Go! And… Follow The Star: The Call Of True Worshippers Series

Go! And… Follow the Star: The Call of True Worshippers

Introduction – Following the Star Still Matters

From the beginning of time, God has been calling men and women to follow Him. Not merely to admire Him from afar, but to leave comfort, pride, and sin, and follow His leading—step by step—into His purposes.

Centuries before shepherds watched their flocks, before wise men saw a sign in the heavens, God declared through a pagan prophet named Balaam that a King was coming.

A star… A sceptre… A ruler whose reign would transform history and eternity.

Tonight, we stand in awe of prophecy fulfilled, and of the God who calls disciples—followers—to respond to His revelation. That star still shines. The question remains: will we follow?

Numbers 24:17 (NLT): “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a sceptre will emerge from Israel.”

Israel was in the wilderness. Balaam, hired to curse Israel, is compelled by God to bless instead. God reveals Messiah in advance—the One who would rule forever.

Star = Hebrew kokab — symbol of divine revelation and royal birth.

Sceptre = Hebrew shebet — authority of a king; ruling power.

This prophecy points directly to Christ – the coming King.

Matthew 2:2 (NLT): “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

The wise men responded to revelation. They travelled miles, crossing deserts, risking danger, because true disciples respond to divine revelation with obedient worship.

When the Apollo spacecraft launched, engineers navigated thousands of miles guided by small adjustments toward a precise target. If guidance failed even slightly, the astronauts would drift into darkness. Without Christ—the true light—humanity is drifting toward eternal darkness. But His star guides us to the Saviour.

Many today admire Jesus from a distance. Few pursue Him like the wise men. Discipleship requires movement—obedient pursuit—not casual belief.

Tim Keller once said, “You don’t just believe in Jesus; you take your hands off your life and follow Him.”

In this, the wise men are our example. They followed revelation even when others ignored it.

Psalm 5:7 (NLT): “Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.”

“Enter your house” – The Hebrew word bayith speaks of dwelling, belonging.

“Worship” – Hebrew shachah meaning to bow in surrender.

A disciple doesn’t approach God casually. We enter as unworthy sinners saved by grace. Worship is surrender, not performance.

We don’t follow Jesus as consumers demanding blessing. We bow as surrendered disciples acknowledging His Lordship.

Charles Stanley said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

That is discipleship. Worship expressed through obedience.

Psalm 15:1–2 (NLT): “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.”

David asks: who may truly worship? Not those merely present outwardly, but those transformed inwardly.

The Hebrew tamim means whole, complete—sincere devotion, integrity.

Discipleship isn’t simply attending church; it is living before God in holiness, truth, and sincerity.

R.T. Kendall wrote, “The greatest scandal in the church today is that we can say words we do not live.”

True worshippers:

live truthfully

obey from the heart

seek holiness before comfort

Matthew 28:8–9 (NLT): “The women ran quickly from the tomb… And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.”

These women were first disciples of the resurrected Lord. Faithful when others fled. They responded instantly to the revelation of resurrection.

True disciples run to Jesus—not away. Worship begins with a living encounter with Christ risen.

John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Their joy overflowed in worship.

Romans 12:1 (NLT): “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God… Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Greek paristemi — “present, yield, surrender permanently”.

Worship is not merely song – it is total surrender of life.

Discipleship requires:

surrender of body

surrender of time

surrender of ambition

surrender of sin

A missionary said goodbye to family forever, sold possessions, and packed his belongings in a coffin—knowing he would not return. He understood Romans 12:1. He had presented himself fully to Christ.

Max Lucado wrote, “God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say the arrival would be worthwhile.”

Gospel Presentation:

The star points to the cross. The shining King came to be the suffering Servant.

Jesus Christ—the spotless Lamb of God—died on the cross for our sins, bearing the wrath we deserve. He was buried. And on the third day He rose again, conquering sin and death.