This broadcaster has 995 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
December 24, 2019 8:00 am
Welcome to the Christmas Eve edition of The Encouraging Word featuring the Bible-based reading of Dr. Don Wilton message you will be blessed today. Dr. will talking about the profit of Christmas. Continuing back to Luke as it were yesterday, but diving deeper into the prophetic concept of what Jesus really did in fulfilling the prophecies and what he does for you and me today as we celebrate Christmas as we open the word together. Another were available for you love the opportunity of praying with you and for you at 866899 word that's the phone number source in your salads be contacted. The Encouraging Word 866-899-9673 or online NTE W online.org.
We are excited about what God can do today as we open the Bible itself, God's Encouraging Word together with Dr. Don Wilton that whatever you all this morning I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of God's word and turn with me in the Bible to Luke's gospel in chapter 1 Luke's gospel in chapter 1. That's what Zachariah said and you my child that is drawn will be cold here it is. I profit of the most high. Why for you go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him to give his people, the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins because of the tame the mercy of our God, which, by which the rising Sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
May the Lord drive his word on our hearts. I'm going to share with you six facts related to what the prophet of Christmas had to say about this salvation. Now this is the announcement concerning what he is going to say that I put it like this. Zachariah prophesied about what the prophet was going to prophesy about, to try and run that by getting Zachariah prophesied about what the prophet was going to prophesy about that. I get that right Steve, thank I want you to just think about this. This is the word of God number one the prophet of Christmas, emphasize the significance of preparation for salvation. The prophet of Christmas John the Baptist emphasized the significance of preparation for Christmas. Look at verse 76 second part, he said, listen Zachariah prophesying about what the prophet was going to prophesy about St. John is going to prophesy and he's going to begin by prophesying concerning the necessity of preparation for the coming salvation is the Christ of Christmas. John the Baptist stood up and said something that was so critical when it comes to our celebration talking specifically about the coming of the Messiah. He looked at the people and he said prepare the way when I believe he is saying to the hearts of all people is that while we prepare for Christmas so it is that we must prepare to receive the Christ of Christmas, number one, we need to be prepared to receive the gift and we need to be prepared to give the gift in one of my favorite little sayings of Christmas time is that we need to make a list and then check it right will I guarantee you I'm hardly looking into the face of a person of value hasn't check that list at least twice, if not a whole lot more or you sit down and you look and you sign on the roof we left out what we need to get how much do we need to get do we need to get. I mean we live in all these things up to see friends list. Listen to this.
We understand what it means to prepare can I make an announcement to you today. There is not one person within the sound of my voice to that is hereby asked God is preparing you for salvation to receive all that God has done for us in and through this one is basically Ham's manger. We need to be prepared not only to receive the gift but we need to be prepared to give the gift number two. Monitor the prophet of Christmas spoke of the knowledge of salvation. Now folks fostering your seatbelts. I want you to note something here in verse 77 this prophet, John the Baptist he was going to stand up before Jesus arrived on the scene and make an announcement. What was the announcement that the coming one, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ would be coming in order to give his people, the knowledge of salvation will number one who were his people.
The Jewish people, God's people, the children of God to guide us. Why because Jesus Christ is broken that barrier.
There is neither juvenile Greek now the Milo Freeman not to bungle freight but it this time that John was speaking he was talking to the Jewish people. It was a shocking concept to the Jewish people. It was so shocking because the Jewish people condescended God number one actual they believed that God was untouchable.
The people of God believed that God was unapproachable. They believe that this God was unpredictable. Like many of us today. We believe God's on untouchable. We believe God's unapproachable you can't approach bodies to my peonies to holy.
We believe that God is unpredictable. You can never know what his next move is going to be. We believe that God is unpredictable, but we also believe that God is unmentionable.
They certainly did back there. These people, the people of God. The Jewish people in the Old Testament just before Jesus came and set them free. Just before the new, what was God's name Jehovah Yahweh.
Yahweh in the Hebrew spelled J a HWEH guess what folks that's how we transliterate it. That's how we write in order to pronounce it but did you know that in the Old Testament the name Jehovah has no vowels in it. So let's just do something next like a and E out of Yahweh, Jehovah, not trying pronounce Jehovah you can't do it. Give your practice run on something my name if you didn't know that my full name is Donald all right forgot that everybody cited Donald, not everybody say I didn't hate everybody say that's me like all right now let's take the bowels out. Oh, and I may tell you how you say my name. Okay, everybody say my name without the bells, not not get actual tissues and everything and wipe the coats of the people in front of you gone pronounce a name without valves and attend folks, this here is the prophet of Christmas making a shocking statement. John the Baptist gets up and here's what he said.
He says listen use this one is salvation are going to be capable of acquiring or having no change of salvation. Well, what is shocking concept. God was untouchable God was unapproachable God was unpredictable God was mentioned God was on reachable and God was you couldn't get anywhere near God.
As far as they were concerned, you know that I've met people like that, even in the year 2004 do not meet people who come to church on Sundays and I say well I'm just going to go through this motion, but God is there somebody out here. He's, there's somebody I don't know he's a viper he's just a spirit out Karen. I can never touch God I cannot reach God. I cannot know God, I cannot have a conversation with God.
I've got a good announcement to make to you the yes you can. You know how it happened because of the Christ of Christmas. He made that possible.
He said I am the way the truth and the life no man can come to the father be joined to the father be reconciled with the father accepting by virtue of what I have done when I died upon the cross and I became your high priest was raped in two from top to bottom.
The way was my (old people that who so to the Lord might come. What does it mean when he spoke of the knowledge of salvation. Now watch this. Folks, what is it mean to have knowledge of God number one what it means my friend the consequences of this is that first of all, through Jesus Christ, we can know who God is and I want you to really hold onto that. The first essential consequence of having knowledge of salvation is that through him we can know God is and number two it means that through Jesus Christ we can be where God is. Now watch this. Running to give the folks Jesus Christ came and he died upon the cross, the prophet gets up and he says listen I want to speak to you the attainable access that you have in Jesus Christ, which will allow you to acquire knowledge of God.
What was he talking about. He was saying God is no longer untouchable and unattainable and unapproachable and unmentionable God. You can God and number two. Not only can you know God is, but you can be with God. I want to tell you two things that have happened to me since Jesus came into my heart.
I got a long way to go number one by his spirit through his word, everybody.
I'm learning more and more about who God is, because God allows me to do that through his word by his spirit. Number two I know that I know that on one day when I die or if Jesus were to come back first.
I know that I'm going to be where God is a folks the Jewish people back in that day. This this blog will be minds this this confounded the critics. This upset the status quo strengthening their treasury.
It turned their theology upside down. Don't think anybody ever get so deep theologically that they stand up and all I can do is preach to you about the untouchable list of the all mighty God wanted to because Jesus Christ was in Bethlehem's major my God is my God and doctrine. I can have a personal relationship with, and I can practically be where he is the prophet of Christmas.
Well first of all, he emphasize the significance of preparation for Christmas.
He spoke of the knowledge of salvation and number three.
He pointed to the means of salvation. He pointed to the means of salvation.
Look at the second part of verse 77 Bible says that he would come to give these people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. I love this. How is it possible what's this folks watch me good? How is it possible for somebody like me and you number one to know who God is and number two to be where the guardian's house of possible cannot tell you how it's possible through the forgiveness of sin see the Bible tells me that God's eyes have not been blinded that he cannot see me God's arms have not been amputated that he cannot reach out to me, his legs having been cuddles that he cannot run toward me. His heart is not been plucked out that it cannot be for me but it is my sin, which is separated me from a mighty God, the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is what eternal life through who, through Jesus Christ our Lord. That's the gospel that's the good news about Jesus. That's the Christmas message.
Now watch this. Folks, what is the means while the prophet was prophesying about the means of salvation. He was speaking to things. Number one the purpose for which Jesus Christ was born and number two the plan for which he died. We love to talk about being a purpose driven Church, we like to talk about purpose statements in our life's purpose and our sense of purpose that you know by the way that God from before the foundation of the world had a plan and a purpose for people like you and me and all came to fruition.
When that baby was born in a manger wanted it speak to speak to the purpose for which he was born but it also spoke eloquently to the plan for which Jesus Christ would die. Jesus was born in order to die. Now watch this. Number four number four, the prophet of Christmas underlined the source of salvation.
He underlined the source of salvation maybe rear right with you.
Number one, he emphasize the significance of preparation for salvation. Number two. He spoke of the knowledge of salvation. Number three. He pointed to the means of salvation, the forgiveness that you and I have been Jesus Christ but number 48 underlined the source of our salvation. If I could put that in the modern day terminology waives the soul come from well it's right ear. According to this prophecy that came from the prophet of Christmas. Verse 78 because of the tame the mercy of our God and dear friend. You might be saying to me to buy pasta. Where does the soul come from between the mercy of God in our right throughout the world today. People have all kinds of concepts about God, we tell you about God friend. He is a loving, just a righteous God. The Bible says he is attending in his mercy does not just speak most eloquently of the heart of the wonderful Savior.
What is he talking about you the tame the mercy of God. He's underlined the source of our salvation. He speaking.
First of all to that which is given from the heart of God and he speaking.
Second of all that which is based on the love of God. So you have these two juxtaposed together here, both speaking to the tame the mercy of God number one is his heart, and number two is his love not just remind you of Christmas. One of the things I love about Christmas is the expression of people's heart and they love you know when you gather your right those Christmas cards get those gifts you have that wonderful meal family comes in the Christmas tree in your lighted up, put on music is just something about two things happening, folks, it's about half and it's about love Y and in my own heart always feel very sad for people who are left out. Do you know folks.
That's why we give is there a lot of people who are lonely are the people who are caught up in the quagmire of anger and hostility are people who are abandoned and abused. They lots of folks out.
