When Self Gets in the Way of the Savior

Part II in our current series, Missing Christmas

When Self Gets in the Way of the Savior – The greatest rival to Christ’s throne is often my own ego.

• [Story of a time when envy kept you from enjoying the success of another]
• James 3:16 (NIV) | ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

We All Want to Be King – Selfishness blinds us to what God is trying to show us.

• Selfishness blinds us to God’s greater work.
• 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV) | Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Matthew 2:1-12, 16 (NKJV) | 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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ⁶ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” ⁷ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” ⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. ¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

• Herod missed the miracle of God’s arrival because he was too focused on protecting his own throne.

Who’s on the Throne in Your Life? – You can’t follow Jesus while fighting to stay in charge.

• Are you more focused on your plans than God’s purpose?
• Is there an area where pride keeps you from surrendering to Christ?
• Are you protecting your own ‘little throne’ instead of making room for the true King?

Making Room for the True King – When Jesus is King, peace replaces pride.

Reflection Questions

1. What “little throne” in your life are you trying to protect—control, recognition, comfort, or pride?
2. How might your own plans or ambitions be keeping you from noticing what God is doing around you?
3. What would it look like for you to truly surrender control to Christ this week?
4. In what ways can you practice humility in your relationships and decisions?
5. How might our church look different if we all made room for Jesus to be King in every part of life?