Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - A Gift Too Wonderful For Words

December 17, 2024 | S24:E5103

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - A Gift Too Wonderful For Words | December 17, 2024

♪ music ♪
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[narrator] 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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(graphics swishing)
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-(exciting music softens) -hi, i am robert jeffress,
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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Some christians argue that the tradition of giving gifts
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At christmas is worldly and superficial.
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They contend it's nothing more
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Than a result of the commercialism
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That sweeps our nation every holiday season.
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But according to scripture, christmas really is about gifts!
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♪ music ♪
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Specifically, the indescribable gift
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That god offers to each of us.
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My message is titled "a gift to wonderful for words,"
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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♪ music ♪
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[narrator] the the celebration of jesus' birth
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Each christmas marks the moment when god's radiant hope
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Entered our world.
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♪ music ♪
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And jesus calls us to share this light with others!
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You can help pierce the darkness
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With the light of god's word
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Through the "pathway to victory"
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Light the darkness matching challenge.
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Since 1996, "pathway to victory"
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Has been boldly sharing
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The gospel of jesus christ, and your gift
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Doubled an impact will be used to proclaim god's truth
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-here in america -(graphics tinkling)
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And around the world!
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♪ music ♪
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♪ music ♪
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What is the best christmas present you ever received?
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For some of you, it may be a gift
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That had a lot of monetary value to it.
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I understand some people,
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Some families give expensive gifts like jewelry
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Or fine automobiles, or a hoard of cash.
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I've never been a part of a family like that,
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But i hear they're out
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-there somewhere. -(audience laughing)
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For the others of you, it might be a gift
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That didn't have a lot of monetary value,
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But sentimental value because of who gave it.
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Every parent knows the joy of receiving
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A homemade christmas craft
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Or a handmade christmas card with the words,
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"i love you" scrawled in crayon.
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Of course, those gifts tend to mean a lot more
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If they come from your 5-year-old child
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Rather than your 35-year-old child,
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(audience laughing)
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But it's the sentiment that counts.
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Other people would say,
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"you know, the best gift i got
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Was one that was practical in nature,
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It's something i really needed!"
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A few years ago, i did a funeral service
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For an 84-year-old friend, and his daughter-in-law
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Had written a tribute to her father-in-law
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About a special christmas present
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He had purchased for his wife.
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She wrote, "it was boxed
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And meticulously wrapped by dad himself.
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It was undoubtedly one of the most precious gifts
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I've ever seen.
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Not diamonds, pearls, or a fur coat,
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It was a year's supply of all of mom's preferred toiletries.
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Multiple cans of hairspray, talcum powder, lotions,
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And so forth.
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To me, it was a beautiful expression of a mature love
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That said, 'i know you better
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And love you more than anyone else on the face of the earth,
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And i know what you need
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And use every single day of the year,
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And i'm going to make sure you have it.'"
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The daughter-in-law said,
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"i still get misty-eyed thinking of dad goin' up
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And down the aisle at sam's, lovingly shopping
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For those precious gifts for his beloved wife."
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(people chattering distantly)
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But i think most of you would agree
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That the very best gift of all
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Was one that had all three characteristics.
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It was a gift of great value,
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It was a gift given by somebody who's important to you,
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And it's a gift that meets a very real need.
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And of course, the best example of that gift
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Is the gift of jesus christ.
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In 2 corinthians chapter 9,
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Paul was writing to the corinthian church about their need
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To give to a special offering he was collecting,
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And he was trying to motivate them to give,
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And he used the greatest example of giving
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He could think of, god giving his only son.
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And he climaxed that chapter in verse 15
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By writing these words, "thanks be to god
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For his indescribable gift."
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The living bible says, "a gift far too wonderful for words."
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God's indescribable gift,
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That's quite a concession for somebody like paul to give,
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To say that he can't even describe
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The gift of jesus christ.
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I mean, after all, think about paul.
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He had more degrees than you could shake a stick at.
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He would end up writing over half of the new testament.
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He studied under
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The greatest intellect of his day, gamaliel,
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And yet when it came to trying to express
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What christ meant, he said, "it's indescribable!
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I can't come up with a word!"
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That word translated indescribable is a word paul made up.
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Doesn't appear in the greek new testament anywhere.
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He just said, "i'm going to come up
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With a word like supercalifragilisticexpialidoci,
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Trying to explain
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The wonderful, indescribable gift of our god.
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What is it that made this gift so indescribable?
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In the few minutes we have today,
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I just want you to jot down
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Three characteristics of god's indescribable gift.
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First of all, god's indescribable gift
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Was preceded by elaborate preparation.
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The bigger the gift, the more important the gift,
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The more preparation it requires.
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Many of you know my sister jennifer
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And her husband matthew, who teaches our sunburst class.
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Matthew and jennifer lived in tyler
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For a number of years where matthew pastored.
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And their eldest daughter, my niece
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Was a gifted concert pianist.
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And when she was a little girl, more than anything
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For christmas, she wanted a baby grand piano.
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And so, they went around to the different music stores,
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And she found the one she really wanted.
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And about two weeks before christmas,
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Jennifer and matthew had to break the news to her.
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Jennifer said, "caroline, we'd love to give this to you,
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But we just can't afford it right now.
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All we can afford is an upright piano,
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Maybe someday we can give you this piano."
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And caroline was disappointed,
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But she had a good attitude about it.
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Now, what caroline didn't know about her mother
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Is something i've known for a long time,
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And that is jennifer is a great liar.
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(audience laughing)
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One of the most gifted i've ever met.
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She and matthew actually had purchased
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That baby grand piano,
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And they made an elaborate preparation
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That on christmas day while they were out for breakfast,
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The music store would deliver the grand piano.
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And so, when they came back from breakfast
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And opened the door, there was that beautiful
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Baby grand piano with a ribbon on it.
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It was a gift with elaborate preparation.
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I tell you, even more elaborate preparation
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Came with god's indescribable gift.
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In galatians 4:4, paul said,
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"but when the set time had fully come,
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God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law."
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Again, the living bible says,
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"at just the right time, god sent forth his son."
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In what sense was it just the right time?
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God had been preparing for this gift for thousands of years,
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And now the time had come, it was the right time,
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First of all, culturally, when you think about it
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For the coming of christ.
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For the first time (chuckling)
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Since the tower of babel, the majority of people
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In the world were speaking the same language!
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Alexander the great had fashioned koine greek,
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Greek for the common man to be spoken.
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And that facilitated the spreading of the gospel
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When christ came.
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It facilitated the writing of the scriptures in a language
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Everyone could understand.
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Secondly, it was the right time politically
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For the coming of christ.
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The emperor was caesar augustus, his real name was octavian.
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And he had achieved and presided
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Over the pax romana, the roman peace.
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The world, for the first time in a long time,
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Was relatively at peace.
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And there was a vast road system
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Like our interstate highways, the romans have created!
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Again, that would allow for the quick spread of the gospel
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After the resurrection of jesus from the dead.
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Thirdly, it was the right time spiritually
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For the coming of christ.
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The polytheism, the worship of many gods of the romans
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And the greeks,
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Had given way to the openness to monotheism,
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The idea that there is one god, not multiple gods.
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But most importantly, it was the right time prophetically,
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The right time prophetically for the coming of christ.
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As you know, there were over 150 specific prophecies
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In the old testament about the coming of christ!
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Some of them hundreds, a few of them a thousand years old!
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That gave every detail about his birth.
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Let me just give you one example.
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This prophecy was made 700 years before christ was born!
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It's found in micah 5:2!
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Remember what micah said?
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"but as for you, bethlehem ephrathah, too little to be
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Among the clans of judah, from you one will go forth for me
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To be the ruler in israel!
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His goings forth are from long ago,
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From the days of eternity."
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Of all of the places christ could have been born,
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Micah pinpointed this little village that was so small,
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It wasn't even listed on the registry of towns.
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He said, "this is where christ is going to be born!"
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That's an amazing prophecy!
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Now, fast forward 700 years from micah 5:2
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To the time christ was born.
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Mary and joseph, the couple
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Are expecting the birth of the miraculous child!
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The only problem is they're not in bethlehem!
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Where micah predicted!
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They're up north 90 miles north in nazareth!
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So, how in the world does god get this couple
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From nazareth down to bethlehem?
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Well, we find the answer
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In the first verse of luke chapter 2.
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"now, in those days
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A decree went out from caesar augustus,"
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'octavian,'
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"that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth."
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While mary and joseph were in nazareth
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Contemplating the birth of this miraculous child,
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A half a continent away, in the center of power, rome,
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The emperor and his advisors are meeting together,
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And you know what they're talking about?
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A government shutdown because of a lack of funding.
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Some things never change,
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-do they harris? -(audience laughing)
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Same news, just recycled.
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We're facing that right now!
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So, they were saying, "how are we going to make up
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For the shortfall of this lack of revenue?"
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And somebody comes up with a brilliant idea!
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Let's tax the people!
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Again, some things (chuckling) never change, do they?
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They never think about decreasing spending,
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It's always let's raise the taxes on people!
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The only problem was, unlike the irs today
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That has computers that can track you down
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Wherever you are and knows every amount of income you have,
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There was no way to track people down!
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So, what did octavian do?
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He made an order that everyone had to go to his hometown
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To register for a census that would lead to the taxation.
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Look at verse 3.
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"and everyone was on his way to register
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For the census each to his own city,
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Joseph also went from galilee, the city of nazareth,
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To judea, to the city of david, which is called bethlehem,
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Because he was of the house and family of david."
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Think about it, the most powerful man in the world,
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Octavian, signed a decree, an order.
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Little did he know when he signed that command,
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That it would cause a couple he had never met
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Named joseph and mary to travel
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To a village he had never heard of named bethlehem
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To give birth to the savior of the world.
00:13:05.708 --> 00:13:09.044
Now, that's just one example of the elaborate preparation
00:13:09.044 --> 00:13:13.015
That preceded god's indescribable gift.
00:13:13.015 --> 00:13:17.386
Secondly, god's indescribable gift was not only preceded
00:13:17.386 --> 00:13:21.457
By elaborate preparation, it was actually missed
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Because of its simple appearance.
00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:27.763
Look at verses 6 and 7.
00:13:27.763 --> 00:13:29.832
"while they were there in bethlehem,
00:13:29.832 --> 00:13:31.734
The days were accomplished for her to give birth.
00:13:31.734 --> 00:13:35.571
And so, she gave birth to her firstborn son,
00:13:35.571 --> 00:13:39.174
And she wrapped him in cloths and laid him
00:13:39.174 --> 00:13:41.477
In a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
00:13:41.477 --> 00:13:46.749
One reason, the main reason
00:13:47.349 --> 00:13:48.651
Most people miss god's indescribable gift,
00:13:48.651 --> 00:13:50.886
It's because of the wrapping in which that gift came.
00:13:50.886 --> 00:13:54.657
The jews believed that the greatest need they had
00:13:54.657 --> 00:13:57.993
Was for liberation from the romans.
00:13:57.993 --> 00:14:01.363
They wanted to be free from being underneath the roman boot.
00:14:01.363 --> 00:14:04.767
They wanted liberation from rome!
00:14:04.767 --> 00:14:08.537
But what they really needed was liberation
00:14:08.537 --> 00:14:11.273
From their sins and the consequences of their sin.
00:14:11.273 --> 00:14:15.210
They were looking for a political deliverer,
00:14:15.210 --> 00:14:17.913
And that's why they missed the coming of the messiah.
00:14:17.913 --> 00:14:21.150
They expected when the messiah came,
00:14:21.150 --> 00:14:23.352
He would come dressed in regal robes like a king
00:14:23.352 --> 00:14:26.855
Ought to be instead of these simple cloths.
00:14:26.855 --> 00:14:30.759
The same thing is true today.
00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:33.028
You know most people you talk to,
00:14:33.028 --> 00:14:34.797
If you ask "what's the greatest gift god could give you?"
