ADVENT 2016 “Our Coming Savior”
Second Sunday 'Peace for the Troubled Life:
Herod'
CONNECT
We all love a
good movie! We are entering the time of
the year filled with new releases. What is your favorite Christmas movie? Mine
is "White Christmas"! I
also love "Home Alone"! Each of these movies tell a good story. All good movies tell a story; they have a
plot that peaks our interest and characters that we come to love or hate!
The Christmas
story is all about people. Like any
story, it has a varied cast of characters that drives our celebration of
Advent. Last week we looked at Zacharias
and Elizabeth and their hope for the barren life. Today we look at one of the antagonists in
our story: Herod.
TEXT Matthew 2:1–3a (NKJV) 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, 2saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in
the East and have come to worship Him.” 3When Herod the king
heard this, he was troubled…
Herod was a
troubled man! He was troubled by guilt
over his past sins: the murder of all his political rivals, including many
members of his own family! He was troubled
by his present insecure kingdom: although he was King of Judea, he was not a
Jew; he was Idumean, a direct descendant of Esau, whose descendants such as
Haman and Hitler were thorns in the side of Israel all their history! He was troubled
by his uncertain future: facing a possible rival to his throne and suffering
from horrible diseases, both inside and out.
TENSION
Matthew 2:3b
(NKJV) and all Jerusalem with him.
Everyone in
Jerusalem was troubled. In fact, you may be here today and you are troubled. You have things in your past that you are
ashamed of and feel guilt's voice screaming at you in the night. Your present is insecure due to circumstances
beyond your control: spouse, family, job, finances, opportunity, rivals,
etc. Your future is uncertain because of
a doctor's report, a pink slip, a divorce decree, plans gone awry.
SOLUTION
I have good news
for you! Today's Advent theme is
peace. Jesus is here to give peace to
you no matter what the past, present, or future holds! PRAYER
VIDEO "Herod"
INSTRUCTION
The video
depicted the events in Matthew 2. You
can read it on your own. Let me
summarize the main points.
1. Wise
Men Seek Him
a.
They
knew the Scriptures
i. Daniel had taught them
b.
They
followed God's leading
Numbers
24:17 (NKJV) “I
see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of
Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and
destroy all the sons of tumult.
c.
They
were willing to go as far as necessary
i. Several hundred miles and up to two
years!
d.
They
bowed down and worshipped
i. They humbled themselves
ii. They saw Jesus as the King
iii. They gave gifts of homage
2. Herod
did not seek Him
a.
He
did not know the Scriptures
i. He had not made his own copy as required
by the Law
ii. He had to ask the chief priests and
scribes
Matthew
2:5–6 (NKJV) So
they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the
prophet: 6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the
least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will
shepherd My people Israel.’”
b.
He
did not follow God's leading
c.
He
was not willing to go the five miles to Bethlehem
d.
He
was unwilling to bow in worship
i. He would not humble himself
ii. He saw Jesus as a rival
iii. He gave nothing
3.
What was the result?
a.
For
the Wise Men
Matthew
2:12 (NKJV)Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not
return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
b.
For
Herod
Matthew
2:16–19 (NKJV)Then
Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in
Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to
the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17Then was
fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18“A
voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel
weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19Now when Herod was
dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt,
INSPIRATION
This is so sad! Jesus
was there for Herod. He could have given
him peace but Herod refused!
Jesus is the
Prince of Peace!
Isaiah
9:6–7 (NKJV)For
unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be
upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of
the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon
the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with
judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord
of hosts will perform this.
Ephesians
2:14a (NKJV) For
He Himself is our peace...
Jesus is here
for you today. He will be your 'bridge
over troubled waters'! Just come to Him,
bow before Him, and worship Him. He will
meet you and lead you and bless you! He
will forgive your past, secure your present, and establish your future.
Listen to what
He promises…
John 14:1 (NKJV)
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
John 14:27 (NKJV)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.”
John 16:33 (NKJV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have trouble; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.”
ACTION STEPS
1. Cry
out to God!
Psalms 34:6 (NKJV)
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved
him out of all his troubles.
2. Pray!
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
3. Act!
Philippians 4:9 (NKJV)
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw
in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
HASHTAG #Hispeace
BENEDICTION
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV)
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord
be with you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment