Tag: Christmas

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season Pt. 1: Jesus, The Spirit of Peace

The Christmas season is one of the most beloved seasons of the year. It’s filled with family, friends, giving, receiving, and joy, but it’s also filled with chaos, hustling, shopping, and oftentimes arguing. All of these things make it very easy to forget the true reason we celebrate this special time of year. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas in his message, Jesus Is The Reason For The Season Pt. 1: Jesus, The Spirit of Peace.

Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)
John 8:12
John 3:19-21
John 4:42
Isaiah 57:19
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)
Luke 19:42
Isaiah 53:5
Hebrews 12:14a (NIV)
Matthew 24:35
Isaiah 9:7
2 Peter 3:7
Ephesians 2:14-17
Job 22:21
Romans 5:1

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

Jesus, The Spirit of Peace

⁵But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:
The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; And with His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

⁸Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:8-14^NKJV

Part Two?

The Hope of Christmas Pt. 4: The Decree of Caesar Augustus

Merry Christmas!

We all know the Christmas Story of Luke chapter 2. It starts with, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” When we read this verse, we don’t think much about it, as I’m sure Caesar didn’t either. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the significance of one of the most overlooked verses in the Bible in his Christmas message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 4: The Decree of Caesar Augustus.

Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Jeremiah 1:12
Ezekiel 12:25
Luke 1:37

The Decree of Caesar Augustus

¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

This decree of Caesar Augustus started the beginning of the greatest gift from above.

⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

The angels rejoiced because they understood that the greatest Christmas gift had just been given to all of mankind. Jesus is the true message of Christmas.

¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2

Part Two?

Back to Spiritual Slumber?

Seek To See The Spiritual

³When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ⁶‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ~ Matthew 2:3-6

King Herod went to the chief priests and scribes to find out where the Messiah would be born. The chief priests and scribes knew the answer immediately; they didn’t have to search the Scriptures or discuss it amongst themselves. No. They knew it immediately and could even quote the prophecy by memory, yet they weren’t in the slightest way curious why these wise men traveled so far following a star because they were searching for the Messiah. They had been waiting so long that the hope of seeing the Messiah in their time that they had spiritually fallen asleep.

Never does the Scriptures say that these men went in search of the Messiah. It doesn’t even hint to it, yet they were the ones that advised the king of the prophecy. This is how the Church is today. We know the Scriptures. We can teach it and explain it, but we’re like them, who couldn’t recognize the spiritual signs around them. They missed the star. They missed the prophecies. They missed it all. Just knowing the Scriptures isn’t enough. You have to have a relationship with Jesus Himself. The Holy Spirit has to dwell in you for those Scriptures to mean anything to you.

This Christmas, let’s look past the surface level of the Scriptures and let us look at the Spiritual signs around us. The Christ has been born. We live in a time period like never before, when the Spirit of God has been poured out on all flesh, so anyone who calls on Him can be saved. The Savior of the world is just one step away. And now the times are changing again, for the Messiah is soon returning. The signs are all around us. We see prophecies that we know by heart are being fulfilled, yet they don’t mean anything to us. This Christmas, let’s seek the Spirit of the LORD, that He might open our spiritual eyes so that we might see the signs around us. So that we might not miss out on His second coming.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek To See The Spiritual.

Back to Daily Bread?

Seek The Messiah

¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ²saying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2

The wise men followed the star from the East to Jerusalem. They didn’t know where the Messiah was to be born. They didn’t know where they were going, but they knew they were seeking the only Messiah to save them and anyone who sought Him. Today is no different. Not all of us know the Messiah, who He is, and where He is, but we’re following His Word until we find Him. We follow what we know to be true. The Messiah has come, the Bible is His Word, and we must follow Him to receive eternal life.

This Christmas could be our last. We never know what tomorrow holds. We can’t change yesterday, nor can we control tomorrow, but we have today. Today is the day of Salvation. Don’t allow yourself to miss out on the Messiah. Follow His Word, even if you aren’t sure where it’s taking you because the LORD promises that those who ask for wisdom will receive it just as the wise men received wisdom and understanding on where to find the Messiah. And just as the wise men found the Messiah, so does the LORD promise that anyone who seeks Him finds Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek The Messiah.

Back to Encouragement?

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Was Jesus Really Born December 25th?

Every year on December 25^th, Christians get together and celebrate the birth of Christ. We sing songs about His birth and read the majestic account of His sinless birth. But is the date of Jesus’ birth actually in the account of Jesus’ birth in the Bible? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches through the Scriptures to find the truth behind the date of birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in his video, Was Jesus Really Born December 25th?

Matthew 2:1–6
Luke 1:26-31
Luke 1:24–25
Luke 1:5
1 Chronicles 24:1–4
1 Chronicles 24:9
Luke 1:8–11
Hebrews 9:2–7
Luke 1:22–26–27, 36–40
Genesis 1:14
John 1:4–5

Was Jesus Really Born December 25th?

The age-old question is, was Jesus really born on December 25th? We believe you can find the answer to this question in the Bible, specifically when you put all the stories together—starting with the account of the Conception of John and ending with the Conception of Jesus.

The Account of the Conception of Jesus in the Bible

²⁶In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, ³³and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
³⁴And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
³⁵And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called Holy—the Son of God. ³⁶And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Lord.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

The Account of Jesus’ Birth in the Bible

Luke 2:1-7

Back to Too Deep?

Back to Theology?

The Hope of Christmas Pt. 3: And His Name Shall Be Called Jesus

Every year on December 25^th, we celebrate the birth of Christ. This year is no different, but do we fully understand what we’re celebrating? What does it truly mean for all of mankind that Jesus Christ was born 2000 years ago? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings us to the true meaning of the birth of Christ in his message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 3: And His Name Shall Be Called Jesus.

Matthew 1:18–25
John 1:11
Matthew 1:18b
Luke 1:39
Luke 1:30–31
Proverbs 27:1
Acts 4:10–12
John 16:33
Matthew 1:21

And His Name Shall Be Called Jesus

The Prophecy of Jesus Christ

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
²³“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call His name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). ²⁴When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:21-25

Part Two?

The Hope of Christmas Pt. 2: The Dragon Who Tried to Steal Christmas

Today, Christmas is becoming more and more controversial to celebrate. Many could argue that Christmas itself is under attack. Many don’t realize that this isn’t new. Christmas has always been under attack from the very beginning. 2,000 years ago, there was a war between good and evil. God Himself was the subject of an attack by the enemy. But when was this attack, and when was Christ ever really in jeopardy? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the very first attack on Christmas in his message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 2: The Dragon Who Tried to Steal Christmas.

Matthew 2:1–2
Matthew 2:9–11
Matthew 2:7–8
Hebrews 4:13
Revelation 12
Esther 1:13

The Dragon Who Tried to Steal Christmas

¹³Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” ¹⁴And he rose and took the child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ¹⁸“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 2:13-18

What does this have to do with the dragon trying to steal the very hope of Christmas?

¹ And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. ²She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. ³And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. ⁴His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. ⁵She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, ⁶and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Revelation 12:1-6

Satan is the dragon that tried to steal the very hope of Christmas through King Herod.