1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: And we know that all things work together for good 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: to them that love God, to them who are called 3 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: according to His purpose Romans A twenty eight. Lord, when 4 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: I am walking in obedience to your word, I trust 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,799 Speaker 1: you are in control of my life. Whatever circumstances you 6 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: allow to challenge me will be turned for my good. 7 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: Your goal is to restore my understanding of who I 8 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: am as a child of God and mature me spiritually 9 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 1: and emotionally. All the situations I confront are designed to 10 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: help me grow and exercise your word and my faith. 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: At first, they may seem overwhelming, but as I press 12 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:49,559 Speaker 1: into you in prayer and search your word for answers, 13 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: I gain the strength I need to rise above what 14 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: I am facing. Thank you for the new freedom on 15 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: the other side of my difficulties. Amen, Thank you for 16 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: listening to today's daily Prayer for more inspiration and an 17 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: incredible message from our feature pastor, stay tuned to pray 18 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: dot COM's Sunday service. Funny this is Mike. I just 19 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: want to wish every single person a merry Christmas. In 20 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: Hawaii we say melikalikimaka. And for those of you who 21 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 1: are watching this after Christmas, I also want to say, 22 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: Holy Makahikiho, which means have a happy new year. So 23 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: grateful to be with you twenty twenty two. And I 24 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,480 Speaker 1: don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a 25 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: better year. I pray God's peace, God's presence would be 26 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: all over you today. And I just want to wish 27 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: every single person on behalf of the Inspired Church family 28 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: all over the world, Merry Christmas. We love you guys. 29 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: You know we get this opportunity that's just to decorate 30 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: with Christmas lights and trees, which I think are all 31 00:01:57,040 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: so festive and so important, the presence in the gathering 32 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: and all of that. But I also know this that 33 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: God is doing something powerful and amazing through this Christmas. 34 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: I'm praying that the peace of God, that the joy 35 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: of the Lord, would be your strength this Christmas holiday season. 36 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: In the name of Jesus. So come with me to 37 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: Luke chapter two in the Bible, where we're going to 38 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 1: read about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 39 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: And in Luke chapter two, the Bible tells us that 40 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 1: at that time Roman Emperor Augustus decreed that a census 41 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: should be taken throughout the Roman Empire, and this was 42 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: the first census taken when Quinirius was governor of Syria. 43 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 1: So all returned to their own ancestral towns to register 44 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: for this census. And because Joseph was at the senate 45 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, 46 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,639 Speaker 1: David's ancient home, and he traveled to the village of 47 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: Nazareth in Galilee, and he took with him marry his fiancee, 48 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: who is now obviously pregnant. Here we've got a situation 49 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: where God is orchestrating things in order to allow his 50 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 1: son to be born in Bethlehem, in the city of David. 51 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: Now this is problematic. We've got a problem here because 52 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:15,519 Speaker 1: Mary is in her third trimester. She is traveling all 53 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 1: the way from Galilee in the north to Bethlehem in 54 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: the south. During that time, the Romans ruled that part 55 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:26,119 Speaker 1: of the world. So the government decreed that everybody has 56 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: to go home and register for a census. Can you 57 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 1: imagine the movement all over Israel of people having to 58 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: go from one town to the other town by foot 59 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: through caravan to make sure that they were safe when 60 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: they traveled, so they never traveled by themselves. I know 61 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: it's beautiful and it's it makes wonderful Christmas cards. But 62 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: Mary and Joseph did not travel alone. Not likely. It's 63 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: not likely that she was being taken on a camel. 64 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: It is more likely that she was placed in a cart. 65 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: More likely that they traveled with other people because of safety, 66 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: and that journey was long. Imagine this, if you are 67 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: in your third trimester of your pregnancy, You've got to 68 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 1: go back to your own ancestral town. What about work? 69 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: Who closes up shop? Who opens up shop? What about 70 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: your crops? Who's watching your herds? If you are a shepherd. 