The King’s Early Days on Earth

HKBC English Service

The King’s Early Days on Earth

Augsutine Chow

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18 (NIV)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 9-12 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." 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. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Date: 24 April 2016 (HKBC English Service)

Time: 40 Minutes

Targets: Hong Kong Baptist Church newly started the English Worship for the returning overseas graduates, English speaking families, families with children studying in International Schools who do not speak cantonese. The congregation draws 100 persons. 40% youth students, 50% English speaking married couples, 10% Mothers of the English speaking families. Majority are HKBC members. 5-6 new comers each time.。

Situation: The Gospel of Matthew About the Messiah – Its relevance to a Young Congregation, Mothers, and Youth

Fallen Focus: Traditional focus on this passage was a beautiful scenary of a peaceful Christmas, with focus on the Magi’s searching, offering to the new born King. Little was said about the the nature and meaning of a new born King of Judea, and the meaning of the fulfillment of the prohpecies.

The gospel of Jesus the Messiah was born, then, in a land and at a time of trouble, tension, violence and fear. Before the Prince of Peace had learned to walk and talk, he was a homeless refugee with a price on his head. This is how Israel’s redeemer was to appear; this is how God would set about liberating his people, and bringing justice to the whole world. No point in arriving in comfort, when the world is in misery; no point having an easy life, when the world suffers violence and injustice! If he is to be Emmanuel, God-with-us, he must be with us where the pain is.

Big Idea: The new King was “Born where the suffering is. Be wise. Seek and follow Him.”

HKBC English Service

The King’s Early Days on Earth!

Augsutine Chow

Sermon Outline

The Wise Seek and Worship Him (2:1-2; 9-12)

Go, Search, Find – Worship – Offer – Fullfilled– BE OVERJOYED

The Wicked Plot Against Him (2:3-8; 16):

Disturbed - Summon – Plot – Slaughter – BE RAGED

The Prophecies Fullfilled (2:13-15; 17-18)

Called – Obey - Take Suffering - Return – BE FULLFILLED

SUMMARY:

In a time of trouble, tension, violence and fear, the Messiah King was born with glory and worship. He was taken to exile so that he can be with us where the suffering is. Be wise. Do not give the devil a foothold. Be guided by your own star.

Sermon (Finish in 40 minutes)

【INTRODUCTION】

One morning the young new president of a bank made an appointment with his predecessor to seek some advice.

He began, “Sir, as you well know, I lack a great deal of the qualifications you already have for this job. You have been very successful as president of this bank, and I wondered if you would be kind enough to share with me some of the insights you have gained from your years here that have been the keys to your success.”

The older man looked at him with a stare and replied: “Young man, two words: good decisions.”

The young man responded, “Thank you very much, sir, but how does one come to know which is the good decision?”

“One word, young man: experience.”

“But how does one get experience?”

“Two words, young man: bad decisions.[1]

Today’s sermon is about making good decisions, bad decisions, and cultivating an intimate experience with Jesus, the Messiah. The text is Matthew 2:1-18. You all are familiar with this passage, aren’t you? It is often talked about during Christian. But today, our focus is not on Christmas.

I suggest we put on our new glasses, to look at the passage from Matthew’s point of view, to understand the meaning of the prophecies fulfillment that is hidden in the core message of Matthew. Why are the prophecies fulfillment so significant, and relevant to our experience with Him today? Let’s first pray. (253)

【PRAYER】

Our heavenly father, we pray that you open our eyes and hearts today. Help us understand the truth of the scripture. In this period of trouble, tension, violence, and fear, guide us with your sign of star in our life, help us grow with your wisdem. Enable us to be obedient to your calling. Equip us with the empathy and sympathy to the people you put around us who are suffering. Empower us to enrich our intimacy and experience with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (87)

【SERMON】

Imagine you are in Christmas. You hear people sing: “Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!”

You see the angels announcing the birth of Messiah to the shepherds in the fields. They shepherds came to worship the new born baby in the manger At the same time 3 wise men, the Magi [meidʒai] from the east came to offer the new born baby with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (picture)

Cut! Hey, wait a minute. If you read the bible close enough, the fact is probably not what you were told in a Christmas story. The Magi did not meet the new born king in a manger, but they came to a house (2:11), where they were not meeting a baby, but a child (2:8,9,11, and throughout the chapter).

When really happened?

Matthew 2:1 says: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.” (NIV) From history we know, King Herod lived from 47 b.c. till 4 b.c. So the story began probably took place when Jesus is no more a new born baby, but a child of 2-3 years old living with his parents, Joseph and May in a house.

Who is King Herod? What do we know about the Herods’ family?

Christ was born when Herod the Great (47–4 b.c.) was ruling. Herod the Great was a half-Jew, who, through accommodation to the Romans, became governor of Galilee at his 25 years of age. His role there was to rule the land, and collect taxes for Rome.

A young ruler of Paslestine, he is well known for building of the temple in Jerusalem, building theaters, amphi-theaters, and race courses, a royal palace, fortresses and gentile temples.

Herod’s son, Herod Antipas, was the ruler of Galilee and Perea, the territories in which Jesus and John the Baptist carried out most of their ministries. It was this ruler who beheaded John the Baptist and tried Christ just before his death.

Herod Agrippa The First is persecutor of the church in Acts 12, and Herod Agrippa the Second heard Paul’s testimony (Acts 26) just before he went to Rome to be tried by the caesar.

Matthew 2:1 says: “Magi [meidʒai] from the east came to Jerusalem.” Who are the Magi [meidʒai]? Why do they come to seek for the King of Judea?

The Magi were not kings, but a combination of wise men and priests probably from Persia. They combined astronomical observation with astrological speculation. They played both political and religious roles and were figures of some prominence in their land. (439)

The Wise Seek and Worship Him (2:1-2; 9-12)

Now, let’s firstly turn our focus on our to the Magi. What did the wise men do with King Herod, and the new born King? Why did they come?

The wise men seek and worship the new born king. They came to ask King Herod a threatening question, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” The Magi’s question to Herod emphasizes the word “born.” It is lear that they ask about who the child is who has legitimate claim to Israel’s throne by virtue of his birth. Herod is thus viewed as a usurper ([ju:ˋzə:pə] 篡位者) to the throne.

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him”, said the Magi (2:2). A new star in the sky was often believed to herald the birth of a significant person in the land over which the star shone.

Where did the Magi go to seek for the new born King?

They came to Jerusalem. They thought the new King must be born in Jerusalem, where the temple for Jews was. Jerusalem is up on the hills. So the King must be born in a holy place, in the capital city of the Jews, the Magi thought. They came to worship him, present their precious gifts to Him. To their surpise, he was not born in Jerusalem. The star rose again and guided them to the small town of Bethleham.

What do we know about Bethlehem?

The town of Bethleham is the prophetical birth place of new and ancient King of Israel. (Micah 5:2) It is located 6 miles south of Jerusalem. The name first appears in the bible is on Genesis 35:19, where Rachel, the wife of Jacob gave birth to Benjamin, died and buried there. It was the home of the Naomi’s family in the book of Ruth (4:11). Bethlehem was where Boaz and Ruth lived. They were the grand-grand-parents of King David of Israel. Micah 5:2 prophesised that "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

What did the Magi do?

Let’s read Matthew 2:9-12 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

The Magi went on their search for the new born king of Jews. They saw the star, overjoyed, saw the child, bowed down, worshipped him, opened their treasures, presented him with gifts, and returned home. Their mission was complete.

The wise men were gentile. They came all the way from the East, to seek the new born King. A star guided their way. They began to search him in Jerusalem, asked the ruler there, and was told he would be born in Bethlehem. They saw the star move. Finally, the star stopped, and they found the child, whose identity is confirmed by the star stopping over the place, and by the prophecy they heard from King Herod. They were overjoyed.

The word overjoyed from NIV is literally translated from Greek in RSV “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matt. 2:10 RSV) (ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα (Matt. 2:10 BGT). Greek uses double words to emphasize the degree of joy. The text “exceedingly, greatly, rejoicefully joy” is to mean they were very, very, very happy about meeting the new born King.

Now, brothers and sisters, Matthew was pointing out the first encounter of the new born King was with the gentile worshippers.

The gentile wise men seek HIM, go all the way to search HIM. They were guided by a rising and moving star. When they met Him, they worshipped Him, open their treasures, and presented Him with the most precious gifts at that time. Gentiles, those considered alien to God’s purposes, exhibit an openness to God’s purposes.

How about you? Are you a gentile? How did you seek and receive the new born King? What are the signs in your life which direct you to the Messiah King? Did you notice the signs? Did you worship Him when we met Him? Did you open our treasure and give Him our gifts? What gifts did you give to your Savior, your Messiah, and your King?

Yes, we are gentile. But Jesus calls us, often in a time when we are desparate for miracles, guidance, and we respond to his calling.

I was baptized in this church in 2005 at my age 51. For my past 51 years, I knew Jesus but never believed in Jesus. I thought I did not need Jesus. I was in business, worked so fine, progressing so well in my career, that I believed I controlled my own destiny in my life.

It was until 2001, when the 911 in world trade center collapsed, that I lost my job from HSBC as a senior member of the management team. I decided to pursue my next Insurance agency career in Beijing, when AIA was the first foreign insurance company started business there. I thought I had advantage as a financial planner for the new foreign insurance company market in Beijing. In Beijing, I had no more than 1 friend, could not speak good Putonghua. I was quite lonely, helpless. A friend of mine introduced me to a church in Biejing for foreigners. That was how I reconnected with God.

Two years later, I returned to Hong Kong to take up a general manager position in Metlife Insurance in HK. I realized it was a miracle and started searching around for church services. It was at that time, Hong Kong Baptist Church had the “Purpose Driven Life” 40 days spiritual journey, which attracted me. It was my star in life to guide me to Jesus.

What was your star which guided you to Jesus in life?

I am sure you will surely well remember what signs you followed to know Jesus. But often, after a while, our Christian life becomes so routine, so boring, that church worship becomes a duty. Offerings become an obligation. Sunday Bible study becomes directly competition with your quality family time. Worship become something necessary, but is secondary to your other work and family duties. You began to lose sight on the star that is still leading your way. You closed your treasure box, and said “God, money, treasure, time, offerings I don’t have. I do not have enough to give to you.”

Brothers and sisters, your star has never stop guiding you. Find it now, it is continuing to lead your way to Christ. Look up and follow your star.

You may say, “No, No, I don’t see my star.” That is not true.

Now right still on show in our cinema is the movie “Miracles in Heaven.” It is about a young daughter who had a near-death experience and was later cured from an incurable disease. The family experienced a miracle that could not be possibly explained.

During this painful period, the mother and the child questioned God. Why didn’t God heal me? Rumour floated around the church that the couples must have committed sins, and the sickness of their daughter must be a punishment from God. Hearing this, the mother said, I will never come to this church again.

People often blame God for not having what they want, particularly when they are suffering. What I like the movie is the testimony the mother gives to the church congregation, that she was once lost faith in God, blame God, and did not realize that there have been a series of miracles all the way towards the miracle healing of her daughter.

The pastor supported her; the fellowship pray for her; a classmate of the sick daughter came to cheer her up; her friend lent her the car to take her daughter to hospital; the nurse sympathesed her and help her meet the doctor without a doctor’s appointment; having known their situation, a waitor in a Chicago restaurant took them to an acquarium to satisfy her daughter’s wish while they were waiting to see the doctor; the doctor went out of the way to help the child…. The story goes on.

You can see miracles around you when you have faith. You can see your star above you guiding your way to Jesus, if you have faith.

Nothing is impossible for God. He can intervene on someone’s behalf at any moment. Acknolwedge God’ freedom to choose what He does.

Be wise. Look up to find your star. The star will lead you closer to Jesus. The star will stop you before Jesus. King Herod, the Priests in Jerusalem also saw the star, but they do not follow the star to worship Jesus. Wise men, however, persevere in their search after him.

Be wise. Have faith. Look up to your star. The Star is Christ Himself. He always oversees on you. He always guides you, protects you, in your good days, bad days, irrespective what good decisions, bad decisions you made. He will have an intimate relationship with you if you follow him. (1604)

The Wicked Plot Against Him (2:3-8; 16):

Now let’s turn our focus to King Herod. What did he do?

Let’s read Mat 2:3-8: “3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." (Matt. 2:2-8 NIV)

And also 2:16 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. (Matt. 2:16 NIV)

King Herod was disturbed, a word of trouble-minded, worry, an irritative feeling to describe the King. It isn’t clear why the populace was also troubled “with him.” They may be afraid of Herod’s reaction or of the expected trouble that was immediately to precede the reign of the Messiah.

Herod summoned his advisors, the chief priests and teachers of th the law, and was told the Messiah would be born in Bethehem. He told a bold-faced lie; he has no intentions of worshiping the child. Instead he makes his plans “secretly.” Here you see a troubled ruler, being threatened, and turning wicked, and finally furious.

The word “Furious” in NIV means very angry. But in greek, it uses a double word furious rage (ἐθυμώθη λίαν Matt. 2:16 RSV) meaning very very angry as contrast to the double happiness, the overjoy of the Magi. He ordered to slaughter all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under.

How often does a disturbed ruler turn wicked, tell lies, plot against others, and ultimately commit crime?

You see this on newspaper every day!

A victim was found murdered with his head wrapped in a plastic bag and pillowcase. The case was reported that the victim, a 28 years old young man had lent close to 1 million to his friends. When he tried to recall the debt, he was intentionally murdered and burried in a cement coffin on an industrial building in Tsuen Wan. They tried to remove his body in a cement coffin, but failed.

3 young men and a 18 year old woman were alleged for the murder. They fled to Taiwan for a month, and were recently sent back and were arrested for murder. This is a sad story. How could we imagine young men and a 18 years old woman agree to murder the debtor, burry him in a cement coffin, and fled away from crime?

It first began with a debt. The creditor was once over generous. The debtors used the money for food and spending and had never intended to repay. The woman, who was said to be a courteous waiter in a coffee house met these wicked friends and said to have conspired with her wicked friends. Intentional murder. Intentional escape. We are talking about a serious crime.

A big crime could have started from small greed, which turns out to be a big trouble. Evil thoughts arise.

Do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph. 4:27 NIV) because once you give Satan a foothold, Satan will get to you. You may never excape from committing more serious sins.

Want to skip a church service? Do not give the devil a foothold.

You are asked to work in a China city for a long period alone? Do not give the devil a foothold. Do not go to China and work alone.

Someone is in trouble is asking for help from a opposite sex friend? Do not give the devil a foothold. Meet with lady only with your spouse around.

You just had your promotion and were flattered for your superb leadership? Do not give the devil a foothold. Attribute your promotion to the teamwork and your support from others.

Or the contrary, you were accused of how poor a mother you are. You are about blame the person accusing you. Do not give the devil a foothold. Do not allow the anger to blind your eyes and your Christian heart.

Then, brothers and sisters, you must also keep your close relationship with Christ, just as if you were with your best friend.

How?

Spend time with Christ.

Through bible study to learn his teaching.

Through quiet time with him in prayers, through meditation of His words to deepen your understanding of his teaching from your mind down to your heart.

Through applying His teaching in your daily life.

Through seeing and counting His grace on you.

Through givng witness on how your life has changed with Him.

Through sharing the gospel with others.

Through inviting and having Jesus inside your mind, your heart, your work, your family, and your rest with him, and in him.

As a converted Christian, you must be aware of the fact that you already have a new identity in Christ.

You have been chosen by God and adopted as His child (Eph 1:3-8).
You have been justified (Romans 5:1).
You have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Col 1:13-14).
You are free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39).
You are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10).
You can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13)

Christ has given you the new identity. Your real, new self will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for Him….

Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else will be thrown in. (982)

The Prophecies Fullfilled (2:13-15; 17-18)

Now we turn to the Prophecies fulfilled.

What are the prophecies fulfilled here? Why are they so important? What does it mean to us today?

There are 4 prophecies fulfillment in this passage: (1) the Birth Place, (2) the gifts; (3) the calling, and (4) Rachel refused to be comforted. Let’s look at each of them closely.

Birth Place (V6 vs Micah 5:2-3)

Micah 5:2-3 2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. (Mic. 5:2-3 NIV)

This is a prophecy of hope to the Israelites in exile. Deliverance will come from the least expected place. Bethlehem Ephrathah was the smallest, most insignificant clan in Judah. The deliverer had not yet come until one about to give birth brought forth. The child was to be Yahweh’s ruler Then the rest of his brothers (in exile) will return to the children of Israel.

Gifts (v11 vs Isa 60:6 and Ps 72:10-11)

Isa. 60:6 NIV)6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.

Ps. 72:10-11 NIV)10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.

This is a prophecy about offerings will be made to the Messiah by gentiles. They will arrive from Arabian desert area and from Sheba (Ps 72:10, 15). These foreigners will freely offer their gold for the beautify the temple where God would dwell, and the incense would be offered on the altar of incense.

Calling (v15 vs Hos 11:1)

Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hos. 11:1 NIV)

This is a prophecy of double meanings: first about the remnants in exile will be called and return, and second about a Messianic prophecy that there will be a second special exodus from Egypt, that of the child Jesus after the death of Herod.

Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more. (V18 Vs Jer 31:15)

Jer. 31:15 NIV15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.

Rachel is Jacob’s wife. She had great difficulty in giving birth of her last child Benjamin. Rachel died and was buried on the way to Bethlehem. Her life story sets her apart from the other Israelite ancestors. She alone had only a grave and never a home in the promised land (Jer 30:3). She died “on the way” (Gen 35:19), and her last words express her sorrow (Gen 35:18). Not every mother will give up her own life for her child’s.

This is a prophecy of love and comfort. Rachel’s death in childbirth makes her deeply credible as an example of the profound extent of a mother’s love. Rachel is a mother who does not forget her children

Brothers and Sisters, you ‘ve got to know the heart of Matthew. He is describing the new born king as the promised Messiah from the Old Testaments. Through the genealogy, he establishes that there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. (Matt. 1:17) Through prophecies fullfilment, Mary gave birth to Jesus by virgin conception. Deliverance is on its way. There will be an exodus, from Eygpt, as was to the descendants of Jacob and Rachel, as was with the remnants in Babylon, as was with Jews by this new born king.

So what do the fullfilement of prophecies mean to us today?

Deliverance will come from the least expected place. Deliverance is a promise of God. He never fails you. He never leaves you. He never harms you.
Worshipp Christ and offer with precious gifts as did by the Gentile. Messiah is born for the Jews and for the Gentile. Learn to worship Him and offer your precious gift of your body as living sacrifice to Him, for He deserve your worship.
A second special exodus will be expected. As God’ children, God will lead you through your exodus from your sins, to the land He promised to you.
God will never forget His children. So restrain from weeping. There is hope for the descendants. God’s children will return to their own land. The Israelites have been disciplined and so will you. Say: “Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God,” (Jer 31:18)

Repent if you ever lost faith in Him. Seek forgiveness if you ever obstruct God’s plan on you. Restore your relationship with Christ.

I was on several occasions lost. On the month following my bapticism, I was asked to step down from my General Manager’s role in Metlife. Had this happened before my baptism, I would have quitted. What I knew afterwards that I was transferred to Guangzhou as the second senior vice president there with my pay cut and job grade down, but there I gained my heart for serious bible study and called to serve God full time after four years of services in Guangzhou.

I was once nervous and tense on a crossroad whether to quit a job. Over months, I took fasting, and prayed hard on God’s will on me. Over one retreat camp, I was on a journey walking along the Cheung Chau Island and soon I found out I was on spiritual journey with God on the island. God made me understand that I was not walking on bushes or difficult lanes, but on these twisting small but plain roads leading a destination to be determined by God. I could reach the peak, not by my own efforts in the selection of walking paths but following His way. Because His way is higher than my way.

The answer to me was patience. Follow the path faithfully, trusting He is leading the way. Give up your demand for self-control over your own destiny and your paths. I was relieved and released.

A month later, I realized that all my prayers had been answered. God has led me to a peak which I had never dreamed of. He always does, to me and to my family. And He will to you, and to your family. (1134)

【CONCLUSION】

What have you learnt from this passage today?

You have been asked with some quite serious questions about your good decisions, bad decisions, and experience in faith. You were given examples from the Magi and from the King Herod on how you could be overjoyed or furious raged. You have been given a choice to seek and find Jesus, and complete your life mission in Him. You have been asked to examine whether you are allowing a foothold in devil to contaminate your spiritual holiness and wholeness. You are invited to make good decisions to follow Jesus, and join Him in the deliverance from sins and evil.

All testimonies pinpoint to the renewal in your life. Repentance. Restore and Return to God. The new born King’s early days on earth was born with

Glory – that the Gentile are the first to worship Him,

Threats – he could be slaughtered, had his parents not been warned by the Angels;

Tension – between the King Herod and the Magi; the King and the chief priests;

Violence - Children in Bethlehem died.

Suffering –The new born King had to grow up as a child in a foreign country without knowing His true identity and mission in life

Grace – promised from the OT and never fails on the ones who have faith in Christ.

Christ is the perfect God, and a perfect man. Born in a small town of Bethlehem, paying the price of almost being killed, growing in a foreign city in loneliness, he was suffering as early as he could as King. Because of His suffering, He understands pain, and could be with us when we are in pain.

To close this sermon, I ask you to bow your head, close your eyes and examine your own situation right here, right now as I begin to ask you about your life….

What are you seeking in life? Give up your personal amibtion. Seek only wisdom and a close relationship with Christ. Look up and be guided by your star in Life. Your star is Christ.
Are you in any kind of suffering? Suffering has meanings. Find it and sees that there are miracles around.
Are you losing faith? Stay in Faith. His way is higher and better than yours. Stay close with Christ. Give Him Time and Listen to Him.
Are you giving the devil a foothold? You have been given a new identity not sin, but to pursue a holy life. Don’t give the devil a foothold.
What good decision will you make today to stay closer to jesus? Ask and Answer it yourself.
What specific action can you take today? Take it to your heart. Do it today. (452)

【PRAYER】

Let’s continue to close our eyes and pray again.

Our heavenly father, We have just been inspired from the early days of the new born king on earth. We have been prompted with some questions in life. Whatever answers we are giving to them, we ask you to oversee hearts. Through the the great price Jesus paid on the cross, and through the Resurrection, we can have faith and rest every day.

Please restore us. Return us to the paths of humility, meekness to deal with people. Lead us on our ministries and involvement in this English service. And most critically of all, allow us to have faith in Christ, in good times, bad times, and difficult times. In Jesus’ name we pray. (123) (5199字, 40分鐘)

Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 396). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. ↑