1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,000 We're going to go to the Lord in prayer. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:09,920 I want to preach to you on a thought this morning. 3 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:16,040 The theme for myself this Christmas season has been the light. 4 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:25,000 So this morning we're going to look at for a few moments the light that overcomes fear. 5 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,680 The light that overcomes fear. 6 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:34,680 Now, I'll pray for you if you pray for me. 7 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:44,680 Since last Sunday I have been down and thankful for the Lord's strength to be here this morning. 8 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,680 How many of you ever heard the saying, weak is water? 9 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:55,680 Well this is water's standing week. 10 00:00:55,680 --> 00:01:02,680 So I'm going to be totally dependent upon my helper this morning. 11 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:08,680 But I think the Lord's given me a little nugget for us today. 12 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:15,680 Earlier on in the month getting to this Sunday I thought, well we'll just sing. 13 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:21,680 Then we'll just have communion and we'll just go to house and everybody can do what they got to do. 14 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:28,680 Well you're still going to do what you're going to do regardless if we just hurry up and got out of here. 15 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:35,680 So I think you got up, got cleaned up, got ready for a little bit more than a hurry up. 16 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:37,680 I mean come on. 17 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:42,680 Pardon the pun but it took some of you longer to get your face on. 18 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:47,680 Then it would have took us to have service and if I'd have let you go 19 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:54,680 quicker than it took you to get it all on you'd have been disappointed. 20 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:57,680 So I don't want to disappoint you. I do that enough. 21 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:03,680 So the Lord's given me a little nugget for us today and I'll pray for you if you pray for me. 22 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,680 Father I love you. I thank you for your mercy and your grace. 23 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,680 I thank you for the strength to be in your house today Lord. 24 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,680 Thank you for your grace, your mercy and your love. 25 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:17,680 And truly Lord we do adore you. We adore you. 26 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:26,680 And we adorn you today with the worship of our heart, with our hands and the worship of our lips. 27 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:31,680 We love you. I love you Lord. 28 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:38,680 Bless our time together. In Jesus name everybody say amen and amen. 29 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:42,680 As you're being seated just real quickly when I finish preaching this morning 30 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:49,680 they're going to get the lights turned down and we're going to get the real candles lit 31 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:53,680 and we're going to have communion. 32 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:57,680 Y'all can sit down. I already let everybody else sit down. 33 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:06,680 Since you're jovial I'll tell you before I get started with the laughter. 34 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:14,680 The reason I mentioned lighting the real candles, yesterday morning was the first day 35 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:22,680 that we'd been out of the house all week other than a real quick trip to town for medicine and back home. 36 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:26,680 And so Sister Kathy and I was here trying to get the table set up. 37 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:30,680 I couldn't find what I was looking for and got about half frustrated. 38 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:37,680 And I told her, I said, I cannot set the Lord's table frustrated. Let's go and come back and do it later. 39 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:45,680 So the later never happened. By the time we left my sisters and our family Christmas and we got home 40 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,680 the water wasn't even weak enough to stand. 41 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:54,680 So I hit my chair and as far as I got, turned that over to Sister Eric and Sister Robin. 42 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,680 They come in and did a wonderful job. 43 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:02,680 So this is one of the things that I love to do. I love to set the Lord's table. 44 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:11,680 Forever minister in the house, it just means something when you do that. 45 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:17,680 It just seems as though it's one of our priestly duties to sit the table. 46 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,680 But I wasn't able to sit the table. 47 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:28,680 So Sister Erica, I remembered this morning after a terrible occasion. 48 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:34,680 She told me last week she had some of those pretty electric candles with the batteries in them. 49 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:39,680 We wouldn't have to use the real one. I forgot that. I barely got here. 50 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:48,680 So this morning when I got here, about twenty-half to six, I came in and everything was sitting just lovely. 51 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,680 Years ago I learned a lesson the hard way. 52 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:56,680 You have to pre-light candles if you want them to light quickly when you need them. 53 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:58,680 Ladies, you with me? 54 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:05,680 So I had my lighter and I started on that end and I was trying to get the lights the way I wanted them. 55 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,680 So it was about a little dark down here. 56 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:13,680 So I start over here and I start lighting candles, three on each table all the way across. 57 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:19,680 So I get over here and I got that last candle lit and I look back and black smoke is just a bullet. 58 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,680 And them candles are flaming about that high. 59 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,680 I didn't have my glasses on when I lit them. 60 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:32,680 And it looked like there was just a lot of wax around the wick and I thought, well, it will melt off. 61 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:44,680 Honey, I'm telling you, I set them plastic candles on fire this morning. 62 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,680 The time I got to that when that first one down there had a flame at high. 63 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,680 Black smoke rolling. 64 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:59,680 So if you need an itemized report next year, if I do a report, there will be a slot on our sister Erica's candles. 65 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:05,680 Replaced. 66 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:09,680 I'm still in a fog. It's still foggy where I'm living. 67 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,680 And I'm going down each table and there's batteries laying on each table. 68 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:19,680 I thought, well, they left batteries laying on. 69 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:27,680 So if you smell something, smell like burnt plastic, it is. 70 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,680 How many of my Lord most people wouldn't want you to know that. 71 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,680 But hey, you were laughing. I thought, well, it's going to happen right now. 72 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,680 It's the time to do it. 73 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:40,680 That's my world. I've been in this week. 74 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:43,680 I'm talking about a fog. Oh, thank you, Lord. 75 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:48,680 It's clearing, though. Amen. 76 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:55,680 If you have your Bibles, let's look at that passage where Pastor Brian started reading in Luke, 77 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:58,680 Luke two this morning. 78 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,680 Matter of fact, we're just going to be skipping around a bit. 79 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:09,680 And we just ask the Lord to help us today as we preach what he's laid on our heart. Amen. 80 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:14,680 We'll be bouncing around through the story. 