Sermon Notes
1. King Herod was called Herod the Great because he was a great builder.
a. He built the impossible that defied nature.
b. He built the first man made harbor ever constructed in the history of the world, Caesarea.
c. He took the temple in Jerusalem and did an amazing makeover that came to be known as one of the most beautiful buildings in the Roman Empire!
d. He built a man-made mountain called the Herodian and put a fortified palace on top of it.
e. He built a mountain fortress in the dead sea called Masada.
2. Herod was so paranoid of losing his kingdom that he had his second wife and first three sons executed!
3. In order for a kingdom to exist you need a King, a realm, and people.
4. Jesus’ Kingdom is living on earth today in His people, and one day His Kingdom will come in fullness when He returns.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Matthew 2:1-12. What do these verses reveal to you about Herod the Great? Why do you think all Jerusalem was disturbed with Herod about this news? What do you think the people in Jerusalem were afraid of?
2. Read Matthew 2:13-18. What does this passage reveal to you about Herod? Why do you think political rulers then and now are willing to do such horrible things in order to stay in power?
3. When, like Herod, have you felt threatened by Jesus’ kingship over your life and your own personal kingdom?
Taking it Home:
Read and meditate on Philippians 2:10-11 this week. How do you picture this happening today? How do you think you will feel on this day?