Hope For America

Pastor Don Carpenter

July 4th / Lamentations 3:21–26

As far back as I can remember, when July 4th rolled around, preachers, including myself, would often lament the sorry state of our nation and wonder out loud how much longer we had before God’s heavy hand of judgement would fall. I was just a boy when the Supreme Court made an unprecedented decision to legislate death from the bench, not only legalizing abortion, but providing legislative guidance on how it should be carried out. Since then millions upon millions of innocent babies were burned, ripped up, mutilated, and even sold for body parts all in the name of freedom. Every year America had more and more innocent blood on her hands. Every year preachers would warn and lament the sorry state of our Great Nation.

Last week, the unthinkable happened. The Supreme Court reversed Roe V Wade, the case that allowed for the silent holocaust of abortion in the United States. I must confess, I never thought that would ever happen. I stand before you rebuked for my lack of faith.  

So does this mean that America has hope now because the court made it possible to stop abortion through legislation? Yes America has hope, but not because of what we have or have not done. America’s hope never did lie in a political party or ideal. It did not rest in the Moral Majority of Jerry Falwell. It did not rest in the Tea Party of the 1990’s. It did not lie in Rush Limbaugh and other conservative outlets. It did not lie in any political party, and it did not lie in Donald Trump or any other politician.

In the midst of national moral failure and impending Judgement, the prophet Jeremiah was meditating and recalled that hope rests in who God is, and those virtues are demonstrated anew and afresh with every sunrise.

As we celebrate the 246th Birthday of the United States of America, let us meditate on the Goodness of God and reflect on the fact that the demonstrations of that goodness are new every morning.

Recall These Truths on Purpose

Lamentations 3:21 KJV

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers had this to say about the use of memory to fan the flame of hope:

 Memory is very often the servant of despondency. Despairing minds call to remembrance every dark foreboding in the past, and every gloomy feature in the present. Memory stands like a handmaiden, clothed in sackcloth, presenting to her master a cup of mingled gall and wormwood. Like Mercury, she hastes, with winged heel, to gather fresh thorns with which to fill the uneasy pillow, and to bind fresh rods with which to scourge the already bleeding heart. There is, however, no necessity for this. Wisdom will transform memory into an angel of comfort. That same recollection which may in its left hand bring so many dark and gloomy omens, may be trained to bear in its right hand a wealth of hopeful signs. She need not wear a crown of iron, she may encircle her brow with a fillet of gold, all spangled with stars.

J Vernon McGee posed and answered the following question:

 Was Judah’s deliverance from such a fate due to something in them? No, it was all due to the faithfulness of God. He had promised Abraham that He would make a nation come from him—and this was the nation. He had promised Moses that He would put them into the land. He had promised Joshua that He would establish them there. He promised David that there would come One in his line to reign on the throne forever. The prophets all said that God would not utterly destroy this people but that He would judge them for their sin. God is faithful. He has judged them, but He will not utterly destroy them. A faithful remnant has always remained, and ultimately they will become a great nation again.

1 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Prophets (Jeremiah/Lamentations) (electronic ed., Vol. 24, p. 206). Thomas Nelson.

God’s Mercies Are New Every Morning

 Lamentations 3:22 (KJV)

 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed…

Mercy – Hesed

In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.

The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.

1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 142). T. Nelson.

 • We deserve to be consumed for what we have done.

  • Abortion

  • Corruption

  • Violence

  • Perversion

  • Truth Suppression

Every morning America and Americans wake up intact is a new demonstration of God’s mercy. And God Does Not Change!

Malachi 3:6 KJV

For I am the LORD, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 • The overturn of Roe V Wade is a demonstration of God’s mercy.

God’s Compassions Are New Every Morning.

Lamentations 3:22 KJV

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Compassions =

racham (??????, 7355), “to have compassion, be merciful, pity.” The words from this root are found 125 times in all parts of the Old Testament. The root is also found in Assyrian, Ethiopic, and Aramaic.

 The verb is translated “love” once: “I will love thee, O Lord …” (Ps. 18:1). Racham is also used in God’s promise to declare His name to Moses: “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (Exod. 33:19). So men pray: “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses” (Ps. 25:6); and Isaiah prophesies messianic restoration: “… With great mercies will I gather thee.… But with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer” (Isa. 54:7–8). This is the heart of salvation by the suffering Servant-Messiah.

1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 43). T. Nelson.

Psalm 78:38 KJV

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath.

God’s Faithfulness Is New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:23 KJV

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Psalm 89:1 KJV

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Again Dr. J Vernon McGee is spot on:

 Was Judah’s deliverance from such a fate due to something in them? No, it was all due to the faithfulness of God. He had promised Abraham that He would make a nation come from him—and this was the nation. He had promised Moses that He would put them into the land. He had promised Joshua that He would establish them there. He promised David that there would come One in his line to reign on the throne forever. The prophets all said that God would not utterly destroy this people but that He would judge them for their sin. God is faithful. He has judged them, but He will not utterly destroy them. A faithful remnant has always remained, and ultimately they will become a great nation again.

1 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Prophets (Jeremiah/Lamentations) (electronic ed., Vol. 24, p. 206). Thomas Nelson.

God’s Goodness Is New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:24–26 KJV

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalm 52:1 KJV

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

 • God Is Good To Those Who Wait For Him.

Psalm 40:1 KJV

I waited patiently for the LORD; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Isaiah 30:18 KJV

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, And therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: For the LORD is a God of judgment: Blessed are all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 27:14 KJV

Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 37:9 KJV

For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Isaiah 25:9 KJV

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; We have waited for him, and he will save us: This is the LORD; we have waited for him, We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm 37:34 KJV

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Roger Simms, hitchhiking his way home, would never forget the date—May 7. His heavy suitcase made Roger tired. He was anxious to take off his army uniform once and for all. Flashing the hitchhiking sigh to the oncoming car, he lost hope when he saw it was a black, sleek, new Cadillac. To his surprise the car stopped. The passenger door opened. He ran toward the car, tossed his suitcase in the back, and thanked the handsome, well-dressed man as he slid into the front seat. “Going home for keeps?” “Sure am,” Roger responded. “Well, you’re in luck if you’re going to Chicago.” “Not quite that far. Do you live in Chicago?” “I have a business there. My name is Hanover.” After talking about many things, Roger, a Christian, felt a compulsion to witness to this fiftyish, apparently successful businessman about Christ. But he kept putting it off, till he realized he was just thirty minutes from his home. It was now or never. So, Roger cleared his throat, “Mr. Hanover, I would like to talk to you about something very important.” He then proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Savior. To Roger’s astonishment the Cadillac pulled over to the side of the road. Roger thought he was going to be ejected from the car. But the businessman bowed his head and received Christ, then thanked Roger. “This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.” Five years went by, Roger married, had a two-year-old boy, and a business of his own. Packing his suitcase for a business trip to Chicago, he found the small, white business card Hanover had given him five years before. In Chicago he looked up Hanover Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but he could see Mrs. Hanover. A little confused as to what was going on, he was ushered into a lovely office and found himself facing a keen-eyed woman in her fifties. She extended her hand. “You knew my husband?” Roger told how her husband had given him a ride when hitchhiking home after the war. “Can you tell me when that was?” “It was May 7, five years ago, the day I was discharged from the army.” “Anything special about that day?” Roger hesitated. Should he mention giving his witness? Since he had come so far, he might as well take the plunge. “Mrs. Hanover, I explained the gospel. He pulled over to the side of the road and wept against the steering wheel. He gave his life to Christ that day.” Explosive sobs shook her body. Getting a grip on herself, she sobbed, “I had prayed for my husband’s salvation for years. I believed God would save him.” “And,” said Roger, “Where is your husband, Mrs. Hanover?” “He’s dead,” she wept, struggling with words. “He was in a car crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home. You see—I thought God had not kept His promise.” Sobbing uncontrollably, she added, “I stopped living for God five years ago because I thought He had not kept His word!”

