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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Christmas B.C.

December 16, 2025 | 27:40

Greg Laurie - Christmas B.C.
Greg Laurie delivers a powerful message on the true meaning of Christmas, tracing back to the Garden of Eden and showcasing various instances of Christ's presence in the Old Testament. Through engaging storytelling and biblical references, he emphasizes the gift of eternal life and the presence of God in our lives. The message culminates in an invitation for the audience to accept this gift and enter a relationship with Jesus, promising a life worth living both on earth and in eternity. Laurie's message resonates with the season's spirit of giving and spiritual fulfillment.
#Christmas #Sin #Disobedience #Forgiveness #Repentance #Restoration #Jesus #Messiah #VirginBirth #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Christmas B.C. | December 16, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: christ was not born in a manger
  • 00:00:05.071 --> 00:00:06.740
  • So we could go shopping.
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  • Christ was not born so that we could go to parties.
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  • Christ was born so we'd realize
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  • We don't have to be alone in life.
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  • The message of christmas is you're not alone.
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  • Emmanuel, god is with us, and god can be more than with you,
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  • He can be in you.
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪♪
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  • Greg: the real story of christmas goes back really far,
  • 00:00:45.879 --> 00:00:50.216
  • Before mary and joseph, before bethlehem, before shepherds and
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  • Wise men, before caesar augustus and herod, or the innkeeper.
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  • In fact, the first mention of christmas is b.c.,
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  • Which is before christ.
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  • You say, "but how's that possible?"
  • 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:08.568
  • Because it goes back long ago to a garden, the garden of eden,
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  • And in that garden there was a tree.
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  • We can call it the first christmas tree, if you like.
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  • It wasn't decorated with lights and ornaments.
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  • It was a mysterious tree called the tree of the knowledge
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  • Of good and evil, okay?
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  • So here's adam and eve.
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  • They were in a literal paradise, radiant beauty at every turn,
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  • Exotic wildlife, the perfect temperature, and best of all,
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  • No sin or the guilt and shame that accompanies them.
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  • So god's just saying to them, "here you are.
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  • Enjoy all that i have created.
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  • There's one restriction, only one: stay away from
  • 00:01:51.544 --> 00:01:55.882
  • The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
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  • Scene 2, adam and eve
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  • At the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
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  • Why are they there?
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  • God says, "don't go there."
  • 00:02:05.658 --> 00:02:07.093
  • "all right, right, here we are."
  • 00:02:07.093 --> 00:02:08.661
  • The other day, my wife and i were with some of our grandkids
  • 00:02:08.661 --> 00:02:11.431
  • And they went home ahead of us and cathe says,
  • 00:02:11.431 --> 00:02:14.534
  • "don't look in my office. stay out of my office."
  • 00:02:14.534 --> 00:02:17.971
  • So i said, "cathe, now they're gonna go look in there,"
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  • 'cause she had some presents there for 'em.
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  • You tell someone, "don't do that, and the first thing we
  • 00:02:22.609 --> 00:02:24.978
  • Wanna do is do the thing we were told not to do, right?"
  • 00:02:24.978 --> 00:02:28.114
  • 'cause we think our parents are keeping us from something or
  • 00:02:28.114 --> 00:02:31.885
  • The reason they say you can't do it is because it's really cool.
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  • That's what they thought.
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  • But listen, if god tells you to not do something,
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  • It's for your own good.
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  • When are we gonna learn that?
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  • The bible says: "no good thing will he withhold
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  • From those that walk uprightly."
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  • If god says, "no," then that's a bad thing.
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  • He's keeping you away from it.
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  • If it's a good thing, he'll give it to you.
  • 00:02:53.373 --> 00:02:55.408
  • But anyway, they went to that tree.
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  • You know the rest of the story.
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  • They enter into a conversation with the devil,
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  • Which is never a good idea.
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  • The bible says: "resist the devil and he will flee
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  • From you," but no, adam and eve are conversing with the devil,
  • 00:03:07.420 --> 00:03:10.957
  • And he tells them, "go ahead and eat of this fruit because
  • 00:03:10.957 --> 00:03:15.228
  • In the day you eat thereof, you will be as a god,
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  • Knowing good and evil."
  • 00:03:17.630 --> 00:03:19.599
  • And genesis 3:6 says: "the woman was convinced.
  • 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:22.902
  • The fruit looked so fresh and delicious,
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  • And it would make her so wise.
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  • So she ate some of the fruit and gave some to her husband,
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  • And he ate it too.
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  • And their eyes were opened."
  • 00:03:31.678 --> 00:03:33.846
  • Yeah, their eyes were opened, all right.
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  • But they did not become gods.
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  • They realized they had been fools.
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  • And they lost that sweet fellowship with god.
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  • That's the worst thing about sin.
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  • When your fellowship with god is stopped.
  • 00:03:46.926 --> 00:03:50.763
  • Not your relationship with god.
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  • See, if you have a child that's disobedient, they're still your
  • 00:03:53.166 --> 00:03:57.804
  • Child but that communication has a breakdown.
  • 00:03:57.804 --> 00:04:01.274
  • In the same way, if we sin against god, we're still
  • 00:04:01.274 --> 00:04:04.143
  • A child of god but now our communication has a breakdown.
  • 00:04:04.143 --> 00:04:08.448
  • Every day the lord would show up in the garden when the sun was
  • 00:04:08.448 --> 00:04:13.253
  • Setting and he and his friend adam would talk about what adam
  • 00:04:13.253 --> 00:04:17.890
  • Had seen in the garden that day.
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  • What a great opportunity.
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  • But now, communication is severed.
  • 00:04:21.461 --> 00:04:24.330
  • You know, one of the worst things about having your
  • 00:04:24.330 --> 00:04:27.066
  • Fellowship with god broken down is you lose that joy.
  • 00:04:27.066 --> 00:04:30.603
  • That's why david said in psalm 51 after he had sinned,
  • 00:04:30.603 --> 00:04:34.607
  • "restore unto me the joy of my salvation."
  • 00:04:34.607 --> 00:04:39.512
  • Have you lost that joy?