81 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,680 But Brian's ready to get this thing over with. I wouldn't even go have you stand up. 82 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:26,680 Yeah. 83 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:35,680 I was about to say, if you would just remain seated and pray with me, I'm not going to bounce all over and read the text. 84 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:39,680 And read all the text. 85 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:44,680 I'm going to preach on the thought. 86 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:48,680 Oh, the light that overcomes fear through the Christmas story. 87 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,680 Let's let's pray again. 88 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:53,680 Hey, Lord, we got to get serious now. 89 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:55,680 We're going to sit at the table. 90 00:07:55,680 --> 00:08:00,680 But, you know, sometimes a merry heart do good like a medicine. Amen. 91 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:05,680 And I needed a good dose this morning, even though most of it was on me. 92 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,680 That's all right. Father, I love you today. 93 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,680 Oh, for the joy that's in the house, the joy, your joy, 94 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:15,680 full of glory, unspeakable. 95 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:22,680 And we realize that, Lord, as we've we've have sang the song and the declaration joy to the world. 96 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:27,680 And, Lord, we experience and encounter the Christ like joy this morning. 97 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,680 The household of faith, the family of God together. 98 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:35,680 Now, Lord, help us in our time as we endeavor to minister that which you've laid upon our heart. 99 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:38,680 We'll be quick to praise you for it all. Christ's lovely name. 100 00:08:38,680 --> 00:08:43,680 The church said, a man and a man. 101 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:49,680 There's an often a message that is often kindly overlooked of Christmas. 102 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:58,680 And that that message is the fear not that you discover as you read the various narratives of the Christmas story. 103 00:08:58,680 --> 00:09:07,680 One of the most frequent commands of scripture that you'll find is the phrase fear not in one fashion or another. 104 00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:16,680 Be not afraid. Fear not. And over and over it is mentioned that command is given three hundred and sixty five times throughout scripture. 105 00:09:16,680 --> 00:09:24,680 So I think with a command that is given that often and mentioned that often for our calendar, it's one fear not for every day of the year. 106 00:09:24,680 --> 00:09:31,680 Amen. It's one for every day that we arise and every day that we face what's going on in front of us. 107 00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:39,680 This this multiplied command in its forms that are given. 108 00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:47,680 The reason being is that we as humans are very much prone to forget the fact that we don't have to be afraid. 109 00:09:47,680 --> 00:09:58,680 And that being because we live in a world that is very dangerous and that we face a relentless foe that is out to seek to kill and to destroy. 110 00:09:58,680 --> 00:10:02,680 So, pastor, I thought you was going to preach a Christmas message. I am. 111 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:09,680 But even though that we get caught up in the joy and we should and even though we declare peace on earth. 112 00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:21,680 Amen. And even though we think about the silent night that was not so silent for the heavens were filled and a host was declaring and angels were giving messages out that the son of God was born. 113 00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:29,680 He meant. But we live in a world that is inundated with evil and many are overcome by evil. 114 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:33,680 But I'm here to tell you, the light came into the world to dissipate evil. 115 00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:41,680 Amen. That's been my whole theme this whole time. This whole season is that the light shines in the darkness. 116 00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:45,680 The more you watch the news every day, the darker our culture seems to be getting. 117 00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:49,680 The darkness seems to be invading. But that's OK. 118 00:10:49,680 --> 00:10:56,680 Let the enemy try. Let the enemy endeavor. He's been as dark as it's ever going to be and then never be as dark as it has been. 119 00:10:56,680 --> 00:11:00,680 We've come through the dark ages when the voice of God was silent. 120 00:11:00,680 --> 00:11:04,680 And through those dark ages now, the voice of God lifts a clarion call. 121 00:11:04,680 --> 00:11:10,680 Let those who are on earth realize and realize that there is peace available for them. 122 00:11:10,680 --> 00:11:16,680 So it doesn't matter how much darkness the enemy tries to invade your life or my life with. 123 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:20,680 God has already given the light. The light has come. 124 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:25,680 We started out with Isaiah when they when Isaiah would prophesy about that. 125 00:11:25,680 --> 00:11:28,680 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 126 00:11:28,680 --> 00:11:34,680 And those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has the light shown. 127 00:11:34,680 --> 00:11:42,680 Can I tell you, we've been in dark times, but the light is now shown and the world can see it if they desire to look for it. 128 00:11:42,680 --> 00:11:49,680 Here is the dilemma that we live in too many in the world today are desiring darkness over the light. 129 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:55,680 And I just want to declare something this morning. They can have it. They can have it. 130 00:11:55,680 --> 00:11:59,680 God is not going to go against their heart. God's not going to go against their will. 131 00:11:59,680 --> 00:12:02,680 And he's not going to force them into the light. 132 00:12:02,680 --> 00:12:07,680 He will let all of mankind dwell in the darkness of their heart and that which they so desire. 133 00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:14,680 But they do not have to dwell in that darkness because the light of man has shown already. 134 00:12:14,680 --> 00:12:21,680 And we're declaring that on this Christmas Eve, the night the cross child was born, the light came into this world. 135 00:12:21,680 --> 00:12:27,680 There was the glory of God that shined and prevailed over the darkness of the hillside where the shepherds dwelt. 136 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:33,680 And the light has come not only to them, but the good news of great tidings of great joy has now proclaimed. 137 00:12:33,680 --> 00:12:38,680 Mankind can live in darkness if he desires, but he does not have to. 138 00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:42,680 It's not a forced darkness just like it's not a forced light. 139 00:12:42,680 --> 00:12:45,680 It is a will of a man's heart. 140 00:12:45,680 --> 00:12:51,680 But I am so grateful that God the Father, who is the light and the radiant one, has so desired 141 00:12:51,680 --> 00:12:56,680 that he dispatched and placed and dispensed upon this world his only begotten son. 142 00:12:56,680 --> 00:13:02,680 But not only that, his only begotten son who gave his life on Calvary's hill. 143 00:13:02,680 --> 00:13:08,680 He said, it's expedient that I go away because if I don't go away, the spirit cannot come. 144 00:13:08,680 --> 00:13:11,680 But when I'm gone, he's coming back. 145 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:13,680 There is another just like me. 146 00:13:13,680 --> 00:13:15,680 There's a comforter about to make his way. 147 00:13:15,680 --> 00:13:20,680 I'm here to tell you that the comforter is the one who radiates the light to lost humanity. 148 00:13:20,680 --> 00:13:25,680 And Christmas is the reason the war is against Christmas is because it's against the light. 149 00:13:25,680 --> 00:13:29,680 Man would rather dwell in darkness than to dwell in light. 150 00:13:29,680 --> 00:13:33,680 But I'm here looking at some people this morning on a Christmas Eve Sunday. 151 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:38,680 Instead of staying at home with the bacon and the pancakes, have God got your due on 152 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:40,680 and got yourself prepared. 153 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:45,680 And you've come to the house of the Lord that we may adore him in the glory of his light 154 00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:48,680 and the light of his son who is the light of men. 155 00:13:48,680 --> 00:13:50,680 Oh, John declared it, amen. 156 00:13:50,680 --> 00:13:55,680 In that beginning was the word and the word was light and the word was life. 157 00:13:55,680 --> 00:14:01,680 And the light of men was in them deposited because of that wonderful incarnating fact 158 00:14:01,680 --> 00:14:10,680 when the Holy Ghost moved upon a virgin. 159 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:15,680 Well, hallelujah. 