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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem

December 21, 2024 | S24:E5107

Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Trinity #Faith #Religion #Culture #Nativity #StarofBethlehem #Christmas #WordofGod #inActive #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #Atonement #VirginBirth #Shepherds #Incarnate #Luke2

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem | December 21, 2024
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome to this special edition of pathway to victory.
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  • Our minds cannot begin to understand god,
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  • Creator of the universe,
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  • Being born as mary's baby boy.
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  • Yet john 3:16 tells of the greatest gift ever given,
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  • "for god so loved the world
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  • That he gave his one and only son."
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  • Your partnership with pathway to victory allows others
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  • To receive god's love and the gift of jesus christ.
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  • So just before my message today, back to bethlehem,
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  • I want to encourage you with this story
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  • Of a couple in indiana who share the greatest gift of all
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  • With the incarcerated ladies
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  • Of the rockville correctional facility in indiana.
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  • All because of the influence of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] "i was in prison, and you came to me."
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  • Carl and ruthie redemsky rodsky live in rosedale, indiana,
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  • A town one hour west of indianapolis
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  • With a population of 725.
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  • [ruthie] as we were watching
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  • Dr. jeffress' preach on forgiveness,
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  • I said to carl, "the ladies at rockville need to see this."
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  • [announcer] the rockville correctional facility
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  • Is 14 miles north of carl and ruthie's home.
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  • It's a state prison,
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  • And the largest female penitentiary
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  • In indiana with about 1,200 women.
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  • The average age of the women at intake is 33 years old.
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  • [carl] so we started to volunteer at rockville
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  • And our bible study group was born.
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  • This past tuesday, we had 28 ladies attending.
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  • [ruthie] we watched the dvd
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  • And we used dr. jeffress book and bible study guide
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  • As we discuss god's word together.
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  • [rhonda] i've been incarcerated her
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  • In rockville since 2009.
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  • "second chance, second act" had a profound impact on me.
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  • Dr. jeffress opened my eyes to see how god has forgiven me
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  • And how god loves me even in my worst failure.
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  • God can turn my messes into success.
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  • [ruthie] last month, we had almost 90 in worship
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  • And eight ladies accepted jesus christ as their savior.
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  • [latisha] dr. jeffress makes the bible relevant
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  • No matter where a person is in their journey.
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  • I mean, it's like he's talking straight to me.
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  • I may still be in prison,
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  • But i've been set free.
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  • [announcer] in luke 4:18,
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  • Jesus, quoting the prophet, isaiah, said,
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  • "he has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives."
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  • [shay] 21 years i've been inside the rock,
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  • I just got over three years left.
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  • I feel like i know dr. jeffress,
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  • 'cause you all been teaching me the bible for so long.
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  • Without those study materials from dr. jeffress,
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  • I would've given up years ago.
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  • [ruthie] we are so grateful to dr. jeffress
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  • And the pathway to victory family.
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  • And family is the right word.
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  • The ladies feel that too.
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  • When they heard about that horrible fire
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  • At first baptist dallas,
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  • They decided amongst themselves
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  • That they wanted to take up an offering
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  • To show their support.
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  • [announcer] 10 ladies gave $197.
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  • Susan, serving a life sentence for murder,
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  • Gave $1, and said in her letter...
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  • [susan] at this moment,
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  • I have a dollar and 12 cents in my account.
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  • I know most people would think,
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  • "what difference would a dollar make?"
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  • I have no doubt in my mind that through the power of god,
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  • He is more than able to perform a miracle with a dollar."
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  • Thank you dr. jeffress, for your ministry
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  • To the ladies here at rockville.
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  • Lives are being changed for all eternity.
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  • [announcer] carl and ruth ann continue
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  • To lead their bible study inside the walls
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  • Of rockville correctional facility every tuesday night.
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  • The celebration of jesus' birth each christmas
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  • Marks the moment when god's radiant hope entered our world.
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  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
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  • You can help pierce the darkness with the light
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  • Of god's word through the pathway to victory
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  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, pathway to victory has been boldly sharing
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  • The gospel of jesus christ,
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  • And your gift, doubled an impact,
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  • Will be used to proclaim god's truth here in america
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  • And around the world.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • I think about the story of the little girl
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  • Who is learning to pray what we call the lord's prayer.
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  • One night her dad walked past the bedroom,
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  • The door was opened,
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  • He saw his little girl kneeling by the bed
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  • And praying the lord's prayer.
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  • And he heard her say,
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  • "and lord forgive us of our christmases
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  • As we forgive those who christmas against us."
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  • (congregation laughing)
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  • Maybe you feel like you've been christmas against
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  • By the time christmas finally arrives.
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  • You know it's trite,
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  • But it's nevertheless true.
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  • So many times,
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  • The distractions of the holiday season cause us
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  • To lose sight of what christmas is really about,
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  • The entrance of the savior of the world into the world.
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  • And that thought gave me a little bit
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  • Of comfort when i was preparing this week's message.
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  • I'm going to invite you to take your bibles
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  • And turn back to luke chapter two
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  • As we take a journey back to bethlehem
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  • To talk about the most important birth in human history.
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  • Now, i want you to think of luke's account of this birth
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  • As a play in three different acts.
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  • And it begins act one,
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  • Not in bethlehem,
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  • But it occurs hundreds of miles away from bethlehem
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  • In the seat of world power.
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  • Then it wasn't new york city or washington d.c.,
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  • The seat of world power was rome.
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  • The story begins, you know it well.
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  • "now it came about in those days
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  • That a decree went out from caesar augustus,
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  • That a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
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  • This was the first census taken while quirinius
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  • Was governor of syria."
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  • Now why does luke give us all of this historical background?
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  • Remember, he was writing this as a letter
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  • To a man named, theophilus,
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  • Lover of god, probably a recent convert.
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  • And he was trying to show theophilus
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  • That the story of christianity
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  • Is not rooted in fantasy or fable.
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  • It is rooted in historical fact.
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  • And the setting for this story
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  • Is something everyone was well aware of
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  • When luke wrote this letter.
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  • 60 years earlier, luke reminded theophilus,
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  • 60 years earlier, caesar augustus,
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  • The roman emperor, had issued a decree
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  • That a census should be taken of the entire world
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  • For the purpose of taxation.
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  • Now the roman government was very methodical
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  • In how they were going to conduct this census.
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  • The head of each household would go back
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  • To the place of his birth,
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  • Where the family records were kept
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  • In order to register for the census.
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  • So if you were a head of household
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  • And you lived in nazareth,
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  • But were born in jerusalem,
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  • You'd go to jerusalem.
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  • If you lived in jerusalem,
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  • But were born in nazareth,
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  • You'd go the opposite direction.
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  • And this is where we see joseph and mary.
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  • This couple we met last time.
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  • Joseph was the head of the household,
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  • And so he was commanded to go to the place of his birth.
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  • He lived in nazareth,
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  • But he was commanded to go to his birthplace,
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  • Which was bethlehem.
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  • Look at verses four and five,
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  • "and joseph also went up from galilee,
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  • From the city of nazareth,"
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  • That's up in the north,
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  • Down to the south,
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  • "to judea, to the city of david,
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  • Which is called bethlehem,
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  • Because he was of the house and family of david.
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  • In order to register along with mary,
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  • Who was engaged to him,
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  • And was with child."
  • 00:08:46.983 --> 00:08:48.751
  • Remember last time the angel had just come,
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  • Gabriel to mary and said,
  • 00:08:51.087 --> 00:08:52.488
  • "you're going to give birth to the savior."
  • 00:08:52.488 --> 00:08:54.290
  • Now we've skipped about eight or nine months,
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  • And now at this point,
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  • Mary is pregnant, very pregnant,
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  • And they're on their way to bethlehem.
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  • Now what i want you to think about for a moment
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  • Is how god used natural events
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  • To bring about his supernatural plan.
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  • Think about this.
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  • With one stroke of the pen,
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  • Caesar augustus, hundreds of miles away,
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  • The most powerful man in the world,
  • 00:09:19.915 --> 00:09:21.717
  • With one stroke of his pen,
  • 00:09:21.717 --> 00:09:23.285
  • He signed an edict that would have ramifications
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  • He could have never imagined.
  • 00:09:26.555 --> 00:09:28.557
  • Little did caesar know that when he signed that order
  • 00:09:28.557 --> 00:09:32.528
  • It would cause a man named, joseph,
  • 00:09:32.528 --> 00:09:34.463
  • Whom he had never met,
  • 00:09:34.463 --> 00:09:36.165
  • To travel to a little village called bethlehem,
  • 00:09:36.165 --> 00:09:39.702
  • Augustus had never heard of,
  • 00:09:39.702 --> 00:09:42.071
  • In order that joseph's wife might give birth
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  • To the king of the universe,
  • 00:09:45.508 --> 00:09:48.144
  • A king whose followers,
  • 00:09:48.144 --> 00:09:49.845
  • Within just a few hundred years,
  • 00:09:49.845 --> 00:09:51.981
  • Would topple the entire roman empire.
  • 00:09:51.981 --> 00:09:55.384
  • Isn't that an amazing thought?
  • 00:09:55.384 --> 00:09:57.920
  • Act one of this play began in rome.
  • 00:09:57.920 --> 00:10:00.523
  • Act two, we go to a small inn in bethlehem.
  • 00:10:00.523 --> 00:10:05.795
  • Look at verses six and seven,
  • 00:10:06.429 --> 00:10:07.730
  • "and it came about that while they were there,
  • 00:10:07.730 --> 00:10:10.766
  • The days were completed for mary to give birth.
  • 00:10:10.766 --> 00:10:14.570
  • And she gave birth to her firstborn son,
  • 00:10:14.570 --> 00:10:17.506
  • And she wrapped him in cloths,
  • 00:10:17.506 --> 00:10:19.442
  • And laid him in a manger,
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  • Because there was no room for them in the inn."
  • 00:10:21.243 --> 00:10:25.715
  • Isn't it interesting,
  • 00:10:25.715 --> 00:10:26.982
  • Only two verses record the most important birth in history?
  • 00:10:26.982 --> 00:10:31.420
  • C. s. lewis had it right when he said,
  • 00:10:31.420 --> 00:10:34.657
  • "the greatest miracle of all time
  • 00:10:34.657 --> 00:10:37.493
  • Is not the atonement or even the resurrection.