  • 00:04:39.512 --> 00:04:41.180
  • Has your fellowship with god broken down in some
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  • Way, shape, or form?
  • 00:04:43.850 --> 00:04:45.985
  • And so the lord comes for his daily appointment
  • 00:04:45.985 --> 00:04:48.688
  • With adam, calling out, "adam, where are you?"
  • 00:04:48.688 --> 00:04:51.891
  • And adam says, "well, we heard your voice and we're
  • 00:04:51.891 --> 00:04:54.994
  • Naked and we're hiding."
  • 00:04:54.994 --> 00:04:57.297
  • And then the lord says, "who told you you were naked?"
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  • Question: did god know where adam was?
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  • Of course.
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  • God is omniscient, which means all-knowing.
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  • Why did god say, "adam, where are you?
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  • Have you eaten of this tree?"
  • 00:05:09.542 --> 00:05:11.444
  • Because god wanted confession.
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  • The only way to get rid of your sin is to confess it to god.
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  • Don't make excuses for it, don't try to cover it up.
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  • Just own it, admit it, confess it, and be forgiven of it.
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  • 1 john 1:9 says: "if we will confess our sin, he is faithful
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  • And just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us
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  • From all unrighteousness."
  • 00:05:33.633 --> 00:05:35.568
  • So god demands an explanation.
  • 00:05:35.568 --> 00:05:38.237
  • Adam said, "lord, it's the woman you gave me."
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  • First excuse of all time.
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  • "the woman you gave me."
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  • Now, how did he say that?
  • 00:05:44.010 --> 00:05:46.145
  • Did he say, "lord, it's the woman you gave me.
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  • It's her fault.
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  • Lord, i was--i laid down to take a nap, i wake up,
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  • A rib is missing, and she's here"?
  • 00:05:53.619 --> 00:05:56.089
  • Or did he say, "it's the woman you gave me,"
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  • Placing the blame on god?
  • 00:05:59.892 --> 00:06:02.528
  • Well, whatever it was, he wasn't taking responsibility.
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  • And then the woman, she doesn't take responsibility either.
  • 00:06:05.431 --> 00:06:09.135
  • She says, "well, that serpent tricked me.
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  • It's the devil's fault."
  • 00:06:11.671 --> 00:06:13.706
  • And now god gives the first christmas verse.
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  • It's not isaiah 9:6 which says: "unto us a child is born,
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  • Unto us a son is given.
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  • His name shall be called wonderful, counselor,
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  • The mighty god, the everlasting father."
  • 00:06:24.951 --> 00:06:27.153
  • Nor is it micah 5:2 that says: "you bethlehem, though you
  • 00:06:27.153 --> 00:06:30.923
  • Be little among the thousands of judah, yet out of you shall
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  • Come forth one whose origins have been from everlasting."
  • 00:06:34.394 --> 00:06:37.363
  • No, it's neither one of those verses.
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  • The first christmas verse is genesis 3:15 where god now
  • 00:06:39.532 --> 00:06:46.038
  • Says to satan: "there's coming one who will bruise your head,
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  • But you will bruise his heel."
  • 00:06:50.810 --> 00:06:54.046
  • Satan was on notice.
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  • God was saying, "devil, i'm gonna send the messiah.
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  • He's gonna crush your head.
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  • You'll bruise his heel, but he'll crush you."
  • 00:07:01.587 --> 00:07:03.289
  • So, the devil knew, game on.
  • 00:07:03.289 --> 00:07:05.825
  • The battle lines have been drawn.
  • 00:07:05.825 --> 00:07:08.027
  • And satan knew specifically that the messiah
  • 00:07:08.027 --> 00:07:11.063
  • Was gonna come through the jewish people.
  • 00:07:11.063 --> 00:07:13.766
  • Antisemitism was born.
  • 00:07:13.766 --> 00:07:17.036
  • What is antisemitism?
  • 00:07:17.036 --> 00:07:19.238
  • It's a hatred of the jewish people
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  • Who are god's chosen people.
  • 00:07:21.908 --> 00:07:23.810
  • And the devil declares war on what god loves,
  • 00:07:23.810 --> 00:07:28.648
  • And he tries to stop the jewish race and, specifically,
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  • Stop the messiah from coming.
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  • And that really is what christmas is all about.
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  • You're saying, "this is not a very christmassy message, greg."
  • 00:07:38.257 --> 00:07:40.860
  • Well, we'll hear some messages a little bit later on that might
  • 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:44.263
  • Be a little more to your liking, but i'm trying to pull
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  • The camera back and give you the big picture.
  • 00:07:47.066 --> 00:07:49.569
  • Jesus was born to die that we might live.
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  • Listen to this: "the shadow of the cross lay over the beauty
  • 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:56.709
  • Of the first christmas night."
  • 00:07:56.709 --> 00:07:59.612
  • Jesus was coming to bridge the gap between god and humanity,
  • 00:07:59.612 --> 00:08:03.282
  • And he was going to restore what was lost in the garden.
  • 00:08:03.282 --> 00:08:07.153
  • And satan did not want there to be a first christmas.
  • 00:08:07.153 --> 00:08:10.890
  • You've heard about the grinch that stole christmas, right?
  • 00:08:10.890 --> 00:08:14.293
  • I think some people know that story better than the biblical
  • 00:08:14.293 --> 00:08:17.129
  • Story of the birth of christ.
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  • Well, this is the devil who tried
  • 00:08:18.898 --> 00:08:21.000
  • To stop christmas from happening.
  • 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.769
  • It goes clear back to the first books of the bible,
  • 00:08:23.769 --> 00:08:26.506
  • Like in the book of exodus.
  • 00:08:26.506 --> 00:08:28.074
  • Here we have the pharaoh give an order, saying,
  • 00:08:28.074 --> 00:08:31.277
  • "i don't want any of those jewish baby boys to live.
  • 00:08:31.277 --> 00:08:34.247
  • Put them all to death," and the hebrew midwives refused, of
  • 00:08:34.247 --> 00:08:37.416
  • Course, and moses was spared and ultimately became the one
  • 00:08:37.416 --> 00:08:41.387
  • Who would deliver israel in the great exodus.
