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December 27, 2019 8:00 am
God has an encouraging word for you and me today to the Bible-based Dr. Don Wilton wrapping up the profit of Christmas has been rich and bold again. His insight on the profit of Christmas Dr. Wilton over these last few days with here on the Friday edition we bring it to a close and also remind you that we are about to bring to a close. The opportunity to get this wonderful leather bound Bible study that will be launching throughout the entire year like to study with us be a part of this literally force all of us studying the same word the same time same day again if you want me details on this leather bound Bible study, go to our website TW online.org that's tewonline.org G call about getting your copy right now at 866899 word 866-899-WORD 9673 Dr.open your Bibles this morning to Luke's gospel and chapter 1 Luke's gospel in chapter 1 we are engaged in a remarkable conclusion to the Christmas season.
The price is of Christmas began this last week I had no intention to bring it over to this week. But God had other ideas because we soon discovered that when you talk about praising the Lord Jesus Christ and God, our heavenly father that actually there is far too much to preach on in an entire year. That loan just to Sunday's. But this is a remarkable subject, and we discovered some wonderful things lost week that I would just reiterate for you in a moment I want to read this. First of all Zachariah saw you going to find it in Luke's gospel in chapter 1. These were some one can imagine.
I guess with a harp and with other instruments that they would sing in praise to the Lord. Bible says in Luke chapter 1 verse 67, his father's father John the Baptist father of John the Baptist. Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied. This is what he saying this is what he said God put this in his heart because he was talking about things that only God could say remember this folks, this is prophecy. This is somebody inspired by the Holy Spirit and moved by God himself to speak about things that only God could not only God could have known these things. This is what he saying praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel because he is, and has redeemed these people use raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house servant David as he said three holy prophets long ago salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to show mercy to our fathers and their memories. Holy covenant.
The oath that he swore to our father Abraham to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
We were reminded last week that when it comes to this central issue related to the birth of Jesus the matter praising him that praise literally means three things. It means acknowledgment that means worship and it means giving thanks. I tried to follow through with what I suggested to lost week. Yesterday morning we all gathered our whole family came. It was a wonderful time we had a house full of people accepting my younger brother Murray. He and his wife and three children. He's fostering Huntsville, Alabama, being the posture of a wonderful church like this.
It was impossible for him to come and join us because he has responsibilities and right now he is probably preaching the word of God. Just as I have the privilege as is my oldest brother in green.
What a wonderful blessing that so we gathered most of us gathered together and I said stop the music. I thought, well, this is why stop the music stop the activities we gathered together and I read a passage out of Luke and I made a few comments. I promise you it was just a few folks my family would've shocked me.
If it hadn't been and I tossed a few comments about the meaning of Christmas. And then we prayed together. What we do. We acknowledge steam we worship team.
We gave thanks to him and then we should stop the music and we had the best Christmas you could just imagine when on older all day. I mean lost not like to lost not at risk wonderful time with our family right there in our home what is praise acknowledgment worship giving thanks.
Why do we praise what was Zachariah talking about. Some people say why. Why do I need to do this folks all across America yesterday all across America. There were people I'm sad to tell you there was some people never gave a single thought to praising God and Christians are guaranteed. We might find it hard to imagine even here in our beautiful city of Spartanburg in Asheville, North Carolina and Greenland and Greer Roebuck across the upstate. There were people he met yesterday and had these in fellowship and never gave wonderful the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not one. Well Zachariah here in this prophecy spoken to his heart by the word of God outlines it for us to retain reasons yet. We looked at the first to lost week.
Why do we praising number one because he is, just imagine that God came in the person of Jesus Christ. Can you imagine God came to us, God with us. Emmanuelle that's the meaning of the name of Jesus, God with us. What a remarkable thing to the Jews. He was the untouchable one. The unreachable one couldn't get anywhere near him number two we can praising because he has redeemed in verse 68 is redeemed, these people I love that word redeemed the means he has saved us. Number three good reason why we praise God for Jesus Christ.
While we ought to stop the music is because he has raised up.
