Pastor: Pastor Mike | Series: Christmas Topical | 12-23-2018

Sovereign Event: The Birth of God’s Son!

Read Luke 1:5-25… Zechariah is in the Holy of Holies when Gabriel tells him
that his wife Elizabeth is going to give birth to a son, and he is to name him John
[which means, God is gracious]; this son of theirs (see verse 17) will fulfill the
prophecy of Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will
clear [prepare] the way before Me.
Matthew 11:10-11, “This is the one about whom it ]is written, ‘Behold, I send
My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ Truly I say to
you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John
the Baptist!”
Read Luke 1:26-38… Gabriel tells Mary she is going to have God’s Son, and also
that her aunt Elizabeth (who had been barren) is now six months pregnant.
Read Luke 1:39-55… Mary visits Elizabeth and the Holy Spirit confirms that,
both her and Elizabeth’s pregnancy is from God, just as Gabriel had said. Mary
(verse 56) stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then returned home.
The Jewish priestly cycles at the Temple and the seven major Feasts and
Festivals (Passover, First fruits, Harvest, Trumpets, Day of Atonement,
Tabernacles, Hanukkah), when applied to the NT Scriptures concerning the
conception and birth of both, Jesus, and John (His cousin), reveal some very
amazing things.
Mary’s visit would have been late in the 9th month of Kislev (Nov/Dec); not
surprisingly, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah [Festival of Lights] begins on the 25th
day of Kislev, which is very close to December 25, when we celebrate the birth of
Jesus: the Light of the World.
John 8:12, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the
darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
1John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,
that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Read Luke 1:57-66… John would have the privilege to announce the beginning
of the ministry of God’s Son.
John was six months older than Jesus, and since John’s birth was near or
during Passover (Nisan= Mar/April), Jesus would have then been born in Tishri
(Sept/Oct) about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Our celebration of Christmas doesn’t line up with the actual birth of Jesus, but it
very likely lines up with the time of Christ’s conception in the womb of Mary.
Read Luke 2:1-7… Joseph took Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, to register in
the town of his ancestors, according to the census being taken. While they were
there, it came time for the baby to be born, since they could find no place to stay,
Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son, and placed Him in a manger; probably in
the stable behind the inn.
Read Luke 2:8-20 An angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds,
announcing the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord. The angel said God would
validate this marvelous event with a sign (v. 12), the baby would be wrapped in
cloths and lying in a manger.
A large number of angels appeared praising God, the shepherds then went to
Bethlehem to see all God had done, and there they found Mary, Joseph, and the
baby Jesus who was lying in a manger, just as they were told.
Shepherds were near the bottom of the Jewish social order, because they
couldn’t keep the religious rituals and ceremonies. Out of all the people in and
around Jerusalem, God chose a small band of shepherds to be the ones to witness
the birth of His Son, who said (John 10:11), “I am the good shepherd; the good
shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
After looking upon the baby Jesus, Luke 2:18 says the shepherds went out
into the streets, sharing the good news that the Savior had indeed been born.
Luke 2:19 says, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her
heart,” all these things meaning: the angel’s announcement about her Holy
conception, Joseph’s response to this news, Elizabeth’s marvelous greeting, and
the special names to be given to Mary’s baby boy “Jesus” and “Immanuel.”
The shepherds (verse 20) “went back, glorifying and praising God for all that
they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”
Jesus came to earth the first time, in the flesh of a helpless baby boy; the next
time, He will come as a Warrior, the Eternal King, Sovereign Lord, and Righteous
Judge over All (See Revelation 19:11-16).
At Jesus’ first coming, there was no room available for Him to be born in; upon
His return to the Father in heaven, He began preparing a place for all those who
love Him, where we will live forever with Him (See John 14:1-3; Revelation
21:1-5a).
Only a few shepherds witnessed the first coming of Jesus; but when He returns
to earth again, everyone in the world will see Him (See Revelation 1:7).
More books and song lyrics have been written about, and more paintings done,
of Jesus, then anyone else in history. The world’s dating system (B.C., A.D.), two
major holidays (Christmas, Easter), and the praise and worship of 2 billion
followers, declares that this Jesus is indeed very, very, special.
At just the right time, according to God’s plan, God put on the flesh of a son of
man, in order to provide payment for our sins by the sacrifice of Himself, in order
that we might become the children of God.
Galatians 4:4-5, “When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were
under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Hebrews 9:26-28 tells us that Jesus [the Christ] has appeared once for all at
the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself; and that man is
destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, and so Christ was sacrificed
to take away the sins of many people [those who believe in Him]; and He will
appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who belong to
Him.”
1John 3:1, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would
be called children of God; and such we are.”
The most important question that you, or any other person must ever answer is
this, “Who do you genuinely believe this Jesus, born in Bethlehem, in Judea, to a
virgin named Mary, to be? Your answer to that question will determine not only the
quality of your life here on earth, but also the nature of your life for all of eternity.
John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” 28, “I give
eternal life to them, and they will never perish.”
2Peter 1:3-4, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and
godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and
excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent
promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
1John 5:11-13, “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in
the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
And that is the greatest reason for us to say, Merry Christmas!
Pastor Mike  >’(((><

Bible Text: Selected | Preacher: Pastor Mike | Series: Christmas, Christmas Topical, New Year

12.31.17 ~ First a Baby, Next a Warrior King!
Read Colossians 1:15… The word “first-born” refers to the position in reference to the legal rights of inheritance and authority, rightfully given to a firstborn son. God’s kingdom will one day be given completely and eternally to Jesus Christ, for it has always been God’s plan to turn everything over to the one through whom it was all created.
Read Colossians 1:16-17… The earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5°, spinning at approximately 1,000 mph (making one full rotation every 24 hours), while orbiting at about 67,000 mph around the sun every 365 days. The earth’s atmosphere (3 parts nitrogen, 2 parts oxygen) is perfectly balanced to sustain all life, and life has not been discovered anywhere else in the universe.
Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities –His eternal power and divine nature –have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Creation provides such clear and convincing testimony about its Creator, that only through willful rejection and disbelief can anyone deny this truth.
Read Colossians 1:18-19… Christ has supremacy over everything. God’s full authority, character, nature, exists in Christ; He has supremacy over the dead and living, the visible and invisible, the past, present and future.

