By a Different Road

Matthew 2:1-12After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King

Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is

the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it

rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem

with him. 

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and

teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be

born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘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 shepherd my people

Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them

the exact time the star had appeared.8 He sent them to

Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as

you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place

where the child was. 

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And

having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

A Different Kind of Christmas

• Miracle Worker

• God shows up whatever our circumstances

• Scandalous Love

• Jesus’ Wish List

Matthew 2:11a11 On coming to the house, they saw the

child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped

him. 

C.S. Lewis

By a Different Road

Matthew 2:11b 11 …Then they opened

their treasures and presented him with

gifts of gold, frankincense and

myrrh. 

Water Project for Jamaa Letu Orphanages

Drilling two wells to access safe drinking water

Jamaa Letu I (girls orphanage) and

Jamaa Letu II (boys orphanage) are

United Methodist orphanages in the

South Congo

Peace Place Shelter

Matthew 2:1212 And having been

warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they

returned to their country by another route.

By a Different Road

Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to

change by forces impressed upon it. 

– Isaac Newton, First Law of Motion.

If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it — then you are ready to take

certain steps. At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not.

With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some

of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let

go absolutely. – How It Works

As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in

addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way

through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening

women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should

travel at such breakneck speed. -- Martin Van Buren Governor of New York.

By a Different Road

Some people will change when they see the light.

Others change only when they feel the heat.

Matthew 10:9-105 Jesus sent these twelve out and

commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a

Samaritan city. 6 Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of

Israel. 7 As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of

heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out

demons. You received without having to pay.

Therefore, give without demanding payment. 9 Workers

deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to

take on your trips. 10 Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a

walking stick. 

K.I.S.S. Principle:Keep

ItSimple

Saints

New Year ‘Resolution’1 – Commit to worship as a

lifestyle2 – Pray daily

3 – Find a group to help you grow in your faith

4 – Plug in to a place of service5 – Live Out Loud…be a witness of

Christ to others

By a Different Road