Sermons on San Mateo 2:5:

Epiphany - A Bright Idea

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Dec 26, 2024

An examination of epiphany through the visit of the magi to the toddler Jesus. Their gifts stimulate us to living out our Christian lives in this new year by living holy lives that glorify God.

The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in AD 361, by Ammianus Marcellinus. The holiday is listed twice, which suggests a double feast of baptism and birth. The baptism of Jesus was originally assigned to the same date as the birth because Luke 3:23 was read to mean that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Going By A Different Route

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 27, 2024

A sermon about making the decision to follow Christ.

Going by Different Route Matthew 2:1-12 We aren’t told how long of a time had passed between when the magi first saw the star and when they arrived in Jerusalem, but Herod’s order—in verse 16—to kill all male children two years and younger in accordance with the time that the star first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

An Elderly Joseph On His Death Bed Writes A Letter For Jesus To Read After He Is Gone. Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Dec 28, 2024

A sermon that is more than just a story - but designed to get us thinking about who Jesus is. Inspired by the novel Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.

This sermon was preached first at St Nicholas Church Perivale on 29 December 2024- using the Church Worship's 1st Sunday of Christmas Year C, but could also fit with the Catholic tradition of cleebrating that Sunday as "The Holy Family" or with Holy Innocents or St Joseph's day. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:41-52, Matthew 1:6-16, Luke 1:25-40, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:16-20, Matthew 2:1-11, Matthew 2:13-15, Psalm 110:1, Psalm 89:3, Mark 12:35-37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Christmas That Wasn't Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2024

The Magi were an example of people who have little light who make the most of the opportunity. The Jews and Herod were the opposite--they were clueless as to when their King and Messiah had come.

Back in November, Jeanie and I received a newsletter from an organization called SAT-7. SAT, I assume stands for satellite, because that is the means by which they broadcast the Gospel via television programs into Muslim dominated countries in the Middle East. SAT-7 is the largest provider of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16, John 1:11-13, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:24-26

Denomination: Bible Church

All Things Working Together To Bring Us Salvation

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2025

God’s promise: that when He himself comes to Zion as Redeemer, God would make a covenant with the peoples and send His spirit into them, His words into their mouths.

Epiphany Homily 2025 The story of God’s people, the Israelites, from Abraham to Jesus was a series of a few triumphs and many tragedies. Look carefully at the histories recorded in Scripture and you’ll see that the tragedies were caused by poor human decisions, while the triumphs were caused, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, Ephesians 3:5-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

The Quest For Power Vs. The Call Of Christ

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 5, 2025

Epiphany is not just a moment of clarity; it’s a summons to transformation. Let’s walk through this text with open hearts, asking, What does the birth of Jesus teach us about power, greed, and the true call of leadership?

Sermon Title: The Quest for Power vs. The Call of Christ Text: Matthew 2:1-12 Church, it’s the first Sunday of a brand-new year, and God has a message for us: Pay attention. Paying attention to what’s right in front of us—what’s under our noses—can be a life-changing act. We just wrapped the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

In Search Of Messiah. Matthew 2 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 10, 2025

Who were the Wise men? And what happened in their search for the King of the Jews? How do you acknowledge this King of the Jews? With Acceptance or Rejection?

2025.01.12. Sermon Notes. Matthew 2. Seeking the Messiah. Wise men seek HIM. IN SEARCH OF MESSIAH. MATTHEW 2 William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Who were the Wise men? And what happened in their search for the King of the Jews? How do you acknowledge this King of the Jews? With Acceptance or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23, Micah 5:2, Daniel 2:48, Numbers 24:17, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 11:1, Psalm 68:29, Psalm 72:10-11, Romans 1:16, Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, John 1:45-46, Isaiah 53:2-3, Numbers 6:1-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Does The Christmas Season Begin?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Sep 3, 2024

The Christmas season should be 365 to 366 days a year.

When does the Christmas Season Begin? Matthew 2:1-6 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Matt. 2:1 Now after Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of bHerod the king, behold, 1magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born aKing of the Jews? For we saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Divine Reactions

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 13, 2025

What do we do when we hear the Good News?

Divine Reactions Good Morning, and Happy Epiphany. For those of you who came in after announcements, I again let everyone know what we have been doing in our 8:30 Sunday School Class, to which everyone is invited. We’ve been looking at prayer in the Bible, but there are other fun tangents and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

A Star Is Born

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Yet this star meant different things to different people. What does this star mean to us? How does it relate to me? How can I relate the star to others?

Opening illustration: A man and his small son who were walking slowly down the streets of a large American city one Christmas time. It was wartime, and the child was delighted to see many service stars hanging in the windows of homes. Each star proudly proclaiming the fact that the son was in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Visit Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 18, 2024

The coming of the shepherds who had nothing to give the new born king and the coming of magi bearing expensive gifts for the Christ child, demonstrate that Jesus Christ receives people from all walks of life.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY: THE VISIT OF THE MAGI A. WISE MEN ILLUSTRATION: A church put on its annual CHRISTMAS PROGRAM where the children ACT out the Christmas Story. The scene opened with MARY and JOSEPH in a stable admiring the baby JESUS lying in a manger. Then comes the SHEPHERDS walking in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Subject: The Christmas Star

Contributed by Risen Roi Calumag on Jan 11, 2024

Introduction The purpose of the star was to authenticate and publicize the incarnation and to draw men to worship the celestial King. Varied speculations about the star’s appearance and searches for a mechanistic explanation violate the very purpose of the gospel narrative.

I. It Was a Guiding Star “The wise men said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (2:2). These wise men, or Magi, would never have been able to find, see, and know the young King Jesus had it not been for the star. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Christmas: Gifts Of The Magi (Gold) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part one: Gold.

The Gifts of the Magi (Gold) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/10/2017 Christmas is a time of giving. And that means Christmas is a time of shopping. Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Christmas: Gifts Of The Magi (Frankincense) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part two: Frankincense.

The Gifts of the Magi (Frankincense) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/17/2017 If you’re just joining us, we’re using the three Sundays leading up to Christmas to talk about Christmas presents. No, we’re not taking turns reading our Christmas wish-lists. Rather, we’re taking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Gifts Of The Magi (Myrrh) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part three: Myrrh.

The Gifts of the Magi (Myrrh) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/24/2017 If you’re just joining us, we’ve spent the last two weeks talking about Christmas presents. Ever since the Magi arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the infant Jesus, Christmas has been a time of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church