Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Stop and Smell The Manger (Part 1)

December 23, 2024 | S24:E5202

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 - Stop and Smell The Manger (Part 1) | December 23, 2024

♪ music ♪
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[presenter] 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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-(gentle music playing) -hi, i am robert jeffress.
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Welcome again to "pathway to victory".
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Well, it's christmas eve,
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And you're likely in the throes of getting ready
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For the big celebration.
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Maybe you're preparing a favorite family recipe,
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Or wrapping presents.
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You could be doing any of these worthy things,
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But i'm pleased you've set aside this half hour
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To reflect with me on the miraculous birth of jesus.
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Because jesus is what christmas is all about.
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My message is titled, "stop and smell the manger",
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
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♪ music ♪
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[narrator] 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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-(inspirational music playing) -and jesus calls us
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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,
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"pathway to victory" has been boldly sharing
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The gospel of jesus christ,
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And your gift, doubled in impact,
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Will be used to proclaim god's truth,
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Here in america, and around the world.
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♪ music ♪
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Helen hayes, the late and legendary actress,
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Was certainly a great actress,
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But by her own admission, she wasn't a very good cook.
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In fact, she (laughing) avoided
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Preparing thanksgiving dinner for her family for years,
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But finally she decided she ought to tackle it.
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And so before she did,
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She sat her husband and young son down, and she said,
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"now you know i'm not a very good cook,
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But i think i ought to prepare thanksgiving dinner for us.
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So this is what we're going to do.
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I'm going to prepare the dinner.
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I'm going to bring it out.
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And after a few bites, if you don't like it,
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No comments.
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Just quietly push your plate back, stand up silently,
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And we'll go to the nearest restaurant together."
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(congregation laughing)
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Thanksgiving came.
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She worked all day in the kitchen preparing that turkey,
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And when she walked out of the kitchen into the dining room,
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Her son and husband were already wrapped up in their coats,
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-and their gloves on. -(congregation laughing)
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Ready to go.
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That's what you call low expectations.
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(congregation laughing)
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I think of that story every time i preach
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The christmas message.
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I've done 35 of them, i was counting it up today,
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35 christmas messages.
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And i have a sense you already have
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Your coats and your gloves on.
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Ready to leave.
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Maybe not literally.
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But figuratively, you are thinking about all the things
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You probably have to do,
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Between now and christmas day, to get ready.
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Plus, you come with probably some low expectations
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Of today's message.
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I mean, after all,
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How many different ways can you tell the christmas story?
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The plot line doesn't change.
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Or it shouldn't change (laughing) in what you're telling.
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The characters certainly don't change.
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So how do you get something fresh
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Out of the christmas story?
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That's a challenge every pastor has.
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And so today i'm going to do the best i can
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(congregant sneezing)
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To encourage you
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To take the coat and gloves off for a moment.
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To spend a few unrushed moments,
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As together, we "stop and smell the manger"
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Of bethlehem.
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Today, we're going to look
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At the five major characters in the nativity scene.
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And we're going to start with mary.
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Now, frankly, you don't hear that many sermons about mary
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In a baptist church or any evangelical church.
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The reason is easy to understand.
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We understand there are some faith traditions
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That have elevated mary,
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Almost to a position equal to jesus christ.
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Some who say that we should worship mary.
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Some say we have to pray to mary,
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To serve as a go-between, between us and god.
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And the scripture's very clear about that.
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Mary is not jesus.
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She's not a go-between, a mediator.
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The bible says, there is one mediator, one go-between,
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Between god and man, and it's the man, christ jesus.
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No, mary's not to be worshiped,
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But i think too many of our churches
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Have gone to the other extremes
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And we've ignored mary.
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No, she's not to be worshiped, but she should be admired.
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Because she is a central character in this story.
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You know, the fact is, were it not for mary,
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This christmas story would've never taken place.
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And what we learned from mary,
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Is that god chooses those who are available.
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Whom would god select to be
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The mother of the savior of the world?
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God had to find somebody who was available.
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And we find her story in luke 1,
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Beginning with verse 26.
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"now, in the sixth month,
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The angel gabriel was sent from god
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To a city in galilee called nazareth,
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To a virgin engaged to a man whose name was joseph,
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Of the descendants of david, and the virgin's name was mary.
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And coming in the angel said to her,
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"greetings favored one!
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The lord is with you."
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But she was very perplexed at this statement,
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And kept pondering what kind of greeting, salutation,
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This was.
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The angel said to her, "do not be afraid.""
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Anytime the angel made an appearance, he had to start with,
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Don't be afraid. (laughing)
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Because angels usually symbolize bad news.
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Judgment coming.
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Gabriel said, "in this case, mary,
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You don't have to be afraid,
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For you have found favor with god."
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I mean, think of it.
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Of all of the billions of women throughout history
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That god could have chosen to be the mother of jesus christ,
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Why did he choose
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Mary?
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I want to suggest to you, god uses those who are available.
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And mary exhibits four qualities
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Of what it means to be available to god.
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First of all, mary was pure.
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She was a virgin.
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Now, remember 700 years before the birth of christ,
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In isaiah 7:14, it was prophesied,
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That the messiah would be born of a virgin.
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Somebody who had not had a sexual relationship with a man.
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Fast forward 700 years, now,
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It's time for the savior to come,
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And god has to search
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For somebody who meets that qualification.
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Not just anybody would do.
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He had to find somebody and that somebody was mary.
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She was a virgin.
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Now, let's be honest,
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Mary wasn't a plaster saint,
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Although she looks a little plaster right here,
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-but she wasn't. -(congregation laughing)
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She didn't run around in garb like this, probably.
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Most scholars believe she was a 15-year-old girl.
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A peasant girl living in nazareth.
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She had all the normal drives and hormones
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Of a teenage girl.
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And she was deeply in love with a man named joseph,
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She was going to marry.
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She could have rationalized
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Having a sexual relationship with joseph.
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She loved him.
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They were bound together for life.
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Why not go ahead and do what was natural?
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If she had given in to those desires,
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She would've been disqualified from being
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The mother of the savior of the world.
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You see, when god is looking for somebody who is available,
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He looks first of all for somebody who is pure.
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In fact, that's what paul wrote to timothy,
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In 2 timothy 2:21.
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"now in a large house,
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There are not only gold and silver vessels,
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But also vessels of wood, and of earthenware,
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And some to honor and some to dishonor.
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Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
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He will be a vessel of honor, sanctified,
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And useful to the master, prepared for every good work."
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And paul's using a very pedestrian illustration.
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He says, "think about your house."
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Just imagine for a moment,
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It's one of those hot 120 degree days in texas, in august,
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And you've been working out in the yard,
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And you're thirsty, and you need a drink of water.
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And so you come into your home, into the kitchen.
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And all of the glasses are in the dishwasher.
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And it's in the mid cycle.
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And there are only two choices you have
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To get some desperately needed water.
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In the sink there is a crystal goblet
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That is caked over with dirt and grime,
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From a dinner party you had two days before.
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The only other available vessel
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Is an empty peanut butter jar,
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That has been thoroughly cleaned out and cleansed.
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Now, if you were going to drink water,
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Would you choose the crystal goblet that was filthy?
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Even though it was much greater value?
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Or would you choose the empty, but clean, peanut butter jar?
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-(congregation laughing) -i think most of us
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Would go for the peanut butter jar.
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We don't care about the worth,
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We care about the cleanliness of the vessel.
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And it's the same way, paul is saying,
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When god is looking for somebody to use, he chooses those
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Who not necessarily are the most gifted people in the world,
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The most talented, the most beautiful,
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But those who are pure.
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That was mary.
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She was pure.
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Secondly, she was available to god
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Because she believed god's word.
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You know, hebrews 11 says: "without faith,
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It is impossible to please god."
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Look at luke 1:45.
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Elizabeth, her cousin, said about mary:
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"and blessed is she who believed
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That there would be a fulfillment
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Of what had been spoken to her by the lord."
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She doesn't understand how she was going to give birth
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When she had not yet had sex,
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But she believed what god said,
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And she acted accordingly.
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Thirdly, mary was available
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Because she placed the glory of god
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Above her own reputation.
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Mary probably knew enough to know that
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If she was willing to be used like this by god,
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She would suffer a blow to her reputation.
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After all, who was going to believe her story?