160 00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:22,680 The Christmas story is filled and inundated with encouragement 161 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:26,680 over and over to fear not. 162 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:31,680 And it's there for a reason. 163 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,680 And I emphasize the word for. 164 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:43,680 All the characters of or in or around the narrative were given the same instruction. 165 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:45,680 Fear not. 166 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:51,680 It is part of our church and the liturgical church is part of the tradition 167 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:54,680 to do the advent candle. 168 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:56,680 And there is a various lighting. 169 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:57,680 There's four candles. 170 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:03,680 There's three purple or two purple, one pink and one white in the traditional advent candles 171 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:04,680 as they are lit. 172 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,680 That purple is there to represent repentance. 173 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:11,680 It's there that is to remind us that there was a sacrifice that was given. 174 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:16,680 So we light that first candle and that first candle is lit with the repentance 175 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:20,680 and the repentance of our reminding of the Old Testament prophets. 176 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,680 And we can go back and we've already touched on Isaiah. 177 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:27,680 And there were so many more who would let us know that the Christ was coming, 178 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:32,680 that the Christ child was coming, that the Redeemer would be on his way. 179 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:34,680 That second candle is Bethlehem's candle. 180 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:36,680 It's a purple candle as well. 181 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:39,680 It is a reminder that we need to repent. 182 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:45,680 And it is a reminder of God's sacrifice for us, but also our sacrifice for him. 183 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,680 We are to be living sacrifice. 184 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:48,680 Can I get a witness? 185 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,680 There are to be living sacrifices today. 186 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:55,680 And that's you and I who would bring about the fruit of our sacrifice 187 00:15:55,680 --> 00:16:00,680 with the joy that is on our lips and the applause that is on our hand 188 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:02,680 that we would glorify him. 189 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,680 We come before him with a sacrifice of praise. 190 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:09,680 Could somebody offer him up a sacrifice of praise this morning? 191 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,680 Could somebody give him an audible thank you, Jesus? 192 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:15,680 Could somebody give him an audible praise, Lord? 193 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:19,680 Could somebody give him that which is due him? 194 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:22,680 These candles are lit as a reminder constantly to you and I. 195 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:27,680 And I'm not one to get into the liturgical things of church. 196 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,680 I fight against some of that sometime. 197 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:38,680 But it is that tradition that is brought in to ever be a reminder for the church. 198 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:42,680 The reason I kick against some of those traditions is because we'll fall in love 199 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:50,680 more with a purple candle or a pink candle and we lose the central message 200 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,680 of what it's all about. 201 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:59,680 And I've seen more of that than the positive side. 202 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:07,680 So I lean a little bit to the other side of the liturgical traditions of the church. 203 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:15,680 That third candle is lit is the pink candle, known as the shepherd's candle. 204 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:18,680 The shepherd candle represents joy. 205 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:23,680 It's the color pink to remind us of a rose and that roses bring joy. 206 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,680 February's coming, gentlemen. 207 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,680 Write that down as a note. 208 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,680 Roses bring joy. 209 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:36,680 As Bethlehem's candle reminds us of the journey, 210 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,680 that pink candle reminds us of the joy. 211 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:45,680 Can I tell you the joy was not only ours, it wasn't only received of the shepherds, 212 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,680 but the joy was his. 213 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:52,680 For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross. 214 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:54,680 We don't hear him talk about enduring a manger. 215 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:58,680 We don't hear him talking about enduring the journey to Bethlehem, 216 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:02,680 how rough it might have been on his mother getting there or getting home. 217 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:07,680 What we hear about is the joy that was set before him, which was the cross of Calvary. 218 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:13,680 And I'm so thankful today that he made his way to a manger through Galilee and beyond 219 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,680 and all the way to Galgotha's hillside. 220 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:20,680 And from Galgotha's hillside to that old borrowed tomb, 221 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,680 and from the borrowed tomb back from where he came, 222 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,680 he's now again at the right hand of the Father. 223 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:32,680 And if there's a candle lit for joy, it's joy unspeakable and full of glory. 224 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:37,680 The fourth candle being the white candle for purity, which represents Christ himself. 225 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,680 And I don't know that I have to go into that too deep, 226 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:45,680 because I truly think we all realize that he was the sinless sacrifice. 227 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:53,680 He had no sin, and he bore in his own body the sin that you and I are bidding about. 228 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:56,680 We come into this world with and we commit from day to day. 229 00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:00,680 But I'm so thankful that there is a call in which we can have, 230 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:05,680 and that is that repentant purple reminder that we repent on a daily basis. 231 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:07,680 Oh, I'm here to encourage you. 232 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:10,680 You keep on repenting. You keep on asking for forgiveness. 233 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:16,680 Because when you do that, that joy of that pink candle will begin to illuminate in your heart. 234 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:22,680 And that illumination of joy will always remind you of the purity of Christ's sacrifice for you and for your sins. 235 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,680 I don't know about you, but I know what I was. 236 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:29,680 I know who I was. I know what price he had to pay. 237 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:34,680 And it truly took his purity to cover the sins and to wash my sins away. 238 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:39,680 I'm grateful today they're not just covered, but my God, they've been removed. 239 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:44,680 Hey, I'm telling you, it's better than any Mr. Clean Scrub sponge. 240 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,680 He got a hold of me with the purity of his royal blood. 241 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:52,680 And because of that wonderful night in Bethlehem, because of the stars shining, 242 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:58,680 and because of the angels singing, it was about the message from the messenger. 243 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,680 His purity is upon the earth. 244 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:07,680 So here we are with our liturgy of how we go about understanding who Christ is. 245 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,680 And it's a constant reminder of the Christmas story. 246 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:17,680 And again, I say it is filled with the insightful instruction and encouragement to not be afraid. 247 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:24,680 If we look at our world today, it isn't hard to kind of get a little anxious thought from time to time. 248 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:30,680 Hello? Oh, I know some of the E's on people's mind now that the trumpet hadn't already sounded 249 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:35,680 since Jerusalem has been at war, since Israel's been at war. 250 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,680 Oh, I can remember those first few weeks after that first shot was fired, 251 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:43,680 after Hamas come in, everybody began to think, is this it? Is this it? Is this it? 252 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,680 Is it going to happen? Is it going to happen? Is the Lord coming right now? 253 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:48,680 Is this good? It could be tomorrow. 254 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,680 And so we get anxious about the events of prophecy. 255 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:53,680 But no, it's more than that. 256 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,680 We get anxious about the events of our surrounding. 257 00:20:56,680 --> 00:21:00,680 We see how dark and how dim our country's topsy-turvy, 258 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:05,680 our country's political realm is upside down and getting crazier by the day. 259 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:09,680 And the more I look at it, yes, I begin to get a little bit anxious, 260 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:13,680 not worried over it, but anxious for His coming. Hallelujah. 261 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,680 I get a little more anxious every day. Amen. 262 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:27,680 I'd rather watch the green arrow as to watch Fox News. 263 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,680 Because all it is is the enemy now again trying to inundate with fear. 264 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:34,680 Oh, you're not going to make it. You're not going to have this. 265 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,680 You're not going to take your job. Your job's going away. 266 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:38,680 This is going to happen. That's going to happen. 267 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:40,680 Let me tell you, all of that can happen, 268 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:44,680 and it still won't change the fact that God still sits upon the throne. 269 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:48,680 We have our liturgy to remind us of the faithfulness of God. 270 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,680 It's the faithfulness of the prophecy. 271 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,680 It's the faithfulness of repentance and cleanliness given. 272 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:56,680 Amen. It's the faithfulness knowing that on our journey, 273 00:21:56,680 --> 00:22:00,680 He will always be present, and always not only present, 274 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:04,680 of our time, joy can come in spite of happiness. 275 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:08,680 Oh, I'm here to tell you, you can be full of joy and not be happy. 276 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,680 Oh, my, my, my, happiness is a circumstance 277 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:13,680 related to events that take place around us. 278 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:18,680 But joy has nothing to do with the events of my day tomorrow 279 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:20,680 or how sick I was last week. 280 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:23,680 The joy that I have in my soul is in this knowing 281 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,680 that He bought the price and paid it for me. 282 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:30,680 I am saying that I may be full of joy in knowing 283 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,680 that this Christmas yuletide season is a proclamation of His birth, 284 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,680 and His proclamation of His advent and His birth 285 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:41,680 gives me hope for the prophecy of the advent of His return, 286 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,680 because I'm here to tell you, He is coming back, 287 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,680 and He's coming back in glory. 288 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:58,680 He's coming back full in power, and I don't have to be afraid 289 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:03,680 of whatever may come. 290 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:10,680 All of the characters around the story heard fear not from the messenger. 291 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:17,680 In Genesis 1.13, we have the story and the narrative. 292 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:22,680 Zacharias, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth. 293 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:24,680 You say, well, that's not part of the Christmas story. 294 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:28,680 Oh, yes, it is, because you see, she's about to bring John, 295 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,680 the last of the Old Testament prophets, into the world, 296 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:37,680 who was not the light, but was the forerunner of the light. 297 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:42,680 About six months prior to Mary's conception, 298 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:46,680 old Zacharias, the lot was drawn. 299 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:47,680 It was his time. 300 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,680 It was his division of the family, and he was going in, 301 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:54,680 and the lot was drawn for him to go in and offer incense in the temple. 302 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:56,680 My Lord, that's an honor. 303 00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:59,680 Probably only come once, maybe twice in the lifetime of a priest 304 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:03,680 as it's rotated around, but the lot fell on him. 305 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,680 Can I tell you, God doesn't do anything by accident. 306 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:08,680 Everybody needs to hear that in this house this morning. 307 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,680 The favor that's about to come your way isn't an accident. 308 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:16,680 God, who orders the steps of a good man every day, 309 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:19,680 of a good woman every day, he's got your steps ordered. 310 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:22,680 It just so happened that it was ordered that Zacharias, 311 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,680 it would be his time to come in and offer up the incense. 312 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,680 Can you imagine coming before the altar of the Lord, 313 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:32,680 and you're setting a blaze and setting a flame, 314 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:35,680 and bringing the incense unto Jehovah God? 315 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:37,680 Oh, come on, somebody. 316 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:39,680 Oh, and that's what we do on a weekly basis. 317 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,680 We come in here, and we offer the incense of praise. 318 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,680 We come in here, and we offer the incense of prayer, 319 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:48,680 and we lift it up before the Lord, but he's there with incense, 320 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,680 the sweet smelling savor, and he's come before the Lord. 321 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:55,680 And while he's there, all of a sudden, Gabriel appears, 322 00:24:55,680 --> 00:25:00,680 this angel appears before him, and let's read here just a little bit. 323 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:01,680 Let's read just a little bit. 324 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:05,680 As that angel comes and stands before him, 325 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,680 as the angel comes and stands before him, 326 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,680 as he's there at the altar, there's something that happens. 327 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:14,680 Zacharias, the priest, encountered Gabriel, God's messenger. 328 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,680 He was troubled, and fear fell on him, 329 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,680 but the angel said unto him, fear not. 330 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:23,680 Now, you've got to get a little understanding here. 331 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:28,680 What he saw was not what we portray as angels today. 332 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,680 He's not some little Tinkerbell angel with wings on his back. 333 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,680 Gabriel come, if you'll read the account, 334 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,680 Gabriel come from standing in the presence of the Lord. 335 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,680 Gabriel is a warring angel, and all of a sudden, 336 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:44,680 here's a man of war standing in the temple 337 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:46,680 who had been in the presence of the Lord. 338 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:49,680 And here's old Zacharias, he's an old man, 339 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:51,680 and he's lighting the incense, 340 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:54,680 and now there's something that begins to happen. 341 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:57,680 Here stands the angel, the messenger of the Lord. 342 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:00,680 He was not no wink-whiplish-de-thing. 343 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,680 He was a man, he was a man-angel, my God. 344 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,680 He was a warring angel, and he stands, 345 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:11,680 and all of a sudden, he gives a message to an old man. 346 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:14,680 Fear not. 347 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:21,680 Now, I don't know if that calmed his nerves or not. 348 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:26,680 I'd probably still been shaking. 349 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:28,680 He wasn't seeing no little old weak something. 350 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:31,680 He's seeing the angel of the Lord. 351 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:38,680 Gabriel, who had been standing in the presence of the Lord, 352 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:43,680 got from the lips of the Father, go down and talk to Zacharias. 353 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:45,680 I've got a message for him, 354 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:47,680 and the first thing I want him to know is 355 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:50,680 is he does not have to be afraid of you, 356 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:54,680 and he doesn't have to be afraid of me. 357 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:56,680 And then that little three-letter word, 358 00:26:56,680 --> 00:26:58,680 four, fear not. 359 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:00,680 Here comes the context. 360 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:04,680 He said, four, your prayer has been heard. 361 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:06,680 My God, somebody in here needs to hear 362 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,680 a Christmas message this morning. 363 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:10,680 You don't have to be afraid. 364 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:12,680 You don't need an angel to tell you. 365 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:14,680 God himself is telling you there's something 366 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,680 that's already been declared in your life and in your spirit, 367 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:19,680 and you don't have to be afraid, 368 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:21,680 for your prayer has been heard. 369 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:23,680 My God, you've been praying. 370 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:26,680 You've been seeking God this live long year, 371 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:30,680 but I'm here to tell you today that God has heard your prayer. 372 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:35,680 I'm here to tell you today that God knows what you're going through. 373 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:51,680 Oh, listen to me, my brother, while I got you on the phone. 374 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:55,680 God is going to send you a word. 375 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:57,680 God has already sent you a message. 376 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:01,680 The angel of the Lord has come from the presence of God, 377 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:07,680 and he said, fear not, four, your prayer has already been heard. 378 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,680 Your wife Elizabeth is going to have a baby, 379 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,680 and you're going to call him John. 380 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:29,680 Scripture said that Zechariah was troubled. 381 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:33,680 He was troubled. 382 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:38,680 Fear fell on him, but then he got his answer, 383 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:44,680 fear not, four, thy prayer has been heard. 384 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:47,680 Somebody need to know that this morning. 385 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:48,680 Don't be scared. 386 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:50,680 You don't have to be scared. 387 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:52,680 Your prayer has been heard. 388 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:59,680 You don't have to let the trouble of life weigh you down and overwhelm you. 389 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:03,680 I saw some of you translating that word scared. 390 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:08,680 If you need help, y'all go ahead and help them, it's around you. 391 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:13,680 Translate that redneck, the vine knackler. 392 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:20,680 I wasn't known as a redneck theologian at seminary for nothing. 393 00:29:20,680 --> 00:29:23,680 You don't have to be afraid anymore. 394 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,680 God's heard your prayer. 395 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:29,680 What does that mean, act like it? 396 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:32,680 Don't pull a Zechariah. 397 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,680 He was troubled and he stumbled in a little bit of doubt. 398 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:41,680 Well, how can this be? 399 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:43,680 Hey, I'm old and she's old. 400 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:45,680 My Lord, if anybody ought to knew the story, 401 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:50,680 Zechariah ought to knew the story of Abraham and Sarah. 402 00:29:50,680 --> 00:29:53,680 And if God can do it once, he can do it again. 403 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:55,680 And let me just tell you something, 404 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:57,680 if you've never heard of yours being done, 405 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:00,680 he can do yours and it be the first one. 406 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:01,680 Hallelujah. 407 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:04,680 There's nothing impossible for those that believe, 408 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:06,680 but the key to this is believing. 409 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:07,680 You got to keep on believing. 410 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:09,680 You got to keep on trusting. 411 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:11,680 Even though trouble is all around you, 412 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:13,680 even though trouble is set in on your life, 413 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,680 get yourself up and get yourself out. 414 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:21,680 And don't be afraid because he's already proclaimed it over your life. 415 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:27,680 Your prayer has been heard. 416 00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:30,680 Zechariah had one job to do. 417 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:40,680 It was get home to Sister Elizabeth. 418 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:48,680 Should have had children's shirts to date. 419 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:56,680 Well, at least they're hearing it from up here, not on their phone. 420 00:30:56,680 --> 00:31:03,680 He had one job to do. 421 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:07,680 The light that overcomes fear. 422 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:10,680 You don't have to be afraid. 423 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:12,680 You continue on in that passage in Luke, 424 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:16,680 that first chapter you make your way to verse 30. 425 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:21,680 And in that 30th verse you hear Gabriel's visit to Mary. 426 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:24,680 That little maid, that little handmaid, 427 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:27,680 that little visit to that little handmaid. 428 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:30,680 And when God visits the little handmaid, 429 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:34,680 when the messenger stands before her, she too is troubled. 430 00:31:34,680 --> 00:31:36,680 I'll read it. 431 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:40,680 Verse 29, when she sees him, she is troubled. 432 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:43,680 When she sees Gabriel, she is troubled. 433 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:44,680 She gets shuddered. 434 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:45,680 She gets fearful. 435 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:47,680 What is it that I've done? 436 00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:50,680 You got to remember the day and time in which Mary is in. 437 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:52,680 Oh, she's in an anti-woman world. 438 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:54,680 That's what the feminists say today. 439 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:57,680 But there she was and something was about to happen to her. 440 00:31:57,680 --> 00:32:00,680 And she heard the message from the messenger. 441 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:02,680 Let me tell you, God never sends a messenger 442 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:04,680 unless he sends him with a message. 443 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:06,680 If an angel ever stands up in front of you, 444 00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:09,680 shut your mouth and listen to what he's got to say. 445 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:12,680 Because God has dispatched him in your direction. 446 00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:14,680 Here's this little handmaid. 447 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:18,680 And now she's troubled because standing before her is Gabriel. 448 00:32:18,680 --> 00:32:20,680 The same guy that scared Zacharias 449 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:23,680 is standing in front of this little teenage maiden. 450 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:25,680 And now she's about to hear something 451 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:27,680 that's going to rock her world. 452 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:29,680 The first message he gives her is, 453 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,680 Hell, oh, pay attention, listen closely. 454 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:36,680 Oh, you who have found favor in the eyes of God, 455 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:39,680 my, my, my, my, what has that got to do with me? 456 00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:40,680 Who am I? 457 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:42,680 Here, Mary, is what's going to happen to you. 458 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:44,680 The Holy Ghost is going to come upon you. 459 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:47,680 And after the Holy Ghost has come upon you, 460 00:32:47,680 --> 00:32:51,680 you're going to conceive, and that which is conceived in you 461 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:54,680 is going to be the Son of the living God. 462 00:32:54,680 --> 00:32:56,680 And you're going to bring him in. 463 00:32:56,680 --> 00:32:58,680 And you're going to, come on now. 464 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:01,680 It's that wonderful message of fear not. 465 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:03,680 The angel said to her, fear not. 466 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:05,680 But now we get her what for. 467 00:33:05,680 --> 00:33:07,680 Her what for is this, 468 00:33:07,680 --> 00:33:11,680 for thou hast found favor in the eyes of God. 469 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:13,680 Oh, let me tell you something this morning. 470 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:16,680 You have found favor in the eyes of God 471 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,680 by virtue of you being in his house today. 472 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:21,680 His favor is extended over your life. 473 00:33:21,680 --> 00:33:25,680 The Greek word there, charis, denotes understanding 474 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:31,680 and disposition, an undeserved disposition toward someone. 475 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:36,680 Undeserved actions, listen, of love and compassion 476 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:41,680 that originate from within the heart and the will of the giver. 477 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:43,680 Let me do that one more time. 478 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:47,680 This charis, this favor, it denotes 479 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:51,680 undeserved disposition toward someone. 480 00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:54,680 Undeserved actions of love and compassion 481 00:33:54,680 --> 00:33:59,680 that originate from within the heart and will of the giver. 482 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:02,680 And the angel's message was heard to her this, 483 00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:05,680 for thou hast found favor with God, 484 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:09,680 the one whose will is about to be bestowed upon her. 485 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:12,680 This undeserved favor, this undeserved love, 486 00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:15,680 oh, my, my, my, he said you have found favor. 487 00:34:15,680 --> 00:34:18,680 God is going to denote to you his will. 488 00:34:18,680 --> 00:34:20,680 He has chosen to bless your life. 489 00:34:20,680 --> 00:34:22,680 He has chosen you. 490 00:34:22,680 --> 00:34:25,680 Can I tell somebody, if you're here this morning 491 00:34:25,680 --> 00:34:28,680 under the sound of my voice, and if he's calling you as a sinner, 492 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:31,680 oh, my Lord, favor has come your way this morning. 493 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:35,680 If you feel the sin of your heart echoing through the chambers of your soul, 494 00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:38,680 it's because the hand of the Spirit of God 495 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:40,680 is knocking and drawing your attention 496 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:44,680 that lets you know favor is being extended towards you. 497 00:34:44,680 --> 00:34:47,680 Now, to those of us this morning who have already accepted 498 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:50,680 the favor that has been denoted upon us, 499 00:34:50,680 --> 00:34:53,680 can somebody give him a good praise in his house 500 00:34:53,680 --> 00:34:55,680 because we have heard the declaration, 501 00:34:55,680 --> 00:34:58,680 fear not, folks, somebody needs to know it today. 502 00:34:58,680 --> 00:35:00,680 You don't have to be afraid of life. 503 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:02,680 You don't have to be afraid of the events of life 504 00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:06,680 and the circumstances of life because favor is being put upon you. 505 00:35:06,680 --> 00:35:09,680 His will is the will of the giver. 506 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:12,680 It's the will and the favor of the giver, 507 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:15,680 and it is God with God. 508 00:35:15,680 --> 00:35:22,680 He is the giver. 509 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:26,680 You don't have to be afraid. 510 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:29,680 You don't have to be afraid. 511 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:37,680 Well, I'm going to be an unwed pregnant lady in a society 512 00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:40,680 that may stone me to death. 513 00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:43,680 Don't be afraid. 514 00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:47,680 Can I tell you if the messenger tells you that, you can take it. 515 00:35:47,680 --> 00:35:51,680 And if the messenger tells you you have found favor, 516 00:35:51,680 --> 00:35:54,680 don't worry about any stones 517 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:57,680 because they're not going to come against you. 518 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,680 Doesn't mean you may not get thrown down in the street. 519 00:36:00,680 --> 00:36:04,680 Oh, do I have to preach a little of that this morning. 520 00:36:04,680 --> 00:36:07,680 That woman who was caught in the very act of adultery, 521 00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:12,680 not in the aftermath of it, not in what had taken place, 522 00:36:12,680 --> 00:36:16,680 but who was caught in the very deed at the very moment, 523 00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:19,680 they drug her out and they cast her at the feet of Jesus. 524 00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:21,680 And they said to the Lord, 525 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:24,680 the law of Moses says that we ought to stone her. 526 00:36:24,680 --> 00:36:26,680 What do you say? 527 00:36:26,680 --> 00:36:28,680 And this is what I love about the Lord. 528 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:31,680 He didn't say a word. 529 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:34,680 He knelt down with a finger that come from the throne of heaven. 