71 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: All of this movement is going on throughout Israel because 72 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: not only because the Roman government caused it, but probably 73 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: because God caused it in order to get people to 74 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 1: go back to their town so that Jesus would be 75 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 1: born in Bethlehem. Through all of the situations, disruptions, problematic 76 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 1: situations that you and I have been in through the year, 77 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: when we look at why did this happen? Why or 78 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: am I here? Why did that take place? And oftentimes 79 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: we will see that God is behind this, trying to 80 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: move pieces all over the chessboard so that he can 81 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: take care of business so that we could fall into 82 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 1: God's will. But there are also times that God has 83 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 1: nothing to do with it. You know. Sometimes it's God. 84 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: God's not doing anything with this, God's not causing this. 85 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: But there are times that even though a situation that 86 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: is beyond your control is causing you to move in 87 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: your life and be in places that you never thought 88 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: you would be, or in a situation you never asked for, 89 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 1: even though God did not cause it. The Bible tells 90 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 1: us in Romans chapter eight, verse twenty eight that God 91 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: works all things for the good, for the good of 92 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 1: those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. 93 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:33,559 Speaker 1: So God, may it have not caused it, but God 94 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: can still use it. So Marian Joseph are headed to Bethlehem, 95 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: and the Bible tells us in verse six that and 96 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: while they were there, they came for the baby to 97 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: be born, and she gave birth to her first child, 98 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 1: a son, and she wrapped him snugly in strips of 99 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: cloth and laid him in a manger because there was 100 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 1: no lodging available for them. We've always read that there 101 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 1: was no room for them in the end. We see pictures, 102 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 1: or we've in cartoons or situations where poor Mary and 103 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 1: Joseph are trying to find room in the inn, but 104 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: there's no room in the end. Sorry, no room, door closed, 105 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 1: No vacancy signs are out there. You know all those 106 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: motels when we would travel as kids and go to 107 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 1: different spots and we'd stay at motels. We'd stay at 108 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: the Howard Johnson or the Holiday Inn and the Hojoe 109 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 1: or the Howard Johnson and the Holiday inns always had 110 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 1: vacancy or no vacancy. And my parents and I we 111 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:28,679 Speaker 1: loved it. We didn't go to resorts. We went camping. 112 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: We were in a camper. We pulled up a camper. 113 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: All four kids would come out of the camper and 114 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: we'd go to the inn and there would be either 115 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 1: vacancy and no vacancy. My dad would go check in 116 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: to see if there was room. He could get a 117 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: room for all six of us in one room, and 118 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: it was awesome. But this was not the situation. The 119 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: situation actually here in Bethlehem at that time was multi 120 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 1: level housing. People lived in not just on the ground 121 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: floor or the second flour, in the third flour because 122 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: they would all live together, and these were built one 123 00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 1: on top of the other. When the family expanded, they 124 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: might build a second story or a third story. But 125 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: on the ground floor it was like the stable. This 126 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 1: is where you brought in the family, animals to come 127 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: in from the cold. If you had an oxen, if 128 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: you had a cow that was prized, you wanted to 129 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: bring it in. If you were a shepherd you had 130 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: some flocks and you didn't want it outside, you wanted 131 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: to bring it in. Sometimes you would bring it in. 132 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 1: This is where marrying Joseph are. They were at the bottom. 133 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: In fact, it's almost like disrespectful that this pregnant lady 134 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: is not being given room because all the family has 135 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: come and they all called dibbs on the bedrooms, called 136 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: dibbs on the floors. What floor they wanted to sleep 137 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: on him? And marrying Joseph got there just in time 138 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: to give birth to Jesus. What did they get? They 139 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: got the ground floor. Here's why this is a challenge. 140 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: It's because the situation in which she is pregnant. They 141 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: are not married yet. She's pregnant by the Holy Spirit, 142 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: not by Joseph. She had a visitation by the Angel 143 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: so that Joseph was assured as well that everything would 144 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: be okay, And it wasn't until after Jesus was born 145 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: that they actually physically consummated their marriage. But nobody knows this. 146 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: Everybody thinks that they shacked out. They got pregnant before 147 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: she was going to give birth, and so this was 148 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: the problem, and this is why he is being born 149 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: in a stable downstairs on the ground floor. But the 150 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: Bible tells us in verse eight that that night there 151 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks 152 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: of sheep, and suddenly in Angel of the Lord appeared 153 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: among them, and the radiance of Lord's glory surrounded them, 154 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: and they were terrified. I would be terrified too, if 155 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, thousands of angels appeared in the sky, 156 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: hovering right above the shepherds and over the fields and 157 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 1: the flocks. Says they were terrified, but the angel reassured them, 158 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. He said, I bring 159 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 160 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 1: The Savior, Yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born 161 00:08:56,600 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: today in Bethlehem, in the city of David. You will 162 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: recognize him by this sign. You will find a baby 163 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 1: wrapped snugly in strips of cloth lying in a manger. 164 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: Suddenly the Angel was joined by a vast host of others, 165 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 1: the armies of Heaven, praising God and saying glory to 166 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 1: God in the highest Heaven, and peace on earth to 167 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: those with whom God is pleased. And when the angels 168 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: had returned to heaven, the shepherd said to each other, 169 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 1: let's go to bethleemb and see this thing that has 170 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: happened which the Lord has told us about. And they 171 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 1: hurried to the village verse sixteen, and found Mary and Joseph, 172 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: and there was a baby lying in the manger. And 173 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: after seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened 174 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 1: and what the Angel had said to them about this child. 175 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 1: And all who heard the shepherd's story were astonished. But 176 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought 177 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: about them often. And the shepherds went back to their flocks, 178 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard 179 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: and seen. And it was just as the Angel had 180 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: told him. You know, it's awesome. Because the shepherds were 181 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 1: considered on the low rung of society, just above lepers, widows, shepherds. 182 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:21,760 Speaker 1: They were in their own little ecosystem, so to speak. 183 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 1: And so when you see that God is making the 184 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: announcement not to the temple. He doesn't make it in 185 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: the palace. He makes the announcement in the fields. And 186 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 1: it is in these fields that the Angel says this, 187 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,079 Speaker 1: and I want to camp on this just for a 188 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,199 Speaker 1: few moments that I have with you today, is this, 189 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 1: I bring good news that will bring great joy to 190 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: all people. Come on, everybody, say good news, Say great joy, 191 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,959 Speaker 1: and say to all people, this is good news. Number one, 192 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 1: I want you to write the good news. The good 193 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 1: news is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news 194 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: is God sent his one and only son to save 195 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: us from ourselves and to save us from sin. See, 196 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:14,319 Speaker 1: God loves us so much that number one, it is 197 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: the good news. The Angel said, I'd bring good news. 198 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: Come on, in a world that we need good news. 199 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: I welcome good news. I don't like bad news. They say, 200 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: don't shoot the messenger. I totally understand that, but I don't. 201 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,439 Speaker 1: That's why the bobble says, how beautiful are the feet 202 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 1: are those who bring the good news? And the good 203 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: news is not just hey, I've got good news for you. 204 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: Things are going to get better in twenty twenty two. Hey, 205 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: I've got good news for you. That business you wanted 206 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 1: to start. You've got to get that loan. Hey, I 207 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: got good news for you. You got that apartment that 208 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 1: you've been trying to get. Hey, I got good news 209 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 1: for you. You're gonna get married this year. How I 210 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: got you? Know? This is more than that. That's good news. 211 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:53,079 Speaker 1: But this good news is great news. And that good 212 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 1: news on the circumstances of being under the Roman occupation 213 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: and oppression, of having the aristocracy class of the Herod's 214 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: ruling over your country as well, and then having the 215 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: religious leaders and rulers of the day, the Pharisees and 216 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: the Sadducees, who were making life difficult by adding more 217 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: burdens to people. How much more could the people take? 218 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: How much more could they handle? How much more mandates 219 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: and variances that are happening this Like I thought this 220 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 1: was almost over, and here we are again. I tell 221 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: you right now that the people were ready for some 222 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: good news, and the good news was more that would 223 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:34,839 Speaker 1: last for a week. It was more than something that 224 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: would last for six months or a