Read Revelation 1:5-8… Jesus alone is “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” He is the Creator, Sustainer, Ruler and Judge over everyone and everything: Satan, sin, death, and judgment.

As John writes the Revelation of Jesus, he is reminded of all that he has seen, heard and touched (see 1John 1:1-3), all that Christ has done (see 1John 5:11-13).

We are not only forgiven our sins, but we are set apart as a kingdom and priests for the purpose of serving God the Father, through Christ the Son.
1Peter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

When Jesus came the first time, just a few shepherds looked upon Him; when Jesus ascended back into heaven, only a few disciples witnessed it (cf. Acts 1:9-11); but when Jesus returns to the earth at the close of the Tribulation (Revelation 1:7), “Every eye will see Him,” i.e., those who believe in Him and those who don’t; but it also says the “peoples of the earth” will mourn.

When Jesus returns, Israel will recognize Him as their Messiah and realizing that they rejected and put to death their own Savior.
Zechariah 12:10-11, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great.”

God loves us so much, He came down from heaven, put on flesh and took our punishment for sin, His own death on the cross. The night before His arrest, Jesus encourages His men, telling them, He is going to leave, He was going to die, but He would one day return for them and take them to be with Him in heaven.

John 14:1-6, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 14:27-28, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.’”

John encourages us concerning the return of Christ (see Revelation 1:8), God is speaking by His own sovereign authority, as the divine LORD of All.

Alpha and Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet; their mention here is similar to the “First and the Last in Revelation 1:17 and the “Beginning and the End” in Revelation 21:6.

It is only the Book of Revelation that refers to God as the “Alpha and the Omega.” God is the absolute source of all existence, all creation, all authority, and He will rule and judge every one and everything, forever!
Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Revelation 19:11 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.”

Note: “A name that no one but the Lord knows?” This is a reference to the tetragrammaton (the Hebrew name of God transliterated in four letters as YHWH or JHVH, articulated as Yahweh or Jehovah). The Jews never pronounce this name, and when they meet with it in the Scripture, they read Adonai for it; but they declare that no man can pronounce it, as the true pronunciation was lost after Babylonian captivity; God alone knows its true interpretation and pronunciation (Revelation 19:11), “the name which no man knows but He Himself.”

He is the “Lord God,” ” Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.” “Jehovah God,” “Yahweh,” “the Great I Am,” “the Creator, Sustainer, Lord and Judge of All.” God validates that everything revealed to John and written down here, in this great Book of Revelation, is to be read, heard, taken to heart and responded to.
1John 5:1-5, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves His child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

He came the first time a vulnerable baby boy, God’s Son, protected and provided for by the Father. But when He returns, He will come as the eternal and sovereign (Revelation 19:16), “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

God will guide, strengthen, protect and provide for His people as we seek to honor and obey Him (Read Revelation 22).

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Bible Text: Hebrews 1:1-3 | Preacher: Pastor Mike | Series: Christmas Topical

12.24.17 ~ Hebrews 1:1-3, “God’s Final Message Proclaimed!”

Christmas celebrates God’s greatest Gift to the world, but God’s gift (Jesus Christ) was not fully understood or appreciated until He died on the Cross, as payment for our sins, was buried in a tomb and three days later He sovereignly rose from the grave.

About 2700 years ago, two of God’s prophets (Isaiah and Micah) wrote about the future birth of a male child, to a virgin, in Bethlehem, in Judea; this child would be called Immanuel, for He was God in human flesh; He would be given the name Jesus, because He would save us from our sins.
Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be Ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel [God with us].”
Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 53:4-7, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.”
Isaiah 53:11-12 After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied… because He poured out His life unto death… He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors [sinners].”
Read Hebrews 1:1-3… God repeatedly announced to the world the coming of His Son (Hebrews 1:1), “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,” i.e., God used different people, languages, places, events, ceremonies, and covenants to present His plan, purpose and provision through His Son, Jesus, the Christ, Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 1:2a says, “in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son.” God has fully revealed all we need to know and do, in response to His greatest gift, His Own Son (no more signs, cf. Matthew 12:38-40).

Jesus’ birth happened just as God announced through the prophets, everything being made ready for the advent of God’s Son, at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5), “when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

Politically – Rome as the world Ruler, had provided good roads and a time of relative peace, allowing safe travel throughout its territories. The message of Christ could now be taken to the rest of the world.

Culturally – The world’s people were more educated and unified then at any other time in history, and Koine Greek (the basic dialect of the Roman Empire) was common in most of the world at that time; it also happened to be the language that the New Testament would be written in.

Spiritually – The world was more accepting of different religious beliefs, philosophies and practices; and the Jews had a renewed interest in the OT Scriptures that pointed to Immanuel, the Savior who would come to us in human flesh.

Israel had long waited for its Messiah; repeatedly God had announced His coming, giving special details about His arrival, and then delivering Him just as He had said it would happen (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2).

Last week, in Luke 2, we read how only a small group of shepherds came to look upon and worship the Savior.

Jesus was raised in obscurity, but Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 3:22 records that when Jesus was baptized at he Jordan River by John, God declared from heaven, “You are My Son, whom I love, with You I am well pleased.”

