[Dec 24, 2025] Adore the King of Kings

Devotional

Day 1: Humble King, Real Victory over Real Enemies

History remembers conquerors for armies and empires, but the true King arrived in an obscure village and chose a carpenter’s workshop over a throne. He did not gather soldiers or write laws; He laid down His life and rose again, winning victory over sin, death, and the evil one. He brings peace and joy that do not depend on circumstances, even in seasons of grief. He disarms our deepest fears not with force, but with humility and submission. Receive His gentle victory over your real enemies today. [04:05]

Colossians 2:13–15 — You were dead in your sins, but God made you alive with Christ. He erased the record of debt that stood against you, nailing it to the cross. He stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their claims and publicly displayed His triumph over them.

Reflection: Where does fear of death, guilt from past sin, or an accusing voice still tug at you, and what simple prayer of surrender will you bring to Jesus this week?

Day 2: The Word Became Flesh: God With Us Forever

Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem; He has always existed as the Word—the ultimate reality, wisdom, and truth of God. In love, He took on flesh and moved into our neighborhood, making God knowable, near, and full of grace and truth. The prophets foresaw His coming, and our faith rests on promises fulfilled, not wishful thinking. In Him, eternity stepped into time so that we could see the Father’s heart. Let this confidence steady your heart: God has drawn close and remains with you. [08:49]

John 1:14,18 — The eternal Word became human and lived among us, and we witnessed His beauty—overflowing with grace and truth. No one has seen God, but the uniquely begotten Son, closest to the Father’s heart, has made Him known.

Reflection: Which truth about Jesus—His eternal origin or His nearness in flesh—most reassures you right now, and how will you rehearse that truth each day this week?

Day 3: His Kingdom: Now, Not Yet, and Everlasting

Many wanted a political revolution, but Jesus announced a kingdom not of this world. He ushered in a reign marked by humility, holiness, and healing—present now, yet awaiting its full arrival at His return. His dominion will never end, and His rule will never be destroyed. Wherever He is acknowledged as King, His kingdom takes root in human hearts and communities. Today, welcome His reign in the very places you live, work, and struggle. [12:21]

Daniel 7:13–14 — In a night vision, one like a Son of Man came with the clouds and was presented before the Ancient of Days. Authority, glory, and a kingdom were given to Him so that every people and language would serve Him. His rule is everlasting and will never pass away, and His kingdom cannot be destroyed.

Reflection: In what specific corner of your life—home, work, or a stubborn habit—is Jesus inviting you to acknowledge Him as King this week, and what one action will express that trust?

Day 4: Two Questions That Open the Kingdom

Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” and “Will you follow Me?” Agreeing with Him—You are the Christ, the Son of the living God—is the doorway into life with God. Following Him means adopting His way—loving God, loving one another, and even loving our enemies. Stumbles will come, but disciples get up, keep going, and keep aligning daily habits to His life. Today, answer with a trusting yes in both word and practice. [15:55]

Matthew 16:13–17 — Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was, and then pressed them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed that this insight came from the Father, not from human reasoning.

Reflection: Name one concrete behavior that would mirror Jesus’ love toward an enemy or difficult person this week; what small step will you take to practice it?

Day 5: Light of the World, Light in Us

Jesus declared Himself the light of the world, and by His grace He calls His followers light as well. Because of Him, we don’t walk in darkness; our lives can shine with good works that point to the Father. As we celebrate, remember He lived, laid down His life for the world, rose, ascended, and will return. Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your thoughts, words, and actions so His light is seen at home and in your community. Walk today in His joy and peace. [22:32]

Matthew 5:14–16 — You are the world’s light; a city on a hill cannot be hidden. No one hides a lamp under a basket, but sets it up to brighten the whole house. In the same way, let your light shine so people see your good deeds and honor your Father in heaven.

Reflection: Where could you bring gentle light this week—a conversation, a task, or a quiet act of service—and how will you depend on the Holy Spirit as you do it?

Sermon Summary

Human history remembers emperors for conquests, crowns, and campaigns. Yet the birth honored at Christmas unveils a different kind of king—born in obscurity, raised in simplicity, and advancing a kingdom without armies or political leverage. Jesus, the carpenter-turned-itinerant preacher, brought a victory no empire could deliver: He defeated humanity’s deepest enemies—sin, death, and the evil one—through the cross and the empty tomb. Not by sword, but by humility and submission.

This King is the eternal Word made flesh. He did not begin at Bethlehem. He has always existed as the Son with the Father and entered the world through the incarnation. The prophets foresaw His coming; the precision of fulfilled prophecy grounds faith in reality, not myth. Jesus Himself affirmed His pre-existence—“before Abraham was, I am”—and the apostles proclaimed Him Creator and Sustainer, the One whose glory they beheld, full of grace and truth.

His kingdom is not of this world. It is present and powerful now, yet not fully realized—an everlasting dominion that will one day fill the new heavens and new earth. Wherever He is confessed as Lord, His reign breaks in. One day every knee will bow; today, the invitation stands to bow gladly, freely, and joyfully.

Entry into His kingdom turns on two questions Jesus still asks. First: “Who do you say I am?” The right confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—is a gift of revelation and the doorway of salvation. Second: “Will you follow Me?” Allegiance to Jesus means aligning life with His life: learning His ways, practicing His teachings, and being formed by His love. This includes the hard command to love enemies and the daily habit of getting back up after failure. Those who follow Him carry His light into dark places, living with His peace and joy as strength, awaiting the day He returns.

Key Takeaways

1. The King who conquers by humility Jesus secures the decisive victory over sin, death, and the devil not through force but through self-giving love. The cross is not a detour; it is the throne from which He reigns. His path reframes power—strength is perfected in weakness, and glory is revealed in surrender. Those who follow Him embrace His way of the cross as the way of life. [04:05]
2. Jesus’ kingdom is now and not yet His rule is already breaking into the world wherever He is acknowledged as Lord, yet its fullness awaits His return. This keeps hope alive without naïveté: real change happens now, while longing for ultimate renewal. It resists both political triumphalism and passive quietism. Faithful presence under His reign becomes our vocation. [12:21]
3. Entering the kingdom requires allegiance Jesus presses two questions: Who is He, and will we follow? Confession without obedience is hollow; obedience without confession lacks the root. Allegiance means apprenticing under Jesus—learning to love God, neighbor, and even enemies—and persevering after missteps. The call is costly, but the King walks with His disciples. [15:55]
4. Faith anchored in fulfilled prophecy The long arc of Scripture converges on Jesus with astonishing specificity, strengthening confidence that worship rests on truth. His pre-existence and incarnation reveal a God who steps into history, not a projection of human desire. This grounds devotion in reality and invites thoughtful, joyful trust. [09:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Famous kings contrasted with Christ
[02:31] - Humble birth and hidden years
[03:39] - Victory over sin, death, evil
[04:34] - Advent: hope, peace, joy, love
[05:13] - Magi seek and worship the King
[07:12] - Three Christmas questions
[07:59] - Who is the King? Word made flesh
[09:50] - Prophecy and confidence in Christ
[12:21] - What and where is His kingdom?
[14:38] - How do we enter His kingdom?
[15:10] - Two questions: identity and allegiance
[17:27] - Prayer of confession and surrender
[18:29] - Light of the world and sending
[32:23] - Benediction: live in joy and peace

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

- Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Observation questions

In Matthew 2:1-12, what signs did the wise men follow, how did Herod respond, and what did the wise men do when they found the child?
What specific prophecy is cited to locate the Messiah’s birthplace, and how does it shape the actions taken in the story (vv. 5-6)?
What three enemies did Jesus defeat, and in what way did He secure that victory? [03:39]
What two questions does Jesus still ask that open the door into His kingdom? [15:25]

Interpretation questions

The wise men bowed and offered costly gifts (Matthew 2:11). What does their worship say about the identity of the child, and how does that confront common ideas about where real power comes from?
“My kingdom is not of this world” challenges earthly power plays. What might that mean for how believers think about influence, success, and security in daily life? [12:21]
If sin, death, and the evil one were overcome through humility and submission, what does that reveal about the nature of God’s power—and how might that redefine what “victory” looks like for a Christian? [04:05]
Why do confession (“You are the Christ”) and obedience (“Follow Me”) belong together? What breaks when one is present without the other? [15:55]

