[0:00] This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alfred, Georgia. It is our prayer that you will be blessed by the preaching of God's Word. Take your Bibles if you would and open into Matthew chapter 1. Matthew chapter 1. It's been a long time coming.
[0:13] It's been 4,000 years. 4,000 years ago, Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden. Approximately 4,000 years ago, they were in the Garden of Eden. They had sinned against the Holy God.
[0:26] They were separated from God. And God, loving them, had gone out of the garden and come down and walked with them and said, Where are you, Adam? And Adam said, We're hidden because we're ashamed.
[0:38] We're naked. And he said, Who told you you're naked? And he said, Well, we ate that fruit we weren't supposed to eat of, and we know we're naked. And he came and he covered them with skins.
[0:50] And he made a promise. And the promise was that one day he would send his son who would die on a cross, who would stomp Satan's head, who would win victory for all of mankind, and he would bring grace.
[1:05] For the next 4,000 years, there are two sides of a story being told. One side of the story is constantly reminding you that you are unable to get to God.
[1:18] One side of the story is being told. And almost every chapter is saying, You have sinned against the Holy God. It's saying there are ten commandments you are to keep. There are other commandments you are to keep.
[1:29] And every time man fails, and sometimes if you read the Old Testament in those first 39 books, it's like really dark. Because you look at it, it's like man always messes up.
[1:42] Men are dying. It's like God is harsh and God is mean because you need to see that sin brought consequences. But in every part of the Old Testament even, he keeps telling them, There's a way.
[1:57] There's a lamb who dies. There's a lamb who will be shed. His blood will be shed. And that will cover your sin. And they live knowing that the only way to be right with God is to follow God's plan.
[2:10] There's promise after promise that someday Jesus, God's son, will come to earth. There's a promise that his seed will be coming. But it's been 4,000 years.
[2:21] By the time you get to Matthew chapter 1, there hasn't even been a book written in the Old Testament for 400 years. It's been a long time. It's been a long time.
[2:31] It's been a long time wondering when God would make his move. It's been a long time wondering when the promised salvation would become a reality. It's been a long time knowing that sin is destroying people and people need God.
[2:47] And God has been coming through and God has been showing grace. And God has been showing mercy. And all of a sudden you get to Matthew and you're starting just a few years, a few dozen years of history.
[2:59] They're going to be found in the book of Matthew down through the book of Revelation. Really what of actual time while they're alive. It'll all be over in 100 years of what's written except what is prophesied that's going to come later.
[3:11] But here's the story. Look at Matthew chapter 1 and verse 18. Matthew chapter 1 and verse 18. When you think about Christmas, you need to think about the dark night. You think about all the time man's been waiting.
[3:25] You need to think about all the time that people have been waiting. When will God come? When will God come? When will Jesus be born here on earth?
[3:37] When will salvation come? And in Matthew chapter 1 and verse 18. If you have your Bible open there, it says, Now the birth of Jesus Christ.
[3:49] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When as his mother Mary was a spouse to Joseph, Before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
[4:01] She was found with child of the Holy Ghost. And you know that the Bible is clear. Something really wild takes place. Look at Matthew chapter 1 verse 23.
[4:12] The Bible says, Behold, a virgin shall be with child. That's an Old Testament promise. And shall bring forth a son. And thou shalt call his name Emmanuel. Which being interpreted is God with us.
[4:26] And that's what's happening in the story. So I want to go over with you this morning and tonight just a little bit. We'll actually be in the Christmas story for several weeks. Because it takes up Matthew 1 and 2.
[4:37] But today being the Sunday before Christmas, I want you to think about Christmas with me. I want you to think about what was happening. You realize what's going on here. From Genesis chapter 3 and verse 15.
[4:48] They've been waiting on the promise. And this is just like we're in the crescendo now. We're in the crescendo now. If it were music and you could hear it playing in the background. I mean there's been really dark sounds as sin came.
[5:02] And sin destroyed the world. And only Noah and his family made it through on the other side. Sin came and nations rose. Sin came and Israel itself wouldn't do what was right to be done.
[5:13] But every time in the middle of all the darkness, God was always there. Always saving people. Always showing grace. Always showing mercy. Always showing the sacrifice.
[5:25] And finally it's time. And here is Jesus. And he'll be born. In 33 and a half years or so from the beginning of this story.
[5:35] 33 years. 34 years from the beginning of this story. He will die on a cross. He will be buried. And he'll rise again. And it's the climax of the story. Remember there's one more climax. He went to heaven.
[5:46] He's sitting at the right hand of the Father. And soon he'll come back and get us. Amen. So go with me if you would. And let's look at how Joseph reacted when he found out about the story. Go with me to Matthew chapter 1 and verse 19.
[5:59] So in verse 18. The birth of Christ was on this wise. And Mary was the spouse of Joseph. In verse 19. Then Joseph, her husband being a just man.
[6:10] Not willing to make her a public example. Was minded to put her away. Privily. So privately he's going to put her away. So notice this. Joseph was shocked.
[6:20] He knew all the story. He knew all about that. But all of a sudden his wife to be. He's engaged to her. And in engagement man. And you're really married. I mean everybody knows.
[6:31] You already got a ring on your finger. All we lack is the formality of taking care of the service. And you're being married. And he finds out she's pregnant. He's shocked. He's shocked. He's like.
[6:41] But my wife's pregnant. Look if you would in Matthew chapter 1 verse 19. He's a good man. He's a kind man. He doesn't want to hurt her. And he's going to put her away in private. He's not going to hurt her.
[6:53] He puts her away privily. But he is willing to believe. Verse 20. This is the wildest thought in my mind. He is willing to believe. That she really has a miracle baby.
[7:06] Matthew chapter 1 and verse 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.
[7:18] For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Joseph was ready to listen to an angel. A messenger from God. Joseph was ready. Joseph knew the story.
[7:29] Joseph knew that someday God was going to come and do something. Joseph had heard the story all of his life. Joseph knew that someday God was going to come down on earth. And the seed would be born to a woman.
[7:40] Genesis 3.15. The promise that was going to be born to a woman. And the angel comes and said. Joseph don't worry. You guys are the guys. The baby is going to be born. And Joseph thought about it and said.
[7:52] Wow. I believe that's going to happen. And he understood who that child would be. Look at verse 21. In chapter 1 and verse 31. The Bible said. And she shall bring forth a son. Your wife is going to have a son.
[8:04] And you're going to call his name Jesus. And you've got to underline this right here. And he shall save his people from their sins. It's been promised all along. But he's coming Joseph. Your wife is pregnant Joseph.
[8:16] I know you're shocked. I know you weren't expecting this. I know this wasn't your plan. But he's coming. And he is going to save his people from their sins. And he found out that the child she had was really from God.
[8:29] A complete miracle divine baby. Verse 23. Behold a virgin shall be with child. A virgin. That's impossible.
[8:39] Virgins can't have babies. But a virgin. It was promised in the Old Testament. In Isaiah. It was promised. And you'll call his name Emmanuel.
[8:51] Which being interpreted as God with us. Joseph. Something really wild is happening. Y'all been waiting 4,000 years. You've read about it Joseph. You've heard about it.
[9:02] You've heard it preached. You've heard it talking about. You went to Sunday school. You heard the stories told at synagogue. You knew that God was going to come. You knew that someday a woman would have a child. You knew that child. You know that child is going to die.
[9:13] You know that child is going to bruise the head of the serpent. You know that child will be the Lamb of God. And Joseph. You're the man. Who gets to be the stepfather. To that child. Who will be born.
[9:24] And so he obeyed. The Lord's instructions. Look at chapter 1 and verse 24. Then Joseph being raised from sleep. Did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him. And he took unto him.
[9:36] His wife. He went ahead and married her. Finds out she's pregnant. And he marries her anyway. And he forgot his own plans. His own will.
[9:47] His own reputation. So he could obey God. He said I will do what God wants me to do. Chapter 1 and verse 25. The most unusual wedding night ever. If you can imagine.
[9:58] The Bible says in verse 25. And he didn't know her. He had no relationship with her. No physical relationship. Till. She had brought forth her first born son.
[10:09] And he called his name Jesus. They got married. They moved in together. They've had the wedding ceremony. She's pregnant. He's not touched her. And he will not touch her.
[10:20] Until. Joseph was willing to believe. That something was happening. That God had said was going to happen. That the child was special. That the child was Jesus. That the child was Emmanuel.
[10:32] The child was God's will. And he was willing. To put his plans. To one side. I think. When I read the story. And I think about Austin.
[10:43] And I think about Betty. And I think about us. I think so often. How much. I don't want God's plan. To inconvenience me. I don't want God's plan. To inconvenience me. Money wise.
[10:53] I don't like God's plan. To inconvenience me. Time wise. I got my own ideas. I got my own plans. I got what I want to accomplish. In my life. But here. Here. Joseph is willing to say. Whatever.
[11:05] You want to happen. I want it to happen. I trust you. I believe in you. I'll take what's coming. For the cause. For the kingdom. For you. I'll do it. That's how Joseph reacts. Now look at the wise men with me.
[11:16] Chapter 2 and verse 1. Oh Joseph and his reaction. Now look at the wise men. In chapter 2 and verse 1. Now when Jesus was born. In Bethlehem of Judea. In the days of Herod the king.
[11:27] Behold there came wise men. From the east. To Jerusalem. Saying where is he that is born king of the Jews. We have seen his star. In the east. And we are come. To worship him.
[11:38] Now I want you to understand. These wise men. I want you to. You got to get the picture. You know the wise men weren't in the main. You know the manger scene. You always have the shepherds and the wise men. The wise men don't show up.
[11:49] In Bethlehem. They show up at his house. And they show up about two years later. It's two years. They saw his star. They were waiting on him to be born. They were traveling for two years.
[12:00] They were looking for him. And for two years. Look if you would in verse 16. In verse 16. The Bible said. Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men. Then was exceeding wroth. Then sent forth. And slew all the children that were in Bethlehem.
[12:12] And all the coast. From two years old and under. According to the time. Which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. The wise men showed up to see Herod. And they said. Herod.
[12:23] We know there's a king going to be born here. We're following a star. And we're on our way. And we'd like to know. Where that child is going to be born. And Herod is going to find out.
[12:34] We'll look at that in a second. He's going to find out where the child is going to be born. And so now it's been two years. And so he's going to kill all the babies. That are under the age of two. In chapter 2 and verse 11.
[12:45] Of Matthew chapter 2 and verse 11. You can underline house. He came to the house. That's where they showed up. To see him. Matthew chapter 2 and verse 11. And when they saw. And when they were coming to the house. They saw the young child with Mary.
[12:56] His mother. And fell down and worshipped. They came to worship him. First thing. The first thing I hope you wrote down about those wise men. They were seeking God. They were seeking Jesus for almost two years.
[13:09] They were seeking. That was part of their worship. That was part of their worship. And by the way. It ought to be a part of my life. You know. You're going to spend your life seeking God. Though you're saved.
[13:21] And though you know him. You will spend your life looking for him. Knowing him. Getting more intimate with him. Becoming closer to him. Than you've ever been. You know.
[13:32] When a young kid goes to get married. He's like. I'm in so in love with this girl. I'm about to marry. I could never love anybody more. This is the greatest relationship. And you would ask him.
[13:42] Well do you really know her? And he would say. He's. I was 18. Some of them. Some of them may be 25. But whatever age. They'd say. Oh I know her. I love her. She's the greatest I've ever known. There's no way.
[13:53] I mean. I could never know her any better. And the truth is. Those of us who have been married a while. Look and say. Son. You don't know anything yet. You don't know anything. You don't know her. You don't.
[14:04] You haven't seen her on a bad hair day yet. Amen. Because she. She wakes up perfect every morning. You don't see her there. And by the time you see her. She's all fixed up. And so. I want you to understand.
