The Original Star Trek Series

THE ORIGINAL “STAR TREK”

Matthew 2:1-12

READ BUBBA CLAUS (David Dykes)(Listed at the end of the message)

* Do you know what a “Trekkie” is? Well, I am one. IN 1966 Bill Shatner took the helm of the starship “Enterprise” whose “Mission was and is “to seek out new life & civilization, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Those words launched an era which now (and I’m glad), has five different TV series & 10 movies. (11th in 2009) The starship Enterprise, so it seems, just won’t go away.

* However, September 8, 1966, wasn’t the first “Star Trek” on record. As we have already said those wise men or “Magi” followed the star looking for Jesus. Do you know what they found? Jesus. The Son of God. The Savior and Messiah.

* This first “the star trek” could be introduced just like the Star Series and Movies begin, that is, seeking out new life and going where no one had ever gone before. Today, our hearts long to find Jesus, once again. What does this “trek” involve?

1. INVOLVES FOCUS

a. The magi said, “We saw the star” and have come to worship Him. Their focus was finding the Messiah. They took at least a year from their schedules to find this Messiah.

b. For me, it is a little more than interesting that the light of the star led them to Jesus, the light of the world. John 1 tells us that “In HIM was light, and that light was the life of Men,” Additionally we are told that Jesus is THE LIFE. The life sent from God is exactly what the magi came seeking. How convenient that God marks the spot with Star!

c. The Birth of Jesus wasn’t hidden; God hung a sign out for all to see. It wasn’t a stork sign in the front of the stable which read, “It’s a boy,” rather it was a star which rang out from heaven, “Here is MY SON!” Yet, the only ones who saw it were the ones who were paying attention and focusing the things of God.

In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine:

"We have actually flown 120 feet. (We) Will be home for Christmas."

Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news -- man had flown!

d. How often do we miss the big news? In the late 50’s, the Russian Cosmonaut went into space and is reported to have said, “I see God nowhere.” When the American Astronaut went up shortly after, he is reported to have said, “I see God everywhere.”

e. Why do we miss Jesus at Christmas time? Because we are looking for earthly presents. Why do we miss Jesus every day? Could it be that we only look for earthly pleasures? On what is your life focused?

2. INVOLVES FORSAKING

a. This is not a popular concept today. In today’s ‘meistic’ attitude we prefer not to hear that God expects us to deny self, take up our own crosses, and follow Him. In fact, in 2004 at Robinwood I greeted a guest at door. She was unusually cold and stern. As I offered my hand and a smile, she walked past me and said, “You guys are too narrow minded and demanding.” Whether we want to hear it or not, believe it or not, or like it or not; to find the “star” of Heaven requires forsaking.

b. The Magi forsook their lifestyle, friends, schedule, and even family for a while in order to find the Savior. The disciples left their boats, jobs, and all the rest to follow Jesus. In fact, in Mark 10 Peter says, “Lord, we have left ALL, to follow you.”

c. One thought about this forsaking, “It’s a matter of the heart.” We will not forsake what we love for the nominal. 1 John tells us to “not love the world or the things of this world.” Yet, too often this world wins out in our life. What do you bring God as a sacrifice?

3. INVOLVES FOLLOWING

a. Verse nine quotes the Magi as saying we “followed the star.” Had the Magi not followed the star, they would have been like the rest of the world. God came down and the world was too busy to stop and take note. Think about this; both the Shepherds & Magi focus, forsook, and followed and the results were life changing. I submit that many are missing out on knowing God because they are not following. Some may “say” we are following, yet as Matt 15:8-9 records, “They honor me with lips, but their hearts are far from me.”