Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 2
Sunday



A PROMISE
FULFILLED

READ:
Matthew 1:18-25
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She will bring forth a
son, and you shall call
His name Jesus, for He
will save His people
from their sins.
__ Matthew 1:21
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In the off-season of baseball, managers and coaches concentrate on trading players to set themselves up for a winning season the next year. But if you are a Chicago Cubs fan like I am, you don't expect much because we haven't won a championship in years! That made the promise from a newly acquired player for the Cubs sound rather incredible. To a packed press conference, he said, "We are going to win the World Series!" I have to admit, it was hard not to be skeptical. It sounded like a promise that most likely he couldn't deliver.

No doubt the Jews of Jesus' day who were living under the oppressive thumb of Rome had to wonder if God would ever make good on His promise to send a Deliverer who would forgive sin and restore the glory of Israel (Isa. 1:26;53:12;61). God had long ago promised them a Redeemer, but they hadn't heard a word from Him in 400 years. But then, at just the right moment, the angel announced to Joseph that Mary would give birth to a Son who would "save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

Christmas proves that God is a promise-keeping God! He said that He would send a Deliverer, and He did. Your sin is not beyond the reach of this promise. He is ready and waiting to forgive your sins--all of them. __ Joe Stowell
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You can count on it--
God makes good on His promises.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 1:18-25************

18 Now the birth of Jesus
Christ was as follows: After
His mother Mary was
betrothed to Joseph, before
they came together, she was
found with child of the
Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph
her husband, being a just
man, and not wanting to
make her a public example,
was minded to put her away
secretly.

20 But while he thought
about these things, behold,
an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream,
saying, "Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to
take to you Mary your wife,
for that which is conceived
in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will bring forth a
Son, and you shall call His
name JESUS, for He will
save HIs people from their
sins."

22 So all this was done that
it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet, saying:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall
be with child, and bear a
Son, and they shall call His
name Immanuel," which is
translated, "God with us."

24 Then Joseph, being
aroused from sleep, did as
the angel of the Lord
commanded him and took
to him his wife, 25 and did
not know her till she had
brought forth her firstborn
Son. And he called His
name JESUS.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today's Bible reading follows the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His
human heritage through His earthly stepfather, Joseph. It includes
the family connection to King David, making Christ a Son of David.
This fulfils the requirement that He be the king of the Jews, the title
with which He was praised in the triumphal entry and mocked on
the cross. __WEC