1. God’s timing for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! (Gal 4:4) – “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

The word “fulness” is πλήρωμα, which means to fill, or to be full. It can mean to supply, or to patch, even to supplement, or finally, it can mean completion. This definition prompts these questions.

* When was the “fulness of time”? The fulness of time encompasses the perfection of the Roman roads, the dialect of the Greek language, and the hopeless spiritual condition of the nation of Israel.

* What did God do in “the fullness of time”?

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

Don’t miss it….God sent forth His Son. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin in order that we might be born again by the Spirit!

Did you notice that phrase that Jesus Christ was born under the law? What does it mean? Remember. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Actually, Paul states further that Jesus came to “redeem” us from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). Why did the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to write that?

Introduction: Good news. Jesus was born. God came in the flesh. He identifies with mankind, and yet without sin, thereby, forgiving our sin through His redeeming blood. Since the penalty of sin is death (Rom 6:23), this brings eternal life – life beyond the grave. Where else in the world can a person find this? The answer is nowhere.

All of this is GOOD NEWS to a BAD NEWS world. That is why we who name the name of Jesus ought to READ all about it, and GO TELL all about it like the shepherds. 

Let’s read Luke’s narrative on this special occasion. 

They heard, and went to see, and then told everybody! (Luke 2:15-18) – “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Conclusion: So what is left? Go tell it on the Mountain!

“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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).

Let’s break down the text and see the multi-meanings of the role of Jesus.

1. He can carry the Government of this world! (Isa 9:6) – “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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Imagine a government controlled by God! On the opposite end of the spectrum, in our modern day, the government seems to be controlled by Satan. Can you tell? But according to this text, one day, Jesus Christ will rule and reign over this world. Besides that, check out WHO He is, and WHAT He can do.

2. Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace! (Isa 9:6) – “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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Jesus Christ is all of these and more. He is wonderful in His CREATION and SALVATION.
He is the COUNSELOR of counselors because He embodies all WISDOM.
He is MIGHTY in power and strength, and gives grace and power to all who trust in Him.
He is from everlasting to everlasting. In other words, He has no beginning or ending.
And finally, Isaiah declares all PEACE resides in Him because He is the Prince of Peace.

Conclusion: To cap it off, read verse seven of the text.

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isa 9:7).

Introduction: Have you noticed that God uses LIGHT! Luke’s gospel reveals how God lit up the sky paving the way for Jesus Christ to be born.

“….And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid” (Luke 2:9).

Consider how our God uses light. 

1. Moses wrote (Num 24:17):

“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel..”

Our Lord lit up the sky with a witness in the form of a star. The star shone the way for the wise men to find Jesus Christ. Are you following the light of the Lord? Instead of darkness, the Spirit of God gives light – illumination. We can walk in the light!

Shine the light!!

2. Jesus said (John 8:12):

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Jesus is the light! Let your light shine!!

3. John revealed (1John 1:5):

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Isn’t that interesting? God is light! Now we know why Satan is called the Prince of darkness. 

Conclusion: Did you know there is coming a time when no more light will be needed? The book of Revelation reveals this truth.

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is  the light thereof” (Rev 22:23).

Enjoy the light. Come to the light. Shine the light of Jesus!

Introduction: I love the journey of Jesus! He went from GLORY to GLORY!! In other words, He left heaven’s glory and ascended back to heaven’s glory.

This devotional verse explains that unparalleled event. 

Notice the steps:

1. The first was His INCARNATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Did you see the terms “God was manifest in the flesh”?

That refers to His divinity and His humanity. God in the flesh!

Jesus became a man – the God man. But why? So that He could live a life without sin. Something we could not do! And ultimately die in the place of our sins in order for us to be forgiven. 

2. Next was His JUSTIFICATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

The word “justified” is δικαιόω,(dik-ah-yo’), which means to make righteous, or to defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of. It can mean to acquit, or to justify. Or simply put, it means regard as righteous.

3. Jesus’ ADMINISTRATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Did you know that angels were ministering to Jesus from His birth until His ascension? Furthermore, angels will be with Him both at the rapture and His second coming. 

How is that going to be?

4. Jesus and SALVATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

The words “manifest” are to make visible. The word is φανερόω (fan-er-o’-o), which means to make visible, or to make clear; it can mean to make known.

Here Paul declares that Jesus Christ preached unto the gentiles who believed unto Him and were saved/forgiven. 

Conclusion: Finally, after describing Jesus’ incarnation, salvation, and manifestation, Paul declares His Revelation. 

Now we’ve gone from “glory to glory.”

