A Christmas message Matt.1:18-25.

 The Christmas story narrated here by Matthew, reveals the drama of those days.

Matthew writes to tell us the main purpose of writing - the birth of Jesus Christ.

What is the message, what is the story?

 A young couple are engaged to be marrıed but surprısıngly and agaınst every norm of the day the gırl ıs found to be pregnant. What a dısgrace! The penalty accordıng to the Law of Moses ıs death by stonıng, but Joseph was a just man, a proper person, he loved Mary.

There ıs now a crısıs ın the relatıonshıp! What ıs the answer? At thıs poınt God steps ınto the There ıs now a crısıs ın the relatıonshıp sıtu. He always steps ın when we come to a dead end. Many a tıme we thınk that God has abandoned us and we fınd no solutıons to our dıffıcultıes, but God ıs always on tıme.

Joseph ıs told by an Angel what the problem ıs about. It ıs not what Joseph thought. God explaıns Isaıah 55:8 Here God unfolds Hıs plan of Salvatıon Galatıans 4: 4-5. Who would ever thınk of such a solutıon? The relıgıous men of the day and the theologıans knew all about Hıs comıng but ın the end got everythıng wrong. In the end God had to turn to some shepherds to annuounce the joyous event. Joseph may not have understood the whole message but he obeyed  How about us when God speaks? Are we full of questıons and doubts?

 Who touched Me? Mark 5:25-34.

A strange incident during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A woman with a desperate need and a deperate action. She is called a daughter of Abraham ( a believer). A sick believer. with no healing, yet Christ took our infirmities and our sicknesses on the Cross Col.2:13-14.

She tried every remedy, but no result. According to the Law. she had to live apart from the community. She could not touch a Rabbi.

Many wanted to touch Christ during His ministry, but only this woman suceeded.

When we come to the end of our resources, Faith takes over, the end of our ways. God will respond to the touch of Faith. His followers did not recognize that touch of Faith, it seems, but Jesus felt it.

The woman could have been put off by sircumstances (crowd, noise, etc.). Her little mustard seed of faith moved a mountain. Does it to us? Is our faith a disgrace? Too little? Ask Godto do something about it. 

The disciples asked, 'Lord increase our faith' Luk.17.5-6.

We all want to see miracles and mighty works, but we need Apostolic Faith, Heb. 11:6. Are there mountains of unbelief in our hearts? One day the disciples were amazed to see a fig tree wither, but Jesus focussed them on the source of Faith, 'Have Faith of God'( living Faith) Faith is an extraordinay thing. We cannot analyze it, but by the Word of God we can define it-Heb.11:1. It means, to possess what you do not have and to see the invisible.

Jesus felt that touch of faith from that woman - the result-healing, deliverance from something impossible. When we put our whole weight on God, we can see the mountain removed.

God speaks-2

Does God speak to us? The categorical answer is YES, How?

He speaks to us when we are ready to listen, Rev.3:22. In what way? Primarily God speaks to us through His written Word (the Bible).2 Pet.1:19-21. This is the most sure way for us to receive His communications. His Word is inerrant. Paul, the Apostle, had the same attitude as Peter: 2 Tim.3:16.

Apart from the Scriptures, God has other means to communicate His will to us, but these are secondary to the message of the Bible. There are details in our lives that the Scriptures do not provide, e.g. what country to live in, what kind of work to do, etc. God speaks to us to reveal His will for our lives and shape us for Eternity. He chooses to whom He speaks and how He does it:

1.The inner witness of the Holy Spirit: Rom.8:16.

2. The still small voice: 1 Kings19:13.

3 Dreams and visions.

4.Revelation through another person.

5. Prophetic utterance.

Wheras the Word of God is inerrant, these secondary means can be subject to error and misinterprentation, especially when human factors are involved.

Some examples: Ananias was instructed by God to go and pray for Paul, Acts 9:10-12.

Peter saw the vision from God and was instructed to visit Cornelius, Acts 10:9-16.

Agabus prophesied about Paul's arrest and imprisonment in Jerusalem, Acts 21:10-11.

Joseph was warned by a dream to flee to Egypt, Matt.2:13.

TEST ALL THINGS, 1 Thess.5:21. 

