The Joy Journey (Stand Alone Lesson Version; Taken from Part 2 of the Series)

Introduction

Attention:

Left on read

Matthew 2

Need:

Business

Body

The Big Idea: Jesus’ birth demands response

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

1. Humbly following (Matt. 2:1-8)

Matthew 2:1–8 NLT

1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

Explanation:

The wise men

How many?

It doesn’t say (although probably large group)

Greek: “Magi”

High-ranking, prominent astrologers fro the East

Knowledge of Numbers 24:17,

How do they respond?

Response = humbly following

Verse 3: “We have come...”

How do King Herod, chief priests, and the scribes respond?

“deeply disturbed”

Verse 6: Micah Quote

Herod’s pride

An Edomite

The threat of “the King of the Jews”

Killed wife and kids

“It is a dangerous thing to know the Word and fail to respond.”

-David Platt

Responding requires humility

Two ways to respond

Illustration:

Humility at Christmas difficult

Christmas lists

Disappointment

Christmas = heart-check opportunity

Application:

The King Herod inside

Who will you follow?

Jesus is worth following

2. Superior joy (Matt 2:9-10)

Matthew 2:9–10 NLT

9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

Explanation:

What do they see? How do they respond to seeing it?

Greek: “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”

Implied star disappearance

Reappearance = joy

Supernaturally moves to Bethlehem

“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.”

-David Platt

Christmas = God’s in charge = joy

Illustration:

Dependent on others for Christmas gifts

Wise men dependent on God

God is in control

Gift of salvation

Application:

Last joyful experience?

Challenging to find joy

Leading you to the right place

3. Exclusive worship (Matt 2:11-12)

Matthew 2:11–12 (NLT)

11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Explanation:

How do they respond to seeing Jesus?

“Worship” = a king’s subjects

But more than a king (divinity)

“Bowed down and worshipped”

Commentator: “If ‘worshiped’ implies only a kneeling down before a superior, ‘bowed down’ is redundant.”

Superior, exclusive worship

King of universe + King of hearts

The significance of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Gold = the royalty of Christ

Frankincense = Jesus’ deity

Perfume for most holy place

Myrrh = Jesus’ humanity

Drink with myrrh on the cross.

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

-David Platt

An unexpected King

Illustration:

Idolatry

YouTube

Mornings in God’s word

Application

How’s your worship life?

Your time

Eternity right now

Worship opportunities

Give to Him what’s His

Conclusion

Visualization

Don’t leave God on “read”

Reiteration

A Christmas to remember

Break = an opportunity

PRAY

Lesson Overview:

The Big Idea: Jesus’ birth demands response.

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

1. Humble following (Matt 2:1-8)

2. Superior joy (Matt 2:9-10)

3. Exclusive worship (Matt 2:11-12) Small Group Questions:

Have you ever been left “on read” before? What did that feel like? How does that help you understand what God may feel like at Christmas time if we don’t respond to Him?

In what ways is it hard for you to be humble?

What does it look like to find your ultimate joy in Jesus?

What are some idols that you struggle with? What would it look like for you to surrender those to Jesus?

How can you use this Christmas break as an opportunity to grow in your faith?