R415 The Christmas Message Pt.1

Merry Christmas and welcome The Encouraging Word featuring the Bible-based Dr. Don Wilton as we study the Christ of Christmas will be headed to Luke chapter 2 in John chapter 3 adjustable motives.

Dr. Don opens God's word was speaking of open God's word have a life and resurrection. That's a wonderful leather bound devotional that were making available on our website. Right now the launches into 2022 weekly devotional by Dr. Don and other pastors all the details are on our website at tewonline.org.

Our commitment is not just this opportunity to study God's Word by listening to Dr. Don studying it ourselves. Again, that's just one of the many tools available online at our website, tewonline.org.org, DEW online.org now. Today's message with Dr. Don Wilton. Blessed is the name of God we humble ourselves in your presence.

We cry, Abba, father, and we worship you as the Prince of peace. We crown you with many crown father, we thank you for the manner with which you have prisoners jewel shelf in our lives for Alderson prayer.

We thank you for Alderson prayer.

We thank you Lord Jesus that during these moments together in a matter where we find ourselves in on the whatever circumstances we might be in your presence is with us because you are gone now father as we come to the preaching of the unsearchable riches of God in Christ Jesus.

We pray that you would open our hearts by the ministry of your spirit. We prior God that we might see things that within ourselves we cannot see.

We pray that you would open the eyes of our understanding that you would deeper not walk with you that our father when we leave this place and when we enter into the pilgrimage that you've called us to lead that we might do so with a spirit of urgency in the deepening sense of love, a profound sense of commitment and overwhelming saints of your grace, which is upon us. Father we pray now that you would speak to us, for we also these things in Jesus name and for his sake alone. A man right on skewed first a bold turn with me to the book of Luke chapter 2. Just yesterday I was speaking to someone very close to me and I said to them, I wish that somehow this Christmas that I could do something a little bit unique. I wish that I had it within my means to be able to present something different to my people.

This person said to me okay well let's talk with Jesus. Why don't we call him by some of the night.

I thought to myself at one do because it's at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and so they said to me well if we guide to try and be a little original do something, perhaps a little bit different.

Why don't we. Why don't we dispense with the manger and having morning.

Something else perhaps the general hospital in Jerusalem.

Well that that one.

Do because it's not part of God's plan will why don't we do this Christmas just do something else. Let's not have basically him, I think we might be getting tired of basically Hamlet. So let's have Jesus born in Athens.

Or how about in Spartanburg. What exactly was it that happened when God acted the way that he did. I want us to read.

First of all, from the Luke's account in Luke chapter 2 verse one not going to be preaching from this passage that I want us to place this message of Christmas in its correct context. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that we can just hold on a moment.

Sometimes, perhaps somewhat. We overlook the significance of what that first verse tells us about when we know write this story, we just mention it in bypassing, by the way, Caesar Augustus did what Caesar Augustus was supposed to do. Or perhaps we play a somewhat glib attention to the monumental edict that was issued forth from the world's King of Kings, the Lord of lords. You see friends in Jesus time, Caesar Augustus was the Imperial hierarchy epitomized this was the White House in the best expression of the dire.

The only difference was that he had no Congress. He had no Senate or House of Representatives to act as a system of checks and balances.

Despite the Roman Senate the Roman Senate were rubberstamped preserve the decrees that were issued from within the heartbeat of Caesar Augustus, these Imperial giant Duke. From the top of the portals of these earthly kingdom and tried to establish decrees upon mankind. In fact, the Bible tells us most distinctly) these days that Caesar Augustus issued a decree if you DOS the average person in Jesus time who was most important in this scheme of things they would've been a Boston number of them that would've saved. We owe our homage only to Caesar, there would be others who would say we despise Caesar, but we have no alternative because we live in a military Nick to ship, and Caesar Augustus is indeed the son King NEP is down from the portals of these Imperial Palace and if we if we even ventured to disobey his royal decree, we would stand for fear of losing our own lives.

But God had a different perspective on things, when it came to Christmas. And so it was here in Luke chapter 2 verse one that in those days the King of Kings. So he thought issued a decree and while he was issuing this decree. What perhaps Caesar Augustus did not understand was that from before the foundation of the world that the King of Kings and Lord of lords had determined within the Holiness RB's character and born on the wings of these wonderful sovereign grace and he's love God himself had issued a decree… Just for a moment, give your Caesar Augustus, the benefit of the dock showing let's elevate him to some kind of human lofty high bit player homage to this man. Let's rally the troops around and determine within our hearts that there is none like him to Caesar Augustus, let's within our hearts place. The message of the Christ of Christmas on the wings of an Augustan stamp of authority that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Caesar didn't leave anything out. This was the first census. The Bible tells us that took place while Cyrene is was governor of Syria and everyone went to his own town to register. Disobedience was not to be tolerated. What Caesar didn't seem to understand. But perhaps Herod the king pondered Denise Hawk was that there was something happening.

They was a tremor that was occurring.

There was an earthquake that was beginning to unwrap across the bolts on this.

Could God had created that there was someone about to make an appearance that not even John the Baptist would be worthy to tie his shoelaces so it was that within this mixed Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house into the lion of David and he went there to register with Mary, who was pledged all as we find recorded in the King James version he was.

She was is followers to him.

She was promised to him. She was committed to him.

It seems to me that commitment seems to be a hallmark of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the world was once committed whether they want to do will not to Caesar Augustus, and Mary was committed to Joseph, and God was committed is the King of Kings and Lord of lords to expressing the love of the great and in basically hams manger the message of Christmas. She was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Now, while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in the manger and there was no room for them in the in the message of Christmas.

Then there was Caesar, would you turn with me to John's gospel chapter 3 in verse 16. The Christmas message for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him, hold on a minute now one and only just if we could just hold on just a second here wasn't at Caesar Augustus issued a decree if we took a survey wasn't it Caesar Augustus, who occupied the place of absolute preeminence in prominence as the son King but God so loved the world that that he gave his only one and only his only begotten, the one who is unique, who is one of a kind, because there is none like unto me saving God because I am calling on a minute.

It seems to me perhaps that Caesar Augustus is taken one or two steps down from the portals of these lofty ladder in the perspective of humankind Caesar Augustus doesn't occupy the position that he's lords pay homage to for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only the uniquely Imperial son of the living God, the King of Kings and the Lord God, so that either create from before the foundation of the world God. Excuse me Caesar, that whoever believes in him shall not perish all I love this park don't you have got such good news for you today. The message of Christmas did you hear that God gave his son moved because of these love me loves us so much that that whoever believes in him show not perish but shall have eternal life. Perhaps this morning, my friends. The Christmas message is best expressed in. Perhaps this is the most well-known of all texting Scripture one that we learned quote from a one is on one that Steve Skinner learned on the need of these beloved father and mother for God so loved the world. Perhaps this is the great metropolis of God's eternal truths. Perhaps there is no other single statement that so clearly sums up God's redemptive purpose in Christ for the human race. Perhaps this is the real meaning of Christmas God you think so, Caesar issued a decree sweet little baby boy perhaps somewhat in my own heart. I might have an inkling as to the nervousness of King Herod.you think the uncomfortableness of the Roman garrison, perhaps in my own human heart.

