A Fresh Look At His Reception

A Fresh Look At A Familiar Story
A Fresh Look At His Reception
Matthew 2

How we receive or respond to Jesus impacts the quality of our lives now and forever.

How Herod Received Jesus

A little background:

• He is known as Herod the Great 
• He was Ruthless

What did he do? (16-18)

Why did he do it?

• Jesus threatened his Possessions 
• Jesus threatened his Power/Control 
• Jesus threatened his Position

Question: In what areas of my life am I responding to Jesus just like Herod?

How The Magi Received Jesus

Who were these guys?

Learning From the Magi

1. They were Seekers of the truth (1-2)

• Speculators – Guess at the truth 
• Seekers – Take the time and trouble to find the truth

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)

2. They were willing to Pay a price (1) 

Think about all that was involved in their travels 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, ESV) 

3. They were Persistent in their search (11) Failure is the path of least “persistence” 

4. They came for the right Reason (2, 11) 

Too many people today are looking for ways to use Jesus 

5. They gave Jesus their Best (11)

The 3 gifts mentioned tell us something about Jesus’ identity: 

• Gold: Jesus is the King 
• Incense: Jesus is the Priest 
• Myrrh: Jesus is the Savior

What Gifts Can I Bring To Jesus?

1. I can give Him my Trust 

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5, ESV) 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV) 

Where in your life are you trusting God? Where are you not giving Him your trust? 

2. I can give Him First Place 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

F – Finances
I – Interests
R – Relationships 
S – Schedule 
T - Troubles 

Where has Jesus not been first place in your life? What will you do to make Him first place in this area of your life? 

3. I can bring Others to Him 

“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23, ESV) 

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:40–42, ESV) 

Who can you help to bring to Jesus? What are some practical steps you can take?

How we receive or respond to Jesus impacts the quality of our lives now and forever.

Making It Personal 

• How am I currently responding to Jesus? In what ways am I like Herod? In what ways am I like the Magi? 
• Where in my life am I trusting God? Where am I not giving Him my trust? 
• Where has Jesus not been first place in my life? What will I do to make Him first place in this area of my life? 
• Who can I help to bring to Jesus? What are some practical steps I will take? 
• Who can I share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step? 

• Text Next to 803-637-8484 
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”