The gifts of the wise men, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, reflect the royalty, priesthood, and saviorship of Jesus Christ. Gold signifies Jesus as King, frankincense represents his priestly ministry, and myrrh symbolizes his death and redemption. Christians can give to Jesus their submission, praise, and worship, but most importantly, they can give him their heart, acknowledging him as their Savior and Lord. [... more]

The presence of Jesus in life means the absence of fear, and brings great joy, hope, and acceptance, available to all people, regardless of their circumstances or background, through faith in Jesus Christ. [... more]

The church is the family of God, the assembly of the living God, and the pillar and support of the truth. Right behavior comes from right belief, and the church's conduct is predicated on right doctrine. The mystery of godliness is a summary of essential truths that Christians stand together on, including Christ's revelation in the flesh, vindication in the spirit, and triumphant career. [... more]

The birth of Jesus is a light that shines into our darkness, revealing our need for a Savior and illuminating everything else. Jesus is a light that guides us home, showing us where we've come from and how to get back to God. He's a light that reveals our imperfections and shows us what goodness is, but also a healing light that absorbs our darkness and brings us hope for the future. [... more]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, a Savior for all seasons, and the key to understanding prophecy. He fulfilled prophecy, bore the sins of many, and is the sin-bearer, Satan slayer, and prophet of God. His words, recorded in the Bible, are enduring and powerful, leading to eternal life and a deeper understanding of the gospel. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's first recorded sermon in the Bible is a message that traces the career of Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting his role as the promised, proclaimed, rejected, and risen Messiah. Paul emphasizes that Jesus' message is one of forgiveness and justification, available to everyone who believes in Him. [... more]

The Christmas message is a missionary message, proclaiming that Jesus Christ has come to rescue and redeem humanity. The promise of His return is a promise deeper than we can imagine, rooted in Genesis 3:15, the first Christmas verse and prophecy of the Bible. It's a promise of salvation and redemption, offered to all who put their trust in Him. [... more]

When a church member has a ministry idea that doesn't align with the church's vision, it's essential to understand the church's mission and values before pursuing it. Starting a ministry without considering the church's existing structure and goals can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, it's better to integrate the idea into an existing ministry or make it a service project, ensuring that it aligns with the church's overall vision and goals. [... more]

We are born in Adam's image, but through Jesus Christ, we gain much more than we ever lost in Adam. We receive justification, reconciliation, regeneration, and righteousness, and we are no longer under the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit takes care of us, and we must yield to Him to live with kingdom authority. [... more]

Jesus teaches that only one without sin has the right to condemn, and he sets aside that right to show mercy and forgiveness to a woman caught in adultery, demonstrating his goal to save rather than condemn. [... more]

The mystery of Jesus Christ is a paradox of being both God and man, a concept that has puzzled people for centuries. In the Old Testament, prophecies about the Messiah seem to be contradictory, describing him as a king, a servant, and a suffering figure. However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus is the fulfillment of these prophecies, being both fully God and fully man. The mystery is resolved in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, born of a virgin, and the seed of the woman, the son of man, and the son of God. [... more]

The message of Christmas is not just about a baby being born, but about the Son of God who came to take away our sins and offer us forgiveness. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in the Bible, and his birth, death, and resurrection answer the question of whether there is life beyond the grave. We have a friend in heaven who understands us and has paid once and for all for our sins, giving us hope for a life beyond the grave. [... more]

Alastair Begg teaches from Luke chapter 1, explaining how Zachariah's song points to the comprehensive purposes of God, including redemption and mercy, and how understanding God's covenant with Abraham is crucial to grasping the significance of Jesus' birth. He emphasizes that God's goal for His people is to be redeemed, remembered, and revolutionized, and that salvation is all of God, requiring faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl reminds us that it's not our job as Christians to point people to a church or denomination, but to point them to Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of giving God all the glory and recognizing His establishing power and the revelation of the gospel through Jesus Christ. [... more]

The Bible's authors carefully documented Jesus' lineage, including notable sinners, to demonstrate God's grace and redemption. Jesus' family tree reveals a complex history of brokenness, yet God's will and purpose are completed in the midst of it. Jesus broke down barriers between Jew and Gentile, male and female, and saint and sinner, inviting all to join the family of God and receive His grace. [... more]

God's rescue plan for mankind is a gift of salvation through Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the cross, making it possible for humans to be like Him and be rescued from sin. The Holy Spirit continues to rescue believers from temptation and testing, and faith in Jesus Christ is the key to receiving this gift and being liberated from sin. [... more]

The Gospel of John predates every other passage of scripture in the Bible, describing the preexistence of God and the creation of the universe. The story of Jesus Christ's birth, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, is a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy, with the wise men following a star to find the newborn king. The importance of faith and salvation is emphasized, as well as the concept of eternity and the creation of the universe. [... more]

The wise men, or Magi, played a significant role in the Christmas story, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. These gifts held great significance, with gold symbolizing kingship, frankincense representing the priestly role, and myrrh signifying Jesus' death and burial. The wise men's gifts demonstrate their faith and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, and their story continues to inspire and educate people around the world. [... more]

Jesus is the true light for every man, offering salvation and forgiveness through faith. He is the living word, full of grace and truth, and his character is the completeness of God's glory. Those who receive him become children of God, born again through regeneration, and experience the blessings of his grace, including redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. [... more]

Faith alone justifies us and is the unique instrument that takes hold of Christ, wrought in us freely by the Spirit of God and by the unconditional favor of God. It rests, leans, and trusts in Christ, laying hold of His death and resurrection, and is the means by which we receive the gospel, are united with Christ, and all His benefits. [... more]

Jesus reveals to us his gentle and lowly heart, inviting sinners and sufferers to come to him for rest and salvation. He is the burden-bearer, not the one who lays burdens on us, and his heart is always moving towards us, never away from us. [... more]

A spiritual birth leads to a new life filled with hope, inheritance, and power. This new life is made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which gives us a living hope and a lasting inheritance in heaven. [... more]

Jesus Christ teaches that he is the Bread of Life, a symbol of God's love and provision, and that he came down from heaven to give eternal life to those who believe in him. He explains that his message is not about being good to earn salvation, but about receiving God's free gift of grace and forgiveness through faith in him. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of understanding God's mercy and grace, and how it is not about earning God's blessing, but about receiving it as a gift despite our sinfulness. [... more]

God's timing is perfect, and his plan for our lives is always better than our own. Mary's obedience to God's will is a powerful example of surrendering to his plan, and it has a ripple effect, impacting those around her. We are called to obey God's plan, submit ourselves to his will, and trust in his perfect timing. [... more]

The Advent season is a time of hope and expectation, as we look forward to the coming of the Savior. Jesus is the ultimate fulfiller of all God's covenant promises, and his birth in Bethlehem brought light and salvation to the world. Through faith, we can inherit the covenant blessings that God has promised to Abraham and his descendants, and we can experience the love and forgiveness that comes from God. Jesus is the solution to the theological conundrum of the Old Testament, where God's guarantee of the covenant was dependent on human obedience. He is the God-man who keeps both sides of the covenant, upholding God's guarantee and fulfilling Abraham's obligations. In Him, we are secure in the covenant love of God forever, and we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and promises. [... more]

The Bible is the canon of texts that Christians believe are authoritative for determining their faith and practice. It is a collection of sixty-six books that provide the frame for understanding the church and its relationship with God. The process of establishing the canon took centuries, with the church ultimately deciding which texts were inspired and authoritative. The Bible is remarkably reliable, with over 28,000 ancient manuscripts of the New Testament and a strong historical evidence for the canon. Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God, conveying the rule of faith and the teaching of the apostles. It is a source of inspiration and guidance for believers, providing a framework for understanding God's relationship with humanity. [... more]

Jesus tells the apostles that his departure will be to their advantage, as the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth and convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit will also lead them into the truth, speaking what he hears from the Father, and glorifying Jesus. [... more]

As we get into the Advent season, it's time to reflect on our spiritual goals and how we can serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We must seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto us. Praise and gratitude can change our lives, and seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can bring us joy and happiness. [... more]

The message of Christmas is one of great joy, not found in material presents or commercialism, but in the presence of Christ. God's love and plan for our lives bring hope and redemption, especially during difficult times, reminding us that we are loved, needed, and wanted, and that a Savior has been born to save us from sin, hell, and judgment. [... more]

The significance of Jesus' incarnation is explored, particularly in the context of Galatians 4:4, where Paul writes that God sent his Son at the fullness of time. The passage sheds light on the concept of time and its relationship to God's plan, as well as the idea that salvation is a gift, not a reward to be earned. [... more]

The gospel is about Jesus giving Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, and it's a message of grace. Paul is passionate about ensuring the gospel is pure, and he warns against adding works to the gospel, which distorts its true meaning. [... more]

The birth of Jesus Christ is a pivotal point in history, as the Lamb of God came to take away the sin of the world. God's perfect plan unfolded, and Jesus came to die for humanity's sins, providing a ransom for many. The concept of sacrifice and covenant is explored through the Old Testament, leading to the understanding that Jesus is the ultimate substitute for humanity's transgressions. [... more]

The message of Christmas is the message of Christ in and of himself, Jesus only, is the Savior for all seasons and for all people. He is a sovereign Savior, a solitary Savior, and a superior Savior, worthy of worship and praise. [... more]

God's presence is not diminished by persecution, and Christians must hold onto faith, knowing that God is with them in their suffering. The Holy Spirit is the source of God's guidance and inspiration, and Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, ruler over the kings of the earth, and the one who loves us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. [... more]

A woman with physical, financial, social, and spiritual issues touches the hem of Jesus' garment, believing she will be made well. Jesus immediately heals her, and she receives a bonus blessing of being called 'daughter' and experiencing peace. This story teaches about the importance of pursuing a deeper relationship with God and giving Him glory for His blessings. [... more]

Sheila Walsh shares her personal story of growing up with a difficult father and finding hope and faith in her mother's unwavering devotion to God. She explores the concept of making 'pearls' by coating life's irritations with prayer and living a life of 'yes, Lord'. [... more]

The creator of the universe, Jesus Christ, is the central figure in the Christmas story, bringing eternal life and reconciliation to humanity through his birth, death, and resurrection. Dr. Robert Jeffress explores the significance of Jesus Christ as the creator, generator of eternal life, and reconciler to God, highlighting his power and sufficiency in overcoming spiritual and physical challenges. [... more]

The true beauty of Christmas lies in the ugliness it cures, the sin that Christ came to save humanity from. Sin is a disease that pollutes and defiles everything it touches, and it is incurable without the blood of Jesus Christ. It brings people under the dominance of Satan, subjects them to God's wrath, and leads to ultimate misery and damnation. The only cure for sin is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings redemption and salvation to those who accept it. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie continues his series Faith 101, A Crash Course on the Christian Life, discussing the importance of prayer in a believer's life. He shares practical insights on how to pray, the power of prayer, and the benefits of having a strong prayer life. [... more]

Understanding the Christmas story requires a fuller grasp of biblical history, including the Old Testament's prophecies and the New Testament's fulfillment of those prophecies. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot understand the Bible without God opening our minds, and the key to understanding the Bible is the good news of Jesus Christ. [... more]