How the Government helped the First Christmas Happen

What do you think, do governments help or hurt Christmas?

Lets take a look at the three governmental decisions which helped form the first Christmas

Read Luke 2:1-5

Luke 2:1–5 NIV84

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

It was that decree for a census which was the catalyst for Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem.

So God used a government and two new believers to get Jesus born in Bethlehem.

This fulfilled 7 prophecies

3 Direct: Micah 5:; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; 3 others not as obvious: Daniel 9:24 -27; Deuteronomy 18:15; Ezekiel 37:24-27; Hosea 11:1

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1–12 NIV84

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

In this case a corrupt leader tried to use his influence to do a horrible thing, but God changed his plan into a Holy Revelation ad new beginning for now wiser men

This further supported prophecies in Micah 5 and also proved that the times of the Old Testament Prophets of Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra had a lasting impact on the people of that region.

Read Matthew 2:13-21

Matthew 2:13–21 NIV84

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

In this final government decision, a horrible edict was ordered. God used this one to keep Jesus safe and avoid an early death sentence by the same guards who would some day take his life.

This also fulfills 2 more prophecies:

See Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15.

So we can see that even when governments(Political decisions) are meant to put a stop to Christianity, God can turn them around for HIS purpose.

For that to happen; what is required? 1)It must be God’s Plan, 2) We must operate by faith and not by sight.(2 Corinthians 5:7)

How does this transform into today?

One world government? (Revelation 13:1-9)

Read Revelation chapter 13.

National, State, County and Local Governments: We may often disagree with who our leaders are or the decisions they make, but understand God is still in control.

Like it or not we are back into a civil war. the Problems are: 1) We can’t tell who is wearing blue and who is wearing grey. 2) It is not a civil war based on one agenda but several civil wars with many agendas. 3) The divisions seem to be getting further apart rather than closer together.

Read 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:12–14 NIV84

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Read Romans 13:1-3

Romans 13:1–3 NIV84

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

denominational Politics:

What is the purpose of a Denomination?

1. Denominations serve as a means for people to encounter the institutional character of the church, with about fifty denominations accounting for the majority of the Christian population in North America

2. Additionally, denominations can act as a unifying force for churches with similar beliefs or practices, allowing them to cooperate on

How are they doing with the two primary purposes?

The United Methodist Church is a prime example. These past two years they were given the choice of either staying United Methodist or moving to the World Church or become independent. If they move to one of the other two the United Methodist Church then decides how much it will cost them to do that.

Read Titus 3:8-11

Titus 3:8–11 NIV84

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

And then there is the Church: 4 purposes: 1) Glorify God through worship 2) nurturing community where members love and serve each other, fostering authentic relationships and personal growth 3) The church also has a "missional" purpose, reaching out to the world with the gospel and evangelizing the lost 4) fighting evil, denouncing injustice, and standing up for righteousness.

To sum them up: “Ultimately, these various functions contribute to the overarching goal of glorifying God and making disciples who mature and reproduce”

1) Read Hebrews 10:25-26

Hebrews 10:25–26 NIV84

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,

Read Hebrews 3:12-13

Hebrews 3:12–13 NIV84

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Read Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV84

Therefore 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 I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”