Worshipping Jesus

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word.

Worshipping Jesus

By Rev. Greg Johnson

Matthew 2:1-12

On this Sunday between Christmas and the New Year, God draws us to a wonderful paragraph of Scripture in which we can glean much insight today. (Matthew 2:1-12 NIV) "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, 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 in the east 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 Christ 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 be the shepherd of 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 make a careful search 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 in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh. {12} And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."

God’s ability to draw us to Jesus is awesome. Our response to God drawing us to Jesus is what differentiates a Christ follower from those that do not follow Him. Our response includes the use of our time, talent and treasure.

GOD DRAWS US TO JESUS

Jesus said (John 14:6 NIV) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 6:44 NIV) ""No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." We see what Jesus taught taking place with the Magi. God uses a supernatural happening in the heavenlies to draw them to Jesus.

Every Christ follower can look back and easily see how God drew them to Jesus Christ. Every testimony is unique as God draws us to Jesus in many ways. With some it is a process, with others it is more instantaneous, but nevertheless, God does the drawing. If you are not yet a Christ follower and you are listening to this message today, God is using this message to draw you to Jesus Christ. How will you respond? Will you respond like King Herod or will you respond like the Magi? I encourage you to respond like the Magi.

THOSE THAT COME TO JESUS WORSHIP HIM

At the very beginning of Jesus’ life here on earth as the Son of Man, the Magi demonstrate the proper response to God’s drawing of one to Jesus.

They Bow Down and worship

The Magi allow nothing to deter them from coming to Jesus. When God drew them, they stopped everything. Nothing was as important as finding Jesus. When they came to Jesus the Word of God specifically tells us that they “bowed down and worshiped him.” They submitted to His Lordship.

To be a follower of Christ, one must submit to His Lordship. We fall at the foot of the cross realizing that it is at the cross where we die with Christ to sin. We stop living life for ourselves and for others. We no longer live for our work only. We no longer live for our spouse, our children or our grandchildren only. We no longer live our life to please others or even please ourselves. We live for Jesus Christ and we submit our life to Him for His use and for His purpose.

As we are resurrected into new life in Jesus Christ, we pick ourselves up from the foot of the cross and begin to follow Him. As we follow Him, we give Him our time and talent to make a difference in our day. Jesus makes us the best employee, spouse, parent and grandparent that there can possibly be.