The Rest of the Story
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Christmastime is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on God’s eternal plan of salvation. What is your salvation story?
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The Real Purpose of Christmas
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Jesus’ purpose in coming to the earth was not just to give us the sweet picture of a baby in a Bethlehem manger. Certainly, the act of God coming as a baby, in the form of human flesh, was an astounding, magnificent feat that should keep us in awe of the God who designed it, planned it, and executed salvation to make salvation a living reality in the lives of everyone who believes. But what did it look like for Jesus, who undertook this mission and willingly fulfilled His part in God’s great design and plan?
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Why Did Herod Kill Babies in Bethlehem?
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Matthew is the only Gospel writer to record this heartbreaking event, but this tragic, horrific scenario happened, just as the Bible tells us. Strangely, this horrendous event wasn’t even recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus, a scholar who was careful to chronicle many of Herod’s horrific deeds. Why is that? We will address this question in this episode.
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The Value of the Magi's Gifts
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Why does Matthew 2:11 specifically mention three gifts of the magi? To find the answer to this question, we must remember where the Magi came from and what we know about the culture of Magi from that part of the world.
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Why Was Herod Troubledd?
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
What does the Bible mean when it says Herod was “troubled” and that all of Jerusalem was troubled with him at the visit of the magi and the birth of Jesus? Why were they so troubled?
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Who Were the Magi?
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Mark, Luke, and John are silent about the appearing of the Magi, but Matthew’s gospel very clearly tells us about their arrival in Jerusalem, their interview with Herod, and their eventual trip to Nazareth, where they found Jesus and presented Him with treasures and magnificent gifts.
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Who Was Herod the Great?
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
The name Herod the Great is one of the most famous names in human history. But who exactly was he and why was he referred to as Herod the Great?
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Simeon, Anna, and Preparing for the Lord’s Next Coming
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
At the time of Jesus’ baby dedication, there were two servants of God who were waiting for the Messiah’s appearance. The names of those faithful servants were Simeon and Anna. Both of these people were at the Temple in Jerusalem on the day Jesus was brought to be dedicated to the Lord. And the moment their eyes beheld Him, they inwardly and supernaturally knew they were witnessing the long-awaited Messiah. By studying the examples of Simeon and Anna as they waited for the first coming of the Lord, we can learn what we need to do to prepare our hearts for Jesus’...
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Jesus' Baby Dedication
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem, which was near Jerusalem, so they took Jesus to Jerusalem to dedicate Him at the Temple. Luke 2:22 says, “...They brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.” This was an important and powerful act of obedience by Joseph and Mary — one that you will see actually demonstrates a practice we as believers are called to do in our daily Christian walk.
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A Multitude of Heavenly Host
Christmas: The Rest of the Story with Rick Renner
Can you just imagine what the shepherds witnessed that historical night? First, they were dazzled by a beam of light that suddenly shone on them. Then a single angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. But after that, an incalculable number of heavenly angels that were dressed like mighty soldiers “materialized” in the heavens above them! These angels were dressed like a mighty army — as the armies of Heaven. But why did this massive army of Heaven’s angels appear at the birth of Jesus?
info_outlineOver the course of 2,000 years, the Church of the Nativity and the cave under it has undergone numerous restorations and modifications — but it was there that the Creator of the universe entered the human race and lived among us for 33 years. The greatest miracle of all time took place in that holy moment.