Three Kings From Afar Bear Witness of the Birth of Salvation

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyPZvlFIRzo

Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love and sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ.

You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube

Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio

 

Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current list.

- My son Lukas and his wife Rebecca want to thank everyone for the prayers regarding their son, my grandson, Levi. He successfully left the hospital on Thursday and is doing well.

- Please continue to pray for my friend Jessica who has been recovering from an illness that caused all sorts of issues for almost two weeks.

- Please pray for a young man named Tyrone, who hurt his knee at work quite recently and is continuing toward healing.

- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings who continues to have issues with pain and pain relief of late and other respiratory and circulatory issues. He has come off one medication that was causing issues with vertigo and is much better at the moment.

- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has been in rehabilitation after having her benign brain tumor removed.

- Pray for the war torn countries of Israel and Kuwait at this time.

- Pray for the victims and survivors of the attacks by Hamas.

- Pray for the victims of the many shootings around this world this past week.

- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being.

        One who has come to me with fear and worry in their life regarding serious health issues and more going on. Pray that they find a solution to the health issues and improve their life in many ways at long last (SGE).

        Several who are having money issues of varying degrees.

        There are a few who are having chronic ongoing health issues, and diseases including cancer for several of them.

        One who is continually suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.  

        One cousin is having a great many issues in their family including several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.

- Continue praying for our uncle who is now in rehabilitation while suffering from cancer, for which he will undergo treatment soon. Our aunt, his wife, is also suffering from cancer, due for a double mastectomy and treatment as well. They both thank you all for your prayers.

- Pray for those who have suffered from violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches and that those who have lost their loved ones to violence find peace in the face of fear.

- Pray for comfort and solace to be shared with those who have said farewell to a loved one this week, known or unknown.  

- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what tomorrow brings.

- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.

- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.

- Pray for those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and hope.

- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.

- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.

- Pray for peace on earth and good will to men as Scripture shares.

- Pray for those returning home after the holidays this weekend.

- Pray that everyone everywhere have a safe celebration of New Year activities tonight and tomorrow.

* Happy Birthday to my husband, Ron, whose birthday was Friday.

* Happy Birthday to my employer, Ed. His birthday is tomorrow.

 

Prayer: Father in heaven, we are here to lift up our voices to You in prayer. This week we continue to celebrate our Lord and Savior and the memory of His momentous birth. Help us to remember the reason for the season is to love one another as Jesus loves us, and as You have always loved us. Help us to learn to practice with our patience, and to continue to persevere even in the toughest of times. Help this world find peace in the dawning of this new year, after devastating war on too many fronts, healing after devastation, and hope in the midst of despair. Help keep our post-Christmas travelers safe in their journeys. Help those who live with their memories so that they can also be present in the here and now even with those old pains and sorrows creeping to the surface. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

 

Opening Song: We Three Kings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANXV46f3jo0&list=RDANXV46f3jo0&start_radio=1

 

Sermon: Today we are exploring the gospel of Matthew’s description of the perspective of the three wise men and also King Herod’s role in the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. In this exploration we will see many of the foretelling instances throughout the Old Testament, and even some within the New Testament that teach us all about the way God works and how His Word is made manifest in ways we don’t often realize. This period of time during the reign of Herod the First is very important for relaying what had historically been prophesied about our Savior Jesus. Let’s begin here.

 

Matthew 2:1-3 KJV –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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

NIV –After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

 

The Magi, these three kings, came looking specifically for a “King of Kings”, and that didn’t mean the reigning king of Israel at that time, which had that very king, Herod I, squirming in his seat, outraged that a mere baby could outrank him in stature and more. He was green with envy, jealous of the fact that these three kings, the Magi, the wise men from the east, weren’t there to laud him with treasure and affection, but to do so for a baby boy that Herod couldn’t find. We all know that the seven troubles affect us in ways we may not always realize or recognize, but the reaction of Herod is filled with all of them. Here is a preview of the massacre that was to come during the time Herod the First was on the throne.

 

Numbers 24:17 KJV – 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.

NIV – “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

 

2 Chronicles 34:13-15 KJV –Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters. And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

NIV –had charge of the laborers and supervised all the workers from job to job. Some of the Levites were secretaries, scribes and gatekeepers. While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan.

 

There are many, many indicators all through Scripture that tell us the human lineage of Jesus. Here are just a few of those.

 

Jeremiah 23:5 KJV – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

NIV – “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

 

Jeremiah 30:9 KJV – But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

NIV – Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

 

Zechariah 9:9 KJV – Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

NIV – Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

 

Now we’re going to circle back to the gospel of Luke and his description of the story of the birth of Jesus.

 

Luke 2:4-7 KJV – And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

NIV – So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 

Luke 2:11 KJV – For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

NIV – Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

The continuity of the story of Jesus’ birth is necessary to demonstrate the fulfilment of prophecy in action. In the days of the Old testament, prophecy was important to keep repeating that there would be a savior born and that savior would be from the house of David. Salvation is a huge, huge subject that many people are unsure about. This is the reason we repeat the subject of the birth of Jesus and the impact it has even to this date and time. Herod proves how fearful some can be regarding God’s judgment, and he does so quite easily here. 

 

Matthew 2:4-6 KJV –And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

NIV –When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

 

King Herod is terrified, utterly at a loss. He’s afraid of a baby boy because it means he has just been pre-empted. The birth of Jesus, to Herod, was a death knell and he wasn’t about to take it lying down. What he did inevitably provoked his demise on a future date after the massacre managed for all the baby boys throughout the kingdom. It is a sad truth that people can be so filled with the troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt that they lash out irrationally and cause utter devastation to the world around them. We see this to the very moment we are standing here and will, more than likely, until the End of Days. Here are supporting verses relative to the history of the city of Bethlehem and its importance to God and to all of us even today.

 

Genesis 35:19 KJV – And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

NIV – So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

 

Joshua 19:15 KJV – And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

NIV – Included were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem. There were twelve towns and their villages.

 

Ruth 1:1 KJV – Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

NIV – In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

 

Ruth 1:19 KJV – So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

NIV – So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

 

1 Chronicles 5:2 KJV –For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

NIV –and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)—

 

2 Chronicles 36:14 KJV –Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

NIV –Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

 

Ezra 2:21 KJV – The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.

NIV – the men of Bethlehem a hundred twenty-three.

 

Malachi 2:7 KJV – For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

NIV – “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.

 

John 7:42 KJV – Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

NIV – Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

 

Revelation 7:17 KJV – For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

NIV – For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

 

Bethlehem, a city filled with historical value in millions upon millions of ways. Today, this city still stands, but it is, for the most part, empty, and in a shambles, as a result of the Israel-Hamas war that is tearing the countries of Israel and Palestine and others around them apart. It is a stark reality that many priests, ministers, rabbis, and the rest of the citizens have no choice but to live with at the moment. It’s a sad and sorrowful situation for the true Christians of this world because of this. Only God knows when the last day will be, but the days leading up to it are getting darker and darker. Now, in history, there are many dark days for the Israelites. At this time during Herod’s reign, we see this in vivid and stark contrast to the peace that Jesus preached. Here we see the joy that the birth of Jesus provided for the three wise men from the east.

 

Matthew 2:7-10 KJV –Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

NIV –Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

 

It is important, even now, to share testimonies. These three were doing just that. They shared the testimony that they heard a voice from the heavens and then were led to follow the star to the city of Bethlehem to witness the birth of the King of Kings. It was their mission to provide a living testimony of this. It brought credibility and more to this amazing event prophesied about for hundreds of years by that time. Here are some of the foretelling notes to be realized and recognized as such.