  • 00:08:41.387 --> 00:08:44.190
  • Fast forward to the book of esther.
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  • You have a plot hatched by a wicked man named haman
  • 00:08:46.158 --> 00:08:49.729
  • To wipe the jews off the face of the earth.
  • 00:08:49.729 --> 00:08:52.732
  • This plan was thwarted by queen esther who was jewish,
  • 00:08:52.732 --> 00:08:56.536
  • And haman ended up hanging on the very gallows
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  • He had erected for others.
  • 00:08:59.372 --> 00:09:01.574
  • So all attempts to stop christmas were failing.
  • 00:09:01.574 --> 00:09:05.111
  • But now fast forward to the new testament and we're in
  • 00:09:05.111 --> 00:09:07.680
  • The gospel of matthew, and we have king herod sitting on
  • 00:09:07.680 --> 00:09:10.616
  • The throne, and these mysterious visitors come looking for
  • 00:09:10.616 --> 00:09:15.688
  • "he that had been born known as the king of the jews."
  • 00:09:15.688 --> 00:09:19.825
  • There's not a worse thing you could have said to a guy like
  • 00:09:19.825 --> 00:09:23.496
  • Herod than, "we're looking for the king of the jews."
  • 00:09:23.496 --> 00:09:25.765
  • Why? that was his title.
  • 00:09:25.765 --> 00:09:27.767
  • They're basically saying,
  • 00:09:27.767 --> 00:09:29.135
  • "you're not the king of the jews.
  • 00:09:29.135 --> 00:09:30.603
  • We're looking for the king of the jews.
  • 00:09:30.603 --> 00:09:32.638
  • We've seen his star in the east
  • 00:09:32.638 --> 00:09:34.273
  • And we have come to worship him."
  • 00:09:34.273 --> 00:09:36.676
  • So, herod gave the decree, "kill all those baby boys
  • 00:09:36.676 --> 00:09:39.879
  • Born in bethlehem."
  • 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.447
  • He was trying to stop christmas, but listen to this.
  • 00:09:41.447 --> 00:09:44.584
  • That was never going to happen.
  • 00:09:44.584 --> 00:09:47.086
  • You can't stop messiah from coming and listen to this:
  • 00:09:47.086 --> 00:09:50.122
  • Nothing will stop christ from coming again.
  • 00:09:50.122 --> 00:09:52.658
  • He's gonna come again.
  • 00:09:52.658 --> 00:09:57.129
  • Because god will always have the last word.
  • 00:09:57.129 --> 00:10:00.733
  • And right on time, the messiah came,
  • 00:10:00.733 --> 00:10:03.269
  • Born in the manger in bethlehem.
  • 00:10:03.269 --> 00:10:05.571
  • Galatians says: "when the time was just right, god sent forth
  • 00:10:05.571 --> 00:10:10.109
  • His son, born of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those
  • 00:10:10.109 --> 00:10:14.580
  • That are under the law, that we might receive the spirit
  • 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.883
  • Of adoption whereby we cry, 'abba father.'"
  • 00:10:17.883 --> 00:10:21.988
  • But listen, jesus did not begin his existence in bethlehem.
  • 00:10:21.988 --> 00:10:27.193
  • Jesus is god.
  • 00:10:27.193 --> 00:10:29.528
  • He has always existed.
  • 00:10:29.528 --> 00:10:32.031
  • He has neither beginning nor end.
  • 00:10:32.031 --> 00:10:34.033
  • He, like the father and the holy spirit, is co-equal, co-eternal.
  • 00:10:34.033 --> 00:10:39.705
  • He himself said, "i am the alpha and the omega,
  • 00:10:39.705 --> 00:10:42.642
  • The beginning and the end."
  • 00:10:42.642 --> 00:10:44.276
  • So the real christmas story does not begin in bethlehem
  • 00:10:44.276 --> 00:10:47.780
  • Or even on planet earth.
  • 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:49.415
  • It begins in heaven where a decision was made
  • 00:10:49.415 --> 00:10:51.884
  • That christ would come to our world.
  • 00:10:51.884 --> 00:10:54.320
  • So, was there a christ before christmas?
  • 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:56.822
  • Is there a jesus before bethlehem?
  • 00:10:56.822 --> 00:10:59.125
  • The answer is "yes," and that's what we're talking about.
  • 00:10:59.125 --> 00:11:02.428
  • Because really, the story of christmas is both about
  • 00:11:02.428 --> 00:11:05.831
  • An arrival and a departure.
  • 00:11:05.831 --> 00:11:08.701
  • We celebrate his birth at christmas,
  • 00:11:08.701 --> 00:11:10.703
  • But heaven was sending the messiah.
  • 00:11:10.703 --> 00:11:14.373
  • Isaiah 9:6 sums it up: "unto us a child is born,
  • 00:11:14.373 --> 00:11:18.277
  • Unto us a son is given."
  • 00:11:18.277 --> 00:11:20.813
  • Our perspective, a child was born.
  • 00:11:20.813 --> 00:11:22.682
  • God's perspective: a son was given.
  • 00:11:22.682 --> 00:11:25.451
  • And his name shall be called wonderful, counselor,
  • 00:11:25.451 --> 00:11:28.921
  • The mighty god, the everlasting father."
  • 00:11:28.921 --> 00:11:31.957
  • That was deity in diapers.
  • 00:11:31.957 --> 00:11:35.494
  • That was the almighty god coming to us as a helpless
  • 00:11:35.494 --> 00:11:39.198
  • Little baby born in that manger of bethlehem.
  • 00:11:39.198 --> 00:11:44.136
  • So now let's look at some christophanies.
  • 00:11:44.136 --> 00:11:48.808
  • You're going, "i don't know what you're talking about."
  • 00:11:48.808 --> 00:11:50.376
  • Well, theologians have a couple of terms.
  • 00:11:50.376 --> 00:11:52.311
  • One is a theophany which means an appearance of god.
  • 00:11:52.311 --> 00:11:55.414
  • Another is a christophany.
