Point of Grace Online Worship 1.3.21  

Sermon Notes – “Defiant Joy – Joy that defies the logic of our circumstances!” 

Sometimes God’s defiance shows up through unpredictable surprises! 

Matthew, why are you telling us this story? 

Matthew 2 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.” 

3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When 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. 8He 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.” 

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

13When 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.” 

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of  Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in  Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 

What is in this story as Matthew tells it? 

- Two Kings in Contrast – Herod and Jesus – The Kingdom of Men and the Kingdom of God - Who are these Magi? How would Matthew’s readers have understood them?

- “The Lord” is actually the central character in the story, active at every turn. 

o It is as if He is executing a “full of surprises”, “in the Lord’s time” kind of “you don’t think you need this but you need this” daring salvation rescue plan for all humanity.

o He is helping the helpless find and follow Jesus recruiting helpers along the way. 

As we step into 2021 we can be absolutely confident and defiantly joyful because every day our God is “helping the helpless find and follow Jesus recruiting helpers along the way.” 

Who are the helpless? 

Who are the helpers? 

What’s my role? 

How could a group of people living like this change the world? 

Afterthoughts for 2021 Begins - Thursday @ 7 

Resources for this Week 

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. 

The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you. 

Mon – Matthew 2:1-12 

Tue – Matthew 2:13-23 

Wed – Galatians 4:3-7 

Thu – Matthew 28:16-20 

Fri – Micah 5:1-5 

Sat - Zephaniah 3:14-17 

Meditation Hints: 

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me  through Your Word! I rest in You!” 

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are  drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on  your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.  

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved. 

Helps: “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church 

The Movie “The Nativity Story” 

The book “Defiant Joy” by Stasi Eldredge 

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store 

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge 

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge