In Search Of Truth Series

“In Search of Truth”

Matt 2:10-12

This is the is the season of giving and all of us are pondering creative ways in which to demonstrate our love and concern for other people through giving and sharing

One of the reasons that the story of the wise men is significant is that it illustrates that God will speak to anyone who will hear, and the he speaks in a variety of ways

It also illustrates that no matter how remote your situation or environment if you will hear and are willing to traverse the desert of your experience you will come upon the miracle of the Son

Today and in this season many people are searching for significance and listening to a myriad of voices, anything and anyone to give life meaning

May if I give more to charities, maybe if I volunteer my time, maybe if I deny myself pleasure, maybe if I speak kindly to people, maybe if I go to church more.

May I share with you that it may not be what you do, but your motive for what you do?

These men were no different from you and me; they were searching for something or someone significant

By all appearances they didn’t need anything

They were using false science but yet they were sincerely seeking

For what were they searching?

Seek truth this Christmas

I submit to you that they were searching for the truth

History teaches that if truth is to be grasped in its fullness, it must be sought for

The left the world as they knew it, their homes surrounded by wealth and the promise of pleasure and happiness and set out for a distant land

They would not settle for anything less, the found semblance of what they were looking for but found him to be a poor substitute, he was searching too

If you would seek the truth this Christmas you must abandon the superficial

You must press beyond the average

You can’t be satisfied with the status quo

You cannot get caught up the commercial sight and sounds, you want find truth there

You cannot lend your time and talents to surface or superficial celebrations, you won’t find truth there

They Found the truth

Their search led to a great discovery

They found He who is the way the truth and the life

Their Response to the truth

They worshiped Him

Their outward behavior reflected the desire of the inward man

What was internal was exhibited externally

Before there was the external prostration, there was prostration in the soul

The worship was an acknowledgement of who He was

They proved their sincerity by offering gifts

The scripture says that they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts

The respond with gratitude by offering Him gifts

What gifts do we have that He would desire today

Let’s begin with offering Him you

Then offer what He’s blessed you with

Honor Him with your time your talent and your treasure

Honor Him by blessing others

Give to the poor,

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Pro 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

He who oppresses the poor insults his Maker (Prov. 14:31); he who mocks the poor insults his Maker (Prov. 17:5); he who oppresses the poor will come to poverty (Prov. 22:16);

You can’t get caught up in the joy of sharing gifts without stopping by the real tree, the tree of life and receiving the gift of the Son

***Indeed in the spirit of Christmas ought to be giving but we should give as we have been given

As I close today I want to suggest to that the star is still shining, can you see it, will you follow it