The New King Was Born

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION

• Background
• Jesus is presented as King - the most awaited Messiah
• Another important theme in the Gospel of Matthew is that the Kingdom of God is taken away to Israel and is given to the Gentiles.
• Why? Because Jesus is rejected by Israel and received by Gentiles in accordance with God's plan

Title: The New King Was Born

BODY

Plot

Scene 1: The Arrival of the Wise Men (vv1-2)

• Who are these Magi from the east
• Wrong Conception about the Magi's Identity
• They were not kings
• They were not three
• They were not in nativity
• The word "magi" is translated as wise men
• later concept of magi: magic, sorcery,
• early concept of magi: astrologers, a group of people who gives counsel to the kings

                                      in fact they are priests.

• Most likely, they are Medes or Persians (Daniel stayed with Darius, a Medes)
• King Cyrus
• Overthrew the Babylonian Empire
• Raised by God to bring back Jews in Israel
• This king wants the Jews to go back in Israel and build their temple
• Point: The Medo-Persian had a wonderful relationship with the Jews and were acquainted with Jewish writings/prophecies

• The word "Behold" - The author wants his readers to take note of what they said
• The Inquiry: Where is he (Jesus) who has been born King of the Jews.
• The initial reaction of the Jews is "What are they saying?"
• As if people in Jerusalem were not updated; they missed the news about the coming of their king.
•  The Reason of Inquiry: For we saw HIS STAR when it rose
• They were sure that the star that the saw was the STAR of JESUS (The Star of the King)
• This people have the idea of the prophesy of the MESSIAH-KING
• That star belongs to the King of the Jews; that's why they went to Israel
• The Reason of Arrival: To worship this King who has been born

Transition: This news about the King of the Jews that has been born echoes throughout the land, and Herod, heard this.

Scene 2: The Anxiety of the Wicked King (vv3-6)

• Why did King Herod trouble?
• He proclaims himself as the King of the Jews
• An Idumean not a Jew, but he did all the best that he can do to be called the King of the Jews
• He was a former supporter of Mark Anthony who was the enemy of Augustus on the throne
• When Augustus defeated Mark Anthony (who committed suicide with Cleopatra), Herod tried to convince Augustus that his loyalty is with the Emperor Augustus.
• He was so greed being the appointed King of the Jews that he even killed his wife and some of his children who are THREAT on his throne
• Now here is another THREAT to his throne, that's why he was very troubled
• And if the King is troubled, the whole kingdom is troubled.
• The Statement of the Magi troubled Herod.

• What did King Herod do?
• He called an urgent meeting
• He called the priests and scribes
• He inquired to them about the CHRIST: place of birth

Scene 3: The Action Plan of the Wicked King (vv7-9)

• The Summoning
• Purpose: To ascertain the time the star appeared

• The Sending
• Herod send them to Bethlehem:

• The Scheme
• He tried to convince them to tell him where the New King may be found.
• How: by telling them that he also wants to worship the New King of the Jews.

Scene 4: The Adoration to the New King of the Jews (vv9-11)

• After listening to King Herod
• They went to Bethlehem according to the wicked King

• The word "Behold": Matthew draws the attention of his audience
• The Star that they saw from their place appeared to them again
• This star has been with them until they reached the place where Jesus is

• The Excitement of the Wise Men
• They saw the star rests on the place of Jesus
• Emotion: Exceedingly with Great Joy 

• Inside the House
• They saw the child and Mary
• They fell down and worshipped the Child - Jesus is God
• They offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh

Scene 5: The Advise to the Wise Men(v12)

• They warned in the dream (more likely an angel)
• Do not return to Herod
• They went back to their country using another way

CIS: Jesus is our New King

Matthew proclaims Jesus as King

Apostles and Preachers throughout the history proclaims Jesus as King

Did you find Jesus as your King?

What are you going to do with this New King?

There are 2 Responses in the Proclamation of Jesus as King

1. People Reject Jesus as King of their Lives

• We are the king of our own lives

• And if this Jesus will rule over our lives: He deserves to be obeyed; We need to surrender everything to this King

• Point: Jesus will be a threat to your own throne
• This is the reason why people reject Jesus as their King
• They wanted Him to be their Savior but not as king
• Why? Because your lives is no longer yours but His

• Challenge: Are you going to reject this king

2. People Receives Jesus as King of their Lives

• There are people who will receive Jesus as their king.
• This people gives up everything to this New King
• They will acknowledge their King by offering the best thing that they have: their gifts and their lives
• They will worship their King

• Point: People who receives Christ should receive Him as the Ruler of His Life and not  just a Savior

• Challenge: Have you received Jesus Christ as your king; if so obey and worship this king

CONCLUSION

• Jesus is proclaimed as a king but not just an ordinary king: He is the King of kings and Lord of lords
• To those who receive Him as king, He is our hope in this life
• We cannot do something in our lives, but to wait death: But Jesus can do something against our death
• You can reject this King but in His return, no one can stop Him to rule
• He will rule his people with the rod of comfort and grace
• But to those who are keep rejecting, He will rule them with the rod of iron - with judgment.
• Receive Him as your King; Acknowledge Him before the people; Surrender everything to this King
• If not, He will come and will destroy you.

• Receive Him, lay down your own crown and throne

Jesus Christ the Foundation of Faith Christian Church

11/26/2017

Grace Rules, Not Sin

Text: Rom 6:12-14

I. INTRODUCTION

In the former administrations, drug lords inside the main prisons throughout the country were reigning. However, the new administration ends the reigning power of drug lords inside the prisons.

Christians are no longer in previous administration of the Law, but under the administration of Grace. If under grace, something that reigns under the law should no longer reign, and that is sin.

CIS: Sin should not reign in the people who lives under grace.

II. BODY

Clarification: Not Under the Law, but Under Grace

• Misinterpretation
• This is not a division between two history (before Christ and after Christ)
• Under the Law -OT; Under the Grace - NT: This is a misrepresentation

• Clarification
• Before Christ, there are people who are under the law and under grace
• After Christ, there are people who are under the law and under grace
• Who are the under the law? Those who do not believe the Messiah (evidence: sinful life)
• Who are the under the grace? Those who believe in the Messiah which is evident (evidence: obedient life)

• Conclusion:
• All believers are under grace and all unbelievers are under the law whether before or after Christ.

Background

• Paul's intention in writing the letter to Romans is that they might have obedience produced by faith (1:5; 16:26)

• Anytime that a person will act out of faith is sin - this is not obedience;  sin is reigning on that way

• Paul concludes that if they are died, buried, and lives in Christ, sin must not reign

• In this passage, Paul wants to help the believers in Rome how  the sin will not reign in their body

The 2 Intentional Acts that will stop the reign of sin the body.

1. Do not willingly give yourself to sin to be used for unrighteousness

• Many Christians today easily gives in to sin because of situation (It happened to the Romans - Severe persecutions)
• Students do not want to fail on their examinations, most of them cheat.
• Accountant because of the system, they submit document to BIR that is not honest
• Afraid to be terminated, they will work on Sunday rather than go to church to worship God

• Point: Be aware of situation that will lead to sin.
• If a Christian is aware about his/her situation, it is more likely that he can avoid to reign of sin in his life.

• Challenge: Watch out of behavior, words. Guard the mind, eyes, and mouth, and hands. Control the emotion in relation to

                   present pressured situation.

2. Willingly give yourself to God to be used for righteousness

• Paul reminds them to be conditioned that they have been risen with Christ in new life.

• Christian must be aware of his status in Christ
• By this the more likely that sin will not reign in him even in the most difficult situation of life

• Christian must be aware that He is a servant of God and that his life must be used by God for righteousness
• Point: Every Christian has been given a new life in Christ, therefore, he must life for righteousness
• Challenge: We are redeemed by God through the blood of Christ in His death, be aware of Him and live for Him.

III. CONCLUSION

              We are no longer under the condemnation due to our sin because we are under a new government, the government of Grace of God. Sin should have no business to us. Sin should not rule in us, grace does. If we are under grace, sin should not reign. Present not your body to sin, but to God to be used in righteousness for His glory.

             However, if sin is  continuously reigning in our body, you might not been risen with Christ from the dead. Seek yourselves. If you think you are not a Christian go to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him that He may show mercy to you and to be under His government-grace. And remember that those who are under grace will never live in sin.

Sovereign Grace of Christ Christian Church

11/19/17

The Birth of Faith

Text: Rom 10:14-21

I. INTRODUCTION

Why do politicians have advertisements and campaigns during the election? Why do they want their names be heard by the people? There is one reason: They want the people to believe them and vote them. It is true to every advertisement of different products in television, radio, and other media. They want the people to believe what they claim. This is not only politics and advertisements, but also, in Christianity.

We, Christians want the people to believe Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. In order for them to believe, FAITH must be given to them because it is only through faith that they able to believe in Christ Jesus.

CIS: Preaching of the Gospel will give birth to faith.

II. BODY

Background

• In chapters 9-11, Paul presents his argument why the Kingdom of God was transferred to the Gentiles.
• It is because of Israel's stubborn heart.
• It is their rejection of their Messiah - Jesus

• Paul explains that it is not by the works of the law that a person can be saved like what the Israel presume.

• Paul emphasizes that it is through FAITH in Christ that these Gentiles will be saved, and this is also true to the Israel. They must have faith in Jesus Christ.

• The question is how can they believe in Jesus Christ?
• The answer is in verse 13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
• The question to be answered today is how will someone call in the name of the Lord?

The Chain Questions

1. How will they call on Jesus if they have not believed?  The need to believe in Christ in order to call.
2. How will they believe in Jesus if they never heard about him? The need to hear in order to believe
3. How will they hear if there is no someone who will preach? The need to preach the gospel of Jesus
4. How will they preach if they are not sent?  The need of sending a preacher.

These chain of questions leads to final conclusion: Faith comes from hearing the Gospel

This alludes Jesus' teaching when he sent His disciples (Matthew 10:1ff)

• The lost people in Israel, the sheep without shepherd, must come to faith in Jesus for their salvation.

• He sent the disciples to preach so that people may hear about Jesus and may come to Christ in faith.

The Two Complementary Actions to Receive Faith that leads people to Call Upon the Lord and Be Saved

1. The Stimulus - Sent Preachers must preach the Gospel to all people

• The very question, "Is preaching exclusive only for the pastors?"
• The answer is "NO" rather it is a responsibility of all believers being sent by God.

• Follow-up question, "How does a believer confirm that God is sending him to preach?"
• The love for God and compassion for people are enough confirmation that God is sending him.
• Believers must be aware that witnessing, preaching, or Great Commission is for all believers to follow
• Believers must be aware if God is put a desire in his heart to preach the Gospel for he has compassion for the sinners that if they will not hear the gospel, judgment awaits them.

• Point: Those who follow their conviction to preach loves God and people.
• Challenge: Be obedient to the call to preach the Gospel and be compassionate to the lost sinners.

2. The Response - Sinners must hear the Gospel

• Gospel Call is the only means that God is calling a sinner to salvation
• Gospel Call is the only means that sinners may have faith that leads to salvation

• Sinners must hear the Gospel or they will not have faith that leads to salvation.

• Illustration: Ambulance Siren warns, alarms, and obligates people to respond, so as the Gospel 

• Point: Those who hear the Gospel must respond to the Gospel call

• Challenge: To the unbelieves, listen to the Gospel and respond to God in faith

III. CONCLUSION

              There are two doctors. The first doctor is very negligent about his profession. All his cancer patients died immediately. Do you know the reason? He does not tell the cancer patients that they have cancer even though there is a remedy. He is a bad doctor. The second doctor tells his cancer patients that they have cancer and there is a cure. However, there are different responses of the cancer patients. Some of them accept the fact that they have cancer and willing to be treated. Others ignore what the doctor has told them.

             Christians do not be like the first doctor but be like the second doctor who cares about the welfare of his patients. Tell the Gospel to the sinners because Gospel produces faith. On the other hand, unbelievers, do not ignore and neglect the Gospel, it is the only way for you to have faith that leads you to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

Sovereign Grace of Christ Christian Church

10/15/17

Boasting the Right Way

Boasting the Right Way

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Main Idea: Boast in what God does.

Purpose: To know who God is and what He does.

                 I am the Lord (who God is)

                 who practices (what God does)     

Fallen Condition Focus: People boast in what they are.

I. Introduction:

1. Question: I assumed that everybody experience rebellion against their parents.

• Have you rebelled against your parents? What triggered you to rebel?

• When Satan rebelled against God, what triggered him to rebel?

2. When our first parents started to rebel against God, the sin of pride reigns in their hearts.

3. This pride is one of the three general categories of sin.
1. Lust of the eye
2. Lust of the flesh
3. Pride of life

4. The truth of the matter is, since we came from Adam, pride is also reigning in us.

5. This pride has an action called boasting. We boast from time to time.

Transition: However, if there is a right way to be angry, there also be a right way to boast.

          Let us open our Bible in Jeremiah 9:23-24

II. Body

    Background:

The book of Jeremiah is a prophesy against Judah after the northern kingdom was invaded by the Assyrians. During that time Jews were not right with God, and they were about to face the judgment of captivity. They were in rebellion against God, they are boasting against God.

   

Note: The passage is framed by statements, "Thus says the Lord" and "Declares the Lord

 The Lord God speaks through a prophet with different purposes:

Judgment, Covenant-Promise, Character, Command

God is commanding the Jews to boast the right way:

The repeated word: boasting (hillel means to boast, or glory in the name of)

God is not against the act of boasting, but he is against to an act of boasting because of its objects.

God mentions the three objects that people are boasting of that describes them.

1. The wise boasts in his wisdom
2. The mighty boasts in his might
3. The rich boasts in his riches

The reason why God forbids to boast in these:

1. We depend on our possession and not to God. (emphasis: his).
2. Our lives will revolve around in the things that we possess.

Illustration:

• Do you love Teleserye?

Explanation:

Our own wisdom, might, and riches, will teach us depend on ourselves

Example: If you are in a certain problem that you think it is not that hard.

Our own wisdom, might, and rich, will control, abuse, and despise other people

Example: government leaders, rich people, church leaders

God mentions what should be our boasting

1. Know God

2. Understand God

We go to the church every Sunday, attend Bible study, enroll in Theological class, spend time in our devotion, Bible reading, reading supplemental books to understand God.

What God wants us to know and understand about Him? His Practices

1. Steadfast love

2. Justice

3. Righteousness

Why God practices in these things?

    He delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.

III. Conclusion

God forbids us not to boast in our own wisdom, strength, and riches because as we delight in these we will do the very opposite of the things He delights.

• Instead to practice love, we will practice hatred to our neighbors.

• Instead to practice justice, we will practice injustices, deceptions,

• Instead to practice righteousness, we will practice wickedness and ungodliness.

• Testimony of Jon Bennion Pedley

I was actually about 13 when I made my conscious decision – I chose the world and not God. I fell sick with an illness that causes more damage and harms more people across the globe than any other. I fell sick with a disease called Selfishness.

Over the past eight years I’ve seen the difference that Jesus has made in my life. One dramatic difference is that from drinking ten pints of Stella and two bottles of wine a night, I’m now teetotal – God took away my addiction. I couldn’t have done it myself so I took it to God and I made my sobriety the centre of my relationship with him. If I have booze I can’t have Him because I turn my back on Him when I drink – and that is an easy choice. The other big difference is that, as you know, I’ve stopped chasing money and started serving the God that I love and the people that he loves most……..I now try to live my life in a way that pleases Him

Boast in what God is doing, treasure them by practicing them as you live.

Is God your delight? Are His delights your delights? Or still you delight on the things you have.

Boast the right way.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

6/26/17 

 

                       

    

Reformation through Scripture Alone

Text: 2Kings 5:1-14

I. INTRODUCTION

In October 31, 1517 an Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, nailed his 95 thesis on the door of Wittenburg Church. It was the time where many traditions and practices that were not adhere to the Scripture. People were being deceived by the Roman Catholic added beliefs and practices like prayer for the dead, paying indulgences, and purgatory. When he began to study the Scripture, he found out that many beliefs and traditions of the RCC were unbiblical. For this reason, he convince the leaders of the church and even common people to go back to what the Scripture is saying. Reformation begins with acknowledging the authority of the Scripture. This year we are celebrating the 500th Year of Reformation where people based their faith and practices on Scripture alone.

CIS: Reformation begins discovering the great importance of the Bible.

II. BODY

Background

• King Manasseh and his son Amon who became king next to him,  lead the people of Judah to idolatry during their reign (2Kings 21:1-26). For this reason God was very angry and pronounced judgment against the southern kingdom.

• After their death, King Josiah began to rule the southern kingdom when he was eight years old.
• King Josiah is different from his father and grandfather.
• He loves the Lord and God's temple. For this reason he mandated to repair the temple.
• During that time the high priest named Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord (2Kings 22:8)
• When they found the Book of the Law, there begins the reformation.

There are 4 Important events that will happen to the people of God when they discover the importance of the Bible.

1. Realization of Sin (vv11-13)

The discovery of the great value of the Bible will lead people to realize their sins.

• The king tore his clothes as a sign of realization of his sins and the whole kingdom.
• The people of the kingdom also heard it (23:1-2)
• Point: Only the hearing of the Word of God can make people realize their sin.
• Challenge: There must be preaching of the Word of God so that people who can hear may realize their sins against God

Transition: Realization of Sin leads to finding peach with God.

2. Reconciliation to God through Covenant (23:3)

The discovery of the great value of the Bible will lead people to reconcile with God through covenant.

• The whole kingdom joined in the covenant (v3)
• Point: Reconciliation with God is through believing Jesus Christ with whom the Father made a covenant for reconciliation
• Challenge: Be reconciled with God through believing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Transition: Reconciliation with God means to turn from the things that God abhors.

3. Removal of Idols (vv4-20)

The discovery of great value of the Bible will lead people to remove their idols.

• The mandate of the king is to remove all forms, objects, accomplices of idolatry.
• They removed the high places, altars, and statutes of different gods.
• Even the priests that leads people to idolatry have been exterminated.
• Today there are still idols in the heart of every man (money, fame, gadgets)

• Note: Everyone who reconciles with God must refrain from idolatries.
• Challenge: Examine yourselves whether you still have idols in your life, then remove your idols in your life

Transition: Now that God has set us free from the sin of idolatries, this is a proof that God is faithful to His promise though we sin

                   against Him. Let us acknowledge His faithfulness

4. Recollection of God's Faithfulness (vv21-23)

The discovery of the great value of the Bible will lead people to remember God's faithfulness

• The Passover is the feast that shows God's faithfulness.
• It symbolizes that sacrifice paschal lamb who will save the people from death like what had happened to Egypt.
• For the longest time, since the time of the Judges, Israel never observe the Passover (v22)
• For this reason, King Josiah commanded to keep the feast of Passover to remember God's faithfulness.
• They believe that God is still faithful to His promise that one day a Savior from the line of David will come to deliver them.

• Note: Jesus Christ, the Paschal Lamb,  is the fulfillment of God's faithfulness.

• Challenge: Let us remember God's faithfulness through corporate worship, doing the will of God, serving God through serving

                   others, and advancing His kingdom.

III. CONCLUSION

• In 386 Augustine, one  of the church fathers, was converted. He consider the voice of a child saying "Pick it up and read." So he picked up his Bible and read Romans 13. From that time on, he never be the same. He realized his sin and reconciled with God. He turn from his wicked ways of immorality (his idol) and live for God. His ministries and writings shows how he always remember God's faithfulness. When he discover the great value of the Bible there comes reformation.
• It is true to us today. God will reformed our hearts, minds, and ways. And it is only through His Word.

Sovereign Grace of Christ Christian Church

09/17/17

Jesus Christ the Foundation of Faith Christian Church

09/24/17

Hosanna Christian Church

10/01/17

Blessed in Christ Christian Church

10/29/17