I want you to watch this. This is incredibly exciting. There's a statement right here in verse 69 look at it with me in your Bible it says he has raised up a whole of salvation for us. I don't want anybody to raise their hands. Are there any avid hunters worshiping with us to the I know that they are some of my best friends love to get out there in the woods and hunt. We all are familiar with it. Well, we might say what you mean. We got reason to praise God for Jesus Christ because he raised up the whole. What is that mean well. It was a common expression in the Old Testament, it symbolized strength. It was a remarkable statement that they were making. If you go to second Samuel, for example chapter 2 in verse three. Listen to what the prophet said the Lord is my rock, my my delivery. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge by shield. What's this and the whole of my salvation.
One of my favorite ladies in Scripture by the name of Hannah. We love the story about him. Samuel Hennessey, my heart rejoices in the Lord in the Lord my is it up. What is it mean to raise up what is that me, Phoebe got little problem because both Elizabeth and Zechariah were Levites like if you were to say to me pasta of which cost to you. I am of the house of Wilton. Well, they would've said, I'm of the house of Levi Jesus was of the house of David Bible tells us that so what happened was that God raised up at from amongst the team all right what is it mean what does it mean that he raised up a whole. Why does this give us reason to praising because when you raise up according to the Old Testament number one you establish something I've never been to someone's house and they sign outside the house that says Robbie and Danny generally established when Danny 1953 and I'm just kidding.
19. Household was established in 19 when 76, 1976 and I we put that down. We put down when we're established what's this folks, God raised up the whole of our salvation. Which means that when Jesus Christ was born. He established the means of our salvation but to raise up a whole also means to 45 so not I need to be establish it, but he fortified it. He garrisoned it he made it strong. He made it so strong that it was unbreakable and number three. It means that he protected it i.e. us because this is dealing with God's salvation so he raised up what he knew he raised up the strength of salvation for all people. He established it he fortified it and then he protected so if God in Christ Jesus right stop this whole this one that is so strong it's unbreakable. What is he say he says when I'm in the palm of his hand watch the nobody can pluck me out of reason is, he frames the issue of my salvation is been sick. It was settled right there in the manger. It was simple, right there at the cross. It was separate from before the foundation of the world because God was acting in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself. How did he do it raised up a whole of salvation establish that he fortified it.
He protects it. Number four.
Why do we praise it because he is spoken. Look at verse 70 Bible yeses, as he said, folks, I want you to just think about this.
I want you to think in the context of the Scripture. It was Zachariah of the house of Levi of the priestly clause, somebody who knew all about God, but there was one thing that he understood very clearly. He understood that I'm lazy with the high priest you didn't stand a month of Sundays to have a conversation with God. God was extremely selective in who he spoke to God was the untouchable one. The unpronounceable one.
You couldn't even say his name because there were no vowels in the name of Jehovah. You couldn't let alone pronounce his name. You couldn't come into his presence because he was so mighty he was. He was so magnificent.
And yet, when Jesus Christ came and was born an announcement was made, God spoke all people. One of the Angel site by the way, the angel said joy and peace to all mankind. This one is coming to save old people from Mason yet was the Lord Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem's manger.
God spoke. How did God speak in times past God spoke in times cost through the prophets we talking about one) Zechariah go back and study about Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi look at the boys back in the Old Testament, but in these lost days he has spoken to us how, through his son according to Hebrews chapter 1 verse one God speaking through his son is an incredible thing, folks. By the way, did you know that you can have a conversation with God made possible through Jesus Christ. Jesus put it like this.
He said I'm the way I'm the truth on the life no man can come to the father but by me. So it is that through Jesus Christ, from the cradle to the cross shape blood of the Lamb.
I'm now have access to the father, God speaks to me all right number five. Why do we praise him at Christmas because he has delivered us. I want you to look at this. This is a wonderful statement. Jerry verse 71. He said salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. You mean I praise God for Jesus Christ at Christmas because he has delivered me yet. From what he delivered me from the world delivered me from sin. He's delivered me from all that is the very opposite of all that God is because God is holy and this world has become blemished.
It has become by the sinfulness of mankind. The Bible says all of creation grows in the presence of Almighty God. So he has delivered us the lure of the world.
I guarantee you there's at least one person worshiping with us to somewhere you could stand upright on site.
Foster.
I know what you're talking about the wound has ensnared me. The world has ensnared me. I will guarantee you folks come this next Friday I will guarantee there will be some people in America who will be so drunk they want even know that it's the new year but I'll guarantee you this Friday. All it means the new year is an opportunity to behave immorally to do whatever they want to go berserk. See folks the world tells us that's what we need to do what does God say to us through Jesus Christ. I have delivered you, which really means we are rescued from our I think about this. Number one we praising because he is, number two because he is redeemed. Number three because he is raised up, number four, because he is spoken. Number five, because he has delivered. I am a delivered man. Number six, because he has shown mercy folks watch this.
This is incredible. Verse 72 Zachariah food with the Holy Spirit, prophesied and said that this God through Jesus Christ has come to show mercy to our fathers.
Excuse me watch this and to remember his holy covenant what you mean.
He came to show mercy has Zachariah under the inspiration of the Spirit is looking back on what we know as the Abraham make, memory, Genesis 12 one through three, God came to Abram and he said get up and leave and go I will base} you I will curse those that curse you, and you will all the nations of the world be blessed. What is that mean folks this passage is the promise whose fulfillment extends through all Scripture it's introduced in Genesis chapter 12 it is made in Genesis chapter 15 it is reaffirmed in Genesis chapter 17. It's written you in Genesis chapter 26 when God came to Isaac and said to him. Listen Isaac what I said to her daddy stands true for you. What was he talking about.
He shown mercy this one.
Through Jesus Christ, is the functional portrait of the mercy of God, Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem's manger symbolizes the grace of God you looking at God's grace.
When you peer into the manger. That's why we praise him has four elements, folks, this cognitive mercy that he has the first element is the covenant of seed obscene. What did God say that Abraham in Genesis 12 he said I'm gonna bless you see I'm gonna bless those who come from you soon. I got a lot of wonderful gifts this week. I tell you specially from my children from my wife.
Wonderful gifts. My oldest son raw gave me his brother Greg, his two grandfathers a very special gift. I can't wait to hang it in my office stands about that big and that's a picture frame so I will. It's just a picture frame. Know this is not an orderly picture frame, it has full pictures it it has a passage out of Deuteronomy and I just summarize it says that those of the third-generation will enter the Assembly of God because of those who have come before them will stand up and be counted for righteousness. He's got a picture of these two grandfathers preaching black-and-white pictures when they were young men.
He's got a picture of me dead in the middle when I was preaching as a younger man and then he's got a picture of himself and his brother Greg individually with this statement written across the top. Folks listen to me watch me watch me.
You all know the Lord God will bless your offspring they will rise up some of your site but pasta water undermines making a detour keep trying but don't lose faith. God is at work.
I promise you don't give up what is this mean God has shown mercy.
It talks about. See that's the first element.
The second is land in Genesis chapter 12 God will give the land to the people. I believe that for generations.)
Spartanburg there are people long gone into the presence of the Lord who claim this land upon which we stand today for Jesus Christ. The third element pertains to the nation in Genesis chapter 12 God looked across and he said I will bless the nations through you. I want to say to you on this day off the Christmas that all across America. There are people who are standing up and wishing one another happy and blessed crassness because Jesus Christ is the reason for the season and when we stand up and when we bless them I am of the Lord God will bless Stephen he will blast blast this nation and my friends parties divine blessing and protection what our people is the imperative of the cradle is the motivation for the cross want to into the cradle and looking to the place of Almighty God by virtue of the birth of the son, Jesus Christ has shown to us told mercy. We got a reason to praise him most certainly we do showing mercy. My friends means all the blessings that come from the Godhead and when we peer into the cradle we see the father gives when we peer into the cradle we see the sun who gave when we peer into the cradle we see the spirit guides and so it is here we have in the manger, the one who gives and the one the one who guides us is the means by which God was Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself.
