Introduction: Within the Christmas story is a tale of two

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Introduction: Within the Christmas story is a tale of two different kings, who exhibited two different philosophies about life, that resulted in two very different results.

I.

Exposition Of The Text (Matthew 2:1-12)



A.

The Arrival of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-2)

Matthew 2:1 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,” Matthew 2:2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”



B.

Herod’s Response to the News of the Magi (Matthew 2:3-8)

Matthew 2:3 “And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”



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C.

P O RT R A I T

OF

TWO KINGS

The Magi Discover the Child (Matthew 2:9-12)

Matthew 2:9-11 “9 And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:12 “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”

II.

Herod: A Portrait Of Paranoia



A.

“Keep Your Friends Close, and Your Enemies Closer.”



B.

“Don’t Get Mad, Get Even.”



C.

“Do Unto Others Before They Do Unto You.”

Matthew 2:16 “Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi.” Matthew 2:3 “And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Philippians 2:3-5 “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

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P O RT R A I T

III.

Jesus: A Portrait Of Servanthood



A.

OF

TWO KINGS

“If You’ve Got It, You Don’t Have to Flaunt It.” (Philippians 2:6-7a)

Philippians 2:6 “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,” Colossians 1:16-17 “16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

B. “Others First.” (Philippians 2:7b-8)

Philippians 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”



C.

“The Way Up Is Down.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Philippians 2:9-11 “9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Conclusion

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