  • 00:11:55.414 --> 00:11:57.450
  • And i suggest to you christ appeared many times
  • 00:11:57.450 --> 00:12:00.786
  • In the old testament.
  • 00:12:00.786 --> 00:12:02.588
  • Listen, jesus is in the old testament concealed,
  • 00:12:02.588 --> 00:12:06.292
  • And he's in the new testament revealed.
  • 00:12:06.292 --> 00:12:09.495
  • So we read a lot about jesus in the new testament but
  • 00:12:09.495 --> 00:12:12.398
  • He was around in the old testament a lot as well.
  • 00:12:12.398 --> 00:12:16.802
  • Example, the story of abraham and isaac on mount moriah.
  • 00:12:16.802 --> 00:12:21.507
  • Now, we know that jesus and abraham met each
  • 00:12:21.507 --> 00:12:25.344
  • Other and communicated.
  • 00:12:25.344 --> 00:12:26.779
  • Jesus said that.
  • 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.180
  • When did this happen?
  • 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:29.849
  • Now, we're guessing but i think this is a pretty educated guess.
  • 00:12:29.849 --> 00:12:32.685
  • Genesis 22 is the story of abraham and his son, isaac.
  • 00:12:32.685 --> 00:12:37.323
  • As you'll recall, isaac was born in the later years of abraham
  • 00:12:37.323 --> 00:12:41.494
  • And his wife sarah.
  • 00:12:41.494 --> 00:12:43.229
  • God had promised them that they would have a son and from their
  • 00:12:43.229 --> 00:12:46.665
  • Son would come the jewish race.
  • 00:12:46.665 --> 00:12:48.300
  • But they were getting on in years and sarah
  • 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:51.604
  • Was not pregnant.
  • 00:12:51.604 --> 00:12:52.938
  • Now she's, well, past the time when a woman should normally
  • 00:12:52.938 --> 00:12:55.741
  • Get pregnant and she, all of a sudden, is pregnant
  • 00:12:55.741 --> 00:12:59.011
  • With isaac and the child is born and, by the way,
  • 00:12:59.011 --> 00:13:01.180
  • The name "isaac" means laughter.
  • 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:04.116
  • Because he filled their home with joy.
  • 00:13:04.116 --> 00:13:06.185
  • He was the light of their life.
  • 00:13:06.185 --> 00:13:08.420
  • Imagine how hard it must have been when god asked
  • 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:11.824
  • The incomprehensible of abraham and said, "take that son of
  • 00:13:11.824 --> 00:13:16.195
  • Yours and offer to him--offer him to me as a sacrifice."
  • 00:13:16.195 --> 00:13:20.199
  • Genesis 22:1: "god tested abraham's faith and obedience.
  • 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:24.570
  • 'abraham,' god called.
  • 00:13:24.570 --> 00:13:26.672
  • 'yes,' he replied. 'here i am.'
  • 00:13:26.672 --> 00:13:28.941
  • 'take your son, your only son--yes, isaac,
  • 00:13:28.941 --> 00:13:32.378
  • Whom you love so much-- and go to the land of moriah.
  • 00:13:32.378 --> 00:13:35.347
  • Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.'
  • 00:13:35.347 --> 00:13:37.817
  • Isaac asked his father, 'where's the lamb for the sacrifice?'"
  • 00:13:37.817 --> 00:13:42.555
  • Now abraham prophetically says in genesis 22:8:
  • 00:13:42.555 --> 00:13:45.991
  • "'my son, god will provide for himself
  • 00:13:45.991 --> 00:13:48.828
  • The lamb for a burnt offering.'
  • 00:13:48.828 --> 00:13:51.263
  • And the two of them went together."
  • 00:13:51.263 --> 00:13:53.866
  • Now, sometimes in religious art you'll see this depicted
  • 00:13:53.866 --> 00:13:56.368
  • As a older man with a very young boy.
  • 00:13:56.368 --> 00:13:59.438
  • But that's really not the way it was.
  • 00:13:59.438 --> 00:14:01.473
  • Isaac was probably a young adult at this point,
  • 00:14:01.473 --> 00:14:04.310
  • Full grown and strong.
  • 00:14:04.310 --> 00:14:06.178
  • He knew what was coming down.
  • 00:14:06.178 --> 00:14:07.813
  • He wasn't stupid, okay?
  • 00:14:07.813 --> 00:14:09.815
  • He knew that he was gonna be sacrificed.
  • 00:14:09.815 --> 00:14:11.917
  • Potentially, he could have said, "dad, you're an old dude.
  • 00:14:11.917 --> 00:14:14.220
  • Why don't we sacrifice you instead of me?
  • 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.222
  • 'cause i have a whole life ahead of me.
  • 00:14:16.222 --> 00:14:18.824
  • Most of your life is behind you, right?"
  • 00:14:18.824 --> 00:14:20.793
  • No, but he didn't do that.
  • 00:14:20.793 --> 00:14:22.661
  • Isaac went along with this which makes it so amazing.
  • 00:14:22.661 --> 00:14:26.298
  • And is this not a picture of what happened at the cross?
  • 00:14:26.298 --> 00:14:30.402
  • I love how genesis 22:8 says: "the two of them went together."
  • 00:14:30.402 --> 00:14:35.507
  • And this is exactly what happened when jesus died
  • 00:14:35.507 --> 00:14:38.277
  • On the cross for us.
  • 00:14:38.277 --> 00:14:39.678
  • The father, son, and the holy spirit working toward
  • 00:14:39.678 --> 00:14:43.048
  • This goal of the redemption of mankind.
  • 00:14:43.048 --> 00:14:46.385
  • The father making the ultimate sacrifice in giving his son,
  • 00:14:46.385 --> 00:14:50.756
  • Again, back to isaiah 9:6, "unto us a son is given,"
  • 00:14:50.756 --> 00:14:54.093
  • The son making the ultimate sacrifice
  • 00:14:54.093 --> 00:14:57.029
  • In laying his life down.
  • 00:14:57.029 --> 00:14:59.131
  • Jesus said, "no one takes my life from me.
  • 00:14:59.131 --> 00:15:02.701
  • I lay it down of my own accord.
