Wise Men Still Seek Him Lessons of the Nativity – Part III
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, [2] "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him."
[3] Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem. [4] He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law. "Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born?" he asked them.
[5] "In Bethlehem," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote:
[6] ’O Bethlehem of Judah,
you are not just a lowly village in Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ "
[7] Then Herod sent a private message to the wise men, asking them to come see him. At this meeting he learned the exact time when they first saw the star. [8] Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"
[9] After this interview the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! [11] They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] But when it was time to leave, they went home another way, because God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
A Journey of Faith
• The wise men traveled a great distance to see Jesus
– Time
– Resources
– Energy
– SACRIFICE
• Experiencing the presence of Jesus requires a journey of faith – Acts 14:22; Galatians 5:5
Acts 14:22b
They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.
Galatians 5:5
But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith.
They Came To Worship
• People often expect
– God to come looking for us
– God to explain Himself
– God to prove His existence
– God to give us gifts
• Wise men come
– To seek Jesus
– To give Him their best
– TO WORSHIP HIM FOR WHO HE IS!!! – 1 Chronicles 16:29; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 95:6-7; Psalm 96:8-9
1 Chronicles 16:29
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come to worship him.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you.
Psalm 95:6-7
Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
[7] for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
the sheep under his care.
Oh, that you would listen to his voice today!
Psalm 96:8-9
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come to worship him.
[9] Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
Students Of The Word
• The scriptures
– Give direction
– Point the way to Jesus
– Tell of God’s plan for all men
• The Bible is God’s love letter to you
– Study it to know Him – Psalm 119:15
– Study it to know the plan for your life – Joshua 1:8
Psalm 119:15
I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
Joshua 1:8
Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
What Gift Shall I Bring?
• The greatest gift given by the wise men was the gift of themselves
– They humbled themselves to the Lordship of Jesus
– They offered their very lives to be in the presence of Jesus
– They gave the very best of what they had to honor Jesus
• The gift of your life is the greatest gift that you can offer Jesus
– Giving your life to Christ is the greatest act of worship – Philippians 1:11
– Giving your life to Christ brings life – Matthew 10:39
Philipians 1:11
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Matthew 10:39
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it.
Are You Seeking Jesus???
**Powerpoint available on request
