Is your Christmas season feeling more stressful than soulful? In this powerful Christmas message, Pastor Chris DeArman explores Philippians 2 to reveal a side of Jesus we often overlook: The Servant King. While the world competes for status and "selfish ambition," Jesus offers a different way to live that leads to true connection and community.

In this sermon, you'll discover three profound ways Jesus serves you right now:

He Sits With Us: Jesus isn't a distant God; He entered into our suffering and "emptied himself" to be with us in our mess.

He Saves Us: He bore the full weight of our sin on the cross so that our guilt is gone and our forgiveness is forever.

He Prays For Us: Right now, Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for you. You are not alone in your struggles.

"Selfish ambition kills connection, but counting others first creates community." Learn how to shift your perspective this holiday season and live in the light of Christ's service to us.

📖 Key Scriptures:

Philippians 2:1-11 (The Humility of Christ)
Matthew 1:21-23 (Emmanuel, God with us)
Romans 8:31-34 (Christ's intercession for us)

🕒 Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome & Christmas Greetings
1:33 - Shout outs to Great Service
3:50 - Jesus: The Servant King
4:45 - How to Do Relationships (Philippians 2:1-4)
8:46 - The Danger of Selfish Ambition
13:40 - Centering Your Mind on Christ
16:04 - Way #1: He Sits With Us (The Ministry of Presence)
22:44 - Way #2: He Saves Us (Guilt is Gone)
26:55 - Way #3: He Offers Supplication (He is Praying for You)
32:45 - Live in Light of His Service

The Magi traveled a great distance and expense to offer Jesus gifts. But what do gold, frankincense, and myrrh truly signify, and why is Jesus worthy of our worship today?

In this Advent sermon, Dr. Roger Patterson of CityRise Bellaire walks through the story of the wise men in Matthew chapter two. He explains that each gift answers the question, "Who is this child and why is he worthy of my worship?".

Discover the profound spiritual significance of the Magi's offerings:

👑 Gold acknowledges Jesus as King: Gold has always been a symbol of royalty, and to worship Jesus is to submit to His leadership over your life, recognizing Him as a sovereign King.

🙏 Frankincense points to Jesus as High Priest: This expensive incense used in temple worship symbolizes Jesus' role as the mediator of a new covenant, who offered His own blood for eternal redemption.

✝️ Myrrh acknowledges Jesus as Savior: Used to prepare bodies for burial, myrrh reveals that Jesus was born to die, offering Himself as a sacrifice so that we might live, be saved, and have our consciences cleansed.

Worship is the opening of the heart and the opening of the hands—it is bowing the knee in submission and bringing our talents to Him. This Christmas season, be reminded that our greatest need was forgiveness, and so God sent a Savior.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1-12 , Isaiah 60:1-6 , Hebrews 9:11-15 , 2 Corinthians 5:21 , Isaiah 53.

Join Pastor Chris DeArman from CityRise Church as he explores the profound meaning behind Jesus's humble arrival, challenging the idea that God keeps His distance. This sermon focuses on the core Big Idea of Christmas: God does not do long distance relationships.

👑 Key Takeaways from the Sermon
The Big Idea: God doesn't do long distance relationships; He draws near to us by sending His son to step into our world and stories.

The Humble King: Jesus, the promised King , laid aside the rights, status, and visible display of divine glory ("Mild He lays His glory by") to fully enter the human experience. He knows what it's like to be tired, hungry, and face temptation.

Three Contrasts of Humility: The sermon highlights three contrasts from Luke Chapter 2 to illustrate Jesus's humble coming:

Caesar's Charge vs. Jesus's Cry: Caesar's charge was for taxation and self-exaltation , while Jesus's coming was for salvation. When Caesar spoke, the world moved, but God was working behind the scenes to fulfill the prophecy that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem.

The Palace vs. The Manger: The palace symbolizes separation from people, while the manger symbolizes welcome for all people and Jesus stepping into our mess. The King through whom all things were created had no room in His own creation.

Rome vs. Heaven: Rome acted in power, but God acts in purpose. While Caesar thought he was in control, God was directing history to fulfill the prophecy from Micah 5:2-5 that the ruler would come from Bethlehem.

Final Message: God is in perfect control of everything. He came as a humble King to serve, meet needs, die, beat death, and bring us new, everlasting life.

Sermon Series: The King Has Come Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 Preacher: Chris DeArman Church: CityRise Church