NULL
Illustration
Object:
Isaiah 9:2-7
It is easy to take light for granted until you don't have it anymore. People with nyctalopia can especially appreciate this statement. Nyctalopia, or night blindness, is a condition in which the eyes are not able to adjust to low-light environments. For people with this condition, being in a dark room would be the same for them as being blind. Without some kind of light source (lamp, night light, etc.) they would be unable to see anything.
Before Christ came, humanity was suffering from a kind of spiritual nyctalopia. There was no light to guide us, and we could not find our way in the darkness. But when that Child was born in the Bethlehem stable, our light appeared to show us the way: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…" (v. 2).
Craig K.
Titus 2:11-14
At the university of Notre Dame there is a mural that has come to be called "Touchdown Jesus." The "Word of Life" mural is on the wall of Hesburgh Library. The mural is a ten story mosaic. The mural's theme incorporates saints and scholars throughout the ages. When the Fighting Irish score on the north end of the field they can look up and see the mosaic that depicts Jesus Christ, who wears a crown of thorns and has his arms raised heavenward, appearing to be signaling a touchdown; thus, the name "Touchdown Jesus." For the players, students, and faculty at Notre Dame the statue has come to symbolize victory on the playing field and in life itself.
Paul wrote Titus, who oversaw the Greek church on on the isle of Crete, a letter of encouragement. Part of Paul's letter reads, "to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age." The church on Crete had a particular problem with false teachers. In opposing these teachers Paul desired his followers to live upright and godly lives that would be victorious in Christ. In essence Paul wanted the parishioners, who have boldly served the Lord, to be able to look up and see "Touchdown Jesus."
Ron L.
Titus 2:11-14
Perhaps the most famous role model for patience is a woman from Greek mythology. Penelope was the wife of Odysseus, the man who came up with the idea for the famous Trojan Horse that allowed the Greeks to win the Trojan War. When Odysseus left for the Trojan war, he left his wife Penelope with their young son in their island-kingdom of Ithaca. The Trojan War dragged on for ten long years, and still Penelope was faithful. After the war, Odysseus was lost for another ten years at sea. As time wore on, many assumed Odysseus to be dead, and dozens of men came to court Penelope -- after all, if they could marry the queen of Ithaca, they would become kings themselves! But still Penelope was faithful to her husband. When, twenty years later, Odysseus returned to scatter the suitors and reclaim his family, Penelope's patience and self-control paid off. She and her long-lost husband were reunited at last.
Leah T.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
It is amazing to see how God works through people who don't even know or worship him to accomplish his will. Think about people like Cyrus of Persia in the Old Testament, or Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the former Soviet Union, who oversaw the eventual dissolution of that government in the promotion of peace.
Caesar Augustus had no love for the God of the Old Testament. He didn't worship the God of the Jews. In fact, his policies worked to establish a form of emperor worship in Rome! And yet, God used this unbeliever to help fulfill the prophecy of the arrival of the Messiah in Bethlehem: "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…" (v. 1).
Craig K.
It is easy to take light for granted until you don't have it anymore. People with nyctalopia can especially appreciate this statement. Nyctalopia, or night blindness, is a condition in which the eyes are not able to adjust to low-light environments. For people with this condition, being in a dark room would be the same for them as being blind. Without some kind of light source (lamp, night light, etc.) they would be unable to see anything.
Before Christ came, humanity was suffering from a kind of spiritual nyctalopia. There was no light to guide us, and we could not find our way in the darkness. But when that Child was born in the Bethlehem stable, our light appeared to show us the way: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…" (v. 2).
Craig K.
Titus 2:11-14
At the university of Notre Dame there is a mural that has come to be called "Touchdown Jesus." The "Word of Life" mural is on the wall of Hesburgh Library. The mural is a ten story mosaic. The mural's theme incorporates saints and scholars throughout the ages. When the Fighting Irish score on the north end of the field they can look up and see the mosaic that depicts Jesus Christ, who wears a crown of thorns and has his arms raised heavenward, appearing to be signaling a touchdown; thus, the name "Touchdown Jesus." For the players, students, and faculty at Notre Dame the statue has come to symbolize victory on the playing field and in life itself.
Paul wrote Titus, who oversaw the Greek church on on the isle of Crete, a letter of encouragement. Part of Paul's letter reads, "to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age." The church on Crete had a particular problem with false teachers. In opposing these teachers Paul desired his followers to live upright and godly lives that would be victorious in Christ. In essence Paul wanted the parishioners, who have boldly served the Lord, to be able to look up and see "Touchdown Jesus."
Ron L.
Titus 2:11-14
Perhaps the most famous role model for patience is a woman from Greek mythology. Penelope was the wife of Odysseus, the man who came up with the idea for the famous Trojan Horse that allowed the Greeks to win the Trojan War. When Odysseus left for the Trojan war, he left his wife Penelope with their young son in their island-kingdom of Ithaca. The Trojan War dragged on for ten long years, and still Penelope was faithful. After the war, Odysseus was lost for another ten years at sea. As time wore on, many assumed Odysseus to be dead, and dozens of men came to court Penelope -- after all, if they could marry the queen of Ithaca, they would become kings themselves! But still Penelope was faithful to her husband. When, twenty years later, Odysseus returned to scatter the suitors and reclaim his family, Penelope's patience and self-control paid off. She and her long-lost husband were reunited at last.
Leah T.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
It is amazing to see how God works through people who don't even know or worship him to accomplish his will. Think about people like Cyrus of Persia in the Old Testament, or Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the former Soviet Union, who oversaw the eventual dissolution of that government in the promotion of peace.
Caesar Augustus had no love for the God of the Old Testament. He didn't worship the God of the Jews. In fact, his policies worked to establish a form of emperor worship in Rome! And yet, God used this unbeliever to help fulfill the prophecy of the arrival of the Messiah in Bethlehem: "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…" (v. 1).
Craig K.
