Christmas Courage

by Terry Laughlin | May 12, 2016 | Christmas Truth's

The Courage of Joseph

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel’ –which means, ‘God with us.’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”  (Matthew 1:18-24)

There are many miracles connected with the birth of Christ

There are many miracles connected with the birth of Christ.  The best way of overcoming the world’s view of Christmas is to have a Biblical understanding of the miraculous events that took place at the first Christmas.  I remember the first Christmas after becoming a Christian, the holiday season became so exciting to me because the Holy Spirit illuminated within me what Christmas was really about. I have found personally the best way for me to maintain and restore joy for the Christmas season is to meditate upon what the Word of God says about the lives of those who were so closely involved in the earthly life of Jesus Christ.

Just what is found in Joseph’s life that made him such a valuable person in the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Can these character traits be found in the children of God today? I would propose to you that the Biblical account of the life of Joseph holds truths that the Holy Spirit of Christ wants you to grasp this Christmas season.  Many have Biblical revelation or understanding of the life of Joseph.  However, Christians who live a life expressing that the birth of Christ is an event worth celebrating take time to invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate Biblical truth into their hearts.

Lord takes ordinary men and makes useful vessels of them

The first truth worth grasping is that the Lord takes ordinary men and makes useful vessels of them.  Joseph was a man doing ordinary common work and to my knowledge he held no place of what men of this world would call authority or worldly fame.  Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus had the character that should be found in all Christian fathers, yet very little is said of him in Christian writings.

What is revealed to us in Scripture about Joseph is that he was poor and he observed the Word of God expressing a heart that is willing to seek out and do the will of God.  Luke 2:21-27 says, “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before he had been conceived.   When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’” (Luke 2:21-14)  The Bible says Joseph and Mary, “brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required…” (Luke 2:27)  Joseph as head of his family knew what was written in the Book of Leviticus chapter 12 and made the offering required for a woman who was poor financially. (Who’s Who in the Bible; The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

This is a great encouragement to all Christians.  Most Christians are not going to be famous, have a place of authority nor be rich in the world’s eyes. They can, however,  become very important in proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Christ as long as they are willing to seek the will of the Lord through the written Word of God and obey what the Holy Spirit of Christ calls them to do.  The Holy Spirit gives this exhortation through the writings of the Apostle Peter, “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.”  (1 Peter 2:9)  It has been very well said, “God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them.”

Live as Joseph, a moral upright life

It takes a courageous man to die to self, seek out the Lord’s will and pray through to completion of God’s plan for him. It also takes courage to live as Joseph, a moral upright life.  Our text says, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:24 -25 tells us that Joseph did what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do and he did not have sex with his wife until after Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:18-19, 35)

The first truth worth grasping in these passages of Scripture is that Joseph was a righteous man.  “Righteous” (dikaios) in this passage of Scripture means to be merciful, kind and tender. The application is that Joseph was not a man given to passionate vengeance, rather he had a right relationship with God.  Joseph lived in accordance with God’s compelling standard. (The Expositors Bible Commentary; Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament; The Completer Word Study of the New Testament)

In his natural man Joseph’s response in regard to being engaged to a woman of God who told him she was now pregnant would have been shock, thinking his bride to be pure having a heart only for him.  He would have had deep sorrow.  His dreams of marriage to a Godly woman, surrender to purity of the Lord and raising children in God’s perfect will now chattered.  In his natural man there would have been anger.  Joseph very well could have felt betrayed.  No one would have blamed him if he would have laid the full blunt of the written law upon Mary and done all he could to save face in the community.  Not only was she subject to accusations of giving in to sin, but Joseph as well.  In the natural it takes two to bring about pregnancy.

To our western ways of thinking the engagement relationship is bewildering in this passage of Scripture.  To the Jews the marriage relationship was far too serious a step in a person’s life to let marriage be dictated by the human heart.

According to William Barclay there were three major steps to the Jewish marriage procedure. Here are two of them, 1.) the engagement was often made through the parents, or through a professional match-maker.  2.) The betrothal stage and by this stage the woman involved could break off the engagement if she chose not to go through with the marriage.  It is in this stage the marriage becomes binding and it lasted one year.  They were referred to as man and wife, although consummation of the marriage is not permitted until the marriage ceremony is over.

It was during the betrothal stage when Joseph learned of Mary being with child.  According to Deuteronomy 24:1, Joseph, from what he could see in the present circumstance before his dream, had every Biblical right to write a certificate of divorce. Joseph could have been angry because it was customary for the groom to give a marriage present to the bride’s family.  This gift to the family was a form of compensation and sealed a covenant between the two families.  The gift could have been in the form of money or service or any other consideration that was agreeable to all the parties involved. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16; 1 Samuel 18:25; Genesis 29; Joshua 15:16)   They had a deal, Biblically a covenant that was to last until death do they part and up to Matthew 1:18-19, it appeared to Joseph that Mary had broke that covenant.

At this time in history we have two people called of God to play a very important part of the Christmas story, and they are both being tested in their faith in God.  Mary had been told ahead of time that she would be with child by the power of the Holy Spirit and what to name the child.  (Luke 1:31) For some reason Joseph felt it was a necessity to divorce Mary and I am not going to go off into man made fantasies.  I am going to stick with the Biblical fact that God’s character had a powerful effect on Joseph enabling him to handle this difficult time in his life by showing mercy, kindness and tenderness to Mary and her family.

Joseph knew the consequence of being accused of adultery and he most likely knew how the world of his day handled those accused of it.  Those accused and convicted were met with public disgrace.  In Joseph’s day in Egypt the punishment was cutting of the nose, in Persia the punishment was cutting of the nose and ears and in Judea the punishment could have meant being stoned to death.  In Joseph’s day most often a certificate of divorce stated the reason for the divorce.  This great man of God most certainly had the mercy of God overriding fleshly desires and worldly influences.  Our text clearly says, Joseph, being a righteous man, a man expressing the mercy of God through his life did not want Mary to be exposed to public disgrace.

Not only did Joseph have the courage to live out the mercy of God, he had the courage to subdue the flesh so he could protect Mary’s purity until the Child was born, thus, bringing us the surety of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.  I purposely repeat what the Bible says, Joseph, “…did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home to be his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son and he gave Him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25)  I am fully persuaded that Joseph had the Godly character he had because he was a man of the Word of God.

Hearing the angel quote what the Prophet Isaiah said 700 years before in his dream, “The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son and they will call His Name ‘Immanuel’ meaning God with us” (Matthew 1:22-23) was more than enough to give Joseph the courage he needed to subdue the flesh and trust in his God.  This gave him strength to fulfill his part as the head of the house, enabling him to protect his wife from any impurities that could keep her from fulfilling her part of the Christmas story.

Christians with the courage of Joseph will make themselves available and aware of what the written Word of God says.  Knowing God’s Word and being open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading will make them a very important part of proclaiming Jesus as the Savior of the world, not only at Christmas time but in every part of their lives.

Too much time can be spent on the term “an angel of the Lord” in Matthew 1:20.  Some say it was an angel, others say it was a manifestation of God.  The high and safe road is to rejoice in God’s gracious intervention to communicate privately with those who are sold out to His will.  All Christians can take courage.  The Lord is always ready and able to intercede in their lives in the most difficult time of life.  He has a great plan for using Christians and allowing them to be a very important part of proclaiming the truths of Christmas.

Courage to live a life of righteousness opens the door to receive revelation from God

Joseph had the courage to live a life of righteousness, expressing compassion, mercy and tenderness to the person he loved.  His courage to live a life of righteousness opened the door for him to receive revelation from God.

Our text says, “But after he had considered [divorcing Mary quietly,] an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph… do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus…’” (Matthew 1:20-21)      

What we have here is divine revelation from God to his obedient servant who was enabled to die to himself for the sake of others.  There are two key aspects to revelation from God that is worth grasping here. One is God’s self-revelation found in the entire Word of God.  The second is the ways and means through which the Lord discloses Himself, His will and His purpose to His people. (The New International Dictionary of the Bible) At this time in history Jesus’ birth needed another immediate intervention from God to get a person ordained for this life changing event on the right track.  It is very possible that Joseph prayerfully thought on the issue of Mary being with child in the stillness of the night.  It was very likely while he was alone in prayer with the Lord, being totally dependent on God and having a heart prepared for obedience, Joseph fell asleep.  During this sleep the Lord gave Joseph just what he needed most in a very difficult time in life for him. (A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory; The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible; Thru the Bible)

In this special revelation God had four purposes. 1.) To give assurance to Joseph.  When the angel spoke, “Joseph, son of David” (Matthew 1:20) this quickened Joseph’s attention and alerted his spiritual heart to the importance of the message about to be spoken to him.  This brought an awareness that he was about to receive a divine call.

