Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You shows us Jesus, the true King, enters the land of your life—and when He does, your carnal mind (Herod) rises up to resist, attack, and try to kill what God has birthed in you. Yet through obedience, worship, revelation, sacrifice, and spiritual discernment, the believer must dethrone the carnal mind so that Christ alone rules as King in your inner temple (the neos).
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
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Scriptures used in this lesson:
Matthew 2:1, Matthew 2:2, Galatians 5:17, Matthew 2:3, John 2:13–14, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Matthew 2:5–6, Revelation 15:8, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:7–8, 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, 1 Corinthians 15:46, Matthew 2:11, Hebrews 12:26–27, Genesis 22:5, Genesis 15:5, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:13, Luke 2:25–26, Matthew 2:19, Luke 1:42, Matthew 2:22, Matthew 2:12, John 1:46, Matthew 27:19, Luke 2:22, Matthew 2:13–14, Luke 2:27–33, Luke 2:34–35, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Revelation 12:1–6, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 2:18, Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 13:55–56, John 2:18–21, Matthew 2:23,
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Introduction to Matthew 2
Open your Bible to Matthew chapter 2. When I went through this chapter from last week, I realized I covered much more than I thought. Today, I want to begin by reading the introduction on page 7 of your notes.
Matthew 2 introduces us to the wise men, or Magi, who came after Jesus was born. We also meet Herod the king, who represents a New Testament picture of Nimrod and the carnal mind. The wise men first went to natural Jerusalem searching for the newborn King. Then they followed the star to Bethlehem, the city of David, as Luke 2:11 says. There they found Jesus, not in a manger, but in a house!
The reason this is important is that it shows the wise men came after Jesus was born and placed in the manger. They found Him in a house, not in a manger. Their story is not the same as the shepherds in Luke 2. The wise men were not Jews, or were they? It raises the deeper question of who is a true Jew. These wise men came to worship the King. They were not content with simply seeing Him. Authentic worship means opening our treasures and offering them to Christ.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The Carnal Mind Opposing the Seed
These wise men outwitted Herod, who represents the carnal mind. The dragon stands before the woman, yet she escapes to the wilderness, while the carnal mind still tries to kill the babies (Revelation 12:1-6). Joseph was instructed to take his family to Nazareth. People asked, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Today, we might ask the same about our city. The answer is the same—come and see.
When I was writing this a few weeks ago, I kept imagining three wise men. I realized it was because I had been taught that since childhood. But Scripture never tells us there were three. That is something to think about, and I have notes on it.
Matthew 2:1
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
The Scriptural Record
Doesn’t say “three.” Only says “…there came wise men…”
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
We also reviewed the birth of Jesus and the incarnation. Then, on page 8, we looked at the days of Herod the King. I explained who Herod was. He was appointed by Caesar. He was an Edomite, not a Jew, yet he ruled over the Jews. We also saw the strong comparison between Nimrod and Herod.
Nimrod and Herod were both great builders. Herod’s most significant project was the temple in Jerusalem. It was known as “Herod’s Temple,” just as Solomon’s and Ezra’s temples were known by their builders. Nimrod, on the other hand, built the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 and 10. God judged both works. He confused Nimrod’s system, and in A.D. 70, the Lord judged and confused the system Herod and the Jews had built.
Herod as the Carnal Mind
What I want to emphasize tonight is that Herod represents the carnal mind. Herod is the part of us that wants to reason without God. He is the part that resists Jesus being Lord over our lives. He reacts when Christ shows up. This is the old man, the carnal nature, and the fleshly reasoning that fights against the Spirit.
We also saw in point D on page 8 that the wise men came from the east. They were not Jews. They were Gentiles. I did not stress this point last week, but it is important. The shepherds came first when Jesus was a baby in the manger, and they were Jews. The Gentiles came later, when Jesus was about two years old and living in a house. This follows a pattern found throughout Scripture—first the Jews, then the Gentiles.
On page 9, point E, the wise men asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Matthew 2:2
2 Saying, 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.
The Question of the True King
We discussed this a lot last week. Wise men still ask that question today. People hear us talk about Jesus and His coming. They listen to us say we are the body of Christ and that we can lay hands on the sick. Yet many still ask, “Where is He?” because they do not see Him manifested in the way we describe.
