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KEY VERSE:
Matthew 2:2-8 (ESV)
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.”
Introduction:
There or those who speak of love and yet their actions are filled with evil. Herod was not only a fake king, he was a liar and a deceiver of the people. His record showed pride, While Jesus’ showed humility.
I. SEEKING THE TRUE KING.
Matthew 2:2-4 (ESV)
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.
A. The wise men were addressing Herod, the earthy king of the Jews. Yet they were telling him they wanted to worship the real king of the Jews.
B. The wise men did not cower down to a man, they stood strong in their faith and their faithfulness.
C. The wise men recognized the differences between Herod and Jesus.
1. Herod was king by MIGHT, Jesus was king by RIGHT!
2. Herod was full of pride and built grand palaces for himself. Jesus came in humbleness and was born in a stable.
3. Herod was a king who took lives, Jesus is a King who gave His Life and who Saves Lives.
D. The wise men recognized the Star as a sign from God where as Herod had to summon his scribes and the priests to research the scriptures.
II. BETHLEHEM.
Matthew 2:5-6 (ESV)
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.’”
A. Bethlehem actually means “House of Bread”.
B. In biblical times, bread was the staple of life.
1. Jesus was the Bread of Life.
John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
2. Breaking of bread together is a symbol of fellowship between believers.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
3. Through Jesus we have Peace and Fellowship with the Father. Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
III. HEROD THE GREAT OR HEROD THE FAKE?
Matthew 2:7-8
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.”
A. Herod did not really want to worship Jesus, he wanted to find him and kill him!
B. Not everyone professing a love for God is actually a real Christian.
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
John 6:40
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
C. The scribes and priests showed Herod the proof of who Jesus was and yet he still showed contempt!
D. There are people today who sit in churches just like this one and hear the word of God and yet they still reject Him. These people hear but they do not accept God’s Message of Salvation through Jesus. They never surrender to Christ.
Conclusion:
Knowing OF Jesus is not the same as KNOWING Jesus. God seeks a relationship though Jesus, not through religion.