Sermon Central
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'after Christmas' Gifts
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 8, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: The Wise Men and the symbolic significance of their gifts, and how they should change us all this Christmas! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.
‘After Christmas’ Gifts
PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html
2 common misconceptions about the wise men that we have come to believe by tradition:
-Nowhere does the Bible say there were 3 wise men. Every picture I could find had 3…just the way we think of it. And I mean every picture…
We think of it that way because they brought 3 gifts…but there could have been many more, or it’s possible there were 3 or even 2, but I think there were many more in that day.
Joke—today the joke says that the church can’t put on a real Christmas pageant because they can’t find 3 wise men or a virgin, and it’s a sad truth in most places, but happily not the truth here at GBC.
-Also, the wise men were not present there at the nativity scene, the night Christ was born. You say, “But, they were there on my momma’s coffee table!” Perhaps, but they only saw the star that night in Babylon, hundreds of miles away, and had to travel several months to bring these belated birthday gifts. [my wife said that’s just like men!] And so, v. 11 says they came to “the house”, not the stable. Now, don’t burn your Hallmark cards or write nasty letters to those who view the Magi in the traditional way, just be aware of the truth of the matter.
These were not just indiscriminate, random gifts…each had special significance because each symbolized a special attribute of the Lord Jesus.
1. Gold = Sovereignty [Royalty of a King]
They knew this child was the King of the Jews, the prophesied One who was the King of all kings!
v. 2
• He was labeled as the King at His birth.
• He was labeled as the King at His death.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
• He was labeled as the King by the prophets.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it…
• He was labeled as the King by the angels.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
When you deal with Jesus Christ, let it be known: you are dealing with the King!
Some try to explain away His sovereignty by saying it’s only figurative…that He’s the king of our hearts, or the king of love, and while that may be true, He’s so much more…the King of kings and Lord of lords!
One day very soon, He will literally reign as King of this earth, and when He does the world will be in for a big surprise, for the 1st time He came to Bethlehem as a babe, the meek and lowly Jesus made in human flesh, but He’s coming back much bigger and better next time He rides into town…matter of fact, He’s more than “Titanic” in His majestic greatness…He will be the first to truly be able to say, “I’m the King of the world!”
Rev. 19:11-16
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
He’s coming back with boldness, in vengeance, victoriously!
3 things about His Kingdom:
• Victorious in it’s nature
Rev. 19:11
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His kingdom will be characterized by truth, honesty, and justice. That is the opposite of what we have today. Lying, deceiving, and cheating are today considered normal business practices…but not when our King returns. [politics / family matters, tv sitcoms / justice system…in most of our courtrooms today, truth has become the first casualty. People don’t think twice about putting their hand on a Bible and making a pledge to the truth, and then turning around and perjuring themselves.]
