God’s Special Women – Ruth – Matthew 1:5

Posted on December 14, 2023 by dkoop

There are only five women listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Each one has an epic story and Ruth is one of them.  Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and her newfound faith bore significant results.

The account of Ruth in the Bible isn’t just about a girl who was from Moab who landed in the genealogy of Jesus. It isn’t just the story of a foreigner who clung to an Israelite widow and found redemption.

The account of Ruth in the Bible is deep and wide and  hidden within the choices Ruth made, as well as her sister-in-law Orpah’s, is the breadth and depth of the story.

Ruth’s Family

Ruth and Orpah were Moabites, the descendants of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:37) following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Moabites didn’t serve God and were the enemies of the children of Israel.

The Bible Account of Ruth

This is the biblical account of how Ruth came to meet her first husband.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there (Ruth 1:1-2).

After moving to Moab, Elimelek dies leaving Naomi and her sons alone. The sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, instead of going back to Israel to find wives. Neither of them has any children. After living there for about 10 years, both of Naomi’s sons die as well.

After the death of her sons, Naomi heard that God had provided food for his people and she prepared to return home. There’s no record of either sister converting to Judaism upon marriage so when Naomi sets off for home, she tells them to return to their homes.

Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:8-9).

Naomi kissed them goodbye, a ritual of breathing into them something of her own spirit.* At first, they both replied, “We will go back with you to your people” (Ruth 1:10).

But Naomi urged them to stay explaining how she couldn’t provide them with new husbands and children.

The Two Choices

After Naomi urges them to return to their home, the women make different choices. Orpah kisses her mother-in-law goodbye, returning Naomi’s breath to her, making her choice clear.*

But Ruth wouldn’t let go.

Naomi urges Ruth again saying, “Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her” (Ruth 1:15).

Ruth chooses covenant with these words.

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).

Ruth’s Story of Provision

Ruth loved her mother-in-law and humbled herself to serve and care for her. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Naomi knew what to do for them to survive.

There were Jewish customs set up for widows and Naomi instructed Ruth. One custom was called gleaning. Farmers were to leave food on the ground as they harvested the grain so the poor could pick it up to feed their families.

Ruth followed her directions and went out to glean. While gleaning in a certain field, the landowner took notice of her. After learning who she was and her loyalty to Naomi, he responded to her with favor.

“I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband — how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12).

After this, he not only ensured her safety as she gleaned, but also made provision for her to take home an abundance.

Ruth’s Pathway to Redemption

Just as Jewish customs provided the way for Ruth and Naomi to feed themselves, there was a pathway for redemption as well.

The pathway to redemption unveiled in the Book of Ruth is twofold. It’s natural, in the case with Ruth, and spiritual, as it paints a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This pathway to redemption was called a “kinsman-redeemer,” or “guardian-redeemer.” This was a male relative (next of kin) who was permitted to act on behalf (be a guardian) of a relative in danger or need.

When a woman became a widow with no children, it was this man’s right and responsibility to take action. He was to purchase everything that belonged to the dead husband, care for the widow, and father a son who would become the heir.

The landowner, who took notice of Ruth was a close male relative. His name was Boaz. When Naomi discovered this truth, she instructed Ruth to approach him according to this custom. Following Naomi’s instructions precisely, when it was time, she spoke:

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family” (Ruth 3:9).

Boaz liked the idea. However, he knew of a closer male relative he would need to get permission from.

Redemption and Joy

Boaz secured the required permission from the other man. Soon, he and Ruth married, and a son was born. This son was named Obed, who was the father of Jesse, the father of King David.

The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:14-15).

Two women who knew such sorrow came into great joy. Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and her newfound faith bore historic results. Ruth is evidence that your past and ethnicity don’t need to define you, but it’s your power of choice that can decide your destiny.

More Examples from Ruth’s Life

In a way, we see exhibited in the life of Ruth what Jesus calls us to do — to leave everything and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). Believers today need that same love and commitment to Christ that Ruth exhibited.

