Epiphany - New Year Sermon
Speaker: Carey Tanzola
Readings: Mathew 2:11-12
Jesus was born in a difficult time and place where there was oppression, political division, anxiety, and uncertainty. Though centuries earlier, it was a period much like what we are experiencing today. This message introduced us to several characters that may also be a reflection of prevalent thoughts and feelings today. One character was Herod the great, a political leader who was paranoid and obsessed with power such that he slaughtered innocent children to keep his position as designated king of the Jews. The Magi, on the other hand, searched for the One prophesied as the true King of the Jews and upon encountering Him, had an epiphany that led them to worship Him. Although told to report Jesus’ whereabouts to Herod, they took a risk, defied him, and took another route to avoid him.
There were chief priests and teacher of the Law who knew of the promise of the Messiah, but whose hearts had grown cold to the reality of God. And there were the people of Jerusalem, many of who were exhausted by their lives of suffering to the point of becoming apathetic. All of these characters were presented with the opportunity for an epiphany – the opportunity to recognize Jesus as the answer to their situations and to accept Him as the long-awaited Messiah and King of the Jews. Likewise, God invites each of us to have our own epiphany with regard to Jesus, to recognize who He is and why He came. We just need to open our hearts, be willing to listen and then respond by faith.
Discussion Questions
What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it.
Epiphany was defined as a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or
meaning of something. When was a time you had an epiphany about something?
Which characters in the message do you most closely identify with?
It was said that God invites each of us to our own epiphany if we are willing to listen and respond in faith. What does this mean to you?
Based on the message, how are the times we live in similar to the period of Jesus’ birth?
What examples of leaders hoarding power do you see today?
How can you tell that people who are struggling have become apathetic?
What does it look like when religious people’s hearts have become cold to the reality of God?
How can an epiphany about Jesus change these things?
6. How do you think God wants you to use your job, gifts, talents or resources to bring change to the world?
