Christmas Message Chapter

I know there's a group that thinks we'll all figure out our answers and were all marching toward some blissful, peaceful situation. Before this happened, not without the Prince of peace you think about what Herod did that's humanity we need help. We need the Messiah Jesus came because this world is filled with pain, tragedy, extent and selfishness.

We needed a Messiah. Some may have wanted once a man not, but we need welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina is Christmas just a holiday to you is something about tomorrow's special on today's program. We have one of David McGee's associate pastors DA Brown welcome brothers help us understand what some of the real reasons for Christmas. Bob, this is a significant time of year.

God with us. That's when Jesus came to do is to dwell among men become a sacrifice for us and give us the opportunity to live forever with him. What a gift that sounds like some really good news, so here on Christmas Eve. Let's listen to part two of David McGee's teaching why did Jesus come to today really talking about Christmas and why did Jesus come to earth what, let's look at some of the things he said.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 17 he said do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law, till all is fulfilled. What's he talking about. There were certain prophecies about the Messiah that had to be fulfilled and Jesus fulfilled not just one or two of them are some of them are part of him.

He fulfilled three single one of them again mathematically impossible.

I figured it out mathematically, given the compound probabilities but it would be if you covered the entire state of North Carolina 9 feet deep and marked, one silver dollar and you blindfolded somebody and they got to choose one. Those are the odds that Jesus fulfilled 32 prophecies Jesus fulfilled over 300 distinct prophecies mathematical improbability which again begs the question, who is in and why did he come. But again, he tells us he didn't leave a message that I came to fulfill not to destroy but to fulfill it.

It's interesting how we've spun the whole Christmas thing to be something so much different than what it is. Jesus says in Matthew 1034.

He says do not think I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. I love that when the last time you saw that on the Christmas card. I used to be able to say I've never seen that on the Christmas garden and last year dear friend here made up a little Christmas card without exact words on the front and in Luke 1251 a similar verse do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth. I tell you, not at all, but rather division. Jesus came to bring division how what I mean. The directors are divided wanted to come to bring division division between the religious people who didn't feel like they really needed God, but they could depend upon their own goodness and those who really knew they needed God to bring division between those two. And there were and was and is a sharp division between these groups still one group actually began to feel like they were good enough for God must think about that Goodenough forgot how good is good enough will.

She therein lies the problem.

Good enough for God's standards perfection that you may think of yourself as a good person, but honestly perfect. I don't think so. And if you think you're perfect in your marriage.

Just ask your spouse when they quit laughing is a no no to the standards perfection us understand something that God's nature is righteousness. He's perfect. He can't just lower or change his nature, he cannot be in the presence of sin, and he may want to relationship with us or with you are with me, but since we have sinned, and he can't be in the presence of sin. He can't have a relationship with. By nature, in other words, it's like if I can use this analogy, it's like a fire with a dry leaf if I take a dry leaf and a place it in the fire.

The fire is not deciding to consume the leaf. It's the nature of the two items that causes the consuming fire to consume the leaf since the real problem in trying to have a relationship with God.

When the standard is perfect as a part of the fulfillment of the Messiah was to come and live a perfect life and be tempted but not sin in the bound records that Jesus was tempted in every way like we are. But he never said to be tempted is not bad or wrong to give in or yield to the temptation is with sentence now. John 1227 and this is getting towards the garden. Jesus says this he says now my soul is troubled, but what shall I say father, save me from this hour, but for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name Jesus in the garden pleads with the father and his father if if there is any other way was not but not my will but your Hudson interesting thing because in that moment, you need to understand that if there was any other way to heaven, surely the father and his love would've allowed it and would've said was a matter fact, son. You can get there through Buddha and Confucius and Mohammed Celeste not do this thing. But that's not what happened. Evidently Jesus is was the only way to have. He taught as I am the way the truth and the life we need to understand that if we got call ourselves a Christian.

We cannot say that there's many ways to heaven because that's calling Jesus a liar. The one we claim that were following when we talk about one way to heaven someday. I that's very narrowminded, narrowminded issue question.

If you went to the doctor and the doctor said but got some good news and bad news which we will for give me the better stop bad news is got terminal disease – when not needed.

What's good news.

Good news is we got a cure. We just got one cure, narrowminded in the dock. You wouldn't say that it's pretty Scott, you got a cure. You know what, I don't think it's narrowminded that there's one cure for sin for death for eternal separation from God. I thank God that there is a cure called Jesus.

Amen. Jesus said look, this is why I came. And Jesus knew the whole time he was here. Imagine that. Probably an apprentice in his father's carpenter shop and he was in there and then one day is time to step out the ministry but this ministry. He knew would involve three years towards life and the 12 people one of which would betray another would deny in the high point in the ending point of the ministry would be his gruesome execution. Nobody really knew why he was there. Up till this in the carpenter shop and he could've stayed in the carpenter shop so happen is he stepped out of anonymity were nobody knew who he was or why was here often imagine that they be looked at. The hammer and the nails in the wood and he knew that in a few short years, those things would come together in an explosion of pain as he gave his life for you and that is part of why came, he stepped out of the carpenter shop begin to walk in his ministry and he makes the statement, John 1232 pieces and when I am lifted up from the earth. I will draw everyone to myself. He said this to indicate how he was going to die. He knew he was going to die through crucifixion. This brings up another interesting consideration when it comes to prophecy have one historical point. What a Jewish male be executed by crucifixion is an interesting historical question. Up until about 1980 or 2080. Israel had the right of self-government and they had the right to execute in the courts of law. After riots and whatnot. Rome removed the right to govern themselves the right to decide to execute so they would have to go to the Roman government to execute somebody thereby instead of having somebody being stone which was the Jewish way of execution. It was changed to the Roman form of execution which have been crucifixion in 70 A.D. Israel fell at the siege of Jerusalem. So in all hundreds of years and even thousands of years of human history. There's a 50 year window where a Jewish male would've been executed by Roman crucifixion was in that window Messiah fell astronomical odds.

Life lesson. Here's Jesus came to offer his life as a sacrifice. He came to die so that we could live Jesus can offer his life as a sacrifice. He came to die so that we could live that when Jesus started talking about the suffering Messiah. Some people didn't get it because in the Hebrew Scriptures. There's two comings of the Messiah. There's the lion and the lamb.

Jesus came the first time is the Lamb.

The Lamb asked to a slaughter. They were looking for the lion. The lion will be how Jesus comes next, and some people will be looking for the Lamb.

Now, when a certain amount suffering and dying. It was confusing to them. John 1230 forces the crowd responded. We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever.

How can you say the Son of Man will mentally, they just couldn't get their mind wrapped around the fact that he was going to die and be resurrected, which was what was going to have Megan understand this whole concept of the suffering servant, and in the passage of the crowd responded. We understood from Scripture than the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die just to is the Son of Man.

Anyway Son of Man is a very interesting phrase it's a prophetic phrase it's a messianic phrase Son of Man means son of a human. Interesting thing is, it was his favorite phrase to describe himself not son of God, although he claimed to be the son of God, please don't mistake that the people who say that he did never read the Bible. He was executed for claiming to be not only the son of God but God but you Son of Man that is so striking because you know if if if your father was the president nor a king or a billionaire like Bill Gates.

We would try to figure out how we can work that in every conversation with onset you got theirs at a Microsoft computer in my dad's Bill Gates. You may have heard of me made that whole thing up make billions and billions of dollars. That's my dad, Bill Gates editing my dad's Bill Gates but Jesus is the son of God, and God himself in the flash but his favorite title is Son of Man saying I'm one of you I'm you go well I related to you. I'm here to redeem you as a very powerful thing.

You're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved.

You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior. You need people to pray for them. You need someone to present God's word to them every day representing God's virtual here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee. We can pray for them as well. Just by simple going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button. All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love that needs know Jesus as Savior.

Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones. What an awesome way to bring your love ones to Jesus. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob are excitable, God is doing to cross the bridge of Pastor David and want to take a minute to pray for some listeners in these cities in Idaho Mountain home Pocatello salmon Sandpoint in Twin Falls and Decatur in Mount Vernon, Illinois God, we thank you for everyone tuning in. Today we pray that they would have an expectant heart. Hey, you want to speak to them right now knowing all situations that are going on in their life low. We praise are going to some sickness, some health issues that you please heal and in God that you would remind them that you love them, you know what's going on and you have a good plan.

You will be glorified in their life and lower pray for the pastors and churches in this area. We pray that they will be excited about following you, Lord, that they wouldn't grow weary in doing good and lower that you would remind the pastors that they are loved. They are called and you're going to blossom in Jesus name, amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse. Matthew 1811 Jesus says, for the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. He tells us out of come to save that which was lost.

He didn't say I've come to save those who are this teller star students at the Jewish yeshiva.

