THE FOLLY OF NOT FOLLOWING THE WISE MEN!
You have heard the phrase, “Out of the mouth of babes?” It comes from the simple truth that sometimes it takes a child to reveal lasting wisdom. It seems foolish but it isn’t!
For example:
Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.”
Randy, 9 years of age said, “Stay away from prunes.” One wonders how he discovered that bit of wisdom.
Josh, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.”
Naomi, 15 said, “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”
Lauren, age 9 said, “Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.”
Joel, 10 years old, said, “Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat.” an
Eileen, age 8 said, “Never try to baptize a cat.”
Proverbs 2:2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied,
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they
saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise
Women instead of Three Wise Men?
They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.
There are a lot of questions we can not answer about the wise men from the Biblical text. For example:
1. How many were there? We don’t know. We assume 3 because of three gift
2 Where did they come from? We don’t know
3 .How long did their journey take? We don’t know. Some speculate over 500 miles
Mary and Joseph had already left Bethlehem and were living in a house.
4. There are some things we can know and can be life changing:
I. THE WISEMEN WERE WISE IN THEIR DECISION:
The wise men’s journey is one of FAITH.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen
His star in the East.”
What would prompt someone to leave the comfort of their homes to go on a
dangerous journey? Romance? Yes. Wealth? Most definitely. But faith? Yes – faith.
They had seen the star They had faith that He was alive, now all they needed to
do was to find Him. And so they were willing to risk everything to find Him. They were willing to leave the safety of their homes to risk a pearliest journey to seek a King.
Can you imagine their neighbor’s reaction? “Are you going on a journey?”“Yes.” “Where are you going?” “We don’t know for sure.” “How far is it?” Well we don’t know that either.” How long are you going to be gone? Well were not quite sure on that either. Boy for wise men you sure don’t much do yo
They must have said the same things to Abraham when he left his home in Ur of Caldeas for the Promised Land.
They must have said the same things to Noah who was building an ark – even though it had never rained in the history of the earth up till that point.
They must have said the same kind of things to Peter, Andrew, John and James when they left the fishing nets to become fishers of men. What are you crazy? Are you insane? Are you out of your minds?
They were not crazy – not insane – not out of their minds – men of faith.
These wisemen made the decision to follow that eastern star> God created the stars
(Gen. 1:16). “And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and he made the stars also.”
The naked eye can see 4,000 stars, the Hubble telescope can see 400 million stars. However God placed that special star in the sky and these guys were willing to follow that star that lead to God. God’s journeys always involves FAITH.
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. Hebrews 11:6
People of faith are willing to make the decision to follow the ways of God. Even in discomfort,
II. THESE WISMEMEN WERE WISE IN THEIR DETEMINATION:
These men may have traveled 500-1000 miles on their trek.
Don’t you imagine that they were the subject of much ridicule. Don’t you imagine that they the were blunt of many jokes.......going off on a journey chasing a star.........for heaven’s sake!
Yet they were convinced, and determined......I would imagine that such a journey would involve much cost......yet they were determined. I would imagine they became sick along the way.....yet they were determined ! I would think that they grew tired, and possibly discouraged along the way.....but they were determine
How determined are you to follow the Lord?
IIL. THE WISEMEN WERE WISE IN THEIR DISCERMENT:
Herod calls for the wisemen.and sends them to Bethlehem to search for the child. He tells them to report back to him when he is found so that the too may come and worship him.
The wise men were wise because they were able to discern the jealousy, the hypocrisy, the evil of Herod......and they would be no part of it. These wise men were on a mission, and they would not be sidetracked.....not even by Herod who if he found them could have had them killed for disobeying his orders.
A person of wisdom is a person of discernment. People who are able to discern right from wrong, and do right!
·Knows what company to hang around
·Can see through the cunny craftiness of conivers.
·A person of discernment will not forfeit his eternal destiny for temporary human satisfaction.
·
A wiseman when making decisions will find God will through Gods word, He will reflect on the wise counsel of Godly men and he will be fervent in prayer.
IV. THE WISEMEN WERE WISE IN THEIR DEVOTION:
When the wise men came on their journey it was for the purpose of worship. They brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
One little boy was telling his parents about his Sunday School lesson.....and shared with them the gifts that the wise men brought to baby Jesus.....He said......they brought him goats, frankenstein, and smurfs.
·They brought GOLD - Sign of Royalty
·They offered FRANKENSENCE - A specific tree sap, dried, ground, and burned as part of their
worship service.
· They presented MYRRH - A different tree sap, used for relieving pain and inbalming at the time
of death.
But there is more to worship then gold, frankincense, or myrrh isn’t there?
Worship always involves SACRIFICE. 2 Sam. 24:24 “No, I insist on paying you
for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
1. Romans says it this way: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1
2.To truly worship requires sacrifice.The greatest gift – the greatest sacrifice – you
can give to God is yourself. to worship Many come to the assembly to evalute and
critique the service. That is not your job. God shows up to see what kind of heart you
manifest in your praise to him.
3. FACT:What God wants most of all – He wants your heart – He wants your
attention – 24/7 – the question to ask is: What am I willing to give Him?
Am I willing to go on a spiritual journey to worship Him? Am I willing to give up my
comfort zone to follow Christ? The wise men were – are you?
V. THE WISEMEN WERE WISE IN THEIR DEPARTURE: There was a change!
Matthew 2:12
"Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way."
Isn’t it interesting that after they worshiped Jesus that they could not go back the same way that they had come?
Once you have met God you really accept him you have an encounter with God You will never be the same.
·Jacob wrestled with God and never walked the same the rest of his life.
·Isaiah stepped into the presence of God and proclaimed “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, ; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." Isaiah 6:5 He was never the same again.
·Job questions God over and over again concerning his suffering and when God shows up Job says. "I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen." Job 40:4-5 Job met God and became a changed man.
That is what happens when we walk into the presence of God. We become changed. That is what happened to the wise men when they encountered Christ – they were changed. That is what happens when we encounter Christ – things become different.
Conclusion: I hope as we embark on a new year you will seek wisdom in living for Jesus and you will become wise –like the wise men!!