Soon afterwards, Jesus began His mission, and was rejected in His own hometown (see Luke 4:16-22, cf. Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:28-30)

Hebrews 1:2b, says God appointed His Son to be “heir of all things,” and through Him the universe was made, for Jesus, is both Lord and Creator of all. Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.”

In Revelation 5, God is pictured sitting on His throne in heaven, with a scroll in His hand, the deed to the earth, the heavens, and all they contain, but it seems no one has the authority to take the scroll and open it, but then we read:
vv. 5-7, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne… He came and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” At that point a new song is sung in heaven (v. 9) “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Jesus came (Colossians 1:20), “to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” God’s plan was to provide forgiveness for sins through the shed blood of His Son (cf. Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 8:1).

Hebrews 1:3a… Christ is “the radiance of God’s glory” (lit. “brightness”) meaning Jesus is the Light of God, sent to mankind. “Light” is the revelation that brings “Life from God” to all who are being saved.
1John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Revelation 21:22-23 tells us that in the future, the Lamb of God will light the universe, there will be no need for sun or moon or stars, and there will be no more darkness, no more night, nothing offensive to God.
Hebrews 1:3b… Christ is “the exact representation [icon or imprint] of God,” (cf. Colossians 1:15), “He is the image [exact representation] of the invisible

God,” (Colossians 2:9), “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

Jesus is the express image of God [Immanuel-God with us] and without Him we could not be exposed to nor could we recognize God’s light.
John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” 4-5, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood [overcome or comprehended] it.”

John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Hebrews 1:3c… God’s Son is “sustaining [upholding or maintaining] all things by His powerful word,” by which, He created the heavens and all that is in them, which includes the earth upon which we live, which just happens to be placed the right distance from the moon and the sun (so that we don’t freeze solid or burn up), the earth’s tilt of precisely 23.5 degrees allows its whole surface to receive the suns rays, as the earth rotates at 1,000 mph, making one complete revolution every 24 hours; and at the same time it is traveling 67,000 mph, as it makes a full orbit around the sun every 365 days.

All this happened by coincidence, evolution, or some other random circumstance. Right!

Thank God for the provision of His Son (Colossians 1:17), “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Hebrews 1:3d… “God’s Son provided purification for sins then He sat down at the right hand of the Father.” Wow! Jesus Christ fulfilled His sovereign work by taking the punishment for our sins, upon Himself. He did this (Hebrews 9:12), “once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Jesus was born in a stable and raised in obscurity; He fed and healed the multitudes, was put to death on a cross, and on the third day He rose from the grave, after which He showed Himself to His followers over a period of 40 days, then He ascended back into heaven, to the highest place of honor, having (Hebrews 10:12) “offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”

700 years after Isaiah and Micah foretold it, a young woman, named Mary, said to be a virgin, gave birth to a boy in Bethlehem, in Judea, just like Isaiah and Micah had said: the baby was named Jesus (God’s Salvation), and was called Immanuel (God with us); He was the fullness of God in human flesh for the purpose of being the Savior to all who would believe in Him.

The full and final message from God is Jesus, God’s indescribable Gift: Christ is the LORD of Lords, the KING of Kings, Creator, Sustainer, Judge over all, and Savior to everyone who genuinely believes and trusts in Him.

God’s plan was to provide forgiveness for sins through the shed blood of His own Son, to all those who repent of sin and confess Him as Lord, that we might live with Him in heaven, forever to be in the presence of the Lamb of God, the One born for the purpose of dying for our sins, the very Life and Light of God, Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:8, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” 17-18, ”I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may
know that you have eternal life.”

If you have believed in and received Jesus as Lord, you are able to celebrate Christmas; if you have never repented of your sins, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in Him as Savior, why haven’t you? I mean, really? What do you have to lose?

Is there any good reason not to believe in God’s Son for salvation? Why not do that right now? Simply acknowledge that you are a sinner, ask God to forgive your sins. He turns no one away!

The reason for the season is Jesus, please, don’t reject God’s Marvelous Gift!

Christmas is in recognition and worship of God’s magnificent, indescribable, irrevocable, supernatural, and eternal Gift: Jesus Christ, the Lord of all and Savior to everyone who genuinely believes.

It is because of Jesus that we celebrate Christmas! And so, it is my great joy to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Bible Text: 12.17.17~God’s Peace Provided | Preacher: Pastor Mike | Series: Christmas Topical

12.17.17 ~ God’s Peace Provided!

Eight days from today, many of us, I hope most of us, will celebrate Christmas in a manner that brings honor and praise to God’s Son, Jesus, the Christ.

Sadly enough, most of the world’s 7 billion people will not acknowledge the birth of the Savior; and much like that first Christmas, 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, the majority of the world’s people won’t give attention to Immanuel; but instead, they will either reject or neglect God’s Son. It is indeed a joy for me, today, to be among many who do believe in and have received God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Read Luke 2:10-18… The shepherds are given a divine message that the Savior has been born in Bethlehem and will be found lying in a manger, so they hurried off to see this marvelous thing God had told them about; after which, the shepherds went about telling everyone they met what they had seen and heard.

How about you? Have you taken time this season to share the marvelous message of Christ’s coming? Or have you been too stressed out with your own personal or family issues? Maybe you have gotten so caught up in the celebration of the season, that you have not taken the time or opportunity to tell someone about God’s greatest gift – His own Son’s sacrifice for our sins.

Until we die, or Christ returns, we are to be His witnesses, telling others how God came to earth, paid the penalty for our sins and provided the only way we can receive forgiveness and eternal life.

The first time Jesus came, He came as a baby, born to a virgin, in a place where animals were sheltered; and only a few came to worship Him; for God chose, from all the earth’s inhabitants, a small group of shepherds, to witness the Savior’s birth.