The study of school of the Torah, somebody said in fact nobody around Jerusalem was really chosen the 12 we think that maybe one Judas Iscariot may have been from that area. The rest from up north, not people who were even really interested in spiritual things. Literally, those who were lost who didn't know their way didn't know God, who were really religious and Jesus says that's who I've come for next life lesson Jesus came for those who knew they needed his help. Jesus came for those who knew they needed his help and that's still true today. In other words, if you're sitting here listening right now going to really need any help from God than you may not receive any but if you're here today and you honestly say you know I need some help and God will be here now understand again that from the moment Jesus can even before the incarnation even before the Christmas.

The plan was the plan for him to come here and die for us. That was the plan.

Jesus think of it this way, Jesus grew the tree he would be crucified on were told that all things were created through Jesus. So Jesus created the tree they would be crucified out. He chose to do this knowing Judas would betray up. He put pilot and power knowing Pilate would make the decision to crucified because it was all part of the plan instead of slowing down.

The plan we read that the people wanted to wait they didn't want a riot during the Passover. We see Jesus bent up the plan. We also see that he was in control the whole top to standing when he think about a new they knew the whole time. Along the way he was describing to the disciples what was going to happen and he told parables like the one in Matthew 21 3327 hear another parable there is a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower in the lease to divine dressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage Hunter Mary said the servants to find dressers that they might receive its fruit in the vine dressers took a servants beat one killed one and stoned another and again he sent other servants more than the first. And they did likewise them than last of all he sent his son to them saying they will respect my son.

But when the vine dressers saw the sign. They said among themselves, this is the air come, let us kill Caesar's inheritance. So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed them. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes what will he do to those fundraisers.

Jesus told that parable, knowing what he was describing was himself in people's reaction. One thing that's staggering to consider when you think about Christmas of what humanity ended up doing with that little baby. I don't place my hope in humanity, and if you do friend really hurt and you're going to be disappointed. My hope is in God, humanity is troubled at best. Humanity's been troubled for a long time humanity was expressed inherit who considered Jesus a political opponent to the point that he was willing to wipe out all the male infants in the area to take out his political rival. Matthew 216 then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the Wiseman was exceedingly angry set forth in put the death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its districts from two years old and under, according to the time which you determine from the Wiseman was fulfilled which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, sing a voice was heard in rhyme, lamentation, weeping, and great morning Rocco weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more and humanity is still has problems. I know there's a group that things were going all figure out our answers and were all marching toward some blissful, peaceful situation friend is not gonna happen not without the Prince of peace. You think about what Herod did.

That's humanity we need help. We need a Messiah and asked the next life lesson Jesus came because this world is filled with pain, tragedy, sin and selfishness. We needed a Messiah. Some may have wanted one. Some may have not, but we need one. Jesus came because this world is filled with pain, tragedy, sin and selfishness. We needed a Messiah. When we talk about Messiah. We talk about Jesus retirement Jesus Christ understand the name because some people think Jesus Christ. Jesus was burgeoning Christ was the second she was like Joseph and Mary Christ at 806 Jester Rd., the Christ house no know that Jesus was his name. People were known by their name and where they were from Jesus of Nazareth, Paul of Tarsus. Christ was not his name was his title Christ.

Our word comes from the Greek Christos Christos is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Messiah or Michiana. He will save her. He is salvation which is Yeshua. So, more appropriately, it would be you could see Jesus the Christ Jesus the anointed one, Jesus the Messiah and we needed him to be the Messiah. Whenever something bad happens. Some people always jump up and say where was God. And you know what friend that is the height of human arrogance. Where was the goodness of man that people talk about where was the goodness of man.

So Jesus came for anybody who is willing to come to have Matthew 912 when Jesus heard that, he said to them, those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

But go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance is a real interesting play on words. Jesus is I didn't come to call the righteous will, if he would've come to call the righteous, let me ask you question. Who could have responded to that call. No human in the new living translation that same passage, Jesus heard this, he said healthy people don't need a doctor.

Sick people to. Then he added.

Now go and learn the meaning of the Scripture. I want you to show mercy not offer sacrifices have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know their centers and somehow we got in this church thing all twisted that we think it somewhere you go when you worked all your issues out when you've got your whole life with God, sorted through, then you interesting to me how some of us try to hide that there's anything wrong fun only trip know you're not good are all broken. Everyone was all done wrong thing friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven.

You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sinned, and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again.

Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness.

Those who were sick, not the righteous is a congratulations for you just made the greatest thing that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com. Click on the donate button and ask God how much you would have you give either on a one-time basis or continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's word continues to go out also. Thank you so much DA before we go. What are some ways bless our listeners days you can wake up with Pastor David with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day in the heart of David McGee. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God