1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:07,880 Welcome to healing scars with pastor Burton here. You'll find practical relevant biblical information 2 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:15,160 The Bible will be broken down verse by verse so that you get the full context of the scripture 3 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,720 To better grow in your relationship with Jesus 4 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:22,440 Good evening church 5 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:24,740 Thanks. Thanks for everyone for being here 6 00:00:24,740 --> 00:00:27,600 We know there's a lot of stuff going on in town tonight a lot of places 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,400 So, you know, we thank you for taking the time and making this your destination of choice 8 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:35,080 Of course 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:38,640 It's not one of our normal days it's not one of our normal times either 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:43,800 So I know that has a role to play in it as well as well as who's able to make it who's not 11 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,440 So we'll see who trickles in as the night goes on as well 12 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:52,640 So good to see returning faces though and old faces. So as it's always a blessing too, right? 13 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:57,040 So I'm here in time. So I know there's somebody else back there. All right 14 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,160 so, um 15 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,080 Hey 16 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,080 Welcome brother. Merry Christmas 17 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:09,880 Well again, you know, we appreciate everyone for being here, you know, it's Christmas Eve and 18 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:14,920 I said tonight's as you've already seen as a guy like our normal services. We've had 19 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,680 Technical errors back there. The gremlins are hard at work trying to stop us from going live 20 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:24,920 But they're not gonna stop a good thing though. Lord can't be stopped, right? You know didn't have the live music tonight 21 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,240 Just weren't able to pull it off. It's been so busy 22 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,740 But you know, we had we still had Christmas carols going so it's still a good time 23 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,800 All right with that said though as we begin 24 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,520 Let us pray 25 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,840 Lord we we thank you for this joyous time together in fellowship 26 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,780 Praising you in a worship as we celebrate the birth of your son Jesus 27 00:01:47,780 --> 00:01:53,180 we ask that you open our hearts and our minds to what you have to speak for speak to us tonight and that 28 00:01:54,740 --> 00:02:01,780 You use what you have prepared for us to help us grow not only in our relationship with you but in our character and 29 00:02:02,420 --> 00:02:07,780 Use it as we go out to the world to reflect your light pray all this in the name of Jesus. Amen 30 00:02:08,420 --> 00:02:10,420 All right, and tonight 31 00:02:10,660 --> 00:02:12,660 Time safe. We're just gonna dive straight in 32 00:02:12,660 --> 00:02:18,500 So I invite everybody open up your Bible your app whatever it is you use or you can watch on the slides behind me 33 00:02:19,620 --> 00:02:21,620 Actually, I digress 34 00:02:22,020 --> 00:02:26,180 While you guys open that open up to Luke chapter 2. I almost forgot we do have one announcement 35 00:02:26,660 --> 00:02:28,660 Wasn't gonna do announcements, but there is one in there 36 00:02:29,380 --> 00:02:33,300 So especially for those who are watching online as well. This still pertains to you. So 37 00:02:36,020 --> 00:02:38,020 If you do have it on your heart to tie 38 00:02:38,020 --> 00:02:44,100 You know gifts have an offering or even just a prayer request because we like prayer requests. It's a very prayerful church, right? 39 00:02:44,580 --> 00:02:48,180 You can do so in either the black boxes at the back of the room 40 00:02:48,180 --> 00:02:54,500 We have one on both sides or online at the cross 66 org. All right, that's our one announcement 41 00:02:55,140 --> 00:02:57,140 So welcome again 42 00:02:57,140 --> 00:03:00,900 So again Luke chapter 2 and we're actually going to start off 43 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:03,700 Where verses 4 through 7? 