Merry Christmas to all from Straight Gate Ministries and St. Timothy M.B. Church and Pastor Landis Fisher and his family and staff! As the Christmas holiday draws near, Pastor Fisher is presenting a special topical series on the first advent of Messiah. Please listen in today as Pastor Fisher teaches the first installment in this topical series with a special message he has titled: ” Sharing the Gift of Christ Jesus”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:10 – 14 (KJV)
Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Isa 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isa 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:16 – 23 (KJV)
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) As we consider the tragedy and plight of fallen mankind and the fact that there was no other possibility from God’s perspective except eternal hell and total damnation because all have been tainted with the Adamic curse of sin, it is amazing to see that God’s solution was motivated by His great love, wherewith He loved us by providing the greatest gifts in all of time His Only-begotten Son, Christ Jesus, to deliver all who believe in Him and trust Him for their salvation.
2) Unlike most gifts given to us, the gift of Jesus the Christ, has been given expressly for the purpose of being given away to others, which is the very privilege and duty of the Church as long as it remains in all of time, and is the very best gift of all to everyone who receives it.
3) The Christmas season is the selected time of celebration of this marvelous reality, and therefore, should also be the time of sharing the gift of Christ Jesus even more and ever increasing as time draws nearer to His return to rule the with a rod of iron.