This is why we praising number seven we praising because he is remembered number eight we praising because he is committed wish I could get all our attorneys at law. The solicitor I wish we could get members of the police force and Sheriff's departments appear to tell us what exactly an oath is folks, we understand that concept Bible tells us here in this passage. In verse 73 that he came because of the oath that he swore to our father Abraham speaking about his unchanging, uncompromising, I'm bending the word.
This one is God. And because he was a God and is a God of commitment is commitment is therefore binding entities ever lost. You can take it to the back God has done what God says he will do frame let me tell you something I will let you down in a heartbeat. Your wife will lick you down in a heartbeat. Your children will let you down in a heartbeat.
God will never let you the greatest friend that you will ever have. Why do we praise him according to Zachariah's song number nine because he has rescued us what any new when Jesus was born. He reached out what we need to do. We need to reach up, just like Peter in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came to him, Peter said Lord cannot come to you said come on Peter. Peter stepped out, got all that water lyric Desires on the Savior see Jesus was there was reaching out to him, but Peter became distracted all the things of life, just like we all noticed all the dangers lurking around him, and he began to sink, he turned his face back toward the Savior and said, Lord, save me down any soul. Jesus reaching out what it Peter have to do just have to reach up and take the Savior by the hand, folks, they some people here this morning, some worshiping by way of television through The Encouraging Word some in a retirement center in that prison right now in that nursing home. You know that this Jesus, who was born kind to rescue you. That's what he did. Aren't you tired of running you tired of the loneliness you tired of the struggle what it's all about joy and peace is rescued us then number 10 number 10 we praising because he has enabled us all love this folks. In verse 74 Bible says he came to rescue us from the hand of our enemies.
Watch this and to and able us. You know I'm so grateful that I'm surrounded your in this beautiful congregation of people by enablers. My wife is my chief enabler. My children, my parents and in-laws, my friends, the ministry target so many people who enable me. You know what it means that Jesus was born to be my enabler.
Folks will the text tells us someone that means that I am in a mood to serve him. That's what he says enable us to script can be quite honest with you, no way I can serve God if I'm not enabled to do so. Jesus was born. He's my enabler.
He enables me to serve him number two.
He enables me to be sick free to be set free.
Unable to serve him without fear. Folks listen to me there are people all across America today were bound by fear your fright, let it go to the Lord. He will enable you to be set free in all he does.
He removes the handcuffs he takes the strap. Sophie releases the heavy load he sets us free. Number three when he enables us he enables us to strive, I love this folks, he enables us to strive in holiness and righteousness. I cannot do that that word there to strive.
Listen folks of God tells me that I'm to live in holiness and righteousness of God is I got a real problem was I'm in. I got a real battle in my hand. How do I do that I can only do that in him.
I'm listen, don't raise your hands.
I know there's at least one person here who is already resolved, that this next are you gonna lose 30 pounds.
I know you have tomorrow you going to be hungry and you gonna forget about all that result folks. It is hard to strive in this world, no matter how we look at Jesus Christ enables us watch this to serve him to be set free to strive to be more like him. Do you know him today thinking about, don't hesitate. Let's talk about 866-899-WORD is our phone number that's 866899673 or me this online keyboard keyboard. As we say@tewonline.org is the website TE W.org before we get away. Perhaps the most important words for our pastor. Our next are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that on the center and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross today, I repent of my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart.
In Jesus name, my friend. I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting news for his spoken to you either for the pastor and the studio moments ago. A while ago when he was in the pulpit. I pray you wouldn't let this day pass without drawing a line in the sand and say I'm in. Let us pray with you and for you. Let's put some resources in your hands.
It'll help you grow close) at 8668998668999673 love to connect. I thank God for Dr. Don. I remember back in 2002 dead boys cannot call me and told me while listening to Don preach to get his heart to God that he wrote down a letter Don read it in the service. I pray for 20 years. My dad, I thank you Dr. Don for doing God's will that always wanted to meet you but his health would not let them get out. He passed away three years ago and he watched Don preach every weekend