As we approach the coming season of the commemoration of the crucifixion of the Only Begotten Son of God (Who is Jesus The Christ) and His provision and open display of His perfect love for all people, by His offering complete atonement (i.e. full satisfying payment to God His Father) on behalf of each and everyone who believes in Him, let us consider this MOST IMPORTANT EVENT in the history of time. As we do this, let us make the connection with this fact to our ongoing theme of the year, which is about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ according to Jesus Himself as He stated to His first disciples in John 13:35, which is our annual theme of “Learning to love like Jesus”. “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if ye have love one to another” The true meaning of what Jesus accomplished during His “First Advent” is the MOST BOLD and COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT that God Loves you and me this much, and Jesus does too! Let us have a look today at a topic suited for this wonderful season in a message I have chosen to call: “Love From The Throne Room Leading To The Cross” Old Testament Scripture Reading: Micah 5:1 – 4 (KJV) Mic 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Mic 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Timothy 3:14 – 16 (KJV) 1Ti 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transforming Power Statements: 1) The Old Testament Scriptures are filled with references to the reality that God’s intentions to give His Son, Jesus (The Messiah) had been planned in eternity and through the Holy Scriptures the Holy Trinity was revealed along with the fact that there were no surprises that mankind would fall into sin at the deception of the devil; but God the Son would take on flesh to provide redemption for everyone who believes in Him based on His perfect life and resurrection from the dead. 2) The Prophecy of Micah is one of many Scriptures that show us that Jesus is of “Equal Divinity” of the eternal nature of God the Father and also that He is the “Son of Man”, which is a designation that reveals His humanity, which is for the many reasons required for our salvation such as our need for an “Eternal High Priest” and a “Suitable representative of God” to cure the breach between us and The Holy Father, God Almighty SUCESSFULLY! 3) As the Apostle Paul stated to Timothy, the “Mystery of Godliness” is GREAT; because “God was manifested IN THE FLESH” (Incarnation) “Justified in the Spirit” (which means witnessed or attested to by the support of the Holy Spirit, Who energized all the miracles executed by God the Son while on earth in a self-chosen state of submission to the Father) who is now being “preached not only to the Jews; but also to the Gentiles; and The Messiah having successfully completed everything required to present all who believe in Him to God without a spot or blemish!