HAVE YOU SEEN “HIS STAR?”
Matt. 2:1-12
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: THE UNSELFISH REQUEST
1. The Santa Claus at the shopping mall was very surprised when Emily, a young lady about 20 years old, walked up and sat on his lap.
2. Now, we all know that Santa doesn't usually take requests from adults, but she smiled very nicely at him, so he asked her, 'What do you want for Christmas?'
3. “Something for my mother, please,” replied Emily sweetly. “Something for your mother? Well, that's very loving and unselfish of you,” smiled Santa. “What would you like me to bring her?”
4. Without turning a hair Emily answered quickly, “A son-in-law.”
B. A STAR IS BORN
1. Almighty God is frequently spoken of as connected with the idea of light. “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and He’s the “Father of lights” (James 1:17). Jesus, as the one who brings the true knowledge of God, is called “the light of men” (John 1:4) and the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2).
2. Christ is called “the Star out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17) and is called the “Morning Star” (2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 2:28; 22:16) He introduced the light of Gospel day, revealing more fully the truths of God than the ancient prophets.
3. So it doesn’t seem so surprising that when Jesus was born into this world, that a Star (“His Star”) should appear in the sky above Him to bear witness that He had come!
4. And there were sensitive souls who watched for divine signs and they detected the new star and when they saw it, decided they must see Him whom it represented. Let’s read about their story:
C. TEXT
1 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.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
D. THESIS
1. This passage tells us that not only did shepherds see a light on the night Jesus was born, but that God made a star appear to men far away to signal His Son would be born.
2. These men were the scientists of their day, studying the phenomenon of the universe and nature. They were intelligent, educated, and affluent.
3. One night they were stunned to see a star appear where none had been before. This Star was unique in its location and brilliance. They came to the conclusion that this
was a sign from God.
4. The title of this message is “Have You Seen ‘His Star?’”
I. THE UNIQUENESS OF THE STAR
A. IT WAS SEEN BY THE CHINESE
1. One might think, since no other persons saw the Star, that it was only seen by the Magi. Not so!
2. The German writer, Munter, in his book Stern Der Weisen, Kopenhagen, 1827, stated that "Chinese astronomical tables record the appearance of a new star at a time which coincides with the fourth year before the birth of Christ" (Lange's, Matthew, p. 57)[Christ was actually born about 4 B.C., before Herod died in that year].
3. So there is independent verification that a star did appear!
B. IT WAS SUPERNATURAL
1. Some astronomers, such as Kepler, have tried to say it was a conjunction of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.
2. This idea is impossible for several reasons. First, this light was not a star, comet, or conjunction of planets, because it suddenly appeared, and according to the testimony of the Wise Men, and appeared almost continually for two years!
3. Another reason is, that this star "moved," suddenly disappeared, and at times was low enough in the atmosphere that it could indicate a single house in a village. (There was only 10 miles difference between Jerusalem and Bethlehem; a real star could not have even indicated which city He was in).
4. What could make a man chase a star? The Holy Spirit must have prompted them to this great expedition. "No man can come to Me, except the Father draw him."
C. IT POINTED MEN TO JESUS
1. Even if preachers stop preaching, God will find another means to lead men to His Son. Some people fear that our time is a dark hour where evil is taking over. No! This Gospel shall be preached! Will you be a part of the great Commission?
2. LIKE A GOOD WITNESS, this Star never drew attention to itself, but to Christ.
a. It is described by the Seekers as - "His Star."
b. We must be full of Christ before we can shine for Christ.
3. A good witness Leads others to Christ.
a. Not just pointing the way, but going that way.
b. Chief Priests -- told them Micah 5:2, but didn't go to worship.
4. The Star Stopped at Jesus. We need go no further.
5. ILLUSTRATION
a. Some years ago, on returning from a business trip, a man brought his wife souvenirs. Among them was a matchbox that would glow in the dark. After giving it to her, he turned out the light, but the matchbox was not visible.
b. "This must be a joke!" she said. Disappointed, the husband commented, "I've been cheated." Then his wife noticed some French words on the box. Taking it to a friend who knew the language, she was told that the directions read:
c. "If you want me to shine at night, keep me in the daylight all day." So she put her gift in a South window. That evening when she turned out the light, the matchbox gave a brilliant glow.
d. The surprised husband asked, "What did you do?" "Oh I found the secret," she said. "Before it can shine in the dark, it must be exposed to the light." That is true of all of us Christians.
