A Christmas Reply (Shortened to Phrases)

Attention:

Illus. Left on Read

Need:

We have all done this.

Busy (break only lasts for 2 weeks)

The need to respond

Matthew 12:1-12

Body

The Big Idea: Jesus birth demands response

The Question: What responses are demanded by Jesus’ birth?

Answer 1: Humbly following

Matthew 2:1–8 (ESV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

Explanation:

What characters are we introduced to in this passage?

The wise men

Have you heard the song “We three kings?”

Not accurate:

1) “3”

2) “Kings”

Greek“Magi”

Eastern astrologers (maybe from Babylonia)

In verse 3, how do the Magi say that they responded to the star that they saw?

Star prophecy in Numbers 22

Response to prophecy: “humbly followed”

How is it that Herod, the chief priest, and the scribes respond to this news?

“Troubled”

Quote from Micah

Response to Quote: Pride and deception

An Edomite king

The threat of “The King of the Jews” from David

Murder of wife and children

David Platt: “it is a dangerous thing to know the Word and fail to respond.”

A warning.

Responding at Christmas = Following + Humility

In summary, what two ways to respond to the coming of Christ do we see?

1) Follow in humble obedience

2) Reject out of pride

Illustration:

Christmas lists.

Check your heart

Application:

The King Herod inside of us

Who will you follow?

Real-life implications

Jesus is worth the pursuit of humility.

The Question: What responses are demanded by Jesus’ birth?

Answer 1: Humbly following

Answer 2: Superior joy

Matthew 2:9–10 (ESV)

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Explanation:

According to this text, how do the wise men respond to seeing the star again?

“Rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”

Sounds redundant

Superior joy

The star’s disappearance

Reappearance = great joy

A supernatural element

God’s sovereign hand

Our reason for joy

David Platt: “The God who two thousand years ago sovereignly arranged the stars in the sky, the God who sovereignly directed these magi to the Messiah, is the God who has sovereignly arranged your life and every detail in it—your family, your job, your school, your background, and your relationships.”

Christmas = God in control = superior joy

Illustration:

Christmas gifts

Responsibility

Dependence

Christ = the ultimate gift

Application:

Latest joy experience?

Challenging to find as a teen

God wants to lead you to joy

The Question: What responses are demanded by Jesus’ birth?

Answer 1: Humbly following

Answer 2: Superior joy

Answer 3: Exclusive worship

Matthew 2:11–12 (ESV)

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Explanation:

What do the wise men do when they finally reach Jesus?

They worship Him

Verse 2: their purpose

“Worship” kingship context

Jesus = “King of the Jews”

More than a king

The divinity of Christ in Matthew

“Fell down and worshipped”

Redundant if only a king

Exclusive worship

King of Israel

King of Universe

King of their hearts

The gifts

What gifts are given to Jesus?

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Three gifts = three kings? Probably not

Gifts for a King who is more than a King

Gold = royalty

Use in kingship

Frankincense =’ deity

Gum resin (from trees)

OT use

Myrrh = humanity

Another gum resin (from trees)

Use in burial preparation

Points towards cross

Drink of myrrh

David Platt “Jesus was presented myrrh as a King in a cradle, and then He would be offered myrrh as a King on a cross.”

Jesus = Greater king than expected

Illustration:

Idolatry

YouTube

Application

Your worship of the king this month?

Is he your priority?

Reading the Bible

Worshiping God in song

Worshiping the right thing

Conclusion

Visualization

Don’t leave God on read this Christmas

Reiteration

A Christmas to remember

Encounter and respond to Christ

School break = opportunity to respond

What are some ways that you can take advantage of this Christmas break to respond to Jesus?

Time in God’s word

Celebrate Christmas intentionally

PRAY