Prioritizing Christ: Worship and Unity This Christmas
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the pursuit of Christ, especially during the Christmas season. While acknowledging the busyness of the season with planning and gift-giving, the speaker urges the congregation to focus on worshiping Christ with their whole hearts. The presence of God is likened to a comforting force during hardships, as noted by C.S. Lewis and John Piper, who suggest that true joy comes from God rather than material possessions. The speaker introduces the "Mary and Bright" series, which will delve into the story of the wise men and the prophetic meaning behind their gifts, encouraging the use of Bible apps for following scripture.
Worship is highlighted as a humble act of recognizing God's supreme power and authority. The wise men's journey to worship Jesus is presented as an example of seeking the King of Kings above all earthly rulers. The speaker reminds the congregation that God is not only a father but also a king with rules to be followed. Unity and support within the Christian community are also emphasized, with a call to help those in need and contribute financially to educational causes.
Jesus' kingship is a central theme, with various instances of His being proclaimed king, such as during His entry into Jerusalem and on the cross. Jesus' mission is explained as bringing eternal peace and restoring broken relationships with God. The speaker encourages personal worship and persistence in seeking Jesus, using the wise men's journey as an example.
The significance of the gifts of the wise men is explored, with gold symbolizing Jesus' kingship and divinity. The Magi's recognition of Jesus as the promised king is supported by biblical prophecy. The historical background of the Magi is provided, explaining their role as kingmakers and their influence in various fields. The speaker corrects misconceptions about the Magi, noting their significant presence in Jerusalem and their absence at Jesus' birth in the stable.
Finally, the three gifts of the wise men are discussed as symbols of Christ's identity: gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity, and myrrh for humanity. These gifts are seen as a tangible proclamation of the gospel, illustrating Jesus' role in reconnecting humanity to God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christmas season should be a time where the worship and pursuit of Christ take precedence over the cultural festivities. The true essence of Christmas lies in offering one's heart to God, which surpasses the importance of any material gifts or holiday activities. This act of worship is a reflection of one's understanding of the significance of Jesus' birth and kingship. [31:35]
- God's presence offers peace and assurance amidst life's difficulties, not by removing hardships but by providing peace within them. This peace is a testament to the joy found in God, which surpasses the temporary happiness derived from material possessions. Worshiping God as the ultimate treasure reflects a heart that finds its joy and satisfaction in Him alone. [19:13]
- Worship requires humility and an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Recognizing Jesus as the supreme King of Kings is essential to true worship. This recognition involves understanding our position as both children and citizens of heaven, with the privileges of intimacy with God and the responsibilities of obedience to His rule. [22:14]
- The Christian community is called to unity and support, particularly in helping those in need. This support extends beyond local communities to global needs, with education being a specific area of focus. The collective efforts of the congregation can make a significant impact, demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ through practical means. [35:46]
- The gifts of the wise men to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—carry deep prophetic significance, representing His royalty, divinity, and humanity. These gifts illustrate the gospel message and invite believers to view Jesus with fresh eyes, responding to His identity with renewed worship and understanding. [09:40]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)
> "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
1. What were the three gifts that the wise men presented to Jesus, and what did each symbolize? [10:47]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the wise men’s journey to find Jesus? [05:16]
3. How did the wise men’s visit to Jerusalem affect King Herod and the people of Jerusalem? [08:22]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the timing of the wise men’s visit in relation to Jesus’ birth? [08:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the wise men sought Jesus in Jerusalem first, and what does this reveal about their understanding of His kingship? [05:16]
2. How does the sermon explain the prophetic significance of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? [10:47]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of humility in worshiping Jesus as King? [23:34]
4. How does the sermon describe the peace that Jesus brings, and how is it different from worldly peace? [18:58]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasizes prioritizing the pursuit of Christ during the Christmas season. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your focus remains on worshiping Christ rather than getting caught up in the busyness of the season? [31:39]
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s peace amidst a difficult situation. How did this peace differ from the temporary happiness that comes from material possessions? [18:58]
3. The wise men’s journey was marked by persistence and determination. What are some ways you can demonstrate persistence in your own spiritual journey, especially when faced with challenges? [30:03]
4. The sermon calls for worshiping Jesus with humility and recognizing His sovereignty. How can you cultivate a humble heart in your daily life, acknowledging God’s supreme authority? [23:34]
5. The Christian community is encouraged to support those in need. Identify a specific way you can contribute to helping others, either locally or globally, during this Christmas season. [34:34]
6. The gifts of the wise men symbolized Jesus’ royalty, divinity, and humanity. How can you use your own resources and talents to honor Jesus and proclaim His identity to others? [10:47]
7. The sermon suggests that worshiping Jesus should be a personal and wholehearted pursuit. What distractions in your life might be hindering you from fully worshiping Jesus, and how can you address them? [27:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Beyond the Festive Facade
The Christmas season's true essence is found in the worship and pursuit of Christ, not in the cultural festivities that often overshadow this spiritual focus. The act of offering one's heart to God is a profound expression of worship that transcends the value of material gifts and holiday activities. It is a reflection of understanding the significance of Jesus' birth and kingship. [31:35]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus this Christmas season to prioritize worship and the pursuit of Christ over cultural festivities?
