Honoring Christ at Christmas
MATTHEW 2:1-11 NLT
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King
Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in
Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw
his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod
was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in
Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of
religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be
born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the
prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not
least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Then Herod called for
a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the
time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to
Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him,
come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” After
this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had
seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them
and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the
star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the
child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped
him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
MATTHEW 2:11 NLT
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and
they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their
treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Honoring Christ at Christmas:
- I can honor Him by trusting Him regardless of how difficult things
may get in the world.
ISAIAH 26:3-4 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts
are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the
eternal Rock.
JOHN 14:27 NLT
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the
peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or
afraid.” - I can honor Him by extending love and forgiveness to everyone in
my life.
MARK 11:25 NLT
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a
grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins,
too.”
MATTHEW 5:44 NKJV
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do
good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you …” - I can honor Him by developing a life that cares for people less
fortunate than me.
MATTHEW 25:35-40 NLT
“’For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a
drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was
naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I
was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will
reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or
thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you
hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see
you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you
the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and
sisters, you were doing it to me!’” - I can honor Him by doing things with my life that really matter!
Major shift you make in life: MOVING FROM SUCCESS TO
SIGNIFICANCE!
PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 NKJV
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but ONE
THING I DO, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus