Pastor's Circle - Daniel Simmons

Dr. Daniel Simmons serves as the senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He joined the Pastor's Circle to discuss the characters in the Christmas story. Below are the "CliffsNotes" of his segment.

Why did God choose the people he did for the Christmas story?

I think there are several reasons. Joseph and Mary are chosen because they are in the lineage of David.

But when you're talking about Simeon, or Zechariah, they were chosen because of their faithfulness to God.

When Simeon prayed to God that he would "see" that day, I think God honored that because of his dedication.

How important is that dedication in our lives?

I always say to my congregation that God will not choose people who are not doing anything, who have not proven themselves in some other way.

Obedience is critical. The idea of Christ being Lord and speaking to us, and that radical obedience. When God comes in, it's not a democracy.

How can we hear from God in the way that Joseph or Mary did?

First of all, we have to believe that he does speak. And secondly, we have to spend some time in his Word. We have to develop that ability to hear him.

Find those places in the Bible where God surprised people, and ask God to show us how he can do it in our lives.