He looks like a Pawn, but acts like a King!

He looks like a Pawn, but acts like a King! Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/December 23, 2012

He looks like a Pawn, but acts like a King! Sermon Notes December 23, 2012 I. The Spiritual War Between Kingdoms A. The Prophesy in Genesis 3: 15 1. Satan s dilemma The Messiah is coming! He will bruise my head! I must kill Him before He does so! Satan is not all knowing and everywhere at once Write any notes from the week here 2. The nature of the Messiah A King A Priest A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief The perfect substitute for ALL of mankind His very nature would fool the king of fools, Satan His birth and upbringing would have to be done in secrecy to avoid assassination attempts from Satan II. The Significant Nobodies - Joseph & Mary A. Last week, we saw how God brought forth a Son in a virgin B. Joseph, a righteous man did not immediately see God s plan 1. The Dream What Mary says happened actually happened! Marry that girl! Name the child Yeshua! For He will save His people from their sins! 2. Joseph s obedience & faith He stepped out in obedience to the angel in his dream The consequences of such a step of faith 2 19

Table Talk Teens Read Matthew 1:18-2:23!! Question One: Read Matthew 1:21. God chose the name Jesus for His Son because its basic meaning defined the purpose for the Son s coming to earth. Can you describe what that purpose is?! Question Two: Read Matthew 1:23. The name Immanuel is the heart of the Christmas story. It is a Hebrew name that literally means, God with us. It is a promise of incarnate deity, a promise that God Himself would appear as a human infant. This baby who was to be born would be God Himself in human form. Besides all of the Christmas tradition and festivities, why is Christmas so important? Question Three: If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words, God with us. We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ, but the greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the Creator of the heavens and the earth! How do you feel about having the Creator of the Universe with us? Question Four: The immeasurable gift of Christmas is that Christ, God s own Son, gave up His wealth and privilege to live as God with us, that He might save His people from their sins, and that through His poverty we might become rich. What is your response to this Gift? 18 III.The Magi A. The star 1. God speaks to us in our heart language 2. Sometimes, only a few people can hear what God is saying... we should listen B. The star apparently disappeared 1. So the wise men sought wisdom They approached authority for counsel Through the wisdom of God, that authority (Herod) was proved to be unreliable and unholy They learned that the Messiah was expected in Bethlehem 2. The star reappeared It confirmed that Bethlehem was the correct place to go By now, Jesus could have been as old as two years old The star gave very specific guidance C. The Worship Service 1. So much more than a regular king! 2. They worshiped Him! The gifts Gold - the gift of kings Frankincense - The gift for a priest Myrrh - The spice for burial, signifying this king was a suffering servant IV.The Slaughter of the Innocents A. Herod, the servant of Satan 1. Satan does not play fair - ever 2. The Messiah has come to bruise Satan s head, but Satan does not just roll over. The battle is real! Bad stuff happens to good people Good stuff happens to bad people B. The Leading of the Holy Spirit 1. Joseph leads His family as the Holy Spirit leads Him 2. Mary s beautiful submission 3. Jesus grows up in obscurity 3

Life Group Questions for December 23, 2012 Message =Pawn/King Ice Breaker: Have you ever met or seen someone famous? Tell about it. Read Ma-hew 1: 18 through Ma-hew 2: 23 1. Tell what you observe about this passage. 2. The dream Joseph had clarified what was going on with Mary to him, giving him courage to go ahead and take her as his wife. What things do you think were probably difficult for Joseph and Mary after he took this step of faith? 3. Why do you think Herod was uptight about the newborn King of the Jews in MaEhew 2: 3? Why do you think the people of Jerusalem were uptight about it? 4. This week s passage reveals how careful the Holy Spirit is to guide those who fear Him. How has the Holy Spirit guided you in recent times? Can you give an example? 5. Have you ever found it difficult and confusing to follow God s leading? Please explain. 6. Have someone read MaEhew 2: 11. The magi gave Jesus worship and gifts. Tell what you think they saw in Jesus, or what you think these actions said about His identity. How do you think they learned of Jesus identity? 7. Pray for one another. Table Talk Elementary Matthew 2 Day 1 - Before we start our week off with a Bible reading, I want you to think of something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps it's speaking in front of the class, or singing a solo in front of a group of people. Share with your family the situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. What is that makes you feel this way? The true answer is that "fear" makes us feel uncomfortable in certain situations. Read Matthew 2:1-12. Day 2 - Sometimes, walking by faith means that we have to step out into areas that may not be comfortable. The wise men went to a different country in order to do what God had called them to do. They focused their attention on what God had for them more than their present comfortable situation. Is there something that God is calling you to do that you are resisting (saying "no" to)? Perhaps He wants you to invite a friend/neighbor to church, but you are fearful of what they might think of you. Day 3 - God used a star in Heaven to lead the Wise Men to Jesus, the Savior of the entire world, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. Though the Wise Men were not from Israel, they were probably familiar with the Bible verses that told about the One who would be sent by God to take away the sins of the world. These men walked by faith. They first believed God and then obeyed God journeying to a far country to find the One that the star was pointing them to...jesus! God was leading these men to a certain destination, they were not wondering around lost on a wild goose chase! Have you begun your journey of faith? What does your current path look like? (Are you trusting in Jesus or wondering around this earth with no clear direction?) Fear not! God loves you and has a plan for you. 4 17

Table Talk Preschool & Nursery: Matthew 1:18 2:15 Day 1: Read Matthew 1:18 2:15 Start out talking about how God sent an angel to tell Joseph that Mary is to be his wife and that he was to name the baby Jesus. Just like Mary, Joseph was faithful and obeyed God. Talk about how the wise men, known as Magi, were looking for baby Jesus. They were led by the Holy Spirit and a bright star to find Jesus. Ask what gifts they would like to give baby Jesus. Talk more about the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus. Day 2: Talk about how Mary, Joseph, and the Magi all listened to God. God used the people in Jesus life to help protect him from King Herod. Discuss why the Magi went home a different way and how Joseph knew to take his family into Egypt. Ask how Joseph and the Magi knew what to do. Memory Verse: A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:11 Day 3: Talk about how God is always with us. When we love Jesus, listen, and obey, the Holy Spirit will lead us to do the right thing and even to safety. God watches over us everywhere we go! Pray with your children and thank God for sending His son, Jesus, and for watching over you and your loved ones. Activity: Cut out a big star from yellow construction paper. Place a piece of tape on the back of the star so it will stick to something. Have everyone take turns placing the star somewhere in the house or the room while the others look away. Then everyone tries to find the star, just like the Magi! Personal Devotion Pages The following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom. LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God. BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol: INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol: ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him. These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming. Enjoy! 16 5

Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read and meditate on MaEhew 1: 18-25. 3. As you read this passage, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you in any way He would like over the next 24 hours. Memorize Psalm 139: 17-18 Memorize Psalm 139: 14-18 Memorize Psalm 139: 7-18 Day Five And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him. ~Matthew 2:12, 13 Have you noticed all the dreaming going on in the nativity story? Joseph had the initial dream telling him to marry Mary. Now, the Lord speaks to the Magi through a dream, leading them away from Herod. Immediately, God tells Joseph through a dream to scram to Egypt. I think the take home from this story is that the Holy Spirit delights in leading His children! God doesn t just speak when earthshaking events are in the making. The rest of scripture tells us that He leads us in all things. Paul points this out in Romans 8:14, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. If I m God s child, He is leading me. His voice is not booming, nor is it almost ever audible. Just think... Joseph moved his young family to a foreign country based on a dream! God is speaking, but am I willing to do whatever He says? I ve found that stubbornness is the wax in my ears that keeps me from hearing Him. Until I m open to do whatever He wants, I will not be led by Him. At that point, I m trying to lead Him. God refuses to be led by me. He just doesn t do it. I must be led by Him, which requires a sensitive and broken heart, willing to do absolutely whatever He says. Father, show me the bottlenecks in my heart that keep me from hearing Your voice today. 6 15

Day Five 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate on MaEhew 2: 1-23. See how many times you can see that God speaks through dreams. 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you today in any way He would like to speak. Give Him permission to say things that you do not want to hear. 4. Finish your Bible memorization today. Day One Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. Matthew 1:18, 19, NLT It s beautiful how the Holy Spirit works! Luke, who wrote primarily to Gentiles, told the detailed story of Gabriel s visit with Mary. Matthew, who wrote primarily to Jews, focused more detail on Joseph s side of the story. The two testimonies together make for some great storytelling! The message was hard to swallow. As we read it today, the message is so strange and fantastic that even many Bible scholars look at the story with a wary eye. A virgin... pregnant with the Son of God? Joseph was a righteous man. He thought he was doing the right thing by quietly divorcing Mary. He could have vindictively made public charges against the girl; or even worse, he could have asked for her to be stoned. As he pondered his sad choice, he fell asleep, entering the land of dreams. The Holy Spirit spoke to Joseph in his dream, giving clear detail as to what was happening. His plan was for Joseph to fight the public shame and humiliation that accompanies pregnancy out of wedlock in a judgmental culture. The Spirit was inviting Joseph to do something that would cause his friends and neighbors to question his own character. Father, I am willing to hear You, even if what I hear will mean public embarrassment. 14 7

Day Two 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read Luke 1: 26-55. 3. Do you see yourself as favored by God? Take some time to rehearse God s unconditional acceptance and favor in your life. 4. What has God said to you lately that you have failed to receive as truth? 5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week. Day Four When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10, 11 That star had apparently disappeared. That s why they had to stop to talk with Herod. They had lost their bearings. The Jewish leaders told Herod that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. So, they loaded up the camels and headed out to Bethlehem - literally, the House of Bread. The Bread of Life had been born in the House of Bread. The shepherds of Bethlehem had the distinct privilege of raising the sheep that would be sacrificed at Passover each year at the temple of Jerusalem. The lamb of God had been first worshiped by these blessed shepherds who knew a spotless lamb when they saw one. As the Magi departed from Jerusalem, the star reappeared above Bethlehem. The star was apparently clear enough in its message to lead the wise men to the very home where Jesus lived (this was probably a year or two after the birth in the stable and Joseph and Mary have a house in Bethlehem). Their gifts were prophetic. Gold was a gift for kings. Frankincense was a gift for a priest, and myrrh was a spice used in burial. This priest and king had come to die for the nations of the earth, and their gifts testified of it. Thank You, great King that you ever live as our High Priest, ever praying for us! I choose this day to honor You in all things! 8 13

Day Four 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read MaEhew 2: 1-23 again today. Ask the Lord to give you some new wisdom from this passage today. 3. Write down in this space what you think makes someone a wise person. Day Two Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him. ~Matthew 2:1, 2, NLT The Magi were a special cast of king makers. They were skilled in astronomy, astrology, and earth sciences and had served Persia and other ancient cultures in the choosing of kings and foretelling of future events based on astrological signs. What s interesting about these guys is that they are not only skilled in science, but they have done their religious homework as well. They have obviously studied the Old Testament of the Jews as they have come to the conclusion that the star in the east is a sign of the king of the Jews, and the king of all peoples! They believe He is holy. They have come not just to honor and bless Him. They have come to worship Him! The magi were wise because they saw a sign in creation that spoke of a great coronation. However, their wisdom motivated them to look to more specific revelation: the Word of God for clarity as to the nature of this King. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. This is a great model for us today. When we see amazing things happen in nature, in circumstances, and in other natural phenomena, it would be wise to look to the scriptures to give us God s clarity to what we ve seen. 12 9

Day Three 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read MaEhew 2: 1-23 today. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through this passage. 3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Three Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem. Matthew 2:3, NLT I can understand Herod being disturbed by the questions of the Magi. He was a backstabbing, murdering, conniving, pagan who did not fear God. The idea of Immanuel, God with us, would not be exciting to such a tyrant, but rather, downright scary! The strange comment here is that all of Jerusalem was disturbed as well. For literally hundreds of years, the Jews have been waiting for the Messiah to come. Ever since Moses, the prophets have foretold His coming and the hope of every Jew was to be alive when He showed up on the scene. Women, when talking among themselves, would wonder who would have the solemn privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. This rather racist group of folks saw the Messiah as a political/ military king who would free them from the oppression of Rome. If this babe was truly the king of the Jews, why would the God of the Jews whisper His coming into the ears of Gentile Magi rather than into the ears of Jewish holy men? Their arrogance was confronted by this group of insightful Magi and even a gentle prod is a poke in the eye of a proud person. Father, how have I created You in my own image? How have I made You into something You are not? Create in me a clean heart, o God! Show me Your glory and Your true goodness! 10 11