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The Unstoppable Promise of God

January 5, 2025 Preacher: Chris LaBelle Series: Matthew - The King in His Beauty

Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12

Sermon Transcript:

 

Good morning RGC. This morning as we continue our series on Matthew, I want to turn your attention to a famous cartoon rivalry. Elmer Fudd & Bugs Bunny

 

Elmer is always seeking to destroy Bugs Bunny, but Bugs is always one to two steps ahead of him.

 

Relevance: As we will see in Matthew, Satan will try and thwart the birth of the Messiah. He will go about it with great schemes. He is actively working today to thwart the advancement of the Church, but our God is always one to two steps ahead of him. Which brings me to my main point this morning.

 

Main Point: The schemes of Satan will never thwart God’s sovereign promise to save His people. 

 

Let’s dive into this passage together.

 

 

  • Herod schemes. (v.1-8)

 

 

Explanation: After the birth of Jesus, we learn that Israel is under the rulership of Herod the king. He ruled from approximately 37b.c.-4a.d. He resided over Jerusalem and all of Israel, but was mostly considered a hired hand from Rome. This will play an important role later, but what begins this passage is the entrance of the wise men into the early narrative of Matthew. They come seeking answers on their quest.

Matthew 2:1-2, “1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

  • These wise men are seeking specifically the child born as the “king of the Jews”. This would have shaken many to the core. Especially Herod, who is mentioned here as the current residing king.
  • Now, who are these wise men? The popular group of men we hear in our Christmas stories and carols? Often times they are more famous than Joseph when we talk about them. We think we have a pretty good grasp on these men. The truth is, we really don’t know much about them. They came from the East, so they were probably foreigners. They wouldn’t have followed completely or understood fully the covenant promises of God. What is true about them is that they were traveling to see the “king of the Jews”. This was an indicator that they were faithful to some degree. They were searching for a star. Like Indiana Jones or Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series, they were searching for the treasure of the world and they set out with only one clue. They were looking for a star. The reference we find here in Matthew most likely pointed to the reference in Numbers. 

Numbers 24:17, “17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.”

  • The imagery of the star carried great significance here. These wise men would not have been privy to all of the Messiah’s fulfillments in Scripture, but it was this one prophecy that probably drove them to seek the child. However they would have learned about this, it is clear they are intrigued, and it is God using these wise men to find the child and, at the least, stir up Israel. They were not looking to gain anything out of this visit, other than to find the child and worship God’s Son. This demonstrated a very humble and lowly position before God. Foreigners, who would not have fully recognized or identified with the covenant promises of God, walked faithfully with God toward Jerusalem. They only seek to answer the question, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”

 

Herod, after hearing this question from the wise men, becomes troubled. He seeks aid from the chief priests and scribes. The best of the best in Israel.

Matthew 2:3-6, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

  • It wasn’t just Herod who was troubled, but all of Jerusalem. Notice when the king is troubled and the association with all of Jerusalem. This is a really profound and deeply disturbing truth. Just like a CEO of a company represents the direction and focus of an entire company. Meaning, a well-intentioned employee under a terrible CEO, still reflects the image and identity of that bad CEO and the direction of the company. The state of Herod is ultimately a reflection of where Israel stands at that time. They are troubled. Why would one be troubled by the coming Messiah? It would have been common knowledge amongst the Jews of a coming Messiah. One that would finally deliver the Jews and set up His Throne. The God who has always been faithful in His covenant promises to Israel. The problem was that they don’t have a leader in Jerusalem willing to give up their throne just yet. Hence, why they are troubled. Instead of rejoicing over the news that the Messiah had been born, their spirits were troubled. Ironically and sadly, it will be God’s own people who will try to snuff out the Messiah, rather than rejoice like the foreigners. There is no way the current king, would take kindly to wise men seeking a child referenced “king of the Jews.”
  • We then see Herod’s response as one of cheap inquisition, rather than eager expectation of the Lord’s location. He inquires where the Christ was to be born out of worry and concern. This ultimately points to a larger problem occurring here. Even though Herod and Jerusalem were surrounded by the oracles of God and the greatest teachers of God’s Word known at that time, it was clear that they missed the truth of God in His Word entirely.
    • They weren’t aware of the signs of the times. They had the Scriptures, but they weren’t paying attention. They studied and failed to recognize the birth of the Messiah. It took the wise men to approach them to point out the star. It is a reminder that being near the Word doesn’t always mean you receive it in truth. Their positions as religious leaders didn’t mean they were faithful or keeping a watchful eye. This became a collab effort blinded by their pursuit for power rather than true worship..
    • This is demonstrated by Herod going to the chief priests and scribes. The chief priests would have overseen temple worship in Jerusalem. All the signs that were pointing to this child as the Messiah, would have been recognized by these leaders who studied and led worship in the Temple. The scribes on the other hand were gifted in translation and interpretation. They were tasked with studying the Scriptures and giving proper interpretation. Both groups of people would have been proficient in identifying the birthplace of this Messiah. These men reference a specific passage in the Old Testament. They search the Scriptures diligently and reference the prophet Micah. Herod learns that the child was to be born in Bethlehem from the prophet. This is important because we start to see God at work here. God is ultimately using the wickedness of Herod (representatives of Israel) to point the faithful wise men to the child of promise. The wise men didn’t journey to Jerusalem by the knowledge of the Scriptures, but were brought to these Jewish leaders who could tell them exactly where to go. These wise men were faithful, not because they were smart enough or were able to seek this out by their own will. The wise men were faithful to worship in conjunction with a promise: The salvation of the world through the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. And it was all recorded and fulfilled in God’s Word.

 

Application: For believers, we have this same promise. We need to look nowhere else to discover the fulfilled covenant promises of God. From the falling of Adam, to the reigning of David as a King, to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we can count on and rest on the authority of God’s living Word. This is why Peter writes this for us today. The truth in God’s Word that was given to the wise men, is the same Word we have today. God was actively blessing a covenant people, those who would believe in the completed work of Jesus Christ, through the writings of the Law and Prophets and its fulfillment in the New Covenant in Christ.

1 Peter 1:10-12, “10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

  • What makes this profound was these prophets were not only serving themselves and the people around them. They were serving believers in the first century and to believers here at Redeeming Grace Church.
  • It is also a sad reminder that there are many who reject God’s Word, even when the truth of its reality smacks them in the face. Where the wise men were eager to receive the truth about the birth of a new king, Herod and Jerusalem were troubled at this reality, even though they both recognized its validity.
  • I have had a couple of conversations with folks who were searching for a change in life. They described that their marriage wasn’t good or they were struggling in a specific area of their life. When I described that our lives are ultimately broken and empty without the salvific work of Christ through the gospel, many of these people agree. Many of these conversations concluded with the knowledge that we need Christ and a church to dwell with one another in fellowship. It was like a light bulb finally went off, but no change in repentance occurred. In many instances, we have the opportunity to point people to a danger sign that reads, “bridge out.” They agree that the bridge is out, but instead of stopping and turning around, they drive clean through the barricade and into the water. If you are here this morning and hear the call to repent and believe in the gospel, surrender! Heed the call to repentance and believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. Whether you are listening online or here this morning, the doors are open here for anyone who wants to hear the gospel. It won’t do you well to have a knowledge of the truth of God’s history of redemption through Christ and reject it. Don’t be like Herod who hears the truth of God’s Word and rejects it. Why?

 

Explanation: Hearts that know the truth of God, but actively reject it, demonstrate the active revolution of a rebellious heart (REPEAT). This rebellious heart resembles that of Herod. Herod, in his troubled spirit, summons the wise men secretly and devilishly seeks to devise a plan of his own.

Matthew 2:7-8, “Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

  • It’s almost like Herod is hiding behind the corner of a building after meeting with his entourage and he whispers out to them. “Psst. Hey… Psst. Wise men. Come here for a moment. I hear you are searching for the king of the Jews and I just so happen to be a king myself. Could you do me a favor? Could you find the boy? I would very much like to be in his glorious presence and worship him like you are.” 
  • Herod speaks with them and finds out the time that they had discovered the appearance of this star. He sends them out to Bethlehem and tells them specifically to bring him word when the wise men find the child. He also wants to “worship” him. But does he really? We will look at that in a bit.

Let’s first look at the response of the wise men.

 

 

  •  Rejoice in worship. (v.9-12)

 

 

Explanation: After Herod sends out the wise men, we begin to see how God is operating behind the scenes. The star begins to illuminate exactly the location they were to be to witness the child. Many have debated what this star is and tried to line up exactly the stars according to that year, but it appears to be a star suspended above the location of the child. This seems to be a supernatural event. 

Matthew 2:9, “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.”

  • This is remarkable. God’s promises never fail. They are always yes and amen. Even though the wise men are sent out by the enemy to scope out the place, they instead are led by God to witness the child. This is a beautiful thing. Look at their response.

Matthew 2:10-11, “10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

  • Instead of being troubled, they rejoice and fall on their knees to worship! They offer the child gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. There really is no other way to respond when we come face to face with the Lord.
  • Imagine for a second the wise men’s long and arduous journey from the East. They traveled a great distance with luggage, gifts and one purpose: worship the savior of the world. God deserves all honor and glory. The Lord in his infancy or as the resurrected King will be worshiped and praised one way or another. Every knee will bow with joy or with opposition. I believe that those that get a true taste of this grace will have no choice, but to rejoice! It’s irresistible grace!

 

Illustration: The long journey to find the missing link in an equation or the long-lost artifact in an archeological site, would bring about a great emotional response. The physical response of finding that treasure would almost be too great to bear.

  • Whether we are digging deep in our brains to solve the equation or with our hands in the dirt to find that fortune, finding that one thing we were looking for would ignite feelings of joy, love, and relief.
  • I remember the sheer joy that I experienced when my first child was born. Something in the air changes. The game has changed. Something just feels different.
  • These wise men would have understood it in this way. Where at one point the tunnel was dark, there glimmered a light at the end of the tunnel. For the wise men, this child represented something greater than anything else they had going for them. The child was truly a treasure to be found. As the child was that treasure for the wise men, the future sufficient completed work of that child would bring that same joy and peace to those who would believe.    

 

Explanation: You see, these foreigners represent an even more important nature of God’s salvific work. While there is no real evidence that these men were saved, the fact that God used Gentiles to worship the Savior here, tells us of His grace to offer the free gift of salvation to all. We see Jesus later describe this.

John 3:16, “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

  • This promise of salvation would not be limited to the nation of Israel, but to all who would believe. Notice the “whoever believes” part here? This is good news, because the early Jews, limited this deliverance to their own people. They believed that the Messiah was exclusively theirs. I thank God that He isn’t so shallow or else nobody could get in. The fact of the matter is that we were all foreigners before we met the Lord. And it is only through Christ do we gain access to God.

John 10:7-10, “So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

  • If you are here this morning and have entered the door of Christ, you have pasture. You have abundance. You have peace. What a gracious and kind God that any of us were able to enter that door. It was by His grace and mercy alone that any of us get to taste His goodness and find peace.
  • Just as wonderful and beautiful the work of salvation is for believers, we must also remember there is an enemy looking to devour us. Look again at this passage in John 10, specifically verse 10.

John 10:7-10, “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

 

Application: There is always an adversary in every story looking to steal the glory or thwart the plan for good. The thief in question here represents the work of that enemy. More specifically a familiar face in this story. Remember our boy Herod a few verses ago? Remember that he wanted to “worship” the “king of the Jews”? If we read ahead to next week’s passage, we know that Herod’s intention is exactly the opposite. The wise men receive word in a dream the reality of Herod’s intentions. He isn’t about to play nice. He, in his knowledge of the Messiah’s birth, is going to try to kill the child. The last verse in this passage foreshadows Herod’s intentions.

