Podcasts about deliverer

The peace on earth spoken of in the Christmas story will not happen until Jesus sets up his kingdom on earth. But when He first came to live among us, few understood that. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares two life-changing takeaways about Jesus' deliverance. In God's Church, we carry on Christ's work until He returns. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

The peace on earth spoken of in the Christmas story will not happen until Jesus sets up his kingdom on earth. But when He first came to live among us, few understood that. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares two life-changing takeaways about Jesus' deliverance. In God's Church, we carry on Christ's work until He returns. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29?v=20251111

Share a commentA birth announcement shook the night sky and reset history: a child in Bethlehem who is Savior, Messiah, and Lord. We walk through Gabriel's lightning-fast message, the sheer scope of the angelic host, and the quiet courage of a young woman who said yes to God, even when it meant being misunderstood for life. Along the way, we connect the temple, the throne of David, and the promise of a kingdom without end to the gritty, hopeful ground of daily faith.We start with the contrast between human breakthroughs in communication and a form of delivery that never fails—messages sent by angels. From there, we linger with Mary as Gabriel speaks two powerful currents into her life: grace and greatness. Grace means undeserved favor; greatness means God's unstoppable plan. Mary's honest question about how a virgin can conceive meets a temple-shaped answer: the Spirit will overshadow her, as glory once filled the Holy of Holies. That image reframes us, too—believers become living temples who carry Christ into ordinary spaces with purpose and humility.Then the fields around Bethlehem come alive. Likely temple shepherds, charged with raising lambs for sacrifice yet barred from worship as unclean, hear first. Gabriel's announcement is precise and bold: the Deliverer has come, the Anointed King stands in David's line, and this child is God incarnate. Born for you. Not for angels—for people on the margins, for the devout in the temple, for anyone ready to receive grace. The Creator who once wrapped the universe in darkness now lies wrapped in swaddling clothes, and the Father fills the sky with a choir no earthly parent could hire.The closing challenge lands close to home: angels announced, but now we advance. If we carry Christ, then we carry his message—clearly, kindly, and courageously. Listen, reflect, and share the hope: Jesus is Savior, Messiah, and Lord. If this moved you, follow the show, leave a review, and send the episode to someone who needs good news today.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

Share a commentA birth announcement shook the night sky and reset history: a child in Bethlehem who is Savior, Messiah, and Lord. We walk through Gabriel's lightning-fast message, the sheer scope of the angelic host, and the quiet courage of a young woman who said yes to God, even when it meant being misunderstood for life. Along the way, we connect the temple, the throne of David, and the promise of a kingdom without end to the gritty, hopeful ground of daily faith.We start with the contrast between human breakthroughs in communication and a form of delivery that never fails—messages sent by angels. From there, we linger with Mary as Gabriel speaks two powerful currents into her life: grace and greatness. Grace means undeserved favor; greatness means God's unstoppable plan. Mary's honest question about how a virgin can conceive meets a temple-shaped answer: the Spirit will overshadow her, as glory once filled the Holy of Holies. That image reframes us, too—believers become living temples who carry Christ into ordinary spaces with purpose and humility.Then the fields around Bethlehem come alive. Likely temple shepherds, charged with raising lambs for sacrifice yet barred from worship as unclean, hear first. Gabriel's announcement is precise and bold: the Deliverer has come, the Anointed King stands in David's line, and this child is God incarnate. Born for you. Not for angels—for people on the margins, for the devout in the temple, for anyone ready to receive grace. The Creator who once wrapped the universe in darkness now lies wrapped in swaddling clothes, and the Father fills the sky with a choir no earthly parent could hire.The closing challenge lands close to home: angels announced, but now we advance. If we carry Christ, then we carry his message—clearly, kindly, and courageously. Listen, reflect, and share the hope: Jesus is Savior, Messiah, and Lord. If this moved you, follow the show, leave a review, and send the episode to someone who needs good news today.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

The people of Jesus' day were ruled by the Roman Empire. Some saw in Jesus the political deliverer that had been foretold. In this message from Isaiah 61, Pastor Lutzer celebrates why Jesus had come to deliver those who needed it most—including the Gentiles. His deliverance is from the very power of sin. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

The people of Jesus' day were ruled by the Roman Empire. Some saw in Jesus the political deliverer that had been foretold. In this message from Isaiah 61, Pastor Lutzer celebrates why Jesus had come to deliver those who needed it most—including the Gentiles. His deliverance is from the very power of sin. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29?v=20251111

Isaiah predicted a deliverer would come who would proclaim good news to the poor and set the captives free. In a Nazareth synagogue, Jesus opened and read the same prophecy to describe His coming. In this message from Luke 4, Pastor Lutzer draws the direct line to Jesus' fulfillment of Isaiah 61. Only the Son of God could say that. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001. Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives. Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.   SUPPORT: Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/ Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

Isaiah predicted a deliverer would come who would proclaim good news to the poor and set the captives free. In a Nazareth synagogue, Jesus opened and read the same prophecy to describe His coming. In this message from Luke 4, Pastor Lutzer draws the direct line to Jesus' fulfillment of Isaiah 61. Only the Son of God could say that. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1407/29?v=20251111

She was born in Rome to a wealthy and prominent family. Though her father Pretexatus was a pagan, her mother Fausta instructed her in the things of God. Her father married her against her will to Publius, a prodigal and impious man lacking in Christian or pagan virtue. Anastasia was in the custom of dressing herself as a poor working woman and going out by night to visit and comfort the many Christians in prison (this was the time of Diocletian's persecution). When Publius discovered this, he was furious that his wife was demeaning herself by consorting with the despised Christians, and had his wife locked in the house with so little food that she came close to death by starvation. She was able to get a letter to her spiritual father Chrysogonus, who was also in prison, and their correspondence helped to sustain her through her ordeal. After three months her husband died in a shipwreck and she regained her freedom. Immediately she redoubled her work for the suffering Christians and their families, devoting all her time and wealth to their comfort and care.   One day Diocletian declared that all Christians in his prisons should be slain, and his command was carried out in one night. The next day Anastasia came to visit her beloved companions and, learning that all were dead, fell sobbing by the gate, no longer caring to conceal her Christian faith from anyone. Almost immediately she was arrested and brought before the authorities, who subjected her to every form of abuse. One prefect offered to marry her if she would bow to the idols, but to have her tortured to death if she would not. When she was unmoved, he attempted to rape her, but was struck blind and died miserably. She then briefly escaped to Nicaea and found refuge with the pious St Theodota, but was seized again along with Theodota and her children. After further trials and torments Anastasia, Theodota and her children, and others who had been converted to Christ through Anastasia's example, were executed.   Saint Anastasia's relics were taken to Rome, where a church was built in her honor. The relics were later translated to Constantinople and placed in another church bearing her name, where they worked many miracles. Because she has healed many through her prayers from the effects of poisons and potions, she is called Pharmocolytria, "Deliverer from Potions."

