Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear; biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Religion
#Manger
#Christmas
#Nativity
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#Obedience
#Virgin Birth
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#Robert Jeffress
#Luke 1:26-30
#2 Timothy 2:20-21
#Matthew 1:20-25
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Stop and Smell The Manger Part 1 | December 29, 2021
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:06.262
- [ANNOUNCER] FROM THE PULPIT
- 00:00:06.262 --> 00:00:07.464
- OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS,
- 00:00:07.464 --> 00:00:09.399
- THIS IS PATHWAY TO VICTORY WITH DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
- 00:00:09.399 --> 00:00:14.270
- HI, I'M ROBERT JEFFRESS,
- 00:00:14.270 --> 00:00:15.538
- AND WELCOME AGAIN TO PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:00:15.538 --> 00:00:18.541
- THE FAST APPROACHING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
- 00:00:18.541 --> 00:00:20.643
- PROVIDES AMPLE REASON TO CELEBRATE,
- 00:00:20.643 --> 00:00:23.379
- BECAUSE AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SAID,
- 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:26.182
- "TODAY, THERE HAS BEEN BORN FOR YOU A SAVIOR,
- 00:00:26.182 --> 00:00:29.552
- WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD."
- 00:00:29.552 --> 00:00:31.621
- SO, IN THESE BRIEF MOMENTS BEFORE US TODAY,
- 00:00:31.621 --> 00:00:34.591
- LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO SET EVERYTHING ASIDE
- 00:00:34.591 --> 00:00:37.560
- AND FULLY ENGAGE IN THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH OF JESUS.
- 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:41.397
- MY MESSAGE IS TITLED "STOP AND SMELL THE MANGER"
- 00:00:41.397 --> 00:00:45.468
- ON TODAY'S EDITION OF PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:00:45.468 --> 00:00:48.605
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:00:48.605 --> 00:00:55.178
- [ANNOUNCER] PATHWAY TO VICTORY
- 00:00:55.178 --> 00:00:56.613
- IS FULLY COMMITTED TO BRINGING BOLD, BIBLICAL TRUTH
- 00:00:56.613 --> 00:00:59.115
- TO A WORLD THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS IT,
- 00:00:59.115 --> 00:01:01.317
- AND BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL STRONG MATCHING CHALLENGE,
- 00:01:01.317 --> 00:01:03.987
- THAT'S ACTIVE RIGHT NOW,
- 00:01:03.987 --> 00:01:05.555
- YOU CAN HELP US REACH MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE.
- 00:01:05.555 --> 00:01:08.691
- UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST, YOUR SPECIAL YEAR-END GIFT
- 00:01:08.691 --> 00:01:11.961
- WILL BE MULTIPLIED BY TWO.
- 00:01:11.961 --> 00:01:13.796
- SO NOW'S THE TIME, AS TOGETHER WE BOLDLY PROCLAIM
- 00:01:13.796 --> 00:01:16.866
- THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS.
- 00:01:16.866 --> 00:01:18.568
- AND TODAY, WHEN YOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT,
- 00:01:18.568 --> 00:01:20.703
- YOU'LL RECEIVE THE 2022
- 00:01:20.703 --> 00:01:22.505
- PATHWAY TO VICTORY DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
- 00:01:22.505 --> 00:01:25.308
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:01:25.308 --> 00:01:32.315
- HELEN HAYES, IS THE LATE AND LEGENDARY ACTRESS,
- 00:01:32.315 --> 00:01:36.853
- WAS CERTAINLY A GREAT ACTRESS, BUT BY HER OWN ADMISSION,
- 00:01:36.853 --> 00:01:40.156
- SHE WASN'T A VERY GOOD COOK.
- 00:01:40.156 --> 00:01:43.026
- IN FACT, SHE AVOIDED PREPARING THANKSGIVING DINNER
- 00:01:43.026 --> 00:01:48.898
- FOR HER FAMILY FOR YEARS,
- 00:01:48.898 --> 00:01:50.366
- BUT FINALLY SHE DECIDED SHE OUGHT TO TACKLE IT.
- 00:01:50.366 --> 00:01:53.136
- AND SO, BEFORE SHE DID,
- 00:01:53.136 --> 00:01:54.904
- SHE SAT HER HUSBAND AND YOUNG SON DOWN, AND SHE SAID,
- 00:01:54.904 --> 00:01:58.808
- "NOW, YOU KNOW I'M NOT A VERY GOOD COOK,
- 00:01:58.808 --> 00:02:01.511
- BUT I THINK I OUGHT TO PREPARE THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR US.
- 00:02:01.511 --> 00:02:04.681
- SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
- 00:02:04.681 --> 00:02:06.216
- I'M GOING TO PREPARE THE DINNER, I'M GOING TO BRING IT OUT,
- 00:02:06.216 --> 00:02:09.886
- AND AFTER A FEW BITES, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT,
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- NO COMMENTS, JUST QUIETLY PUSH YOUR PLATE BACK,
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- STAND UP SILENTLY,
- 00:02:18.127 --> 00:02:19.529
- AND WE'LL GO TO THE NEAREST RESTAURANT TOGETHER.
- 00:02:19.529 --> 00:02:22.765
- (CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
- 00:02:22.765 --> 00:02:24.834
- THANKSGIVING CAME, SHE WORKED ALL DAY IN THE KITCHEN
- 00:02:24.834 --> 00:02:29.305
- PREPARING THAT TURKEY.
- 00:02:29.305 --> 00:02:31.241
- AND WHEN SHE WALKED OUT OF THE KITCHEN INTO THE DINING ROOM,
- 00:02:31.241 --> 00:02:37.013
- HER SON AND HUSBAND WERE ALREADY WRAPPED UP IN THEIR COATS
- 00:02:37.013 --> 00:02:39.616
- AND THEIR GLOVES ON (CONGREGATION LAUGHING) READY TO GO.
- 00:02:39.616 --> 00:02:42.885
- THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL LOW EXPECTATIONS.
- 00:02:42.885 --> 00:02:46.823
- I THINK OF THAT STORY EVERY TIME I PREACH
- 00:02:46.823 --> 00:02:49.525
- THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.
- 00:02:49.525 --> 00:02:51.127
- I MEAN, AFTER ALL,
- 00:02:51.127 --> 00:02:52.662
- HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS CAN YOU TELL THE CHRISTMAS STORY?
- 00:02:52.662 --> 00:02:55.798
- THE PLOT LINE DOESN'T CHANGE OR IT SHOULDN'T CHANGE
- 00:02:55.798 --> 00:02:59.168
- IN WHAT YOU'RE TELLING.
- 00:02:59.168 --> 00:03:00.203
- THE CHARACTERS CERTAINLY DON'T CHANGE.
- 00:03:00.203 --> 00:03:02.472
- SO, WELL HOW DO YOU GET SOMETHING FRESH
- 00:03:02.472 --> 00:03:05.341
- OUT OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY?
