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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Stop and Smell the Manger (Part 2)

December 24, 2024 | S24:E5203

Robert Jeffress - Stop and Smell the Manger (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Faith #Visions/Dreams #Religion #BibleHistory #StarofBethlehem #Christmas #WordofGod #Belief #Miracles #inActive #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #ChristianMusic #ReturnofChrist #VirginBirth #GoodShepherd #Shepherds #Luke2

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Stop and Smell the Manger (Part 2) | December 24, 2024
  • [narrator] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • 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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  • ♪ hark the herald angels sing ♪
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  • ♪ glory to the newborn king ♪
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  • ♪ peace on earth and mercy mild ♪
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  • ♪ god and sinners reconciled ♪
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  • ♪ joyful all ye nations rise ♪
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  • ♪ join the triumph of the skies ♪
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  • ♪ with the angelic host proclaim ♪
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  • ♪ christ is born in bethlehem ♪
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  • ♪ hark the herald angels sing ♪
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  • ♪ glory to the newborn king ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ the first noel ♪
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  • ♪ the angel did say ♪
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  • ♪ was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ♪
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  • ♪ in field where they laying their sheep ♪
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  • ♪ on a cold winter's night that was so deep ♪
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  • ♪ noel, noel ♪
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  • ♪ born is the king of israel ♪
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  • ♪ oh come all ye faithful ♪
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  • ♪ joyful and triumphant ♪
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  • ♪ oh come ye, oh come ye to bethlehem ♪
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  • ♪ come and behold him ♪
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  • ♪ born the king of angels ♪
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  • ♪ oh come let us adore him ♪
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  • ♪ oh come let us adore him ♪
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  • ♪ oh come let us adore him ♪
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  • ♪ christ the lord ♪
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  • ♪ the lord ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • (crowd claps)
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  • [narrator] the celebration of jesus' birth
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  • Each christmas marks the moment when god's radiant hope
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  • Entered our world,
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  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
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  • You can help pierce the darkness
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  • With the light of god's word
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  • Through the "pathway to victory"
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  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, "pathway to victory" has been boldly
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  • Sharing the gospel of jesus christ
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  • And your gift doubled in impact will be used
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  • 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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  • The reason i love these shepherds is, you know,
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  • The fact is god could have chosen anyone
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  • To announce the coming of the savior of the world,
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  • The birth of jesus, but of all the people he chose,
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  • He didn't choose kings or princes or rulers
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  • Or the rich, he chose the lowest rung
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  • Of jewish society, the shepherds.
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  • I mean shepherds were absolutely despised in jesus' day,
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  • And yet, it was this group of all of the people
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  • God could have chosen, that god chose
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  • To announce the coming of the savior of the world.
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  • Listen to the words of luke two, eight through 14.
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  • I bet you can recite them by heart almost.
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  • In the same region there were some shepherds
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  • Staying out in the fields
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  • And keeping watch over their flock by night,
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  • And an angel of the lord suddenly stood before them
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  • And the glory of the lord shone around them
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  • And they were terribly frightened, understandably so,
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  • But the angel said to them, here it is again.
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  • Do not be afraid for behold i bring you good news
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  • Of great joy, which shall be for all people,
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  • For today in the city of david, there has been born for you,
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  • A savior who is christ the lord,
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  • And this will be a sign for you.
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  • You will find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger,
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  • And suddenly there appeared with the angel,
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  • A multitude of the heavenly hosts,
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  • Praising god and saying, glory to god in the highest
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  • And on earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased.
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  • Why did god choose to announce
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  • This news to the shepherds?
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  • Because the shepherds were humble.
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  • God chooses to bless and to save those
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  • Who don't have any sense of pretense about them,
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  • Those who are humble,
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  • And you see that in their response in verse 15 to the news.
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  • Look at this.
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  • When the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
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  • The shepherds begin saying to one another,
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  • Let us go straight to bethlehem then
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  • And see this thing which has happened,
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  • Which the lord has made known to us.
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  • And so they came in a hurry
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  • And found their way to mary and joseph
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  • And the baby as he lay in the manger.
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  • What was their response when they heard this news?
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  • Immediately, they dropped everything they were doing,
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  • And they walked.
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  • They ran to bethlehem to see this child.
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  • What is it that made them so anxious to see this child
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  • After hearing the news?
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  • I think it's one word the angel used.
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  • For unto you is born this day
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  • In the city of david, a savior, a savior.
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  • Somebody who said,
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  • If man's greatest need had been for money,
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  • God would've sent an economist.
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  • If our greatest need had been education,
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  • God would've sent a teacher.
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  • But man's greatest need is for forgiveness,
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  • And that's why god sent a savior.
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  • For unto you is born this day in the city of david,
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  • A savior who is christ the lord.
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  • These shepherds, they understood their sin,
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  • Their need for forgiveness,
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  • And that's why they resonated with that word "savior"
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  • And they ran to see the one who had been born.
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  • You know, the only way to really understand
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  • And appreciate the humility of the shepherds
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  • Is to contrast their reaction to another group
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  • Of people in jerusalem that night,
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  • And that is the religious leaders.
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  • There were thousands of religious leaders in jerusalem,
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  • And when they heard the news that the messiah
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  • That they supposedly had been waiting
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  • For for hundreds of years,
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  • When they heard the news that the savior was here,
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  • What did they do?
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  • Nothing.
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  • They stayed right where they were in jerusalem.
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  • They wouldn't even walk the couple of miles to bethlehem
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  • To see the savior.
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  • Why is that?
  • 00:09:42.238 --> 00:09:44.340
  • They didn't think they needed a savior.
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  • A savior?
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  • I may not be good enough, but i'm a religious leader.
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  • I know the torah backwards and forwards.
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  • I've been circumcised.
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  • I'm from the lineage of abraham.
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  • I'm okay with god.
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  • I don't need a savior.
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  • The shepherds understood in their humility,
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  • That their need for god was total,
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  • And that's why god chose to deliver
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  • The good news to them first of all.
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  • Every time you see these shepherds in a nativity scene,
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  • Ask yourself the question,
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  • Have i, like the shepherds, admitted to god
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  • That my need for him is total and not partial?
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  • That i have no hope of heaven
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  • Apart from faith in jesus christ.
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  • God blesses, he saves those who are humble.
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  • The other group, a more mysterious group
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  • In this nativity scene,
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  • Are what we call the wise men, the magi.
  • 00:10:55.177 --> 00:11:00.649
  • They apparently were astrologers,
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  • Astronomers of some sort.
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  • They came from the east.
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  • Most scholars think they came from persia,
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  • Which is iran today.
  • 00:11:12.094 --> 00:11:15.030
  • Why did they travel such a long distance?
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  • They came probably several years after christ's birth,
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  • Because by the time they arrived,
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  • Jesus and mary and jesus are in a home
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  • By this point in time.
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  • Matthew chapter two, beginning with verse one.
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  • Now, after jesus was born in bethlehem of judea,
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  • In the days of herod the king,
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  • Magi from the east arrived in jerusalem saying,
  • 00:11:38.854 --> 00:11:42.091
  • Where is he who has been born king of the jews,
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  • For we saw his star in the east,
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  • And we have come to worship him.
  • 00:11:49.465 --> 00:11:54.236
  • Oh, people wonder what, how could astronomers
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  • In persia had known about the jewish messiah who was coming?
  • 00:11:59.108 --> 00:12:04.380
  • Where did they get that news?
  • 00:12:05.014 --> 00:12:06.649
  • Why would they have been looking for a messiah to come?
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  • I think as i've studied it,
  • 00:12:10.686 --> 00:12:12.421
  • The answer is that area of the world, 700 years earlier,
  • 00:12:12.421 --> 00:12:18.861
  • Had been introduced to the idea of a messiah
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  • By a man named daniel.
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  • Daniel operated in that part of the world.
  • 00:12:27.303 --> 00:12:29.939
  • He was taken captivity, remember to babylon,
  • 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.975
  • And through his teaching, he influenced those
  • 00:12:32.975 --> 00:12:36.812
  • In the king's court.
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  • That included the magi, they served in the king's court,
  • 00:12:38.347 --> 00:12:41.350
  • And i believe it was through that influence
  • 00:12:41.350 --> 00:12:44.186
  • Of daniel 700 years earlier, that there was a knowledge
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  • In that part of the world of a messiah
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  • Who would come not just for the jewish people,
  • 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:53.295
  • But for the entire world.
  • 00:12:53.295 --> 00:12:55.764
  • And so they followed a star,
  • 00:12:55.764 --> 00:12:58.300
  • Trying to search out for the messiah.
  • 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:01.837
  • You know, the wise men remind us that god directs those
  • 00:13:01.837 --> 00:13:05.574
  • Who are sincere in their search for him.
  • 00:13:05.574 --> 00:13:09.778
  • Again, the only way to appreciate the response
  • 00:13:09.778 --> 00:13:12.514
  • Of the wise men is to contrast it
  • 00:13:12.514 --> 00:13:14.516
  • To the response of king herod
  • 00:13:14.516 --> 00:13:17.219
  • And his reaction when he heard the news
  • 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:20.256
  • That the messiah had come.
  • 00:13:20.256 --> 00:13:23.225
  • Verse three says that when herod the king
  • 00:13:23.225 --> 00:13:25.861
  • Heard about this new king, he was deeply troubled.
  • 00:13:25.861 --> 00:13:30.299
  • That word translated "troubled" in greek
  • 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:33.035
  • Means to be agitated, to be stirred up.
  • 00:13:33.035 --> 00:13:37.473
  • When herod heard that someone
  • 00:13:37.473 --> 00:13:39.275
  • Claiming to be the king of the jews
  • 00:13:39.275 --> 00:13:41.911
  • Had arrived on the scene, he was agitated on the inside.
  • 00:13:41.911 --> 00:13:46.115
  • You see, herod suffered from paranoia.
  • 00:13:46.115 --> 00:13:49.685
  • You remember from history that when his two sons
  • 00:13:49.685 --> 00:13:52.955
  • Were alleged to have cooked up an assassination plot
  • 00:13:52.955 --> 00:13:56.125
  • Against their father to take over the throne,
  • 00:13:56.125 --> 00:13:58.928
  • He had both of his sons executed.
  • 00:13:58.928 --> 00:14:02.164
  • Later on, when he heard
  • 00:14:02.164 --> 00:14:03.399
  • About the baby being born, the messiah,
  • 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:07.202
  • He didn't think anything about ordering the mass murder
  • 00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:10.940
  • Of every baby male two years of age
  • 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:14.176
  • And under to extinguish the possibility
  • 00:14:14.176 --> 00:14:17.012
  • Of a king of the jews.
  • 00:14:17.012 --> 00:14:19.982
  • It underscores why it was that herod was agitated.
  • 00:14:19.982 --> 00:14:23.886
  • He didn't want to give up his rule to anyone.
  • 00:14:23.886 --> 00:14:29.425
  • And by the way, that is a great explanation
  • 00:14:30.326 --> 00:14:32.428
  • Why today people turn away from god,
  • 00:14:32.428 --> 00:14:36.031
  • Why there are atheists in the world.
  • 00:14:36.031 --> 00:14:38.334
  • You know why people turn away from god or try to deny god?
  • 00:14:38.334 --> 00:14:43.072
  • It's not because they have come across
  • 00:14:43.072 --> 00:14:45.474
  • Some special information and science
  • 00:14:45.474 --> 00:14:47.643
  • Or archeology that disproves the existence of god.
  • 00:14:47.643 --> 00:14:51.847
  • It's not because of their towering intellect
  • 00:14:51.847 --> 00:14:54.483
  • That they cannot admit that there is a god.
  • 00:14:54.483 --> 00:14:57.553
  • It is because of their pride
  • 00:14:57.553 --> 00:15:00.122
  • They don't admit there is a god.
  • 00:15:00.122 --> 00:15:02.157
  • Because instinctively, every human being knows
  • 00:15:02.157 --> 00:15:04.927
  • That if there is a god who created us,
  • 00:15:04.927 --> 00:15:08.297
  • We have an obligation to fall down
  • 00:15:08.297 --> 00:15:11.767
  • And to worship that god and obey that god
  • 00:15:11.767 --> 00:15:14.703
  • And the unbeliever is unwilling to do that.
  • 00:15:14.703 --> 00:15:19.742
  • Somebody has said the reason an atheist can't find god,
  • 00:15:20.843 --> 00:15:24.213
  • Is the same way a thief can't find a policeman.
  • 00:15:24.213 --> 00:15:29.018
  • Neither is really looking for somebody else like that.
  • 00:15:30.119 --> 00:15:34.256
  • People don't want to worship a god that they have to serve
  • 00:15:34.256 --> 00:15:38.260
  • And submit their lives to,
  • 00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:40.195
  • And that was herod and that's why look,
  • 00:15:40.195 --> 00:15:42.498
  • In verse eight of matthew chapter two,
  • 00:15:42.498 --> 00:15:45.567
  • When herod sent them, the magi to bethlehem,
  • 00:15:45.567 --> 00:15:48.470
  • He said to them, now go and search carefully for the child
  • 00:15:48.470 --> 00:15:52.274
  • And when you have found him,
  • 00:15:52.274 --> 00:15:54.877
  • Report to me so that i may too come and worship him.
  • 00:15:54.877 --> 00:16:01.150
  • Sure, he didn't want to worship the messiah.
  • 00:16:02.051 --> 00:16:05.854
  • That's why he never found him.
  • 00:16:05.854 --> 00:16:07.589
  • He wanted to kill him,
  • 00:16:07.589 --> 00:16:09.324
  • But notice how god supernaturally
  • 00:16:09.324 --> 00:16:12.361
  • Protected the christ child.
  • 00:16:12.361 --> 00:16:13.829
  • Verse nine and 10,
  • 00:16:13.829 --> 00:16:15.330
  • After hearing the king, they went their way, the magi,
  • 00:16:15.330 --> 00:16:18.333
  • And the star which they had seen in the east
  • 00:16:18.333 --> 00:16:21.937
  • Went on before them until it came
  • 00:16:21.937 --> 00:16:24.073
  • And stood over the place where the child was,
  • 00:16:24.073 --> 00:16:27.376
  • And when they saw the star,
  • 00:16:27.376 --> 00:16:30.212
  • They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
  • 00:16:30.212 --> 00:16:35.484
  • Herod died in the darkness without ever finding christ,
  • 00:16:36.585 --> 00:16:40.989
  • But these magi who came all the way from persia,
  • 00:16:41.924 --> 00:16:45.727
  • Were led to jesus.
  • 00:16:45.727 --> 00:16:48.397
  • Why was that?
  • 00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:50.399
  • What's the difference?
  • 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.600
  • It's so simple.
  • 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.068
  • God gives direction
  • 00:16:53.068 --> 00:16:55.704
  • To those who sincerely want to know him.
  • 00:16:55.704 --> 00:17:00.943
  • Think about your own experience.
  • 00:17:01.577 --> 00:17:04.246
  • Not all of you are christians yet
  • 00:17:04.246 --> 00:17:06.882
  • Who are listening to this message, but many of you are.
  • 00:17:06.882 --> 00:17:09.618
  • Think about how god led you out of spiritual darkness
  • 00:17:09.618 --> 00:17:14.890
  • Into the light of the sun.
  • 00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:17.025
  • God probably sent his own star, his own light to you
  • 00:17:17.025 --> 00:17:20.929
  • That led you to christ.
