The Birth of Jesus and a Clash of Kingdoms

TITLE OF MESSAGE: THE BIRTH OF JESUS AND A CLASH OF KINGDOMS

DECEMBER 20, 2015

TEXT: MATTHEW 2:1-12

This morning Pastor Frank will be teaching regarding the birth of Jesus. We will see that nothing has impacted humanity as much as the coming of this little baby born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago!

Verses used: Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 2:16.

Key verse: Matthew 2:1-12

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Sermon Notes:

1. He was called Herod the Great because he was a great builder!

2. He built the impossible that defied nature!

3. He built the first man-made harbor ever constructed in the history of the world, Caesarea.

4. 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!

5. He built a man-made mountain called the Herodian and put a fortified palace on top of it.

6. He built a mountain fortress in the Dead Sea called Masada.

7. Herod was so paranoid of losing his kingdom that he had his second wife and first three sons executed!

Some questions to consider this week:

1. What was something you learned or what stood out to you from the sermon on Sunday?

2. What is your favorite Christmas memory or tradition?

3. What do the star, the Magi, the gifts, the homage, the hostility and the prophecy teach about the significance of Jesus?

4. In your journey toward God, how are you like the Magi? Unlike them?

5. When, if ever, have you felt like Herod – struggling between your kingdom and Christ’s?

6. How can we be “stirring in” the sermon’s verses into our lives this week?