  • 00:10:37.493 --> 00:10:41.797
  • The greatest miracle is the incarnation,
  • 00:10:41.797 --> 00:10:45.901
  • God becoming flesh."
  • 00:10:45.901 --> 00:10:49.572
  • God was willing to give up the comfort of heaven.
  • 00:10:49.572 --> 00:10:53.442
  • He in the person of his son jesus was willing to come to
  • 00:10:53.442 --> 00:10:56.746
  • Earth to be born in the most humble circumstances, and he
  • 00:10:56.746 --> 00:10:59.949
  • Came not to be worshiped, not at the beginning anyway;
  • 00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:04.587
  • He came to be sacrificed for our sins.
  • 00:11:04.587 --> 00:11:08.557
  • Paul said it this way in philippians two,
  • 00:11:08.557 --> 00:11:10.860
  • And talking about jesus christ,
  • 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.428
  • "although he existed in the form of god,
  • 00:11:12.428 --> 00:11:15.664
  • He did not regard his equality with god
  • 00:11:15.664 --> 00:11:18.167
  • A thing to be grasped,
  • 00:11:18.167 --> 00:11:19.902
  • But he emptied himself,
  • 00:11:19.902 --> 00:11:21.604
  • Taking the form of a bond-servant,
  • 00:11:21.604 --> 00:11:23.739
  • And being made in the likeness of men.
  • 00:11:23.739 --> 00:11:26.475
  • And being found in the appearance as a man,
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  • He humbled himself by becoming obedient
  • 00:11:28.911 --> 00:11:32.448
  • To the point of death,
  • 00:11:32.448 --> 00:11:34.016
  • Even death on a cross."
  • 00:11:34.016 --> 00:11:37.286
  • The final act of this play occurs
  • 00:11:37.286 --> 00:11:40.422
  • On a hill outside of bethlehem.
  • 00:11:40.422 --> 00:11:42.758
  • Look at verse eight,
  • 00:11:42.758 --> 00:11:44.593
  • "and in the same region
  • 00:11:44.593 --> 00:11:46.162
  • There were some shepherds staying out in the fields
  • 00:11:46.162 --> 00:11:50.299
  • And keeping watch over their flock by night."
  • 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:54.470
  • The shepherds were tending their sheep.
  • 00:11:54.470 --> 00:11:56.071
  • Now, most people don't realize,
  • 00:11:56.071 --> 00:11:58.207
  • This story probably did not take place in december.
  • 00:11:58.207 --> 00:12:00.876
  • It was probably very close to passover time,
  • 00:12:00.876 --> 00:12:04.113
  • And it's very probable that these shepherds were taking care
  • 00:12:04.113 --> 00:12:06.882
  • Of sheep that would soon become the passover lambs
  • 00:12:06.882 --> 00:12:10.653
  • That would be used as a representative of the coming savior.
  • 00:12:10.653 --> 00:12:15.257
  • Now you have to know something about shepherds
  • 00:12:15.257 --> 00:12:17.359
  • To appreciate what is going on here.
  • 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:19.361
  • Shepherds represented the lowest rung in the jewish culture.
  • 00:12:19.361 --> 00:12:24.700
  • Shepherds took care of dirty and smelly sheep.
  • 00:12:25.601 --> 00:12:29.438
  • And because they did so,
  • 00:12:29.438 --> 00:12:31.307
  • They were dirty and smelly themselves.
  • 00:12:31.307 --> 00:12:34.076
  • There was no sure deodorant back then
  • 00:12:34.076 --> 00:12:37.046
  • To take the stench away.
  • 00:12:37.046 --> 00:12:38.981
  • So if you were going to have a party,
  • 00:12:38.981 --> 00:12:40.449
  • Guess who you would never invite to your party?
  • 00:12:40.449 --> 00:12:43.452
  • They never made it to any a-list parties, the shepherds.
  • 00:12:43.452 --> 00:12:46.388
  • They were the outcast of jewish society.
  • 00:12:46.388 --> 00:12:49.658
  • Isn't it interesting that god chose to make his announcement
  • 00:12:49.658 --> 00:12:54.630
  • Of the savior's birth not to the political leaders in rome,
  • 00:12:54.630 --> 00:12:58.033
  • Not to the jewish leaders in jerusalem,
  • 00:12:58.033 --> 00:13:00.469
  • He chose to make this announcement
  • 00:13:00.469 --> 00:13:02.671
  • To the smelly, dirty shepherds.
  • 00:13:02.671 --> 00:13:06.775
  • Look at how it came about,
  • 00:13:06.775 --> 00:13:07.877
  • Verse nine,
  • 00:13:07.877 --> 00:13:09.378
  • "and the angel of the lord suddenly stood before them,
  • 00:13:09.378 --> 00:13:13.215
  • And the glory of the lord shone around them,
  • 00:13:13.215 --> 00:13:15.551
  • And they were terribly frightened."
  • 00:13:15.551 --> 00:13:17.186
  • I would think so.
  • 00:13:17.186 --> 00:13:18.854
  • Imagine out there in the darkness
  • 00:13:18.854 --> 00:13:20.422
  • When suddenly gabriel appears.
  • 00:13:20.422 --> 00:13:23.192
  • "and gabriel said to them,
  • 00:13:23.192 --> 00:13:25.160
  • 'do not be afraid.'"