  • 00:17:20.929 --> 00:17:23.031
  • When you see these magi, these wise men,
  • 00:17:23.031 --> 00:17:26.969
  • Ask yourself the question,
  • 00:17:26.969 --> 00:17:29.271
  • Am i sincerely seeking to know god
  • 00:17:29.271 --> 00:17:33.909
  • So that i may worship him?
  • 00:17:33.909 --> 00:17:36.979
  • If so, he'll give you light.
  • 00:17:36.979 --> 00:17:39.848
  • He'll give you direction.
  • 00:17:39.848 --> 00:17:41.617
  • Remember his words through jeremiah the prophet,
  • 00:17:41.617 --> 00:17:44.086
  • Jeremiah 29:13,
  • 00:17:44.086 --> 00:17:45.754
  • And you will find me when you search for me
  • 00:17:45.754 --> 00:17:49.658
  • With your whole heart.
  • 00:17:49.658 --> 00:17:52.528
  • God directs those who are sincere,
  • 00:17:52.528 --> 00:17:57.566
  • And of course, that leads us
  • 00:17:58.167 --> 00:18:00.102
  • To the central figure in this entire christmas story,
  • 00:18:00.102 --> 00:18:05.407
  • The baby in the manger, jesus christ.
  • 00:18:06.208 --> 00:18:09.878
  • C.s. lewis said one time,
  • 00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:11.346
  • The greatest miracle of all is not the atonement.
  • 00:18:11.346 --> 00:18:15.784
  • It's not even the resurrection.
  • 00:18:15.784 --> 00:18:18.587
  • The greatest miracle of all is the incarnation.
  • 00:18:18.587 --> 00:18:23.926
  • That god, the great majestic creator of this universe,
  • 00:18:25.027 --> 00:18:28.797
  • Poured all of himself into this tiny baby jesus.
  • 00:18:28.797 --> 00:18:34.169
  • That goes beyond our comprehension.
  • 00:18:34.903 --> 00:18:38.340
  • Not only how could god do such a thing,
  • 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:40.876
  • But why would he do such a thing?
  • 00:18:40.876 --> 00:18:42.844
  • Why would the son of god leave the throne of heaven,
  • 00:18:42.844 --> 00:18:47.216
  • Come and be born in an animal feeding trough,
  • 00:18:48.150 --> 00:18:52.554
  • Live a humiliating life, and suffer an excruciating death?
  • 00:18:52.554 --> 00:18:56.625
  • Why did he do it all?
  • 00:18:56.625 --> 00:18:58.493
  • He didn't come to this earth to teach us great truth.
  • 00:18:58.493 --> 00:19:03.932
  • He didn't come to set a great example.
  • 00:19:04.766 --> 00:19:06.635
  • This baby came for one reason, to die for our sins.
  • 00:19:06.635 --> 00:19:12.741
  • To provide not just one way,
  • 00:19:13.342 --> 00:19:15.510
  • But the only way to god the father.
  • 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:18.614
  • That's why jesus came.
  • 00:19:18.614 --> 00:19:21.183
  • Jesus came to die for you and me.
  • 00:19:21.183 --> 00:19:25.153
  • You see that even in his name jesus.
  • 00:19:25.153 --> 00:19:28.657
  • You shall call his name jesus.
  • 00:19:28.657 --> 00:19:30.892
  • That's the old testament named joshua, the lord saves.
  • 00:19:30.892 --> 00:19:36.164
  • Remember what the angel said?
  • 00:19:36.798 --> 00:19:38.367
  • She shall bear a son
  • 00:19:38.367 --> 00:19:39.768
  • And you shall call his name jesus, for he will what?
  • 00:19:39.768 --> 00:19:43.205
  • He will save his people from their sins.
  • 00:19:43.205 --> 00:19:47.309
  • You know, the wise men even had an understanding of that.
  • 00:19:48.477 --> 00:19:52.614
  • There's no reason to think
  • 00:19:53.181 --> 00:19:54.616
  • That there were just three wise men.
  • 00:19:54.616 --> 00:19:56.385
  • There probably was a whole group of magi who came,
  • 00:19:56.385 --> 00:19:58.987
  • But they did bring three gifts.
