“Because He is the King, Jesus is worthy of adoration and praise.”
GOLDEN TEXT:
*Isaiah 7:14* Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
1. THE KING IS BORN
A. The Promised Savior
Matthew 1:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
……. Because he was a just man, he thought to put her away (sever the engagement) for the sake of her being with child.
It must have been just as shocking then as it would be today to find that an engaged virgin would conceive a child.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
…….Because his relationship with the Lord was consistent, God was able to speak to him. He didn’t “jump the gun” and make a hasty decision. He gave the Holy Spirit time to respond.
…….This was a moment where faith was demanded. There was no time for the thought, “maybe this is from the Lord.” His Devine Relationship proved itself in a moment that could have changed the course of his entire future!
? Question?
Will I be ready when my faith is challenged?
B. God With Us
Matthew 1:
22 Now all this was done, “that it might be fulfilled” which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
……. Matthew referred to prophecy recalling that a miracle had occurred, proving that God had never forgotten about his people. This prophecy came through Isaiah when Judah was under threat from external powers.
…….His initial coming proved that the prophecy will always prove itself. We have his first appearance to drive the faith in his second appearance!
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
……. God assured us through his own prophets that there is power in the name of Jesus!
His son was sent to not only save us from our sins, but to save us from our enemies and be a source of “comfort” in every occasion.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
2. THE KING IS SOUGHT
A. A Universal Kingship
Matthew 2:
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
……. The Magi in Jesus’s day were a certain people that kings and emperors sought after for wisdom and knowledge. The Magi had great Authority and played a recurring role in the Babylonian era and Persian era accounts of the Old Testament (extremely secular countries). The visitation from these wise men was reasoned to put on display the royalty and greatness of Jesus Christ.
…….Wise men from Gentile counties had the expectation of his coming when Bethlehem never noticed.
This reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns, While You were Sleeping…….(refer to the bottom of the page)
B. A “DANGEROUS” KING
Matthew 2:
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
……. King Herod was troubled at the arrival of the new king of the Jews because of the way he ruled and treated them. When he learned of the Magi’s arrival, he gathered his own counsel of wise men to find out the meaning and what the outcome would be.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
…….This shows the cruelty and deception of “Herod the Great”. His only purpose for finding Jesus was to kill him and save his own kingdom.
3. THE KING IS WORSHIPPED
A. Led by the Star
Matthew 2:
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
…….The star was not like the stars we see in the sky at night. This star was more of a guiding light, like the pillar that appeared for Israel in the wilderness.
Another sign that Jesus would be the guiding light out of their personal wilderness.
B. Worshipping the King
Matthew 2:
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
…….The Magi came with the most precious gifts to show the appreciation and understanding that Jesus was a great king worthy of their greatest gifts and highest worship.
…….In our worship to Christ we are to give our all, and that is the giving of ourselves.
“While You We’re Sleeping” by Casting Crowns
Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you’re lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left his throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave his only Son
The Way, The Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world he came to save
Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping