Read Matthew 1:7-17 Today we continue with the genealogy of Jesus from David as we follow the “kingly line”. This chart will be helpful. The genealogy of Jesus demonstrates that God’s grace is not inherited but rather “given” as He wills. For example, there are good and bad kings in the ancestry of Christ. Just…….Read More
Read Matthew 1:1-6 Okay, let’s get this genealogy stuff behind us, and get on with the real Christmas story. Not so fast!! Jesus’ genealogy is where the Christmas story begins, for had Jesus not been in the lineage of Abraham and David, His birth, His life, His ministry, His message, His death – even His…….Read More
Introduction to Matthew’s Gospel – Behold the King Read Matthew 1:1 The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are the only indisputable records of the birth, life, ministry, and message of Jesus Christ as the Savior sent from God. The first of the four, Matthew, was written by a man who was also known…….Read More
The Lighting of The Prophecy Candle – (purple) the candle of hope Read Romans 15:12-13 As we begin the Christmas season, we must review the Old Testament prophecies that foretold the coming of a Savior. In Matthew 1:22-23, the gospel writer said, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken…….Read More
Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming”. For Christians, celebrating Advent helps to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the “coming” of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. The Advent Season begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which…….Read More
The Theme for 2023 With Grateful Appreciation In 1978, my heart was captured with the Christmas musical “The King of Love.” When I presented it to the youth/college choir as a possible cantata, the consensus was that it was too difficult. However, after listening to it several times, the life-changing truth of the message…….Read More
The Seven Feasts of Israel serves as God’s prophetic calendar to carry out His plan for our redemption. Other than the Passover, I don’t remember being taught about the Seven Jewish Feasts, perhaps because, as Christians, we are not required to observe them. However, by not teaching about these seven feasts, not only in terms…….Read More
“It is not possible to say, “I am a Christian” and not love the Jewish people. I did not fully grasp that until I made my first trip to Israel over 20-years ago. On the second day of the tour, I exchanged my camera for my Bible, and the historical narrative of the Scriptures literally…….Read More
Luke 2:1-20 Of all the characters in the Christmas story, the lowly shepherds were the most amazing to me. Why? Shepherds were outcasts among the people. They were considered “unclean”, and therefore not welcome in the temple services – other than to bring the lambs, of course! But God used them as the first people…….Read More
Zephaniah 3:14-20 In this obscure passage from Zephaniah, God made an incredible promise to His people: “I will bring you home.” The writer is referring to days of King Josiah in Judah, but if we will allow them, they will give us a fresh promise for today. “Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O…….Read More