Classic Christianity – God’s Greatest Gift Part 2 (11-20-18)
Welcome to Bob George Classic Christianity radio with Bob George, the clear and timeless teaching on the complete forgiveness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ as you learn about God’s amazing love. Bob continues teaching from Matthew 2 where Herod the madman kills every child under two years old. Bob addresses the question many have asked, “Where was God?” in all this. Bob answers by saying where God always is, on his throne. Bob then further explains God’s choice to create man and angels with free will and contrasted that with what he could have made, robots. But can a robot choose to love? As long as there is free will, there is going to be good and bad. Are we going to let Christ control our lives?
People are looking for peace in the world. There will not be peace in the world until there is peace in the country. There will not be peace in the country until there is peace in the country. There will not be peace in the country until there is peace in the state. There will not be peace in the state until there is peace in the city. There will not be peace in the state until there is peace in the county. There will not be peace in the county until there is peace in the city. There will not be peace in the city until there is peace in the home. There will not be peace in the home until we can get along with each other. And there will not be peace as long as there is indwelling sin. And there will not be peace until the prince of peace reveals truth to men so men can come to Christ by faith. And there will not be peace in men until men have peace with God. The prince of peace has come into the world and offers such peace. Jesus Christ is the prince of peace and has done what no other man has done nor could do. He offers His peace to all men.
Matthew 2:7-23
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Herod was threatened by God, wanting to be in control, not bearing the thought that some person, even God, would dare take his place and position as king. So he figured he wold kill every child under two years old so he can destroy the possibility of having a competitor to his throne. With free will, there is a risk that the creatures you created would rebel and choose to go their own way. That was the case with Herod. And also with Hitler and Stalin. But what about all men? Sin entered the world through one man’s choice, to believe the lie of Satan in the garden that they too could become God, to discern for themselves right and wrong, in essence, to have no need of God and be in control of their own lives. So sin entered the world and through one man Adam, all died, because all sinned. Lucifer, or Satan, fell like lightning from heaven, for he rebelled against God, wanting to be in control and usurp the throne of God. With him a third of the angels also fell, and then Lucifer deceived the first people, Adam and Eve. The same attitude in Satan, wanting to be in control, is the indwelling sin. So, what could God have done? Could he have annihilated Herod or Hitler? If he did, would there not be another mad man after him that would do the same? Could he annihilate all men he created? Recall the account of Noah, where only 8 people were saved. And Noah was considered a righteous man by his faith, trusting God to build a boat, as God instructed and Noah was called a preacher of righteousness. But certainly not because he was perfect or without sin, He was declared righteous by his faith, trusting in God’s provision.
The question before all of us is this, what will we believe concerning Jesus Christ? He did all kinds of things, miracles, signs and wonders, but the greatest miracle of all is he was raised from the dead. If you do not believe that, then you will never believe. Why is it that men ask for another sign or wonder? Jesus once said,
John 4:48
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
Why is it that we are so slow to believe? Recall in Luke 2 when Mary was looking for Jesus, for they had left him behind. Mary and Joseph found him teaching in the synagogue, confounding the rabbis with his wisdom and answers and marveled at the questions he asked. When Jesus parents found Jesus, Mary asked him, “Why have you treated us like this?” Did she not have fear that turned to anger? Recall that anger is a secondary response to fear, and fear is sin, not trusting God. Mary blaming Jesus! Yet, notice Jesus next statement and the response of both Joseph and Mary.
Luke 2:48-50
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
They did not understand what Jesus was saying when he said he had to be about His Father’s business. You would think a virgin birth, dreams, and the angelic hosts at his birth, and the escape from Egypt from Herod’s search fulfilling prophecy would be enough! Is that not like all of us, so slow to believe? Truth must be be revealed to man.
If a person keeps needing assurance, keeps asking for another sign, would it not make sense that one miracle would be enough? Jesus final miracle, being raised from the dead, now that is a hard one to debate. If you believe as Jesus said you will have living water well up within you so that you will never thirst again. Rest securely in the revealed truth in the person of Jesus Christ.
How then should those in Christ Jesus live? Free will is still not taken away. So, we can still choose to live contrary to God! The real question is this, “Will I yield my control and allow Him to control my life?” and a followup question would be “Will I come to the point where I say I quit trying to live the Christian life?” It is impossible to live the Christian life! Our role is to quit trying and let Christ do the work in and through you. Truly a supernatural work of God! He gave his life to you so he can live life through you.
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