The Sweetest Story Ever Heard

Hello 🙌 beloved, I am pleased to send my warm regards to everyone in this community, along with heartfelt love, joy, and peace.

I have faith that we are all doing well through God’s special grace. Today, I would like to share a message titled THE SWEETEST STORY EVER HEARD, which tells the precious and delightful story of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Are there elements in your life that you particularly cherish because you’re accustomed to them? Perhaps it’s your own bed and pillow, a comfortable pair of shoes, your family’s favorite home-cooked meals, nostalgic songs, or the company of loved ones? While many of us enjoy trying new things and purchasing new items, we often find ourselves returning to beloved favorites.

The Gospel story of Jesus is one of those cherished narratives that we revisit time and again. Some may feel that studying Jesus's life could merely be repetitive, but I disagree.

This perspective can quickly change when we delve into the Scriptures and rediscover the profound richness of Gospel texts and the deeper insights they offer! Each time we read familiar Scripture passages, we uncover truths we may have overlooked, enhancing our understanding. Familiar lessons reveal new applications relevant to our ever-evolving lives. Perhaps most wonderfully, we get the chance to hear once more those beloved stories we adored in our youth, allowing them to inspire and bless us anew.

They consistently bring us peace and joy, reigniting a passionate desire to know Christ more deeply. As I, Chidera Daniel Ben, have stated, the story of Jesus is "most precious" and "the sweetest that ever was heard." When we embrace this attitude toward the Gospel story of our Lord, our desire to hear it will grow stronger.

Beginnings:
These lessons are derived from the Gospel of Matthew, covering the entirety of Jesus' life on Earth, from His birth in Bethlehem to His ascension to Heaven. Some lessons emphasize His actions, while others highlight His teachings, together offering a comprehensive view of His life and ministry.

The first set of lessons is titled "Beginnings: Birth and Ministry." "King's Herald and Baptism" narrates the story of John the Baptist, the forerunner of the expected Messiah. With his simple demeanor and rugged clothing, John prepared the hearts of the Jewish people, igniting their anticipation for the Messiah's imminent arrival.

"Temptations and Ministry" continues Matthew’s narrative right after Jesus' baptism. Before embarking on His ministry, Jesus faced temptation from the devil, which tested His faith like gold refining in a fire. Each well-known temptation was skillfully designed to obstruct His ministry plans. By focusing on God's will and leaning on His Word, Jesus achieved a significant victory. Our study of Matthew will remind us of how we can also resist the devil's deceptions.

Birth: The story of Jesus' birth revisits the moment when His birth was announced to Joseph, His earthly father. Matthew 1 portrays Joseph as a humble man of faith who, despite being seldom mentioned in Scripture, played a vital role in God's redemptive plan.

In my reflections today, "the coming of the Wise Men" is drawn from Matthew 2, detailing the journey of the wise men from the East in search of the Christ child. The familiar account of their reverence for Him and the valuable gifts they presented will encourage us to maintain a spirit of worship towards Him.

In the next message, I will delve deeper into His ministry and fulfillment. Thank you for engaging with this message by Eveng. Chidera Daniel Ben.