Summary As Christmas approaches, Dr. Michael Easley invites us to look beyond familiar traditions—food, travel, gifts, family rhythms—and consider a deeper anticipation: the divine visitation of God. Drawing from Genesis 50, Dr. Easley traces Joseph's final words and the Hebrew term pachad, a rich word describing God “visiting” His people in judgment, blessing, discipline, or deliverance. Joseph, at 110 years old, stands as a man who endured betrayal, injustice, imprisonment, and loss, yet he dies full of hope—insisting his bones be carried to the Promised Land because God will keep His word. Dr. Easley contrasts God's sovereign plan with human evil, reminding us that even the darkest chapters of Joseph's life were woven into God's purposes. He also emphasizes that death does not break God's promises; Joseph died without seeing the deliverance he believed in, yet he trusted the God who brings the dead to life. As we prepare for Christmas, this sermon invites us to consider the greatest visitation of all—the arrival of the divine Deliverer—and to rest in the certainty that God keeps His promises, even when our circumstances say otherwise. Takeaways God's sovereign plan operates even through the evil intentions and injustices of people. The Hebrew word pachad shows that God “visits” His people in discipline, blessing, and deliverance. Joseph believed God's promises even though he never saw their fulfillment in his lifetime. Death does not—and cannot—break the promises of God. The anticipation we feel around birth reflects a deeper longing wired into our souls for God's divine visitation. The birth of Christ is the ultimate visitation of God, bringing redemption exactly as He promised. To read the book of Genesis, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

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St. Matthew 1:1-25 Why was the Son of God commanded to be named Jesus—the New Joshua? In this Advent reflection, Fr. Anthony shows how Christ fulfills Israel's story by conquering sin and death, and calls us to repentance so that we may enter the victory He has already won. --- Homily on the Name of Jesus Sunday before the Nativity In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. "They named Him Jesus, because He would deliver His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) Names matter in Scripture. They are never accidental. A name reveals identity, vocation, and mission. And so when the angel commands that the Child be named Jesus, we are being told something essential about who He is and what He has come to do. The name Jesus is simply the Greek form of Joshua. And that is not incidental. So we should ask: Who was Joshua? And why did the angel of the Lord insist on that name? Joshua was the successor of Moses, the one chosen by God to lead His people when Moses could not. Long before Joshua's time, God had made a covenant with His people and promised them a land—a place of rest, inheritance, and blessing. But that promise had been obscured by centuries of slavery in Egypt, under pagan gods who claimed power but offered only bondage. God sent Moses to remind the people who they truly were: not slaves, but God's own people. Through signs and wonders, God revealed His power over Pharaoh and over the false gods of Egypt. The people were delivered. They were free. They were heading toward the Promised Land. And yet, because of their disobedience and unbelief, that generation—including Moses himself—was not worthy to enter the land. And so God appointed Joshua to do what Moses could not: to lead the next generation into the inheritance God had promised. Joshua defeated the enemies of God—not by his own strength, but by God's supernatural power—and led the people into the Promised Land. All of this matters, because it prepares us to understand the name of Jesus and the mission it announces. "They named Him Jesus, because He would deliver His people from their sins." Now consider the situation at the time of Christ's birth. In many ways, it looked very much like the time of Pharaoh. God's people were again under foreign rule, again surrounded by pagan power, again longing for deliverance. The prophets had promised a Messiah, and the people waited for one who would set them free. But here is the crucial difference: this Joshua would not come to conquer territory.  This Joshua would come to conquer the true enemy. Not Rome. Not armies. Not borders. But sin itself. In his homily on this Gospel reading, St. John Chrysostom says: "He did not say, 'He shall save His people from their enemies,' but 'from their sins,' showing that this is a greater and more fearful tyranny than any foreign power." (Homily on Matthew 2) And this is precisely why the Son of God had to be born as a child. In his homily on the Nativity, which, Lord willing, you will hear on Thursday, Chrysostom draws the connection between the Nativity and our salvation with striking clarity: "He became Son of Man, that He might make us sons of God. He took what was ours, that He might give us what was His." (Homily on the Nativity) Jesus is the New Joshua—not leading one people into one land, but opening the Kingdom of God to all who would receive Him. He conquers not by the sword, but by the Cross. He defeats not nations, but death itself. And we know how He did it. By obedience where Adam fell. By humility where pride ruled. By offering Himself fully to the Father, even unto death. As the Fathers remind us, the victory was not loud or coercive, but hidden and faithful—won through righteousness rather than force. So what, then, is our situation? It is tempting to compare our world to Egypt, or to the time of pagan occupation, and to imagine that we are still waiting for deliverance. After all, many of us know what it is like to feel tired, burdened, or trapped in patterns we cannot seem to break, even while outwardly everything appears fine. We live in a culture that constantly distracts us, that teaches us to manage our desires rather than heal them, and that quietly encourages us to accept forms of bondage as normal. Like God's people of old, we forget who we are and whom we belong to, and so we begin to live as though freedom were still far away. But the truth is far more sobering—and far more hopeful. We are not waiting for the Messiah. He has already come. If we live as slaves, it is not because Pharaoh rules us. It is because we have refused the Deliverer. Christ has already opened the doors of freedom. Advent is the season in which the Church calls us to turn back, to repent, and to remember who we are—so that we may step again into the life He has already given us. Christ lives within the heart of every believer. He comes into the midst of all who gather in His name. He is present here, now, in the Holy Liturgy—offering the same grace, the same power, the same deliverance. He delivers us from the death of sin and leads us into the true Promised Land: the life of the Kingdom, the inheritance of the saints, communion with God Himself. So let us give thanks for the Deliverer—Jesus, the New Joshua. Let us praise Him, trust Him, repent, and return to Him, so that we may join Him in His victory. And let us receive His supernatural grace and power here and now, as we prepare to welcome Him anew at His Nativity. [For in the end, all of us must decide: Am I a sinner – of whatever type; a fornicator, a gossip, a glutton, a miser, a coward, a bully – (are we a sinner) who occasionally does Christian things but repents and reverts to my chosen sinful form. -OR- Am I a Christian who occasionally falls into sin, repents, and reverts to his chosen path of holiness? If we truly are sinners who only play at being Christians - if we only play at being holy – then when the Lord comes looking for a place to be born and dwell, there will be no room in the worldly varmint-infested inn our heart for him to lay and He will leave us to wallow and drown in the bondage of our sin. -BUT- If we are Christians who fall into sin but truly repent, the cave of our hearts is swept clean and He will be pleased to be born in our hearts and His glory will shine within and even from us. Christ has come into the world to deliver us – how have we responded?] To Him be glory, together with His Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.  

Peace, justice, renewal, reconciliation, and redemptionthese are the things we all long for. From the beginning of human history, every generation has desired Eden. We long for a world where everything is as it should be: where God dwells with His people, where sin and death no longer reign, where justice and peace finally embrace. Yet life east of Eden often feels far more like wandering in the wilderness than living in paradise. Scripture reminds us that we were not only made for Eden, but for something greater than the first Edena redeemed world where God dwells with His people forever. If you read the Bible as one unified story, you quickly discover that this longing for Eden never disappears. After the death of Solomon and the division of Davids kingdom, Gods people endured centuries of instability, exile, and oppression. Kingdoms fell apart, kings failed, and the land itself was lost. Yet through it all, God preserved a single, persistent promise: redemption would come through a childa king, a deliverer, a son. From the serpent-crushing offspring promised in Genesis 3, to the blessing pledged to Abraham, to the scepter of Judah, to the covenant God made with David, and finally to Isaiahs promise of a virgin-born son, God repeated His word again and again: salvation was coming. The Deliverer would crush the head of the dragon. Into the darkness of Galilee and the nations, a great light would shine. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:67) Thenastonishinglyfor four hundred years, heaven was silent. Imagine being born, living, and dying without hearing a prophetic word from God, yet clinging to promises handed down from your fathers and grandfathers. Empires rose and fellGreek, then Romanuntil a paranoid ruler named Herod sat on the throne of Judah. The world looked anything but ready for redemption. And it was precisely then that God spoke againnot to a king, not to a priest, but to a young girl in an obscure town. The Promise We Can Trust Mary was likely between fourteen and sixteen years old. Joseph was a carpenterfaithful, quiet, and largely unnoticed. They were not influential, powerful, or impressive by worldly standards. Yet God chose them. This should not surprise us. Throughout Scripture, God delights in working through obscurity. He does not wait for ideal circumstances or impressive rsums. He chooses ordinary people who trust Him. Obscurity is not a barrier to obedience, and faithfulness in small, unseen places is often where God begins His greatest work. When Mary was told she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, her response was an honest question:How will this be, since I am a virgin?This is in contrast to Zechariahs response after the angel Gabriel revealed to him that he and his wife, Elizabeth would have a son in their old age who would prepare the way of the promised Deliverer. Here is what Zechariah said: How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years. (Luke 1:18-20). While Zechariah struggled to believe, Marys response was not unbelief; it was faith seeking understanding. Mary does not say, That cannot be, but How will this be? Biblical faith does not silence questionsit submits them to God. There is a world of difference between humble inquiry and hardened disbelief. Joseph, however, initially responded with disbelief. As a righteous man, he planned to divorce Mary quietly, sparing her public shame. But God intervened. Once Joseph understood that God was at work, he obeyed. He moved when God told him to move. He fled when danger came. He returned when it was safe. History remembers Herod as powerful; God remembers Joseph as faithful. Joseph is often treated as a footnote in Jesus story, but do not assume that there was not cost for him in following the will of God for his life. Think about the cost to his reputation, consider the courage he demonstrated from the news of Marys pregnancy throughout Jesus childhood years. There is a lesson to be learned through Josephs life in what faithfulness, fatherhood, and true masculinity really looks like. The gospel did not make Mary and Josephs lives easierit made them riskier. Gods promises often disrupt our plans. Obedience may cost comfort, reputation, and control, but it always leads us into Gods purposes. The Promise that Secures Our Good Gabriel proclaims five astonishing truths about Marys childeach one unveiling a facet of Christs unparalleled glory and majesty. First, His name will be Jesus (v. 31).JesusJoshuameans Savior and Deliverer. Before Gabriel speaks of crowns or kingdoms, he speaks of salvation. Jesus would exercise His kingship not by domination, but by deliverance. He did not come primarily to improve circumstances, but to rescue sinners. This is the heart of the gospel: a Savior before a Sovereign, mercy before majesty. Jesus will be great (v. 32).Gabriel offers no explanationonly a proclamation. Scripture later fills in the meaning. Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. He is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together! Consider Colossians 1:15-20, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. He is the radiance of Gods glory, the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:14). Words ultimately fail to capture His greatness. Gabriel simply declares it:He will be great.Jesus eternally existed within the fellowship of the Trinity, entered human history, clothed Himself in flesh, lived among us, died on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose on the third day. This is not a small Savior. This is a great one. Jesus will be called Son of the Most High (v. 32b). This does not mean Jesus was created or that He is merely another son of God like the angels. Gabriel is proclaiming something far deeper: Jesus is uniquely Gods Sonthe eternal Word, begotten not made, sharing fully in the divine nature from all eternity. When the Father spoke creation into existence, it was by Jesus and through Jesus that all things were created! Jesus is, before all things, and in Him all things hold together. It is the Son, who emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men...humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8). The demons grasped with chilling clarity the truth that many humans do not. Consider their desperate plea in Luke 8:28: What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most Hight God? I beg You, do not torment me! Even the forces of darkness recognized that Jesus, as the Son of the Most High, possessed absolute authority and power over themHe alone holds the right to command, conquer, and torment the hosts of Satan. The spiritual realm itself trembles before His greatness. Jesus will inherit the throne of David (v. 32c). It is only fitting that Jesuswho is Savior, who is great, and who is the Son of the Most Highshould sit on the throne of David. Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, but this child would not merely restore an earthly kingdom. Jesus would reign over the nations as King. Isaiah foresaw this when he wrote, In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoplesof him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious(Isa. 11:10). When Simeon later held the infant Jesus in the temple, he declared that his eyes had seen Gods salvationa light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Yet Simeon also warned Mary that this child would be opposed and that a sword would pierce her own soul: Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposedand a sword will pierce your own soulto the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). Redemption would come, but not without suffering. Glory would be preceded by rejection and the cross. The Son would be despised, rejected, struck down, and afflicted for our sins through a cross, and it would be on the cross that the Son would be crushed by the Father (see Isa. 53:3-10). Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob forever (v. 33) Finally, Gabriel assured Mary that Jesus would not only inherit Davids throne, but that His reign would be everlasting. He would rule over Israel for all eternitythe ultimate and final King whose kingdom would never end. Yet His rule would not be confined to the twelve tribes of Israel. Like a mustard seed that grows into a great tree, His kingdom would expand to encompass the whole world, welcoming people from every nation. It is to this Jesus that all the nations will one day bow, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, just as the Scriptures declare:For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:911). The Promise that Will Not Fail Mary and Joseph were not sinless or perfect parents. They struggled as we do. Yet they were entrusted with the greatest news the world had ever received: salvation had come in the form of a child growing in Marys womb. One wonders whether, as Mary felt His small hands and feet and Joseph gazed at Him in awe, they ever reflected on Ezekiels promise that Davids servant would be king forever and that God would dwell among His people (see Ezek. 37:24-28). Their lives teach us four enduring lessons. 1) The Good News moved them to action. 2) They guarded what God entrusted to them. 3) They treasured the gift they received. 4) And they were faithful stewards, willing to step back and let Jesus be who He was sent to be. As Christians who have received the gospel, we too have been entrusted with this Good News. The question this story presses upon us is simple and searching:What will we do with the Good News we have received?Will it move us to action? Will we guard it as precious? Will we treasure it as the greatest news we have ever heard? And will we steward it faithfully, giving it away as ambassadors of the King of kings and Lord of lords? When Herod sought to kill Jesus, Joseph took his family to Egypt just as he was told to do to protect Mary and Jesus. Josephs obedience cost him something. Most of us will never be called to flee to Egypt, but we will be called to trust God when obedience costs us something! When Mary received the news that she was to be the mother of the promised Deliverer and Son of God, her response is simple and yet profound: I am the Lords bond-servant, may it be done to me according to your word (1:38). For centuries before Gabriel visited Mary, Gods people waitedthrough exile, through silence, through sufferingclinging to promises they could not yet see fulfilled. And then, in the fullness of time, God spoke again. Not with thunder, not from a palace, but through an angel sent to a young girl in an obscure town. The first coming of Jesus tells us something vital about the way God works. He does not bypass weakness; He enters it. He does not avoid suffering; He redeems it. He does not wait for the world to be ready; He comes to save it. The King arrived not with armies, but in a womb. The Savior came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. The child promised to Mary is the King who now reigns. The Savior who came in humility will come again in glory. The Jesus who was laid in a manger will one day return as Judge and King, and His kingdom will have no end. So we live now in the in-between. We wait as a people who know the promise is true, even when the world still feels broken. We wait with hope, not because circumstances are easy, but because Christ has comeand because Christ will come again. As you wait with hope, what kind of bond-servant will you be? What kind of bond-servant is Jesus calling you to be?What does faithfulness look like for you in 2026?

