“The Promise of Deliverance”

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© 2023 Don Pinson | [Download]
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At the Christmas season, a lot of emphasis is given to a lot of things other than the One the season is all about—JESUS! In the next two messages we hope to tell His story! It all started like this:

The Promise of Deliverance1“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments…of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because…Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God…he went into the temple of the Lord…And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord… And when Zacharias saw him…fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John…For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord…and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God…’ And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived… Continue reading →

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

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The Herald Angels Sing 1


© 2023 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!” Continue reading →

“The Arrival of the Lawgiver”

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The Arrival of the Lawgiver 1


© 2023 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 →