Is there hope for America? YES! Not because of the politicians, the Court, or even this recent ruling. There is hope for America because there is hope in God. As long as there are believers in the land, God in interested in the land! The same God that delivered a rag tag bunch of colonists from the most powerful army and navy in the world, is still at work today. God still hears and answers prayers. God’s promise to believers still rings true.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Hope rests in an unchanging God. His mercies, compassions, faithfulness, and goodness are new every morning. Every day we see we did not get what we deserve, serves as evidence that we are also recipients of what we do not deserve, the abundant Grace of Almighty God. That is why there is Hope for America.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:56 PM June 30, 2022.

Gifts for Jesus

Pastor Don Carpenter

Author, pastor and commentator Dr. Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting observation in noting that “The magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King.” He makes further mention of the fact that the Jewish leaders were a mere five miles away from Jesus’ birth place yet they showed no interest or demonstrated any educated preparation for the evidence of Messiah. They knew the Scriptures and could cite by memory the words of the prophets and as they pointed others to the Saviour, they completely ignored the message and evidence themselves.

Tonight, Christmas Eve 2021, we are going to think about the Magi for a few minutes. The knew to look for the King. When they got there, they had the perfect gifts that reflect a perfect understanding of just who this little Baby Jesus really was.

Tonight I want to challenge you. You probably know the stories surrounding the season. Have you actually responded to the truth behind the stories? To have you, like the Magi, come to give personal gifts for Jesus because you fully know who He really is?

Matthew 2:1–11 KJV
Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

So the wise men found their way to Bethlehem. We need not think that the star literally moved like a guide across the sky. There is poetry here, and we must not turn lovely poetry into crude and lifeless prose. But over Bethlehem the star was shining. There is a lovely legend which tells how the star, its work of guidance completed, fell into the well at Bethlehem, and that it is still there and can still be seen sometimes by those whose hearts are pure.

Later legends have been busy with the wise men. In the early days, tradition said that there were twelve of them. But now the tradition that there were three is almost universal. The New Testament does not say that there were three, but the idea that there were three no doubt arose from the threefold gift which they brought.

1 William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Third Ed., The New Daily Study Bible (Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 2001), 36.

Wise Men Worshiped

Psalm 72:11 KJV
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: All nations shall serve him.

Isaiah 60:6–7 KJV
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All they from Sheba shall come: They shall bring gold and incense; And they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, The rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, And I will glorify the house of my glory.

Isaiah 9:6 KJV
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gold – The Gift For A King

Luke 1:32–33 KJV
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Psalm 72:15 KJV
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: Prayer also shall be made for him continually; And daily shall he be praised.

So, Jesus was ‘the Man born to be King’. But he was to reign not by force but by love; and he was to rule over human hearts, not from a throne, but from a cross.

We do well to remember that Jesus Christ is King. We can never meet Jesus on equal terms. We must always meet him on terms of complete submission. Nelson, the great British admiral, always treated his vanquished opponents with the greatest kindness and courtesy. After one of his naval victories, the defeated admiral was brought aboard Nelson’s ?agship and on to Nelson’s quarterdeck. Knowing Nelson’s reputation for courtesy, and thinking to trade upon it, he advanced across the quarterdeck with hand outstretched as if he was advancing to shake hands with an equal. Nelson’s hand remained by his side. ‘Your sword ?rst,’ he said, ‘and then your hand.’ Before we can be friends with Christ, we must submit to Christ.

1 William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Third Ed., The New Daily Study Bible (Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 2001), 37.

Pastor Adrian Rogers says this in his sermon about the Magi:

And, you see, when these wise men came to the Lord Jesus Christ and presented to Him gold, what they were saying is that He is a king. I believe that they had learned that the baby that would be born was a king. They learned it from the prophet Daniel. In Daniel chapter 9 and verse 25 Daniel had called the baby that would be born “Messiah the Prince.” (Daniel 9:25) And the word prince means “king, ruler, sovereign.” And when they brought gold, they said, “We recognize His sovereign dominion.”

