SERMON NOTES:  

The Epic Invasion of Light!
        “Epiphany’s Contrast”

Epiphany means “light shines on!”

Matthew 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] 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,…

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.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

What does Matthew want us to see?

-          The Maji were the most unlikely worshipers to an unlikely King !

-          Herod is the likely worshiper of Jesus but is threatened by Him and reacts unimaginably!

-          The contrast is stark! Jesus is seen as a promise to be worshiped or a threat to be contained!

-          Who is the hero of the story?

God is shining light on Jesus drawing all of us, the likely and the unlikely, to worship Him!

A Prayer of Consecration for 2019 

   My dear Lord Jesus Christ, we come to You today to be restored in You and renewed in You.

Jesus, we confess that You are the author of our faith and the foundation of Your church.  We are called to be Your children and Your church in 2019.  
   We now consecrate this year of life as individuals, as families and as Your church to You and You alone!
You are God and we are not in 2019. 

We surrender every aspect of our lives totally and completely to You.  We yield our spirit, soul, body, our heart, mind and  will to the life and lead of Your Holy Spirit.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh this day and every day this new year! 

   Jesus, we receive all the work and triumph of Your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over our lives and church.  We pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done” in our lives and church in 2019.  

   Jesus, I am Yours totally and completely in 2019.  You purchased and redeemed me from sin, death and the devil so I now consecrate all of my life in 2019 to You and You alone -
- my time, ability and money,
- my sexuality, influence and personality,
- my work, pleasures and ambition
- my brokenness, imperfections and failures
- my loves, losses, worries and dreams
- my everyday all day life.

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life this new year. 

   Jesus, we are Your church and this is Your year totally and completely.  We now bring the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over our church this new year! 

   We come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom and bind and banish him and all forces of evil from our lives, our families and our church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus! 

   Jesus, we surrender our agendas for this new year to You and You alone and call forth the Kingdom of
God and the gracious reign of Jesus over ourselves, our families and our church in 2019! 

   In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen! 

Scripture and Meditation Guide
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you!  Read the Scripture!   Listen, dwell,
reread, and notice what words and phrases you are drawn to!  Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying to me?  What are You teaching me to believe about You and about me?  How can I join You today?”

Monday – Matthew 2:1-23

Tuesday – Ephesians 5:8-20

Wednesday – John 1:19-34

Thursday– Ephesians 4:17-24

Friday – 1 John 1:5-2:2

Saturday – Psalm 19

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7