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Did you know in fact,
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A lot of people didn't believe her story,
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That the father of her child was god?
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There was a rumor that circulated around nazareth,
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That went on for 30 years,
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That mary's pregnancy had been the result
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Of a one night stand she had with a roman soldier
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Who was stationed in nazareth.
00:11:39.421 --> 00:11:41.157
That was the rumor about mary.
00:11:41.157 --> 00:11:42.691
In fact, during jesus' ministry,
00:11:42.691 --> 00:11:45.127
That's what the jewish leaders accused him of.
00:11:45.127 --> 00:11:47.797
They said, you're illegitimately illegitimate.
00:11:47.797 --> 00:11:51.534
You're not a legitimate child, you're illegitimate.
00:11:51.534 --> 00:11:54.003
They knew that rumor as well.
00:11:54.003 --> 00:11:56.839
But mary didn't care about those rumors.
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By the way, do you know many teenage girls
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Who don't care about what other people say about them?
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I don't.
00:12:07.149 --> 00:12:08.184
In fact, i don't know many adults
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Who don't care what people say about them.
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We are all so concerned
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About what people are saying behind our backs.
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Not mary.
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When god said, "this is what i'm going to do."
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Look at what she said in luke 1:38.
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She said to the angel: "behold, the bond slave of the lord,
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May it be done to me according to your word."
00:12:26.135 --> 00:12:30.773
She was willing to place the glory of god
00:12:30.773 --> 00:12:33.609
Above her own reputation.
00:12:33.609 --> 00:12:36.078
And finally, she was available to be used by god,
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Because mary was willing to sacrifice
00:12:39.949 --> 00:12:42.384
That which was most important to her.
00:12:42.384 --> 00:12:46.889
She knew the consequences
00:12:47.456 --> 00:12:49.391
Of what it meant to allow herself
00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.595
To be impregnated by the holy spirit of god.
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You see, the old testament law said that
00:12:55.931 --> 00:12:57.733
If a woman in the engagement, the betrothal period,
00:12:57.733 --> 00:13:01.637
Was unfaithful to her to-be husband,
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The law was very serious.
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She was to be stoned to death for that violation.
00:13:08.410 --> 00:13:13.048
She knew joseph well enough to know
00:13:13.816 --> 00:13:15.718
That he probably wouldn't do that to her,
00:13:15.718 --> 00:13:18.754
But he knew it would mean
00:13:18.754 --> 00:13:19.955
The dissolution of their engagement,
00:13:19.955 --> 00:13:22.324
And the loss of the person who meant everything to her.
00:13:22.324 --> 00:13:27.096
You see, to be available to god means
00:13:27.897 --> 00:13:29.865
To be willing to sacrifice what's most important to you.
00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:34.536
Are you willing to do that?
00:13:35.137 --> 00:13:37.306
Every time you look at this
00:13:37.907 --> 00:13:40.409
Reproduction of mary in a nativity scene,
00:13:41.277 --> 00:13:44.513
Ask yourself this question,
00:13:44.513 --> 00:13:46.415
Am i available to god like mary was?
00:13:47.216 --> 00:13:50.052
(congregant coughing)
00:13:50.052 --> 00:13:52.187
Am i really available?
00:13:52.187 --> 00:13:54.390
Am i doing everything i can to keep myself pure
00:13:54.390 --> 00:13:57.226
Or free from sin?
00:13:57.226 --> 00:13:59.094
Do i believe the promises of god?
00:13:59.762 --> 00:14:02.531
Am i willing to place god's glory
00:14:03.265 --> 00:14:06.702
Above my own reputation?
00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:09.738
Am i willing to sacrifice
00:14:10.306 --> 00:14:12.041
That which is most important to me?
00:14:12.041 --> 00:14:15.077
God uses those who are available.
00:14:15.811 --> 00:14:20.149
And the second character we're going to look at
00:14:20.149 --> 00:14:23.786
-in this nativity scene, -(congregant coughing)
00:14:23.786 --> 00:14:26.255
Is joseph.
00:14:26.255 --> 00:14:28.390
I've always felt kind of sorry for joseph.
00:14:29.291 --> 00:14:31.927
Have you ever known when a baby is born,
00:14:31.927 --> 00:14:33.529
Everybody "oo"s and "ah"s over the baby.
00:14:33.529 --> 00:14:36.098
Everybody rushes around to take care of the mother,
00:14:36.098 --> 00:14:38.334
And that's understandable.
00:14:38.334 --> 00:14:39.635
She's gone through nine months of a pregnancy,
00:14:39.635 --> 00:14:41.704
And painful childbirth, and everybody's around them.
00:14:41.704 --> 00:14:45.774
But we fathers, when a baby is born,
00:14:45.774 --> 00:14:48.077
Nobody gives us any attention.
00:14:48.077 --> 00:14:50.045
Right, tyler?
00:14:50.045 --> 00:14:51.113
(congregation laughing)
00:14:51.113 --> 00:14:52.314
I mean, we just stand around
00:14:52.314 --> 00:14:53.649
With that stupid grin on our face, you know?
00:14:53.649 --> 00:14:55.150
(congregation laughing)
00:14:55.150 --> 00:14:56.118
And we don't know what to do.
00:14:56.118 --> 00:14:57.586
But i want to suggest to you today,
00:14:57.586 --> 00:14:59.521
Joseph is integral to this story as well.
00:14:59.521 --> 00:15:01.857
Without him,
00:15:01.857 --> 00:15:03.625
There would've been no savior.
00:15:03.625 --> 00:15:06.362
Why do i say that?
00:15:06.795 --> 00:15:08.297
Again, the scripture was very precise
00:15:08.297 --> 00:15:12.001
About the requirements for the messiah.
00:15:12.001 --> 00:15:14.970
The messiah, to be the king of israel,
00:15:14.970 --> 00:15:17.740
Had to be in the lineage of king david.
00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:21.076
He had to be a legal heir of king david
00:15:21.076 --> 00:15:24.513
To be qualified to be the messiah.
00:15:24.513 --> 00:15:27.383
And the right to rule, the right to be the messiah,
00:15:27.383 --> 00:15:30.853
The right to be a king, always came through the father.
00:15:30.853 --> 00:15:34.623
And joseph, although he was not the biological father,
00:15:34.623 --> 00:15:38.193
He was the legal guardian, the legal father of jesus.
00:15:38.193 --> 00:15:43.132
And because of that,
00:15:43.132 --> 00:15:45.200
Jesus inherited the right to rule from his father.
00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:48.670
What i'm saying to you is, if joseph had bailed on mary
00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:52.508
When he got the news about her pregnancy,
00:15:52.508 --> 00:15:56.245
Jesus would've been disqualified
00:15:56.245 --> 00:15:58.881
From being the savior of the world.
00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:02.584
I want you to think about this story
00:16:02.584 --> 00:16:04.119
From joseph's point of view.
00:16:04.119 --> 00:16:07.423
What was joseph's profession?
00:16:08.057 --> 00:16:10.526
This isn't a hard question.
00:16:10.526 --> 00:16:12.227
What was he?
00:16:12.227 --> 00:16:13.362
He was a carpenter.
00:16:13.362 --> 00:16:14.263
Do you know carpenters?
00:16:14.263 --> 00:16:16.331
I mean, if you know anything about carpenters,
00:16:16.331 --> 00:16:18.300
They're very precise.
00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:20.803
They're very neat.
00:16:21.236 --> 00:16:22.971
I mean, they want everything measured, and cut,
00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:25.474
And planned for, in just the right way.
00:16:25.474 --> 00:16:29.378
I imagine that was joseph's temperament as well.
00:16:29.378 --> 00:16:32.581
He and mary had been childhood sweethearts.
00:16:32.581 --> 00:16:35.818
They knew they were going to get married.
00:16:35.818 --> 00:16:38.587
I'm sure joseph had a blueprint
00:16:38.587 --> 00:16:40.589
For what their lives were going to be like.
00:16:40.589 --> 00:16:43.225
They'd get married, they'd save some money,
00:16:43.225 --> 00:16:46.128
Then they'd build their dream house in nazareth,
00:16:46.128 --> 00:16:49.665
Three bedrooms, two baths.
00:16:49.665 --> 00:16:52.468
They would have two sons and two daughters.
00:16:52.468 --> 00:16:55.604
I mean, he had the blueprint all set and ready to go,
00:16:55.604 --> 00:17:00.476
When one day, his fiancee comes in and says,
00:17:00.476 --> 00:17:04.913
"joseph.
00:17:04.913 --> 00:17:06.648
I'm pregnant.
00:17:07.015 --> 00:17:08.550
Oh, and by the way, the father is god."
00:17:09.418 --> 00:17:12.754
(congregation laughing)
00:17:12.754 --> 00:17:15.991
Now, how would you have responded to that?
00:17:15.991 --> 00:17:18.293
-honestly, come on. -(congregation laughing)
00:17:18.293 --> 00:17:20.863
How would you have responded to that news from your fiancee?
00:17:20.863 --> 00:17:25.534
-we know how joseph responded. -(congregant coughing)
00:17:26.602 --> 00:17:28.904
The scripture's very clear.
00:17:28.904 --> 00:17:31.140
He didn't believe her.
00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:33.242
Not at first.
00:17:33.242 --> 00:17:34.643
The bible says that he knew he wasn't going to stone her.
00:17:35.811 --> 00:17:39.681
But he decided to dissolve the marriage.
00:17:40.549 --> 00:17:44.186
Dissolve the engagement.
00:17:44.186 --> 00:17:46.355
So as not to cause any shame to mary.
00:17:46.355 --> 00:17:48.857
Can you imagine
00:17:48.857 --> 00:17:50.259
What that news must have been like to joseph
00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:53.462
To realize the person he loved most in the world
00:17:53.462 --> 00:17:57.366
Had betrayed him?
00:17:57.366 --> 00:17:58.667
At least that's what he thought.
00:17:58.667 --> 00:18:00.869
He was getting ready to end the relationship
00:18:00.869 --> 00:18:03.071
When something dramatic happened.
00:18:03.071 --> 00:18:04.740
Listen to matthew 1:20,
00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:07.042
"but when joseph had considered this."
00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:09.778
Considered what?
00:18:09.778 --> 00:18:10.913
Ending the relationship.
00:18:10.913 --> 00:18:12.147
"when he had considered all of this,
00:18:12.147 --> 00:18:14.149
Behold an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream,
00:18:14.149 --> 00:18:18.120
Saying, "joseph, son of david,
00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:20.889
Do not be afraid to take mary as your wife,
00:18:20.889 --> 00:18:24.927
For the child who has been conceived in her
00:18:24.927 --> 00:18:27.896
Is of the holy spirit."
00:18:27.896 --> 00:18:30.332
And joseph awoke from his sleep,
00:18:30.332 --> 00:18:33.135
And he did as the angel of the lord commanded him,
00:18:34.136 --> 00:18:36.838
And he took mary as his wife,
00:18:36.838 --> 00:18:39.608
And he kept her a virgin
00:18:39.608 --> 00:18:41.843
Until she gave birth to a son,
00:18:41.843 --> 00:18:45.347
And called his name jesus."
00:18:45.347 --> 00:18:48.951
You know what joseph reminds us is?
00:18:49.718 --> 00:18:51.286
Joseph reminds us
00:18:51.286 --> 00:18:53.322
That god uses and honors those who are obedient.
00:18:53.322 --> 00:18:58.660
Here the angel comes and says, "god is the one responsible,
00:18:59.828 --> 00:19:03.098
You take her as your wife."
00:19:03.098 --> 00:19:06.235
There is no arguing with joseph.
00:19:06.235 --> 00:19:08.770
He didn't understand how it happened.
00:19:08.770 --> 00:19:11.206
He didn't understand how it would turn out,
00:19:11.206 --> 00:19:14.343
But in the darkness, he obeyed god.
00:19:14.343 --> 00:19:18.880
That's what it means to be obedient.
00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:21.617
When you see joseph in these nativity scenes,
00:19:22.551 --> 00:19:25.187
Ask yourself the question,
00:19:25.187 --> 00:19:26.955
Am i being obedient to what i know god has told me to do?
00:19:26.955 --> 00:19:32.094
Even though i can't see the outcome of my obedience to him.
00:19:33.262 --> 00:19:37.399
God uses those who are obedient.
00:19:38.033 --> 00:19:43.305
The next characters
00:19:43.772 --> 00:19:46.208
In the christmas story,
00:19:46.208 --> 00:19:47.843
-(congregant coughing) -the shepherds.
00:19:48.644 --> 00:19:50.178
Now, we couldn't afford but one shepherd.
00:19:50.178 --> 00:19:52.347
Just pretend the others are out
00:19:52.347 --> 00:19:53.849
-tending their flocks by night. -(congregation laughing)
00:19:53.849 --> 00:19:56.785
Or mending their socks by night,
00:19:56.785 --> 00:19:58.387
As the child say at the christmas play.
00:19:58.387 --> 00:20:00.389
But we've got one shepherd here.
00:20:00.389 --> 00:20:02.524
The reason i love these shepherds is,
00:20:02.524 --> 00:20:05.160
You know, the fact is, god could have chosen anyone
00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.430
To announce the coming of the savior of the world,
00:20:08.430 --> 00:20:10.899
The birth of jesus, but of all the people,
00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:13.835
He chose, he didn't choose kings, or princes, or rulers,
00:20:13.835 --> 00:20:17.973
Or the rich, he chose the lowest rung of jewish society,
00:20:17.973 --> 00:20:22.911
The shepherds.
00:20:22.911 --> 00:20:24.613
I mean, shepherds were absolutely despised in jesus' day.
00:20:24.613 --> 00:20:29.618
And the reason is obvious.
00:20:30.185 --> 00:20:31.253
The reason they didn't get invited
00:20:31.253 --> 00:20:33.755
To the a-list parties in jerusalem
00:20:33.755 --> 00:20:37.192
Was because of their work.
00:20:37.192 --> 00:20:39.561
They worked with sheep.
00:20:39.561 --> 00:20:41.296
That means they smelled like sheep as well.
00:20:41.296 --> 00:20:45.133
Nobody wanted to be around the shepherds.
00:20:45.133 --> 00:20:47.502
And yet it was this group,
00:20:47.502 --> 00:20:49.371
Of all of the people god could have chosen,
00:20:49.371 --> 00:20:52.040
That god chose
00:20:52.040 --> 00:20:53.408
To announce the coming of the savior of the world.
00:20:53.408 --> 00:20:56.278
Listen to the words of luke 2:8-14,
00:20:56.278 --> 00:20:59.581
I bet you can recite them by heart, almost.
00:20:59.581 --> 00:21:02.617
"in the same region there were some shepherds
00:21:02.617 --> 00:21:05.120
Staying out in the fields
00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.855
And keeping watch over their flock by night.
00:21:06.855 --> 00:21:10.058
And an angel of the lord suddenly stood before them,
00:21:10.058 --> 00:21:13.428
And the glory of the lord shone around them,
00:21:13.428 --> 00:21:16.331
And they were terribly frightened."
00:21:16.331 --> 00:21:18.800
Understandably so.
00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:20.802
"but the angel said to them."
00:21:20.802 --> 00:21:22.170
Here it is again.
00:21:22.170 --> 00:21:23.004
"do not be afraid,
00:21:23.004 --> 00:21:24.940
For behold, i bring you good news of great joy,
00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:29.144
Which will be for all people.
00:21:29.144 --> 00:21:31.847
For today, in the city of david,
00:21:31.847 --> 00:21:33.849
There has been born for you,
00:21:33.849 --> 00:21:36.184
A savior, who is christ the lord.
00:21:36.852 --> 00:21:40.255
And this will be a sign for you.
00:21:40.255 --> 00:21:41.823
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger."
00:21:41.823 --> 00:21:45.927
And suddenly there appeared with the angel,
00:21:45.927 --> 00:21:48.163
A multitude of the heavenly hosts,
00:21:48.163 --> 00:21:50.532
Praising god and saying, "glory to god in the highest.
00:21:50.532 --> 00:21:54.903
And on earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased.""
00:21:54.903 --> 00:22:00.242
Why did god choose to announce this news to the shepherds?
00:22:01.410 --> 00:22:06.581
Because the shepherds were humble.
00:22:07.349 --> 00:22:10.585
God chooses to bless, and to save,
00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:15.023
Those who don't have any sense of pretense about them,
00:22:15.023 --> 00:22:18.760
Those who are humble.
00:22:18.760 --> 00:22:20.095
And you see that in their response,
00:22:20.095 --> 00:22:21.830
In verse 15, to the news.
