SERMON OUTLINE:
• A wise man’s journey is one of FAITH.
• A wise man’s journey is one of WORSHIP.
• A wise man’s journey is one of CHANGE.
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• For more than thirty years, archaeologist Howard Carter,
• Searched the deserts of Egypt for something that most people thought didn’t exist,
• The tomb of King Tutankhamen.
• Most experts believed that everything in the Valley of the Kings,
• Had already been discovered, but Carter continued his search.
• Eventually after five more years without result,
• Carter’s sponsor, Lord Carnarvon of England,
• Decided to stop funding the search.
• Carter pressed on and in the November of 1922,
• During his final season of work,
• Carter uncovered a hidden staircase near the tomb of Ramses VI.
• He sent a cable to England which said,
• “At last, have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact.”
• Carter had located the tomb of King Tutankhamen.
• Which is one of the greatest archaeological treasures every discovered.
• Inside the tomb they found more than 400 shabti (small ornaments),
• And there were over 5,000 objects in the tomb,
• It would take Howard Carter and his team,
• Over 8 years to remove and catalogue them all.
• The highlight of all the treasures was the royal mummy of Tutankhamun,
• It was untouched by humans for 3000 years.
• And it was the first-ever Royal mummy that was untouched after its burial.
• TRANSITION: Howard Carter’s search was driven by a firm belief,
• His belief was that there was treasure to be found,
• And he was determined to find it!
• The story of the Wise Men is a story of adventure,
• They were unsure of the where, the why and the how but they pressed on,
• Determined to find their living treasure!
• Now we are familiar with aspects of this story,
• Every manger scene includes the Wise Men,
• And we will hear or join in the singing of the Christmas carol, “We Three Kings.”
Ill:
• In case you don’t know the story,
• Here is the 60 second summary of the Wise Men’s part in the Christmas story!
• (Now listen carefully of you might get confused).
• Three kings came to see the king.
• And asked him where the new king was born.
• But the first king told the three kings.
• That he didn't know where the second king was.
• His advisers looked in the Bible - though not in First or Second Kings.
• And found that the second king was to be born in Bethlehem.
• So, the first king told the three kings.
• To find the second king and tell him, the first king, where the second king was,
• Because the first king thought the second king was one king too many.
• But when the three kings found the second king.
• They realised he was actually the number-one king - the King of Kings.
• And that, compared with him,
• The other king and all other kings were really no kings at all.
Note:
• The story of the wise men & their gifts is a story that is shrouded in mystery.
• From tradition we seem to know all the facts and details.
• But as we study the Bible, we find that there are a lot of questions.
• That we cannot answer about the wise men from the Biblical text.
For example:
• How many were there? We don’t know (Tradition but not the Bible says 3).
• Where did they come from? We don’t know.
• How long did their journey take? We don’t know.
• What were their names? We don’t know.
• (It was in the 5th century they were first called Caspar, Melchior, & Balthasar)
• These wise men seem to just show up mysteriously.
• And just as mysteriously they are gone!
Note:
• From the Greek word translated in English as “wise men” or “Magi”,
• We get our English word “magician”.
• But these ‘Magi’ are not magicians as we would think of today.
• They were not an ancient ‘Dynamo’ or David Blane.
• The word “Magi” in Bible times.
• Referred to those who were experts in philosophy, medicine and natural science.
• ill: In Bible days you didn’t ‘Google’ for an answer.
• You looked to the Magi (specially trained wise men) to come up with an answer.
• These Magi (Wise Men) were literally walking encyclopaedias.
• Their one job in life was to learn, learn, learn.
• Then when called upon by their king or queen.
• They were required to give an appropriate answer or solution to the problem.
ill:
• Biblical example of wise men or ‘Magi’ was Daniel (of the Lion’s den fame).
• He was captured and taken to Babylon with his three friends.
• Shadrach; Meshach and Abednego (i.e., my shack, your shack and a bungalow)
• And we are told they were chosen because they were….
“Selected only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,”
“Those that were well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace.
Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon”.
Note:
• Someone has suggested that if the Magi existed today.
• They would be called “astronomers”:
• Note: astronomers not astrologers!
• There is of course a big difference!
• Astrologers are those who claim to read the future buy looking at the stars.
• e.g., horoscopes, zodiac signs, astrologers believe the stars guide & influence us in life.
• Note: the stars did not influence this baby!
• The text makes it very clear.
• That it was this baby who influenced the star!
• Now Astronomers are more concerned with the classification and description of.
• The phenomena in the sky - they are scientists not soothsayers!
• These Magi appear to be astronomers and not astrologers!