Introduction: Have you ever wondered about the “STAR”? How did the wise men know that it was the one? Had they heard about the “STAR”? Matthew’s gospel records these words.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

The STAR of wonder was prophesied by Balaam! (Numbers 24:17) – “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

Did you notice Moses called Jesus a “Star out of Jacob?” This Ruler would come out of Israel. His entrance into this world would be displayed by a “STAR” of wonder. An unmistakably heavenly sign would light up the sky declaring the MESSIAH was here. No doubt, the Magi (wise men), because they had read the Old Testament prophecy, would have followed the STAR across the Persian desert while witnessing it resting above the land where Jesus Christ was born (obviously they arrived after Jesus birth). Keep in mind, these men were experts in astronomy and astrology not to mention, again, students of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Is this not amazing how God used various pieces in the puzzle for the incarnation of the Son of God!

Introduction: Just as CHRIST “must” come the first time, and He did…. He “must” come the second time, and He will! But can the “Grinch” (Satan) keep Him from coming? He tried the first time and he will try again. In fact, he is out to steal your CHRISTmust from coming.

1. How did Satan attempt to devour Jesus Christ at the first CHRISTMAS! (Rev 12: 1-5) – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads……and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

2. Why will Satan try to stop Jesus Christ in His SECOND COMING?(Rev 12:5,17) – “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”

The word “rule” is “ποιμαίνω, which means shepherd, or tend to a herd. It means to govern.

Bottom line: Jesus Christ will rule all the nations (ethnos).

Satan knows his time is short “….for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Rev 12:12). Time is running out for the devil! “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 12:17).

However, Satan (the dragon) is defeated and he knows it. Jesus is LORD! He will return both in the rapture and in His second coming as the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS!

Are you ready? Are all of your loved ones and friends prepared? Let’s get ready as we celebrate CHRISTmust!Love y’all,

Introduction: God’s glory is the ultimate aim for all that we do. The angels revealed this mission. After all, our Lord deserves all the glory. Is your life glorifying to Jesus?

1. Look at the word Glory! (Luke 2:14) – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

The word “glory” is δόξα (dox’-ah), which means praise, honor, renown. The word glory means an especially divine quality, or it can indicate the unspoken manifestation of God, His splendor. As you can see, glory encompasses who God is. Words do not do Justice to attempt to explain the glory of God.

2. Look who saw God’s glory!
* Ezekiel did (Ezek 1)
* Moses did (Exo 33)
* Paul did (2Cor 12)
* John did (Rev 1)

Have you seen the glory of the Lord? 
One way we see His glory is thru creation (Psa 19:1,2).

Introduction: What does Christmas mean to you? All of us probably have good memories of growing up in our childhood and celebrating CHRISTmas day. Spending family time together was a priority. Unwrapping gifts, giving the “right gifts” was included. Do you remember? Listening to Christmas music and snacking all during the day was fun. Oh yea, and reading the biblical account of the meaning of Christmas was special.

Needless to say, it was a time to connect with your family and friends.

1. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior! (Luke 2:10,11) – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Matthew’s gospel was written to portray Jesus Christ as “King of the Jews.”

The first few chapters included His INCARNATION…. Next His INSTRUCTIONS, His PREPARATION, His PREDICTION, His CRUCIFIXION, and finally His RESURRECTION.

2. Christmas is about Forgiveness of our sin! (Matt 1:21-23) – “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus Christ was born to die. That is the purpose of His first coming. He lived a life without sin – perfect (Matt 5:48), that is why He could pay for our sins.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2Cor5:21).

3. Christmas is about spreading the “Good News”! (Luke 2:17) – “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

What a privilege to spread the good news about Jesus Christ! He was born to die on a cross but to rise from the grave. And He has promised to come again.

Conclusion: What does Christmas mean to you. Hopefully, this devotion will help remind you of the meaning and joy of CHRISTMAS!

Introduction: Need peace? The saying is true: “To know God is to Know Peace.”

No God = No Peace!

But where does genuine PEACE come from? Paul led by the Spirit explains, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph 2:14).

A Wall of Separation between Jews and Gentiles! (Eph 2:14) – “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”

Check out the word “Peace” – εἰρήνη, which means one, peace, quietness, rest. It can refer to a peace of mind.

Do you have a peace of mind?  It’s not that you are in control but instead that your trust and faith is in Jesus Christ even when you do not understand. Peace does not mean that we have to be able to explain everything. Rather, it means that no matter what, our life is in His hands. 

In the context of this passage, the technical interpretation is that while God had a special unconditional covenant with the Jews in the Old Testament, after Christ’s death and resurrection the wall was torn down to include into the Church, both Jews and Gentiles—all who had a personal relationship with Jesus. 

The practical application can be seen in that while there is a wall of separation between us and God because of sin, through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ the wall is torn down.

Conclusion: Has the wall been removed between you and God?