  • 00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:27.129
  • Notice how that's his entering line?
  • 00:13:27.129 --> 00:13:29.398
  • Every time he runs into somebody,
  • 00:13:29.398 --> 00:13:31.066
  • "don't be afraid," they had every right to be afraid.
  • 00:13:31.066 --> 00:13:34.136
  • "for behold, i bring you good news of a great joy,
  • 00:13:34.136 --> 00:13:37.806
  • Which shall be for all the people.
  • 00:13:37.806 --> 00:13:40.242
  • For today in the city of david,
  • 00:13:40.242 --> 00:13:42.111
  • There has been born for you a savior
  • 00:13:42.111 --> 00:13:45.047
  • Who is christ the lord."
  • 00:13:45.047 --> 00:13:47.383
  • Well, there were many babies probably born that night
  • 00:13:47.383 --> 00:13:49.985
  • In jerusalem, in all of israel.
  • 00:13:49.985 --> 00:13:53.222
  • So to be more specific,
  • 00:13:53.222 --> 00:13:54.590
  • He gave the sign, verse 12,
  • 00:13:54.590 --> 00:13:56.292
  • "and this will be a sign for you,
  • 00:13:56.292 --> 00:13:58.360
  • You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
  • 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.063
  • And lying in a manger."
  • 00:14:01.063 --> 00:14:03.599
  • And suddenly, the single voice of gabriel gave way
  • 00:14:03.599 --> 00:14:06.735
  • To a multitude, thousands, perhaps,
  • 00:14:06.735 --> 00:14:09.104
  • Tens of thousands of angels in the heaven,
  • 00:14:09.104 --> 00:14:11.674
  • Saying, verse 14, "glory to god in the highest.
  • 00:14:11.674 --> 00:14:16.211
  • And on earth peace."
  • 00:14:16.211 --> 00:14:19.682
  • Now, if you have the king james version,
  • 00:14:20.549 --> 00:14:21.817
  • It says, "peace, goodwill toward men."
  • 00:14:21.817 --> 00:14:26.388
  • That's a very unfortunate translation.
  • 00:14:26.388 --> 00:14:29.425
  • Even though it's a translation we're used to
  • 00:14:29.425 --> 00:14:31.226
  • And we see plastered on christmas cards everywhere,
  • 00:14:31.226 --> 00:14:33.862
  • "peace, goodwill toward men,"
  • 00:14:33.862 --> 00:14:36.732
  • That makes it sound like god is simply giving
  • 00:14:36.732 --> 00:14:39.034
  • A generic blessing to everybody.
  • 00:14:39.034 --> 00:14:41.403
  • Peace, you all.
  • 00:14:41.403 --> 00:14:43.205
  • Goodwill to everybody.
  • 00:14:43.205 --> 00:14:45.341
  • That's not what the text says.
  • 00:14:45.341 --> 00:14:48.177
  • What the text really says
  • 00:14:48.177 --> 00:14:49.778
  • Is what the new american standard translates said,
  • 00:14:49.778 --> 00:14:53.115
  • "peace among men with whom god is pleased."
  • 00:14:53.115 --> 00:14:58.387
  • Ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:14:58.887 --> 00:15:00.189
  • The only people who are at peace with god
  • 00:15:00.189 --> 00:15:02.725
  • And peace with themselves are those who have accepted
  • 00:15:02.725 --> 00:15:06.462
  • The forgiveness that christ comes to offer.
  • 00:15:06.462 --> 00:15:09.264
  • Romans 5:1 says, "therefore, having been justified by faith,
  • 00:15:09.264 --> 00:15:14.570
  • We have peace with god through our lord jesus christ."
  • 00:15:15.637 --> 00:15:20.109
  • The only one who enjoys peace with himself
  • 00:15:20.976 --> 00:15:23.445
  • And more importantly,
  • 00:15:23.445 --> 00:15:24.613
  • Peace with god are those whose sins
  • 00:15:24.613 --> 00:15:27.082
  • Had been forgiven by christ jesus.
  • 00:15:27.082 --> 00:15:29.485
  • Verse 15 says, "and it came about
  • 00:15:29.485 --> 00:15:31.520
  • When the angels had gone away from them into heaven
  • 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:34.390
  • That the shepherds began saying to one another,
  • 00:15:34.390 --> 00:15:36.759
  • 'let us go straight to bethlehem then,
  • 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:39.995
  • And see this thing which had happened,
  • 00:15:39.995 --> 00:15:42.031
  • Which the lord has made known to us.'"
  • 00:15:42.031 --> 00:15:45.734
  • Isn't it ironic to you
  • 00:15:45.734 --> 00:15:47.269
  • That when the religious leaders in jerusalem heard the news,
  • 00:15:47.269 --> 00:15:51.173
  • How did they respond?
  • 00:15:51.173 --> 00:15:55.210
  • Tell me something exciting.
  • 00:15:55.811 --> 00:15:57.546
  • They stayed right where they were.
  • 00:15:58.313 --> 00:16:00.349
  • But when the shepherds,
  • 00:16:00.349 --> 00:16:01.784
  • The lowest rung of society heard it,
  • 00:16:01.784 --> 00:16:04.353
  • They went with haste.
  • 00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:07.089
  • This is the first instance of a christmas rush in history.
  • 00:16:07.089 --> 00:16:10.626
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:16:10.626 --> 00:16:11.827
  • They went quickly to see this thing.
  • 00:16:11.827 --> 00:16:15.064
  • Verse 16, "they came in haste,
  • 00:16:15.064 --> 00:16:16.832
  • And they found their way to mary and joseph,
  • 00:16:16.832 --> 00:16:19.501
  • And the baby as he lay in the manger."
  • 00:16:19.501 --> 00:16:22.137
  • Look at verse 17,
  • 00:16:22.137 --> 00:16:23.338
  • "and when they had seen this,
  • 00:16:23.338 --> 00:16:24.840
  • They made known the statement
  • 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.975
  • Which had been told to them about the child."
  • 00:16:26.975 --> 00:16:29.411
  • Verse 20, "and the shepherds went back,
  • 00:16:29.411 --> 00:16:31.647
  • Glorifying and praising god
  • 00:16:31.647 --> 00:16:33.882
  • For all that they had seen and heard,
  • 00:16:33.882 --> 00:16:36.351
  • Just as had been told them."
  • 00:16:36.351 --> 00:16:39.054
  • You know, there is so much i could say about this.
  • 00:16:39.054 --> 00:16:43.192
  • But i want you to go back to verses 10
  • 00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:45.227
  • And 11 for just a moment.
  • 00:16:45.227 --> 00:16:47.362
  • Look at the announcement of gabriel.
  • 00:16:47.362 --> 00:16:49.631
  • "and the angel said to the them,
  • 00:16:49.631 --> 00:16:52.267
  • 'do not be afraid,
  • 00:16:52.267 --> 00:16:54.169
  • For behold, i bring you good news of a great joy
  • 00:16:54.169 --> 00:16:57.739
  • Which shall be for all the people,
  • 00:16:57.739 --> 00:17:00.075
  • For today in the city of david,
  • 00:17:00.075 --> 00:17:02.010
  • There has been born for you a savior.'"
  • 00:17:02.010 --> 00:17:05.147
  • Underline that, "a savior who is christ the lord."
  • 00:17:05.147 --> 00:17:10.152
  • Someone has said,
  • 00:17:10.586 --> 00:17:12.754
  • If man's greatest need had been instruction,
  • 00:17:12.754 --> 00:17:15.691
  • God would've sent a teacher.
  • 00:17:15.691 --> 00:17:17.459
  • If our greatest need had been for a law,
  • 00:17:18.327 --> 00:17:21.263
  • God would've sent a legislator.
  • 00:17:21.263 --> 00:17:24.032
  • If our greatest need had been for money,
  • 00:17:24.032 --> 00:17:25.834
  • God would've sent an economist.
  • 00:17:25.834 --> 00:17:29.671
  • But our greatest need is for forgiveness,
  • 00:17:29.671 --> 00:17:33.675
  • And that's why god sent a savior.
  • 00:17:33.675 --> 00:17:36.378
  • -amen. -for unto you
  • 00:17:36.378 --> 00:17:37.880
  • Is born this day a savior.
  • 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:41.783
  • A savior.
  • 00:17:41.783 --> 00:17:42.951
  • Remember what the angel said?
  • 00:17:42.951 --> 00:17:43.952
  • "you shall call his name jesus,
  • 00:17:43.952 --> 00:17:45.554
  • For he shall," what?
  • 00:17:45.554 --> 00:17:46.722
  • "save his people from their sins."
  • 00:17:46.722 --> 00:17:50.993
  • You know, just as gabriel's good news broke
  • 00:17:50.993 --> 00:17:54.730
  • The darkness of that night.
  • 00:17:54.730 --> 00:17:57.032
  • The gospel does the same for you and me.
  • 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.935
  • It doesn't matter how dark your situation is right now,
  • 00:17:59.935 --> 00:18:02.871
  • Some of you feel like you're in a hopeless situation.
  • 00:18:02.871 --> 00:18:05.574
  • You feel like there is no way out.
  • 00:18:05.574 --> 00:18:07.910
  • No matter how dark and bleak your situation is,
  • 00:18:07.910 --> 00:18:11.079
  • The good news of jesus' forgiveness,
  • 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:13.916
  • Bursts through like light and dispels the darkness forever.
  • 00:18:13.916 --> 00:18:18.120
  • Paul said, "when we were lost,
  • 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.555
  • Without hope in this world or the next world,
  • 00:18:19.555 --> 00:18:22.157
  • That's when god sent christ for us."
  • 00:18:22.157 --> 00:18:24.993
  • God demonstrated his love toward us,
  • 00:18:24.993 --> 00:18:27.162
  • And that while we were yet sinners,
  • 00:18:27.162 --> 00:18:29.264
  • He sent christ to die for us.
  • 00:18:29.264 --> 00:18:32.034
  • You know, paul had that experience himself.
  • 00:18:32.034 --> 00:18:34.570
  • Remember, he was a murderer, a blasphemer of god.
  • 00:18:34.570 --> 00:18:38.540
  • But when he was on that road to damascus,
  • 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:41.543
  • The light of jesus christ burst into his life,
  • 00:18:41.543 --> 00:18:45.447
  • And he was never the same again.
