New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene
January 4, 2026
  • Blessed Assurance
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  • I. ENGAGE: The Expedition (The Endurance Story)

    In 1914, Ernest Shackleton launched the last great journey of the 'Heroic Age of Exploration.'
    His goal was audacious: to cross the continent of Antarctica on foot.
    Now, obviously, you can't walk to Antarctica; you have to sail there first.
    So Shackleton loaded his team onto a ship called the Endurance and set sail from Plymouth, England.
    The plan was simple: sail south through the Atlantic, navigate the freezing ocean, drop the team off at the Antarctic coast (the starting line), and then hike across the continent.
    But the expedition went wrong almost immediately.
    The Disaster:
    The Endurance never even reached the starting line.
    Before they could touch land, the ship was trapped in massive pack ice.
    It was frozen solid for ten months until the ice finally crushed the hull and sank it.
    The Escape:
    The men were left stranded on floating ice floes in the middle of nowhere.
    They drifted for months until the ice broke up, then navigated three tiny lifeboats through freezing seas to a desolate rock called Elephant Island.
    They were alive, but they were totally off the map.
    No one was coming for them.
    The Gamble:
    So Shackleton made a desperate choice.
    He took five men and a 22-foot lifeboat, the James Caird, and sailed 800 miles across the Southern Ocean—the roughest ocean in the world—to find help.
    The Rescue:
    Against all odds, they made it to a whaling station on South Georgia Island.
    Shackleton returned four months later and rescued every single man.
    The legend tells us Shackleton recruited his crew with this legendary ad:
    'Men wanted for hazardous journey.
    Small wages, bitter cold... constant danger, safe return doubtful.
    Honor and recognition in case of success.'
    Thousands applied.
    Why?
    Because deep down, humans are wired for an expedition.
    We crave a cause worth risking our lives for.

    II. TENSION: The Observer vs. The Explorer

    We love stories like Shackleton’s.
    We watch the movies.
    We buy the books.
    We admire the courage of the explorer from the safety of our living rooms.
    But when it comes to our own lives, we usually have a very different goal.
    We don't want a 'hazardous journey.'
    We want a guarantee.
    We want the honor of the expedition without the risk of the journey.
    We want the recognition of success without the danger of the unknown.
    We want to be Explorers in our minds, but we remain Observers in our reality.
    We stay on the couch.
    We stay in the safe job.
    We stay in the comfortable routine.
    We refuse to leave safety for the place of risk.
    And deep down, we know that by choosing safety, we are missing out on the life we were actually made for.
    TRANSITION:
    This tension—between the safety we cling to and the journey we need—is exactly where we find ourselves in the story we are reading today.
    Because when the King is revealed, you have to decide:
    Are you going to stay on the couch, or are you going to join the expedition?
    Turn with me to Matthew chapter 2.

    III. TRUTH: The Expedition of Faith (Matthew 2:1-12)

    Matthew 2:1–2 ESV
    1 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, 2 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.”
    A. THE SEARCH: Outsiders Looking In (vv. 1–2)
    The Explorers:
    History tells us these men were likely from Persia, perhaps Zoroastrian priests who served as royal advisors.
    They were experts in astrology and dream interpretation, believing that the movement of stars determined history.
    The Sign:
    Why did they leave the East?
    Because they saw a 'Star.'
    This wasn't just a random comet to them.
    It carried clear Messianic connotations, likely connecting to the prophecy in Numbers 24:17:
    Numbers 24:17 ESV
    17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
    Myth vs. Reality:
    We often picture three kings named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
    But Matthew never tells us their names or even how many there were (the number 3 is just a guess based on the gifts).
    Matthew doesn't care about their names; he cares about their faith."
    B. THE PALACE: Apathy & Deception (vv. 3–8)
    Matthew 2:3–8 ESV
    3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
    When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled... assembled the chief priests and scribes..."
    The Fighter (Herod):
    Verse 3 says Herod was 'troubled.' He is a 'usurper'—he took the throne by force.
    He knows he has no royal blood.
    So when these strangers ask, 'Where is the King of the Jews?', Herod hears, 'Where is your replacement?'
    He feigns worship, but he plans murder.
    The Observers (The Scribes):
    But the deeper tragedy is the Scribes.
    They tell Herod exactly where the Messiah will be born, quoting Micah 5:2.
    They have the right theology, the right Bible verse, and the right address.
    But they do not go.
    The Theme:
    This sets up a massive theme in Matthew's Gospel: Great Faith often comes from the outsiders, while the insiders miss it entirely.
    The Gentiles worship while the Jewish leaders plot death.
    Knowledge without movement is spiritual death.
    C. THE HOME: Surrender & Treasure (vv. 9–12)
    Matthew 2:9–12 ESV
    9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 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. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
    The Discovery:
    The star leads them to a humble house.
    They don't just admire the King; they surrender to Him.
    They 'fell down'
    The Treasure:
    Then they 'opened their treasures.'
    Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.
    These weren't random birthday gifts.
    These were likely a direct fulfillment of Psalm 72:10, which predicted that kings would bring tribute and gifts to the Messiah."
    Psalm 72:10 ESV
    10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
    We talked last week about how these gifts were the bankroll that Mary and Joseph used to flee to Egypt from Herod.
    These men didn't give a tip; they gave a treasure.
    They gave their best to the King, and God likely used those very gifts to save Jesus’ life during the escape to Egypt.
    TRANSITION:
    So the question today isn't 'Is Jesus King?'
    The question is, 'Which response will you choose today?'

    IV. APPLICATION: Choose Your Response

    Apathy (Knowing but not Going)
    Control (Refusing to Surrender)
    Worship (Giving your Treasure)
    Reject Apathy (The Scribe's Response):
    You can have right theology and a hard heart.
    Don't be satisfied with just 'knowing' the truth.
    Move from informed to active.
    Reject Control (Herod's Response):
    You cannot worship Jesus if you insist on keeping your own crown.
    Identify the area you are fighting to control (Money? Future? Sin?) and surrender it.
    Choose Worship (The Wise Men's Response):
    Open your treasures. If your worship costs you nothing, it is worth nothing.
    TRANSITION:
    But here is why this story matters to us today.
    The Wise Men didn't just have a nice trip.
    They opened the door for all of us to worship the King.

    V. INSPIRATION/REFLECTION: Be The Star for "The ONE"

    The Vision:
    The Magi found Jesus because God provided a Star to guide them.
    But in 2026, God doesn't usually use stars in the sky.
    He uses you.
    The ONE:
    Everyone in this room has someone in their life who is like the Wise Men.
    They are far from God.
    They are navigating the dark.
    But they are looking for something real.
    We call that person 'THE ONE.'
    The Call:
    You are the Star for your ONE.
    You are the proof that the expedition is worth it.
    "Don't choose apathy and ignore the outsider.
    "Don't choose control and push them away.
    "Be the Star.
    Shine for them.
    The greatest treasure you can bring to the King isn't just your gold;
    it's bringing your ONE home to meet Him.
    TRANSITION:
    Let's keep the flame moving.
    Here is your first step.

    VI. ACTION/NEXT STEPS

    Dont Travel Alone
    The "Expedition" Step (Join the Caravan):
    "The Scribes knew the text, but they were alone in their apathy.
    The Wise Men traveled in a group.
    They had a caravan.
    You cannot do this expedition alone.
    "We have two main 'expeditions' here at New Beginnings that are gathering to help you grow:
    our Sunday School Groups
    and our Wednesday Night Bible Study
    "Why show up?
    Because you can't reach your ONE alone.
    You need a team.
    You need a place where people know your name, pray for your struggles, and help you keep your map open.
    "If you are just attending the service and leaving, you are traveling solo.
    And that is dangerous.
    Join the Wednesday study.
    Get into a Sunday School group.
    Find your crew this week.
    The Stewardship Step:
    We also need to dedicate our finances to the King this year.
    If you have never given to God before, try it.
    I guarantee he will bless you.
    The Disciples Prayer: The Expedition
    PRAISE
    We praise You for being the God who reveals Himself, lighting a star in the darkness to guide seekers to Your Son.
    We worship Jesus as the true King who is worthy of our greatest treasures and our total surrender.
    PROMISE
    We stand on Your promise that those who earnestly seek You—like the Wise Men looking for the King—will find You.
    We hold to the truth that the risks of the expedition of faith are far outweighed by the reward of knowing Christ.
    PROVISION
    Provide us with the courage to leave our comfort zones behind and step out as active explorers rather than passive observers.
    Equip us to be guiding lights—like the star—for "The ONE" person in our lives who is far from God and needs to find their way home.
    PARDON
    Forgive us for the times we have shared the apathy of the Scribes, possessing the right theological knowledge but refusing to move on it.
    Pardon us for the ways we act like Herod, fighting to maintain our own control instead of dropping our crowns at Your feet.
    PROTECTION
    Protect us from the danger of traveling solo on this journey; help us find our crew within the church body so we do not endure the expedition alone.
    Guard our hearts against the temptation to choose the safety of our routines over the obedience of following Your call into the unknown.
    PRAISE
    We glorify You because the journey, no matter how hazardous, ends at the feet of the King of Kings.
    We praise You that Your light is stronger than any darkness, and Your revelation is the ultimate hope for the world.
    ———————————————————-

    PHASE 1: PRE-SERVICE

    (Preparation & Anticipation: Wed-Sat)

    A. Small Group Guide (Pre-Sermon)

    Icebreaker: If you had to pack for an expedition to somewhere dangerous (like Antarctica or Everest), what is the one "luxury item" you would refuse to leave behind?
    Text: Read Matthew 2:1-6. The Scribes knew the exact Bible verse about where Jesus would be born, but they didn't go. Why is it so easy to settle for knowing the truth without moving toward it?
    Thought: The Wise Men traveled for months. We often struggle to drive 15 minutes to church. What does this reveal about our hunger for God?

