Lessons From The Wise—go, Ready, Set.

Lessons From the Wise—Go, Ready, Set.

Matthew 2:1-2NIV

It’s poor etiquette to attend a party and not bring the host/honoree a gift. We should feel privileged to receive an invitation to attend. Therefore, it’s extremely important that we bring the right gifts to the honoree—King Jesus.

These wise men were a group of scholarly foreigners. They had seen the star in the east, and were compelled to follow it.

There were probably more than three men, because they usually traveled in larger groups with camels and slaves.

These wise men gave some prophetic—They gave Gold, given to Kings, Frankincense given in high worship, and myrrh given for burial.

Did you know, Wisemen are mentioned throughout the OT.

In Genesis 41:8, It reads that the Pharaoh “Called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men” to interpret his dream. The Hebrew for wisemen—Chakam means intelligent, skillful, artful or cunning man.

What does the Bible say about wisdom? How important is wisdom?

James 1:5NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

God seeks candidates for wisdom, Your— Encouragement will come from the Almighty.

Where is wisdom found? Job 28:12NIV But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?

Listen carefully to these two verses, because they wait to be fulfilled by you:

Deuteronomy 4:5-6NIV  See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

Truth—People and nations become great as they heed God’s decrees, His truth shall go marching— on!

Think about this, “His truth will march onward into eternity; It was His truth that set— you free!

Jesus stated in John 8:32, You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Proverbs 13:10NIV Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

This morning, Over and over again I will say, these wisemen carefully planned their visit.

This thought came to me, “I wonder how we could better prepare for our visits with the Lord?”

Matthew 2:1-2NIV After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Notice, They say, “Where is the ‘One’ who has been born King of the Jews?” How important is, Insight?

Once more, Matthew 2:1-2TPT Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem 2 and inquired of the people, “Where is the child who is born king of the Jewish people? We observed his star rising in the sky and we’ve come to bow before him in worship.”

Again, What made these men wise? They saw His star.

These men had a reputation, they were the— elite, These men had King Herod’s ear. Again, They didn’t haphazardly visit Jesus.

One commentary stated that these wisemen were perhaps direct descendants of those taught by the prophet Daniel while the Jews were in Babylonian captivity.

These wise men knew this was a life-changing event. Therefore, they planned their visit—They planned their gifts.

Paul writes in, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8TPT Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. 7 Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! 8 Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.

Here’s some wise, not wise.

First, Not wise—A stingy sower, equals a meager harvest.

The Wise—A generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest.

The Wise—Giving produces joy—It springs up freely.

The Wise—God loves hilarious generosity!

While in prison the apostle Paul wrote in— Philippians 4:19TPT I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ!

God is more than ready! Hear this God word, “Stop saying, Ready, Set, Go.” What’s wrong— with that Pastor Howard? We forget to get— ready, there’s always an excuse.