Three Men And A Baby

THREE MEN AND A BABY

Matt. 2:1-11

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: ENTERING HEAVEN

1. Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season," Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

2. The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle," he said. "You may pass through the pearly gates," Saint Peter said.

3. The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells." Saint Peter said, "You may pass through the pearly gates."

4. The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's glasses. St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"

5. The man replied, "They're Carol's." [humormatters.com]

B. THREE MEN AND A BABY BACKGROUND

1. In 1987 there was a movie entitled “Three Men and a Baby,” a comedy about the mishaps and adventures of 3 men who end up being responsible for a infant, playing on the fact that men generally don’t know how to take care of a baby.

2. Another movie along the same lines was 2003 “Daddy Daycare.”

3. The three Wise Men (if there were 3) were just about as dense as most men. Did they bring toys? Clothes for baby Jesus? Something to eat? No!

4. WHAT DID THEY BRING?

a. A hunk of metal.

b. Ground tree sap.

c. Myrrh – a poisonous substance! Real bright!

5. If the Wise Men had been Wise Women they would have brought something more practical – like diapers, a wind-up swing, a pacifier, wipes, and spinach baby food!

6. So we know what the Wise Men did wrong (not really – they’re gifts were of great value), but WHAT DID THEY DO RIGHT? Let’s read the story and see.

C. TEXT

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, 2 “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” 3 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. 4 He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly; 6 “It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.” 7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. 8 Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.” 9 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. 10 They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. [Message]

D. THESIS

1. JESUS CREATED QUITE A STIR!

a. “After Jesus was born…” A stir began as soon as He was born. He had not: spoken a word; worked a miracle; proclaimed a single doctrine.

b. Yet while there was only infant cries and weakness, all things were stirred by His coming:

1). Angels appear singing of His glory;

2). A Star appears heralding His birth;

3). On earth – Shepherds see visions and

– Wise Men begin journeys.

2. The Question is – ARE WE STIRRED? The powers of the heavens are shaken; the earth was being shaken; but are WE being shaken?

3. When Christ is born in you – He will stir your whole nature. A sacred revolution begins within us.

4. Is there a stirring in your nature? Has He really come to you? If He has, He cannot be hidden!

5. The Wise Men may represent us as pilgrims. How did they respond to Christ?