The Birth Of The Sovereign

Matt 2:1-12 The Birth Of The Sovereign

I. The REVELATION OF THE KING. 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Not everyone wanted to see the star. Caesar Augustus failed to see the star. He was more interested in collecting taxes and making money than following the star. Herod the Great, the King of Judea failed to see the star. He was more concerned with wearing a Crown than worshiping the Christ. The Inn-Keeper, failed to see the star He was more concerned with his business than finding room for the Christ-Child. He wasn't a BAD man, but a BUSY man. Pontius Pilate, who later caused Jesus to be crucified, failed to see the star He followed the path of expediency in order to save his own skin. 1. The Person Sought.

A) They were looking for a Man. B) a Monarch.C) the Messiah.

2. The Perils Fought

A) The Distance. (1,000 miles 40 day journey). B) The Dangers. C) The Discouragements

3. The Plan Taught for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

I. A Guiding Star II. A Guarding Star III. A Gladdening Star 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 4. The Presents Brought 11 and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

II. The RECOGNITION OF THE KING. 2 for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Balaam Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. The wise men not only readily recognized the star, but immediately responded to its claim. The star Caught their attention, Demanded their investigation, and Captured their affection. And off they went with a responsive heart in search of this eternal Light. The shepherds responded - leaving their sheep they went to find the Prince of Peace. Joseph responded - he waited upon God for divine guidance. Mary responded - she willingly dedicated herself to fulfill God's Will. The twelve-disciples responded and left all to follow Christ. Stephen responded and was stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus responded and became a missionary. Martin Luther responded and gave rise to the Reformation. John Wesley responded and journeyed tirelessly from one end of England to the other. Jonathan Goforth responded and spent forty eight years taking Christ to the people of China. David Livingstone responded and traveled to Africa to evangelize the people. William Carey, responded by going to India and pioneering the way for others to follow.

III. The REPUTATION OF THE KING 2 for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (a) Their Love - 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: The phrase "fell down and worshiped Him" describes the custom of prostrating oneself before a person, kissing the ground, the feet, and the garment of the one being worshiped. Spurgeon: "The wise men were not content with having seen His star: They must see Him themselves; and seeing they must adore Him." These wise men were Gentiles bowing before a Jew, and a Child at that.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;

With gold of obedience,and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore Him,the Lord is His name(b) Their Liberality - 11 and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts were not cheap. - Charles Erdman "When one sees the King in His beauty, when one recognizes in Christ the divine Saviour, there is always awakened within us the desire to render to Him priceless offerings." Gold represents His deity, incense the fragrance of His life, myrrh His sacrifice on the cross. William Barclay: "Even at the cradle of Christ the gifts foretold that He was to be the true King, the perfect High Priest, and in the end the supreme Saviour." (c) Their Light - 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod (d) Their Life - 12 they departed into their own country another way.

IV. Their RESIGNATION TO THE KING I. THEY BESOUGHT JESUS. "Where He Was.." II. THEY BEHELD JESUS. "As He Was..." - They saw the young child." III. THEY BOWED TO JESUS. For Who He Was.... IV.THEY BELIEVED IN JESUS. For Why He Was.... "They worshiped Him." V. THEY BESTOWED GIFTS ON JESUS. For What He Was... 2 born King of the Jews?