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Speaker 1: Have this in mind, which was also in Christ. Jesus,

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Speaker 1: who existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality

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Speaker 1: with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself

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Speaker 1: taking the form of a servant. Being made in the

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Speaker 1: likeness of men and being found in human form, he

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Speaker 1: humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, Yes,

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Speaker 1: the death of the Cross Philippians two five through eight.

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Speaker 1: Dear Lord, we are in awe of the gift of

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Speaker 1: you who left the splendor of heaven to be borne

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Speaker 1: in a humble manger. May your selfless love and humility

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Speaker 1: inspire us to live lives of compassion, kindness, and self sacrifice.

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Speaker 1: As we celebrate your birth, our Savior, help us to

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Speaker 1: embrace the spirit of giving, not just in presence, but

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Speaker 1: in presence, offering our time, love and empathy to those

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Speaker 1: around us. May the miracle of Christmas fill our hearts

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Speaker 1: with gratitude and joy, and may we strive to walk

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Speaker 1: in your footsteps of sharing your love with a world

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Speaker 1: in need. In your precious name, we pray, Amen, the.

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Speaker 2: Entire world resided in the shadow of Rome, Julius Caesar,

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Speaker 2: Emperor and Genius, reached out his hand and seized power

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Speaker 2: wherever he could. His authority went unquestioned, and his sword

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Speaker 2: found the necks of many foes. It was an era

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Speaker 2: steeped in strife and unrest, when men forged their destinies

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Speaker 2: amidst the anvil of war and the hammer of politics.

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Speaker 2: As the glory of Rome was about to blossom under

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Speaker 2: Julius Caesar, a child was born into the world. Little

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Speaker 2: did anyone know this child would one day be worshiped

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Speaker 2: as a god. He would amass followers from nations around

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Speaker 2: the ancient word, rallying them under his name. This child

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Speaker 2: was born in the zenith of Roman potential. His name

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Speaker 2: was Octavian. Hello.

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Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in

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Speaker 3: a Year podcast. But before we began, I want to

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Speaker 3: let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to

35
00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:49,400
Speaker 3: download absolutely free today, is called Breaking Free from Stress,

36
00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:52,320
Speaker 3: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer

37
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Speaker 3: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress

38
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Speaker 3: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free

39
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Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress.

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Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. We're taking time

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Speaker 3: from now until Christmas to explore the rich and powerful

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Speaker 3: story of the Nativity. If the Jesus Podcast has blessed,

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Speaker 3: you considered following and subscribing to the podcast so you

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Speaker 3: never miss an episode. So far, we've surveyed some of

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Speaker 3: the prophecies heralding the coming of Jesus. We saw how

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Speaker 3: the Messiah's coming was foretold from the beginning, the hope

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Speaker 3: and longing for a redeemer endured throughout the generations. Before

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Speaker 3: we're introduced to our classic Christmas heroes like Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary,

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Speaker 3: and Joseph. We're going back into the and nows of history.

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Speaker 3: Jesus was born into a unique time in history where

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Speaker 3: the boot of Rome was pressing against the throat of Israel.

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Speaker 3: The cruel rule of Caesar Augustus spread across the ancient world.

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Speaker 3: Let's tune in now to this cinematic retelling of Caesar's

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Speaker 3: rise to power. We will explore why this story is

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Speaker 3: paramount to the Christmas message.

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Speaker 2: Octavian was born under the lineage of Caesar. He was

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Speaker 2: the adored son of the Roman Empire Julius Caesar. His

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Speaker 2: illustrious uncle was considered a titan among mortals. He claimed

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Speaker 2: swaths of land for the Roman Empire with brutality and force.

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Speaker 2: But were power and conquest bloom, so did the fauns

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Speaker 2: of treachery. Julius Caesar fell beneath a blade wielded by

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Speaker 2: his kin, leaving an empire fractured and trembling on the

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Speaker 2: brink of chaos. Rome was vulnerable and in disarray. Young

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Speaker 2: Octavian was ready to rise in his uncle's place, determined

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Speaker 2: to lift Rome and carry its glory on his shoulders.

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Speaker 2: As Octavian strode for power, he was flagged by Marc,

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Speaker 2: Anthony and Lepidus, generals in the armies of Caesar. The

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Speaker 2: three men all claimed Rome as theirs, but only one

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Speaker 2: could be emperor. Their class was Titanic, splitting the empire

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Speaker 2: into three realms. Each leader had command over his dominion,

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Speaker 2: but Octavian would not be denied the throne. Anthony and

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Speaker 2: Octavian stood as adversaries on the battlefield. Anthony's rage boiled

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Speaker 2: against Octavian. If the East is to be mine, Anthony

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Speaker 2: declared his eyes hard with resolve. Then let it be

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Speaker 2: known that I will not bow to you, Octavian, not

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Speaker 2: in this lifetime. So the dance began, with each ruler

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Speaker 2: amassing legions of loyal warriors, their eyes alight with the

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Speaker 2: fire of the one true king they believed in the

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Speaker 2: War was brutal, and the once united Rome risked consuming.

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Speaker 1: Itself within mark.

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Speaker 2: Anthony and Queen Cleopatra of egypt A massed in army

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Speaker 2: they believed to be unwrithed. The blood soaked the sand

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Speaker 2: as swords and shields clasped. Although their troops were fierce,

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Speaker 2: Octavian was undeterred by the staggering might of Anthony and Cleopatra.

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Speaker 2: He mighty, marshaled his men and slaughtered the armies of Anthony.

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Speaker 2: Lepidus was next, and his troops were subdued and banished

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Speaker 2: to the far north. On a battlefield now hollowed by

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Speaker 2: the blood and honor of countless men, Octavia the victor

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Speaker 2: stood surveying the horizon. He was alone, the last man

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Speaker 2: standing amidst the ruins of a rivalry that had swallowed

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Speaker 2: all hope. He stood over the battlefield and marched towards

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Speaker 2: the summit, overlooking the carnage. His rivals had been defeated,

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Speaker 2: and no one was left to stand in his way.

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Speaker 2: His breath misted the cool air as he whispered I.

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Speaker 1: Am no longer Octavia.

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Speaker 2: I am Caesar Augustus. War wounds ravaged the Roman Empire,

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Speaker 2: and its people desperately sought peace. With the mantle of

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Speaker 2: power secure on his shoulders, Caesar Augustus set out to

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Speaker 2: heal his empire. I have dreamed of a Rome reborn.

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Speaker 2: He addressed the masses, his voice resonating through the crowd's silence.

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Speaker 2: Today we embark on a journey towards that dream. His

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Speaker 2: rule brought stability, silencing the discord that had torn at

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Speaker 2: the very fabric of Rome. Yet the taste of power

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Speaker 2: was addictive, and Augustus sought to climb to divine heights.

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Speaker 2: He reduced the Roman Senate to mere whispers in the

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Speaker 2: hallways of power, himself rising above the mortal coils to

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Speaker 2: be revered as a god. His soldiers were disciples, now

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Speaker 2: his governors, his apostles, all bending their knees in supplication

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Speaker 2: to their lord and God. The shadow of Rome enveloped

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Speaker 2: the nation of Israel. Israelites watched in quiet dismay, their

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Speaker 2: homelands slowly losing its identity under Roman dominance. Rome's insidious

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Speaker 2: influence diluted their once proud culture. It was like being

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Speaker 2: under the boot of Babylon once again, amid subjugation and tragedy,

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Speaker 2: they clumped to God and cried out to him for salvation.

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Speaker 2: The pain of their oppression fuelled their longing for a hero,

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Speaker 2: a redeemer. Then they clung to the words of the

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Speaker 2: prophecy spoken to David long ago. When your days are over,

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Speaker 2: I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. The

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Speaker 2: people yearned for the promised savior, a beacon and the

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Speaker 2: desolation to restore their land and their dignity. Isiah's words

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Speaker 2: echoed in their hearts. The people walking in darkness have

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Speaker 2: seen a great light. They waited, their eyes brimming with hope,

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Speaker 2: their hearts heavy with expectation. They imagined a ruler that

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Speaker 2: would rival Caesar Augustus. They envisioned a Messiah who had

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Speaker 2: reclaimed the Holy Mount and thwart the armies of Rome.

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Speaker 2: They imagined conquests like David and riches like Solomon. Yet

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Speaker 2: as the wheel of fate turned, no one could have

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Speaker 2: anticipated the form their redemption would take. Caesar Augustus Emperor

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Speaker 2: and God families would disrupt their lives and travel to

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Speaker 2: the homeland of their kin to be counted This census,

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Speaker 2: another example of Rome's power, would make way for the

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Speaker 2: Messiah to be born.

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Speaker 3: Let's unpack the story of Caesar Augustus together. You may

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Speaker 3: wonder why we highlighted a part of Caesar's story in

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Speaker 3: a Christmas podcast. It's because Octavian's rise to power sets

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Speaker 3: the stage for the Messiah to be born. The tale

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Speaker 3: of Octavian's assent to the throne is vital for us

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Speaker 3: to understand because we wouldn't have the Christmas story without it.

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Speaker 3: His expansive reach into the Eastern world enveloped Israel. Although

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Speaker 3: the Pax Romana brought unprecedented peace to the Roman Empire,

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Speaker 3: God's people were pressed for all they had. Increased taxes

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Speaker 3: and Roman regulation were the crucibles for religious radicals and

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Speaker 3: self righteousness. That oppression began a domino effect of events

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Speaker 3: that led to Jesus' birth, most notably the census that

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Speaker 3: would take Mary and Joseph away from Nazareth and to Bethlehem.

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Speaker 3: This story also contrasts the reigning kingdom of Rome and

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Speaker 3: the incoming Kingdom of Christ. Octavian's rise as the sole

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Speaker 3: ruler of Rome marked a turning point in history. All

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Speaker 3: of the ancient world was enveloped under his rule, including Israel.

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Speaker 3: In the times of Moses, David, and Elijah, the idols

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Speaker 3: of the age were gods like Bail, Dagon, and Asherah.

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Speaker 3: They were false Canaanite gods who entrapped the people of

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Speaker 3: Israel in false worship. Yet during the time of Jesus, Peter,

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Speaker 3: and Paul, the false god was Caesar. Through sheer force

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Speaker 3: and will power, he made himself to be like a god.

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Speaker 3: He demanded the worship of his followers, and whoever defied

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Speaker 3: him faced death. But while Caesar's rule was marked with

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Speaker 3: brutality and self glorification, Jesus's rule was marked by a

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Speaker 3: grace and self sacrifice. Christmas is not only a time

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Speaker 3: to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but it's also

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Speaker 3: an opportunity to reflect on the kingdom he brought into

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Speaker 3: this world. This kingdom stands in sharp contrast to the

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Speaker 3: kingdoms of this world, represented most vividly by Caesar Augustus

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Speaker 3: during the festive season. Let's explore these contrasts. In the

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Speaker 3: era when Christ was born, Caesar Augustus ruled a vast empire.

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Speaker 3: His kingdom was one of conquest, political intrigue and earthly power.

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Speaker 3: He sought to unify people under the banner of Rome,

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Speaker 3: but his methods were often forceful and self serving. In

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Speaker 3: stark contrast, Jesus came to establish a kingdom not of

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Speaker 3: this world. His reign is one of peace, justice, and righteousness,

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Speaker 3: founded on love and self sacrifice. The Kingdom of God

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Speaker 3: transcends all borders, and its king invites all to partake

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Speaker 3: in its blessings. Caesar Augustus was known for his ambition

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Speaker 3: and pride. He built monuments to his own glory and

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Speaker 3: inscribed his name on coins as Son of God. His

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Speaker 3: rule was characterized by self aggrandizement and the pursuit of

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Speaker 3: personal power. Jesus, the true Son of God, stands in

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Speaker 3: total opposition to Caesar's pride and self serving nature. Born

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Speaker 3: in a manger, living a life of humility, and dying

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Speaker 3: a criminal's death, Jesus exemplified self sacrifice. He washed his

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Speaker 3: disciples feet and gave his life for all humanity. The

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Speaker 3: Gospel of Christ does something extraordinary that no earthly kingdom

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Speaker 3: can achieve. It creates a people unified that not by nationality, race, creed, culture,

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Speaker 3: or socio economic status, but by a shared love for Christ.

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Speaker 3: The Gospel invites all people, rich and poor, jew and gentile,

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Speaker 3: slave and free to come to Jesus. It tears down

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Speaker 3: the walls that divide us, offering a common ground in

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Speaker 3: the person and work of Christ. In Christ, we find

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Speaker 3: a new identity that transcends all earthly distinctions. We are

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Speaker 3: children of God, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. Our loyalty

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Speaker 3: to Christ binds us together in a community that reflects

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Speaker 3: the love and grace of our King. As we celebrate Christmas,

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Speaker 3: let us reflect on these profound contrasts. While the kingdom

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Speaker 3: of Caesar Augustus was characterized by power, pride, and self service,

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Speaker 3: the Kingdom of God stands as a beacon of love, humility,

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Speaker 3: and self sacrifice. May we, as followers of Christ, imitate

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Speaker 3: our humble King. Let us serve one another and love,

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Speaker 3: recognizing that true greatness in God's Kingdom is found in

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Speaker 3: being a servant of all. And Finally, as we look

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Speaker 3: to the Manger, may we see the hope of a

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Speaker 3: better kingdom, a kingdom not of this world, but one

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Speaker 3: that is coming. May our hearts be filled with joy

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Speaker 3: this Christmas as we reflect on the true King and

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Speaker 3: his Kingdom. May our lives be marked by the humility, love,

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Speaker 3: and unity to characterize the Kingdom of God. Thank you

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Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible into Year podcast. Before we go,

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Speaker 3: I want to let you know about a unique ebook

208
00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:36,840
Speaker 3: that's yours to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking

209
00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,960
Speaker 3: Free from Stress, and my prayer is that it will

210
00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,080
Speaker 3: help you conquer the daily task and pressures and burdens

211
00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,840
Speaker 3: that bring stress into your life. Download your free copy

212
00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:51,040
Speaker 3: of Breaking Free from Stress today by visiting Jaggraham dot

213
00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:56,960
Speaker 3: org slash stress. That's Jagraham dot org slash stress.