They listen to me listen Christmas my friend is about the source of salvation. It's about the tender mercy of God.
It's given from the heart of God, and it is based upon the love of God. So here's the prophet of Christmas, the prophet Betsy's designation. John the Baptist must've occupied quite a special place in the heart of God Bergevin can you imagine being singled out. Dr. or I would've been petrified. Maybe that's why he stayed in the desert locusts. I don't know but I'd be absolutely petrified.
So what is the prophet of Christmas. Talk about what was he prophesied this Jesus, who was born but had not yet arrived. Significance of preparation, the knowledge of salvation, the means of salvation, the source of salvation.
Number five I love this watch this, the prophet of Christmas described the arrival of salvation. The second part of verse 78 is what he sees, by which the rising Sun will come to us from hip. Isn't it amazing that this prophet spoken to by God himself would be able to describe how exactly and what exactly was going to happen when this Jesus salvation would arrive on the scene now folks I want to tell you something. I was born and raised in Africa. I know some of you got me in Australia, Borneo, New Guinea, Indonesia, jolly good all England blood supply Osborne in Africa, but I've lived in America. This is my home longer than I lived in Africa. My wife and I every time we go to Africa we come back and we so you know we just pray that every now and again we gonna be able to go back for a number of reasons, but one stands above everything else. You know what it is the African sunrises and sunsets, folks, I love America. Pleased on misunderstanding but you will never see a sunrise or sunset like you will in Africa you come with me out there almost planes and those valleys in those mountains sitting under the shade of form trees and baobab trees.
The sounds of animals lines dear revolt kind you love could vote abuse elephant waterfalls line (you name it teaches the burgers come with me at 5 o'clock in the morning on the plains of Africa. The drum sound emerge from your tent you look out and that sons beginning to come up.
It's the most splendid picture you've ever seen the heavens are arrayed in the spleen and the glory of Almighty God. The sounds of God's creation waking up the freshness of the Earth's atmosphere. The whole spectacular nature of God's beauty and his creation. It is believable just what the prophet said the prophet say this that the arrival of salvation. Who is Jesus Christ. Watch this will be like the rising of the sun from heaven.
What was he talking about. He was talking about first to bold the brilliance of his coming. The brilliance of his coming, arrayed in splendid glory and second of all, he was talking about the authority of his coming not only the spec tech spectacular nature of this virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The rising Sun arrayed in the spring.
Although creation, but with the authority of Almighty God is the reading of the heavens and the Jared is the prophet of Christmas describing the arrival of our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. What a trumpet sound and then finally number six, the prophet of Christmas pinpointed the results of salvation.
I love this one because it all comes down to this. And in that final verse in verse 79, the prophet of Christmas under the inspiration of Almighty God himself prophesies concerning the three point result of the coming of our salvation in Jesus Christ to Bethlehem's manger. Why did Jesus come number one to illuminate darkness to illuminate darkness, look at that in verse 79 to shine on those living in darkness. My frames you and I know you can travel around the world. We can find a lot of darkness corporate off the dock conference and draw people in dark places. I'm going to tell you that even in our own cities in our backyards people are living in darkness without the Lord Jesus Christ Bible says that Jesus Christ is lacked. He came to live in darkness but the darkness comprehended it not. The Bible tells us my friend that in our sin we all lost we have no light, we have no hope this what Jesus Christ does result number one of his coming. According to the prophet of Christmas, Jesus Christ, our salvation illuminates out darkness. He puts a lot where there is no life. He gives us meaning. He puts a smile back on our place. He gives us hope he sets us in the new director. He likens our lives because he is the Prince of life, so number one illuminates the darkness.
Number two eliminates their eliminates day. He says in the next verse and in the shadow of bow make an announcement to you shadows cannot to all of you look at me for just a moment if you look real closely, you going to see something happening to me I been told I'm starting to get a few gray hairs on the side of my head. You know what those gray hairs all they are a shadow of my impending day and every moment that goes by is a shadow of my bed. But guess what folks when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, he eliminates the he doesn't eliminate the shadow. We are still subject to all the readers of this life will still subject to the human condition, but because of salvation in Christ Jesus.
We been saved.
So what is he knew, he illuminates the darkness.
He eliminates day and number three dates us with his peace. You know this, Jesus one of which this prophet of Christmas spoke you been illuminated illuminated you been inundated can do that to the wall because of springs 8668998689967, and perhaps you're just standing� Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why don't you pray this prayer with me right. Dear God, I know that Iversen 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, the Lord spoken to you that this day this Christmas Eve be the day you say yes to Jesus Christ, to pray with you get some free resources in your hand.
You can call us at 86689. That's 866899673 and if you're interested in studying God's word. This year we got a great option for you this year again I was released to join with several hostas. Christian leaders from across the country in writing a brand-new 52 week devotion.
I want to make a copy and you to have you send to your families and friends at Christmas time. In fact, as we begin the new year beginning.
So thank you my friends for picking up the phone morning race on worship devotional that number again is 866-899-WORD 866899967, 314, EW online.org