Jesus fulfilled God’s sovereign and eternal purpose, just as the prophets foretold; and although only a few shepherds witnessed His first coming, as a baby boy; later, some of His disciples witnessed His death, His resurrection and His departure back into heaven; but His return will be a worldwide event (Revelation 1:7), “Look, He is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth (unbelievers) will mourn because of Him [i.e., they will realize their guilt for sin, and fear the coming judgment]. So shall it be. Amen.”

Jesus came first time as a baby boy, He will return as King, Judge, and Lord over All (Philippians 2:10-11), “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

The Christ child was God’s once for all and forever provision of forgiveness and eternal life. In Jesus, God lived among us, died for our sins, and then rose from the grave by His own power and authority, just like He said that He would (see Luke 24:45-48).

Isaiah 9:6a announces, “For to us a Child is born,” (cf. Matthew 1:18, 22-23). Jesus began life like all humans, conceived in the womb of a woman.

Isaiah 9:6b declares, “to us a Son is given,” (cf. Luke 2:4-7, 11). The Son of God came in the body of a human baby boy. More than any other title for Himself, Jesus used “Son of Man,” for He loved humanity.

Isaiah 9:6c foretells that, “the government will be upon His
shoulders,” (cf. Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:15-16). The Son of God will one day serve as King of earth, the government of the whole world will rest upon Him; but, eternally, only those who trust Him as Savior and confess Him as Lord, are part of His heavenly and eternal kingdom.

Isaiah presents some marvelous names/designations for this Child who was born, this Son who was given to ultimately rule all that is in the universe, all of creation.

Isaiah 9:6d… “He will be called Wonderful [Supernatural] Counselor.” Isaiah 28:29, “the LORD of Hosts has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great.” (cf. John 14:16-17, 25-26; 16:8-9).

Jesus encountered beggars, kings, maidservants, soldiers, blind men, children, religious leaders, paralytics, fishermen, lepers, dead people – and to each one Jesus spoke the supernatural words and divine wisdom of God, always saying just the right thing (cf. Mark 1:21-22).

Only God’s Word makes sense out of life’s confusion and chaos, only God’s Son provides strength for today, hope for tomorrow and life for eternity.

Most of the world’s people turn to psychiatrists, therapists, philosophers, astrologers, and a variety of other so-called experts, instead of turning to God. Isaiah 9:6e… “Mighty God” (cf. Deuteronomy 10:17; Revelation 1:8,

17-18). God forgives sin, answers prayer, heals broken hearts, defeats Satan, and brings order and purpose to our lives; all this, while preparing eternity for those who are His (Revelation 22:12-13).

Isaiah 9:6f… “Everlasting Father,” [Father of Eternity] Isaiah 63:16, “You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name.” (cf. Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2; 10:30; 14:1, 6-7; 18-21).

God the Son has made God the Father known to us; for He is the Eternal and Almighty Creator, and yet only Christians can call Him “Father,” for only through Christ do we become God’s children, inheritors of eternal life.

Isaiah 9:6g… “Prince of Peace,” (cf. Luke 2:14; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:13-14a; Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus is God’s peace to all who believe and confess Him as Lord. God places Peace in our hearts through His own Son.

Christmas is about a male baby given the name Jesus, born in Bethlehem to a virgin, named Mary. This child was God in the flesh, God’s Salvation come to earth. He was raised in obscurity in and around Galilee and would later travel throughout Palestine, the length and width of Israel (for about 3 1/2 years), comforting the

broken hearted, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, speech to the mute, hearing to the deaf, raising the dead, and most importantly, proclaiming God’s wonderful message of forgiveness to all who would believe in God’s Son.

At the end of His ministry of teaching, healing and feeding the multitudes, He went to the cross and laid down His life for our sins; three days later He rose from the grave, appeared to many over 40 days, then He ascended back into heaven, as His disciples watched.

As we celebrate Christmas, we proclaim that God sent His One and Only Son to earth to save us, providing for and protecting us as His dearly loved children, that we might be His witnesses. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

There is no love, no hope, no peace, no joy, no forgiveness and no eternal life, apart from Him. Jesus is the Reason for the Season, God’s Greatest Gift to us. Luke 2:11, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

If you have never asked God to forgive your sins, do it right now, freely receive God’s gift, forgiveness for sins and eternal life, all this through His Son, Jesus Christ.

There is no other way for you to know, experience and be able to tell others, the real meaning of Christmas.

Let us, be like those first shepherds, who (Luke 2:15-18), “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Preacher: Jim Shepherd | Series: Christmas Topical

Jim Shepherd brings this Christmas message while Pastor Mike is away.

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Christmas Topical

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Christmas Topical

About 2700 years ago, two of God’s prophets (Isaiah & Micah) wrote about the future birth of a male child to a virgin, in Bethlehem, in Judea. About 2000 years ago, a young woman named Mary, said to be a virgin, gave birth to a boy in a stable at Bethlehem, in Judea. The baby was named Jesus “Yeshua” [God’s salvation] and He was called Immanuel [God with us].

Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit is a mystery, and the virgin birth of Jesus would be a sign from the LORD Himself, in order to point men to God’s Salvation: God’s One and Only Son.
Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”
Micah 5:2, “But as for you, Bethlehem [House of Bread] Ephrathah [Fruitful Land], though you are small among the clans of Judah, our of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

God told the world ahead of time about the coming of His Son, the Messiah/ Christ [Holy One], so that when it happened the world would believe and trust Him for salvation.

Some Rabbis, long before the birth of Jesus, wrote, “The Messiah is to have no earthy father, for his birth will be like that of no other man.” That is exactly how Christ was conceived, apart from any human action or will; this was done by the power of God! (see Matthew 1:18-21).

