Thesis
The Christmas story presents two contrasting responses to Jesus: the Magi, who traveled great distances and bowed in worship, and King Herod, who was disturbed and sought to destroy Him. These responses mirror our own human condition. When we truly encounter Jesus as King, we face a clash of kingdoms — our desire to rule our own lives versus surrendering to His reign. True, lasting joy is found not in building our own kingdom but in seeking Jesus as King and allowing His kingdom to be realized in every area of our lives.
Key points
- 1
The Magi bowed before Jesus while Herod was disturbed and sought to destroy Him — two contrasting responses that reflect our own human condition.
- 2
Hearing the true announcement of who Jesus is creates a clash of kingdoms — our desire to be in charge versus surrendering to His reign.
- 3
God rescues us from the dominion of darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His Son, where forgiveness of sins brings real hope and joy.
- 4
Jesus commands us to seek His kingdom first, and all our basic needs will be provided — making every believer also a seeker.
- 5
God is not hiding from us; He is constantly revealing Himself, and when we seek Him with all our heart, He promises we will find Him.
- 6
Seeking the King and His kingdom instead of building our own kingdom means we build a legacy to pass on to those who come after us.
Outline
Introducing the Christmas Characters
Pastor Scott introduces the Magi and King Herod from Matthew 2, providing historical context for who these figures were and what motivated each of them.
Two Responses to Jesus
The Magi bow before Christ while Herod is disturbed and ultimately orders the slaughter of young boys in Bethlehem — two sharply contrasting responses to the announcement of the King.
The Clash of Kingdoms
Pastor Scott uses his own story of being disturbed by the gospel to illustrate how encountering Jesus as King creates an internal clash between our desire for self-rule and surrender to His reign.
Stepping into His Kingdom
Drawing on Colossians 1:13, Pastor Scott explains that coming to Christ is a kingdom transfer — stepping off the throne of our own life and placing Jesus in His rightful place.
Believers Are Seekers
Using Matthew 6:33, Pastor Scott challenges the idea that only the spiritually curious are 'seekers,' arguing that followers of Jesus are called to continually seek His kingdom in marriage, parenting, business, and every area of life.
God Is Not Hiding
Citing Jeremiah 29:13-14, Pastor Scott assures the congregation that God is constantly revealing Himself — through friends, struggles, a star, even a Christmas card — and that He put the desire to seek Him in us so that we would find Him.
Memorable moments
joy comes when we seek a king, not a kingdom
when someone accurately communicates with us who Jesus is, there's a clash of kingdoms
He's not playing hide and seek. He's playing seek and find.
I think God's so confident when he says, If you seek me with all your heart, you're gonna find me, because I'm the very one who put the desire in your heart to seek me
instead of building our kingdom, seeking a king, seeking his kingdom, we're actually building a legacy
if the one who hung the stars can use a star and get the attention of a pagan, Babylonian, astrologer, and bring them to Jesus, he certainly can get our attention and bring us to Christ
Application
Pastor Scott's challenge is direct and personal: Where is God trying to get your attention right now? Just as the Magi followed a star across hundreds of miles and the Magi bowed before the Christ child, and just as Scott himself was unsettled for days after first hearing the gospel, God is constantly revealing Himself — through a friend's conversation, a season of struggle, or even a Christmas card on the refrigerator. The invitation is to stop building your own kingdom and start seeking His. For those who already follow Jesus, that means actively seeking His rule and reign in every area of life — your marriage, your parenting, your work. For those still deciding, it means trusting that the hunger you feel to know more is itself a gift from God, who promises: seek Me with all your heart, and you will find Me.