  • 00:15:02.701 --> 00:15:05.871
  • Greater love has no man than this," our lord says,
  • 00:15:05.871 --> 00:15:08.007
  • Then he laid down his life for his friends.
  • 00:15:08.007 --> 00:15:11.443
  • Even what god said to abraham is reminiscent of what jesus did.
  • 00:15:11.443 --> 00:15:15.848
  • Genesis 22: "take your son, your only son,
  • 00:15:15.848 --> 00:15:20.252
  • Whom you love so much."
  • 00:15:20.252 --> 00:15:23.055
  • That gives you a glimpse of what happened at the cross
  • 00:15:23.055 --> 00:15:26.258
  • From the perspective of the father.
  • 00:15:26.258 --> 00:15:28.861
  • His only son.
  • 00:15:28.861 --> 00:15:30.296
  • What did jesus say in john 3:16?
  • 00:15:30.296 --> 00:15:32.131
  • "for god so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son
  • 00:15:32.131 --> 00:15:36.602
  • And whoever believes in him shall not perish,
  • 00:15:36.602 --> 00:15:39.471
  • But have everlasting life."
  • 00:15:39.471 --> 00:15:42.274
  • So, abraham's preparing now to plunge the knife into his son.
  • 00:15:42.274 --> 00:15:46.378
  • And by the way, he believed that if isaac died,
  • 00:15:46.378 --> 00:15:49.181
  • God would raise him again from the dead.
  • 00:15:49.181 --> 00:15:51.650
  • That's interesting considering that no one had been
  • 00:15:51.650 --> 00:15:54.186
  • Raised from the dead at this point, historically.
  • 00:15:54.186 --> 00:15:56.388
  • But still, abraham believed that and right before the knife
  • 00:15:56.388 --> 00:15:59.825
  • Comes down, genesis 22:11: "at that moment the angel of
  • 00:15:59.825 --> 00:16:03.062
  • The lord shouted to him from heaven, 'abraham!
  • 00:16:03.062 --> 00:16:05.764
  • Abraham!' 'yes,' he said.
  • 00:16:05.764 --> 00:16:07.599
  • The lord said, "lay down the knife.
  • 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:09.735
  • Don't hurt the boy in any way, for now i know that you truly
  • 00:16:09.735 --> 00:16:11.904
  • Fear god, you've not withheld your beloved son from me."
  • 00:16:11.904 --> 00:16:17.343
  • Notice that it says: "the angel of the lord."
  • 00:16:17.343 --> 00:16:20.646
  • Not "an angel"; "the angel."
  • 00:16:20.646 --> 00:16:22.514
  • And to the point, who told abraham to offer his son, isaac?
  • 00:16:22.514 --> 00:16:28.053
  • Was it an angel or was it god himself?
  • 00:16:28.053 --> 00:16:30.322
  • It was god.
  • 00:16:30.322 --> 00:16:31.924
  • So it's worth noting here that the angel, so called, says,
  • 00:16:31.924 --> 00:16:36.895
  • "you did not withhold your beloved son from me."
  • 00:16:36.895 --> 00:16:39.098
  • I believe that this so-called angel was none other
  • 00:16:39.098 --> 00:16:42.234
  • Than christ himself.
  • 00:16:42.234 --> 00:16:44.403
  • I believe this is a christophany
  • 00:16:44.403 --> 00:16:46.872
  • And jesus stepped in to this situation.
  • 00:16:46.872 --> 00:16:50.009
  • And it reminds us that god is with us in our times of testing.
  • 00:16:50.009 --> 00:16:55.481
  • Are you going through a time of testing right now?
  • 00:16:55.481 --> 00:16:58.150
  • The bottom has dropped out,
  • 00:16:58.150 --> 00:16:59.985
  • Something unexpected has happened.
  • 00:16:59.985 --> 00:17:01.854
  • You're facing a time of crisis.
  • 00:17:01.854 --> 00:17:03.956
  • You feel as though god has abandoned you
  • 00:17:03.956 --> 00:17:06.358
  • Or forgotten about you.
  • 00:17:06.358 --> 00:17:08.727
  • Nothing could be further from the truth.
  • 00:17:08.727 --> 00:17:10.629
  • I love what the lord says over in isaiah 43:2, god speaking:
  • 00:17:10.629 --> 00:17:15.100
  • "when you go through deep waters, i'll be with you.
  • 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:18.704
  • When you go through rivers of difficulties,
  • 00:17:18.704 --> 00:17:20.672
  • You will not drown.
  • 00:17:20.672 --> 00:17:22.307
  • When you walk through the fire of oppression,
  • 00:17:22.307 --> 00:17:24.309
  • You will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you."
  • 00:17:24.309 --> 00:17:28.514
  • God's saying, "i'm there with you."
  • 00:17:28.514 --> 00:17:30.349
  • And god is with you right now, whatever you're going through.
  • 00:17:30.349 --> 00:17:34.620
  • Okay, so let's go to christophany number two.
  • 00:17:34.686 --> 00:17:37.923
  • The wrestling match between jacob and the angel.
  • 00:17:37.923 --> 00:17:41.593
  • It's in genesis 32.
  • 00:17:41.593 --> 00:17:43.962
  • Jacob had made a mess of his life.
  • 00:17:43.962 --> 00:17:46.698
  • He had offended his brother esau, he had been a conniver,
  • 00:17:46.698 --> 00:17:51.236
  • Fell out with his father-in-law laban,
  • 00:17:51.236 --> 00:17:53.505
  • Was facing the consequences of all of his bad decisions.
  • 00:17:53.505 --> 00:17:57.209
  • In effect, he was rebelling against god.
  • 00:17:57.209 --> 00:18:00.512
  • And genesis 32:24 says that "jacob was alone in the camp,
  • 00:18:00.512 --> 00:18:04.149
  • And a man came and wrestled with him
  • 00:18:04.149 --> 00:18:06.251
  • Until the dawn began to break.
  • 00:18:06.251 --> 00:18:08.921
  • When the man saw he could not--or would not win the match,
  • 00:18:08.921 --> 00:18:11.757
  • He touched jacob's hips--hip and wrenched it out of its socket.
