Sunday Sermon Resources

sermon schedule

December 22 - Christmas series: The Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)
December 29 - Mark 15:21-41 (Jesus' crucifixion & death)
January 5 - Mark 15:42-47 (Jesus' burial)
January 12 - Mark 16:1-8 (Jesus' resurrection)
January 19 - Mark 16:9-20

Financial  Summary:

This Sunday's Sermon Resources

December 22, 2024
Matthew 2:1-12
"The Good News is for the Far Off"

Today's sermon passages

*You can click on each Bible passage and it will take you to Mybible.com so that you can easily follow along during the sermon!

Luke 1:38

Matthew 1:21

Luke 2:10-11

Matthew 2:1-12

Daniel 2:10-11

Romans 6:20-23

Matthew 5:5

Micah 5:2

John 9:34

Matthew 2:16

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 11:11-15

Romans 10:9-18

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Romans 3:23

Romans 8:38-39

James 4:8-10

Acts 2:39-41

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways do you acknowledge the struggle between your desire to be autonomous (self-governing) and submitting yourself to God's ruling in your life?
What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned by submitting yourself to God's authority in your life?

2. The Magi traveled a long way to meet Jesus and worship Him as King.
How would you describe your own journey to knowing Jesus as your King?
How would you describe yourself when you were still "far from God"?

3. Who is someone you know that you would consider to be "far from God"?
How do you feel that the Good News of Jesus is a much for them as it is for you?
How would you feel if they were to receive Jesus as their Savior today?

4. Do you feel far from God now? What is keeping you from drawing near to Him in faith? See the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" below and respond in faith as soon as possible!

Nativity of Jesus

the Magi's possible journey

This is a diagram of the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without any one of the points on the timeline, the Good News of Jesus Christ would be incomplete and He would be incapable of saving you from your sins. Praise be to God that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith!
For reflection:

• Which point on this timeline stands out to you the most from today’s sermon/passage? Why?
• Which point on this timeline is particularly significant to you today?

1. Eternity Past: Jesus, the Son of God, is coequal and coeternal with the Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit. The Godhead exists as one-in-three and three-in-one. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together

2. Incarnation: Jesus, is God in-the-flesh (Immanuel = God with us), descending to earth to be with mankind. Being fully human and fully God, He was able to identify with sinners in every way yet without sin.

3. Sinless life/ministry: Jesus’ sinless life is essential to Him being the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. His earthly ministry displayed His deity, and His teachings were the words of God Himself.

4. Death: Christ died for our sins. His death serves as the substitutionary atonement for the sins of all those who put their trust in Him for salvation. Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

5. Burial: Jesus was buried, leaving no doubt about the completeness of His death on the cross. It was Him that was on the cross and it was Him who was buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb in the presence of many witnesses.

6. Resurrection: Jesus rose on the third day just as He explained and taught to His disciples. He appeared before more than 500 witnesses and even spent significant time with His disciples.

7. Ascension: Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Heavenly Father in view of His disciples. He was, for a short time, made lower than angels in His incarnation, but is now once again and forevermore exalted above every other name and over all His creation.

8. Current session/intercessor: Jesus serves as Great High Priest for all of God’s people. He is the intercessor and mediator for all sinners who call upon His name as Lord and Savior. It is because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross that repentant sinners have the privilege to pray freely to a holy God through the name and person of Jesus Christ.

9. Second Coming: We look forward According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

10. Eternal Reign: Jesus is the eternal King of the Heavenly Kingdom where all Christians look forward to reigning with Him for eternity as coheirs of the eternal riches of His Kingdom.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.