God Speaks-1

Does God speak to us? The first reference in the Bible. Gen.1:6,9. This reveals the fact that God exists and has personality. Only a living being can speak and communicate.

God speaks to man, Gen 3:9-10. God establishes a two way communication with man (prayer does that).

God speaks to Abraham, Gen12.:1-4. God speaks to Moses, to lead His people out of slavery, Ex.3:6-8.

God speaks to His people to establish a Covenant with them, Ex.20:1-3.

God speaks again to His people through the Prophets to pull them out of idolatry. Hag.1:1-4, and then God stopped speaking to His people for 400 years, but He did not abandom them. Finally. God spoke again through His Son to establish a New Covenant, Heb.1:1-2. 

God speaks now on a higher level through the Holy Spirit to His Church, Acts13:1-3. 

The New Testament closes with the book of the Revelation, Christ's message to His Church, Rev.1-3.

Has God stopped speaking? No, Heb.3:1-5. God still speaks to us, when we are ready to listen, Heb.13:8.

We need to develop spiritual hearing, When we hear God speak, then we know He is alive and He hears us. 

The   mind-2

The mind is related to the heart. It represents our thought life, that which comes out of the heart. When we come to Christ, the mind needs a radical change to conform to the life of Christ, Eph.4:17-24. 

There are two minds.

1.There is the old mind (natural).

a. It is a rebrobate mind, Rom.1:28.

b. It is a carnal mind, Rom.8:7.

c. It is a vain mind, Eph. 4:17.

d. It is a puffed up mind, Col.2:18.

e. It is defiled, Tit.1:15.

f. It is corrupt, Tim.6:5.

g. It minds earthly things, Phil, 3:19.

h.It minds things of the flesh, Rom.8:5.

i. It is blinded, 2 Cor.4:4.

This kind of mind leads to everlasting death / hell.

For this kind of mind to be renewed it has to be surrended to the Cross and receive the mind of Christ.

2.The new mind, the mind of Christ, Phil.2:5.

Christ yielded himself to God, though He was equal  with God. He had a humble mind.

We yield our minds to the Lord, His mental life comes into our own and displaces our old

thoughts, and they are destroyed.

1 Cor. 2:16, We have the mind of Christ, the thinking of Christ.

The new mind must be kept holy by the power of His Word, Phil.4:8.

The new mind will have to be nourished if  it is is to be kept in Christ, Jer.15:16.

The new mind will have a new attitude - stayed upon God, difficult though it is by Satan's

onslought, Ps.119:165.

Defend the new mind, Heb.12:3

The Mind-1

What is it? The part of our being that controls our thought life and governs our actions (not brain).

Control of the mind is vital if a life is to be governed by God or Satan. It is the means that helps us to communicate. It belongs to the sphere of the soul.

When we are outside Christ our minds are unregenerate and need change, Col.1:21.

The end result of this state is death,Rom.8:6.

At repentance and rebirth our minds do not change automatically. We need transformation and renewal,

Rom.12:2.

How is it done? By submitting to the authority and leading of the Holy Spirit. By obedience that brings change, Rom 8:14.

By applying God's Word renewal is brought about to the mind, 1 Cor.2:16. Christ's thoughts enter our minds and become our thoughts. We change to conform to His character and be like Him, Phil.2:5.

However, we need to maintain this kind of mind,if it is to be kept pure, Phil.4:8-9.

We need to protect our minds. There is a daily assault upon our minds from Satan and the world, so we need to guard them, Phil.4:7.

A healthy mind is one that rests on God'd Word and puts its trust in Him, Is.26.:3-4.

The cleansing and renewal of the mind is a daily process and way of life, Eph.4:20-24.

God has provided protection for our minds, Ep.6:17.

Divine Guidance

A difficult subject that can cause confusion and error in the life of believers.

Does God guide us? What does the Bible say? God has not left us alone to wander along the way, but provided means to guide us in right paths.

How are people guided generally?

1.By what others do

2,By chance happenings

3. By supestitious beliefs

4.By impulses

5.By convenience

6.By God

7.By circumstances.

God's guidance is given under certain conditions that we need to observe.

There are two vital elenents involved.

a. The Word of God.

b. The Holy Spirit.

For Guidance  to operate the believer must seek God's will: Gen.24:47-48.

There is conscious guidance and unconscious guidance (we walk by faith)

Paul the Apostle was sensitive to the Spirit's leading: so must we Acts 16:6-10.

For guidance to be received certain conditions must exist:

1.No preconceived plan or bias.

2. No divided heart, James 1:8.

3.Faith in Him who guides even thought we face the uncertain, Heb. 11:6.

4. No hidden sin or disobedience in the heart, Ps.66:18.

What sort of people are guided by God? Ps.25:8-9.

Guidance is an integral part of the believer's life in God, and the new life in Christ. Rom.8:14-15.

'As many as are led by.....'

Waiting on God

Another difficult lesson to learn in the Christian life, but vital for service and growth.

Not many believers  understand or see this quality in their lives. It involves patience, dedication, leading and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Many Scriptures refer to this subject, testifying as to its importance, Is.30:18.

What does it mean? To let God act and deal with me in His own time and way. Is.55:8-9.

What does it involve? To understand His will and the way He leads us in His Word. 

Obedience is a must.

What examples are there to follow? There are many, some are:

1. Abraham:Gen.12:1-4, 15:1-4, 17:1. We have God's promises to Abraham, and the long wait for them to be fulfilled. We see the obedience and the mistakes, faith in God. The end result- Blessing.

2. Jacob. His scheeming and failure end in being a fugitive. He learned the hard way, but received the blessing in the end, Gen.46:1-5.

3. Jesus of Nazareth. His life was marked by obedience and a long wait to embark on His earthly ministry.Ps.40:1-2, (the prophetic utterance).

What are the practical implications? The chastening and corrective process to bring maturity in the life.

It may take many years before God can use us.

How do I get the guidance I need from the Holy Spirit? Learn to listen to His voice and wait. 1 Sam.3:8-11. Beware also, that the Lord will test you for faithfulness, 1 Kings,13:14:24.

The Final Word, Ps.40:1-3.

Listening to God (Ps.46:10)

One of the hardest lessons to learn in the Christian life and walk with God.  A life or a mind too busy with itself or talking incessantly cannot listen to God. 'He that has an ear.....'Rev.3:22.

How do we listen to God?  

Firstly, we need to recognize God's voice 1 Sam.3:1-10. 

Secondly, God cannot speak to someone who does not listen to Him. We need to recognize that only a living being can comminicate, one that has intelligence.

Why does God need to speak to us? For various reasons, but mainly to fellowship with us and to make His will for our lives known to us.

Apart from a direct communication, God speaks to us through various other means i.e. through His Word, in visions and dreams, through a word of prophecy, through other people, and sometimes when we are obstinate, through some unlikely means (stones, donkey, etc.).

For God to speak to us personally, we need to develop spiritual hearing. This is not an automatic process, but involves proctice and will, (Rom.10:17).

Sometimes our heart will deceive us and we will make mistakes. Don't be discouraged, Repent and trust God to speak to you again. If in the end there is an absence of His voice, search your heart to see if there is an obstacle of sin or some other problem. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart.....' Ps.66:18.

Will the Lord ever get tired of speaking to me and stop forever? The answer is NO. Only when I refuse to listen and persist in disobedience. When I change course God will hear and speak to me again.

An example of someone in the Bible who accused God of not  listening to him and God's answer, Hab.1, 2:1-3.

Our time with God.How much of our time belongs to God?1 Cor.6:19-20.

A true believer wants to spend time alone with God. It stems from a loving relationship. Matt. 6:6.

The time with God is when we commune with Him and share His cecrets, when we receive our Daily Bread and get answers to prayer. Without it there is no growth in the Faith and no close  relationship.

We need to develop a quiet time, it does not come automatically.

How do we best use this time? There is no command in the Word, only to pray: Ps.55:17.

Best Guide: Read the Word, meditate on it, wait on God, Pray. It is not a time for shopping lists, but a time for worship.

Note some people of God: Paul the Apostle, after converssion, went to Arabia. He was taught by God. Gal.1:15-17. 

Moses on Mt. Sinai spent much time wiith God. When he came down his face shone. Ex.34:29-30.

Epaphras was commended as a prayer warrior, Col.4:12.

How much time should I spend with God? As much as possible, but regulate it to suit your day.

Pray without ceasing: Without long interruptions, not when we feel like it.

Discipline yourself and your mind. What are the causes for lack of concentration?  Beware of

Satan's methods. 

I do not really have time. We do have time for lots of other things. What is our priority?

Pro 10:27. 'The fear of the Lord prolongs days' . A sure way of having free time. Freed from the cares, when we give time for prayer.

Conscience

What is it? The actual word means, with knowledge or with truth. It is the voice in us that tells us what is true or false.

 Conscience is not something we acquire. It is an integral part of man's human nature or a link between God and the human soul.

Conscience on its own cannot show us what is right or wrong. It must have a standard by which to judge. In Scripture conscience is never debated, it is asserted. Its nature and authority are never explained. In the Old Testament it is not mentioned at all, whereas in the New Testament often, Heb 9:13-14.

This tells us that the human conscience needs cleansing from the pollution of sin, a work done by Christ's sacrificial death.

This makes it possible for man to have fellowship with God and for guilt to operate upon      conscience, whenever sin is commited.

For that communion to be enjoyed there are conditions for conscience which must be maintained.

1. A pure conscience  1 Tim.3:9, 2 Tim.1:3.

2. A good conscience 1 Tim.15:19.

3. A conscience void of offence  toward God and man Acts 24:16.

There are also three conditions of conscience in Scripture we need to avoid:

a. A defiled conscience Titus 1:15.

b. An evil conscience Heb.10:22.

c. A seared conscience 1 Tim. 4:2.

Make sure that your conscience remains always in the state described sbove (1.2.3.).

 The Water of Life (John 4:1-14)

The topic here was thirst. What does it mean? To be without God's Word in your life, Is.5:13.

Amos 8:11, A famine of the Word. Jesus said, "Blessed are they that thirst for righteousness for they......

If there is a thirst, there must be water.

WATER- The writen word of God. "Whoever shall thirst.....I give......shall not thirst.......'

Eph.5:26, The cleansing water of separation.

John 3:5, water is not the Spirit, "If you knew the gift of God......The water of life given freely by God to thirsty ones. 

Ps. 42:1-2, A picture of a thirsty person. Only God can quench your thirst.

Ps.65:9. Watered by the Word of God. To have a vibrant life you must be watered by living water.

John 7:37-39, Christ is the scource of the living water, the Fountain. Water does not refer to the Spirit.

When you receive the Spirit of God you receive the action of God, the power, the energy. It is this power only that can release the living water. The Holy Spirit should be gushing out of a man. 

Jer.2:12-13, The fountain of living waters.

1 John 5:6-8. He came by water and Blood. He came by the Word of God and by the sacrifice of Calvary He entered into the  Holy of Holies. On this earth the Spirit, the Word, and the Blood of the Cross agree as one, i.e. a Born Again person baptized in water, baptized in the Spirit and living the crucified life of the Cross.

Jer.17:13, the Fountain. This had to be made by God. It did not just happen, a perfect Fountain.

Ps.36:7-9. Go to the Fountain. The light that is lighting the Holy God. 

Rev.21:6. God gives you a fountain, not just water.

Isaiah 32:1-6 The Fountain is a Man. He knows what you can do. 

Ps.114:7-8. Christ is the smitten rock. He became the rock when He was smitten on Calvary. Waters came gushing out. 

Rev.7:16-17, the Lamb, the Fountai of living waters. 

2 Pet.1:20-21. This action came from God, nothing from man. 

Acts 1:1-2. To have God's results, you

must have the Spirit of God, i.e. God Himself.

Heb.10:13-17. The Holy Spirit, pointing to the Word in these last days.

 The Apostolic Church (Acts 2:37-47)

The Church which the Holy Spirit built and came into being on the Day of Pentecost with about 120 believers, saved through the ministry of the Lord Jesus.

How should a Church be and function? 

Here we have our example to follow. This Church was built up following the preaching of Peter when a few thousand souls accepted Christ and were added to the Church.

We read that they gladly received the Word, obeyed it and were baptized. What next ?

We note 4 points concerning the function of this Church:

1. The Apostles teaching
2. Fellowship
3. Breaking of bread
4. Prayer

They remained steadfastly in these activities (i.e. obediently) and any other activity was considered of secondary importance. One can say, then, that these four activities determined the spirituality of the Church of God. This is the kind of Church God desires.

