The Hope of Bethlehem - Part 2

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Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious microfibers to again that when you felt it a path for thought is hard for a guy from Bethel to pronounce a camp struggling with my mouth just denied. But you, Bethlehem, a path for thought for this I pronounce who are too little to be among the clans of Judah from you shall come forth only one who is to be ruler in Israel that you know you want path for thought. Is there the jetted to the temple marketable to Bethlehem, one in the Zebulun Sea of Galilee. We went there diddly Sandy and Van beautiful place and the other one in Judah which are just 5 miles from Jerusalem. Market is so specific that he specifies that it was the latter. Bethlehem, the one who signed your name was Rough, rough, try pronounce it just 35 is 19 to 20 says. So Rachel died and was buried. On the way to express that is Bethlehem overturned Jacobs up a pillar to this day that Philip marks Rachel's time why God sees this Bethlehem is the birthplace for the site in the world litigated three reasons I'll come back to the other two clues in a minute. Let me now give you three reasons why just Bethlehem first Bethlehem means house of bread. Think about it. Brett sustains us and gives his life and that is what the Messiah would offer to the world. Abundant life, even eternal life. In John chapter 6 force verses 47 through 51. She does it say the truth, he believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.

Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert. Yet they died.

But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world don't know I'm from Bethel.

I think this while it bread so much that just only wells up here that was not in my plan to share that with all my family understand that God chose Bethlehem the house of bread to give us the bread of life. Secondly, Bethlehem was chosen because of the history that links it to the Messiah again go back to Rachel Jacobs wife died in Bethlehem while giving birth to Benjamin and we know that the Messiah came from the line of Jacob and Rachel, Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem. It was there in Bethlehem that Boaz fell over the roof and married her. Ruth gave birth to other bed was the father Jesse who the father of King David said David King David became Bethlehem's greatest son until another son was born. It was through David's family line to the promised Messiah would be born. Samuel tells us in second Sandra chapter 7 verses 12 and 13, the Lord spoke to King David and said when your days are over and you rest with your father's will raise up your offspring seed from your own body and I will establish his kingdom. That is the seed's kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

If you're in Christ. That's the kingdom to which you belong. This promise Messiah would come from the line of David who was born in Bethlehem.

Third, Bethel was chosen this from a favorite reason because she was small and insignificant that you find it interesting that God chose the little town of Bethlehem is the birthplace of the Messiah, rather than a great city like Jerusalem or Athens lot is God delights in using insignificant places and insignificant people to accomplish his will for strength in chapter 1 verses 27 through 29 says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things. The things that are not, to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him. I cannot ever read that verse without mentioning David Schellhammer who is Dr. John Schellhammer who was my favorite professor southeastern.

It was his son who was born down syndrome. David safe place for me in chapel. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if that is one time I have to share this in the summary for before sitting chapel SCLC in the library and David worked in the and elaborate. His job was to go around and pick up trash and line of the book so that they will look good and David became like just best buddies. So I had after chapel I had done Schellhammer's Hebrew exam. As I was going to skip chapel which you want really supposed to do but when required and go into into a dorm somewhere and study, but David came as it you may save a seat and he said I will save your seat chapel today and he wasn't that easy to understand but I knew what he was saying us.

It would David understand that you father some people exam after chapel and I need your study that he loved me like a stab in the back. Don't you want to hear what God has to say today what you think I was a chapel was in there. You know what God is. David given that chapel service because the minister said something I wrote in my journal from her exactly what was begun.