2.)  The purpose of this revelation from God in a dream was to give Joseph explanation.  Being a righteous man and knowing what God’s word says about adultery, Joseph must have agonized over this for a few days.  I believe is it probable that Mary told Joseph the whole story of the angel Gabriel’s visit.

Put yourself in Joseph’s place.  Your fiancée, Mary, comes to you and says, “I have some really good news, but depending upon your faith, it could sound like bad news.  I am pregnant even though you and I have not had sexual relations yet.  However, an angel came to me and said, ‘…Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.’” (Luke 1:30-31)  If you are a really spiritual man and if you do not want to see your fiancée burst into tears and have to hear, “You, don’t trust me and there needs to be trust in a relationship” you had better say, “I will take this matter to the Lord in prayer.”  We know that Joseph took this very serious life changing situation to heartfelt prayer.

3.) This revelation from God to Joseph was to reveal the destiny of the child born of a virgin, Mary, the woman pledged to him for lifetime marriage.  The Lord revealed to Joseph that the Son to be born to them would save people from their sins and that He would be God in the flesh among them. (Matthew 1:21, 23)

4.) This revelation from God to Joseph was for comfort and guidance.  He told Joseph, “…do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit…  [You are] to give Him the name Jesus. Think of the comfort that must have came to him as the Lord revealed to him that Biblical prophecy was being fulfilled. Mary was telling the truth and God had a plan for them.

Christians, as they are serving the Lord in a heart after God, will at times face situations that seem impossible to determine the Lord’s will.  It is in those times they must have the courage of Joseph, die to self, seek the whole counsel of God’s Word and pray through expecting God to answer.  He will give His revelation to them and it will bring comfort, explanation, and direction.  Instead of calling a friend, Christians are better off calling upon the Lord’s intervention. Christians who have the courage of Joseph in life’s tough circumstances have the same revelation about the Lord as the psalmist who wrote, “‘Because he loves Me’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my Name.  He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him, with long life will I satisfy him and show my salvation.’”

Let the situation that you are in right now establish courage in the Lord and prepare you to be a very special part in the Christmas story that should be proclaimed today.

Courageously protect your family

Joseph was an ordinary man who had the courage to live righteously and whose lifestyle enabled him receive revelation from God and courageously protect his family.  Listen carefully as I take time to read from the book of Matthew some select passages from chapter two.

“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him.’  So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’  When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:  ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.’  After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’  So he got up, took the child and His mother and went to the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” (Matthew 2:13-23)

Having heard from the wise men that they were seeking the one who had been born to be king of the Jews, Herod commanded that all boys under the age of two be killed.  An angel of the Lord commanded Joseph to take Jesus and his mother down into Egypt and then later back to northern Israel. This meant months of dangerous travel over hostile terrain. Knowing the Lord sent them and was with them gave Joseph the courage he needed to get accomplish his commission from the Lord.

Truths worth clinging to for today are, 1.) We do not need courage when things are going smooth and we are drinking in the blessings of God.  However, when the enemy comes in like a flood courage in God’s protective hand is needed.
Joseph had no idea in his early days that his tranquil life would be thrown into a time requiring him to choose life according to God’s righteousness, obey the desires of the sinful flesh, or follow the expectations of those in the world around him.

2.) Courage is born in the Christian’s heart by seeking the Lord in prayerful reading of God’s Word and trusting in Him to reveal His truths.  David learned courage to fight the Lord’s battles by observing what God was doing around him, from seeing what God had done for him and the nation he ruled and from the Scriptures.  This enabled David to receive revelation from God, to fight Goliath and to have confidence to fight the Lord’s battles.  Joseph had cultivated his own relationship with the Lord, thus he was ready to fulfill his part in the Christmas story as should all Christians.

3.)  Children need dads who are courageously living for the Lord Jesus, not those who can buy the most numerous or most expensive toys.  Fathers who seek the Lord and know that the children they are raising have been created for God’s glory.  They are maintaining a relationship with the Lord in order to understand what direction the Lord wants them take in raising the children God has given them.

4.)  Wives need courageous husbands who love their wives as Christ loved the church and are willing to protect their wives from anything that would get in the way of their accomplishing God’s special call on their lives.

Because we live on this side of Christmas, Christians want to rush to the end of the story where everything turns out okay just like it did for Joseph and Mary.  When Christians just focus on the announcement of the birth of Christ on that first Christmas they miss out on the work that God wants to do in their lives.  The Lord wants to prepare born again Christians to courageously live out their part of proclaiming the good news of the birth of Christ.

Very little is said about Joseph in Christian writings and in Scripture, however what is said about him the Holy Spirit wants to place deep within your spiritual heart.  Joseph was a “righteous man.”  The Hebrew word for “righteous man” (tsaddiys) means that a man is known for his uncompromising obedience to the Torah, the law of Moses.  The application for today is that Christians need to live uncompromising to the whole counsel of the written Word of God.

The Apostle Paul teaches in chapter five of the Book of Galatians that we can live in the Spirit’s power.  The fruit of the Spirit always triumphs over uncontrolled human emotion including anger and over the world’s view thus enabling Christians to express supernatural love just as Joseph did to Mary. Choose this Christmas season to live courageously for the cause of Christ and His kingdom so you can enjoy special revelations from the Lord as He speaks to your heart through the written Word as revealed by the Holy Spirit.  Let us Pray!

Submission to God’s Will

by Terry Laughlin | May 12, 2016 | Christmas Truth's

 The Faith of Mary

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.   He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.’  ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’  The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”  (Luke 1:26-38)

Submission to the Lord’s will is an absolute essential before a Christian can grasp the truths surrounding the Christmas story

Little information is given about Mary in the Word of God. However, what is said is striking and sets before every Christian a Biblical example of true submissiveness to God’s will. Submission to the Lord’s will is an absolute essential before a Christian can grasp the truths surrounding the Christmas story. I would propose to you that there are several simple truths that the Holy Spirit of Christ would like to place deep within your mind and burn deep within your spiritual heart. Just what are those truths and how can they be a blessing to the children of God?

Truths worth grasping this Christmas season

One truth worth grasping this Christmas season is that no matter where you live and no matter what circumstance you find yourself in, the Lord can reach into your life and make you a valuable part of the building of the kingdom of God.  Our text says, “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.” (Luke 1:26)

There is much that the Holy Spirit of Christ wants you to grasp in today’s message.  In this first division of the message He wants you to grasp the significance of Nazareth.  This city is not mentioned in the Old Testament.  It was the home of Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:39) and Nazareth was where the angel announced to the virgin the birth of the Messiah. (Luke 1:26-28)  Nazareth is where Jesus grew to manhood (Luke 4:16) and where He began His public ministry in the synagogue. (Matthew 13:54)  (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Easton’s Bible Dictionary)  Those are powerful truths to cling to. Unfortunately, Nazareth around the time of the birth of Christ had established a rather poor reputation in morals and religion. (The New International Dictionary of the Bible)  This why we read of Nathaniel of whom Jesus said, “…[was] a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false,” saying this, “Can anything good come from [Nazareth]?” (John 1:47,46)

Many Christian historians tell us that by the time of the birth of Christ, Nazareth had become an unimportant town. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)  Nazareth and the people living in her were despised by Romans and Jews.  Nazareth of Galilee bordered Gentile and heathen nations and those living in her were considered a conquered people. (The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible) Evidence of the citizen’s spiritual condition in Nazareth is found in their treatment of Christ during His ministry.  The Bible says that He returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:14)  The Bible says after Jesus was finished teaching in the Synagogue on a Sabbath day, after reading from the Book if Isaiah, “[The people] spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips…”  But, then they begin to question, “…Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”  (Luke 4: 16-22)  After Jesus had spoken more to them they “…drove Him out of town, and took Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.” (Luke 4:29)  It was because of their lack of belief that Jesus could not do many miracles in Nazareth. (Matthew 13:58)

Symbolically, the significance to all this is that Nazareth in Jesus’ time represented no reputation for religion or anything significant.  Jesus having His connections to Nazareth shows us symbolically that He desires to show His favor on the Gentile world.  Jonah, Elijah and Elisha were very much conversant in Galilee and were known to be great prophets to the Gentiles.  This shows us that God is just as able and willing to send His message to an area that is not willing to receive the message as well as to a place that is searching for God.

God had sent His messenger to Nazareth as well as He did Jerusalem, where Gabriel foretold to Zechariah of the birth of John the Baptist which came about as the result of Divine intervention. (Luke 1:5-25) God’s messenger, Gabriel was entrusted with a Divine message to Mary, to Zechariah, and also to the Prophet Daniel.   The purpose of Gabriel being sent to Daniel was for the purpose of giving meaning to visions.  In Daniel 9:21-23 we read of Daniel saying, “While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for His holy hill–while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.  He instructed me and said to me, ‘Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.  As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:  (Daniel 9:21-23)

There is so much for Christians to grasp this Christmas season if they will die to self, cast off the business of this world, and meditate upon the lives of those physically involved in the life of Christ. Gabriel means “man of God” and it can mean “the strength of God.” (Who’s Who in the Bible; The Complete Word Study Dictionary)  Let the Holy Spirit place these truths deep within your heart.  As part of Gabriel’s message he told Daniel that he was highly esteemed, (Daniel 9:23) he told Mary that she had found favor with God (Luke 1:30) and Elizabeth said, “In these days [God] has shown His favor [to me]. (Luke 1:25)

No matter whether you are doing the work of a prophet like Daniel, offering worship in the house of God doing the Lord’s work like Zechariah, or living a faithful life before God like Mary and Elizabeth, the Lord can get His message to you anytime and any place you are when you need it.  While you are serving the Lord in the church or out in the work place where there seems to be no interest in the work of God, or even be a hostile attitude to the true works of Christ.  God can still get His message to you and it will strengthen you to accomplish your part of the Great Commission and in everything the Lord has called you to do.

Benefits of a circumcised heart

Those who have the faith of Mary can enjoy the Lord meeting them right were they are and they can enjoy the benefits of a circumcised heart.  Romans 2:28-29 says, “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code…” (Romans 2:28-29)

Mary was a virgin, representing that which is pure, that heart that is sold out to the will of God and willing to die to self for the purposes of God. She represents that heart that is hungry for God.

Circumcision of the spiritual heart has always been on the heart of God.  It is not only a New Testament revelation for mankind but found in Old Testament several times. (Jeremiah 4:4; 9:25-26)  The Bible is clear on what God can and will do.  Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul and live.”  (Deuteronomy 30:6) Mary, who is a representation of a heart after God gave birth to a Son who walked upon this guilty sod, remained sinless, and got victory over sin and death so you and I do not have to be enslaved to sin and eternal damnation, but rather eternal life in Christ.

Many do not know and have true Christmas joy because they try to live by outward circumcision, outward showing of religious acts.  They listen to the Word of God, they try to obey God’s Word while punishing everyone with their attitudes and religious piety.  Still, they are unable to get a joyous victory over sin, the world and the lies of the devil.  Christians who have true Christmas joy have revelation and illumination of what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:11, “In [Christ they are] circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ. (Colossians 2:11)

This circumcision allows them to have spiritual fellowship with the Holy Spirit of Christ.  Romans 8:10 tells us, “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”  (Romans 8:10)   The Holy Spirit takes the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, (Ephesians 6:17) and washes the heart with the written Word. (Ephesians 5:25b)  Jesus Christ was born to die so that we may have life abundantly. This is enjoyed by accepting Jesus Christ to be both Savior and Lord and by allowing Him to sanctify us as the Holy Spirit brings life to the Written Word of God in our hearts. The Bible is a better cleanser than that which is advertised on the radio or television.  It takes out and can keep out the soiled spots in the heart.

I taught my sons, Derek, Caleb and Josiah how to properly clean a horse stall.  They had to dig down deep to find that spot where urine lays deep and hard to find, but if left alone will work its way to the surface with a terrible acid smell that makes your eyes water, burns the skin of horse flesh, and causes hoof disease.  All national champions have someone who properly cleans their stall, keeping out those impurities that can prevent a horse from achieving all it can. I have done farrier work in some of  the best horse barns in the world, and no matter how well they clean the stall one day, it begins to get a nasty smell and needs to be cleaned the next day.

When Christians become born again it is like having our hearts all cleaned up, but because of the sinful nature that is in all of us, we need a constant cleaning so we can remain in a healthy condition, thus becoming champions in and for Christ.  Just as a dedicated horseman does what it takes to enable a horse to achieve the goals set before it, the Holy Spirit of Christ remains in the child of God, constantly cleaning the spiritual heart with the Word of God.  The child of God that has the faith of Mary becomes all the Lord desires for him to be.  Their heart cry is like the Psalmist who wrote, “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your Word.  I seek you with all my heart: do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:9-11)

Just as Christ was humble enough to be born in a stinky stable and I can tell you all stables have a smell, no matter how well they are cleaned every day.  The Holy Spirit of Christ takes up residence in the stable of our hearts and contends with the smell of the flesh that daily needs to be cleansed. His purpose is to circumcise our hearts and make us like Christ, to become useful in proclaiming the truths of Christmas all year round. Christians who have the faith of Mary know this truth of being in Christ, “Such a confidence as this is ours through Christ before God…  He made us competent as ministers of the new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:6)   The second greatest benefit of a circumcised heart is to be found competent in our service to the Son of the living God, the first and most important benefit being a pure heart in God’s sight.  That it may be said of us as the Bible says about Zechariah and Elizabeth, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.    

“Highly favored” with God

Mary was the physical mother of Jesus Christ the Son of God who enables us to enjoy the new covenant found through the shedding of His blood on the Cross of Calvary.  Another truth worth grasping this Christmas season is that her faith enabled her to enjoy being “highly favored” with God.  Our text says, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’” (Luke 1:28)

This spoken blessing into her life did not come from abroad, but from the very throne room of God and the term “highly favored” (kecharitomene) is an active verb meaning to have shown kindness to.  This is a divine grace freely given to whom the Lord wants to give favor to. Great Greek scholars tell us that the perfect passive participle of the verb (charitoo) is only used here in Luke 1:28 and again in Ephesians 1:6 where it is wonderfully translated in the King James Bible as “made us accepted in the beloved.” Abbott-Smith defines this Greek word as “…endued with divine grace to the full…” or in other words cause us to find favor.  (Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament; The Complete Word Study, New Testament; The Greeks-English Dictionary: Word Meanings in the New Testament)

Let’s bring this theological teaching down to earth.  Just as Mary was highly favored to be the natural mother of Jesus Christ, Christians through being born again are highly favored by God to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of Christ living in them.  Having Christ as Savior and Lord is the greatest Christmas present that anyone can ever have.  Ephesians 1:5-7 in the King James Bible says, “Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.  To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:5-7)

The idea worth grasping here is that God has extended His favor or grace to all born again Christians in Christ just as He did Mary. (Word Meanings in the New Testament; The Complete Word Study, New Testament)  Mary was the bearer of the physical Son of God, He being God in the flesh – Christians have the Holy Spirit of Christ living in them.  Romans 8:9 says, “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)    The same chapter says if you have Christ living in you, you have eternal life.

It is imperative that we understand that it was not Mary’s faith that caused God to move on her behalf, it was whom she had faith in, God.  She had to believe the Word of God spoken to her was truth worth grasping.  Her heart after God enabled her to receive divine revelation that was full of explanation and promise.  The truth that was worth grasping for Mary was and is for us, “The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

These are the very words that came from the angel of the Lord who appeared to Gideon who said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)  This is the very promise made to soldiers of Christ we read about in the Book of Matthew in the giving of the Great Commission.  Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)    The word “always” (pantos) means continually and forever with us in our work with the Lord and in everything involved in our lives.  Jesus will not leave us to do the work of God or to live out our lives down here all alone depending only on man’s flesh.  He is literally involved in everything that affects our human lives and souls. (The Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament)   What greater truth is worth meditating upon this Christmas season? Christians who grasp this truth live a life like that of Mary, believing the Word of the Lord, enquiring for revelation through the written Word and walking in the favor of God.

Walk in submission to the Lord’s will for them

The last truth worth grasping this Christmas season is that those who have the faith of Mary walk in submission to the Lord’s will for them.  The Bible records these words of Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant…  May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

The first desire in the child of God who wants to enjoy the favor of God in his life is to die to self and surrender to the will of God in his life.  The key word here is “servant.”  The New American Standard Bible has a great translation by using the word “bond slave.” Being a true bond slave (doule) meant Mary belonged totally to the Lord and gave Him full permission to work His will in and through her life.  This heart attitude enabled Mary to worship the Lord in soul and spirit.  Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)  Her submissiveness enabled her to gain understanding and direction from the Lord.

Christians can choose to have understanding of God’s will for them as well as Mary did.  Romans 12:1-2 says, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Christians who get the most out of what the first Christmas opened up for the children of God grasp the truth of servant-hood.  Servant-hood frequently appears in the Gospels, especially in the parables. (Matthew 18:23-35; 21:33-44)  For Jesus, the concept of servant-hood is the way of expressing a right relationship with God.  Jesus says no one can serve two masters, (Matthew 6:24) nor is anyone above the plan Christ has for those who follow Him. (Matthew 10:24)  A faithful servant of Christ does as the will of Christ directs him. (Matthew 24:45-46)

Jesus presented Himself as a servant when He washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. (John 13:1-20)  He told His disciples that He did, “not come to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:45)  The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus was in the form of God, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:7)    On the basis of His own example as well as throughout Scripture, Jesus encouraged His disciples to be servants to each other. (Mark 10:44; John 13:14)

Based on the truth of Mary’s statement to Gabriel, “May it be to me as you have said” and that she was a surrendered servant, Christians are to live in a way that says to everyone who sees or reads about their lives that they are servants of God and Christ. (1 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6)  The Apostle Paul, James, Peter and Jude describe themselves as being servants of God. (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1) Christians who have the faith of Mary have changed their allegiance. Rather than serving the flesh and the world, as before, they are becoming servants and bond slaves to God and Christ.  There is no greater gift of love that Christians can express to the Lord than to become a bond slave to the Lord and His will.

Christians who have the faith of Mary will receive Holy Spirit revelation to what the Lord is calling them to do.  These revelations of God often come in times when so few people are seeking or even caring to see God do a real work.  Just like the people who lived in Nazareth.  Christians live a life of true faith and they seek the Lord, expecting Him to meet them right were they are. Christians who have the faith that was found in Mary allow the Lord to circumcise their hearts.  Those who have a heart after God find themselves highly favored by God, not only in receiving salvation but in proclaiming the Name of the Savior of the world to all who observe their lives.  Lastly, those who have the faith that Mary had in the Lord express a life that is in full submission to the Lord’s will.  They express a life that says “Let it be to me as you have ordained for me to fulfill my part of the Great Commission, in proclaiming the truths of Christ.

I think of the life of Missionary Don Nelson, one of our missionaries who had received divine revelation from God to build a radio station in Alaska.  At that time so few people were hearing the call to go to Alaska and many who lived there showed little interest in having a Christian radio station.  In the wilderness he heard God’s call and he prayed through to completion that vision.  Even though so many stood against him, the Lord planted a Christian radio station that is still proclaiming the Gospel, not only in Alaska, but in Russia as well. Don Nelson knew the Word of the Lord had spoken to him, he expected and experienced some opposition, yet he prayed through saying, “I am submitted the will of God.”  He was able to stay steadfast because he knew that the Lord was with him, the favor of God was upon him.

Christians are highly favored with God and they need only to be submissive to the will of God in all seasons of their lives and they will enjoy the blessing of having God with them.

Let us pray!!!!!

Christmas Hope

by Terry Laughlin | May 12, 2016 | Christmas Truth's

   The Hope of the Wise Men

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written:’  ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matthew 2:1-11)

Hope

Hope as it is used in the Word of God has a much different meaning than the word hope used in this world.  Children hope they will get a certain type of Christmas gift. Some people hope they will graduate from high school and go on to college or hope they can find that certain job or career that will make them the amount of money they want to earn or that fame they hope to gain.  Others hope that they can do whatever will bring satisfaction for themselves and to others.  Others hope that they can beat their cancer this year, be with loved ones just one more year, one more Christmas.

The word hope as the world sees it is a tool to keep you going when you lose your health or job and even when you lose someone you love. Hope is a word that can spark life inside your heart and tell you tomorrow, next week, next month or next year you will reach your goals. It is an anchor word that points to the future.The problem with the world’s view on hope is it is all based on uncertainty.  Hope in all the things I have just mentioned is good, but there is no guarantee you will graduate from high school, go to college, or get that job or career that will bring fame and riches or fulfillment.  Hope from this world’s perspective gives no guarantee that you are going to enjoy good health tomorrow, no guarantee you will be with family next week, next year or next Christmas.  In fact all the hopes I have mentioned so far are, in reality, only wishes.

I would propose to you that hope promised in the Word of God is a unique hope that is far beyond a wish, it is an absolute certainty.  It is the kind of hope found in the life of the Magi. Just what is this hope and how do we express a life that says, “My hope is in Christ?”   There is much that the Holy Spirit of Christ wants you to grasp this Christmas season as we take time to look at the Biblical accounts of the lives of those who were physically involved in the life of Christ that first Christmas.  Our text says, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea…  Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…”  (Matthew 2:1)

Who were these “Magi?”

Who were these “Magi?”  Some translations say, “wise men.”  Although the Bible does not say much about these worshipers of Christ, extra-Biblical evidence found through Christian historians offers us clues that shed some light about these men who were around about the time of Christ.  These men were “Magi” (magos) who could very likely have been Persian priests.  By the time of Christ’s birth these Persian priests became almost exactly what the Levites were in Israel.  They became teachers and instructors of the Persian kings and at this time period they were good men, who sought truth and great wisdom.  These wise men were skilled in philosophy, medicine, and natural science.  They were able to combine secular and religious aspects of knowledge and understanding.  (William Barclay; The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages; Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains: Tyndale reference library)

The wise men’s interest in the Messiah may have arisen from contact with Jewish travelers in the east and from knowledge of the Old Testament.  (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)  What we do know is that the Prophet Daniel had been taken to Babylon as a prisoner of war and as the results of his faithfulness to the Lord, God raised him and his friends to high political positions.  The Bible says, “Then the king [Nebuchadnezzar] placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him.  He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.

Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.” (Daniel 4:48-49)  We do know that Daniel was also raised to a place of political influence under the King of Persia after the Persians conquered Babylon. (Daniel 6:1-3) The point is this,  a Godly man like Daniel and his friends was used by God in a place of captivity for 70 plus years to influence kings and other political positions and God still uses the life of Daniel and his friends to give guidance to the lives of Bible readers today.  It is very possible that Godly influences had carried on down throughout the Eastern world and their lives along with the Old Testament teachings had a guiding affect on the Magi.  It is the Bible that says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)   This is why in the Great Commission we are told to “[teach] them to obey everything [Jesus has] commanded [us]…” (Matthew 28:20) and the charge to the soldier of Christ is to “Preach the Word…” (2 Timothy 4:2)   The Word of God and its effects on how we live will affect all who see our lives.

Let the Holy Spirit place this truth in your spiritual hearts this Christmas season.  The Magi may be regarded as the representation of the Gentile world.  Their homage from the East sets the heartbeat for all who want to be worshipers of Christ.   You can be a kingdom seeker who desires to worship the King of kings and the life you live for the Lord will have an affect on someone for generations to come. (The Life and Times of Jesus)

The Word of God can lead you to fear or believe in the Christ of Christmas

Another truth worth grasping this Christmas season is that the Word of God can lead you to fear or believe in the Christ of Christmas.  When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem they asked, “…Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”  (Matthew 2:2)

These brilliant men were serious scholars and it would not surprise me if they were led to look for the Lord because of God meeting them right were they were in what they believed and how they sought out truth.  They were interested in astrology and they studied everything they could find about the stars.  There were is no doubt they were very much aware of the Jewish nation and most likely at some time got their hands on some Hebrew writings.  If they had they would have read Numbers 24:17, “…A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…”   (Numbers 24:17)

This message was spoken by Balaam who came from the Eastern Mountains. (Numbers 23:7)   It is also interesting that many Jews around the time of Christ had moved into the Eastern areas taking with them their sacred writings along with their hope of a king whom would once again make Israel free from bondage.  A Roman historian (Suetonius) writing of this time period wrote, “An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the East that the Fates had decreed someone to proceed from Judea who should attain a universal empire.”  A second Roman historian (Tacitus) wrote, “Many were persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of their priest that at that very time the East should prevail, and that someone should proceed from Judah and posses the dominion.”

Two of the most respected Jewish historians in the world (Josephus and Phelio) wrote about the time period of Christ being born and they make mention in their writings of the expectation of the people looking for a king to arise who would set them free.  (Barnes Notes) With the number of Hebrew writings being carried into the East and the common knowledge of the Jews expecting their forthcoming king, it was no real surprise that someone would begin to ask questions.  As always when Bible prophecy begins to be fulfilled and God begins a new work people become disturbed.  The Bible says, “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:3)

Any child of God who has illumination of having Christ born within their spiritual hearts had come to that time in their lives that the Word of God disturbed them.  All Christians who walk in the hope of Christmas have been in that same battle as King Herod and those in Jerusalem.  There is a battle for the throne of the heart.  Those who fight to keep on that throne will find themselves like Herod, doing everything possible to keep Jesus from His rightful place.  If you do not know the story, Herod sent his soldiers out to kill the babes in Bethlehem and its vicinity in effort to keep Jesus off his throne.  Anyone who wants to keep the Lord Jesus Christ off the throne of their heart becomes very disturbed with the truths of Christ and fear what is spoken or done in Christ name.

