R1356 God’s Wonderful People

God has an encouraging word for you and me today through the Bible-based teaching of Dr. Don Wilton and a message called God's Wonderful People. In just a moment, Dr. Wilton opens God's Word to the Book of Luke, Chapter 3, as we study God's Word together. And studying God's Word is such an important part of our life, we have a wonderful resource available right now called Heaven, Life, and the Resurrection, a 52-week devotional we would love for you to grab a copy of.

So you're ready to start with us January 1. The details are at our website, www.tewonline.org, or you can call about getting your copy at 866-899-WORD. Again, with your gift of $25 or more, we would love to put that in your hands as well as other resources, so call 866-899-9673 or meet us online at www.tewonline.org. Now, Dr. Don Wilton. And above all, that's what this is all about. It's the Lord Jesus Christ. It's the gospel of God's grace. I want you to open your Bibles this morning to Luke's gospel in Chapter 3. As we try to bring the season together, we certainly are not going to close it because Christmas is never closed. Jesus has just been born, and God always is.

So this season never ends. It's not going anywhere because Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. But I want to speak to you this morning for a few moments on God's wonderful people. I want to bring this all together, and I'm going to, with God's help, I'm going to put the spotlight on you, on people.

And I'm going to tell you why in a minute. I'd like to read to you an extraordinary passage that followed the birth of the Lord Jesus and yet unfolded at the same time. This was all part of God's plan. Just let me read a few verses beginning in Luke Chapter 3 and verse 1. Bible tells us in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea.

Now just a couple of things. We all know that we're going to read a lot about Pontius Pilate later on when we get up into the end of March and April. He's very significant, and it's also significant to know that he was governor of Judea. And you might remember that that's exactly the tribal roots of Joseph, the father of Jesus, the husband of Mary. He was a Judean. And remember when Caesar Augustus, the elevated one, issued a decree and decided that one way or the other he was going to get money out of these Jewish rebels, that they all had to go to their own tribal ancestry hometown to be taxed. So Joseph went to Bethlehem of Judea. I'm trying to connect the pieces for you here.

It's very important. The governor who washed his hands of the blood of Jesus was none other than the one who came from that rulership of that area. So Pilate being the governor of Judea and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee. So now we're connecting the region of Galilee and Judea together and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturean Trachornitis and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene. And by the way, that's not in Texas.

I just wanted to clarify that. During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, and we run into these gentlemen later on in the life of the Apostle Paul, and all the things that went on in Jerusalem related to the furtherance of the gospel. The Word of God at this time came to John the son of Zechariah right out there in the wilderness, and he went into all the region around the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins, just as the prophet Isaiah had prophesied. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. What a powerful message. That's an incredible message right there.

This is what John was doing, and he was talking about Jesus, God's wonderful people. When mothers give birth to babies, I think mothers experience a joy that no other person can experience. It's one of those joys in life that I think we fathers can always celebrate, but I don't think there's ever a time at which, as dads, we can ever get to the point of that joy. I remember when our children were born, the joy when that brand new little baby is brought to his mother, right there in that delivery room, and she holds him for the first time. And we dads, we just go into another zone. We just can't imagine.

We are so happy. It's just the most wonderful experience, and then something begins to happen. In walk the grandparents. They go ballistic, especially grandmother, and the things that are said are amazing. Grandmothers have an uncommon ability to know exactly who the baby looks like.

We dads look at it and say, how in the world could a drowned rat look like anybody? And the oohing and the ahhing and looking through the window and going to the delivery room, and perhaps the nurse would hold the baby up and everybody crowds around the window, and the cameras and the pictures are being taken, and special friends come in and family members. And the mother, who has just delivered the baby, she is in recovery perhaps and has to spend perhaps another day in the maternity wing of the hospital and recover, but something begins to happen. News begins to spread. And the mother is not directly involved in this.

She's the fountainhead of the joy. And all of a sudden, pictures begin to show. Word of mouth. Dads walk into offices and make announcements. Flowers are delivered, cards.

Parents get together and grandparents, phone calls are made, letters are written. And all of a sudden, the people who have witnessed the birth and who have shared the joy begin to spread the word. Did you know that in Luke chapter 16, Jesus explained it to us? Now, explained it in another context because in Luke chapter 16, he told us about two men, one he called a rich man and the other one went by the name of Lazarus, and they both died and Lazarus went straight into heaven into the presence of the Lord Jesus because he knew the Savior. The other man had rejected him as the Christ and he went to hell. And the Bible says that in his torment that he looked up into heaven and he saw Lazarus and he begged and he said, please, please, I just want to beg you. I've died and I'm paying the price of my sin and my rejection and the wages of sin is indeed death. And I understand that now. You know, Jesus settled it right there.