530 00:36:34,680 --> 00:36:38,680 He began to trace something in the sands of the earth. 531 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:39,680 Amen. 532 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:43,680 The same finger that may have carved out the seas of Galilee. 533 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:47,680 I don't know, but there he was and he began to write 534 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:49,680 and he began to trace on the ground. 535 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:52,680 And then he would stand up and wipe his hands and knock the dust off. 536 00:36:52,680 --> 00:36:55,680 And the next thing she hears is he that is without sin, 537 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:58,680 you go ahead and cast the first stone. 538 00:36:58,680 --> 00:36:59,680 My God. 539 00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:03,680 All we heard was the echoes through eternity of every stone 540 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:06,680 falling from the hand of those who had been convicted of their own sin 541 00:37:06,680 --> 00:37:08,680 and it fell to the ground. 542 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:12,680 Oh, and he says, get up, young lady, get up out of that dirt. 543 00:37:12,680 --> 00:37:15,680 Oh, where are the accusers? 544 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:17,680 She said, I don't know. 545 00:37:17,680 --> 00:37:19,680 He said, go, go somewhere else. 546 00:37:19,680 --> 00:37:23,680 You depart from before me because they haven't accused you 547 00:37:23,680 --> 00:37:24,680 and neither can I accuse you. 548 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:26,680 Go and sin no more. 549 00:37:26,680 --> 00:37:28,680 That is the reality of the moment. 550 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:33,680 It's to go without sin. 551 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:38,680 Fear not. 552 00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:50,680 I guess he heard enough of that. 553 00:37:50,680 --> 00:37:55,680 They won't call me much at church time. 554 00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:57,680 Fear not. 555 00:37:57,680 --> 00:38:03,680 The light brings favor. 556 00:38:03,680 --> 00:38:05,680 Favor. 557 00:38:05,680 --> 00:38:11,680 You don't have to be afraid because he is the giver, 558 00:38:11,680 --> 00:38:19,680 compassion that originates from within the heart and the will of the giver. 559 00:38:19,680 --> 00:38:23,680 That's the Lord. 560 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:25,680 It's God himself. 561 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:27,680 It's from his heart. 562 00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:29,680 I'm running out of gas and we've got two more to go. 563 00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:32,680 You got a few minutes? 564 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:34,680 Matthew 1 20. 565 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:38,680 We have Joseph in the narrative now. 566 00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:42,680 I think the sequence of events had to have been Zachariah and Elizabeth, 567 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:49,680 then Mary, then made his way to Joseph. 568 00:38:49,680 --> 00:38:53,680 Verse 20, Joseph, the scripture says, 569 00:38:53,680 --> 00:38:58,680 while he fought on these things, 570 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:03,680 you got to read into the story, into the narrative here. 571 00:39:03,680 --> 00:39:07,680 Mary's already told him. 572 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:09,680 She's expecting. 573 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:16,680 And Gabriel hadn't showed up yet. 574 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:21,680 The messenger hadn't come yet. 575 00:39:21,680 --> 00:39:28,680 And Joseph is pondering what to do. 576 00:39:28,680 --> 00:39:31,680 And man knows what pondering is. 577 00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:40,680 He's sitting over there with a couple goats milked, 578 00:39:40,680 --> 00:39:42,680 figuring out what am I going to do? 579 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:44,680 I really love this girl. 580 00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:54,680 If he hadn't already loved Mary, it wouldn't have been a second thought. 581 00:39:54,680 --> 00:39:55,680 So he's pondering. 582 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:58,680 He hadn't went and got his bride yet. 583 00:39:58,680 --> 00:40:00,680 They're betrothed. 584 00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:02,680 Don't have time to get into that betrothal. 585 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:06,680 It was a time span. 586 00:40:06,680 --> 00:40:10,680 So he's thinking, what's he going to do? 587 00:40:10,680 --> 00:40:13,680 What am I going to do about this situation? 588 00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:18,680 And he'd already pondered to the point. 589 00:40:18,680 --> 00:40:24,680 He loved her enough that he didn't want to make a public spectacle out of her. 590 00:40:24,680 --> 00:40:31,680 And he was going to take her away secretly until that come to pass. 591 00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:35,680 You ever wondered why God chose Joseph? 592 00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:38,680 Right there it is. 593 00:40:38,680 --> 00:40:45,680 He made the right decision before the messenger showed up. 594 00:40:45,680 --> 00:40:52,680 He made his right decision head on in the face of fear. 595 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:57,680 Oh, my God, I ain't got the strength to preach that. 596 00:40:57,680 --> 00:41:03,680 He made the right decision before the messenger appears. 597 00:41:03,680 --> 00:41:07,680 So let's pick up where the messenger comes on the scene. 598 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:14,680 Well, he thought on these things, behold, the angel appeared unto him. 599 00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:16,680 Listen to this greeting, this salutation. 600 00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:21,680 Joseph, thou son of David. 601 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:23,680 See, that don't mean a whole lot. 602 00:41:23,680 --> 00:41:26,680 That don't mean a whole lot to most of us. 603 00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:34,680 But when Gabriel stands before Joseph and he identifies him by his lineage, 604 00:41:34,680 --> 00:41:39,680 his lineage is traced out all the way through in Matthew's gospel 605 00:41:39,680 --> 00:41:44,680 so that there could be no doubt even on that side of the earthly things 606 00:41:44,680 --> 00:41:46,680 that Christ would be the Christ. 607 00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:51,680 Ah, come on. 608 00:41:51,680 --> 00:41:55,680 He said, fear not. 609 00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:59,680 But then that follow up four. 610 00:41:59,680 --> 00:42:05,680 Fear not. That should be enough for us, right? 611 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:22,680 For behold, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 612 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:23,680 Now, look here. 613 00:42:23,680 --> 00:42:27,680 We ain't even got to Pentecost yet. 614 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:31,680 They ain't even been anywhere near enough a room. 615 00:42:31,680 --> 00:42:35,680 But there's an Old Testament doctrine of the Holy Ghost. 616 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:37,680 He'd been around a long time. 617 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:42,680 He didn't just show up and act. 618 00:42:42,680 --> 00:42:44,680 You see, it'd be the Holy Ghost, it'd be the Spirit of God 619 00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:53,680 that would sit upon the prophets and then lift up off, sit down, pick up. 620 00:42:53,680 --> 00:42:55,680 When the Spirit moved on them, 621 00:42:55,680 --> 00:42:59,680 when Isaiah felt that, I call it the uncha, 622 00:42:59,680 --> 00:43:01,680 when he felt his help show up, 623 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:04,680 when you ever hear me say, well, my help just showed up, 624 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:07,680 what I'm telling you is the Holy Ghost had just started bearing witness 625 00:43:07,680 --> 00:43:11,680 in my spirit and something's about to come forth. 626 00:43:11,680 --> 00:43:14,680 When Isaiah's help showed up, when Ezekiel's help showed up, 627 00:43:14,680 --> 00:43:18,680 when Amos' help showed up, when Daniel's help showed up, 628 00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:21,680 come on with me now, when Jeremiah's help showed up, 629 00:43:21,680 --> 00:43:23,680 when the Holy Ghost sat on them, 630 00:43:23,680 --> 00:43:26,680 they would stand in whatever state they were in, 631 00:43:26,680 --> 00:43:29,680 whatever condition they were in, whatever circumstance they were in 632 00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:34,680 and speak forth the word and the wisdom and the prophecies of God Almighty. 633 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:36,680 Here we have it now. 634 00:43:36,680 --> 00:43:47,680 The Holy Ghost has done this thing. 635 00:43:47,680 --> 00:43:49,680 Now look who he's talking to. 636 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:52,680 He's talking to Joseph. 637 00:43:52,680 --> 00:43:56,680 Mary's encounter with Gabriel, I don't know how that's going to happen. 638 00:43:56,680 --> 00:44:01,680 I haven't known a man. 639 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:06,680 Don't be afraid, it's going to happen. 