[14:16] As Christians. Oh Joseph was willing to do. Whatever to please the Lord. And obey him. But. If you're going to serve God. You're going to be like these wise men. Do you realize that was a two year journey? Do you realize they were looking.
[14:27] And looking. And looking. They were traveling. They were seeking him. You know. You're going to spend your lifetime seeking God. I don't know him that well yet. I've been studying his Bible every day.
[14:39] For many many years. I've been studying an hour after hour every week. But he is worth my investment. He is worth my time. Seeking him. And getting to know him.
[14:50] I learn more about him every day of my life. I want to know Jesus. Can you say amen? You say aren't you saved? Yes I'm saved. I want to know him. I want to learn more about him.
[15:00] I want to understand him. They were seeking him for two years. And the second thing I want you to notice is they came to worship. Look at chapter 2 and verse 2. Underline it. They came to worship. Saying where is he that is born king of the Jews?
[15:13] For we have seen his star in the east. And we are come to worship. We are come to worship him. We are come to worship him. Now these three kings of orient are these three kings.
[15:26] Which probably weren't three kings. But these kings are these wise men. These people are coming to seek him. They are powerful. They are rich. They can travel for two years. And have enough money to keep living.
[15:37] And still bring gifts. They didn't have to hock everything on the way. These are prominent people who are on their way. But when they came to see Jesus. They didn't come to get a picture with him.
[15:48] To put on Facebook and say I met the new baby. They came to say we have come all this way. To worship him. We have come all this way. To bow down before him.
[15:59] We have come all this way. To recognize him for who he is. We have come all this way. To worship him. You know there is people. When we talk about Christmas. People get really upset.
[16:10] This is one time of the year. Everybody gets mad. I don't know if you ever noticed that. Christians are all mad. Everybody won't put Christ in Christmas. And the people that won't put Christ in Christmas. Are mad at you. Because you won't put Christ in Christmas. And everybody is fussing about it.
[16:21] I mean just like a big turmoil going on. These guys said this. We came for one reason. We have come to worship him. And that ought to be your heartbeat. I want to worship him.
[16:33] I want to lower myself. I want to elevate him. I want to find his will. I want to honor him. I want him to be first. They came to recognize him for who he was.
[16:44] Look at chapter 2 and verse 2. Underline it. They said we are come. They said say where is he that is born king of the Jews. They came to worship the king of the Jews.
[16:56] They came to worship the king of the Jews. I think chapter 2 verse 9. That they found purpose in their life as they worshiped him.
[17:08] And I think that's where you find purpose. Listen to this. Being a pastor of a church. Is that's my job. That's who I am. John just talked to you about your job.
[17:19] And we have different jobs. But none of us will ever find real purpose in our job. Pastors don't really find. You know. So I got a hundred people in church. I got a thousand people in church. That won't really give you real purpose.
[17:31] You make a hundred dollars. You make a thousand dollars. That won't give you real purpose. You know. You were made to worship God. That's what John was saying. John was saying. I'm doing this because I love Jesus.
[17:44] I'm doing this for the cause of Christ. I'm doing this with all my heart as unto the Lord. That's what he was saying. Amen. And that's what we do. And here's what these wives. They found purpose. They got up every morning saying.
[17:55] Let's go find him. They got up every morning and said. Pack the camels. Get all the stuff ready. We're on a journey. We're on a trip. We want to worship. The king of kings.
[18:06] And the Lord of lords. We want to worship the king. That's where you find purpose. Your purpose will be finding him. The Bible says in chapter 2 and verse 9. When they heard the king. When they heard the king.
[18:16] They departed. And lo the star which they saw on the east. Went before them till it came and stood. Over where the young child was. Worship always includes giving gifts. Chapter 2 verse 11.
[18:29] Look at chapter 2 and verse 11. And when they were coming to the house. And they saw the young child with Mary his mother. They fell down and worshipped him. And when they'd opened their treasures. They presented unto him gifts. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
[18:40] You understand. Let me explain something to you. Did you know that when you love you give. When you love you give. When a young guy finds a girl. He really wants to fall in love with. He goes out and he saves up a bunch of money.
[18:52] To go buy a small little rock. She'll put on her finger. And wear around. And then he gets on his knees. And says. Hey I'd like to give you this rock here. If you'd take this gift. It's costing me a whole lot of money.
[19:02] But if you take it. And be my wife. Because love says. I want to give you something. And by the way. At Christmas. I don't know how it is at your house. But I planned Betty's gift. I've got Betty's gifts ready.
[19:13] I've had Betty's gifts ready. I planned Betty's gifts. I work at Betty's gifts. I love her. And she works like crazy. To take care of the grandkids. And grandkids always say. Thank you granddaddy for what you got us.
[19:23] I say. Well what did I get you? I'd like to see it. But I'd like to know what I got you. Amen. And it's all wrapped up. I never know. They know. It's a big surprise to me too. And. But when you worship.
[19:35] You give. Is that a true statement or not? The Bible says. For God so loved the world. That he gave. Now let me explain something. If you love somebody. You give to him. And if you love our God. You give to him.
[19:46] His work ought to be important to you. His name ought to be important to you. We are to be givers. That's what these wise guys did. These wise men came and they gave. They had been traveling for two years.
[19:58] They opened up their treasures. And they pulled out things of great value. And said you are worshipped today. Their purpose.
[20:09] And their worship. Gave them great joy. Look at chapter 2 and verse 10 if you would. And when they saw the star. They rejoiced. With exceeding great joy. We found him.
[20:20] We found him. That great joy. Now look at the religious leaders if you would. Go to chapter 2 and verse 4. And this is a scary thing for me. And when I say religious leaders here.
[20:30] I would be the most guilty in this room. But I would like to include all of you. Because there are no spiritually illiterate people in the room. I think. No spiritually ignorant people in the room.
[20:42] It's been prophesied for 4,000 years that Jesus is coming. They knew the Bible. So the kings. The wise men show up and ask Herod. They want to know where the child is to be born.
[20:55] Now nobody is really expecting the child to be born. It's not like they are sitting around with bated breath saying any day now he is going to be born. But read with me if you would. Chapter 2 and verse 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together.
[21:10] He demanded to them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea. For thus it is written by the prophet. I don't know if. I don't know what that says to you.
[21:22] But that's like one of the wildest things I can imagine. I'm not sure if they had to run back in the office. Pull out their Bible. Their computer and their Bible program. And search to find out where the baby was going to be born.
[21:33] Or if they all just knew it. I don't know if when the king looked. He said well where is he going to be born. They're all like. We all got that verse memorized. We know that verse. We know he's coming. We know he's going to be born in Bethlehem. We know. It's in the Bible.
[21:45] Yeah we know the prophet said that. The religious leaders held in their hand the truth all those years. They knew. They knew what the Bible said.
[21:55] When they were asked. They were able to answer. They said in Bethlehem of Judea. That's what the Bible says. They knew how to learn or find out about the birth of Jesus.
[22:07] Chapter 2 verse 6. And thou Bethlehem of the land of Judah. Are not the least among the princes of Judah. Proud of thee shall come a government. They shall rule my people Israel. They announced it.
[22:17] They even talked about it. Chapter 2 verse 5. They said Bethlehem. They had an intellectual knowledge. But they didn't have a heartfelt faith. They had religion. And they didn't have a relationship.
[22:28] They were unaffected by the truth. That they knew. And I would like to ask you. And as serious as I can be here. Verse by verse.
[22:40] Study the Bible every week. Bring your Bible. Look up the verses. Learn all the truths of the Bible. Grow in the Bible. We've gone through like 20 books of the Bible. Since this church started. Eight years ago. We're Bible students.
[22:52] The Bible says he's coming again. Is that something we really believe? Is it something we. Do we believe that? The Bible says there's a heaven. Do we really believe that? The Bible says there's a hell. Do we really believe that? They just sang a song that said grace.
[23:04] Do we really believe that? Is this real to us? I look at those guys there. And I wonder if Austin would have been there. In that day and time. If I'd have been standing over. I said I know the Bible. If this is Bible trivia.
[23:15] I can answer the question. He'll be born in Bethlehem. Don't mean nothing to me. But I know it. Could that be us? Could that be us? Could we be so. Bad off.
[23:27] Look at King Herod's reaction. If you would. Chapter 2 and verse 3. He's threatened. That he's troubled. The Bible says in chapter 2 and verse 3. When Herod the king heard these things. He was troubled. But he wasn't by himself.
[23:38] All of Jerusalem with him was upset. They were like. What? What? There's a king going to be born? What? There's a king going to be born? He's going to be born in Bethlehem? What are you talking about?
[23:48] Everybody in town is talking about it. It's on the evening news. Can't you see? CNN and Fox News. Man they're all talking about it. Did you hear about the kings that showed up? Did you hear about this? The religious leaders even knew he was going to be born.
[24:00] Did you hear about it? Some people came from a foreign country. They're all looking for the king. And everybody knows about the king. Did y'all know about the king? I didn't know about the king. Did y'all know about the king? And then they said. What's the statement from the White House on that?
[24:11] And the White House said. I don't like it. I'm the one and only president of this country. I'm the one and only king here. And I don't like it a bit. Makes me uncomfortable. So he tried to use worship for his own purposes.
[24:25] In chapter 2 verses 7 and 8. He says. Y'all go find him. And when you find him. Come tell me. So I can worship him also. And I read that. And you and I both know what he was going to do. If they would come and tell him where they found him.
[24:37] That he'd go find him and kill him. He's using worship. Then I wonder how much that goes on amongst us. I wonder how much we worship to kind of get a cleansing feeling.
[24:50] Get some guilt off our chest. Work some things out in our hearts. Meet some people. Have some friends. But we didn't really come to worship Jesus. Oh. Oh. Oh.
[25:00] King here. He doesn't really want to worship. Fact is. All he wants to do is kill him. He's upset. By the way. Kings don't like kings. Because if I'm a king. And you're a king. You might be trying to take my kingdom.
[25:11] And there's this new king going to be born. I got to get rid of him. Because I'm a king. So in chapter 2 and verse 16. He tried to kill the king. Of glory. And he went. And he threw all the children.
[25:21] Under the age of two. He was afraid. He would lose his position. And you know the Christmas story. It's kind of a. It's a wild and crazy story.
[25:34] It's a story set against a backdrop of deep dark black. So the beauty of the jewels will shine out. We see the sin. And we see the wickedness of man. And then we see this glorious light.
[25:46] A savior is born. But he doesn't come just like a meek and lowly savior. He comes as a king. He comes to rule.
[25:56] He comes to reign. He comes to be God in human flesh. And most of us love. The little baby in a manger. Isn't he cute? But he didn't come to be the cute little baby.
[26:10] In a manger. You know. You've probably seen this on the news. Man they're stealing the baby Jesus. Without everybody's manger scene. So people are giving out the GPS. So you can find your baby Jesus. And somebody steals him.
[26:22] I don't know. Everybody wants a little baby Jesus at the house. Somebody's going to show up at your house. They're tracking all them GPS. They're going to find you got five little baby Jesuses in your house. Craziest thing I've ever heard in my life.
[26:33] That's who he likes the baby Jesus. In fact is we could even put up with the dying Jesus on a cross. Because he's a poor little guy got beat up. But when you find out. He's Emmanuel.
[26:44] Emmanuel. God with us. God come to rule and reign. So I'd like to ask you what's your reaction. Do you realize that God has bigger plans for your life than you do?
[26:56] God has bigger plans for your life than you do. And it's about obeying him and forgetting yourself. Did you know that you're to find your purpose in him? He's the real purpose. Missionary work's not a purpose.
[27:08] Pastoring is not a purpose. Social work's not a purpose. Jobs aren't a purpose. There's only one purpose of real value. Jesus. Worshiping and serving him in everything you do.
