Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Christmas Message Title: “Reactions to the Baby” Matthew 2:1-12 ~ December 12, 2004 OBJECTIVE: To produce a God-honoring reaction to Jesus’ birth – and His call on our life. Opening prayer Isn’t it fun to see the way we react to Christmas morning as we get older? As little children, we can’t wait to get up and open presents! Without fail, my dad would make us wait before opening presents. We opened them on Christmas Eve because all our relatives came to our home on Christmas day, and there was much work to do in preparation. We would attend the Christmas Eve service at church, and then, as my brother and I were bubbling over with excitement to get home and open presents, my dad would drive around our town and look at the various Christmas light displays! It would drive us crazy! As teenagers, the excitement is tempered by the excitement about sleeping in! As newlyweds, a nice, quiet, slow-paced Christmas morning is the preferred recipe. As parents of little kids, your main thought seems to be making sure your kids have fun, but don’t lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. 1 As grandparents, I think you are as excited as the grandkids! You can encourage the craziness – and then go home and not have any responsibility of “some assembly required”! Let’s put presents aside for a moment. If there were no presents under the tree – how would you react to Christmas? When you think of the birth of Jesus, what reaction is deep within your soul? Turn with me to Matthew 2:1-12 – We will see two reactions to the baby. Read Passage Reaction #1 – Worship the baby. 2:1-2 The reaction of the Magi (Wise Men) is that they understood that the ‘king of the Jews’ was born and they knew that this king was worthy of their worship. I don’t mean to imply that they understood that this baby was the Messiah – that this baby was God in the flesh – but their reaction is one we can learn from. Instead of being an enemy of God – instead of being hostile to Him – we need to acknowledge His worth and worship at His feet! Many Christians come and worship out of a sense of obligation. They attend church because of pressure from those around them. Their family has expectations – so they come. Their peer group has expects to see them at church – so they come. The Pastor will call them if they aren’t there on Sunday – so they come. Why are you here this morning? What is your motive for being here today – worshipping our Lord? The Magi didn’t worship baby Jesus because it was the thing to do – or because it was expected of them – they did it because it was the right 2 thing to do! They weren’t ashamed of it and they didn’t apologize to King Herod about their intent! In our culture today, Jesus is becoming more offensive. Those who are worshippers of the Christ child are seen as thoughtless drones who need an extra ‘boost’ for life or we aren’t intelligent enough to see how misguided and useless this whole religion thing is. Illus. – Denver, CO – Parade of Lights Most Festive of Seasons – Mayoral apology (see attached) Honeywell policy (Gil Jones) U of A policy (Juan) Are you willing to worship Jesus – are you willing to celebrate the birth of Christ – no matter what others will think? One other point here – notice that what led them was the star they saw in the eastern sky. The Magi (Wise Men) were wise enough to see the clues God put before them – and to follow the clues as they led to Emmanuel! How is God leading you – and are you following the clues He has placed in your path – clues that will lead you to Him? Reaction #2 – Anger at the baby 2:3-12 Illus. Anger management out of control – see attached Reasons why people get angry at Jesus… 1. They want to be king – vs. 3 Herod the Great, as he is now called, was born in 73 B.C. and was named king of Judea by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C. By 37 B.C. he had crushed, with the help of Roman forces, all opposition to his rule. He was wealthy, politically gifted, intensely loyal, an excellent administrator, and clever enough to remain in the good graces of successive Roman emperors. His famine relief was superb and his building projects (including the temple, begun 20 B.C.) admired even by his foes. 3 (From Expositor’s Bible Commentary) The text says that when “…Herod heard this he was disturbed…” Why? Why was Herod disturbed at the birth of a baby? Why was he disturbed at the birth of a baby who was prophesied to be king of the Jews? Herod was the Roman appointed king over the Jews – it didn’t matter what the Jews did or believed – He had complete authority over them and he had the ability to crush any rebellion with the might of the Roman army. Why was he so afraid? I would submit to you that his fear was irrational – and it’s source was a spiritual one. For whatever reason, a prophesy in a religion he did not follow, a baby supposedly born as a new king – ignited a fear in Herod which led him to slaughter every male child in Bethlehem 2 yrs old and younger. I don’t understand his phobia of this baby. I’m sure there are some psychologist who could give you a diagnosis of poor self-esteem and other emotional or mental issues – but it’s amazing to see the reaction of this king! When I see his reaction as it’s recorded in the pages of Scripture, I certainly don’t doubt the accuracy of the account – because I see the same sort of anger in people today. Without any reason, when some people hear the name of ‘Jesus’ – it sets them off! They become filled with hate and rage. The God of love who loves us so much He died for us – ignites hate and fear in some. Their fear is irrational – and possibly rooted in a spiritual battle within their soul. 2. The truth conflicts with their life – vs. 4-6 What an interesting few verses we have here. In our lives today, we have seen news headlines that are 4 similar to this. We’ve seen people continue telling lies – even when they’re confronted with the truth or a statement they made which was contrary to what they are saying now. Herod puts together a blue ribbon commission – he gives them a charge to: “Find out what this talk is all about – find out if this baby is really the king of the Jews.” When the blue ribbon commission reports back to Herod, he doesn’t submit to it – He creates an evil – murderous plan to kill the baby! When the truth was placed on his desk – he ignored it! More than that – he fought it and tried to deny it! When God’s truth is placed in front of you – what is your reaction? Do you submit yourself to it – or do you fight it and do everything you can to eliminate it? Sometimes, we fight it because the truth convicts us. Sometimes, we fight it because we want to keep the status quo that exists in our life. Sometimes, we fight the truth because we’re afraid of what our life will be like if we adopt the truth to our life. Jesus said in John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Don’t be angered by the truth – let the truth transform your life so that you can enjoy true freedom! 3. Their plans go unrealized – vs. 7-12 I don’t know the plans Herod had for his future, but I’m pretty sure he wanted to be king for the rest of his life. He saw this little baby in Bethlehem as a threat. He was used to people obeying his every word – and when the Magi wisely listened to God’s leading, Herod was angered even more. 5 Some people react to the baby with anger because they don’t want their life plans to change. They know that what they are doing – the way they are living is sinful – it’s against God’s Word – and they will do anything within their power to defend it! The problem with this way of viewing the Christ child is that their premise is wrong! The thought “If I live according to God’s plan, my life will be ruined” – “If I give up my lifestyle, then my life will be boring or wasted” is a conclusion based on false data! Nothing could be further from the truth! You never lose when you follow God’s plan! God’s plan is always for your good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Do your plans ignore God, or will you submit your plans to the sovereign, loving, all-knowing God of the universe? Application A proper reaction to the baby will lead to worship and divine guidance. Vs. 1-2; 9-12 A defiant reaction to the baby will lead to ruthless sin and death. Vs. 3-18 6