44 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:07,860 Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea 45 00:03:08,420 --> 00:03:10,660 To the city of David which is called bedlehem 46 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:14,340 Because he was one of the house and lineage of David 47 00:03:14,900 --> 00:03:18,980 To be registered with Mary his betrothed wife who was with child 48 00:03:20,180 --> 00:03:22,180 So it was that while they were there 49 00:03:22,980 --> 00:03:25,860 The days were completed for her to be delivered 50 00:03:26,660 --> 00:03:29,220 And she brought forth her her firstborn son 51 00:03:29,220 --> 00:03:34,820 And wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them 52 00:03:35,380 --> 00:03:37,380 in the end 53 00:03:37,700 --> 00:03:39,700 They're a pretty humble beginning, isn't it? 54 00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:44,260 This is not what people have in mind when they think of royalty being born into the world 55 00:03:45,220 --> 00:03:47,220 Let alone 56 00:03:47,220 --> 00:03:50,740 Our ultimate king right our lord and savior the messiah 57 00:03:51,460 --> 00:03:54,820 You know there even today you think of births now 58 00:03:54,820 --> 00:04:01,300 Is it today now you can't even go on social media without somebody having something where they're popping blue smoke or pink smoke or 59 00:04:01,700 --> 00:04:05,380 Paints or whatever saying oh we got a boy. We got a girl. It's coming on this date, right? 60 00:04:05,940 --> 00:04:07,940 There's a lot of pomp and circumstance there 61 00:04:09,060 --> 00:04:13,300 You know and there's always been some kind of pomp and circumstance even when we were born 62 00:04:14,180 --> 00:04:16,180 So it's not anything new 63 00:04:16,580 --> 00:04:19,860 Back then people would still get excited. Hey, we're expecting a kid 64 00:04:19,860 --> 00:04:24,580 Nobody would ever expected to uh, go to a place like this though 65 00:04:26,660 --> 00:04:28,980 Now we're here we're looking at it's talking about a manger 66 00:04:29,940 --> 00:04:36,100 We have all these images that are made up of what a manger is all these pictures, but that's they're not exactly accurate 67 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:40,180 So let's paint the picture. This isn't our big red barn 68 00:04:40,740 --> 00:04:43,780 There's no big door on hinges. There's no stone 69 00:04:43,780 --> 00:04:50,420 Bridal gear hanging up and blankets filled up and stacked in the corner none of that stuff, right? None of these cozy little things 70 00:04:51,620 --> 00:04:54,260 Right. What we're looking at here is a dark 71 00:04:54,900 --> 00:04:56,900 dank and dirty place 72 00:04:57,300 --> 00:04:59,300 mangers like this 73 00:04:59,620 --> 00:05:01,620 Were essentially caves 74 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:04,100 There were small shallow caves 75 00:05:04,580 --> 00:05:06,580 with troughs or troughs 76 00:05:07,300 --> 00:05:09,300 Crows or troughs 77 00:05:09,300 --> 00:05:14,820 Shallow caves with troughs or troughs carved into the wall 78 00:05:16,660 --> 00:05:18,660 These troughs are what we know as mangers 79 00:05:20,180 --> 00:05:22,180 So here 80 00:05:23,140 --> 00:05:27,540 Jesus is born and he's placed in a carved out stone 81 00:05:29,220 --> 00:05:31,220 With some swaddling clothes 82 00:05:31,220 --> 00:05:36,980 A far cry from anything sanitary 83 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:39,700 You know, this is where all the animals go 84 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:42,820 These are the things that they eat out of they drink out of 85 00:05:43,860 --> 00:05:49,860 They defecate here, right? They give birth themselves here. There's a lot of nasty things that are going on 86 00:05:50,580 --> 00:05:53,220 Right a dirt floor maybe some stones 87 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:59,060 You know, you could trample it down you could dig stuff out you carve it throw things out smooth it out as much as you want 88 00:05:59,060 --> 00:06:01,060 It's not a place of comfort 89 00:06:02,260 --> 00:06:04,260 You know even in the military 90 00:06:05,460 --> 00:06:09,220 We had our own ways of smoothing things out and providing for some comfort 91 00:06:10,580 --> 00:06:12,580 But it took time 92 00:06:12,740 --> 00:06:14,740 Things that they didn't have 93 00:06:14,900 --> 00:06:17,860 It just coming off of a donkey if you can marry was an instant state 94 00:06:18,580 --> 00:06:20,180 giving birth 95 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:22,180 To help out with anything like that 96 00:06:22,340 --> 00:06:24,020 No 97 00:06:24,020 --> 00:06:26,020 So it's a very humble beginning, you know 98 00:06:26,020 --> 00:06:29,380 The most humble beginning really, you know, and this is something that was done 99 00:06:29,940 --> 00:06:33,460 When we were able to read hindsight being 20. It's to remind us 100 00:06:34,580 --> 00:06:36,660 Right out the gate that things aren't always going to be easy 101 00:06:37,540 --> 00:06:41,880 We're going to have to work for things. We're going to have hardships. We're going to have discomfort 102 00:06:44,020 --> 00:06:48,760 And there's a lot of that ahead of us that's life but it's also a reminder 103 00:06:50,820 --> 00:06:52,820 That we shouldn't put god 104 00:06:52,820 --> 00:06:56,200 In a position to try to meet our expectations 105 00:06:57,940 --> 00:07:03,540 Because in his power and everything he's capable of and we're talking a creator of everything, right? 