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Rick Maule -
Prayer requests:
Emily Hopkins - stepfather died
Viviana Kessel - grandmother ill
Mt 2:1-12 Magi = wisemen =of the royal court - we three kings of
orient are (orient = East)
into astrology - spiritually minded, wanted to know
the truth
The world distracts us from the lasting & important things
Seek out the bigger things, the things that touch our hearts
Wise men - don't know how many - there were 3 gifts so we say
there were three but there could have been 8 - some could have chipped in for
the gifts, forgot to bring a gift
They weren't in the manger anymore, the text says "house" in vs. 11
Herod had killed 2 of his own sons, better to be his dog than his
son
He was not happy - "the king" was born - kings don't
like other kings, especially in their territory
story of Rick in R & B band in college
1970/fraternity, time of peace & Love;
new drummed moved into the fraternity, much better than the drummer they
had in their band - within weeks there was a fist fight because the current
drummer felt threatened (so much for a time of peace & love)
vs. 3 Herod was disturbed - didn't like it "very ticked
off/irate/out of control angry" from the Greek
"if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody
happy" -- the whole city was upset because Herod was upset, he was not a
nice guy, they didn't know what he was going to do
Herod knew that no one can serve two masters - Jesus said it
later, but he knew you couldn't have 2 Kings.
How would you feel if someone said to you that you were going to be laid
off, and here's your replacement? or I'm leaving you for another women? Herod was not
spiritual - he worried about his position.
God wants to be king of my life - every area of my life -
committed, true, sold out, New Testament Christians
"I believe and I confess that Jesus is Lord" surrender
-- God wants to rule our lives
Herod thought he could rule his kingdom better than Jesus
Jesus would destroy his happiness - didn't want to let him in
We protect parts of our life - thinking we know better than God
vs 13-18 Herod wipes out all male children under
two in that area - precious and innocent little children "kill them"
he was willing to do anything but surrender to God's will for his life
Remember what you were like before you were a disciple - it's a
time of warfare - most were not ready to surrender (some were so far gone
messed up we knew we needed him)
We wanted to find a "less committed way" to love God -
how can I do it halfway?
studying the Bible we got argumentative
We were trying to fight God - where's the loophole?
we had never studied the Bible before and we were
fighting religion (God wants to be King and we don't want him to be king of
everything)
Some people don't argue - they run away /ignore/hide
There's always a reason to wait - if not now, when?
"negotiating our surrender" -
confessing & repenting
It was hard, we wrestled with it
But a great feeling when we surrender all - it's a great peace,
the war is over
Most of the time when we are stressed - we are still fighting God
War in Iraq, we won the war, Sadam arrested - but there's been
more deaths sine the war than during the war - they are not conquered - parts
are still fighting (pockets of
resistance) there is still war. The enemy strongholds can still hurt us,
there are still deaths.
King Herod doesn't like to have rivals, neither does Jesus
There are areas of life that become our Fallujah - areas not
surrendered, confessed, repented
We think it's going to work, but it doesn't
What are the strongholds in our lives? areas nurtured,
petted, kept
Invention to prevent trail to and from porn on the internet - God
knows - can't erase the trail of sin from God
Alcoholism, lying (family, morality, taxes), selfish
Does my family know I will help clean up after a meal with the
family or do the know I won't help? What thoughts do I hold on to and don't let
go of?
Do I run down people (critical, gossip)? Think it's permissible, think it's cool
(especially teens) - in the right group
Need to resolve conflicts with the person involved - not talk to
others about it
If I don't forgive the sister/brother, God will not forgive me
Maybe I don't gossip about them, I just shun them
It's destructive, it's sin, it's tearing
the joy of my daily live (living in resentment)
What are the restricted areas of my life?
Some things Rick can talk about and we're fine with it, other
things we close down, resent, get touchy about
Jesus talked about money more than he talked about adultery --
areas we haven't surrendered?
Talk about marriage, children?
Do we get defensive about our parenting?
our children's behavior? Some days quiet and alone sound good to
Rick. There are times he needs to
understand that needs of the family, spiritual needs come before our
freedom. We need to submit and surrender
our freedom to God and God will give us the quiet and alone time we need.
Disciples can serve God in different ways and places, but there is
no spiritual parachute/panic room. I
can always quit and still be ok.
No. A
prenuptial agreement with God - there are the things I can retain
control of - not a good foundation to marriage or relationship with God
"get out of marriage free" card
- I can get out at any time
You have the right to leave, but you'll never be happy. This is my family, my church. I will give them all my heart. Make a decision I am in it heart and
soul. Do it for yourself.
vs. 3 Herod was troubled - unsurrendered areas
Deep down, my biggest miseries come from myself.
He got defensive - demanded from the Magi
He lied - I will go and worship him
when we get desperate - we start acting like Herod -
wish evil on others when we get angry & selfish
we all sin and we need to get open
Herod died after that, don't life long when you're bitter and
angry
Luke 14 - 2 kings going to war - I'm going to lose when I fight
God
**God always wins **
sin comes out - even if it's on the day of
judgment, it will be revealed
surrender early - or when it's too late?
2005 - more expectation and less
knowledge about what will happen next year
Wrestle like Herod - but come down on God's side in the end.