they doing? 365 00:19:17,239 --> 00:19:20,809 They pieced together a bunch of information that they had heard. 366 00:19:20,809 --> 00:19:20,939 They. 367 00:19:21,089 --> 00:19:24,969 They put it together, and it helped formulate an opinion and helped 368 00:19:24,969 --> 00:19:29,529 them build and construct a narrative so that they could do something 369 00:19:29,529 --> 00:19:31,729 about the information that they had. 370 00:19:31,969 --> 00:19:34,609 The important thing to understand here is that they did 371 00:19:34,609 --> 00:19:41,129 all of that investigation and pondering, putting together so that 372 00:19:41,129 --> 00:19:45,169 they could make a decision, and they could do something about 373 00:19:45,169 --> 00:19:45,489 it. 374 00:19:45,729 --> 00:19:48,209 It's very important to understand that it was not just information, 375 00:19:48,979 --> 00:19:51,289 but for informational purposes alone. 376 00:19:51,609 --> 00:19:55,769 It was information that they were intending to act upon. 377 00:19:56,969 --> 00:19:58,889 And I believe that's what Mary does, too. 378 00:20:00,089 --> 00:20:03,809 All the things that she brought together in her mind, those 379 00:20:03,809 --> 00:20:05,528 were things to act on. 380 00:20:06,089 --> 00:20:07,129 May I say this? 381 00:20:07,769 --> 00:20:10,889 All the things that we know to be true from God's word and that 382 00:20:10,889 --> 00:20:14,929 we know to be true of Jesus Christ, those are not things just 383 00:20:14,929 --> 00:20:19,239 to appreciate here in this beautiful room, but they are things 384 00:20:19,239 --> 00:20:21,919 to act upon, right? 385 00:20:22,719 --> 00:20:27,799 And when we read the Word of God and it does not change us, something 386 00:20:27,799 --> 00:20:28,639 is not right. 387 00:20:29,439 --> 00:20:36,239 We are failing to symbolo, to put together the pieces that will 388 00:20:36,239 --> 00:20:41,929 help us see a clear vision of who Jesus is so that we can act on 389 00:20:41,929 --> 00:20:42,489 that information. 390 00:20:44,249 --> 00:20:48,649 So when Luke says that Mary ponders, she carefully assembles 391 00:20:48,649 --> 00:20:51,929 the spiritual truth until it changes her. 392 00:20:52,729 --> 00:20:54,329 And that's why it matters so much. 393 00:20:54,329 --> 00:21:01,369 So a gospel that is beautiful enough to save your soul, or to save 394 00:21:01,369 --> 00:21:05,369 my soul, I would say, is beautiful enough to act upon. 395 00:21:05,769 --> 00:21:07,209 Or maybe you can put it this way. 396 00:21:08,089 --> 00:21:13,369 Let our church not just be a gospel observatory, but a gospel 397 00:21:13,449 --> 00:21:14,089 foundry. 398 00:21:15,689 --> 00:21:18,889 The gospel is a beautiful thing to behold. 399 00:21:20,489 --> 00:21:24,049 And we can gather the beautiful truths of Christmas in 400 00:21:24,049 --> 00:21:25,529 order to observe. 401 00:21:27,289 --> 00:21:31,289 But are we doing all of that so that it will change who we are 402 00:21:31,289 --> 00:21:34,489 and how we think about God and how we treat the people that are 403 00:21:34,489 --> 00:21:35,159 around us and. 404 00:21:35,389 --> 00:21:42,989 And how we go about our daily busy, busy December lives as we ponder 405 00:21:43,069 --> 00:21:49,469 who Jesus is, as we cherish that beautiful name as we come and 406 00:21:49,469 --> 00:21:50,429 adore him. 407 00:21:51,068 --> 00:21:53,309 How does it affect our daily living? 408 00:21:55,149 --> 00:22:01,149 A Jesus or a savior that is good enough to be adored and a name 409 00:22:01,149 --> 00:22:04,609 that is good enough to be recognized as beautiful. 410 00:22:06,049 --> 00:22:09,489 The person behind it is good enough to be lived for. 411 00:22:10,209 --> 00:22:14,889 And he gave his life and lived his for you, and he lived his for 412 00:22:14,889 --> 00:22:15,169 me. 413 00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:21,809 So I would encourage you tonight to gather the truths together, 414 00:22:22,849 --> 00:22:27,409 to build a picture in your heart, in your mind, to understand 415 00:22:27,649 --> 00:22:31,369 who Christ is and to know who he is and in a more clear way. 416 00:22:31,689 --> 00:22:36,129 And I would say that we can determine to be a gospel foundry 417 00:22:36,129 --> 00:22:37,129 in this church. 418 00:22:37,609 --> 00:22:40,649 When we take the information that we have and not just observe 419 00:22:40,649 --> 00:22:44,009 it as a beautiful thing, that we have rich, strong, deep doctrine, 420 00:22:44,489 --> 00:22:49,289 but that we take that doctrine and we do something we observe to 421 00:22:49,289 --> 00:22:49,609 do. 422 00:22:50,809 --> 00:22:55,529 We see the doctrine, we realize its simplicity, its beauty, 423 00:22:56,059 --> 00:22:58,219 the person of Jesus behind it all. 424 00:22:58,459 --> 00:23:02,059 And it makes us want to live for him and do something for him 425 00:23:02,059 --> 00:23:03,259 and be different people. 426 00:23:03,899 --> 00:23:04,819 It's really simple. 427 00:23:04,819 --> 00:23:09,899 Though it's a lot to ponder and think about, but it's simple. 428 00:23:10,379 --> 00:23:14,539 We think about Christ and it helps us understand who he is. 429 00:23:15,179 --> 00:23:19,979 And it should cause us to want to live for him and do for him in 430 00:23:19,979 --> 00:23:23,429 a way that glorifies him and see souls saved and. 431 00:23:23,579 --> 00:23:29,179 And see our church, a gospel foundry, make new and forge new disciples 432 00:23:29,499 --> 00:23:31,579 one by one for his glory. 433 00:23:33,099 --> 00:23:37,659 So when we ponder, when we symbolo and put all the things together, 434 00:23:37,659 --> 00:23:40,379 put all the information together and we see the big picture, 435 00:23:41,259 --> 00:23:45,419 when we ponder him, it helps us to see what God is doing. 436 00:23:45,739 --> 00:23:49,499 My pastor in college, Pastor Clarence Sexton, would say many times, 437 00:23:49,499 --> 00:23:50,459 something like this. 438 00:23:51,989 --> 00:23:55,909 Find out what God is doing in this world and let's get in on that. 439 00:23:56,629 --> 00:23:57,589 I love that. 440 00:23:58,149 --> 00:23:59,589 What that means is this. 441 00:23:59,909 --> 00:24:04,069 Let's stop trying to make our schedules. 442 00:24:06,869 --> 00:24:09,189 Align, or let's stop trying to make. 443 00:24:10,949 --> 00:24:15,349 God align with our schedules and what we have to do and what's 444 00:24:15,349 --> 00:24:16,069 important to us. 445 00:24:16,889 --> 00:24:19,049 And let's look at Scripture and see what's important to him. 446 00:24:19,529 --> 00:24:20,809 And let's act on that. 447 00:24:21,369 --> 00:24:27,929 Let's allow that to schedule our December and allow that to schedule 448 00:24:28,169 --> 00:24:31,929 even simple things like where I've had to force myself to change 449 00:24:32,249 --> 00:24:33,449 how I open a present. 450 00:24:33,449 --> 00:24:37,249 I mean, it's simple stuff, but they are things that help us live 451 00:24:37,249 --> 00:24:40,569 so that we are thinking about who the person of Jesus is. 452 00:24:40,809 --> 00:24:41,849 Is there anything else? 453 00:24:41,849 --> 00:24:46,329 Is there anyone else more worthy of our thoughts and our thinking 454 00:24:46,329 --> 00:24:48,329 and our pondering and our puzzling? 455 00:24:48,569 --> 00:24:52,489 I would say no in Luke 2:15. 456 00:24:52,649 --> 00:24:56,889 So we're going to go back to our passage now and Luke 2:15. 457 00:24:57,289 --> 00:25:00,209 I want us to look at just a few verses here and see what's going 458 00:25:00,209 --> 00:25:00,569 on here. 459 00:25:00,569 --> 00:25:03,969 Again with the shepherds, it says, and it came to pass that the 460 00:25:03,969 --> 00:25:05,849 angels were gone away from them into heaven. 461 00:25:05,849 --> 00:25:10,259 The shepherds said, one to another, let us now go even unto 462 00:25:10,259 --> 00:25:13,419 Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the 463 00:25:13,419 --> 00:25:15,379 Lord hath made known unto us. 464 00:25:15,539 --> 00:25:16,859 And they came with haste. 465 00:25:16,859 --> 00:25:18,259 I like that word, with haste. 466 00:25:18,739 --> 00:25:21,859 And haste is something that we see every December. 467 00:25:21,859 --> 00:25:23,059 Lots of things going on. 468 00:25:23,059 --> 00:25:24,379 Just haste, with haste. 469 00:25:24,379 --> 00:25:28,499 And found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. 470 00:25:28,739 --> 00:25:31,579 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying 471 00:25:31,579 --> 00:25:33,939 which was told them concerning this child. 472 00:25:34,739 --> 00:25:40,869 Now, it doesn't say the word or it doesn't say or convey the exact 473 00:25:40,869 --> 00:25:41,189 truth. 474 00:25:41,189 --> 00:25:44,029 It does about Mary here regarding the shepherds pondering. 475 00:25:44,429 --> 00:25:46,349 But they're kind of doing the same thing. 476 00:25:46,509 --> 00:25:50,309 It might be different wording, but they're also getting bits of 477 00:25:50,309 --> 00:25:53,189 information and acting on that and going here and going there and 478 00:25:53,189 --> 00:25:54,589 then preaching what they've heard. 479 00:25:54,749 --> 00:25:56,189 And it changed them. 480 00:25:56,749 --> 00:25:57,149 Why? 481 00:25:57,149 --> 00:26:01,069 Because they took the time to think about the Christ child. 482 00:26:01,069 --> 00:26:04,139 They took time to think about what was being told to them. 483 00:26:04,379 --> 00:26:08,059 What was important to God became important to them. 484 00:26:09,179 --> 00:26:11,739 And so Mary has lived through a whirlwind. 485 00:26:11,739 --> 00:26:13,259 Think of some of the things she's gone through. 486 00:26:13,579 --> 00:26:15,139 Angels announcing prophecies. 487 00:26:15,139 --> 00:26:16,779 There's many other things that I listed here. 488 00:26:16,779 --> 00:26:20,459 A baby miraculously conceived of the Holy Ghost in her womb. 489 00:26:20,779 --> 00:26:23,979 Enduring ridicule from family, friends. 