Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel
Episode: The Star of The Story | Jentezen Franklin
Date: December 21, 2025
Host: Jentezen Franklin

Episode Overview

In "The Star of the Story," Jentezen Franklin delivers a powerful Christmas message centered around the true "star" of the Christmas story—Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew chapter 2, Franklin explores the spiritual symbolism of the star that guided the wise men and emphasizes God’s intentional guidance in the lives of even those considered far from faith. Through rich biblical teaching, personal anecdotes, and passionate encouragement, the episode invites listeners to see their own journey in the Christmas narrative and recognize the extraordinary lengths God goes to in pursuit of every soul.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Star as a Divine Guide

• Scripture Inspiration: Matthew 2—The wise men follow a star leading to Christ.
• "The star of the story is Jesus, it's not the star. But the star plays an important part in your life, whether you recognize it or not."
  (Franklin, 03:27)
• God uses miraculous signs—even in unexpected places and among unlikely people—to draw hearts toward Himself.

2. God’s Sovereignty in Every Detail

• Franklin unpacks Psalm 37:23—“The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord”—to assure listeners that God is involved in every step, not just the broad direction.
• "When I lift up my foot and I put it up and I put it down, every single step is being led of the Lord."
  (05:58)
• Even seemingly random occurrences are often orchestrated by God's hand.

3. God Knows and Cares Deeply for His People

• Utilizing Luke 12:7, Franklin emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of us, even down to the number of hairs on our head.
• "God has a numerical system... When you combed your hair... hairs, 123,273, 193—they stayed in the hairbrush. God knows that."
  (07:27)
• This level of care and attention is offered to all—not just to those considered ‘insiders’ to faith.

4. The Star Shone for Outsiders

• The star didn't appear for kings or religious leaders but for outsiders—Gentiles, seekers, those with backgrounds in other faiths or mysticism.
• Franklin stresses that God is searching for the lost, the spiritually distant, and responds to sincere seekers.
• "He puts stars out there working, saying this is the way, this is the truth, this is the life."
  (11:52)

5. Faith: More than Belief

• Quoting James 2:19, Franklin asserts that mere belief in God is not sufficient; it must lead to pursuit and surrender.
• "Just believing in God is not enough... Faith has to go to the next level of hope and expectation."
  (13:54)

6. God’s Provision Precedes Your Need

• Franklin offers an insightful observation about the timing of the star–that light from a new star takes years to reach earth, symbolizing how God sets answers in motion long before we have needs.
• "The stars started shining four years before the wise men saw it. You're worried about your relatives... But God says, 'I've already got things that you can't see on the move in the heavenlies.'"
  (17:16)

7. God Works through Messy Circumstances

• The Christmas account includes messy, inconvenient circumstances—traveling while pregnant, no room at the inn, a filthy manger—yet God’s plan endures.
• “She ends up, and she’s there, there’s no room in the inn... She’s got nothing but rags to put on her baby...”
  (22:46)
• Even in disappointment or chaos, God is present and purposeful.

8. Community in Crisis: The Shepherds vs. The Wise Men

• Franklin notes the importance of people who can meet you where you are during difficulty ("shepherd people" who've been through similar messes), as opposed to those who show up only when the victory is obvious.
• "One of the greatest blessings God wants... is he brings people into your messy manger situation..."
  (32:27)

9. Supernatural Direction Closer to the Promise

• The star’s movement was supernatural: instead of following its natural path, it shifted to precisely guide the wise men to Jesus.
• "God supernaturally caused that star to go against its natural direction to be over Bethlehem... The closer you get to the fulfillment... the more the supernatural power of God begins to work..."
  (34:29)

10. Exceeding Joy and True Worship

• Before seeing the promise fulfilled, worship breaks forth in faith: "When they saw the star, not the baby... they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."
  (34:36)
• True worship centers on Jesus alone—not on people, not even Mary: "We don't worship them... we worship him and him alone."
  (36:00–36:39)

11. Transformation and Testimony

• The journey to Jesus always results in life-change: "And they went home a different way, changed."
  (36:52)
• Franklin concludes with a moving salvation testimony of Phil Driscoll, illustrating that no one is too far for God's grace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Divine Orchestration:
  "You're here because God has led you. Many times in our life God was leading us and guiding us just like that star was leading them. And they didn't know where it was going but there was an unseen hand."
  – Jentezen Franklin, [04:23]

• On God's Understanding:
  "If he knows the very number of the hairs on your head, he knows where you are and what you're facing."
  – [08:54]

• On Faith That Moves:
  "Faith has to go to the next level of hope and expectation. And when it's expectation, you begin to seek after the God that is being revealed to you..."
  – [13:59]

• On Provision Before Need:
  "Nothing you need has shocked God. He made a way before you ever got in it. Healing is already existing. Deliverance is already existing. ... All you've got to do is follow the star."
  – [18:12]

• On Messy Circumstances:
  "Seldom will God meet your expectations of how your life is going to go. But if you are there to give birth to his cause and his purpose, you can trust the unmet expectations of God in your life."
  – [30:00]

• On Spiritual Community:
  "One of the greatest blessings God wants... is he brings people into your messy manger situation... because we've been where you are."
  – [32:27]

• On Worship:
  "Mary, you're a member of the cast. You are not the star of the story... We don't worship them. ... We worship him and him alone."
  – [36:00–36:39]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:33] — Reading of Matthew 2 and introduction to the star in the Christmas story.
• [03:27] — The significance of the star and its theological implications.
• [05:51] — Psalm 37:23: God orders every step.
• [06:44] — Luke 12:7: God numbers the hairs of your head.
• [09:43] — The star as a guide for outsiders and the spiritual seeker.
• [13:30] — Levels of faith: beyond belief to seeking and surrender.
• [17:02] — Light years: God’s advance provision for earthly needs.
• [22:05] — Mary’s journey, discouragement, and unmet expectations.
• [30:22] — Faith as perseverance; pass/fail seasons in life.
• [32:27] — The support of “shepherd people” in messy situations.
• [34:29] — The supernatural star over Bethlehem; extra rejoicing before the promise is seen.
• [36:00] — True worship: Jesus alone as the star.
• [37:24] — Phil Driscoll’s testimony: “I'd rather have Jesus.”
• [40:12] — Invitation to receive Jesus: every step is God’s design for a "star moment".

Conclusion

Franklin’s message for Christmas 2025 is a passionate call to recognize Jesus as the center—the true Star—of the story, highlighting God’s sovereign orchestration, care for every detail of our lives, and relentless pursuit of hearts both near and far. Through scriptural exegesis, personal stories, and heartfelt appeals, Franklin’s sermon reaffirms that we are never outside God’s reach, guidance, and love—and that Christmas is about worshiping the One who guides lost souls home.