  • 00:18:45.447 --> 00:18:47.983
  • And when he talked about
  • 00:18:47.983 --> 00:18:49.151
  • That experience until the day he died,
  • 00:18:49.151 --> 00:18:51.220
  • He said it this way in 2 corinthians 9:15,
  • 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:54.223
  • "thanks be to god for his indescribable gift."
  • 00:18:54.223 --> 00:19:01.363
  • Paul actually made up that greek word, indescribable,
  • 00:19:01.363 --> 00:19:04.466
  • It's how it's translated.
  • 00:19:04.466 --> 00:19:05.601
  • He just made up his own superlative.
  • 00:19:05.601 --> 00:19:07.502
  • "thanks be to god for that incomparable,
  • 00:19:07.502 --> 00:19:10.372
  • Indescribable beyond description,
  • 00:19:10.372 --> 00:19:13.375
  • That gift of jesus christ."
  • 00:19:13.375 --> 00:19:16.712
  • What is it that makes the gift of jesus indescribable,
  • 00:19:16.712 --> 00:19:20.749
  • Where this one translation says,
  • 00:19:20.749 --> 00:19:22.217
  • Far too wonderful for words.
  • 00:19:22.217 --> 00:19:25.454
  • And more importantly,
  • 00:19:25.454 --> 00:19:26.755
  • How are you and i to respond to that story?
  • 00:19:26.755 --> 00:19:30.158
  • I want to suggest in closing the day,
  • 00:19:30.158 --> 00:19:32.127
  • Two principles, that i think 2,000 years later,
  • 00:19:32.127 --> 00:19:36.131
  • Inform us of what our response
  • 00:19:36.131 --> 00:19:38.300
  • To god's indescribable gift of christ should be.
  • 00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:41.803
  • First of all, god's gift is to be acknowledged, not ignored.
  • 00:19:41.803 --> 00:19:47.943
  • God's gift is to be acknowledged,
  • 00:19:48.610 --> 00:19:51.580
  • And not ignored.
  • 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:53.215
  • Just imagine, these shepherds out there
  • 00:19:54.082 --> 00:19:56.218
  • In the middle of the night,
  • 00:19:56.218 --> 00:19:57.252
  • They see the spectacular sight,
  • 00:19:57.252 --> 00:19:59.154
  • Thousands of angels praising god,
  • 00:19:59.154 --> 00:20:01.456
  • Announcing the birth of the savior.
  • 00:20:01.456 --> 00:20:03.091
  • The angels go back to heaven the day he turns back tonight.
  • 00:20:03.091 --> 00:20:07.629
  • The shepherds look at one another and say,
  • 00:20:07.629 --> 00:20:09.464
  • "boy, that was really something.
  • 00:20:09.464 --> 00:20:11.366
  • Let's get back to our sheep now."
  • 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:14.036
  • You wouldn't have imagined such a thing.
  • 00:20:14.903 --> 00:20:17.172
  • Such an announcement demanded
  • 00:20:17.172 --> 00:20:19.708
  • A response from the shepherds,
  • 00:20:19.708 --> 00:20:22.944
  • And it demands a response from us as well.
  • 00:20:22.944 --> 00:20:26.148
  • You can't ignore what happened 2,000 years in bethlehem.
  • 00:20:26.148 --> 00:20:30.319
  • You just can't ignore it.
  • 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.254
  • God's indescribable gift
  • 00:20:32.254 --> 00:20:34.456
  • Has to be acknowledged rather than being ignored.
  • 00:20:34.456 --> 00:20:38.694
  • And that leads to a second truth,
  • 00:20:38.694 --> 00:20:40.696
  • God's gift is to be shared,
  • 00:20:40.696 --> 00:20:43.398
  • And not kept.
  • 00:20:43.398 --> 00:20:45.100
  • Look at verse 17 for a moment,
  • 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:47.636
  • "and when they had seen this,
  • 00:20:47.636 --> 00:20:50.205
  • They made known the statement
  • 00:20:50.205 --> 00:20:52.574
  • Which had been told them about this child.
  • 00:20:52.574 --> 00:20:55.577
  • And all who heard it wondered
  • 00:20:55.577 --> 00:20:57.179
  • At the things which were told them by the shepherds."
  • 00:20:57.179 --> 00:21:01.383
  • In verse 30, "and the shepherds went back,
  • 00:21:01.383 --> 00:21:03.418
  • Glorifying and praising god
  • 00:21:03.418 --> 00:21:05.120
  • For all that they had heard and seen,
  • 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:07.222
  • Just as been told them."
  • 00:21:07.222 --> 00:21:09.691
  • Now, isn't it interesting
  • 00:21:09.691 --> 00:21:11.560
  • That the very first evangelists
  • 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:15.197
  • In the entire bible were not prophets,
  • 00:21:15.197 --> 00:21:18.567
  • They weren't priests,
  • 00:21:18.567 --> 00:21:19.768
  • They weren't pastors,
  • 00:21:19.768 --> 00:21:21.169
  • But they were smelly, dirty shepherds.
  • 00:21:21.169 --> 00:21:25.173
  • They were the first ones.
  • 00:21:25.173 --> 00:21:27.376
  • As soon as they heard about the birth of jesus,
  • 00:21:27.376 --> 00:21:29.911
  • Went away as quickly as they could
  • 00:21:29.911 --> 00:21:31.813
  • To tell others what they had heard.
  • 00:21:31.813 --> 00:21:34.683
  • I mean, that's what an evangelist does.
  • 00:21:34.683 --> 00:21:37.819
  • He shares the good news.
  • 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:40.455
  • I mean, think about it.
  • 00:21:40.455 --> 00:21:42.190
  • If you have discovered the cure for cancer,
  • 00:21:42.190 --> 00:21:44.226
  • If somebody discovered the cure for cancer,
  • 00:21:44.226 --> 00:21:46.595
  • Would you just keep that to yourself?
  • 00:21:46.595 --> 00:21:48.797
  • Of course not, you would share that
  • 00:21:48.797 --> 00:21:50.399
  • With anyone and everyone.
  • 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:53.235
  • Ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:21:53.235 --> 00:21:54.703
  • Do you realize, you and i have discovered the cure
  • 00:21:54.703 --> 00:21:57.139
  • To something far more serious than cancer?
  • 00:21:57.139 --> 00:22:00.041
  • We have been given the cure to man's greatest problem,
  • 00:22:00.041 --> 00:22:04.079
  • His sin, sickness, his alienation from god.
  • 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.982
  • And you and i have been entrusted with that good news
  • 00:22:06.982 --> 00:22:10.952
  • To share with other people about not one way,
  • 00:22:10.952 --> 00:22:13.989
  • But the only way to find god's forgiveness.
  • 00:22:13.989 --> 00:22:17.392
  • Remember what jesus said in luke 19:10 about himself?
  • 00:22:17.392 --> 00:22:20.295
  • He said, "for the son of man has come to do," what?
  • 00:22:20.295 --> 00:22:24.032
  • "to seek, and to save those who are lost."
  • 00:22:24.032 --> 00:22:29.504
  • He came on a search and save mission.
  • 00:22:30.338 --> 00:22:34.776
  • And if we are jesus' disciples,
  • 00:22:35.410 --> 00:22:37.379
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.613
  • If we really claim to be his followers,
  • 00:22:38.613 --> 00:22:40.382
  • We're going to have the same heart
  • 00:22:40.382 --> 00:22:42.451
  • To share this news just like the shepherds did
  • 00:22:42.451 --> 00:22:45.921
  • With as many people as possible.
  • 00:22:45.921 --> 00:22:48.623
  • You know one writer said it this way,
  • 00:22:48.623 --> 00:22:50.892
  • "jesus not only calls us to come to him,
  • 00:22:50.892 --> 00:22:55.597
  • But to go for him."
  • 00:22:55.597 --> 00:22:58.467
  • Go into all the world and make disciples.
  • 00:22:59.367 --> 00:23:03.004
  • Did you know jesus issued
  • 00:23:03.004 --> 00:23:04.239
  • That imperative five different times?
  • 00:23:04.239 --> 00:23:06.641
  • "go and make disciples,
  • 00:23:06.641 --> 00:23:08.710
  • Go and make disciples."
  • 00:23:08.710 --> 00:23:11.713
  • We call that the what?
  • 00:23:11.713 --> 00:23:14.049
  • The great commission.
  • 00:23:14.049 --> 00:23:16.651
  • It's not the great suggestion.
  • 00:23:17.285 --> 00:23:21.323
  • And ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:23:21.890 --> 00:23:23.558
  • The one thing, the only thing
  • 00:23:24.192 --> 00:23:26.895
  • You and i were left on earth to do,
  • 00:23:26.895 --> 00:23:29.030
  • And that is to share the good news of jesus christ
  • 00:23:29.030 --> 00:23:32.834
  • With as many people as possible before he returns.
  • 00:23:32.834 --> 00:23:36.872
  • God's message is to be shared,
  • 00:23:37.506 --> 00:23:41.142
  • And not kept.
  • 00:23:41.142 --> 00:23:42.177
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:42.177 --> 00:23:47.148
  • That's our calling as a church,
  • 00:23:47.782 --> 00:23:49.518
  • And that's our calling as the body of christ.
  • 00:23:49.518 --> 00:23:52.320
  • Jesus said to go into all the world and make disciples.
  • 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:56.825
  • Well, in a world overshadowed by sin,
  • 00:23:56.825 --> 00:23:59.427
  • Immorality, impurity, and strife,
  • 00:23:59.427 --> 00:24:02.397
  • Pathway to victory exists to shine
  • 00:24:02.397 --> 00:24:04.666
  • The bright light of god's word.
  • 00:24:04.666 --> 00:24:06.835
  • And right now, we're facing a tremendous opportunity
  • 00:24:06.835 --> 00:24:10.171
  • To pierce the darkness with the hope of christ
  • 00:24:10.171 --> 00:24:12.841
  • Through pathway to victory's
  • 00:24:12.841 --> 00:24:14.409
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:24:14.409 --> 00:24:17.045
  • From now through december 31st,
  • 00:24:17.045 --> 00:24:19.114
  • Every dollar you give to pathway to victory
  • 00:24:19.114 --> 00:24:21.950
  • Will be doubled an impact until we reach our goal
  • 00:24:21.950 --> 00:24:25.253
  • Of $1.5 million.