• They were men of science and information and not soothsayers and fortune-tellers.
3 Things to note from the narrative:
(1). A wise man’s journey is one of FAITH.
"Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?
We saw His star in the East.”
Note:
• This description of the star would suggest.
• That it did not move ahead of them like a UFO.
• As many of our Xmas cards portray it.
• The Magi reported in verse 2: “We saw his star in the east”.
• Notice it was a past tense statement.
• Had they been following a star and made this statement in the present tense.
• They would have to say, “We can see his star in the west”.
(b).
• We are told in verse 9 that later on route a star appears once again to the Magi,
• We are told that it stopped over the house that the young child now lived in.
(c).
• It is called in verse 2 ‘His star’.
• The Greek word for ‘Star’ means ‘radiance’ or ‘brilliance’ or ‘bright light’.
• Some have suggested that this may not have been a literal astronomical star.
• But rather what the Bible calls the ‘Shekinah’ that is the ‘Glory of God’
• A radiant glowing light!
• Because it is called, ‘His star’ (vs 2).
• It may well have been something supernaturally different to an actual star,
• The ‘Shekinah’ that is the ‘Glory of God.’
A WISE MAN’S JOURNEY IS ONE OF FAITH.
Question:
• Just think for a minute and ask yourself the question.
• What would prompt someone to leave the comfort & security of their homes.
• And to go on a long and dangerous journey.
• Without any guarantee that they might find what they were looking for?
Answer:
• Romance? Yes. ill: John & Helga
• Wealth? Most definitely ill: Tarzan films of old – looking for treasure in the jungle.
• Adventure ill: Howard Carter.
• But faith?
• Yes – faith, these Magi were men of faith!
Notice
• Look again at their insightful and probing question:
• “Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews?”
• They did not ask; “Has a king been born?”
• There is absolutely no doubt in their use of language that he had been born!
• They had faith that this baby existed and that he was alive!
• And they had given up everything in a quest to find him!
Ill:
Can you imagine their neighbour’s reaction back home when they were leaving?
• “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.”
• You can imagine the neighbours saying:
• “For wise men you sure don’t know much do you!”
Note:
• Their journey was one of faith.
• But it was not one of blind faith!
• I believe they got their information about these events from the Old testament prophets.
• As men of learning they would have come across the Jewish Old Testament prophets.
• ill: And if they came from Babylon (as many scholars think they did).
• Then maybe even Daniel himself may have introduced those scriptures,
• Predicting the coming Messiah into the Babylonian library of information.
A WISE MAN’S JOURNEY IS ONE OF FAITH.
Note: There are two types of faith.
• First: There is saving faith.
• Second: There is experimental faith.
(a).
• Saving faith comes first and fits us for heaven.
• Experimental faith comes second and fits us for earth.
• Saving faith is the result of trusting in the person and the work of Jesus Christ.
• “Who died for our sins and was raised for our justification.”
• (Romans chapter 4 verse 25)
• Experimental faith is how we then follow Jesus’ day by day.
• “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7).
• So, saving faith comes first and fits us for heaven.
• Experimental faith comes second and fits us for earth.
(b).
• Saving faith is intangible, it cannot be measured.
• Some here this morning had the faith of a mustard seed,
• Others the faith that could move mountains.
• But a person is never saved by the size of their faith.
• We are saved by the object of our faith!
• That faith is dependent on Jesus Christ.
• Experimental faith is tangible, it produces visible results that can be tested.
• i.e., Hebrews chapter 11 we read of those in the past commended for their faith,
• And we are told what they did.
(c).
• Saving faith is passive.
• Experimental faith is active.
• Saving faith is passive.
• Because it trusts and rests in the belief.
• Jesus has done all that was needed to secure our salvation.
• Experimental faith is active.
• It lies in the will; it too focusses on Jesus.
• But experimental faith also inspires us to do things.
Quote: the old hymn summarises it well:
• “I cannot save my soul by works for that my Lord has done”
• That is saving faith!
• “But I will work like any slave for love of God’s own Son”
• That’s experimental faith.
Like those wise men of old:
• Faith is still the key ingredient is discovering the living Christ in our lives today!
• Quote: Bible: Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6:
“It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him”.
(2). A wise man’s journey is one of WORSHIP.
Ill:
• 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.
(a).
• These gifts have a lot of symbolism associated with them.
• Gold represents wealth. It is a gift fit for a king.
• (Jesus was and is the King of Kings)
ill:
• This title is found at both his birth and also his death.
• Matthew chapter 2 verse 2: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews
• Matthew chapter 27 verse 37:
• “Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”
(b).
• Frankincense is the sap of a tree that was dried and hardened.
• And used as incense in the temple as part of their worship of God.
• (Jesus the Priest)
• ill: Priest in Latin is the term ‘Pontifex’ which means ‘Bridge-Builder’.
• ill: Bible calls Jesus “The one mediator’, ‘middleman; ‘bridge builder’ between us & God.
(c).
• Myrrh is a fragrant perfume that was used to anoint the dead.
• To embalm and cover the smell of decomposing.
• (Jesus the Sacrificial Lamb)
• Once again Jesus is pictured as being unique.
• We were born to live, but he was born to die!
THE WISE MEN CAME TO WORSHIP:
• Matthew chapter 2 verse 2b:
• “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
• But there is more to worship than gifts.
• There is more to worship than outward things, isn’t there?
• True worship always involves SACRIFICE.
• True worship always involves a great cost!
Question: Was there a price to be paid for the wise men’s worship?
Answer: You bet.
• i.e., They had given themselves to a two-year journey.
• Travel in those days was not very comfortable and was also extremely dangerous!
• The wise men had also sacrificed their own careers back home.
• To find the promised king and worship Him.
Ill:
• A woman missionary in the South Pacific Islands.
• Was explaining to a group of children the custom and significance of giving gifts at Christmas.
• "Giving gifts," she said,
• "Expresses love and reminds us of the perfect gift of love we received from God: Jesus."
• Later that week, a young native boy came to the missionary's side and said,
• "I love you and want you to have this."
• He pulled from a straw basket the most beautiful shell the missionary had ever seen.
• As she admired its beauty,
• She recognized it as a special shell only found on the far side of the island,
• A half day's walk from the village.
• When confronted by this, the boy smiled and said,
• "Long walk part of gift!"
Notice: Two things concerning their worship:
(1). It was humble (vs 11) “They bowed down”.
• Everyone who wants to know God must come on the same basis.
• Not one of us can come in our pride or on our own merit!
• We all come on the same level playing field.
• Admitting that we have sinned and that we cannot save ourselves!
• Worship is not about us.
• It should be focussed on God!
• It is not about musical styles, or musical preferences.
• It is about appreciating God, expressing our love to God.
• And living for God each day.
(2). It was spontaneous (vs 11) “They opened their treasurers”
• These Magi had prepared gifts.
• Now was their opportunity to give those gifts.
• To worship is to open OUR treasures to God!
• We can do that this morn/evening!
Quote: Carol: “In the Bleak Midwinter”
“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part.
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.”
(3). A wise man’s journey is one of CHANGE (vs 12).
"And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route."
• Isn’t it interesting that after they encounter Jesus.
• They could not go back the same way that they had come!
• To me that is a lovely picture of conversion.
• What it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ!
• Quote: 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17:
• “Therefore, is anyone being in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come.”
God gives everyone who becomes a Christian a new beginning:
• This change, conversion does not mean Christians are perfect,
• But it will produce a change of direction!
Ill:
• A London businessman told the story of a warehouse property he was selling.
• The building had been emptying for months and needed repairs.
• Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows,
• And strewn trash around the interior.
• As he showed a prospective buyer the property,
• He took great pains to say that he would replace the broken windows,
• Bring in a crew to correct any structural damage,
• And clean out the garbage.
• “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said.
• “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different.
• I don’t want the building; I want the site.
• When we become God’s, we have a new beginning!
• All he wants is the site and the permission to build.
Ill:
• Imagine that you decide to climb Mount Everest.
• If you have any hope of completing the climb,
• You would never dream of simply buying some equipment and a plane ticket to Nepal.
• The metamorphosis from a non-mountain climber into an athlete capable of such a feat.
• Would involve a significant commitment with a pretty high price tag.
• You would have to arrange your life around the activities and lifestyle choices
• That would prepare you to climb 29,028 feet into the thin oxygen.
• TRANSITION:
• In the same way it is possible for every Christian to live a life of victory:
• But it means arranging your life around right activities and lifestyle choices
• Following the advice of this book and allowing Christ to be our trainer day by day.
Quote: The great Scottish Bible expositor Alexander MacLaren once wrote:
‘we may have as much of God as we will.
Christ puts the key to the treasure-chamber into our hand, and bids us take all that we want
If a man is admitted into the bullion vault of a bank and told to help himself, and comes out with one cent, whose fault is it that he is poor?”
• God has provided the means of victory.
• When we apply our will to his riches, we will know power over sin consistently!
SEERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=Nh5pKGYZWXoFj4IK2i4BpfCJLU6rdNDK
SEERMON Video:
https://youtu.be/3_eZ1ja86dU