- 00:03:05.341 --> 00:03:06.643
- THAT'S A CHALLENGE EVERY PASTOR HAS.
- 00:03:06.643 --> 00:03:09.512
- AND SO, TODAY, I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN
- 00:03:09.512 --> 00:03:13.783
- TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE
- 00:03:13.783 --> 00:03:16.085
- THE COAT AND GLOVES OFF FOR A MOMENT.
- 00:03:16.085 --> 00:03:18.888
- TO SPEND A FEW UNRUSHED MOMENTS,
- 00:03:18.888 --> 00:03:22.125
- AS TOGETHER WE STOP AND SMELL THE MANGER OF BETHLEHEM.
- 00:03:22.125 --> 00:03:28.665
- TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE FIVE MAJOR CHARACTERS
- 00:03:28.665 --> 00:03:34.404
- IN THE NATIVITY SCENE,
- 00:03:34.404 --> 00:03:36.306
- AND LEARN SOME ETERNAL LESSONS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS
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- TO LOVE AND OBEY GOD.
- 00:03:40.143 --> 00:03:43.680
- AND I'D LIKE FOR YOU IN THE NEXT 60 SECONDS,
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- TO PAUSE JUST A MOMENT,
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- QUIET YOUR HEART DOWN AND ASK GOD
- 00:03:48.918 --> 00:03:52.155
- TO REVEAL SOMETHING FRESH TO YOUR HEART TODAY,
- 00:03:52.155 --> 00:03:56.192
- ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO SINCERELY FOLLOW HIM.
- 00:03:56.192 --> 00:04:00.196
- AS YOU PRAY THAT PRAYER, LISTEN TO THIS SONG.
- 00:04:00.196 --> 00:04:04.100
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:10.173
- ♪ SWEET
- 00:04:10.173 --> 00:04:15.144
- ♪ LITTLE JESUS BORN
- 00:04:15.144 --> 00:04:22.885
- ♪ THEY LAID HIM IN
- 00:04:22.885 --> 00:04:29.258
- ♪ A MANGER
- 00:04:29.258 --> 00:04:33.496
- ♪ MY SWEET
- 00:04:33.496 --> 00:04:39.268
- ♪ LITTLE HOLY CHILD
- 00:04:39.268 --> 00:04:46.576
- ♪ AND WE DIDN'T KNOW
- 00:04:46.576 --> 00:04:50.813
- ♪ WHO
- 00:04:50.813 --> 00:04:55.752
- ♪ YOU WERE
- 00:04:55.752 --> 00:05:01.824
- ♪ LORD, WE DIDN'T KNOW YOU'D COME ♪
- 00:05:01.824 --> 00:05:07.964
- ♪ JUST TO SAVE US ALL
- 00:05:07.964 --> 00:05:13.870
- ♪ TO TAKE OUR SINS AWAY
- 00:05:13.870 --> 00:05:24.647
- ♪ ARE EYES WAS BLIND
- 00:05:24.647 --> 00:05:32.755
- ♪ LORD WE COULD NOT SEE
- 00:05:32.755 --> 00:05:44.133
- ♪ WE DIDN'T KNOW
- 00:05:44.133 --> 00:05:49.772
- ♪ WHO YOU WAS
- 00:05:49.772 --> 00:05:58.147
- ♪ LORD WE DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD COME ♪
- 00:05:58.147 --> 00:06:03.786
- ♪ JUST TO SAVE US ALL
- 00:06:03.786 --> 00:06:09.592
- ♪ TO TAKE OUR SINS AWAY
- 00:06:09.592 --> 00:06:20.736
- ♪ OUR EYES WAS BLIND
- 00:06:20.736 --> 00:06:30.680
- ♪ LORD WE COULD NOT SEE
- 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:45.528
- ♪ WE DIDN'T KNOW
- 00:06:45.528 --> 00:06:52.768
- ♪ WHO YOU
- 00:06:52.768 --> 00:07:00.409
- ♪ WERE
- 00:07:00.409 --> 00:07:11.821
- (CONGREGATION CLAPPING)
- 00:07:11.821 --> 00:07:14.357
- THANK YOU, FRED.
- 00:07:14.357 --> 00:07:18.261
- AS WE CONSIDER THE FIVE MAJOR PLAYERS
- 00:07:18.261 --> 00:07:21.364
- IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY,
- 00:07:21.364 --> 00:07:23.733
- WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MARY.
- 00:07:23.733 --> 00:07:26.636
- NOW, FRANKLY, YOU DON'T HEAR THAT MANY SERMONS
- 00:07:26.636 --> 00:07:29.505
- ABOUT MARY IN A BAPTIST CHURCH OR ANY EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
- 00:07:29.505 --> 00:07:35.645
- THE REASON IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND.
- 00:07:35.645 --> 00:07:36.879
- WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME FAITH TRADITIONS
- 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:39.515
- THAT HAVE ELEVATED MARY,
- 00:07:39.515 --> 00:07:41.317
- ALMOST TO A POSITION EQUAL TO JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:07:41.317 --> 00:07:44.754
- SOME WHO SAY THAT WE SHOULD WORSHIP MARY.
- 00:07:44.754 --> 00:07:48.090
- SOME SAY WE HAVE TO PRAY TO MARY,
- 00:07:48.090 --> 00:07:50.359
- TO SERVE AS A GO-BETWEEN BETWEEN US AND GOD.
- 00:07:50.359 --> 00:07:54.196
- AND THE SCRIPTURE'S VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
- 00:07:54.196 --> 00:07:56.732
- MARY IS NOT JESUS.
- 00:07:56.732 --> 00:07:59.068
- SHE'S NOT A GO-BETWEEN, A MEDIATOR.
- 00:07:59.068 --> 00:08:02.305
- THE BIBLE SAYS, "THERE IS ONE MEDIATOR,
- 00:08:02.305 --> 00:08:04.440
- ONE GO-BETWEEN BETWEEN GOD AND MAN,
- 00:08:04.440 --> 00:08:07.710
- AND IT'S THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS."
- 00:08:07.710 --> 00:08:10.846
- NO, MARY'S NOT TO BE WORSHIPED,
- 00:08:10.846 --> 00:08:12.748
- BUT I THINK TOO MANY OF OUR CHURCHES
- 00:08:12.748 --> 00:08:15.151
- HAVE GONE TO THE OTHER EXTREMES AND WE'VE IGNORED MARY.
- 00:08:15.151 --> 00:08:18.921
- NO, SHE'S NOT TO BE WORSHIPED, BUT SHE SHOULD BE ADMIRED,
- 00:08:18.921 --> 00:08:23.593
- BECAUSE SHE IS A CENTRAL CHARACTER IN THIS STORY.
- 00:08:23.593 --> 00:08:27.763
- YOU KNOW, THE FACT IS, WERE IT NOT FOR MARY,
- 00:08:27.763 --> 00:08:30.466
- THIS CHRISTMAS STORY WOULD HAVE NEVER TAKEN PLACE.
- 00:08:30.466 --> 00:08:33.769
- AND WHAT WE LEARNED FROM MARY
- 00:08:33.769 --> 00:08:35.304
- IS THAT GOD CHOOSES THOSE WHO ARE AVAILABLE TO HIM.
- 00:08:35.304 --> 00:08:41.344
- WHOM WOULD GOD SELECT TO BE THE MOTHER
- 00:08:41.344 --> 00:08:44.013
- OF A SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?
- 00:08:44.013 --> 00:08:46.148
- GOD HAD TO FIND SOMEBODY WHO WAS AVAILABLE.
- 00:08:46.148 --> 00:08:49.785
- AND WE FIND HER STORY IN LUKE 1,
- 00:08:49.785 --> 00:08:52.288
- BEGINNING WITH VERSE 26.
- 00:08:52.288 --> 00:08:54.223
- "NOW IN THE SIXTH MONTH, THE ANGEL GABRIEL WAS SENT FROM GOD
- 00:08:54.223 --> 00:08:58.828
- TO A CITY IN GALILEE CALLED NAZARETH,
- 00:08:58.828 --> 00:09:02.164
- TO A VIRGIN ENGAGED TO A MAN WHOSE NAME WAS JOSEPH
- 00:09:02.164 --> 00:09:06.369
- OF THE DESCENDANTS OF DAVID, AND THE VIRGIN'S NAME WAS MARY.
- 00:09:06.369 --> 00:09:12.575
- AND COMING IN, THE ANGEL SAID TO HER
- 00:09:12.575 --> 00:09:15.077
- 'GREETINGS, FAVORED ONE!
- 00:09:15.077 --> 00:09:17.346
- THE LORD IS WITH YOU.'
- 00:09:17.346 --> 00:09:20.750
- BUT SHE WAS VERY PERPLEXED AT THIS STATEMENT
- 00:09:20.750 --> 00:09:23.119
- AND KEPT PONDERING WHAT KIND OF GREETING,
- 00:09:23.119 --> 00:09:25.688
- SALUTATION THIS WAS.
- 00:09:25.688 --> 00:09:27.857
- THE ANGEL SAID TO HER, 'DO NOT BE AFRAID.'"
- 00:09:27.857 --> 00:09:31.861
- ANY TIME THE ANGEL MADE AN APPEARANCE,
- 00:09:31.861 --> 00:09:33.262
- HE HAD TO START WITH, DON'T BE AFRAID,
- 00:09:33.262 --> 00:09:36.198
- BECAUSE ANGELS USUALLY SYMBOLIZED BAD NEWS, JUDGMENT COMING.
- 00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:42.371
- GABRIEL SAID, "IN THIS CASE MARY,
- 00:09:42.371 --> 00:09:43.606
- YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID,
- 00:09:43.606 --> 00:09:45.174
- FOR YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD."
- 00:09:45.174 --> 00:09:49.011
- I MEAN, THINK OF IT,
- 00:09:49.011 --> 00:09:50.846
- OF ALL OF THE BILLIONS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY
- 00:09:50.846 --> 00:09:55.151
- THAT GOD COULD HAVE CHOSEN TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST,
- 00:09:55.151 --> 00:09:58.587
- WHY DID HE CHOOSE MARY?
- 00:09:58.587 --> 00:10:02.391
- I WANT TO SUGGEST TO YOU,
- 00:10:02.391 --> 00:10:04.293
- GOD USES THOSE WHO ARE AVAILABLE.
- 00:10:04.293 --> 00:10:07.396
- AND MARY EXHIBITS FOUR QUALITIES
- 00:10:07.396 --> 00:10:09.665
- OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AVAILABLE TO GOD.
- 00:10:09.665 --> 00:10:13.335
- FIRST OF ALL, MARY WAS PURE.
- 00:10:13.335 --> 00:10:16.639
- SHE WAS A VIRGIN.
- 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.874
- NOW REMEMBER, 700 YEARS BEFORE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST,
- 00:10:18.874 --> 00:10:22.712
- IN ISAIAH 7:14,
- 00:10:22.712 --> 00:10:24.647
- IT WAS PROPHESIED THAT THE MESSIAH
- 00:10:24.647 --> 00:10:26.582
- WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN.
- 00:10:26.582 --> 00:10:29.351
- SOMEBODY WHO HAD NOT HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAN.
- 00:10:29.351 --> 00:10:34.356
- FAST FORWARD 700 YEARS NOW,
- 00:10:34.356 --> 00:10:36.559
- IT'S TIME FOR THE SAVIOR TO COME,
- 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:38.561
- AND GOD HAS TO SEARCH FOR SOMEBODY
- 00:10:38.561 --> 00:10:41.130
- WHO MEETS THAT QUALIFICATION.
- 00:10:41.130 --> 00:10:44.200
- NOT JUST ANYBODY WOULD DO.
- 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.968
- HE HAD TO FIND SOMEBODY, AND THAT SOMEBODY WAS MARY.
- 00:10:45.968 --> 00:10:51.707
- SHE WAS A VIRGIN.
- 00:10:51.707 --> 00:10:52.541
- NOW, LET'S BE HONEST,
- 00:10:52.541 --> 00:10:54.844
- MARY WASN'T A PLASTER SAINT,
- 00:10:54.844 --> 00:10:58.180
- ALTHOUGH SHE LOOKS A LITTLE PLASTER RIGHT HERE,
- 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:00.216
- BUT SHE WASN'T.
- 00:11:00.216 --> 00:11:02.818
- SHE DIDN'T RUN AROUND IN GARB LIKE THIS, PROBABLY.
- 00:11:02.818 --> 00:11:05.888
- MOST SCHOLARS BELIEVE SHE WAS A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL.
- 00:11:05.888 --> 00:11:09.959
- A PEASANT GIRL, LIVING IN NAZARETH.
- 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:13.129
- SHE HAD ALL THE NORMAL DRIVES AND HORMONES
- 00:11:13.129 --> 00:11:16.332
- OF A TEENAGE GIRL,
- 00:11:16.332 --> 00:11:17.967
- AND SHE WAS DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH A MAN NAMED JOSEPH
- 00:11:17.967 --> 00:11:21.737
- SHE WAS GOING TO MARRY.
- 00:11:21.737 --> 00:11:23.906
- SHE COULD HAVE RATIONALIZED
- 00:11:23.906 --> 00:11:25.741
- HAVING A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JOSEPH.
- 00:11:25.741 --> 00:11:28.844
- SHE LOVED HIM.
- 00:11:28.844 --> 00:11:30.546
- THEY WERE BOUND TOGETHER FOR LIFE.
- 00:11:30.546 --> 00:11:33.516
- WHY NOT GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT WAS NATURAL?
- 00:11:33.516 --> 00:11:36.285
- IF SHE HAD GIVEN IN TO THOSE DESIRES,
- 00:11:36.285 --> 00:11:38.888
- SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED
- 00:11:38.888 --> 00:11:40.923
- FROM BEING THE MOTHER OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
- 00:11:40.923 --> 00:11:45.494
- YOU SEE, WHEN GOD IS LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS AVAILABLE,
- 00:11:45.494 --> 00:11:48.831
- HE LOOKS, FIRST OF ALL, FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS PURE.
- 00:11:48.831 --> 00:11:53.302
- GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN PURE AND NOT PURE,
- 00:11:53.302 --> 00:11:57.239
- GOD ALWAYS CHOOSES TO USE VESSELS THAT ARE PURE.
- 00:11:57.239 --> 00:12:01.744
- IN FACT, THAT'S WHAT PAUL WROTE TO TIMOTHY,
- 00:12:01.744 --> 00:12:04.246
- IN 2 TIMOTHY 2:21,
- 00:12:04.246 --> 00:12:06.849
- "NOW IN A LARGE HOUSE,
- 00:12:06.849 --> 00:12:08.918
- THERE ARE NOT ONLY GOLD AND SILVER VESSELS,
- 00:12:08.918 --> 00:12:11.420
- BUT ALSO VESSELS OF WOOD AND OF EARTHENWARE,
- 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:14.790
- AND SOME TO HONOR AND SOME THE DISHONOR.
- 00:12:14.790 --> 00:12:17.760
- THEREFORE, IF ANYONE CLEANSES HIMSELF FROM THESE THINGS,
- 00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:21.397
- HE WILL BE A VESSEL OF HONOR,
- 00:12:21.397 --> 00:12:23.532
- SANCTIFIED AND USEFUL TO THE MASTER,
- 00:12:23.532 --> 00:12:27.369
- PREPARED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."
- 00:12:27.369 --> 00:12:30.406
- NOW, PAUL'S USING A VERY PEDESTRIAN ILLUSTRATION.
- 00:12:30.406 --> 00:12:33.075
- HE SAYS, "THINK ABOUT YOUR HOUSE."
- 00:12:33.075 --> 00:12:34.777
- JUST IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT,
- 00:12:34.777 --> 00:12:36.745
- IF ONE OF THOSE HOT 120 DEGREE DAYS IN TEXAS, IN AUGUST,
- 00:12:36.745 --> 00:12:41.517
- AND YOU'VE BEEN WORKING OUT IN THE YARD AND YOU'RE THIRSTY
- 00:12:41.517 --> 00:12:44.320
- AND YOU NEED A DRINK OF WATER.
- 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:46.021
- AND SO, YOU COME INTO YOUR HOME,
- 00:12:46.021 --> 00:12:47.590
- INTO THE KITCHEN AND ALL OF THE GLASSES
- 00:12:47.590 --> 00:12:51.694
- ARE IN THE DISHWASHER AND IT'S IN THE MID CYCLE.
- 00:12:51.694 --> 00:12:55.831
- AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO CHOICES YOU HAVE
- 00:12:55.831 --> 00:12:57.666
- TO GET SOME DESPERATELY NEEDED WATER.
- 00:12:57.666 --> 00:13:00.502
- IN THE SINK, THERE IS A CRYSTAL GOBLET
- 00:13:00.502 --> 00:13:03.839
- THAT IS CAKED OVER WITH DIRT AND GRIME FROM A DINNER PARTY
- 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:07.409
- YOU HAD TWO DAYS BEFORE.
- 00:13:07.409 --> 00:13:10.179
- THE ONLY OTHER AVAILABLE VESSEL
- 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:13.849
- IS AN EMPTY PEANUT BUTTER JAR
- 00:13:13.849 --> 00:13:16.785
- THAT HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY CLEANED OUT AND CLEANSED.
- 00:13:16.785 --> 00:13:20.923
- NOW, IF YOU WERE GOING TO DRINK A WATER,
- 00:13:20.923 --> 00:13:22.725
- WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE CRYSTAL GOBLET THAT WAS FILTHY,
- 00:13:22.725 --> 00:13:27.029
- EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MUCH GREATER VALUE,
- 00:13:27.029 --> 00:13:29.698
- OR WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE EMPTY, BUT CLEAN PEANUT BUTTER JAR?
- 00:13:29.698 --> 00:13:34.103
- NOW, I THINK MOST OF US WOULD GO FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR.
- 00:13:34.103 --> 00:13:37.072
- WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WORTH,
- 00:13:37.072 --> 00:13:38.574
- WE CARE ABOUT THE CLEANLINESS OF THE VESSEL.
- 00:13:38.574 --> 00:13:41.510
- AND IT'S THE SAME WAY, PAUL IS SAYING,
- 00:13:41.510 --> 00:13:43.512
- WHEN GOD IS LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO USE,
- 00:13:43.512 --> 00:13:45.915
- HE CHOOSES THOSE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY
- 00:13:45.915 --> 00:13:48.350
- ARE THE MOST GIFTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD,
- 00:13:48.350 --> 00:13:50.619
- THE MOST TALENTED, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL,
- 00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:52.855
- BUT THOSE WHO ARE PURE.
- 00:13:52.855 --> 00:13:55.391
- THAT WAS MARY.
- 00:13:55.391 --> 00:13:56.558
- SHE WAS PURE.
- 00:13:56.558 --> 00:13:57.826
- SECONDLY, SHE WAS AVAILABLE TO GOD
- 00:13:57.826 --> 00:14:00.195
- BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED GOD'S WORD.
- 00:14:00.195 --> 00:14:02.831
- YOU KNOW, HEBREWS 11 SAYS
- 00:14:02.831 --> 00:14:04.300
- "WITHOUT FAITH, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD."
- 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:07.870
- LOOK AT LUKE 1:45.
- 00:14:07.870 --> 00:14:09.838
- "ELIZABETH, HER COUSIN SAID ABOUT MARY,
- 00:14:09.838 --> 00:14:12.474
- 'AND BLESSED IS SHE WHO BELIEVED
- 00:14:12.474 --> 00:14:15.210
- THAT THERE WOULD BE A FULFILLMENT
- 00:14:15.210 --> 00:14:16.979
- OF WHAT HAD BEEN SPOKEN TO HER BY THE LORD.'"
- 00:14:16.979 --> 00:14:20.049
- SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HOW SHE WAS GOING TO GIVE BIRTH
- 00:14:20.049 --> 00:14:22.584
- WHEN SHE HAD NOT YET HAD SEX,
- 00:14:22.584 --> 00:14:24.086
- BUT SHE BELIEVED WHAT GOD SAID, AND SHE ACTED ACCORDINGLY.
- 00:14:24.086 --> 00:14:29.959
- THIRDLY, MARY WAS AVAILABLE,
- 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.493
- BECAUSE SHE PLACED THE GLORY OF GOD
- 00:14:31.493 --> 00:14:34.196
- ABOVE HER OWN REPUTATION.
- 00:14:34.196 --> 00:14:37.733
- MARY PROBABLY KNEW ENOUGH TO KNOW
- 00:14:37.733 --> 00:14:40.302
- THAT IF SHE WAS WILLING TO BE USED LIKE THIS BY GOD,
- 00:14:40.302 --> 00:14:44.840
- SHE WOULD SUFFER A BLOW TO HER REPUTATION.
- 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:48.677
- AFTER ALL, WHO WAS GOING TO BELIEVE HER STORY.
- 00:14:48.677 --> 00:14:52.114
- DID YOU KNOW IN FACT,
- 00:14:52.114 --> 00:14:53.315
- A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T BELIEVE HER STORY,
- 00:14:53.315 --> 00:14:54.817
- THAT THE FATHER OF HER CHILD WAS GOD?
- 00:14:54.817 --> 00:14:57.886
- THERE WAS A RUMOR THAT CIRCULATED AROUND NAZARETH
- 00:14:57.886 --> 00:15:00.756
- THAT WENT ON FOR 30 YEARS,
- 00:15:00.756 --> 00:15:02.524
- THAT MARY'S PREGNANCY HAD BEEN THE RESULT
- 00:15:02.524 --> 00:15:05.594
- OF A ONE NIGHT STAND SHE HAD WITH A ROMAN SOLDIER
- 00:15:05.594 --> 00:15:08.664
- WHO WAS STATIONED IN NAZARETH.
- 00:15:08.664 --> 00:15:10.432
- THAT WAS THE RUMOR ABOUT MARY.
- 00:15:10.432 --> 00:15:11.967
- IN FACT, DURING JESUS' MINISTRY,
- 00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:14.370
- THAT'S WHAT THE JEWISH LEADERS ACCUSED HIM OF.
- 00:15:14.370 --> 00:15:17.072
- THEY SAID, "YOU'RE ILLEGITIMATE,
- 00:15:17.072 --> 00:15:20.809
- YOU'RE NOT A LEGITIMATE CHILD, YOU'RE ILLEGITIMATE."
- 00:15:20.809 --> 00:15:23.278
- THEY KNEW THAT RUMOR AS WELL.
- 00:15:23.278 --> 00:15:26.415
- BUT MARY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THOSE RUMORS.
- 00:15:26.415 --> 00:15:29.151
- BY THE WAY, DO YOU KNOW MANY TEENAGE GIRLS
- 00:15:29.151 --> 00:15:32.888
- WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THEM?
- 00:15:32.888 --> 00:15:36.392
- I DON'T.
- 00:15:36.392 --> 00:15:37.459
- IN FACT, I DON'T KNOW MANY ADULTS
- 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:39.294
- WHO DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THEM.
- 00:15:39.294 --> 00:15:41.597
- WE ARE ALL SO CONCERNED ABOUT
- 00:15:41.597 --> 00:15:43.432
- WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING BEHIND OUR BACKS.
- 00:15:43.432 --> 00:15:45.501
- NOT MARY.
- 00:15:45.501 --> 00:15:46.835
- WHEN GOD SAID, "THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO."
- 00:15:46.835 --> 00:15:48.670
- LOOK AT WHAT SHE SAID IN LUKE 1:38.
- 00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:51.006
- SHE SAID TO THE ANGEL, "BEHOLD, THE BOND-SLAVE OF THE LORD,
- 00:15:51.006 --> 00:15:55.310
- MAY IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD."
- 00:15:55.310 --> 00:16:00.015
- SHE WAS WILLING TO PLACE THE GLORY OF GOD
- 00:16:00.015 --> 00:16:02.818
- ABOVE HER OWN REPUTATION.
- 00:16:02.818 --> 00:16:05.287
- AND FINALLY, SHE WAS AVAILABLE TO BE USED BY GOD,
- 00:16:05.287 --> 00:16:09.158
- BECAUSE MARY WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE
- 00:16:09.158 --> 00:16:11.593
- THAT WHICH WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO HER.
- 00:16:11.593 --> 00:16:16.665
- SHE KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT IT MEANT TO
- 00:16:16.665 --> 00:16:20.869
- ALLOW HERSELF TO BE IMPREGNATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.
- 00:16:20.869 --> 00:16:25.174
- YOU SEE, THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW SAID
- 00:16:25.174 --> 00:16:26.842
- THAT IF A WOMAN IN THE ENGAGEMENT, THE BETROTHAL PERIOD,
- 00:16:26.842 --> 00:16:30.846
- WAS UNFAITHFUL TO HER, TO BE HUSBAND,
- 00:16:30.846 --> 00:16:35.250
- THE LAW WAS VERY SERIOUS.
- 00:16:35.250 --> 00:16:37.619
- SHE WAS TO BE STONED TO DEATH FOR THAT VIOLATION.
- 00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:43.058
- SHE KNEW JOSEPH WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW
- 00:16:43.058 --> 00:16:44.927
- THAT HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T DO THAT TO HER,
- 00:16:44.927 --> 00:16:47.963
- BUT HE KNEW IT WOULD MEAN
- 00:16:47.963 --> 00:16:49.231
- THE DISSOLUTION OF THEIR ENGAGEMENT,
- 00:16:49.231 --> 00:16:51.533
- AND THE LOSS OF THE PERSON WHO MEANT EVERYTHING TO HER.
- 00:16:51.533 --> 00:16:56.939
- YOU SEE, TO BE AVAILABLE TO GOD
- 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.440
- MEANS TO BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE
- 00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:00.442
- WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU.
- 00:17:00.442 --> 00:17:04.313
- ARE YOU WILLING TO DO THAT?
- 00:17:04.313 --> 00:17:07.116
- EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT THIS REPRODUCTION OF MARY
- 00:17:07.116 --> 00:17:13.222
- IN A NATIVITY SCENE, ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION.
- 00:17:13.222 --> 00:17:16.458
- AM I AVAILABLE TO GOD LIKE MARY WAS?
- 00:17:16.458 --> 00:17:21.330
- AM I REALLY AVAILABLE?
- 00:17:21.330 --> 00:17:23.532
- AM I DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO KEEP MYSELF PURE,
- 00:17:23.532 --> 00:17:26.368
- OR FREE FROM SIN?
- 00:17:26.368 --> 00:17:28.871
- DO I BELIEVE THE PROMISES OF GOD?
- 00:17:28.871 --> 00:17:32.774
- AM I WILLING TO PLACE GOD'S GLORY ABOVE MY OWN REPUTATION?
- 00:17:32.774 --> 00:17:39.448
- AM I WILLING TO SACRIFICE THAT
- 00:17:39.448 --> 00:17:41.450
- WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT TO ME?
- 00:17:41.450 --> 00:17:44.987
- GOD USES THOSE WHO ARE AVAILABLE.
- 00:17:44.987 --> 00:17:50.259
- AND THE SECOND CHARACTER WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT
- 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.895
- IN THIS NATIVITY SCENE, IS JOSEPH.
- 00:17:52.895 --> 00:17:58.367
- I'VE ALWAYS FELT KIND OF SORRY FOR JOSEPH.
- 00:17:58.367 --> 00:18:01.036
- HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN WHEN A BABY IS BORN,
- 00:18:01.036 --> 00:18:02.604
- EVERYBODY OOHS AND AHHS OVER THE BABY.
- 00:18:02.604 --> 00:18:05.174
- EVERYBODY RUSHES AROUND TO TAKE CARE OF THE MOTHER.
- 00:18:05.174 --> 00:18:07.376
- AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE, SHE'S GONE THROUGH NINE MONTHS
- 00:18:07.376 --> 00:18:09.611
- OF A PREGNANCY AND PAINFUL CHILDBIRTH,
- 00:18:09.611 --> 00:18:13.081
- THEN EVERYBODY'S AROUND THEM.
- 00:18:13.081 --> 00:18:15.317
- BUT WE FATHERS, WHEN A BABY IS BORN,
- 00:18:15.317 --> 00:18:17.119
- NOBODY GIVES US ANY ATTENTION, RIGHT TYLER?
- 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:21.356
- I MEAN, WE JUST STAND AROUND
- 00:18:21.356 --> 00:18:22.624
- WITH THAT STUPID GRIN ON OUR FACE, YOU KNOW,
- 00:18:22.624 --> 00:18:25.060
- AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
- 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:26.662
- BUT I WANT TO SUGGEST TO YOU TODAY,
- 00:18:26.662 --> 00:18:28.564
- JOSEPH IS INTEGRAL TO THIS STORY AS WELL.
- 00:18:28.564 --> 00:18:30.933
- WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SAVIOR.
- 00:18:30.933 --> 00:18:35.871
- WHY DO I SAY THAT?
- 00:18:35.871 --> 00:18:37.372
- AGAIN, THE SCRIPTURE WAS VERY PRECISE
- 00:18:37.372 --> 00:18:41.043
- ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MESSIAH.
- 00:18:41.043 --> 00:18:44.079
- THE MESSIAH, TO BE THE KING OF ISRAEL,
- 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.682
- HAD TO BE IN THE LINEAGE OF KING DAVID.
- 00:18:46.682 --> 00:18:50.118
- HE HAD TO BE A LEGAL HEIR OF KING DAVID
- 00:18:50.118 --> 00:18:53.555
- TO BE QUALIFIED TO BE THE MESSIAH.
- 00:18:53.555 --> 00:18:56.458
- AND THE RIGHT TO RULE, THE RIGHT TO BE THE MESSIAH,
- 00:18:56.458 --> 00:18:59.595
- THE RIGHT TO BE A KING, ALWAYS CAME THROUGH THE FATHER.
- 00:18:59.595 --> 00:19:03.632
- AND JOSEPH, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER,
- 00:19:03.632 --> 00:19:07.202
- HE WAS THE LEGAL GUARDIAN, THE LEGAL FATHER OF JESUS.
- 00:19:07.202 --> 00:19:12.174
- AND BECAUSE OF THAT,
- 00:19:12.174 --> 00:19:14.076
- JESUS INHERITED THE RIGHT TO RULE FROM HIS FATHER.
- 00:19:14.076 --> 00:19:17.679
- WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU IS, IF JOSEPH HAD BAILED ON MARY
- 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:21.516
- WHEN HE GOT THE NEWS ABOUT HER PREGNANCY,
- 00:19:21.516 --> 00:19:25.854
- JESUS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED
- 00:19:25.854 --> 00:19:27.756
- FROM BEING THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
- 00:19:27.756 --> 00:19:31.593
- I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS STORY
- 00:19:31.593 --> 00:19:33.128
- FROM JOSEPH'S POINT OF VIEW.
- 00:19:33.128 --> 00:19:38.667
- WHAT WAS JOSEPH'S PROFESSION?
- 00:19:38.667 --> 00:19:40.969
- THIS ISN'T A HARD QUESTION.
- 00:19:40.969 --> 00:19:42.671
- WHAT WAS HE?
- 00:19:42.671 --> 00:19:43.839
- HE WAS A CARPENTER.
- 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.740
- DO YOU KNOW CARPENTERS?
- 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.241
- I MEAN, IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARPENTERS,
- 00:19:46.241 --> 00:19:48.744
- THEY'RE VERY PRECISE.
- 00:19:48.744 --> 00:19:51.680
- THEY'RE VERY NEAT.
- 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:53.448
- I MEAN, THEY WANT EVERYTHING MEASURED
- 00:19:53.448 --> 00:19:55.317
- AND CUT AND PLANNED FOR IN JUST THE RIGHT WAY.
- 00:19:55.317 --> 00:19:59.855
- I IMAGINE THAT WAS JOSEPH'S TEMPERAMENT AS WELL.
- 00:19:59.855 --> 00:20:03.091
- HE AND MARY HAD BEEN CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS.
- 00:20:03.091 --> 00:20:06.328
- THEY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED.
- 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:09.097
- I'M SURE JOSEPH HAD A BLUEPRINT
- 00:20:09.097 --> 00:20:11.133
- FOR WHAT THEIR LIVES WERE GOING TO BE LIKE.
- 00:20:11.133 --> 00:20:13.735
- THEY'D GET MARRIED, THEY'D SAVE SOME MONEY,
- 00:20:13.735 --> 00:20:16.638
- THEN THEY'D BUILD THEIR DREAM HOUSE IN NAZARETH,
- 00:20:16.638 --> 00:20:20.509
- THREE BEDROOMS, TWO BATHS.
- 00:20:20.509 --> 00:20:22.978
- THEY WOULD HAVE TWO SONS AND TWO DAUGHTERS.
- 00:20:22.978 --> 00:20:26.114
- I MEAN, HE HAD THE BLUEPRINT ALL SET AND READY TO GO,
- 00:20:26.114 --> 00:20:30.986
- WHEN ONE DAY HIS FIANCE COMES IN AND SAYS,
- 00:20:30.986 --> 00:20:35.424
- "JOSEPH, I'M PREGNANT.
- 00:20:35.424 --> 00:20:39.961
- OH, AND BY THE WAY, THE FATHER IS GOD."
- 00:20:39.961 --> 00:20:46.535
- NOW, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE RESPONDED TO THAT?
- 00:20:46.535 --> 00:20:48.837
- HONESTLY, COME ON.
- 00:20:48.837 --> 00:20:51.406
- HOW WOULD YOU HAVE RESPONDED TO THAT NEWS FROM YOUR FIANCE?
- 00:20:51.406 --> 00:20:57.179
- WE KNOW HOW JOSEPH RESPONDED, THE SCRIPTURE IS VERY CLEAR.
- 00:20:57.179 --> 00:21:02.284
- HE DIDN'T BELIEVE HER, NOT AT FIRST.
- 00:21:02.284 --> 00:21:04.886
- THE BIBLE SAYS THAT HE KNEW HE WASN'T GOING TO STONE HER,
- 00:21:04.886 --> 00:21:10.892
- BUT HE DECIDED TO DISSOLVE THE MARRIAGE,
- 00:21:10.892 --> 00:21:14.629
- DISSOLVE THE ENGAGEMENT,
- 00:21:14.629 --> 00:21:16.798
- SO AS NOT TO CAUSE ANY SHAME TO MARY.
- 00:21:16.798 --> 00:21:19.301
- CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THAT NEWS MUST'VE BEEN LIKE TO JOSEPH
- 00:21:19.301 --> 00:21:23.872
- TO REALIZE THE PERSON HE LOVED MOST IN THE WORLD
- 00:21:23.872 --> 00:21:27.809
- HAD BETRAYED HIM, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT HE THOUGHT.
- 00:21:27.809 --> 00:21:31.313
- HE WAS GETTING READY TO END THE RELATIONSHIP,
- 00:21:31.313 --> 00:21:33.482
- WHEN SOMETHING DRAMATIC HAPPENED.
- 00:21:33.482 --> 00:21:35.183
- LISTEN TO MATTHEW 1:20.
- 00:21:35.183 --> 00:21:37.486
- "BUT WHEN JOSEPH HAD CONSIDERED THIS."
- 00:21:37.486 --> 00:21:40.222
- CONSIDERED WHAT?
- 00:21:40.222 --> 00:21:41.390
- ENDING THE RELATIONSHIP.
- 00:21:41.390 --> 00:21:42.591
- "WHEN HE HAD CONSIDERED ALL OF THIS,
- 00:21:42.591 --> 00:21:44.659
- BEHOLD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM
- 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:48.597
- SAYING 'JOSEPH, SON OF DAVID,
- 00:21:48.597 --> 00:21:51.366
- DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE MARY AS YOUR WIFE,
- 00:21:51.366 --> 00:21:55.404
- FOR THE CHILD WHO HAS BEEN CONCEIVED IN HER
- 00:21:55.404 --> 00:21:58.373
- IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.'
- 00:21:58.373 --> 00:22:00.742
- AND JOSEPH AWOKE FROM HIS SLEEP,
- 00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:04.546
- AND HE DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD COMMANDED HIM,
- 00:22:04.546 --> 00:22:07.182
- AND HE TOOK MARY AS HIS WIFE,
- 00:22:07.182 --> 00:22:09.918
- AND HE KEPT HER A VIRGIN UNTIL SHE GAVE BIRTH TO A SON,
- 00:22:09.918 --> 00:22:15.791
- AND CALLED HIS NAME JESUS."
- 00:22:15.791 --> 00:22:19.828
- YOU KNOW WHAT JOSEPH REMINDS IS,
- 00:22:19.828 --> 00:22:21.596
- JOSEPH REMINDS US THAT GOD USES
- 00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:25.300
- AND HONORS THOSE WHO ARE OBEDIENT.
- 00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:28.937
- HERE, THE ANGEL COMES AND SAYS,
- 00:22:28.937 --> 00:22:30.639
- "GOD IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE, YOU TAKE HER AS YOUR WIFE."
- 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:36.711
- THERE WAS NO ARGUING WITH JOSEPH.
- 00:22:36.711 --> 00:22:39.014
- HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT HAPPENED.
- 00:22:39.014 --> 00:22:41.450
- HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT WOULD TURN OUT,
- 00:22:41.450 --> 00:22:44.553
- BUT IN THE DARKNESS, HE OBEYED GOD.
- 00:22:44.553 --> 00:22:49.124
- THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO BE OBEDIENT.
- 00:22:49.124 --> 00:22:52.727
- WHEN YOU SEE JOSEPH IN THESE NATIVITY SCENES,
- 00:22:52.727 --> 00:22:55.397
- ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTION.
- 00:22:55.397 --> 00:22:57.199
- AM I BEING OBEDIENT TO WHAT I KNOW GOD HAS TOLD ME TO DO,
- 00:22:57.199 --> 00:23:03.472
- EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T SEE THE OUTCOME OF MY OBEDIENT TO HIM?
- 00:23:03.472 --> 00:23:08.076
- YOU KNOW, THE FACT IS,
- 00:23:08.076 --> 00:23:09.277
- GOD COULD HAVE CHOSEN ANYONE TO ANNOUNCE
- 00:23:09.277 --> 00:23:12.047
- THE COMING OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, THE BIRTH OF JESUS,
- 00:23:12.047 --> 00:23:14.749
- BUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE HE CHOSE,
- 00:23:14.749 --> 00:23:17.252
- HE DIDN'T CHOOSE KINGS OR PRINCES OR RULERS OR THE RICH,
- 00:23:17.252 --> 00:23:21.490
- HE CHOSE THE LOWEST RUNG OF JEWISH SOCIETY, THE SHEPHERD.
- 00:23:21.490 --> 00:23:26.495
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:23:26.495 --> 00:23:32.100
- WHEN JESUS APPEARED ON THE HUMAN STAGE
- 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:34.269
- IN THE FORM OF A LITTLE BABY, HISTORY CHANGED FOREVER.
- 00:23:34.269 --> 00:23:38.807
- AND I'M HONORED YOU'VE CHOSEN TO JOIN US TODAY
- 00:23:38.807 --> 00:23:41.476
- AS WE STOP AND SMELL THE MANGER.
- 00:23:41.476 --> 00:23:45.180
- WELL, IN THE TIME REMAINING, I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION
- 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:47.983
- TO THE GOSPEL STRONG MATCHING CHALLENGE
- 00:23:47.983 --> 00:23:50.585
- THAT'S TAKING PLACE AT THIS VERY MOMENT.
- 00:23:50.585 --> 00:23:52.921
- THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING YOUR GIFT IS DECEMBER 31ST.
- 00:23:52.921 --> 00:23:57.225
- DURING THE SHORT PERIOD THIS IS IN EFFECT,
- 00:23:57.225 --> 00:23:59.794
- THIS MATCHING CHALLENGE WILL BE ACTIVE.
- 00:23:59.794 --> 00:24:02.297
- AND THAT MEANS WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE,
- 00:24:02.297 --> 00:24:05.433
- WILL HAVE TWICE THE IMPACT,
- 00:24:05.433 --> 00:24:07.602
- UNTIL WE REACH THE RECORD-BREAKING
- 00:24:07.602 --> 00:24:09.838
- GOAL OF $1.5 MILLION. NOW, HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.
- 00:24:09.838 --> 00:24:14.075
- YOUR GIFT TODAY OF SAY, $100,
- 00:24:14.075 --> 00:24:16.177
- WILL BE MATCHED UNTIL IT BECOMES $200.
