People love to hear the familiar Christmas stories during the season of Advent. No matter how creative one might be with different approaches to Christmas preaching, for most it just doesnt seem the same without angels and shepherds and magi, without Mary and Joseph (and even wicked king Herod), and certainly without the child born in the manger! This leaves the preacher with four chapters of the scriptures, Matthew 12 and Luke 12, as the primary resources for the season. Preaching from these chapters for three years, much less thirty years, is a challenge. We are either left with preaching the same sermons, sometimes under different titles, or we need to think about Christmas preaching more creatively. The Birth of Jesus the Messiah combines thematic commentary on the birth stories of Matthew and Luke with preaching and teaching ideas. Biblical themes flowing through each birth narrative, set forth by the Gospel writers themselves, inspire fresh sermon series ideas for the Advent season. Over thirty sermon series ideas include In the Shadow of Herod, Advent at Risk: Women in Jesus Genealogy, Covenants for Christmas, Lukes Symphony, Angels in Advent: Dont Be Afraid. Engage with The Birth of Jesus the Messiah as a fresh starting point and annual resource for planning your Advent and Christmas preaching.

How often do we celebrate Christmas and feel like we’ve missed something? Most of us understand that it’s really about Jesus, but do we really take the time to think about the prophecy and meaning of His birth? In an explanatory and critical-thinking style, Steve Laureanti takes us on a 31-day journey to explore this from a practical and theological perspective. Using the biblical text itself, Part 1 lays the foundation of the deity of Jesus, who was not created but existed with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in eternity past, and introduces John the Baptist, as the forerunner and witness to Jesus, the Messiah. Part 2 focuses on the Old Testament prophecies about John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah that John would be the forerunner and witness to the Messiah, and Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah. Part 3 focuses on the prophecy and arrival of the promised Messiah, including Mary’s song of praise, the birth of Jesus, the multitude of angels appearing to the shepherds and the wise men to announce the Messiah’s birth. Each day of this devotional includes Bible verses to guide you through each part, including insightful analysis and additional scripture to consider in this theological journey of the prophecy and birth of the Messiah.

Was there a star announcing the coming of the Jewish Messiah at the end of the first millennium BC? Did "wise men" come from the east seeking the newly born king of the Jews? How can one be sure? MUL.BABBAR: The Messiah’s Star approaches the “Star of Bethlehem” from a Jewish and Babylonian perspective. Babylonian astronomy and royal symbolism seem to give clues about the star. However, the royal celestial signs related to the coming of the Messiah are also connected directly to Judaism and the Bible. The Messiah's star announced the coming of a great king, The Greatest of Kings, destined to rule the world. This book is an updated, improved, and expanded version of The Lion Led the Way by the same author.

Eyewitness accounts prove with absolute certainty that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and God the Son. Investigate the Four Gospels arranged in Narrative and Chronological Order for easy study of the life of Christ. A must have for those who want to be absolutely certain about the Jesus who died in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. 205 pages with the Study Guide. Bulk Rate Discounts here.

The scope of the subject presented in this work is expressed on the title page. It will be readily seen that the author has departed from the course usually followed by writers on the Life of Jesus Christ, which course, as a rule, begins with the birth of Mary's Babe and ends with the ascension of the slain and risen Lord from Olivet. The treatment embodied in these pages, in addition to the narrative of the Lord's life in the flesh comprizes the antemortal existence and activities of the world's Redeemer, the revelations and personal manifestations of the glorified and exalted Son of God during the apostolic period of old and in modern times, the assured nearness of the Lord's second advent, and predicted events beyond—all so far as the Holy Scriptures make plain. It is particularly congruous and appropriate that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the only Church that affirms authority based on specific revelation and commission to use the Lord's Holy Name as a distinctive designation—should set forth her doctrines concerning the Messiah and His mission. The author of this volume entered upon his welcome service under request and appointment from the presiding authorities of the Church; and the completed work has been read to and is approved by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve. It presents, however, the writer's personal belief and profoundest conviction as to the truth of[Pg iv] what he has written. The book is published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A characteristic feature of the work is the guidance afforded by modern scriptures and the explication of the Holy Writ of olden times in the light of present day revelation, which, as a powerful and well directed beam, illumines many dark passages of ancient construction.

In this groundbreaking book, Michael Gorman asks why there is no theory or model of the atonement called the new-covenant model, since this understanding of the atonement is likely the earliest in the Christian tradition, going back to Jesus himself. Gorman argues that most models of the atonement over-emphasize the penultimate purposes of Jesus' death and the mechanics of the atonement, rather than its ultimate purpose: to create a transformed, Spirit-filled people of God. The New Testament's various atonement metaphors are part of a remarkably coherent picture of Jesus' death as that which brings about the new covenant (and thus the new community) promised by the prophets, which is also the covenant of peace. Gorman therefore proposes a new model of the atonement that is really not new at all-the new-covenant model. He argues that this is not merely an ancient model in need of rediscovery, but also a more comprehensive, integrated, participatory, communal, and missional modelthan any of the major models in the tradition. Life in this new covenant, Gorman argues, is a life of communal and individual participation in Jesus' faithful, loving, peacemaking death. Written for both academics and church leaders, this book will challenge all who read it to re-think and re-articulate the meaning of Christ's death for us.

When the ancients talked about "messiah", what did they picture? Did that term refer to a stately figure who would rule, to a militant who would rescue, or to a variety of roles held by many? While Christians have traditionally equated the word "messiah" with Jesus, the discussion is far more complex. This volume contributes significantly to that discussion. Ten expert scholars here address questions surrounding the concept of "messiah" and clarify what it means to call Jesus "messiah." The book comprises two main parts, first treating those writers who preceded or surrounded the New Testament (two essays on the Old Testament and two on extrabiblical literature) and then discussing the writers of the New Testament. Concluding the volume is a critical response by Craig Evans to both sections. This volume will be helpful to pastors and laypersons wanting to explore the nature and identity of the Messiah in the Old and New Testament in order to better understand Jesus as Messiah.

It is particularly congruous and appropriate that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--the only Church that affirms authority based on specific revelation and commission to use the Lord's Holy Name as a distinctive designation--should set forth her doctrines concerning the Messiah and His mission.The author of this volume entered upon his welcome service under request and appointment from the presiding authorities of the Church; and the completed work has been read to and is approved by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve. It presents, however, the writer's personal belief and profoundest conviction as to the truth of what he has written.A characteristic feature of the work is the guidance afforded by modern scriptures and the explication of the Holy Writ of olden times in the light of present day revelation, which, as a powerful and well directed beam, illumines many dark passages of ancient construction.JAMES E. TALMAGE.Salt Lake City, Utah,September, 1915

Students of Scripture love to compare how translators have understood the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts to see if they can discover deeper meanings, or simply ask more pertinent questions. Four of the most popular versions have been placed in parallel columns--KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NLT--so all can take copious notes. Preachers, Bible study leaders and participants, students of the Scriptures, and general readers who are curious about how different translations render their favorite verses will delight in this volume. The same set of verses for all four translations is located on facing pages two translations to a page making text comparison a snap. King James Version The dignified, poetic language of this word-for-word translation has made it the favorite of countless readers for over four centuries. New King James Version A completely updated translation that's faithful to the accuracy and beauty of the KJV, while using contemporary and readable language. New International Version (2011 Update Text) Scholarly accuracy and easy readability combine to help readers understand and apply the intended meaning of the biblical text. New Living Translation (Second Edition) Includes marginal notes that explain word choices, plus a more consistent rendition of ancient terms into their modern English equivalents.

Explore the Depths of the Scriptures While You Read Expect understanding! Experience the full meaning of God’s Word. The Expanded Bible has been developed by a respected team of skilled Bible translators to make God’s Word easier to understand—and more relevant and real for today’s Christian—with innovative expansions in the text itself that exhibit the complete meaning of each passage in its context—while you read. Perceive what God is saying in language that’s easy to understand Discover the significance of each passage with helpful expansions in the text Comprehend full meaning with alternative, literal, and traditional wordings Understand the Bible’s culture and setting with descriptive comments where needed Compare scripture with scripture using key cross-references Add your own expansions and observations in wide margins on every page Part of the Signature Series line of Thomas Nelson Bibles. Contributing scholars: Tremper Longman III, Mark L. Strauss, Daniel Taylor