christmas: the gift that says you are not forgotten…maybe you just feel alone. or maybe you feel...

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Transcript November 26 and 27, 2016

Christmas: The Gift That Says | You Are Not Forgotten Matt Hessel | Galatians 4:4-7

TradersPointhowarewe?Hey,it’sgoodtoseeyouguys.IhopeyouhadagreatThanksgiving.Ifyouareaguestoryouarevisitingforthefirsttime,Ijustwanttosaywelcome.We’rereallygladthatyouarehere.MynameisMatt.I’moneofthepastorshere.WhatyouareseeinghereattheNorthwestcampus—thisisonlypartofthestory.Asachurchweareonechurchinmultiplelocations.Rightnowwehaveanothercampusjoiningusliveabout20minuteseastofhereonthenorthsideofIndianapolis.That’sourNorthcampus.SoNorthwestcampuscouldwegiveourNorthcampussomeloverightnow?Northcampus,hopeyouguysaredoinggreat.HopeyouhadagreatThanksgivingalso.Ifyou’reaguestthereatNorthorhereatNorthwestletmeinviteyoutostopbyConnectionCentralonyourwayout.AttheNorthcampusit’srightinthemiddleofthelobby.Youcan’tmissit.HereatNorthwestit’sintheright,frontcornerofthelobby.Therearesomepeopletherewhowouldlovetointroducethemselvestoyouandansweranyquestionsthatyoumighthave.They’regoingtobeabletotellyouthingsifyou’relike,“Well,whatamIsupposedtoask?”Don’tworry.They’lltakecareofyou.Theycantellyouwhatwedoaroundhereandwhywedoit.Andwhateveryourfirststepisoryournextsteptogettingconnected,theycanhelpyououtthere.SostopbyConnectionCentralonyourwayout.Arewegood?Hey,goaheadandopenyourBibleuptoGalatians,chapter4.Galatians4ifyoubroughtyourBibles.It’skindofhardtobelievethatwe’realreadyattheendofNovember.It’shardtobelievethatwearepastThanksgivingandnowwe’restaringrightatChristmas.NowIknowthatsomeofyouputupyourtreelikethreeweeksago—bunchofsinners.AndsomeofyoustartedlisteningtoChristmasmusicassoonasLaborDaywasover.Butnow,sincewe’repastThanksgiving,wereallyareatthemostwonderfultimeoftheyear.It’seasytoseeallofthehypethatsurroundsChristmas.It’snothardtomissalloftheshopping,andthesales,andtheparties,andthedecorations,andthefood.Personally,me,IloverelaxedChristmasparties.Keyword:relaxed—wherewe’rejusthangingoutwithabunchofotherfamiliesandfriends.IloveChristmasmovies.IwouldconsidermyselfaChristmasmovieconnoisseur.Forme,it’snotChristmasuntilIwatchIt’saWonderfulLifeandthegreatestChristmasmovieofalltime,whichclearlyweallknow,ChristmasVacation,right?Yeah,youallaremypeople.Youallaremypeople.We’reallabouttheGriswoldsatmyhouse.Ilovebeingabletogivegifts.Lovethat.Notafanoftheshoppingpart.Mywifewillquicklytellyouthat.ButifsomebodyelsewantstobuythemandIgettogivethem,I’min.That’sawesome.Butseriously,asadadit’sprettyawesometogivegiftstomykidsandwatchthemopenthem.IlovethistimeofyearandI’msurethattherearetraditionsthatyou’vegotthatsurroundChristmas.Allofthatstuffisablast.Ilookforwardtoit.Butifyou’reanythinglikeme,it’sreallyeasytogetwrapped

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upinChristmasasaneventoraseason.Andwhenwedothatthemostwonderfultimeoftheyearcanalsobecomethemoststressfultimeoftheyear,oreventhemostdepressingtimeoftheyear.Ourfocuscanquicklyturntoallofthethingsthatwe’vegottodo,alloftheplacesthatwe’vegottobe,orallofthethingsthatwedon’thave.Soinotherwords,atChristmasmytodolisthasnowtripled.I’vegottodothis.I’vegottobuythesegiftsforthosepeople.Ihavetocookthat.Ihavetoattendthis.Or,itmagnifiesallofthethingswethatwedon’thave.Idon’thavethispersoninmylifeanymore.OrIdon’thavethepictureperfectfamilythatIseealloversocialmediaandIseeineverysingleChristmascardthatIget.OrthisyearIdon’treallyhavethemeanstobuythegiftsthatIwanttobuyforthepeoplewhomIlove.Ican’tdoit.Or,Idon’tevenhavesomeoneinmylifewhowouldthinkaboutmetobuymeagiftatChristmas.Withoutevenrealizingit,Christmasbecomessomethingthatwejusthavetogetthroughinsteadofbeingenjoyedasagift.Christmaswasnevermeanttobeanevent,itwasnevermeanttobeaseason.Itwasalwaysmeanttobeagiftthat’senjoyed.Sowhatisthatgift?Well,yes,itisJesus.Ifyouareinchurchandyou’renotsure—throwoutJesus.You’regoingtoberightninetimesoutof10.WhatisGodreallytryingtosaytousinthisgiftthatisChristmas?WhatisHesayingtous?That’sthequestionthatwe’regoingtoanswerduringthisseriesstartingtodayandwe’regoingtogoallthewaythroughChristmasEve.WhatisGodactuallytryingtosaytousthroughChristmas?We’rejustgoingtokickitofftoday.Iwanttosetusup.Here’swhatIseethistimeofyear.ThisiscompletelyanecdotalbutIthinkthatChristmasisthetimeoftheyearwherewearemostlikelytoputonamask.Sincethisisthemostwonderfultimeoftheyear,sinceeverybodyissupposedtobehappy,sinceeverybodyissupposedtohaveChristmasspirit—whateverthatmeans—sinceeverybodyissupposetobringandreceivetidingsofcomfortandjoy,thenIcannotbetheonepersonwhoisnotokay.Ican’tbetheonepersonwhostrugglesatChristmas.IcannotbetheonepersonwhoexperiencesmorepainaroundChristmasthananyothertimeoftheyear.Soweputonamask.Weputonamaskthatsaystoeverybodyontheoutside,“Hey,joytotheworld,”butontheinsidewejustcan’twaittogetthroughthisseason.Whyisthat?OntheflipsideofallofthegreatthingsthathappenaroundChristmas,italsohasthetendencytoexposeanykindofpainaroundthefactthatmaybeyoujustfeelalone.Ormaybeyoufeellikeyou’renotredeemablebecauseofwhatevercircumstancethatyouarecurrentlyin,orwhateveryourpastis.Maybeitjustmakesyoufeellikeyouareforgotten—thatyoudon’thaveanykindofpurpose,youdon’thaveanykindofplan.You’rejustkindofwanderinginlife.ThisisthequestionthatIwanttoaskyoutoday.Doyoufeellikeyouareforgotten?“Yeah,Matt,IfeellikeI’mforgottenbecausenobodyknowsme.I’malone.Yeah,Ifeelforgottenbecausenobodywantsme.Youwouldn’twantmeeitherifyouknewmycircumstances.Youwouldn’twantmeifyouknewwhatmypastwas.Yeah,Ifeelforgottenbecausenobodycaresaboutme.I’mjustreallynotthatspecial.”Fromaspiritualstandpoint,Christmasismeanttousherinhope.SoSatanisgoingtodoanythinghecantoattachhopelessnesstothatgift.Solet’sjustblowallofthatup.Let’sjusttakeoffthemaskforthenextfiveweeks,let’sbereal.Youhavepermissiontobereal.Thisisasafeplace.Youcanberealhere.Let’sconfrontanyofthatpainoranyofthatstressthatcantendtohijackChristmas.Let’ssortthrough

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allofthefunstuff.Thestuff,onthesurfaceit’sgreat.Let’ssortthroughit,though,andlookatChristmasasitreallyis.Nowifyouhaveanykindofchurchbackgroundatall,whenIsayChristmasyou’reprobablythinkingthatwehavetogothroughLuke,chapter2.Weprobablyhavetotalkabouttheshepherdskeepingwatchovertheirflocksbynight.Weprobablyhavetotalkaboutthewisemen.WeprobablyshouldtalkabouthowJosephforgottocallaheadandgetahotelroom.IwouldhavelovedtohavebeenapartofthatconversationwithMary,“Youforgottodowhat?DoyouseehowpregnantIam?Whatarewegoingtodo?ArewejustgoingtoletHimbeborninabarn?Isthatwhatyouthinkwe’regoingtodo?”IhaveafeelingthatifIgottobeaflyonthewallofthatconversationIwouldfeelsomuchbetteraboutmyselfasamanandahusband.Thankyou,Joseph.AsgreatasLuke,chapter2is—thestoryofJesusbeingbornisawesome—Christmasissomuchmorethanthenativityscene,somuchmorethanthat.IthinkoneofthebestplacestostarttolookatthegiftthatChristmasreallyisisnotLuke,chapter2.It’sactuallythebeginningofMatthew,chapter1.I’mnotgoingtoputituponthescreensbutifyoureaditonthesurfacelevel,it’sagenealogy.It’sjustalistofnames.SowhywouldyoustartofftheNewTestamentbygivingusJesus’familytree?Whywouldyoudothat?Thetemptationistojustskimoverit,“Idon’tneedtoreadthis.Thisisjustabunchofnames.Let’sjustgettotherealstuff.Let’sgettothemeatofthegospels.”Buttherealityis,thereasonwhyMatthew,chapter1issoawesome—thereasonwhy,inmyopinion,it’soneofthemostencouragingpassagesintheentireBibleisbecauseofthestoriesthatarerepresentedinthatlistofnames.You’dthinkthatJesus’familytreewouldbeprettyimpressive.SinceHeistheSonofGod,sinceHeistheKingofKings,sinceHeisImmanuelmeaningGodwithus,you’dthinkthatHisgenealogywouldbethebestofthebest.You’dthinkthatifJesus’familytreewasaChristmastree,it’dbetheoneinRockefellerCenter.Buttherealityis,ifHisfamilytreewasaChristmastreeit’stheonethatCharlieBrownpickedout.Jesus’familytreeisatrainwreck.Itwascringeworthy.ItwasscandalouswhenHewasborn.Yeah,therearesomebrightspotsinit,absolutely.Buttherearealsoalotofstoriesintherethatyou’renottalkingaboutatfamilyreunions.Therearepeoplewhoarecompletelyleftalone,peoplewhoweren’tcaredaboutbecausetheyjustweren’tspecialbytheworld’sstandards.Therearepeopleintherewithreally,reallymesseduppasts.ItwasraciallydiverseandthatwasnotokaywhenJesuswasborn.Itevenhadevilkingsinit.ItstartswithAbraham.Jesus’genealogystartswithAbraham.Andyou’dthink,“That’saprettygoodplaceformylinetostart—oneofthepatriarchs,amanwithsuchgreatfaith.That’sagreatplace.”ButAbrahamwasalsoaliar.Abrahamabandonedhiswifetosavehisownskinbecausehewasacoward.ThatwasAbraham.WhataboutJudah?He’sinthere.He’soneoftheheadsofthetwelvetribesofIsrael.Jesus’lineactuallycomesthroughthetribeofJudah.ButitwasJudah’sideatosellhisyoungerbrother,Joseph,intoslaveryandthenhedidit.Iwasnotalwaysthebestbigbrother,butInevertriedtosellmysiblingsintoslavery.Ithoughtaboutitacoupleoftimes.Neverdidit.That’sJudah.

