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Now, here's today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Hi, this is Robert Jefferson. I'm glad to study God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program on today's edition of Pathway to Victory. If the cradle represents the beginning of the Christmas story, and the cross represents the main body of the story. then the climax of the Christmas story is found in the crown.
It's a different kind of crown. It's not the one Jesus wore on Calvary. It is the crown He will wear when He returns to earth. Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor Dr. Robert Jeffers.
The first time Jesus came, he came as a baby. But the next time Jesus comes, he will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffers explains why the return of Jesus Christ is the hope of every Christian. But first, Let's take a minute to hear some important ministry updates.
Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. Today is Thursday, December 4th. And as your radio pastor, I need to be honest with you. I've never felt the urgency I'm feeling right now.
Something is stirring across America. God is awakening hearts, drawing people back to himself with a hunger for truth they haven't felt in years. My friend, this is our moment. While hearts are still seeking, we must act boldly and sacrificially. Gratefully, Friends of Pathway to Victory have established what we're calling the now-is the time matching challenge.
This means that every dollar you give is doubled through December 31st, turning your generosity into twice the gospel impact. Millions are listening, searching, wondering if Jesus is real. We can reach them, but only if we move now. Together, we'll proclaim the truth about Jesus before it's too late. When you respond with your generous year-end gift today, I'm thrilled to send you a brand new resource that's perfect for you and your family, arriving just in time for Christmas.
It's the exclusive tan leather-bound Pathway to Victory daily devotional for 2026. This isn't your ordinary devotional. Bound in supple tan leather with elegant gold accents, it's designed to become a treasured companion throughout the entire year. Each day you'll find practical biblical wisdom to guide your walk with Christ. It's the same trustworthy teaching you've come to depend on from Pathway to Victory.
David and I will give more details later, but right now it's time to resume a study that we started on yesterday's program. It's titled The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown. If you were to ask the average person on the street, What are the symbols of Christmas? They would probably answer. The candy cane.
The Christmas tree. Santa Claus. But today we're going to look at the three symbols that really explain the entirety of the Christmas story. And we're going to do more than simply explain. We're going to experience each of these symbols through song.
The first symbol of Christmas is the cradle. This is where it all began, at least from a human perspective. One writer describes it this way. Stepping from the throne, Jesus removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in skin. He whom angels worship.
nestled himself in the placenta of a peasant. was birthed into the cold night. and slept on cow's hay. What is the significance of Jesus humbling himself? By being born in this cradle.
The fact that Christ was willing to come and to be born under such humble circumstances reminds us that God. loves us. He took the initiative. in establishing a relationship with you and with me. And that's why we say His name is Emmanuel, God with us.
God became one of us so that we might be a part of His family. I want us to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the one who was veiled in flesh, so that we might have a relationship with God. To celebrate what Christ did in coming to be born in this manger, let's stand together and sing the hymn, Hark, the herald angels sing. The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. Peace for that, mercy mind.
God and sinners reckon the sign. Join holy nations rise, join the trunk of the skies. We angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Heart the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. Hill of heaven, what prince of beast, Hail the Son of righteousness rise and light.
While he rings, raising healing in his wings, while he lays his glory by, what that man will warm in I just raise the sun some earth, warm to hear the sad of the bird. There could have been no Christmas. without the cradle. But casting a shadow over the cradle was a cross. If the cradle is the beginning of the story, The cross represents the main body of the Christmas story.
It explains why it is that Jesus came to earth. One writer says it this way. Here's a side to the Christmas story that isn't often told. Those soft little hands fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb. were made so that the nails might be driven through them.
Those little pink feet unable to walk. Would one day walk up a dusty hill to be nailed to a cross. That sweet infant's head with sparkling eyes and eager mouth was formed.
So that someday men might force a crown of thorns upon it. That tender body, warm and soft, wrapped in swaddling clothes. would one day be ripped open by a Roman spear. Jesus was born to die. Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:21.
God made him, Jesus. who knew no sin to become sin for us. that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus came to take the penalty for you and me, and that's what he did when he came to suffer and die on that cross. In some inexplicable way, Jesus experienced the full wrath of God so that one day we could receive his blessing.
700 years before Christ came. Isaiah the prophet prophesied of what Christ would do for us. In Isaiah 53, he writes, but he, Messiah, was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening of our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.
All of us, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned his own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity, the sin of us all to fall upon him, Jesus. The whole purpose of Christ's coming is summarized on that cross. And today, to offer our deepest thanks to God. For what he did on that cross for us.
I want us today to sing a special arrangement of that hymn. When I surveyed The Wondrous Cross. Would you stand with me as we sing? When I serve one trust for which the praise of glory does my riches gave I count the world, That I should boast saved in the death of Christ, my God. Oh, the late feast that shall be holds I sacrificed them to his blood.
See from his hand, his hands is he so.
Sorrow and love glowing go down in their song and the sorrow wear thorns come upon some bridge of pride of mind are to swear. If the cradle represents The beginning of the Christmas story. And the cross represents the main body of the story. Then the climax of the Christmas story is found in the Crown. It's a different kind of crown.
It's not the one Jesus wore on Calvary. It is the crown He will wear when He returns to earth. The crown represents the promised second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Somebody has said when Jesus came the first time, he came veiled in the form of a child. But one day when Jesus comes again, he will be recognized by all. The first time Jesus came, a star marked his arrival. The next time Jesus comes, all the heaven will be lit by his glory. The first time Jesus came, only a few attended his arrival.
But the next time Jesus comes, every eye shall see him. The first time Jesus came, he came as a baby. But the next time Jesus comes, he will come as king of kings and lord of lords. You know, ultimately, that's our only hope in this world: that one day Christ is coming back. when the right will prevail.
I don't have to tell you, we have in a live in a world that is marked. that is tainted by sin. And it causes so much heartache. in every one of our lives. I was just reflecting.
on some conversations I've just had recently. Talking with The wife of one of our deacons who just went to heaven as she mourned the loss of her. husband. Talking to a young man who had just stood over the open grave of his mother. Hearing a little child cry uncontrollably, begging God to send her father back home.
That's the kind of world that we live in. Maybe you're having trouble this morning. Really entering into the celebration of Christmas. Perhaps it's because you're facing an uncertain future. Maybe a dream in your own life has died.
Maybe you too are suffering the loss of a loved one. Either through death or desertion. The pain you feel right now is real. But it's also temporary. One day, Jesus is coming back again.
And when he comes back again, he is going to put an end to suffering because he's going to put an end to the author of suffering, Satan himself. In 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 8, Paul says that one day Satan, the author of all heartache, will be revealed, and the Lord will slay him with the breath of his mouth. And bring him to an end by the brightness of Christ coming. The return of Jesus Christ is our hope, our only hope in this world. The Apostle John described the return of Jesus Christ this way in Revelation 19.
He said, after these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven saying, hallelujah, salvation and glory and power belong to our God. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, many crowns, and he has a name written upon him which no one knows except himself. And he is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The first time Jesus came, he came as Savior of the world.
The next time Jesus comes, he is coming as judge of all the world. The first time Jesus came, he offered salvation. The next time Jesus comes, he's coming to offer condemnation. The coming of Jesus will be a great moment of rejoicing for those of us who know Him. But for those who have rejected him, The coming of Jesus again will be a time marked by remorse.
and regret. I came across this piece recently. Listen to it carefully. Twas the night before Jesus came. And all through the house, not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
The Bible was laid on the shelf without care, in hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing ahead. And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap was watching the late show while I took a nap. When out of the east there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, threw up the sash.
when what to my wondering eye should appear, But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun, sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment that this must be. The day. The light of his face made me cover my head. It was Jesus returning just as he'd said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw him in spite of myself. In the book of life, which he held in his hand, was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as he searched for my name. When he said, It's not here. My head.
Hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love. He gathered to take to his father above. Would those who were ready He rose without a sound. while all of the rest were standing around.
I fell to my knees. But it was too late. I had waited too long, and thus sealed my fate. I stood. And I cried as they rose out of sight.
If only I had been ready. Tonight. Jesus is coming back again. And that is the ultimate truth. Of the Christmas story.
He is returning to reward the righteous and to punish the guilty. You know, one of my favorite songs that we sing at this time of the year. Is joy to the world, the Lord is come. Most people don't know. that that song was never intended to be a Christmas carol.
There are no mentions of angels and Bethlehem and a star. When Isaac Watts wrote that hymn in 1719, he was writing not about the first coming of Jesus, he was writing it about the second coming of Jesus. This song was based on Psalm 98, verse 9, that says, For the Lord cometh to judge the earth with righteousness, he shall judge. The world. Jesus is coming back.
That is the hope of every one of us who is a believer here this morning. And it is a sign of our anticipation about the soon return of Jesus Christ. Let's stand together and sing the great hymn, Joy to the World, The Lord is Come. Joy to the Lord. The Lord is come.
Let earth receive a king. Let every heart prepare him rule. And heaven and nature receive. And heaven and nature will see. Yeah.
And heaven nature sing. No more than sins and songs rule, nor pours and press the road. He comes to where his blessings come. For as the curse is come, for as the curse is come, He rules the world in truth and grace, and makes the nations throw the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and God is lovely. Yes, joy to the world indeed.
We can declare that statement because Jesus Christ rules the world with truth and grace.
Well, during the message today, I'm sure you could sense the urgency in my voice. After a contentious year, our nation and our world is deeply divided. Our only hope in 2026 is to present the truth of God's Word so that men and women all over the globe would find their names written in the Book of Life before it's too late.
So, I'm calling on you to join us in an all-out effort to reach more people than ever before in 2026. And here's some really good news. Right now, and up until the deadline of December 31st, your generous year-end gift will be automatically doubled because of the Now's the Time matching challenge. That means your generous gift will go twice the distance. As a bonus, and when you respond with that gift today, you're entitled to request the brand new 2026 Pathway to Victory daily devotional that I've written for you.
We thoughtfully organize the content to guide you week by week throughout 2026. Together, let's walk side by side, drawing our strength from the hope and truth of God's Word. One more thing. To receive this exclusive devotional in time for the new year, it's imperative that you respond right away.
So here's David with all the details. When you give a generous year-end gift to support the Ministry of Pathway to Victory, We'd like to say thanks by sending you the brand new 2026 Pathway to Victory Daily Devotional. To request your copy, call 866-999-2965 or even easier, simply go online to ptv.org. And when your gift is $100 or more, you'll also receive the DVD video and MP3 format audio discs for Celebrate the Savior. It's a collection of the best Christmas teaching messages by Dr.
Robert Jeffress. And don't forget your contribution right now will be double in impact through our Now is the Time matching challenge.
So be sure to get in touch right away. Call 866-999-2965 or go to ptv.org. You could also send your donation by mail. Here's the address: P.O. Box 223-609, Dallas, Texas, 75222.
That's P.O. Box 223-609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins. Join us next time for a message titled The Night Before Christmas, right here on Pathway to Victory.
Halfway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. Isaiah 40, verse 8 says, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. While you privately prepare your family's will or estate, guarantee that your personal resources have a never-ending influence by investing in the Pathway to Victory Legacy Giving program. Call 214-969-2400 or go to ptv.org/slash legacy.
You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. And right now, your special year-end gift will be matched and therefore doubled in impact thanks to the Now-Is-The Time matching challenge. Take advantage of this opportunity to double your impact before the deadline on December 31st. To give toward the matching challenge, go to ptv.org/slash donate or follow the link in our show notes.
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