Sermon Cloud

“HOW TO PRAY” ADVENT SERIES

Generations of Prayer Usher in the Greatest Movements in History

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

The World Setting: (verses 1-3)

Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman Empire for 45 years. (30 BC – 14 AD)

                                He was a brilliant, gifted, remarkable leader.

                                He was worshipped as a god.

                                He ordered a census to be taken of the entire Roman Empire.

                                Everyone has to register in their ancestral town.

The National Setting: (verses 4,5)

Joseph and Mary went from their home town, Nazareth, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, to register.

Micah’s Prophecy: (Micah 5:2)

                                Was spoken 700 years before Jesus is born.

                                A ruler will be born in Bethlehem who has been alive forever.

                                He will shepherd my people Israel.

The Personal Setting:

This very pregnant 13-15 year old girl is leaving home with her teenage husband to take a 3 day trip to Bethlehem.

She is going to give birth with no mother present, no family, just a teenaged husband.

The place of birth was a manger (feeding trough). There was no room in the inn.

She wrapped him in cloths (swaddling).

The importance of the night witnesses: shepherds and angels

What is God’s personal word to us?

Generations of  prayer come together for God’s greatest movements to happen. God can and will do it again!

The way of Jesus to change the world is very different.

He came all the way down to bring about change.

Look in the mirror of power. How do you see yourself?