1. Luke 2 – the Birth of Christ

2. THE ERA OF GREAT KINGS

4. Luke 2:4-7 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

5. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 "I will raise up your descendant after you…I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…”

9. Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

13. But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “ LORD, who has believed our message?” John 12:37-38

14. “ LORD, who has believed our message?” CHOPRA: “So the Bible is divinely inspired, but it's not factually accurate.” What “King” is… A Hillbilly?Impoverished?Born in a Barn?A Crucified Criminal?

17. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

19. And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…looking for the consolation of Israel; And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's KING. Luke 2:25-26 when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

20. And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…looking for the consolation of Israel; And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's KING. Luke 2:25-26 when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

22. The Anti-King A HillbillyImpoverishedBorn in a BarnA Crucified Criminal The God-King …of Peace…of Outcasts…for All Nations…of God’s Salvation…of the Disadvantaged

23. "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52

24. The Roman historian Tacitus (c. 56–c.117) wrote that Augustus had cunningly subverted Republican Rome into a position of slavery, "a bloodthirsty, vindicative usurper", "wicked and worthless", "a mean spirit", and a "tyrant". And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:16 JOSEPHUS: "a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis."

25. “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” Acts 3:18 "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

26. Interested? A Seeker?An “Outsider”?Disadvantaged? Find Seekers Get DIRTY! Have Compassion And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “This Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35