WISEMEN SEEK IT,SHEPHERDS TELL IT,
AND WE HAVE IT
† SALVATION THROUGH JESUS †
Bible Study: Wisemen See It--Shepherds Tell It--and We Hae It (Salvation Through Jesus)
[23:46] CRONUS-KEDAR changes topic to "Bible Study: Wisemen See It--Shepherds Tell It--and We Have It (Salvation Through Jesus)" [23:47] robin would you like to open with prayer tonight [23:47] dear father ,thank you that we could come in here tonite
[23:48] yes lord
[23:48] thank you that we can still have the freedom to study your word
[23:48] yes lord
[23:48] yes Lord
[23:48] father help us to hear the word and to understand it [23:48] yes lord
[23:48] yes Lord
[23:49] he Cronus to say what you will have him to say [23:49] yes lord
[23:49] help this room to be used for your glory tonite lord [23:50] in your name amen
[23:50] amen
[23:50] amen
[23:51] There was once a time when God shut off His presence in the Bible from His people.
[23:51] It is this time between the old and the new testament
[23:52] in the old men were looking for the Promise [23:52] In the Gospel we have found that Promise [23:52] And tonight we are going to take some time and look at the story of the birth of Christ [23:53] Now we all know the story by heart. [23:53] For we have seen it depicted many times in books, movies, songs, and the nativity scenes that spring up all over [23:54] But for tonight we are going to look at it as a message to both the saint and sinner and how we are to walk the path with our Lord.
[23:55] first let us go to part one as we find in the scriptures.
[23:55] kjv Matthew 1:18-20 Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[23:56] kjv Matthew 1:21-24 Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
[23:57] niv Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. [23:58] In this set of scriptures we are told that Mary being of child was looked upon by her husband Joseph [23:59] In their society a woman who was engaged and turned up with child was by law either stoned, or could be put away for such a situation
[00:01] But Joseph when he was thinking of these things was approached by God and told the true facts which caused him to accept the situation as a gift from God.
[00:02] Is this not like the seed of God that is planted in each and every one of us from the moment of birth. [00:02] Every person at birth falls under the curse of sin but they are also given a spark of conviction to come to God [00:03] Now like Joseph we all have to decide what to do with this seed
[00:03] of salvation.
[00:04] that is in each of us and by our decision we can either kill it with a hardness of heart or hide it away from the sight of others keeping it deep in the darkness of our secular life. [00:06] So it is like with Joseph that the Holy spirit draws us forth to Jesus giving us the enlightenment of the gift of salvation and eternal life to us all.
[00:06] And so it is that from this part of the story of the birth of Christ we can see.
[00:07] 1. That we all have a seed of Jesus in our lives from birth and it is by our decision that it will come forth and we will be reborn into a new man in Christ
[00:08] 2. That we can hide it in our sin and fall deeper into bondage of societies attitude.
[00:09] 3. The day a sinner comes to Jesus is like the birth of Christ in their own lives as they receive salvation through Jesus
[00:09] Now it is time to go to part two of the story [00:09] and so from the Word of God we read [00:10] niv Matthew 2:1-2
Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem Matthew 2:2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." [00:10] niv Matthew 2:9-10
Matthew 2:9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [00:11] niv Matthew 2:11-12 Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
10 Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. [00:12] Now here we see the Magi who came seeking Jesus being led by a star to the Saviour and like them we must be wise in seeking Him for ourselves.
[00:12] Why were they wise and how is it that way for a Christian?
[00:13] They were wise in: [00:13] 1, they followed the light that had led them to find the Saviour.
[00:14] Likewise we must follow the light , ( the Bible) which has been given to us to find our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. [00:14] niv psalm 37:5-6
Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
Psalms 37:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. [00:15] niv psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
[00:15] niv psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. [00:16] niv proverbs 37:5-6 [00:16] 2. They were not discouraged or inconvienced by the journey.
[00:17] And we must not become discouraged by tribulations or trials as we follow the light that leads us to Jesus [00:17] so it will not deter us from finding the Lord and eternal life
[00:18] To walk with Jesus in the world is hard sometimes but like the wise men we must go on
[00:19] niv proverbs 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
[00:20] niv Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
[00:20] niv romans 15:4-5 Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, [00:21] 3. They came seeking the Christ [00:22] and so must we continually seek Him in our daily life and try to be a example of Him to others who are seeking [00:22] niv revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
[00:22] 4. They came to worship Him [00:23] Likewise we must worship Jesus daily in our lives as we follow Him and help others to find Him [00:23] 5. They brought Him gifts. [00:24] So we also must bring our gifts to Him and lay them at His feet.
[00:24] Our gifts to Him our: [00:24] worship
[00:24] praise
[00:24] obedience
[00:24] 6. They obeyed and put the worshiping of Jesus above all else
[00:25] and so must we through this life put our worship to Jesus first and foremost in our lives
[00:25] 7. the wise men came to Jesus one way and left another.
[00:26] when we come to Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour we do not take the old way back for we leave the old life and things behind us and never return.
[00:28] so after finding Jesus in our life we proceed by a different way, a new way, the highway of holiness through Jesus Crist for all things have become new.
[00:28] niv 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! [00:29] So let us now go on to part three of the story [00:30] In the gospel of Luke we find the first preaching of the Gospel to the world and instead of it being given to kings, rich rulers, or the well to do of society or men of fame we find it was first given to the lowest part of the society in that time. [00:31] A group of lowly shepherds tending their sheep in the fields
[00:31] And in these fields we see the first Christian message coming forth
[00:32] 1. It was proclaimed [00:32] 2. It was told to shepherds the lower group of society
[00:32] 3. they we afraid first [00:32] 4. they then believed the message [00:33] 5. they put their faith into action upon hearing the message
[00:33] 6. Their faith was confirmed when they saw Jesus [00:34] 7. they left filled with joy and praise at their findings of salvation and excitedly told it to all they met [00:35] Now all of this is a example of how we must be in the world today telling how Jesus has brought us salvation and it is not based on wealth fame or position
[00:36] In these passage we find a lot of spiritual meat to feed our spiritual man
[00:36] niv Luke 2:8-9
Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [00:36] 1. the shepherd were about their business in the world
[00:38] this is like the sinner who is always going about his daily routine not thinking of the sinful condition their unsaved soul is in.
[00:38] 2. then the angel of the Lord stood before them and they were afraid
[00:39] this also shows how the lost feel when they finally do come into the holiness and knowledge of Jesus being portrayed before them,
[00:40] The unsaved soul is intimidated at first because it remembers the past and how wrong it was. [00:41] kjv Luke 2:10-12
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.
[00:42] 1. like the shepherds the repentant person is comforted by Jesus because they are told by the Holy Spirit do not be afraid.
[00:43] Your past is over and I have made you new by the spirit because now you know the Lord
[00:43] And He is born in your soul [00:44] For us we are daily told do not be afraid in our walk for we know our Lord and Saviour is with us daily [00:45] kjv Luke 2:13-14
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
[00:46] when we come or are living for Jesus there is rejoicing in Heaven by the heavenly host and our souls rejoice and praise our Lord showing the world the Glory of God in the highest, in our lives
[00:47] And on earth peace and goodwill toward men which we show to the world and our spiritual brothers and sisters by our actions towards them
[00:47] kjv Luke 2:15-17
Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [00:48] after being introduced to Jesus we decide to dig deeper into the word and spend more time searching for Him. [00:49] Our souls cry , Let Us Go, when it is freed from bondage of sin and the light of Jesus has pierced the darkness to cast His loving light on the newly freed soul
[00:50] And we hunger to find more of what the Lord has made know to us
[00:51] It is also true that after we have been in contact with our Lord we go out with a fire in our soul to spread the news of Jesus to all we know both near and far [00:51] We zealously want to show what we now have to others and introduce all we can to Jesus [00:52] kjv Luke 2:18-20
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. [00:53] This tells us a lot about ourselves for as we tell others and they see our change in habits they are amazed at what they see and hear
[00:54] And we always come back to God with our hearts rejoicing, glorifying and raising God for the things He has done for us.
[00:55] Now it is time to go to the last part of the story
[00:55] kjv Matthew 2:10-11 Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
[00:56] Is this not a wonderful symbol of a child of God's relationship with His Father
[00:56] Lord and Saviour
[00:57] When we come to Jesus we fall down on our knees to worship and give Him praise
[00:57] For all the great things He has done. [00:57] We give Him glory and worship as we introduce him to others
[00:58] and help others to mature in Him [00:58] By us being willing to be used by Him we are showing our love for Him
[00:59] And then we can give our gifts to Him sitting them down at His feet
[00:59] what is our gift to the Maker of all? [00:59] Like the wise men we bring forth our: [01:00] gold a pure and refined metal of great worth [01:00] which is ourselves pure through Jesus and bought for a high price by Him make us of great worth [01:01] frankincense=a perfume with a sweet smell used in the temple during worship
[01:02] this is our praise and worship and song to Him as we show our love for Him and rejoice in Him
[01:02] myrrh another type of incense [01:03] which is our prayers and petitions that we send up to Him from the depths of our soul
[01:03] which is like a sweet smell in the nose of God [01:03] Yes there are many ways to tell this story [01:04] and many ways to look at it [01:04] So this year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus let us
[01:05] when we smell the pine tree, or the peppermint, or the meals
[01:05] and deserts of the holiday [01:05] think of how we are a sweet aroma to our Lord and Saviour
[01:06] that as we give gifts to one another let us think of the daily gifts we give to God in our worship. song, and prayers
[01:07] That when we look up to the stars or the star on a tree we remember the light that in the darkness made you free and led you to eternal life through Jesus Christ
[01:08] when we are with our friends and relatives and strangers like the shepherds spread the news of Jesus by our actions and our words
[01:09] and above all else I pray that you remember as it says in the scriptures that you and I have a Saviour born to us that paid the high price for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life [01:09] amen
[01:09] Glory to God in the Highest [01:09] Peace and goodwill to all men [01:10] yes the wise men looked for it [01:10] the shepherds told of it [01:10] and praise God for we all have it [01:10] amen
[01:10] amen
[01:10] amen
[01:11] amen
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