FINDING The KING-IV—Matthew 2:1-12
Attention:
Summarize with quotes from Kirsten Powers’ testimony: ’Becoming a Christian Ruined My Love of Christmas’
Published Dec. 17, 2015 @ ChristianityToday.com
God doesn’t want you to miss the King.
Magi traveled from the east to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel.
Jesus is worthy of discovery.
The King of Israel is worthy of careful searching.
Who are those who discover Jesus?
8 characteristics of people who find Jesus.
Last week we found that Those who find the King, perceive His....
1. SIGNS(:1-2)
2. OBJECTIVE/Direction(:3-6)
3. CIRCUMVENTION(:7-8, 12)
4— Those who find the King, Perceive....
His EQUIPPING(:9-10)
Explanation:(:9-10)Direction
:9—“When they heard the king, they departed; & behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came & stood over where the young Child was.”
“The Star”:
It was “the glory of God”.... “visible only to the eyes for whom it was intended to be seen.”—MacArthur. Obviously not a star common to our experience but a star of magnificent & miraculous origin & purpose.
A visible manifestation of God’s presence(Shekinah Glory) of specific application as in(not exhaustive!):
1)God’s cloud & fire of Israel’s wilderness wanderings(Ex. 13:21)
2)God’s cloud & fire on the mountain of God(Ex. 24:15-17)
3)God’s cloud filled the tabernacle at its completion(Ex. 40:34-35)
4)God’s cloud filled the temple at its completion(1Kgs. 8:10-12)
5)God’s cloud & voice at Jesus’ transfiguration(Mat. 17:2)
6)The brilliant blinding light from heaven & voice of Jesus at Saul’s Damascus Road experience(Acts 9:3-4ff)
7)God Himself illumines the New Jerusalem(Rev. 21:23).
“Young Child”:
By the time the magi arrived, Jesus is referred to as a “young Child”(paidion) rather than a “Babe”—brefov as in Lk. 2:12, 16—strictly one unborn, or an infant. 8 days later(Lk. 2:21) He is referred to as a Child—paidion—A young child(little girl or boy) & refers exclusively to little children. We also must remember these are two different authors(Matthew & Luke) who may use the terms with unique mindsets towards the use of the words. As diminutives of paiv[child, servant], paidion & paidarion are used without appreciable difference to denote a young child.
“Departed”(See :9—“Go”)—poreuomai—Aorist Passive Deponent Indicative—1) To lead over, carry over, transfer—1a) To pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey, 1b) To depart from life, 1c) To follow one, that is: become his adherent—1c1) To lead or order one's life. Poreuomai expresses motion in general, often confined within certain, limits, or giving prominence to the bearing; hence the, regular word for the march of an army. Strong—To traverse, i.e. Travel (literally or figuratively; especially--To remove[figuratively--Die], live, etc.). “Seen/Saw”(See :2, 10, 16)—eidw/oida—2nd Aorist Active Indicative—1) To see—1a) To perceive with the eyes, 1b) To perceive by any of the senses, 1c) To perceive, notice, discern, discover, 1d) To see—1d1) i.e. To turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything, 1d2) To pay attention, observe, 1d3) To see about something 1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it, 1d4) To inspect, examine, 1d5) To look at, behold, 1e) To experience any state or condition, 1f) To see i.e. have an interview with, to visit; 2) To know—2a) To know of anything, 2b) To know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive—2b1) of any fact, 2b2) the force & meaning of something which has definite meaning, 2b3) To know how, to be skilled in, 2c) To have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to(1Th 5:12). Eidw/oida denotes to see with the mind's eye, signifies a clear & purely mental perception. Strong—a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai & oraw; properly--To see(literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perf. only)--To know.
“Went before/Went ahead”—proagw—1) To lead forward, lead forth—1a) one from a place in which he has lain hidden from view, as from a prison, 1b) in a forensic sense--To bring one forth to trial; 2) To go before—2a) Preceding, prior in time, previous, 2b) To proceed, go forward—2b1) in a bad sense--To go further than is right. or proper. Strong—To lead forward(magisterially); intransitively--To precede(in place or time [participle--Previous]). Used 18X.
“Came”(See :2, 8)—ercomai—2nd Aorist Active Participle—1) To come—1a) of persons—1a1) To come from one place to another, & used both of persons arriving & of those returning, 1a2) To appear, make one's appearance, come before the public; 2) metaph.—2a) To come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence, 2b) Be established, become known, to come(fall) into or unto; 3) To go, to follow one. Ercomai denotes motion or progress generally, & of any sort, hence to “come” & arrive at, as well as “to go.” Strong—middle voice of a primary verb(used only in the present & imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred [middle voice]eleuyomai; or [active]elyw; which do not otherwise occur); To come or go(in a great variety of applications, literally & figuratively).
“Til/Until”—ewv—Conj.—Till, until. Strong—a conjunction, preposition & adverb of continuance, until(of time & place).
“Stood/Stopped”—isthmi—2nd Aorist Active Indicative—1) To cause or make to stand, to place, put, set—1a) To bid to stand by, [set up]; 2) To stand—2a) To stand by or near—2a1) To stop, stand still, to stand immovable, stand firm—2a1a) of the foundation of a building. Strong—a prolonged form of a primary staw(of the same meaning, & used for it in certain tenses); To stand(transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively).
“Over”—epanw—Adverb—1)Above—1a) of place, 1b) of number--More than. Strong—Up above, i.e. Over or on(of place, amount, rank, etc.).
“Young child”(See :8, 11)—paidion—Noun Neuter—1) A young child, a little boy, a little girl—1a) Infants, 1b) Children, little ones, 1c) An infant—1c1) Of a (male)child just recently born, 1d) Of a more advanced child; of a mature child;, 1e) metaph.--Children(like children) in intellect. Paidion refers exclusively to little children. Paiv, teknon denote a child alike as respects to descent & age, reference to the latter being more prominent in the former word, [but] to descent in paidion. Paiv is also often used of a servant. The number of years covered by the term paiv is quite indefinite. Its diminutives paidion & paidarion are used without appreciable difference to denote a young child. Strong—A childling(of either sex), i.e. properly--An infant, or by extension--A half-grown boy or girl; figuratively--An immature Christian.
:10—“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
The magi, knowing/recognizing the star, were overjoyed. They would not be left to inquire of others as to Jesus’ location for they knew the star would lead them. Making short-work of their quest would have effectively kept Herod at bay for a while.
The closer one gets to God’s will in their lives, the more intense their (inner & outer)“joy” becomes. Thru that relationship we are more certain of our having been sensitive & obedient.
Rom. 12:2—“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect will of God.”
If you find yourself continually disappointed, hurt, frustrated, angry, bitter about anything surrounding the church, it may simply be that you are unable to find/see God’s will for yourself!
“Saw”(see :2, 9, 16)—eidw—2nd Aorist Active Participle—
“Rejoiced”—cairw—1) To rejoice, be glad; 2) To rejoice exceedingly; 3) To be well, thrive; 4) In salutations, hail!; 5) At the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute. Strong—a primary verb; To be “cheer”ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation(on meeting or parting)--Be well.
“Exceedingly”—sfodra—Adverb—Exceedingly, greatly. Strong—neuter plural of sfodrov(violent; of uncertain derivation) as adverb; Vehemently, i.e. In a high degree, much. Used 11X.
“Great”—megav—Adj.—1) Great; 2) Predicated of rank, as belonging to...persons, or...things; 3) Splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately; 4) Great things. Strong—Big(literally or figuratively, in a very wide application).
“Joy”—cara—Noun Fem.—Joy, gladness. Strong—Cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.
Argumentation:
Some recognize that they are bankrupt spiritually...that they have nothing & have no hope. others believe themselves to be spiritually immune to failure due to their position & recognition by others on earth.
Mat. 7:19-23—“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down & thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, & done many wonders in Your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Lk. 7:24-35—“When the messengers of John had departed, He[Jesus] began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled & live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, & more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees & lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, & what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace & calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, & you say, ‘He has a demon.’ “The Son of Man has come eating & drinking, & you say, ‘Look, a glutton & a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors & sinners!’ “But wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Mat. 13:10-17—“And the disciples came & said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered & said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, & he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, & hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear & shall not understand, And seeing you will see & not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes & hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts & turn, So that I should heal them.’ “But blessed are your eyes for they see, & your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets & righteous men desired to see what you see, & did not see it, & to hear what you hear, & did not hear it.”
Harlots & tax gatherers(societal rejects) were drawn to Jesus though the theologians were generally not.
**2Tim. 3:16-17—“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
**Heb. 13:20-21—“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever & ever. Amen.”
**Eph. 3:14-21—“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven & earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted & grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width & length & depth & height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever & ever. Amen.”
**2Cor. 9:8—“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
**Php. 4:18—“Indeed I have all & abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
1Cor. 12:4-7—“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”
Illustration: (Unused)
My Daddy always used the phrase ‘I see said the blind man’ whenever he had been oblivious to the obvious/EQUIPPING
Termites inside the wooden framing of your house/I see the tell-tale signs but ignore them as inconsequential/Seeing the outside yet unaware of the reality beneath the surface/Seen yet unseen/EQUIPPING
Eyes to see & ears to hear
‘The Amazing Spiderman 2’/A big-bad bad guy(‘Rhino’) in robotic armor is destroying everything in his path as he walks down a main artery in New York/The police cannot stop him as he riddles their police cars with bullets/Everybody’s asking, ‘Where is spiderman?’/A little boy(8-10 yrs. old) is standing with his mother to the side behind a barricade/He is wearing a spiderman costume because earlier spiderman had protected him from some bullies & encouraged his work in the sciences/The boy sneaks away from his momma, & confidently walks into the middle of the street facing the madman Rhino, thinking his spiderman suit will give him superhuman powers/The police call a cease-fire/While in the street, the boy the puts on his spidey-mask glares at Rhino/Unbeknownst to him Spiderman arrives, stands behind the boy, & says “Hey partner, thanks for steppin’ up for me.”/The boys strength was in the superhuman Spiderman!/Your strength is in the All-Mighty God!/EQUIPPING
Application:
?You Perceived His EQUIPPING?
?You found the King?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
’Becoming a Christian Ruined My Love of Christmas’
Action:
Those who find the King, perceive His....
4. EQUIPPING(:9-10)
1. SIGNS(:1-2)
2. OBJECTIVE(:3-6)
3. CIRCUMVENTION(:7-8, 12)
Pt. 4 only! Presented 12/20/2015pm to:
FBCCbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE(SE Ave. A)
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