- 00:24:16.177 --> 00:24:19.781
- YOUR GENEROUS GIFT OF $500 IS MATCHED AND BECOMES $1.000.
- 00:24:19.781 --> 00:24:25.220
- SOME ARE PREPARED TO GIVE EVEN MORE.
- 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:27.622
- IF WE CAN REACH THIS GOAL BY DECEMBER 31ST,
- 00:24:27.622 --> 00:24:31.493
- WE'LL BE POSITIONED TO EXPAND INTO EXCITING NEW TERRITORIES
- 00:24:31.493 --> 00:24:35.664
- WITH PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:24:35.664 --> 00:24:37.699
- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROUS SUPPORT.
- 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:41.503
- NOW, STAY RIGHT THERE.
- 00:24:41.503 --> 00:24:43.004
- I'LL BE BACK WITH MORE PATHWAY TO VICTORY IN JUST A MOMENT.
- 00:24:43.004 --> 00:24:48.076
- [ANNOUNCER] TO SUSTAIN OUR LIVES, WE DO SIMPLE THINGS,
- 00:24:48.076 --> 00:24:50.979
- LIKE EAT HEALTHY FOOD, STAY HYDRATED,
- 00:24:50.979 --> 00:24:53.381
- GET A LITTLE EXERCISE AND A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
- 00:24:53.381 --> 00:24:56.051
- THIS DAILY ROUTINE PRODUCES A HEALTHY OUTCOME,
- 00:24:56.051 --> 00:24:59.287
- AND THE SAME IS TRUE IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AS WELL.
- 00:24:59.287 --> 00:25:02.557
- THIS COMING YEAR, JOIN US ON A DAILY JOURNEY
- 00:25:02.557 --> 00:25:05.594
- TOWARD A STRONGER, HEALTHIER SPIRITUAL LIFE,
- 00:25:05.594 --> 00:25:08.663
- WHERE YOU WALK WITH GOD EVERY DAY
- 00:25:08.663 --> 00:25:11.099
- GUIDED BY THE BRAND NEW
- 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.567
- 2022 PATHWAY TO VICTORY DAILY DEVOTION.
- 00:25:12.567 --> 00:25:16.471
- THIS BEAUTIFUL 528 PAGE LEATHER-BOUND BOOK
- 00:25:16.471 --> 00:25:20.208
- CONTAINS 260 BIBLICAL PRACTICAL DEVOTIONS
- 00:25:20.208 --> 00:25:24.045
- BASED ON THE TEACHING OF DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
- 00:25:24.045 --> 00:25:26.581
- THAT'S ONE INSPIRATIONAL READING
- 00:25:26.581 --> 00:25:28.583
- FOR EVERY WEEKDAY IN THE NEW YEAR.
- 00:25:28.583 --> 00:25:31.052
- FROM JANUARY TO MARCH,
- 00:25:31.052 --> 00:25:32.821
- YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO CONQUER THE OBSTACLES
- 00:25:32.821 --> 00:25:34.623
- THAT KEEP YOU FROM LIVING YOUR DREAMS.
- 00:25:34.623 --> 00:25:37.192
- FROM APRIL TO JUNE, YOU'LL GAIN SPIRITUAL COURAGE,
- 00:25:37.192 --> 00:25:40.795
- LEARNING HOW TO THRIVE IN A CULTURE
- 00:25:40.795 --> 00:25:42.697
- THAT'S OPPOSED TO GOD'S TRUTH.
- 00:25:42.697 --> 00:25:45.166
- IN THE SUMMER, YOU'LL EXPLORE THE EXCLUSIVITY OF CHRIST
- 00:25:45.166 --> 00:25:48.737
- AND WHY IT MATTERS.
- 00:25:48.737 --> 00:25:50.238
- AND IN FALL AND WINTER,
- 00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.640
- YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO WIN YOUR UNSEEN BATTLES
- 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:54.409
- AGAINST AN INVISIBLE ENEMY.
- 00:25:54.409 --> 00:25:57.879
- REQUEST THE NEW 2022 DEVOTIONAL FOR YOURSELF
- 00:25:57.879 --> 00:26:00.882
- AND ORDER ADDITIONAL COPIES TO GIVE AS GIFTS
- 00:26:00.882 --> 00:26:03.351
- TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
- 00:26:03.351 --> 00:26:05.253
- THE HABITS WE BEGIN TODAY, SHAPE OUR TOMORROW,
- 00:26:05.253 --> 00:26:08.657
- SO SPEND A FEW MINUTES EACH DAY
- 00:26:08.657 --> 00:26:10.558
- DRAWING CLOSER TO THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU
- 00:26:10.558 --> 00:26:13.161
- WITH THE NEW 2022 PATHWAY TO VICTORY DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
- 00:26:13.161 --> 00:26:20.135
- IT MAY SOUND TRITE, BUT IT'S NEVERTHELESS TRUE.
- 00:26:20.135 --> 00:26:23.004
- THE BUSINESS OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
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- OFTEN CAUSES US TO FORGET THE MEANING BEHIND IT.
- 00:26:25.073 --> 00:26:29.110
- AND I HOPE TODAY'S MESSAGE HAS ENCOURAGED YOU,
- 00:26:29.110 --> 00:26:32.180
- STOPPING TO SMELL THE MANGER HAS BEEN GOOD FOR ME AS WELL.
- 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:36.051
- I NEVER TIRE OF RELIVING THE MOMENT
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- WHEN JESUS BROKE ONTO THE WORLD STAGE
- 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:41.723
- AND CHANGED OUR LIVES FOREVER.
- 00:26:41.723 --> 00:26:44.159
- AND I HOPE YOU'LL MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US AGAIN NEXT TIME,
- 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:47.762
- WHEN WE LOOK AT SEVERAL MORE KEY PLAYERS
- 00:26:47.762 --> 00:26:50.498
- IN THIS REMARKABLE AND MIRACULOUS STORY
- 00:26:50.498 --> 00:26:54.436
- OF CHRIST'S BIRTH. STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW
- 00:26:54.436 --> 00:26:56.604
- OF WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT ON PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:26:56.604 --> 00:27:01.209
- THE REASON THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE
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- WAS WILLING TO HUMILIATE HIMSELF,
- 00:27:03.445 --> 00:27:06.147
- TAKE THE FORM OF A BOND SERVANT
- 00:27:06.147 --> 00:27:07.882
- AND BECOME OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH,
- 00:27:07.882 --> 00:27:10.118
- EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS,
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- WAS JESUS WAS THE ONLY WAY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
- 00:27:12.487 --> 00:27:18.326
- [ANNOUNCER] SET YOUR DVR AND JOIN US NEXT TIME
- 00:27:18.326 --> 00:27:20.628
- FOR PART TWO OF THE MESSAGE,
- 00:27:20.628 --> 00:27:22.163
- "STOP AND SMELL THE MANGER," HERE ON PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:27:22.163 --> 00:27:25.667
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:27:25.667 --> 00:27:25.667