Jesus our Deliverer (Matthew Chapter 1) - Sunday, 21st December 2025.Matthew 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. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.1. God delivered Israel from Pharaoh. Exodus 3:7-8  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 2. God delivered Israel from their enemiesJudges 3:9  And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.Judges 3:15  But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.  3. In Isaiah, God is upset with Israel because they do not look to Him for deliverance.Isaiah 50:2  Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.4. In the New Testament, Jesus delivered from storms, death, demons, sickness blindness, deafness, bitterness and on and on!Matthew 8:26  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.5.  How can I be delivered?Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

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My Help and My DelivererPsalms 40:1-17God is able to turn things around. David was in a horrible pit, but God reached down and pulled him out and put him upon a solid rock. Sometimes we get stuck in the mud. We can't pull ourselves out. We need help, I believe, if we cry unto God. When we're stuck in the mud, he will pull us out and put our feet upon his rock, which is Jesus Christ.

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In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 291) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I take you into the long, demanding life of Moses—a man called by God and shaped by struggle. From a baby hidden in the reeds to an old prophet standing before Pharaoh, Moses learned that God forms leaders slowly and uses them despite their fears, failures, and reluctance. We walk through the burning bush, the wilderness years, and the heavy burden of leading a stubborn people, discovering that true leadership is meekness—great authority restrained by obedience to God. Moses' life points us again and again to the grace of God, a grace that still flows even when the servant falters, and ultimately to Christ, the greater Deliverer, who bears the curse and brings us into freedom. Moses reminds us that God does His greatest work through surrendered lives, and that faithfulness matters more than brilliance or strength.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - The Magnificent Seven(00:01:12) - Joseph the Desecrator(00:09:53) - Why Was Moses Named Moses?(00:13:37) - THE LIFE OF MOSES(00:21:46) - Meekness and God's Plan for Israel(00:27:28) - The healing power of the Cross(00:33:46) - Moses the Great

Most people think of Hanukkah as the “Jewish Christmas,” a cultural celebration with candles, dreidels, and chocolate coins. But the real story is far older, far weightier, and far more connected to the story of Jesus than many Christians realize.  Hanukkah is a story about attempted erasure, courageous resistance, and God's unstoppable commitment to preserve His covenant promises. In this episode, we walk through the rise of Antiochus, the Seleucid king who sought not only to dominate Israel but to erase its identity - banning circumcision, outlawing Torah, desecrating the Temple, and demanding assimilation.  Yet when the majority gave way to cultural pressure, a few refused to bow. The Maccabees stood when others surrendered, preserving the line through which Messiah would one day come. And 150 years later, during this very feast, Jesus walked in the Temple and declared Himself the Light of the World. The same God who preserved His people through the few stands faithful today.  Hanukkah isn't merely history; it is a lens for understanding the spiritual battles of our own moment and the hope of the King who will come again. Key Takeaways Hanukkah is rooted in real biblical history - not legend - and is foreshadowed in Daniel's visions. Antiochus Epiphanes sought to erase Jewish identity and break the covenant line of David. The Maccabees embodied “the few” whom God uses to preserve His promises. The real miracle of Hanukkah is God's covenant faithfulness, not just the oil. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah (John 10:22) and used the feast to reveal His identity. The spirit of Antiochus - the antichrist spirit - still rises in every generation. Hanukkah points forward to the return of Messiah, the true Light of the World. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Childhood stories, Hanukkah misunderstandings 04:00 – What Hanukkah looked like generations ago 07:00 – Setting the biblical-historical stage 11:00 – Daniel's prophecy and the rise of Antiochus 16:00 – The desecration of the Temple 20:00 – The Maccabees and the courage of the few 25:00 – Guerrilla war and the rededication of the Temple 29:00 – The legend of the oil vs. the real miracle 33:00 – Jesus and Hanukkah in John 10 38:00 – The spirit of antichrist then and now 43:00 – The coming Deliverer and the hope ahead Explore more resources and upcoming events at thejewishroad.com. Discover where we'll be sharing the Hanukkah story across the country at thejewishroad.com/light. Join The Few who make this work possible by supporting The Jewish Road and helping us tell the story that holds the whole Bible together.

An angel’s urgent warning saves the newborn Jesus from King Herod’s murderous plot, revealing Christ as the prophesied Deliverer who overcame evil. Matthew 2:13-23 Christmas 2025 Gene Pensiero Jr Home Find us on Substack https://calvaryhanford.substack.com/ Find us on Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/calvary-hanford/id1101428480 Find us on Roku https://my.roku.com/account/add?channel=CALVARYHANFORD Find us on Amazon Fire TV Special Delivery (Matthew […]

An angel’s urgent warning saves the newborn Jesus from King Herod’s murderous plot, revealing Christ as the prophesied Deliverer who overcame evil. Matthew 2:13-23 Christmas 2025 Gene Pensiero Jr Home Find us on Substack https://calvaryhanford.substack.com/ Find us on Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/calvary-hanford/id1101428480 Find us on Roku https://my.roku.com/account/add?channel=CALVARYHANFORD Find us on Amazon Fire TV Special Delivery (Matthew […]

SermonPsalm 40December 14, 2025

Pastor Will Hatfield - Zephaniah 1-2

from Matthews 14: 24-25

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Advent is the season of holy anticipation. Christ arrives in three ways: He came in humility at Bethlehem, He comes now in Word and Sacrament, and He will come again in glory. Each week we live in eager expectation, moved to sing with the shepherds and the saints: Behold your King's arrival, rich with grace on grace! Today, THE KING WHO WILL COME IN GLORY: The same King who came in humility and who comes even now will come again as Judge and Deliverer. Advent directs us to prepare in repentance and hope for the trumpet that will peel back the sky.

DAY 7 — Moses & the God Who RescuesGod saw His people suffering in Egypt and sent Moses to bring them out. Today we look at how Moses' rescue mission points to a greater Deliverer still to come. What does it mean that God hears, remembers, and acts? Advent reminds us that Jesus came to lead us out of a far deeper slavery.

We begin by looking at John the Baptist. Matthew 3:1-2 and 5-6 tells us.  "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Pastor shares a personal visit to the Jordan River with pics of the area. As our story continues we see John calling out to the Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to the Jordan River to see what he was doing. He tells them that they need to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. What John is saying is that when they truly turn to the Living God, it will change them, that their attitude, behavior and thought patterns will be radically transformed.  John goes on in verse 11 of chapter 3 to say, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John's message was repent. His message was that the Messiah they had been waiting for was coming. He says that the Messiah will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire, the fire of judgement.  People were drawn to John the Baptist because he spoke the truth in love. He wasn't the only one that talked about repentance. The Call to Repentance     ⁃    John the Baptist - Matthew 3:2     ⁃    Jesus Christ the Messiah - Matthew 4:17     ⁃    Apostle Peter - Acts 2:38     ⁃    Apostle Paul - Acts 17:30     ⁃    Holy Bible - 2 Peter 3:9 Repent means to: Change your mind Change your attitude Change your thoughts Change your direction Turn around - do a 180 Repentance IS important. Who needs Repentance?     ⁃    Isn't this the punchline to a joke? - No. Jesus says in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent, we will all perish. Jesus considers repentance to be absolutely essential.     ⁃    Isn't repentance just for bad people? - this depends on how you translate the word bad. The point of comparison is not against people, it is against a holy God. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Matthew 21:31 Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."     ⁃    This isn't for religious people, is it?  Jesus continues in Matthew 21:32 "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." Repentance is for ALL people especially the religious. This teaching brings anger and bitterness from the religious because it exposes them for what they really are not and for what they show to others.     ⁃    Isn't this Old Testament teaching? Yes, but it is also New Testament teaching as seen earlier in this message.      ⁃    Surely Christians don't need to repent? From Jesus we read a series of seven epistles in Revelation. In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 Jesus says the word "repent" 7 times. Martin Luther said in Thesis 1: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance". If you find yourself rebelling against what you are hearing today - we encourage you to hear the rest of the story. What is True Repentance     1.    I am a Sinner - when I recognize this then I understand that     2.    I need a Savior - turning to the only one who can save us. We are all sinners and we need a Savior. Without Him we are lost forever and it calls us to say     3.    I trust in Christ alone - because the Living God stepped into this world, living a life of perfect obedience and willing went to the cross to pay for rebellion and sin and the one who rose victorious of death. Jesus is that Savior. We are called by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, to trust in the redemption found only in Jesus and then to say     4.    I will live for Him - repentance changes the way we think, the way we look at God and look others and the world, it changes the way we turn to the Living God and hang onto the Lord Jesus who is our Savior and Deliverer and seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to live a life of faith, obedience, joy and peace, power in Him. This true repentance. Although the call to repent may sound scary, the gift of God through repentance is the greatest joy any one can know in this world and the life of the world to come. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

What does The Passover have to do with our celebration of Christmas?The Passover teaches us to Behold the Lamb of God.- We behold Jesus through incarnational activity. (v. 21-25) “You shall observe this rite for you and for your sons forever.”- We behold Jesus through expectant adoration. (v. 26-27) “And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.”

Creation to Cradle: 25 days of Devotions, is a short series of devotions to help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus during this Christmas Season. In today's episode, Chris Fuller talks about the promise of Jesus being the ultimate deliverer. We hope you enjoy these devotions, Merry Christmas from Real Talk Christian Podcast! // Helpful Links // https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast The Christian Standard Bible: https://csbible.com Lifeway Christian Resources: www.lifeway.com Got Questions?: www.gotquestions.org Dwell Bible App: https://dwellapp.io Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://www.crossformedkids.com RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com Twin Valley Coffee:  https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com) Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org

The God of Jacob became the God of Israel. When we see the second Person of the Trinity's presence in the Exodus story, we can better appreciate the awe-inspiring nature of his incarnation and sacrificial death.

The Spirit World is Already Here by Autumn Dickson We have the opportunity to read two revelations this week. Despite the different times in which they were given, the two revelations were placed together in the Doctrine and Covenants, and they hold more power in that manner. The first recorded vision was received by Joseph Smith, and the second recorded vision was given to Joseph F. Smith. I want to share a couple of verses from the section given to Joseph F. Smith regarding the spirit world. Doctrine and Covenants 138:22-24 22 Where these (the wicked, unrepentant, rebellious) were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace; 23 And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. 24 Their countenances shone, and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them, and they sang praises unto his holy name. These verses talk about the spirit world on the other side of the veil. It gives us a glimpse into what life holds depending on how you chose to live your life and how those choices affected who you became. Taking the time to imagine what it will be like is powerful, especially when you've lost someone you love. But rather than read it from the perspective of the spirit world, I want you to read it again as if it's speaking about where we dwell now. Despite its insight into the spirit world, it can also be a very accurate description of the mortal life we're living in. In the fallen mortality where we dwell, there are people who want nothing to do with the Savior and His gospel. There are many who want the exact opposite of what He stands for and believe the Savior to be oppressive. In those specific places and hearts, darkness reigns. God doesn't necessarily send darkness or make their world terrible; it's what they've invited into their lives. Important tangent here. This gets slightly tricky because I don't believe all non-Christians are dark people. Rather, I believe that at any given moment, we are inviting or shunning darkness. There are a lot of people who accept so much of Christ's gospel even if they do not yet accept Him personally. They have invited portions of light into their lives by living their lives in a Christlike manner. So not immediately accepting Christ doesn't mean you live in utter darkness and allow it to reign over you. I do believe they're missing out on light, but that doesn't mean I assume they are voluntarily inviting darkness to rule their lives. Let's keep going on with reading the description of the spirit world and mortality.. So there are people who don't want Christ and voluntarily shun Him. They want the darkness. They like it. They don't see any reason to change. In other places, sometimes very nearby, there are Saints who are living in the same space but find themselves rejoicing in their redemption. They love the Savior and trust Him. They acknowledge Him and worship Him. Then, of course, there is a whole spectrum between these groups of people. Even on that spectrum, we're finding ourselves moving back and forth depending on what we're inviting and focusing on. Despite the fact that we can find people all along that spectrum, I want to bring your attention to one other grouping: there are Saints who are trying to live the gospel but still have not found the reason to rejoice. They don't always feel hope or peace. They don't feel the radiance of the Lord shining down on them. We believe in Christ and the gospel, but have we found salvation? We read this in Alma. Alma 34:31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. Immediately. Not just in the spirit world. Immediately. If you truly find Christ, the plan of redemption is brought immediately. Today can be the day of your salvation if you repent and don't harden your heart. Immediately, you can find yourself in the same state as those dwelling in spirit paradise. You can rejoice in the Redeemer who freed you from hell and any aspects of it that you may still be clinging to. The radiance of the presence of the Lord can shine upon you. If you do not yet feel these aspects of salvation, I have a small warning for you. Dying and going to the other side does not immediately bring about those feelings. Dying has very little to do with it. Experiencing spiritual paradise stems from your relationship with Christ. Dying happens somewhere along the way for good reason, but experiencing salvation doesn't necessarily wait for death. It's just waiting for you. When was the last time you let yourself rejoice in Christ? When was the last time you chose to trust Him so deeply that it swallowed up your pain and carried it for a while? When was the last time you chose gratitude for His promises even if you couldn't choose gratitude for what was directly going on in your life? Spiritual paradise is a choice, not just a destination on the other side. What happens there is just a continuation of what happens here. You don't change on the other side unless you go through the same process of changing that you have to experience on this side. I love the verse from Alma 34 because it doesn't say, “Follow the Law of Moses perfectly and then you will experience salvation immediately.” It says, “Repent and soften your heart and then you will experience salvation immediately.” Change! Soften! Trust! He loves you and is mighty to save. When you find it within yourself to say, “I'm going to try putting weight on these promises,” you'll find solid ground. Even if everything comes to disaster in mortality, there is solid ground in Christ. I testify that trusting Christ and taking Him at His word was one of the most joyful decisions I ever made. Though I obviously fluctuate in that trust as I move about life, continually spending time with Him every day has made that trust more consistent. Spending time with Him every day has forced me to remember His promises. As I've moved about my daily life and run into new challenges and all of the pitfalls of mortality, I have found rejoicing alongside my pain. It didn't come from living the gospel more perfectly; it came from trusting Him more perfectly. I testify that spirit paradise or allowing darkness to reign are choices we make on a daily basis; they're not just destinations in the spirit world. I testify that the day of your salvation, the day you find rejoicing in Christ, can be today, and you don't even have to die in order to find it. You just have to trust. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 137–138 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

As we begin our Advent series, Come and Behold Him, we step into the four weeks of anticipation and preparation that mark the arrival of Jesus Christ. Advent isn't just a countdown to Christmas—it is a reenactment of the longing, hope, and expectation that filled the people of God for generations as they waited for the Messiah.From the earliest pages of Scripture, God promised a Deliverer—the Seed who would crush the serpent (Gen. 3:15), the Offspring who would bless the nations (Gen. 12:3), the Son who would reign on David's throne forever (2 Sam. 7:12–16). By the time of the first Christmas, the people of Israel were living with a deep yearning for the One who would save, restore, and rule with righteousness.And then—into that centuries-long anticipation—God reveals the identity of the Promised One to an unexpected person: a young girl named Mary.In Luke 1:26–38, the angel Gabriel announces that Mary will bear Jesus—the Son of the Most High, the eternal King, the long-awaited Savior. But Mary's first response isn't about glory or privilege. It's the deeply human question: “How can this be…?” She feels the cost. The risk. The consequences.And yet her answer becomes one of the greatest statements of faith in all Scripture:“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”Today's sermon explores:• The centuries of anticipation that lead to Jesus• Why God chose Mary and what her response reveals• The real-world cost she faced in obedience• The meaning of yielding to God's will—before understanding the outcome• How Advent calls us to the same posture: “I am the servant of the Lord.”Mary shows us the heart that prepares for the coming of Christ—a yielded, surrendered, servant posture that says:“Let it be to me according to Your word.”This Advent, may we learn to behold Him as she did.Scriptures: Luke 1:26–38; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9; Romans 12:1–2; Proverbs 3:5–6; 1 John 2:16#Advent #Mary #ComeAndBeholdHim #ChristmasSeries #MercyHill #PastorTommyOrlando #Jesus #Gospel #Christmas #ChristianTeaching #Faith #Surrender

Luke 1:26-37 – Matthew 1:18-25 Holy Night – Part One Again and again in the Old Testament, God promises a broken and pained world that he will send a Messiah — that is, a Deliverer — to start to renew and restore all things. Genesis 3:15 Isaiah 9:1-7 Micah 5:1-4 Because the coming of the Messiah was a long time coming, it was easy for God's people to start to think of it as an impossibility. Most scholars agree that by the time we enter the period of the New Testament, nearly 400 years had passed since the last messianic promise had been given by God — and the Messiah still hadn't come. Two messages that broke the 400-year silence — the angels' messages to Mary (Luke 1:26-37) and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) Luke 1:26-37 – Matthew 1:18-25 I. The coming of the Messiah, Jesus, was never to be thought of as an impossibility, because all things had already been proven possible for God. Today marks the beginning of Advent: (1) the word “advent” means “coming,”   (2) the season of Advent, which leads up to Christmas Day and includes four Sundays, is a time to reflect on the coming of Jesus to begin to renew and restore a broken and pained world,  (3) it’s also a time to look ahead to when Jesus will come again to finish the renewing and restorative work he started at Christmas. God has indeed promised the Messiah, Jesus, will come again:  Matthew 24 & 25  John 1 & 2  1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians  Revelation Because the second coming of Jesus has been a long time coming, it's easy for us to start to think of it as an impossibility. As we consider what Joseph & Mary may have been thinking, we may also be experiencing doubt, distraction, or discouragement such as: “Maybe the powers of the world hold too much power for Jesus to topple them. Maybe the powers beyond this world hold too much power. Maybe we've sinned too much, and we're undeserving. Maybe too much is needed by way of miracles to pull this off.” II. The second coming of Jesus is never to be thought of as an impossibility, because all things have already been proven possible for God. This is a time leading up to Christmas Day to remember the coming of Jesus. It's a time to remember how his coming brought about a great turning point for the world. The world had been hounded by hopelessness, shame, great sadness, and the coldness of self-concern and self-preservation, and his coming caused a great turning toward hope, peace, joy, and love. Each of the four Sundays in Advent speak to these four themes, respectively: hope, peace, joy, and love. We're going to speak to each in the four Sundays of Advent, and we're going to do so by exploring the angelic messages that were passed along either in the days leading to the holy night of Jesus's birth or on the holy night itself. We've already covered the first angelic message this morning, haven't we? “Nothing is impossible with God.” Which, of course, gives us hope — a confident expectation that nothing is impossible for God, because nothing ever has been. Hope November 30 Peace December 7 Joy December 14 Love December 21 You're probably familiar with the practice of the lighting of the Advent candles — four candles arranged in a circle (for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love), with another larger candle in the middle (often referred to as “the Christ candle”). The lighting of the Hope candle takes place on the first Sunday of Advent, the lighting of the Peace candle on the second Sunday — and so on. The lighting of the Christ candle often takes place on Christmas Eve, but traditions vary. (Some wait until Epiphany in January.) Your church might already take part in this practice, but if your church has yet to do so, this series might be the perfect time to introduce it into the life of the congregation. If you decide to take part in the practice, you could explain the tradition and then during the conclusion of the sermon, you could light the first candle — the candle for Hope.

Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com Aligning With The Power We already have all the power of God within us—because the Holy Spirit is in us! Think about that for a moment: the very power that created the heavens, the earth, every living creature, and the entire human race resides in every believer. We never have to beg God for special anointings or plead for His power to come upon us. We have the power! All we need to do is align with the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Spirit of power and might! According to Scripture, when we are born again, the Holy Spirit—with all His power—comes in us. Then, according to Jesus' promise (Acts 1:5-8), when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, He manifests that power through us to touch the world. The result of the Spirit working in us and through us is that we become witnesses. Most of us first think of witnessing as telling others about Jesus—and that is certainly part of it—but it's not the whole picture. Biblically, a witness is someone with personal knowledge or experience. In a court of law, you cannot be a witness by repeating something you heard. Hearsay cannot be entered into evidence! Likewise, a persuasive witness about Jesus is based on what we have experienced, not what we have read or heard from others! Every year, dozens—if not hundreds—of people ask me how they can be more effective at ministering to their families, friends, and loved ones. The greatest obstacle they face is this: they see witnessing as something they do rather than something they are. They assume they must learn how to minister when, in reality, a witness is not called to repeat what they've learned. That would be hearsay. A witness testifies to what they have personally experienced! This doesn't take training; it takes life experience. The Holy Spirit is both with you and in you, enabling you to experience the resurrected power of the Lord Jesus. And when I say “experience,” I mean walking in every promise God has ever made (2 Cor. 1:20), healing, deliverance, miracles—every expression of God's power. This isn't something we have to get; it is something we have already been given. It's yours because that power is already in you through the Holy Spirit! That truth alone qualifies you as a witness. You can now testify that Jesus is Lord, Savior, Deliverer, Healer, and more! You will influence your world simply by being who you are in Christ, living from what you have experienced with Him, and sharing your testimony of God's power at work in your life. In personal ministry, I get more people healed, saved, and delivered by testifying, i.e., telling stories about what God is doing for me! Join me this week and discover this incredible paradigm shift of power. Let's put an end to striving, straining, and attempting to persuade God to give you what you already have. The Holy Spirit was already sent to bring all of this into your life. Now, all you must do is align your heart with what He has already done—and you will begin to experience what has been freely given. Join me this week in CyberChurch as we dive into The Secret of Aligning With The Power.

