52: New Year New Beginning – Does God Play Favorites?
January 29, 2023
Does God play favorites? Answer:
Caesar Augustus
Luke 2:1 (NLT)
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
Some things said about Augustus:
Herod the Great
Matthew 2:1-3 (NLT)
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
Mary & Joseph
Leviticus 12:6 (NLT) Leviticus 12:8 (NLT)
6 “When the time of purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 8 “If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean.”
Luke 2:24 (NLT)
24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord — “either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
The Shepherds
Psalms 23:1 (NLT)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
John 10:11 (NLT)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
Does God play favorites?
Luke 2:11 (NLT)
11 The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
opens the door to God’s in your life.
1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT)
5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Does God play favorites?
Meekonomics: God’s economy built on
Luke 2:17 (NLT)
17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
Extra Notes:
What part of the service impacted you the most?
Help Your One Find and Follow Jesus