We’ve seen the Christmas poster “Wise Men Still Seek Him.”
When we think of the Wise Men we think of those who were seeking Jesus.
TODAY we want to look at their example as we continue our series FINDING JESUS.
The question you must answer today is whether or not you are seeking Jesus.
The Wise men were SEEKING the Messiah. Their testimony is revealed in Matthew 2. They came to Jerusalem, to the palace of Herod, King of Israel and asked, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” (Matthew 2:2, ESV)
It was obvious that they were not seeking to worship Herod. These Wise men RESPONDED to a sign in heaven. They were able to interpret the SIGN because they knew the WORD. Most likely, they were part of a tradition of noble Persian scribes who trace their lineage all the way back to Daniel. God had placed him in Babylon during those years of the Babylonian captivity. He taught the scriptures and his lessons were still being studied at the time of Christ, about 400 years later!
Rather than reviewing the many important facts and lessons from the story of the wise men and their travel to Israel, I want to focus our attention on this one theme - they were seeking Jesus.
The Bible says much about seeking God. Indeed, the Bible contains a theology of seeking.
This is important because of this one principle: You always find what you are looking for. Now I don’t imply to mean that you will always recover every item that you have ever misplaced. Some of us are more prone than others to misplace our glasses, keys or wallet. The thing that I am referring to here is that we will always find the object of our hearts affection.
Notice what Scripture says about Rehoboam, the rebellious son of Solomon and first King of the southern two tribes in the divided kingdom. “And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 12:14, ESV). Rehoboam’s rebellion is traced back to the fact that his heart was fixed on the wrong object. He was not seeking God and so his actions were rebellious.
Your ACTIONS will follow your HEART
Here are some of the Things we seek, according God’s Word:
Financial security. “All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. “Look, O Lord, and see, for I am despised.”” (Lamentations 1:11, ESV)
Success. “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”” (Jeremiah 45:5, ESV)
Philosophy (Answers!). “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah” (Psalm 4:2, ESV)
But we are commanded to SEEK GOD.
““Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6–7, ESV)
““And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9, ESV)
““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, ESV)
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29, ESV)
In terms of this theology of seeking, we must ask an important question, who is really seeking?
While we are commanded to seek God, there are passages of Scripture that inform us that none of us seek after God. Is this a contradiction in the Bible? It is not, but an explanation will help us understand the significance between God’s command to seek him, and our heart’s inability to seek God on our own.
Sinners Do Not Seek God on their Own
“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” (Psalm 14:2, ESV)
“no one understands; no one seeks for God.” (Romans 3:11, ESV)
“For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” (Luke 12:30, ESV)
In order to balance these two truths, we must recognize that God is the one who is seeking.
““For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:11, ESV)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:10, ESV)
As an illustration of this, let me say that It is not our natural disposition to seek God. God calls us. But what do we do when he calls?
It is like a man walking in the woods. He wanders in circles, day after day, month after month, year after year. He doesn’t know that he is lost. But then he hears the sound of someone calling. Does he respond?
HOW do I Seek for God? (Portions of this outline are from R.A. Torrey, The New Topical Text Book: A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
Seek His Name. Ps 83:16 “Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.” (Psalm 83:16, ESV)
Seek His word. Isa 34:16. “Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.” (Isaiah 34:16, ESV)
Seek His face. Ps 27:8; 105:4. “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”” (Psalm 27:8, ESV) “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4, ESV)
Seek His strength. 1 Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV). “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4, ESV)
Seek His commandments. 1 Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. “Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:8, ESV). For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7, ESV)
Seek His precepts. Ps 119:45, 94.“and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.” (Psalm 119:45, ESV). “I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.” (Psalm 119:94, ESV)
Seek His kingdom. Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12:31, ESV).
Seek His righteousness. Mt 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Seek Christ. Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15, 16. ““Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1, ESV). “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:15–16, ESV)
What Happens when you Seek?
Honor comes from him. Joh 5:44. “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44, ESV)
Seeking God is never in vain. “I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.” (Isaiah 45:19, ESV)
Seeking Leads to joy “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”” (Psalm 70:4, ESV). “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!” (Psalm 105:3, ESV)
Seeking Ends in praise. Ps 22:26. “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” (Psalm 22:26, ESV)
God Rewards the Seeker! “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29, ESV)
If you are reading these words it should be obvious to you that God is seeking you. He has done everything he can do to draw you to himself. Now the response is up to you. He is seeking you. He is calling you. Now respond to his call and pursue him fully. Pray to the Lord and ask him to reveal himself to you. That is a prayer that he loves to answer!
