Music from today
Go Tell It [Patrick and Emily Garcia (Special Vocal)], Joy to the World, Because He Lives, The First Noel, Great Are You Lord [Patrick Garcia (Lead Vocal), Emily Garcia (Background Vocal)]

True Story - Part 4 [December 17/18, 2016] Tim Haring

We are threatened by Christ.
Who sits on the throne of your life?

Who sits on the throne of your life?

“…of course, what mattered most of all was my deep-seated hatred of authority, my monstrous individualism, my lawlessness. No word in my vocabulary expressed deeper hatred than the word interference. …Christianity placed at the center what then seemed to me [to be] a Transcendental Interferer.”
- C.S. Lewis

Herod the Great… was known as a great builder of public works and a shrewd diplomat in his dealings with both Romans and Jews, but he laid oppressive taxes on and conscripted labor from the Israelites. As he grew older, he became increasingly paranoid about threats against his person and throne. He had numerous sons, wives, and others close to him put to death because he feared plots to overthrow him. After frequent disputes with Caesar Augustus, the emperor uttered his famous pun that he would rather be Herod’s pig than his son.[1]
- Dr. C. Blomberg


[1] Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 62). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The words they use mean “born king,” not “born to be king,” as is often said; they are talking about what he is, not what he will be.[1]
– L. Morris


[1] Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 36). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.

“King Herod’s reaction to Christ is, in a sense, a picture of us all. If you want to be king, and someone else comes along saying he is the king, then one of you has to give in. Only one person can sit on an absolute throne.” – Tim Keller

Christians have often seen symbolic meanings…gold for royalty, frankincense for deity, and myrrh pointing to suffering and death, but Matthew says nothing about this[1]
- Dr. L. Morris


[1] Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 41). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.

Who sits upon the throne of your life?

Discussion Questions:

1. Who do you think most people think Jesus was (and is)? Who do you say he is? On what basis do you believe what you do?

2. How do you tend to view Jesus: as a Savior, Friend, King or something else? Explain your answer.

3. Read Matthew 2:1-18. Using your smart phone or tablet, who were the Magi? Approximately how far had they traveled to see the baby Jesus? What do you think compelled them to come so far to see Jesus?

4. When the Magi arrived, they asked the question, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” How is that question different from, “Where is he who has been born to be king of the Jews?” Read Philippians 2:9-11. What do we learn from these verses about Jesus’ identity?

5. Why do you think Herod was so threatened by Jesus? In what ways are we like Herod?

6. What do we learn about worship from the Magi? How can we imitate their example?

7. Why does it make sense to acknowledge Jesus as King over our lives?

8. How might you apply this lesson to your life?