Those who have the hope of Christmas joyfully surrender the throne room of their hearts over to the Lordship of Christ by inviting Jesus to be born within them by the power of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Through seeking counsel from men who knew the Old Testament, King Herod found insight on where to find the child who was to be born as God’s Messiah, the Christ.  He was as much aware of the Biblical promise as most Jews were at the time of Jesus’ early childhood.

The Bible says, “When he [Herod] had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He [Herod] sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard… king [Herod], they went on their way,”    (Matthew 2:4-9)

Symbolically, Herod represents that which stands against the will of God and that which opposes the works of God.  Herod did not ask the chief priest and teachers where this so called king of the Jews was to be born. In every accurate translation of the Bible we read of King Herod asking where is the “Christ” or the “Messiah” to be born.  Herod was a tool of Satan being an adversary to the workings of God in this time of history.  Satan often works through man’s wicked heart to accomplish his evil plans. In the New Testament we read that the devil can take man captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:26)   The Hebrew word for “Satan” (satan) means to act as an adversary, one who hinders or apposes God and His people. (Who’s Who in the Bible; The Complete Word Study of the Old Testament)

At a time when David was giving in to his sinful flesh, Israel needed chastised as well.  We read, “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, ‘Go and count the Israelite’s from Beersheba to Dan…’  But Joab replied, ‘May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?’” (1 Chronicles 21:1-3) What the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp this Christmas season is that in the midst of your adversaries, if you are seeking to live a life of worship to Christ, the Lord can give you direction and that direction can be trusted as long as it is in line with the truths of the whole of Scripture.  You will find enemies in the midst of raising your children, in your work place, in political affairs of this nation and in the church structure.  In the midst of adversaries there is always guidance in the written Word of God.

Obedience to the counsel of God’s Word, when need be, leads to supernatural leading which brings joy.  The Bible says, “After they had heard… king [Herod], they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” (Matthew 2:9-10) This was a supernatural star and it was God’s leading that took them to the place where Jesus lived with His parents. (Thru the Bible; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Matthew Henry Commentary; The Bible Exposition Commentary)  The star first appeared to them while they were in the East and caused them to start searching for answers.  It most likely disappeared and they took the usual method in seeking answers.  The Wise Men were in Jerusalem, no doubt thinking this would be the place for a king of the Jews to be born, decided to inquire as anyone with any common sense would to find direction.

Let the Holy Spirit place this truth within your heart, extraordinary helps are not to be expected where ordinary means have already been provided.  For example, Christians do not need a visit from an angel or supernatural experience to get involved in a local church when God has already provided in His Word that Christians are to be about the Great Commission and they are to exercise their gifts for edifying the Body of Christ.  Simple obedience to what God has spoken to Christians in the written Word will bring supernatural direction when it is needed.

The Wise Men had received direction and it would not be a surprise to me that Herod shared with them what the chief priest said about the prophet Micah’s teaching, out of Bethlehem a ruler would arise for the people of Israel. (Micah 5:2)  I am fully persuaded that those Magi had in their minds and heart to make a direct trip to Bethlehem.  It would not be wrong to think that they were wondering where they should go upon their arrival. It was at this time God intervened again with regard to the proclamation of the birth of Christ to a world in great need.  The star most likely was gone for a season and was back, because the Bible says the Magi were overjoyed when they saw the star and it led them to the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:9)

Let the Holy Spirit place this truth within your heart.  When Christians have done their duty in seeking Him with all their hearts, God will give divine intervention and lead them to that place where He wants them to be and they will be overjoyed in the faithfulness of God. Just as sure as the Magi had confirmation that the Lord was with them Christians can experience the joy of the Lord with them. Just as the Magi had a sure hope they were going to fulfill their mission, Christians have the same sure hope the Lord is with them on their missions.  They are illuminated with the truth that was placed in the psalmist who wrote, “…let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”  (Psalm 105:3)  The Lord has this promise for those who express their hope in Him, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)  That Christmas truth is worth grasping and clinging to.

True hope leads to practical sacrificial worship

The last truth to grasp this Christmas season in regard to the hope of the Magi is that true hope leads to practical sacrificial worship.  “On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)   God through these Magi is showing the attitude of the heart He longs to see in those who approach Christ.

All who have hope in Christ will fall before Him in their hearts, they adore Him and submit to His authority. The worship offered by the Magi gives us the three stages of becoming a joyful Christian. One is vision, a heart seeking after God’s Messiah.  Two is submission to what the Word of the Lord tells Christians to do.  Three is consecration, giving all that God has given to Christians for the work of God in their lives. Christians who have true hope give property and service unto the Lord. All three of these gifts honor Christ and it would do us good to try to understand the purpose of these gifts and then invite the Holy Spirit to burn these truths deep into our minds and illuminate them into our hearts.

Christian Historian and Bible teacher William Barclay gives some ideas that are worth our consideration. Gold is the gift for a king – Seneca tells us that in Parthia it was a custom that no one entered into the king’s presence without a gift.  Gold at that time period was considered to be a metal of kings.  Jesus is the King of kings who serves and reigns through sacrificial love and full authority over everything in heaven and earth.  Christians must meet His terms for service.

The story of Admiral Nelson is worth considering as we strive to understand how to approach Jesus with a gift worth giving.  Admiral Nelson was known for his kindness, compassion and courtesy.  After one of his naval victories, the defeated admiral, knowing of Admiral Nelson’s reputation made his way across the deck of the ship and reached out his hand to shake Admiral Nelson’s hand.  Admiral Nelson kept his hand in his pocket and said, “Your sword first, then your hand.” Before they approach Christ, Christians need to lay down their weapons of the flesh, their love for the world and their ears for the lies of the devil before they may join hands with Christ.  This is the greatest gift Christians can offer Christ.

Frankincense is the gift for a priest – It was in the Temple worship and at the Temple sacrifices that the sweet perfume of frankincense was used.  The function of a priest is to open the way to God for man through the sacrifice being offered.  The Latin word for priest (pontifex) means bridge builder. This is what Christ did for us.  His sacrificial death on the cross built a bridge so repentant mankind can have a way for getting back to God, have fellowship with God, know God’s will, and be empowered for service to the King of kings. Myrrh is the gift for one who is to die – Myrrh was used to embalm the bodies of the dead.  Jesus came to reveal God to man and He came to die.

Holman Hunt has a famous picture of Jesus.  It shows Jesus at the door of the carpenter shop in Nazareth.  He is still only a boy and had come to the door to stretch out his arms so to give them a break from working over a bench.  In this picture He stands at the doorway with arms outstretched and on the wall behind him, the setting sun throws his shadow in the form of a cross.  In the back ground there stands Mary, and as she sees the shadow there is concern on her face of the coming tragedy that awaits the sinless Christ, all because of the wickedness of man’s heart.

Jesus came from the abode of God, walked this sin trodden earth to face death and then enjoyed victory over that sin.  That first Christmas God gave the greatest Christmas gift, Christ gave of Himself and the Holy Spirit beckons all to come and bow as the Wise Men did.Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, myrrh for the one who was to give His life foretold that Jesus was the King of kings, the perfect High Priest and in the end the Supreme Savior of men. Christians have the sure hope expressed by the Wise Men that enables them to seek the Lord.  God guiding the Magi to where Christ lived is a sure hope that God can bring all who seek Jesus to a place in their lives where they can enjoy worshiping the Lord. This is only enjoyed if a person is willing to go the distance, seek the counsel of God’s Word and pay the homage that is due to Christ.

This Christmas are you expressing Christmas hope?  Can you be seen as a Gentile worshiper who has gone the distance to worship Jesus Christ as king of your heart and life?  Do you search the Scriptures to find the truths of life, are you ready to respond to what the Lord reveals to you about Christ?  Do you offer to the King of kings your greatest gift, your heart?  Is your life an aroma pleasing to God?  Have you died to the flesh, the lures of the world and can you discern the lies of the devil as the Wise Men did? This year find your place in the Christmas story and proclaim the truths of Christmas for all to hear!

Let us pray!

Christmas Love

by Terry Laughlin | May 12, 2016 | Christmas Truth's

The Love of God, Christ Given

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  (Luke 2:1-7)

Grasp Christmas joy

There is so much that comes at us especially this time of the year.  Before we know it Christmas day is here and it seems that we just did not get prepared to celebrate it as we had hoped.  The world’s way of celebrating Christmas sometimes has a way of keeping us from enjoying the Lord Jesus’ birthday in spirit and truth.  One of the best ways to grasp Christmas joy is to consider the lives of those who are closely connected with the physical birth of Christ. I would propose to you if you want to grasp true joy during the Christmas season it is imperative that you catch the significance in how God showed love by giving Christ.  God gave His Son and Christ came willingly—true expressions of sacrificial love.

Just what is the significance in how God and Christ showed their love to us?  John 3:16 says, “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.  The Greek word for “believes” (pisteuo) means to put complete trust in, to have no doubt about or to be certain of.  The application of this word as applied in John 3:16 is to have such a belief in Jesus Christ that how He lived and what He taught has a continued effect on how you live.  (Practical Word Studies in the New Testament; The Complete Word Study of the New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains; The Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament)  Through this message, if you let Him, the Holy Spirit could help you find trust in the love of God and Christ and be certain about that love.    

The conditions into which God sent His Son

The first truth that the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp from the written Word of God is the conditions into which God sent His Son, Jesus.   The people who are the most blessed by the expression of love given by someone else are the people who understand the sacrifice made by the person showing that act of love. Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of much Biblical prophecy, one incidence being what was spoken by Jacob.  In Genesis 49:10 in the New American Standard Bible we read, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.  Jacob foresees and foretells.  When he is dying God gives Jacob a look into the future and he gives support from his deathbed that not only is a blessing to his sons, but to all who become sons of God through adoption by faith in Jesus Christ.

When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Israel was once again in need of a sign that the Great Deliverer, the child to be born according to what is written about Him had arrived.  In keeping with the truth to be grasped today we must understand the spiritual condition of the people during the time when Christ was born.  We must also understand the application it has for us today. Judah was no longer ruled by one of its own kings.  Judea was under the rule of a descendant of Esua, Herod the Great.  The promised land was no longer in the hands of Israel; it was in the hands of a heathen power.  The ruler was no longer God’s perfect plan for a ruler, but rather a bad ruler appointed by men who held the Jews captive. Even the Temple was no longer cared for by ministers of God who could grasp the will of God, rather servants who were governed by fear of Roman oppressors.

According to Who’ Who in the Bible, Esau, represented that heart that is not serious about its relationship with God.  He made frivolous decisions that had irreversible consequences.  When Esau understood that it would be unpleasing to his parents to marry girls from certain family lines he deliberately went off and found a girl that his parents would not like and added her to his wives.  (Genesis 28:6-9)  In Hebrews 12:16 we read that he was a godless man and the Bible says that Esau lived a purposely rebellious life and there was no place in his heart for repentance. (Hebrews 12:17) Herod was like Esau a man who lived only for self and in rebellion to truth.  He ordered the massacre of the innocent male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity all because he wanted to protect his throne from the One born to be King of the Jews and the Savior of the world. Consider with me the written Word of God that says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?  I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind…” (Jeremiah 17:9, 10)

The truth that the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp in this portion of the message is that mankind left to himself will do whatever it takes to remain on the throne of his own heart.  What is scary about that is this heart that is clearly against Christ being truly Lord and Savior makes the human mind think it is doing right, when in truth it is acting in full rebellion.  This heart brings justification in its actions while it makes frivolous decisions and produces irreversible consequences.  Only Jesus Christ can turn a heart around that is set against God, only He can intervene and put a stop to irreversible consequences of rebellion. The great news is that in the middle of a sin sick world at the time of Jesus’ birth there were people who sought God and were looking for the coming of the Messiah.   God made sure that those seeking Him were made aware that the Savior of the world had arrived.  Not only did the Lord make it known, He used those who responded to the good news to tell others.

Listen carefully as I read about the proclamation of the birth of Christ in the midst of a world hostile to God and His people on that first Christmas eve, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ 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.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”   (Luke 2:8-19)

God supernaturally made a way for those with ears who are hungry for the things of God to get the message of Christ being born in Bethlehem.  He works supernaturally through the Holy Spirit of Christ to draw people with ears wanting to hear to consider Jesus Christ today. Spiritually, Christians, by the power of the Holy Spirit are given supernatural revelations of Christ, God’s will through the written Word and they are empowered to live out the will of God as they live in a world that is not a friend of Grace.  Even in this day, the world as a whole stands against the work of God. Law suits are brought against those who want to publicly express their faith in Christ during the Christmas season.  Instead of “Merry Christmas” those in this world are wanting have people say “Happy Holiday.”  Christians in public service are more and more attacked by the media when they express their faith in Christ and prayer.Even in the church the purity of the pulpit is threatened by those who serve in it and the church is embracing that which breaks the heart of God.  In the midst of this offense, God still sends the Holy Spirit of Christ to those who love Him so they can have fellowship with the Lord. Our natural response to someone who rejects any act of kindness or love we show to them is to shut them out of our lives and make it impossible for them to enjoy our presence.  God out of sacrificial love gave His one and only Son and Jesus came willingly so that those with hard hearts may turn and accept the love of God.  While natural man wants to cast out those who reject him, God now sends His Holy Spirit to bring revelation of the written Word so people who have hard hearts may be drawn to Christ.

God has always and still does express His love to people in this sin trodden world and the sending of His one and only Son is expression of true love

God has always and still does express His love to people in this sin trodden world and the sending of His one and only Son is expression of true love.  1 John 4:9-12 says, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:9-12)

Jesus being born in Bethlehem is the Shiloh who was to come.  “Shiloh” (siyloh) means “the peaceful one.”  (The Complete Word Study; Trough the Bible) In Christ there is reconciliation between God and those who truly have Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This peace comes to us not because we showed love to God, but because God loved us first. This is a truth that must be grasped this Christmas season if we are going to walk in a joyous Christmas spirit.

1 John 2:2 in the New American Standard Bible tells that Jesus “…is the propitiation of our sins, and not just ours, but also for those of the whole world.”  Propitiation is something God does to make it possible for men to be forgiven.  God’s Word is revelation and His holiness requires Him to uphold that law of God.  He is also love and therefore He forgives sinners.  He sent His Son to make a way for mankind to receive forgiveness of sin.  God did this because He is love. We did not or can not do anything to cause Him to love us. God did not give us His Son because we were attractive, or because we were good or because we make promises to do things for Him.  He does not give us eternal life because He can gain something from us.

I was reading some material written by J.A. Clark’s about a Jewish legend.  As I consider the legend these thoughts came to my mind.  Suppose at creation of mankind some angels were listening in as God and Christ talked about the creation of man.  Suppose that there was angel of Justice. What would he say?  He would say “Don’t create man for he will do all kinds of wickedness against his fellow man, be hard, cruel, dishonest,  and unrighteous.”  If there would be an angel of truth, would he not say, “Do not create man for he will be full of falsehood and deceitfulness.”  If there was angel of Holiness would he not say, “Do not create mankind he will be impure in heart and dishonor the name of God and Christ.” At the end of this deliberation considering the character of God being love, I could believe Him saying, “Let us create man in our image and when he sins and turns from the path of true righteousness, from truth and a hunger for holiness, I will gather him from out of the world and tenderly through love bring him back unto Myself.”   Romans 5:8 proclaims a powerful truth, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Anyone who has ever had children knows that sometimes an expression of love is what is needed even when the feeling of love is not present.  Children at times make poor decisions when they are engaging in sin that hurt themselves, others, and the God who created them.  These sins grieve the heart of a parent.  It is at this time that the child needs to be shown an expression of love even though the feeling of love is not present.  This expression can come as parents trust in Christ who paid the price for those sins. Christians slip into sins that grieve the heart of the Lord and yet while that act of sin is bringing about its consequences, Christ will make sure that we enjoy His love as we turn to Him for forgiveness and direction.

The last truth to grasp in this message is the unusual place where the King of the Jews was born and the significance that has to us

God’s love is available to Christians only because God is love.  He has shown that love by giving us His one and only son.  The last truth to grasp in this message is the unusual place where the King of the Jews was born and the significance that has to us.  Our text says, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in the manger…” (Luke 2:6-7)

The irony of the most important event in history taking place in a stable should not be lost.  There are some significance’s worth noting because it reveals how God resides in the lowliest of hearts and rejects the proud and mighty things of this world. The Magi very likely went to Jerusalem to find the newborn King of the Jews because they thought that would be the likely place to find him.  While there they received a new fresh vision, a spiritual one birthed from God’s Word on where to find him.  The Pharisees and Sadducee’s had absolutely no clue of what was going on the night Christ was born because they were no longer hungry for that which was spiritual.  Don’t miss the significance of the humility of Christ. Being the King of the Jews, Jesus was worthy of being born in a palace with the best that could be offered in His day for the delivery of a baby.  Being the last and final High Priest, the priests who were only about six miles away in Jerusalem surely could have found at least one home in Bethlehem that would open their doors for Mary to give birth to God’s Messiah.  If someone rich or influential had been supporting Mary and Joseph a place would have been made for them.

Christ lowered Himself to be born a man, taking on human flesh and by age 33 taking on the sins of the world.  He showed His humility by being born in a lowly stable.  Symbolically, a stable can be a representation of a place of sin.  Sin is an unpleasing aroma to God and all stables have an unpleasant aroma.  The Savior of the world was born into a place of uncleanness so He can someday make a way for those under the curse of sin to be made clean by accepting Him as personal Savior and Lord. Just as Christ was born in a stinky stable, the Holy Spirit of Christ is born in the man or woman who, in repentance, turns to Christ for forgiveness.  The heart of man is often chasing after self-will and the things of this world as he amazingly listens to the lies of the devil.  All this is an unpleasing aroma to the Lord, The Lord, however, remains within the heart of the believer to do His spiritual work. The love of God is expressed as He sends the Holy Spirit of Christ into the spiritual heart of Christians.

In Romans 8:9 the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Christ.  In John 14:17 and He is called the “Spirit of truth.”  The Bible says Christians will know Him and that He lives in them. (John 14:17) God’s amazing love is always demonstrated by action.  It is never complacent but continually working in Christians.  The Spirit of Christ dwelling within the spiritual heart of Christians cleans them up and makes new people out of them.  Romans 8:9-11 says, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the [Holy] Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ…  And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”

The true mark of a born-again believer and a genuine Christian is that he has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The child of God who knows the love of God, sent into their lives by Christ says as the Apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” If you are not conscious of the presence of the Spirit of God in your life and there is not a heartfelt desire to exercise your Spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities for the glory of God, then grasp Christ this Christmas and receive Him as personal Savior and Lord.

In Closing: There are three truths in today’s message that must be grasped if you are going to walk in Christmas joy. 1.) Just as Christ was born in conditions that were hostile to the work of God, Christ can be revealed in the spiritual heart that wants to rebel against God.  2.) God sending Christ into the sin trodden world and Jesus being revealed to you are expressions of God’s love.  3.) To respond to God’s love means to have accepted Christ as your personal Savior and Lord and to have the Holy Spirit of Christ dwell in you.

This Christmas season the Holy Spirit calls your attention to the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5) The true believer who has accepted God’s love, Christ given, is a new creation.  Do you love the Lord Jesus?  Do you serve Him?  Are the things of the Lord constantly on your mind and heart?  These three truths must be settled in your mind and heart before you partake in communion this Christmas Eve day.

Let us pray!

Christmas Treasures Worth Pondering

by Terry Laughlin | May 12, 2016 | Christmas Truth's

 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

There is much in “Grasping the Truths of Christmas” that is worthy of pondering

On the twenty-fifth of this month much of the United States will close their stores, business offices will be closed and very few people will be traveling in comparison to the normal day of the week.  Christmas has even provided a day off for those who reject the worship due to Christ, the Savior of the world.

The response of most today, even church attendees, is no where near like those who heard the proclamation of the birth of Christ on that first Christmas.  However, to Holy Spirit-illuminated Christians there are treasures worth pondering in their hearts.  They become like Mary, who in the midst of all the excitement, took time to ponder.  The Bible says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) This passage of Scripture is the beautiful picture of a humble trusting heart that is after God.  Mary had been told that her child was truly of God. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”  (Luke 1:35) Both Joseph and Mary were told that they were to name the baby, conceived through the Holy Spirit, Jesus. (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:31,35) Mary and Joseph no doubt talked about their visits from the angel with each other over the several months of her pregnancy, therefore, she knew more than anybody that baby Jesus was the Messiah, (Messias) the Christ, (Chriastos) meaning “the anointed One” or the “anointed.” (The New International Dictionary of the Bible)

We live in a time which names mean very little or nothing.  However, Joseph and Mary lived in a time when names meant something and almost everyone knew what they meant.  I am convinced they knew why they were to name the Son of God, Jesus, (Iesous) meaning “Savior.” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary)    As a matter of fact the angel, in a dream, told Joseph that he was to give the son born to them the name “Jesus” “because he [would] save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Mary “pondered” (sumballo) meaning to consider, putting one thing with another in her mind while considering the circumstances and all that has been said and then holding them in her heart. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Vines Amplified Expository Dictionary of the New Testament Words; Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon)

I would propose to you there is much in “Grasping the Truths of Christmas” that is worthy of pondering, worth meditating on, and holding within the child of God’s heart.  If you are a child of God, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life and has given you revelation and illumination about Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Holy Anointed One, the Savior of your soul.  There is much for you to ponder on this Christmas. What is so special about Christmas?  Is there relevance in Christmas? What is the reason for and the result of Christmas?

Many do not know the “Relevance of Christmas” 

There are three truths that the Holy Spirit of God wants you to ponder on today.  Many do not know the “Relevance of Christmas.”  “Relevant,” means having to do with the case at hand. The Apostle Paul writes about the case at hand, Jesus Christ, “…being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

On June 6, 1944, a date known ever since as D-Day, a mighty armada crossed a narrow strip of sea from England to Normandy, France.  Simultaneously U.S., British, and Canadian forces landed on five separate beachheads.  By the end of August 1944, just three months later all of northern France was liberated, and the invading forces reorganized for the drive into Germany, where they eventually meet with Soviet forces advancing from the east to bring an end to the Nazi grip on western Europe.  That was big news regarding the results of World War II.

Just a little over 2,000 years ago, bigger news came through the angel announcing the birth of Christ, when God in the flesh came, walked on this war-torn earth during it’s battle with man’s sinful flesh, the world’s view and Satan.  Sin always holds a multitude in its grip.  God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit invaded and broke that grip by Jesus coming on the first Christmas.  Jesus, being God and man, made the way to take on the sins of the world upon Himself, pay the ultimate price on the Cross of Calvary, be raised from the dead thus, getting victory over sin and death and liberating all who accept Him as personal Savior and Lord. One truth worth pondering in Christ’s coming is that He “emptied Himself” or rather “made Himself nothing” and became man.  This was not “the humility of Christ,” but rather what theologians refer to as the “humiliation of Christ.” (The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible; Thru the Bible) Let the Holy Spirit place this deep within your heart, the Lord of the universe – He who existed in eternity and perfection, in glory and majesty, in dominion and power stepped down and came to walk this guilty sod, which is so full of sin, so He could take on the humiliation of sin.

Ponder these Biblical truths about Christ being man:

1.) The Lord, whom we are to serve for eternity came to serve us.  As a matter fact one of His purposes in coming was to show all what God is like.  He taught that Christians are to become His disciples and He said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-27)

2.) The Lord, whom we are to love, came and showed the ultimate love for us.  Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)  There is a truth proclaimed often this time of the year, “Christ was born to die” and He commands us to have the same measure of love for our brothers in Christ as He showed for us.  The beloved John caught the truths of Jesus’ teaching.  We read in 1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16)

3.) The Lord, whom we are to seek with all our hearts so that He may be found, came to seek that which was lost.  While in the home of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, the Lord said, “Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)  This passage of Scripture expresses the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Those who are bound by the flesh, the world and Satan’s lies are always looking for something and are not listening for the call of the Lord upon their souls.  However, He left the abode of God, heaven, to seek that which is lost and offer fellowship to those who will let Him into their hearts and lives.

Jesus came for a specific reason

Christ coming to earth is worth pondering in the hearts of Christians.  Jesus also came for a specific reason. Many people and church attendees today form their views of the true God much as the pagan mythologist did.  Their view of God is the product of their own experiences or the experiences they have heard recounted by others and is not formed by seeing God’s inerrant revelation of Himself in the Scriptures. (Dr. Jim Berg, Created for His Glory)

The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning…  The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2,14) This is the basic statement of the Incarnation, for Jesus entered into this earth through the gateway of childbirth and took up residence among men.  His incarnation was the full manifestation of grace and truth because it was the greatest possible expression of God’s compassion for people and the most perfect way of conveying truth to their understanding.” God’s personal revelation of Himself in Christ has no parallel elsewhere, nor has it ever been repeated. (The expositors Bible Commentary; Barnes Notes)   The incarnation is often very hard to fully explain in just a phrase or sentence.

Paul Harvey took time to tell the story of a man whom the Lord gave a glimpse of one of the purposes of the incarnation.

On a raw winter night a man heard an irregular thumping sound against the kitchen storm door.  He went to a window and watched as tiny, shivering sparrows, attracted to the evident warmth and light that was inside, beat in vain against the glass. Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged through the fresh snow to open the barn door for the struggling birds.  He turned on the lights, tossed some hay in a corner, and sprinkled a trail of saltine crackers to direct them into the barn.  But the sparrows, which had scattered in all directions when he emerged from the house, hid in the darkness. He tried various tactics; circling behind the birds to drive them toward the barn, tossing cracker crumbs in the air toward them, retreating to his house to see if they would flutter into the barn on their own.  Nothing worked and the birds could not understand that he actually desired to help. He withdrew to his house and watched the doomed sparrows through a window.  As he stared, a thought hit: “If only I could become a bird – one of them – just for a moment in time…  I could lead them to warmth and safety.”  Meditating on this thought he grasped a principle of the incarnation.  Notice, I said a principle to the incarnation, not the whole truths of it.

Christ coming in the flesh was for man to see what God is like and to show Christians how to live the abundant life in the midst of a sin-torn world.  William Barclay wrote in regards to the incarnation, “In Jesus we see the creating Word of God, the controlling reason of God, taking manhood upon Himself.  In Jesus we see God living life as He would live it, thus, showing us how we should live on earth.” Because of the incarnation, through Jesus Christ we see what real love is and how to show it to others.  We see how to communicate to God through prayer and how to live a life of obedience to God’s commands and decrees, how to defeat the attacks of Satan, overcome the flesh and the world. Through knowing the life Christ lived down here on earth, we see what it is like to live a life that truly trusts in God.

Jesus is the embodiment of all that God is.  Jesus said, “… Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)   Jesus came to make understanding God simplistic.  Very few people can grasp abstract ideas; most people think in pictures.  We could think and argue forever and we would very likely not be able to give a clear definition of beauty.  It seems ever since modern man began to think about God he has have been trying to define just who and what He is – and the best description of Him cannot be clearer than getting Holy Spirit revelation through the written Word of God about Christ.  (William Barclay) A lifetime of study and thought could not exhaust the truths of the incarnation.

One more treasure worth pondering is, “…We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only…” (John 1:14) “Glory,” (doxes) as it is used here, means God’s self-manifestation was exhibited in the character and life of Jesus Christ.  God’s glory was recognized in Jesus’ divine character. (Vines Amplified Expository Dictionary; The Complete Word Study)  Jesus was the glorious power and the full perfect guiding light of God, the magnificence of God.  This word, glory, refers to that which is the visible presence of God among men. (William Barclay) The practical application of what Jesus was and is can be explained by meditating upon Exodus 40:34-38.  The cloud in Exodus symbolized God’s presence.  What John is saying is, “We beheld,” actually saw, the Shekinah glory, God’s very presence actually living among us. (Practical Word Studies in the New Testament)   Because of everything Jesus did upon this earth and His going to the Father and the sending the Holy Spirit to us, we can behold the presence of Christ living in us through the Spirit of Christ. (Romans 8:9-11)    There is no greater Christmas present than having, experiencing and enjoying the life changing presence of Jesus Christ in our lives.  And that is a treasure worth pondering.

Christians today can really know the Lord

Just as the people in the time of Jesus walking upon this earth beheld the glory of God, Christians today can really know the Lord.

The life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus mean that God acted decisively to save people from sin and eternal death.  The God who saves people in Christ is the God of His redeemed, those who are under the blood of Jesus Christ.  And when sinners find Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord they are allowed to come to God because of the cost paid at Calvary.  These Christians are under the new covenant of whom the writer of the Book of Hebrews wrote about.

In Hebrews 8:10-12 the writer quotes Jeremiah as he foresaw this dispensation that we live in today, which is Jesus Christ being Mediator. (Hebrews 8:10-12; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Barnes Notes; Matthew Henry Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary) Hebrews 8:10-12 says “…I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:10-12)

All those who enter into the new covenant and are interested in all that the Lord is doing in this time in which we live today, will become acquainted with the Lord; learn His character and determine His will for them in this life and service unto Him. Each child of God will have his own intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. God Himself will put His Holy Spirit within each of them and He will write His Word upon their hearts and move them to follow His decrees and be careful to keep His laws.  The Lord says through Ezekiel, ^“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”   (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

The ministry that Jesus had on this earth surpassed that of the Levitical priesthood and His ministry is far more exciting. (Hebrews 8:6; The Expositors Bible Commentary)   He will have worshipers who from the heart are obedient to Him, worship, which come from an expression of love rather than from works trying to obtain merit before the Lord.  He will move them by His Holy Spirit to seek His truths found in God’s Word, thus, birthing a relationship built on trust and faithfulness.

I remember before I got saved nearly twenty years ago, I had no draw to the things of God. I had no desire to be in the house of God, have fellowship with Christians, and there was no way I was going to read the Bible.  I got saved in August 1987 and in September the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about getting a Bible and by October the Lord gave me a hunger to be in His Word. To this day He moves me to want to know more and constantly reminds me to strive for obedience to it. The Holy Spirit moved me to study God’s Word in January of 1991 and He enabled me to stay up late at night, He moved on this church, CrossRoads Church to pay for my schooling and by May of 1998 after many trials He made the way for me to obtain 82 credit hours with the Assembly of God, maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

In the last 6 months, the Holy Spirit has put a new fire in my heart for prayerfully reading God’s Word and just recently a desire for deeper study.  I have always read and studied the Word; however, this is a fresh touch.  I want to know more of God’s Word, more of Him, more of Christ and have a deeper walk with the Holy Spirit.  For weeks now I’ve sat in my chair, pondering on how I can get to know more of God, Christ and enjoy a deeper fellowship in the Holy Spirit.  In my office for weeks now I have been silently praying asking the Lord for Bible software so I can have what I need to prayerfully work on critical ministry needs when I am away from my office. Just recently my wife came and told me what she wants to get me for Christmas.  She had heard on American Family Radio about a new high quality Bible software used by people who I know are greatly used of God, Christians like Kay Arthur, Joshua McDowell, John MacArthur and John Piper and many more. Is this taking us off the point of the knowing God?  No, for God’s Word says in the very same Book of Hebrews in chapter 13:7-8, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:7-8)

There are Christians that the Lord is going to bring into your path that live the life, that excel in what God is called them to do and have some kind of spiritual authority over you. “Leaders,” (hegeomai) here is a general term, therefore, this means anyone who has authority over you and has the Biblical integrity to teach you the Word of God in regards to all that you are doing. Most generally these leaders will be elders or spiritual leaders in a church.  It is the outcome of their ministry that determines your loyalty and your undivided attention.  Once Christian character is established, take heed to their teachings and imitate their faith in God, their obedience to Christ and their willingness to walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, in good times, trials and victory over temptations. (Thayers Greek-English Lexicon; The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Thru the Bible; Matthew Henry Commentary; The Expositors Bible Commentary) The Lord is going to use His Word and set before you Christians, who live a life reflecting a relationship with Him, to show you how you should live the Christian life before your family, friends and co-workers.  Knowing God and how to know Him more is worth pondering in the heart of Christians.

Have you opened the gift God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit has for you

What is so special about Christmas?  The Christ and the walk He had on this earth is “Relevant.”  God sent His Son to invade the dominion of sin upon this earth and the Holy Spirit to liberate Christians from the grip of the flesh, the world and the devil. Christ coming in the flesh was for man to see what God is like and to show Christians how to live the abundant life in the midst of a sin-torn world.  Because of the incarnation, through Jesus Christ we see what real love is and how to show it to others.  We see how to communicate to God through prayer and how to live a life of obedience to God’s commands and decrees.  Knowing about the life of Christ gives us the knowledge of how to truly trust in God. Because of Christmas, Christians can know God, be intimate with Christ, learn His character and determine His will for them in this life and service unto Him.

Rick Warren told about a very embarrassing time in His life when he found an unopened Christmas gift in one of his drawers of his desk.  The gift was given to him a year before at Christmas time.  He opened it and it said, “A gift for Rick Warren.”  It was a wonderful gift and he was concern that the certificate had expired.  The point is an unopened gift is a worthless gift. Have you opened the gift God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit has for you?  You can choose this day to enjoy the gift of getting victory in your life through having Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.  Thus, the flesh, the world, and the Devil will no longer have a death grip on your heart and life.

Have you grasped the glory of the incarnation of Christ?  Do you live a life that expresses Christ-like character, a hunger for God’s will in this life and service unto Him?