1. By a Different Road

2. Matthew 2:1-12 After 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.

3. 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.’”

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. A Different Kind of Christmas Miracle Worker God shows up whatever our circumstances Scandalous Love Jesus’ Wish List

7. Matthew 2:11a 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

8. C.S. Lewis

9. By a Different Road

10. Matthew 2:11b 11 …Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

11. 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

12. Matthew 2:12 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13. By a Different Road

14. Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. – Isaac Newton, First Law of Motion.

15. 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

18. 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.

19. By a Different Road

20. Some people will change when they see the light. Others change only when they feel the heat.

21. Matthew 10:9-10 5 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.

22. 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.

27. K.I.S.S. Principle: Keep It Simple Saints

28. New Year ‘Resolution’ 1 – Commit to worship as a lifestyle 2 – Pray daily 3 – Find a group to help you grow in your faith 4 – Plug in to a place of service 5 – Live Out Loud…be a witness of Christ to others

29. By a Different Road