Dennis R. Wiles
First Baptist Arlington
December 7, 2025
Flourishing Together
First Baptist Arlington
2025 – 2030
2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)
ADVENT 2025: The King!
November 30 – December 31, 2025
Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.
Matthew 2:2
Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!
Matthew 2:1-12
PEACE: God’s peace is available to His people!
Theme for Advent 2025: The King!
K --- December 7: Born The King, Ne’er a Prince!
I ---- December 14: Identity Gift
N --- December 21: Now and Not Yet!
G --- December 28: Go Now!
JEWISH EXPECTATION: Some of the Jews returned from the Exile to Israel about 540 years before the birth of Jesus, while many Jews remained in the Babylonian/Persian area. Even though many of them had returned to Israel, the Jews had no King, no army, and no national identity. However, they had a hope and an expectation that God would send a new “Son of David” to rule over them and deliver them from their oppressors.
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.
-Numbers 24:17
The Anointed One (Messiah), the ruler . . .
-Daniel 9:25
EASTERN GENTILE CONTEXT: Eventually, the Parthians conquered Babylon, re-established Iranian rule in Persia and became the rival empire to Rome. The Parthian priests and astrologers became familiar with the Jewish Messianic prophecies from the writings of Daniel and the prophets – as well as through personal interactions with the Jewish population remaining in the area.
ROMAN GENTILE CONTEXT: By the first century, even the Romans had come to believe that some sort of “special” ruler would arise from the region of Judea.
“There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief, that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judaea to rule the world.”
-Suetonius
KING HEROD: Julius Caesar appointed Herod’s father, Antipater, as the Governor of Judea. Upon his father’s death, Herod became one of the two rulers of Judea/Galilee. The Parthians attacked Israel and Herod fled to Rome in 40 BC. Mark Antony appointed Herod as King of the Jews, and he returned to Israel and defeated the Parthians.
MAGI: Many scholars believe the Magi were from the priestly class in Parthia who had been studying the “signs” of the times and were expecting the birth of a new King in Judea. They arrived with an entourage from Parthia (enemies of Herod), with gifts fit for a King, searching for the new King. Matthew records that Herod was “disturbed” and all of Israel with him!
THE KING! When the Magi found the King, they “rejoiced with and exceedingly great joy!” They worshiped before the King and bestowed Him with precious gifts befitting a king.
Our God is the God of redemptive history – indeed, He is the God of all of history!
Jesus is The King! Even the words in both the Old and New Testaments that can be rendered “prince” actually mean “ruler.” Jesus was truly born a King – actually, He was born . . . The King!