00:14:34.797 --> 00:14:38.567
Most people would answer,
00:14:38.567 --> 00:14:40.069
"boy, what i really need is an infusion of cash
00:14:40.069 --> 00:14:43.339
Into my bank account.
00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:44.974
Or, "i need healing in my body
00:14:45.607 --> 00:14:47.710
Or the body of somebody i love."
00:14:47.710 --> 00:14:50.346
"i need reconciliation in a relationship that's gone south,
00:14:50.346 --> 00:14:54.483
That's my greatest need."
00:14:54.483 --> 00:14:56.518
Those are all legitimate needs,
00:14:56.518 --> 00:14:58.287
But our greatest need is for god's forgiveness.
00:14:58.287 --> 00:15:02.291
And i think that explains
00:15:02.291 --> 00:15:03.659
Why this announcement of christ's birth
00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.995
(pages shuffling)
00:15:05.995 --> 00:15:06.895
Came to the group, it did.
00:15:06.895 --> 00:15:08.364
It didn't come to the religious leaders,
00:15:08.364 --> 00:15:10.632
It came to the most unlikely group,
00:15:10.632 --> 00:15:13.635
Verse 8 of chapter 2.
00:15:13.635 --> 00:15:14.770
"and in the same region,
00:15:14.770 --> 00:15:16.238
There were some shepherds staying out in the fields
00:15:16.238 --> 00:15:19.375
And keeping watch over their flock by night."
00:15:19.375 --> 00:15:23.012
Now, you have to understand, in the first century,
00:15:23.012 --> 00:15:25.280
You didn't get it any lower (chuckling)
00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:27.449
On the socioeconomic ladder than shepherds.
00:15:27.449 --> 00:15:30.719
They were the bottom rung.
00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:33.455
Nobody wanted to be around shepherds,
00:15:33.455 --> 00:15:35.758
They never got invited to the a-list parties,
00:15:35.758 --> 00:15:38.594
Partly because of how they dressed,
00:15:38.594 --> 00:15:40.429
And probably because of how they smelled
00:15:40.429 --> 00:15:42.765
After being with the sheep.
00:15:42.765 --> 00:15:44.566
They were outcast!
00:15:44.566 --> 00:15:46.368
Which explains why they were the first to hear
00:15:46.368 --> 00:15:49.171
The news of the gospel, they understood their need.
00:15:49.171 --> 00:15:53.442
And that's why the angels said it,
00:15:53.442 --> 00:15:55.077
Verse 9 through 11, "the angels suddenly stood before them,
00:15:55.077 --> 00:15:58.881
And the glory of the lord shone around them,
00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:01.150
And they were terribly frightened.
00:16:01.150 --> 00:16:03.052
But the angels said to them, 'do not be afraid, for behold,
00:16:03.052 --> 00:16:07.489
I bring you good news of great joy,
00:16:07.489 --> 00:16:10.659
Which shall be for all the people,
00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:13.462
For today in the city of david,
00:16:13.462 --> 00:16:15.464
There has been born for you,'
00:16:15.464 --> 00:16:17.299
'a what?'
00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.734
"a savior, who is christ the lord."
00:16:18.734 --> 00:16:23.072
Somebody has said, "if man's greatest need had been
00:16:24.106 --> 00:16:26.542
For an education, god would've sent us a teacher."
00:16:26.542 --> 00:16:31.213
If our greatest need had been for money,
00:16:31.213 --> 00:16:34.349
God would've sent us an economist.
00:16:34.349 --> 00:16:37.319
But our greatest need was for forgiveness,
00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:40.889
And that's why god sent us a savior.
00:16:40.889 --> 00:16:44.259
"for unto you is born this day a savior,"
00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:47.863
Who is christ the lord."
00:16:47.863 --> 00:16:50.032
And by the way, will you notice
00:16:50.032 --> 00:16:52.034
That is good news of great joy for all the people.
00:16:52.034 --> 00:16:56.705
All the people, not just some of the people,
00:16:57.606 --> 00:16:59.441
Christ coming is good news for all people!
00:16:59.441 --> 00:17:03.112
I have an op-ed coming out tuesday at fox news
00:17:03.112 --> 00:17:06.115
On why christmas isn't just for christians.
00:17:06.115 --> 00:17:10.018
Did you know that?
00:17:10.018 --> 00:17:11.553
The message, the good news of christians is for baptist,
00:17:11.553 --> 00:17:15.591
It's for catholics, it's for jews, it's for muslims,
00:17:15.591 --> 00:17:19.161
It's for atheists!
00:17:19.161 --> 00:17:20.496
"whosoever will may come
00:17:20.496 --> 00:17:22.898
And take the water of life without cost!"
00:17:22.898 --> 00:17:25.701
God said, "jesus is for everyone,
00:17:25.701 --> 00:17:29.371
Not just for some people!
00:17:29.371 --> 00:17:31.206
That's the good news we have to share!
00:17:31.206 --> 00:17:33.809
Christ coming is good news for everyone.
00:17:33.809 --> 00:17:36.745
How did the shepherds react to that news?
00:17:36.745 --> 00:17:38.881
Look at verse 15!
00:17:38.881 --> 00:17:40.382
"when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
00:17:40.382 --> 00:17:44.119
The shepherds began saying to one another,
00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:47.556
'let us go straight immediately to bethlehem then,
00:17:47.556 --> 00:17:50.626
And see this thing which has happened!
00:17:50.626 --> 00:17:52.895
Which the lord (chuckling) has made known to us.'"
00:17:52.895 --> 00:17:56.231
They couldn't get to bethlehem quickly enough.
00:17:56.231 --> 00:17:59.368
God's indescribable gift
00:17:59.368 --> 00:18:01.670
Was missed by many because of its simple appearance.
00:18:01.670 --> 00:18:06.508
Thirdly, why is god's gift indescribable?
00:18:06.508 --> 00:18:09.578
Because it was occasioned by unparalleled love.
00:18:09.578 --> 00:18:14.850
Look at verses 13 and 14,
00:18:15.417 --> 00:18:16.985
"and suddenly there appeared with the angel,
00:18:16.985 --> 00:18:20.822
A multitude of the heavenly host praising god, and saying,
00:18:20.822 --> 00:18:25.327
'glory to god in the highest and on earth, peace among men
00:18:25.327 --> 00:18:30.098
With whom god is pleased.'"
00:18:30.098 --> 00:18:33.035
That verse gets mistranslated in some versions.
00:18:33.035 --> 00:18:36.371
And angels said, "glory to god in the highest,
00:18:37.272 --> 00:18:40.609
And peace, goodwill toward men,"
00:18:40.609 --> 00:18:42.911
As if god was simply spreading and sharing goodwill!
00:18:42.911 --> 00:18:47.382
Peace to everybody!
00:18:47.382 --> 00:18:49.484
No, it's to a specific group,
00:18:49.484 --> 00:18:51.987
"peace to those with whom god is pleased."
00:18:51.987 --> 00:18:57.292
The fact is, god is not pleased with us apart from christ.
00:18:58.427 --> 00:19:01.997
We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of god.
00:19:01.997 --> 00:19:06.368
But romans 5:1 says,
00:19:06.368 --> 00:19:07.769
"therefore having been justified through faith,
00:19:07.769 --> 00:19:10.405
We have peace with god."
00:19:10.405 --> 00:19:12.341
Jesus is the mediator, the bridge builder, the one who came
00:19:12.341 --> 00:19:16.845
To restore our relationship with god.
00:19:16.845 --> 00:19:20.349
And those who come to faith in christ can be at peace
00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:24.186
With themselves, but most importantly,
00:19:24.186 --> 00:19:26.521
They can be at peace with god.
00:19:26.521 --> 00:19:29.124
One of the most common images in the bible, of god
00:19:30.125 --> 00:19:33.729
The father is of the wounded lover.
00:19:33.729 --> 00:19:37.566
The bible says, "god loves you and me."
00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:41.336
He created us to have a relationship with us,
00:19:41.336 --> 00:19:45.073
But we are the ones who wandered away from god.
00:19:45.073 --> 00:19:48.510
We've allowed other people
00:19:48.510 --> 00:19:50.045
And other things to replace his rightful place in our heart.
00:19:50.045 --> 00:19:55.017
How has god responded to that wound, that insult?
00:19:55.951 --> 00:20:00.555
He could have left us
00:20:00.555 --> 00:20:01.890
Where we are, separated from god in this life
00:20:01.890 --> 00:20:05.260
And in the next one.
00:20:05.260 --> 00:20:06.995
But instead, god took the first step
00:20:06.995 --> 00:20:10.265
In reconciling that relationship with us.
00:20:10.265 --> 00:20:12.668
The bible says, "but god demonstrated his love toward us,
00:20:12.668 --> 00:20:17.205
In that while we were yet sinners, he sent christ
00:20:17.205 --> 00:20:21.043
-to die for us." -(pages shuffling)
00:20:21.043 --> 00:20:23.578
It was god's love that occasioned this indescribable gift.
00:20:23.578 --> 00:20:29.017
Jb phillips was a pastor, an anglican pastor in london,
00:20:30.118 --> 00:20:34.923
And the bible translator
00:20:34.923 --> 00:20:36.925
Who wrote that phillips paraphrase of the new testament
00:20:36.925 --> 00:20:40.295
Many of us enjoy.
00:20:40.295 --> 00:20:42.297
In one of his writings, jb phillips describes
00:20:42.297 --> 00:20:46.168
What the first christmas must have looked like
00:20:46.168 --> 00:20:49.371
From the angel's point of view.
00:20:49.371 --> 00:20:52.240
Listen to this.
00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.042
"a senior angel is showing a very young angel
00:20:54.976 --> 00:20:57.646
Around the splendors of the universe.
00:20:57.646 --> 00:21:00.582
They view whirling galaxies and blazing suns,
00:21:00.582 --> 00:21:04.619
And then fled across the infinite distances of space
00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:08.924
Until at last they entered one particular galaxy
00:21:08.924 --> 00:21:12.461
Containing 500 billion stars.
00:21:12.461 --> 00:21:16.732
As the two angels drew nearer to the star,
00:21:16.732 --> 00:21:19.601
Which we call our sun,
00:21:19.601 --> 00:21:21.570
And to its circling planets, the senior angel pointed to
00:21:21.570 --> 00:21:25.707
A small and rather insignificant sphere
00:21:25.707 --> 00:21:29.444
Turning very slowly on its axis.
00:21:29.444 --> 00:21:32.614
It looked as dull as a dirty tennis ball
00:21:32.614 --> 00:21:35.751
To the little angel whose mind was filled with the size
00:21:35.751 --> 00:21:39.254
And glory of what he had just seen.
00:21:39.254 --> 00:21:42.491
'i want you to watch
00:21:42.491 --> 00:21:43.925
That planet particularly,' said the senior angel,
00:21:43.925 --> 00:21:47.262
Pointing with his finger.
00:21:47.262 --> 00:21:49.498
'well, it looks very small
00:21:49.498 --> 00:21:51.833
And rather dirty to me,' said the little angel.
00:21:51.833 --> 00:21:54.836
'what's so special about that one?'
00:21:54.836 --> 00:21:58.373
He listened in stunned disbelief
00:21:58.373 --> 00:22:01.777
As the senior angel told him that 'this planet,
00:22:01.777 --> 00:22:05.714
Small and insignificant,
00:22:05.714 --> 00:22:07.983
And not overly cleaned
00:22:07.983 --> 00:22:11.286
Was the renowned visited planet.'
00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:15.290
'do you mean that our great and glorious prince
00:22:15.290 --> 00:22:18.293
Went down in person to that fifth rate little ball?
00:22:18.293 --> 00:22:22.264
Why should he do such a thing as that?'
00:22:22.264 --> 00:22:25.000
The little angel's face
00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:26.201
Wrinkled in disgust, he continued,
00:22:26.201 --> 00:22:28.370
'do you mean to tell me that he stooped so low
00:22:28.370 --> 00:22:32.441
As to become one of those creeping,
00:22:32.441 --> 00:22:34.609
Crawling creatures of that floating ball?'
