Youth Sermon: An Unlikely King

The Birth of Jesus

Let's talk about heroes. You know, like those in Marvel movies or your favorite video game. But what if I told you that the biggest hero of all time was born in a barn? Sounds crazy, right? Well, that's exactly what happened with Jesus.

Let's dive into the story. Picture this: Mary, a young girl, is pregnant, but not by her fiancé, Joseph. Joseph is about to break up with her, but then an angel shows up in a dream and says, "Hold up, Joseph. This baby is the real deal. He's the Messiah." Talk about a plot twist!

But what if I told you that the biggest hero of all time was born in a barn?

Jesus, Our Hero

Now, let's do a quick object lesson. I want you to think of the most unlikely hero you can imagine. Maybe it's a tiny ant or a clumsy puppy. Now, imagine that ant or puppy saving the day. That's what it was like when Jesus was born. He wasn't a mighty warrior or a powerful king. He was a baby, born in a barn. But that didn't stop him from being our hero.

Jesus came to earth to rescue us. We all mess up, right? We all need a hero to save us. That's Jesus. He's not some distant, unreachable superhero. He's right here with us, ready to help us out.

The Arrival of Jesus

But here's the thing: Jesus' arrival shook things up. When King Herod heard about Jesus, he freaked out. He even tried to find Jesus and kill him. But he couldn't. Jesus' kingdom isn't like the kingdoms of this world. It's different, and it can make people uncomfortable.

Now, think about this: the Magi, these wise guys from the East, brought Jesus some pretty cool gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These weren't just random presents. They symbolized Jesus' power, his divinity, and his sacrifice. If these guys were willing to give up so much for Jesus, shouldn't we be willing to do the same?

Following Jesus

So, what does this mean for us? Well, it means that following Jesus might not always be easy. It might shake things up. But it's worth it. Jesus is the ultimate hero, and he's on our side.

Let's pray. Jesus, thank you for being our hero. Help us to follow you, even when it's hard. Give us the courage to stand up for what's right and to live for you. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How does Jesus' humble birth challenge our ideas of a hero?

2. How can we see Jesus as a hero in our own lives?

3. What does it mean to you that Jesus' Kingdom disrupts the world?

4. What are some sacrifices we can make to honor Jesus as our King?

5. How can we live out the values of Jesus' Kingdom in our daily lives?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Unlikely Heroes
• Group Activity: Gifts for the King
• Youth Challenge: Living in Jesus' Kingdom