Sermon text

Matthew 2:13–23

[13] Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” [14] And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt [15] and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

[16] Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. [17] Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

[18] “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

[19] But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, [20] saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” [21] And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. [23] And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. (ESV)

Scripture Reading

One of our Advent traditions is having families read the sermon text both in English and in a different language. This week, Dong-Won Lee and Pastor Brandon Johnston read Matthew 2:13-23 in English and Korean at the 8 am service. The Hall family read in English and German at the 9:30 am service. The McClelland Family read the text in English and Latin at the 11 am service.

Call to Worship

Psalm 85:1–5

[1] LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
[2] You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
[3] You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
[4] Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
[5] Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Psalm 85:11–13

[11] Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
[12] Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
[13] Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.

Prayer of Repentance

Father, we confess that our hearts are hard and imperceptive to your grace. We have traded lasting joy for temporary pleasures and substituted gifts for the giver. For all that we have done and all that we have failed to do, please forgive us. Give us clean hands and contrite hearts. Renew a right spirit within us and help us to treasure you as our greatest hope and joy. Direct our eyes in faith towards the birth of Christ at Bethlehem and then further towards his sacrifice at Calvary. Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. Amen.

Benediction

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think,According to the power at work within usTo Him be the glory in your life, in the church, and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Weekly Discipleship Resources

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