THE KING IS COMING

THE KING HAS COME — WEEK 1

“THE KING IS COMING”

WELCOME

Good morning, Vine family.

It is such a blessing to be together today.

And I want to say this clearly from the very beginning — whether you have been following Jesus for many years, whether you are a brand-new believer, or whether you are still asking questions about faith…

You belong in this room.

We are a multigenerational church. We are a multicultural church. And that means we take time to explain, not assume.

Today we are beginning a two-week Christmas series called:

“The King Has Come.”

And today’s message is titled:

“The King Is Coming.”

Because before Jesus ever came as a baby in a manger, before angels sang, before shepherds ran…

God had already announced a King.

INTRODUCTION: CHRISTMAS IS BIGGER THAN A BIRTH STORY

For many of us, Christmas feels familiar.

We know the songs. We know the decorations. We know the story.

But familiarity can sometimes make us miss meaning.

Because Christmas is not just about God coming close.

It is about God coming to rule.

And if we only see Jesus as a baby, but never understand Him as King, we will misunderstand why He came.

To understand Christmas, we have to go all the way back — to Genesis.

FOUNDATION: CHRISTMAS BEGAN IN THE GARDEN

Christmas did not begin in Matthew. It did not begin in Luke. It did not begin with Mary.

Christmas began in Genesis.

In Genesis chapter 3, humanity falls into sin.

The Bible tells us that the serpent — Satan — enters the garden.

Here is something very important to understand:

👉 Satan entered God’s creation illegally.

God gave authority over the earth to humanity — not to Satan.

So Satan did not come through permission. He came through deception.

He used the serpent. He twisted God’s words. He bypassed God’s order.

That has always been Satan’s strategy.

He does not create. He counterfeits.

He does not build. He steals.

GOD’S RESPONSE: A LEGAL PROMISE

Immediately after the fall, God speaks — not to Adam, not to Eve — but to the serpent.

Genesis 3:15 says:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

This is the first prophecy of Jesus in the entire Bible.

And notice something powerful.

God says the victory will come through the Seed of the woman.

In Scripture, seed is normally associated with men.

So God is announcing something supernatural:

👉 The Redeemer will come legally 👉 Through a woman 👉 Without the corruption of sin

God is saying to Satan:

“You entered illegally through deception. I will defeat you legally through birth.”

Satan came through a serpent. God would come through a womb.

WHY THE VIRGIN BIRTH MATTERS

This is why the virgin birth is not just a Christmas detail.

It is a legal issue.

Jesus did not inherit Adam’s sin nature. He did not come under Satan’s claim. He did not enter illegally.

Galatians 4:4 says:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…”

Born of a woman — legally. Born in purity — intentionally. Born on time — prophetically.

Christmas is God restoring order.

THE WAR BETWEEN SEEDS

From Genesis forward, the Bible tells one continuous story:

👉 Satan trying to stop the promised Seed 👉 God preserving the line of promise

This is why:

Pharaoh tried to kill Hebrew baby boys

Herod tried to kill Jesus

Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness

It was never random.

It was a war over the Seed.

THE CROSS WAS ALWAYS PART OF THE PLAN

God told the serpent: “You will bruise His heel.”

That points to the cross.

Jesus would suffer. Jesus would bleed. Jesus would die.

But God also said: “He will crush your head.”

A bruised heel heals. A crushed head is final.

The cross looked like defeat — but it was actually victory.

Christmas leads to the cross. The cross leads to the crown.

POINT 1: GOD PROMISED A KING — NOT A RELIGION

Isaiah 9:6–7 says:

“For unto us a Child is born… and the government will be upon His shoulder…”

God does not say religion will be on His shoulder.

He says government.

In biblical times, government meant:

Authority

Rule

Ownership

Allegiance

So Christmas is not God introducing a belief system.

It is God announcing a Kingdom.

Religion asks, “What do I do?” The Kingdom asks, “Who is my King?”

That is why Isaiah says:

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”

His rule does not expire. His peace does not run out. His authority does not weaken.

Christmas is not seasonal joy.

It is eternal rule.

POINT 2: ISRAEL WAS WAITING — BUT WEARY

By the time Jesus is born, Israel has waited hundreds of years.

No prophets. No fresh word. Just silence.

They lived under Roman occupation. They were heavily taxed. Roman soldiers controlled daily life.

Rome’s emperor called himself:

Lord

Savior

Son of God

So when angels announce another Son of God, this is a direct challenge to the world system.

God is declaring: “There is a greater King than Caesar.”

POINT 3: WHY GOD SENT A BABY

Instead of sending a warrior, God sends a baby.

Why?

Because God’s Kingdom advances through surrender, not force.

A baby invites trust. A baby requires care. A baby demands presence.

God did not overpower humanity.

He invited humanity.

Jesus came in humility so people could choose Him.

POINT 4: BETHLEHEM — GOD’S PATTERN OF HUMILITY

Micah 5:2 tells us the King would come from Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was small. Overlooked. Unimpressive.

No palace. No power.

And God often works this way.

Because pride cannot carry the Kingdom.

This means: God can use you where you are. God can work through your weakness. God can bring purpose out of obscurity.

POINT 5: MARY — HOW THE KING IS RECEIVED

When the angel speaks to Mary, he says:

“Do not be afraid.”

Fear always shows up when God invites us into something bigger than ourselves.

Mary was young. She was poor. She was unknown.

But she was willing.

She said:

“Let it be to me according to Your word.”

This is how the King is received.

Not through perfection. Not through strength. But through surrender.

MODERN APPLICATION: WHY THIS STILL MATTERS

Our culture values:

Independence

Control

Self-rule

But the Kingdom says: “Deny yourself and follow Me.”

We don’t struggle with Jesus as Savior.

We struggle with Jesus as King.

Saviors rescue us. Kings rule us.

WHAT ADVENT REALLY MEANS

Advent means arrival.

Arrival requires preparation.

The question Advent asks is simple:

What needs to move so the King can take His place?

Jesus is not rejected today.

He is often just crowded out.

CLOSING EXHORTATION

Today is about understanding.

Next week, we will celebrate: “The King Has Come.”

But today, we prepare room.

Because when the King comes, He does not come to visit.

He comes to reign.

SOFT RESPONSE

If something is stirring in your heart, that is not guilt.

That is invitation.

This week, prepare room.

FINAL PRAYER

Jesus, we open our hearts to You.

Teach us what it means to live under Your rule. Remove anything that competes with You. Prepare us for Your arrival.

Not just as Savior, but as King.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.