People say we are the body of Christ on the earth. They say we can lay hands on the sick and they will recover. I hear all of that, but many still ask, “Where is He?” They do not see Him because the church is divided. We see factions, denominations, and groups that hurt and talk about one another. Instead of seeing Christ, people often see division. So the wise men’s question is still asked today—where is He?
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Seeing vs. Worshiping
We also noticed that the shepherds who came to Jesus in the manger did not come to worship. Scripture never says they worshiped. They only came to see. The Jews, the shepherds, came to see. But the Gentile, the magi, came to worship.
That raises an important question for us. Do we come to see, or do we come to worship? Both groups came to the same King, but only one came to worship. We want to be in the group that worships.
Point F deals with the star, and I will come back to that later.
We also talked about the phrase “King of the Jews” and spent much time last week asking who the true Jew is. This is an important issue in our theology. If we do not settle it, we fall into dispensational thinking instead of an overcoming mentality.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
If we believe the natural Jew is still God’s chosen people in a special way, then we end up expecting a rapture and a seven-year tribulation. That teaching says the church must be removed so God can renew His relationship with the Jew. But Scripture does not teach that. When you study the Word, you discover that you are the Jew in the spiritual sense. We looked at many scriptures that support this truth: John 8:39-44, John 5:46, Deuteronomy 28:29, Revelation 1:7, Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:2-3, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:1, 1 Peter 2:9, Galatians 3:7-9, Galatians 3:26-29, Galatians 6:16, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 3:9, Luke 2:15.
Matthew 2:3
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Herod and the Carnal Mind
It says Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. The word troubled in the Greek is Tarasso. It means to stir or agitate, as in boiling water. Herod was Tarasso. He was boiling inside, and so were people in Jerusalem. He was stirred up and agitated. When I think of that word, I picture a washing machine agitating. There is movement. Something was happening inside the old guy.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
He was agitated and boiling because another king was in the land. He did not want another king. This one was the real King according to prophecy, and Herod knew that if this King had really come, he was out of a job. No following children would be kings either. He would be dethroned, and someone else would take his place.
The typeology I want you to see is that your carnal mind is Herod. When Jesus comes into our lives and begins to rule as King, who rebels? Herod does. Your carnal mind gets Tarasso. It gets shaken when Jesus becomes Lord of your life. Your mind does not like anyone telling it what to do. Yet the Bible tells us exactly what to do.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. That means I no longer have my own will. It becomes, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” When Jesus comes into our lives, the carnal mind hates it. The carnal mind is contrary to and an adversary of the Spirit of God. We know that, and you can see it in Galatians chapter 3.
So when Jesus is born into the land of your life, your mind gets upset because you are about to dethrone it. It wants to kill it. Herod is going to die in this chapter, and he needs to die in this chapter of your life.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Flesh Versus Spirit
And Galatians chapter 3 talks about the fruits of the Spirit. And then the apostle Paul talks about the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
The flesh, i.e., carnal mind (Herod) and the Spirit, are contrary one to the other. The same Greek word translated “contrary” is translated elsewhere as “adversaries,” and the NAS Bible says “in opposition to.”
Your flesh and your Spirit oppose one another. Herod is agitated, and your carnal mind becomes the same way. It wants to kill the King. Herod in chapter 2 wanted to kill baby Jesus, and your carnal mind carries that same adversarial spirit. It fights the Spirit of God because another King has entered the land.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Joshua faced this when he came into Canaan. The King of Jericho shut up the city. Your carnal mind does the same thing. It tries to shut up your life so the Spirit of God cannot get in and take control. Herod shows us this truth. Herod is your carnal mind. It stands as an adversary to the Spirit. These two forces oppose one another, and your carnal mind wants to rule. It wants the land. It wants to be the King over your Kingdom.
Why does the Kingdom message stir us like boiling water? The Herod in us feels threatened. We are a temple according to the Scriptures. Someone sits on the throne in that temple. It may be Herod, the carnal mind, the devil, or the antichrist spirit. The question is simple: Who sits on the throne? Herod or the King of the Jews?
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Now, let’s walk through a few scriptures. Jesus was in Jerusalem driving people out of the temple. He was upset. Judaism had become a convenience. Christianity has often done the same thing. People would run in, offer a quick sacrifice, and leave within an hour. Many do that today. They enter church around 11, listen to a message, drop in some money, and leave just as fast.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
They do not take the Lamb home, and they do not examine it or study the Word, pray over it, or ingest it. Instead, they grab a quick blessing and go. Yet they believe they are pleasing God. This is what Jesus confronted in the temple.
Jesus drove out both the sellers and the buyers. That matters. He was just as upset with those who bought as with those who sold. He is just as grieved today with Christians who run in and run out as He is with preachers who sell a broken message.
John 2:13–14
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Two Different Temples
The word temple here is the Greek word hieron. It means boards, bricks, and mortar. It refers to the physical structure. When I say I’m going down to my office at the church, I’m not saying I’m going to the real church. I’m going to the hieron, the building. There is nothing wrong with using that word because you know what I mean. But that building is not the actual temple.
Jesus found people in the hieron selling oxen, sheep, doves, and exchanging money. He made a scourge of small cords and drove them out of that physical structure along with the sheep and oxen. He dealt with the activity happening in the hieron.
Then we come to verse 18. The Jews asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority. Jesus answered them and said, “Destroy this temple,” but the word for temple here is neos.” He did not say hieron. He used a different word—neos. The meaning changes completely.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
John 2:18–21
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
The True Temple — The Neos of Christ’s Body
The word neos does not mean brick, boards, and mortar. It means the innermost sanctuary. Jesus was not talking about tearing down a physical building, i.e., the temple. He said, “Destroy this neos,” and He would raise it in three days. He repeated it for emphasis. The Jews argued that the neos had taken forty-six years to build. They missed the point. Jesus was speaking of the neos of His body.
This is not the temple made with hands. This is not the structure people picture when they hear the word temple. Scripture is talking about us—both individually and corporately. We are the temple. Paul said it clearly in 1 Corinthians 3:16. He said we are the neos of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us. You see the same truth again in chapter six.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
You are the temple of God. The New Testament repeats this truth again and again. It uses the word neos to describe you—your body, your being. You are the innermost sanctuary of God. That meaning runs through First Corinthians and every epistle. Only once after Acts does the New Testament use hieron, and that refers to a place where meat was offered to idols. Every other time it speaks of the temple, it is speaking of you. Say it: “I am the temple.” Even in Revelation, it is still neos – thirteen times.
Revelation 15:8
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Revelation does not describe a stone temple for an antichrist to sit in one day. It is talking about the neos. It is talking about who sits in you. Who is king in your temple—Herod, the antichrist spirit, the devil, or your carnal mind? That is the real issue. Second Thessalonians 2 speaks of the man of sin sitting in the temple. That temple is the neos. That temple is you. The man of sin sits in you, and he is Herod. He is your carnal mind, and one day he will be revealed.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
There will be a bright light that rises in you. It is the brightness of His shining—Jesus the King coming alive in you. When that happens, Herod will be exposed. Then Herod will be destroyed. He is going to die. He is going to die in this chapter of your life. I want him to die before we leave here today.
Herod was not the only one troubled about Jesus being in the land. Jerusalem was troubled too. Galatians 4 talks about the Jerusalem which now is and the Jerusalem which is above. You can tie that to Babylon and the woman in Revelation. You see two seeds and two realms all the way through Scripture. We know those things. But I want to make it very practical.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
When a City is Troubled by the Presence of Christ
If a fellowship, a body of believers, a local expression of Christ were to stand up in this area and boldly proclaim the Word of God like Jesus did, what would this city do? Would it be troubled like Jerusalem? The same principle applies. Jesus was alive in Bethlehem, and Jesus is alive in Lafayette. A people will rise, and this city will be shaken. It may not be us, but it will be somebody. Someone will stand up and trouble Lafayette.
I spoke with a man on the phone about pornography. He said a city of 10,000 should have no trouble removing that garbage. I told him the same thing I tell everyone: one day Lafayette will be troubled. One day, pornography will be gone. One day, humanism will not be taught in the schools, drugs will not fill the streets. That garbage will be gone. And abortion will not have a place here because the city will be troubled.
The First Fulfilled Prophecy — Micah 5:2
In Matthew 2:5-6, we find the first “It is written.” There are four of them. This one refers to verses four through six and fulfills Micah 5:2. It says Bethlehem in Judah is not the least among the princes, for out of it will come a governor who will rule God’s people, Israel.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Matthew 2:5–6
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Micah 5:2
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Is Lafayette the least? Small. Bethlehem was small. It wasn’t a big city. Was no Atlanta or even Chattanooga. But where did the king come from? The big city?
Herod’s Hypocrisy and False Worship
Herod called the wise men (verses 7 and 8). What I’m bringing out of here, what I want you to see, is that he was just a big ol’ hypocrite. And he says, I want you to go and bring me back word so that I can come and worship him too.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Matthew 2:7–8
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Does your carnal mind want to worship Him? Did Herod want to worship Him? Of course not. Yet sometimes we act as we do. We can offer a form of worship so others will think we are worshiping. That is false worship. I am not talking about a sacrifice of praise. There are times we must praise Him, whether we feel like it or not. That is different.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
I am talking about a hypocritical worship where a person praises only to be seen. Jesus described the Pharisees as whited sepulchers. They looked good on the outside, but inside were dead men’s bones. That is the kind of false worship the carnal mind produces. That was the point I made about Herod and his so-called desire to worship.
The Star — Natural First, Then Spiritual
Let’s talk about the star. I spoke about it last week. The star first led the wise men to Jerusalem, and then to Bethlehem.
I remind you of 1 Corinthians 15:46. We learn first the natural and then the spiritual. I’m going to do this with the star and most everything I teach.
1 Corinthians 15:46
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The “star” journey will take us first through the natural. We move through the natural realm before we reach the realm of the Spirit. We go to Jerusalem first to learn some things there. It’s to discover some truths before we can end up in Bethlehem, the spiritual.
The main thought I want you to see is this: the wise men saw a star, and that star was a phenomenon from God. They did not see the dust or the dirt of the star. They saw the light. When you look at a preacher, a pastor, or someone on television, do you see the natural man, or do you see the light? If you are not seeing the light, then you are confused. God sets stars in the heavens to give light.
This star had one purpose—to lead the wise men to Jesus. That was its only purpose. I pray no one looks at natural Delbert, but only at the light I project. I want to be a light, and I want to be a star. However, there remains dust and dirt in Delbert.
God sets stars in the spiritual heavens. Hebrews 12 tells us that everything that can be shaken, both in heaven and in earth, will be shaken.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Hebrews 12:26–27
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
We have watched some of those TV stars fall in recent days. More will fall. More will fall. That does not mean there are no stars left. There are still stars shining and leading men to the King.
The point I want you to grasp is this: look at the light they project. Do not focus on their dust or their natural humanity. Genesis 15 tells us that we are all stars because we are the seed of Abraham. Are you a star? Yes, you are. And your purpose is simple—shine and lead men to Jesus. You are the seed of Abraham.
Genesis 15:5
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
You are a star. You’re the star of Bethlehem. The church is the star of Bethlehem. It’s our purpose to shine forth a light. Shine forth a brightness so that when men come to where we are, they’ll find Him. We lead people to Jesus.
It says they fell down and worshiped him and they opened their treasures.
Matthew 2:11
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Worship — The Wise Men Open Their Treasures
I mentioned this briefly last week, so I will not go into it in depth now. The word “worship” in the Greek means to crouch, to prostrate oneself, to show homage, and to adore. That is the heart of worship. Worship is not the same as praise. Praise is an exuberance that rises out of us. It is lively and expressive. Worship involves bowing low before Him in a position of surrender.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The wise men came for that reason. They came to worship Him. They expressed that worship by opening their treasures. I gave you an example last week that is worth noting again. In Genesis 22:5, Abraham says, “Me and the boy go yonder to worship.” That moment shows worship tied to offering what is most precious.
