December 24th, 2013
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| WHERE THE ANGELS LANDED IN BETHLEHEM!! |
We are all familiar with the story of that amazing birth night in Bethlehem! It was when God sent His holy angels to preach the first Gospel sermon. The landing of this Angelic Host on Shepherds Field (which is still around as you can see) is significant for many reasons! These messengers from Heaven, could have announced the Birth of Jesus to kings and satraps and governors. They could have announced it to the priests in the temple, the teachers of the law and pharisees and the righteous (in their own eyes) religious folks in Jerusalem. But they didn’t! Why?
Why did the Holy God of Heaven select dirty, poor and outcast men, who worked from March to November in hard scrabble (as you can see again, from this photo) land among animals, animal waste and more. These men were kept out of Jerusalem almost exclusively! They were banned from entering any Temple of God to worship, because they were ceremonially unclean, under the 613 Laws of Moses in the Torah/Pentateuch! They were around dead sheep at times and animal waste, all the time.
So the priests and religious authorities banned them! These are whom God chose! It is a symbol for what He would do in the Life of Christ, not just in the short three year ministry He had on earth, but ever since He died and rose again!
The first sermon of Christ started like this “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed...(Luke 4:18).…and you can add to that “the outcast, unwanted and those left behind by the world. The Lord also chose the Shepherds for a simple yet VERY CRUCIAL mission, even though these men were unaware of the reason! The word shepherd here in the Christmas passage from Luke 2, is “poimenes” or…get this – “Pastor” in the English!
Tags: bethlehem, christian church, Luke 2:8-20, moody bible institute, outcasts, revelation, rhema, sheep, shepherds field, the first pastors of the church, while shepherds watch their flocks by night, wonder, worship Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on SHEPHERDS OF BETHLEHEM – THE FIRST PASTORS!
December 24th, 2013
It’s no secret that during the Christmas season more people are inspired to help the less-fortunate.
I use the term less-fortunate to include those in that position, be it no fault of their own, or those whose bad decisions are manifest by current circumstances. It is often said, to never give money to a homeless person because they will use it on drugs or alcohol. Maybe they will–maybe they wont. Does the Bible ever tell us to not help those in need? No, never. Why is this so? Because giving may help the one in need but ultimately it is for our spiritual benefit.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Why would Paul mention the phrase, “profits me nothing?” Because giving is a spiritual exercise. We give because the sanctification of the Spirit, who is transforming our lives day-to-day to be conformed to Christ’s image. It’s all a part of laying up treasures in heaven. If opportunity confronts me to help a destitute person or not, but I throw up a defense because they may use the help for drugs or alcohol, then why am I giving in the first place? Is it because I want to be rewarded by the person using the help in the way I desire it to be used on earth? Or is it because I want to be obedient to Christ and allow the gift to have the desired affect God desires?
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33(NKJV)
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