“In Awe Of The King”

“In Awe Of The King”

Pastor Josiah Nordgren

November 30, 2025

​​After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.”

– ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

God’s people had waited a long time for their . 

“‘Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

– ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬

(MULTILINE)

God’s don’t hinge on your . 

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

– ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

​​When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

– ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

This promised King would… 

• Be a shepherd king who would guide and tend to them.  (Ezekiel 34:23-24)
• Be a king who will deliver the needy and the weak. (Psalm 72:12-14)
• Live together in the land forever.  (Ezekiel 37:24-25)
• The Lord Himself will reign. (Zechariah 14:9)
• Crush their enemies.  (Psalm 2:5-6)
• Rule forever and be a king to all. (Psalm 72:17)
• A king who saves. (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Break the yoke off their necks so they may serve Him.  (Jeremiah 30:8-9)
• Bring worldwide peace. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

(MULTILINE)

The king would deliver his people . 

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. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘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.’”

– ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

(MULTILINE)

Jesus’ kingship was met with .

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. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

– ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11a‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

(MULTILINE)

The only fitting response to this King is .

Discussion Questions

This week we continued our series Adoration, where we’re slowing down and reclaiming our awe of Christ as we approach Christmas. We talked about Jesus as the forever King Israel had been waiting for. God first gave this promise to David roughly 1,000 years before Christ, and the prophets kept pointing to it over and over. Through every foreign occupation and every disappointment, Israel held onto the hope that one day a King would come — a King who would bring back the prosperity of Solomon and the victory of David, a King who would deliver His people once and for all.

When the Magi finally arrived looking for this newborn King, we see three very different responses: Herod rejects Him, the scribes stay indifferent, and the Magi respond with worship. And the challenge for us is simple: as we come into this season, which response are we living out? The only fitting response to the true King is worship.

1. Read Matthew 2:1-11. What stood out to you — in the passage or from the message this week?
2. Solomon broke God’s covenant, yet God remained faithful. What does that teach you about God’s faithfulness in your own life?
3. In this story, which response feels most like you right now — Herod (resisting), the scribes (indifferent), or the Magi (seeking and worshiping)? Why?
4. If you’ve been using an Advent calendar, how has it been going? What truths or reminders has God been showing you this season?
5. What’s one thing you can do this week to slow down and intentionally reclaim your awe of Christ?
6. Close your time in prayer.