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Thursday,
December 26,
2019
"A
Trustworthy Statement"
Message summary: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners", is the real meaning of Christmas and it is good news that is trustworthy and true!
Listen
to this
message on your audio player."I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
Several
years ago we passed this church sign in the tiny
eastern Oklahoma
town of Okay. It would appear to be a sign where they
are more interested in the message than in advertising
their church name! (We assume the church name on the
sign was blown off in a recent storm, as Oklahoma is
notorious for its tornadoes.)
"Fake news" has been a popular phrase for several years now although fake news has been around a lot longer probably from the beginning. The angel's message to the shepherds was, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people". Today let us consider good news that is entirely trustworthy and true!
Over the last several days earnest believers gathered all over the world to give focus to the true meaning of Christmas. We worshiped through song, read Scripture, prayed, heard the Christmas narrative, partook of communion, in addition to other ways we honored our Lord. We gathered in churches, homes, classrooms, hospitals, rehabs, prisons, soup kitchens, and in many other settings to express our faith in the very heart of the Christmas story; "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Biblical truths are being mocked and ridiculed and sadly there are those in the visible church who feel we must compromise in disbelief to be accepted by the world. After all there are those who declare that the Creation record in Genesis is a legend, the Biblical miracles aren't real, and the Bible characters are myths. It should not surprise us that the critical events in the life of our Savior; His birth (specifically miraculous conception), death, and resurrection are similarly ridiculed.
The epistles give little emphasis to the birth of Christ. Apart from the historical record in the narratives of Matthew and Luke, and the prophecies foretold centuries earlier, we have no other information on our Lord's birth. It's not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles or in the epistles with any detail. Actually there's no record of the early church celebrating Christ's birth as we do today.
But they certainly believed in it! Paul introduces a saying that appears to be an early creedal statement of the primitive church. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
"It is a trustworthy statement" (literally a "faithful word"), Paul uses this phrase 5 times in the Pastoral Epistles to introduce a statement of special importance. It's easily memorized, and perhaps this repetitive method was used to teach and reinforce the most essential tenets of faith in earliest believers. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is an absolutely trustworthy statement that impacts the lives of every human born into this world and is evident in those present during the time of Christ's appearing:
"Fake news" has been a popular phrase for several years now although fake news has been around a lot longer probably from the beginning. The angel's message to the shepherds was, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people". Today let us consider good news that is entirely trustworthy and true!
Over the last several days earnest believers gathered all over the world to give focus to the true meaning of Christmas. We worshiped through song, read Scripture, prayed, heard the Christmas narrative, partook of communion, in addition to other ways we honored our Lord. We gathered in churches, homes, classrooms, hospitals, rehabs, prisons, soup kitchens, and in many other settings to express our faith in the very heart of the Christmas story; "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Biblical truths are being mocked and ridiculed and sadly there are those in the visible church who feel we must compromise in disbelief to be accepted by the world. After all there are those who declare that the Creation record in Genesis is a legend, the Biblical miracles aren't real, and the Bible characters are myths. It should not surprise us that the critical events in the life of our Savior; His birth (specifically miraculous conception), death, and resurrection are similarly ridiculed.
The epistles give little emphasis to the birth of Christ. Apart from the historical record in the narratives of Matthew and Luke, and the prophecies foretold centuries earlier, we have no other information on our Lord's birth. It's not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles or in the epistles with any detail. Actually there's no record of the early church celebrating Christ's birth as we do today.
But they certainly believed in it! Paul introduces a saying that appears to be an early creedal statement of the primitive church. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
"It is a trustworthy statement" (literally a "faithful word"), Paul uses this phrase 5 times in the Pastoral Epistles to introduce a statement of special importance. It's easily memorized, and perhaps this repetitive method was used to teach and reinforce the most essential tenets of faith in earliest believers. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is an absolutely trustworthy statement that impacts the lives of every human born into this world and is evident in those present during the time of Christ's appearing:
- It was declared by Mary, during her visit to Elizabeth, in the Magnificat: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46).
- It was the reassuring message from the angel to Joseph: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:22)
- It was the message of the angel of the Lord to the frightened shepherds: "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
- When Simeon took the infant Jesus in His arms he declared: "For my eyes have seen Your salvation" (Luke 2:30).
"deserving
full acceptance". Although most of the
world's population has not accepted this truth; from
its earliest declaration, to this day and throughout
eternity it truly deserves full acceptance. We have
fully accepted this truth, and trust that each of you
have as well.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is the real meaning of Christmas and it is always good news because it is trustworthy and true!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, how grateful we are that
Jesus came into this world to save sinners; to
turn despair to hope, darkness to light, and
death into life. All that we have need of and
presently rely on is abundance from Your
generous Hand. You are worthy of our trust and
deserving of our fully surrendered life. From
the cradle to the cross Jesus is Lord of Heaven
and Lord of earth. We celebrate the birth of
Your Son, Jesus, our Savior and Lord, and we
give thanks for all that it means to us. Amen.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" is the real meaning of Christmas and it is always good news because it is trustworthy and true!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, how grateful we are that
Jesus came into this world to save sinners; to
turn despair to hope, darkness to light, and
death into life. All that we have need of and
presently rely on is abundance from Your
generous Hand. You are worthy of our trust and
deserving of our fully surrendered life. From
the cradle to the cross Jesus is Lord of Heaven
and Lord of earth. We celebrate the birth of
Your Son, Jesus, our Savior and Lord, and we
give thanks for all that it means to us. Amen.Here are the
other "trustworthy statements" in the Pastoral
epistles:
1 Timothy 3:1: "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do."
1 Timothy 4:8,9: "Godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance."
2 Timothy 2:11,12: "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us."
Titus 3:7,8: "being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement."
1 Timothy 3:1: "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do."
1 Timothy 4:8,9: "Godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance."
2 Timothy 2:11,12: "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us."
Titus 3:7,8: "being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement."
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
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
Please 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
On
Tuesday we attended the Christmas service
at Calvary Church. If you would like to
watch this service it is posted here Video
After
the Christmas Eve service we enjoyed the
rest of the evening with the Lapp family
where we visited, ate, and opened presents
not by candlelight but by gaslight. (Ester
snapped this photo.)
In
the midst of the noisy and busy evening
there was a newspaper fight among the
youngsters including our 30 year old
"youngster". One Christmas gift was
wrapped in a newspaper (probably Sunday
size) and taped shut page by page. Each
member of the family of nine had a part to
open. It took quite a while to get down to
what turned out to be a very small gift
but one enjoyed by the whole family.
On
Christmas we opened our presents and Sadie
was probably the happiest of all, getting
her very own her new bed! No coercing
needed, she crawled in it right away and
found it to be cozy enough to go right to
sleep.
With
just the three of us around our dining
table yesterday, we used the grill and
pulled it right outside the sliding door
so Stephen could grill from inside out!
Christmas
Greetings from the Star Barn.
(Click to enlarge)
Stephen and I express our
greatest appreciation and love to you,
our faithful dailyencouragement readers.
We have met so many fine readers from
all walks of life and from all regions
of the world and we are better for it in
our spiritual walk and social life. We
always enjoy your feedback and your
stimulating comments that affirm or
challenge us to think further on a
subject matter. We're even glad for
those of you who take the time to let us
know a link is broken or a date is
wrong, etc. If our messages were
prepared for a blank screen and we
didn't know any of you who read or
benefit from our efforts, it would
certainly be less fulfilling.
We are praying for those whose Christmas was unlike any in the past due to the heartache you are presently experiencing, and for those who suffer from significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
Though Christmas is past we now look forward to the new year we can still have a celebrative and contemplative attitude during the 12 days of Christmas. The 12 days of Christmas is the period that in Christian tradition marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings' Day.)
(Click to enlarge)
Brooksyne's
after Christmas greeting to our
readers:
We are praying for those whose Christmas was unlike any in the past due to the heartache you are presently experiencing, and for those who suffer from significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
Though Christmas is past we now look forward to the new year we can still have a celebrative and contemplative attitude during the 12 days of Christmas. The 12 days of Christmas is the period that in Christian tradition marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings' Day.)
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Christmas
Gospel Song" Video
Living
Stones Quartet
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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."
© Copyright 2019 Stephen C. & Brooksyne
Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA