Lesson 1: Christmas

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Christmas

Dr. Elmer Towns

Lesson 1

December 7, 2008

A. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS OF JESUS?

1. What were the gifts? “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” (Matt. 2:11).

2. What did the gifts represent? Gold, the rule of royalty; Frankincense, deity; Myrrh, humanity.

3. Nameless givers; many don’t want their name attached to their gifts because the receiver is more important. The wisemen were not named.

4. Expensive. The greater the expense of the gift, the more important the receiver is to you.

5. Unexpected. They did not give cute gifts, i.e., car seat, PJs, toys or rattles.

6. Personal. We give from our home area; we give who we are and what we have. The wisemen did not buy these gifts, but brought them from the East.

7. Useful. We appreciate a practical gift. God’s providence is seen in the gifts that provided money for Joseph to take his family to Egypt.

8. Recognition of future potential. They knew nothing about the baby except the supernatural star. Jesus had performed no miracles, preached no sermons, nor had He saved the world; yet they worshiped Him.

9. Expected by royalty. Subjects usually presented gold to a baby born to their king who one day would rule them.

Why is Gold Precious?

· Rare, scarce

· Warmly beautiful

· Enduring, it withstands acid and fire

· Adaptable, can be shaped

· Costly to obtain

· Evokes love

10. Had to overcome hardship to give/worship. They came at least 1000 miles. It is difficult to eat, sleep, and travel as a pilgrim, but easy when you have a purpose.

11. Had to by-pass other religions, places of worship and royalty, but easy if you are looking for Jesus.

12. Had to keep up with God’s leading. We worship Christ with our time, talent and treasure when we keep in step with His leading. “The star went before them” (2:9).

13. Faith. Had to act on what they learned when they found out the star belonged to a newborn King. “We have seen His star” (2:2).

14. They did not send their gifts with someone else. They sought Him, “Where is He that is born . . . we are come to worship Him” (2:2).

What Is The Greatest Thing About the Gift of Gold?

· They gave their best, do you?

· They recognized who He is, have you?

· They overcame odds to seek Him, what’s your obstacle?

· Their gifts represented their worship, how much have you given?

15. Your sacrificial gift is not measured by the world, but by how much you have left after you have given.

a. 5 loaves and 2 small fishes to feed a multitude.

b. An unbroken colt for Jesus to ride.

c. A widow’s mite. “She out of her poverty put in all that she had” (Mark 12:44).

16. God speaks to people as they are, and where they are. God spoke to men by the star who studied stars.

“Star of Wonder”

· A new star (2:2).

· A guiding star. “Went before them” (2:9).

· A pointing star. “Stood over” (2:9).

· God’s personal star. “His star.”

· A future-focused star.

· A star of hope (2:2).

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.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.