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WhataboutRahab?She’sinthere.ShedidsomeprettycoolstuffinJericho.Butbeforethatshewasaprostitute.Ruth—everybodylovesRuth.ButRuthwasfromanationalitythatwasconsideredextremelyinferior.Therewerehugeracialtensions.Andshewasawidow,whichputherevenmoreontheoutside.David.JesuscomesfromthelineofDavid.KingDavid.ThesamemanwhokilledGoliath.ThesamemanwhobecomesthegreatestkinginthehistoryofIsrael.Andthesamemanwhohadanaffairwithhismostloyalsoldier’swifeandthenhadthatguyexecutedinordertocoveritup.ThatwasDavid.Andthenthere’sMary.Marywasanunmarried,pregnant,teen-agedgirl.Thatwasoutcaststatus.Infact,Marycouldhavebeenputtodeathbecauseofthat.JosephhadeverylegalrighttohaveMaryexecuted.Buthedoesn’t.Hestayswithher.Andtostaywithherwasactuallysocialsuicide.ButJosephstuckwithher.Onandonandonitgoes,generationaftergeneration—42generations,AbrahamtoJesus,fullofbrokenness,notperfection.Thisistheencouragingpart.Jesusdidnotcomefromalinefullofmiddle-class,got-it-all-together,pictureperfectpeople.Jesus’familywasfullofmurderers,cheats,cowards,adulterers,andliars.Ifyou’remakingthisup,thisisnotthegenealogyyougiveJesus.Here’swhatwehavetosee.JesuscamefromalinebrokenbysinandGodusedpeoplebrokenbysintosavethosewhoarebrokenbysin.Seethepatterninthere?That’syouandthat’sme.ThesepeoplewhoareinJesus’linetheywerenotforgottenandtheywerenotdisqualified.They’renottherejusttobethereeither.GodwasextremelyintentionalonwhoHeputinJesus’linebecausethereoccurringthemethroughouttheBible,andeventoday,isGodusesimpossiblepeopletodoimpossiblethings.Godusesimpossiblepeopletodoimpossiblethings.Heremeonthis.Ifyouhaveapast,ifyoufeelunwanted,ifyoufeelleftalone,ifyoufeelforgottenthenyouareinreally,reallygoodcompany.You’reinreallygoodcompany.AndwhenJesuscame,likemostthingsinlife,timingwaseverything.Tooearlyandpeoplearen’tgoingtobeready.Theywillfeeloverwhelmed.Andyouwaittoolongandpeoplearegoingtofeelforgotten.Letmegiveyouanexample.WhenKellyandIstarteddating,Iknewrightawaythatthiswasit.Iknewthatweweregettingmarried,rightaway.However,shestillneededmoretimetocometothatsameconclusion.Sojustamonthafterdating,justamonthafterdatingIjustdecided,“Youknowwhat?Onenightwhenweweregoingout,Iwasfeelingit,“TonightI’mdroppingthel-bomb.I’mgoingtotellherthatIlovehertonight.AndwhenIdo,here’swhat’sgoingtohappen.I’mconfidentthatthisiswhatisgoingtohappen.Hereyes,”Idon’tknowwhyyouguysarelaughingalready.Thisisn’tgood.IthinkallofthecompassionatepeopleareattheNorthcampus.“WhenItellherthishereyesaregoingtowellupwithtears,sheisgoingtothrowherarmsaroundmyneck,andthenshe’sgoingtosay,‘I’vebeenwaitingsolong—likeamonth—I’vebeenwaitingsolongtohearyousaythat.Iloveyoutoo.’”Thiswasgoingtobeawesome.Thiswaswhatwasgoingtohappen.Sowe’reoutonourdateandIthinkthatwe’vecometotherightmoment.Thetimingfeelsgoodandbombsaway,Ijustdropit.IlookatherwiththebestsmolderinglookthatIcouldcomeupwithandIjustsaid,“Baby,”intheothertwoservicesIwasabletogetthisoff.“Baby,Iloveyou.”Ifeltgoodaboutit.Thedeliveryfeltgood.

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Andthenshelooksbackatmeandthisiswhatshesays,andIquote,Istillcan’tsaythiswithastraightface.Shesaid,“Oh,”waitforit,“thankyou.”Andthensilence.SoIimmediatelyknewthatIhadwayoverplayedmyhand.Iwastryingtoback-trackabitbutyoucan’tback-tracksomethinglikethat.SoIsaidthefirstthingthatcametomymind.Isaid,“Yeah,you’rewelcome.”WhatdidIsay,“Yourwelcome,”for?Isaid,“Heck,yeah.Ijustlovethefriendshipthatwe’vegot,”waytoolate.Shewasnotready.Ioverwhelmedher.Iwaswaytooearly.Ifyou’retooearlywithtimingitdoesn’tworkoutwell.Atthesametimeifyou’retoolong,ifyouwaittoolongyoufeelforgotten.Israel,theywereinslaveryfor400yearsinEgypt,400years.Butweretheyforgotten?Wellweknowinhindsightthat,no,theywerenotforgotten.Godwasworkingbehindthescenethewholetime.SoGodpullsthemoutofslavery,Heestablishesthemasanation,HetellsthemthatHeisgoingtosendtheMessiahtoredeemandsavethem—that’sJesus—theyhearaboutthisoverandoveragain,generationaftergeneration.TheyhearabouttheMessiah.TheyhearaboutGod’spromises.TheyhearabouthowHewillcomeandsaveandredeemthemandthensilenceagain.MalachiistheendoftheOldTestament.IfyouflipfromMalachitoMatthew,thestartoftheNewTestament,thatblankpageis400moreyearsofsilence.Iguaranteeyouthattheyfeltforgotten.Buttimingisimportant.Timingisimportant.Listentothetiming.ThisisGalatians,chapter4,“Butwhenthefullnessoftimehadcome,”whenthefullnessoftimehadcome,“GodsentforthHisson…”That’sJesus.ThisistheApostlePaulwritinginGalatiansandhe’ssaying,“Hey,Jesuscameatexactlytherighttime,exactlytherighttime.”Well,whywasittherighttime?OnlyGodknowsexactlywhyitwastherighttimebutIthinkthatthereareacoupleofindicatorsthatwecanlookatthathappentoparallelalotofthingsthataregoingontoday.Firstofall,whenJesusfinallycametherewasagreathungerandanticipationfortheMessiahtocome.Atthispointinhistory,IsraelisundertheRomanEmpire.They’reunderRomanrule.AndtheRomansruledbyforce.Theycrushedanygroupthatopposedthem,theyeliminatedidentity,bothculturalandindividual,andtherewasjustalotofoppressionintheRomanEmpire,specificallyaroundtheoutskirts,whichisexactlywhereJudeawas.It’swhereJesuswasborn.SobythetimeJesuscomestheyarereadyfortheMessiahtocometosavethemandredeemthem.ThereisthishungerforJesus.Theyjustdidn’tknowthatitwasJesusthattheywerehungryfor.Ontopofthatyou’vegotthePaxRomanaandtheRomanroads.MaybeyourememberthisfromyourhighschoolWorldHistoryclass.ThePaxRomanawasbasicallytherelativepeacethateveryoneinsidetheRomanEmpiregottoexperience.AndyoucouplethatwiththeexpansiveroadsystemthattheRomanssetup,whichwasbasicallyroadsthatwentthroughouttheknownworld.Nowforthefirsttimeinhumanhistorypeoplecouldtravelalmostanywhereintheworldeasilyandsafely.Thatmeansthatforthefirsttimeinhistorynewscouldtravelfar,wide,andfast,whichwouldincludethegospel.Buthere’swhatIthinkisreallyinterestingaboutthetimeline.IthinkGodwasactuallymakingastatementwiththetimingofwhenJesuscame.WhenJesuswasborn,hehadtobebornrightinthemiddleoftwoheightsofpowerthatweregoingonattheexactsametime.OnewasRomeandtheotherwasthePharisees.Romewastheheightofhumanpowerandauthority.TheworldhadneverseenpowerandauthoritylikeRomebeforeandtheworldhasnotseenitsince.TheUnitedStates,weareapowerfullynation.Weare.Butwe’renotevenintheballparktotheRomans.Romewasaheightofhumanpower.

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ThesecondwerethePharisees.Thesewerethereligiousrulersofthatday.Theyhadgrownininfluence,theyhadgrowninpower,andtheyhadgrownincontrol.Theyweretheheightofreligiouspower.SoJesusshowsupandisbornrightinthemiddleoftheheightandclimaxofman’spowerandreligion’spower.IthinkHisbirth,thetiming,saysthis.Thegospelconquersboth.Thetimingsaysthis.ThegospelofJesusChrist,thegoodnewsofJesusChristisgreaterthanman’spowerandit’sgreaterthanreligion’spower.Thetimingsaysthatthegospelconquerspoliticalunrest.Itconquersculturaldivision.Itconquersracialoppression.Itconquerssocialinjustice.Itconquersreligiousburdens.Itconquersthefactthatyoufeelforgottenanditconquersthefactthatyoumightbealone.Thetimingsaysallofthat.Butwhat’sevenmoreimportantisthepurposeofit—thepurposeofChristmas.Here’sthereasonforit.Thisishowthegospelconquers.Galatians,verse4allthewaythrough7,“Butwhenthefullnessoftimehadcome,GodsentforthHisSon,bornofwoman,bornunderthelaw,toredeemthosewhowereunderthelaw,sothatwemightreceiveadoptionassons.Andbecauseyouaresons,GodhassenttheSpiritofHisSonintoourhearts,crying,‘AbbaFather!’Soyouarenolongeraslave,butason,andifason,thenanheirthroughGod.”That’sthereasonforChristmas.That’sthepurpose.Thosefourverses,alltheyaretalkingaboutis:redemption,identity,andinheritance.That’swhatChristmasisallabout:redemption,identity,andinheritance.Solet’sbreakthatdown.Firstpart:redemption.Redemptionfromwhat?Verse5saysthatJesuscame“…toredeemthosewhowereunderthelaw,”sobecauseofsin,mysinandyoursinincluded,becauseofsinwehavebeenseparatedfromGod.ThelawisGod’sstandardforustobereconciledbacktoHim,forustoerasesin.ThelawislaidoutintheOldTestament.TheTenCommandments,inpart,makeitupbutinallthereare613lawslaidout.Here’swhatthelawsays:Ifyouwanttoredeemyourself,ifyouwanttoearnGod’sfavor,ifyouwanttoerasetheeffectsofsinhere’showyoudoit.Youfulfillthelaw.Buthere’sthecatch.Ifyoubreakoneofthelaws,justoneofthem,thenyouareguiltyofbreakingall613ofthem.Youhavetobeperfectyourentirelifeunderthelawinordertofulfillit.Sohearingthatmaybeyourreactionisthesameasmine—thatsoundshopeless.IhavetobeperfectmyentirelifeifIwanttoliveunderthelawandfulfillit.WelltheproblemisI’mnotperfect.I’veneverbeenperfectandIwon’tbeperfect.I’veyettomeetthepersonwhoisperfect.Soyou’resayingthatIhavetofulfillthat,Ihavetobeperfectmyentirelife.Thatsoundshopeless.That’sexactlythepoint.It’ssupposedtosoundhopelesssothatwewilllookandseewherehopereallyis.Thepointofthelawhasalwaysbeentogetustoseethatwecan’tdoitonourown.Youcannotliveuptothestandard.Youcannotearnitonyourown.ThepointofthelawistogetustolooktoJesus.Thatisthepoint.Ifyou’veneverbeeninchurchbefore,maybeyou’veheardsomebodysayatsomepointthatJesusdiedforyou,whichisabsolutelytrue,that’sonlyhalfofthestory.NotonlydidJesusdieforyoubutHealsolivedforyou.SoJesuswasbornunderthelawforyou.That’swhatGalatians4says.Heupheldtheperfectionrequiredbythelawforyou.WhenJesuswenttothecrossandHediedthereHewaspayingforthepenaltyofyoursin.HisentirelifewaslivedinperfectionsothatHecouldlookatyou,handyouHis

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perfectionandsay,“Here,it’syours.I’vemadeyourightwithGod.”Allyouhavetodoistoacceptitinfaith.That’stheredemptionpart.Jesuscametoredeemallwhoarebrokenbysin.That’severyrace,everynationality,everyethnicityanditdoesn’tmatterwhatyourstoryis,itdoesn’tmatterwhatyourbackgroundis,itdoesn’tmatterwhatyou’vedone,thought,orsaid.Jesuscameandwillredeemallwhoarebrokenbysin.Youjusthavetoreceivethatinfaith.So,that’sonlythefirstpartofChristmas.Itjuststartsthere.It’srighttherewaitingforyourightnow.Andmaybethisisthefirsttimethatyou’veheardthatGod,Himself,deemedyouworthy,youasanindividual.HethoughtyouwereworthitenoughtosendHisperfectSontoliveforyouandthendieforyou.That’swhywe’rehere.Andifyou’vealreadyacceptedJesus,ifyou’vealreadyputyourfaithandtrustinHimasLordandSavior,youareredeemed.Itshouldnevergetoldhearingthat.Evenafteryou’veacceptedChrist,you’llfallattimes.You’renotgoingtobeperfect.Youwillfall.Youwillsinattimes.Butevenafterthathappens,hearme,you’restillredeemed.Andsomebodyneedstohearthatagain.You’restillredeemed.Justturnfromit.Whateverthatsinis,justturnfromitandwalkbacktoJesus.Keepgoing.Keepfollowing.ThesecondpartofChristmasisidentity.Thisnewidentitymeansthatwearenowadoptedsons.Verses5through7saythatJesuscametodothis:toredeemthosewhoareunderthelaw,“sothatwemightreceiveadoptionassons.Andbecauseyouaresons,GodhassenttheSpiritofHisSonintoourhearts,crying,‘Abba!Father!’”That’sanintimatewayofsayingDaddy.That’sthekindofrelationshipGodwantsustohavewithHim.“Soyouarenolongeraslave,butason…”WiththisnewidentitythatJesusbringsHetakesusfrombeingslavesandHemakesussons.Scriptureisveryclearaboutwhoisaslaveandwhatheisaslaveto.JesussaidinJohn,chapter8thateveryonewhocommitssinisaslavetosin.Everyone—thatincludesme.Sobecauseofmysin,Iamaslavetosin.Becauseofmysin,Iamunderthelaw.I’mtryingtoworkmyselffreebecauseofmysin.I’mtryingtoworkmyselffreethroughthelaw.Theproblemisthatitwon’twork.That’sreligion.Icannotworkhardenoughtofreemyself.Icannothardenoughtoearnmyfreedom.Ittakessomeonecominginandbuyingmeoutofslavery.Ittakessomeonebuyingmyfreedomforme.Ittakessomeonecominginandbuyingmyidentityasafreeman.Ittakessomeoneelsecominginandbuyingmeasanadoptedson.ThisisexactlywhatJesusdoesforyouwhenHeredeemsyou.Hecomesin,HebuysyououtoftheslaverythatissinandHesaysthatyouareredeemednow.Youarenolongeraslave.Youareason.Thisisthebestpartofthegospel.ThisiswhatChristmasisallabout.You’renotaslaveanymore.You’reason.Allofushavefeltthatburden.Weallhave.Ifyou’veeverfeltstuckinsomething,ifthereissomethingdarkinyourlife,ifyoukeepfallingintothisparticularpattern,ifyouwrestlewiththisaddiction,ifyoukeepgoingbacktothisparticularsinoverandoveragain,ifyougetstuckinthisareaofyourlife—maybeit’ssomethingyouwouldn’tevenidentifyassin,youdon’tevenknowtocallitthat—ifyou’vefeltstuck,ortrapped,orimprisonedthat’stheslaveryofsin.ButJesuscomestoredeemallandHesaysthatyouarenolongerthatslave,nowyou’reason.Andbecauseyou’reasonyoualsohavefullinheritance.That’sthethirdpart:inheritance.SomeofyoumighthaveaBibletranslationthatactuallysaysrightherethatwe’vebeenadoptedaschildrenofGod.

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That’sperfectlyokay—perfectlyokay.ButIthinkthatleavesoutareallyimportantpieceofcontext.OthertranslationsonlysaysonsinGalatians4.Andthat’snotPaultryingtoisolatewomen.Thereasonhesaysonlysonsrightthereisbecausehe’stryingtohighlightandelevatewomeninawaythatwasunheardofatthattime.Sohere’swhat’sgoingonculturally.Here’stheculturalcontextwhenGalatians4waswritten.Womenwereviewedasproperty.That’sbasicallywhatwomenwere.Theyhadnolegalstanding.Womenlegallycouldnotreceiveaninheritance.SoifIdied,mytwosonswouldreceivetheinheritancethatI’vesetupforthembutmyfour-year-olddaughter—she’soutofluck.Thatwasjusttherealityofit.ButPaulisnotjustwritingtomenhere.InGalatians4hesaysthisinverse5,“…sothatwe,”keyword,we“mightreceiveadoptionassons.”That’sbothmenandwomen.Bysayingsonshe’ssayingthatwomenhavethesamestatusasmeninJesus.Theyhavethesameprivilegesandtheycanreceivethesamelegalinheritancethatamancan.Womenareadoptedassonstoo.He’swritingthistoeveryoneintheGalatianchurchandhe’swritingthistoeveryonewhohearsthistoday.Sotodaythatmeansthathe’swritingtomenandwomenboth.Thisappliestoblack,white,Asian,Hispanic.Thisappliestothedisenfranchised.Thisappliestotheoppressed.Thisappliestotheforgotten,totheelite,tothebroken,totheoutcast,tothewell-offallcanberedeemedandadoptedassons.Allcanhavethefullstatus.Allcanhaveafullinheritance.ThisisthebeautyofChristmas.It’sincrediblyexclusiveinthatJesusChrististheonlyway.Jesussaid,“Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptbyme.”That’sincrediblyexclusivebutwhat’ssobeautifulaboutitisthatthatexclusivestatementisentirelyinclusiveinthatitisforeveryone.Allcanberedeemed.Allcanbeadopted.Allcanhavefullaccess.AllcanhavethefullinheritanceasadoptedsonsthroughJesus.Paulsaysinverse7,“Soyouarenolongeraslave,butason,andifason,thenanheirthroughGod.”Well,heirstowhat?Heirstowhat?I’veheardanillustrationsomewhereelsethatIthinkisjustbrilliant.IthinkitisthebestwaytodescribetheinheritancewereceiveasadoptedsonsthroughJesus.IwishIcouldtakecreditforthisbutit’snotoriginalwithme.Londonisoneofmyfavoritecitiesintheworldtogoto.IfyouevergetachancetogotoLondon,Ihighlyrecommendit.You’vegottocheckoutWestminsterAbbey,you’vegottogoseetheTowerofLondon,andyou’vegottocheckoutBuckinghamPalace.It’sprettyimpressive.It’sexactlywhatyou’dthinkapalacewouldlooklike.Now,let’ssaythatyouandIareinLondon.Wejusthadourspotoftea.Wejusthadourteaandwedecide,“Let’sgoovertoBuckinghamPalace.”Weshowupatthegatesandwesaytotheguards,“Hey,how’sitgoing?We’dliketoseetheQueentoday.Andwe’dalsoliketohavefullaccesstothepalace,checkoutalloftherooms—nosecurity.Oh,andifit’snottoomuchtrouble,we’rekindofhungrysoifwecouldstopbytheQueen’skitchenandjustgrabsomethingtoeat,that’dbegreat.That’dbegreat.Thanks.”Theyaregoingtolookatusandsay,“Whoareyou?”“Well,I’mMatt.”