106 00:07:04,820 --> 00:07:06,820 Our expectations are nothing 107 00:07:07,780 --> 00:07:09,780 He can do so much better 108 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:12,900 We can't put him in a in a cookie cutter mold 109 00:07:13,940 --> 00:07:15,700 And expecting to be 110 00:07:15,700 --> 00:07:17,700 That because that's not him 111 00:07:18,740 --> 00:07:20,740 We can't do that with one another 112 00:07:20,740 --> 00:07:22,740 I can't take brian 113 00:07:22,980 --> 00:07:27,060 But hey, that's the next president of the united states as much as he probably loved that 114 00:07:29,300 --> 00:07:31,060 But you know what 115 00:07:31,060 --> 00:07:33,060 It's not that's not his cookie cutter mold is it? 116 00:07:34,420 --> 00:07:36,420 God's no different 117 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:40,500 Is you know the thing we have to remember about god is he's always at work 118 00:07:41,700 --> 00:07:43,700 And he's at work in our 119 00:07:44,020 --> 00:07:46,020 sin darkened 120 00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:48,260 And troubled world 121 00:07:48,260 --> 00:07:52,500 And he's always working for what's best for us and what's best for his kingdom 122 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:59,940 Now looking here, this is the birth of jesus. This is the greatest gift that any of us could ever receive 123 00:08:04,020 --> 00:08:10,020 John 3 16 we're all pretty familiar with this right god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son 124 00:08:10,580 --> 00:08:13,620 That whoever believes in him should not perish 125 00:08:14,340 --> 00:08:16,340 But have everlasting life 126 00:08:16,340 --> 00:08:18,340 And he's always been a great friend of mine 127 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:22,100 Come on we go to ball games and you see that held up 128 00:08:23,220 --> 00:08:27,380 Right now we could probably drive down central and find out hanging out in at least one window, right? 129 00:08:28,820 --> 00:08:30,820 A sticker on somebody's car 130 00:08:31,540 --> 00:08:33,540 But it does it speaks to his love for us 131 00:08:34,660 --> 00:08:36,180 You know we like to say 132 00:08:36,180 --> 00:08:38,180 Jesus is the reason for the season 133 00:08:39,140 --> 00:08:41,860 Jesus is the reason for the season, but let's be honest 134 00:08:42,420 --> 00:08:44,420 Every day is jesus's season 135 00:08:44,420 --> 00:08:46,420 Every single day 136 00:08:46,660 --> 00:08:48,660 So really the way we should be looking at this 137 00:08:50,260 --> 00:08:52,820 Is he's the beacon for every region 138 00:08:54,180 --> 00:08:58,820 It's the beacon for every region of the planet for every man woman and child 139 00:09:00,420 --> 00:09:02,420 A beacon of light 140 00:09:03,940 --> 00:09:05,940 You know 141 00:09:08,340 --> 00:09:10,340 We should be seeing it more as 142 00:09:10,340 --> 00:09:12,980 The bridge that gap that god's given us as well 143 00:09:14,420 --> 00:09:17,620 You know god could have left us to us our sin 144 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:25,140 Right could have done a lot he could have wiped this out started new started fresh 145 00:09:27,460 --> 00:09:32,340 All the things he's created things known and unknown there's probably more unknown than known 146 00:09:34,260 --> 00:09:36,260 He could have done something a whole lot different 147 00:09:36,740 --> 00:09:38,740 But instead he loved us 148 00:09:38,740 --> 00:09:43,700 But instead he loved us enough that he sent his only begotten son for us 149 00:09:45,460 --> 00:09:47,940 A light to show us the way 150 00:09:49,780 --> 00:09:53,060 The lighthouse right a way to be reconnected with him 151 00:09:55,860 --> 00:10:00,820 Psalm 119 105 this is a verse that you'll find at the front of a lot of bibles usually just inside the cover 152 00:10:00,820 --> 00:10:06,580 It's also used in a lot of prayers your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path 153 00:10:08,980 --> 00:10:10,980 The word's jesus, right 154 00:10:11,780 --> 00:10:15,140 He is our light in an otherwise darkened world. He's the light of life 155 00:10:15,780 --> 00:10:19,460 Now I'll remind you that while today many of us may look at the baby jesus 156 00:10:21,300 --> 00:10:25,140 Just born right we got a nativity right over here in the corner baby jesus 157 00:10:25,140 --> 00:10:28,340 Jesus didn't stay a baby though. He grew up 158 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:31,300 Became a man 159 00:10:31,460 --> 00:10:34,740 He died he took on all of our sin this into the world 160 00:10:35,620 --> 00:10:38,660 once to the cross died rose again 161 00:10:40,740 --> 00:10:43,140 Ascended and he's coming back 162 00:10:44,260 --> 00:10:49,540 When we look at christmas, that's really what we're celebrating. It's not just the birth. He's coming back 163 00:10:49,540 --> 00:10:54,100 That's something i've been preaching a lot last couple weeks. It's twofold 164 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:59,060 He came he saw he's coming back 165 00:11:02,660 --> 00:11:04,660 Not only that but here 166 00:11:05,460 --> 00:11:08,340 Jesus has also promised us two gifts 167 00:11:09,220 --> 00:11:11,220 When we're looking at these passages 168 00:11:12,420 --> 00:11:14,020 first 169 00:11:14,020 --> 00:11:16,020 The first is the first 170 00:11:16,020 --> 00:11:19,940 The second is the first of the first two passages 171 00:11:21,460 --> 00:11:23,460 First 172 00:11:24,340 --> 00:11:26,340 We'll never walk in spiritual darkness 173 00:11:29,620 --> 00:11:35,060 When we turn to him we open our hearts to him we let the holy spirit fill us we repent of our sin 174 00:11:35,860 --> 00:11:37,860 And we follow christ 175 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:40,500 We are always going to be in his light 176 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:45,060 We're not going to cast a shadow because he doesn't cast a shadow just light 177 00:11:48,420 --> 00:11:50,420 Secondly 178 00:11:51,140 --> 00:11:56,740 As I already alluded to his light resides in every believer the holy spirit 179 00:11:59,540 --> 00:12:04,900 You know the thing is we're able to take that light and reflect it out into the world for others to see 180 00:12:04,900 --> 00:12:11,140 Come to know him to illuminate the way to him to light the path 181 00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:17,540 And when we do this we glorify god 182 00:12:20,020 --> 00:12:22,740 And we illuminate the path in the dark world, right 183 00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:27,140 It's really hard to to hide something that's illuminated 184 00:12:27,940 --> 00:12:31,060 Here in albuquerque even we can just go out the door here 185 00:12:31,060 --> 00:12:36,900 And you look up to sandia right our lovely mountains even at night. What are you going to see? 186 00:12:37,860 --> 00:12:39,460 lights 187 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:42,180 Because we have that big restaurant up there 188 00:12:42,180 --> 00:12:47,300 We got tv and radio arrays flashing their little red lights looking like a christmas tree year-round 189 00:12:47,780 --> 00:12:49,540 You know all sorts of stuff 190 00:12:49,540 --> 00:12:52,020 You know on a good night and get to watch the moon come up behind it 191 00:12:52,820 --> 00:12:54,820 You see that whole outline 192 00:12:55,060 --> 00:12:57,060 There's a lot of light there 193 00:12:57,540 --> 00:12:59,540 And you figure those are just a couple of small lights 194 00:12:59,540 --> 00:13:01,780 You think about it even going back in the history world war ii 195 00:13:02,340 --> 00:13:04,340 Especially throughout europe wonder what happened 196 00:13:05,380 --> 00:13:10,420 Come sundown lights had to go out lamps had to go out or blackout curtains were up 197 00:13:10,420 --> 00:13:15,540 Air raid sirens would go out when there's a potential for danger saying hey put out those lights they can see you from up above 198 00:13:18,660 --> 00:13:23,700 Or even just pull out your phone and do a google search images from the international space station 199 00:13:25,140 --> 00:13:27,140 On the dark side of the world 200 00:13:27,140 --> 00:13:29,140 And it's lit up 201 00:13:29,140 --> 00:13:31,140 It's a lot of light you can't hide it 202 00:13:32,420 --> 00:13:36,420 And you figure that's just a light that's here that's not even the light of christ 203 00:13:38,660 --> 00:13:44,660 So there's a lot there and if that's not enough look at our moon our moon has no light of its own 204 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:47,620 Absolutely none 205 00:13:47,620 --> 00:13:49,620 You know unless you know 206 00:13:49,620 --> 00:13:53,380 Neil armstrong let the flashlight on out there, but i'm pretty sure those batteries are dead and gone 207 00:13:53,380 --> 00:13:59,140 But it has no light of its own so what what's it reflecting is reflecting the light of the sun, right? 208 00:14:00,180 --> 00:14:04,100 And it changes depending on where the earth is between the earth and the sun the phases of the moon 209 00:14:05,940 --> 00:14:10,740 We reflect light just like the moon we reflect the light of christ the light of life 210 00:14:11,540 --> 00:14:13,540 That holy spirit in us 211 00:14:16,180 --> 00:14:18,740 And when we live for jesus and that light shines 212 00:14:18,740 --> 00:14:22,740 People who are living in spiritual darkness they see it they're drawn to it 213 00:14:23,940 --> 00:14:25,940 They want to know more 214 00:14:26,740 --> 00:14:28,740 They want to know what this light is 215 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:32,100 You know just like a moth to a flame 216 00:14:35,060 --> 00:14:37,060 Now what that said 217 00:14:38,740 --> 00:14:41,540 When we let that light shine and people do come to us 218 00:14:42,340 --> 00:14:45,460 It's important that we don't forget we still have to introduce someone else 219 00:14:45,460 --> 00:14:48,980 It's important that we don't forget we still have to introduce them give them that little handshake 220 00:14:49,540 --> 00:14:51,540 The holy spirit takes over from there 221 00:14:52,420 --> 00:14:55,940 Because no one's going to come out to light be like what is this on never mind walk away if they don't know 222 00:14:59,540 --> 00:15:01,540 So we have to tell people 223 00:15:02,420 --> 