That's the one that narrows the day down and the time and what all happened that particular day. And so Luke 2 and verse number 8, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, For hold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is, identifies the savior, which is Christ the Lord. Father in Jesus name as we try with these feeble mind and, Lord, just no doubt troubled body. I pray it help me, help me to set it all aside. I pray give me words, the wisdom, as I want to try to give some of the understanding of this, paint that picture clear if I can in their minds of that day, that glorious day, why, One of the ladies in the church has a baby, and my, everybody wants to see the baby, and everybody wants to hold the baby, and everybody wants to be with them and just talk about the baby, how pretty they are. None, and I know there are wonderful little children, but none compared to this one, the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray, Lord, that you'd help us to grasp this truth, try to live in this word that we're reading and studying. May our minds be upon it, not upon my feeble way of presenting it, but may the truth break through to their mind and their ears and their hearts. May it cause them to see the wonder of it all. how heaven had to be rejoicing. We don't get to hear that one, but I know they were and the angels were here. And I can't imagine, I can't imagine what God the Father was doing. Gave his son, his son was born. I pray in Jesus' name. Lord, you'd speak to our hearts, soften them, break through the callous in them. May it bring joy to their heart, wonder, and worship in their lives as we go through these verses and try to give the understanding. In Jesus' name, amen, amen. Knowing me, you might as well expect I'm gonna say something negative before I do anything else. I thought as these children were singing. Nothing encourages people more to do things than folks respond to it, the effect it has upon them. they were singing praises and songs about the Lord Jesus Christ. And I don't know, my hearing's not good. You don't hear from the back of your ears, you hear from the front of your ears. And so I don't hear all that you do say or if you did say, but can I say to you, I hope you didn't fail a command in your Bible. that says, let everything that hath breath. If you're breathing, God expects you to be praising. Now that's the Bible, especially in a worship service, especially when there's things that you agree with, that's biblical. If you've ever was a singer or a preacher One of the things you have to overcome somehow is the faces of people and the way they respond or do not respond. It was so tough for Ezekiel. The faces were so hard against him that God told Ezekiel, I'll fix it for you. I'll fix your face. I'll fix it for you to where you can preach. It is difficult. It's difficult for the children to sing and nobody, amen, praise the Lord. Glory to God, that's good, hallelujah. These two ladies sang. I thought, yeah, what a song. It's a great song, Born to Die. There ought to have been some amens, hallelujah, that's why he came. You know, I guess I'm still, am I still breathing? I'm still breathing. I guess I can praise the Lord, I'm still breathing. Amen, amen. In order to enjoy the Bible, understand the Bible, you don't just read the Bible. That's a basic rule of the Bible. You don't just read it. You're supposed to meditate or take it in you. Let it be a part of you. Receive the engrafted Word, which is able to save your soul. You don't just read the Bible. That doesn't help you a bit. If you don't read at the same time, have a heart that's open to understanding, wanting to be enlightened, wanting to grasp everything, you're like Samuel. You don't want a word dropped to the ground. You're like Hebrews chapter 2. It tells you not to let these things slip, but you do your best to capture every word of the word of God. It isn't the preacher. It isn't his manner of delivery. If that's all you're listening for, you're not gonna get nothing. If you're listening to the Holy Spirit of God's word and truth and wanting it to affect your life, wanting to hear and understand what God is saying to you, in fact, that's what you hear that the angels sing here, for unto you, put your name in there. And you'd be thankful you can put your name in there, because some people believe you can't put your name in there. And there's such a great truth in just these few words that speaks about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is, Bible tells us here, there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angels of the Lord, the angels of the Lord, this is, they're messengers, they're servants, they're sent out from God. He tells them what to say. This is not their words. These are inspired words of God that he gives to his angels to speak to this world personally what he says. And so they came, the Bible says, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord showed around them. Now the glory of the Lord, if you want to go back and search it out, you can find this in Psalms 19, it's heavens, the heavens declare the glory of God. Also the glory of God stands for the Shekinah glory, that presence of God that's so real and so enlightening. These shepherds were afraid of it. Notice what it says, and the glory of the Lord showed around them, round about them, and they were so afraid. This is a, when that, you can figure, that they were put within a giant floodlight, almost blinding. Here they are out in the field, and here comes this light on them. Shines all around them. And no doubt, it'd give them fear. They didn't know what was going on. Can you imagine where view? Can you picture yourself, what you'd done? You know, you're out there in the darkness. All of a sudden, here comes a big light coming down upon you. They were afraid. These are men that were fearless. These were men that didn't have guns. These were men that had to defend their own sheep, just like David did from a lion. He saved his sheep from a bear. No gun. That's man on whatever it is. And these are strong men. These are men that about fearless you almost say. How about you like to run up against a bear without a gun? Here they are this light come down up on the Bible says they were sore Afraid this glory of God the Shekinah glory that come down and and and just kind of Brought them into a floodlight to just a arena area where they were just could see these angels and Hear them The Lord gives them the assurance and authority but through the angels to say Nothing wrong. No problem. This is good news from a far country. This is good tidings of great joy That's going to be bring on to you brought on to you this is nothing to be afraid of and so he calms the Shepherds down he gives them this message is it's going to be something that's going to make you joyful. I'm not I'm not condemning you. I'm not judging you. I'm wanting to bring you a message that'll bring peace and joy to your soul about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so I like it that he says the way he words it, Noticing words that hear the angel Lord said unto them fear not I behold I bring you great tidings and Good tidings a great joy you which shall be to There's a little word in there all Again, he deals with it, and it just, in verse number 11, for unto you is born. So why you emphasize that, Preacher? Because there's millions of people that believe that this is only for certain people, only certain people qualified, only certain people are the elect, only certain people can be saved. Now you might not, you can go to a lot of these Calvinist churches, And the people heard me saying about the little blonde girl that sat in here, 120 students, and she's sitting in there. And I said, how many believe Jesus loves you? And everybody raised their hand, but that little blonde here, she was about 10 or 11. She sat there with her hands down. I don't think anything shattered me more to think here that little girl, 11 year old, and somebody had convinced her that Jesus didn't love her. How do you get around, for God so loved the world? If they manage to do that somehow, you've got to rest the scriptures to do that. It means you twist the scriptures into a lie, and that's what they're doing. Many doctrines do that. That's doctrines of devils. Twist it into a lie, you can't be saved. Jesus became, God so loved the world, he wanted to save everybody. He didn't want to just go and pick a few. It's under you. It's under you. Who is you? Well, it's under you that will receive it and believe it. It's under you. It's to everybody, but you've got to believe. You've got to believe the word. You've got to believe he can and he will. I want to go. I really want to go deep into this thing of stop blaming Jesus Christ for not saving people. That's his purpose and his plan on coming. That's why he came. It's to save sinners. That's his whole purpose, his whole goal, his whole aim. But so often, the picture's painted as if he don't really care about some people. If you take the Bible, and put it together, you'll get the message. If you take a little isolated verse here and a verse here, and you can make it say a lot of different things. The Bible is given to you, and it's given in a specific way that you're gonna have to have help. You're gonna have to have help. You're not gonna understand this Bible without help. Jesus told the disciples, whoa, don't you go no place. You wait until the Holy Ghost comes and he will guide you into all truth. This is a spiritual book. All scripture is given by the spirit of God. It's a spiritual book and it takes spiritual understanding. And so if a person is, if you won't listen to the truth, You won't listen to the truth. You're bad soil. God can't help that you make yourself what you are. You decide what kind of person you want to be. You decide how much you really want to listen or not. You decide how whether you want to believe or not. God don't force belief on you. You must believe. It's a personal belief that they believe the scriptures, they believe what it says, they believe in God, they believe he is the I am. In Hebrews, that he is. And he is a rewarder then to diligently seek him. You must believe that. If you're gonna be saved, you're gonna have to believe. You're gonna have to believe what the Bible says. You're gonna have to believe that you must repent. A left out doctrine of our day. It's a doctrine that says you're gonna have to do something to prove that you believe. Repentance proves the extent that you'll go to accepting Christ. If you're gonna save your life, you wanna run it, you wanna control it, You believe the Bible about, you know, some things, but what comes down to your daily decisions, they're mine. This is the way I see it. And that's the attitude a lot of times in people. They wonder why things don't go right, don't come out right. I was telling somebody last night, I think in the prayer meeting, I was sitting there waiting for someone to come and I got thinking about it. I says, you can train a child up in the way to go either way. And he won't depart from it if you really steal in their life. You can train them to go the way of the Lord. And when they get old, they won't depart from it. You can train them, they can go the way of the world. So instill that in mind. You need the world. You need the friendship of the world. You need to be part of the world. You need to be accepted by the world. If you're going to make your mark in this world, there's going to be some things you're going to have to take on. And they'll do just that. They'll live to be a somebody in this world. That's kind of what you see in the lives of people, they wonder why they can't be saved. Jesus came, he's a Savior. And if you think of anything else about him, you don't have an understanding of the spirit of the Bible. He is a Savior. He came into this world to be a Savior. He said, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior. which is Christ the Lord. And so there's gonna have to be some agreement in you that you'll believe him to be the one that can save you. You believe