Sermon Title: The News to His Enemy

Text: Matthew 2:1-18

Introduction: A Threatening King, A Threatened Heart

Good evening, church. Merry Christmas Eve. Whether you’re here out of tradition, curiosity, or desperation, welcome. This is the night where we press pause and remember that God stepped into history. But can we be real for a second? Christmas isn’t always the Hallmark special we want it to be. For some of us, it’s chaos—strained family dynamics, tight budgets, or just the weight of a year’s worth of unmet expectations.

And yet, here we are, talking about a baby born in a stable. What could that possibly have to do with your real life—with the stress, the anxiety, the struggles? Everything.

This story isn’t sanitized; it’s raw and real. It’s about a baby who came to confront the brokenness in the world and in us.

Tonight, we’re going to look at a man named Herod. His reaction to Jesus’ birth is a mirror that reflects the tension in our own hearts. But stay with me, because the good news is this: Jesus didn’t just come to reveal the problem; He came to fix it. He came to transform hearts, renew minds, and give us lives marked by peace, joy, and hope—regardless of circumstances.

This is why we celebrate Christmas — because we believe this! And we’re going to look at the Christmas story this morning, and my hope is that the Holy Spirit will speak to you in a unique way… that the Spirit would open your eyes to the truth of His word and His gospel.

And that you would be set free this evening… free from the bondage and slavery of sin… free from the exhausting pursuit of value… free from fear and anxiety of this life…

Would you please stand for the reading of God’s word?

Matthew 2:1–18 (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.” 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. 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.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in (Ray-ma) Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

This is the reading of God’s word — Let’s pray.

Main Idea: Herod’s reaction to Christmas reveals the natural pull of our hearts away from God.

I. Herod’s Reaction to the News of Jesus’ Coming

A. His Heart Is Threatened by Jesus (vv. 1-3)

Matthew 2:1–3 (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;

The Wise Men arrive in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Herod hears this and freaks out. Why? Because a new king is a threat to his power, his control, and his identity. I wonder if you identify with this at all—that Jesus, if he were to become Lord of your life… he would take over, he would call the shots in your life… you lose power and control… you would lose your identity…

Men = lost a job; lost your identity Women = kids leave for college; lost your identity Students = didn’t perform well on a test, in a game, or lost a friend group; lost your identity

Herod’s not throwing a baby shower; he’s plotting.

And we feel this same tension, don’t we? When Jesus shows up in our lives, calling us to surrender, doesn’t it feel like a threat? We think, “If I let Him lead, what happens to my plans, my comfort, my autonomy?”

Key Thought: Our hearts naturally resist Jesus because we want to be our own king.

Where are you clinging to control? NEED THIS FLESHED OUT MORE = hit on control Think about this… we’re all recovering control freaks… every single one of us…

What if the very thing you’re resisting—His rule—is what you need to find the peace you’ve been chasing?

B. His Mind Is Deceptive (vv. 4-8)

Matthew 2:7-8 (ESV)

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.”

Herod isn’t just panicked; he’s scheming. He tells the wise men, “Go and find the child so I can worship Him too.” But we know the truth: he’s plotting murder.

Herod’s heart problem spills into his mind, leading him to deception.

And we get this, don’t we? NEED THIS FLESHED OUT MORE = hit on manipulation Sure, most of you haven’t plotted murder… but many of you will do ANYTHING to stay in control of a situation, or a narrative…

We have all learned ways to stay in control, and most of the way in which we react is to keep control… think about the ways in which you, like Herod, come up with a scheme… but don’t think murder, think about how you tend to manipulate others to your end — maybe it’s your wife, your husband, your children, your parents, co-workers… friends…

We all want things to go our way and we instinctively know what our best method is with different people… we all truly believe that it’s within our power to get the outcome we want… and it’s not… and all of this is in an attempt to control how we’re viewed, or what people think, or to produce a pseudo-self that people can admire…

But that is exhausting… to never stop scheming, to always keep up appearances… whew! I tried that and it was awful!

Listen church, God is in control… and peace is found in surrendering to Him.

Key Thought: A heart that resists God leads to a mind that deceives itself and others.

When we resist Jesus, we end up living a lie. We’re striving, scheming, and restless, trying to hold it all together while hiding what’s really going on.

C. His Life Is Marked by Destruction (vv. 16-18)

Matthew 2:16–18 (ESV)

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Herod’s resistance doesn’t stay internal. It spills into action, and the result is horrific: the massacre of innocent children. His opposition to God’s plans doesn’t lead to fulfillment; it leads to ruin.

Key Thought: Opposing God’s plans leads to ruin, not fulfillment.

You might not be committing atrocities, but let’s be real: when we resist God, we hurt ourselves and others. We choose what feels like freedom, but it only deepens our emptiness.

And this is an incredibly painful place to be… when the pseudo-you that you so desperately tried to cultivate… gets exposed… pain and destruction is what awaits you… and listen, you may be good a your scheming now, you may have a handle on the you you’re attempting to present… but, one day you will not… and on that day, you will understand the gospel more clearly, more practically than you ever thought possible…

But why? And what is the gospel? And how does the gospel fix any of these problems we see exposed within Herod?

Well, I’m glad you asked:

II. The Gospel Presentation

III. Our Response: Christmas Offers Us...

A. A New Heart

The Christmas story is about transformation. Jesus didn’t come to leave us in our natural state. He came to give us new hearts—hearts that love God instead of resisting Him.

Ezekiel 36:26 says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “A new heart is the masterpiece of divine grace.” Ezekiel Hopkins built on that idea by saying, “Grace changes the heart, and that changes the whole man.”

What does a new heart look like?

You desire to please God, not people.

You value God’s opinion, not just yours.

You forgive others, even when they don’t deserve it.

You give joyfully, not grudgingly.

You feel compassion, not judgment, for those who are struggling.

Application: This Christmas, ask God to soften your heart. Let Him replace your resistance with trust and your fear with faith.

B. A Renewed Mind

Jesus transforms not just our hearts but our minds. Herod’s mind was clouded by deceit and fear, but Jesus renews our thinking with His truth.

Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

What does it look like to renew our minds?

Meditate on Scripture.

Replace lies with truth.

Limit media that pollutes your mind.

Surround yourself with godly community.

Practice gratitude.

Application: Let the truth of Christmas—that God is with us—reshape how you see yourself, your circumstances, and your future.

C. A Life Marked by Peace, Joy, and Hope

Herod’s life was marked by destruction because he resisted God. But when we surrender to Jesus, our lives are marked by peace, joy, and hope—the abundant life He promises.

John 10:10 says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Application: This Christmas, invite Jesus to lead your life. His plans for you are good, and His presence brings true fulfillment.

Conclusion: A Choice for Every Heart

Herod’s story is a warning, but it’s also an invitation. Jesus is King, whether we acknowledge Him or not. The question is, will you resist Him or surrender to Him?

Maybe tonight you realize you’ve been resisting—holding onto control, afraid of what surrender might cost. But what if letting go is the very thing your heart has been longing for?

Call to Action: Take a moment to reflect. Are you clinging to self-rule, or are you ready to embrace Jesus as your King? This Christmas, let the good news of Jesus transform your heart, renew your mind, and bring you peace, joy, and hope.

And when you do, go tell it on the mountain—Jesus Christ is born!

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The candle lighting during the singing of “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve is deeply symbolic… it’s a Christmas tradition embodying the themes of light, peace, and the arrival of Christ, the birth of Christ…

And so, as we sing Silent Night, the light represents Jesus Christ who declared himself “the light of the world” in John 8:12, it symbolizes his coming into a dark and broken world to bring hope and salvation…

And so, keep your light off until you symbolically touch a lit candle… I will begin the spread of the light and the light will spread over the space as we sing… this is a reminder that the light is within each of us, and we’re to share his love and light with others…

And this reveals a hope to people who are in the darkness…

So, if you would… please turn down the lights, and let’s pass the light that is Christ as we sing Silent Night.

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Benediction - Based on Luke 2:10-11.

Go forth with the joy and peace of the good news:

A Savior has been born, Christ the Lord.

May your hearts be filled with His light, and may your lives proclaim His glory to all the world.

Amen

Go in His peace!