Divine Initiative Towards Redemption, Lesson I in Christmas 2025 Series, Eps. 16

Be a Channel for Hope, Grace, and Peace, Lesson III Christmas 2025; Eps

Luke's gospel places emphasis on the outcast of society. It is only in Luke's gospel that we find the parable of Lazarus begging at the gate of the rich man, the widow giving the small change, Mary and Joseph offering the pair of doves and two pigeons when they present the infant Jesus in the temple, an offering subscribed for the poor, and the shepherd at the birth narrative, a group of people at the bottom of the socio-economic tier of society. That Mathew's gospel presents Magi (Gentile foreigners, possibly of means) while Luke presents shepherds demonstrates that Christ is for all people. The birth narrative presents access for all people into the Kingdom of God, granting opportunity for all people to share in the hope and peace of God's Kingdom. As followers of Christ, we are called to be a channel that presents hope, grace, and peace. In this video, I offer a window into my own story, one defined by a health crisis that endured for twenty-three years. During this season of my life, my hope was being siphoned and my peace was dwindling away. God became my only source of hope. My relationships suffered and I had little support. Thus, I have learned the importance of being a channel for exhibiting hope, grace, and peace. No man is an island. Let us extend hope, grace, and peace. 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Colossians 1:27; Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6:18-19; Romans 5:2-5. All Scripture cited is from the New International Version of the Bible #biblestudy #christmas #faith #sermon #hope #chronicfatiguesyndrome #peace

Satan Could not Stop the First Christmas

Satan Could not Stop the First Christmas I. Magi came to Worship Jesus  A. Sincere  B. Discerning C. Humble II. Herod wanted to Murder Jesus A. Idumean B. Executed his first wife C. Executed his first wife's mother and grandfather D. Executed his Three Sons III. Jesus Remains Controversial IV Embrace the Controversy A. Accept that Jesus is Controversial B. Don't be Intiidated C. Be Discerning D. Christian Love is not Accepting Society's Slide into the Sewer F. Don't Capitulate G. Christian Love is Truthtelling

Divine Initiative Towards Redemption, Lesson I in Christmas 2025 Series, Eps. 16

I. God initiated redemption. A. God sent the angel to Mary - Reminds me of the Garden of Eden narrative. In the Garden narrative, God came into the Garden and confronted Adam and Eve and initiated reconciliation. B. Holy Spirit will overshadow Mary - reminiscent of Exodus 40:34 when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Greek word for 'overshadow' is the same word used in Luke 9:34 for the cloud that enveloped them on Mt of transfiguration and in Acts 5:15 for Peter's shadow falling on people and them experiencing healing. C. Will give birth to a son i. Mary is the vehicle of Divine favor - Greek is Charis - meaning grace. This favor is not earned but graciously bestowed and Divinely initiated. ii. This is a Triune Cooperation iii. God cared about the human predicament and the human sphere iv. Expression of Divine tender compassion v. Expression of tangible and evidential love vi. Expresses that God is welcoming and inviting vii. Divine self-limiting - Phil. 2:7 - Jesus emptied himself while also retaining his Deity. Philippians 2:7 - Greek kneosis - 'emptied'. viii. Expression of Divine vulnerability ix. Informs us of the length and depth to which God is willing to go to restore us to relationship with him - yet, we are wholly unworthy. x. The incarnation silences any accusation of alienation on the part of Divine action. II. Human Response A. Mary was greatly troubled B. Mary was invited to participate with God in the redemptive program. C. Mary readily accepted assignment. i. 'Let it be as you say' ii. Joshua 2:21 - Rahab - iii. Scarlet cord iv. Hope for a pious young teenager and for a harlot D. Mary response - trust E Mary's response acknowledges Divine favor F. Mary's response expresses a heavenly perspective i. Earthly perspective would focus on reproach from peers ii. Fear of stoning iii. Rejection iv. Enormous responsibility. G. Mary's response expresses reverence H. The Lord is with you. #biblestudy #christmasstory #hope #characterofgod #sermon #christmas

The Church as a Prophetic Community

Revelation 11, the narrative regarding the two witnesses, has often been misread with a literal interpretation, suggesting that Moses and Elijah will return in the last days. But academic scholarship provides us with a more appropriate and informative interpretation. In this lesson, we explore the two witnesses as a symbol of the church in its prophetic witness. Revelation 1:1 says that this revelation is "to show his servants what must take place." "Show" in the Greek is signify, the root word being "sign," suggesting that what follows are symbols that must be interpreted, setting aside a literal interpretation. That there are two witnesses coincides with Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6d84sx0kY&t=1155s] demanding that there be two witnesses for capital punishment. God is about to exercise capital punishment upon the world, thus the symbol of two witnesses. That they are said to be the two olive trees and the two lampstands, an allusion to Zechariah 4, further informs the interpretation of the two witnesses as being the church in its prophetic witness. The lampstand has already been interpreted as the church in Revelation 1 where Christ is among the seven golden lampstands as the High Priest who is among his church to trim their wicks and replenish their oil, as seen in his critique of the seven churches which follows (Chs. 3-4). The two olive trees suggest an endless supply of oil, aka anointing. God has supplied his church with everything she needs to be effective in the mission of God to the world. The fire comes out of the mouths of the two witnesses is indicative of how they make war. (Whatever is coming out of someone's mouth in the Apocalypse indicates how they make war (e.g. 1:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6d84sx0kY&t=76s] - out of Jesus' mouth is a double edge sword, whereby he cuts down lies, falsehood, and propaganda 9:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6d84sx0kY&t=557s] - the demonic calvary with smoke, sulfur, and fire coming from their mouths, suggesting deceit, falsehood; 12:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6d84sx0kY&t=735s] - the dragon with a river of water coming from his mouth, suggesting a river of lies and propaganda. The role of the church is to proclaim the gospel. Yet, within the assignment of the proclamation of Christ, is also the assignment to speak to and renounce the toxic culture, expose lies, propaganda, and corruption, and to call a wayward society by the God. It is the duty of the church to speak out against sensitive issues in our culture such as abortion, CRT, sexualizing our children, Marxism and communism, etc. This requires three things 1) Courage, 2) Boldness, 3) Truthtelling. Revelation 11 depicts the church engaging society, being the watchmen on the wall (Isaiah 21:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6d84sx0kY&t=1271s]-12). Revelation 11 is such a beautiful passage when interpreted correctly. That the church is depicted through these two powerful witnesses that resemble Moses and Elijah makes this such an astonishing and beautiful literary narrative. It depicts the church in its prophetic function boldly speaking to the culture of its day, calling, informing, and awakening society to the consciousness of God.

The Church is a Mighty Force, Lesson V in Series The Church, Eps. 14

Matthew 16:15-20 - Implies resistance. I. Persecution - Matt. 10:34; Revelation 12- dragon and flood of lies and propaganda; Revelation 13 II. Power - Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4; 39; Acts 4:3, 8, 33; 5:33, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 2:3-5; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:17, 22-23