Matthew 2:12, “12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

  • If we remember God’s initial and continued promise to save mankind, we remember the promised “seed” in Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15, “15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

  • The serpent's goal then is always to come against women and their offspring. Satan’s schemes and plans are no different than Herod. In fact, they are one the same. Throughout the Old Testament, there are significant moments of history where Satan has convinced leaders and rulers of nations to commit genocide and murder off generations of babies. Whether it was a sacrifice to Baal as the pagans would do, or for the Egyptians to destroy the generational line of Israel, or Satan convincing mothers of our day and age to selfishly commit abortions, we ultimately see the heart of the enemy with the encouragement of this kind of death.
  • We know the heart of Jesus for children is far different. He warns that any who would cause a young one to stumble would incur a great and harsh punishment for themselves.
  • While Satan has made many attempts to dismantle the promises of God by attacking the birth line of His Son and to prevent the expansion of Christians in this world, we know that he ultimately loses in the end. There are several ways this happens.
    • First, we see that God protected the wise men and Jesus. Through a dream, they are warned to get out of dodge and not return to Herod. Herod never receives news of his exact location, so the next attacks on the children in Bethlehem are blind. The murder and death are horrendous acts and even though many children are killed, the child of promise is not touched.
    • Secondly, Jesus’ life would only be preserved until it wasn’t. The gospel is the good news that points us to a horrible and terrible death on a cross. Even though Jesus was perfect and righteous and without sin, He became sin on a cross so that our punishment would be paid for. Even though Satan may have experienced a minor victory in killing Christ, it was actually a victory against himself. Satan may have bruised the heel of Jesus Christ in killing Him, but in return his head gets crushed in the process. The shedding of Jesus’ blood and the breaking of His body effectively killed and atoned for the sins of those who would trust in Him. Those that trust and believe in this gospel, have died and been buried with Christ as well. The old you is dead and gone. But that’s not all.
    • Thirdly, the creation that lost access to fellowship and relationship with God is brought back together when Jesus defeats death and rises from the grave. Those that believe in the salvific work of Christ have not only died with Him but are risen to new life with Him by the work of the Spirit. The veil that once separated man from God is torn. Those that are justified are deemed righteous. They are then set apart and made holy and the work is continual as they experience life abundantly in Christ. This happens because of the indwelt Holy Spirit. This process of sanctification results in us looking more and more like Jesus. This work of God puts the defining mark of Christ on the believer. The blessings that Jesus received, we receive. The status that is found in Christ, we enjoy by His grace. Our identity on earth is no longer defined by what Satan whispers in our ears, but what God has accomplished through Christ in the forgiveness of our sins. Satan can no longer deem us “Sinner”, even though we still sin, but has to acknowledge the mark of Christ in us as “Saint”, with sins forgiven completely. This is wonderful news.
    • Lastly, Satan loses, because we know that Christ will return. The attempts of Herod, or a type of Herod to diminish or destroy the Church will never work. God instituted the very body of Christ as the Church to prevail until Jesus would return and when He does return, we will experience joy like the wise men, only it will be far greater. You see, Satan loses, because he knows that his time is short, but our time is not short. While our time may be short and painful at times on this earth, we know that our time with the Lord will be for eternity. We will one day see Him face to face, without any objection. And there’s nothing that any government, dictator, abuser, cancer, disability, persecutor, or death can do to deny us that reality. All will be healed and every tear will be wiped away for those who trusted Jesus.

 

Final Application: As we leave here this morning, I just ask that you reflect and look at the response of two characters in this passage. There are only two ways to approach Christ: Like Herod in the rejection of Jesus or like the wise men in worship. 

  • Whenever we see Jesus, there is always a temptation in the flesh to reject His glory and try to take it for ourselves. We put our own interests or sin ahead of what God has for us or for the needs of others. If you are born-again and this temptation arises, put it to death on the cross. Ask God to be humbled and to bring repentance. There is grace and forgiveness when we humbly submit to Him. Let us come to the Lord like the wise men instead, who worshipped the Son and faithfully persevered. If you aren’t saved and struggle with a rebellious and angry heart, today is the day for salvation. Surrender your life to the Lord. Let me end with this,

Romans 10:8-10, “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

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