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| For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The Christmas Promise! (By: Pastor L.R. Simas, Sr.) 12-10-07 |
Folks are running to every kind of store to make their Christmas
purchases! This is that time of year yet again. Time again to make
family and friends Christmas morning bright and filled with
love?? Have you taken the time to see that the love that is shared
with others today is not the love that was given to you??
Now, you might be saying "Love? Given to me? And by who?" If
you stopped even for just a moment to think about this, then let
me say, thank you!! I speak of love not from anyone here on
earth nor by anyone you might have been thinking of. I am
speaking of the love given by the one who loves all of us! And is
the source of love, in and of itself!
God! Yes, God! Remember Him?? He has not forgotten you.
While we were rushing about and trying to figure out who
should get what! And reasoning why, or who ought to receive a
special gift or how much to spend on aunt whoever, uncle
whoever, or what to get a sister or brother. How much should we
spend on Mom and Dad? And so it goes!
What have you for God?? Have you considered Him?? How
about Jesus?? He gave His very life for all and yes, this includes
you, my dear reader. What shall you give unto him?? Oh, I
know! You'll go to church on Christmas Eve, pretend to honor
Him, and give your gift (of dollars) into the plate or basket as it
comes by you.
Tell me, what does it do for the cause of Christ?? And what do
you (if you) give to His cause, a buck maybe two?? Maybe a five
or a ten spot makes you feel good as you toss it into that plate or
basket?? And as you see others before you doing the same thing,
is it because you (or them) care about God or the gift He has
given you?? Or is it more like you are giving because others are
and you don't want to look bad??
As the collection plate or basket passes by you to the next person
you feel good! Ah! But, only for a moment as you feel as if you
have done something righteous! If I have offended you I'd like to
apologize! However, I can't! As God isn't interested in your so-
called gift! No, dear reader I think not! What have you done for
the cause of Christ?? Are you attending a church regularly?? Do
you take part in that churches ministries?? Are you supporting
that church?? If you say, "sure am” and or “sure do!!" I ask again,
what are you doing for the cause of Christ??
Supporting the local church is a good thing and taking part in its
ministries is also good! Now, what are you doing for the one who
did all for you then? I think you're getting the idea, I pray!! This
time of year gets all kinds of names attached to it. Like "Tis the
season to be jolly" or "It's the most wonderful time of the year" or
"Jesus is the reason for the season" and many, many more. How
about thinking as the verse above states?? Have you given it
some thought now?? If you're still with me I'll explain what I'm
driving at.
God, remember Him? He, who made this world we live on, gave
us, all of us. And we complain about it constantly! Despite what
we may think or how we may feel about Him! Or the things that
we have heard, read, or even what man has had to say about
Him! It was God that gave us His only begotten Son! Not, his
one and only Son!
Think hard now, how much did God spend on you, me and the
entire world?? Answer, not one thin dime! No, my dear readers,
God didn't spend any dollars at all! He spent the most costly
thing He has, Himself!!
We are all on our way to hell! It matters not whether we believe
it or not, whether we belong to some religious organization or
not, in fact it doesn't matter what we believe at all! The fact is
we are on our way to hell forever!! Whether we choose to believe
it or not, Jesus (who is God and became man) came to this earth
to give (the total cost) His sinless and perfect life for whom??
That's right, us! All of us whether we believe it or not! Now, this
is what matters. Now, what you believe and in whom you believe
matters!!
God said in His word (the Bible in case you didn't know) "...that
whosoever (that's you) believeth in Him (Jesus that is) should not
perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)". This is what was
and continues to be the gift that keeps giving and the cost?? To
say a lot would at the least be an understatement. The cost was
in fact the Lord Jesus' life for our sin. Jesus was the ransom for
all of mankind (whether you choose to believe it or not)! He was
called "…the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world (John 1:29)". He was called "The king of the Jews" in many
places in the bible. Also He was called "thy salvation" by Simeon,
a just and devout man. God called Jesus "the Lord's Christ (Luke
2:25-30)".
The important part I want to point you to can be found in Isaiah
chapter 53. This is where I believe we shall see the real meaning
of what today is called Christmas!
The reason I say this, I pray, will become clear as I hope you'll
still be following along.
I find it interesting that this part of God's word which describes
Jesus' suffering on our behalf has 12 verses. One has to wonder if
it is because or the Twelve Tribes of Israel?? Maybe it is referring
to the Twelve Apostles?? Notice that this prophetic scripture is
about the coming Saviour! Isaiah 53:1-12
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the
LORD revealed?
Report meaning what we have stated as fact. Who will recognize
Jesus is the Lord and the Saviour of the world??
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a
root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire
him.
Likened onto a new plant and bound to a destiny of suffering
this image of Jesus shows that he was not pretty (or handsome)
after what man did (or does) to him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Despised, meaning hated. Rejected, meaning not believed.
Acquainted with grief, meaning he would suffer more
punishment and sorrows, of which He didn't do a thing to
deserve all that would befall him.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we
did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
We (I pray) can see it was Jesus alone that took on our sins and
took our deserved punishment for us!!
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and
with his stripes we are healed.
The method used and how we are saved if we should believe and
take God at His Word!!
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us
all.
One can take this to mean two things. We knew and chose not to
accept or we rejected His gift! Jesus would take on our sins
himself as what would become the message and mission for all
time.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
We see the results of mans error, unjust treatment, and pure
cruelty that sin brings!
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall
declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the
living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in
his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit
in his mouth.
He was unjustly tried, judged, condemned illegally; and He was
totally innocent, just as what was prophesied. All this would
come to pass and sadly soon, too.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by
his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he
shall bear their iniquities.
Here we see the wrath of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on our
behalf and for whosoever will come to believe! Plainly, he (Jesus)
bears (takes) their (our) iniquities (sins) upon himself!
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out
his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
Welcome to the gift that gave! Jesus, who did all that the Father
required of Him, and because of His obedience on to death has
become our way (only way) to heaven! What a Christmas promise
to come!
As we return to our opening verse we see that the promised
Saviour was coming and has arrived to the people of the New
Testament time and to us also! Let us ponder this year on the
promise that produced Christmas. Jesus has (as promised) come to
save all that would simply accept His atoning sacrifice on our
behalf and give our prayer of thanksgiving for what is available
to and for us!!
What are you doing for the cause of Christ?? May I suggest that
you do as I have and tell someone!! Let a person know that life
can be so much better by becoming a child of God! By knowing
that you (and all that accept Jesus’ gift) have a home in heaven
and God's blessings here on earth!! Oh, if you haven't accepted
Jesus as Saviour and made Him the Lord of your life yet, may
you do so now!
May this be the year (or new one to come) that you accept the
Christmas present that only could be given by our Lord's Christ
and that is eternal life!! Jesus died for you; will you live for
Him??
Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below. With love
in Christ, whose servant I am and yours,
Pastor Popeye
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
purchases! This is that time of year yet again. Time again to make
family and friends Christmas morning bright and filled with
love?? Have you taken the time to see that the love that is shared
with others today is not the love that was given to you??
Now, you might be saying "Love? Given to me? And by who?" If
you stopped even for just a moment to think about this, then let
me say, thank you!! I speak of love not from anyone here on
earth nor by anyone you might have been thinking of. I am
speaking of the love given by the one who loves all of us! And is
the source of love, in and of itself!
God! Yes, God! Remember Him?? He has not forgotten you.
While we were rushing about and trying to figure out who
should get what! And reasoning why, or who ought to receive a
special gift or how much to spend on aunt whoever, uncle
whoever, or what to get a sister or brother. How much should we
spend on Mom and Dad? And so it goes!
What have you for God?? Have you considered Him?? How
about Jesus?? He gave His very life for all and yes, this includes
you, my dear reader. What shall you give unto him?? Oh, I
know! You'll go to church on Christmas Eve, pretend to honor
Him, and give your gift (of dollars) into the plate or basket as it
comes by you.
Tell me, what does it do for the cause of Christ?? And what do
you (if you) give to His cause, a buck maybe two?? Maybe a five
or a ten spot makes you feel good as you toss it into that plate or
basket?? And as you see others before you doing the same thing,
is it because you (or them) care about God or the gift He has
given you?? Or is it more like you are giving because others are
and you don't want to look bad??
As the collection plate or basket passes by you to the next person
you feel good! Ah! But, only for a moment as you feel as if you
have done something righteous! If I have offended you I'd like to
apologize! However, I can't! As God isn't interested in your so-
called gift! No, dear reader I think not! What have you done for
the cause of Christ?? Are you attending a church regularly?? Do
you take part in that churches ministries?? Are you supporting
that church?? If you say, "sure am” and or “sure do!!" I ask again,
what are you doing for the cause of Christ??
Supporting the local church is a good thing and taking part in its
ministries is also good! Now, what are you doing for the one who
did all for you then? I think you're getting the idea, I pray!! This
time of year gets all kinds of names attached to it. Like "Tis the
season to be jolly" or "It's the most wonderful time of the year" or
"Jesus is the reason for the season" and many, many more. How
about thinking as the verse above states?? Have you given it
some thought now?? If you're still with me I'll explain what I'm
driving at.
