Newborn King: Upside Down
A Christmas and a Kingdom not of this world.

Welcome to the second message in our Advent Series: The Newborn King

Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King.

‭‭John‬ ‭18:28-32‬‬
Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

There were many prophesies that foretold the sacrifice of the Messiah. Including those of Jesus Himself.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:17-19‬‬
Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

‭‭John‬ ‭18:33-36‬‬
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Jesus doesn’t answer Pilate’s question. Instead He makes a singular declaration: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

It’s as if the King is saying (to Pilate in the first century and to us in the twenty first):

If you are thinking that the rules of earth apply to my kingdom…you are mistaken.

If you think of my kingdom the way you think of your own…you are confused.

It’s not just that my kingdom is not from this world, but my kingdom is of a completely different nature than this world.
In fact it is opposite what you know: Upside Down

In John 8:23, Jesus helped us understand exactly that. Not only is His kingdom not of this world, but it is opposite:

‭‭John‬ ‭8:23‬‬
But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

‭‭John‬ ‭18:36-37‬‬
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

What you say is true…I am a king
But not a king of this world
Not a kingdom like you have ever known.
The opposite
The Kingdom UPSIDE-DOWN

And Pontius Pilate would have known all of that.
And everyone in the crucifying crowd that day would have known
Had they only remembered…Christmas

Strange (Upside Down) Truths About the Birth of Jesus

1. God broke 400 years of silence to start the birth into motion. His people heard nothing until a flurry of angels rocked the world.
2. The decree from Caesar Augustus that sent Mary and Joseph on their journey was intended to fortify the Roman Kingdom, yet it led to the ushering in of the Kingdom of the Newborn King. There would never be another earthly kingdom that would ever really matter.
3. An angel appeared to a teenage girl. Just appeared out of nowhere.
4. The angel spoke to her.
5. The angel told her she would become pregnant because the Holy Spirit would “overshadow” her, whatever that meant.
6. And don’t forget an angel appears to Joseph as well. (Again, this was after 400 years of dead silence)
7. The angel takes away the right Joseph had to name his child. And he just accepts that.
8. Joseph acts in a way that was opposite of what was called for in Jewish law – which would have been to divorce Mary.
9. In fact, Joseph could have had Mary stoned.
10. When Mary visited Elizabeth and greeted her, the baby in her womb “leaped”. This unborn baby (John the Baptist) recognized the Messiah, who was also, in that moment, unborn.
11. Elizabeth called Mary “the mother of my Lord”, before she knew anything about the angel’s proclamation.
12. Joseph really should have traveled to Galilee. His actual home. But for no earthly reason he traveled to Bethlehem, his ancestral home.
13. Likewise, there’s no earthly reason why Mary would have accompanied Joseph on the 75-mile trip. According to Roman law, women didn’t have to register because they were exempt from military service or taxation. Why did she decide to travel with her husband?
14. Bethlehem was the least significant town a king could possibly be born in. It would be like a king being from Grottoes.
15. When the baby came, it was to a manger in a cave. The direct opposite of what would normally happen in a royal birth.
16. An angel of the Lord again appeared to shepherds in the same region where Jesus was born to announce His birth. After 400 years of silence, angels are everywhere.
17. The birth of a king should have been announced to the ruling class. Instead, it was announced to the lowest. And not even the premium shepherds but the ones who got the night shift.
18. Then thousands of angels just appeared out of nowhere. What did the multitude look like and why were they there?
19. Pagan magi traveled over a thousand miles by camel to see the Jewish Messiah. There is no good earthly explanation for why they would do this.
20. In Herod’s own kingdom they asked: Where is the new king? (Think about that.)
21. They followed an unexplained “star” that somehow led them to Jesus in Jerusalem.
22. The star, “stopped over the place.” How does a star “stop” over a place. How would you tell?
23. The star had appeared from nothing and then, as far as we know, disappeared.
24. The king of kings – ruler of the world – was a refugee to Egypt.

Think about the world we live in. Full of pain, despair, sickness and selfishness.
That Newborn King whose birth we celebrate came to turn it all upside-down…for you.

Newborn King: Upside Down
A Christmas and a Kingdom not of this world.

Welcome to the second message in our Advent Series: The Newborn King

Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King.

‭‭John‬ ‭18:28-37‬‬
Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“The creator of the universe, greater than all but the Father, gave up his life for his creation. Rather than coming as the conquering king that so many expected, and the world would have understood, he came as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. It is hard to imagine a greater role reversal than the creator dying on a rough Roman cross as a criminal. Yet that is what he did.”
-Ed Jarrett

“Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.”
-A.W. Tozer

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-4‬‬
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43-45‬‬
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-8‬‬
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

So what is necessary to belong to the Kingdom of God that King Jesus rules, and ushered in at his first coming?

REPENT!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬‬
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

We, the church, are called to be a community who’s character helps bare witness to the claims that Christ life makes.

We should look like Him; not like those who are subjects of our world and culture

http://bible.com/events/48804671

Newborn King: The Promise
He is either King of all or he’s not King at all.

Hark! The herald angels sing
‘Glory to the newborn King’

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬‬
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

-This newborn king will be greater than any earthly king.
-He will reign unlike any king, even King David.
-His kingdom will never end.
-Isaiah spoke these words, and for generations and generations they waited for the king.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:30-33‬‬
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

-This newborn king will be the son of God, the king of ALL kings.
-Again, we see the promise: His kingdom will NEVER end.
-It’s not just that He was so powerful. It wasn’t just that His kingdom was the greatest we’ve ever known. What is so important is this truth: This king came for you.

So how will you respond to this king?

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-6‬‬
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:9-11‬‬
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Bottom line:
He is either king OF ALL or He is not king AT ALL.

Other verses for further study/reflection:
Micah 5:2
2 Samuel 7:16
Hebrews 1:3
Jude 1:25

Newborn King: The Promise
He is either King of all or he’s not King at all.

Welcome to our Advent Series The Newborn King

Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King.

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬‬
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

From the moment sin entered the human story, the countdown to Christmas was on.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:26-33‬‬
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“The focus of attention is not on the birth itself, but on the significance of the child, and on the role he will play in fulfilling God’s will” -Donald Hagner

It’s not about the manger or the inn or the stable. It’s about that baby. The coming of a King, that would change everything.

That’s the miracle of Christmas. That’s what we celebrate.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-12‬‬
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

How will you respond to the news of The Newborn King this Christmas season and beyond?

There are a million ways we can miss the profound significance of this season. Friends, after all we have been through the last 20 months, let’s commit together, not to miss Christmas.

To know the story isn’t enough, we must get into the Christmas story.

Let us come and worship the Newborn King!

Other verses for further study/reflection:
Micah 5:2
2 Samuel 7:16
Hebrews 1:3
Jude 1:25

http://bible.com/events/48801251

James and the Tamed Tongue
Your words are a super power. Will you use them for good or for evil?

A review of our journey through James:
-James is writing to believers who were facing difficult days and his letter is reminding them of what is critical.
-In the trial and through the trial, God is working.
-Do not doubt Him in the midst of the trial you are facing, but instead persevere.
-Keep trusting Him, even in difficult circumstances, because our God is generous and He is at work.
-This faith that we proclaim impacts how we live, because we don’t just read the Word, we do the Word.
-We are people of action and this impacts everything:
-it impacts our attitude, how we respond to others (we are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger)
-it impacts the way we treat those that others ignore
-it prevents us from showing favoritism or discriminating among God’s children
-To claim to have faith without acting on it is worthless. It’s dead faith.
-Abraham and Rahab were considered righteous because of what they did. Their faith resulted in action.

Today, as we turn the page to chapter 3, we see another specific example of what this faith in action looks like.

‭‭James‬ ‭3:1-12‬‬
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Our words have incredible power. And James provides three specific visuals of something small having such great power:
-bits in the mouths of horses (verse 3)
-the rubber of a large ship (verse 4)
-a small spark igniting a large fire (verse 5)

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:6

-James says that our mouths can be set on fire by hell.
-When bragging, or lies, or gossip is flowing out of my mouth, that is not of the Lord. When harsh words, or yelling, or dishonoring others is flowing out of my mouth, that is not of the Lord.
-Jesus himself spoke pointedly about this topic also.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:36-37‬‬
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Your words are a super power. Will you use them for good or for evil?

The challenge:
Speak life-giving words to others every chance you get.

Other verses for further study/reflection:
Matthew 18:18
Proverbs 13:3
Ephesians 4:29

James is known as “the Proverbs of the New Testament” and that is evident in connection to James 3:1-12:
-“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Proverbs 18:21
-“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
-“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
-“A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.” – Proverbs 18:19
-“The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person’s thoughts are worth very little.” – Proverbs 10:20
-“Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop.” – Proverbs 26:20
-“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” – Proverbs 21:23

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY