BETHLEHEM - "HOUSE OF BREAD"

 Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn". - Luke 2:4-7

God Himself, the Everlasting Father, would put on flesh and be born a baby.

The King of kings and Lord of lords would be born King of the Jews.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting". - Micah 5:2

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him". - Matthew 2:1-2

"Bethlehem" in Hebrew means "house of bread." (“Beth” means “house” and “lehem” means “bread”).

Jesus is the "Bread of Life."

"I am that bread of life." - John 6:48 KJV

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world". - John 6:51

Church!!

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

 What is temptation?

The Bible says it comes from lusts within us.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil [to do wrong], neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:13-14

When we have repented of our sins, have been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we have the power His blood, the authority of His name JESUS, and the power of His Spirit to help us when we are tempted. (Acts 2:38, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:7, 10).

Through prayer and calling on Jesus, we have access to His strength so we can make it through all situations that life presents us with.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

Trials perfect us. We grow in Jesus. We become stronger. We have a testimony that can encourage others that they too can make it through Christ.

Because temptations and trials make us a stronger child of God, they can lead to joy, knowing we are becoming a better person in Jesus.

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" - 1 Peter 1:6-7 KJV

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying [testing] of your faith worketh patience [produces perseverance/endurance]. But let patience [perseverance/endurance] have her perfect work [grow], that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:1-4

It is our love for Jesus that drives us to overcome our lusts. We are blessed when we endure temptation (we are unwavering), for when we have been tried [stood the test], we will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12

The Prince of Peace

PEACE.

Isaiah prophesied of the birth of Jesus.

"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." - Isaiah 9:6 KJV

Isaiah said Jesus would be The Prince of Peace. Jesus made peace by His blood on the cross.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." - Colossians 1:20 KJV

Jesus brought peace between Himself and man when He shed His sinless blood to pay the price for our sins. He reconciled us back to Himself.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

The Wonderful Counsellor that is The mighty God and The everlasting Father took upon Himself the form of man, and brought peace between Himself and man. Jesus is The Prince of Peace.

 

JESUS - The image of the invisible God

 

There is only one God - JESUS is His name

Our heavenly Father put on a human body, born of a woman, and dwelt among His creation. He came in His name Jesus, which is above every name. (Philippians 2:10, 1 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 2:14-15).

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - John 14:9

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:10 KJV

The Holy Ghost that was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, is the Spirit that is in Christ.

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:38-39

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." - John 14:17

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4

The Father is Spirit. The Father is revealed in flesh (humanity). The Father’s human body is called by His name, Jesus. The Father is in us when we are filled with His Spirit.

"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:20

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26

Jesus is the Father. Jesus is Spirit. Jesus has a body (the son of God/the flesh of God).

There is only one Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of your Father, the Spirit.

Salvation

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV