2. Corner of Heidelberg Christmas market
A manger
Tucked out of way
Lit castle up on hill above
Walked up to take photo
Asian man with what appeared host family
“I know this story”
“This is the story of Jesus in a feeding trough with the three doctors”
Ph.D's

3. Seeking the Messiah On a journey with the wisemen.
The Wisemen had seen a star
They followed the star
The believed God (the gods) revealed themselves through the stars
They were willing to alter their lives to follow what had been revealed to them
Key Questions!
What has been revealed to us?
Are we willing to follow the revelation we have received?

4. God does not exist in secrecy
Rom 1:16...I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress
the truth by their wickedness,

5. God does not exist in secrecy
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
In the gospel (good news) we see the righteousness of God “revealed”
God is “revealing” what is unrighteous
God's power and nature have been clearly
seen (“revealed”) in nature all along

6. Why we believe what we believe
The Revealed Word of God
2 Tim 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed (revealed from the mouth of God) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV
We didn't “think up” the Bible
It was revealed to people who wrote it down

7. Christmas is about “revealdness”
Lk 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
God had told him (revealed) that he
would see the Messiah

8. The birth of a King was revealed to the Wisemen
Mt 2:1-2, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.”
“We saw his star”
The message of the star was revealed to the wisemen

9. God reveals Himself to people
God Reveals using common means
Bible
Nature
Through the words of other believers
Through prayer
Don't be afraid of:
The mysterious
The mystical
The unseen but unmistakable

10. God's revelation is always designed to shape us into the image of Jesus
Therefore:
God does not lead us to do violence, hatred, bullying, exploit people,
God does not lead us into self aggrandizement
God, you have blessed me to see the savior
We have come to worship and bring gifts, and bow down

11. So What?
We know what we know about God because God has revealed Himself to us.
Make a list:
What do you KNOW about God?
Look at nature; powerful
Look at nature; all works together
Look at the heavens: God is omnipotent
Look at Jesus: power in a humble babe
Look at the gospel: God loves people
Look at the gospel: God brings people to Him

12. Corner of Heidelberg Christmas market
A manger
Tucked out of way
Lit castle up on hill above
Walked up to take photo
Asian man with what appeared host family
“I know this story”
“This is the story of Jesus in a feeding trough with the three doctors”
Ph.D's