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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Reigniting Your Passion For Christ

December 21, 2024 | S

Robert Jeffress - Reigniting Your Passion For Christ
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Faith #Passion #Religion #Government #StarofBethlehem #Christmas #WordofGod #Miracles #Angels #PrisonMinistry #inActive #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #VirginBirth

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Reigniting Your Passion For Christ | 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.
  • 00:01:43.293 --> 00:01:46.396
  • The average age of the women at intake is 33 years old.
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  • [carl] so we started to volunteer at rockville
  • 00:01:50.567 --> 00:01:52.835
  • 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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  • Your support of pathway to victory allows true freedom
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  • To be experienced by prisoners
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  • As we provide life-changing ministry resources to chaplains
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  • And lay leaders ministering to the incarcerated.
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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.
  • 00:03:59.495 --> 00:04:02.465
  • 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
  • 00:04:57.954 --> 00:05:00.189
  • Of god's word through the pathway to victory
  • 00:05:00.189 --> 00:05:02.392
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:05:02.392 --> 00:05:04.560
  • Since 1996, pathway to victory has been boldly sharing
  • 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:08.331
  • The gospel of jesus christ,
  • 00:05:08.331 --> 00:05:10.166
  • And your gift, doubled an impact,
  • 00:05:10.166 --> 00:05:11.834
  • 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."
  • 00:07:08.818 --> 00:07:11.087
  • 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.
  • 00:07:19.362 --> 00:07:22.064
  • 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.
  • 00:08:49.518 --> 00:08:53.155
  • In order to register along with mary,
  • 00:08:53.155 --> 00:08:56.993
  • Who was engaged to him,
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  • And was with child."
  • 00:08:59.829 --> 00:09:01.597
  • Remember last time the angel had just come,
  • 00:09:01.597 --> 00:09:03.933
  • Gabriel to mary and said,
  • 00:09:03.933 --> 00:09:05.334
  • "you're going to give birth to the savior."
  • 00:09:05.334 --> 00:09:07.136
  • Now we've skipped about eight or nine months,
  • 00:09:07.136 --> 00:09:09.705
  • 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.
  • 00:09:14.944 --> 00:09:17.580
  • Now what i want you to think about for a moment
  • 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.515
  • Is how god used natural events
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  • To bring about his supernatural plan.
  • 00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:26.088
  • Think about this.
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  • With one stroke of the pen,
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  • Caesar augustus, hundreds of miles away,
  • 00:09:29.792 --> 00:09:32.762
  • The most powerful man in the world,
  • 00:09:32.762 --> 00:09:34.563
  • With one stroke of his pen,
  • 00:09:34.563 --> 00:09:36.132
  • He signed an edict that would have ramifications
  • 00:09:36.132 --> 00:09:39.402
  • He could have never imagined.
  • 00:09:39.402 --> 00:09:41.404
  • Little did caesar know that when he signed that order
  • 00:09:41.404 --> 00:09:45.374
  • It would cause a man named, joseph,
  • 00:09:45.374 --> 00:09:47.309
  • Whom he had never met,
  • 00:09:47.309 --> 00:09:49.011
  • To travel to a little village called bethlehem,
  • 00:09:49.011 --> 00:09:52.548
  • Augustus had never heard of,
  • 00:09:52.548 --> 00:09:54.917
  • In order that joseph's wife might give birth
  • 00:09:54.917 --> 00:09:58.354
  • To the king of the universe,
  • 00:09:58.354 --> 00:10:00.990
  • A king whose followers,
  • 00:10:00.990 --> 00:10:02.692
  • Within just a few hundred years,
  • 00:10:02.692 --> 00:10:04.827
  • Would topple the entire roman empire.
  • 00:10:04.827 --> 00:10:08.230
  • Isn't that an amazing thought?
  • 00:10:08.230 --> 00:10:10.766
  • Act one of this play began in rome.
  • 00:10:10.766 --> 00:10:13.369
  • Act two, we go to a small inn in bethlehem.
  • 00:10:13.369 --> 00:10:18.641
  • Look at verses six and seven,
  • 00:10:19.275 --> 00:10:20.576
  • "and it came about that while they were there,
  • 00:10:20.576 --> 00:10:23.612
  • The days were completed for mary to give birth.
  • 00:10:23.612 --> 00:10:27.416
  • And she gave birth to her firstborn son,
  • 00:10:27.416 --> 00:10:30.352
  • And she wrapped him in cloths,
  • 00:10:30.352 --> 00:10:32.288
  • And laid him in a manger,
  • 00:10:32.288 --> 00:10:34.090
  • Because there was no room for them in the inn."
  • 00:10:34.090 --> 00:10:38.561
  • Isn't it interesting,
  • 00:10:38.561 --> 00:10:39.829
  • Only two verses record the most important birth in history?
  • 00:10:39.829 --> 00:10:44.266
  • C. s. lewis had it right when he said,
  • 00:10:44.266 --> 00:10:47.503
  • "the greatest miracle of all time
  • 00:10:47.503 --> 00:10:50.339
  • Is not the atonement or even the resurrection.
  • 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:54.643
  • The greatest miracle is the incarnation,
  • 00:10:54.643 --> 00:10:58.748
  • God becoming flesh."
  • 00:10:58.748 --> 00:11:01.450
  • -amen. -paul said it this way
  • 00:11:01.450 --> 00:11:03.185
  • In philippians two,
  • 00:11:03.185 --> 00:11:04.453
  • And talking about jesus christ,
  • 00:11:04.453 --> 00:11:05.988
  • "although he existed in the form of god,
  • 00:11:05.988 --> 00:11:09.225
  • He did not regard his equality with god
  • 00:11:09.225 --> 00:11:11.727
  • A thing to be grasped,
  • 00:11:11.727 --> 00:11:13.462
  • But he emptied himself,
  • 00:11:13.462 --> 00:11:15.164
  • Taking the form of a bond-servant,
  • 00:11:15.164 --> 00:11:17.299
  • And being made in the likeness of men.
  • 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:20.035
  • And being found in the appearance as a man,
  • 00:11:20.035 --> 00:11:22.471
  • He humbled himself by becoming obedient
  • 00:11:22.471 --> 00:11:26.008
  • To the point of death,
  • 00:11:26.008 --> 00:11:27.576
  • Even death on a cross."
  • 00:11:27.576 --> 00:11:30.846
  • The final act of this play occurs
  • 00:11:30.846 --> 00:11:33.983
  • On a hill outside of bethlehem.
  • 00:11:33.983 --> 00:11:36.318
  • Look at verse eight,
  • 00:11:36.318 --> 00:11:38.154
  • "and in the same region
  • 00:11:38.154 --> 00:11:39.722
  • There were some shepherds staying out in the fields
  • 00:11:39.722 --> 00:11:43.859
  • And keeping watch over their flock by night."
  • 00:11:43.859 --> 00:11:48.030
  • The shepherds were tending their sheep.
  • 00:11:48.030 --> 00:11:49.632
  • Now, most people don't realize,
  • 00:11:49.632 --> 00:11:51.767
  • This story probably did not take place in december.
  • 00:11:51.767 --> 00:11:54.436
  • It was probably very close to passover time,
  • 00:11:54.436 --> 00:11:57.673
  • And it's very probable that these shepherds were taking care
  • 00:11:57.673 --> 00:12:00.442
  • Of sheep that would soon become the passover lambs
  • 00:12:00.442 --> 00:12:04.213
  • That would be used as a representative of the coming savior.
  • 00:12:04.213 --> 00:12:08.818
  • Now you have to know something about shepherds
  • 00:12:08.818 --> 00:12:10.920
  • To appreciate what is going on here.
  • 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:12.922
  • Shepherds represented the lowest rung in the jewish culture.
  • 00:12:12.922 --> 00:12:18.260
  • Shepherds took care of dirty and smelly sheep.
  • 00:12:19.161 --> 00:12:22.998
  • And because they did so,
  • 00:12:22.998 --> 00:12:24.867
  • They were dirty and smelly themselves.
  • 00:12:24.867 --> 00:12:27.636
  • There was no sure deodorant back then
  • 00:12:27.636 --> 00:12:30.606
  • To take the stench away.
  • 00:12:30.606 --> 00:12:32.541
  • So if you were going to have a party,
  • 00:12:32.541 --> 00:12:34.009
  • Guess who you would never invite to your party?
  • 00:12:34.009 --> 00:12:37.012
  • They never made it to any a-list parties, the shepherds.
  • 00:12:37.012 --> 00:12:39.949
  • They were the outcast of jewish society.
  • 00:12:39.949 --> 00:12:43.219
  • Isn't it interesting that god chose to make his announcement
  • 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:48.190
  • Of the savior's birth not to the political leaders in rome,
  • 00:12:48.190 --> 00:12:51.594
  • Not to the jewish leaders in jerusalem,
  • 00:12:51.594 --> 00:12:54.029
  • He chose to make this announcement
  • 00:12:54.029 --> 00:12:56.232
  • To the smelly, dirty shepherds.
  • 00:12:56.232 --> 00:13:00.336
  • Look at how it came about,
  • 00:13:00.336 --> 00:13:01.437
  • Verse nine,
  • 00:13:01.437 --> 00:13:02.938
  • "and the angel of the lord suddenly stood before them,
  • 00:13:02.938 --> 00:13:06.775
  • And the glory of the lord shone around them,
  • 00:13:06.775 --> 00:13:09.111
  • And they were terribly frightened."
  • 00:13:09.111 --> 00:13:10.746
  • I would think so.
  • 00:13:10.746 --> 00:13:12.414
  • Imagine out there in the darkness
  • 00:13:12.414 --> 00:13:13.983
  • When suddenly gabriel appears.
  • 00:13:13.983 --> 00:13:16.752
  • "and gabriel said to them,
  • 00:13:16.752 --> 00:13:18.721
  • 'do not be afraid.'"
  • 00:13:18.721 --> 00:13:20.689
  • Notice how that's his entering line?
  • 00:13:20.689 --> 00:13:22.958
  • Every time he runs into somebody,
  • 00:13:22.958 --> 00:13:24.627
  • "don't be afraid," they had every right to be afraid.
  • 00:13:24.627 --> 00:13:27.696
  • "for behold, i bring you good news of a great joy,
  • 00:13:27.696 --> 00:13:31.367
  • Which shall be for all the people.
  • 00:13:31.367 --> 00:13:33.802
  • For today in the city of david,
  • 00:13:33.802 --> 00:13:35.671
  • There has been born for you a savior
  • 00:13:35.671 --> 00:13:38.607
  • Who is christ the lord."
  • 00:13:38.607 --> 00:13:40.943
  • Well, there were many babies probably born that night
  • 00:13:40.943 --> 00:13:43.545
  • In jerusalem, in all of israel.
  • 00:13:43.545 --> 00:13:46.782
  • So to be more specific,
  • 00:13:46.782 --> 00:13:48.150
  • He gave the sign, verse 12,
  • 00:13:48.150 --> 00:13:49.852
  • "and this will be a sign for you,
  • 00:13:49.852 --> 00:13:51.921
  • You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
  • 00:13:51.921 --> 00:13:54.623
  • And lying in a manger."
  • 00:13:54.623 --> 00:13:57.159
  • And suddenly, the single voice of gabriel gave way
  • 00:13:57.159 --> 00:14:00.296
  • To a multitude, thousands, perhaps,
  • 00:14:00.296 --> 00:14:02.665
  • Tens of thousands of angels in the heaven,
  • 00:14:02.665 --> 00:14:05.234
  • Saying, verse 14, "glory to god in the highest.
  • 00:14:05.234 --> 00:14:09.772
  • And on earth peace."
  • 00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:13.242
  • Now, if you have the king james version,
  • 00:14:14.109 --> 00:14:15.377
  • It says, "peace, goodwill toward men."
  • 00:14:15.377 --> 00:14:19.949
  • That's a very unfortunate translation.
  • 00:14:19.949 --> 00:14:22.985
  • Even though it's a translation we're used to
  • 00:14:22.985 --> 00:14:24.787
  • And we see plastered on christmas cards everywhere,
  • 00:14:24.787 --> 00:14:27.423
  • "peace, goodwill toward men,"
  • 00:14:27.423 --> 00:14:30.292
  • That makes it sound like god is simply giving
  • 00:14:30.292 --> 00:14:32.594
  • A generic blessing to everybody.
  • 00:14:32.594 --> 00:14:34.964
  • Peace, you all.
  • 00:14:34.964 --> 00:14:36.765
  • Goodwill to everybody.
  • 00:14:36.765 --> 00:14:38.901
  • That's not what the text says.
  • 00:14:38.901 --> 00:14:41.737
  • What the text really says
  • 00:14:41.737 --> 00:14:43.339
  • Is what the new american standard translates said,
  • 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:46.675
  • "peace among men with whom god is pleased."
  • 00:14:46.675 --> 00:14:51.947
  • Ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:14:52.448 --> 00:14:53.749
  • The only people who are at peace with god
  • 00:14:53.749 --> 00:14:56.285
  • And peace with themselves are those who have accepted
  • 00:14:56.285 --> 00:15:00.022
  • The forgiveness that christ comes to offer.
  • 00:15:00.022 --> 00:15:02.825
  • Romans 5:1 says, "therefore, having been justified by faith,
  • 00:15:02.825 --> 00:15:08.130
  • We have peace with god through our lord jesus christ."
  • 00:15:09.198 --> 00:15:13.669
  • The only one who enjoys peace with himself
  • 00:15:14.536 --> 00:15:17.006
  • And more importantly,
  • 00:15:17.006 --> 00:15:18.173
  • Peace with god are those whose sins
  • 00:15:18.173 --> 00:15:20.642
  • Had been forgiven by christ jesus.
  • 00:15:20.642 --> 00:15:23.045
  • Verse 15 says, "and it came about
  • 00:15:23.045 --> 00:15:25.080
  • When the angels had gone away from them into heaven
  • 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:27.950
  • That the shepherds began saying to one another,
  • 00:15:27.950 --> 00:15:30.319
  • 'let us go straight to bethlehem then,
  • 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:33.555
  • And see this thing which had happened,
  • 00:15:33.555 --> 00:15:35.591
  • Which the lord has made known to us.'"
  • 00:15:35.591 --> 00:15:39.294
  • Isn't it ironic to you
  • 00:15:39.294 --> 00:15:40.829
  • That when the religious leaders in jerusalem heard the news,
  • 00:15:40.829 --> 00:15:44.733
  • How did they respond?
  • 00:15:44.733 --> 00:15:48.771
  • Tell me something exciting.
  • 00:15:49.371 --> 00:15:51.106
  • They stayed right where they were.
  • 00:15:51.874 --> 00:15:53.909
  • But when the shepherds,
  • 00:15:53.909 --> 00:15:55.344
  • The lowest rung of society heard it,
  • 00:15:55.344 --> 00:15:57.913
  • They went with haste.
  • 00:15:57.913 --> 00:16:00.649
  • This is the first instance of a christmas rush in history.
  • 00:16:00.649 --> 00:16:04.186
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:16:04.186 --> 00:16:05.387
  • They went quickly to see this thing.
  • 00:16:05.387 --> 00:16:08.624
  • Verse 16, "they came in haste,
  • 00:16:08.624 --> 00:16:10.392
  • And they found their way to mary and joseph,
  • 00:16:10.392 --> 00:16:13.062
  • And the baby as he lay in the manger."
  • 00:16:13.062 --> 00:16:15.697
  • Look at verse 17,
  • 00:16:15.697 --> 00:16:16.899
  • "and when they had seen this,
  • 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.400
  • They made known the statement
  • 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:20.536
  • Which had been told to them about the child."
  • 00:16:20.536 --> 00:16:22.971
  • Verse 20, "and the shepherds went back,
  • 00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:25.207
  • Glorifying and praising god
  • 00:16:25.207 --> 00:16:27.443
  • For all that they had seen and heard,
  • 00:16:27.443 --> 00:16:29.912
  • Just as had been told them."
  • 00:16:29.912 --> 00:16:32.614
  • You know, there is so much i could say about this.
  • 00:16:32.614 --> 00:16:36.752
  • But i want you to go back to verses 10
  • 00:16:36.752 --> 00:16:38.787
  • And 11 for just a moment.
  • 00:16:38.787 --> 00:16:40.923
  • Look at the announcement of gabriel.
  • 00:16:40.923 --> 00:16:43.192
  • "and the angel said to the them,
  • 00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:45.828
  • 'do not be afraid,
  • 00:16:45.828 --> 00:16:47.729
  • For behold, i bring you good news of a great joy
  • 00:16:47.729 --> 00:16:51.300
  • Which shall be for all the people,
  • 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:53.635
  • For today in the city of david,
  • 00:16:53.635 --> 00:16:55.571
  • There has been born for you a savior.'"
  • 00:16:55.571 --> 00:16:58.707
  • Underline that, "a savior who is christ the lord."
  • 00:16:58.707 --> 00:17:03.712
  • Someone has said,
  • 00:17:04.146 --> 00:17:06.315
  • If man's greatest need had been instruction,
  • 00:17:06.315 --> 00:17:09.251
  • God would've sent a teacher.
  • 00:17:09.251 --> 00:17:11.019
  • If our greatest need had been for a law,
  • 00:17:11.887 --> 00:17:14.823
  • God would've sent a legislator.
  • 00:17:14.823 --> 00:17:17.593
  • If our greatest need had been for money,
  • 00:17:17.593 --> 00:17:19.394
  • God would've sent an economist.
  • 00:17:19.394 --> 00:17:23.232
  • But our greatest need is for forgiveness,
  • 00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:27.236
  • And that's why god sent a savior.
  • 00:17:27.236 --> 00:17:29.938
  • -amen. -for unto you
  • 00:17:29.938 --> 00:17:31.440
  • Is born this day a savior.
  • 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:35.344
  • A savior.
  • 00:17:35.344 --> 00:17:36.512
  • Remember what the angel said?
  • 00:17:36.512 --> 00:17:37.513
  • "you shall call his name jesus,
  • 00:17:37.513 --> 00:17:39.114
  • For he shall," what?
  • 00:17:39.114 --> 00:17:40.282
  • "save his people from their sins."
  • 00:17:40.282 --> 00:17:44.553
  • You know, just as gabriel's good news broke
  • 00:17:44.553 --> 00:17:48.290
  • The darkness of that night.
  • 00:17:48.290 --> 00:17:50.592
  • The gospel does the same for you and me.
  • 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.495
  • It doesn't matter how dark your situation is right now,
  • 00:17:53.495 --> 00:17:56.431
  • Some of you feel like you're in a hopeless situation.
  • 00:17:56.431 --> 00:17:59.134
  • You feel like there is no way out.
  • 00:17:59.134 --> 00:18:01.470
  • No matter how dark and bleak your situation is,
  • 00:18:01.470 --> 00:18:04.640
  • The good news of jesus' forgiveness,
  • 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:07.476
  • Bursts through like light and dispels the darkness forever.
  • 00:18:07.476 --> 00:18:11.680
  • Paul said, "when we were lost,
  • 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.115
  • Without hope in this world or the next world,
  • 00:18:13.115 --> 00:18:15.717
  • That's when god sent christ for us."
  • 00:18:15.717 --> 00:18:18.554
  • God demonstrated his love toward us,
  • 00:18:18.554 --> 00:18:20.722
  • And that while we were yet sinners,
  • 00:18:20.722 --> 00:18:22.824
  • He sent christ to die for us.
  • 00:18:22.824 --> 00:18:25.594
  • You know, paul had that experience himself.
  • 00:18:25.594 --> 00:18:28.130
  • Remember, he was a murderer, a blasphemer of god.
  • 00:18:28.130 --> 00:18:32.100
  • But when he was on that road to damascus,
  • 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:35.103
  • The light of jesus christ burst into his life,
  • 00:18:35.103 --> 00:18:39.007
  • And he was never the same again.
  • 00:18:39.007 --> 00:18:41.543
  • And when he talked about
  • 00:18:41.543 --> 00:18:42.711
  • That experience until the day he died,
  • 00:18:42.711 --> 00:18:44.780
  • He said it this way in 2 corinthians 9:15,
  • 00:18:44.780 --> 00:18:47.783
  • "thanks be to god for his indescribable gift."
  • 00:18:47.783 --> 00:18:54.056
  • Paul actually made up that greek word, indescribable,
  • 00:18:55.123 --> 00:18:58.193
  • It's how it's translated.
  • 00:18:58.193 --> 00:18:59.328
  • He just made up his own superlative.
  • 00:18:59.328 --> 00:19:01.230
  • "thanks be to god for that incomparable,
  • 00:19:01.230 --> 00:19:04.099
  • Indescribable beyond description,
  • 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:07.102
  • That gift of jesus christ."
  • 00:19:07.102 --> 00:19:10.439
  • What is it that makes the gift of jesus indescribable,
  • 00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:14.476
  • Where this one translation says,
  • 00:19:14.476 --> 00:19:15.944
  • Far too wonderful for words.
  • 00:19:15.944 --> 00:19:19.181
  • And more importantly,
  • 00:19:19.181 --> 00:19:20.482
  • How are you and i to respond to that story?
  • 00:19:20.482 --> 00:19:23.885
  • I want to suggest in closing the day,
  • 00:19:23.885 --> 00:19:25.854
  • Two principles, that i think 2,000 years later,
  • 00:19:25.854 --> 00:19:29.858
  • Inform us of what our response
  • 00:19:29.858 --> 00:19:32.027
  • To god's indescribable gift of christ should be.
  • 00:19:32.027 --> 00:19:35.530
  • First of all, god's gift is to be acknowledged, not ignored.
  • 00:19:35.530 --> 00:19:41.670
  • God's gift is to be acknowledged,
  • 00:19:42.337 --> 00:19:45.307
  • And not ignored.
  • 00:19:45.307 --> 00:19:46.942
  • Just imagine, these shepherds out there
  • 00:19:47.809 --> 00:19:49.945
  • In the middle of the night,
  • 00:19:49.945 --> 00:19:50.979
  • They see the spectacular sight,
  • 00:19:50.979 --> 00:19:52.881
  • Thousands of angels praising god,
  • 00:19:52.881 --> 00:19:55.183
  • Announcing the birth of the savior.
  • 00:19:55.183 --> 00:19:56.818
  • The angels go back to heaven the day he turns back tonight.
  • 00:19:56.818 --> 00:20:01.356
  • The shepherds look at one another and say,
  • 00:20:01.356 --> 00:20:03.191
  • "boy, that was really something.
  • 00:20:03.191 --> 00:20:05.093
  • Let's get back to our sheep now."
  • 00:20:05.827 --> 00:20:07.763
  • You wouldn't have imagined such a thing.
  • 00:20:08.630 --> 00:20:10.899
  • Such an announcement demanded
  • 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:13.435
  • A response from the shepherds,
  • 00:20:13.435 --> 00:20:16.672
  • And it demands a response from us as well.
  • 00:20:16.672 --> 00:20:19.875
  • You can't ignore what happened 2,000 years in bethlehem.
  • 00:20:19.875 --> 00:20:24.046
  • You just can't ignore it.
  • 00:20:24.046 --> 00:20:25.981
  • God's indescribable gift
  • 00:20:25.981 --> 00:20:28.183
  • Has to be acknowledged rather than being ignored.
  • 00:20:28.183 --> 00:20:32.421
  • And that leads to a second truth,
  • 00:20:32.421 --> 00:20:34.423
  • God's gift is to be shared,
  • 00:20:34.423 --> 00:20:37.125
  • And not kept.
  • 00:20:37.125 --> 00:20:38.827
  • Look at verse 17 for a moment,
  • 00:20:38.827 --> 00:20:41.363
  • "and when they had seen this,
  • 00:20:41.363 --> 00:20:43.932
  • They made known the statement
  • 00:20:43.932 --> 00:20:46.301
  • Which had been told them about this child.
  • 00:20:46.301 --> 00:20:49.304
  • And all who heard it wondered
  • 00:20:49.304 --> 00:20:50.906
  • At the things which were told them by the shepherds."
  • 00:20:50.906 --> 00:20:55.110
  • In verse 30, "and the shepherds went back,
  • 00:20:55.110 --> 00:20:57.145
  • Glorifying and praising god
  • 00:20:57.145 --> 00:20:58.847
  • For all that they had heard and seen,
  • 00:20:58.847 --> 00:21:00.949
  • Just as been told them."
  • 00:21:00.949 --> 00:21:03.418
  • Now, isn't it interesting
  • 00:21:03.418 --> 00:21:05.287
  • That the very first evangelists
  • 00:21:05.287 --> 00:21:08.924
  • In the entire bible were not prophets,
  • 00:21:08.924 --> 00:21:12.294
  • They weren't priests,
  • 00:21:12.294 --> 00:21:13.495
  • They weren't pastors,
  • 00:21:13.495 --> 00:21:14.896
  • But they were smelly, dirty shepherds.
  • 00:21:14.896 --> 00:21:18.900
  • They were the first ones.
  • 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:21.103
  • As soon as they heard about the birth of jesus,
  • 00:21:21.103 --> 00:21:23.638
  • Went away as quickly as they could
  • 00:21:23.638 --> 00:21:25.540
  • To tell others what they had heard.
  • 00:21:25.540 --> 00:21:28.410
  • I mean, that's what an evangelist does.
  • 00:21:28.410 --> 00:21:31.546
  • He shares the good news.
  • 00:21:31.546 --> 00:21:34.182
  • I mean, think about it.
  • 00:21:34.182 --> 00:21:35.917
  • If you have discovered the cure for cancer,
  • 00:21:35.917 --> 00:21:37.953
  • If somebody discovered the cure for cancer,
  • 00:21:37.953 --> 00:21:40.322
  • Would you just keep that to yourself?
  • 00:21:40.322 --> 00:21:42.524
  • Of course not, you would share that
  • 00:21:42.524 --> 00:21:44.126
  • With anyone and everyone.
  • 00:21:44.126 --> 00:21:46.962
  • Ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:21:46.962 --> 00:21:48.430
  • Do you realize, you and i have discovered the cure
  • 00:21:48.430 --> 00:21:50.866
  • To something far more serious than cancer?
  • 00:21:50.866 --> 00:21:53.769
  • We have been given the cure to man's greatest problem,
  • 00:21:53.769 --> 00:21:57.806
  • His sin, sickness, his alienation from god.