00:22:21.830 --> 00:22:23.265
Look at this.
00:22:23.265 --> 00:22:24.766
"when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
00:22:24.766 --> 00:22:28.170
The shepherds began saying to one another,
00:22:28.170 --> 00:22:30.439
"let us go straight to bethlehem, then,
00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:33.575
And see this thing which has happened,
00:22:33.575 --> 00:22:36.077
Which the lord has made known to us."
00:22:36.077 --> 00:22:38.880
And so they came in a hurry
00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:41.950
And found their way to mary and joseph,
00:22:41.950 --> 00:22:44.419
And the baby as he lay in the manger."
00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:47.989
What was their response when they heard this news?
00:22:47.989 --> 00:22:51.259
-immediately -(fingers snapping)
00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.694
They dropped everything they were doing,
00:22:52.694 --> 00:22:55.030
And they walked, they ran, to bethlehem,
00:22:55.030 --> 00:22:58.433
-to see this child. -(uplifting music playing)
00:22:58.433 --> 00:23:00.735
What is it that made them so anxious to see this child
00:23:00.735 --> 00:23:04.973
After hearing the news?
00:23:04.973 --> 00:23:06.441
I think it's one word the angel used.
00:23:06.441 --> 00:23:10.612
"for unto you is born this day in the city of david,
00:23:10.612 --> 00:23:14.783
A savior."
00:23:14.783 --> 00:23:17.552
A savior.
00:23:17.853 --> 00:23:19.187
♪ music ♪
00:23:19.187 --> 00:23:23.625
♪ music ♪
00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:25.260
There's much more i want to share with you
00:23:25.260 --> 00:23:26.328
About this magnificent scene.
00:23:26.328 --> 00:23:28.497
When jesus, the king of the universe,
00:23:28.497 --> 00:23:30.765
Stepped into human history.
00:23:30.765 --> 00:23:32.801
It all started in a humble setting,
00:23:32.801 --> 00:23:35.136
And of all places, in a manger.
00:23:35.136 --> 00:23:38.006
Well, as christmas approaches,
00:23:38.006 --> 00:23:39.608
And you make plans to support your local church,
00:23:39.608 --> 00:23:42.277
And favorite christian ministries,
00:23:42.277 --> 00:23:44.312
I want you to know that there's still time to participate
00:23:44.312 --> 00:23:47.048
In the "pathway to victory
00:23:47.048 --> 00:23:48.383
Light the darkness matching challenge."
00:23:48.383 --> 00:23:51.219
Every dollar you give, between now and december 31st,
00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:54.789
Will be matched, and therefore doubled in impact,
00:23:54.789 --> 00:23:58.026
Until we reach the goal of $1.5 million.
00:23:58.026 --> 00:24:01.830
So be sure to take down our contact information
00:24:01.830 --> 00:24:04.566
So that you can participate
00:24:04.566 --> 00:24:06.268
In this wonderful matching challenge.
00:24:06.268 --> 00:24:08.737
Your generous year-end gift
00:24:08.737 --> 00:24:10.672
Will empower "pathway to victory",
00:24:10.672 --> 00:24:12.807
To shine the light of god's word, through radio,
00:24:12.807 --> 00:24:16.044
Television, digital and print media,
00:24:16.044 --> 00:24:18.747
Reaching our nation, and world,
00:24:18.747 --> 00:24:20.982
With the life-changing gospel of jesus christ.
00:24:20.982 --> 00:24:24.686
And stay right there.
00:24:24.686 --> 00:24:25.987
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:24:25.987 --> 00:24:28.223
In just a moment.
00:24:28.223 --> 00:24:30.258
♪ music ♪
00:24:30.258 --> 00:24:31.526
[narrator] the one thing god wants more
00:24:31.526 --> 00:24:33.061
Than anything else in this world, is time with you.
00:24:33.061 --> 00:24:36.731
Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word,
00:24:36.731 --> 00:24:40.268
With the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotional.
00:24:40.268 --> 00:24:44.272
This year's devotional
00:24:44.272 --> 00:24:45.507
Has a beautiful navy blue leather cover
00:24:45.507 --> 00:24:47.342
With inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
00:24:47.342 --> 00:24:49.711
And now with larger print,
00:24:49.711 --> 00:24:51.112
The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
00:24:51.112 --> 00:24:54.449
Are easier to read.
00:24:54.449 --> 00:24:55.884
This stunning 532 page devotional
00:24:55.884 --> 00:24:58.520
Makes an ideal christmas gift
00:24:58.520 --> 00:24:59.988
For loved ones who want to grow in their faith too.
00:24:59.988 --> 00:25:02.724
Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
00:25:02.724 --> 00:25:06.161
He chose to do it through the written word.
00:25:06.161 --> 00:25:09.164
And that's why it's so important for you, and for me,
00:25:09.164 --> 00:25:11.466
To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
00:25:11.466 --> 00:25:15.770
♪ music ♪
00:25:15.770 --> 00:25:17.172
[narrator] every season carries an uplifting theme.
00:25:17.172 --> 00:25:19.040
Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:22.644
In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ,
00:25:23.578 --> 00:25:25.680
With insights from colossians.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.782
And in the fall and winter,
00:25:27.782 --> 00:25:29.050
Embrace the father who loves you,
00:25:29.050 --> 00:25:30.919
With inspirational readings
00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:32.420
Based on the parable of the prodigal son.
00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:34.923
When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
00:25:36.024 --> 00:25:38.493
Take a moment to anchor yourself
00:25:38.493 --> 00:25:40.195
In the calming truth of god's word
00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:42.063
With the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotion.
00:25:42.063 --> 00:25:46.601
Your gift of support
00:25:46.601 --> 00:25:48.069
Not only provides you with this life-giving resource,
00:25:48.069 --> 00:25:50.605
It empowers us
00:25:50.605 --> 00:25:52.307
To spread the hope-filled message of jesus christ, as well.
00:25:52.307 --> 00:25:55.276
Thank you for supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
00:25:55.276 --> 00:26:01.249
♪ music ♪
00:26:01.583 --> 00:26:02.884
It may sound trite, but it's true nonetheless.
00:26:02.884 --> 00:26:06.054
Sometimes our busy schedules
00:26:06.054 --> 00:26:08.289
Distract us from fully engaging in christmas.
00:26:08.289 --> 00:26:11.926
That's tragic.
00:26:11.926 --> 00:26:13.261
And i hope today's message
00:26:13.261 --> 00:26:14.796
Has inspired you to make the most of this sacred season.
00:26:14.796 --> 00:26:18.566
Take time to reflect on what the manger in bethlehem
00:26:18.566 --> 00:26:22.003
Means to you today.
00:26:22.003 --> 00:26:24.372
Next time, i'm going to show you several more key characters
00:26:24.372 --> 00:26:28.576
Who influenced the christmas story,
00:26:28.576 --> 00:26:30.812
So stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:26:30.812 --> 00:26:33.982
On "pathway to victory".
00:26:33.982 --> 00:26:36.918
There are not many ways to god,
00:26:36.918 --> 00:26:39.187
Not all roads lead to heaven.
00:26:39.187 --> 00:26:41.756
If there had been any other way
00:26:41.756 --> 00:26:44.392
For us to have a right relationship with god,
00:26:44.392 --> 00:26:47.529
The christmas story would've been unnecessary.
00:26:47.529 --> 00:26:50.999
But the reason the god of the universe
00:26:50.999 --> 00:26:53.601
Was willing to humiliate himself,
00:26:53.601 --> 00:26:56.337
Take the form of a bond servant,
00:26:56.337 --> 00:26:58.106
And become obedient to the point of death,
00:26:58.106 --> 00:27:00.341
Even death on a cross,
00:27:00.341 --> 00:27:02.677
Was jesus, was the only way for the forgiveness of sins.
00:27:02.677 --> 00:27:07.849
[narrator] set your dvr
00:27:08.349 --> 00:27:09.718
And join us next time for part two of the message,
00:27:09.718 --> 00:27:11.920
"stop and smell the manger",
00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:14.222
Here on "pathway to victory".
00:27:14.222 --> 00:27:15.824
♪ music ♪
00:27:15.824 --> 00:27:15.824

Robert Jeffress - Stop and Smell The Manger (Part 1)

December 23, 2024 | S24:E5202

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