Join us on Classic Christianity Radio as Bob George takes us on an enlightening journey into the birth of Jesus Christ. Discover the profound impact of the angelic announcements, Mary’s reflections, and the Scriptural revelations that highlight Jesus as the bread of life. This episode invites you into the heart of Bethlehem, where the Savior was born, and explores the historical and spiritual significance of this miraculous event.
welcome to classic christianity radio with bob george as we celebrate the christmas season together we are reminded of god’s greatest gift to you and me his son jesus christ we are told in the scriptures for god so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life It is our prayer at Bob George Ministries that you would accept God’s gift of eternal life and know how much you were deeply loved by God. Go to BobGeorge.net online to find out how you can grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. We have many books, CDs, and other teaching materials available for your personal growth as you discover more about God’s unconditional love and forgiveness for you. Let’s now join Bob as he presents practical, biblical insights as he helps people experience a life of faith, hope,
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and love in jesus christ the word of bethlehem the name of that is the city of bread which is interesting that jesus identified himself did he not as the bread of life and so it says because he belonged to the house and the line of david He went there to register Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. We talked about that last week as to how the angelic intervention took place in regard to the birth of Christ. First of all, as it went to the parents of John the Baptist, the angel appeared to Joseph, letting him know that This child that was in the womb of Mary was born by the Holy Spirit of God. An angel appeared to Mary. An angel appeared to the shepherds. And so their shepherds were out in the fields keeping watch, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, and he is Christ the Lord, and this will be a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped in clothes, swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men to whom his favor rests. Now when the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. And so they hurried off and they found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger. And when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. We talked about last week as to how Mary had pondered these things in her heart. And you sit back and wonder, well, what were all of the things that she was pondering in her heart? We talked about the fact that she obviously knew that being pregnant with child and not yet have been officially married, that the disgrace from people were certainly going to come upon her for the remaining portion of her life. Of being misunderstood, of rejection, insult, injury, all of the things that you and I experience in our day-to-day life Mary was pondering these things happening to her. You also would know that Mary would be pondering in her heart some of the Scriptures that were connected with the very thing was happening because there was no mystery at all that a Messiah was going to come. There was no mystery as to where the Messiah was going to come. And people in those days knew the Scripture. They were taught the Scriptures. And so this was not an unknown thing in regard to the Messiah coming. In the book of Micah chapter 5, you see the prophecy that was given in regard to the birth of our Savior. When the wise men were called to find out where was this king supposed to be born and why they knew where the king was supposed to be born, where this Messiah was supposed to be born. How did they know that? Did they read them in the Jerusalem News? Did they have Jewish Reader’s Digest? Where do you get that information from? They got it from the source of information that they knew was true, and that was their scriptures. And so they perceived the scriptures for what they are, their truth, and they’re they’re the the word of god and it’s the inerrant word of god and so the scriptures read for you bethlehem though you were small among the clans of judah out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over israel now that was a threat was it not to the rulers of israel You will be the ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old and from ancient times. And so these people knew that the Messiah was coming. That was not the problem. The issue is, who is that Messiah? And is this babe that I hold in my arms, is this the Messiah? The angel had announced to her that that was, that they were to name his name Jesus, Emmanuel, meaning God with us. But again, folks, can we not hear things and not comprehend 100% what it means? And so, even though you may hear, you still are going to be in a situation of pondering in your heart Is this what this means? And so we look at that, and all through the life of Jesus, you can imagine him growing up as a small child. They took him into Egypt for a period of time and then returned. Growing up and supposedly working in his father’s carpenter shop. After Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph had other children. So he had brothers and he had sisters. I’ve often laughingly said, how would you like to have Jesus as your brother? Doing everything perfectly all the time. But he had brothers and he had sisters. He worked like you and me. He was human, took upon himself humanity, our human form in every way. And how could you not look at that as just a small child and again ponder in your heart, is this the one? You remember on other occasions when Jesus was older, and we won’t get into the scriptures on that, but where Mary and her brothers went to him, and the indicator in scripture is that they thought he was a little off. But something was wrong here. Here he was claiming all of these claims about himself, and people were saying, this man’s crazy. And they went to him with that thought. Now that’s Mary, who had a pronouncement from an angel, who had a child when she had never been with a man. That ought to be enough signs. But you see, still, we’re human. We still have this humanity of ours, do we not? And in this humanity of ours, we can know something and yet still wonder. And so, it was only over a period of time of watching these things, of Mary going ultimately to the cross and there watching her son that she loved so