My own sinful heart. Perhaps I have a renewed sense of the urgency of the shepherds to watch over their flocks by night in the wisemen who were endowed with all the riches and wealth of this world and it made tracking a beeline to kneel at the feet of this sweet little baby boy so Caesar Augustus issued a decree that he what is the message of Christmas perhaps beloved friends. This morning, ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps this Christmas, we need to have a fresh understanding that this verse in John chapter 3 in verse 16 makes up the constellation of the Redeemer in the firmament of divine revelation. All I love the word of God. You can go back into Genesis chapter 1 verse one and you going to find a summary of the creative work of God, and you can pay through the beautiful pages of this book and get into Exodus and you going to move from a summary of the creative work of God to the book of Exodus and see a summary of the legislative work of God and then you come headlong into John chapter 3 and verse 16. And yet we find basis sinks summary of the imperative work of God in Christ Jesus. Why, because God's redemptive plan is in part be in the Christ of Christmas. I made just think about it for a moment, God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself. How can this be so, Caesar Augustus issued a decree all of a sudden the ballot box pales into insignificance. All of a sudden party affiliation has no grounding. All of a sudden the White House becomes darkened in a pit of oblivion. All of a sudden all the aspirations and the dreams and the directors placed upon mankind by their own human intuition begins to dissolve within the face of God's redemptive plan because this is the Christ of Christmas is the Christmas message God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe it in him shall not perish but will have ever lasting life isn't that great, great neck grant is correct. Please forgive the interruption will be back with the rest of today's message of Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment, but I want to share with you some exciting news friends of the ministry at The Encouraging Word have given to hundred thousand dollars here at the end of the year as a challenge and matching gift. The challenge is for each of us to give our best gift that for them.

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May I submit to you this morning that if we really understand and if our hearts are open to the illumination of the spirit of God within our hearts and souls. We got understand first of all, that the Christmas message has both God the father and God the son standing side-by-side in the crisp manger God the father and God the son standing side-by-side at the birth of Jesus. Just think about it for a moment, God you serious are you telling me that God was even Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself God is eternally self existing uncreated member of the God who is this God that would allow himself to become a man whose God the son God the father, for God so loved the world that he gave this eternally one self existing uncreated having the need of nothing on Omni present recent Elohim, Jehovah, John Adam Nye has revealed himself by moving but now reveals himself by love for God so loved the world what is the message of Christmas for you and for me today. God now wait a minute, theologian, wait a minute, church white amended Bible, God, you saying to me that God was born in Bethlehem's manger. He who sits high and lifted up worship by adoring Angels by cherubim and by seraphim in the news presence they hide their wings behind their wings and cry holy, holy, holy, and from whose presence, even the prophet Isaiah failed to reason these as the doorpost began to strike and cried out. Woe is me, for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of the people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the what is the message of Christmas so Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world should be taxed in the world jumped at his Kaman and they obeyed his decree. Just think of it, God the father and God the son, because God was in Christ Jesus, reconciling himself to the world. On the one hand you have the giver of life. On the other hand, you have a very gift of life. On the one hand you have the author of life and on the other hand you have the furnisher of life inherent in the manger.

He raises upon galaxy off the galaxy so that even this was in the mood and the wounds in the way of his voice, Jesus said to his disciples not once, but repeatedly never forget that I and my father one such powerful teaching Dr. Don Wilton there's more to come and will share the rest of this message. In the next edition of The Encouraging Word. But as you've heard Dr. Wilton teach. Perhaps you would open heart. Now, as he steps in the studio with the most important question of the day. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the low Jesus Christ.

Why don't you pray this prayer with me right here. God, I know that Iversen and I know that Jesus died for me cross today. I repainted my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart in Jesus night, my friend. I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting news.

Welcome to family convinced that some of you were praying along with Dr. Wilton. Moments ago and gave your life to Christ for the very first time, or perhaps rededicate your life have come home to the family welcome.

We have wonderful resources.

Dr. Don Wilton's you have absolutely free if you call us at 866-899-WORD that numbers 86689673 or join us online@twonline.org's Meditech Dr. Don Wilton love to know how God using this ministry you can email him dondom@twonline.org love to hear from that's done@twonline.org and I mentioned earlier, if you haven't heard, there's some exciting news about opportunities rolling the ministry. The Encouraging Word here's Dr. Don God has done great things again this year through The Encouraging Word will cost ministry. Do you know that over 35,000 people have asked telling us what this ministry means to them in their spiritual life and so many are coming to know Jesus, a friend has just given a $200,000 challenge gift. This ministry and we are asking as he is asking that listeners will give an additional thousand dollars. This ministry by December 31 so that God's word could continue to go out across the world in London recently. Someone came up to me and said thank you for The Encouraging Word and for what it means.

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