JESUS CALMS THE STORM

PROCLAMATION

“And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves;  But He was asleep.  And His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us; We perish.  And He saith unto them, ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’  Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying,  ‘What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!’ ”  Matthew 8:23-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God according to the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus had completed His Sermon on The Mount, He came down from the mountainside and large crowds followed Him. (Matthew 8:1)  He healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:2-4), healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), healed Peter’s mother-in-law who was in bed with a fever (Matthew 8:14-15), and He healed all the sick and demon-possessed people that were brought to Him. (Matthew 8:16-17)  Because of the great multitude which had gathered around Him, Jesus gave orders to His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. (Matthew 8:18)  As He and His disciples were crossing the lake in a boat, a furious storm rose up on the lake.  The storm was severe enough to make large waves and to cause His disciples to panic. (Matthew 8:23-25)  They woke Jesus, and He arose and said, “Peace, be still.”  Then the winds died down and the sea was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:37-39)  They were amazed and asked themselves, “What manner of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God made the weather, the winds, the water, and the waves, and He controls them.  He controls the storms as He did on the Sea of Tiberias. (Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:37-39)  He also controls the storms which occur in our lives.  He can calm the storms, or He can give us the strength to go through the storms and accompany us along the journey.  He can walk on water and He can give us the ability to walk on the water in the midst of a storm. (Matthew 14:26-31)  However He chooses to handle the situation; He is still in control.  We need to acknowledge that He is all powerful.  To God be all the praise, honor, and glory!

ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU

PROCLAMATION

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

EXPLANATION
These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus continued to preach His Sermon on The Mount, He told them if you ask you will receive, if you seek you will find, and if you knock the door will be opened for you.  He went on to say that an earthly father would do this much for his child, think of how much more your heavenly Father would do. (Matthew 7:7-12)  He said wide and well-travelled is the road which leads to destruction, but narrow is the road which leads to life and only a few go that way. (Matthew 7:13-14)  Then Jesus went on to compare and contrast the true and false prophets and disciples. (Matthew 7:15-23)  He ended His Sermon on the Mount with a discussion on the wise versus foolish builders.  When He finished speaking, the people were amazed at the things He said and the authority with which He spoke. (Matthew 7:28-29)

APPLICATION

The only way that we can ask our heavenly Father for anything is through prayer.  Believers will receive that which they pray and ask our heavenly Father for, as long as they ask for it in the name of Jesus, and as long as it is according to the will of God. (John 15:16)  We know that all things that we ask for in prayer, believing, we will receive. (Matthew 21:22)  If we keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight, then whatever we ask of Him we will receive. (1 John 3:22)  In order to be granted whatever we ask for, in the name of Jesus, it must glorify God, The Father. (John 14:13)  The Lord God wants us to seek after Him, He wants us to seek His face. (1 Chronicles 16:11)  He knows us, and He has great things in store for us which we cannot imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)  There are some doors which only The Lord God can open, and doors which no man can shut. (Revelation 3:8)

 

FIRST SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

PROCLAMATION

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  As Jesus continued to preach His Sermon on The Mount, He told them not to give to be seen (Matthew 6:1-4), not to use vain repetition in their prayers (Matthew 6:5-8), and He taught them the model prayer, which has been frequently referred to erroneously as “The Lord’s Prayer.” (Matthew 6:9-15)  He also taught them how to fast (Matthew 6:16-18) and He told them not to store up treasures on earth but to store up for heaven. (Matthew 6:19-24)  Then He told them not to worry about earthly concerns, but to focus on seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else that they need would be taken care of. (Matthew 6:25-33)

 

APPLICATION

All too often we concern ourselves with trivial things like what we will wear, eat, or drink.  We seem to care too much about what other people think about us rather than being concerned about how we appear to The Lord God.  We should not be worried about the things of this world.  Our goal should not be the amassing of money and material things, we should be focused on living a life and doing things that would bring glory to God.  Remember, believers are the only “Bible” that some people will ever read.

 

 

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

PROCLAMATION

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After Jesus began to preach (Matthew 4:17), and after He had called His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22), He began to heal the sick and cast out demons, and large crowds began to follow Him. (Matthew 4:23-25)  And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountainside, sat down and began to teach them.  This was His famous Sermon on the Mount which began with what we call The Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:1-12)   Jesus told them that they were the salt of the earth and that they were the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) He told them that they were to let the light which was within them shine so that men may see it in their good works and glorify God in heaven.  Then He made it clear that He came to fulfill the law and not to destroy it. (Matthew 5:17-20)  Jesus taught them on a number of topics, this was His longest sermon. (Matthew 5:1 to 7:28)

 

APPLICATION

As we live our lives and do our daily deeds, we are to live in such a way as to let the light of Christ that is within us shine so that men may see The Christ in us and glorify God, our Father in heaven.  Men should see our zeal and our fervency for things which honor God.  Our actions should display the fruit of The Holy Spirit of God, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)  The very purpose of our lives should be to glorify God.  To God be the glory!!!

