NBBC SS: Matthew 2

Introduction: Friends, last week we saw how God had planned to send Jesus to live perfectly so He could die sacrificially to forgive our sins even before sin existed!

When Jesus was born, angels announced His birth to shepherds who got to see baby Jesus.

These same shepherds went out and proclaimed to everyone that Jesus had been born!

Today, friends, we’re going to learn about some other visitors who came to see Jesus after He’d been born and before He turned 2 years old.

Content and Explanation: Matthew 2:1–23

Matthew 2:1-3 “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.”

Friends, what kindness of the Lord that He would announce His Son’s birth to the whole world through putting a special star in the night sky!

Friends, depending on where you are, you can see just about every star in the night sky!

Friends, God was giving an announcement to the whole world that His Son was coming.

This is the Son Who would live perfectly so that He could die sacrificially for our sins!

While this was an exciting moment, it was also a reminder of why the world needed this Savior King, Jesus!

Friends, we all sin (define).

While Jesus came to the earth as a cute and cooing baby, He would one day grow into a man Who would have never sinned.

He would then die on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven.

He wouldn’t stay dead, nor is He dead now but would come back to life and never die again So that our lives could be changed by His Spirit and we would want to live to please the Lord and hate sin.

Friends, this star reminds us not only that a King had come but a King Who would die for sin.

And, friends, since anyone could see this star, this means that anyone who believes on Jesus to save them from their sins would be saved!

Friends, you would think that this message would be met with excitement from everyone!

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Friends, Herod had to be reminded about how God’s Word foretold that Jesus was going to come to the earth and live perfectly so that He could die sacrificially to forgive sins.

Friends, God had written in His Word, the OT, and gave this message in the sky that the Savior was/had come!

But not everyone was looking for Jesus.

Friends, this is why we’ve got to go and share with others that Jesus lived perfectly to die sacrificially on the cross to forgive sins and that He lives!

Because not everyone knows!

Friends, I’m certain that there’s someone you know who hasn’t heard about Jesus like this.

Will you share with someone about Jesus, today or soon?

Friends, Herod was not excited about a new king coming because he was the king.

Look at what happens next.

Matthew 2:11-12 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.

Friends, the Wise Men worshipped Jesus in an incredible way by giving Jesus some very precious things.

You know, friends, you don’t have to be a Wise person or rich to worship Jesus!

You can worship Jesus by singing songs about Jesus’ greatness!

You can worship Jesus by showing His greatness through your obedience to His Word.

Friends, you can worship Jesus by telling others how great He is in dying on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and rising from the dead so that we could be made new.

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.

Friends, this is the Lord protecting the Wise Men.

Friends, notice who else the Lord protects.

Matthew 2:13-14 13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.

Friends, the Lord protects Jesus and His family!

Friends, King Herod may have thought that he was powerful but the Lord was more powerful.

Friends, God has all power to keep His promises that He makes; therefore, we can trust whatever He says is true.

Matthew 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

Friends, King Herod did a terrible thing: he killed children because he was afraid to not be king any longer.

Friends, God has held King Herod accountable for his sin, just like God will do with all sin; whether killing, lying, disobeying your parents.

But, friends, Jesus came so that we could be forgiven of our sins.

In a moment, we’re going to have one of our leaders available to show you from the Bible how you can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Savior from your sins.

Scripture Memory - Luke 2:11 “11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (3X)

Conclusion: Response