  • 00:19:58.987 --> 00:20:02.691
  • Gold.
  • 00:20:02.691 --> 00:20:04.126
  • That's what you bring a king, representing his deity.
  • 00:20:04.126 --> 00:20:08.330
  • He's a king.
  • 00:20:08.330 --> 00:20:09.831
  • They brought frankincense, which was a sign of purity.
  • 00:20:09.831 --> 00:20:13.835
  • But the third gift they brought was myrrh.
  • 00:20:13.835 --> 00:20:18.273
  • Do you know what myrrh was?
  • 00:20:18.273 --> 00:20:20.409
  • One of its most common uses in new testament times
  • 00:20:20.409 --> 00:20:23.278
  • Was it was used for the preservation of a dead body,
  • 00:20:23.278 --> 00:20:28.016
  • To prevent premature decomposition of that body.
  • 00:20:28.016 --> 00:20:32.287
  • Remember later when jesus died on the cross
  • 00:20:32.287 --> 00:20:34.890
  • And they took him down?
  • 00:20:34.890 --> 00:20:36.458
  • Before they placed him in the tomb of joseph of arimathea,
  • 00:20:36.458 --> 00:20:38.960
  • They wrapped his body in substances including myrrh
  • 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:43.432
  • To prevent the decomposition.
  • 00:20:43.432 --> 00:20:45.600
  • They didn't realize they were wasting their time,
  • 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:47.736
  • But they did that anyway
  • 00:20:47.736 --> 00:20:49.338
  • To try to prevent that decomposition.
  • 00:20:49.338 --> 00:20:52.140
  • They brought to this baby as a baby gift, myrrh.
  • 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:58.180
  • I mean, that would be like today, going to a baby shower
  • 00:20:59.314 --> 00:21:01.650
  • And bringing a tiny coffin for a baby to the shower.
  • 00:21:01.650 --> 00:21:06.988
  • Can you imagine the reaction?
  • 00:21:07.622 --> 00:21:10.092
  • You'd get thrown out of the party for doing such a thing.
  • 00:21:10.092 --> 00:21:12.994
  • But you see the magi understood that this baby
  • 00:21:12.994 --> 00:21:15.797
  • Was a baby who was born to die,
  • 00:21:15.797 --> 00:21:20.469
  • To die for the sins of the world.
  • 00:21:20.469 --> 00:21:23.505
  • There are not many ways to god,
  • 00:21:23.505 --> 00:21:25.907
  • Not all roads lead to heaven.
  • 00:21:25.907 --> 00:21:28.243
  • If there had been any other way
  • 00:21:28.243 --> 00:21:30.412
  • For us to have a right relationship with god,
  • 00:21:30.412 --> 00:21:33.682
  • The christmas story would've been unnecessary.
  • 00:21:33.682 --> 00:21:37.586
  • But the reason that god of the universe
  • 00:21:37.586 --> 00:21:40.155
  • Was willing to humiliate himself,
  • 00:21:40.155 --> 00:21:43.358
  • Take the form of a bond servant,
  • 00:21:43.358 --> 00:21:45.127
  • And become obedient to the point of death,
  • 00:21:45.127 --> 00:21:47.362
  • Even death on a cross,
  • 00:21:47.362 --> 00:21:48.864
  • Was jesus was the only way for the forgiveness of sins.
  • 00:21:48.864 --> 00:21:54.069
  • And whenever you look at this manger, this feeding trough,
  • 00:21:55.237 --> 00:21:59.808
  • Ask yourself, have i trusted
  • 00:21:59.808 --> 00:22:03.712
  • In god's only provision for my sins?
  • 00:22:03.712 --> 00:22:07.916
  • You see, jesus reminds us that god saves
  • 00:22:07.916 --> 00:22:12.087
  • Those who believe in him for eternal life.
  • 00:22:12.087 --> 00:22:15.690
  • Jesus said it this way.
  • 00:22:15.690 --> 00:22:17.559
  • For god so loved the world that he gave his only son,
  • 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:22.898
  • That whosoever believes in him, trusts in him,
  • 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:27.936
  • Clings to him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life.
  • 00:22:27.936 --> 00:22:34.042
  • Someone has said there is majesty in the name god.
  • 00:22:35.076 --> 00:22:40.482
  • There is personality in the name jehovah.
  • 00:22:41.349 --> 00:22:45.153
  • There is power in the name lord.
  • 00:22:45.153 --> 00:22:49.024
  • There is intercession in the name mediator,
  • 00:22:49.024 --> 00:22:52.227
  • But there is salvation in no other name
  • 00:22:52.227 --> 00:22:57.199
  • Except the name jesus.
  • 00:22:57.199 --> 00:23:00.869
  • You shall call his name jesus,
  • 00:23:01.503 --> 00:23:05.173
  • For he shall save his people from those sins.
  • 00:23:05.173 --> 00:23:09.811
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:10.145 --> 00:23:14.316
  • Year after year, i never tire
  • 00:23:14.950 --> 00:23:16.952
  • Of reliving the moment when jesus broke onto the world stage
  • 00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:21.490
  • And changed our lives forever.
  • 00:23:21.490 --> 00:23:24.593
  • And i hope you've been encouraged by this opportunity
  • 00:23:24.593 --> 00:23:27.329
  • To stop and smell the manger.
  • 00:23:27.329 --> 00:23:30.031
  • Well, december is quickly coming to a close,
  • 00:23:30.031 --> 00:23:33.001
  • And time is running out for you
  • 00:23:33.001 --> 00:23:34.803
  • To participate in the "pathway to victory"
  • 00:23:34.803 --> 00:23:37.038
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:23:37.038 --> 00:23:40.008
  • Your gift today will be matched
  • 00:23:40.008 --> 00:23:41.710
  • And therefore multiplied by two,
  • 00:23:41.710 --> 00:23:43.812
  • Having twice the impact
  • 00:23:43.812 --> 00:23:46.081
  • In bringing light to our darkening world.
  • 00:23:46.081 --> 00:23:49.484
  • Your $50 gift would become $100.
  • 00:23:49.484 --> 00:23:52.587
  • A $600 gift would become $1,200.
  • 00:23:52.587 --> 00:23:56.258
  • A $5,000 gift would be matched
  • 00:23:56.258 --> 00:23:58.894
  • And become a $10,000 gift.
  • 00:23:58.894 --> 00:24:01.930
  • These proceeds, however much they are,
  • 00:24:01.930 --> 00:24:04.699
  • Will be channeled directly into sharing
  • 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:07.969
  • The light of god's word through radio,
  • 00:24:07.969 --> 00:24:10.272
  • Television, digital streaming, and print media.
  • 00:24:10.272 --> 00:24:13.775
  • As we celebrate the birth of christ,
  • 00:24:13.775 --> 00:24:16.778
  • We remember that his light has overcome the darkness,
  • 00:24:16.778 --> 00:24:20.315
  • And it's our calling to continue sharing this good news,
  • 00:24:20.315 --> 00:24:23.985
  • So that his light may shine
  • 00:24:23.985 --> 00:24:26.421
  • Even in the darkest corners of our world.
  • 00:24:26.421 --> 00:24:29.457
  • Please get in touch with "pathway to victory" today
  • 00:24:29.457 --> 00:24:33.328
  • To participate in the light the darkness matching challenge
  • 00:24:33.328 --> 00:24:36.631
  • And stay right there.
  • 00:24:36.631 --> 00:24:38.433
  • I'll be back with more
  • 00:24:38.433 --> 00:24:39.668
  • "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:39.668 --> 00:24:42.671
  • [narrator] the one thing god wants
  • 00:24:43.405 --> 00:24:45.407
  • More than anything else in this world, is time with you.
  • 00:24:45.407 --> 00:24:48.410
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
  • 00:24:48.410 --> 00:24:52.814
  • With the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotional.
  • 00:24:52.814 --> 00:24:56.818
  • This year's devotional
  • 00:24:56.818 --> 00:24:58.053
  • Has a beautiful navy blue leather cover
  • 00:24:58.053 --> 00:24:59.921
  • With in-laid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:24:59.921 --> 00:25:02.290
  • And now with larger print,
  • 00:25:02.290 --> 00:25:03.658
  • The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:06.995
  • Are easier to read.
  • 00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:08.096
  • This stunning 532 page devotional
  • 00:25:08.096 --> 00:25:10.565
  • Makes an ideal christmas gift
  • 00:25:10.565 --> 00:25:12.200
  • For loved who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:14.703
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:25:14.703 --> 00:25:18.006
  • He chose to do it through the written word,
  • 00:25:18.006 --> 00:25:20.976
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me
  • 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:24.045
  • To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:25:24.045 --> 00:25:27.882
  • [narrator] every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:27.882 --> 00:25:30.619
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:35.223
  • In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
  • 00:25:35.223 --> 00:25:38.193
  • With insights from colossians.
  • 00:25:38.193 --> 00:25:40.261
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:40.261 --> 00:25:43.098
  • With inspirational readings
  • 00:25:43.098 --> 00:25:44.966
  • Based on the parable of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:44.966 --> 00:25:47.135
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
  • 00:25:47.135 --> 00:25:50.572
  • Take a moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth
  • 00:25:50.572 --> 00:25:53.341
  • Of god's word with the brand new
  • 00:25:53.341 --> 00:25:55.110
  • 2025 pathway to victory daily devotional.
  • 00:25:55.110 --> 00:25:58.346
  • Your gift of support not only provides you
  • 00:25:58.346 --> 00:26:01.383
  • With this life-giving resource, it empowers us
  • 00:26:01.383 --> 00:26:04.185
  • To spread the hope filled message of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:04.185 --> 00:26:07.422
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:07.422 --> 00:26:13.461
  • The busyness of the christmas season
  • 00:26:14.262 --> 00:26:16.531
  • Often causes us to forget the meaning of christmas day.
  • 00:26:16.531 --> 00:26:20.769
  • So i'm grateful you chose to slow down for half an hour
  • 00:26:20.769 --> 00:26:23.405
  • To stop and smell the manger with me.
  • 00:26:23.405 --> 00:26:26.908
  • Well, when you picture jesus christ,
  • 00:26:26.908 --> 00:26:29.377
  • What image comes to your mind?
  • 00:26:29.377 --> 00:26:31.513
  • A newborn baby laying in a feeding trough,
  • 00:26:31.513 --> 00:26:34.883
  • A grown man teaching the multitudes,
  • 00:26:34.883 --> 00:26:37.552
  • Or a powerful monarch seated on a throne?
  • 00:26:37.552 --> 00:26:40.722
  • Next time i'm going to show you a passage
  • 00:26:40.722 --> 00:26:43.258
  • That reveals the true identity of jesus.
  • 00:26:43.258 --> 00:26:46.895
  • Stay tuned for a preview
  • 00:26:46.895 --> 00:26:48.530
  • Of what's coming up next on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:48.530 --> 00:26:52.400
  • Oh, while the real jesus though,
  • 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:55.270
  • The jesus of the bible, came into this world as a tiny baby,
  • 00:26:55.270 --> 00:27:00.575
  • He was much more than that.
  • 00:27:01.176 --> 00:27:03.745
  • Who is this child that was born in the feeding trough
  • 00:27:03.745 --> 00:27:08.683
  • In bethlehem 2,000 years ago?
  • 00:27:08.683 --> 00:27:10.985
  • Was he just another tiny baby, or was he more?
  • 00:27:10.985 --> 00:27:15.457
  • [narrator] set your dvr
  • 00:27:15.457 --> 00:27:16.658
  • And join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:16.658 --> 00:27:18.093
  • "what child is this," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:18.093 --> 00:27:22.831
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:23.164 --> 00:27:23.164