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Bible Intersecting With Life

Filed under: Christmas

Four Stories. One Outcome

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4 different types of people worshiped the baby Jesus as King.

  • Elizabeth, Zechariah and John the Baptist. Ministers and people who were well respected in society. They had everything they need and a good life. Things were so good, they wouldn't need a King.
  • Shepherds. The low people on the totem pole. Dirty, smelly, homeless, religiously unclean. These were the first people God told about his own birth (outside of Mary's family). The shepherds would be seen as impossible as people that God would allow to worship him.
  • Simeon and Anna. Very devout people. Filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. Maybe even seen as religious weirdos. People who were so religious that they wouldn't need a king.
  • Wise Men. These men were brillant, rich and commonly held court with kings (they got immediate access to Herod). These men were also Gentiles, so Jews would find it difficult that these guys would be allowed by God to worship him. These men certainly were too high up to want to worship and too far away to get the chance to.

4 different people. 4 different stories. One outcome. Worship.

Read the birth of Jesus this week in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

This week's focal passages: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-21; 2:22-38

"Joy to the World" by Derrick Henslee. Produced by LifeChurch.tv.

A King For the Powerful

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This one really had to happen in one take...so I hope it turns out okay!

Jesus was a toddler when the Magi or Wise Men showed up at their house (yes, despite what your expensive nativity set depicts!). Imagine this enterage of men who are used to keeping court with kings, wearing an amazing array of regalia, showing up at a common house to worship what everyone thought to be just an ordinary toddler inside an ordianary home. 

Everyone needs a King...even those who have everything and knows everyone. We need someone who knows more than us guiding us. We need the Giver of Life to give us Life. We need the All-Powerful to give us Power. If you are someone who thinks they have everything they need in life, what happens when it all runs out? 

Read the birth of Jesus this week in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

This week's focal passages: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-21; 2:22-38

"Joy to the World" by Derrick Henslee. Produced by LifeChurch.tv.

Religion or a King?

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When Jesus' parents took him into the temple to dedicate him to the Lord, two people, well advanced in years, said amazing things about his life and ministry. They were very religious and devout. They had lived full lives. But they saw they needed a King. 

We can be good a playing religious games. It can be intentional--we want to fool people. Or it can be unintentional--we think God wants us to jump through hoops. These two people were led by the Holy Spirit. To them, it wasn't about doing religion. It was about knowing God. When they knew God, they knew Jesus as King.

Read the birth of Jesus this week in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

This week's focal passages: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-21; 2:22-38

"Joy to the World" by Derrick Henslee. Produced by LifeChurch.tv.

A King For All

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The shepherds were first on the scene after Jesus was born. God sent his angels to announce to them first. These lowest on the totem pole people. These people who smelled like sheep. These people who were practically homeless. They were the first ones to see Jesus and worship him after he was born. 

They brought no gifts, just themselves. 

To those of us who wonder if God could ever accept our worship, the story of the shepherds show us that his Son is for all people.

Read the birth of Jesus this week in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

This week's focal passages: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-21; 2:22-38

"Joy to the World" by Derrick Henslee. Produced by LifeChurch.tv.

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