In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon makes a series of surprising statements: funerals are better than parties, sorrow is better than laughter, and criticism is better than praise. At first glance, none of it seems to make sense—until we press in and discover the deep truth behind his words.In this message, we explore why God often uses sorrow, adversity, and seasons of suffering to refine us in ways comfort never can. We look at how grief slows us down, clarifies our priorities, and opens space for God to shape our hearts. We also confront the mystery of suffering—why life doesn't always add up and why faith must make room for both joy and hardship.If you're walking through a difficult season, this message will encourage you to trust God not only as Deliverer, but as Sustainer. If you're in a season of strength, it will challenge you to look with compassion on those who are hurting.“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed…” — Romans 8:18

Main Theme: God is both Savior and Restorer, calling His people to remain steadfast in hope, truth, and repentance while warning against false voices and spiritual apathy in the last days. The study of Zechariah 9–10 connected ancient Israel's restoration to God's prophetic promises being fulfilled in our time. Opening Focus — “Prisoners of Hope” (Zechariah 9:11–12) Pastor Matthew opened with prayer and the reminder that the Lord is longsuffering and merciful, calling believers to follow His will. Zechariah 9:11–12 declares God's promise: “Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope.” The phrase “prisoners of hope” was highlighted as a declaration of certainty, not uncertainty. In Greek (elpis), “hope” means expectation without a question mark — because our confidence is in Jesus, not circumstance. No matter how “caged up” we feel, believers are never without hope if they trust the Lord. Lesson: “God's people are not prisoners of despair — we are prisoners of hope.” God the Savior and Restorer God's character is revealed as both Deliverer and Restorer. Like Job, who endured affliction but received double restoration, Israel too would be redeemed and multiplied. God not only saves from destruction but restores what was lost. “You're not allowed to use God and ‘can't' in the same sentence — unless you're talking about sin.” Key Thought: The only thing God cannot do is sin. He can save, heal, and restore anything that's broken. Warnings Against False Shepherds and Idols (Zechariah 10:2) Zechariah warned that idols and false prophets speak delusion and comfort in vain, leading people astray because “there is no shepherd.” Pastor compared this to modern deception — preachers who tell people only what they want to hear. “People don't want a doctor who lies about a tumor, or a financial advisor who hides disaster. But many want a preacher who tells them what they want instead of what they need.” Application: The absence of godly leadership creates confusion and loss. True shepherds preach repentance and righteousness, not comfort and compromise. Parallels to the Last Days — 2 Peter 3 Pastor connected Zechariah's message to 2 Peter 3, describing the same pattern in the last days: Scoffers will deny judgment and live by their own desires. Many will forget the past judgment (the Flood) and ignore the coming one (by fire). The world will not end by human means (like climate change), but by God's sovereign decision. “The world will not end because of warming or cooling — it will end because God brings it to a close.” The Danger of Misreading God's Longsuffering People misinterpret God's mercy as apathy or approval. God delays judgment to give time for repentance — not because He's asleep or indifferent. Israel's repeated disobedience led to captivity because they mistook mercy for permission. “The mystery isn't that God will judge — the mystery is that He hasn't already.” Examples: Nations and individuals fall when they take grace for granted. The sins of abortion, abuse, greed, and deceit invite judgment; only repentance delays it. God's Desire for Repentance and Salvation Pastor reflected on 2 Peter 3:9 — “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God's longsuffering aims to save even the worst sinner, illustrated through: Manasseh — the most wicked king of Judah, who repented after 55 years and was forgiven. Barabbas — the murderer set free while Jesus took his place. “Jesus carried the very crossbeam Barabbas had prepared for himself. The cleanest man who ever lived took the place of the worst man in the culture.” Insight: God's mercy reaches even those we think beyond saving. No one is too far gone. The True Shepherd Restores His People (Zechariah 10:3–12) God's anger burns against false shepherds, but He promises to raise up the Good Shepherd — the Messiah, Jesus Christ. “From Him comes the cornerstone, the tent peg, the battle bow, every ruler together.” God promises to strengthen Judah, save Joseph, and bring back His scattered people. The prophecy of Israel's return to the land — scattered “among the nations” — is being fulfilled before our eyes. Pastor noted that since 1948 (Israel's rebirth) and 1967 (Jerusalem's restoration), God has been gathering His people home from every nation. “We're the generation seeing prophecy fulfilled — God is bringing His people home.” Closing Exhortation The study ended with thanksgiving for God's faithfulness and mercy. Pastor urged believers to: Stay grounded in truth, not comfort. Honor Israel, for God blesses those who bless her. Live ready, because the Lord's return will be sudden — “as a thief in the night.” “Everything in this world will be dissolved, but those who walk in righteousness will dwell in His new heaven and new earth.” Core Message God's mercy delays judgment, not cancels it. Hope in Christ is absolute, not uncertain — we are prisoners of hope. False voices bring delusion; truth brings restoration. The true Shepherd, Jesus, gathers His people for eternal peace. Prophecy is unfolding before our eyes — live holy, alert, and full of hope.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Andrew Leck from Rosehill, KS. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 13:2-3 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son." — Judges 13:2-3 In Israel's darkest moment, God zeroed in on a barren woman from an obscure tribe. She had no children, no status, and no future by cultural standards. Yet it's here that the angel of the Lord appeared, promising not only a son but a son who would begin to save Israel from the Philistines. This is God's pattern throughout Scripture: He delights in breaking into barren, hopeless places—Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth—and now Manoah's wife. Where human strength fails, divine power shines through. We all know what "barrenness" feels like. It may not be a womb, but it could be a dream that won't come alive, a marriage that feels stuck, a career that's dried up, or a prayer that seems unanswered. Barrenness whispers to us all, "Nothing will ever change." But God specializes in stepping into impossible situations. He doesn't just comfort us in our emptiness—He often uses it as the very stage to display his power. That's what he did here: from a barren woman came Samson, a deliverer. And from another barren womb centuries later came Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer. Never despise those barren seasons. They may be the very soil where God plants his greatest miracles in your lives. Instead of despairing, bring your barrenness to him in prayer today—write it down, speak it out, and surrender it. Hope grows when we put our barrenness into his hands. ASK THIS: Where do I feel barren or hopeless in life right now? Do I believe God can step into that place with power? How can I shift from despair to expectation in my prayers? DO THIS: Write down one area of life that feels barren. Instead of hiding it, bring it before God in prayer today, asking Him to show His power in what feels impossible. PRAY THIS: Lord, meet me in the barren places of my life. Where I see hopelessness, bring Your promise. Where I see emptiness, bring Your power. Help me trust that You can do the impossible. Amen. PLAY THIS: "We Need A Miracle."