Spoke to make David insignificant in the ass the world. In fact, the world site should have been aborted and get his greatest desire when he grew up was to be a preacher and went for his birthday's and Christmas. Only one was commentaries and books about the Bible what you want for Christmas and throw that in there. What do I want for Christmas. Let me ask you something. How you see yourself do you see yourself as wise, insignificant, or do you see yourself as lonely and perhaps not so wise, be careful how you see yourself as God has a habit of choosing the lowly and the insignificant to the first clue that Monicagate consigned the coming Messiah was that he would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. And guess what he was just a psychically the Messiah would be the ruler of the kingdom. Verse two says that if you accompany one who will be ruler of Israel. This clue is the one that calls nearly everyone at the time of Christ to miss him. The Jews were expecting what a conquering king they were expecting someone like mother Moses, who would deliver them from the Roman occupation that they wander but see here last. The problem you cannot take one verse 01 truth from God's word and focus on it to the exclusion of the rest of the Bible all throughout the Old Testament there were two strands of prophecies that describe this coming Messiah. One depicted him as a ruling King and the other depicted him as a suffering servant, what the religious leaders of Jesus time were guilty of was functional.

One strand of truth to the exclusion of the other venture you never make a mistake.

Yes this coming Messiah would be king. And yes, he would rule over his kingdom the same time he would be a suffering servant.

I was when I was in Israel.

This friend of mine, Mike Waldrop had a client from Israel, and he brought him to to dinner one night and I got it made him and he was very open and transparent and I saw just said you know, can I ask you you read the you read the Bible course EE somewhat ill. He said yes I still have you ever really read Isaiah 53 he said, so would you next time you read that. See if you don't see Jesus in that because Jews who don't believe in Christ have a very hard time explaining Isaiah chapter 53, which goes like this because they're looking into the future. In the coming Masashi, but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer. Joe Hilda said he was numbered with the transgressors for our sake. The promise Messiah would rule over kingdom, but not before he suffered as a lowly servant. When Jesus stood before Pilate, asked him if he was the king of the Jews to which Jesus replied, my kingdom is now this world if it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place your king then said Pilate and Jesus answered, you're right in saying I'm the king. In fact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Jesus. Pilate heard what Jesus said that they but he did not understand because the man without the spirit does not understand the things of the spirit because their foolishness to him some ASCII.

Do you understand did you know that Jesus is King. In fact, he is the king, and he rules over his kingdom, which will last forever, and the only white lesson that you can build a path to his kingdom will actually enter his kingdom is by faith. You must believe in him. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It was the inauguration of his kingdom when he comes back in the future.

He will complete the fulfillment of his kingdom and so his kingdom is here, but his kingdom is also coming is both now and it will be and this is why we pray that kingdom come that will be done where on earth as it is in heaven, and listen nothing about politics or education or religion can solve the problems we face as a nation.

In fact, Jesus is only one who give her space. He is the only one who can give us hope we will not have real place in this world until he returns. That is the hope that which we live from Michael. We learned that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem from Michael. We learned that Messiah would rule over kingdom and from Mark we learn that the Messiah would have ancient origins.

Look at verse two.

Again, but you, Bethlehem Africa who are too little to be among the clans of Judah from you shall come forth from the one who is of a rule in Israel is coming forth this from of old, from ancient days now to take you now back all the way to Genesis. Genesis 315 is the first mention of the gospel in the Bible is very interesting verse at this point in the narrative site has tempted both Adam and Eve negotiated.

They both gave in and they ate from the forbidden tree. So the Lord has now appeared on the same is there for one reason to pronounce judgment not you listen to what the Lord said to the serpent, by the way, I believe this is the pre-incarnate Christ.

He says to the servant. I will put enmity between you and the woman in between your see in her seat. He that is the Messiah will bruise you on the head and you serpent will bruise him on the heel.

I know a lot of you familiar with this, but it doesn't hurt to review it. What you got named by this judgment and who is to he would bruise the head of the serpent.

First, I want to see this in the midst of this judgment. There's another brilliant ray of hope though failed. From this the cross and with the completion of God's word. We conclusive.

This verse is a reference to the Messiah to the cross, the Messiah would come from the seed of the woman. Marcus said who's coming for this from of old, from ancient days and so the seed of the woman can be traced through Scripture all the way to Bethlehem this path through Scripture traces the lineage of the of the Messiah is been recorded for us in both Matthew chapter 1 in Luke chapter 3. Follow me the seed of the woman passed from Adam and Eve, through Seth. Later, through Noah, and still later, through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Jacob had how many sons 12 whether sons was named Judah, and it's right before Jacob's death together.

