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Timothy Study - Part 2. The lesson on December 3, 2006 continues the series on Timothy with part two in the series.
We find the Apostle Paul appealing to Timothy regarding proper doctrine. Doctrine develops the walk of a Christian. What was
the doctrine that was followed in Ephesus? We learn from Acts that Paul was there for three years warning about the Pagan doctrine they were following worshipping Diana (Acts 19:1 “And it came to pass,
that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples.” Acts 20:31 ”Therefore
watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”) Paul is
emphasizing sound doctrine to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:10b “... and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”. We also see Paul warn
of other doctrines in 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;”. Clearly sound doctrine is very important to our proper Christian walk. Our walk should be based on our calling from
God vs. what we think it is from our own imaginations. Our goal with our walk should be to grow into a perfect man as it says in Ephesians 4:13 ”Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”. We do that with proper doctrine so we are “ no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14).   Click here to listen now or you may also want to review all of the audio lessons on Timothy.
 The True Meaning of Christmas.
It seems Christmas comes around earlier every year if we follow the retail establishment as to when they place their holiday decorations up in the stores. It
seems this year they didn’t even wait until after Thanksgiving to bring out the jolly decorations to get us in a buying mood early. Why it went from Halloween to Christmas in one night (which is why we love Thanksgiving because they don’t know how to market family time for being thankful). The
lesson on December 10, 2006 teaches on the true meaning of Christmas in that we find in Ephesians 4:7-13 (KJV) “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ
.Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the
earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might
fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”. Which gift did He give you and are you using for it His purpose? The lesson had a handout as
well which may be best to  download and follow along while you listen. Click here to
listen now. You may want to review all of the lessons celebrating Christmas.
 The Christmas Story - Part 1
. The lesson on December 17, 2006 covers the scriptures in Luke 2:1-7 which tells of the event where Christ was born. It says in Luke 2:3-5 (KJV) “And all went to
be taxed, every one into his own city. 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.” There has been released a movie this year entitled The Nativity, which portrays this event from
Hollywood’s perspective. Derek McCammon tells us his observations about the movie in relation to
the scriptures and particularly focuses on what is good about the movie versus focusing on the
negative aspect of the errors (when the movie didn’t adhere to the scriptures). We learn more about
Joseph being a just man from Matthew 1:18-25 in that he was deciding what to do with Mary
privately before he was notified by an Angel that she was pregnant with child by the Holy Ghost. We don’t know much
about Joseph except that he loved Mary and was committed to their relationship. How stressful this journey must have
been for them since they had to travel the approximately 90 miles (140 km) south from Nazareth in Galilee, through
Jerusalem to Bethlehem in Judea in order to take part in the Roman census for this tax. We all deal with stress during the
holidays. There are ways to deal with stress. Stress is defined as something from without that is burdening you. It’s said
that stress causes 95% of all diseases based on how we react to stress. Stress causes distress in our lives and we
need to realize two things to defeat distress: 1) Knowing Christ and what He has done for you and 2) Talk to Him in prayer. Click here to listen now or you may also want to hear more audio lessons about Christmas.
 Christmas Story - Part 2. The lesson on December 24, 2006 continues the Christmas story with
part two of the lesson given on the 17th. Derek McCammon tells us a story about how  he saw a
bumper sticker that said “Born okay... the first time!” Don’t they realize how
perfect they aren’t! There has only been one person born okay the first time and that is Christ Jesus. Mankind does not get it. Jesus Christ was sent to
die for you and me so we may be born again and receive the new man which is without sin. God
took on the form of a man to redeem mankind. In Luke 23:35, we see others that don’t get it... “And
the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.” People who get it were Mary, Joseph, the
shepherds and the wise men. Mary was told by an Angel that she was highly favored because God
was with her. She was a woman of God. The shepherds got it. We see in Luke 2:15-17 “And it came to pass, as the
angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which
was told them concerning this child.” Mary showed she got it in Luke 2:19 because we are told she observed these things
and pondered them in her heart. Now let’s talk about the babe in the manger. This was God! In Colossians 1:15-17 (KJV) it says ”Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are
in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” We see in John 1:1, 14 (KJV) “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” God chose to reveal Himself once and for all through Jesus. Jesus was God (Philippians 2:6). God left highest
bliss to come in such a world as this! The wise men got it. We see back in Daniel 2:48; 4:9 that Daniel was given rule
over the wise men in the east and had significant influence on them 600 years before the birth of Christ. The lesson ends
with a letter from Charles Dickens that was sent to his children in 1849. The opening paragraph said “My dear children, I’m
very anxious that you should know something about the history of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about him.
No one ever lived that was so good, and so kind, and so gentle, and so sorry, for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable as he was...” Click here to listen now. You may also want to hear other
lessons about Christmas.
New Years Message - Our Hope - The lesson on December 31, 2006 brings a message of hope
for New Years 2007. The lesson starts with a nostalgic look at the year of 2006. If you are honest
with yourself, you would admit to feelings of regret for something you did or didn’t do. By reminiscing
, you find yourself with a focus on the past and not the present. The past cannot be changed. A
football coach once said “Well, yesterday is history, and tomorrow is a mystery, but today is in the
present and that is what we are going to deal with”. As Christians we should always focus on the
hope we always have with Christ each and every day. We read in Lamentations, which was written by Jeremiah when
he lamented the condition of Israel which utilizes the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet within each verse and chapter.
This book of Lamentations is read each year by the Nation of Israel. Jeremiah demonstrates what we all have faced when
he thought the Lord had not heard his prayer. Yet he says in Lamentations 3:21 (KJV) “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”. Just like Proverbs 1:20-28 says “when they call upon me, but I will not answer.” Another passage is
covered from Luke 20:9-19 which shows the leaders of Israel hated Jesus Christ. Is it no wonder that the world hates
Christians which are those that follow Jesus. The world is not your friend, it is your enemy. God sent His Son because He
is compassionate for mankind. We find in Romans 8:31-32 (KJV) “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for
us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” We learn that God is not affected by your circumstances, or guilt, or regret. He only did one
thing for you and that was when He sent His Son, Christ Jesus so you could have all those things that are freely available to you. Christ Jesus is our hope! Click here to listen now. You may also want to listen to other audio lessons on New Years.
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Audio Lessons for this Month
