{"id":10290,"date":"2016-01-19T09:39:17","date_gmt":"2016-01-19T13:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10290"},"modified":"2016-02-16T16:37:19","modified_gmt":"2016-02-16T20:37:19","slug":"the-surprise-gift-11716","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10290","title":{"rendered":"The Surprise Gift (1\/17\/16)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">This message is the third in a three part series called &#8220;Three Men and a Baby.&#8221;\u00a0 The first part focused on the gift of Gold; of how the Wise Men challenged us to give our best.\u00a0 This second part focused on the gift of Frankincense; of how Jesus is our great High Priest who bridges the wide gap between humanity and God.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Before listening to this week&#8217;s sermon, you might want to take a look at the first two parts of this series&#8230;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGOLD\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFRANKINCENSE\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<p>Gold reminds us of the Royalty of Jesus; that He is King of Kings. It also demonstrates that the Magi were willing to give their best for this King. they didn&#8217;t give up their pocket change or leftovers; they gave their gold.<\/p>\n<p>(<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Click below title to see this sermon&#8230;<\/span><\/em>)<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vQHOkX6916\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10040\">What Gift Shall I Bring? (1\/3\/16)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;What Gift Shall I Bring? (1\/3\/16)&#8221; &#8212; pitmanumc.org\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10040&#038;embed=true#?secret=lvXjeahn3D#?secret=vQHOkX6916\" data-secret=\"vQHOkX6916\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<p>Frankincense reminds us that Jesus is our High Priest. His offering (like the sweet smell of Frankincense) bridges the gap between our sinful humanity and our holy and righteous God.<\/p>\n<p>(<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Click below title to see this sermon&#8230;<\/span><\/em>)<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"8LejG6khNu\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10211\">God&#8217;s Bridge Over Troubled Water (1\/10\/16)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;God&#8217;s Bridge Over Troubled Water (1\/10\/16)&#8221; &#8212; pitmanumc.org\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10211&#038;embed=true#?secret=KyhAuMU6Nm#?secret=8LejG6khNu\" data-secret=\"8LejG6khNu\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">We now come to the final gift gift: Myrrh&#8230;\u00a0 What is myrrh?\u00a0 Myrrh is usually associated as an embalming spice and is traditionally seen as symbolizing Jesus&#8217; death.\u00a0 But other than gloom and doom, what message can we take from this gift?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Click the below &#8220;Play&#8221; button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 9:30 service)&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-10290-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Sermon-2016-01-17a_The-Suprise-Gift_by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono_.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Sermon-2016-01-17a_The-Suprise-Gift_by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono_.mp3\">https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Sermon-2016-01-17a_The-Suprise-Gift_by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono_.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Our scripture reading was Ruth 1:18-22 and Matthew 2:11-12.\u00a0 Open the drop down box to read along&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Ruth 1 and Matt 2<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Ruth 1:18-22\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.<\/p>\n<p>19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, &#8220;Is this Naomi?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>20 But she said to them, &#8220;Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<\/p>\n<p>21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">================<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Matt 2:11-12<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.<\/p>\n<p>12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.<\/p>\n<p>NKJV<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-bio'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A seven year old boy was betting ready for church.\u00a0 He had listened to the pastor&#8217;s sermon from the previous week and was trying to understand in his young mind about the gifts the Wise men gave to Jesus.\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3316\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Gift-Bear-_IMG_0802-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Gift Bear _IMG_0802\" width=\"206\" height=\"137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Gift-Bear-_IMG_0802-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Gift-Bear-_IMG_0802-140x94.jpg 140w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Gift-Bear-_IMG_0802-430x283.jpg 430w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Gift-Bear-_IMG_0802.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the family was leaving for church,\u00a0 the young boy wanted to take his teddy bear, whom he had always called Frank.\u00a0 His parents protested, but he insisted that he had to take the bear today, and they finally said &#8220;OK.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When the offering plates were passed, the boy put the teddy bear in the plate along with a few coins. Later, his parents asked him why he did this and he simply said,\u00a0 &#8220;Well the Bible says the Wise Men brought Jesus gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.\u00a0 I didn&#8217;t have any gold,\u00a0 and I don&#8217;t know what myrrh is.\u00a0 So I just gave Him Frank and cents!<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Review<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the final part of our look at the Wise men and their three gifts.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a quick review about the Wise Men and their gifts of Gold and Frankincense&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Wise Men&#8230;.