All Tova sons wanted time to come and stand before him so he could bless them in that blessing is prophecy and I want you to hear what Jacob says to Broadway's name was changed. Israel what he says to Judah, when Judah comes into semaphore him. Judah must been going what you talking about UI lines, Judah you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness who dares to rouse him, the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs in the obedience of the nations is here is the catch. This he will tether his donkey to align his coat to the choices branch.

He will wash his garments in wine his robes in the blood of grapes to Jacob was prophesying that the Messiah would come from the land of Judah.

This descendent will be a king like a lion who would take of his royal scepter. However, in humility, he would come running on a donkey and he would shed his blood, but often is life sale. That is all in Genesis 3 verse 15 in all these prophecies God was trying to show to the people back then who the Messiah would be so that we would not miss him so the seed of the woman passed through Judah, and then centuries later, through David, and enough even more central through Joseph's wife Mary biologically speaking, we know the seed always passes through the mall, the woman. The man wants to say the seed of the woman with this is my opinion report to the virgin birth is 714 says therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and called him what Emmanuelle Giovanni in Luke chapter not finished.

In Luke chapter 1 we learn that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said to her, do not be afraid, Mary found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

He will be great will be called the son of the most high, the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom never end know much of you in their shoes. How would this be GST Angel. Since I'm a virgin and the angel answered the Holy Spirit will come upon you the power of the most high will overshadow you.

So the holy one to be born will be called the son of God.

Samuel prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Jesus did Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin Jesus was Mica prophesied of the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Africa. Jesus wants Mike also prophesied that the Messiah would have ancient arm origins. Jesus did with tracers origins all the way back to Genesis. But in route to the correct much from that wrath to go back to try to pass, so Michael was telling the world did the one who will be born in Bethlehem who would rule over Israel would be the eternal God created the world.

John chapter 8 you may remember when Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders and he was accused of being demon possessed. You may remember what Jesus said. He said my father, whom you claim as your God is one. It glorifies me that you do not know him.

In that instant he said that the religious leaders is central today that you do not know him. I know him. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad this shot them. They said you not 50 years old and you've seen Abraham I'm sure there think you are crazy and he said I say the truth before Abram was born, I am that we know that I am was the name that God told Moses to tell the Israelites, is the one who is sending Moses to the Israelites and the Pharaoh. He said I am has sent me to you.

When Jesus said these words I am. He was laying down the gauntlet. He was declared himself to be God and this is the reason why the religious leaders nailed to the cross. Paul writes in Colossians 1 verses 15 through 17 he that is Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by him all things were created things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities all things were created by him and for him.

He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Listen, this is like new member as we approach Christmas.

Make sure you truly understand that Jesus is claiming to be God. He is God incarnate, he is Emmanuelle God with us. If you want to know for sure that you're headed for heaven. You must both believe and acknowledge that Jesus is God and listen.

Then you must repent and follow him as one of his disciples. That's what it means to be a Christian.

The best thing to say is not am a Christian because thereby things that your All-Americans are Christians just say when someone says are you a cursive while on a follower of Jesus Christ. That's what I 700 years before Christ was born. The nation of Israel faced a very dark period in our history.

It was during that dark time that God raised up a man by the name of Micah to bring a message of hope, but you, Bethlehem, Africa who are too little to be among the clans of Judah from you shall come forth from the one who is the ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 2000 years ago, Israel faced yet another no time in our history for the 400 years there had been no word from God.

God seem to be silent. The Jews living under Roman occupation.

There seem to be no hope, and yet they had the word of God. Then, just like we did the promise that a satyr was coming. There was an expectancy in the air. People hoping for God to send this promise, Messiah, and they were looking for him. 2000 years ago on that first Christmas morning God fulfilled his promise to Mike for in the little town of Bethlehem a savior was born. His name was and is Jesus today live in a very dark period of history. 10 God seems to be silent have a way to have his word and his word promises that one day Jesus is coming back in with his children should live with the same expectancy that Tom may be near, this is our hope. This is not which we claim we should live with the same excitement that a young child has all the night before Christmas. Y'all remember when you were about 10 and you are going to bed on Christmas Eve. I'm a one night when us to believe in.

I thought I been so bad that I will get back switches and my mother had me in a bedroom on the lease in this company okay. I sent him about this. You understand Joan Cabral event for that.

Remember the excitement, the you think about running to the DN and signaled his presence, and your name on it.

I remember in Bethel which is about our 15 minutes east of here. Christmas morning how you should be the first one to wake up and I would run down the hall and I wake up my two sister Joan and Catherine and then we would run in and wake up mom and dad.

They are told is not a photo shoot Derek on that living room but you there. You will get some switches and of course they have endorsed delivering shut tight, is it is a little bitty cracking that door and the three of us will be like this one hilltop of the other try to look in there and see if anything will be standing outside the doors waiting for mom and dad to get up, wash their faces and then going to the living room and get the movie camera ready. We were, we would standing there with great hope and expectancy. We stood behind those doors, like the horses stand behind the gates of the Kentucky Derby when he for the gun to Sam when they said we could come in with birth to the door. I was like George the stanza when they yield far in that apartment with all this children have a birthday party and all his ladies. He was knocking down only to find a general fund house knocking out Jonah And bust through that door. This is the way we should live every day like Sec. behind the gate waiting for the sound of the trumpet, we should live with great hope Woodward expects to because Jesus listened. He is coming back so we need to quit looking down and look up. He has promised to take us to heaven. He's given us his word is faithful to keep his promises. In John chapter 14 verses one through four. Jesus said do not let your hearts be troubled trusting God trust also in me. In my father's house are many rooms. If it were not so I would've told you I'm going there to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I'm going. Jesus is coming back, and perhaps a and we who are in Christ have been given the gift of eternal life, and we been given the promise of heaven. This is our hope. Do you have this hope this morning as we approach Christmas. We should be living with great expectancy for the Lord is coming back. Are you ready for this. If the trumpet were to sail today.

Are you prepared to meet him.

I heard Billy Graham preached on the ready this morning, what year was that he was preaching somewhere like Chicago is talking about being in the Kingdome and in Seattle and he said that he gave the imitation or tube or sitting out there and he was trying to get he was sure the gospel have people say yes to Christ. Just say yes to Christ and these boys were talking to each other you think we should go forward and one said yes, and once that none they talk a little bit more than they both said yes and went for a few weeks later, Billy Graham said those two boys when applying and the plane crashed in the God he said I'll see them again one day because they said yes to Christ, you said yes if you don't know today that that you are truly saved is all you have a duty. Confess your sins, you can bet you do right now just confess your sins, but then you have to repent them as you turn away from them and listen.

The Lord will help you to turn away from them refueling on him, then you must place your trust in your heart.

Believe in your heart in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation in the list you commit to following the rest of your life. And guess what you happy with that.

Is he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. I'm almost done but had to close my two favorite verses in Micah and that God is use these in my own life to give me hope Micah chapter 7 verse 18, 19, says he was a God like you who pardon sin and forgive the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance.

You nicely angry forever, but the like to show mercy, you will again have compassion on us your trip.

Our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths the city you have the so this morning I have this hope you know what the place my trust in Jesus when I was young up and follow him on a crooked path ever since the mouth and dictators for the last 40+ years I have been looking forward to the second coming of Jesus whenever I'm driving I'm always looking the clouds particular on a cloudy day when the sun is behind the clown.

The razor come again.

I'm thinking cash is today the day is that clown going apart Michael and hear the trumpet today.

I wait for that day with the same excitement I had a Christmas Eve in the little town of Bethel.

For unto us a Savior has been born. His name is Jesus here. His last words in the Bible, Revelation 2220 says he testifies to these things is yes I'm coming soon. Jesus being a Christian is not about being religious but about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders, a local triangle ministry glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources finding purpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local tribal men to study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net. This is the Truth Network