he's the only one that can save you. You believe it takes, it takes God to save you. You can't save yourself. It takes the power of God to save you. I don't care what people say and what they do. You don't get saved without the Holy Ghost of God revealing the word of God and dealing with you about what is expected of you, what God requires on your side. And it's really what it is, it's a proof of your faith. It's a proof you believe God. It's a proof that you really want God to lead you. It's a proof that you're honest with God. A proof that you're going to do as you say. You're gonna keep your promise. You're gonna remain. You're gonna continue. You're gonna persevere. You're gonna go on with God. You're not gonna just try to get a salvation that just gets you into heaven and then you still live the way you want to in this world. That's not Bible. A person that wants the Lord Jesus Christ, that wants that salvation He's come to provide, it's going to have to be something that they do their part. He does His part, and giving what it takes to be saved, you're going to have to do your part to what it means to you that you really want to be saved. What you're going to have to do. It's a lot more than just praying a little prayer. The Bible talks about, if we'll continue in your word, then are you my disciples, he says that in John. And he says, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free. There's conditions on your part in order to be saved. So often the Lord, and I know it's true, I know it's true that people believe this, that really it's, God's fault in a way that they're not saved. I prayed the prayer and I believe the Bible. So what are they saying when they stop there? Well, I did my part. Where's God? How come God didn't save me? How come God don't keep me? Jesus came to be a savior and he is a savior. And he has, I think it was Fanny Crosby, on one of her songs, she begins a stanza, perfect salvation. You ever remember her singing that? Perfect salvation. Boy, she had it down. Fanny loved God. And she even told him that she's glad she never could see. She's glad she was blind. She was glad God made her that way. That humbled her and she could be more useful in writing hymns and songs that would really move our heart. You must believe that he is, as I said. You must believe that He will. I know time's up, but let me just read an example. I'm glad he gave us an example in the Bible of what happens to people, why they're not saved. In Matthew 19, I'm going to read a few verses if you want to follow along, and I won't go any farther. But I want you to see that Jesus is a Savior. Matthew 19, beginning to verse 16. Matthew 19, and I believe he leaves this example in the Bible just to let you know. And behold, one came, verses 16 and Matthew 19. And behold, one came and said, I'm a good master. What good thing can I do that I may have eternal life? Notice Jesus didn't say, as you hear today, Nothing. You don't see that. You don't hear him say that. That's not true. He demands belief. Without faith, you're not going to be saved. Without believing faith, for by grace are you saved through faith. You get to God's grace through faith. It's the only way you get to it. Notice it says, Jesus said, thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man said unto him, all these things have I kept for my youth up. Now I know most preachers will say there, well, he was lying. Jesus didn't say he was lying. So I'm not going to add to the scriptures, but I'm telling you it's a dangerous thing when you put words in the Word of God that's not there and Revelation if you put them in there, you're just as cursed as the ones that takes out Let the Bible speak the way it's speaking. I Young man said unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up, what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, if thou will be perfect, if you'll be wholehearted, if you'll be complete, what the word perfect means, all, perfection is all. So what it means, if thou be all perfect, go and sell that which thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Come and follow me. Now, he didn't say there was nothing you had to do. I want you to remember that. You hear that so many people try to deal with people about salvation, and they'll say, there's nothing you can do. There's nothing you can do. You got to respond. You got to respond. You got to answer God. He says, I want to save you. And Jesus wanted to save this guy. He really did. He really wanted to save everybody. He's not willing any should perish. All should come to repentance. He really was after this guy. This guy wanted to know how to attain eternal life. Jesus said, He says, if thou be perfect, go and sell thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven. Come and follow me. And when the young man heard that saying, verse 22 is a picture of what most people do about the offer, the author, the invitation of salvation. He went away sorrowful. for he had great possessions." Now, don't let that trip you up and think that's just covering rich people. Everybody has things that are precious or special to them that keep them from Christ until they are willing to forsake all and follow him. Everybody has them. Everybody it before salvation has the lust of the flesh lust of the eyes and the pride of life And those are the things that hinder people from ever coming Not just we'll say well, I'm not rich that knows. Oh, no, I got that isn't all it covers If you want to be perfect if you want to be complete if you want to be all for God It's going to take more than you just selling some things He says, you're gonna have to notice, he says here, he said, and thou shalt have treasured heaven and come and follow me. Jesus wants to save people that'll follow him, that'll believe him, that'll live for him. It's not just so you get a ticket to heaven. The people that's spreading this ticket to heaven is lying. Salvation requires a service. You see, the things I'm saying are not new. Most everything I'm saying, you've sang a song to it. I will serve thee. Why? Because I love thee. Why? Because you have given life to me. Jesus came as a Savior. He's not a partial Savior. He's not a halfway Savior. He's not a Savior that fails. Some people want you to think, well, I got saved, but it didn't change me. You think that's God's fault? I'm saying to you, it's got nothing that Jesus saves sinners that want to be saved. He never forces salvation on anybody. He gives you the way to be saved, how to know you're saved, and how to live for Him all your life. and have life eternal. But it's going to be more than you saying a little prayer, I believe the Bible, you know, so, so, so. No. It's going to have to be come from the heart where you're willing to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. It's going to have to be a complete emptying of yourself, giving yourself over to the Lord Jesus Christ. regardless of what, and it's usually, it's usually a major sin in your life that blocks the way. Something you just love. Now this picture, this man was, he was rich and he had great possessions. So he not only was rich, he had a lot of things that he had bought. He's proud of his house and his furniture and the land he has and all the different things, the servants he had. He's proud of all those things. The pride of life had him. He loved these possessions and it gave him pride. Look what I've, look at the, look at what I've built and I've made and look what I have done in my life. Look at the mass of fortune that I have. It's a man that serves, he actually worships himself. that hinders, hinders coming to Christ. We tend to raise up self real high and it hinders us from bending low before the Savior and yielding it all, submitting ourselves to Him, giving our life over to Him. Born unto you this day in the city of David is the Savior. He really saves. He gives perfect salvation. He gives lasting salvation. He gives salvation that'll bring joy into your heart and gladness. He gives something that's so eternal that it's in your life. You'll experience it. It's a reality to you. You'll just sense, I belong. I'm a child of the King. And one day I'll be with him. And it's a certainty. It's not just a fantasy. It's not a hope so. It's a reality that you belong to God. And he's your, I like that the way he designed that in his word. Holy Spirit knocks on your heart. It's okay. You're ready. Okay, you've done what, you meant what you said. Holy Spirit, knock on our door and say, now, not before, now, you can call him your heavenly father. He awaits your call. Holy Spirit will tell you that in Romans chapter eight. He'll just tell you that you have a right now You belong, and he's your father, and now you can talk to him. He's opened the way for you. People that say they pray, pray, pray, and live in sin, they're not getting no father of the seal, and you know that. God heareth not sinners. He came to be a savior, and he is a savior, and he's saved millions of people down through these years. And He's still saving people. There's still people that's bending their knee, bending their heart to God and looking to Him as their Lord and Savior, the one that give Himself what this is all about. Born unto you this day as a Savior in the city of Bethlehem. Praise the Lord. Let's stand. And somebody would say, amen. You believe he's a savior? Amen. I, through the years, I've got over 50 years now preaching, watching people, how they respond, not to me, but how they respond to the word. See, it's the seed of the word that God is looking at where that goes, whether it's rejected or whether it's accepted. That begins the process. People don't listen. People don't desire more. People that's too busy, got too much occupied in their life, he made it clear, they'll not be saved. A person that's good ground, humble themselves before him, seek his face, There's a song. Oh, the joy. You know the next word? Knowing. Knowing, knowing God. Knowing his word, what it means to be saved by the grace of God. What it means to have that eternal life. What it means to be here now. You're on The son or the daughter, that's what it says in 2 Corinthians 7, should come out and be separate. He says, I'll be a, ain't that amazing? He says, I'll be a father unto you and you should be my sons and daughters. It's always that father. God help us to magnify his name in this, occasion of reminding us, remembrance of why He came. He didn't came to get gifts. The gifts don't mean nothing to Him. He owns a catalog of a thousand hills. He's paid for the streets. He don't need gifts. He needs you. He seeks us such to worship Him. He seeks us such that He can save us. Can you imagine? I don't know how to enter into that scene in heaven. Maybe you find out. But there's glory to God in heaven over one sinner that repents. Don't see much of that in the church no more, do you? People are long-faced. I'm a serious, sober-minded Christian. I don't say anything. Let everything, no, I won't do it no more. I love you. And I desire that you and me could use our days at this occasion down through these days that we celebrate the birth. Celebrate New Year's? I don't know. Is that a celebration? Is that somewhere in the Bible, celebrating New Year's? Maybe you renew your vows to God. I don't know what you do. But we'll have a watch night service. Ask God to watch us through this next watch. Father, in Jesus' name, I thank you for your word. I thank you for the spirit of God that helps us, speaks to us. You've encouraged me. You've helped me. I pray you'd help them. I pray that the reality of what our life says, we claim to be saved. We claim that this is speaking of us. And I pray that our salvation honors Him instead of embarrassing Him. I pray that we are real before you and before the people around us, that they can see the delivering power, the change in our spirit, the change in our love, the change in our devotion, the change in our worship. By so great a salvation, Jesus saves, Jesus saves. Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen, amen. We are dismissed. This is the day, right? This is the day, right?