Follow The Worship Journey With Wise Men Lesson 2 Series

“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, 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.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. So they said to him … and he (Herod) 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.’ 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 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.” Matthew 2:1-5, 8-11

1. The worship journey overcame barriers to find Christ. “Behold, wise men from the East came” (v. 1).

a. Distance.

b. Mountains.

c. Rivers.

d. Culture.

e. Family.

f. Age.

2. The worship journey begins with what you know. “Where is He who is born King of the Jews” (v. 2).

3. The worship journey centers on your background. Magi studied stars, “We have seen His star” (v. 2).

4. The worship journey leaves your comfortable surroundings. “We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (v. 2).

5. When Christ is the focus of your worship, He takes possession of your focus. “We have seen His star” (v. 2).

6. If you are an honest seeker, God will catch your attention. “We have seen ... in the East” (v. 2).

7. Not everyone will support your worship journey. “Herod ... was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (v. 3).

8. Religious people want to study your journey, but not go with you. “Gathered all the chief priests and scribes” (v. 4).

9. Our worship journey tells us what belongs to Jesus. “His star.”

10. People who have religious answers don’t necessarily take the worship journey. “He sent them to Bethlehem” (v. 8).

11. Some are so concerned with time (v. 7), a place (v. 4), they forget to focus on the Babe.

12. Some may claim they will go with you to worship. “Bring me word, that I may come and worship him also” (v. 8). But they are enemies of Christ. “Herod ... sent forth and slew all the children … two years and under” (v. 16).

13. God will guide you to take the right path on your worship journey. “The star ... went before them” (v. 9).

14. True worship focus on Christ. “Stood over where the young child was” (v. 9).

15. We change our physical posture when we confront Christ. “When they saw the young child ... they fell down and worshiped Him” (v. 11).

16. We can’t be selfish with our time, talents and treasures when worshiping Christ. “When they opened their treasures … gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (v. 11).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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