4 Words That Could Transform

Your Christmas

‘Tis the Season…for not-so-subtle advertising

Ecclesiastes

2: 10-11

Solomon’s“pile of

presents”didn’t

satisfy him

Isaiah 55:2

“Why spend money

on what is not bread,  and your

labor on what does not satisfy?”

If we want this Christmasto truly transform our

Families, Friends, and our Church…

We’re going to need to REBEL a bit!

The Roman Empireat the time of the

Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 22: 15-22

Jesus makes a statement about the Roman Empire

versus God’s Kingdom

Denarius Coin:

“Augustus Tiberius Caesar the Son of

the Divine Augustus.”

“High Priest”

Domitian:

“Dominus et Dues”

“My Lord and My God”

Nero:

Infamous fortorturing and

killing Christians

Quotes aboutChristian

Persecution under the

Roman Empire:

- Tacitus (Historian)

- Francis Schaeffer

Acts 4: 12, 18-20

John and Peteron trial for

preaching in Jesus’ name

Romans 10:9

Confess“Jesus is Lord”…and you will be

saved

Matthew2: 1-12

The Magiare led by

God to rebel

against the wishes of

King Herod.

Luke 1: 32-33

32 “He will be great and will be called

the Son of the Most High. The Lord God

will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will

reign over the house of Jacob

forever; his kingdom will never

end.”

Luke 1: 51-5251 “He has

performed mighty deeds

with his arm;    he has scattered

those who are proud in their inmost

thoughts. 52 He has

brought down rulers from their thrones    but has lifted up

the humble.”

I don’t mean to

sound likeScrooge or the Grinch.

I love Christmas!

I like gifts!

BUT…

What if we treated our Christmas spending and

shoppinglike our trips

to Ponderosa Steakhouse…?

Matthew 2: 13-14God warns

Joseph to take his familyand flee to

Egypt.

God still warns us to protect

our loved ones from the “empire.”

“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to menfrom Heaven’s

all-gracious King!”