There is another king, one called Jesus!

In the book of Acts, chapters 16 & 17, Paul is accused of causing trouble just because he showed up in towns. 

Acts 17: 6 & 7 says, " These men (Paul and other believers) who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here and Jason has welcomed them into his house.  They are defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus."

When Paul showed up with his message of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ, societies were upset and people were transformed by God's word.   What a reputation preceded Paul.  When he arrived, believers and non-believers expected the status quo to be stirred up.

Does Jesus' Church still "cause trouble all over the world" or has the church just blended into societies?  Do non -believers expect believers to bring a message that is in conflict with the norm or is the message one which conforms to the world?  If the church is not delivering God's word, why should we even show up.

This Christmas season we have the same message that Paul delivered..."there is a king called Jesus!"  We tell the Christmas story, but do we announce the King Jesus.  This is not a story to tell, it's an announcement to proclaim.  The angels didn't tell the shepherds a story about a baby's birth, they announced the Birth of the Messiah!