King Of Nations
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
What has NEVER happened at Salem Hospital, building D
LET’S LOOK AT THE NATURE OF JESUS’ KINGDOM, THE REACH OF JESUS’ KINGDOM, AND OUR RESPONSE TO JESUS’ KINGDOM
I) The Nature Of Jesus’ Kingdom
I) The Nature Of Jesus’ Kingdom
A. Two Kingdoms in Conflict
A. Two Kingdoms in Conflict
i. Herod Embodied Everything the World Stands for (vs. 1, vv. 2, 3)
1. An immediate contrast: “Herod the King” à the WPA like a playground!
2. 3 miles from B. was the Herodium – a massive fortress (among others!)
ii. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem represents a different kind of Kingdom!
1. Bethlehem was a small town, insignificant (vs. 6; Mic. 5:2)
2. ILLUSTRATE: small town coffee shop vs. swanky restaurant
3. Jesus’ Kingdom & the world: Humility; vulnerable;
B. Two Kings in Conflict
B. Two Kings in Conflict
i. A Contrast In Kings (see vv. 6)
1. Herod was politically savvy, and ruthless with his enemies
2. Jesus would be a king who “would shepherd the people” – not a statesman, general, celebrity
ii. What does it look like to serve a shepherd-king?
1. APPLICATION: Which kingdom (power structure) defines our lives?
2. APPLICATION: King Jesus reigns: (War? Election! Cultural change?)
THERE’S MORE. THESE WISE MEN WORSHPI BECAUSE THEY’VE FOUND THE TRUE KING – BUT THEY ALSO WORSHIP BECAUSE JESUS’ KINGDOM INCLUDES THEM!
II) The Reach of Jesus’ Kingdom
II) The Reach of Jesus’ Kingdom
A. Jesus Draws Pagans…
A. Jesus Draws Pagans…
i. The Magi came seeking Jesus (vv. 1b)
1. Who are magi? They’re astrologers, Persian priests
2. In other words: New age healers, or the Buddhist neighbor
ii. Pagans find hope in Jesus!
1. Today: “all religions take a different path to God!”
2. This story: No – God meets them where they are, but calls them to Jesus
B. Jesus Draws the Nations
B. Jesus Draws the Nations
i. Since Eden, nations have scattered to the east (vs. 1; Gen. 3:24; 11:1)
1. Eden, Babel, “east” has represented a movement away from God
2. God is reversing that trend, and drawing nations back!
ii. Now, God is gathering the nations back! (see Ps. 72, vs. 11)
1. All scripture envisions the nations coming to worship the Messiah
2. APPLICATION: A reassuring view of God’s global kingdom!
ALL OF THIS NOW LEADS TO OUR RESPONSE.
III) Our Response to Jesus’ Kingdom
III) Our Response to Jesus’ Kingdom
A. Some will Be Threatened By Jesus’ Kingdom
A. Some will Be Threatened By Jesus’ Kingdom
i. Jesus is a threat to our own autonomy (vv. 3-4)
1. Herod was in his last year of life, and growing increasingly paranoid
2. Herod died – and his kingdom with it (c.f. vs. 19)
ii. Jesus is a threat to our own morality
1. Even religious leaders are threatened because Jesus is a threat to them too!
2. Good, moral, people are threatened by the gospel: “You can’t do it!”
B. Others Will Joyfully Worship Jesus as King (vv. 9-11)
B. Others Will Joyfully Worship Jesus as King (vv. 9-11)
i. To Worship & Serve
1. To worship: ADORATION; TRUST; INVOCATION; GRATITUDE
2. To Serve means to submit your whole life – Christianity isn’t a partnership, it’s a monarchy (vv.6)
ii. A grace magnet for joyful worshippers (vs. 10)
1. Seeing Jesus – the fulfillment of God’s plan, king of nations: JOY!
2. APPLICATION: See the beauty of Jesus may increase our joy!
Transition:
Conclusion
This king – born against the backdrop of a Roman empire, violent king – would use his power not to oppress or rule with an iron fist, but to lay down his life to die for his subjects.