CELL NOTES 10/12/07

ICE BREAKER

What family traditions do you observe at Christmas time?

THEME

Jews and Romans

Readings Mat 2 : 3-8 & 13-20, Luke 2 : 1-7.

SERMON SUMMARY

1) The Roman occupation of Israel brought some benefits (a measure of peace etc.) but was also much resented, as any foreign occupier would be.

2) The arrival of the magi at Herod’s (A half-Jewish ruler, installed by the Romans) palace. Looking for a new king unnerved him. He sent for Jewish advisers to respond to this.

3) The OT (in Micah) predicted the birth of the messiah in Bethlehem. They had been waiting a long time! -  but neither the Sadducees (Keen to maintain outward religious tradition) or Pharisees (Lawyers) took the trouble to visit Bethlehem to see for themselves.

4) Herod tried to manipulate the magi so that they would tell him what was going on – a cunning plan that failed when they returned home by a different route. Herod reacted with fury – wanted to eliminate, not get to know Jesus.

5) Three different reactions are on view :-

              i) Herod – fear, jealousy and dismissal, expressed very harshly.

              ii) Jewish leaders – apathy

             iii) Magi – wanting to worship Him,

What is ours?

6) The Christmas season gives us    

     opportunities:-

              i) To share with people who have no knowledge of Jesus what He can do in our lives.

             ii) To adopt the same heart attitude as the magi – to worship, to go where He leads, and to leave our burdens with Him.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION

1) In what ways are you like, or have been like, Herod, the Jewish leaders, or the magi?

2) The magi left homeland to find Jesus. Have you had to leave anything, to find or follow Him?

3) What makes you feel threatened? Do you fell threatened or intimidated by Jesus’ kingship in any way?

4) How can you use the season to be a witness? How can you avoid getting sucked into a spiritually suffocating whirl of secular Christmas activities?