WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:09.519 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.619 This is a reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 2, verse 1 to 12. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:41.840 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:45.539 Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:48.679 Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:52.539 We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:57.760 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:02.479 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:05.659 he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:08.579 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, 00:01:09.039 --> 00:01:11.060 For this is what the prophet has written. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:17.120 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:21.439 For out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:28.019 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:30.659 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:33.140 Go and search carefully for the child. 00:01:33.459 --> 00:01:37.759 As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:40.979 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:44.620 and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them 00:01:44.620 --> 00:01:47.299 until it stopped over the place where their child was. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:51.019 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 00:01:51.379 --> 00:01:54.799 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, 00:01:55.039 --> 00:01:57.120 and they bowed down and worshipped him. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:03.159 Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:02:04.199 --> 00:02:07.239 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:09.759 they returned to their country by another route. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:11.879 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:14.240 We praise you, Lord Christ. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:14.900 Amen. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:15.140 Amen. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:16.560 All right. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:18.240 Again, good morning, everybody. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:19.099 Merry Christmas. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:22.460 What a joyous occasion to gather here this morning, 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:24.280 whether you're online or sitting here, 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:27.860 to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with you. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:30.099 It's really awesome. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:32.360 So I'm really glad to be here with everyone. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.780 I'm going to jump right into the text 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:38.719 because I know that the kids are probably antsy to get home 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:40.400 and, you know, go on with Christmas. 00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:43.840 And this text is very familiar to us, 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:46.520 so I kind of want to approach it in a different way, 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:49.980 as you guys would see it play out in the nativity play. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:55.180 Every year, we introduce to children the meaning behind Christmas 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:59.500 and, as adults, to be reminded of God becoming flesh 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:04.060 and dwelling among us through the story of the three wise men or the magi. 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:08.659 And this part of the nativity play is colored with drama, 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:10.900 and I want to follow the story. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:13.000 That's what I want to do as we approach the text. 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:16.140 I want to follow the story and ask questions along the way 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:20.780 because if we follow the story, eventually we will lead to Jesus. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:23.939 And when we receive Jesus as the gift, 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:27.140 our only proper response is joyful worship. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:29.020 And that is my golden thread today. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:31.600 When we receive Jesus as the gift, 00:03:31.980 --> 00:03:34.960 our only proper response is joyful worship. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:37.719 So, here we go. 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:40.620 The story can be organized into two parts, 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:42.540 verse 1 to verse 8, 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:44.719 when the magi arrives on the scene 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.960 and enters into Jerusalem and meets King Herod. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:49.020 That's part 1. 00:03:49.480 --> 00:03:52.840 Part 2 is when the magi leaves Jerusalem 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:55.379 and goes to Bethlehem and meets Jesus. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:59.699 So, you can kind of think about this nativity play in two scenes. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:01.659 The first one goes from verse 1 to 8 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:03.180 and then second to 9 to 12. 00:04:03.579 --> 00:04:05.299 So, I want to start with part 1. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:10.139 The first characters who arrive on the scene in Jerusalem are magis. 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.479 Who are the magis? 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:15.120 They are from the east, modern-day Iran. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:16.180 They were Persians, 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.779 and they were priests of the Zoroastrian. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.980 It's one of the world's oldest organized religion. 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:25.600 They believe in a good God and an evil God, 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:30.100 and they predict that the good will eventually win over the evil. 00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:33.360 They wore long robes and conical hats, 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:36.960 and they sought divine guidance from the elements and the stars. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.780 They were off, but in their hearts, they were seeking God. 00:04:41.200 --> 00:04:43.700 So, God used them, these Gentile priests, 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:46.220 in the story that would change history forever. 00:04:47.200 --> 00:04:48.660 Little did these magi knew 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:51.420 they would start a multi-billion consumer industry. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:55.740 20% of all your spending happens during Christmas. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:00.020 So, if you need to blame somebody for spending so much money on gifts, 00:05:00.080 --> 00:05:01.120 you can blame magi. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:02.340 They started it. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:05.860 But when the magi arrived on the scene, they were confused. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:09.640 They had followed a star all the way from Persia to Jerusalem 00:05:09.640 --> 00:05:12.120 to seek out this king of the Jews. 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.560 But when they arrived, they found the opposite. 00:05:16.140 --> 00:05:21.160 They were the ones bearing the news of this new king was born. 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:25.860 They were the ones coming into the cities of Jerusalem 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:29.020 and asking people, where is this king? 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:33.380 And the crowd, the invisible crowd, responded with commotion. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:36.980 Local gossip got so loud that Herod, 00:05:37.200 --> 00:05:40.900 sitting in his high places in the palace, heard of this. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:44.120 When he heard, he was disturbed. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:45.759 Verse 3 tells us this. 00:05:47.159 --> 00:05:53.399 The Greek word for this actually carries a physical reaction from fear. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:57.139 You can think of it as Herod was thrown into confusion. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:05:58.339 He was agitated. 00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:00.099 And fear showed up, 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:03.159 so much so that he had to reach out to the magi 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:05.320 at the end of his scene 00:06:05.320 --> 00:06:09.100 and have a private consultation with him. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.780 And so was all of Jerusalem with him, 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:13.280 according to verse 3. 00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:15.860 I was a little thrown off by this. 00:06:16.200 --> 00:06:18.080 I mean, I couldn't understand why Herod was nervous, 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:18.700 but I was like, 00:06:18.780 --> 00:06:21.800 why were the Jews in Jerusalem 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:23.540 also nervous and agitated 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:25.960 because of this reaction of Herod? 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.220 So we need to look at Herod as a person first. 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:32.060 Herod the Great was a giant of his time, 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.699 and the legacy he left behind were giant footprints. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:36.019 He was half Jewish, 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:41.500 and he was an heir of the biggest spice trace merchant of the time. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:43.980 His mother was a Nabataean princess. 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:46.800 So a lot of scholars have looked into Herod 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:47.980 and did studies on him, 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:51.160 and they said that he was probably the wealthiest man 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:52.720 who has ever walked the earth, 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:55.079 even before he became a regional king. 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:57.519 Now, if that still stands true, I don't know, 00:06:57.660 --> 00:07:00.079 but one of the most famous architecture from Herod 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:01.079 is the Herodian. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.319 And this is an example of who he is as a king. 00:07:04.979 --> 00:07:06.919 Herod wanted a palace on top of a hill, 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:08.240 but there was no hill, 00:07:08.599 --> 00:07:11.719 so he made a hill and built a palace on top of it. 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:13.719 That was the kind of ruler he was. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:15.459 But despite all of this, 00:07:15.539 --> 00:07:17.099 it did not lead him to security, 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:18.839 peace, love, or joy. 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:22.519 Instead, Herod the Great was an extremely anxious 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:23.659 and paranoid man. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.000 He was so afraid that someone would come 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.839 and challenge his throne and authority 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:32.019 that he killed everyone that he was threatened by, 00:07:32.119 --> 00:07:33.959 including his wives and sons. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:36.139 So bearing this in mind, 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:38.699 verse 3 starts to make a little bit more sense 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:41.560 because when Herod was stressed out, 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.739 his people were also stressed out. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:45.399 The state of a kingdom 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:48.359 is determined by the king who rules it. 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:50.879 So if this king is anxious, 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.600 of course his people will be anxious. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:55.819 It's like a company's culture is set by the CEO. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:59.439 The mood temperature of the classroom is set by the teacher. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:02.819 The mood temperature of the classroom is set by the teacher. 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:06.540 Because Herod was a paranoid and an anxious man 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:09.240 who was emotionally driven without mercy, 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:13.779 people who lives in his kingdom were also scared and worried. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.839 Who knows what he might do? 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:20.139 All of Jerusalem was aware that Herod was a merciless king, 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:21.699 so they were distressed 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:24.060 because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:28.180 They had a shepherd who only cared about his gain and his benefits. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:31.519 They have a king who has an empire mindset 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.299 instead of a shalom mindset. 00:08:34.060 --> 00:08:35.720 And so when the king is happy, they're happy, 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:39.159 but when the king is distressed, they are also distressed. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.740 A lesson that we can learn from this 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.960 is the significance of presence. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.960 Our presence in this world matters, 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:49.620 and we need to take responsibility for it. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:51.740 This can be applied in the workplace. 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.879 No matter what title you hold at work, 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:56.720 we all exert some kind of influence 00:08:56.720 --> 00:09:00.340 and change the dynamic in the places we go into. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:03.980 This is equally true for students who are sitting here today. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:05.660 That's why they are class clowns, 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:09.200 people who use their influence to change the mood of the classroom. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:12.460 But I want to bring it even further back to the basics 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:16.139 because work is not fundamentally where we are shaped. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.759 It's in our family units where we are shaped. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.879 Because no matter what kind of job you hold, 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.519 when you leave work, when you leave school, 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:26.639 you are a father, you are a mother, a son or daughter, 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.620 a brother or sister to somebody. 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:32.240 It's with our family that we begin to form and shape 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:36.480 and learn how to steward our presence and our role in this world. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:39.200 Recently, there have been many occasions 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:41.759 where I had to call out my six-year-old nephew 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:45.539 for being impatient and rude to his younger sister. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:48.279 It's not so much about what he says. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:50.019 It's about how he says it 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:51.740 and the tone that he says it in 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.740 that reflects his attitude towards her. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.220 He's six right now, 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.179 so he has no choice but to stop and listen to me. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.019 But one day, he will be a teenager 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:02.519 and he will no longer want to sit there and listen to me. 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:04.480 And hopefully by then, 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.399 he would learn how to steward his presence in this world 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:11.319 because I took the time and the hard, 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:14.240 it was a hard conversation, even though he's six, 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:17.179 to teach him how to be respectful to others, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.639 to teach him how to practice self-control 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:21.840 out of respect for another person 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:23.959 who is also made in the image of God. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.939 Because if no one teaches him 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:29.720 that it is not okay to scream shut up to another human being, 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:32.079 how would he ever know it is not okay? 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:36.000 These conversations get harder and harder as you get older. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.500 It's a lot more nuanced and takes more intentionality. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:43.159 But if you get better at it by practicing, 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:45.139 it will make all the difference. 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:48.340 It might be awkward and hard to sit through at first, 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:52.700 but it is a muscle to speak in truth and in love 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.899 that we need to use, 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.559 to be gentle in our choices of words, 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:59.860 to give them appropriate time and space to respond, 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:03.159 to let go when your job is finished in this conversation 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.200 and stop pestering. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:07.540 These are all things that we need to practice, 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.080 and if you don't even try, 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:12.240 you will never know how to exercise this presence 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:14.620 and this authority that God has given you. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:18.379 It's not about policing people's behavior around you. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:20.780 It's to remind ourselves 00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:23.879 that we are supposed to embody Jesus in the world. 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.040 He is light. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:25.980 He is love. 00:11:26.280 --> 00:11:26.940 He is power. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.780 He is truth. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.540 He is authority. 00:11:28.680 --> 00:11:29.280 He is meek. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.000 He is gentle. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:33.379 God has given me the authority and influence 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:35.519 over my six-year-old nephew as his aunt. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:38.659 I'm stewarding it by stepping into this role 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:40.759 and teaching him how to be respectful 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.340 and to practice self-control. 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.519 Because even at age six, 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:47.759 he already knows how to exert power and authority 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:49.080 over his younger sister. 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:50.980 even at age six. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:55.240 So, how does your presence affect the spaces you go into and why? 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.080 When people are around you, 00:11:57.160 --> 00:11:59.580 can they witness the fruit of the Spirit in you 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:03.000 or smell the aroma of Christ and holiness and purity? 00:12:04.520 --> 00:12:06.680 Herod's presence in this world was motivated 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.639 by his fear of losing control, 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.100 fear of change, fear of his life, 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:13.379 fear for not being the greatest. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:16.860 So, everything he did was a reaction to this fear. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:19.980 Thus, in response to the message of the Magi, 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:22.779 where is he who has been born the King of Jews? 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:28.019 We find a people who are fearful, distressed, confused, and faithless. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.159 That's part one. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:33.519 Now, part two, we shift to Bethlehem. 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:36.240 This is from verse nine to verse 12. 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:40.580 And in this scene, we find divine intervention, guidance, 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:44.840 because the star that led the Magi into Jerusalem 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:46.280 had disappeared for a while. 00:12:46.540 --> 00:12:48.720 But once the Magi got back on course 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:52.040 and went their way to find Jesus to offer him gifts, 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.720 the star came back up. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.240 God was with them. 