490 00:26:26,059 --> 00:26:27,899 All of culture around her. 491 00:26:29,009 --> 00:26:33,889 Traveling during her third trimester, not in a Cadillac, not 492 00:26:33,889 --> 00:26:38,449 that that's even a nice car, but experiencing the fact that no 493 00:26:38,449 --> 00:26:41,409 one was willing to put her in a hotel, which is not that great 494 00:26:41,409 --> 00:26:42,849 of a place to have a baby, by the way. 495 00:26:42,849 --> 00:26:45,049 Maybe that was the reason why they said there was no room in the 496 00:26:45,049 --> 00:26:45,329 inn. 497 00:26:45,809 --> 00:26:48,729 You know, that's not a good place to have a baby. 498 00:26:48,729 --> 00:26:50,569 And I'm sure that the people that were cleaning the rooms thought, 499 00:26:50,569 --> 00:26:52,289 I'm so glad that there was no room in the inn. 500 00:26:52,609 --> 00:26:55,339 You know, giving birth in a barn. 501 00:26:55,739 --> 00:27:00,139 She's going through all these things and she's shepherds, interrupting 502 00:27:00,139 --> 00:27:04,259 that whole scenario as if it, you know, it was already not a very 503 00:27:04,259 --> 00:27:04,979 intimate setting. 504 00:27:04,979 --> 00:27:07,099 But now shepherds are here, complete strangers. 505 00:27:07,579 --> 00:27:09,259 And the list can go on and on. 506 00:27:09,659 --> 00:27:12,979 But most people overlook God when life gets hectic. 507 00:27:12,979 --> 00:27:15,859 And I know that because I'm a human, and that's what happens to 508 00:27:15,859 --> 00:27:17,139 me sometimes. 509 00:27:17,139 --> 00:27:21,979 We can be guilty in December of maybe not stopping, stopping to 510 00:27:21,979 --> 00:27:29,619 smell the rose of Sharon and not seeing him and recognizing the 511 00:27:29,619 --> 00:27:34,739 Lord and allowing that to change how we behave and how we treat 512 00:27:34,739 --> 00:27:38,859 others and how we see God in a thing and see what he's doing. 513 00:27:39,739 --> 00:27:46,069 I would make the claim that Mary is the busiest person, person 514 00:27:46,309 --> 00:27:48,549 who's ever experienced Christmas. 515 00:27:50,149 --> 00:27:50,869 I don't know. 516 00:27:51,349 --> 00:27:53,589 I mean, we can all have different opinions, I'm sure, and 517 00:27:53,829 --> 00:27:57,189 maybe I'm way off here, but she's busy. 518 00:27:58,069 --> 00:27:59,509 She's got a lot going on. 519 00:27:59,509 --> 00:28:00,549 Maybe we'll put it that way. 520 00:28:00,629 --> 00:28:04,869 Who's ever had more going on in their life during Christmas season 521 00:28:05,109 --> 00:28:05,909 than Mary? 522 00:28:06,709 --> 00:28:09,269 Now that I know I'm right on, and if you disagree with me, you're 523 00:28:09,269 --> 00:28:09,549 wrong. 524 00:28:09,549 --> 00:28:10,709 I'm okay with you being wrong. 525 00:28:12,139 --> 00:28:18,779 No one has had a more crazy situation in Christmas time than 526 00:28:18,779 --> 00:28:19,259 Mary. 527 00:28:20,139 --> 00:28:27,019 Now, in circles like ours, because of the fear and pushback 528 00:28:27,019 --> 00:28:32,619 of false Catholic doctrine, we tend to overlook some really neat 529 00:28:32,619 --> 00:28:35,499 things and important things about Mary that we can learn from. 530 00:28:35,739 --> 00:28:38,829 This is One of them though, that she stopped in all of this and 531 00:28:38,829 --> 00:28:42,509 recognizes who Jesus is and she knew that it was important she 532 00:28:42,509 --> 00:28:44,549 took the time to piece these things together. 533 00:28:44,549 --> 00:28:48,029 When all this is happening and she's thinking about Christ. 534 00:28:49,469 --> 00:28:54,469 I have a child and she is not in this room because she's with the 535 00:28:54,469 --> 00:28:54,909 teens. 536 00:28:55,549 --> 00:28:57,789 So that helps you know who it might be. 537 00:28:58,029 --> 00:29:00,509 Because there's only one of my children who's in the teen group. 538 00:29:01,389 --> 00:29:04,509 And because she's not in here, I would even say her name, Ellie. 539 00:29:04,789 --> 00:29:09,029 And so Ellie's funny, she's very intuitive, she's very perceptive 540 00:29:09,029 --> 00:29:12,469 and she sees things and the Lord's given her that gift. 541 00:29:13,829 --> 00:29:16,949 However, there is one thing that is a fatal flaw. 542 00:29:16,949 --> 00:29:20,149 If you're ever trying to explain or describe something to 543 00:29:20,149 --> 00:29:20,629 Ellie. 544 00:29:20,949 --> 00:29:23,909 If you're ever showing Ellie something or want everyone in the 545 00:29:23,909 --> 00:29:27,549 car to see something that's really amazing and you make the fatal 546 00:29:27,549 --> 00:29:31,849 flaw of pointing at it for them to see, she will never find 547 00:29:31,849 --> 00:29:32,049 it. 548 00:29:32,049 --> 00:29:33,129 She will never see it. 549 00:29:33,129 --> 00:29:34,129 I don't know what it is. 550 00:29:34,209 --> 00:29:36,609 We've always joked about it ever since she was a little thing. 551 00:29:36,769 --> 00:29:40,609 But the moment you point at it, she'll never be able to find 552 00:29:40,609 --> 00:29:40,809 it. 553 00:29:40,809 --> 00:29:41,929 I don't know why that is. 554 00:29:41,929 --> 00:29:43,169 I don't know what's up with that. 555 00:29:43,329 --> 00:29:45,489 Maybe she's cross eyed, I do not know. 556 00:29:45,969 --> 00:29:47,649 But she misses the obvious. 557 00:29:48,129 --> 00:29:50,769 When you point at it, she just completely misses it and she won't 558 00:29:50,769 --> 00:29:51,169 see it. 559 00:29:51,729 --> 00:29:53,809 But let's ask ourselves a question here. 560 00:29:55,089 --> 00:29:57,199 I've been guilty of this very recently. 561 00:29:57,519 --> 00:30:00,159 Have you ever looked for your glasses while they were on your head? 562 00:30:01,919 --> 00:30:02,959 Maybe it's just me. 563 00:30:03,599 --> 00:30:06,319 Have you ever looked for your keys with your keys in your hand? 564 00:30:07,679 --> 00:30:10,799 Like some of us are getting older and we're like, yeah, that's 565 00:30:10,799 --> 00:30:11,359 why I'm late. 566 00:30:13,519 --> 00:30:17,319 Have you ever looked for your phone for 10 minutes and then it's 567 00:30:17,319 --> 00:30:18,639 literally in your pocket? 568 00:30:19,759 --> 00:30:22,709 You know, the most obvious things are the things that we, that 569 00:30:22,709 --> 00:30:24,109 we can sometimes overlook. 570 00:30:24,509 --> 00:30:28,509 And so sometimes we miss what's right in front of us because 571 00:30:28,509 --> 00:30:31,389 we're in a rush and that's Christmas for a lot of people. 572 00:30:31,389 --> 00:30:35,309 I think the miracle is there, the information is there, the beautiful 573 00:30:35,309 --> 00:30:38,348 puzzle is all there in front of us that we just can put together 574 00:30:38,348 --> 00:30:40,509 the pieces and see a beautiful picture of the Lord. 575 00:30:40,589 --> 00:30:43,989 But because of the busyness, we don't stop to ponder and piece 576 00:30:43,989 --> 00:30:44,429 it together. 577 00:30:44,829 --> 00:30:48,739 The Bible says that Mary kept, that's the word, kept all these things 578 00:30:48,739 --> 00:30:53,539 in her heart and she held onto God's activity and carefully guarded 579 00:30:53,539 --> 00:30:54,179 that information. 580 00:30:55,539 --> 00:31:00,259 I would say that if we never quiet our minds, never quiet our 581 00:31:00,259 --> 00:31:03,139 lives, never turn off Buble, or. 582 00:31:05,299 --> 00:31:07,859 If you have real problems, Carrie. 