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KINGS OF CHRISTMAS
Matthew 2:1-12
Shekinah Christian Church – Nagtahan
Sambang Gabi - December 22,2018

Matthew 2:1-12 New International Version (NIV)

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] 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.

3 Days na lang Pasko na. And so many people show different reactions about Christmas. Yung mga bata hindi makapag
hintay na makuha yung gift na inaasam-asam nila.

Last year you could still remember opening your gift; huminto ang buong paligid at naging slow motion ang lahat. You
could see yung gift wrapper habang pinupunit mo yung regalo talagang dahan-dahan ang kanilang pag lipad sa paligid
at nakikita mo habang bumabagsak sila sa sahig ang parents mo nakikikita mo ang kanilang pag sasalita na talagang
dahan-dahan ang pag bukas ng kanilang bibig. At sisigaw ka na dahil yung V9 na pangarap mo ay nandito na. Yung
regalo, nakakahon na kasin-laki ng Cellphone at sisigaw ka na ng ang V9 na inaasam ay Charger ng V9. Kaya tapos na
ang Pasko. Wala ng Christmas, meron Mahal na Araw. Sira na ang Pasko dahil sa hindi natanggap na regalo.

Christmas for others is about gift. MALI!!!! But marami talagang mali ang focus or reaction about Christmas. Sa mall,
what do we see? Christmas lights, nagtataasang Christmas Tree, Parol, Santa Claus, Raindeers, Snowman kahit walang
snow sa Pinas. But Christmas is about Christ.

Matthew 2 shows different Kings of Christmas. There is King Herod, the Three Kings (though they were not kings and
we’re not sure if there were three) and the King of kings. In Matthew, the author paints a portrait of Christ as King! And
He is a true King, that He even dies with the words over His cross “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” So as we talk about
the Kings of Christmas, we will also see what are the reaction of people to the King of kings.

It is true that Jesus is King, he has crown, scepter, followers and His own Kingdom. Though His kingdom is not of this
world. John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…..”

HIS KINGLY RULE IS IN THE HEART’S OF THE PEOPLE. HERE HE NOW RULES AS KING AND SAVIOUR!!!!!!!!
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The question now is, “How do the characters in our text respond to the King of Kings?” The religious leaders in
Jerusalem, how do they respond? What about other people like King Herod, how do they respond? What about you and
me? How do we respond?

The fact is this. People must respond to Christ the King in some way. No one, not one, is the same after hearing the
Gospel of Christ!!!!! He or she must make a response. The GOSPEL DEMANDS A DECISION!!!! This is what the message
is about!

The historical events about the birth of Jesus points out the three definite ways people react to Jesus Christ as King.
Let’s look at the reaction of the Jewish Leaders, King Herod and the Gentiles.

I. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO IGNORE CHRIST THE KING LIKE JEWISH LEADERS IN JERUSALEM.

Matthew 2:4-6 New International Version (NIV)

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.’”

A. NARRATIVE OF THESE LEADERS

They totally ignore Christ the Kings!!!! Who are these people? These are the Jews, their chief priests and teachers of the
law. They knew about the true King. Every Jew knew!!! He is promised in the Old Testament.

Micah 5:2 New International Version (NIV)

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[a] 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.”

Micah, the prophet talks about the birth of the true King and even tells where He is to be born. In Bethlehem, not far
from Jerusalem. Bethlehem is written down 700 years before Christ is born. Amazing but true. (A Promised Kept, when
God make a promise, he will fulfill it). And these Jewish leaders know this fact. They are not ignorant, but you will see
them ignoring Christ the King.

Also Micah records in this prophecy another great fact. He says, this Divine Ruler and King will Shepherd his people
Israel.

Micah 5:4 New International Version (NIV)

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
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We cannot lay aside this Shepherd-kind of person.

A SHEPHERD IS WILLING TO DIE FOR HIS PEOPLE LIKE A SHEPHERD WOULD ALSO DIE TO SAVE HIS SHEEP’S LIVES.

THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE BIRTH OF KING JESUS. HE DIED TO SAVE ALL PEOPLE FROM THEIR SIN. AMEN!!!!!

Isaiah 53:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

THIS IS WHY JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS!!!

OUR SINS DESERVE DEATH!!!

AND JESUS CHRIST PAID THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS!!!

HE TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT AND SATISFIED GOD’S JUSTICE!!!

HE CAME TO BE OUR SAVIOUR!!!!

THIS WAS THE SUPREME REASON FOR HIS BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM!!!

B. WHY DO THESE LEADERS IGNORE KING JESUS?

What is their big concern? These Jewish Leaders want to keep themselves safe from King Herod’s anger. King Herod
already murdered others who he thought might try to sit on his throne. Now another king is born. He is King Jesus. What
can these leaders do? They want to fit in with this organization. They want to follow its ungodly pressures. Turn away
wicked King Herod’s anger and ignore the promised Messiah and King. This is what happens in Jerusalem. It is sad.

Here these Jewish leaders stand and turn away from the door of heaven’s opportunity. They close their eyes to their
promised and long-awaited King. He is the King who will lay down His life to save their souls from their sins.

But they choose to ignore Jesus Christ.

C. APPLICATION
Many people follow the footsteps of these who ignore the King. They, too, turn away from the message. These people
are afraid and they are willing to COMPROMISE to “save” their skin!!!!

There are people who ignore us when we share the Gospel, especially when life is “GOOD.” When your parents, siblings,
relatives and friends still do not know Christ, then do something. DO NOT LET THEM IGNORE THE KING. Just because
right now life is good. GOOD MAY BE THE WORST PART OF LIFE. GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT.

Genesis 3:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for
gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Men fell not because of BAD THINGS but because of GOOD things and PLEASING things.

They will keep on giving so many excuses when we share the gospel, but keep on sharing. Be committed about sharing
the Gospel. When should we get serious? If a person is stricken with cancer, should that person be serious? YET WORSE
THAN CANCER IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WITHIOUT JESUS CHRIST ARE DEAD IN THEIR SINS.
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Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death.

It declares “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and that there is “none righteous, no not one” These
facts cannot be ignored.

Right now, the LGBTQ Movement are very strong. But you know that sharing the gospel means expecting harsh
comment, rejection and even persecution. So you will compromise the truth. TATAHIMIK NA LANG, BAKA MA-BASH.
IGNORE THE KING. Politician kept quiet about the issue, BAKA MAWALAN NG BOTO. IGNORE THE KING.

The King ordered you to share the Gospel, but still you keep on sitting on that same chair doing nothing. IGNORE THE
KING.
The King ordered you to forgive those who hurt you, but you keep on nurturing and enjoying the pain. IGNORE THE
KING.

So please don’t ignore Jesus Christ who died for our sins. He paid our penalty, and is the true King od spiritual life who
rules is love.

Hebrews 2:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was
confirmed to us by those who heard him.

II. THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE HEROD WHO ACTUALLY OPPOSE CHRIST THE KING.
Matthew 2:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:13 New International Version (NIV)

The Escape to Egypt
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.”

A. NARRATION. WHO IS KING HEROD?

1. Herod “the Great” ruled as king of the Jews under Roman authority for thirty-three years, from 37–4 BC.
2. Herod was a strange mix of a clever and efficient ruler and a cruel tyrant.
3. When civil war broke out in Rome between Mark Antony and Octavian, Herod first sided with Antony and
his ally Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt.
4. Then, when Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 BC, Herod immediately switched sides,
convincing Octavian of his loyalty.
5. He executed his wife, three of his sons, another wife, and his mother-in-law when he suspected she was
plotting against him.
6. Herod, trying to be a legitimate Jew, would not eat pork, but he freely murdered his sons!

B. WHY KING HEROD OPPOSES JESUS?

Jesus Christ seems a threat to Herod’s lifestyle. Herod loves political power. He has used military force to crush any
opposition against his rule. He is a proud person. He is known as a wicked king. So now, when King Herod hears about
another King, he is greatly disturbed. King Jesus is a threat to Herod’s power and the way Herod lives. So opposition fills
Hero’s heart. He is against King Jesus.
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And the people of Jerusalem are disturbed. They fear the violent steps of Herod. What would happen if any accepts
Jesus as their true King? What would happen if the King of the Jew led a rebellion against Herod someday? ANXIETY
FILLS THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM.

C. ILLUSTRATION
Was King Jesus a threat to King Herod? YES and NO. Yes, if Herod persisted in his sinful living and opposed Jesus who
would someday be His judge. No, if Herod threw away his pride and selfish ambitions.

D. APPLICATION
People still exist who oppose Jesus Christ as King of their lives. Some people, like Herod, says Jesus interferes with their
sinful life style. These people resist the love of Jesus and His claim upon their lives. They say in their hearts that they
wanted to be master of their own lives. They want to walk in the ways of adultery, lying, and other moral corruption.

Yet the truth is that every person serves just one master of king.

John 8:34 New International Version (NIV)

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

This tells us that a sinner is not the king of his own life but sin is his master. He is slave of sin. Sin controls his life. So the
sinner is not really free as his own master. Kaawa-awa naman.

A person’s true self is found only in serving Jesus Christ the King. This truly fulfills our lives because we were created in
the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We rejoice in King Jesus!!!!

III. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE MAGI WORSHIP CHRIST.

Matthew 2:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

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.

A. NARRATIVE OF THE MAGI

The Magi’s long journey is nearly over. The magi are now leaving Jerusalem. They take the road to Bethlehem. Night has
fallen as their camel caravan moves forward.

Suddenly the star they seen in the east appears again. It is blazing in the heavens. The Magi, greatly rejoicing follow the
star. Suddenly the star stops in the sky. The star stands still over the place where King Jesus is! These men who sought
the true King now finds Him.

Take a picture snapshot of these Magi. The star in the eastern heavens had started them in their long journey. They seek
to worship the King that God points out to them.

GOD WOULD NOT LEAD THESE MEN TO MERELY AN EARTHLY KING. THEY HAD SOUGHT AND THEY HAD FOUND THE
KING OF KINGS.

B. THE GREAT CLIMAX IS WORSHIP.

The Magi fall down and worship King Jesus! Worship King Jesus – this is the climax of their journey. These magi are
mighty and wealthy men. They are of high rank in the society.

But here they are kneeling in the little village of Bethlehem.

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But they regard this place as far better place than any king’s place. They bow to this child as the most glorious King of
Kings. It is not the poor circumstances. No, it is the divine Person who impacts their lives.

HERE THEY BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP JESUS.

IT IS THE GREATEST MOMENT OF THEIR LIVES.
Someday the Bible tells us that every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:10) and this includes those who ignore and oppose
Jesus. These men bow down in reverence and true worship to King Jesus.

The gold, the frankincense and the myrrh are expensive gifts – gifts appropriate for a king. And the great climax of this
whole scene is these men kneeling down to worship. They kneel and lay their gifts before King Jesus. THE SCENCE IS
AWESOME!!! EARTH’S ALMIGHTY KING IS HERE!!!!! HALLELUYA!!!!

WORSHIPPING KING JESUS, THE MAGI ARE WORSHIPPING THE KING OF KINGS!!!! JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS!!!! THE
BIBLE DECLARES IT!!!

THIS WORLD WILL KNOW IT WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN.

HE COMES THIS TIME, NOT TO BE REVEALED ONLY TO THE BETHLEHEM SHEPHERDS AND THESE MAGI, BUT TO THE
WHOLE WORLD. THE KING OF KINGS WILL END THIS WORLD’S HISTORY IN TOTAL VICTORY!!!!

Revelation 19:11-16 New International Version (NIV)

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With
justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name
written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of
God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15
Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”
He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name
written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

So let us worship the King of Kings. But we can only worship Jesus as King if we have a personal relationship with Him.
We accept His rule in our lives and follow Him. Then the Bible says a person becomes a “new creation” in Christ Jesus (2
Cor. 5:17). We are spiritually alive. Then and only then, we worship Jesus in our praise and in our prayers.