00:15:04,420 It's part of a great commission 224 00:15:05,300 --> 00:15:08,660 With that said there are those who are going to look to overshadow us 225 00:15:10,020 --> 00:15:12,020 They don't want that light out in the world 226 00:15:12,020 --> 00:15:15,300 You know they they want to want to take that light and they want to dim it they want to squash it 227 00:15:15,300 --> 00:15:17,300 You know it's like it's right here gone 228 00:15:19,060 --> 00:15:21,060 It's part of that battle between light and darkness 229 00:15:21,860 --> 00:15:23,860 Between god and satan 230 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:25,860 It's a battle we know is already won 231 00:15:27,300 --> 00:15:31,540 But that's because god's already here so he already knows it so he's able to tell us hey don't worry it's good 232 00:15:31,540 --> 00:15:36,500 We got we got this we're still standing on the battle lines right now though. We're still at that forefront 233 00:15:38,420 --> 00:15:40,420 So it's on us as believers 234 00:15:40,420 --> 00:15:45,940 So it's on us as believers to ensure that that light doesn't dim that light has to continue to show 235 00:15:46,740 --> 00:15:51,460 That light that's within us because we ourselves through our own actions and our words 236 00:15:52,180 --> 00:15:54,180 Have that power to dim it 237 00:15:58,100 --> 00:16:00,100 We go to john chapter 8 verse 12 238 00:16:01,780 --> 00:16:05,380 Jesus is speaking here says then jesus spoke to them again saying I am the light of the world 239 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:08,100 He who follows me shall not walk in darkness 240 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:10,100 But have the light 241 00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:12,100 of life 242 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:21,140 Give me a second here lost my place in my notes 243 00:16:21,140 --> 00:16:31,140 But he who follows me meaning true believers people who actually follow not just those people like oh yeah, I believe 244 00:16:34,260 --> 00:16:36,260 I said his his light shines in all directions 245 00:16:40,260 --> 00:16:43,540 We go to first peter chapter 3 verse 15 246 00:16:44,260 --> 00:16:45,940 says but 247 00:16:45,940 --> 00:16:47,940 Sanctify the lord of the earth 248 00:16:47,940 --> 00:17:00,740 He says but sanctify the lord god in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who ask you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and inferior in other words are saying be vigilant 249 00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:05,140 Right go out be bold be a good steward of the word 250 00:17:06,580 --> 00:17:10,980 Be willing to speak to people when you have those people who can't come up and they try to cast that shadow 251 00:17:11,140 --> 00:17:13,140 They try to cast doubt. You know what? 252 00:17:14,260 --> 00:17:16,260 Don't hide 253 00:17:16,260 --> 00:17:21,700 Yes, no one to pick your battles, but don't hide be willing to speak up the word will speak for itself 254 00:17:23,220 --> 00:17:28,420 But when you're challenged on your beliefs you have to be willing to stand up that's why we have testimony 255 00:17:30,980 --> 00:17:32,980 And what you say 256 00:17:32,980 --> 00:17:39,460 Is one way that you do it the other thing is your actions how you live your life how you treat others how you reach out and give someone a hand up 257 00:17:40,420 --> 00:17:42,420 As opposed to pushing them away 258 00:17:42,420 --> 00:17:46,420 And we live in a world that generally wants to push people away 259 00:17:48,420 --> 00:17:50,420 I've had just tonight even 260 00:17:50,420 --> 00:17:56,420 Tess was talking with my niece over here and we're talking about how people group themselves based on music that they listen to 261 00:18:02,420 --> 00:18:04,420 It hasn't really changed much 262 00:18:04,420 --> 00:18:06,420 Still a lot of people do that 263 00:18:06,420 --> 00:18:08,420 They distance themselves because people dress differently 264 00:18:08,420 --> 00:18:12,420 Oh, no, that's emo over there. That's got stay away from them 265 00:18:12,420 --> 00:18:16,420 Now. Oh look, we got a bunch of thugs and gangbangers over here. Oh, we got the hicks 266 00:18:17,460 --> 00:18:19,460 Where's the nerds? Where's my people? 267 00:18:19,860 --> 00:18:21,860 right 268 00:18:22,420 --> 00:18:24,420 Got it the way we look at nerds has changed a bit 269 00:18:24,420 --> 00:18:28,420 It's kind of improved over the years, but we still kind of group people the same way don't we? 270 00:18:30,420 --> 00:18:34,420 So we need to make sure our actions aren't putting people in those cookie cutter molds 271 00:18:34,420 --> 00:18:40,420 We're not hiding that light away from people just because we don't know them and we don't understand them. They look different. Maybe they smell funny. I don't know 272 00:18:44,420 --> 00:18:46,420 You laugh I might be talking about you 273 00:18:50,420 --> 00:18:56,420 You know, so but this is a you know, this is Christmas this is a time that we should be using as a time of refreshment 274 00:18:56,420 --> 00:19:00,420 A time of renewal, you know, everybody's got a time of refreshment 275 00:19:00,420 --> 00:19:06,420 A time of renewal, you know, everybody likes to say, you know new year new year new me and all that stuff. No 276 00:19:06,420 --> 00:19:10,420 Christmas time because this is the time 277 00:19:10,420 --> 00:19:16,420 That we are able to kind of sit back a little bit. We get to take a day or two for ourselves as we celebrate Christ 278 00:19:18,420 --> 00:19:24,420 And this is a time that we get to let the world know that because of Christ there is love there is hope there's a chance 279 00:19:24,420 --> 00:19:28,420 There's opportunity. There's mercy. There's grace. There's so many great things 280 00:19:28,420 --> 00:19:32,420 There's so many blessings out there gifts from him gifts that we don't even know about 281 00:19:34,420 --> 00:19:38,420 We have to shine that light for others to see and let them know what he's done in our life 282 00:19:38,420 --> 00:19:43,420 We have to share our testimony. I was here. I was beaten up 283 00:19:43,420 --> 00:19:49,420 Hacker torn up. I had this addiction or that addiction or I was having trouble with this 284 00:19:49,420 --> 00:19:53,420 I was looking at things I shouldn't have I was gambling whatever 285 00:19:53,420 --> 00:19:57,420 But then I turned to Christ and he was able to pull me away from all that 286 00:19:57,420 --> 00:20:02,420 Right. We have people who have lived in their cars 287 00:20:02,420 --> 00:20:07,420 Like hey, I got me out of that. I got a place of my own now. I got a family as well 288 00:20:09,420 --> 00:20:15,420 You know, I used to go out and you know, I spent years out in the battlefield sleeping in tents 289 00:20:15,420 --> 00:20:20,420 You know, I got excited to go back and I had a place with the wooden floor that was built maybe a wall or two 290 00:20:20,420 --> 00:20:27,420 Got real exciting when the Air Force came in or the CVs or the Corps of Engineers and they set up air conditioning 291 00:20:27,420 --> 00:20:33,420 And good potable water. Oh man, that's a big one right there 292 00:20:35,420 --> 00:20:42,420 As long as nobody sees that water buffalo gets over excited and jumps in decides to take a bath and everyone's drinking water that happened 293 00:20:42,420 --> 00:20:48,420 But a lot of things, you know, there's a lot of things out there like that 294 00:20:48,420 --> 00:20:55,420 We need to we need to introduce people we just let that light shine not hamper it so that people could come up and say 295 00:20:55,420 --> 00:21:02,420 Yeah, this is my testimony. Let me tell you about Jesus and they come and know him and form that relationship with them themselves 296 00:21:02,420 --> 00:21:05,420 And they could feel the warmth of his love 297 00:21:05,420 --> 00:21:14,420 The comfort of his embrace and they can start healing from the inside out spiritually 298 00:21:16,420 --> 00:21:19,420 The places where it matters most the places that last for eternity 299 00:21:22,420 --> 00:21:23,420 Because without that 300 00:21:26,420 --> 00:21:27,420 It's a lot of doom 301 00:21:28,420 --> 00:21:29,420 A place without light 302 00:21:29,420 --> 00:21:36,420 Gnashing the teeth as we're told right and typically when somebody comes we need to remember it starts small 303 00:21:38,420 --> 00:21:41,420 Just like Jesus he came into the world. He started small a newborn baby 304 00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:46,420 Some people back. Oh, yeah, I had a 30 pound baby 305 00:21:48,420 --> 00:21:50,420 Right, not generally though 306 00:21:51,420 --> 00:21:53,420 Tiny little thing 307 00:21:53,420 --> 00:21:58,420 Itty bitty thing not an animal same way 308 00:21:59,420 --> 00:22:06,420 Jesus grew our faith is no different starts off a mustard seed of faith is how the Bible refers to it, right? 309 00:22:07,420 --> 00:22:08,420 And it grows 310 00:22:10,420 --> 00:22:11,420 Little by little 311 00:22:13,420 --> 00:22:16,420 Jesus grew into a man. He gave us that perfect example 312 00:22:16,420 --> 00:22:24,420 Our faith grows as we grow with our relationship with him and before long what started as a seed underneath the soil and couldn't be seen 313 00:22:25,420 --> 00:22:28,420 Turns into this tree. It's 20 feet tall 314 00:22:30,420 --> 00:22:32,420 And produces seed that sees the world round 315 00:22:37,420 --> 00:22:40,420 And then Jesus came into the world and he grew into a man 316 00:22:40,420 --> 00:22:44,420 And he grew into the world round 317 00:22:48,420 --> 00:22:49,420 Little things grow 318 00:22:52,420 --> 00:22:55,420 The light of our world light of our lives Jesus has grown 319 00:22:57,420 --> 00:23:01,420 In each one of us every one of us as we talk to Jesus when we pray 320 00:23:03,420 --> 00:23:06,420 And we learn more about him and what he expects from us 321 00:23:06,420 --> 00:23:07,500 Our character grows. 322 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:08,340 We change. 323 00:23:09,900 --> 00:23:12,760 When we're born again, right, it says born again is a new creature, 324 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:16,060 is a new being, right, depending on the translations you read. 325 00:23:16,420 --> 00:23:17,700 But born again, new. 326 00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:21,740 Because all of us, when we're born again, we're new. 327 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:23,200 And when we heal, we change. 328 00:23:24,740 --> 00:23:25,740 We're not the person we were. 329 00:23:25,740 --> 00:23:26,560 We aren't the drunk. 330 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:27,360 We aren't the junkie. 331 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:28,220 We aren't the gambler. 332 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:29,640 We aren't the adulterer. 333 00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:32,380 So on and so forth. 334 00:23:32,380 --> 00:23:38,960 We're a new person. 335 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:44,120 So when we leave here today, we need to remember we're not just celebrating the birth of a king. 336 00:23:45,620 --> 00:23:48,440 We're celebrating all he has, all he is doing for us. 337 00:23:49,120 --> 00:23:50,720 All that is to come because of him. 338 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:56,760 The freedom he's given us from sin and the bondage to it. 339 00:23:56,760 --> 00:24:04,960 The reunification that he's granted us with the reunion with the father. 340 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:12,200 He took the sin that separated us from the father so that we could be back with him at the table. 341 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:15,600 It's a mighty gift. 342 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:22,800 And we need to remember that while as we celebrate his impending return, 343 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,060 that we remember he's the light of the world. 344 00:24:25,060 --> 00:24:25,800 And we share his light. 345 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:32,540 Now just to demonstrate the light, unfortunately I wasn't able to get candles in time for tonight. 346 00:24:32,540 --> 00:24:34,260 That was my fault. 347 00:24:34,260 --> 00:24:35,940 I was able to actually find the candles. 348 00:24:35,940 --> 00:24:42,040 I just couldn't find the little holders that you put them in, you know, to protect people from the wax, 349 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:44,160 that kind of thing, and I didn't want anybody getting burnt. 350 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:48,360 You know, I tried, you know, I got like these little, you know, 351 00:24:48,360 --> 00:24:53,100 battery lit, voted candles, like that's just not the same. 352 00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:55,300 But the example is still the same. 353 00:24:55,300 --> 00:24:58,700 You take one candle, you light it up. 354 00:24:58,700 --> 00:25:00,800 Let me get my little voted here. 355 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:01,900 I'm not doing that one. 356 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:03,200 That's a real candle. 357 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,600 And it's got a lot of wax in that jar. 358 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,600 I'm not going to get burned right now. 359 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:11,600 But you have your one candle and you light it up, right? 360 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:12,600 You're in a real candle. 361 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:13,600 You're in a real candle. 362 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:14,600 You're in a real candle. 363 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:15,600 You're in a real candle. 364 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:18,100 And you light it up, right? 365 00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:20,000 You're in a room that has absolutely no light. 366 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:20,500 Guess what? 367 00:25:20,500 --> 00:25:22,500 Now you have a little light. 368 00:25:22,500 --> 00:25:26,260 You get real close to it, you're going to feel a little warmth. 369 00:25:26,260 --> 00:25:27,960 You bring in another candle. 370 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:29,000 You pass that flame on. 371 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,000 Now you got two candles. 372 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,360 There's a little bit more light in the room, a little bit more warmth. 373 00:25:32,360 --> 00:25:35,260 You take those two candles and you light a couple more. 374 00:25:35,260 --> 00:25:38,060 And then you take those and you light more and you light more and you light more. 375 00:25:38,060 --> 00:25:42,700 And before long, you have a room that's totally illuminated. 376 00:25:42,700 --> 00:25:45,000 And within a few minutes, it gets pretty warm pretty quick. 377 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:51,400 If you've ever been to a candlelight service, you know, it can get toasty. 378 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,500 The light of the world is the same. 379 00:25:53,500 --> 00:25:58,900 Jesus came into a dark world, one light. 380 00:25:58,900 --> 00:26:02,400 And then he reached out and he touched others. 381 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:06,260 People that others wouldn't even go near, right? 382 00:26:06,260 --> 00:26:12,100 Lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes, so on. 383 00:26:12,100 --> 00:26:14,100 Reunifying the world. 384 00:26:14,100 --> 00:26:19,900 And everywhere he went and everywhere he touched, his flame was passed. 385 00:26:19,900 --> 00:26:26,860 The world became a little brighter, a little bit more comfortable, a little warmer. 386 00:26:26,860 --> 00:26:33,000 And even now, his light continues to touch lives through people like you and me. 387 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:38,360 When we open up and we let his light shine. 388 00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:42,600 Don't ever be afraid to let that light out. 389 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:44,000 It's not a gift just for you. 390 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,740 It's a gift for you to share. 391 00:26:46,740 --> 00:26:51,660 Each and every single one of us. 392 00:26:51,660 --> 00:26:56,300 With that said. 393 00:26:56,300 --> 00:26:58,260 Remember, you are your candle. 394 00:26:58,260 --> 00:27:01,500 Every time you see a candle, remember you are a candle. 395 00:27:01,500 --> 00:27:03,200 I'm not kind of out of it, but that just came to me. 396 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,200 Your candle. 397 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:07,960 Let us pray. 398 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:09,560 Lord, we thank you for bringing us together. 399 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:11,560 We thank you for speaking to us. 400 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:17,840 We thank you for your son and the fact that you sent him to live and die for us. 401 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:25,800 To rise again so that we can know about you and be reunited with you as we should be. 402 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:30,000 And not these idols that had taken over the world and still fight for a foothold. 403 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:34,620 We thank you for blessing us with that greatest gift. 404 00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:35,660 We know that we've fallen short. 405 00:27:35,660 --> 00:27:36,660 We know that we've sinned. 406 00:27:36,660 --> 00:27:44,400 And as we take a moment and we reflect on our own transgressions. 407 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:47,520 We ask that you forgive us for them. 408 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:51,560 We ask that you forgive us for those that we may have forgotten or may not even realize 409 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:54,060 that we've committed. 410 00:27:54,060 --> 00:27:56,060 We thank you for all this forgiveness as well. 411 00:27:56,060 --> 00:28:03,820 And as we leave here today, we ask that you continue to fill our hearts with joy and wonder. 412 00:28:03,820 --> 00:28:08,380 And we ask that you guide us to the places that you've prepared for us. 413 00:28:08,380 --> 00:28:15,360 And that as you guide us there, you hold us in your protective hands. 414 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:19,780 That as we go out, you arm us with the wisdom and the knowledge we need to take your light 415 00:28:19,780 --> 00:28:24,200 into the world and share it with those who are still in dark places. 416 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:28,440 And we ask that we never forget that in all these things, that all the stuff that we do, 417 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:36,040 the good that we may do, that it all is done in a way that points to you. 418 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:44,960 That everything that we do is in your will and for the good of your kingdom. 419 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:46,440 And all of this people said. 420 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:47,440 Amen. 421 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:48,440 Amen. 422 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:49,440 Amen. 423 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:54,200 Thank you all for joining us here today at Healing Scars with Pastor Burton. 424 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:59,880 Please like, subscribe, and share our podcast on any platform it is that you tune into us 425 00:28:59,880 --> 00:29:01,020 on. 426 00:29:01,020 --> 00:29:08,360 If you do have any questions, any prayer requests, or would like to know more about our ministry, 427 00:29:08,360 --> 00:29:16,720 you can find us on our website at Be The Light Sanctuary dot org or on Facebook at Be The 428 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:18,480 Light Sanctuary. 429 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:23,600 You can also find how to contact us there, whether it's direct message or email. 430 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:26,120 We look forward to hearing from you all. 431 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:54,120 God bless.