640 00:44:06,680 --> 00:44:09,680 Joseph, you're a good man. 641 00:44:09,680 --> 00:44:14,680 You made the right decision before my messenger got there. 642 00:44:14,680 --> 00:44:20,680 But now that he's here, we're just going to give you some explanation. 643 00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:24,680 How many of you have ever pondered that why me scenario? 644 00:44:24,680 --> 00:44:26,680 Oh, come on now. 645 00:44:26,680 --> 00:44:29,680 Why is this happening to me? 646 00:44:29,680 --> 00:44:31,680 Huh? 647 00:44:31,680 --> 00:44:32,680 How come I'm in trouble? 648 00:44:32,680 --> 00:44:34,680 How come this has to happen to me? 649 00:44:34,680 --> 00:44:38,680 Well, why not me? 650 00:44:38,680 --> 00:44:44,680 There's some things that's happened in my life that I don't wish on anyone else. 651 00:44:44,680 --> 00:44:45,680 Come on. 652 00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:49,680 So here's Joseph while he's thinking on these things. 653 00:44:49,680 --> 00:44:57,680 He's thinking a lot of stuff that came to the right conclusion. 654 00:44:57,680 --> 00:45:01,680 And by virtue of coming to the right conclusion, 655 00:45:01,680 --> 00:45:06,680 the messenger said, well, we'll just go ahead and explain it to you, Joseph. 656 00:45:06,680 --> 00:45:14,680 Don't be afraid, fear not, for that that's in her is of the Holy Ghost. 657 00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:17,680 That settled it for him. 658 00:45:17,680 --> 00:45:20,680 That settled it for you. 659 00:45:20,680 --> 00:45:26,680 Joseph, we never see him question again, never see him think about anything after. 660 00:45:26,680 --> 00:45:29,680 We just see him being the father that Jesus needed on the earth. 661 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:31,680 Amen. 662 00:45:31,680 --> 00:45:43,680 Lastly, further in that second chapter, shepherds are abiding on the hillside. 663 00:45:43,680 --> 00:45:49,680 The glory of the Lord shines. 664 00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:59,680 And the angel said, fear not, fear not. 665 00:45:59,680 --> 00:46:01,680 And then he gets his what for? 666 00:46:01,680 --> 00:46:04,680 They get their what for? 667 00:46:04,680 --> 00:46:14,680 For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 668 00:46:14,680 --> 00:46:20,680 which shall be to all people for unto you. 669 00:46:20,680 --> 00:46:23,680 They got a double for. 670 00:46:23,680 --> 00:46:32,680 They got a two for one. 671 00:46:32,680 --> 00:46:37,680 They got a two for. 672 00:46:37,680 --> 00:46:42,680 For unto you is born. 673 00:46:42,680 --> 00:46:47,680 This day. 674 00:46:47,680 --> 00:46:50,680 A savior. 675 00:46:50,680 --> 00:46:54,680 Which is Christ the Lord. 676 00:46:54,680 --> 00:46:58,680 You know, there's something about that impending. 677 00:46:58,680 --> 00:47:04,680 Sakurai had to wait and because of his doubt, he was stricken dumb. 678 00:47:04,680 --> 00:47:08,680 He couldn't speak. 679 00:47:08,680 --> 00:47:12,680 You go back and read that story, that part of the narrative. 680 00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:14,680 He was in there longer than he should have been in there. 681 00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:17,680 And the people outside were getting worried about it. 682 00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:20,680 He's an old man, you know. 683 00:47:20,680 --> 00:47:25,680 They were worried about him being in there so long. 684 00:47:25,680 --> 00:47:34,680 He took his time with the messenger. 685 00:47:34,680 --> 00:47:41,680 We're about to take our time with the message. 686 00:47:41,680 --> 00:47:44,680 For unto you is born. 687 00:47:44,680 --> 00:47:47,680 This day. 688 00:47:47,680 --> 00:47:49,680 Sakurai had to wait for John. 689 00:47:49,680 --> 00:47:52,680 Mary and Joseph had to wait for Jesus. 690 00:47:52,680 --> 00:47:56,680 The shepherds just got to go right in. 691 00:47:56,680 --> 00:48:00,680 This day. 692 00:48:00,680 --> 00:48:04,680 And what's born to you is good news. 693 00:48:04,680 --> 00:48:07,680 And it's not just good news to you. 694 00:48:07,680 --> 00:48:10,680 It's good news to all people. 695 00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:13,680 Fear not. 696 00:48:13,680 --> 00:48:16,680 Fear not. 697 00:48:16,680 --> 00:48:19,680 You don't have to be afraid. 698 00:48:19,680 --> 00:48:21,680 We don't have to live in fear. 699 00:48:21,680 --> 00:48:26,680 We don't have to live under the threats of anxiety overwhelming us. 700 00:48:26,680 --> 00:48:30,680 You don't have to have panic attacks. 701 00:48:30,680 --> 00:48:32,680 I know how the enemy works. 702 00:48:32,680 --> 00:48:35,680 Probably many of you in this room find yourself in enclosed places 703 00:48:35,680 --> 00:48:38,680 and it just overwhelms you. 704 00:48:38,680 --> 00:48:45,680 You may even find yourself in crowded places and all of a sudden you're overwhelmed 705 00:48:45,680 --> 00:48:50,680 with a fear of anxiousness. 706 00:48:50,680 --> 00:48:57,680 I'm here to encourage you this morning to fear not. 707 00:48:57,680 --> 00:49:03,680 For that day our Savior was born. 708 00:49:03,680 --> 00:49:04,680 Why are we so passionate? 709 00:49:04,680 --> 00:49:09,680 Why am I so passionate about Christmas? 710 00:49:09,680 --> 00:49:12,680 Because I know how the enemy works. 711 00:49:12,680 --> 00:49:14,680 I know how he works in God's people. 712 00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:16,680 I know how he works against you. 713 00:49:16,680 --> 00:49:18,680 How he works against your mind. 714 00:49:18,680 --> 00:49:21,680 I know how you get troubled. 715 00:49:21,680 --> 00:49:23,680 I know how you feel overwhelmed. 716 00:49:23,680 --> 00:49:24,680 I don't have to know the need. 717 00:49:24,680 --> 00:49:26,680 I don't have to know the circumstances. 718 00:49:26,680 --> 00:49:32,680 I can read it on your faces. 719 00:49:32,680 --> 00:49:42,680 I'm just here to tell you the light that overcomes your fear is still on. 720 00:49:42,680 --> 00:49:47,680 Stand with me. 721 00:49:47,680 --> 00:49:49,680 I'm going to pray an Indian prayer. 722 00:49:49,680 --> 00:49:54,680 Pastor Brian, if you'll get the light set and start getting ready, 723 00:49:54,680 --> 00:50:01,680 we'll get ready for communion. 724 00:50:01,680 --> 00:50:09,680 When you come to the tables this morning, several years ago the Lord laid this on my heart, 725 00:50:09,680 --> 00:50:11,680 how to go about communion. 726 00:50:11,680 --> 00:50:16,680 There's something wonderful and something special about sitting at the table. 727 00:50:16,680 --> 00:50:17,680 That's why we fellowship. 728 00:50:17,680 --> 00:50:24,680 That's why fellowship is important throughout the church, venues, 729 00:50:24,680 --> 00:50:27,680 because we learn each other. 730 00:50:27,680 --> 00:50:32,680 We grow closer to each other at the tables. 731 00:50:32,680 --> 00:50:44,680 My mind goes to the disciples that first night as they were seated with the Lord. 732 00:50:44,680 --> 00:50:57,680 He's instructing them of the events that are about to take place. 733 00:50:57,680 --> 00:51:08,680 So to be seated at the table, when you come to the table with your family or the church family, 734 00:51:08,680 --> 00:51:14,680 there's going to be ministers at your table. 735 00:51:14,680 --> 00:51:22,680 Brother DeWayne and Brother Ron Wood, would you all come and just stand over here. 736 00:51:22,680 --> 00:51:29,680 Brother Mills and if you and Brother Carter would stand over to my right where Pastor Brian's at now. 737 00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:35,680 Pastor Terry, I want you to be in one of the first waves of communion so then you can swap out 738 00:51:35,680 --> 00:51:45,680 with Sister Robin on the piano, Brother Terry's going to play for us in worship. 739 00:51:45,680 --> 00:51:51,680 So what they're going to do when you come and sit at the table, 740 00:51:51,680 --> 00:51:59,680 they're going to ask you if you have any prayer needs, prayer requests. 741 00:51:59,680 --> 00:52:07,680 And you're going to share that at the table. 742 00:52:07,680 --> 00:52:14,680 And then you're going to pray together over everybody's need. 743 00:52:14,680 --> 00:52:22,680 Then when that prayer is concluded, they're going to distribute to you the elements 744 00:52:22,680 --> 00:52:28,680 and pray over the elements. 745 00:52:28,680 --> 00:52:36,680 And so by virtue of being at the table, you don't have to be in a hurry. 746 00:52:36,680 --> 00:52:40,680 I'm going to have a dismissal prayer this morning at the conclusion when you finish, 747 00:52:40,680 --> 00:52:46,680 if you want to sit in the presence of the Lord, by all means. 748 00:52:46,680 --> 00:52:50,680 But after you finish with communion, you consider yourself dismissed 749 00:52:50,680 --> 00:52:58,680 and have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a wonderful Christmas day. 750 00:52:58,680 --> 00:53:07,680 Sister Kathy and I wish you a Merry Christmas from our heart, from our home, from our family to you. 751 00:53:07,680 --> 00:53:12,680 Merry Christmas. Father, I love you. 752 00:53:12,680 --> 00:53:17,680 I thank you for your help today for this wonderful message you've given me. 753 00:53:17,680 --> 00:53:26,680 I feel it in my heart. I needed to hear it to fear not, to not be afraid, 754 00:53:26,680 --> 00:53:34,680 no matter what's going on or what's going on around us. 755 00:53:34,680 --> 00:53:41,680 Then we can sit at your table and thank you for the gift. 756 00:53:41,680 --> 00:53:54,680 Your greatest gift was not the manger, not Calvary, but your resurrection, 757 00:53:54,680 --> 00:53:57,680 because you rose from the dead. 758 00:53:57,680 --> 00:54:00,680 And I thank you today, Lord. 759 00:54:00,680 --> 00:54:09,680 I thank you for those who are here and I pray over our church family that they fear not. 760 00:54:09,680 --> 00:54:11,680 In Jesus' lovely name.