00:22:34.609 --> 00:22:38.713
'i do,' said the senior angel.
00:22:38.713 --> 00:22:40.682
'and i don't think he would like you to call them
00:22:40.682 --> 00:22:43.318
Creeping, crawling creatures
00:22:43.318 --> 00:22:45.487
In that tone of voice, for strange as it may seem to us,
00:22:45.487 --> 00:22:50.859
He loves them.
00:22:51.226 --> 00:22:52.561
He went down to visit them to lift them up
00:22:52.561 --> 00:22:54.896
To become like him.'
00:22:54.896 --> 00:22:57.165
The little angel looked blank."
00:22:57.799 --> 00:23:00.502
(soft music)
00:23:00.502 --> 00:23:01.903
Such a thought was almost beyond comprehension.
00:23:01.903 --> 00:23:05.807
♪ music ♪
00:23:06.141 --> 00:23:07.609
Such a thought was beyond paul's comprehension too,
00:23:07.609 --> 00:23:10.712
Which is why he said, "thanks be to god
00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:15.784
For his indescribable gift.
00:23:15.784 --> 00:23:18.854
A gift far too wonderful for words."
00:23:19.621 --> 00:23:23.725
♪ music ♪
00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:29.698
In this season of giving and receiving gifts,
00:23:28.430 --> 00:23:31.500
It's the perfect time to accept
00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.301
The greatest gift of all, god's gift of forgiveness.
00:23:33.301 --> 00:23:37.639
Well, several weeks ago,
00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.940
Some good friends of "pathway to victory"
00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.675
Presented our ministry
00:23:40.675 --> 00:23:42.210
With a tremendous gift of support and establish
00:23:42.210 --> 00:23:45.814
The light the darkness matching challenge,
00:23:45.814 --> 00:23:48.517
In the amount of $1.5 million.
00:23:48.517 --> 00:23:51.353
♪ music ♪
00:23:51.353 --> 00:23:52.487
That means your generous gift today
00:23:52.487 --> 00:23:53.722
Will be multiplied by two,
00:23:53.722 --> 00:23:56.057
Having twice the impact on our country and our world.
00:23:56.057 --> 00:24:00.095
Jesus said, "you are the light of the world.
00:24:00.095 --> 00:24:02.931
Let your light shine before men."
00:24:02.931 --> 00:24:05.834
And as followers of jesus, we're not to hide his light,
00:24:05.834 --> 00:24:09.337
But we're invited to shine his light brightly.
00:24:09.337 --> 00:24:12.541
When we do, others will see the goodness of god.
00:24:12.541 --> 00:24:16.278
That's the overarching
00:24:16.278 --> 00:24:17.712
Goal of the light the darkness matching challenge,
00:24:17.712 --> 00:24:20.515
And your gift will empower us to bring hope
00:24:20.515 --> 00:24:22.951
And light to people all across our nation,
00:24:22.951 --> 00:24:25.854
And even around the world.
00:24:25.854 --> 00:24:27.756
Thank you so much for reaching out
00:24:27.756 --> 00:24:29.591
With your special year-end gift today.
00:24:29.591 --> 00:24:32.794
Now, stay right there, i'll be back
00:24:33.562 --> 00:24:34.963
With more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
00:24:34.963 --> 00:24:38.400
♪ music ♪
00:24:38.733 --> 00:24:39.834
[narrator] the one thing god wants
00:24:39.834 --> 00:24:41.336
More than anything else in this world is time with you.
00:24:41.336 --> 00:24:44.239
Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
00:24:44.239 --> 00:24:47.776
With the brand new
00:24:47.776 --> 00:24:49.010
2025 "pathway to victory daily devotional."
00:24:49.010 --> 00:24:52.647
This year's devotional has a beautiful navy blue
00:24:52.647 --> 00:24:54.149
♪ music ♪
00:24:54.149 --> 00:24:55.650
Leather cover with inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
00:24:55.650 --> 00:24:57.185
And now, with larger print,
00:24:57.185 --> 00:24:58.620
The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
00:24:58.620 --> 00:25:01.923
Are easier to read!