<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\t\t<div class='et-simple-slider et_sliderfx_slide et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_4999 et_slidertype_simple'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-simple-slides'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey came from Persia (modern day Iran)&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey traveled about 1000 miles to get to Bethlehem&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey were men of influence&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThere were more than 3 of them!\u00a0 More likely 300!<\/p>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey knew their Hebrew History&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Moses<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p>Numbers 24:17-19<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I see him, but not now;\u00a0 I behold him, but not near.<\/p>\n<p>A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.<\/p>\n<p>Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.<\/p>\n<p>A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.&#8221;\u00a0 NIV<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey were prepared by prophets DURING the Babylonian captivity&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Daniel<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p>Daniel 9:24-25<\/p>\n<p>24 &#8220;Seventy &#8216;sevens&#8217; are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.<\/p>\n<p>25 &#8220;Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven &#8216;sevens,&#8217; and sixty-two &#8216;sevens.&#8217; It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.\u00a0\u00a0 NIV<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey were prepared by what happened AFTER the Babylonian captivity&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Ezra<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p>Ezra 7:6-7<\/p>\n<p>This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.\u00a0 NIV<\/p>\n<p>Ezra 9:9<\/p>\n<p>Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. NIV<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>[\/tab]\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-simple-slider -->\n\t\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Gold&#8230;<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\t\t<div class='et-simple-slider et_sliderfx_slide et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_4999 et_slidertype_simple'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-simple-slides'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tTheir gift was fit for a King&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThey gave their best- not pocket change&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tDemonstrated they were committed&#8230;.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tGod used Gold to finance escape to Egypt&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-simple-slider -->\n\t\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Frankincense&#8230;<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\t\t<div class='et-simple-slider et_sliderfx_slide et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_4999 et_slidertype_simple'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-simple-slides'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThe aroma was pleasing- God enjoys our sacrifices&#8230;&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tJesus is our High Priest&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tJesus is the Bridge between us and God&#8230;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tGod wants us to point others to the Bridge&#8230;.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-simple-slider -->\n\t\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">What is Myrrh?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We now come to the third and final gift that was given by the Wise Men: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myrrh\" target=\"_blank\">Myrrh<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 In the ancient world, myrrh had many uses.\u00a0 It was a very valuable sweet smelling powder and was used as a perfume and purification.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s mentioned in the Bible many times&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tPsalm 45:8\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tProverbs 7:17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSong 1:13\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGenesis 37:25-27\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tExodus 30:22-27\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 19:39-41\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAll your robes are fragrant with <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">myrrh<\/span> and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI have perfumed my bed with <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">myrrh<\/span>, aloes and cinnamon.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tMy lover is to me a sachet of <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">myrrh<\/span> resting between my breasts. NIV\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">myrrh<\/span>, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Judah said to his brothers, &#8220;What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let&#8217;s sell him (<\/span><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Joseph<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">) to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.&#8221; His brothers agreed.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then the Lord said to Moses,\u00a0 &#8220;Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">liquid myrrh<\/span>, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 24 500 shekels of cassia \u2014 all according to the sanctuary shekel \u2014 and a hin of olive oil.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony&#8230;<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">myrrh<\/span> and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Taking Jesus&#8217; body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Besides the facts and history of myrrh, we can draw a few spiritual lessons&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Aroma&#8230;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Psalm 45:8 speaks of the pleasant aroma.\u00a0 It also begs the question,\u00a0 what kind of &#8220;spiritual&#8221; aroma do we give off?\u00a0 Are we positive and joyful, or are we negative and gloomy?\u00a0 Does our &#8220;aroma&#8221; inspire worship?\u00a0 Does our outlook inspire others to glorify God?\u00a0 Our &#8220;aroma&#8221; should draw people to The Bridge; Jesus, our High Priest.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Imported&#8230;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Myrrh does not grow in Israel; it must be imported. If we are going to point others to The Bridge (the One who bridges the gap between us and God), we must bring people into the church.\u00a0 We need the fragrance; gifts, skills, and talents that others can bring into our efforts.\u00a0 We need the seasoning that others can inject into our lives to strengthen our faith, so that we can reach out and be &#8220;salt and light&#8221; to others.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Highly Esteemed&#8230;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Myrrh was especially valued in Egypt.\u00a0 This would have come in handy when Mary and Joseph escaped from Herod by fleeing to Egypt.\u00a0 Besides its monetary worth alone, it would have opened doors.\u00a0 Once again, God is in the details!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Myrrh Represents Bitterness and Pain<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The presentation of myrrh probably set Mary back a bit.\u00a0 By the time the Wise Men arrived, Mary and Joseph had already presented Jesus in the Temple to consecrate Him and to offer a sacrifice, as required by the Law.\u00a0 Fresh in their minds when the Wise Men presented them with myrrh, were the words of Simeon.\u00a0 As they were leaving the Temple, Simeon warned (Luke 2:34-35):<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: &#8220;This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,\u00a0 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.&#8221;<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>You have to start where the word myrrh comes from.\u00a0 It has it&#8217;s roots in the Hebrew word Mara, which means bitter.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s in the story of Ruth.\u00a0 Naomi has lost her husband and two sons, then returns to home and she tells her friends (in Ruth 1:20)- &#8220;<strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Don&#8217;t call me Naomi&#8230;. call me Marah because Almighty God has made my life bitter.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In ancient Hebrew societies, someone&#8217;s name often\u00a0 reflected who they were, so Naomi, bitter at what God had done, asked to change her name to &#8220;bitter&#8221; or Mara.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This sword of bitterness and pain (literally) pierced Jesus too.\u00a0 In Mark 15:22-23, we&#8217;re told&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).\u00a0 Then they offered him <span style=\"background-color: #ffff99;\">wine mixed with myrrh<\/span>, but he did not take it.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He did not take it.\u00a0 He did not take this myrrh-mixed medicine which would have dulled the pain as they drove the nails into His hands.\u00a0 The gift of myrrh reminds us that Jesus absorbed all of our pain.\u00a0 Just as He absorbed all of the physical pain inflicted on Him, He absorbed all of our sin.\u00a0 At that moment in time and space, all of the Sin and Pain throughout all of eternity was attracted to Jesus like a magnet.\u00a0 Myrrh was not allowed to get in the way.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus took it all on; He became sin for us- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:\u00a0 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men&#8217;s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">We are therefore Christ&#8217;s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ&#8217;s behalf: Be reconciled to God. <span style=\"background-color: #ffff99;\">God made him who had no sin to be sin for us<\/span>, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jesus became sin for us.\u00a0 Jesus took on all of our pain and forsakeness.\u00a0 He did not allow Myrrh to interfere with this.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Myrrh Represents Eternity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Myrrh is special for its ability to last for a long time.\u00a0 When placed in an alabaster pot, myrrh can hold its fragrance for several hundred years.\u00a0 Archaeologists have found myrrh in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 4000 years old.\u00a0 Over 4000 years and the aroma is still there!<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-10289\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Car-Freshener-_IMG_2924-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Car Freshener _IMG_2924\" width=\"152\" height=\"114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Car-Freshener-_IMG_2924-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Car-Freshener-_IMG_2924.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 152px) 100vw, 152px\" \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Along with the FM converter and 8 track player, one of the staples in a car during the 70s was those green tree fragrance things.\u00a0 Hang it around your rear view mirror (next to the foam dice) and your car smelled great (matter of opinion).\u00a0 It smelled great for a few weeks, but it eventually died out. Eventually the leftover pizza in the back seat re-claimed its ownership of the car&#8217;s odor.\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just like an 8-track tape that got eaten by the player, most things we deal with in this life are temporary.\u00a0 They wear out; they loose their usefulness.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Myrrh reminds us that the gifts of Jesus are eternal.\u00a0 They never wear out or loose their significance.<\/p>\n<p>And this gift from these Gentiles announced that Jesus is eternal.\u00a0 Myrrh reminds us that Jesus is the Eternal God.<\/p>\n<p>That Jesus is Divine and that He will remain forever is a bold statement, but it&#8217;s repeated over and over in the Bible&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 1:1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tColossians 1:17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tIsaiah 40:28\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRevelation 1:8, 17-18\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMatthew 28:20\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRevelation 11:15\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">In the beginning<\/span> was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.\u00a0 He was with God in the beginning&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tHe is <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">before all things<\/span>, and in him all things hold together.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tDo you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">everlasting<\/span> God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">not grow tired or weary<\/span>, and his understanding no one can fathom.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;I am the <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">Alpha and the Omega<\/span>,&#8221; says the Lord God, &#8220;who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Rev 1:17-18<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: &#8220;Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.\u00a0 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold<span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\"> I am alive for ever and ever!<\/span> And I hold the keys of death and Hades.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">I am with you always, to the very end of the age.<\/span>&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tThe seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">for ever and ever<\/span>.&#8221;\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Because Jesus is eternal, He (our Great High Priest) always works on our behalf; empowering us to do God&#8217;s will.\u00a0 If we are a child of His, his promises are always true for us.\u00a0 He will always be with us and He will always work in our lives for good&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Romans 8:28<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Eternity isn&#8217;t some future event that happens after the &#8220;End times&#8221; or even after we die.\u00a0 Eternity began with our conception.\u00a0 Eternity is now.\u00a0 Just as God provided for Joseph and Mary&#8217;s journey to Egypt using gifts of Gold and Myrrh, God is always in the details of our lives.<\/p>\n<p>Why did Jesus come?\u00a0 Why did God become a baby?<\/p>\n<p>Jesus came at Christmas so you and I and all of humanity may have an opportunity to receive His free gift of salvation and spend eternity with Him. The Wise Men brought gifts of myrrh, but the Eternal Jesus brings us a gift of Eternal Life&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Romans 6:23<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Eternal Life!!!\u00a0 Over and over,\u00a0 the Bible tells us about this gift&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRomans 2:7\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 3:36\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 6:40\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1 Peter 1:3-4\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 10:28\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tEzekiel 18:4\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGalatians\u00a0 6:7-8\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRomans 5:21\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 5:24\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1 John 5:11-12\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRomans 5:17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTitus 1:2\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1 John 2:25\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 4:14\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tJohn 3:14-17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li><\/p>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tTo those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tWhoever believes in the Son has <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God&#8217;s wrath remains on him.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tFor my Father&#8217;s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>, and I will raise him up at the last day.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tPraise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,\u00a0 and into an <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">inheritance that can never perish<\/span>, spoil or fade \u2014 kept in heaven for you,\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI give them <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tFor <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">every living soul belongs to me<\/span>, the father as well as the son \u2014 both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tDo not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.\u00a0 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tSo that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span> through Jesus Christ our Lord.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8220;I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span> and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAnd this is the testimony: God has given us <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>, and this life is in his Son.\u00a0 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tFor if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God&#8217;s abundant provision of grace and of the <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">gift of righteousness<\/span> reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t&#8230;a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAnd this is what he promised us \u2014 even <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tbut whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>.&#8221;\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,\u00a0 that everyone who believes in him may have <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">16 &#8220;For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have <span style=\"background-color: #00ff00;\">eternal life<\/span>. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.\n\t\t<\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">What are You Offering God?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>God is offering us Eternal Life.\u00a0 Just as the Wise Men went home by a different route in order to avoid Herod, God is giving us a chance to be saved, to be changed.\u00a0 We have &#8220;myrrh&#8221; to offer the Lord.\u00a0 The Wise Men sacrificed greatly for Jesus.\u00a0 What about us?\u00a0 Does God get our best of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as we&#8217;ve been talking, or is what we give to God come from a position of ease, comfort, and convenience?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jesus said in Mark 8:34&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">&#8220;If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">and take up his cross <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">and follow me. &#8220;<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paul adds in Romans 12:1&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God&#8217;s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God \u2014 this is your spiritual act of worship.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>And Hebrews 13:15-16 says&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise \u2014 the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>And here&#8217;s another challenge (though not from the Bible)&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\">&#8220;Not giving our myrrh CAUSES bitterness.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We could stamp out cancer, hunger, malaria.\u00a0 But are we willing to sacrifice?\u00a0 Are we willing to give our best?\u00a0 God is willing to take our best and turn it into HIS best! God turns our gifts into benefits for others.<\/p>\n<p>The Wise Men personify the great hymn by Frances Ridley Havergal, &#8220;Take My Life and Let it Be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Take my hands and let them move, at the impulse of thy love.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages for Thee.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Take my sliver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Take my love, my God I pour, at Thy feet its treasure store.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Take myself and I will be, ever only all for thee.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>God accepts our gifts, he takes what we can offer&#8230; but He doesn&#8217;t &#8220;let our life be.&#8221;\u00a0 A life consecrated to God is eternal, welling up in eternal life and joy.<\/p>\n<p>Have you seen His star?\u00a0 Are you willing to give your very best in time, talents, service, and gifts to Him?\u00a0 If so, your bitterness and fear will fade away.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Quiz Time!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As you reflect on what you&#8217;ve just heard\/read, give this quiz a try.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t understand an answer (or if you disagree with the &#8220;correct&#8221; answer, post a comment)&#8230;<\/p>\n<div id='quizArea'>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n$( function($){\nvar quiz = {\nmultiList:\n[{ ques: 'Frankincense reminds us ____.',\nans: 'that Jesus is the Bridge',\nansSel: [ 'of the death of Jesus',  'that we should put a bear in the offering plate' ] },\n{ ques: 'According to the sermon (there may be many theories), where did the Wise Men come from?',\nans: 'Modern day Iran',\nansSel: [ 'Modern day Iraq',  'Modern day Turkey',  'Egypt (any day)' ] },\n{ ques: 'In Genesis 37, who was carrying Myrrh?',\nans: 'the Ishmaelite slave traders',\nansSel: [ 'Joseph&#8217;s brothers',  'Daniel' ] },\n{ ques: 'What does the Hebrew word mara mean?',\nans: 'bitter',\nansSel: [ 'wanderer',  'exile' ] },\n{ ques: 'Why didn&#8217;t Jesus drink the myrrh mixture?',\nans: 'He wanted to absorb all of the pain meant for us',\nansSel: [ 'To fulfill Psalm 22:15',  'He was a Nazarene and didn&#8217;t drink wine' ] },\n{ ques: 'Jesus absorbed our bitterness.\u00a0 What was Pastor Jim&#8217;s second point about myrrh?',\nans: 'That it lasts forever and points towards eternal life',\nansSel: [ 'That it symbolized Jesus&#8217; death',  'That it will stop you from stinking in the summer' ] },\n{ ques: 'What is the point of Frances Ridley Havergal&#8217;s famous hymn?',\nans: 'That we can dedicate our lives to God',\nansSel: [ 'That God will remove all pain from life',  'That the Three Kings of Orient gave their best' ] }]\n};\nvar options = {\ntitle: 'The Final Gift',\nhelp: 'Select the correct answer and click Check.',\nshowAns: false,\nshowAnsInfo: false,\nallRandom: false,\nshowFeedback: false,\nrandom: false\n};\nvar lang = {\nquiz : { tfEqual:'' }\n};\n$( '#quizArea' ).jQuizMe( quiz, options, lang );\n$( \".q-innerArea\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EECCAA\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".quiz-el\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#776655\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ques\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ansSel\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-result\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n});\n}(jQuery))\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300; font-size: 14pt;\">+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Click this button to view other sermons:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=50' class='icon-button download-icon'>Sermon Archive<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This message is the third in a three part series called &#8220;Three Men and a Baby.&#8221;\u00a0 The first part focused on the gift of Gold; of how the Wise Men challenged us to give our best.\u00a0 This second part focused on the gift of Frankincense; of how Jesus is our great High Priest who bridges [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10290"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10343,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10290\/revisions\/10343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}