12-13-2020

12-13-2020
Rev. Trevor Johnston (West and online), Jessica Stafford (East), and Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Make Room
Week 3:  Treasure Hunt
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.

Our memory verse for this series is Luke 2:6-7: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

1.  On Monday, December 21st, people in the northern hemisphere will be able to see what astronomers call the “Christmas Star.”  Jupiter and Saturn will be in alignment and closer to earth than they’ve been in 800 years.  If it’s clear that night, you’ll see it during the first hour after sundown by looking in the southwest sky close to the horizon.  Read what David wrote in Psalm 19:1:  “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  How does the sky help people recognized God’s glory? 

2.  Read 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 2 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.”

     3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

     6 “‘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.’”

     7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 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.”

    9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

3.  Matthew refers to these men as “Magi.” They weren’t kings, and there probably weren’t exactly three of them.  It may have actually been a whole caravan of astrologers from Persia – modern day Iran.  Even though astrology was forbidden in Scripture, God saw that their hearts were seeking the right thing, and he helped them to find Jesus.  2 Chronicles 16:9a says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”   What does this verse communicate about how God might reach out to people all around the world?

4.  The word “treasure” can be both a noun and a verb.  Read Luke 2:19:  “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  What do you notice about the meaning of the word “treasured” in this verse?  What does the word “treasure” mean to you? 

What do we learn from the Magi about making room for Jesus? 

·      We seek what we treasure.

5.  People go to extreme lengths to pursue what they treasure.  What are some things you’ve seen people do to pursue something that they personally consider a treasure? 

6.  If you were to ask someone who knows you well (like your spouse or your kids) what they think you treasure most, what would they say? 

7.  Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-20, 33:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal….  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

What was Jesus trying to help people understand in this passage? 

8.  Christian author Randy Alcorn wrote:  “He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures.  To him, death is loss.  He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he's moving daily toward his treasures.  To him, death is gain.  He who spends his life moving toward his treasures has reason to rejoice.” 

What did he mean by this? 

·      We worship what we treasure.

9.  What are some things that people in our culture “worship”?  And what are some things people do as part of their “worship” of these things?

10.  What can our culture’s worship of these things teach us about how to be more devoted and expressive in our worship of Jesus?

·      We give our treasure to what we treasure.

11.  The Magi gave very valuable treasures to Jesus, because they recognized that Jesus is truly the most valuable treasure there is.  Jesus doesn’t need your money, but he wants your heart.  As he said in Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”  You can tell what you actually treasure by looking at your calendar and your bank account.  When you look at your calendar and your bank account, what values do you see there? 

12.  Augustine said, “Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure.  Where your treasure is, there is your heart.  Where your heart is, there is your happiness.”  What does this add to your understanding of what it means to treasure something?

Consider on your own:  Christian giving begins as an act of obedience, but it grows to a deeper level of devotion when we begin to truly treasure Jesus and treasure what Jesus treasures.

·      If you’ve never given to God before, would you consider giving for the 1st time?

·      If you’ve given to God, but inconsistently, would you consider beginning to give regularly?

·      If you give regularly, but it’s become “auto pilot” for you, how might you make your giving a deeper experience of treasuring Jesus?

·      If you’re in a situation where COVID provided you with unexpected financial thriving, how might you express your thanks to God for that?

Ready for your next step?

If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.

News and Announcements:

·      New Here?  Let us know who you are by texting “hello” to 561-264-6079.

·      COH App:  Be sure to download our app so you can stay connected with our church and get sermon notes, announcements and more!

·      Blue Christmas:  On-demand online.  If you’re grieving any kind of loss or hurt this year, join us for our online Blue Christmas Service as Pastor Trevor leads us through a time of remembrance, lament, and hope.  Invite friends and family and share it on social media to help others find hope. For more information: https://communityofhope.church/bluechristmas.

·      Christmas Caroling Outreach:  Many people in our community feel isolated this Christmas.  COH wants to encourage groups of Christmas carolers to bring holiday cheer to those who need encouragement.  All you need to do is gather your small group of some friends, pick up some COH Christmas invite cards from the church, and sing tidings of comfort and joy to your neighbors.  Need help finding a group to sing with?  Fill out this form. 

·      Christmas at COH is going to be indoors, outdoors and online this year!  On 12/24, we’re offering two indoor services at our East Campus on Military Trail - at 5pm in English and 7pm in Spanish.  At our West Campus in Loxahatchee, we’ll offer outdoor services, weather permitting, at 5 and 7pm.  And beginning 12/21, you can watch our online service whenever it fits best for you. 

·      Angel Tree:  Help us love the 561 by donating $10 fast-food gift cards before December 17th to be given to the homeless in our community.  Drop off at the Welcome Desk or the church office.  See communityofhope.church/events for more details.

·      College & Career Group:  Sundays at 7pm at our West Campus and Mondays at 6:30pm at Commons Park in Royal Palm Beach.  If you’re a young adult (out of high school through mid-20s), we invite you to attend our College & Career Group.  Even if you’re just home from school for a short time over the holidays, we would love to have you come and connect with us.  For more information, go to https://communityofhope.church/cohcollegecareer

·      Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community!  This year our Christmas Missions Offering goes to support our missions partners and our outreach into our community and will also help us get the equipment and staff to better reach people through online teaching .  To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give. For more information on our Missions Offering, go to https://communityofhope.church/missions-offering