Who is Jesus? The King of Kings

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Notes:

Main Point: Jesus, alone, is the King of kings.

1. The Jewish Heart was not Ready (vv.1-3)

2. Forsaking Plausible Deniability (vv. 3-8)

3. How the Magi were Right (vv. 9-11)

4. How Herod was Right (v.12)

Reflection Questions:

1. What does Herod's antagonism against the messiah teach us about mankind? Sin?

2. What do you make of the star phenomena in Matthew 2? What conceptions are challenged by this miracle?

3. How might we benefit from more precisely meditating on Christ's reign as the King of kings this Christmas?

4. What application to our lives today can be made from the reminder that rulers who rage against Christ, like Herod, will be subjected to the King of kings?

Who is Jesus? The Savior of Sinners

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Notes:

1) No good deed unpunished | 18-19

2) No good thing withheld | 20-23 (Ps 84:11)

3) No temptation not common | 24-25 (1 Cor 10:13)

Reflection questions:

1) “Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Atheists believe in the virgin birth of the universe.” - Glen Scrivener. Which miracle has more evidence? What does the miraculous birth of Jesus tell you about God’s purpose in sending His Son to earth?

2) Matthew 1:21 says that Jesus “will save his people from their sins?” Does God promise to save us from our sins? Does God promise to save us from the sins of others on this side of heaven? Are we promised inner renewal, enabling us to be salt and light in a dark world? Or are we promised more than that until Jesus returns?

3) When difficulties happen to you, are you quick to accuse God of “withholding” His goodness? Read the following passages (Ps 84:11; Phil 4:19; 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Peter 1:3; Ps 73) and ask how we should view of God’s provision to us?

Who is Jesus? The Son of David

Matthew 1:1-17

Sermon Notes:

1) The Lord is Faithful to His Promises | 1, 6, 11-12, 16-17

2) The Lord is Gracious to the Undeserving | 1-6

3) The Lord is Just to the Wicked | 7-11

4) The Lord is Powerful for the Weak | 12-17

Reflection Questions:

1. What can you learn from a list of names in the Bible? Would you agree that it proves that “God never tires of naming the names of His people”? (Ralph Davis)

2. How can you see God’s grace to characters like Rahab (see Joshua 2); Ruth (See Ruth, especially chapters 2-3); David (see 2 Sam 7, 11-12 and Psalm 51) and others?

3. How can you see God’s justice in this story, which mentions the Exile, or Deportation? How should we respond when we see God’s justice? See Romans 3:23-26. 4. How can you see God’s power for the weak in this story? Joseph was a Son of David (cf Mt. 1:20), but was he a powerful person? Also see Luke 1:46-56, aka, The Magnificat.

The Divorce that Never Happened

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Notes:

1) An Unexpected Pregnancy, 18-19

2) An Angelic Proclamation, 20-21

3) A Prophetic Explanation, 22-23

4) An Obedient Conclusion, 24-25

Reflection questions:

1. How was “just” Joseph (v19) planning to deal with the unexpected circumstances in his life? What does this show us about the limits of human wisdom, and how we should approach God with our plans? See Proverbs 3:5-6; 14:12; 16:9; Matthew 6:33.

2. Isaiah 7:14 was probably written about 700 years before Christ was born. What does the 700-year 1 -plan of God tell you about His wisdom and His care for you? See Romans 8:27-39; Romans 12:33-36.

3. What does this story teach us about obedience in the face of difficulty circumstances? Consider: 1 Cor. 15:58.

To Save His People from Their Sins

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Notes:

1) Miraculous Conception, 18-20

2) Miraculous Revelation, 20-23

3) Miraculous Salvation, 21-25

Reflection questions:

1. Why is Jesus (from Joshua/Jeshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”) also called Immanuel (“God with us” in Hebrew)? R.T. France: “The point is not that Jesus ever bore Immanuel as an actual name, but that it indicates his role, bringing God’s presence to man. This meaning is related to that of his actual name, Jesus, in that it is sin which separates man from God’s presence, so that salvation from sin results in ‘God with us.’” (From the Tyndale NT Commentaries, 84)

2. Read 2 Peter 1:16ff. What incident is Peter referring to from the gospels? See the Transfiguration in Matthew 17. What does Peter think is “more fully confirmed”? The voice that He heard from heaven? Or the Word that has been recorded, preserved and passed on for generations, the Word which WE HAVE? How should that make us feel about our copy of the Bible?

The Wise Worship the King

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Notes:

1. Wise Men Recognize the King

2. Herod Is Troubled by the King

3. Wise Men Worship the King

Reflection Questions:

1) What are the "gatherings" your life tends to revolve around? Work? School? Recreations? In what ways can you improve in gathering with God's people, but not the absolute exclusion of other necessary or good gatherings?

2) What are the areas in which you tend to sin but justify or cover it with a "holy excuse?" Can you admit them to yourself, your loved one(s), and God?

3) What are the areas of your life that you are "holding back" offering your best to God?

Jesus, Our Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Matthew 17:1-8

Sermon Notes:

1) God's word guides us

2) God speaks with us

3) Jesus, the ultimate prophet

4) The church, his body, as prophet

Discussion Questions:

1.    What are some rules you absolutely hate following?

2.    What are some things you do, that you don't like doing, but you know are good for you?

3.    Imagine being in love, how does it feel "doing all the right things to make a relationship healthy"? Does it feel burdensome or a joy? 

4.    How might a close relationship turn what was "begrudging obedience" into joyful expressions of love and trust?

5.    How was Jesus a better law giver then Moses? How was Jesus a better covenant mediator then Elijah?

6.    How are you called to be like Jesus, specifically how do we, as his body, continue his prophetic role in the world?