In first Timothy, verse number six, chapter six. First. Timothy six. Verse six. But Godliness with contentment is great gain. Many of us are looking forward to Christmas and all the gifts and presents that we will receive, or give out rather, whichever way you want to look at it. But the greatest gift that we could ever receive or have is the gift of our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. And God reminds us, and I just want to remind you that let’s be content with what we got. Amen. Young people included. Amen. But Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. Seems like I may have heard that a lot growing up. Maybe it was I could take you out of this world, I’m not real sure. One of the two I’m just kidding. Wasn’t like that. But having food arraignment let us therewith be content. So we’ve got a lot to be thankful for, don’t we? What God has given us. I’m going to read a couple of verses in Matthew, chapter one. And Luke, chapter number two. Of what? How the world views this time of year. How the world views the birth of our Savior. Matthew chain, you stay where you are. Revelation one, Matthew one, verse number 21. This is the angel talking to Joseph. Joseph viewed this birth after he got visited by an angel. She shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. So Joseph viewed the birth of Christ as a miracle, a special birth. Viewed Jesus as savior. But what about Herod? How did Herod view the birth of Jesus? Chapter two, verse number one. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem saying, where is he that is born king of the Jews? Where we have seen a star in the east and are come to worship him. When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled in all Jerusalem with him. Herod viewed the birth of Jesus as a threat. There’s people living today that view the Lord as a threat, and he is a threat. If you are wanting to stay in control of your life, say there can only be one Lord of your life. And if you decide to rule your life, there’s no room for Jesus. If you let Jesus have the throne of your life, the throne of your heart, then you’ve got to get off that throne. And that’s the hardest thing to do sometimes, isn’t it? He was a threat to hear it. He’s a threat to many today. He was a bother to pilot when Pilate found out about Jesus. Now, he didn’t know about the birth of Jesus. He didn’t know about Jesus, I don’t think, until that time came when he was brought before him from by the religious crowd, the scribes and the Pharisees. And he could find no fault in the Lord Himself. But he was a bother. To many living during that day, it was insignificant. Bethlehem was just a tiny town, a small town, very insignificant, unimportant town. And to many people today, it’s just not an important event. We celebrate every other thing under the sun besides the birth of Jesus. To Joseph. He was the savior. To Mary. He was the savior. We talked a little bit about that. The Bible says his name was called Emmanuel, which means God with us to Elizabeth. And I want to read this. Luke, chapter one, verse 43. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Elizabeth knew that that child that was in Mary’s womb, who had just been conceived by the Holy Ghost of God, was the Lord Jesus Christ of Glory. And she called him Lord. And Mary recognized that him, the Lord as her savior. And so even Mary needed a savior. The shepherds recognized Jesus as Christ the Lord. So to them, it meant the world, but to the world, it meant nothing. But I want to tell you, you and I here tonight who know the truth, and I hope all of you know the truth. We’re not celebrating a babe and a manger. We’re celebrating a King of kings and Lord of Lords and the Lord of glory. And just a reminder, a few thoughts tonight. I’m sure we can spend probably a whole Bible study on each one of these things tonight, but we’re just going to mention them and give you some food for thought, some things to study on at your time, at your house, but of who Jesus is, he’s more than just a baby and a manger. He’s no longer on the cross. Some of the men that helped put the floats together was trying to figure out who to put in the manger and what to do with that. But I liked it, keeping it as it is. Empty manger, he’s not there anymore. Empty cross. He’s not on the cross anymore. Empty tomb, he’s not there either. Amen. He’s risen. He’s seated at the Father’s right hand. And guess what? He’s coming back for me and you. So what a blessing that is. Revelation, chapter one. Let’s pray and then we’ll get into it. Father, we love you. Thank you for the gift of your Son. Please help us tonight. In Jesus name, amen. Verse one. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him. Many of you have in your Bibles, and I have in my Bible a title written over the book called The Revelation of St. John the Divine. And really it’s a bit of a misnomer. John was not divine, and it’s not really John’s revelation. It was a revelation of Jesus Christ that was given unto John. That’s what verse number one says the Revelation of Jesus Christ. You realize the whole book of Revelation talks about things to come, but is really about Jesus Christ. And so we don’t serve somebody. Here’s what I mean. We’re not serving a baby in a manger. I don’t pray to a baby in a manger. I pray to God in heaven, to God that came down, died and was risen, and it’s in heaven now. I pray to a living God, a living savior. And we celebrate his birthday. We’re celebrating more than just the fact that he came. We’re celebrating who he is. Okay. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him. God the Father gave unto him, God the Son, to show unto his servants that’s you and me, things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and signify it by his angel unto his servant John, who bear record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand. There’s a threefold blessing in this verse, and we won’t get into it, but blessing for those that read. I’ll just hit the top of it. That’s a good way of not getting into it. Just hit the top of it as you go. Blessed is he that readeth. Blessed is he that hears the words of the prophecies, and blessed is he that keeps those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand. And as Revelation unfolds, you can see God is still sovereign. God is in still control of everything of the situation. Nothing is out of hand. Everything’s okay in heaven. Aren’t you glad of that? Everything’s all right in my Father’s house. Verse four, John. To the seven churches which are in Asia, grace be unto you and peace from Him which is and which was, and which is to come. This is referring to God the Father. And I want you to watch this. This is how we know Him. Which is and which was and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne. And that’s referring to the Holy Spirit of God, who’s working in the seven different churches. And we won’t get into that tonight. Maybe another night we’ll get into that. But that’s one spirit working in the churches around and from Jesus Christ. So you’ve got God the Father, who which is, which was and which is to come. You’ve got the Spirit of God and you’ve got the Son of God. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth and to him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us kings and priests and the God and his father to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. And all of God’s people said Amen. So this is just a glimpse of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. So as we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that he’s more than a baby in a manger. He’s more than hanging on the cross. He’s not on the cross anymore. He’s seated at the Father’s right hand. And shortly the Father will give unto Him His kingdom and he will rule in reign here on this earth. So we’ve got in verse four God the Father, which is which was which is to come. He’s eternally existent, right? There’s never been a time when God was not. I can’t wrap my head around that. You can’t wrap your head around that because we’ve all had a beginning and we’re going to have an ending as far as this flesh is concerned. By death, our flesh, our heart stops beating or by rapture, our flesh drops. And we get a glorified body in an instant. Quicker than a moment, in an instant, the twinkling of an eye. But either way, this we have an ending. We don’t understand eternity. It’s why God has to give us a glorified body. But it’ll be all right when we get there. It’ll be all right. I’ve tried to understand that. And I’ve told you before, I can’t wrap my head around it. And if you can, you explain it to me afterwards. But when we get to heaven, god will help us understand it and it’ll all make sense. But God never had a beginning. He’s not going to have an ending. But I want you to know why that’s important. I want you to turn over to verse number eight. You may not be on the same page I am. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was and which is to come. We just read that, didn’t we? That’s verse four is referring to God the Father. Guess who verse eight is referring to. God the son the Lord Jesus Christ. You realize that our Bible teaches that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are three in one. So explain that. I can’t explain that. I’m not God. I can’t explain that. But while God the Father was in heaven, god the Son was on earth living and moving and working. And he died on the cross for my sins. And God the Father turned his back on God the Son for those 3 hours of darkness while he was on Calvary’s cross. And he cried, my Father, my Father, why hast thou? Or my God. My God, why hast thou forsaken me? And he dismissed the spirit. He’s cried, It is finished. And he gave up the ghost. His spirit went to be with the Father in heaven and his body went into the earth. His soul descended and then they all reunited him that third day. And now God the Father is in heaven. God the Son is seated at the Father’s right hand. And where is God the Spirit? He’s working. And the believers right in here. He’s indwelling our hearts, our souls. So I can’t explain all of that, but it’s proof. Verse eight is a proof text that Jesus is very God. Another proof text we read if you need them. There’s people out there that will argue with you, emmanuel, which means God. With us was a name of Jesus name given to Jesus. So already tonight we’ve hit two verses that prove that Jesus is very God. Okay? Just wanted to share that with you. So let’s look at some of the things, the qualifications, the characteristics that define who Jesus is. Verse number five and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead, the faithful witness. Talk about that first, what he accomplished in life while he was here. Isaiah 55 four says this behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. John 1837 says something similar to this end was I born. Jesus said when he was talking to Pilate and for this cause came by into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth, every one of the truth. Here is my voice. Let me ask you a question, okay? It’d be easy question. I might give you a multiple choice, okay? If Jesus was a witness to the truth, was he a good witness, yes or no? Was he a faithful witness? A is yes, b is no. The faithful witness? Yes, he was a faithful witness. Very good. He was true. He was faithful unto death. Now I can tell you something, and don’t hold it against me, okay? Because I could say something about you too. I haven’t been faithful all of my life to God. You haven’t either. But he’s always 100%, without question, been faithful to me. He always will be faithful to me. He he cannot be anything other than faithful. He is the faithful witness. He witnessed to the truth. He was faithful in his duty. He never lacked courage, nor did he compromise. And he’s still faithful today. Let me give you a few verses that go along with this one. Thessalonians 524 faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Let me ask you another question. Has there ever been a time where you thought if this was up to me, I would not last, I can’t keep my salvation? That’s true, we can’t keep it. But he called you, he saved you, he’s going to keep you. Same thing with what God has called you to do, the ministry has called you to do. Faithful is he that callth you who also will do it then also proves that he will return and receive us unto Himself, because he’s faithful. 233 the lord is faithful. Hebrews 1023 he is faithful. That promised second Timothy 417 paul said, notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. He said, Everybody else left when I gave an answer but Jesus Christ the Lord stood with me. I’m glad he’s faithful, aren’t you? I’m glad of that, thankful for that. Even though I’m not faithful. He’s faithful. He’s the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead. We’ve mentioned this when we talk about the resurrection. He’s the first begotten of the dead. He’s the first that came back from the dead. But that means there are more to follow. The loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord, they’re going to be resurrected again. This is also and I’m going to get bogged down, but this is also mentioned. It’s amazing as you study the Bible, how each book harmonizes with the other. All parts make up the whole. If there seems to be a contradiction, you study it a little bit longer, you realize things matching aren’t aren’t in opposition, they’re matching, they’re complimenting one another. One Corinthians 1520 but now is Christ risen from the dead. It become the first fruits of them that slept. And we talked about that. Colossians One 7118 talks about the same. He is before all things, by Him all things insist. He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre eminence. God gave that message to Paul and Colossians. God was given this message to John in Revelation and same thing that harmonizes with each other. He was raised to never die again. Amen. So likewise you and I will be raised to never die again. So he is the faithful witness, he is the first begotten of the dead. So far I feel pretty good about who I served, don’t you? If he’s faithful, I don’t have anything to worry about. He’s alive forevermore. He is the prince of the kings of the earth. That means nobody can touch him. Amen. He is a ruler, king of kings, lord of lords, and he hasn’t received his kingdom yet, but he will. He will one day. And I believe that day is fast approaching myself. He is a prince or ruler of the kings of the earth. Psalm 24 one the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. Revelation 1115 go ahead and turn over there. Since we’re in Revelation verse 15, this is the verse I was looking for. The 7th agel sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. In Daniel he’s the king of heaven. In Matthew we read it, he’s the king of the Jews. In John chapter one, he’s the king of Israel. In one Timothy 117, he’s the King eternal. In Psalm 24/7. He’s the King of glory. And Revelation 15. Three he’s the king of saints. Revelation 1916 he’s the King of kings and Lord of Lords. And that is who you and I are serving and come to church to worship. I look and I see. I know. Listen, you don’t come to church to hear an eloquent preacher. I get that. I understand that. I ain’t one. I’m far from it. But we come to church to worship a living Savior, the risen Lord and soon coming King. I wish this world knew about it. This church would be full if this world knew who Jesus was, truly knew who Jesus was. I have no doubt about that. Look at verse number six, who he is and what he’s done for us. I think the Holy Spirit gives John this message and his heart gets stirred and it’s like he’s praising God right before he gets going, even before he starts, he just gets a glimpse of who Jesus is. He says, and hath made us kings and priests and the God and His Father to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. God has done great things for us and the greatest proof of his love I skipped over that unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. The greatest proof of his love was Calvary. What he did for a second at at Calvary. Christmas is wonderful, but if there had been no resurrection, we’d have nothing to celebrate at Christmas. If there was no Calvary, we’d have nothing to celebrate. But I’m thankful that he not only came, but he completed his mission and he died and he rose again. The cleansing that he provided. Look at this first, just this phrase, and get this phrase engraved in your heart unto Him that loved us. You and I could dwell on that. And just remember on a daily basis when you wake up in the morning and you’re praying, you’re praying unto your heavenly Father because he loved you and sent His Son. And his son has applied his righteousness to your account because you’ve trusted in him. And he look, he gave look at this verse. He gave his life, shed his blood, and then plunged you and me beneath his blood to wash us from our sins. How do you describe love like that? There’s no words. But wouldn’t that make us live differently than we do? Just realizing how much God cares for us, for us, how much he loves us? And to Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, he said, I see that fella down there in 2022 living in packs and just a country fell, and he’s bald on top. And not very many people know who he is and bless their heart around the church there. They’re doing the best they can to put up with him and he’s got a lot of things wrong with him, but I love him enough. I’m going to shed my blood for him. What a blessing that is. That should change our life completely, shouldn’t it? Verse seven. Behold, he cometh with clouds. When he comes for the church, it’s going to be in the clouds. And this verse is not going to apply because it’s going to be a secret coming. But seven years later, this verse applies. Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him, and all kindred of the earth shall well because of Him. Then John concludes that verse with Even so. Amen. He said amen means, so be it. Even so, so be it so. I know this is going to happen, but but, Lord, we’re ready for you to come. Then here, look. Jesus speaks. This is the one who’s speaking. The one who was crucified, who was dead, is now living. This is the one who’s speaking. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was and which is to come. The Almighty. Look at the three things, how he this verse describes Jesus. He is the alpha and omega. He’s the beginning and the ending. Those are the two what do I want to say? Letters of the Greek alphabet. Right? Okay. Right. Yeah. First and the last. Is that right? Okay. All right. Make sure I’m right there. And it includes everything in between he’s the beginning and the ending. And listen to this quote. Everything finds its commencement or its beginning, its course and its consummation in Jesus Christ. That’s good, isn’t it? I had to read it a couple of times, understand it. But everything finds its beginning, its course and its completion in Jesus. There’s nothing that is existing outside of our Lord and Savior. And so he’s in heaven right now. He’s still we got to get there. I’ll come back to that thought in a minute. Lord, He’s, Alpha, Omega. He’s also a lord. He’s master by right. He’s mastered by his victory, by his purchase. He’s purchased us with his own blood. He said, I am he that which was and which is to come, the Almighty. And again, we just trying to hit the highlights in Genesis, chapter number 17. When Abram was 90 years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty God. Walk before me and be thou perfect. Thou will make my covenant between Me and thee will multiply thee exceedingly. God gave Abraham a son when he was 100 years old, right? And Sarah was 90 years old. God can do things like that. God is God. But he told Abram during that time. He said, I am the Almighty. That is my name. I am God Almighty. I’m the sufficient one. I’m sufficient for your needs, for what I want to do. It’s impossible with men, but I am sufficient to meet that need. Here again, Jesus is saying that I am the Almighty, which is, which was and which is to come, the Almighty. This verse is saying that Jesus is the Almighty. He is sufficient to meet our needs. To meet your needs. Even now in heaven, he’s sufficient to meet our needs. What a thought. What a thought that is. Go home and meditate on that. He is the Lord. He’s the Creator of the universe. He upholds all things by his power, the word of his power. Let’s go on verse number nine. I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos. He’s given us a little history on how this came about. For the word of God and for the testament of Jesus Christ. He was exiled, and while he was on the island, the Lord gave him this book to write. And I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last in what thou seest. Write in the book and send it under the seven churches which are in Asia, under emphasis on the smarter, under Pergamus, under Thyatira, under Sardus, under Philadelphia, and under Leiasea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, in the midst I’ll catch this. In the midst of the seven candlesticks, this is where the thought were hooking into the thought that I was trying to get to earlier, ahead of time. Okay? In the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man. See, John isn’t amazing. John walked with the Lord on this earth. He was with the Lord on the mount of Transfiguration. But this was a completely different side of Jesus that he had not seen before. He sees the Lord glorified, and he sees Him walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks. One likened to the Son of man, clothed with the garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and his feet like a defined breast, as if they burned in a furnace. And his voice as a sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars and out of his mouth when a sharp two edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. This is not John saying that he saw the Lord. And it was like his old buddy. Like some people talk about Jesus, and some people talk about our Lord. He said, when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. The one that I leaned upon his bosom at the supper. This is the one that I walked with, that I talked with. He shared things with me that he didn’t share with anybody else. But when I saw him, I felt his feet as dead. I saw Him glorified and for who he was, the flesh that he was robed in that veiled, his glory was gone. And he had a glorified body and his his countenance was was a lot. I remember a little bit from the mountain of Transfiguration, but I had never seen the Lord like that. And I fell. His feet is dead. But look what Jesus said. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, fear not. I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth. And what’s next? Two words was dead. That’s past tense, right? That means dead no more, right? I am he that liveth and was dead. Jesus literally died, okay? You can underscore that. He literally died. And behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And had the keys of hell and death. What comfort, what comfort you and I don’t have to fear death, don’t have to fear the future. We don’t have to fear death because Jesus has the keys of hell and death. And I’m on his side. He saved me. We don’t have to fear the future because he knows the future. He is with me now. He’ll be with Me in the future. Death could not hold him. Death was not the end for our Lord. He said, write the things which thou has seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter. And that’s the key to the Book of Revelation. The things which are and the things which shall be what thou seen, the things that are and that which shall be. Hereafter. The mystery of the seven stars. And we’ll talk about that maybe some other time. Mystery of the seven stars without sawest in My right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and angels of messenger. That doesn’t always have to be the angel from heaven, but here it’s referring to a messenger of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks without sawest are the seven churches. Without going into a whole lot of detail and what this is referring to, we know the seven candlesticks that John saw represent the churches, which represents the churches all throughout history from the time of Christ until the time of the Rapture, when the church is taken up. Okay? That’s what that represents. So where did John see Jesus? Verse 13. I give you a hint. It’s in the midst of the seven candlesticks. So Jesus is walking in the midst of his churches. You know Jesus is physically in heaven right now, right? But you. Know. He’s still working on this earth through his churches. He’s he’s still watching over his people, his congregation. The gates of hell shall not prevail against his church. He’s still working in his church. You and I are a part of his church. It may not feel like we’re on the winning side all the time. We might not feel victorious, but we are on the winning side. If he’s in control, we’ve got this. He’s got the final victory. He’s in the midst of the seven churches. Matthew. I didn’t write the reference down, but it’s in. Matthew lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. His head and his hair white like wool. He he’s called in Daniel seven, verse nine. The Ancient of Days. I’m giving you some some other food for thought, some other thought seeds you can take home and study them out. Micah five two. Who’s, going forth have been from a vault, from everlasting jesus glorified john said, I saw him like I’d never seen Him before. I walked with Him, and I saw Him in a glorified body risen from the grave. But I’d never seen him like this. I’ve seen Him as if power was given unto him, authority was given unto him. He’s made the judge of the Earth look at his eyes again. Verse number where is it? Verse number 14. His head and his hair were white like wool, like the Ancient of Days. He had no beginning. He’s been around. Bethlehem was not his beginning. Understand? Bethlehem was just when he came down to Earth, and his eyes were as a flame of fire. Speaks of of his ability to judge. He can look at me and know the very innermost secrets of my heart and your heart. Look past all the outward fluff, if you will, and he can discern what is right. His eyes pierce through that. And we’re going to stand before him one day. That’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? It is to me. I’m going to stand to give an account, and I can’t make up any excuses. I can’t blame anybody else. I got to give an account for myself. And those eyes that pierce through all of that, see, my desires are the same eyes that beheld me, looked at me at Calvary and knew who I was and died for me, even though he saw me and who I was. That’s a sobering thought to me, and I hope you’ll take that and think about that as well. Hebrews 413 is a cross reference to this. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and opened under the eyes of him with whom we have to do. John said, I saw those eyes, and when I saw those eyes, I fell down at his feet as dead. But I’m glad for the next verse. He lifted me up, said, Fear not, I’m the first the last time. He that liveth and was dead, behold, I am alive forevermore. There’s many other things we could say here. In his right hand were seven stars out of his mouth with a sharp two edged sword. We know what that is. That’s the word of God, sharper than any two edged sword, his countenance as the sunshineth in his strength. Verse number 18. I am he that liveth was dead. Behold, my life for evermore. Amen. And had the keys of hell and death once turned to Revelation, chapter 22. We read that verse, but I like it, so we read it again. Revelation 22, verse number seven, verse number twelve and verse number 20. He says, behold, I come quickly. Behold, I come quickly. Surely I come quickly. I believe he means he’s coming, won’t you? Jesus is coming. Now look at verse number seven real quick. The last three promises of Christ return are connected with verse number seven. Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the saints of the prophecy of this book. It’s connected with our responsibility to obey his word. Blessed is he that keepeth the saints of the prophecy of this book talking about Revelation, but also talking about everything that God gives us. We’re going to give an account to Him one day of what he’s delivered to us. And we’re not responsible for somebody else’s race, somebody else’s life, but we are responsible for what God’s given us. Blessed is he that keepeth the saints of the prophecy of this book our responsibility to obey the word of God. Okay, you got that? One of these days I’m going to do a test afterwards just to see what we remember. And somebody asked me the other day it’s been a couple of weeks back, said, you all have a good service last Sunday. Said, yeah, it was good. What did you preach on? And I had to think for a minute. So you’re not the only one, but might help us all. You give me a quiz, too, later. What did you preach on tonight, brother? Our responsibility to obey the word. Verse twelve. And behold, I come quickly. The second time he said it in this chapter. And my reward is with me. To give every man according as his work shall be our stewardship. Again, what we’ve done with what he has given us. He’s given Brother Bill the ability to build boxes and to build frames. And he took that ability and built a beautiful, empty tomb for the float and the what a blessing. Amen. That God is using brother Bill that way. And we’re still looking for his other talents that we can put to use. I’m just kidding. Banana pudding. Amen. All right, verse number 20. And there’s a lot more, Brother Bill. Verse 20. Our comfort and consolation. He which testifies these things say it surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, lord Jesus, listen. The babe in the manger is no longer in the manger, the one that died on the cross. He did die. He literally died. And for three days he was in the lower parts of the earth, but he’s alive forevermore. He’s seated at the Father’s right hand, but he’s not going to stay there either. He’s coming back for us one day. And when he comes, we’re going to go with him. Going to spend seven years with him, either in the air or in heaven. And when he comes back to this earth and puts his feet on this earth, he’s going to ruin rain for a thousand years, and we’re coming with him. And when I sing praises unto Him and talk with Him, I’m talking to the Lord of Glory. Amen. So as we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember what he has done, but also who he is, what he’s going to do. And I know I’m preaching to the choir, but we really ought to be careful about getting in the dump, shouldn’t we? When God’s done so much for us and all that he’s brought us through and done for us. I hope that you have a merry Christmas. And I hope you know that Jesus is your savior that’s the only way that you can truly have the Christmas that we ought to have. That’s the greatest gifts ever been given. And don’t refuse if you don’t know the Lord. Amen. Let’s stand. Head bow, eyes closed. Closing Prayer…………….. may seem a little scattered this evening, but I hope it gave you something to think on during this time of year. During this Christmas season, the world might recognize the fact that there was a baby that was born and they called his name Jesus. Some may even recognize the fact that he was a good teacher or a prophet. Very few recognize him as God. You and I know the truth. Let’s teach that to our young people. Let’s remember that ourselves. Let’s try to share that with others. Jesus is coming. We’re going to go be with Him one day. If you don’t know Him as your Lord and Savior, I would beg of you to trust Him tonight. If you do know Him, won’t you thank him? Lord, thank you for being merciful to me, a sinner. Heavenly Father, we love you. Lord. Thank you for your goodness. And Lord, thank you for the wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, your son. Lord, none of us deserve it. None of us stand any chance whatsoever. But you loved us, and Your mercy brought salvation to us. Lord, we could never repay you for what You’ve done. Father. We thank you, Lord. I pray that our lives would be a bit of a thank you, Lord. Help us to acknowledge that as we celebrate this time of year and share that with others, that they can know the joy, the true joy of having the greatest gift that’s ever been given. We love you. We look forward to spending forever with our Lord and Savior. Some have already gone before us and are there now, and they’re enjoying the presence of their Lord. Lord, while we wait here, help us not to grow weary, grow cold. Lord. Help us to be ever mindful of what lay in store, but also the job that the responsibilities that you left us in charge of. And Lord, help us to be faithful as you’re faithful. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.