God, remember Him? He, who made this world we live on, gave
us, all of us. And we complain about it constantly! Despite what
we may think or how we may feel about Him! Or the things that
we have heard, read, or even what man has had to say about
Him! It was God that gave us His only begotten Son! Not, his
one and only Son!
Think hard now, how much did God spend on you, me and the
entire world?? Answer, not one thin dime! No, my dear readers,
God didn't spend any dollars at all! He spent the most costly
thing He has, Himself!!
We are all on our way to hell! It matters not whether we believe
it or not, whether we belong to some religious organization or
not, in fact it doesn't matter what we believe at all! The fact is
we are on our way to hell forever!! Whether we choose to believe
it or not, Jesus (who is God and became man) came to this earth
to give (the total cost) His sinless and perfect life for whom??
That's right, us! All of us whether we believe it or not! Now, this
is what matters. Now, what you believe and in whom you believe
matters!!
God said in His word (the Bible in case you didn't know) "...that
whosoever (that's you) believeth in Him (Jesus that is) should not
perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)". This is what was
and continues to be the gift that keeps giving and the cost?? To
say a lot would at the least be an understatement. The cost was
in fact the Lord Jesus' life for our sin. Jesus was the ransom for
all of mankind (whether you choose to believe it or not)! He was
called "…the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world (John 1:29)". He was called "The king of the Jews" in many
places in the bible. Also He was called "thy salvation" by Simeon,
a just and devout man. God called Jesus "the Lord's Christ (Luke
2:25-30)".
The important part I want to point you to can be found in Isaiah
chapter 53. This is where I believe we shall see the real meaning
of what today is called Christmas!
The reason I say this, I pray, will become clear as I hope you'll
still be following along.
I find it interesting that this part of God's word which describes
Jesus' suffering on our behalf has 12 verses. One has to wonder if
it is because or the Twelve Tribes of Israel?? Maybe it is referring
to the Twelve Apostles?? Notice that this prophetic scripture is
about the coming Saviour! Isaiah 53:1-12
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the
LORD revealed?
Report meaning what we have stated as fact. Who will recognize
Jesus is the Lord and the Saviour of the world??
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a
root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire
him.
Likened onto a new plant and bound to a destiny of suffering
this image of Jesus shows that he was not pretty (or handsome)
after what man did (or does) to him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Despised, meaning hated. Rejected, meaning not believed.
Acquainted with grief, meaning he would suffer more
punishment and sorrows, of which He didn't do a thing to
deserve all that would befall him.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we
did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
We (I pray) can see it was Jesus alone that took on our sins and
took our deserved punishment for us!!
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and
with his stripes we are healed.
The method used and how we are saved if we should believe and
take God at His Word!!
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us
all.
One can take this to mean two things. We knew and chose not to
accept or we rejected His gift! Jesus would take on our sins
himself as what would become the message and mission for all
time.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
We see the results of mans error, unjust treatment, and pure
cruelty that sin brings!
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall
declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the
living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in
his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit
in his mouth.
He was unjustly tried, judged, condemned illegally; and He was
totally innocent, just as what was prophesied. All this would
come to pass and sadly soon, too.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by
his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he
shall bear their iniquities.
Here we see the wrath of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on our
behalf and for whosoever will come to believe! Plainly, he (Jesus)
bears (takes) their (our) iniquities (sins) upon himself!
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out
his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
Welcome to the gift that gave! Jesus, who did all that the Father
required of Him, and because of His obedience on to death has
become our way (only way) to heaven! What a Christmas promise
to come!
As we return to our opening verse we see that the promised
Saviour was coming and has arrived to the people of the New
Testament time and to us also! Let us ponder this year on the
promise that produced Christmas. Jesus has (as promised) come to
save all that would simply accept His atoning sacrifice on our
behalf and give our prayer of thanksgiving for what is available
to and for us!!
What are you doing for the cause of Christ?? May I suggest that
you do as I have and tell someone!! Let a person know that life
can be so much better by becoming a child of God! By knowing
that you (and all that accept Jesus’ gift) have a home in heaven
and God's blessings here on earth!! Oh, if you haven't accepted
Jesus as Saviour and made Him the Lord of your life yet, may
you do so now!
May this be the year (or new one to come) that you accept the
Christmas present that only could be given by our Lord's Christ
and that is eternal life!! Jesus died for you; will you live for
Him??
Please feel free to e-mail or write at the address below. With love
in Christ, whose servant I am and yours,
Pastor Popeye
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
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