Genesis 22:5
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Worship and the Opening of Treasure
That moment in Genesis is the first time the word worship appears in the Bible. What was Abraham going to do? He was going to sacrifice Isaac. He was going to open his treasure. Isaac was his treasure. That leads us to a question. What is your treasure? Does God have access to it? Is it open before Him? Your treasure is your life. That is what you offer.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Much has been written about these gifts. Gold speaks of His royalty. Frankincense speaks of His service to God. It was incense offered by the high priest. Myrrh speaks of His interest in mortal man. It eased pain and added fragrance, even in death.
I want to bring this to us personally. Are we gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Do I bring Him my gold—my finances—and keep them open before Him? Am I frankincense? Is my life a sweet smell to God? Do I live as a priest? Am I myrrh? Do I bring relief to people and bring a sweet aroma into situations? Am I gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Am I open before Him? Is our church open before Him?
Where are we today? Do we come only to see, like the shepherds? Or do we come to worship, like the wise men? Wise men worship. The shepherds only came to look.
The wise men gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each gift speaks of His royalty, His service, and His compassion toward humanity. But the real question is this: is our life open before Him? Does He have control of our treasure—our finances, our service, and our fragrance? Are we a sweet smell in His nostrils? Are we sold out? Is our treasure in heaven? Our treasure is our life. Have we entirely given Him our lives?
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Joseph — A Man Led by Dreams
Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, was a remarkable man. God warned him in a dream. He had several dreams in this chapter. Matthew records six different dreams in his book. The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream in 1:20…
Matthew 1:20
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:13,
Matthew 2:13
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:19,
Matthew 2:19
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Joseph was warned of God in a dream in Matthew 2:22,
Matthew 2:22
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The wise men were warned in a dream in Matthew 2:12,
Matthew 2:12
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Pilot’s wife told Pilot she suffered many things in a dream because of Jesus.
Matthew 27:19
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Matthew puts strong emphasis on dreams. That raises a question. Are dreams part of the New Testament experience? Can God give you dreams? Can Herod—the carnal mind—give you dreams? Yes to both. That is why you must learn to tell the difference. You must know whether a dream is from God or from your own carnal nature. I give you caution here. God does give dreams, but you must be sure about the source before you act on them.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Flight Into Egypt — Protecting the Divine Seed
Then we come to their flight into Egypt in verses 13-14. This is an important point. Mary and Joseph already knew this child was special. They had received good words about Him. They had heard prophecies and remarkable revelations. Joseph and Mary understood that God had placed something extraordinary in their care.
Matthew 2:13–14
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
The angel came to Mary and told her she would conceive. He came to Joseph and told him the child would be Emmanuel and salvation. Mary heard what this child would become. Prophetic words were flowing over the life of Jesus from the start. Elizabeth also spoke a powerful word to Mary in Luke 1:42.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Luke 1:42
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Each message confirmed that this child carried a divine purpose.
She went to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth spoke about what a blessing this baby would be. The shepherds came to see this baby (Luke 2:8-19), and Simon, the old prophet, spoke a word.
Jesus Presented in the Temple — The Prophetic Witnesses
So let’s look at Luke chapter 2. All these wonderful things have been said over Jesus. Mary and Joseph had to have the chest poached out. We got the king. So Jesus is eight days old, and they’ve already circumcised him, and then comes the time of purification for Mary, which is about 41 days after the birth. So, they go to the temple for purification.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Luke 2:22
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
They brought Jesus, and they presented him to the Lord. I really wouldn’t have any problems with baptizing babies if the mommas and dads would let me. I want to get them sealed. Circumcision sealed them in the Old Testament. Baptism seals them in the New Testament. I want to get them sealed and spiritually circumcised. I want God to get his hand on them and to be in the covenant.
While they’re at this ceremony, Simeon, the old prophet, comes.
Luke 2:25–26
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Simeon came into the temple and saw Jesus. He was led there by the Spirit. This is a New Testament reality. Prophets were still active, and the Spirit was still guiding people. When the parents brought Jesus in to fulfill the custom of the law, Simeon took the child into his arms. He blessed God and said, “Lord, let your servant depart in peace. My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared before all people.”
Luke 2:27–33
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
The Sword and the Cost of Raising a King
“And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things, which were spoken of him, and Simeon blessed them…” Now, think about that for a moment. After all those great words from reputable people, after the angels, after all that’s happened, you know Josepha and Mary have to be thinking, “Man! We’ve got the Messiah! We’ve got the King! We are all set up!” But then… immediately after the blessing, comes…
Luke 2:34–35
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
WHAT! No! That can’t be right. What do you think Mary thought when she hit that? Getting all these great words about this kid. Oh, he’s going to be king. He’s going to do all these wonderful things. And all of a sudden, that old prophet Simeon points his long, old finger at Mary and says, Mary, he’s set for the fall.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Mary, through your very heart, the sword’s going to pierce it because of this kid. Judy, you’ve gotten a lot of good words about Lance, but because of Lance, your heart’s going to be pierced, Judy. Willis, some good words about your daughter Joy, but because of Joy, your heart’s going to be pierced.
But there’s another side to it. To get Lance there, it’s going to cost this woman (Judy) and me a lot. It will be like a sword being pierced through your heart. It’s going to cost Mary and Joseph a lot before Jesus really becomes King. Mary will have to watch her son die.
Isn’t it interesting that old Simeon tells Mary explicitly that it will be her soul that is pierced? He doesn’t say that to Joseph. We know something happened to Joseph before Jesus went into his ministry.
This is the word of the Lord to us tonight. We have some great young people in this place. But if those young people are going to fulfill God’s perfect will, someone will pay a price. The Marys and the Josephs—the parents—will feel it the most. It does not come cheap. It is hard to say no. Yes, it is hard to hold a line when your child wants something you know is not best. It hurts you. Sending a child to school is a private sacrifice. Money is tight. It still has to be done. It’s a sword through your heart.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Mary heard that Jesus was set for the fall and the rising again. She heard that her heart would be pierced. He is King, yet the path to His Kingship brought pain to His parents. Sometimes we fall into Herod’s trap. We do not want to pay the price. We do not want to hurt and sacrifice. So we let our children coast instead of pushing them to become what they should be. That hurts. It’s a sword through your heart.
God has given our children His perfect will. He has taken time to shape that will. But someone must sacrifice to see it shaped. That someone for Jesus was Mary and Joseph. That someone is you and me for our children.
Nothing is more important than our seed. Nothing outranks our children. Herod is still after them.
Second Prophecy — “Out of Egypt Have I Called My Son”
This brings us to the second prophecy in this chapter from Hosea 11:1, which declares, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Hosea 11:1
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Out of Egypt, he’s called you. Out of Egypt, he’s called me. You are the sons, the children of God.
Matthew 2:16
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Let’s look at the slaughter of the seed. Herod said he was mocked because the wise men did not return. One translation says he was outwitted. Another says he was tricked. The Amplified says he was misled. The real point is this: a people will rise who outwit the carnal mind.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
There will be a wise company that fulfills the prophecy in 1 Corinthians 15 and overcomes the last enemy, which is death. They will not be foolish. They will be wise, and they will break the covenant with death described in Isaiah 28. There will be people who will not die.
Paul says, “You shall not all sleep, but you who are alive and remain.” First Corinthians 15 declares that death is the last enemy to fall. A wise people will walk in that victory.
1 Corinthians 15:26
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Herod slew all the children. It’s in verse 16. Revelation 12, 1 through 6, it talks about the dragon before the woman to devour the child.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Revelation 12:1–6
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Genesis 3:15 talks about the two seeds all the way through the Bible.
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
You see the same pattern of two seeds throughout Scripture. You see it in Cain and Abel, in Noah’s generation, in Abraham and Nimrod, in Eli and Samuel, and in David and Saul. The New Testament brings the conflict into one man. Peter and Simon show it. Simon was the reed. Peter was the rock. Two natures in one person.
You see it again in Saul of Tarsus and Paul the apostle. The same principle works in us. Spirit and flesh battle. They war against each other. One will eventually crush the other’s head.
Page 15 shows that Herod came to kill the seed. He has always tried to kill the seed. The serpent has always stood before the woman to devour the child. Every example I gave reflects that principle. The flesh still fights the spirit. Your carnal mind still tries to kill what God has birthed in you.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
There is an even clearer example today. Mary faced Herod. We face abortion. The serpent still stands before the woman to destroy the seed. Herod killed a few. Our Herod has killed 5 billion. The dragon is still before the woman.