Application questions

Where are you tempted to rely on force, image, or control to “win”? What is one practical way you can choose Jesus’ path of humble, self-giving love in that situation this week? [04:05]
The wise men changed their route and “went home…a different way” after encountering Jesus (Matthew 2:12). If you were to “go a different way” this week because of Him, what specific change in rhythm, words, or choices would that look like?
Jesus’ kingdom is present now yet not fully realized. Where do you see signs of His reign in your week, and where do you feel the ache for more? What is one small act of faithful presence you can practice where you live, work, or study? [12:21]
Confidence in Christ is anchored in fulfilled prophecy. Where do doubts or questions surface for you, and what concrete practice could strengthen your confidence (for example, reading a messianic prophecy, journaling answered prayers, or discussing a faith question with a trusted friend)? [09:50]
“Will you follow Me?” Identify one teaching of Jesus you regularly resist (for example, loving an enemy, forgiving someone, generosity, or telling the truth). What is one step you will take this week to practice it? [16:15]
Following Jesus includes falling and getting back up. Where have you felt stuck by a recent failure? What would “getting back up” look like in the next 48 hours—one practical step to re-align with Jesus? [16:31]
Jesus is the light of the world, and He calls His people light. Name one “dark” place you regularly step into (a tense relationship, a stressful workspace, a lonely neighbor). What is one simple way you can carry His light there this week? [18:29]

Sermon Clips

And he was victorious over death. By submitting to death and then rising again, he conquered death on our behalf. We don't have to be afraid of death anymore. And then he overcame the evil one. And he stripped him of his power. But the unique part about the king of kings, who did this victory for us, he didn't do it with a sword or a tank or military or political power. He did it through humility and submission. [00:03:49] (30 seconds) #VictoryThroughHumility

Jesus is the ultimate truth, wisdom of God, and the reality of God. Jesus didn't come or begin at the virgin conception. Jesus has always existed. What we're celebrating is the big word called incarnation. And that's where God left heaven. And he became one of us. He took on flesh, literally. He dwelt among us. Jesus always has existed as God the son or as the word of God. [00:08:24] (35 seconds) #JesusIsEternal

And they said that the probability of him pulling that off is one in ten to the 17th power. Any math people in here? Like, that's a big number. I did the zeros and there were 17 zeros. That's one in ten quadrillion of the probability of Jesus doing that. Your faith is anchored in truth. Your faith is anchored in prophetic things that were said about Jesus that came true. [00:09:37] (35 seconds) #PropheticEvidence

Your faith is anchored in truth. Your faith is anchored in prophetic things that were said about Jesus that came true. Jesus affirmed his pre-existence. Some of the Pharisees were arguing with him. And he said, listen, before Abraham was, I am. And they wanted to kill him because they thought that was blasphemy. He was making himself out to be God. [00:10:01] (27 seconds) #FaithAnchoredInProphecy

Jesus came in a kingdom filled with humility. His kingdom is not of this world. Jesus said that himself. Herod and the other political powers were, when they started hearing about this other kingdom, they were already the conflict had begun over a baby being born that somebody was going to try to take away their power, their political power. When Jesus was before Pilate and they were about to sentence him to being crucified, he was listening to all the accusations. He said, my kingdom is not of this world. My kingdom is not of this world, Jesus said. [00:11:41] (44 seconds) #MyKingdomNotOfThisWorld

And the first question is, he said, Who do you say I am? Jesus was with his disciples. And he said, Who do the people say I am? And he said, because his following was getting big. His notoriety was getting big. And he said, Who do the people say I am? And they said, Well, some say you're the prophet Jeremiah. You're John the Baptist. And he turns the question on them. And he says, Who do you say I am? And Peter says, Well, you're the Christ. You're the son of the living God. Jesus says, That's right. That is the right answer. Peter, flesh and blood, did not reveal this to you. But my Father in heaven revealed this to you. [00:15:00] (42 seconds) #WhoDoYouSayIAm

Will you learn to love as I have loved you? The life of a disciple of Jesus is marked with love. Loving God. Loving one another. Loving our enemies. Toughest command Jesus ever said was to love those that are at enmity with you. That's difficult to do. But he says, Will you follow me? [00:16:11] (22 seconds) #LoveLikeJesus

And listen, when you say yes to following Jesus, that does not mean you're going to not make mistakes or have failures. I see it in my own life every day. But following him means we get back up. And we keep following him. And we put him first place in our life. We align our lives with the life of Jesus. [00:16:34] (27 seconds) #FollowDespiteFailure

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