00:25:01.923 --> 00:25:03.291
This stunning 532-page devotional
00:25:03.291 --> 00:25:05.927
Makes an ideal christmas gift for loved ones
00:25:05.927 --> 00:25:08.129
Who want to grow in their faith too!
00:25:08.129 --> 00:25:10.165
Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
00:25:10.165 --> 00:25:13.602
He chose to do it through the written word.
00:25:13.602 --> 00:25:16.605
And that's why it's so important
00:25:16.605 --> 00:25:18.039
For you and for me to set aside regular time
00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:21.009
To read the word of god!
00:25:21.009 --> 00:25:23.378
♪ music ♪
00:25:23.378 --> 00:25:24.779
[narrator] every season carries an uplifting theme!
00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:26.448
Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
00:25:26.448 --> 00:25:30.118
In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
00:25:31.052 --> 00:25:33.154
With insights from colossians!
00:25:33.154 --> 00:25:35.256
And in the fall and winter,
00:25:35.256 --> 00:25:36.791
Embrace the father who loves you with inspirational readings
00:25:36.791 --> 00:25:39.894
Based on the parable of the prodigal son!
00:25:39.894 --> 00:25:42.430
When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:46.001
Take a moment to anchor yourself
00:25:46.001 --> 00:25:47.669
In the calming truth of god's word
00:25:47.669 --> 00:25:49.537
With the brand new 2025
00:25:49.537 --> 00:25:51.272
"pathway to victory daily devotional."
00:25:51.272 --> 00:25:54.142
Your gift of support not only provides you
00:25:54.142 --> 00:25:56.277
With this life-giving resource, it empowers us
00:25:56.277 --> 00:25:59.114
To spread the hope-filled message of jesus christ as well!
00:25:59.114 --> 00:26:02.717
Thank you for supporting
00:26:02.717 --> 00:26:04.019
The ministry of "pathway to victory!"
00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:07.055
♪ music ♪
00:26:07.055 --> 00:26:10.325
A gift as wonderful, as elaborate as it is,
00:26:09.024 --> 00:26:13.795
Isn't a gift until it's received.
00:26:13.795 --> 00:26:16.665
John said, "but as many as received him,
00:26:16.665 --> 00:26:20.435
♪ music ♪
00:26:20.435 --> 00:26:21.569
To those he gave the right to become
00:26:21.569 --> 00:26:22.937
The children of god,
00:26:22.937 --> 00:26:24.439
Even to those who believe on his name."
00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:27.342
And today, i hope
00:26:27.342 --> 00:26:28.710
You have received god's indescribable gift to you.
00:26:28.710 --> 00:26:32.781
Well, on christmas day, we'll celebrate
00:26:32.781 --> 00:26:34.949
The birth of the one who is known as the lord jesus christ.
00:26:34.949 --> 00:26:39.054
And next time, we'll see why the name of jesus
00:26:39.054 --> 00:26:42.123
Is the name above all names.
00:26:42.123 --> 00:26:44.859
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:47.629
On "pathway to victory."
00:26:47.629 --> 00:26:50.498
"he shall be called wonderful counselor,
00:26:50.498 --> 00:26:53.268
He'll also be called the mighty god."
00:26:53.268 --> 00:26:57.305
♪ music ♪
00:26:57.305 --> 00:26:58.606
Jesus didn't come into existence in bethlehem.
00:26:58.606 --> 00:27:02.877
He is god, he has existed eternally.
00:27:02.877 --> 00:27:07.649
[narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
00:27:07.649 --> 00:27:09.884
For the message
00:27:09.884 --> 00:27:11.453
"the names above all names" here on "pathway to victory."
00:27:11.453 --> 00:27:14.856
♪ music ♪
00:27:14.856 --> 00:27:14.856

Robert Jeffress - A Gift Too Wonderful For Words

December 17, 2024 | S24:E5103

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