II. LEARNING FROM THE WISE MEN
A. THEY HEEDED GOD’S MESSAGE THRU THE STAR
1. They couldn’t have known much, but they obeyed the light they had. The existence of that star wasn't just a fact to them, but a call to their hearts. They didn't say, "Isn't that nice!", But "Let's go and worship."
2. The Holy Spirit can use anything to speak to us, if we are wanting to hear from Him. One time God made a major-direction change to my life by a shooting star in the night sky.
3. The Magi set out as soon as they discovered the Star.
B. THEY PERSEVERED IN THEIR SEARCH
1. Their journey was difficult:
a. Hostile tribes, broad rivers, trackless deserts.
b. They had to travel by night and rest by day.
2. They had to overcome Hindrances.
a. The Ignorance of people -- "What new King?"
b. The Hostility of Herod -- his face grew black, his eyes flashed, subdued thunder was in his voice.
c. The Unbelief of Chief Priests and scribes. How strange
to have the knowledge they did, but to be so unconcerned.
C. THEY WERE EXCITED/JOYFUL IN THEIR SEARCH
1. It confirmed their faith. First they saw the star. Next, the Scripture told them their destination was Bethlehem. As they continued on, this star reappeared, so that they had the Star and the Scripture to guide them! That’s what we need.
2. “If you have the Word without the Spirit, you’ll DRY up. If you have the Spirit without the Word, you’ll BLOW up. But if you have the Spirit and the Word, you’ll GROW up!”
D. THEY KEPT THE STAR IN ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE
1. When they arrived at the house, they forgot about the Star and entered in to personally know Christ. They recognized the Star was only a guide and not the goal.
2. Many people today get caught up with “signs” or miracles. I’m all for miracles, but just like the Star, they’re not what we’re to seek, but seek Jesus!
3. As someone said, “Believers don’t follow signs, but signs follow believers!”
4. The wise men entered and worshiped Christ. And lastly, they gave Him gifts.
III. WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE LIGHT OF OUR STAR
A. GOD HAS A LIGHT FOR YOU
1. You see, we all have a star leading us. It's not a literal star, but God has given us a conscience (unless we’re reprobate) which He intends to guide us. We also have a Guide in the Holy Spirit, Who shows us what to do – drawing us, prompting us.
2. Jesus said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come” John 16:13.
3. Also the Bible is our guide; “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path…” Ps. 119:105.
B. CAN THERE BE A HIGHER PRIORITY IN LIFE THAN TO SEEK JESUS? (Notice the commitment of these men).
1. Imagine the Newspaper Headlines, "Three Astronomers Abandon their Observatory to Follow a Strange Star."
2. Their actions show their Commitment -- forsaking all.
3. Questions that they must have been asked:
a. "What about your business, your work? Will you let it
fail by your absence?" "Who will look after your wives and families?"
b. They answered, "These must wait, for we have seen His Star!"
4. How can we live our lives with only earthly goals? We
might have everything, but what is the condition of our soul?
C. THEY SAW MORE IN JESUS THAN OTHERS
1. The Scripture says, that when they saw the young Child, they fell down and worshiped.
2. Others coming in might have said, "Many children are as nice-looking as this one." But when these men looked, THEY SAW! They didn’t see simply the physical. They saw the infinite in the Infant.
3. They didn't bring Christ cheap worship or empty- handed adoration; they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. In Italy, there is a harbor that can only be accessed via a narrow channel lined with dangerous rocks. In the middle of the night, it is extremely difficult to steer a ship safely through.
2. Maritime authorities recognized the danger and placed three special lights throughout the harbor to guide vessels at night.
3. Captains are not to steer their ships from one light to the next. Instead, each light must be perfectly lined up with each other. If a captain can see separate lights in the distance, he is off course, as all three must line up perfectly.
4. Similarly, God guides us with three points of light: our consciences, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. When all three are working properly we should have no trouble figuring out the will of God for our lives.
5. And ultimately, are we progressing toward the Light of Christ’s glory?
B. ALTAR CALL
1. Are you following God's Star in pursuit of Christ? Is your life centered around honoring Him at making your life a living sacrifice to Him?
2. Are you helping other people to find Christ? Are you getting enough of the light of Jesus in your life so that others can see Him?
3. Are you facing hindrances in your search? Persevere! All who continue seeking WILL find!