Christmas:TheGiftThatSays|YouAreNotForgotten November26and27,2016

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“Yeah,who?Noyoucan’tseetheQueentoday.Noyoucan’thavesomethingtoeat.Youcan’tcomeintothepalace.Youdon’tgetfullaccess.Youcangoawaynow.”We’regoingtogetdenied,right?We’renotgettinganykindofaccesstothepalace.Doyouknowwhothatwastrueofalsoatonepointintime?KateMiddleton.Asateenagershecouldhavewalkeduptothosesamegatesandsaid,“Yeah,I’dliketoseetheQueentoday.I’dlikefullaccess.I’dliketomakemyselfathomeinthepalace.”Andtheywouldhavesaidtoher,“Whoareyou?”Andshewouldhavesaid,“Well,I’mKateMiddleton.”“Who?NoyoucannotseetheQueentoday.Noyoucannotmakeyourselfathomeinthepalace.”That’showtheywouldhaveresponded.Butthat’snotwhattheysaytohernow.Doyouknowwhy?It’sbecauseKate’stitleisYourRoyalHighness.Nowwhenshesays,“I’dliketomakemyselfathomeinthepalace.I’dliketoseetheQueentoday.”Theysay,“Whoareyou?”Herresponseis,“I’mwithhim.I’mwithhim.”AdoptedassonsthroughJesusmeaningthatweallhavefullstatus,wehavefullaccess,wehavefullprivileges,andwehaveafullinheritancewithJesus.Oneofthegreatestanswersyoucangivetoanyquestionthatisevergoingtobeposedtoyou,“I’mwithHim.”Hearmeonthis.Youcannotearnthat.Youcan’t.WeareonlysonswhenourfaithisintheSon.WeareonlysonswhenourfaithisintheSonofGod,JesusHimself.Soletmeaskyou.IsyourfaithinJesus?Orisitinsomeoneorsomethingelse?ThekindofintentionalitythatGodshowswithbringingJesusattherighttime,throughtherightline,withtherightdesigntogiveformerslaveslikemeaneternal,royalinheritance,thatkindofintentionalityprovesthatyouarenotforgotten.Thatkindofintentionalityandbeingforgottenisafalsedichotomy.Here’swhatwehavetosee:Christmasisthegiftthatsaysyou’renotforgottenandthecrossisthegiftthatprovesit.Thecrossprovesit.SogoingintoChristmasthisyear,tryingtolookatthegiftthatitreallyis,Iwanttoaskyouacoupleofquestions.Andthisisforyou.Ihopethisisablessingtoyou.Iwanttochallengeyou.Iwanttopushyouonsomething.Talkabouttheseinyourgroups.Talkabouttheseifyouareaguest.OrifyouarenotaChristianyet,talkaboutthesewiththefriendwhobroughtyou.Here’sthefirstone.ThisistheonethatIwrestlewithmoreoftenthanIwouldliketoadmit:Areyoulivinglikeasonoraslave?Areyoulivinglikeasonoraslave?Areyoulivingintheprisonthatissin?You’vebeenofferedaget-out-of-jail-freecard.Freedomisrighthere.Youcangotwodirections.YoucaneitherwalktowardsinoryoucanwalktowardJesus.Thereisnootherway.Onepromisesprison,theotherpromisesfreedom.Areyoujustlivinginthatprisonthatissin?Orareyoutryingtoworkforyourfreedom?“I’mtryingtoredeemmyself.I’mtryingtoearnGod’sfavor.I’mtryingtoearnmysalvation.I’mtryingtoearngrace.I’mtryingtoearnacceptance.”Areyouaslavetogoodworks?Itwon’twork.That’sreligion.Goodworkscomeafterbeingredeemed.Theyarearesponse.Freedomhasbeenofferedtoyousoareyoulivinglikeaslaveorason?Ithinkourtendencyis,moreoftenthannot,tolivelikeslavesandignoretheson-shipthathasbeenoffered.That’smytendency.Sowhichoneareyoulivinglike?

Christmas:TheGiftThatSays|YouAreNotForgotten November26and27,2016

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Thesecondquestiontiestothefirst:What’sholdingyoubackfromJesus?What’sholdingyouback?What’sholdingyoubackfromacceptingHimforthefirsttime?What’sholdingyoubackfromgrowinginyourrelationshipwithJesus?Isityourpast?Doyouthinkthatyourpastdisqualifiesyou?Ithinkmostofuswouldanswernotothatquestion,“No,Matt.Mypastdoesnotdisqualifyme.Iknowthat.”MostofuswouldsaythatbutIalsothinkthatmostofuslivelikewearedisqualified.Andwheneverwehavethismindsetthatwe’redisqualified,thatwe’renotgoodenough,thatwedon’tdeservethis,thatwecan’tberedeemed—wheneverweliveorthinklikewe’redisqualifiedwe’remuchmorelikelytolivelikeslavesinsteadofsonsbecausewethink,“NowI’vegottoworkforit.NowI’vegottoworkforit.”Yourpastdoesnotdisqualifyyoufromgraceorfromgrowth.ThisiswhytherearesomanytrainwrecksinJesus’familytree.It’stoshowyouthatyouarenotdisqualifiedfromgraceandyouarenotdisqualifiedfrombeingusedinamazingwaysforGod’sgloryandtheblessingofothers.Ifyou’vebeenhereforanyamountoftime,you’veheardussaythisbefore.Goddoesnotcallthequalified.Hequalifiesthecalled.ThecrossofJesusChristqualifiesyou.It’sthatsimple.Youjusthavetoacceptit.Isdoubtthethingthatisholdingyouback?Don’tletdoubtholdyouback.Doubtcanactuallystrengthenfaithifweletitdriveustoseekthetruth.ThereareplentyofpeopleintheBiblewhohaddoubts,plentyofpeople.I’vehaddoubts.IknowthatIwillhavedoubtsinthefuture.IfyouhavedoubtsaboutJesus,ifyouhavedoubtsaboutthechurch—theworstquestionyoucanaskistonotaskanyquestionsatall.Therearenoquestionsthatareoffofthetable.Askquestionsinyourgroup.Getconnectedtoagroupsothatyouhavepeopleyoucanaskquestionsof.Askyourfriendwhobroughtyou.Letdoubtdriveyoutoseekthetruth.Havetheintellectualintegritytoreallyseekitout,“Jesus,areYoureal?Isthislegit?”Doubtcanstrengthenfaithifyouletit.Areyounotlettinggoofsomething?Isthatwhat’sholdingyoubackfromJesus?Maybeyou’reholdingontothisparticularsin,whateverthatis.Andthatwillbedifferentforeverysingleoneofus,whateverthatisforyou.Here’sthething.Sinwillalwayspromisepleasureanditwillalwayspromisefreedom.That’salie.Itwillonlydeliverprisonanditwillonlydeliverpain.Sowhatdoyouneedtoletgoof?Whatsindoyouneedtoletgoof?Ipromiseyouthefreedomandthejoyissomuchbetter.It’ssomuchbetter.Doyouneedtoletgoofyourpast.Doyouneedtoforgivesomeonewhohashurtyouorwrongedyouinthepast?WhatisitrightnowthatyouareholdingontothatiskeepingyoufromJesusthatyouneedtoletgoof?Idon’tthinkthatthereisabettertimeofyearthanthistimeofyeartocometoChristforthefirsttimeortotakethatnextstepingrowthinyourrelationshipwithJesus.TheindicatorstodayarealmostidenticaltowhattheywerewhenJesusfirstcame.Todaythereisagreatanticipationforhope.We’rehungryforhope.We’rehungryforthingstobemaderight.We’rehungrytoberedeemed.We’retiredofbeingdisappointedbyfailedsavior,afterfailedsavior,afterfailedsaviorwhetherit’sapoliticalfigure,oracelebrity,oraleader.ThereisagreateranticipationforJesusnowmorethantherehaseverbeensincethedaythatHewasborn.YoujustmightnotrealizethatitisJesuswhomyouarehungryfor.

Christmas:TheGiftThatSays|YouAreNotForgotten November26and27,2016

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Letmejusttellyou,thatthingthatyouaresearchingforthatemptiness,thathungeryou’relookingforJesus.AndHe’srighthere.Heisrightherewaiting.Christmasisthegiftthatsaysthatyou’reredeemed,notdisqualified.It’sthegiftthatsaysthatyouareasonnotaslave.Itisthegiftthatsaysthatyouareanheirwithafullinheritance.Itisthegiftthatsaysthatyouarenotforgotten.Youarenotforgotten.Solet’sjusttakeoffthemask,alright?Justtakeitoff.Let’sbereal.Let’shavethefaithandthecouragetotakethatnextstep.Maybeit’sthefirststepofacceptingChrist.Maybethat’stoday.Forsomebodyitis.Havethefaithandcouragetotakethatstep.HavethefaithandcouragetotakethenextstepinyourrelationshipwithJesusandgrow.I’mtakingthatnextstepwithyou.I’mrighttherewithyou.Iloveyouguys.We’regoingtogointoatimerightnowofcommunion.ThisisachanceforyoutogettoreflectonthegiftthatisChristmas.Jesuscametoredeemyou,toadoptyou,andtogiveyouafullinheritance.ThebreadrepresentsHisbrokenbodyonthecrossandthejuicerepresentsthebloodthatwasspilled.Soreflectonthat.Itisagift.Ifyou’renotaChristian,ifyou’renewtothis,youcanjustletthetraypass.It’sokay.Nobodyisgoingtobewatching.Nobodyisgoingtothinkanythingofit.Iwanttogiveyoufiveminutestoreflectonthisyourselfandthinkaboutthis.Ifyouhaveadoubtthisisyourchance.YoucanaskGod.That’sallprayerhastobe.Askthatquestion.He’snotafraidofyourquestion.Contemplateonwhatyoujustheard.Ifyouheardanythingthatisstickinginyourheartorthatyoucan’tgetoutofyourhead,that’sGodspeaking.That’snotme.That’sGodspeaking.Afterwardwearegoingtogobackintoatimeorworship.Soletmeprayforus.Father,thankYousomuchforYourSonandthegiftthatHeis,thatYouwouldloveusenoughtosendHimandforHisperfectiontolivethelifeforusandthentodieforustoredeemusbacktoYou,toreconcileusbacktoYousothatwecancryoutAbbaFather,sothatwecanlookatYouandsayDaddy.Father,Yousaythatnoeyehasseen,andnoearhasheard,andnomindcanimaginewhattheLordhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim.Ican’twaittofindoutwhatthatis.WouldYoupleaseputthathopeinmyheart?WouldYoupleaseputthathopeinourchurch’sheartthatthatwouldbeinfrontofus,thatwewouldidentifyourselves,notaswhatwedoforaliving,notourfamilystatus,butthatwewouldonlyidentifyourselvesasadoptedsonsthroughJesus.Whatanamazingidentitythatis.Makethatrealtous.Father,IpraythatYouwoulddrawallmenandwomentoYourselfthistimeofyear.ThisisthetimeofyearwhenYouhavesaidthatwearenotforgotten,“Iloveyou,I’mgoingtodosomethingaboutthebrokenness.”Ipraythatthatwouldbecomerealtopeopletoday.ThatYouwouldbreakhearts,thatYouwouldencouragethem,thatYouwouldsoftenthemandthatYourwordwouldplantseeds.LetusseeYoumove.Letusbeachurchthatisarealplaceofrefugeforthebroken,fortheweary,forthosewithaheavyburdenthattheywouldcomeandfindrest,thattheywouldcomeandfindYouhere.WeloveYou.It’sinJesus’namewepray.Amen.