more than life itself, hanging on a cross, beaten half to death, crucified like a common criminal, and die on a cross. And in this flood of tears and agony, and before his death, looking down at his relative John, and saying, John, this is your mother. Take care of her. History tells us that that’s exactly what took place, that the apostle John took Mary into his home. Obviously, that could not have been the case had Joseph still been alive. So we know pretty well something, and that is that in Jesus’ lifetime, his father Joseph died. And so Mary, and Jesus said to Mary, go with John. That was a cousin. It’s strange he didn’t say go with your sons, but he said go with John. Why? We don’t know. We don’t know the answer to those questions. But history and tradition tells us that ultimately John moved with Mary into Ephesus, and they lived there. Now folks, when you look at this whole story unfolding, and as the song that Amy sang today That Mary, did you know that when you kiss the face of your baby, that you are kissing the face of God? A very difficult thing to comprehend fully. And folks, it was over time and over years, because it was in these later years, that you’ll see, beginning to see who Jesus was. And to see the full implication of that. So let’s turn back to the book of Colossians in chapter 1. Beginning in verse 15, verse 15, chapter 1. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Now folks, we read that sometimes and say the firstborn over all creation. There’s a lot of people born before him. Is that right? There are a lot of people born before him? Why do they call the firstborn over all creation? Jesus was the first man ever born alive spiritually. Adam was the first man ever created alive spiritually. Jesus, called the last Adam, is the only man ever born alive spiritually. Adam was created alive spiritually, and when he sinned, they died, did they not? And death is the absence of life. And so Adam died spiritually. We are born into this world not in the image of God, but in the sixth chapter of Genesis, in the image of Adam. He was born dead or created alive and became dead spiritually. We are born dead spiritually. All of us are born into this world in the loins of Adam dead spiritually. Dead to what? To the life of God living in you. We are not born in God. We are born alienated from God. Every child, every person born alienated from God. If any man be in Christ, he is a new what? Creation. So God had to create a new man out of the old. And so if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. What is the creation? God coming to live in humanity. That’s a new creation. You weren’t born that way. You were recreated that way. And when you and I were born again, we were restored to the life that Adam possessed before the fall. And now, like Adam was created, we are born alive bodily, soulishly, and spiritually.
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Classic Christianity Radio is a listener-funded program, and because of your generous donations, we are able to be on the air. During this Christmas season, remember to go to bobgeorge.net to find many gift ideas to give to your family and friends. The best-selling book Classic Christianity by Bob George and his newest book, Jesus Changes Everything, are perfect gifts to give to people. The greatest gift we can give to others is to share the good news of God’s forgiveness and love for them. Bob George Ministries has many other books and teaching materials available for you to share the gift of Jesus with the people you love and care about today. You can also visit BobGeorge.net for additional information on how you can join us financially to help support the radio ministry. With your prayers and support, we can continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Let’s continue now with our Classic Christianity radio program.
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The difference between you and me and Adam is that Adam was created alive with the ability to die. You and I were born again alive with a total inability to ever die again. And the only reason for that is because of the cross which took away the sins of the world. And sin is what caused spiritual death. And in the taking away of the sins of the world, he eliminated the thing that caused spiritual death. And that’s why you and I have a life called what? Eternal life in Christ Jesus. A new creation. Now that is good news. And so why do they say that Jesus was the firstborn over all creation? Because he was the only man ever born alive spiritually, and that’s why his virgin birth is not up for grabs. To deny the virgin birth of Jesus is to deny the fact that you and I can be born again. Because without his virgin birth, he would have been born dead like you and me, And the reason he’s the only man who ever laid his life down for you and me, he’s the only man who ever had a life to lay down for you and me. The firstborn from among all of us who are called the dead. Okay, firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, All things were created by him and for him. Now what does the book of Genesis say? In the beginning, what? God did what? Created. Who does it say here created all things? Jesus. Isn’t that what he’s talking about here? Jesus. He is the creator, by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities. All things were created by him and for him. Now if all things were created by him and for him, and in the beginning God created, then who is Jesus? So people who want to deny the deity of Christ are going to have to deny logic in regard to these scriptures, are you not? Now do you suppose people understood all this? Do you suppose people understood the triune God prior to the time of Jesus coming? Not at all. And that’s why if you would have asked a Jew, who’s your God? He’d say he’s the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He’s the one who appeared to these men. Their God is my God. And Jesus came to show you who that God is and what his name is. And the name of our God is Jesus. And we have to understand, folks, all things are created by him, all things are created for him. And he is the creator of all things. Suppose Mary knew that when she was pondering these things in her heart? I don’t think so. These are things that had to be revealed over time. Now it says, he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Who do you suppose is holding this universe together? Now that’s an awesome thought, isn’t it? I’ll tell you what