Advent Myths-DD 12/21/2010

"For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge." Rom 10:2

The season the world celebrates the birth of Christ is to many the most beloved and happiest of all times. People seem to be a bit nicer. The spirit of giving is awakened and so many feel an inner warmth and peace emanating from inside. We truly experience good will toward mankind.

Despite this season based on the bible, there are a healthy number of misconceptions and outright fabrications about what is written there concerning the advent of our Savior:

• Jesus was born on December 25th. In actuality, the bible does not mention the actual date of his birth. Many scholars feel that he was born in the September to October time frame but no one is sure. The bible, however, does mention in Luke 2:8 that there were shepherds in the field at night tending their flocks. During December, the temperature there is freezing with occasional snow. This is not typical pasture weather.
• Jesus was found in a barn full of animals. This is another guess based most likely on the manger, a feeding trough. Nowhere in scripture is a barn mentioned despite one being featured in most nativity scenes. Most animals were kept in caves or open pens. Luke 2:7 simply says that he was in a manger and wrapped in cloths.
• Three Kings were present at Jesus birth. Matt 2:1 mentions that magi came from the east. Magi is the word from which we derive magician. They are also known as wise men. The understanding at the time, was that they were men of astrology and science. They are never referred to as kings in the bible. Further, they are never numbered. Though they brought three gifts, it may have been 2 or 52 magi. Finally, Matt 2:10 says that they were led by a star to the house where the baby was. In fact, it is likely that this occurred as much as two years after the birth. Matt 2:16 says that threatened King Herod began killing boys two years and younger based on the time the magi had told him.

Beloved these are just a few examples of biblical misconceptions. The better we know the word, the more readily we will be able discern truth and recognize error. Only when we have a good understanding of the scriptures can we live lives aligned with them and in turn, correctly share it with others. Nothing less than our very spiritual lives depend on this. Let us not be guilty of having zeal without knowledge.

In Revival,

Lee

Give the Greatest Gift-DD 12/20/2010

"The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." Luke 2:20

There are some 300 prophecies concerning Christ. As hope filled as each of them was, nothing matched the actual announcement of his birth: "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. " This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, " Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:10-14.

The prophecies had been fulfilled. The Messiah had arrived. Reconciliation with God was now possible. The gift of salvation was now available. Our great benefit found its genesis at this moment. The question, then, must be, "what now?"

Beloved, I suggest that we now do what those who first heard the best of all news did. They glorified God, praised Him, and according to verses 17 and 18, they shared the good news with others. You see, it is not important when Christ was born but that he was born. God is surely to be praised for the amazing gift of his only begotten son. For our benefit as well as that of all mankind, it is a gift that can be shared with any and everyone to the glory of God.

As you consider what you will give, consider giving the greatest gift of all: the good news of the Savior.

In Revival,

Lee

The Son of Man-DD 12/17/2010

"Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse." Matt 1:5



No consideration of Christ's birth could be complete without recognition of his lineage. To the glory of God, we know that His Spirit came upon Mary and caused her to give birth to the Savior despite the fact that she was a virgin. Nevertheless, a lineage through Mary and Joseph are provided in the Holy and Divinely inspired scriptures. It requires study that exceeds the scope of this writing to prove that the Luke genealogy went through Mary but suffice it to say that Romans 1:3 unquestioningly shows that Christ is a fleshly descendant of David which would necessarily include Mary.


The point to be made here involves the individuals who are members of that genealogy:

• Tamar (Gen 38:6) was both a deceiver and a Canaanite


• Rahab (Josh 2:1,17) was a harlot and a Canaanite


• Ruth (Book of Ruth) was a Moabite


• Bathsheba (2Sam 11:12,24) was an adulteress and a Hittite


• Solomon was an idolater

Beloved, from this list, it can be seen that God's love covers both sinners and foreigners. He could very easily have inspired a purer genealogy for His only begotten, however, Jesus was sent to be an atoning sacrifice for all mankind. Our entire faith rests on the fact that our Creator put on flesh and came to this earth to save us from ourselves. And he did so, not by being born rich in a palace or as an elitist, far above the reach of the poor and wretched that needed him most. No. Even his lineage contains the poor and wretched. If the Son of Man is of us, surely he is for us. "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Heb 4:15

Let us reflect on this amazing benefit as we consider his birth.

In Revival,

Lee

Advent-DD 12/16/2010

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isa 9:6

It is this, a scripture that is among the greatest and most important prophecies of all time, that heralds the coming of the Messiah: the Savior of all mankind. During this time of year, more than any other time of the year, most of the world turns it's thoughts to the birth of Christ.

The goal is not to debate the timing of the birth of Christ. The bible gives us clues that it probably did not occur during the winter, but does not reveal to us the date or time of his advent. This being the case, it can only be taken that the information is not critical to our salvation or our relationship with the Lord. The relevant issue is that he was born. His birth and life, death and resurrection fulfilled all scripture.

Beloved, regardless of when we mark the time of his arrival, we should always celebrate the fact and more importantly, the result, in our hearts. He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to feed, heal and teach. And he came to prepare us. He came to love.

This (and all) season(s), let us give glory and honor to God for his bountiful gift of the son.

In Revival,

Lee

The Discipline of Godliness-DD 12/15/2010

"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;" 1 Tim 4:7

We live in a world that is all about gratification. Celebrities that make millions and millions of dollars are our heroes. There are television shows and magazines whose whole business is watching and reporting on these people. More often than not, the more reprobate they are, the more viewers, listeners, followers and readers they will generate. Many, in turn, emulate these behaviors in an effort to be like their heroes.

We are called to a different life. When we find ourselves giving in to the desires of our eyes and our flesh and become subject to those things that increase our self importance (the pride of life), we become the enemies of God. We are counseled to resist these things. As Eve found out, they lead to death.

Beloved, we should not aspire to fame and fortune on this earth. Instead we are called upon to store up our riches in heaven. It takes discipline to follow the path less traveled. It takes will to not give in to the sensual. It takes vision to see the benefit of staying in the light. It takes love and faith to remain obedient. We are told in God's word that, "godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" 1 Tim 4:8.

Gaining Understanding-DD 12/14/2010

"And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?" Mark 8:17

Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding 4000 people, including his disciples who ate from the overabundance. He left the area with his disciples and arrived at Dalmanutha where he was challenged by his adversaries who demanded a sign from heaven to prove his claims. Having refused, Jesus decided to go back across the Sea of Galilee toward Bethsaida. Using an analogy, he warned his disciples to "beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." During this important teaching, the disciples were a bit distracted. You see it seems that Jesus' use of yeast in the story reminded them that they had brought no bread with them on their journey.

How often beloved, do we miss the high spiritual messages that the Lord puts right in front of us because we are too concerned about very basic physical needs? It is clear from his use of parables that his messages were often targeted to those who were sincere of heart and discerning in spirit. At least one of these requires that we lift our gaze beyond our stomachs (or other base needs) and attend to the things of God.

Jesus chastises them by questioning their faith in view of the fact that they were so recently fed to the point of satisfaction after witnessing him feeding so many with so little. We, like they, need not worry about that which he supplies in abundance. He knows our needs before we do and he supplies every one. He reminds," ...when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?" And they said to Him, "Seven." And He was saying to them, " Do you not yet understand?" Mark 8:19-21. To be sure, this is a question worth careful consideration.

In Revival,

Lee

Discipleship-DD 12/13/2010

"It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher," Matt 10:25

A man by the name of Dan Seaborn is widely credited with organizing a grassroots campaign that came to be known as "What Would Jesus Do?" back in the 90s. This was not, however, the first time the phrase was heard. In 1896, Charles Sheldon published a book entitled "In His Steps" but was subtitled, "What Would Jesus Do?" It is likely that it was heard even before that. Clever slogans and book titles do not the Christian faith make, though even the most casual adherent can certainly appreciate the sentiment behind it.

To be a disciple is simply to be a learner or pupil. In order to be a disciple of our Lord we must first be willing to learn from him. God, in his great benevolence has supplied us with everything we need in the person of the Holy Spirit and the word of the bible. The more we attend to it, the more we learn about Jesus. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we can become like him.

Beloved, learning is not the entirety of the matter. Along with learning, there must be doing. It does us no good to ask what Jesus would do in any given situation if we are not willing to do likewise. Our highest goal, privilege and blessing is to be like our Savior. From our studies, we know what Jesus did. We can take principles from what he did in order to determine what he would do. Only when we do what he did and would do to the best of our ability are we truly his disciples.

In Revival,

Lee