Ruth further showed her love for Naomi by going out to work in the fields to collect and thresh grain (Ruth 2:17-18). As a childless widow, Naomi had no means to support herself, so Ruth’s work was a great blessing.  The job was physically exhausting, but Ruth consistently worked to provide food for her mother-in-law and herself. In the example of Ruth, we see the Proverbs 31 woman exemplified.

She had arms that were strong for the task of gathering sheaves and worked diligently (Proverbs 31:17). All Christians can learn from her hardworking spirit driven by love.

Though an outsider, Ruth was a woman of faith who displayed sacrificial love for Naomi and trust in the Lord.

As the people of the town said, Ruth was better than seven sons to Naomi, for she continued the lineage of Naomi’s family (Ruth 4:15). Her example shows that women who faithfully love and serve God are of immeasurable value.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Sources:
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/how-ruth-was-an-absolute-trailblazer-in-the-bible.html
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/5-remarkable-women-in-jesus-genealogy-and-what-they-teach-us.html
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God’s Special Women – Rahab – Matthew 1:5

Posted on December 13, 2023 by dkoop

It’s surprising to some to learn that Rahab was an ancestor of Jesus. Despite being a prostitute, Rahab found favor from God and survived the fall of Jericho.

 “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab” Matthew 1:5.

The New Testament begins with a genealogy (Matthew 1:1-16), the lineage of Jesus’ family tree which includes Rahab.

So who was Rahab in the Bible? She is almost always mentioned in the Bible as “Rahab the prostitute.” But her story goes far beyond simply being a prostitute, or “loose woman”.

Rahab was also a Canaanite, who were fierce enemies of Israel.  Some remarkable deeds of Rahab was hiding the Israelites spying her city, lying to the king to protect them, and helping them escape to later attack her own people.  It might seem strange that a Harlot, a Canaanite, a traitor to her people and a liar is known as a distinguished Bible figure. You wouldn’t think she would have much chance of making the list of renowned biblical characters, but there she is.

The Story of Rahab

From the Book of Joshua, when the Hebrews were camped at Shittim, in the Jordan valley across from Jericho, Joshua sent out two spies to examine the fighting force of Jericho. The spies hid in Rahab’s house, which was constructed into the city wall. The men who were sent to seize the spies asked Rahab to bring them out. Rather, she covered them under bunches of flax on the roof, protecting them from capture. Rahab said to the spies:

“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” – Joshua 2:9-13 NIV

After escaping, the spies agreed to spare Rahab and her family after conquering the city. By placing a red cord out her window, Rahab secured her and her family’s safety.

When the city of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were saved from the agreement of the spies and were included among the Jewish people.

Despite her background, Rahab had heard about the Lord and placed faith in Him.  She knew that “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11). Specifically, she used God’s divine name, Yahweh, showing her personal faith in Him.

Scripture states that Rahab lived among the Israelites (Joshua 6:24-25). Later, she married an Israelite man named Salmon and gave birth to Boaz.

Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse… Read the full lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1

What We Can Learn From Rahab

Rahab’s life is a great story with many lessons, but we mustn’t miss the point that Rahab was a prostitute. That was her “trade.” The men hid there because people would be accustomed to seeing strangers come and go at all hours of the night. We also can’t deny the fact that Rahab lied to the king.  What made Rahab, special?  She trusted God more than a strong military, a strong economy and a decadent society.  She chose to side with God and His people more than what the world had to offer.  She could see that God was at work and He was more powerful than any worldly system including the one she was living in.    She was a woman of great faith!  You don’t have to take my word for it. Hebrews 11:31 says, “By faith Rahab …” She was a believer!

“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” James 2:25

Many people are confused by Jesus Christ. They think they have to be “good” or religious to come to Him and that they and their family must be respectable.

This genealogy is in the Bible because it lets us know that  Jesus had a family background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself “the friend of sinners,” and he said he didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The same grace that Rahab experienced is now available to us.  Accept Jesus and be forgiven.

