Topic: Which king will you choose?
Text: Matthew 2:1–8

• If we look at facts and figures, "Herod the Great" had a pretty good administration.
• Herod had a knack for stealing from the people and then making them grateful for any morsel he would return.
• Rome was also grateful to Herod, because he kept the peace and paid tribute to Rome.
• But Herod was so paranoid of losing power that he murdered all the small children of Bethlehem when the wise men showed up in town.
• Everybody loved what Herod the Great could do, but everyone hated what he cost.

• In every life there is a Herod that has gained some power over you.
• You are seduced into calling it "great" because it does things for you.
• You love what it does; you hate what it costs.
• For some of us, Herod is our workaholic addiction to success.
• For others it is an old hurt to which you have become addicted.
• Herod can be the alcohol, spouse, or job that abuses you.
• Herod can also be the voice that tells you to not worry so much about the poor.
• But don't you see how much your Herod costs you?

• Jesus did not come just to give you a holiday from Herod; he came to establish a whole new kingdom.
• Jesus can liberate you from Herod.
• The liberating Savior will free you to live as you were created to live—fully alive.

• With Christ the King, God is opening up his arms to you.
• All you have to do to find the freedom he offers is to embrace the birth of hope.
• Don't you see that Jesus Christ is the liberating God who's come to be with you, and on the cross he was dying to set you free?
• Don't you see what this cost?