He just settled it. God's way of sharing Jesus was always number one, the Word of God. He said in Luke chapter 16, they have Moses.

That's the law. Back in Jesus' time, that was Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. They didn't have the whole book like we've got.

Don't you worry. They've got those preachers up there reading God's Word. And this word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway. God's Word is truth. They've got the Word of God. The Word of God tells them the good news. The Word of God tells them that in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world would be tacked and so Joseph took Mary and went to Bethlehem and there she brought forth a son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but should have everlasting life. They've got the Word of God but furthermore, they not only have Moses but they have the prophets Jesus said. That's people just like you, just like me. They've got the Word. They've got the pictures of the baby. They've got the letters that have been written.

But they've also got the moms and the dads and the grandparents. All those who know the joy and who cannot help themselves but share that joy. And perhaps the one who led the way was John that we come to know as John the Baptist and this passage tells us about it. And John was simply fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 40. He was just marching down God's plan and it's interesting for me to know that there is something very distinctive about the way in which God used John. He was one of God's wonderful people. John fulfilled prophecy number one by using his voice.

That's what the prophet said. This passage is very clear, the voice of one crying in the wilderness. My beloved friends, be very careful if you've ever told somebody or you ever think that it's okay to say nothing about this Jesus whom you know. I've personally heard a number of people say, you know, I'm just not the talking kind. I don't have to say anything. The voice, John used his voice.

You know sometimes it's profound and it's awkward I know sometimes in that but there's nothing like just telling someone, using your voice. Can I tell you what Jesus has done for me? Do you know I'm a Christian man. I've given my heart to Jesus. Do you know what the Lord Jesus has done for me?

He'll do the same thing for you. John fulfilled prophecy as one of God's wonderful people by using his voice. Number two, by sounding the trumpet. I want you to note the second part of verse four, the Bible there says prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord. It's an amazing trumpet sound. He sounded the trumpet. What John did when he, to borrow a phrase, blew the trumpet of God's grace, was he sounded the battle cry and what he did was he said get ready. I want you to know because there is someone who is coming who is the answer to everything that you've ever needed in life. He's the Christ. Indeed he is the Christ.

Forgive the interruption. We'll be back with the rest of today's message with Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment, but he wants me to remind you we're available for you to pray together at 866-899 word anytime day or night. That's 866-899-9673 or you can meet us on our website at www.tewonline.org.

That's www.tewonline.org. Many people are signing up for the daily encouraging word e-mail, but also grabbing a copy of the brand new book. It's a leather-bound 52-week devotional called Heaven, Life and the Resurrection. Dr. Wilton has been involved in creating this so that we could study God's word together through the years of 2022. Every week an opportunity to study God's word.

I pray that you'll take a look at it at our website www.tewonline.org or call for your copy at 866-899-9673. Now back to today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton. You'll remember later on when the disciples were up in the Golan Heights between the Sea of Galilee and the border of modern day Syria and they were standing there and Jesus looked at them and he said, who do people around here say that I am? And some looked at him and said, well, you know, some say that you're this and some say you're that and some say you're a good man and some say you're the old guy up in the sky. And Jesus looked at Peter and said, but who do you say that I am?

What trumpet sound comes out of you? And that's when Peter looked at him and said to him, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. And Jesus responded and said, that's exactly who I am and that's the reason why I want you to know that when you base your life on me, you stand on a rock that will never be moved because I am the rock of your salvation.

I am the Christ. John fulfilled prophecy, he used his voice and he sounded the trumpet but third, he preached real hope. Look at verse five, I love verse five. He said, every valley shall be filled, every mountain hill shall be made learn, every and the crooked shall become straight and the rough places shall become level ways. What hope?

You know, I began to unpack those four things, which I don't have time to do today. Every valley shall, are you in a valley right now? That's real hope. The Bible says Jesus Christ will fill up your valley. Every mountain hill shall be made lower. Anyone looking at me right now who's facing an unbelievable mountain, is it your son, is it your daughter, is it your work, is it your health, is it your family, your finances? You got this mountain ahead of you and you just don't, and John here, this is what he's doing, he's preaching real hope. He's saying because of Jesus, I want you to know the biggest and most insurmountable mountains that you've ever faced will be brought down to size by Jesus. He goes on, he says the crooked shall become straight.