  • 00:21:57.806 --> 00:22:00.709
  • And you and i have been entrusted with that good news
  • 00:22:00.709 --> 00:22:04.679
  • To share with other people about not one way,
  • 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:07.716
  • But the only way to find god's forgiveness.
  • 00:22:07.716 --> 00:22:11.119
  • Remember what jesus said in luke 19:10 about himself?
  • 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:14.022
  • He said, "for the son of man has come to do," what?
  • 00:22:14.022 --> 00:22:17.759
  • "to seek, and to save those who are lost."
  • 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:23.231
  • He came on a search and save mission.
  • 00:22:24.065 --> 00:22:28.503
  • And if we are jesus' disciples,
  • 00:22:29.137 --> 00:22:31.106
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:22:31.106 --> 00:22:32.340
  • If we really claim to be his followers,
  • 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:34.109
  • We're going to have the same heart
  • 00:22:34.109 --> 00:22:36.178
  • To share this news just like the shepherds did
  • 00:22:36.178 --> 00:22:39.648
  • With as many people as possible.
  • 00:22:39.648 --> 00:22:42.350
  • You know one writer said it this way,
  • 00:22:42.350 --> 00:22:44.619
  • "jesus not only calls us to come to him,
  • 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:49.324
  • But to go for him."
  • 00:22:49.324 --> 00:22:52.194
  • Go into all the world and make disciples.
  • 00:22:53.094 --> 00:22:56.731
  • Did you know jesus issued
  • 00:22:56.731 --> 00:22:57.966
  • That imperative five different times?
  • 00:22:57.966 --> 00:23:00.368
  • "go and make disciples,
  • 00:23:00.368 --> 00:23:02.437
  • Go and make disciples."
  • 00:23:02.437 --> 00:23:05.440
  • We call that the what?
  • 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:07.776
  • The great commission.
  • 00:23:07.776 --> 00:23:10.378
  • It's not the great suggestion.
  • 00:23:11.012 --> 00:23:15.050
  • And ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:23:15.617 --> 00:23:17.285
  • The one thing, the only thing
  • 00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:20.622
  • You and i were left on earth to do,
  • 00:23:20.622 --> 00:23:22.757
  • And that is to share the good news of jesus christ
  • 00:23:22.757 --> 00:23:26.561
  • With as many people as possible before he returns.
  • 00:23:26.561 --> 00:23:30.599
  • God's message is to be shared,
  • 00:23:31.233 --> 00:23:34.870
  • And not kept.
  • 00:23:34.870 --> 00:23:35.904
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:35.904 --> 00:23:40.876
  • That's our calling as a church,
  • 00:23:41.510 --> 00:23:43.245
  • And that's our calling as the body of christ.
  • 00:23:43.245 --> 00:23:46.047
  • Jesus said to go into all the world and make disciples.
  • 00:23:46.047 --> 00:23:50.552
  • Well, in a world overshadowed by sin,
  • 00:23:50.552 --> 00:23:53.154
  • Immorality, impurity, and strife,
  • 00:23:53.154 --> 00:23:56.124
  • Pathway to victory exists to shine
  • 00:23:56.124 --> 00:23:58.393
  • The bright light of god's word.
  • 00:23:58.393 --> 00:24:00.562
  • And right now, we're facing a tremendous opportunity
  • 00:24:00.562 --> 00:24:03.899
  • To pierce the darkness with the hope of christ
  • 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:06.568
  • Through pathway to victory's
  • 00:24:06.568 --> 00:24:08.136
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:24:08.136 --> 00:24:10.772
  • From now through december 31st,
  • 00:24:10.772 --> 00:24:12.841
  • Every dollar you give to pathway to victory
  • 00:24:12.841 --> 00:24:15.677
  • Will be doubled an impact until we reach our goal
  • 00:24:15.677 --> 00:24:18.980
  • Of $1.5 million.
  • 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:21.082
  • John 1:5 reminds us the light shines in the darkness,
  • 00:24:22.150 --> 00:24:26.254
  • And the darkness did not comprehend it.
  • 00:24:26.254 --> 00:24:29.190
  • And by participating in the matching challenge,
  • 00:24:29.190 --> 00:24:31.993
  • You're becoming a beacon of hope
  • 00:24:31.993 --> 00:24:33.828
  • That points people to the true light, jesus christ.
  • 00:24:33.828 --> 00:24:37.766
  • Thank you for investing in pathway to victory,
  • 00:24:37.766 --> 00:24:40.535
  • And helping us light the darkness
  • 00:24:40.535 --> 00:24:42.404
  • In these challenging times.
  • 00:24:42.404 --> 00:24:44.639
  • Now please stay right there,
  • 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:46.408
  • I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
  • 00:24:46.408 --> 00:24:51.246
  • [announcer] the one thing god wants
  • 00:24:52.013 --> 00:24:53.515
  • More than anything else in this world is time with you.
  • 00:24:53.515 --> 00:24:57.052
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
  • 00:24:57.052 --> 00:25:00.555
  • With the brand new 2025
  • 00:25:00.555 --> 00:25:02.357
  • "pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:25:02.357 --> 00:25:04.559
  • This year's devotional
  • 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.794
  • Has a beautiful navy blue leather cover
  • 00:25:05.794 --> 00:25:07.629
  • With inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:25:07.629 --> 00:25:09.998
  • And now with larger print,
  • 00:25:09.998 --> 00:25:11.399
  • The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:14.703
  • Are easier to read.
  • 00:25:14.703 --> 00:25:16.171
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes
  • 00:25:16.171 --> 00:25:19.040
  • An ideal christmas gift for loved ones
  • 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:20.976
  • Who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:23.011
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:25:23.011 --> 00:25:26.448
  • He chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:25:26.448 --> 00:25:29.451
  • And that's why it's so important for you
  • 00:25:29.451 --> 00:25:31.286
  • And for me to set aside regular time
  • 00:25:31.286 --> 00:25:33.855
  • To read the word of god.
  • 00:25:33.855 --> 00:25:36.424
  • [announcer] every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:36.424 --> 00:25:39.327
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:39.327 --> 00:25:43.131
  • In spring and summer,
  • 00:25:43.632 --> 00:25:45.133
  • Grow stronger in christ with insights from colossians,
  • 00:25:45.133 --> 00:25:48.069
  • And in the fall and winter,
  • 00:25:48.069 --> 00:25:49.337
  • Embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:49.337 --> 00:25:51.239
  • With inspirational readings based
  • 00:25:51.239 --> 00:25:53.074
  • On the parable of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:53.074 --> 00:25:55.276
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
  • 00:25:56.378 --> 00:25:58.847
  • Take a moment to anchor yourself
  • 00:25:58.847 --> 00:26:00.515
  • In the calming truth of god's word
  • 00:26:00.515 --> 00:26:02.317
  • With the brand new 2025
  • 00:26:02.317 --> 00:26:04.085
  • "pathway to victory daily devotion."
  • 00:26:04.085 --> 00:26:06.888
  • Your gift of support not only provides you
  • 00:26:06.888 --> 00:26:09.057
  • With this life-giving resource,
  • 00:26:09.057 --> 00:26:10.859
  • It empowers us to spread the hope-filled message
  • 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:13.628
  • Of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:13.628 --> 00:26:15.563
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:15.563 --> 00:26:19.134
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:19.134 --> 00:26:23.138
  • So often, the distractions of the holiday season cause us
  • 00:26:23.138 --> 00:26:26.408
  • To lose sight of what christmas is really about,
  • 00:26:26.408 --> 00:26:30.078
  • The entrance of the savior into the world.
  • 00:26:30.078 --> 00:26:33.014
  • And i hope today's journey, back to bethlehem,
  • 00:26:33.014 --> 00:26:35.884
  • Has given you a fresh perspective
  • 00:26:35.884 --> 00:26:37.752
  • On the most important birth in human history.
  • 00:26:37.752 --> 00:26:41.322
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:41.322 --> 00:26:44.092
  • On pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:44.092 --> 00:26:46.261
  • You see, there's a real tension in the christmas story.
  • 00:26:47.328 --> 00:26:50.899
  • The light of christ coming people thought
  • 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:53.201
  • Would erase forever the darkness,
  • 00:26:53.201 --> 00:26:55.837
  • But it hasn't done that.
  • 00:26:55.837 --> 00:26:58.006
  • Many of you right now are still experiencing
  • 00:26:58.006 --> 00:27:02.377
  • The darkness of this world.
  • 00:27:02.377 --> 00:27:04.112
  • Is light the best representation of christ,
  • 00:27:04.112 --> 00:27:09.017
  • Considering the darkness we're experiencing now?
  • 00:27:09.017 --> 00:27:12.754
  • [announcer] set your dvr,
  • 00:27:12.754 --> 00:27:13.922
  • And join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:13.922 --> 00:27:15.890
  • When darkness overcomes the light,
  • 00:27:15.890 --> 00:27:18.393
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:27:18.393 --> 00:27:18.393