The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 1: Christ’s Coming; God’s True King Arrives
Background Information: Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52
Matthew’s childhood history of Jesus aims to give clear evidence as to who he was. Five Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in his first few years. The virgin birth, his birth in Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the murder of the innocents, and his childhood home of Nazareth all confirm that he is the long-awaited Messiah. Herod, the puppet king ruling in Judah under the control of the Roman empire, was terrified to learn of the birth of the true King. King Jesus came to give his life so others will live. Wicked Herod took the lives of innocent children in a foolish and evil attempt to hold on to his fleeting power. History reveals that Herod died a painful death not long after the birth of Jesus. The first century historian Josephus wrote that Herod was so concerned that no one would mourn his death, that he ordered a large group of distinguished men be killed at the time of his death so there would be the widespread grief that he craved. Upon his death, his order was not obeyed, but it reveals the twisted mind of this evil king. God’s sovereignty is the principle of his control over all things; God’s providence is the practice of his control over all things. He is sovereign, and therefore all things are providentially ordered by him. How could someone like Herod believe in ancient prophecy and at the same time believe that he could somehow get around the inevitable? Through his attempts to thwart God’s purposes, he became a pawn in those purposes. Jesus was no pawn; he was a faithful son who willingly fulfilled the purpose for which he was born. Don’t try to figure out how your own choices and God’s sovereign purposes work together, just know that they do. What God wants for you is clear in Scripture. Not in the details of where you work or live, but in the details of who you are to be and how you are to live. Be faithful. Align your will with his will and you will live a life full of purpose–his purpose.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Christian Challenge as they gather this evening and focus on God’s love for all the nations. Pray that students would be see God’s heart and respond in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.