583 00:31:09,459 --> 00:31:10,979 I won't even say her first name. 584 00:31:11,219 --> 00:31:14,899 Not in the pulpit, but all the singers, right? 585 00:31:15,399 --> 00:31:19,919 If you never turn off all the music, you will never hear and never 586 00:31:19,919 --> 00:31:23,599 see, never hear the gospel music that God is playing in the 587 00:31:23,599 --> 00:31:26,759 word of God and he wants us to see him in a clear way. 588 00:31:27,079 --> 00:31:28,559 I'm not against Christmas music. 589 00:31:28,559 --> 00:31:30,879 My wife plays it like year round and it drives me crazy. 590 00:31:30,879 --> 00:31:32,199 But I'm not against it. 591 00:31:32,199 --> 00:31:34,599 I like it after Thanksgiving. 592 00:31:34,759 --> 00:31:36,039 Can I get a witness on that? 593 00:31:36,039 --> 00:31:36,519 Anyone? 594 00:31:36,679 --> 00:31:37,199 Thank you. 595 00:31:37,199 --> 00:31:39,559 All the men and then all the ladies are just, you know, now all 596 00:31:39,559 --> 00:31:41,919 the men have a, you know, hurting their side because they just 597 00:31:41,919 --> 00:31:42,599 got elbowed. 598 00:31:42,839 --> 00:31:46,119 The ladies used to like to play Christmas from July forward. 599 00:31:46,519 --> 00:31:47,639 I don't understand that. 600 00:31:47,639 --> 00:31:48,759 I don't know why that is. 601 00:31:49,479 --> 00:31:52,039 But anyhow, by the time Christmas comes, I'm a little bit 602 00:31:52,679 --> 00:31:55,639 Christmas musiced out and so. 603 00:31:56,999 --> 00:32:00,839 But the application is simple though, in regards to this, you know, 604 00:32:00,919 --> 00:32:05,399 when we ponder, I would say that pondering hearts say, lord, 605 00:32:05,639 --> 00:32:10,659 help me to stop, to notice you, to put all the truths together. 606 00:32:11,459 --> 00:32:17,419 And then after that, Lord, help that information and that picture 607 00:32:17,419 --> 00:32:18,979 of Jesus change who I am. 608 00:32:18,979 --> 00:32:19,299 Today. 609 00:32:22,659 --> 00:32:23,779 Is Christmas season. 610 00:32:23,779 --> 00:32:25,939 Is this just another Christmas season for us all? 611 00:32:26,419 --> 00:32:31,339 Or are we willing to get to be different and to really stop and 612 00:32:31,339 --> 00:32:35,049 to really ponder and to really think about the truths and that back 613 00:32:35,049 --> 00:32:37,849 up the Christmas story that are the Christmas story, the person 614 00:32:37,849 --> 00:32:38,769 of Jesus Christ. 615 00:32:39,409 --> 00:32:41,969 Pondering also helps us savor God's blessings. 616 00:32:42,209 --> 00:32:43,529 It says that she kept. 617 00:32:43,529 --> 00:32:45,409 Mary kept all these things in her heart. 618 00:32:45,409 --> 00:32:47,169 And that word, there is an interesting word. 619 00:32:47,409 --> 00:32:51,849 It means to treasure, to protect, to store up, to guard from 620 00:32:51,849 --> 00:32:52,209 loss. 621 00:32:53,409 --> 00:32:56,769 Mary did not allow the miraculous to become ordinary. 622 00:32:59,739 --> 00:33:03,459 Imagine Mary throughout the rest of her life, each time they 623 00:33:03,459 --> 00:33:07,499 celebrate Jesus birthday, right, what we call Christmas. 624 00:33:07,499 --> 00:33:09,739 But she would think of it as Jesus birthday. 625 00:33:10,539 --> 00:33:15,259 She would no doubt explain to Joseph once again, do you remember 626 00:33:15,579 --> 00:33:19,459 when we did this or we did that or we went there and do you 627 00:33:19,459 --> 00:33:20,979 remember what the innkeeper said? 628 00:33:20,979 --> 00:33:22,619 And then we ended up going to a bar. 629 00:33:22,859 --> 00:33:23,859 Can you imagine? 630 00:33:23,859 --> 00:33:26,099 Do you remember the smells and all the things she would just talk 631 00:33:26,099 --> 00:33:26,699 about all the. 632 00:33:26,909 --> 00:33:31,629 The things that surrounded Christmas for her and she would never 633 00:33:31,629 --> 00:33:32,509 forget those things. 634 00:33:32,989 --> 00:33:36,989 She kept those things, she guarded those truths in her heart 635 00:33:37,149 --> 00:33:40,309 because they were important and she understood above all people 636 00:33:40,309 --> 00:33:44,589 living then how important the truths really were. 637 00:33:46,429 --> 00:33:50,029 Mary made sure that nothing God did slipped through the cracks. 638 00:33:50,109 --> 00:33:53,789 She treasured every blessing and the application there is this. 639 00:33:54,789 --> 00:33:58,229 Or maybe the question would be, what blessings have you stopped 640 00:33:58,229 --> 00:33:58,709 treasuring? 641 00:33:59,189 --> 00:34:01,509 Sometimes it can be something as simple as salvation. 642 00:34:02,389 --> 00:34:04,789 When's the last time you stopped and just really thought about 643 00:34:04,789 --> 00:34:08,349 your salvation and what all God did and all of that and just 644 00:34:08,349 --> 00:34:10,228 praised him and thanked him for it? 645 00:34:10,789 --> 00:34:11,669 Go read the Psalms. 646 00:34:11,669 --> 00:34:12,469 It'll help you. 647 00:34:13,829 --> 00:34:15,829 And think about the Lord and what he's done. 648 00:34:16,229 --> 00:34:18,869 When's the last time you really stopped and really thought 649 00:34:18,869 --> 00:34:21,509 about God's blessings in your life with the family that you have, 650 00:34:22,449 --> 00:34:22,929 your children. 651 00:34:24,849 --> 00:34:29,089 Maybe a spouse, maybe someone that the Lord gave you, that you 652 00:34:29,729 --> 00:34:32,289 no longer have here on this side of eternity. 653 00:34:32,689 --> 00:34:36,489 But stop and thank the Lord for that person, and you think about 654 00:34:36,489 --> 00:34:38,169 the blessing that God has given you. 655 00:34:38,169 --> 00:34:42,129 We can all think of things that are difficult, but is it not 656 00:34:42,129 --> 00:34:45,009 true that God has greatly blessed your life? 657 00:34:46,289 --> 00:34:49,419 He's so good, and he's blessed each and every one of us. 658 00:34:49,419 --> 00:34:52,419 And we ought to stop and think and ponder about those blessings 659 00:34:53,299 --> 00:34:54,419 during Christmas time. 660 00:34:55,779 --> 00:34:57,459 What blessings have you stopped treasuring? 661 00:34:57,459 --> 00:35:00,459 What about church, family, or your pastor or a friend that's in 662 00:35:00,459 --> 00:35:03,459 your church, A brother or sister in Christ? 663 00:35:04,339 --> 00:35:07,059 What about the answered prayers that we've forgotten about? 664 00:35:07,939 --> 00:35:10,939 When's the last time you stopped and recalled what God has 665 00:35:10,939 --> 00:35:13,019 done in your life apart from salvation? 666 00:35:13,019 --> 00:35:13,859 As if that wasn't enough. 667 00:35:13,859 --> 00:35:16,829 And it is, well, what else has he done in your life that you can 668 00:35:16,829 --> 00:35:18,149 point and say, God did that. 669 00:35:18,869 --> 00:35:19,349 Ponder. 670 00:35:19,749 --> 00:35:21,589 Put those pieces back together in your mind. 671 00:35:21,589 --> 00:35:23,669 It's good to pick the puzzle up every once in a while. 