Have you done that? Have you recognized His sovereign dominion? Isaiah chapter 9 and verse 7: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice henceforth even for ever.” (Isaiah 9:7) This child, this baby that we’re talking about, He is King of kings; He is Lord of lords. Now the question comes this Christmas: Will you offer to the Lord the submission that is due to Him? Because He is your king, it is not enough for you to tip your hat; you must bow your knee.

1 Adrian Rogers, “The Gifts of the Wise Men and Our Gifts to Jesus,” in Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust, 2017), Mt 2:1–12.

Frankincense – The Gift for a Priest

Exodus 30:8 KJV
And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

Leviticus 16:12 KJV
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:

Frankincense. Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark, and suffering the gum to flow out. It is highly odoriferous or fragrant when burned, and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. See Ex. 30:8; Le. 16:12. It is found in the East Indies, but chiefly in Arabia; and hence it has been supposed probable that the wise men came from Arabia.1

1 Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 14.

Exodus 30:34–38 KJV
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:

And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.

Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

What is God saying? God is saying that frankincense is the base of this holy incense that is most holy. It is to be given to God. And that incense, as it would rise up out of the tabernacle in the Old Testament, and the temple, speaks of the prayers, the worship of the saints, that goes to Almighty God. What did these wise men recognize? Why were they indeed wise as they were wise? They brought gold, and they recognized His sovereign dominion. And then, they brought frankincense. They recognized His sinless deity: Jesus Christ is God of very God.1

1 Adrian Rogers, “The Gifts of the Wise Men and Our Gifts to Jesus,” in Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust, 2017), Mt 2:1–12.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 4:15–16 KJV
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 9:13–14 KJV
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:24–28 KJV
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Myrrh – A Gift For The Dying

Psalm 45:8 KJV
All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

John 19:39 KJV
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Myrrh, a valued spice and perfume (Psalm 45:8), also came from trees and was used in embalming; thus, it was a gift for a person who was going to die (Mark 15:23; John 19:39). These gifts certainly would have provided the financial resources for Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt and back (2:13–23).1

1 Bruce B. Barton, Matthew, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 29.

Jesus came into the world to die. Holman Hunt painted a famous picture of Jesus. It shows Jesus at the door of the carpenter’s shop in Nazareth. He is still only a boy and has come to the door to stretch his limbs, which have grown cramped over the bench. He stands there in the doorway with arms outstretched, and behind him, on the wall, the setting sun throws his shadow, and it is the shadow of a cross. In the background there stands Mary, and as she sees that shadow there is the fear of coming tragedy in her eyes.

Jesus came into the world to live for men and women, and, in the end, to die for them. He came to give for us his life and his death.

Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, myrrh for one who was to die—these were the gifts of the wise men, and, even at the cradle of Christ, they foretold that he was to be the true king, the perfect high priest, and in the end the supreme Saviour of the world.1

1 William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Third Ed., The New Daily Study Bible (Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 2001), 38.

Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So have you let the reality of the Christmas story change your life? Jesus is the King of Kings! You owe Him your allegiance. Jesus is the great High Priest. He is your only way to God. Jesus is the Atoning Savior. Through His death we can live.

One Sunday morning, a Roman Catholic priest appeared before a congregation of a thousand persons in an Illinois town and said, “My people, I resign my priesthood, though I have been here thirty years.”

At their earnest request he gave his reasons why he did so: “Last night I spent every hour praising God. All sleep had left me. After reading the New Testament I saw that salvation is in Jesus Christ, and is the gift of God’s eternal love. Penance is not in it. Purgatory is not in it. Absolution is not in it. On my knees in my room I accepted the Gift, and I love the Giver. I walked the room most of the night saying to myself: “I accept the Gift, and I love the Giver.” ”

And thus for an hour and a half Father Chiniquy expounded to the people the grace of God. At the close of the sermon he asked how many of them would join with him in accepting the Gift and loving the Giver. Every man, woman, and child, except about forty, responded. And there is a Presbyterian church today.

—A. C. Dison1

1 Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 276.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:34 PM December 21, 2021.

Good News!

Pastor Don Carpenter

Sunday Morning Before Christmas / Luke 2:10–11

 Bishop William Taylor of the Methodist Church was a heroic Christian who went to California in the gold rush of 1849 and settled in San Francisco. He discovered there was no church for him to preach in, and not many people wanted to hear him. So, on Sunday morning, he would roll a wooden barrel down to a street corner, climb up on it, and shout, “What’s the news?” Then, as nomads and natives gathered around, the preacher would announce, “Thank God, my brethren, I have good news for you this morning!” And he would proceed to preach.

I have good news! You may say, “Pastor you have lost your mind!”

Yes 2020 has been rough. Yes there has been a lot of disappointment, sadness, wickedness and down right bad stuff going on this year. Many of us have struggled with health, finances, emotions and some have even lost loved ones. The thing is truth is still true! The news given to the Shepherds that first Christmas night is still true. The Savior still saves! Believers still proclaim that truth, and the Lost can still be Found!

Good News! The world was promised a Savior

God promised that Satan would be defeated

Genesis 3:15 KJV

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

God promised that mankind would be delivered

Isaiah 7:14 KJV

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 KJV

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 53:10–12 KJV

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; For he shall bear their iniquities. 

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, And he shall divide the spoil with the strong; Because he hath poured out his soul unto death: And he was numbered with the transgressors; And he bare the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

God promised that little Bethlehem would be the Savior’s birthplace

Micah 5:2 KJV

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Good News! The Savior Has Come!

A. The shepherds were witnesses of this extraordinary event

Luke 2:8 KJV

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

B. They saw God’s glory

Luke 2:9 KJV

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 1. Light split the sky

 2. They were terrified

 3. They were comforted

C. They heard this good news

Luke 2:10–12 KJV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

1. The Savior brings joy for all people

Romans 5:1–2 KJV

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

2. The Savior is born – the Christ Child

Isaiah 9:6 KJV

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

3. The Savior is God in the flesh

John 1:1–3 KJV

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

The same was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14 KJV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

4. The Savior is Christ the Lord

Philippians 2:6–8 KJV

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

D. The heavens erupted with song

Luke 2:13–14 KJV

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

1. Many heavenly beings

2. All in unison

Good News! The Savior Came For You!

Luke 2:15–20 KJV

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A. The shepherds went to town to see if it was true

B. They found Mary, Joseph, and a baby in a manger

C. They spread the good news

D. They glorified God

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

You Need A Savior

Romans 3:23 KJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 KJV

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You Can’t Save Yourself

Galatians 2:21 KJV

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Price Has Been Paid

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Salvation Is Offered to You as a Free Gift

Romans 6:23 KJV

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Lloyd C. Douglas had a friend who was a violin teacher. Although not too successful, the old man was imbued with considerable wisdom. One day Douglas asked his friend, “Well, what’s the good news today?”

The music master went over to a tuning fork suspended from the ceiling by a cord and struck it with a mallet. “There is the good news for the day,” he said. “That, my friend, is ‘A.’ It was ‘A’ all day yesterday. It will be ‘A’ all day tomorrow, next week, and for a thousand years. The soprano upstairs warbles off key; the tenor next door flats his high ones; and the piano across the hall is out of tune. Noise all around me, noise; but that, my friend, is ‘A.’

1 G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 22.

Even in 2020, the Christmas Story is just as true as it has ever been. The Savior was promised, the Savior came, and now the Savior invites you to accept His Salvation. Truth is Still True… And that is GOOD NEWS.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 5:15 PM December 17, 2020.

The Mother of My Lord

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Incarnation; Christ / Luke 1:31–35; Luke 1:41–45

 We are all familiar with the Christmas story. Jesus our Savior was Born in a manger to Mary and Joseph. We celebrate His birth not only because He is our Savior who died and rose again, but also because He is the precious Son of God who somehow took on the form of man… the incarnation. Tonight we are going to look at the first time Mary and her cousin Elizabeth interacted with the truth of the incarnation. When Elizabeth, who was already carrying a miracle baby, John the Baptist, came in the presence of Mary who was pregnant with Jesus, she calls Mary “The Mother of My Lord.” Tonight we are going to look at what Gabriel told Mary about the Fruit of her womb. We will take a peek at the truths behind the reason Mary is called “The Mother of My Lord”.

He Shall Be Called Jesus

Luke 1:31 KJV

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:21 KJV

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke 1:46–47 KJV

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

He Shall Be Great

Luke 1:32 KJV

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Isaiah 9:6 KJV

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

He Shall Be Called Son of the Highest

Luke 1:32 KJV

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Luke 1:76 KJV

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord To prepare his ways;

He will be called the Son of the Most High (cf. v. 76). The Septuagint often used the term “Most High” (hypsistou) to translate the Hebrew ‘elyôn (cf. v. 76). Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. The fact that her Baby was to be called the “Son of the Most High” pointed to His equality with Yahweh. In Semitic thought a son was a “carbon copy” of his father, and the phrase “son of” was often used to refer to one who possessed his “father’s” qualities (e.g., the Heb. trans. “son of wickedness” in Ps. 89:22 [kjv] means a wicked person).1

1 John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 205.

He Shall Be Called The Son of God

Luke 1:35 KJV

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

His body was prepared for Him by the Spirit of God (Heb. 10:5) who “overshadowed” Mary. That word is applied to the presence of God in the holy of holies in the Jewish tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:35). Mary’s womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God!1

1 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 172.

His Body Prepared for Him

Hebrews 10:5 KJV

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Mary’s Body Prepared for Him

Exodus 40:35 KJV

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Jesus Remained Holy But Human

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Peter 2:22 KJV

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1 John 3:5 KJV

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

There are many mind blowing miracles wrapped up in the Christmas story. One of the sweetest is that God used a willing young virgin to be the Mother of my Lord. What are you willing to be for God?

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 5:59 PM December 16, 2020.

Think of that little band of people who crossed the Atlantic in a boat that was 26 feet by 112 feet and landed on the New England coast during a bitter cold winter. At times that first year the daily ration of those who were well was only five grains of corn. In early New England, it was the custom at Thanksgiving time to place five kernels of corn at every plate as a reminder of those stern days in the first winter when the food of the Pilgrims was to depleted that only five kernels of corn were rationed to each individual at a time. The Pilgrim Fathers wanted their children to remember the sacrifice, sufferings, and hardships through which they had safely passed — a fitting hardship that made possible the settlement of a free people in a free land. They wanted to keep alive the memory of that sixty-three-day trip taken in the tiny Mayflower. They desired to keep alive the thought of that stern and rock-bound coast, its inhospitable welcome, and the first terrible winter which took such a toll of lives.

They did not want their descendants to forget that on that day in which their rations was reduced to five kernels of corn, only seven healthy colonists remained to nurse the sick, and that nearly half their members lay in the windswept graveyard on the hill.

They worked seven years to repay London the loan for their trip. That was before the days of credit cards. After suffering every kind of hardship, they had a harvest of 21 acres of corn and in the fall of 1621, they immediately offered thanks to God for His blessings. This little group led by Gov. William Bradford marched triumphantly through the cornfields singing, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” Then they sat down to a meal in gladness and joy. They were giving thanks to God no matter what.

From a sermon by Gerald Steffy, Thankful No Matter What, 10/14/2009

Tomorrow we will take a break to stop our regular routine, gather with our loved ones, and give thanks.  Even unsaved folks realize they should have gratitude… but to whom and for what?  Tomorrow our thoughts should transcend our immediate family and personal bounty.  It should focus on our Great God who bestows unmerited favor on us moment by moment, and day by day.  As we reflect upon our passage this evening, let us meditate upon the fundamentals of Thanksgiving.

To Whom Should We Give Thanks?

Psalm 95:1 KJV

O come, let us sing unto the Lord:

Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

•    To the Lord- Jehovah

Exodus 3:14 KJV

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

•    The Rock of our Salvation

1 Corinthians 10:4 KJV

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

•    The Great God

•    The king above all

Psalm 95:3 KJV

For the Lord is a great God,

And a great King above all gods.

•    Our Maker

Psalm 95:6 KJV

O come, let us worship and bow down:

Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

•    Our God

Psalm 95:7 KJV

For he is our God;

And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

To day if ye will hear his voice,

How Should We Give Thanks?

King James Version Psalm 95

      O come, let us sing unto the LORD:

King James Version Psalm 95

Let us make a joyful noise

King James Version Psalm 95

And make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

King James Version Psalm 95

Let us

•    Corporate Worship

King James Version Psalm 95

worship and bow down:

King James Version Psalm 95

kneel before the LORD

Why Should We Give Thanks?

Because God is Great -focus on Him not on how we are made happy by Him.

Psalm 95:3 KJV

For the Lord is a great God,

And a great King above all gods.

Because His Power is Great

King James Version Psalm 95

In his hand are the deep places of the earth:

King James Version Psalm 95

The strength of the hills is his also.

King James Version Psalm 95

The sea is his, and he made it:

King James Version Psalm 95

And his hands formed the dry land.

Romans 1:20 KJV

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psalm 19:1 KJV

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Because His Love Is Great

King James Version Psalm 95

      For he is our God

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2 Corinthians 6:18 KJV

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

King James Version Psalm 95

And we are the people of his pasture

Psalm 23:1 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

King James Version Psalm 95

and the sheep of his hand.

John 10:27 KJV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:28 KJV

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:29 KJV

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

John 10:30 KJV

I and my Father are one.

Dramatic and significant is the story of the Pilgrims. On December 21, 1620, the voyaging Mayflower dropped anchor in Plymouth Bay, with Captain Christopher Jones at her helm. It had been a grueling voyage, taking the one-hundred-twenty-ton-capacity ship sixty-six days to make the perilous crossing. There had been disease, anxiety, and childbirth among the 102 courageous passengers. Furthermore, they arrived on the bleak New England shore during a hard winter which ultimately claimed half of their number. However, when spring came and the captain of the Mayflower offered free passage to anyone desiring to return, not a single person accepted.

The fidelity of the forty-one men, who while still aboard the Mayflower had signed the famous Compact beginning with the words, “In ye name of God Amen,” was taking on visible meaning. These chivalrous souls had dedicated themselves to the total causes of freedom. They had come to a wilderness to carve out a better way of life. Faith prompted the voyage; faith sustained the Pilgrims and their religious convictions constrained them to raise their voices in praise. Their hardships, sacrifice, devotion, concept of government, and vigorous religion all remind us of those who sought a country.

So tomorrow, as we reflect, let us thank God for who He is, for who we are in Him, and for His grace to our forefathers seeking a place to worship, and for the privilege of living in a country founded in Thanksgiving.

Christlikeness

G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 43–44.

Preached Sunday Morning, December 6, 2009

Matthew 28:1-8

Introduction:

Mary Magdalene had gone through the horrors of watching her beloved Savior writhing in pain upon the cross for six hours until He finally died. The image of His grizzly face was forever etched upon the fabric of her mind. His beard had been ripped out. The priests had beaten him with their fists. The crown of thorns severely marred his forehead. Our Savior’s blood poured down the cross of Calvary. Mary shuddered as she remembered those awful events. She was on her way to the grave site to pay her respects very early that first Easter morning.

All of a sudden she encountered an angel. The stone had been rolled away, and the soldiers no longer stood guard over the entrance to the tomb!

Our passage outlines three basic commands that this angel gave Mary. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey this morning, you will be able to grow closer to God as you, like Mary Magdalene, listen to the words of the Resurrection Angel.

I. Fear not!

Matthew 28:5
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

A. Because you seek Jesus
B. Because He is not in the grave!

1. Like every other philosopher
2. Like every other religious leader!

C. He is risen!

Matthew 28:6
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

1. Just like He said.

Matthew 12:38-41
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

2. Victory over sin.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. Victory over death.

Revelation 1:17-18
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

4. Victory over Satan.

Revelation 12:9-11
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

II. Come and see for yourself!

Matthew 28:6
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

A. See the evidence of His resurrection

1. His clothes were folded.

John 20:5-9
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

2. There were men in shining garments where Jesus used to be.

Luke 24:1-5
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

B. Why seek the living among the dead?

Luke 24:5
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

1. Dead prophets and philosophers.

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2. Dead rituals
Romans 10:1-4
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
3. Dead works.
Hebrews 9:14
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

III. Go quickly!
Matthew 28:7-8
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
A. Proclaim this truth to all!
Mark 16:15
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
B. Go in fear, or a sense of urgency!
2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

C. Go with joy!

Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Micah 5:2

 

Preached Christmas Eve, 2010

 

Introduction:

 

Micah 5:2 (KJV)

²But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be

 

little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of

thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

Today, even those who are unfamiliar with the Bible know about the town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.  Bethlehem was not always familiar or famous.  It was small and insignificant, yet God made a promise to this little town that it would be the cradle of the of Messiah.  

 

Tonight, as we meditate upon the events of that first Christmas Eve, let us consider the town in which Jesus was born.  God used a small and overlooked town to do something great.  This is how God works!  God uses the weak and humble things to show His faithfulness and strength.  Tonight as we reflect on God using this humble little town, we must know that God does not change.  If he can use little Bethlehem, He can and will use you.  If He can use little Bethlehem, He can and will use Evangelical Baptist Church.  Bethlehem, though you are little and insignificant, God has something special for you:

 

I.                   As Seen in God’s Purpose for you – revealed in your names

 

A.     Bethlehem = “House of Bread”

 

John 6:35 (KJV)

³⁵And Jesus said unto them, I am the

 

bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

 

1.     Jesus is the Bread of Life

 

2.     Those who come to Him will never hunger.

 

3.     Those who believe on Him will never thirst.

 

B.     Ephratah

 

1.     Named after Caleb’s wife (Caleb was a great warrior believing God to take the most challenging people when he was over 80!)

 

1 Chronicles 2:19

19 And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

 

2.     One of the smallest Clans

 

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (KJV)

²⁷But God hath chosen the foolish

 

things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ²⁸And base things of the

 

world, and things which are

despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

 

3.     From “Ephrath” = fruitful

 

Luke 19:10 (KJV)

¹⁰For the Son of man is come to

 

seek and to save that which was lost.

 

John 15:8 (KJV)

⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that

 

ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

 

II.                Seen in God’s Promise

 

A.     The Birthplace of the King of Kings

 

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a

 

son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

B.     This promise was fulfilled

 

Matthew 2:5 (KJV)

⁵And they said unto him, In

 

Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

 

III.             Seen in God’s Eternal Plan

 

A.     God’s plan is eternal

 

Psalm 90:1-2 (KJV)

 

¹ Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. ²Before the

 

mountains were brought forth, or ever

thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

 

Ephesians 1:3-4 (KJV)

³Blessed be the God and Father of our

 

Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴According as he hath

 

chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

 

B.     God’s Son is Eternal

 

John 1:1-2 (KJV)

¹In the beginning was the Word, and

 

the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²The same was in the

 

beginning with God.

 

John 17:5 (KJV)

⁵And now, O Father, glorify thou me

 

with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

 

C.     God’s Character is Eternal

 

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

⁸Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and

to day, and for ever.

 

è      If God can use little Bethlehem to bring us the Eternal Messiah, He will have no trouble making something great out of you.  If He can use an insignificant clan to produce the Savior, He can use a relatively small and unknown church like ours to make a world wide eternal impact.