In the next post, we will look at another ancestor of Jesus, Ruth.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Sources
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-rahab-in-the-bible.html
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/5-remarkable-women-in-jesus-genealogy-and-what-they-teach-us.html
Excerpts for this Article taken from Rahab: Harlot, Liar… Ancestor of Jesus? by Ray Pritchard

 

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God’s Special Women – Tamar – Matthew 1:3

Posted on December 12, 2023 by dkoop

No one is too sinful, broken, or tarnished to receive the gift of salvation and live a new life devoted to the Lord. The women in Jesus’ genealogy demonstrate that truth.  Matthew lists 5 remarkable women (four from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament) and we can learn much from each of them.

It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies, since names and inheritances came through the fathers. But in this list we find references to four women from Old Testament history: Today we will focus on Tamar

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Matthew 1:1-3 (NLT)

Sometimes the juiciest, most drama-ridden stories can be found in the most unexpected of places: the Bible. One case in point is the story of Judah and Tamar, a bizarre tale about a father-in-law who mistakenly impregnates his daughter-in-law—who’d concealed her identity from him on purpose.

Who was Tamar?

Genesis 38 intersects the Joseph narrative with an absolutely bizarre story regarding one of Joseph’s brothers, Judah, and his relationship with his daughter-in-law, Tamar.

In the story, Judah, the fourth-born son of Jacob (Israel), had left his father and brothers and married a Canaanite woman named Shua. When their oldest son, Er, came of age, Judah and Shua found him a wife named Tamar. However, according to Scripture, “Er was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life,” making Tamar a widow (Genesis 38:7).

In levirate marriage, the brother-in-law’s duty was to father a male heir with his brother’s widow to carry his brother’s name and ensure his inheritance (Deuteronomy 25:5). In this case, the responsibility fell to Onan, Er’s younger brother. Now, although Onan took Tamar as his wife, he refused to bear a child that he would not be able to call his own. So, instead of conceiving a child with Tamar, Onan “wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother.” It was a vile act that displeased the Lord, and so “He (the Lord) took his life also” (Genesis 38:10).

Now twice widowed, Tamar was childless and alone. Here, Judah was expected to provide another one of his sons to marry and care for Tamar. But rather than offering up his third son, Judah refused, telling Tamar, “remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up. I am afraid that he too may die, like his brothers” (Genesis 38:11).

Now, although Judah argued that he wanted to wait until Shelah was older, it’s clear that he had no intention of marrying off another son to Tamar, inexcusable neglect of his fatherly duties, and injustice to Tamar. Not only that, but Judah had grossly assumed that Tamar was the cause of Er and Onan’s downfall, a failure to acknowledge and address the sins of his own children.

And then the story takes another odd turn. Following Shelah growing up, Judah’s wife passed away and he became a widower. After learning that Judah planned to go to Timnath to tend his flock, Tamar plotted to disguise herself as a prostitute and lay with Judah. Assuming she was a prostitute, he traded for her services. Tamar’s intention was to become pregnant by this ploy so that she might carry a child in Judah’s line since she had been denied to be with Shelah. So she acted the part of a prostitute and negotiated a deal with Judah for a goat, assured by his staff, seal, and cord. When Judah was later able to have a goat sent to Timnath, in order to collect his staff and seal, the woman was nowhere to be found. (Genesis 38:12–23)

Three months later, Tamar was accused of prostitution from the fact of her pregnancy. Upon hearing this news, Judah ordered that she be burned to death. Tamar sent the staff, seal, and cord to Judah with a message stating that the owner of these items was the man who had made her pregnant. Upon recognizing these items as his own, Judah freed Tamar from her sentence.   In essence, Tamar had tricked Judah into performing the duties his sons should have.

Filled with guilt, Judah recognized his sin and acknowledged his failure to provide for his daughter-in-law, confessing, “she is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah” (Genesis 38:26). In doing so, Judah became one of the first recorded examples of a public confession of personal sin.

Tamar and Judah later bore twin boys named Perez and Zerah. Ironically, out of Perez’s line, both King David and later Jesus Christ, the Messiah, were born (Matthew 1:3). This is a testament to God’s prevailing mercy, for even the most flawed and sinful of men can be used and blessed by God, not because of their merit, but because of His grace and the power of repentance.

In Tamar’s life story we we see the spiritual blindness of a father figure and the spiritual corruption and moral failure of young men.  It also reveals injustices towards women and explores the consequences of sexual sin upon families. In Tamar’s story, the grace of God is on display for those willing to confess and repent from their sin.

We might wonder why such a complicated story filled with sinful actions and deception is part of Jesus’ genealogy. The story, though, shows us that God is working even when people choose to do wrong.

A woman such as Tamar might be an unconventional choice for God to carry the lineage of the Messiah through, but she is remarkable for being included in Jesus’ genealogy. Even the sinful actions of humans cannot stop the Lord’s plans.     

In the next post we will learn more about another of Jesus’ relatives, Rahab, the prostitute.

 

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

 

Sources:

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 13.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/5-remarkable-women-in-jesus-genealogy-and-what-they-teach-us.html

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-tamar-in-the-bible.html

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/tamar-in-the-bible/

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Emmanuel – Invitation and Introduction

Posted on December 8, 2023 by dkoop

You’re invited!  Our brand new message series called “Emmanuel” starts this Sunday, December 10th.

Description:

At Christmas we celebrate that God came to us in human form as “Emmanuel” or ‘God with us.’ Matthew’s first two chapters proclaim God’s plan of bringing us the Christ child. He worked through a lineage of messed up people, some special women, a man named Joseph and some wise men.  We are encouraged to trust that God isn’t far from broken people or a broken world. The Savior has come for us all, and the Savior is ‘Emmanuel’ – God with Us.

 Dates           Titles                      Scriptures                        Events

Dec. 10 – God’s Special Women (Matt 1)     
Dec. 17 – God’s Plan for the Man (Matt. 1)

Dec. 24 – God Guides the Wise (Matt  2)                                Christmas Eve AM

Dec. 24- God is Worthy (Matt. 2)                                           *Christmas Eve  PM
Dec. 31 – God Provides (Matt. 2)

Big Ideas of Matthew Chapters 1-2:

GOOD NEWS – Matthew’s first sentence communicates the banner headline. He holds nothing back. Jesus is the Christ (God’s long-promised Messiah)! He’s the Savior of Israel (David’s son)! He’s the hope of all nations (Abraham’s son)! Call a press conference, roll the videotape, this is big news.

QUALIFICATIONS – Genealogies? Boring right? Actually it’s interesting that the first 17 verses where we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2,000 years, (all ancestors of Jesus),  who varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith—like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations—like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary—like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and he works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will.  You matter to God too.

SPECIAL WOMEN- This genealogy also illustrates God’s wonderful grace. It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies, since names and inheritances came through the fathers. But in this list we find references to four women from Old Testament history: Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Rahab and Ruth (Matt. 1:5), and Bathsheba “the wife of Uriah” (Matt. 1:6).  We will learn more about each of these women.

DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES – In Jesus’ family tree, we don’t find all sports heroes and presidents. Some very bad-news characters formed his past. But Matthew does not hide them, and Jesus’ parents, for all we know, never let the past determine the present. Overcoming a dysfunctional past is not easy, but never adopt the past as our excuse. With Jesus, life starts over with new energy, new purpose, and new love.

FULLY HUMAN, FULLY GOD – Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. The infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who believe in him. Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and he has the ability to help.

MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS When facing big decisions, some people freeze with fright. What if I decide wrong? What if I miss God’s will? What if . . . ?  To make good decisions, first take all these worries and put them under God’s promise: God cares for you, watches over you, and guides your steps. Joseph came to the best decision he could, but God had other plans and made them clear. Most of our decisions will not be overruled by angels, but that’s no reason for lack of confidence. To make good decisions, pray, evaluate all the options, talk with trusted friends, then act in faith. God is with you, every step

A NEW LIFE – Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate our alienation from God. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; he, and he alone, came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Jesus for his death on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to take control of your life. Your new life begins at that moment.

“BUT WHAT WILL EVERYONE THINK?” – Joseph changed his plans quickly after learning about God’s plan for his life from the angel. He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage plans. Although others may have disapproved of his decision, Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.

LOOKING FOR GOD? – How can we learn about God? Some people say, “I find God on a nature hike when the wind whistles through trees and the stars shine brightly.” Others say, “Read the Bible and you’ll discover God.” And yet others, “Only by believing in Jesus can a person ever know God.”

Here we learn that all three ways of knowing God are important. The wise men were drawn to worship by a bright heavenly radiance. They came close (Jerusalem) and got specific instruction from people who knew the Old Testament well. Then, unlike Herod and the priests, they actually finished the journey and saw Jesus, who was then a little child. All three ways of finding God helped the wise men finish their journey.

If you want to find God, see his glory in nature, learn of his promises in the Bible, and discover Jesus by getting to know him personally.

THE GREAT TROUBLEMAKER – When Jesus was born into our world, people immediately began to react. His presence did not soothe and comfort people; instead, it startled and disturbed them. In some, he awakened spiritual longings; in others, fear and insecurity. If it is true that God entered our world when Jesus was born, we dare not sit idly by ignoring and rationalizing our inaction. We must acknowledge Jesus as the rightful King of our lives. He did not stay in the manger

SO CLOSE; SO FAR – Herod asked the religious leaders and teachers to tell him what the Scriptures said about the location of the Messiah’s birth. These religious leaders and teachers had knowledge of the Scriptures, but they lacked the desire to understand and believe. With so many churches nearby, so many Christian books and Bibles available, so many radio and television programs, so many Christian videos and films—how can anyone not believe? But it happens. Several Bibles on your bedroom shelf and perfect Sunday school attendance do not a Christian make! Like the chief priests and teachers of the law, a person can miss the opportunity to believe in Jesus completely while studying the facts of the Bible meticulously.    Becoming a Christian means giving your life to Jesus Christ in faith. In a simple prayer, give up trying so hard to be so good. Admit to God your need, and accept in faith his promise to save you.

FINDING CHRIST – The wise men were overjoyed at finding the child. If you think becoming a Christian means putting on a long face and behaving like a person in a straitjacket, think again. Finding Christ brings real joy—deeper than winning at sports, more enduring than the first test drive in that new car—this joy fills the soul and makes you glad. This joy comes from knowing all is well, you’re OK, God loves you, the future will be secure.

Have you been on a journey to find yourself, to find love, satisfaction, or some sense of what this life is all about? There’s joy at the end of that journey when you find Christ.

HE ALONE IS WORTHY – The wise men brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for who he was. This is the essence of true worship—honoring Christ for who he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to you. We see in their lives a pattern for worship:

l They entered. They had prepared for their journey, studied, and sought out Jesus.

l They bowed. They humbled themselves in the presence of their superior. They acknowledged his authority.

They gave. They gave expensive and sacrificial gifts out of respect and honor for the child king.

They worshiped. They recognized God’s guidance in bringing them and attested to Jesus’ royalty. They exalted Jesus as the rightful king.

They obeyed. Their worship was not empty. They followed the guidance they received from God.

Worship God because he is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.

WHO’S ON THE THRONE?  – Herod was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne; he wanted to be king of Herod’s life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal life, not take his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality, he wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. Don’t fear Christ—allow him to reign on the throne of our lives.

We hope you can join us and learn even more for our new series, Emmanuel.

Darrell

 

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

 

Sources: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Matthew, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1996), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 17.
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