What was the visible impact of such a church upon the community?

The fear of God came upon every soul, and signs and wonders were done by the Apostles. This was a clear sign that God was working in His Church - Mark 16:17-18.

What were the results upon the Church members themselves?

A. 

All who believed were in a spirit of unity, a vital condition for God to work. On the Day of Pentecost we read the believers were of one accord, then the Holy Spirit came upon them.

No Church can progress where there is disunity and discord.

B.

They all had their possessions common, a hard thing to achieve without total surrender to God's will. They were glad to share their possessions and provide for those who had need. 

This kind of action is a sign of the fact that life on this earth is temporary. Our home is not here, we are pilgrims and sojourners. 

C.

They continued in the life of the Church with joy and gladness of heart, in worship privately and corporately, not desiring more than what was necessary for their daily needs.

D.

The witness in the community, due to this way of life, was powerful and real. It was not religion but powerful living.

E.

God was pleased with His people and added souls to His Church.

It is God who builds His Church, it is His work.

Priorities (Matt.6:3134)

What are the Priorities in our Christian lives? 

There are two statements in v33. 

1. Seek first. What does it mean? Put the Kingdom of God first. It is not a casual look but a determined search-Jer.29:13. Seek His righteousness. What really satisfies us? Christ or the world, material things, family, friendships?

What is the Kingdom? The place where God rules and has total control of His subjects-the Redeemed.

To be in the Kingdom means to come under God's authority. His Word and Law come first. Jesus said, The Kingdom of God is within you-Luk.17:20-21.

When we submit our lives to the Lord Jesus, God's Kingdom and rule are established in our hearts. The Kingdom is restored in us. As subjects of the King we benefit from from His wealth and protection. His promise is,' I will never leave you nor forsake you' When Jesus was on this earth He had nothing, yet enriched multitudes.

Paul the Apostle in 1 Tim.6:8 encourages us to ' be content having food and clothes.....'

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus laid the foundation for a proper Christian life, not a philosophical talk.

When we apply these principles in  our lives we will turn into wholesome beings, enriched by the Word of God.

2. All these things shall be added' What things? What we need in life-legitimate needs. We need three parts to care for- Body soul and Spirit.

Why are so many Christians impoverished in their lives? Because they do not claim the promises of God for their lives, through disobedience or unbelief, perhaps even through ignorance or apathy.

Holiness

What is it? A strong desire to be clean in the sight of God, to be free from sin.

Is Holiness an option? No. It is God's command for the believer-1 Pet.1:15-26.

Holiness usually frightens believers as something impossible. If God commands us to be Holy, we can believe it, we can BE.

Why is it so necessary? Heb. 12:14. Without it we cannot know God Sin shall hinder us. Job had this experience when freed from unrighteousness, Job 42:5.

God called His people Israel to Holiness, and the Church too-Deut.14:12. Holiness is an absolute must if we are to see God's presence and cover in our midst- Deut.23.12-14.

The Mercy seat was in the Holy of Holies where God dwelled.

To live a holy  life is not to have a saintly look on you like a guru. It is to have no earthly character, but to have God's character. He commands the same from us-John 17:16-18. Holiness separates us from the world and its sin.

What is the affect of God's holiness upon our lives? Is.6:1-5. Like Isaiah, God calls holy people to serve Him. Peter confirmed this in 2 Pet.1:21.

We must not confuse Holiness and perfection however, God demands both.

 Three Secret Things (Matthew 6:1-8)

Why Secret? Religious people make a show of these things, like the Pharisees, - hypocrisy - a thing abhorrent in the sight of God. Jesus warned against doing these things for a show.

Why do we do these things? not to impress people, but because God asks us to do so. We please God, not men. 

1. Prayer a vital activity for growth and power in the faith. It is the time I talk to the Lord and He talks to me. It is the time I open my heart to Him, and He reveals His secrets to me. It is the time when I get alone with God, when the Holy Spirit deals with me and reveals things hidden in my heart. The Psalmist says, Psalm 139:23,  "Search me, O God..." We also have a model prayer, which Jesus taught, that we need to be aware of (Matthew 6:9-13.). 
2. Fasting. This on its own is of no value, unless you want to lose weight! It is always coupled with prayer. It is the time we seek God intensely for some desperate/specific need. We fast alone, or with other believers. How often? it is entirely up to one's individual judgement. It is not a sad affair, nor for a show, like the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-12. There is no commandment to fast; but notice that Jesus said "When you fast". Sometimes God calls His people to fast, as in an emergency - Joel 1:14.
3. Almsgiving. Again there is no commandment; but an obligation to look after the poor and destitute of God's people. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 shows the principle of almsgiving. God commands this, it should not be for show. The motive is love and care. God is no man's debtor. He owes us nothing. Even a glass of water given to someone in need will have its reward.

The Church

What is the Church?  An organization, a club, a building, a circus? None of these things.

Firstly-It is a Family, the family of God -Galatians 6:10.  It is a family made up of sons and daughters of God by Adoption -Galatians 4:4-5.

Secondly-It is a Body of people, the Body of Christ, He is the Head, a living head. The Church is a living organism with a living Head-Ephesians 1:22-25.

Why is it called the Church? From the word Ecclesia, made up of members who are called out of the world into Christ-Colossians 1:17-18.

Where is the Church to be found? It is a Universal Body made up of believers throughout the whole world - the Redeemed.

What is a local Church? A group of believers who meet in a particular locality and function according to the New Testament Canon-1Corinthians 1:1-2. It does not depend on numbers.

Should I join a Local Church? Yes. Believers should identify with such a Church where they are ministered to and they minister to other members-Acts 2:43-47.

What kind of Church should I join? No Church is perfect. The guidelines should be: correct teaching and practicing of the Word, James 1:22-24.

What are my responsibilities in such a Church? Commitment to the Word ministered and to the fellowship of the members-1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

The Word should live and work in the life of the individual believer and of the Body.

Song of Songs 4:16.

What makes the difference between a fragrant and a dull Christian life?

The ministry and activity of the Holy Spirit.

Here, in the verse above, the maiden invites her beloved to her garden (heart). Jesus does not come to live in barren, unfruitful hearts/lives. At creation God put man in a pleasant garden to fellowship with Him. 

The maiden wants the spices from her garden to flow out (aroma). The life of Christ is pleasant. It must be transmitted from our hearts.

Spices-ingredients of the Holy Anointing Oil- Exodus 30:22-25, symbol of the Holy Spirit. Note the plants in her garden, 4:14.

 For the fragrance to flow out, wind is necessary - the activity of the Holy Spirit. The maiden invites the wind to blow upon her garden (a call). On the day of Pentecost, He came as a  rushing mighty wind.

Why North and South wind? Proverbs 25:23 (rain). The rain will dampen the fragrance. The Holy Spirit comes from the 'sides of the north' ,God's dwelling  place- Psalm 48:1-2.

The south wind stills the place Job 37:17.

'Let my beloved come.....' If our heart is a pleasant place Christ will come and rest there. He rested  in a garden before and after the Cross.

Pleasant fruits-Galatians 5:22-23, produced naturally by the Holy Spirit. They are 'His fruits' and  'His garden'.

John 5:1-9. The Pool of Bethesda.

A pool with five porches by the sheep gate. A type of the world and its five continents.

The people there, the rejects, the uncared for of this world . Unable to find cure in a world of progress, full of technology and power, but a sin sick world, in lost Eternity. The water speaks of the healing Word of God. An angel came down, once in a while, but we are not told what kind of angel it was, only to remember that this was before Calvary.

An impotent man had been there for 38 years. It seems that nobody cared or was interested in him, like our circumstances. Bur Jesus found him, in all that crowd. He found us, lost in sin, in just the same way. He loved us, and saved us, Rom.5:8, not because we were worthy, but because of God's goodness.

The impotent man's need, after 38 years, looked desperate, a hopeless situation.

'Do you want to be healed?' It seems an illogical question. but many people just want sympathy. Are we satisfied with our little Christianity and church going?

'I have nobody.....'. His faith rested on others, Jer.17:5, not on God. Where does our Faith rest? On works, miracles, experiences? Does our faith move mountains or do they move us?

On the command of Jesus he took up his bed and..... A sign of faith working, he had finished with the place of sin and misery. Why did only one man out of that crowd get healed?

God knew all about us long before we were saved, long before our present need.

The man's heart was ready to receive the word of healing, Rom.8:30.