  • 00:18:11.757 --> 00:18:15.627
  • Then the man said, 'let me go, the dawn is breaking!'
  • 00:18:15.627 --> 00:18:18.397
  • Jacob said, 'i'll not let you go until you bless me.'
  • 00:18:18.397 --> 00:18:22.468
  • 'what is your name?' the man says.
  • 00:18:22.468 --> 00:18:24.570
  • Your name will no longer be called jacob,'"
  • 00:18:24.570 --> 00:18:27.272
  • Because jacob said what his name was.
  • 00:18:27.272 --> 00:18:29.074
  • "'from now on you'll be called israel,' and jacob called
  • 00:18:29.074 --> 00:18:32.945
  • That place peniel (which means 'face of god'),
  • 00:18:32.945 --> 00:18:36.181
  • For he said, 'i have seen god face to face.'"
  • 00:18:36.181 --> 00:18:39.218
  • I don't think jacob was wrestling with an angel.
  • 00:18:39.218 --> 00:18:42.688
  • I think he was wrestling with god,
  • 00:18:42.688 --> 00:18:45.190
  • And specifically he was having a wrestling match with jesus.
  • 00:18:45.190 --> 00:18:48.660
  • That's never going to end well.
  • 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:51.130
  • Don't laugh too quickly; you've wrestled with him before.
  • 00:18:51.130 --> 00:18:54.766
  • Have you ever known the will of god and refused to do it?
  • 00:18:54.766 --> 00:18:58.337
  • Resisted it?
  • 00:18:58.337 --> 00:19:00.339
  • Maybe the lord nudged you, "why don't you go,
  • 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:02.574
  • Share the gospel with that person over there?
  • 00:19:02.574 --> 00:19:05.010
  • Why don't you go apologize to your spouse
  • 00:19:05.010 --> 00:19:07.246
  • For what you just said?"
  • 00:19:07.246 --> 00:19:08.847
  • Why don't you do this or that, and we say
  • 00:19:08.847 --> 00:19:10.949
  • "no, i don't want to."
  • 00:19:10.949 --> 00:19:12.551
  • Or the lord shows his will to us and we refuse
  • 00:19:12.551 --> 00:19:15.187
  • To go in that direction.
  • 00:19:15.187 --> 00:19:17.122
  • And so here's what god is saying:
  • 00:19:17.122 --> 00:19:19.691
  • "jacob, when are you gonna discover that my plan for you
  • 00:19:19.691 --> 00:19:22.828
  • Is better than your plan for yourself?"
  • 00:19:22.828 --> 00:19:25.097
  • Let me ask you this question.
  • 00:19:25.097 --> 00:19:27.432
  • Do you feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your
  • 00:19:27.432 --> 00:19:29.902
  • Shoulders right now, trying to figure out how to resolve
  • 00:19:29.902 --> 00:19:33.472
  • Problems that you have created?
  • 00:19:33.472 --> 00:19:35.674
  • It's time to surrender to god.
  • 00:19:35.674 --> 00:19:38.877
  • So now here's old jacob.
  • 00:19:38.877 --> 00:19:40.546
  • Of course, he's fighting. fighting with the lord.
  • 00:19:40.546 --> 00:19:43.448
  • And then toward the end, he's hanging on to him.
  • 00:19:43.448 --> 00:19:45.751
  • The lord's like, "i gotta go."
  • 00:19:45.751 --> 00:19:47.119
  • "you're not going anywhere 'til you bless me."
  • 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.655
  • "okay." i like that, though.
  • 00:19:49.655 --> 00:19:52.157
  • You see, he went from resisting to resting.
  • 00:19:52.157 --> 00:19:56.328
  • He went from cunning to clinging.
  • 00:19:56.328 --> 00:19:59.331
  • He went from wrestling to nestling.
  • 00:19:59.331 --> 00:20:02.301
  • Now he's hanging on to god.
  • 00:20:02.301 --> 00:20:04.336
  • He had learned his lesson and he had surrendered his will to god.
  • 00:20:04.336 --> 00:20:07.573
  • Can you do the same?
  • 00:20:07.573 --> 00:20:09.541
  • Is this boring?
  • 00:20:09.541 --> 00:20:11.376
  • Too bad, i'm still going.
  • 00:20:11.376 --> 00:20:13.312
  • Okay, i have one more 'cause like, eight people, "no,"
  • 00:20:13.312 --> 00:20:16.114
  • The others like, "i need to go.
  • 00:20:16.114 --> 00:20:17.983
  • I gotta go christmas shopping."
  • 00:20:17.983 --> 00:20:20.586
  • All right, one more christophany for you: the story of
  • 00:20:20.586 --> 00:20:23.789
  • Shadrach, meshach, and abednego in the fiery furnace.
  • 00:20:23.789 --> 00:20:27.259
  • You know their story.
  • 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.528
  • It's in the book of daniel.
  • 00:20:29.528 --> 00:20:31.463
  • These three young godly men who would not bow before
  • 00:20:31.463 --> 00:20:34.833
  • The false image of nebuchadnezzar.
  • 00:20:34.833 --> 00:20:38.370
  • So the people of israel were taken captive
  • 00:20:38.370 --> 00:20:41.540
  • By the babylonians.
  • 00:20:41.540 --> 00:20:43.742
  • Why--because they kept turning to false gods.
  • 00:20:43.742 --> 00:20:46.845
  • God warned them again and again,
  • 00:20:46.845 --> 00:20:48.714
  • "stop worshiping these false gods.
  • 00:20:48.714 --> 00:20:50.582
  • Stop turning to these idols.
  • 00:20:50.582 --> 00:20:52.384
  • Turn to me."
  • 00:20:52.384 --> 00:20:53.785
  • Yeah, whatever.
  • 00:20:53.785 --> 00:20:55.287
  • They went back to the false gods again and again.
  • 00:20:55.287 --> 00:20:57.155
  • The lord says, "okay, you want false gods, you want idols.
  • 00:20:57.155 --> 00:20:59.925
  • I'm sending you to idol central, babylon."
  • 00:20:59.925 --> 00:21:03.262
  • And they were taken captive.
  • 00:21:03.262 --> 00:21:05.764
  • And as they were being taken to this distant land,
  • 00:21:05.764 --> 00:21:09.201
  • Nebuchadnezzar noticed these four young men, shadrach,
  • 00:21:09.201 --> 00:21:13.739
  • Meshach, and abednego.
  • 00:21:13.739 --> 00:21:15.274
  • Those were not their jewish names or these were the names
  • 00:21:15.274 --> 00:21:17.509
  • He gave to them later.
  • 00:21:17.509 --> 00:21:18.877
  • And we know them best by those names.
  • 00:21:18.877 --> 00:21:20.479
  • And daniel.
  • 00:21:20.479 --> 00:21:21.880
  • He says, "i want you in my court.
  • 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.749
  • I wanna school you at the babylonian university
  • 00:21:23.749 --> 00:21:26.685
  • And teach you the ways of babylon."
  • 00:21:26.685 --> 00:21:28.620
  • So that's a pretty sweet deal.
  • 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:30.422
  • If they play their cards right, they would live
  • 00:21:30.422 --> 00:21:32.224
  • In the lap of luxury and affluence and influence.
  • 00:21:32.224 --> 00:21:35.894
  • But one day, nebuchadnezzar erects a giant image, covered
  • 00:21:35.894 --> 00:21:40.165
  • In gold, and commands everyone in the kingdom to worship it.
  • 00:21:40.165 --> 00:21:44.536
  • And as soon as the band cranked up the babylonian idol theme
  • 00:21:44.536 --> 00:21:48.173
  • Song, everyone bowed down before the idol except three men
  • 00:21:48.173 --> 00:21:52.477
  • Who stuck out like sore thumbs: shadrach, meshach, and abednego.
  • 00:21:52.477 --> 00:21:56.682
  • They were wearing black leather motorcycle jackets,
  • 00:21:56.682 --> 00:22:00.085
  • Wearing sunglasses, had their wallet on a chain 'cause if
  • 00:22:00.085 --> 00:22:04.356
  • You ride a motorcycle, you have to have a chain to your wallet
  • 00:22:04.356 --> 00:22:07.092
  • And i'm not sure why.
  • 00:22:07.092 --> 00:22:09.227
  • Who's gonna take a wallet from a biker?
  • 00:22:09.227 --> 00:22:11.730
  • I don't know.
  • 00:22:11.730 --> 00:22:13.298
  • But that, of course, i made that up, but they're,
  • 00:22:13.298 --> 00:22:15.434
  • "no, we won't bow."
  • 00:22:15.434 --> 00:22:17.402
  • They sent word to the king, "those guys,
  • 00:22:17.402 --> 00:22:19.538
  • Shadrach, meshach, and abednego, they serve in your palace.
  • 00:22:19.538 --> 00:22:21.506
  • They won't bow." "oh, they just misunderstood.
  • 00:22:21.506 --> 00:22:23.742
  • Give 'em another chance."
  • 00:22:23.742 --> 00:22:25.077
  • "c'mon, guys, bow before the image."
  • 00:22:25.077 --> 00:22:27.212
  • They said, "we're not bowing. we refuse."
  • 00:22:27.212 --> 00:22:30.382
  • He was so angry, he commanded that the furnace be heated
  • 00:22:30.382 --> 00:22:33.819
  • Seven times hotter and he told his men to throw
  • 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:38.190
  • Shadrach, meshach, and abednego into the fiery furnace.
  • 00:22:38.190 --> 00:22:41.693
  • The flames were so hot, it killed the king's servants
  • 00:22:41.693 --> 00:22:46.098
  • As they came to the edge of the abyss, and in went
  • 00:22:46.098 --> 00:22:50.168
  • These three young men and here's what we read in daniel 3:23:
  • 00:22:50.168 --> 00:22:55.340
  • "shadrach, meshach, and abednego, securely tied,
  • 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:57.876
  • Fell down into the roaring flames.
  • 00:22:57.876 --> 00:23:00.345
  • But suddenly, as he was watching, nebuchadnezzar
  • 00:23:00.345 --> 00:23:03.548
  • Jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers,
  • 00:23:03.548 --> 00:23:06.718
  • 'wait, didn't we throw three men into the furnace?'
  • 00:23:06.718 --> 00:23:10.155
  • 'yes, your majesty, three men.'
  • 00:23:10.155 --> 00:23:11.690
  • 'look!' nebuchadnezzar said.
  • 00:23:11.690 --> 00:23:13.959
  • 'i see four men, walking around in the fire.
  • 00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:17.062
  • They're not hurt by the flames and the fourth one looks
  • 00:23:17.062 --> 00:23:20.432
  • Like the son of god--!'" a christophany.
  • 00:23:20.432 --> 00:23:24.503
  • Who was walking around with shadrach, meshach, and abednego
  • 00:23:24.503 --> 00:23:27.205
  • In the fiery furnace?
  • 00:23:27.205 --> 00:23:29.040
  • Jesus.
  • 00:23:29.040 --> 00:23:30.375
  • "hey, guys, need some sunscreen?
  • 00:23:30.375 --> 00:23:32.277
  • How's it going?"
  • 00:23:32.277 --> 00:23:34.279
  • And god is walking around with you in your fiery furnace.
  • 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:38.617
  • Again, you are not alone.
  • 00:23:38.617 --> 00:23:40.719
  • He comes to us and he says,
  • 00:23:40.719 --> 00:23:43.255
  • "i'll never leave you or forsake you."
  • 00:23:43.255 --> 00:23:47.192
  • And if you were to translate that more literally, it would
  • 00:23:47.192 --> 00:23:50.562
  • Go as follows: jesus speaking, "i will never, no never,
  • 00:23:50.562 --> 00:23:54.366
  • No never, leave you or forsake you.
  • 00:23:54.366 --> 00:23:58.437
  • That's the essential message of christmas.
  • 00:23:58.437 --> 00:24:02.541
  • We're not alone in the world.
