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The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Lebanon County Amish farm (Click to enlarge)
We pass this large Amish farm on Harvest Road in southern Lebanon County most Tuesday mornings.
(Click on photo for larger view)

"The Incarnate Word"
(Part 3)

This week all our messages are on "The Incarnate Word". Some of these messages may be a bit more theological in nature than many of our messages!

Message summary:
Today in all the hustle and bustle of life with all the beeps, notifications and distractions, consider and rejoice that the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth has spoken and made known His way to the human race in Jesus His Son. Are you faithfully paying attention to the incarnate Word?

Listen to our message on your audio player.

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:2).

Today we have many different styles of churches and preachers. Many years ago we recall passing a small church along Rt. 30 in York County that had this statement on their church sign, "Worship The Way God Intended It". We took this to mean that was what they thought about their style of worship, which struck us as being rather proud and presumptuous.

Now we don't believe there's anything wrong with having a certain
preference in regard to matters like music and preaching style. We certainly have ours but we seek to distinguish between preferences and convictions. Our convictions primarily have more to do with the content, not style or delivery.

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways." The writer of Hebrews is looking back over the long span of human history since God first began His redemptive mission right after the Fall. Through the ages "God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets". A prophet is a person who speaks God’s truth to others. More than 133 named prophets are mentioned in the Bible, including 16 women.

"At many times" - The first named prophet in the Bible is Abraham. In Genesis 20:7 God spoke to Abimelech in a dream, saying, "Now then, return [Abraham’s] wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you will live." That was about 2000 BC. The final OT prophet was Malachi at about 400 BC. However we believe God used unnamed prophets before Abraham and after Malachi. He certainly spoke "at many times".

"And in various ways" - What a wide variety we see in the personality and style of Biblical prophets. Some of them were really eccentric!

"But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son." This is an interesting clause to compare and study in various translations (see here).

"These last days" speak of the time when Hebrews was written. We wonder if the Biblical writers even imagined that some 2000 years would pass till we get to our present age!

"Spoken" in context speaks of a past completed action. In other words, in reference to God speaking by the prophets and also "by His Son", the aorist tense indicates that God has finished speaking in both cases. Greek linguist A.T. Robertson points out the first aorist indicative here indicates that God "did speak in a final and full revelation".

Our way of reckoning years is based on Christ's first coming B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (which stands for the Latin phrase anno domini, which means "in the year of our Lord.") But another consideration is that the Incarnate Word divides human history in this way; everything before pointed toward the incarnate Word and everything since points back to the incarnate Word.

God has spoken to us by His son, the Incarnate Word.


Today in all the hustle and bustle of life with all the beeps, notifications and distractions, consider and rejoice that the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth has spoken and made known His way to the human race in Jesus His Son. Are you faithfully paying attention to the incarnate Word?


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, You have spoken by the prophets, spoken the unchanging Word; each from age to age proclaiming God the One, the righteous Lord! 'Mid the world's despair and turmoil one firm anchor holding fast: eternal God, You reign forever, God the first and Incarnate God the last. God, You have spoken by Christ Jesus, the everlasting Son, spoken by the Word incarnate, Christ as God in human form. We draw near to You and You grow more and more dear to us. Amen. *



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Special Year-end Financial Appeal

We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Like many ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful.

Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.

If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information.

To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376


Make A DonationPlease Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber"

Thank you

Stephen & Brooksyne



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"  Video  Phil Wickham

Online commentary of Hebrews 1:2

What is the meaning of BC and AD (B.C. and A.D.)? (from gotquestions.org)

* Today's prayer adapted from "God Hath Spoken By His Prophets" by G.W. Briggs (1952)

God has spoken by His prophets
Spoken His unchanging word
Each from age to age proclaiming God
The One the righteous Lord
In the world's despair and turmoil
One firm anchor holds us fast
God is King His throne eternal
God the first and God the last

God has spoken by Christ Jesus
Christ the everlasting Son
Brightness of the Father's glory
With the Father ever one
Spoken by the Word incarnate
God of God ere time was born
Light of Light to earth descending
Christ as God in human form

God is speaking by His Spirit
Speaking to our hearts again
In the ageless word
Expounding God's own message now as then
Through the rise and fall of nations
One sure faith yet standing fast
God abides His word unchanging
God the first and God the last

(can be sung to the tune of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"



Resources for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas Day)

Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season.

"In Remembrance of Me" pdf  This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. For many years Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services.  We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. It is suitable for a church or family gathering

"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.

Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18  pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him"  pdf

My First Christmas In Heaven  This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.  

Christmas Knowledge Test

"Christmas in Heaven"  Video  Scotty McCreery  Probably a bit syrupy for some but a source of comfort for those who have lost a loved one this past year. I heard this song on Saturday on the Gospel greats with Paul Heil.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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