The
Vineyard- December 20th, 2015
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me
and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do
nothing. – John 15:5
Luke 2:1-20
Pray
for God to speak to you through the reading of His word.
Read
the passage.
-
The
World’s a Stage
o
Luke
places the entry of Jesus into our world within the broader context of human
history. It takes place within a corner
of the Roman Empire, in the small town of Bethlehem.
o
God
works and acts in human history, even to this day. What does it mean to have a God interested in
the daily events of our lives, rather than one who remains detached?
-
Who reigns?
o
The story presents to us competing
claims. On the one hand, Caesar reigns
as emperor over the empire, issuing decrees.
But on the other, one who is proclaimed from heaven as savior is born in
a humble manger.
o
We must ponder the question, does
power ultimately rest with emperors, or with the humble Son of God?
o
Does authority belong to the one who
sits on a throne in Rome, or the one who hangs on a cross outside of Jerusalem?
-
Whom shall we serve?
o
Caesar,
and the world, continues to make claims on our lives. The world expects us to care about the things
that it tells us to care about. It
expects us to strive for the things it considers important.
o
All
the while, Jesus expects us not only to praise him on Sunday, but to follow him
in taking up our cross?
o
Whom
shall we serve, the world and Caesar, or Jesus?
Praise God for acting in our world,
by sending his Son Jesus to live among us.
Pray that the world will give its
allegiance not to human rulers, but to the Son of God who died for us.
Pray for the willingness and
ability to devote yourself to serving Christ each and every day.
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