[27:21] In the sports you play. In everything. I want to put Jesus first. It's know the truth. Talk the truth. And remain unaffected by the truth. No. Sometimes when I'm really praying and thinking about our church.
[27:35] I get quite nervous. That maybe I have become too academic. And I explain too much truth. And we know too much truth. And we fill up our heads. But it's not really affecting where we live.
[27:46] I think maybe like Herod. We feel threatened and uncomfortable. That somebody might want to take control of our life. Mary's life got really turned upside down.
[28:01] It was no longer about what Mary dreamed about. It was no longer about what Joseph dreamed about. It was no longer about a young couple in love. And thinking they would live happily ever after. All of a sudden it was about. My life's turned upside down.
[28:11] Now it's only Jesus. It's only Jesus. It's only Jesus. And what does Jesus want? Some wise men. Their life got totally turned upside down. They had all their stuff going on. And all of a sudden a star appeared.
[28:22] And it's only Jesus. It's only Jesus. There's some wise men. There's some shepherds. It's only Jesus. It's only Jesus. I'm just telling you. 4,000 years have passed.
[28:33] 400 years. And all of a sudden. The music is starting a crescendo. That's going to go on for the next 27 books of the Bible. And it's going to get louder. And louder. And excited. And all of a sudden.
[28:43] There's going to be this clanging cymbals. And all this excitement. Because Jesus will die. And he will be buried. And he'll rise again. And he'll go sit at the right hand of the Father. And he'll come back. And he'll rule. And he'll reign. And he'll take over. And it'll be exactly what it is.
[28:54] God with us. In Christmas. That's just when we get started thinking about it. So I'd like to ask you. What's your relationship with him? Are you for sure that you'd go to heaven if you died? Are you for sure you've been born again?
[29:06] Please don't sit there saying. I know all the facts man. I've heard enough preaching. I know it. Do you know in your heart. That you sinned against the Holy God. You deserve to go to hell. And Jesus died on a cross.
[29:17] And Jesus made your sin. And you could never get to heaven without him. Do you know that? Is it a reality in your life. That you're born again. That you've been a recipient. Of his love. His mercy. And his grace. If it's not today.
[29:27] Is that he gets saved. Don't know. No. Without acting on what you know. And let me just ask. How many of us are worshiping him? By the way. Tomorrow as you go to work.
[29:38] That's worship too. John made that clear. It was good. It was beautiful. As you go to work. And as you step into your workplace. And you do it heartily as unto the Lord. And you know. My job counts as much as Austin's job counts.
[29:49] As much as anybody else's job. Because I'm doing this for Jesus. I'm going to worship Jesus. Be the best cashier. I'm going to be the best manager. I'm going to be the best whatever. Because I'm worshiping Jesus.
[30:01] I'm going to use my money for Jesus. I'm going to use my time for Jesus. Jesus is in my mind. I wake up in the morning. I think about Jesus. And my life's not about what I want to do. It's about Jesus. That's what the real Christmas story is about.
[30:13] It's not about saying Christmas. It's not about Merry Christmas more than Happy Holidays. It's about it's all Jesus. Jesus. Every day. 365 days of the year.
[30:24] Every hour. Every minute. I love Jesus. Where are you? What's your relationship? Father I love you. I thank you. And I praise you. I pray that your name would be glorified and magnified.
[30:35] I pray you'd show your power in a real way. God I pray you'd save anybody who's not been saved. That's here in this service this morning. And I pray dear Lord Jesus. That you would help us to grow in you.
[30:45] And to love you. And to worship you. I pray that you'd help it to affect the way we go to work tomorrow. I pray that you'd help us to find our purpose. Not in our families.
[30:57] Not in our finances. Not in our future. But in Jesus. God help us to honor you. And I'll give you praise. This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alfred, Georgia. For more information.
[31:08] Log on to www.visionbaptist.com Where you can find our service times. Location. Contact information. And more audio and video recordings.