We reflect and pray about the shift from partners to friends we explored this week.
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CloseRyan Sim - December 10, 2013
Tuesday - Study It - The Night That Changed the Powerful
We’re looking this week at how Jesus’ birth threatened powerful people. Here’s the story: 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.” 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.’” 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.” (…) And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:1-8, 12-18 ESV) Just like last week, you can see the story of Jesus’ birth was part of God’s big story throughout history. There’ve been hints throughout time that these events would occur, even if people couldn’t see them in advance, many more could see them in retrospect. We can see that from the beginning of his life...powerful people encountered Jesus and recognized who he was, even if they didn’t like it. Here in this story we have two people, both claiming the title King of the Jews. Herod is a powerful man, but he’s a middle man. The Romans are really in charge, but keep him as King of the local area because he’s useful to them, at least for now. On the other side, the people under him allow him to rule because of fear. They know he’s not a legitimate heir to the throne of Israel, even though he claims the title. So Herod hangs on to power by removing any threat to his power. He uses fear out of his own fear. This is why he is so concerned by these wise men, who show up and say they’re looking for the King of the Jews. Herod is King of the Jews! Not by birthline or right of course, but because he got what he wanted, and has everyone afraid of him. So if someone else claims to be the rightful King, and can claim the right bloodline, right town of birth, etc. that simply won’t do. So instead of just telling them they’re crazy, and having this rumour get out of hand, Herod uses them. We’ll talk more about that later...but suffice it to say he is manipulative, dangerous, uses people to keep himself in power, and moreover is illegitimate. Question: A prophet 500 years before this happened said the Messiah would emerge as a light in “dark times.” How was the era when Jesus came a dark time? Are there similarities to our time?
Related Topics: Christmas, Herod, Magi, Power, Wise Men | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "The Night that Changed Everything"
In preparation for Christmas, our Daily Challenges are going to explore the lifechanging significance of Jesus' birth so long ago. It's more than a sentimental story, or a time for generosity, Christmas celebrates The Night that Changed Everything. We'll explore the original Christmas story from the Bible, and its impact on five kinds of people.
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Wednesday - Change It - Shepherd | September 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
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Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Potential | September 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Potential | September 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Potential | September 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Potential | September 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Power | September 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers and Power | September 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers and Power | September 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers and Power | September 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers and Power | September 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Profit | September 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers and Profit | September 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers and Profit | September 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers and Profit | September 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers and Profit | September 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Philosophers | August 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers and Philosophers | August 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers and Philosophers | August 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers and Philosophers | August 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers and Philosophers | August 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Politics | August 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers and Politics | August 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers and Politics | August 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers and Politics | August 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers and Politics | August 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Prerequisites | August 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers And Prerequisites | August 14, 2014 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers And Prerequisites | August 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers And Prerequisites | August 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers And Prerequisites | August 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneers and Pagans | August 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneers And Pagans | August 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneers And Pagans | August 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneers And Pagans | August 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneers And Pagans | August 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Pork | August 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Pork | July 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Pork | July 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday- Study It - Pioneer Pork | July 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Pork | July 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Prodigy | July 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Prodigy | July 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Prodigy | July 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Prodigy | July 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Prodigy | July 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Progress | July 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Progress | July 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Progress | July 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Progress | July 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Progress | July 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Players | July 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Players | July 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Players | July 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Players | July 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Players | July 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Pain | July 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Pain | July 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Pain | July 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Pain | July 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Pain | June 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Priorities | June 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Priorities | June 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Priorities | June 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Priorities | June 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Priorities | June 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Proof | June 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Proof | June 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Proof | June 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Proof | June 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Proof | June 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Pushback | June 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Pushback | June 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Pushback | June 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Pushback | June 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Pushback | June 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Preaching | June 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Preaching | June 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Preaching | June 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Preaching | June 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Preaching | June 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Practices | May 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Practices | May 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Practices | May 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Practices | May 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Practices | May 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Act On It - Pioneer People | May 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer People | May 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer People | May 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer People | May 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer People | May 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Spirit | May 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Spirit | May 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Spirit | May 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Spirit | May 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Spirit | May 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pioneer Story | May 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Story | May 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pioneer Story | May 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pioneer Story | May 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Story | May 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - 2014 Status Update - Grace in Lifestyle | May 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - 2014 Status Update - Generosity of Resources | May 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - 2014 Status Update - God in Worship | April 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - 2014 Status Update - Groups in Community | April 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - 2014 Status Update - Growth in Discipleship | April 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Resurrection | April 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Good Friday - Death for Jesus | April 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Death is Coming for Jesus | April 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Death is Coming for Jesus | April 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Death is Coming for Jesus | April 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - Death is Coming for Jesus | April 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Disappointment | April 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen |