THE WISE FOLLOW THE EPIPHANY STAR (Outline)
January 6, 2008 -
EPIPHANY -
Matthew 2:1-12
INTRO: Happy New Year! Merry Christmas! Today, January 6, is known as the Gentile Christmas. It is the day celebrated as Epiphany. Epiphany means appearing, revealing, or brought to light. It is at Epiphany that we celebrate the revealing of the infant Christ as the Light of the world. We rejoice and celebrate just as Isaiah tells us in our Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 60:1-6) for the day. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you"(ISAIAH 60:1). Today’s text tells us of the special visit of the wise men from the East. They followed the special star that God created to guide them. It is to be no different today. In the words of our text we consider our theme:
THE WISE FOLLOW THE EPIPHANY STAR.
We answer the questions:
I. Who are the wise?
II. What do they find?
I. WHO ARE THE WISE?
A. Verse 1 reveals the setting and characters involved in our text: Jesus, King Herod, and Magi.
1. Magi are wise men. These wise men came from the east traveling 500 or more miles.
2. They followed God’s star. They stop in Jerusalem for further directions, verse 2.
B. Herod was disturbed, verse 3. Herod did not want any more competition for his job.
1. Herod already put to death one of his wives and three of sons for plotting against him.
2. The city was disturbed at what Herod might do next (he later slaughters infants in Bethlehem).
C. Herod seeks the advice of his wise men, verse 4. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, verses 5 and 6a.
1. The wise in the world (Magi) are directed by those wise in the church (chief priests, teachers).
2. God’s word was the answer that directed the Magi on the correct path to find the Savior-King.
3. God also provided his star for direction once again, verses 9, 10. Look, the star! Overjoyed.
D. The wise still follow the Epiphany star today. For God’s word is still God’s power, strength, and grace to reveal all that is necessary for eternal salvation. All too many turn aside and away from the very source of eternity. People, by nature, tend to trust themselves. People are proud. Pride goes a long way in our society today. One only needs to watch the sports programs or political candidates to see pride at its worst. After all, who would follow Jesus? He was only a carpenter’s son. He was rejected and finally even put to death by his own people. All true. All for us. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"(1 CORINTHIANS 1:18).
E. Who are the wise? Are the wise those who make great financial decisions? They are successful in the ways of this world. Are the wise those who have great power over others? Leaders of governments are often considered the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. Superstars in sports, music, or movies are often held up as examples to worship and follow. The list of worldly-wise people is unending. But God’s list is far different than what man thinks. "Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them"(HOSEA 14:9). Hosea reminds us God’s word is the truth – the only truth – that sets us free!
F. The wise follow the Epiphany star. Scripture defines even further what it means for the believer to be wise. To be wise in the ways of the world is one thing. To be wise in the ways of God is far more important than anything else in this world. Consider Job. Job suffered great loss – all his property and even his children. Still Job always trusted God. In wisdom Job followed the truth of God’s word and will. "And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding’"(JOB 28:28). This is wisdom to know God. This is wisdom to know evil and good. This is wisdom to avoid evil and hold on to the good. As we grow in faith we become stronger and stronger in God’s strength to shun evil.
THE WISE FOLLOW THE EPIPHANY STAR.
By grace, believers are the wise that know the Lord.
II. WHAT DO THEY FIND?
A. Our text describes the Magi, wise men from the east; and Herod, the king filled with fear.
1. Herod felt threatened. The wise men were excited to find and worship the promised King.
2. They were overjoyed at the star, verse 10. The star directed to the exact place of the King.
B. Verse 11a. They found Mary and the infant in a house and they worshiped the Christ-child.
1. In a house? Yes, Joseph would move his family from the stable as soon as possible.
2. Verse 11b describes their gifts of worship. All were precious but only represented more.
a. Faith = more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7).
b. Prayers = offered up as incense (Psalm 141:2).
C. The wise men followed the Epiphany star and found a King worthy of worship and praise.
1. This was exactly as the wisdom of God’s word revealed, verses 5, 6.
2. But this King would have a shepherd’s heart. In this unassuming infant was the Savior-King!
D. Once more listening to God’s word the wise men completed their journey, verse 12.
E. According to the wisdom of the world not many would find Jesus as that powerful person they wish to follow. Jesus led a very humble life. His influence did not seem to reach very far. What do we find when we follow the Epiphany star? We find the fulfillment of Scripture. Consider the prophecy of Balaam. Balaam was hired to curse Israel. But he could not. Instead Balaam blessed Israel. "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth"(NUMBERS 24:17). In this blessing we see the Epiphany Star that would destroy all the enemies opposed to the salvation of believers.
F. But not everyone finds the same powerful blessing of God’s grace at the birth of Christ. Reread today’s gospel (John 1:1-18). Christ created all things. He came to those in the world but they did recognize him. He came to his own but they did not receive him. Christ is the Light of the world. But the world chooses darkness instead. It is simply by grace and grace alone that we find in Christ our Savior-King. "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men"(JOHN 1:3,4). Christ is our Light and our King and our Savior!
G. This Savior-King Child was not something unexpected. This Savior-King Child would do what was unexpected. Jesus would be like no other king. This King of creation would come and do what is just and right in God’s wisdom, not the wisdom of the world. "The days are coming," declares the LORD, when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land"(JEREMIAH 23:5). This sounds almost the exact opposite of anyone who is running for office today. Not one politician makes the guarantee to do what is just and right in the land. What man is too scared to even promise is God’s guarantee. This is our Savior-King Child. Sins are forgiven!
CONC.: The wise follow the Epiphany star. Believers are the wise that discover in God’s word God’s truth. God’s truth reveals the power of this Savior-King Child over sin, death, and the devil. The wise follow the Epiphany star. The wise find the Light of the world, the King of all creation, and the Savior of mankind. "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand"(PSALM 16:11). The wise follow the Epiphany star. By grace we are made wise unto salvation. By grace we find the world’s Savior, our Savior. With gifts of praise and thanksgiving we rejoice in God’s revealed to us. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min.,
& SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
EPIPHANY readings:
ISAIAH 60:1-6;
EPHESIANS 3:2-12;
JOHN 1:1-18
(PSALM 72)
