Christmas 2019

Matthew 1:1-2:23

We have come to worship him [draft sermon outline]

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#biblicaltheology

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Published December 18th, 2019

Author

danmartin

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Christmas day

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:1-12 ESV We have come to worship him Introduction : We've seen already in Matthew that this baby is the promised great King, descended from David. A king who would save his people from their sin and their shame. A king in whom God is with us. We see there are two ways to respond to God's king: 1. Come and worship him Wise men, magi; from Persia? Daniel's legacy? Fulfilment of the Micah promise Good news for some: a ruler who will shepherd Great joy They show the value and worth-ship of Jesus from giving their 'treasures' 2. Desperately cling to control Terror (rather than great joy) for others (Herod) who want their own rule . He pretends to want to worship but actually wants to hold onto control. Glory of God : He sends his promised Ruler and Shepherd for the good of his people. FCF : We do not want him to rule over us! By nature - We don't want any authority over us, unless we can be safe from it or in control of it. cf Children instinctively push back against even the best rules. By choice - We try to control authority or throw it off altogether. Christianity is ok if it stays in its place. Irreligious - I can rule myself just fine thank you, and I'm proud of it. Religious - cf Herod, pretending we want to worship but actually have other selfish motives. Or, I'm proud of being a rule-follower; it gives me a safe place within which to have my own little domain of control, and to safely and confidently look down on others. Person of Jesus - He is the Ruler who will Shepherd, He shows the wonderful good rule of God. Work of Jesus - In his death he establishes this rule, the 'Kingdom of God'. It is his coronation and his resurrection is his enthronement. A whole new age brought about as the old rebellious age is destroyed. The gold, frankincense and myrrh point to his work. Union with Jesus - I know that my Shepherd knows me, cares for me, is always with me. And thus I am part of a people. People from all nations - the wise men from the east represent a symbolic fulfilment of Abraham's promise Wrap up: We have come to worship him 'What I can, I give him; give my heart' - this really means to yield everything to his good rule; our treasures, successes, shame, and sin.

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