 

Exodus 1:10 KJV – Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

NIV – Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

 

Numbers 24:17 KJV – 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.

NIV – “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

 

1 Samuel 18:21 KJV –And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

NIV – “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”

 

Acts 24:22 KJV – And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

NIV – Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”

 

The moment arrives where they get to lay their eyes on this miracle of divine intervention known as immaculate conception and the birth of a savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, laid in a manger in a tiny stable in Bethlehem. Here we see how much of an impact this meeting managed for these three wise and venerable kings from afar.

 

Matthew 2:11-15 KJV –And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

NIV –On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

 

Notice how, not only were the wise men persuaded not to return to Herod, but Joseph was led to get both Mary and Jesus out of there as quickly as possible as well? We all know what setups are like when we are slapped with something we weren’t expecting, but should have. For the wise men, as it was for Mary and Joseph, they knew when a place was no longer welcoming to them. In this, they all ended up fulfilling still more of the prophetic writings of their ancestors. They had predecessors who had done the same thing as these verses share.

 

Exodus 1:17 KJV – But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

NIV – The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

 

Exodus 4:22 KJV – And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

NIV – Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,

 

1 Kings 3:5 KJV –In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

NIV –At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

 

Job 33:15-16 KJV – In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

NIV – In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,

 

Song of Solomon 3:6 KJV – Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

NIV – Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?

 

Hosea 11:1 KJV – When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

NIV – “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

 

Notice that this happens even after the death of Jesus as well.

 

John 19:39 KJV – And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

NIV – He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

 

Acts 4:19 KJV – But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

NIV – But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

 

Acts 5:29 KJV – Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

NIV – Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

 

Well, it happened. Herod had his feelings hurt because the wise men chose to listen to God’s angels over him. So what does he do? He wreaks havoc on everyone for miles and miles around. It’s terrible, horrifying, what he managed as we see it here.

 

Matthew 2:16-20 KJV –Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

NIV –When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

 

Herod kills the innocents. He destroys the lives of their mothers and fathers in doing so. His wickedness is such that it destroys all the good that ever existed within his reign, in a single reaction to not getting exactly what he wanted. Too many rulers have reacted in ways similar to this. We see this in these other storytelling moments through the Old Testament.

 

Proverbs 28:15 KJV – As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

NIV – Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

 

Isaiah 59:7 KJV – Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

NIV – Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.

 

Jeremiah 1:1 KJV – The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

NIV – The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

 

Jeremiah 31:15 KJV – Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

NIV – This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

 

There will come a day when this again becomes reality. It is prophesied here in the words of John the Beloved’s revelation.

 

Revelation 12:4 KJV – And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

NIV – Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.

 

Joseph and Mary knew that they had to do everything possible to protect Jesus from King Herod and his men. This is why they heeded the angel’s warning and got out of Bethlehem as fast as they could possibly go.

 

Matthew 2:21-23 KJV –And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

NIV – So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

 

Luke, when he was writing about the Acts of the Apostles, put in a reminder of those moments and how freedom from captivity is, as it has always been, a mission made for us. Remember, death is a prison cell. Salvation is the key to the door to that prison. We earn that salvation thanks to the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke portrays that here in this last reference for today.

 

Acts 5:19 KJV – But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

NIV – But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.

 

Every step of life requires faith. It’s not an easy commodity to come by, because, as we know, faith can be ripped to bits and pieces at the drop of a feather. Yet, even in shards and shreds, faith can rise above. Faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. With all this year has been, both bad and good, it is time to start anew. I pray that each of you has a beautiful, blessed, and happy New Year! Now, that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Closing Song: Let There Be Peace on Earth https://youtu.be/ggmtULEV4mc?si=fPVjj5qKBUApOh7V  

 

 

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

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Evangelist Calvin Jennings

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Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.

Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright ©circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA, USA

Sermon or Study Copyright © 2023 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to

exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is

created through fear together as the bringers of the

light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.