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Show THE 10 Thursday, December 23, 2004 PYRAMID Jesus: Bom to be a sacrifice to mankind The accountings of the birth of Christ in the gospels of Matthew and Luke include many characters, by characters Im not trying to minimize the realness of them. There is Joseph, Mary, Gabriel, the angelic host and the shepherds. A tradition, and not biblical record, has placed the wise men at the manger scene. However, by comparing Matthew 2:11 with Luke 2:12,16, one will discover that the wise men encountered the Christ child in a house and not while he was lying in a manger. Some may think that a message witn this title is out of place for Christmas. However, if we are to fully appreciate the coming of the Lord Jesus as a baby, we must look beyond the cradle to see the significance of why he came and to what end. After all, had it not been for his sacrificial substitutionary death on the cross and his physical resurrection from the grave, his birth would be pointless in relation to mans need of redemption. It is the intent of this message to magnify the person and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who was He? Both Isaiah and the angel in the gospel of Matthew refer to him as Immanuel. Isaiah was a prophet of God that lived over 700 years before Christ. He spoke of this prophecy to Ahaz, king of Judah in response to his unwillingness to ask a sign from God to validate ms word to him. Isaiah 7:14 says, Therefore the' Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel. Of course, the uniqueness of this prophecy is that the child will be born to a woman that has never known a man. We find fulfillment of this prophecy and the benefit of Imnaving the name manuel defined for us in Matthew 1:23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. The identity of the child cannot be any clearer than what is stated here. The text says God with us, not simply God represented among us. The apostle Paul fully This holiday season, we feel fortunate to have the opportunity to express our gratitude for our freedom, family and friends. We're proud to serve this community and wish you all the best in the coming year. STATE FARM INSURANCE Danny Dyches I INSURANCE J un- derstood that Jesus was God in flesh when he wrote, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh. (ITim. 3:16) Paul also linked Christs humanity and deity together in Romans 1:3,4 when he says Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Jesus certainly knew who he was and on several occasions was threatened with death for not only claiming equality with God, but on one particular occasion claimed to be the I AM Moroni (John The Jews knew this was the designation that God 8:58-59- ). had given Himself when He spoke with Moses from the burning bush on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 3:14). The angel that spoke with Mary in Luke 1:32 acknowledged both the deity and humanity of Jesus when he said, He shall be called great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father, David. There were others at the time of Jesus birth that understood that he was no ordinary child. One of those was a man named Simeon. When Jesus was brought to the temple for circumcision on the eighth day, Maiy and Joseph were met by Simeon, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. And when he beheld the baby Jesus then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Luke 2:28-30- ). Simeon understood that salvation wasnt something to be done, but was rather a person to know and receive, the Lord Jesus. He reached out with the hand of faith and took the Lord Jesus, not only up in his arms, but clearly into his heart. How was it that Simeon was able to detect that Jesus was no ordinary child? This passage also tells us that the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ (Luke 2:25-26So, in essence, it wasn't Simeons intellect that alerted him to the identity of the child, but the Holy Ghost ). himself. But one might ask how was the incarnation possible? Remember the prophe- - I If fr. ? What the good boys & girls are asking for in Sanpete: Dear Santa, was cared Valley Hospital truly was outstanding. for in a way that was exceeded my expectations. I The emergency services in Sanpete seem to be lacking. The EMTs are great, however, the last time I used the ER, I was shuffled into a small 3 bay room where there was little privacy and other people who followed me had to wait in the hall before they could be visited. I must admit, that a new place to get stitches would be nicer than a new pair of britches! Could you help out Sanpete Valley Hospital this year? -- Grateful for progress Dear Grateful, The good folks at Sanpete Valley Hospital did do well this year when they included a new PACU in their remodel design. Indeed they offer all the convenience of being home, while exceeding expectations with their newly remodeled area for recovering patients. In my opinion a top notch experience for healing the mind and the body. Dear Emergent: What a great request! It has long been known of the ER needs at Sanpete Valley Hospital and I am proud to announce that you will no longer have that kind of experience there. In February, they will complete a brand new expansion project that includes two large fully equipped trauma type bays, and a large waiting room that they have never had before. A new nurses station, doctors dictation area, and a new ADA bathroom, which includes a shower. Dear Santa, Just wanted to say thanks for the state of the art PACU (recovery room) at Sanpete Valley Hospital. I recently used those facilities and thought the whole experience was positive and complete. I have experienced other hospitals, but the new PACU at Sanpete leave this to our intellect to figure out, but rather gave us clear scripture so we would know. In answer to Marys question, the angel tells her, The Holy Ghost will come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing (one) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Matthew 1:18 also records that Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Once Joseph finds out that Mary is with child, he seeks to put her away privately. That is, he didnt want to have her stoned for what would have been perceived as sexual infidelity, which, as we know, she wasnt guilty of. Joseph is visited in a dream by the angel of the Lord and is told, Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matt. 1:20). The answer to the means of the incarnation is clearly seen in these verses. Why did He come? In Matthew 1:21, Joseph was told, ..and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. The apostle Paul said, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (1 matter is, the sacrifices that were offered before and during the Mosaic covenant, though offered in faith, could never take away their sins, it only covered them. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to listen in on a conversation that the eternal Son of God had with the Father. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, sacrifice and burnt offering thou wouldest not, but a body has thou prepared for me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou has had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:5-7The writer continues and reveals the importance of their conversation, Above when he said, sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin thou Dear Santa, just love those doctors at the Mt. Pleasant Clinic. I go there often and I must say that in such cramped spaces, Dr. Cole, Dr Nunn and Dr. Day do a marvelous job. I really hate to sound greedy, but do you think there is hope for a brand new clinic there? They are constantly bumping into each other. this miraculous conception? Once again, God didnt Tim. 1:15). Keep in mind the title of the message is born to be a Sacrifice. The fact of the I Emergent matters Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. And when Mary was told by the angel that she would conceive a child, even she was perplexed and asked, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Under Jewish custom, engagement was just as binding as marriage itself. She had been faithful, not only to Joseph but, more importantly, to God. The reality is, if Mary had conceived by natural relations with a man, there would be no way her child could be born Immanuel for he would have the same sin nature that she and the father had. You see, the sin nature that you and I possess was both imputed from Adam and passed down through our fathers. This is the reason Jesus could not be conceived in the natural way. So, how did God accomplish cy said, &'r a ? Spacious desires Dear Spacious, Your wishful desires are no longer just a dream. Starting in late spring you will see the earth moving to prepare for a brand new spacious clinic. This new clinic will house these good doctors as well as many of the visiting specialists that come to our community. The new clinic will become a front entrance for the hospital, which will have an adjoining common hallway that will allow convenient access to the lab and departments. No more wading through the bad weather to get where you need to go. It will make a good facility great! ). wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. And every priest standith daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. From henceforth expecting till his enemies made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:8-14- ). Through the death of He accomplished what the animal sacrifices down through the ages were unable to do. That is, perfect man in the sight of God! Matt 5:48 is a command and it says, Be ye therefore perfect, even as our Father which is in eaven is perfect. He didnt say become perfect, he said be ye therefore perfect. This verse in the present tense for man is impossible! For the blood sacrifice of the Old Testament, this was impossible! However, Christ made it possible through the offering of His body once for Christ, all. When did Jesus offer himself as the sacrifice? In order for a sacrifice to be effectual it must be slain. Jesus offered himself a sacrifice on the cross. Yes, He was nailed there by Romans, but Jesus said in John 10:17-1Therefore doth me because I love Father my down life, that I my lay it take might again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have ower to lay it down and I ave power to take it again. This commandment have I 8, received of my Father. It was John the Baptist, who proclaimed, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of .the world (John 1:29). Notice the importance of what John said and what the writer of Hebrews said in 10:4, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. However, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, left the portals of glory to be made in the likeness of me, (Philippinans 2:7) so that through His death, sacrifice of himself, he could take away the sin of the world. Why did He come? He came so He could bear our sins in his body on the tree.. (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father by me. Why did He come? Not to be a way, which would imply many ways to the Father. Not to show the way. He came because He is the way to the Father. What does He offer and how can one get it? The wise men, when they came and found the young child, offered him the best they had and even worshiped him. But as wonderful as those gifts were, they pale in comparison with the gift that Jesus offers to us. Continued on page 11 x-r- yst. N, V WUk . T) '1 warmCQgqafdx a V H Straight from the hearth, And from . Dr. Day Mt. Pleasant Clinic Dr. Cole Dr. Nunn Mt. Pleasant Clinic Mt. Pleasant Clinic Sanpete, we are listening to ou and respond'"!! Thanlc you for your continued support. We at Sanpete Valley Hospital wish you the best BEST WISHES OF YOU! Happy Holidays and many k Sanpete Valley Hospital v i, A Service ofhitermountain I HC our hearts, too Go OUR VERY To EACH ONE thanks. 1 Land Title Manti Health Care 1 k I |