WORSHIP CHRIST, THE SAVIOR KING
Christmas 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Key Sermon Text: Matthew 2:10-11
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INTRO / TRANSITION
Most of us know the song, WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
All
We Three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder Star.
Gaspard - Gold
Melchior - Frankincense
Balthazar
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;—
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
All
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.
Refrain[2]
(Written 1857 / John Henry Hopkins, Jr.)
The wisemen approached with great joy.
We will come with GREAT JOY - Let’s pursue HIM for JOY…not “things” FROM Him.
The wise men approached recognizing His authority.
We will submit to His AUTHORITY - Let’s live like HE IS OUR KING AND LORD! Not just our life enhancer and flame retardant.
The wise men ascribed Him WITH DIGNITY AS THEY BOWED TO WORSHIP.
WE WILL HONOR HIS DIGNITY - Let’s GET LOW (Humbling ourselves in worship, service, loving) and LIFT HIM HIGH!
The wise men GAVE MEANINGFUL (COSTLY) GIFTS.
WE WILL WORSHIP WITH OUR GIVING - LET’S GIVE UP THE THINGS WE ARE TEMPTED TO TREASURE - So that we might demonstrate to ourselves and to all who peer in - CHRIST IS OUR TREASURE - NOT MONEY or STUFF.
We will give faithfully, generously, and (at times) sacrificially.
The Gold spoke of His KINGSHIP - HIS ROYALTY.
The Frankincense spoke of His PRIESTLY OFFICE - Our PERFECT GREAT HIGH PRIEST!
Today, as we focus on Jesus through the lens of this gift of Myrrh, we’ll catch a glimpse of ˝sorrow, sighing, bleeding, and dying” in this incredible gift to a young child.
This is the equivalent of showing up to child’s 2nd, 3rd, or 4th birthday party and brining a prepaid burial plot as a gift.
That’s morbid and strange…IF IT IS ANY OTHER PERSON.
What’s so special about this child? Look back at Matthew 1 with me.
Joseph is struggling to determine his next move with this young woman that has been betrothed to him.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
THIS IS THE CHRIST, THE CHOSEN ONE FROM HEAVEN.
MYRRH EXPLAINED
MYRRH EXPLAINED
23 “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane,
Myrrh is not only mentioned in this Old Testament text and in some other rituals in the New Testament, but it was used for embalming.
Imagine having something that spoke so clearly of morbidity, or death at such an early age.
These wisemen presented these gifts from their treasures…God's hand is clearly in the presentation of these gifts. They speak so clearly and specifically to the roles that Jesus would embody.
They present gifts of gold (suitable for a king), frankincense (suitable for a priest) and myrrh (a symbol of suffering and death that appears in John 19:39 as an ingredient in the burial of Jesus)
Iain D. Campbell
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
Jesus was born to die.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
The majesty of Christmas is the incarnation of Christ.
And the only reason Christmas is great news is because Christ came, born of virgin, to live the sinless life, and pay the ultimate price for our sins.
The babe in a manger is destined to die
He is Heaven’s answer to begin the work of reversing the curse and washing his people whitest snow with His precious blood.
It avails you little that Christ is born, or that Christ died, unless unto you a Child is born, and for you Jesus bled. A personal interest in the birth, life, and death of Christ is the main point for each one of us.
Charles Spurgeon
GOOD NEWS - JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY SAVIOR KING!
GOOD NEWS - JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY SAVIOR KING!
The Old Testament points directly to Him to Him.
1 Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus would tell the two on the road to Emmaus
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
This true king of the Jews is NOT AT ALL like Herod.
This true king of the Jews is NOT usurping or abusing power,
HE IS NOT acting impulsively, and using deception to bolster his crushing grip on his subjects.
NO, this true king of the Jews is the ONE TRUE KING WHO TRULY SAVES!
He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
HE IS THE KING…THE RULER who doesn’t merely demand our worship and reverence, BUT HE HAS WON IT (AND CONTINUES TO WIN IT) with his shocking self-giving, EVERLASTING LOVE on our behalf—
all the way to death, even death on a cross.
HE IS THE TRUE KING - THE SAVIOR KING - who demonstrates his love for his people in that while we were still sinners — “engaged in our own types of stargazing and wizardry and idolatry”—CHRIST DIED FOR US! (Romans 5:8).
This side of the cross we know more than the magi knew then.
Not only is He KING AND SAVIOR of the Jewish people, but these magi indicate that all are welcome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The God of the universe graciously draws sinners to himself and permit them to come near to his Son - this Savior KING!
NOT ONLY DO WE GET TO COME NEAR - BUT FOR ALL WHO REPENT AND BELIEVER THE GOSPEL, GOD PROVIDES eternal salvation through the willing death of THIS VERY CHILD THAT THESE ASTROLOGER-SIGN-SEEKING SINNERS came to discover and honor.
BAD NEWS - WE ALL NEED SAVING
BAD NEWS - WE ALL NEED SAVING
WHY DOES HEROD CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE WORSHIP OF THIS KING?
As a KING, Herod is threatened.
He tries to use the wise men for his own purposes. If he can kill Jesus, all shall be well…and it will send a clear picture to everyone WHO THE REAL KING IS!
As a PRIEST, he’s likely not too concerned, personally. He’s not known for practicing his faith.
Although, politically, IF THIS WAS THE MESSIAH - he knew he couldn’t control him.
As a SAVIOR, he is utterly disinterested personally - Herod would have to admit his need for a savior…that would go against his pride, position, and power as an earthly influencer.
He wouldn’t have heard the angel’s prophecy to Joseph… “he will save His people from their sins…”
But the prophecy of a Messiah is a prophecy of a deliverer.
To say that HE IS THE SAVIOR…is to admit that we need saving.
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
People reject Jesus for all sorts of reasons. People are cold toward the Gospel for a myriad of reasons. BUT I BET IT COULD EASILY COME DOWN TO THESE CATEGORIES, DON’T YOU?
KING? Ruler over me?
I don’t think so.
Do you realize that everything that is wrong in our lives and EVERYTHING that is wrong in this world is directly traceable to that choice humanity has made.
It began in the garden - where everything was perfect…but Adam and Eve rejected God’s rule.
From the very beginning, we didn’t want God to be our ruler.
We reject him as God and King when by deciding to live our own way, in defiance of him.
We all do this in our lives.
Most of the time, we ignore God or keep him at a distance, and get on with living our own lives.
We don’t joyfully praise Him and thank Him (like we’re commanded to in Scripture) for being our generous creator and provider.
We don’t submit to His authority as our ruler!
We don’t dignify Him with worship.
We follow our own desires and our own priorities,
We live by our own values - the ones that we decide are best. (
The Bible uses a word for this rebellious stance towards God - it’s called “sin,” and we all do it—whether we follow a particular religion or not.
So here we are in a world chasing lesser gods, worthless kings, false priests, powerless saviors.
A world filled with people selfishly trying to bend the world and others to their own will.
It’s NOT working.
Self-rule is failing.
The consequences are fatal - we suffer and do harm to ourselves, to the people around us, and to the world we live in.
BEST NEWS - JESUS WILL SAVE YOU TODAY!
BEST NEWS - JESUS WILL SAVE YOU TODAY!
Mark 1:15 (ESV)
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Hebrews 4:7 (ESV)
7 …“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:12-14
12 …Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, … having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace…
—
WORSHIP CHRIST THE SAVIOR KING!
HE WAS BORN TO DIE - Whether the Wise men realized it or not, the gift of myrrh spoke so clearly to this.
He lived perfectly to die perfectly!
HE DIED AS THE PERFECT AND TRUE SACRIFICE FOR HUMANITY’S SINS AND SHAME.
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.
Refrain[2]
WORSHIP CHRIST THE ONLY KING THAT CAN SAVE!
WORSHIP CHRIST BECAUSE WE NEEDED A SAVIOR!
You and I were lost and undone without God or His Son
When He reached down His hand for me!
WORSHIP CHRIST, THE KING WHO STILL SAVES TODAY!
How are you responding to Jesus this Christmas season?
ADORATION - like the wise men
ANGER - like Herod
APATHY - like the religious folks who should have been looking in that day…but are noticeably absent from story except for Zachariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna at the temple.
In this scene from Matthew 2, there is a warning for us: people can know all the facts about the birth of Christ and not know Jesus personally.
- Herod and the Jewish religious leaders knew where Jesus was, but they did not go to see Him.
St. Augustine wrote, “They [the Jewish religious leaders] were like milestones: they pointed out something to travelers, but themselves remained stolid and motionless.”
- Those who truly seek Jesus will find Him (Isa. 55:6–7) and be found by Him (Luke 19:10).
We have friends and loved ones who are apathetic…Jesus is not on their radar. THEY STILL NEED THIS KING WHO SAVES!
We have friends and loved ones who are ANGRY at God - because He will not conform to their image. THEY NEED THIS KING WHO SAVES!
I’m praying for YOU and for our friends who are NOT CHRISTIANS YET:
That we will ALL come JOYFULLY to Jesus.
That we will ALL come SUBMITTING TO HIS AUTHORITY!
THAT WILL ALL DIGNIFY HIM with our WORSHIP!
THAT WILL ALL GIVE MEANINGFUL GIFTS for the advance of HIS Kingdom and Mission!
THAT WE WILL ALL KNOW HIM, LOVE HIM, AND OBEY HIM TOGETHER and MAKE DISCIPLE-MAKING DISCIPLES FOR HIS GLORY!
