Hope Is Born | Part 2

The big idea

Joy comes when we seek a King, not a kingdom of our own making.

The Christmas story gives us two responses to Jesus: the Magi who traveled far and bowed to worship Him, and Herod who was disturbed and tried to destroy Him. Those same two responses live in us today, and real joy is found only when we stop building our own kingdom and instead seek Christ as King, letting His kingdom and His rule take first place in our lives.

Point 1 of 6

Pastor Scott walks through Luke 2 and introduces figures like Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna, noting how Simeon prophesied over the infant Jesus at the temple and Anna, an elderly widow and prophetess, recognized Him as well.

Point 2 of 6

From Matthew 2, Pastor Scott explains the Magi were astrologers from Babylon who traveled a great distance following a star and, when they found Jesus, bowed down and worshiped Him. Herod, by contrast, was the ruthless reigning king of the Jews who was disturbed by the news and secretly plotted to destroy the child, later ordering the killing of boys two and under in Bethlehem.

Point 3 of 6

Pastor Scott shares his own story of being 'disturbed' rather than immediately worshipful when he first heard the gospel through Stryper lyrics his friend Todd pointed out, spending three days wrestling with the question, 'What if this is true?' He says this disturbance comes because meeting Jesus creates a clash of kingdoms within us.

Point 4 of 6

Reading Colossians 1:13, Pastor Scott explains that God rescues us from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His Son, and that God does not force us in but invites us to step off the throne of our own life and put Christ in His rightful place.

Point 5 of 6

Using Matthew 6:33 and examples of Randy and David from the congregation, Pastor Scott argues that Christians shouldn't just be labeled 'believers' while others are 'seekers' — every believer is called to keep seeking God's kingdom and righteousness realized in marriage, parenting, and business.

Point 6 of 6

Pastor Scott uses the hide-and-seek illustration of a father who doesn't really hide from his child, then reads Jeremiah 29:13-14 to show that God confidently promises to be found by those who seek Him with all their heart, because He is the one who places that desire in us.

Take it into your week

Pastor Scott frames the response as choosing between building our own kingdom or seeking the King and His kingdom.