Marvin Chapel Free Will Baptist Church

THE BIRTH OF A KING

Text: Matthew 1:1-25

A)    Mt read more than any other book

B)    Matthew tells the story of Christ.

1)    Tells of His Birth   - His Life…

2)    Tells of His Great Teaching

3)    Tells of His Death  - Resurrection.

C)   Lets look at three things in Matthew  THE BOOK - THE BIRTH - THE BLESSING

I)      THE BOOK

A)    WRITTEN BY 1 OF CHRIST 1st DISCIPLES

1)    His name was Matthew - Formerly Levi.

2)    Levi was a Tax Collector who worked for the Roman Government.

3)    He collected exorbitant taxes.

4)    One day Levi looked up- there was Jesus

(a)  Evidently Levi had heard Him before.

(b)  Jesus didn’t make a long speech to Levi.

(c)  Simply said Follow Me & Levi followed

B)    WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO A MAN HE OUGHT TO MOVE 

1)    God has spoke to some of you.

2)    Maybe something is wrong in your life.

C)   CHANGES LEVI’S NAME TO MATTHEW

1)    Name Matthew means “Gift Of God.”

2)    That’s what we are today A Gift Of God 

3)    After Matthews Conversion he gave a dinner in honor of Jesus.

4)    What sweet fellowship must have been.

5)    Matthew wanted to get as close to Christ as he possibly could.

D)   LOOK AT TE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK.

1)    Four Gospels write picture Christ 4 ways

(a)  MARK - Pictures Him as Servant suffering for humanity.

(b)  LUKE - Shows Him as the Physician He shows the man side of the God Man.

(c)  JOHN - Shows Christ as the Son of God God comes to Earth in Human Form.

(d)  MT - Christ pictured as King & Messiah

(a)  The one prophesied in the O.T.

(b)  One who would rule &reign over man 

2)    In Mt hear Zachariah Behold Your King 

3)    Is Jesus a King???

(a)  YES - He is the Prophesied King.

(b)  YES - He is the Rejected King

(c)  He will be the coming as the reigning King

(d)  He will sit on the Throne of Davd.

4)    Then all the World will sing out in Praise KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS

II)    THE BIRTH

A)    MT IN 17 VS GIVES CHRIST GENEALOGY

1)    Gives Christ ancestors back to Abraham 

2)    Even names some Notorious Sinners

(a)  TAMAR - She plaid the part of a Harlot

(b)  RAHAB - A harlot - The Scarlet Thread

(c)  DAVID/BATHSHEBA committed Adultery

(d)  RUTH was a Gentile.

3)    These included to Link Christ to the Human Race 

4)    But - Christ did not inherit Sinful Nature 

5)    Sin never touch Jesus - He was sinless.

B)    LOOK AT THE VIRGIN MARY.

1)    Angel Gabriel came down from God & told her she was going to bare a son.

2)    How can this be - Not been with a man

(a)  Mary accepted this responsibility.

(b)  She trusted God with all of her heart.

C)   SHE WAS ESPOUSED TO JOSEPH

1)    A fine Jewish man in every way.

2)    He was horrified to hear this news.

(a)  He was no doubt filled with anger.

(b)  Probably thought she was unfaithful 

3)    Didn’t want her to be held to public shame - He would put her away privately.

4)    Didn’t want to act hastily- He just waited 

5)    When a man waits upon the Lord - He  will help 

6)    God spoke to Joseph. - He cleared up the mystery and told him what to do.

D)   MANY HAVE A FALSE IDEA ABOUT MARY

1)    They worship her in may ways.

(a)  Say she remained a Perpetual Virgin.

(b)  They say Christ was her only child.

2)    Bible says she had 6 other children.  Mt 13:55-56 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?

3)    Catholic’s say Mary is the MEDIATRIX

E)    1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1)    They say that Mary didn’t die.

2)    Say that Mary is an object of worship.  Jn 4:24 God is a Spirit: & they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

F)    IS IT HARD TO BELIEVE - VIRGIN BIRTH

1)    From Human standpoint its impossibility 

2)    God’s standpoint All Things Are Possible.

III)  THE BLESSINGS  Mt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

A)    WHAT WONDERFUL NEWS.

1)    What a glorious Good Tidings

2)    Lift up you heads poor lost humanity.

B)    JESUS IS SWEETEST NAME ON EARTH

1)    The name means ”Savior”

(a)  Majesty in that name - (GOD)

(b)  Personality in that name - (JEHOVAH)

(c)  Power in that name - (LORD)

(d)  Direction in that name - (CHRIST)

(e)  Intercession in name - (MEDIATOR)

(f)    Salvation only in that name (JESUS)  Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2)    Great Preacher W.A. Chriswell Said……..

(a)  An Alexander may build an empire.

(b)  An Napoleon may change nations of  world

(c)  An Newton may bring intellectual revolution

(d)  An Edison may create a world of science.

(e)  Only one who can touch & transform the Human Heart is Jesus Christ.

C)   WHAT IS GREATEST WORK OF JESUS?

1)    Isn’t guiding the Sun; Moon; and  Stars 

2)    Isn’t deciding the Destiny of the Nations 

3)    It isn’t ruling over the Angel’ Band.

4)    It is Saving His People FROM Their Sins

(a)  Washing the clean in His own Blood.

(b)  By putting the Holy Spirit in their heart.

D)   IN LUKE “Was NO Room In The INN.”

1)    The world is still closing out Jesus.

2)    Won’t you invite Jesus into your heart today.

WITH JESUS AT BETHLEHEM

Text: Luke Chapter 2

 

A)    The story of Jesus at Bethlehem is an old and familiar one….

1)    We can never say the last word on it.

2)    Jesus' birth into the world was unique

B)    Jesus was “IS” the God-man..

1)    Not God indwelling man or a man defiled  

2)    GOD & Man, in 1 Personality & 2 natures.

C)   Genealogical tables in the Gospels

1)    Matthew’s list is proof of the Messiah's connection with ABRAHAM and DAVID.

2)    Shows Him as the True & Final successor to the Throne of the DAVIDIC Kingdom

D)   Jesus of is the last in Jewish history whose descent is from Royal line 

1)    Nothing any Jew now on the earth can say to prove from which tribe he springs

2)    No tribe of Judah, or  Davidic family now 

3)    The True King of Israel is a Son Of David 

4)    ONLY record preserved proving Jesus' descent from David are preserved in N.T.

E)    Clear He was born in Ancestral Home

1)    The INN was known in the days of JEREMIAH as the INN Of CHIMHAM 

2)    This was the house of BOAZ and RUTH, who on his death made it an INN.

3)    To give an INN to a town was like giving a park or hospital today.

         

I)      THE TOILERS SEEKING JESUS.  Lk 2:8 And there were in the same country SHEPHERDS abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

A)     

1)    SHEPHERDS represented the working  class 

2)    Jesus honors the LOWLY and the HUMBLE.

(a)  Lowly MAID selected as the mother of Jesus.

(b)  Town of BETHLEHEM selected as the birthplace

THE SHEPHERDS WERE IN THE DARK.  Vs 8 "Shepherds…Keeping Watch Over The Flock By NIGHT."

B)    SHEPHERDS GOT INTO THE LIGHT.  Vs 9 Glory Of The Lord Shone About Them 

1)    A Light from above fell upon them.

2)    Come to the One who proclaimed Himself the "Light Of The World” &  that Light will fall on us

3)    It was a Glorious Light that fell about them.

C)   THE SHEPHERDS WERE FULL OF FEAR.  Vs 9 "They Were Sore Afraid"  (TERRIFIED) 

1)    Light from Heaven always produces fear in the heart of the unconverted.

2)    FEAR is a result of Guilt of SIN…

D)   THE SHEPHERDS HEARD THE GOSPEL Vs 10 "Behold I Bring you Good Tidings Of Great Joy… For Unto You Is Born This Day.. A Saviour, Which Is Christ The Lord"

1)    The Gospel was preached by angels…

2)    Angel Declared "Good Tidings Unto YOU"

3)    Angels Didn’t Say UNTO US - But UNTO YOU

E)    THE SHEPHERDS OBEYED THE GOSPEL. Vs 15 "Let Us Now Go Even Unto Bethlehem, And See This Thing Which Is Come To Pass."

1)    They determined to See for themselves..

2)    Gospel to be Obeyed as well as to be Believed

F)    THE SHEPHERDS FOUND THE SAVIOUR.  Vs 16 "They Found Mary And Joseph And The Babe Lying In The Manger."

1)    All earnest seekers Seek After The Lord.

2)    Mt 7:7 Ask, & it shall be given you; seek & ye shall find; knock, & it shall be opened unto you

G)   THE SHEPHERDS REJOICED GREATLY.  Lk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

1)    All who find the Saviour will Glorify God…

2)    Lk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, & leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven

II)    THE THINKERS SEEKING JESUS.  Mt 2:2 Where is he that is born King  of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, & are come to worship him 

1)    The greatest THINKERS the world has ever seen have been humble followers of The Jesus.

2)    Bible full of Wisdom & is True source of wisdom  Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

B)    WISE MEN WERE IN A FAR COUNTRY.  Mt 2:2 There Came WISE MEN From The East To Jerusalem."

1)    We too are in a Far Country…….

2)    WISE MEN Must Have Come From a far Country

C)   WISE MEN SAW GOD'S MESSENGER.  Mt 2:2 We Have Seen His Star In The East 

1)    That was a sign of Real Wisdom.

2)    Some Don’t See Because They Don’t Look Up  Num 24:17 "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.."

D)   THEY WENT FORTH TO FIND & WORSHIP JESUS 

1)    Purpose of the Star not to amuse but to Lead.

2)    The purpose of the Church is not to Entertain but to Lead us to Jesus.

E)    THE SHEPHERDS SEEM TO HAVE MADE A MISTAKE  Where Is He That Is Born King Of The Jews 

1)    They took their eyes off the star and were leaning on their own wisdom.

2)    Soon came to Jerusalem before King Herod.  Mt 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled…

3)    Surely they thought The Great One Would Be Born In Jerusalem The Capital City.

4)    Look at the disastrous result that followed.

(a)  Massacre of the innocent babies at Bethlehem

(b)  Far better to be guided by the Lord.

F)    SOON THE WISE MEN FOUND JESUS.  Mt 2:11a "When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.."    Notice it says House

1)    This is as all REAL Seekers Do.

2)    What satisfaction that find brings to our hearts and lives.

G)   THEN THE WISE MEN WORSHIPPED.  Vs 11b They Fell Down & Worshipped Him 

1)    They Presented Their Costly Gifts.  Vs 11c "When they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

2)    Many TAKE all the Lord Jesus Has To Give..

3)    Then they forget to GIVE a Gift To Him, The One Who Gave Us Everlasting Life.

 

 

 

A RIGHT CHRISTMAS

Text: Mt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Introduction:

A)   You know the song “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”

1)     Well, I’m dreaming of a Right Christmas

B)    What does Christmas mean to you?

1)     To some it means Hard Work. Crowded stores - Malls overflowing - Highways full of traffic.

2)     To some it means A Visit Home. -  Reunion with family - Reunited with old friends.

3)     To some it means Revelry - Christmas Liquor - Whiskey - Wine drugs ETC.

4)     To many millions Christmas means Nothing.

C)    To a Christian Christmas means everything.

1)     It means God loves him with all His heart.

2)     It means God has given the Best Gift Ever!!!

3)     It means “A Savior Is Born.”

D)   See what a “Right Christmas” Includes

     

I)      IT INCLUDES MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS

A)   LOOK AT MARY AND JOSEPH AT THE INN.  Lk 2:7 “There was no room for them..”

1)     The Inn keeper had many guest in his Inn.

2)     Most of those would soon be gone - Forgotten 

3)     Today many have “No Room For Jesus.”

B)    TODAY WE NEED TO THROW OUT ALL ELSE TO MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS.

1)     Not only sins of the flesh - Infidelity - Adultery 

2)     Throw out Sins of the Disposition.

3)     Some people are always grouchy - Because of Strife - Hatred - Unforgiving Spirit.

ILLUS: Travel down a highway and see a sign that says “No Vacancy, No Room” - Some of you have that same sign - “No Room, No Vacancy” in your heart. - That is like .

(a)   The ocean saying - No room for the tide.

(b)  Garden saying - No room for the flowers

(c)   Mountain saying - No room for the trees

(d)  Heavens saying - No room for the stars.

4)     You are “Not Living” until you let Him Come In.

II)    RIGHT CHRISTMAS INCLUDES WORSHIP

A)   WHEN JESUS WAS BORN A WONDERFUL MIRACLE OF NATURE TOOK PLACE.

1)     Heaven opened up.

(a)   Angels came down and spoke to Shepherds

(b)  Lk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

(c)   You will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes

(d)  Yonder He is laying in a Manager.

2)     Shepherds went to find Him and worship Him 

3)     To have a “Right Christmas” YOU must come to Him also.

B)    HAS WORSHIP ANY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE?

1)     Worship is a lost art to many Christians.

2)     Don’t have time to look to God & worship Him

(a)   Never enter God’s house.

(b)  Never worship Him.

3)     Even the Heathen worship the sun.

(a)   The dog worships his master….

(b)  The Baby worships its mother.

4)     Yet - Gods children go on and never lift their heart in praise.

(a)   They won’t even say – AMEN

(b)  They won’t shout hallelujah.

C)    PREACHER - JUST WHAT CAN I DO?

1)     A Mechanic can take a $5.00 part - $50.00 

2)     Artist can take a worthless canvas - Thousands 

3)     Longfellow can take a worthless piece of paper write a poem worth thousands.

4)     Bill Gates can take a worthless check - sign it and it be worth millions.

D)   GOD CAN TAKE A WORTHLESS SINFUL LIFE.

1)     Wash it in the blood of Christ….

2)     Put His Holy Spirit in that life…..

3)     Make a total change in their life.

4)     He can make a blessing out of them…..

E)    I AM TALKING TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE CHURCH OUT OF THEIR LIVES.

1)     They have NO time for worship.

2)     Don’t have time for a “Right Christmas.”

3)     They won’t give Christ a place to stay.

4)     Have NO room for the Savior of the world.

III)  A RIGHT CHRISTMAS INCLUDES THE GRACE OF GIVING.

A)   THE WISE MEN BROUGHT GIFTS TO JESUS.

1)     We sing of the 3 Wise Men but the Bible does not say just when they come or how many there were..

2)     Gifts were brought later - Not at the Stable.

3)     What Gifts did they bring preacher?

(a)   First of all  - It was not leftovers.

(b)  It was not the changer in their pocket.

(c)   It wasn’t the crumbs from the table.

4)     Their gift was the best they could get.  Gold - Frankensense - Myrr.

5)     These were gifts of Great Value…

6)     God expects or - Time - Talent - Tithe…

B)    GIVING REACHED ITS CLIMAX ON THE CROSS.

1)     Jesus gave all of Himself there.

2)     He gave Himself for our redemption

3)     We need to give to the Lord what rightfully belongs to Him anyhow.

IV) A “RIGHT CHRISTMAS” TELLING OTHERS ABOUT JESUS.

A)   FOR YEARS MEN HAD LOOKED FOR JESUS.

1)     Looked for Him to come and fill their heart.

2)     Looked for Peace and Joy

3)     Now the waiting is over.

4)     The Angel brings the sweetest message ever.

5)     The MESSIAH is born.

B)    MEN ARE STILL LOOKING FOR SOMETHING..

1)     Something that satisfies & brings Peace & Joy 

2)     Christians know what they need.

3)     We have found the remedy.

C)    LETS DO 4 THINGS FOR A “RIGHT CHRISTMAS”

1)     Make room for Jesus in our hearts.

2)     Bow down and worship Him.

3)     Bring Gifts To Him…

4)     Tell others of the Sweet Story of Jesus.

D)   BY DOING THAT, ALL OF OUR CHRISTMAS DREAMS WILL COME TRUE AND WE WILL HAVE A RIGHT CHRISTMAS.

THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL

Text: Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Introduction:

A)    The grandest night of all the years.

B)    Many great nights in the Bible

1)    Some laden with Tragedy.

2)    Some bright with Hope.

C)   Some examples of Great Nights.

1)    The Death Angel in Egypt brought Death to the Egyptians - Life To The Israelites.

2)    Jacob slept under Stars & Dreamed of a ladder reaching into Heaven.

3)    Great night when Daniel slept in the Den Of Lions

4)    Great night when Belshazzar saw the handwriting on the wall.

5)    What a night when Paul had the Board Meeting as the boat broke up.

D)   Greatest night of all was the night Jesus was born.

1)    Joseph leads donkey with Mary on back 

2)    See him going from one inn to the other.

3)    Every place is crowded - Inn was full….

E)    Finally they are put in a stable.

1)    Mary’s time come time for Baby Christ 

2)    Angels sang “Glory To God In The Highest”

3)    This was the greatest night the world would ever know.

I)      WHEN WAS JESUS BORN?  Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

A)    LOOK - GOD’S PROMISE OF THE SAVIOR  

1)    It all started in the Garden of Eden.

(a)  Man had fallen into sin.

(b)  God pronounced a Curse upon him.  Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

2)    God told Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed through him.

3)    Jesus would be the one that would bless.

4)    David sang a song of This Great King 

5)    Isaiah said: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

6)    Jesus would come from tribe of Judah.

B)    THE JEWS MADE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS “FULLNESS OF TIME”

1)    They were a Covenant people.

2)    Jews looked for Messiah - Never came

C)   GREEKS MADE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS “FULLNESS OF TIME”

1)    Gave language that spread the Gospel 

2)    Greeks broke down the language barrier.

II)    THE TWO GROUPS WHICH PARTICIPATED THAT NIGHT

A)    THE ANGELS.

1)    The Angel came to Zacharias and foretold the Birth of John the Baptist.

2)    An Angel came to Joseph and told him to take Mary as his wife.

3)    Angel came unto the Shepherds saying For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

4)    Heaven must have rejoiced when the Angels made their report

B)    THE SHEPHERDS.

1)    While Caesar slept no one told him Jesus had been born.

2)    God told the Shepherds Jesus was born 

3)    Jesus loved the Poor and the Lowly.

4)    Shepherds had a simple childlike faith

(a)  They didn’t question why.

(b)  The just went to see this miracle child.

CONCLUSION:

1. Have you been to see the Christ Child
2. What is Christmas to you.
3. Have you found Jesus as your Savior.

WILL YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR JESUS?

Text: Mark 14:1-9

1)    First statement in vs 8 packs a BIG PUNCH "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD"

2)    Have you done what you can for Jesus?

a)    Could Jesus say this about you?

b)    Will you do everything you can for Jesus?

3)    Jesus had gone to the house of SIMON the Leper in Bethany.

a)    Bethany was the town in which LAZARUS and his 2 sisters lived.

b)    Jesus visited there quite often.

4)    There are several things I want you to see in these few verses of Scripture.

a)    Jesus was in the home of a Leper.

b)    His entire earthly ministry was centered around the needy and the down and out.

c)    Mt 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

d)    Jesus was at home in home of the Leper.

e)    He Never shunned the wealthy or elite but He  He took time for the poor and the needy.

5)    While He was in the home of a Leper, a women came to where Jesus was.

6)    MARK doesn't give us her name, but it was probably MARY the sister of LAZARUS.  "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD"

     

I)    IN SACRIFICE.

A)    1st THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY OINTMENT

1)    It was valued at 300 pence.

(a)          Equivalent to one years wages then.

(b)          In money of the day that was $132.00 

2)    Would you give Jesus a years wages today.

(a)          That would be $20,000 - 30,000 - 40,000

(b)          If you would our treasurer will gladly handle the transaction for you.

3)    Today's market value of the Ointment would be $17,500.00 per pound 

4)    Have you ever given anything so precious.

B)    2nd - THE SACRIFICE WAS PERSONAL.

1)    Something she had bought for herself.

2)    She intended to use it herself.

3)    Scripture doesn't say she was WILLING to give this - it says she DID give it to Him

4)    Will YOU do what you can for Jesus? "SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD"

II)IN SERVICE.

A)    WILL YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN BECAUSE OF COMPASSION 

1)    Compassion make the difference.

2)    There is NO price too costly for Her because She loved her Lord.  If You Love Me Keep My Commandments

3)    If we don't do as He Commands we Sin…  Jms 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, & doeth it not, to him it is sin.

4)    To sit idle is to SIN.

B)    WILL YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN BECAUSE OF COMMITMENT 

1)    This generation of Christians is the most UN-COMMITED Christian ever.

(a)          It is nearly impossible to get a Christian to commit today to do something for God.

(b)          Can't even get people to commit to Church 3 times a week.

2)    That same person can committ to…

(a)          Buying something on the VISA..

(b)          Commit to a bowling league…

(c)          Commit to a ball team..

3)    This woman was Committed.

(a)          She didn't say "Will I Serve God Today?"

(b)          She said "I Will Serve Him Today."

C)    WILL YOU COMMITT TO SERVING GOD BECAUSE OF CALVARY?

1)    She had possibly seen herself as a Poor Lost Hell bound Sinner.

(a)          Unfit to be recognized by Jesus…

(b)          She could have said "I Will Prove That I Love Him By This Precious Gift."

2)    After All It Is Because Of Calvary that we  should Commit ourselves to Jesus.  "SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD"

III)       IN SUFFERING.

A)    HER TOKEN WAS - SHE WAS WILLING TO SUFFER FOR HER LOVE FOR CHRIST.

1)    Phil 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  2. All who live for Christ will suffer for Him.

B)    WE DON'T DO MUCH SUFFERING FOR CHRIST 

1)    leave an A/C house to drive to Church in an A/C car - Come to A/C Church to Suffer for Christ

2)    If the Church is a little hot we complain to the pastor - or a little cold…

C)    WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SUFFERING.

1)    PETER - Was hung upside down.

2)    ANDREW - Was also crucified on a Cross.

3)    JAMES - Was beheaded by Herod…

4)    JOHN - Was taken to the Isle Of Patmos 

5)    PHILIP - Was hung to death…

6)    THOMAS - Was killed with a spear.

7)    NATHANEL - Was flayed alive with knives.