1. "The Pharisees, along with some religion scholars who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around him. They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals. The Pharisees--Jews in general, in fact--would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they'd give jugs and pots and pans). The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?" Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, Ditching God's command and taking up the latest fads." He went on, "Well, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions!" (Mark 7:1-9 MSG)
[II]. It is no surprise then that when the long awaited messiah was born God did not reveal it to them even though they knew where He was to be born they missed the whole event being so caught up in their own agendas. Even though there were a multitude of religious leaders not to mention the High priests right there in Jerusalem, it took wise men from the East to travel such a long distance to seek the Messiah.
1. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory--this was during Herod's kingship--a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him." When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified--and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?" They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel." (Matthew 2:1-6 MSG)
[III]. These scholars clearly had a sincere esteem and honour for God’s appointed king and this was reflected in their worship. The religious leaders knew what the scriptures said about where the Messiah was to be born, they had these foreigners indicating that now was the time of His birth, but they still missed His birth.
1. "Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh." (Matthew 2:7-11 MSG)
[IV]. Lets see to whom God chose to reveal the long awaited news of the birth of the Messiah to:
1. "So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger." (Luke 2:4-16 MSG)
[V]. God obviously knew what He was doing; these shepherds received the news with gladness and excitement and shared the good news with all they met with out prejudice.
1. "Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!" (Luke 2:17-20 MSG)
2. "So then, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who live in Rome. I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live." (Romans 1:15-17 GNB)
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Who stole the power from the good news?
Used to be so good, people ran to receive it
It's the goodness of God that made all the difference
Drawing men to repentance
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Who stole the power from the good news?
Use to produced it's own fruit, with out priming
Good news might as well be no news
If you take all the goodness out of it
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Who stole the power from the good news?
Replacing it with traditions of men
Systematically tainting all of its goodness
Till it looses its power to draw men to Him
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There is real good news to be rediscovered
The one proclaimed by angels on high
When to the world, a Saviour was born
Good will and peace from God to all men
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The good news that Apostle Paul, did preach
The power of God unto salvation, to all who believe
God has made a way for all men
To live with Him eternally
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There is great power in the good news we bring
All sins forgiven, beyond recall
Salvation eternal, never to be lost
The life to live is His
All that is required is to trust it as true
That's the kind of news that draws men to Him
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(To be continued..)
click here to read part 6
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Every Blessing
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paul franklin
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