Christmas Through Their Eyes: A Tale of Two Kings

A Tale of Two Kings

Christmas Through Their Eyes

Dr. Clayton Chisum

December 21, 2025

A Tale of Two

Luke 9:23 (NLT)

From the very beginning, Jesus didn’t just challenge sin, he challenged who gets the throne.

Matthew 2:1-2 (CSB)

Numbers 24:17 (CSB)

Matthew 2:3 (CSB)

Matthew 2:4-6 (CSB)

Matthew 2:7-8 (CSB)

Matthew 2:9-11 (CSB)

1. The response to God showing up in your life is

The wise men are wise because the recognized God’s hand, believed God’s promises, waited faithfully, and then responded in worship.

Matthew 2:12 (CSB)

Matthew 2:16 (CSB)

2. Your world isn’t big enough for

Here’s God’s warning: If you serve yourself, you will always be serving an insecure and ill-equipped ruler.

Discussion Questions:

1. When you hear the phrase “Christmas is a confrontation, not just a celebration,” what immediately comes to mind for you?
2. Why do you think the title “King of the Jews” was so threatening to Herod? What did it expose about his heart?
3. What differences stand out to you between Herod’s response to Jesus and the Wise Men’s response?
4. The sermon said we often don’t reject Jesus—we try to manage Him. What does “managing Jesus” look like in real life today?
5. Where do you most feel the tension between saying “Jesus is King” and still wanting control?
6. The sermon said, “Your world isn’t big enough for two kings.” What are some signs that King Me might still be sitting on the throne?
7. Which of these do you see most often when people try to stay in control: staying busy, avoiding church, minimizing Jesus, or something else?
8. Is there an area where Jesus is welcomed as Savior — but resisted as King?
9. What is one specific step you could take this week to intentionally surrender control to King Jesus?
10. As we head into Christmas, how can you make your celebration more about submission and worship than comfort and routine?