year. This good 225 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:42,319 Speaker 1: news keeps repeating itself for over two thousand years. Everybody, 226 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: it's good news, and the good news of Jesus Christ, 227 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: the God's soul of the world, that he gave his 228 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish 229 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 1: but have everlasting life. That good news came into my 230 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: life when I was twenty one years old. Seemed so 231 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: long ago, but I was twenty one years old when 232 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: I was broken hearted, I was less, I was suicidal, 233 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 1: I was depressed, I had anxiety, I was angry. I 234 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: had all of these things going on in my life 235 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: because of some of the things that I created in 236 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: my own life, and things were done to me as well. 237 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: But I was walked into a church for the very 238 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: first time when my friends told me that I needed 239 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: to go to church, and I did not want to 240 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: go to church. I didn't want nothing to do with church. 241 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 1: I knew I needed God, but I didn't know what 242 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 1: church was like. Just like maybe you, maybe for you 243 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: some of you that you are apprehensive about going to 244 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: church because you don't know what the experience was like, 245 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 1: but you like online though. Maybe some of you that 246 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: you said that you would never go into church before 247 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: because you've been hurt before, so you never want to 248 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,679 Speaker 1: go to church, or maybe you just don't understand what 249 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: church is like, or maybe maybe you just don't know, 250 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: and maybe it was never a priority in your life. 251 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,079 Speaker 1: But I want to tell you that it was in church, 252 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,680 Speaker 1: in a church, that I received the good news of 253 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ and I heard it for the first time. See, 254 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: I had gone to church my whole life, but I 255 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: never never clicked, even though I stopped going to church 256 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: from the age of seventeen to about the age of 257 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: twenty one. From that four year period of outside of 258 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: that covering did enough damage in my life that here 259 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 1: I was walking into a church because my friends prayed 260 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: for me and they told me you got to come 261 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: to church, and finally they were bugging me, and I 262 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:18,839 Speaker 1: had to get them off my back, if you know 263 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: what I'm talking about, because they were a little bit 264 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: too much pressure trying to get me to come to 265 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 1: the church. And then they went from bugging and finally 266 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: they went to bribing. My friend Brandon said, if you 267 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: come to church, I'll buy you breakfast. Men, when you 268 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: are a single father of a two year old daughter 269 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 1: and you're trying to make ends meet and you're like 270 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: living just above the poverty level, and you've got three jobs. 271 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: When someone says free food, you go. And I went 272 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: because Number one, I knew in my heart that I 273 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: needed God, but I didn't realize that when I walked 274 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: into church for the very first time, then I would 275 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: hear the good news presented in a way that I 276 00:14:55,840 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: would connect with. That God loves you so much that 277 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: he sent through the virgin birth from Heaven, through a 278 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: woman to earth to take on the form of a man, 279 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: fully God, yet fully man, the son of Man, the 280 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 1: son of the Most High. For God so loved the 281 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: world that he sent his one and only son, that 282 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. 283 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: And when I tell you, when I heard the good news, 284 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 1: my heart received it with great joy. Like I'm talking 285 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: about that's not even in my vocabulary at the age 286 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: of twenty one, that's religious talk, I thought to myself, 287 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: But I did. I received it with great joy that 288 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: God would love me like. I don't know where you're 289 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 1: at in your life right now. Maybe you're not as 290 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: broken as I was, but maybe you're missing something in 291 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: your life. You know something's missing. It's not all there. 292 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: You have these achievements, you have these relationships, things are 293 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: going good, feel is good, but still something is missing. 294 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: You know why, because God created us that way. The 295 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: great philosopher C. S. Lewis says that in every person 296 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: that God has created a God shaped void in our 297 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: hearts or in our lives that only He was meant 298 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: to fill. But we go through our lives trying to 299 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: fill it and fulfill ourselves with totally different things that 300 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: only bring just temporary satisfaction. But Jesus said, I come 301 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 1: that you might have life John ten, verse ten, and 302 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: have it abundantly. And that, my friends, is good news. 303 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: Come on, somebody say amen. Number one good news. The 304 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: second thing we bring great joy. This is gonna be 305 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: great joy. Good news that brings great joy, great joy. 306 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: This news is where we get joyful. We get we 307 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: rejoice because of all that God has done. Our hearts 308 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: rejoice over God loving the world, this blue planet here 309 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: in the Solar system that is going heywhi and going 310 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: crazy at times, and not just in America but throughout 311 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 1: the world and all of the darkness that's in this world. Man, 312 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: the joy that came forth that day is repeating itself 313 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: until this day. Joy Number one, God's got good news. 314 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 1: Number two, he wants to bring you great joy. You know, 315 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:20,919 Speaker 1: joy is not a feeling. Joy is a state of being. 316 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,679 Speaker 1: It's not a feeling, but it is a state of being. 317 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: Happiness is a feeling. Right Sadness, that's a feeling, and 318 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 1: those feelings come and go. It depends on what you ate. 319 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 1: It depends on how you feel, It depends on what's 320 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: been done to you, depends on what you've done. Happiness, 321 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 1: it can come and can go. But joy lasts, and 322 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: joy is something that God gives you and comes from within, 323 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: and it's also something that you choose. I choose joy, 324 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 1: no matter what my circumstances. I choose joy. And I 325 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: tell you what, it's not faking it till you make it. 326 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: It's not that I'm gonna I'm gonna, you know, Oh, 327 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: I'll praise the Lord. Something terrible happened in my life, 328 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,120 Speaker 1: would praise the Lord. No, it's it's more than that. 329 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: And good for you, for someone in the midst of 330 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 1: your tragedy can still say praise the Lord, because that's 331 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 1: what Job did. Job lost everything and he said, yet 332 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 1: I will praise the Lord. Yet I will praise him. 333 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: David throughout scripture in the Book of Psalms, will say, 334 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,640 Speaker 1: yet I praise the Lord, no matter. Oh wake up 335 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 1: my soul, I praise the Lord. And in these times 336 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 1: that you can have the joy of the Lord. You 337 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:33,360 Speaker 1: know why, because if you have the joy of the Lord, 338 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:36,200 Speaker 1: the Bible says and Niemiah that the joy of the 339 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 1: Lord will be your strength. Number One, good news Jesus King. 340 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:45,239 Speaker 1: Two great joy keeps giving it to this day. And 341 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,359 Speaker 1: here's the third thing. For all people, for all people, 342 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: for you, for me, for everybody in this world. God 343 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:59,040 Speaker 1: has brought great news that will bring great joy for 344 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 1: all people. He came for Jews, and he came for Gentiles, 345 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: he came for Hawaiians, he came for Holllis, he came 346 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 1: for every ethnicity in the world. Because why because he 347 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 1: so loved the world. He loves the people. God loves you, 348 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:20,919 Speaker 1: and God loves humanity. And that's why he sent his 349 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 1: son into the world, not to condemn the world, not 350 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 1: to judge the world, but to love the world. That's 351 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 1: why he sent his son. Because why, because it's good news. 352 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: Have you accepted this good news God? Can you receive 353 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 1: it with great joy? Do you realize it that it's 354 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: for you too, for all people. Oh no, that's for 355 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: those people who are broken. Oh no, that's for those people. 356 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: Maybe one day I'll be one of those people. But 357 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: right now, no, no, no, no, no, for all people you, 358 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: right now, where you're at watching this, God loves you. 359 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 1: God loves you more than you realize, more than he said, 360 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 1: more than she's expressed, more than what you've been told. 361 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: God loves you and you're all his people. But you 362 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: have to receive it. Under these trees, in Christmas trees 363 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: all over the world are gifts. And the gifts that 364 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 1: are under these trees are something powerful, something amazing, something majestic. 365 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: But you have to take it, and you have to 366 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 1: unwrap it and you have to open it. You can't 367 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 1: just say when someone gives you a gift, oh, here's 368 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 1: a gift, Merry Christmas, and you're like, oh, thank you, 369 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: and then you put in the closet and you never 370 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 1: open it. That would be what disrespectful Number one, and 371 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 1: number two, you'd be crazy not to open because you 372 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,880 Speaker 1: never know what's in it. Right the matter, But here, here, 373 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 1: here's a deal. God has sent his son into the 374 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 1: world and he has wrapped him up as a gift 375 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: for you, but you have to receive it and you 376 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: have to open that gift. Are you ready to open 377 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: that gift today Christmas? If you've already given your life 378 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:58,160 Speaker 1: to Jesus, let's open it again. Let's realize what He's 379 00:20:58,160 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: done for us if you've never done that before. In 380 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 1: no matter how old you are, how matter how young 381 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:03,439 Speaker 1: you are, no matter what your religious background is, no 382 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: matter where you came from, no matter where your socio 383 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 1: economic status. You could be on the high or on 384 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: the low. You could be on the third floor, you 385 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: could be in the stable. It does not matter. God 386 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 1: is no respect of persons. What he does is that 387 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: he loves you, and you have to open and receive 388 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:20,240 Speaker 1: this gift. So receive that gift today because why because 389 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 1: he loves you. The Bible says we love him because 390 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 1: he first loved us. God loves you. If that's you 391 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: today this Christmas, unwrap the gift and what comes with 392 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: that gift salvation forgiveness of all of our sins, everything 393 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: lost clean by the lamb of God Jesus Christ, who 394 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,720 Speaker 1: takes away the sins of the world. And that's why 395 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: he came to pay the price and the penalty for 396 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:47,679 Speaker 1: my sin and for your sin, because he wants us 397 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: to repent. What's repent. Repent means to have a change 398 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,639 Speaker 1: of mind. It's the word, the Greek word meta nooia, 399 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 1: to have a change of mind. God wants you to 400 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: change your mind because he loves you so much, wants 401 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 1: to forgive you, wants to receive you, and wants to 402 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:07,360 Speaker 1: be in your life from this moment forward. So if 403 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:09,880 Speaker 1: that's you, would you repeat this prayer with me, Say Jesus, 404 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 1: thank you for loving me, Thank you for expressing that 405 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:19,399 Speaker 1: love for me. That you came to this world and 406 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 1: you lived as a human being. You suffered on that cross, 407 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: you died, and you rose again, and you are seated 408 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:32,640 Speaker 1: at the right hand of the Father. You are my savior. 409 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: You are my redeemer. You are my brother. And today 410 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: I invite you to come into my life to change 411 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 1: me from the inside out, to set me on a 412 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: firm foundation when the world is shaking, that I can 413 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:57,120 Speaker 1: trust you with my life to change me, to lead me, 414 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:03,359 Speaker 1: to guide me, to mold to shape me, to love 415 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: me just as I am. From this moment forward, to 416 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 1: change my life not just on the inside, but also 417 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 1: on the outside around me, Come into my life, take 418 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: care of my family, my loved ones, guide us and 419 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 1: protect us. Thank you that I'm born again. Say this, 420 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:29,439 Speaker 1: I'm born again. The oldest past, the new has begun. 421 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: I'm a new creation in Christ Jesus creative to serve 422 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 1: you and to love you in Jesus name ay man. Hey, listen, 423 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:44,920 Speaker 1: if you have prayed that prayer this Christmas, this Christmas season, 424 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 1: I want to welcome you into the family of God. 425 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: Come up. WHOA. That's the most important decision that you 426 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:55,080 Speaker 1: have ever made in your life. And you will never 427 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 1: regret it, and you will be grateful, and you'll be 428 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,280 Speaker 1: thankful in a world like this to have Jesus in 429 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,120 Speaker 1: you and with you. Nothing like it, nothing like it. 430 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 1: So congratulations. Want to wish you a very merry Christmas 431 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 1: from the Kai family, from the Inspire family all over 432 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 1: the world, here in Hawaii and Manila. God bless you, 433 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,240 Speaker 1: and the Lord bless you and keep you. May the 434 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 1: Lord turn his countenance towards you. May he cause his 435 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 1: face to shine upon you, to be gracious to you 436 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:28,879 Speaker 1: and grant you peace. God bless you, We love you, 437 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 1: and aloha. The podcast The Bible in a Year with 438 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 1: Jack Graham is a moving and inspiring Biblical audio experience 439 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: that will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. 440 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,040 Speaker 1: In each episode, you'll learn to apply Biblical principles to 441 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:47,919 Speaker 1: everyday life. Each cinematic episode is a journey through the 442 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: Bible's most profound stories that will strengthen your appreciation of 443 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:56,119 Speaker 1: the Word and inspire you to keep alerting. Listen to 444 00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,280 Speaker 1: the Bible in a Year with Jack Graham on the 445 00:24:58,320 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. M