Jesus the Game Changer 01
November 29, 2020

His Birth

Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus the Game Changer 01 | Mick Veach | lead pastor | first aired on 11.29.20

Introduction

Read Scripture

Jesus was born in 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 saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.

Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. —Matthew 2:1-12

  1. We begin a series looking at the One who was the game changer.

  2. Jesus was the foremost game changer in history!
    a. Everyone was amazed by Him—Luke 2:47-48
    b. He never wrote a book
    c. He never led an army
    d. He said His Kingdom was from another place
    e. Great men had the desire for immortality and named cities after themselves, Jesus did not have a place to lay his head

  3. The movement was challenged within but Jesus survived the:
    a. The Inquisition
    b. Witch Hunts
    c. Crusades
    d. Defense of slavery
    e. Imperialism
    f. Resistance to science
    g. Wars of religion
    h. Judgmentalism
    i. Intolerance/ Bigotry
    j. Scandals of money and sex

  4. How does this game changer survive?
    He moves in areas that are receptive and ready

Jesus changed the game in His birth

I. He

Reveal Answer
Reveal Answer

A. Herod the Great defined greatness at that time

  1. Born of noble birth
  2. Leader of Armies
  3. Roman Senate gave him title “King of the Jews”
  4. Politically skilled 40 years
  5. Greatest builder of his day—still seen today

B. Herod was ruthless, which was what defined a King

  1. 11 wives, executed several
  2. 2 sons executed
  3. Mother in law and two brother in laws murdered
  4. His will instructed at his death prominent leaders in Israel to be executed so there will be weeping

C. News of Jesus’ birth brought conflict to Herod—Matthew 2:2

  1. The Magi, these foreign leaders ask where the king of the Jews had been born
  2. Herod can’t handle the thought that there is another king
  3. The murder of all the boys 2 years and under in Bethlehem—Matthew 2:16-18

D. Jesus is born

  1. All is not calm
  2. No heavenly peace
  3. Peasant families watch helplessly as their boys are murdered
  4. A spiritual warfare of epic portions

E. Jesus’ parents flee to Egypt—Matthew 2:13-15

F. Return from Egypt—“After Herod died…”
The great leveler— Matthew 2:19

G. Kingship was seen as:

  1. Divine or semi-divine
  2. Created by gods to be a god
  3. Peasants were created by inferior gods

H. Jesus’ birth changed the game


  1. Value children—Matthew 18:5
  2. Welcome these …—Matthew 19:14
  3. You have to become like a child

    a.Humble
    b. Open
    c. Trusting
    d. Caring

I. We become humble by:

  1. Deciding to following Jesus’ example
  2. Opening ourselves up to His formation in our lives
  3. Allowing people to mentor us
  4. Being accountable

Key point—Jesus’ birth gave rise to the idea that the King of the Jews would have traits similar to the characteristics of a child

II. He

Reveal Answer
Reveal Answer

A. King who serves
Jesus’ birth was completely different than any King that was born. He was born in a manger—Luke 2:7

B. This event was the beginning of showing the world that He would model servanthood, and demand it from everyone, leaders and followers alike

C. Jesus demonstrates true servanthood prior to his death—John 13


  1. Serve those who have bad intentions for you
  2. Serve those who won’t benefit you

  3. Serve those who have a lessor role or title
    Jesus commands that we pick up our towel

    a. Your family, spouse and family members
    b. Co-workers
    c. James and John were taking advantage—Mark 10:35-40
    d. Leaders today miss this and move toward the thinking that they deserved to be served because of position and authority

  4. Jesus responds: if you want to be great—be a servant

  5. He says He came to serve and give His life
    Where do you fall in the servant role?

    a. Can’t serve because you are broken, insecure or self-absorbed
    b. Willing to serve someone that you don’t benefit from or who won’t thank you

Key point—true greatness is found in servanthood

III. He

Reveal Answer
His
Reveal Answer
for You

a. He came to earth to save—Philippians 2
He did what only He could do, no one else could invade humanity

b. Jesus taught about this love that knows no boundaries

  1. Matthew 12:11-12
  2. Matthew 6:26
  3. Matthew 10:29-30

c. God knew that there was only one way to change the game and Jesus was it

d. What was He saying when He did this?

  1. The seating chart is messed up, let’s change this
  2. We do it to the least…because He first loved us—Matthew 25
  3. God demonstrated His love to us—I John 4:7-10
  4. All are welcomed to be loved and accepted—Galatians 3:28

e. What is necessary for me to experience His love?

  1. Surrender—no longer in control
  2. Trust—believe that He would have come even if you were the only one—John 3:16
  3. Engage—begin an intimate relationship and experience the blessing—John 1:12

Key Point—we experience His love when we surrender control, trust and believe He values each of us and work at engaging in an intimate relationship with God

Call to Action

  1. Decide to allow someone into your life to mentor you

  2. Be accountable to someone

  3. Choose to serve someone this week


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