 

 

EVEN JESUS THE CHRIST WAS TEMPTED

PROCLAMATION

“Then was Jesus led up of The Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred.  And when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If Thou be The Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'  But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After He was baptized by John the baptizer, Jesus was led into the wilderness by The Spirit of God.  There He fasted for forty days and nights.  Then the devil came and tempted Him, not just once but three times. (Matthew 4:3, 4:6, and 4:8-9)  Jesus did not yield or give in to the temptations.  He refused the devil each of the three times. (Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10)  Afterwards the devil left Him and angels from heaven came and ministered to Him supplying all of His needs. (Matthew 4:11)  Then He left the wilderness and went into Galilee.  He left Nazareth and then dwelt in Capernaum which borders Zabulon and Nephthalim so that prophesy might be fulfilled. (Matthew 4:12-15)  From that time on Jesus, The Christ, began to preach saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)  Then Jesus started calling His disciples as He went about Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing. (Matthew 4:12-25)

 

APPLICATION

Since the devil tempted Jesus, The Christ, we should not be surprised that he tempts us.  The devil knows each of our weaknesses, and he knows exactly what to tempt us with.  It is not a temptation if it is something that we can easily refuse.  The test comes when it is something that we like or want but should not have.  Temptation is not a sin, yielding to temptation is a sin.  If we are not strong enough to resist the temptation, then we should avoid the situations where the temptations occur.  The Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)  But the first part of that Bible verse says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”  Only with God’s help can we resist the temptation to sin.

 

 

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw The Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ ”  Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  In the days after King Herod died, there came a man, John the baptizer, preaching in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 3:1-3)  People from all over Judea came to him, confessing their sins, and he baptized them in the Joran River. (Matthew 3:4-6)  John made it clear to them that he was only baptizing them with water, but there would come another who was mightier than he, who would baptize them with The Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)  Jesus, The Christ, came from Galilee to be baptized by John. (Matthew 3:13)  After He was baptized, as He was coming up out of the water, He saw The Spirit of God descending from heaven like a dove and lighting upon Him.  Then a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, was sinless. (2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 1:15)  He was not baptized for the repentance of sin; He was baptized because it was appropriate and proper in order to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)  Jesus, The Christ, was identified as God, The Son, by God The Father, when He spoke from heaven and sent God, The Holy Spirit, from heaven to Him as a visible sign in the form of a dove.  Baptism by water cannot save us.  The ordinance of baptism is an outward sign of an inner transformation.  When we believe, we die to the control of sin and change into a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, The Holy Spirit of God immediately indwells us. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)  All we have to do is believe, confess, and invite Him into our heart, and He will come into us. (John 3:16, Romans 10: 9-10, and Revelation 3:20)

 

 

PROTECTED BY AN ANGEL OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of The Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him."  Matthew 2:13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew.  After the birth of Christ, there came wise men, the Magi, from the east to worship Him. (Matthew 2:1-2)  When King Herod was disturbed when he heard that The King of the Jews had been born.  He gathered together all the chief priests and the scribes and sought information from them regarding the place of the birth of Christ.  They told Herod that the prophets said that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.  Then Herod secretly called the Magi and inquired of them the exact time of His birth based upon the time when the star appeared.  Herod told the Magi to go and find the child, and then return to him and let him know the child’s location so that he could go and worship Him, but he really wanted to kill Him not worship Him. (Matthew 2:3-8)  Then the Magi left Herod and followed the star and went to the place where the Christ-child lay.  There they worshiped Him and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Afterwards they left and returned to their country by a different route, having been warned in a dream not to go back to King Herod. (Matthew 2:9-12)  When the wise men left, Joseph was also warned in a dream by the angel of The Lord that Herod wanted to kill the child.  Joseph did as he was directed and took Mary and The Christ-child to Egypt to escape King Herod. (Matthew 2:13-15)  The Christ-child was protected from an unseen danger by an angel of The Lord.

 

APPLICATION

It is clear that in these verses of this chapter that the angel of The Lord protected Jesus, The Christ, while He was a child.  Not only was Jesus protected then but, as believers we also have angels watching over us now. (Matthew 18:10)  When we are under attack, there are a host of angels surrounding us and ready to come to our defense. (2 Kings 6:16-17)   We have guardian angels who protect us from dangers seen and unseen.  As believers we have God’s protection.

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN

PROCLAMATION

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ The Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (KJV)

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise … Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of The Holy Ghost … the angel of The Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph … fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of The Holy Ghost … for He shall save His people from their sins’ … call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us … And he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son and he called His name Jesus.”  Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words in the first verse were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word. (Luke 1:1-2)  The words of the second group of verses were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew and written to the nation of Israel.  These verses clearly state that they are about the birth of Jesus, The Christ, our Savior. 

 

APPLICATION

We celebrate Christmas to commemorate a day that The Son of God was born of a virgin, after being conceived by an act of The Holy Spirit.  We celebrate the day that Jesus, The Christ, left the splendor of heaven, and clothed Himself in human flesh and lived among mankind. "And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:14)  The heavenly plan was for Him to be born, to live without sin, to teach, to die for our sins, and to be raised up from the dead in order to provide us with a chance for our salvation.  If we confess our sins and believe in Him, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)  Thank God for the birth of Christ and for making all of this possible.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  May The Good Lord bless you and your family with His joy and His peace on this “holy day.”  May He put it in your heart to be a blessing with those who are less fortunate than we are.  Remember, caring involves sharing.  Let us share the love of God with all of the people that we meet and greet.  Let us keep Christ in “Christmas” this year, and in all of the future years.  Merry CHRISTmas to you.

COMMEMORATE AND CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house of David; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:4-8 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word. (Luke 1:1-2)  Jesus, The Christ, was born in Bethlehem, where his earthly father Joseph had gone with Mary, his espoused wife who was pregnant, to be taxed. (Luke 2:1-5)  The child that the virgin Mary was carrying was conceived by The Holy Spirit of God. (Luke 1:28-38)  While they were in Bethlehem Mary gave birth to a Son.  She placed Him in a manger upon His birth because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

APPLICATION

For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read The Bible Books of Matthew 1:18 to 2:21 and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  AWAY IN A MANGER, The Christ Child was placed there after His birth on that SILENT NIGHT.  However, it was not a silent night for long for HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING songs of praise to The Lord.  Their message was JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME.  They probably praised The Lord by singing HALLELUJAH, and if they didn't, we still should.  O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, let us give thanks for THE FIRST NOEL, and let us all sing and shout HALLELUJAH as we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Christ.  A joyous and very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.  May The Good Lord bless each of you with good health and much happiness for the remainder of this year, and throughout all of next year, and for all of the future years to come.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST JESUS WAS FORETOLD

PROCLAMATION

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David;  and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel came in  unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, The Lord is with thee … Fear not …  thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called The Son of The Highest.’ ...  Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’  And the angel answered, ‘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.’ … And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of The Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ ”  Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events, and by ministers of The Word of God. (Luke 1:1-4)  The angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and told her that The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive a child who would be The Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38)  While he was still in Elizabeth’s womb, John the baptizer recognized Jesus The Christ while He was still in Mary’s womb. (Luke 1:39-45)  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where his earthly father Joseph had gone to be taxed.  He was placed in a manger upon His birth because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

APPLICATION

This is what came to pass, before and, with the birth of Christ. (Luke 2:11)  This is what we are commemorating as we celebrate Christmas.  For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read Matthew 1:18 to 2:21, and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  The holiday which we call Christmas is a holy day and it means so much more to us than what most of the world celebrates.  Let us, as believers, celebrate the real reason for Christmas and let's share the real story behind the celebration.  For God was, and is, and will always be with us.  All hail Immanuel!!!

 

THE COMING OF JESUS THE CHRIST WAS PREDICTED

PROCLAMATION

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; And The Spirit of The Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of Counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of The Lord; ... With righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth ..."  Isaiah 11:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the prophet Isaiah under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Isaiah predicted the coming of Jesus, The Christ, more than 600 years before the birth of Christ.  Isaiah said that Jesus was to be born in the line of Jesse, King David's father.  He would possess The Spirit of The LORD and that He would be a righteous judge.  Isaiah had said earlier that Christ would be born (Isaiah 9:6-7) and that He would be the rightful heir to the throne of David.  He would rule and His rule would have no end.  He would be called by many names including “Mighty God” and the “Prince of Peace.”

APPLICATION

The Bible contains numerous predictions of the coming of Christ.  This particular Old Testament prediction reveals the blood-line of Jesus, The Christ, and describes some of the attributes of God that He would possess.  He would have The Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel and might.  He would be all knowing and all powerful.  This coming holiday which we celebrate, is actually a “Holy Day” commemorating the birth of Christ, and it has much more significance than we give it today.  His conception by The Holy Spirit and His birth through a virgin were ordained by God so that He could save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:18-23)  Jesus was born to be the sacrificial Lamb who would pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. (John 1:29)  However, only those of us who believe that He is The Son of God will be saved. (John 3:16)