TITLE: The Great Polarizer

TEXT: Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12

THEME: Jesus is the great polarizer—you can love or hate him but you can’t ignore him.

Few events change the lives of a married couple more than the

birth of a child.

How does the coming of Jesus change everything?

I. Jesus transformed Mary and Joseph. (Matthew 1:18–19)

Matthew 1:18–19

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother

Mary had been betrothed to Joseph; before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly”

I. Jesus transformed Mary and Joseph. (Matthew 1:18–19)

A. Mary and Joseph’s lives were very predictable - then everything changed.

I. Jesus transformed Mary and Joseph. (Matthew 1:18–19)

A. Mary and Joseph’s lives were very predictable - then everything changed.

B. Imagine Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy.

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I. Jesus transformed Mary and Joseph. (Matthew 1:18–19)

A. Mary and Joseph’s lives were very predictable - then everything changed.

B. Imagine Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy.

C. Nothing would be the same for them.

How does the coming of Jesus change everything?

II. Jesus attracted the Magi. (Matthew 2:1–2)

Matthew 2:1–2

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”

II. Jesus attracted the Magi. (Matthew 2:1–2)

A. They were the scholars and scientists of their and the priests of their country.

II. Jesus attracted the Magi. (Matthew 2:1–2)

A. They were the scholars and scientists of their and the priests of their country.

B. The brilliant star led them to conclude the Christ child was born.

II. Jesus attracted the Magi. (Matthew 2:1–2)

A. They were the scholars and scientists of their and the priests of their country.

B. The brilliant star led them to conclude the Christ child was born.

C. The arrival of Jesus prompts them to travel 1,000 miles to where Jesus was.

How does the coming of Jesus change everything?

III. Jesus repelled Herod.

Matthew 1:3

“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

III. Jesus repelled Herod.

A. Herod the Great was one of the greatest builders of all time.

III. Jesus repelled Herod.

A. Herod the Great was one of the greatest builders of all time.

B. He was king and he would not share that power or glory with anyone.

III. Jesus repelled Herod.

A. Herod the Great was one of the greatest builders of all time.

B. He was king and he would not share that power or glory with anyone.

C. The birth of Jesus caused Herod to be greatly disturbed. He was furious.

How does the coming of Jesus change everything?

IV. Jesus is the child who changes everything.

Matthew 1:20

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit

Matthew 1:20

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, (which means, God with us).”

IV. Jesus is the child who changes everything.

A. Even today Jesus demands worldwide response and generates instant action?

Religious Leader Claims

• Mohammed will say, “I am a spokesman for God.” But if he claimed to be God, that would be blasphemy for him. But Jesus claims to be God: “He who has seen the Father has seen me” (John 14:9).

Religious Leader Claims

• Buddha will say, “I’m just a man, but I have found the way to enlightenment.”

Religious Leader Claims

• Jesus says he is the way to enlightenment: “I am the way, the truth and life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus is different from every other person who ever lived.

IV. Jesus is the child who changes everything.

A. Even today Jesus demands worldwide response and generates instant action?

B. He is Immanuel, God with us.

Colossians 1:15–17

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”

Philippians 2:6–8

“though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Matthew 2:9–11

“After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

APPLICATION

• Only the person of Jesus Christ could elicit such responses, and be such a polarizing figure because only Jesus is the God-Man

APPLICATION

• Only the person of Jesus Christ could elicit such responses, and be such a polarizing figure because only Jesus is the God-Man

• On the cross we see this so clearly. A few of his followers sit at the base weeping and crying and loving the One dying there for them, while others mock and jeer, glad that he’s gone.

APPLICATION

• The question that’s asked of us is the question that’s asked of old—What will we do with Jesus?—because Jesus is the great polarizer

APPLICATION

• The question that’s asked of us is the question that’s asked of old—What will we do with Jesus?—because Jesus is the great polarizer

• We live in a time of political correctness. We’re told that all religions are essentially the same, that all paths eventually lead to the same God. But they don’t.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” because only

he is the God-Man; only he is Immanuel, God with us. The

question of the hour—the question of eternity—is this: What will you do with Jesus?