The Three Seekers

THE THREE SEEKERS

Mt. 2:1-11

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR #1

1. This week I heard about a minister who delivered a sermon in twenty minutes one Sunday morning -- about half the usual length of his sermons.

2. He told his congregation, “Sorry my sermon is so short, but my dog, who is fond of eating paper, ate the other half of my sermon which I was unable to deliver this morning.”

3. After the service, one of the visitors shook hands with the preacher and said, “Reverend, if that dog of yours ever has any puppies, I want to get one to give to my minister!”

B. HUMOR #2

1. There was the little boy who approached Santa in a department store with a long list of requests. He wanted a bicycle and a sled, a chemical set, a cowboy suit, a set of trains, a baseball glove and roller skates.

2. "That's a pretty long list," Santa said sternly. "I'll have to check in my book and see if you were a good boy."

3. "No, no," the youngster said quickly. "Never Mind checking. I'll just take the roller skates."

C. TEXT: Matt. 2:1-11

1 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.”

D. TITLE: “The Three Seekers.”

I. WHAT WOULD WE DO/RISK?

A. WHAT WOULD WE DO IN THEIR PLACE?

1. If you saw a “new star” appear in the sky, WHAT would YOU be willing to do about it? Would you be willing to leave your job and your family, and go half way around the world on foot? Would you think the appearance of a light in the sky meant that a new King had been born? Probably your answer to both questions is “No.”

2. But these men had gotten a REVELATION FROM GOD. They had been in the presence of God, and God’s Holy Spirit had drawn their attention to small events, that weren’t small at all, but were cataclysmic, history-altering events about to unfold! And God wanted them involved.

B. HOW DID THEY RESPOND TO GOD? WILLING TO...

1. RISK THEIR JOBS, REPUTATIONS. Their educated colleagues in government and science probably thought they’d lost their minds. Imagine the Newspaper Headlines, "Three Astronomers Abandon their Observatory to Follow a Strange Star." But these men thought Christ was more important than their reputations. Do we?

2. RISK LOSS OF FRIENDS & FAMILY. Friends asked, "What about your business, your work? Will you let it fail by your absence?" "Who will look after your wives and families?" These men had to count the cost: they might never return to kiss their wives and children! God had called them to work for Him and they must go, regardless of the costs.

3. RISK THEIR LIVES & SAFETY. Their journey was difficult. Scholars believe they came from the region of Persia – a 1,000 mile journey. They faced hostile tribes, broad rivers, trackless deserts. They had to travel by night and rest by day. They might be killed or captured and sold as slaves. But they were willing!

4. THEY PERSEVERED IN THEIR SEARCH...even when the star disappeared! Even when Herod showed obvious hostility -- his face grew angry & his eyes flashed! Even when the Chief Priests, who should have been eager, were unbelieving and didn’t bother to accompany them to Bethlehem. How strange to have the knowledge they did, but be so unconcerned. They’re like many uncommitted Christians today.