  • 00:24:02.541 --> 00:24:04.843
  • Jesus came to abraham, jacob, shadrach, meshach, and abednego
  • 00:24:04.843 --> 00:24:09.114
  • In pre-incarnate appearances.
  • 00:24:09.114 --> 00:24:12.250
  • But one day god will come again to this planet, but he was born
  • 00:24:12.250 --> 00:24:16.855
  • In that manger and he died on the cross, and he rose again.
  • 00:24:16.855 --> 00:24:19.891
  • He's always been there and he will always be there.
  • 00:24:19.891 --> 00:24:23.428
  • Jesus says: "i am with you to the end of the age."
  • 00:24:23.428 --> 00:24:27.799
  • So, yes, jesus appeared b.c.
  • 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:30.702
  • And i wonder if there's somebody here right now listening to me
  • 00:24:30.702 --> 00:24:33.104
  • Or watching me or hearing me wherever you are, and you've
  • 00:24:33.104 --> 00:24:35.707
  • Been searching for god and he's here and he's ready
  • 00:24:35.707 --> 00:24:38.977
  • To come into your life.
  • 00:24:38.977 --> 00:24:41.480
  • You know, the holidays can be a hard time for a lot of people.
  • 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:45.317
  • It can be a lonely time, it can be a depressing time.
  • 00:24:45.317 --> 00:24:49.120
  • Maybe they don't have family or maybe the holidays mark
  • 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:53.358
  • The departure of a loved one that was with them last year
  • 00:24:53.358 --> 00:24:58.330
  • That is not with them this year, so there's a sadness attached.
  • 00:24:58.330 --> 00:25:02.701
  • So while everyone else is having a great time,
  • 00:25:02.701 --> 00:25:05.604
  • ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪
  • 00:25:05.604 --> 00:25:08.740
  • They're not feeling that way.
  • 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.575
  • It's a depressing time for them.
  • 00:25:10.575 --> 00:25:12.544
  • But don't miss the essential message of christmas.
  • 00:25:12.544 --> 00:25:15.213
  • Christ was not born in a manger so we could go shopping
  • 00:25:15.213 --> 00:25:19.284
  • And spend half our life looking for a parking place at a mall.
  • 00:25:19.284 --> 00:25:23.421
  • Christ was not born so we could go to parties.
  • 00:25:23.421 --> 00:25:28.360
  • Christ was born so we'd realize
  • 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:30.228
  • We don't have to be alone in life.
  • 00:25:30.228 --> 00:25:32.531
  • The message of christmas is you're not alone.
  • 00:25:32.531 --> 00:25:34.799
  • Emmanuel, god is with us, and god can be more than with you,
  • 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:38.870
  • He can be in you.
  • 00:25:38.870 --> 00:25:41.239
  • A relationship with him, jesus who was born in the manger at
  • 00:25:41.239 --> 00:25:45.210
  • Bethlehem, and died in the cross of calvary, rose again from
  • 00:25:45.210 --> 00:25:49.047
  • The dead 3 days later and now he stands at the door of your life
  • 00:25:49.047 --> 00:25:52.317
  • And he knocks and he says if you'll hear his voice
  • 00:25:52.317 --> 00:25:55.086
  • And open the door, he'll come in.
  • 00:25:55.086 --> 00:25:57.422
  • Greg: well, christmas is getting closer and it's all
  • 00:26:00.926 --> 00:26:03.395
  • About giving gifts but i want to talk to you about the gift
  • 00:26:03.395 --> 00:26:06.731
  • That god gave to you.
  • 00:26:06.731 --> 00:26:08.099
  • The bible calls it the indescribable gift.
  • 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:11.503
  • It's a gift of eternal life.
  • 00:26:11.503 --> 00:26:13.171
  • Now, let's just say i wanted to give you my bible right now.
  • 00:26:13.171 --> 00:26:16.474
  • You need to reach out and accept this gift from me.
  • 00:26:16.474 --> 00:26:19.177
  • God offers to you the greatest of all gifts ever given,
  • 00:26:19.177 --> 00:26:23.148
  • The gift that really keeps on giving,
  • 00:26:23.148 --> 00:26:25.383
  • Eternal life and a life worth living here on this earth.
  • 00:26:25.383 --> 00:26:29.454
  • Don't miss that this christmas season.
  • 00:26:29.454 --> 00:26:31.523
  • You could just pray, "lord, i want this gift
  • 00:26:31.523 --> 00:26:34.092
  • That you're offering to me.
  • 00:26:34.092 --> 00:26:35.627
  • I want to live forever in heaven and i want to find the meaning
  • 00:26:35.627 --> 00:26:38.763
  • And purpose of life.
  • 00:26:38.763 --> 00:26:40.231
  • Come into my life right now."
  • 00:26:40.231 --> 00:26:42.167
  • You pray a prayer like that,
  • 00:26:42.167 --> 00:26:44.035
  • Jesus christ will come into your life.
  • 00:26:44.035 --> 00:26:46.538
  • Let me send you a bible so you can learn more about
  • 00:26:46.538 --> 00:26:50.642
  • How to have this relationship with god.
  • 00:26:50.642 --> 00:26:53.211
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:53.278 --> 00:26:59.851
  • Greg: greg laurie here, you know, right now
  • 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:03.521
  • There is a growing spiritual hunger in our nation.
  • 00:27:03.521 --> 00:27:06.658
  • Everywhere you look you see signs of well,
  • 00:27:06.658 --> 00:27:09.461
  • What we might call revival.
  • 00:27:09.461 --> 00:27:11.429
  • God has done some amazing things in the last few months
  • 00:27:11.429 --> 00:27:14.532
  • And he's opened some amazing doors.
  • 00:27:14.532 --> 00:27:17.202
  • And i'm going to ask you to be generous for the days ahead.
  • 00:27:17.202 --> 00:27:20.839
  • Who knows what opportunities are going to come our way?
  • 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:24.476
  • So i want to thank you in advance for whatever you can do.
  • 00:27:24.476 --> 00:27:27.746
  • Every gift matters. god bless you.
  • 00:27:27.746 --> 00:27:30.000