672 00:35:24,389 --> 00:35:28,789 You know, the longer the puzzle goes without being built again, 673 00:35:28,789 --> 00:35:31,189 it seems the more pieces are missing the next time you put it 674 00:35:31,189 --> 00:35:31,429 together. 675 00:35:32,389 --> 00:35:35,349 Now, I've got four kids, so about half the puzzle's missing already. 676 00:35:37,109 --> 00:35:38,469 And you know what I'm talking about there. 677 00:35:38,949 --> 00:35:43,459 But the fact remains that we ought to continually bring out those 678 00:35:43,459 --> 00:35:47,219 pieces again and think about the goodness of God. 679 00:35:50,419 --> 00:35:55,219 Mary gives us a model, I would say, for this season to slow down, 680 00:35:55,619 --> 00:36:01,659 to reflect, to treasure, to assemble truth, and just to let God 681 00:36:01,659 --> 00:36:06,419 speak and to hear what he has to say to get into his word so we 682 00:36:06,419 --> 00:36:08,259 can notice God's activity. 683 00:36:08,819 --> 00:36:15,659 And I would say to that, let's not rush past the truths that make 684 00:36:15,659 --> 00:36:16,899 Christmas what Christmas is. 685 00:36:16,979 --> 00:36:18,379 I know that's super cliche. 686 00:36:18,379 --> 00:36:22,539 And honestly, pretty much this whole idea of this, what I'm preaching 687 00:36:22,539 --> 00:36:24,179 tonight, it sounds very cliche. 688 00:36:24,179 --> 00:36:27,499 Like all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, let's just focus back 689 00:36:27,499 --> 00:36:30,899 on Christ, you know, isn't that what we need, though? 690 00:36:31,459 --> 00:36:32,419 That's what we need. 691 00:36:32,989 --> 00:36:33,709 That's what I need. 692 00:36:34,749 --> 00:36:36,589 What about treasuring his blessings? 693 00:36:37,149 --> 00:36:41,629 Not letting the miraculous to become mundane or even forgotten. 694 00:36:42,269 --> 00:36:45,309 Let's remember and recall the goodness of God in our lives. 695 00:36:45,389 --> 00:36:48,669 And let's let the redeemed of the Lord say so. 696 00:36:48,989 --> 00:36:51,389 So let's not just celebrate Christmas. 697 00:36:51,789 --> 00:36:52,989 It's early in December. 698 00:36:53,389 --> 00:36:54,429 Things are busy. 699 00:36:54,669 --> 00:36:55,869 Let's do more than that. 700 00:36:56,109 --> 00:36:58,269 Let's ponder Jesus Christ. 701 00:36:58,949 --> 00:36:59,589 Let's pray together. 702 00:37:00,469 --> 00:37:04,189 Lord, thank you for allowing us to ponder your scriptures, to 703 00:37:04,189 --> 00:37:08,389 look and piece some things together to help us understand why 704 00:37:08,789 --> 00:37:11,189 what we call Christmas is even so important. 705 00:37:11,509 --> 00:37:15,189 The doctrinal truths that are so beautiful. 706 00:37:16,069 --> 00:37:19,669 Thank you for allowing us to have those truths in your word, in 707 00:37:19,669 --> 00:37:25,109 our heart language and please help it to make sense to us by the 708 00:37:25,109 --> 00:37:25,949 power of thy spirit. 709 00:37:25,949 --> 00:37:29,279 And then also help us to be willing to allow our lives to be 710 00:37:29,279 --> 00:37:30,679 changed because of those truths. 711 00:37:31,239 --> 00:37:36,479 Please help me Lord, not to just be a hearer, a reader and a 712 00:37:36,479 --> 00:37:39,239 preacher of your word, but a doer of your word. 713 00:37:39,399 --> 00:37:41,279 I pray that all of us would do the same as well. 714 00:37:41,279 --> 00:37:42,599 It's in Jesus name we pray.