Third Prophecy — Rachel Weeping for Her Children
Let’s look at the third prophecy in this chapter—Jeremiah 31:15. It speaks of Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are gone. 5 billion women know that grief.
Matthew 2:18
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Jeremiah 31:15
15 Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Return to Nazareth and the Death of Herod
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to Nazareth after Herod died.
Matthew 2:19
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Herod is going to die. Somebody say Hallelujah. Herod’s death, as Josephus records, was miserable. He burned with fever and had an enormous appetite. That sounds like the carnal mind—hot, restless, always wanting more. His intestines were ulcerated. His colon caused him pain. He had constant discharge. His private parts rotted and produced worms. His breath carried a stench. He suffered convulsions. That is straight from Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, chapter 6.5.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
That picture shows the nature of the carnal mind. Its death is painful. The carnal mind does not die quietly. It fights. It convulses. Parts of it seem to rot away as it loses its grip. But it must die. If it does not die, you will. The pain of the carnal mind is real, but the reward is eternal life.
Nazareth, Family, and the Weight of Vision
This brings us to Jesus’ dwelling in Nazareth. I want to show you something before we end. Look at Matthew 13. This is interesting. Jesus, in Matthew 13, had been teaching, and the people began questioning Him. Verses 55 and 56 list His earthly family.
Matthew 13:55–56
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
This tells us Jesus had at least four brothers and at least two sisters. Counting Jesus, the family had at least seven children. Joseph was the legal father. Jesus needed a legal father to stand in that role. Joseph became the real father of four sons and at least two daughters. It was a large family.
Do you think God likes large families? I do. I wish I had known earlier in life what I know now. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full. Children are a blessing. I did not see that when I was young. I saw children as a burden, and I was ignorant of the things of God. Now I would love to have a large family.
I have been blessed with my children, and God has shown me much about the home and family. He has had me teach on it for the past year. I know why, too. Teaching the home and family message will stir people. It can upset folks. But it is needed.
What I want to highlight here is Joseph. I have grown to love Joseph. We hear so much about Mary, but not nearly enough about Joseph. God cared deeply about who would be Jesus’s stepfather. Joseph was remarkable. He heard from God in dreams. Joseph had four dreams in this chapter alone. He listened. He obeyed. Joseph loved God. He responded to the still, small voice with a willing heart. Not enough is said about Joseph.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
I want every father to hear this. God is just as interested in you as He is in your wife. In fact, He has placed a greater responsibility on you.
Matthew 2:23
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:23 says, “He shall be called a Nazarene,” but this phrase does not appear word-for-word in the Old Testament. Instead, it likely reflects a summary of multiple prophetic themes. Many scholars believe Matthew is using a wordplay on the Hebrew word “netzer” (branch)—a messianic title used in passages like Isaiah 11:1—to connect Jesus with Nazareth. Others point out that “Nazarene” was a term of scorn, and Matthew may be highlighting the prophets’ theme of the Messiah being despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3). Rather than quoting one specific verse, Matthew is probably summarizing these ideas to show that Jesus’ humble origin and rejection fulfilled what was “spoken by the prophets.”
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Nazareth was a poor, insignificant city. It was not admired. In John 1:46, Nathanael asked,
John 1:46
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Nazareth was looked down on. It was not an Atlanta or a Chattanooga. It was a Lafayette. People asked, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” We can ask the same about Lafayette. Our city is not well-known. It is not held in high esteem by anyone except those who live here. Can any good thing come out of Lafayette?
The devil wants us to believe we are too small to matter. Our carnal reasoning says the same thing. But a great thing came out of Nazareth, and it changed the world. It is still changing the world. We are limited only by our vision and our commitment to it. That is a statement worth hearing. Can any good thing come out of Lafayette? I want to be like Philip and say, “Come and see.”
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
I wrote something here that I had never said before. Our vision is only as small as we are. I am not talking about numbers in a service. I am talking about our commitment to the vision. How small is our commitment? God has given us a vision. We already have the next twenty years mapped out. He has told us what He wants done.
But unless there are people committed to that vision, it remains only a vision. It takes commitment to bring it to life.
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
Matthew 2 Part 2 How to Protect What God Has Birthed in You
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