Who is my king?

Welcome:

Merry Christmas and welcome to our Christmas Eve service.

How many of you—your brain can’t comprehend that it’s Christmas? Yes!!

We are so thankful that you joined us this evening—whether watching online or in person, whether you came willingly or your mom made you—thank you.

and a couple things you will need—a candle, or if you don’t want your child (or husband) to have an open flame—we have glow sticks.

also we ask everyone to have a booklet—even kids.

if you don’t have those things—I am going to pray, and after I pray—you (or talk with ushers) can go get one during the singing.

I want to pray as we begin.

sermon:

So we have a fun question to answer as part of our Deeper series--—who is your king…right now?

who calls the shots in your life? who is the boss of your life?

whether you and I realize it or not—we ask and answer this question—everyday...

and to answer that question—I have a little helpful booklet—that we will go through, and you can also take home; it’s also great to use with kids. and it asks that same question:

on the front—it says this “Who will be king.” (let’s show on screen)

and before we answer that—if I were to ask you that honestly—what would you say? Are you the king? is God the king in our life? someone else the king?

let’s turn to page 1—and let’s read it together (on screen)

(read it)

go to page 2-3

if you look at page 2 on screen—there is a picture.

that crown stands for whom—God

the people stand for us — people—you could say Adam and Eve, the first humans

and the world stands for—creation.

at the very beginning of Genesis, God is the king who made all things.

Genesis 1:1 NIV

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

and he is ruling over his people, and he put us in charge to rule over the world—but under his rule.

God made us to be under him—not because he is bossy or selfish—but because he loves us and life works best like this. it was paradise like this.

but on page 3 at the bottom—it says “The trouble is we don’t like doing what God tells us to do...”

so on page 4—this picture summarizes what Adam and Eve did and what we now do. We say “no to God.” we cross him out and his kingship (you have to make those sound effect)—and we try, key word “try” to be our own king instead.

this is the essence of what the Bible calls sin. when we substitute ourselves for God—it is sin.

and all of us do this

Romans 3:23 NIV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

and sin causes so many problems in our world.

whether you are a Christian or not—everyone in the world believes this world is broken and messed up. and everyone has a solution—if we just got the right people in power. if we just had enough money or more education. if we all got along—but God says the problem is not out there—it’s right in here in every one of us. we have rejected God. and in the process we make a big mess of God’s world

bottom of page 5 and so what will God do about this?

next page—page 6

on screen

if we cross out God—what does he do to us? he crosses us out. because he made us—He owns us. He won’t let us cross him out forever—since he is a perfect judge, he will bring his perfect judgment upon us. one day, he will shut us out of his kingdom forever. b/c if we have chosen life without him—why would we want eternity with him?

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

27 We all die once, and after that face judgment,

bottom of page 7—we all deserve God’s punishment, but there’s good news...

page 8 (read this one) 8 and 9

9—because of his love, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world.

Jesus died to take our punishment so that we could be forgiven.

John 3:16 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

but there’s even more good news

page 10—God brought Jesus back to life again and made him the king of everything.

One day, Jesus will come back.

read all this--

what does all this mean?

page 12—page 12—summarizes all of us right now.

we have 2 choices—we can live our way on the left—with us in charge, us calling the shots

or with Jesus, God, as king in our lives—Him calling the shots.

(read this — page 13)

so who will be your king...

page 14--

John 3:36 NIV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

before look at page 15...

this is such an important question—maybe the most important of your life…maybe.

even though this is told in a very simple way...

it is not simple to apply.

it may be easier when you are younger—but as you get older—life gets more complicated (at least we think it does).

or maybe you grew up in church, and you are back in town, and your mom made you come—maybe you think this is just dumb to believe this stuff—or Christianity has done some really bad things—first of all I would agree with you—but… God has you here for a reason. God is not done with you. and we actually have a resource in the book Nook it’s $5

it answers some questions...

or maybe you are here tonight—and you have been trying to live with yourself as king—but how is that working out for you? how has life worked out with you in charge? i think if we are honest—it leads to emptiness, possibly addiction to something—we are enslaved to whatever is our king—whether it’s money, sexuality, a job, drug.

or maybe you are here tonight as a believer and you have been in a season of struggle, of wrestling with God—God’s telling you to surrender, and it’s so hard for you to do that—but He is king—and He is calling you to give everything to HIm.

when I think about the Christmas story—I think of 2 characters that illustrate page 12—differently.

You have Mary—the angel appeared to Mary and said you are going to have a baby. you are not even married yet. this is your first one. by the power of the HS. and Mary says

Luke 1:38 NIV

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

she would have faced in that culture—shame for this—out of wedlock. possibly shunning (some of you know what that is like!) and yet she—said—I am your servant.

it wasn’t always easy for Mary—but surrendering to God’s will—for her—made the difference and her willingness to bear Jesus—has impacted millions of people for eternity.

and then you have King Herod—he learns there is a new king being born…and he tells the wise man—go find who this king is and where—and I will go worship him. Liar Liar pants on fire.

and what did Herod do:

Matthew 2:16 NIV

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

opposite of Mary.

While we may not do what Herod did—all of us have a natural resistance to people tell us what to do—we don’t like authority.

if you are living life your way—how is that going? Is it really working out—do you really have the joy, hope, and peace, and comfort you want...

the good news of Christmas is there is a God who loves you—and he made you. he wants to know you. he is not a bossy selfish king—he is the kind of king who moved heaven and earth to come. he humbled himself for you. he lived among people in poverty for you. most of all he died for you, so that your sins could be forgiven and you could know this beautiful king forever—that doesn’t sound like an oppressive god to me—but one who came so we could have life to the full....

he is the only king that if you fail him, he will forgive you.

and if you find him, he will actually fulfill you.

turn to page 15--if you are here and you would like to receive this king:

page 15—read it

pray the prayer...

on the back—next steps

I also want to pray another prayer—some of you even though you are Christians—know that surrendering to Jesus is ongoing—major decisions, for your kids, your future, your health, some of you are wrestling with big things and struggling—would you pray something like this with me:

Father, help me surrender to you. because your Son surrendered his life for me. I choose to surrender to him today—whatever I am facing. In Jesus’ name amen.

raise hands

pray for those struggling to surrender something to Jesus---

explain candle lighting

—have staff come and help

---ushers come to balcony

get out your smartphone---