Mary was pregnant before she and Joseph had a sexual relationship, her virginity protected her moral character and the legitimacy of Jesus’ birth as the divine Son of God.

Joseph and Mary were pledged to be married at the time of the angel’s announcement. Joseph, being a just man, had a problem, Mary was pregnant and he knew it was not his child.

Joseph must have been a kind and loving man, for there is no evidence that he ever felt anger or distrust toward Mary; instead, the Scripture tells us (v. 19) that Joseph didn’t want to disgrace Mary by publicly exposing her
“condition,” [pregnancy] so he planned to “put her away” (divorce her) quietly.

An angel came to Joseph (v. 20) declaring Mary’s pregnancy to be from God. The angel tells Joseph that the child will be a son (v. 21), and although Joseph is not the biological father, he will have the responsibility for naming the baby and serving as His earthly father.

Genealogies in Matthew 1:1-16, Joseph’s ancestry; and Luke 3:23-38, Mary’s ancestry) establish Christ’s legal and blood right to the throne of David.

Jesus was a fully human descendant of David; and He was fully God (see Romans 1:1-4). The incarnation of Christ (God putting on flesh) is the central and foremost fact of Christianity: God became man, yet remained God.

This child would be the only source of salvation for mankind; He would be the fullness of God in human flesh.

Jesus is never called the son of Joseph (cf. Matthew 1:16), Joseph is never directly called the father of Jesus (cf. Luke 3:23); and yet Joseph was divinely chosen to raise God’s Son as a his very own.
Read Matthew 1:22-25. Sovereignly, the virgin birth of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament. “All this” (v.22), refers to the many specific facts about this birth that had been foretold by the prophets (v. 23).

When Joseph awakened from his sleep, he did as the angel had told him. Joseph could now honorably take Mary as his wife, without questioning her virtue; he could also care for God’s Son, as his very own.

Soon after the angel’s announcement (v. 24), Joseph took Mary home as his wife, and (v. 25) he kept her a virgin until after Jesus’ birth, but Mary did not remain a virgin, as some wrongly teach, for clearly Jesus had other brothers and sisters who were conceived naturally through their father Joseph (see Matthew 13:55-56).

The supernatural birth of Jesus validates His divinity; Christ the Savior of all was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this was sovereignly determined by God, just as God had purposed, at just the right time (see Galatians 4:4-5).

Spiritually – The world was more accepting of many religious belief systems at this time; and the Jews had a renewed interest in the OT Scriptures that pointed to God’s Messiah.

Culturally – The world’s people were much more unified and educated, and even common people spoke Koine Greek (NT).

Politically – Rome, as the world Ruler, provided roads and relative safety for travel, therefore the message of Christ could be taken to the rest of the world.

Jesus was not just a male baby born in Bethlehem to a young Jewish virgin, named Mary, whose husband, named Joseph, was as a carpenter from Nazareth.

So, what do people say about who Jesus is?

Some say He was a good teacher, but then good teachers don’t claim to be God. Some say He was a good example, but good examples don’t mingle with thieves and prostitutes. Some say He was a liar, but liars don’t speak the Truth.

Some say He was a lunatic, but lunatics aren’t allowed to hold children nor do they reach out to touch lepers and heal them.

Some say He was a religious phony, but phonies don’t rise from the dead. Some say He was a phantom, but phantoms don’t bleed nor can they give up their lives as payment for the sins of others. Some say He was a myth, but myths don’t determine the calendar date for the world (B.C., before Christ; A.D., Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord), nor do they have a day of the week set apart to honor and worship them, and two major holidays to celebrate them.

This child, born to a virgin through the divine plan, power and providence of God, is God’s One and Only Son Who came from heaven to earth to save us from the penalty for our sins.
2Corinthians 5:21, “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God.”

You have to work really hard to believe all of this is some coincidence or an intricately fabricated story put together over a period of 1500 years, in three different languages, on three different continents by 40 different authors, encouraging us to love God and one another.

Mark 12:30-31,“Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself

John 3:16-18, “God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. He who believes in Him is not condemned, he who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.

Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

In Acts 2:36-38, when the people realized that Jesus, Who they crucified, was both Lord and Savior, they cried out to Peter, pleading with him, “what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent [confess your sins] every one of you, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins [i.e., professing God’s Son as Savior and Lord], and you will receive the Holy Spirit.”

So, who do you say Jesus is? Is He a liar or a lunatic or a phony or a myth, or is He, as the Scriptures proclaim, God’s Son, who came to earth to save us?

Do you believe the Scriptures? Have you called upon Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, that you might receive eternal life?

1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

Acts 2:21, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

If there is any doubt in your heart today, that you have not received God’s free and divine gift, forgiveness and eternal life, please, as we bow our heads to close in prayer, confess to God that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul, granting you eternal life.

Jesus is the only Savior, He is the only Way to heaven, and He turns no one away who comes to Him for forgiveness; but you must Confess your sins, Believe in Jesus as Savior, and He will Grant you eternal life; your life will be changed for eternity. Only then can you genuinely know and proclaim, “Merry Christmas!”

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Christmas Topical

In two weeks we will celebrate the birth of God’s Son, Jesus, who came to save all who will believe in Him.

There are 196 countries in the world today and about 160 of them celebrate Christmas in some way or another, while the other 36 do not in anyway observe Christmas.

Most of the world, until very recent, used a dating system focused on the birth of Jesus Christ; either looking forward to His coming, i.e., B.C., “before Christ,” or looking back to the point where He entered our world, i.e., A.D., anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord.”

There is an exerted effort today to delete BC and AD, to replace them with BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era), an attempt to remove Christ and Christianity from our calendars; which really is foolish, I mean what is the pivotal date for BCE and CE? The very same as BC and AD – the birth of Christ.

