A SIGN FOR SINNERS

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”- Luke 2:12
An old medieval legend tells the story of an infidel knight who denied and defied God. He went out into a field dressed for combat to challenge God. Throwing his glove down on the ground, as challengers did in that day, he cried out toward heaven, “God! if there be a God, I defy thee here and now to mortal combat! if thou indeed art, put forth thy might, of which thy pretended priests make such boasts”. As soon as he spoke he caught a glimpse of a piece of parchment fluttering down from the sky, falling at his feet. Picking it up he found these words inscribed on it, “God is love!” Overwhelmed by the experience he broke his sword in surrender, kneeled upon it, and consecrated his life to God, the Deity he had just defied.
Although just a legend there is a lesson in it for us. The coming of Christ was a sign. It was God’s answer to man’s doubts, God’s response to man’s defiance, God’s solution to man’s dilemma. Out of the great depths of God’s loving heart He sent His own dear Son, the proof of His love. Rather than respond to man’s doubt, disobedience, and defiance with swift and sever judgment God spoke these words through the angel, “...Fear not: for, behold, 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”- Luke 2:10-14
That dear friend is amazing grace! God isn’t looking for a fight with you. He is looking for faith from you. He sent His Son into the world to redeem you that you might be reconciled to Him. Then, being at peace with God you can enjoy the peace of God. As you celebrate Christmas never forget that it is the sign of God’s love for you. – HDS 
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”— Rom. 15:13

Strange how we can hear a song all our life and then suddenly one word or phrase jumps out at us and impresses our heart as never before. That’s what happen to me this week when the words “a thrill of hope” from “O Holy Night” caught my attention. That started a landslide of thoughts. While Christmas is thrilling to a lot of folks, especially children, it is a task to others. For them it becomes a burden rather than a blessing. That’s why we need to keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas. It inspires hope!

If the world needs anything it is hope. I’m not talking about wishing. I’m talking about the hope that is mentioned in the Scriptures, that speaks of absolute assurance, confidence, expectation, a firm conviction that our desires will be met. At this very moment there are those who are wondering where their next meal will come from, how they will pay their bills, or if God will heal their body, restore their marriage, or bring their wayward children back home. They are terrorized by fear and in need of hope.

The good news is that, although the character of the world won’t change, we can live in hope. Regardless of our circumstances we can know that our sins are forgiven, our home is in heaven, and that the grace of God will help us until we get there. Is that not thrilling? So as you worship our soon coming King and look forward to that “new and glorious morn” when He will reign over all the earth– rejoice! Remember, we are able to live in hope because Jesus came, was crucified, buried and raised from the dead. May that thought thrill your heart as never before! My prayer for you is what Paul expressed in Rom. 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”. You don’t have to live without hope any longer! Christ is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1) and that gives us help and happiness!—HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”- Matt. 1:23

Thinking about Christ as Emmanuel, God with us, should be a cause for celebration everyday! And heaven knows we need it- we need Him. Christmas is about His presence, not presents. Preachers and writers are racking their brain trying to think of something new to say about Christmas, but it would be better to just tell the old old story. We can even sum it all up in a word– “Emmanuel”. While there are many details associated with the Christmas story the word “Emmanuel” gets to the very heart of it.

Christmas is about God coming as a Man, to man, to redeem man, so as to be with him in the truest sense. The result is that now sinful man can be reconciled to God and have a personal relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. There are no words to describe what a glorious thing this is. Once separated from God we are now reconciled to God who takes up residence in us. He gives us the gift of Himself. Christmas is Christ! When we think about who He is, why He came, and what He did how can we fail to celebrate. That is a reason to rejoice!

Have you received God’s gift of Christ who redeems us? You can do so by simple child like faith in the Son of God. The result is eternal life. That’s the only way to truly have a Merry Christmas! — HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”– Isa. 9:6

There are a lot of incredible things in the world and we often hear talk about the wonders of the world. But the most incredible thing of all is God’s gift of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of all the wonders He is the most wonderful– even His name is “Wonderful”. Every Christmas we see many references to this verse, but sadly it is usually without any effort to really understand what it all means. To unpack and examine every word and phrase of this verse would take hours, but it would be time well spent. I challenge you to do it. Believe me, you will never look at it the same way again.

Here are some thoughts to get you started:
I. His Virgin Birth – “..a child is born..”
II. His Vicarious Death – “.. unto us a son is given..”
III. His Victorious Reign – “..the government shall be upon his shoulder..”
IV. His Various Names 
 1. “Wonderful”  2. “Counsellor”  3. “The mighty God”  4. “The Everlasting Father”  5. “The Prince of Peace”.

This Christmas I want you to think about who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He shall do. Do that and He who is “Wonderful” will fill your hear with wonder. You will never look at Christmas the same way again. You will feel as Paul did when he said, ” Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” ( 2 Cor. 9:15). There are no words to describe God’s gift to sinful man. It is simply and seriously wonderful. — HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”- Jer. 9:23-24

So we are allowed to glory. But in what and in whom? Not in ourselves; that is forever disannulled. The Lord has purposed to pour contempt upon all human glory, that none should glory in himself, whatever he be or whatever he has. But when a man has a view of the Son of God in his beauty, in his suitability, in his heavenly grace and divine glory, then he can and may glory in the Lord. He can say, “O what a Lord there is above! How glorious is he in his excellency, in his suitability, and in his blessedness; how glorious his wisdom, his righteousness, his sanctification, and his redemption. Let my whole glory be there; let me not take to myself a single atom of it. If I am wise, let me give him the glory of being my wisdom; if righteous, let me give him the glory of being my righteousness; if I have any fruit of the Spirit, let me give him the glory of being my sanctification; if I am redeemed from death and hell, let the glory of my redemption be his.” This is doing as God would have us to do, glorying in his dear Son.

And the Lord will bring all his people to this spot sooner or later. He will give them such views of the effects of the fall, of the misery of sin, and of their own helplessness; and will give them such gracious views of his dear Son, as shall wean them from glorying in the creature and make them glory in the Lord as all their salvation and all their desire. It may be by a long course of severe discipline, but the Lord will eventually bring all his people there; for he has determined to glorify his dear Son, and when we can thus glorify him, then we have the mind of Christ, and are doing the will of God. (J. C. Philpot)

Pride does terrible things to people. It makes fools of us. We brag about who we are, what we’ve done, what we have, what we can do, and what we deserve. The truth is, we have nothing of which to boast but Jesus. Without Him we are nothing, could do nothing, and would have nothing. He alone deserves the glory! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346