 Caesar Augustus called himself “Lord” and “Savior.” Because he reigned Roman Empire and according to the world there was no one more important. Herod called himself “the Christ” because he saved the Jewish people from the rule over the surrounding enemies.
The people where looking for a heroic King to save them. Jesus’ salvation came in the love for humanity. His Kingdom was not what this earth produced but the Kingdom of Heaven. And in the Kingdom of Heaven, the rules are different. No rule with military might! This rule comes by initiation only. Our Savior God says, I’m just inviting you. In my Kingdom, you must live by two rules: Love God and Love neighbor. When your enemy hurts you forgive and do that 7 x 70. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Your word is your bond. Let your yes be yes, no be no. Love give and serve! These are the rules in King Jesus’ Kingdom. And at the end this King did something no other King would do! He laid down His life for the people! “Let me show you how much I love you.” I don’t remember Herod or Ceasar Augustus do that!
Friends, to this day Christ our Savior continues to invite us to be part of his Kingdom. The kingdom of God is here in our hearts and you make a choice to follow Jesus Christ. Today you make a choice. Listen, you are going to follow someone… will be your king. Maybe you, you are your own boss, your own man, you do it your way! Ok see how that works for you. But Jesus says, you know, you could follow me. What that looks like is that you would take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow me and in the process of doing this, you find yourself living the life you have always wanted. You find it in Jesus. He is our Savior…our deliverer. And what does He save us from? He saved me from being a bigger idiot than I am, really. I know what I used to be like, and I’m not what I want to be but I am not what I was! Saved me from thinking that life was about money and power. He saved me from what may have been a life in drugs by moving me as a teenager from Baltimore to Florida. He saved me from thinking that I could bully my way through life and hurt others with my tongue. He saved me from being self centered and shallow. He saved me from living a life of guilt and fear for the things that I have done wrong. And those few times that I have had to stand at the grave of those I loved and adored, He kept me from being swallowed up with grief and pain. I don’t know what did he save you from: Divorce, drug, loneliness? Maybe He saved you from cheating on your spouse, for thinking you are hopeless mess or worthless. You may choose to not allow Him to save you, how’s that working for you?
 Here’s what I know about all of you whether you believe in God or not, that we all need to be saved from something and Jesus came to save us! And He is sending His angels to us regularly to bring His message of Good News. And truth is, I think God sends many more angels than I see…you see I’m so busy in myself that I believe that I miss them. Yet they are the ones who through others have encouraged me and cheered me on. Have been there when I could do it alone. Angels bring the message to the people. Matthew writes in chapter 28, to the disciples, “Go into all the world…” in speaking with the disciples, the word translates: Angelos…angel.
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Karry letter:single mom…
visible reminder…Godloves you and is with you. Note: I was so low, I couldn’t come to church. I wrote this note to God not 30 minutes before you called.
Where and why, these are my questions I look around and see the ugly after effects of what God has given us. I am not blaming God, I am asking where are you, I need you. I need helop and no matter how hard I try, I ‘m not getting better. I say your will be done but it’s so hard , I’m not Jesus. I am so week I need a break I need you Lord, I need love. Just wrap your arms around me and give me your peace. Give me your strength, give me your hope, let me want to believe and not fear… She read this to me and said, Pastor Adam, I wrote that just before the phone rang and when I picked up the phone you said, “this is pastor Adam Hamilton from the church and I am calling to remind you that God loves you and has not forgotten you. And I couldn’t contain myself you were exactly what I prayed for in that letter.” It wouldn’t have matter who it was. It was just a reminder that someone was an answer to her prayer! You rang the bell and you wrapped your arms around my neck and that is what I prayed for. In that moment you brought God to me and reminded me that God had not forgotten me. Adam felt alive...human right there where God wanted you to be. IT’s not just for the preachers. We are all messangers for God…all angelos. Angels are reluctant! This has been the best Christmas ever…not from under the tree…that’s what the angels reminded us. You be an angel… will you take the great news to all the world…3 times laid in the manger. I’m hungry for things…meaning, value and worth, never alone. You are loved, forgiven…second chance…hungering inside…nothing we can buy will satisfy! To simply to say…yes, I need what Jesus offers. I’m hungry for what God offers…I need what Jesus offers awhat Chrsitmas is about. I am ready I’m choosing to make you my savior and king and to be a messagner…singing and praising God for all you have seen and heard. Quietly whisper a prayer. Come to the stable…Jesus I need you I need hwat you offer, I wish to follow you as king and lord please save me from my slef and my sin and when I leave this Chrsitmas Eve, help me to be one of your messageres that by my actionsand words bring your good news. Amen…
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