This is yet another feeble attempt by a godless world to try and remove Christ from Christmas, along with renaming it: Merry xmas, Happy Holiday, Seasons Greetings, Winter Celebration, Winter Holiday. Christmas is a compound word made up of two words: Christ [the anointed One], and Mass [an assembly or gathering for religious festivals or observances].

Easter celebrates and honors the sacrificial death and sovereign resurrection of God’s One and Only Son, God’s payment for sin and provision of eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

Christmas celebrates and honors the coming of God’s One and Only Son, God’s ultimate Christmas gift to us.

But, was Jesus born on December 25? Most likely not, in fact it is not very probable that he was even born in December.

What do the scriptures reveal about this?

In Luke 1:39-41, we are told that, at the time of Mary’s conception through the Holy Spirit, she went to visit her aunt Elizabeth, and upon greeting her, Elizabeth’s baby “leaped in her womb,” for Elizabeth, was six months pregnant with John.

Luke 1:56 tells us that Mary stayed with them for three months. According to the Jewish religious calendar concerning the division of the priests, Mary’s visit with Elizabeth would have been late in the month of Kislev (Nov-Dec), at which time Mary was pregnant.

Kislev is the time of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, which begins on the 25th day of Kislev, close to December 25 when we celebrate Jesus’ birth (Jesus is (John 8:12), “the Light of the world”).

John the baptizer, Jesus’ cousin, was born near or during Passover in the month of Nisan (Mar/April); he was six months older than Jesus, therefore, Jesus would have been born in the month of Tishri (Sept-Oct), at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Our celebration of December 25 doesn’t really line up with the actual birth of Jesus, but it is very probable that it was the time of His conception, when the true life of Jesus began in the womb of Mary.

Luke 2:8 tells us, “there were shepherds living out in the fields watching over their flocks at night” when Jesus was born. A little research on past and present weather patterns in Palestine clearly suggests that there are not any shepherds out in the fields, around Bethlehem, at the end of December, for it is cold and can be very rainy.
Ezra 10:9, 13, “all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month (Kislev), all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed… because of the rain.” Jeremiah 36:22 tells us, in the the ninth month (Kislev) “the king was sitting in [his] winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him,” because of the cold.

The climate of Palestine in December, in Bible times, especially Jerusalem and Bethlehem which are at 2600 ft elevation, could be very cold (dropping to well below freezing at night) and humid, i.e., “it was not the practice of the shepherds of Judea to be out with their flocks in the open fields later than about the end of October; it was the custom then (as it is now) to withdraw the flocks from the open fields and house them for the winter.”

Here is something else to think about, Luke 2:1 says there was a decree issued at the time of Jesus’ birth, that a census would be taken, and everyone would have to return to the town of their ancestors.

It wouldn’t be sensible to hold a census in December, more likely, a census would be taken after the harvest season, September or October, when the weather was more moderate and dry, allowing safe and easy travel.

So, why was December 25 chosen to be set apart as the celebration day of the birth of Christ?

The Romans celebrated the Festival of Saturnalia in December, from about the 17th-25th they worshipped the birth of the s-u-n god. Very common customs during that festival were the exchanging of gifts and decorating homes with evergreen boughs and lighted candles.

The decision to celebrate the birth of God’s Son on December 25th, came about during the middle of the fourth century, through the promotion of the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, after his conversion to Christianity.

The celebration of Christ’s birth during the winter solstice, seems to have been an attempt to Christianize the popular pagan celebrations and festivities already in place; what we see today is a bizarre mixture of both pagan and Christian elements.

But regardless of the historic or pagan background of December’s traditions, whether or not Jesus was born on December 25th, our purpose is to turn the eyes of all men toward Jesus Christ, the Savior who has come.

The light of the world has indeed come, and the Christmas season, with all its celebrations and customs, presents the church with a wonderful opportunity to proclaim and live out the good news; peace with God has come, forgiveness and eternal life has been granted, by God, to everyone who trusts and believes in His Son, Jesus Christ.

See John 1:1-4, 14, 18… Christmas is about the Incarnation of God, God the Son putting on flesh and living among us, showing us the Father (cf John 14:6, 9), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

Jesus went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins in full (Luke 23:34), “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” (John 19:30), “‘It is finished,’ then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

This same Jesus, fully man yet fully God, was taken down from the cross, placed in a tomb, and three days later He came out of the grave alive. Christmas is about the fulfillment of the promised Messiah, sent by God to save us from eternal condemnation in hell.

Christmas is a time when many people are more open to the gospel message, therefore, we should make the most of this opportunity to be witnesses of the marvelous message of God’s gracious gift, Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a time to honor the Savior’s birth by sharing God’s greatest gift: Jesus the Christ, Immanuel.

The majority of the world today either rejects Jesus Christ outright, is totally confused about Him, or is just indifferent toward Him and has, instead, turned to man-centered traditions and religious rituals that are promoted and supported by network television, public education, secular religion, and the commercial marketplace.

If you are a Christian, the greatest gift you can offer to an unbeliever is the Good News about the Special Child whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas: Jesus [God’s Salvation], Immanuel [God with us], born to a virgin in Bethlehem, put to death on a cross at Calvary, buried in a borrowed tomb, only to come out alive on the third day – and everyone who calls upon Him for the forgiveness of sins will be saved to eternal life – that is the priority message of Christmas!

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Christmas Topical

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”God’s greatest expression of love toward us is the giving of His own Son, who would serve as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins.

About 2700 years ago, two of God’s prophets wrote about the future birth of a male child to a virgin, in Bethlehem, in Judea.
Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. ”

About 700 years after these prophecies were made, a young woman, said to be a virgin, gave birth to a male child in Bethlehem, in Judea.

The baby was given the name Jesus and He was called Immanuel [God with us]. This child would be the source of salvation for all mankind, the fullness of God in human flesh, just as God had told the world ahead of time, so it would believe and trust in God’s Son, Jesus, the Christ [Messiah], for salvation.

Some Rabbis, long before the birth of Jesus, wrote,“The Messiah is to have no earthy father. The birth of the Messiah will be like that of no other man.”

Genesis 2:7 says Adam, was formed from the dirt of the ground by the hands of God, life was breathed into him by God. God then formed Eve from Adam’s flesh, and brought her to him as a helpmate, perfect for him.

All humans since Adam and Eve have been born of a man and a woman, that is, all but One!

Matthew 1:18-21… Notice, Mary was pregnant “before [she and Joseph) came together” (before they had a sexual relationship), i.e., Mary was a virgin when she became pregnant with Jesus, her conception by the Holy Spirit is a great and marvelous mystery.

Joseph was a good man and a devout worshipper of God, he clearly did not want to publicly expose Mary in her “sinful condition” [pregnant out of wedlock = adultery = stoning], so Joseph considered how he might “put her away quietly,” i.e., divorce her, and send her away.

While Joseph was struggling with the situation, an angel came to him in a dream (v. 20); the angel declared that Mary’s pregnancy was from God, and in fact Mary would have a son (v. 21), and also that Joseph (although not the biological father) would have the responsibility for naming the baby the name given him by God.

Jesus [Yeshua] means “Jehovah saves” or “God’s salvation,” God’s Son came to be our Savior; Joseph was divinely chosen to raise Him as a his own son; although, Joseph is never directly called the father of Jesus, and Jesus is never directly called the son of Joseph.

Matthew 1:16, “Jacob [was] the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Luke 3:23, “Jesus was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was the son, so it was thought [as was supposed], of Joseph, the son of Heli” [Joseph’s father-in-law, Mary’s father].

Matthew 1:22-23… The virgin birth was predicted in the OT “All this” (v. 22) refers to the specific facts spoken through Isaiah and Micah; the greatest being that the mother of God’s Son would be a virgin, the Father is God Himself.

When God made Adam He commanded him (Genesis 2:17), “not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

In Genesis 3:6-19 we are told what happened. Adam and Eve ate fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, bringing sin’s consequences upon them and all of mankind. Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent, and God then (vv. 14-15) curses the serpent, saying He will put enmity [hostility] between the offspring of the serpent and a certain male offspring of the woman, who will crush the serpent’s head.

God makes it clear throughout the OT, that the Savior of the world, the Messiah, would be born to a woman who was an ancestor of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and King David (Joseph, Matthew 1:6, through Solomon; Mary, Luke 3:31, through Nathan).

Isaiah 53:5-8 tells us that God’s punishment for sin would be placed upon Christ, God’s Servant-Son, Who would be pierced for our sins; sovereignly led like a lamb to the slaughter, being put to death in our place.

See Luke 2:19… Mary treasured up all that had happened: the angel’s announcement, Joseph’s response to her pregnancy, Elizabeth’s greeting, the shepherds proclamation of the Savior being born in Bethlehem; quite a bit for a teenage girl to consider, yet there was more (see Luke 2:21-35).

Mary had birthed God’s Son, the consolation of Israel, she would raise Him and love Him, knowing that through Him salvation would come to the whole world; although His own people the Jews would reject Him, and her own soul would be pierced as with a a sword.

In John 1:29, seeing Jesus coming toward him, John said, “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Philippians 2:5-11 tells us, through Jesus Christ, God put on flesh, that He might go to the cross, shedding His own blood, even dying for us.

Hebrews 9:15 tells us that Christ “died as a ransom to set [us] free” from the penalty we deserve for our sin; verse 22 declares, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,” and for that reason (v. 26), “Christ has appeared once for all to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself,” (v. 28), “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people.” (i.e., most people will not believe in Him).

Hebrews 10:4, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” [therefore] (v.10), “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all,” (v. 14), “by the one sacrifice [God] has made perfect forever those who are being made holy,” (v. 17), quoting from (Jeremiah 31:34) says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more”.

Romans 4:25, “He (Jesus Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

This child (God’s One and Only Son) was born that He might die for our sins, an innocent lamb sent to slaughter, but He could not be kept in the grave because He is God.

In Revelation 1:8, Jesus, fully God, says, ”I am the Alpha and the Omega,”… …”who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!.”

There is not a more important message for you and I to share with those we love and care about, then this (1John 5:11-12), “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Jesus Christ is the Savior to Whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Do you have God’s peace about your own salvation? 1John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

What about those you love and care about? Do they know that Christmas celebrates the birth of the Savior, God’s Lamb. Jesus was born that He might die for you, for me, and for all who would believe in Him? Do those you love and care about know that Easter celebrates the victory of God’s Lamb, God’s Son, over sin, death and judgement? He did this so that everyone who repents of their sin and believes in Him, will saved to eternal life.

The greatest thing you or I can give to anyone is the Good News of God’s Lamb. Prophesied in the Old Testament, Born to Mary in Bethlehem, Baptized by John in the Jordan, Commissioned by God the Father (Matthew 3:17), “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased,” (Matthew 17:5), “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Jesus Christ: Crucified, Resurrected, and Coming Again; and that is why we are able celebrate and exclaim, Merry Christmas!

Pastor Mike <‘(((><

Bible Text: Hebrews 1:1-3 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Christmas Topical

Christmas celebrates God’s greatest Gift to the world, but God’s gift (Jesus Christ) was not fully understood or realized until He was unwrapped at the Cross & the Tomb.

