“The Herald Angels Sing”

The Herald Angels Sing 1


© 2018 Don Pinson | [Download]
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So often, at this time of year, we sing Christmas carols in our churches or at family gatherings.  Some have melodies which raise our emotions to the heights.  Others woo us into quiet meditations on the deep meaning of Jesus’ entry into this world and what His invasion into human flesh really means to us.  But the carol that does both those things for me—is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.  Written by the great song-writing revivalist, Charles Wesley, the revelation in this hymn of what Christ did for us is astounding!  Take a journey with me as we attempt to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what Jesus did for us.  Wesley wrote:

Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild– God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
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“The Arrival of the Lawgiver”

The Arrival of the Lawgiver 1


© 2018 Don Pinson | [Download]
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This time of year there’s a lot of reference to the Baby Jesus in the manger.  That’s a good thing.  We think of the Christ child and hope comes to us that God literally invaded history and brought hope that there could be “peace on earth toward men of good will” (Luke 2:14).

And yet, for all this good feeling surrounding the Baby Jesus, few ever think beyond the manger.  And even of those who do think of His important life, death, and resurrection, even fewer ever come to understand His impact on all civilization; and particularly here in the western hemisphere.  Jesus was the most important Lawgiver in world history.  His influence over moral and civil law in this world makes Him, without question, the most influential person in all of history.  Yet, few law schools in America ever acknowledge His powerful impact at all.

Jesus’ birth came at a time when Continue reading

“What Can the Righteous Do?”

What Can the Righteous Do 1


© 2018 Don Pinson | [Download]
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There are three positions Christians are taking in the current pressure.  Some are saying, “It’s so bad now.  Persecution is growing.  These are just the last moments of time, and I’m just looking for Jesus to come back any day.”  Which translates into:  “I don’t believe we can do anything about this time, so I’m just thinking about me and I’m going to hide my head in the sand.  Don’t count on me to protect the liberty of my children.”  On the other hand, there are those who would love to see liberty preserved, they just think that there’s no hope now.  But then there’s a third group—perhaps fewer in number—but those who thrill the heart of God.  They’re saying, “This is the hardest time the world has ever seen, and it may be the beginning of the end of history; but come what may, until ‘the trumpet sounds’, I’m going to do everything I can to preserve the liberty of my children to be able to hear and respond to the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!”

Which group are you in?  “…What can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3) in this pressurized time?

We can Continue reading