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King’s Anywhere Podcast

'Follow the Star' Darren Johnson

·18 min·1 clip
Darren Johnson explains why God placed a star in the sky to draw the wise men to Jesus, not for astrology.
The episode opens with Darren Johnson welcoming listeners to the King's Anywhere Podcast and introducing the theme of following the star like the wise men in Matthew 2. He explains that God placed a sign in the heavens to draw the wise men, distinguishing their study as astronomy rather than astrology. Johnson shares a personal story about a friend who experienced a moment of belief while stargazing at Lake Coniston, illustrating how life events can spark a journey toward God. He encourages listeners to place a provided glow-in-the-dark star in a visible spot to remind them of God's drawing presence. Johnson then discusses the wise men's mistake in consulting King Herod, highlighting how God still guided them through biblical prophecy. He cites Micah 5:2, written 750 years earlier, which prophesied the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem, emphasizing that small places like Bethlehem matter to God. Johnson addresses feelings of insignificance, linking them to the Bethlehem story and biblical parables like the mustard seed. He notes that Jesus fulfilled 48 Old Testament prophecies, with odds of one in a hundred million billion for just eight to be fulfilled by one person. Johnson interprets the wise men's gifts—gold for kingship, frankincense for prayer, and myrrh for death—as symbols of Jesus' identity and mission. He connects this to chocolates provided to listeners: one to receive as a gift from God and one to give away, mirroring generosity. Johnson concludes by comparing Christmas to a gift where the wrapping (festivities) shouldn't overshadow the core gift of Jesus' salvation, praying from John 3:16.

As heard by us

A Christmas sermon that finds reassurance for overlooked people in Bethlehem.

A memory of standing under the stars by Lake Coniston opens this Christmas sermon. From there, the speaker follows the star in Matthew's account of the wise men and asks how people are drawn toward God.

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Why you'd press play

If you feel overlooked at Christmas, follow the star to Bethlehem and hear why this small place matters to you.

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