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:58.440 And there, they found Jesus, not in a manger, 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:01.360 but in a house with his family. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.680 Although Joseph wasn't mentioned, 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:05.180 we can assume he was there. 00:13:05.640 --> 00:13:07.300 I think what Matthew was trying to do 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:10.220 was to set up a place where it is warm, 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:12.100 safe, and intimate. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.600 Bethlehem, the house of bread, 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:17.680 belongs in the countryside of Israel. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:20.720 So when a Jewish person thinks about Bethlehem, 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:23.379 they think about barley fields, gold, warm, 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:26.100 like the scene in Ruth. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.800 Contrasting the city of Jerusalem, 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:32.480 where you would enter through cold, tall city walls, 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:35.360 and inside we find marketplace, politicians, 00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:37.240 Roman soldiers standing guard, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:40.840 a very impersonal, chaotic, and loud place. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.600 It was a safe and quiet place 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:46.899 where we find Jesus away from the chaos of this world. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:49.419 And we find our Savior as a baby 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:52.019 in his mother's embrace under his father's roof, 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.639 protected. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.680 I think Matthew does a masterful job 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:58.580 teaching us what the house of God should look like. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.279 Unlike the first scene, 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:02.320 this one is marked by peace, 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:05.779 quietness, love, safety, and joy. 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:07.879 It is in a place like this 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.220 that the Magi encounters God. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:13.339 And I wonder if this is a general rule of thumb 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:15.720 for our spiritual lives as well. 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:19.139 I'm not saying that God doesn't exist in the marketplace 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.100 or could care less about our government. 00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:23.120 God rules over that too. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.059 He is omnipresent, 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.879 and the whole world is his. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.399 So he can use whatever circumstance you are in 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.360 to teach you something 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.720 or to put a thought in you 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.179 to stir you up like he did 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.679 with the crowd in Jerusalem. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:36.019 What I am saying is 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.219 in order to receive him as a gift, 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.779 to know him as your Savior 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:42.459 from your biggest fears and insecurities, 00:14:42.719 --> 00:14:45.699 to invite him in to heal you of your deepest pain, 00:14:46.099 --> 00:14:48.559 it happens in safe and quiet places 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:51.399 where you can respond freely as you are 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.959 without the demands of this world, 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:55.739 without the pressure from yourself within 00:14:55.739 --> 00:14:56.979 to be somebody else. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:15:00.639 It's in the stillness and quietness 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:02.060 where you are just you. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:05.600 You are just you, a beloved child of God. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:09.720 You are just you whom God loves so much. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:12.620 It's in the stillness and quiet with God 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:15.759 that he tells you that and affirms you of that, 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:18.100 but it doesn't come without effort. 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:20.680 It takes pursuing and following God 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:23.820 in unexpected ways to unexpected places 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.840 like the Magi's. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:28.400 That is where all of our faith journey started though, 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:29.000 wasn't it? 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.640 Before we professed our faith to the church, 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.860 before we got baptized, 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:35.200 God confronting us of our sins 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:39.000 and opening our eyes to see how we need him, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.320 it was in an intimate surrendering to Jesus. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:45.080 After wrestling with the implications 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:47.980 of this decision to surrender to him, 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:51.220 all which happened within the inner chambers 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.040 of our heart. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.980 It was in a still and quiet place 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.360 where your faith begun. 00:15:57.560 --> 00:16:00.160 This stillness and quietness needs to continue 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:02.000 in order for our Christian lives 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.100 to deepen in Christ. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:06.680 A lot of times Christians plateau for this reason. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:09.160 They stop receiving God's gift for them. 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:12.480 The gift is always there because God is impartial 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:15.019 and he gives to all of his children 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.220 and he is infinite. 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:19.279 But in order for us to enjoy the gift, 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.720 we have to receive it, we have to open it, 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.919 and we have to use it. 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:25.419 Here's an example of what I mean. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.959 If you're at least two decades old, 00:16:28.459 --> 00:16:30.419 you can probably relate when I say 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:32.399 nothing triggers you more than your parents 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.659 or family members, 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.860 especially during the holiday season 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:38.259 when it's in your face and there's nowhere to run. 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:41.519 Broken parent-child relationship is nothing new. 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.959 It started way back with Noah and Ham in Genesis. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.159 I mean, that's what God came to redeem us for. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:51.719 But some of the most hurtful and damaging experiences 00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:53.399 are from our parents 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:56.319 because they are the first people 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:58.579 we learn how to be in relationships with. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.939 I'm not here to blame any parents 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:02.559 or to pin responsibility on anyone. 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:04.859 Most of our parents have given their best 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:06.180 and they have done what was right. 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.700 But as adults, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:11.279 we need to take responsibility for the choices we make. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:14.079 And this doesn't take away from the pain 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.859 they have caused you by rejecting you, 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.660 silencing you, or neglecting you. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:20.920 Forgiving someone who have hurt you over and over again 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:22.460 when they were supposed to be your world 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:25.099 and protecting you seems impossible at times. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.359 How do you forgive 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:28.940 when you don't even know how deep the wound is 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.559 or how far it will affect you? 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.399 It's in times like this 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:34.220 when I think Matthew provides direction. 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:36.460 Because if you want to forgive, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.100 you have to first receive forgiveness 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:41.960 because we can't give what we don't have. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.220 But we can have it 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.140 because after all, 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:48.339 that is what he endured on the cross for us. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.059 It's so that we can say 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:54.180 it is possible to do this impossible job of forgiveness. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:57.180 It is possible to let go and forgive 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.559 because he has done it. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.660 It is possible for us to heal 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:03.000 and recover from generational trauma 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.619 and choose differently for ourselves 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.960 because that's what Jesus made possible for me 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.619 when he said, 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.099 Father, forgive them 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:10.859 for they do not know what they are doing. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.299 It is possible to forgive someone 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.819 who has repeatedly hurt you 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:16.980 because that's what Jesus is doing for us. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.859 Even now, 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:20.539 Jesus didn't just forgive me or you 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.019 on the day we became Christians. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.539 He forgives us every single day. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.859 He forgives us every single day 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.920 and his mercy is new every morning 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.240 for all of my life. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:33.559 He is always giving me a second chance, 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.240 a new chance to choose differently, 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:38.359 to embody his forgiveness to the world. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:42.039 I can forgive because he has forgiven me, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:44.839 but I must receive this gift of forgiveness. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.180 I must first understand 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:49.859 and know that at the core of who I am, 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:53.200 I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:57.460 This doesn't happen when you rely on worldly values 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:59.799 or visions and secular therapy to change. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.620 They are helpful for a time, 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.279 but it's hollow unless you ground it 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.440 in the person of Christ 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.840 because for Christians, 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:08.700 forgiveness is not hollow. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.019 Forgiveness is a person. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.880 Forgiveness is a gift from God 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.000 and it cost them everything. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.019 It wasn't without a price 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.940 and he gave all of himself 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:19.660 so that we can be reconciled to God 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.140 and say, 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.860 I am yours and you are mine. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:25.079 He was broken so that we may be made whole. 00:19:25.979 --> 00:19:27.939 So if your life is still marked 00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:29.759 with brokenness and broken patterns, 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:32.199 then maybe you've forgotten to open the gift 00:19:32.199 --> 00:19:33.719 that is just sitting there from God. 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:36.319 If your life is still marked by complaining 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.919 instead of thankfulness and joy, 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.639 maybe you need to open your gift. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:43.379 Let's all work on being better receivers of God's gift. 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:46.479 Learn to cultivate quietness and stillness 00:19:46.479 --> 00:19:48.959 to receive God in a fresh way every day. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:51.380 Because when we receive the gift of God, 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:54.420 our only proper response is joyful worship. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.299 And here is my conclusion. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.980 When I was reading the Greek of this passage, 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:01.000 I had to do a double take on verse 10 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:03.120 because literally the Greek says, 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.700 the Greek says, 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.840 now when they saw the star above the house, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.920 they rejoiced with a very mega joy. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:15.079 That's a lot of joy in a moment 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.579 and you can't help but smile 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:18.799 because that's the magic of Christmas. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.199 There is so much joy everywhere. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:24.039 Now that joy might trigger some of us 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:26.199 and it might be packaged in such a way 00:20:26.199 --> 00:20:27.139 that it's a little shallow, 00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.779 but the joy can't be denied 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.439 and it brings people together. 00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:34.019 It gives us an excuse to show love in a different way 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.059 and that's why we love Christmas. 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:38.000 But I think something very valuable 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.159 that the Magi is teaching us here is, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.560 if the Magi responded to King Jesus 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:44.580 with joy and worship and treasures 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.800 to bless his family, 00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:48.240 how much more do we respond to Jesus 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.660 as his children? 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:54.740 Joyful worship of the heart 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:58.040 is an act of offering what is best of you 00:20:58.040 --> 00:20:59.160 to God. 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:03.100 Imagine when the Magi opened their treasure boxes 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:04.480 and all of a sudden, 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:06.340 the light hits the gold 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:08.120 and starts to reflect and glisten. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.720 When the box opens, 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:11.720 the smell of frankincense and myrrh, 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:15.200 the Magi gave Jesus and his family treasures 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:17.019 because Jesus is expensive. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.600 Jesus is precious. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:21.259 He's royal and he's absolutely worthy. 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.960 They worshiped in a very mega joy 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.480 because Jesus is awesome. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:27.860 And in this season of giving 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:29.460 and for the new year to come, 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:31.319 may I encourage you to think about 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:33.500 how you can offer your best to God. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:36.279 And here is an illustration. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.900 So this is a card that I received 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.040 from the same nephew. 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.259 This is a card that I got from him. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.120 And I think this is the first time 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.040 he had made me a card. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.440 And inside he drew a dolphin. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.320 And I brought this because 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.620 it means a lot to me. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.759 As a boy, 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:53.900 this was his best gift to his aunt. 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.200 He's not earning any money. 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.540 He doesn't have any possessions. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.900 And so this is the best gift 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.880 that he could offer me. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.759 And I will never look at this gift 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.000 and say it is not enough. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.859 I will never look at this 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.519 and say, 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:07.279 oh no, I want something else. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.599 No, I treasure this 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:10.039 because it tells me 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.160 that he loves me. 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.420 And it tells me 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:14.980 he even drew my favorite animal. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.480 Like he knew 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.660 it would make me happy. 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.339 He gave me a gift 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.019 because he wanted to make me happy 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.240 because he loves me. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.960 And this is how God feels 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.379 about our gifts to him. 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.000 God is not asking you 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.859 to give beyond 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.879 what you have earned 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.720 or can offer. 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.020 He is asking you 00:22:31.020 --> 00:22:32.480 to give him your heart. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:34.660 He is asking you 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:36.340 to give him your love, 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.460 the best of yourself. 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.980 God wants you. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.340 So what is the next step 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.020 you can take 00:22:43.020 --> 00:22:43.840 to give God 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:45.000 your best worship, 00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:46.480 your joyful worship? 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.900 Maybe you don't have 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.780 a Bible reading plan right now. 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.720 Maybe the next step 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:52.680 is to follow the Bible verse, 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.840 the daily Bible verse 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.640 on the Bible app. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.680 Maybe you don't have 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.900 a consistent schedule 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.800 because you're leaving 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.899 at the end of the day. 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.019 Adjusting that 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.819 would really help. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.599 Maybe you don't have time 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.599 to pause and think, 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.319 okay, what about 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.240 driving to work? 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.339 That's a good time 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:09.359 to pause and listen 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.899 to sermons 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:11.079 and reflect on your day 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.879 and invite God 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.740 into that space. 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.000 There are so many ways 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.819 to go about it. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.000 What really matters 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.359 is you want to do it. 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.779 You want to do this for God 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.359 because you want 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.240 to make him happy. 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.500 Because you know 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.639 that you have received 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.700 a gift from God 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.379 that changed 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:25.740 your entire life. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.000 So make a solid step forward 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.900 in this new year 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.920 because Christmas 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.839 might pass 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:32.359 but our act of worship 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.519 is a lifestyle. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.460 It is always 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.539 and it continues 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.420 beyond Christmas. 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.059 God smiles 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.220 upon his children 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.400 and he wants you 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.400 to take the next step. 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.960 Commit to it. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.099 Give him a gift 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.880 because you want 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.720 to make him happy. 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.660 And finally, 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:50.180 I want to say this. 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.119 You have received 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.680 his gift 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.680 and you know 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.380 how it changed 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.960 everything about your life. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:57.559 When I got baptized, 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.720 my mom gave me a Bible 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.600 and inside the Bible 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.180 it says, 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:03.180 which means 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.160 when you have God, 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.059 you have everything. 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.440 So, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.000 let us come 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.640 and receive 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.500 the gift of God 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.680 who is Jesus Christ 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:12.340 so we can go out 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:13.079 and be a gift 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.880 to this world 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:15.380 and ask his disciples. 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.299 Amen. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.559 Will you pray with me? 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:20.419 Heavenly Father, 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.059 thank you 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.839 for being with us 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.700 right now 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.740 here 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.440 as we 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.599 bring our best worship 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.319 to you, Lord. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.099 Thank you 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.200 for giving us 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.740 your son, 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.399 your everything 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.579 so that 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.919 we can be yours 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:35.359 and you can be ours. 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.379 Thank you 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.759 for this family 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.200 that we get to have 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.859 in you. 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.500 How amazing it is 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.639 that we're family here, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:42.960 Lord. 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.500 All of us 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.079 are connected 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:46.099 because of you 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.019 and Lord, 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.019 we are just 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.659 overjoyed 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:51.759 because it's so different 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.159 from everything else 00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:53.939 in this world 00:24:53.939 --> 00:24:55.579 and Lord, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.759 I pray that we would 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.159 see this 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.439 as a precious gift 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.000 from you 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.159 and we would steward it well 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:04.079 and in stewarding well 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.719 we would bring our worship 00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.359 to you, Lord, 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.659 even after Christmas. 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.399 Lord, 00:25:09.459 --> 00:25:10.039 be with us. 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:10.699 We love you. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.599 In Jesus' precious name 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:11.939 I pray. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.459 Amen.