The Marvelous Birth of the King (Selected Scriptures)
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As we look to the Word of God this morning, I want you to open your Bible to the first two chapters of the gospel of Matthew, the first two chapters in the New Testament. They introduce us to the birth of the King. It never ceases to be a story of wonder, a story of blessedness, a story of supernatural intervention.
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No matter how many times we go over the birth of Christ, it still captures our fascination, fills our hearts with joy. I’d like us to focus this morning along with Matthew on the birth of the King, emphasizing the kingliness, the royalty of Jesus Christ. That is Matthew’s great intent. And certainly the carols that we sing at this time of year are reminders of the fact that Jesus Christ was born a King.
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We sing “Joy to the World” and that carol says, “The Lord is come, let earth receive her King.” And then there is “It came upon a Midnight Clear,” in which we sing, “Heavens all gracious King.” “Angels We Have Heard on High” says, “Christ the Lord, the newborn King.” And my favorite carol, “Hark the Herald, Angels Sing” says, “Glory to the newborn King.” “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” We’re familiar with that carol.
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There’s a line in there that says, “Born a King in Bethlehem’s plain.” Another one says, “King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.” Another one says, “King and God and sacrifice.” The carol, “What Child is This,” says “This is Christ the King.” “Come Thou long expected Jesus” says, “Born a child yet a King.” And “Angels From the Realm of Glory” expresses, “Worship Christ the newborn King.
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” All of these emphasize the great reality about the birth of Christ, that He is in fact born a king. The wise men who came seeking for Him, stopped in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is He who is born King?” The Christ child was born to be supreme ruler, supreme monarch. In fact, the writer of Revelation, John, says He is King over all kings and Lord over all lords.
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He is the greatest, the most supreme of all monarchs. A king, as you know, has a sovereign right to rule. A king is the final court of appeal. He holds in his hand the power of life, the power of death, the right to make every decision and all decisions. Jesus Christ was born a King. He is different than any other king but nonetheless a king.