Learning From The Wise

Introduction: We will all have to admit that we don’t know everything about everything. If we did, there would be no need for schools or teachers. We all have to glean wisdom from those who know more about a particular topic than we do. At the peak of this Christmas season let’s take a look at some wise men who met Christ, and their reaction to the wonderful Savior.

I. THEY SOUGHT AND FOUND THE SAVIOR (v1-8)

a. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PERSONALLY

The wise men didn’t send someone else to find Him. They sought Him out personally. It doesn’t matter if your grandmother knew Him, or if your mom knows Him. It doesn’t matter if your spouse knows Him. You must seek Him and find Him for yourself.

I’ve known people to say, "I love watching brother so and so. He really knows how to worship God." The reality is that we should seek to know Him ourselves, not watch others know Him.

b. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PASSIONATELY

This search for Christ wasn’t a passing fancy. It was a life long, passionate search.

I am fearful that the repetitiveness of our worship and walk causes us to loose some of our zeal for God. This thing isn’t a passing fancy for us either. It is to be a passionate, driving force in our lives.

c. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PATIENTLY

This is the perfect follow up to the last point. A passionate walk that takes a life time to unfold. Anyone can run 100ft and stop. The Bible likens us to be long distance runners whose goal is to finish our coarse. Be patient in your walk with God, and don’t let discouragement defeat you.

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II. THEY BOWED DOWN AND WORSHIPED THE SAVIOR

Do you ever tune in to TVLAND and think, "how in the world did I use to like these shows?" I do!

One particular show that I think that of is Happy Days.

Boy, what a corny show! But, the reality still remains.The one who is self confident, self reliant in our society is cool. That goes against every principle of worship. We must admit our need for Christ.

a. WE SHOULD WORSHIP HIM OUT OF DUTY

John 4:23 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worsthip the Father in spirit and truth...

There is a command here that it is our duty to worship Him.

b. WE SHOULD WORSHIP HIM OUT OF DESIRE

The truth of the matter is, we shouldn’t worship Him because He tells us to. We should desire to. Think of all He has done for you! Think of where you are vs. where you were. Think of the flames you were rescued from. Yea, now you’re getting the idea. Are we even beginning to worship Him like we should?

c. WE SHOULD WORSHIP HIM OUT OF DESPERATION

*Please read John 6:68* Who else is their to turn to?

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III. THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY TO THE SAVIOR

We don’t do our Christmas shopping for those we love at the Pawn Shop. If you do, you might be a red neck.

We give the best of what we have to those we love. These wise men did this very thing.

a. WE SHOULD GIVE HIM OUR BEST

In a life that is bombarded with breath taking schedules, we sometimes find ourselves just having to give Christ what is left. It takes DISCIPLINE to make Christ not only a part of of our schedule, but also the pinnacle of our schedule.

In addition to giving him the best of our time, we must give Him the best of our service. A challenge is issued by these wise men to survey just what we are giving the one who gave His all for us.

b. WE SHOULD GIVE HIM OUR WORST

I must admit that it may be a stretch to make this an exegetical point to this particular text, but if we are to worship as the wise men did, we must give him our bad as well as our good. That is part of total surrender. We tend to forget the importance of repentance and confession.

c. WE SHOULD GIVE HIM OUR EVERYTHING

There are debates that the tithing principle in Malachi 3:6-11 was not a New Testament teaching. First of all, when did the Old Testament become obsolete. When did Christians stop believing the Old Testament. If it is not relevant, then why do we still cling to the Ten Commandments? Because it is relevant! Secondly, Christ didn’t teach a 10% commitment. He taught that we are to give it all!! In Matthew 22:37, He taught that we are to give our all. In fact, He was quoting an Old Testament verse from Duet. 11:13. It would seem that Christ found that Old Testament relevant! Thirdly, the tithe is the minimum. We are to give Christ our everything.