also is an awesome thought is to see these people go up in these satellites and come back with pictures of this little ball, this little blue marble floating out in space. I keep looking. Is there a rope Is there a foundation that I don’t see? No, just spinning. Now can you grab a hold of that, folks? That we’re out here spinning in space and at the same time are sitting here while we’re spinning in space. Who holds all this together? It says Jesus does. So all things… He is before all things. In him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, his church. Now folks, we’ve talked about that so many times. That the head of this body that’s called the church, the church is a body of people. It’s not the place down on the corner, walk and don’t walk. It’s not a building with stained glass. The church of Jesus Christ is people. The very moment that you step out of Adam into Christ and Christ steps out of heaven into you, you become a child of the living God. You have been baptized, placed into his body. And that’s why 2,000 years ago, if you were to look for the body of Christ, you would have had to go to Israel and find Jesus. And there you would have found the body of Christ. But he said, I’m going away. You say, well, if you’re going away, how are we going to see you? Where’s your body going to be? He said, oh, don’t worry about that. I’m going away, but I’m going to send my spirit into you, and you’re going to be my body, and greater things will you do. What is he talking about? Do more miracles? No, he’s saying, right now, I am limited in time and space to one location. In a few days, my body is going to be all over the world. It’s going to be all over the world. It’s going to be in all colors and creeds. Because my body is going to be people in whom I live. It’s not an organization. It’s an organism. You’re a part of the body of Christ whether you’re sitting here on Sunday or whether you’re sitting at home. You are the body of Christ. It’s not a building. It’s not a location. And so when he talks about the church, we’ve made it into an organization, a building. And we’ve got organizational structures. And we say, ah, that’s the church. No, it isn’t. The people is the church. You’re the church. You’re the representative of the kingdom of God here on this earth, right where you are. Wherever you are, Penny, you’re a representative of the kingdom of God right here on this earth. That’s what the church is. And we’ve made it into an organizational structure and a control freak so that we can keep people in bondage and say there’s nothing that’s going to be worthwhile being done unless it’s done in the pew. As I say, that’s why they call them pews because there’s many dead people sitting in them. Can’t do anything unless it’s here. Say, folks, this is the least significant thing you’ll do all week. Because the Christian life is not lived in an assembly. The Christian life is lived out in the marketplace of life. It’s lived at your schools where you go, in your homes, in your neighborhoods. That’s where the Christian life is lived at. And so he says that he’s the head of this body, the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead. There again, the firstborn from among the dead. Who’s the dead? We were. Who was the firstborn among the dead? He was. Who’s been born again since then? We are, everyone who has come to Christ by faith since that moment of resurrection. So he is the firstborn from among the dead so that, now here’s the reason, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. If we don’t see him as the head, then we’re going to name another head, are we not? And that head’s going to be supreme. And that’s why today you have popes that are supreme, you have Christian leaders who are supreme, And Jesus takes a back seat to the whole deal. Folks, when you see the church for what it is, it’s not an organization. It’s people. There’s only one head that you can turn to. And that’s him. And he meant it to stay that way. But we meant it to do something else. That’s why I say people come, you know, and you’ll see people coming in for bad way. You can’t be baptized unless you’re a Baptist. Or you can’t be baptized unless you belong to our denomination. Does that make any sense at all if you understand this truth? What do you mean? What are you talking about? Or you can’t take communion. That’s what I meant. You can’t take communion unless you belong to our church. You can’t take communion unless you’re a Presbyterian or a Methodist. Have you ever been in a church like that where you can’t take communion unless you’re one of us? Are you in Christ? Well, if you’re in Christ, you can celebrate the fact that you’re in Christ any place. We take the Lord’s Supper. I want to tell you something, folks. There’s only one thing or one person you belong to. That’s Him. You don’t belong here. You belong to Him. You come to fellowship here. Well, we praise God for that. It’s fun because you’re with a bunch of free people. But you don’t have any membership here, do you? Have we passed out any membership cards to anybody? No? And we’re not going to. Why? Because you’re never going to be a member here. You’re only a member there. The only person you belong to is Christ Jesus. And that means any place you go, you’re a part of the body of Christ. Now, I tell you, you’re not going to grow to 20,000 membership that way. I’ll guarantee you that. But who needs that? I mean, what do you want with 100 born-again Christians and 19,900 carnal Christians or non-Christians to take up space and time and money? So I just as soon have a small group of born-again believers than I would a huge group of the mix. And so we have to understand, folks, this is what the body of Christ is all about. Now it says that God was pleased to have all of his fullness to dwell in him. So if you want to know the Father, who do you get to know? The Son. Jesus said, I and the Father are what? One, and if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you so much for tuning in to Classic Christianity with Bob George. We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s program. We truly hope that today’s message has inspired you to walk a life of faith in the Lord. Find more information online at bobgeorge.net. There you’ll also find available CDs, DVDs and Bible studies available for purchase. It’s through your help that we are able to spread the good word of Jesus Christ. Until next time, walk in faith, be good to one another and praise the Lord. Amen.