He's talking about this. By the way, in Jesus' day, that was pretty real stuff. I mean, there were little mountain passes and little trails all over the place. I mean, that's why Jesus actually, he was standing looking down at the city of Jericho from where the Samaritan was, the Samaritan's Inn, and he was looking down at Jericho and there was this tiny little pathway. And he said it's harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

And what he was looking at were these mountains and these valleys with these little pathways stuck on the edges and sidewalks of the hills of the Judean wilderness where hardly even a camel could go by but have to put one foot in front of another which is almost impossible for a camel. It was so treacherous just like your life. Every step you're taking right now is treacherous.

But with Jesus, he will make your crooked path straight. What have you lost this year? Is it someone you loved? Do you have a hole in your heart? Are you lonely?

Are you wondering why? He preached real hope. He used his voice.

He sounded the trumpet. He preached real hope. But he filled prophecy because he included all people.

Look at that last verse in chapter 3. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Everybody look at me.

That's everybody. He included all people. God, listen to this, God loved us so much he sent Jesus to die on a cross. Jesus came, was born in Bethlehem to begin his earthly ministry and God used people. He uses people to put up nativity scenes that draw us into the heart of God to light lights, to hand out bottles of water, to take care of the needy.

He uses people to be Jesus so that others who are on a long and difficult mountainous deep valley kind of road will know that Jesus has been born and he's alive and he's real. Would you just bow your heads with me today as we put an exclamation mark on a most wonderful season. God's wonderful people. For me personally, I have seen the light. I know the Lord Jesus and I share his love with you.

It's why we're here. Dr. Wilton has been driven from a very young age to share the truth that Jesus loves you. He has a plan for your life.

He has an opportunity for you to be forgiven of your sins, to have a place in heaven. I pray you understand the joy of knowing beyond a shadow of doubt that you belong to Jesus. We'd love to talk with you, pray with you anytime, 24 hours a day at 866-899-WORD.

Jot the number down, store it in your cell. It is 866-899-9673 or meet us online at www.tewonline.org. Now we've been challenged with great teaching from Dr. Wilton today, but he has one more challenge as he steps into the studio next. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ?

I'm so happy to hear that. Why don't you pray this prayer with me today? Dear God, I know that you love me very, very much and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came and died on a cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Today, I repent of my sin. I confess my sin to you and I invite you to come into my heart and into my life by faith. In Jesus' name I pray. If you prayed that prayer, let me be the first one to welcome you to the family of God.

This is wonderful. I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying for you and how very important this is for me. Call us so that we can talk to you and connect you in the right place so you can begin this wonderful journey. It could be the Lord is stirring your heart right now. Maybe you prayed along with Dr. Wilton moments ago or you know it's time to give your life to Jesus Christ or maybe return to the Lord.

Come home. Let this Christmas be a time where you come home to Jesus. We would love to speak with you. Our phone number is 866-899-WORD and you'll reach one of us any time, day or night. That's 866-899-9673 and we would love to not only pray with you and celebrate as God's changing your life but if you just gave your life to Christ or rededicated your life Dr. Wilton has free resources he wants you to have if you'll call 866-899-9673 or meet us online at www.tewonline.org That's www.tewonline.org and many of you are asking how you can get involved both prayerfully and financially in supporting the ministry of the encouraging word. Well it's all about becoming an encourager and now is a perfect time to do that. We are excited to announce that a friend of the ministry has donated a $200,000 challenge gift and has extended a challenge to our donors to give an additional $300,000 by December 31st. This challenge is to fund our television broadcasting. Would you prayerfully consider a donation to this challenge? Please call 866-899-WORD that's 9673 to give a donation and be sure to tell them it is for the match challenge. Thank you for your support of the encouraging word.

As we wrap up today's broadcast a quick bit of history. Years ago back in 1956 this ministry was begun by 120 people who said we'll give $2 a week to get this television broadcast of God's encouraging word on the air. I pray that you would realize that that $2 a week would still make a difference in the ministry of the encouraging word. But so would $200,000 or $2,000. Some of you might have the opportunity here at the end of the year to find such a remarkable gift that you would be multiplying the influence of God's encouraging word like never before. If the Lord has empowered you with the resources would you prayerfully consider the encouraging word as fertile soil in which you could invest? Discover more at www.tewonline.org Everything from our relationship with the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability to more, you'll find it at www.tewonline.org