Fear That Stole Christmas
Pastor Jason West
12-15-2024
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”
I. Herod’s Life of
A. The Fear of Losing
Matthew 2:3 “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him”
Mark 8:36 “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
Philippians 3:7 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
B. The Fear of the
Matthew 2:4-6 “and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”’”
C. The Fear of
Matthew 2:6b “for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Psalm 139:14a “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Ephesians 2:10a “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
D. The Fear of the
Matthew 2:7 “Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.”
E. The Fear of Losing
Matthew 2:8 “And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.’”
John 12:43 “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
F. The Fear That Leads to
Matthew 2:13 “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’”
Matthew 2:14-15 “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’”
Matthew 2:16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.”
II. God Breaks Through the Fear
1 John 4:18a “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”
Luke 2:10-11 “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
A.
Matthew 2:9 “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.”
B.
Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
C. Go Home a
Matthew 2:12 “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
D. Lead Others to
Daniel 12:3 “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”