Shiloh Road Church of Christ

Waiting

Date: December 22, 2013

Series: Emmanuel

Message: Waiting

Luke 1

Synopsis:

Says let’s spend some time talking about how the world really is.  And for many Christmas is a time of great joy but for others it is a time of pain and hurt.  It seems like at times the kingdoms of Caesar and Herod will always prevail.  Ultimately, the question we all want to ask is “why.”  God where are you?  God if you are so good, the why?  Why suffering?  Why Famine?  Why?  There is a sense of despair.  The Christmas story centers around a time of waiting.  For thousands of years people had waited for the Messiah, they had waited for a Savior.

When Kingdoms Collide - Pt 2

Date: December 15, 2013

Series: Emmanuel

Message: When Kingdoms Collide - Pt. 2

Matthew 2:1-12

Synopsis:

Last week Luke asked the question, who’s your Lord?  This week Matthew asks who’s your king?  King Herod’s life was remarkable.  Some historians believe he may have been the richest person ever to live.  Everything built was amazing, from his cities, to his stadiums, to palaces and even the 2nd Temple.  Everything Herod did was extravagant and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.  Herod killed 2 of his sons because he thought they were trying to steal his throne.  He killed one of his wives, a mother in law and several relatives. For those who were a part of Herod’s world, they had wealth and power and security, they had it all.  However, for Jews living in Judea life was not so great.  Many believe that during the 1st century Jews were taxed somewhere between 75% and 90% of their total income.  They paid taxes to support the Roman Empire and to support Herods lavish lifestyle.  There were the haves and the have nots.  And the haves lived in complete indifference to those the Empire squashed.  So it is no wonder when Magi show up with an announcement there is a new king, that all of Jerusalem was disturbed.  The two kingdoms stood in opposition.  

When Kingdoms Collide

Date: December 8, 2013

Series: Emmanuel

Message: When Kingdoms Collide

Luke 2:1-20

Synopsis:

At the time of Jesus birth the world was ruled by the Roman Empire.  An empire built on power, control and wealth.  An empire that sought to bring peace by killing lots of people.  If you would bow your knee to Caesar, things were fine, but to stand in opposition threatened the very way of life for the rich and powerful.  This refrain would echo throughout the empire, “Caesar is Lord.”  So it should come as no surprise, this “good news of great joy,” was not great news for everyone.  It was an announcement of a new Lord, whose kingdom and reign would stand in direct opposition to the Empire Caesar had built.  One kingdom built on oppressing people, the other on setting them free.  One kingdom built on crushing people, the other built on loving them.  One kingdom built on killing people the other built on dying for them.