  • 00:24:25.253 --> 00:24:27.355
  • John 1:5 reminds us the light shines in the darkness,
  • 00:24:28.423 --> 00:24:32.527
  • And the darkness did not comprehend it.
  • 00:24:32.527 --> 00:24:35.463
  • And by participating in the matching challenge,
  • 00:24:35.463 --> 00:24:38.266
  • You're becoming a beacon of hope
  • 00:24:38.266 --> 00:24:40.101
  • That points people to the true light, jesus christ.
  • 00:24:40.101 --> 00:24:44.039
  • Thank you for investing in pathway to victory,
  • 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:46.808
  • And helping us light the darkness
  • 00:24:46.808 --> 00:24:48.677
  • In these challenging times.
  • 00:24:48.677 --> 00:24:50.912
  • Now please stay right there,
  • 00:24:50.912 --> 00:24:52.681
  • I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
  • 00:24:52.681 --> 00:24:57.519
  • [announcer] the one thing god wants
  • 00:24:58.286 --> 00:24:59.788
  • More than anything else in this world is time with you.
  • 00:24:59.788 --> 00:25:03.325
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
  • 00:25:03.325 --> 00:25:06.828
  • With the brand new 2025
  • 00:25:06.828 --> 00:25:08.630
  • "pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:25:08.630 --> 00:25:10.832
  • This year's devotional
  • 00:25:10.832 --> 00:25:12.067
  • Has a beautiful navy blue leather cover
  • 00:25:12.067 --> 00:25:13.902
  • With inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:25:13.902 --> 00:25:16.271
  • And now with larger print,
  • 00:25:16.271 --> 00:25:17.672
  • The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:25:17.672 --> 00:25:20.976
  • Are easier to read.
  • 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:22.444
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes
  • 00:25:22.444 --> 00:25:25.313
  • An ideal christmas gift for loved ones
  • 00:25:25.313 --> 00:25:27.248
  • Who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:27.248 --> 00:25:29.284
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:25:29.284 --> 00:25:32.721
  • He chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:25:32.721 --> 00:25:35.724
  • And that's why it's so important for you
  • 00:25:35.724 --> 00:25:37.559
  • And for me to set aside regular time
  • 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:40.128
  • To read the word of god.
  • 00:25:40.128 --> 00:25:42.697
  • [announcer] every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:42.697 --> 00:25:45.600
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:49.404
  • In spring and summer,
  • 00:25:49.904 --> 00:25:51.406
  • Grow stronger in christ with insights from colossians,
  • 00:25:51.406 --> 00:25:54.342
  • And in the fall and winter,
  • 00:25:54.342 --> 00:25:55.610
  • Embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:55.610 --> 00:25:57.512
  • With inspirational readings based
  • 00:25:57.512 --> 00:25:59.347
  • On the parable of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:59.347 --> 00:26:01.549
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
  • 00:26:02.651 --> 00:26:05.120
  • Take a moment to anchor yourself
  • 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.788
  • In the calming truth of god's word
  • 00:26:06.788 --> 00:26:08.590
  • With the brand new 2025
  • 00:26:08.590 --> 00:26:10.358
  • "pathway to victory daily devotion."
  • 00:26:10.358 --> 00:26:13.161
  • Your gift of support not only provides you
  • 00:26:13.161 --> 00:26:15.330
  • With this life-giving resource,
  • 00:26:15.330 --> 00:26:17.132
  • It empowers us to spread the hope-filled message
  • 00:26:17.132 --> 00:26:19.901
  • Of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:19.901 --> 00:26:21.836
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:21.836 --> 00:26:25.407
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:25.407 --> 00:26:29.411
  • So often, the distractions of the holiday season cause us
  • 00:26:29.411 --> 00:26:32.681
  • To lose sight of what christmas is really about,
  • 00:26:32.681 --> 00:26:36.351
  • The entrance of the savior into the world.
  • 00:26:36.351 --> 00:26:39.287
  • And i hope today's journey, back to bethlehem,
  • 00:26:39.287 --> 00:26:42.157
  • Has given you a fresh perspective
  • 00:26:42.157 --> 00:26:44.025
  • On the most important birth in human history.
  • 00:26:44.025 --> 00:26:47.595
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:47.595 --> 00:26:50.365
  • On pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:50.365 --> 00:26:52.534
  • You see, there's a real tension in the christmas story.
  • 00:26:53.601 --> 00:26:57.172
  • The light of christ coming people thought
  • 00:26:57.172 --> 00:26:59.474
  • Would erase forever the darkness,
  • 00:26:59.474 --> 00:27:02.110
  • But it hasn't done that.
  • 00:27:02.110 --> 00:27:04.279
  • Many of you right now are still experiencing
  • 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:08.650
  • The darkness of this world.
  • 00:27:08.650 --> 00:27:10.385
  • Is light the best representation of christ,
  • 00:27:10.385 --> 00:27:15.290
  • Considering the darkness we're experiencing now?
  • 00:27:15.290 --> 00:27:19.027
  • [announcer] set your dvr,
  • 00:27:19.027 --> 00:27:20.195
  • And join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:20.195 --> 00:27:22.163
  • When darkness overcomes the light,
  • 00:27:22.163 --> 00:27:24.666
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:27:24.666 --> 00:27:24.666