    B. Social Media Teaser

    Visual Idea: A split graphic. Left: A gritty black-and-white photo of Ernest Shackleton’s crew in the snow. Right: A high-contrast image of the Star of Bethlehem over a dark desert.
    Text: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold... constant danger." Shackleton looked for explorers. God looks for worshippers. This Sunday, we leave safety behind. #TheUnveiling #Epiphany #TheExpedition
    ————————————————————————————————————————-
    Welcome Script:
    Happy New Year and welcome to New Beginnings.
    Today is Epiphany Sunday—the day the church celebrates the moment the 'secret' of Jesus got out—the moment He was revealed as the King of the Nations.
    Last week, we looked at the end of the story—we saw Joseph and Mary running for their lives to Egypt to escape King Herod.
    But we didn't talk about how Herod found out about the child in the first place.
    So today, we are hitting 'rewind.'
    We are going back to the moment the strangers arrived in Jerusalem and accidentally tipped off a tyrant. We are going to look at the Wise Men.
    We will see them not as plastic figurines, but as explorers who risked everything to find God.
    If you are ready for an expedition, you are in the right place.
    Let's worship the King!
    ———————————————————-
    Tithes and Offerings Script:
    In our story today, the Wise Men finally find Jesus.
    And when they do, they don't just offer Him a high-five.
    They fall down and open their treasures: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.
    These weren't Christmas re-gifting.
    This was the best of what they had.
    It brings up a hard question for us as we start 2026:
    Are we tipping God, or are we worshiping Him?
    A tip is what you give for good service when you have extra change.
    Worship is what you give a King because He owns it all.
    As we prepare to give—whether you are giving online or as the plates pass—let’s move from tipping to true generosity.
    Let’s offer our 'gold'—our best—to the King."
    Prayer:
    Father, we come to You today to drop our crowns and offer our gifts.
    We confess that we often treat You like a waiter to be tipped rather than a King to be trusted.
    We ask You to change our hearts from consumers to worshippers.
    We bring our 'gold' today—our best resources—not to buy Your favor, but to honor Your worth.
    Use these gifts to reveal Your glory to more people in 2026.
    In Jesus' name, Amen.
    ———————————————————————
    Benediction:
    As you leave today, I want you to look at the sky differently.
    The stars are still there.
    The King is still on the throne.
    And the invitation to the expedition is still open.
    Don't go back to a life of control.
    Don't go back to a life of apathy.
    Be an explorer.
    I leave you with this prayer:
    May the Lord bless you and keep you.
    May He make His face shine upon you and guide you.
    And may you have the courage to follow His light, wherever it leads, until you are home.
    You are loved, you are called, and you are sent.
    Go in peace.
    Amen
    ———————————————————————————

    PHASE 3: THE WEEK AHEAD

    (Follow-up & Application: Mon-Sat)

    A. Response Card Follow-Up (Monday/Tuesday)

    Target: Everyone who marked "I Drop My Crown" on the connection card.
    Action: Send a targeted email/letter thanking them for their commitment to worship through generosity.
    Content Include:
    Acknowledgment of the step of faith to move from "tipping" to "worshipping."
    Practical links to set up recurring online giving for 2026.
    Contact information for the finance team if they need help setting up their "treasure."

    B. Mid-Week "Caravan" Push (Wednesday Morning)

    Channel: Social Media / Church-wide Email.
    Visual: A simple graphic using the "Star" imagery from Sunday.
    Text: Don't travel alone. The expedition continues tonight. Join the caravan at the Wednesday Night Bible Study as we dig deeper into the Word. [Time/Location].

    C. Small Group Discussion Guide (Post-Sermon Application)

    (For groups meeting during the week to discuss Sunday's message)
    Opener: The sermon contrasted the "Observer" (who wants safety and guarantees) with the "Explorer" (who accepts risk for a greater reward). In your spiritual life right now, which camp do you tend to fall into, and why?
    Discussion 1 (The Responses): We saw three responses to Jesus: Herod’s Control, the Scribes’ Apathy (knowing but not going), and the Magi’s Worship.
    Which of the first two (Control or Apathy) is your biggest temptation when God asks you to do something uncomfortable?
    Discussion 2 (The Treasure): The Magi didn't give leftovers; they gave treasures that cost them something. What does "opening your treasure" look like for you practically in 2026? Is it finances, time, or perhaps a specific talent?
    Application (The ONE): The sermon challenged us to "Be the Star" for someone far from God (your "ONE").
    Without using names if it's sensitive, who is your "ONE"?
    What is one very practical, non-pushy way you can shine light into their life this week?

    D. Next Week Teaser (Friday/Saturday)

    Series: The Unveiling (Part 3 of 3)
    Hook: We’ve seen the baby hidden in Egypt. We’ve seen the toddler revealed to the nations. Next Sunday, the silent years end. The private life becomes public ministry. Join us for the finale of "The Unveiling."

      • Matthew 2:1–2ESV

      • Numbers 24:17ESV

      • Matthew 2:3–8ESV

      • Matthew 2:9–12ESV

      • Psalm 72:10ESV

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