About 2700 years ago, two of God’s prophets (Isaiah & Micah) wrote about the future birth of a male child, to a virgin, in Bethlehem, in Judea; this child would be Immanuel, God in the flesh, given the name Jesus, God’s Salvation, and He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Savior who was to come, and has indeed already come, would pay our penalty for sin by His own death on the cross; He would then rise from the dead to provide eternal life for all those who believe in Him.
Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be Ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel [God with us].”
Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 53:4-7, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
11-12 After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied… because He poured out His life unto death… He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors [sinners].”
Read Hebrews 1:1-3… God repeatedly announced to the world the coming of His Son (Hebrews 1:1), “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,” i.e., God used different people, languages, places, events, ceremonies, and covenants to present His plan, purpose and provision to us, through His Son, Jesus the Christ, Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 1:2a says, “in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son.” God has fully revealed all we need to know and do, in response to His greatest gift, His Own Son (no more signs, cf. Matthew 12:38-40).

Jesus’ birth happened as God foretold through the prophets, everything being made ready for the advent of God’s Son, at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5), “when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

Politically – Rome as the world Ruler, had provided good roads and a time of relative peace, allowing safe travel throughout its territories. The message of Christ could now be taken to the rest of the world.

Culturally – The world’s people were more educated and unified, for now even the common people spoke Koine Greek (NT).

Spiritually – The world was more accepting of different religious beliefs and philosophies; and the Jews had renewed their interest in the OT Scriptures that pointed to God’s Son, who would come in human flesh

Israel had long waited for the Messiah; repeatedly God had announced His coming, giving special details about His arrival, and then delivering Him just as He had said it would happen (Isaiah 7:14;Micah 5:2).
Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

As Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John (Luke 3:22), God declared from heaven, “You are My Son, whom I love, with You I am well pleased.” And yet, soon afterwards Jesus was rejected in His own hometown by His neighbors and fellow Hebrews (Luke 4:16-22, 28-30; vv 18-19 from Isa. 61:1-2).

Hebrews 1:2b, says God appointed His Son to be “heir of all things,” and through Him the universe was made, for Jesus, is both Lord and Creator of all. Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.”

In Revelation 5, God is pictured sitting on His throne in heaven, a scroll in His hand, the deed to the earth, the heavens, and all they contain, but it seems no one has the authority to take the scroll and open it, and then vv. 5-7, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne… He came and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” At that point a new song is sung in heaven (v. 9) “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Jesus came (Colossians 1:20), “to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on

the cross.” God’s plan was to give forgiveness for sins through the shed blood of His Son (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13).
Hebrews 1:3a… Christ is “the radiance of God’s glory” (lit. “brightness”) meaning Jesus is the Light of God, sent to mankind. “Light” is the revelation that brings “Life from God” to all who are being saved. 1John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Revelation 21:22-23 tells us that in the future, the Lamb of God will light the universe, there will be no need for sun or moon or stars, and there will be no more darkness, no more night, nothing antithetical to God.
Hebrews 1:3b… Christ is “the exact representation [icon or imprint] of

God,” (Colossians 1:15), “He is the image [precise incarnation] of the invisible God,” (Colossians 2:9), “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

Jesus is the express image of God [Immanuel] and without Him we could not be exposed to nor could we recognize God’s light, i.e., we could never receive spiritual life [eternal life] from God.
John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” 4-5, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood [overcome or comprehended] it.”

John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Hebrews 1:3c… God’s Son is “sustaining [upholding or maintaining] all things by His powerful word, by which, He created the heavens and all that is in them, which includes the earth upon which we live, having been placed just the right distance from the moon and the sun, tilted at precisely 23.5 degrees, so that its whole surface receives the suns rays, as the earth revolves at 1,000 mph, making one complete rotation every 24 hours; at the same time it is traveling at 67,000 mph as it makes a full orbit around the sun every 365 days.

Thank God for His provision (Colossians 1:17), “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Hebrews 1:3d… “God’s Son provided purification for sins then He sat down at the right hand of the Father.” Wow! Jesus Christ fulfilled His sovereign work by taking the punishment for our sins, upon Himself. He did this (Hebrews 9:12), “once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Jesus was born in a stable and raised in obscurity; He fed and healed the multitudes, was put to death on a cross, and on the third day He rose from the

grave, then He showed Himself to His followers, and 40 days later He ascended into heaven, to the highest place of honor (Hebrews 10:12) [having] “offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”

700 years after Isaiah and Micah foretold it, a young woman, named Mary, said to be a virgin, gave birth to a boy in Bethlehem, in Judea; the baby was named Jesus (God’s Salvation), and was called Immanuel (God with us), for He was God in the flesh, Savior to all who would believe in Him.

The full and final message from God is Jesus, God’s indescribable Gift: Christ the Lord, Judge over all, Savior to everyone who genuinely trusts in Him.

God’s plan was to provide forgiveness for sins through the shed blood of His own Son, to all those who repent of sin and confess Him as Lord, that we might live with Him in heaven, forever to be in the presence of God’s Son, the Lamb of God, the One born for the purpose of dying for our sins, the very Life and Light of God, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:8, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” 17-18, ”I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

If you have believed in and received Jesus as Lord, you are able to celebrate Christmas; but if you have never repented of your sins, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in Him as Savior, why haven’t you?

Is there any good reason not to believe in God’s Son for salvation? Why not do that right now? You simply acknowledge that you are a sinner and you ask God to forgive your sins; He turns no one away! The reason for the season is Jesus.

Christmas is in recognition and worship of God’s marvelous, magnificent, indescribable, irrevocable, supernatural, and eternal Gift: Jesus Christ, the Lord of all and Savior to everyone who genuinely believes.

It is Jesus who puts the “Merry” in Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!