Day 2: Peace in the Midst of Trials
God's presence offers peace and assurance amidst life's difficulties, not by removing hardships but by providing peace within them. This peace is a testament to the joy found in God, which surpasses the temporary happiness derived from material possessions. Worshiping God as the ultimate treasure reflects a heart that finds its joy and satisfaction in Him alone. [19:13]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Reflection: In what ways can you find joy and peace in God's presence, even when external circumstances are challenging?
Day 3: Humility in His Sovereignty
True worship requires humility and an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Recognizing Jesus as the supreme King of Kings is essential to worship. This recognition involves understanding our position as both children and citizens of heaven, with the privileges of intimacy with God and the responsibilities of obedience to His rule. [22:14]
1 Peter 5:6 - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the supreme King of Kings change the way you approach worship and daily life?
Day 4: Unity in Christian Compassion
The Christian community is called to unity and support, particularly in helping those in need. This support extends beyond local communities to global needs, with education being a specific area of focus. The collective efforts of the congregation can make a significant impact, demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ through practical means. [35:46]
Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to support a person or a cause within your Christian community?
Day 5: Gifts Reflecting the Gospel
The gifts of the wise men to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—carry deep prophetic significance, representing His royalty, divinity, and humanity. These gifts illustrate the gospel message and invite believers to view Jesus with fresh eyes, responding to His identity with renewed worship and understanding. [09:40]
Isaiah 60:6 - "Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD."
Reflection: How can you, through your actions and offerings, proclaim the gospel message and honor Jesus as King, God, and Savior?
Quotes
"Can I challenge you this year and this Christmas to make your pursuit of the king your highest priority? Like what would it look like if we were able to readjust our priorities this year?" [31:35] (Download)
"And may this revelation cause us to be like the wise men, to worship him preeminently above all else and others, to worship him personally with our whole heart, and to worship him persistently at all costs." [33:12] (Download)
"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace within difficulties. It's not immunity. We can have peace within those things because of the presence of God, because of his kingship and his lordship." [20:17] (Download)
"Worship starts with humility. It starts with recognizing who God is and who I am. It starts with acknowledging what God is able to do and where my limitations start." [24:10] (Download)
"The very mercy seat of God, the two cherubim were made of pure gold. Since gold represents God, it's no surprise that many idols and false gods were created of gold." [12:50] (Download)
"The gift of gold did two things. One, it appointed Jesus as the promised king in the line of David. What they were doing is they were proclaiming Jesus as the promised king." [13:52] (Download)
"He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the name above every other name and one that we need to revere as holy, set apart, and righteous. He's preeminent, we cannot lose sight of that, he is not just another God, he is Lord and King over all." [26:51] (Download)
"The first century church understood that these three types of gifts clearly symbolize three aspects of Christ's identity. One, the gold represents points to Jesus's royalty. The frankincense points to his divinity and the myrrh points to his humanity." [11:42] (Download)
"The gifts told the story of how God himself came down from heaven as a king gold to fulfill the priestly duties of reconnecting humanity back to God. Frankincense by laying down his life, becoming the final atonement for our sin. Myrrh." [11:42] (Download)
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