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The Grove Covenant Church
Your Kingdom Come: The Rise of the Messiah, Part 2
Join us as we explore the Gospel of Matthew and discover the arrival of God’s kingdom through the life and ministry of Jesus. Through this sermon series, we will learn what it truly means to live as faithful citizens of God's kingdom by following the teachings and example of Jesus.
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The Grove Covenant Church
3600 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47909, USA
Sunday 8:10 AM
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https://www.thegrovecov.church/daily-scripture-emailsYour Kingdom Come: The Rise of the Messiah, Part 2
August 9, 2026
Pastor Stacey Littlefield
Matthew 2.1-12
August 9, 2026
Pastor Stacey Littlefield
Matthew 2.1-12
A Question to Ponder
When you picture the nativity scene — the manger, the wise men, the camels — where did that mental image come from for you (a Christmas pageant, a children's Bible, a lawn display)? What detail were you surprised to learn isn't actually in Matthew 2?
When you picture the nativity scene — the manger, the wise men, the camels — where did that mental image come from for you (a Christmas pageant, a children's Bible, a lawn display)? What detail were you surprised to learn isn't actually in Matthew 2?
A Question to Ponder
The sermon argues that God used the Exile — his own people's suffering and judgment — to plant "seeds of redemption" in Babylon, seeds that eventually bore fruit in the magi's journey to Bethlehem. Read Psalm 126:5-6 and consider Dallas Willard's line, "For those who love God, nothing irredeemable can happen to you." Where have you seen God take a season of loss, failure, or hardship in your life and infuse it with mission? What's still in the "sowing with tears" stage for you, and what would it look like to trust God with the harvest?
The sermon argues that God used the Exile — his own people's suffering and judgment — to plant "seeds of redemption" in Babylon, seeds that eventually bore fruit in the magi's journey to Bethlehem. Read Psalm 126:5-6 and consider Dallas Willard's line, "For those who love God, nothing irredeemable can happen to you." Where have you seen God take a season of loss, failure, or hardship in your life and infuse it with mission? What's still in the "sowing with tears" stage for you, and what would it look like to trust God with the harvest?
A Question to Ponder
The magi were pagan astrologers from the east — outsiders who, by Deuteronomy 13:10, could have been stoned. Yet God led them to the Messiah through their own religious framework, their exposure to Jewish neighbors and Scripture, and a star. Read Matthew 2:1-2 alongside Isaiah 60:1-3. What does this say about God's heart for people whose beliefs and practices are far outside our comfort zone? Is there someone in your life you've quietly written off as "too far gone" — and how might God already be at work drawing them, in ways that don't look like our usual methods?
The magi were pagan astrologers from the east — outsiders who, by Deuteronomy 13:10, could have been stoned. Yet God led them to the Messiah through their own religious framework, their exposure to Jewish neighbors and Scripture, and a star. Read Matthew 2:1-2 alongside Isaiah 60:1-3. What does this say about God's heart for people whose beliefs and practices are far outside our comfort zone? Is there someone in your life you've quietly written off as "too far gone" — and how might God already be at work drawing them, in ways that don't look like our usual methods?
A Question to Ponder
The sermon closes with five contrasts — greed vs. generosity (Acts 2:44-45), control vs. service (Matthew 20:25-28), hatred of enemies vs. love of enemies (Matthew 5:43-45), violence vs. willingness to suffer injustice (1 Peter 2:20-23), rage vs. reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-24). Read through the list together. Which contrast exposes where you've been more shaped by the kingdoms of this world than by the Kingdom of God? Pick one and name a specific, concrete practice you'll take on before the group meets again.
The sermon closes with five contrasts — greed vs. generosity (Acts 2:44-45), control vs. service (Matthew 20:25-28), hatred of enemies vs. love of enemies (Matthew 5:43-45), violence vs. willingness to suffer injustice (1 Peter 2:20-23), rage vs. reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-24). Read through the list together. Which contrast exposes where you've been more shaped by the kingdoms of this world than by the Kingdom of God? Pick one and name a specific, concrete practice you'll take on before the group meets again.
The Bible Project: Matthew
Follow the link below to watch part 1 of the Bible Project's video on the Gospel of Matthew.
https://bibleproject.com/videos/matthew-1-13/Weekly Prayer
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.