GPS-Via Rome

DEC 01 / Sunday – Read Luke 2:1-2

Overview: Our Advent message series covers the strange journey to Bethlehem via an unexpected route. In the end, it all worked out, because it’s where Christmas began. But it started in Rome. Find out why God chose places we’d never dream of to bring about the miracle of Jesus.

02 / Mon – First stop on the Christmas road trip  |  Read Luke 2:1-5 / Rom 8:28

This Advent we will travel to places found in the Christmas story. You might expect to start with Nazareth or Bethlehem, but the story begins in Rome. What did Caesar Augustus decree? Whom did it affect? The Roman Empire covered most of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor, so historians believe that 60 million people had to return to their ancestral homes. Are you in a place where you’ve no choice about a difficult requirement? Will you trust God to bring good out of it?

03 / Tue – Longing for better days  |  Read Jeremiah 33:14-16

Rome conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC so both Mary and Joseph grew up under that oppression. Imagine how their families, community, and nation longed for justice and freedom. They yearned for the Messiah to come and set things right. Maybe you feel that way about your world today. It’s easy to wish for better days but notice that the Christmas story didn’t start with ‘better’ days. This reminds us, even today, that God is at work in our world in ways we could never dream of. Do you trust Him to carry out His ultimate plan, no matter what things look like now? You can.

04 / Wed – How the news got to Rome  |  Read Acts 2:5-12 (note v10b-11a / Acts 8:4

There were visitors from Rome in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. What was their response to what they saw and heard? Imagine the story they told when they got home! How ironic that Roman rulers likely believed they had snuffed out a rabble-rouser when they killed Jesus, but in reality, they unleashed a revolution that invaded the heart of their empire and changed the world. Will you be open about and authentic in your walk with Jesus? What great opportunities await you!

05 / Thu – Trouble serves a purpose  |  Read Acts 18:1-4, 18-21, 24-28

Spiritual freedom had been won through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but Rome was still in power, persecuting all who did not bow to the Emperor. A Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, were living in Rome when Claudius ordered all Jews to leave. Where did they go? What happened in Corinth and then in Ephesus? Have you ever felt displaced, either literally or figuratively, when you have done no wrong? How does God use such things to accomplish His purposes in your life?

06 / Fri – Faithfulness in stressful times  |  Read Ephesians 3:20

Paul was in Rome twice during his 35-year ministry. Both times he was put in prison for preaching the gospel, yet the way he lived and taught was so powerful that even people in the household of Caesar were convinced and converted. And the letters he wrote there still teach us today. Although Paul – and also Peter – were martyred in Rome, it later became the center of the Christian church when the empire collapsed. The faithfulness of believers they had mentored paved the way for God’s kingdom to come in Rome. How about your city? What does God want to do there?

07 / Sat – Are you aware?  |  Read Genesis 28:10-16

Many, many years before Rome conquered the Jews, Jacob fought his own battles while reaping the consequences of his lies and deception. On the run from his angry brother, Jacob camped out along the road. What happened as he slept? What did Jacob say in v16? Are you struggling with some issues? Does it seem there’s no way to make things right? The Lord shows up in the most unexpected places. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be more aware of God’s presence and His work on your behalf. Then wake up and look around.