Sermon Tone Analysis
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Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction:
I. REFUSE TO CONFINE SERVICE TO THE CONVENIENT
(Matthew 2:1-9).
A. Follow a path that requires risk, time, and personal investment.
(Matthew 2:1-2).
1.
The distance- between 500 and 1000 miles (depending on point of origin- Mesopotamia, Persia, or Sippa.)
Such a trek through the deserts and rugged terrain of the Middle East could have taken approximately six to eight weeks depending upon prevailing conditions along the way
a- This trek was inconvenient at best!
b- It required time to prepare for the trip and time to make the trip.
c- This trip required taking the risk of traveling the dangerous roads between their home and Palestine/
(1) They risked the possibility of sickness, bad weather and danger of encountering bandits.
d- This trip called for the investment of personal monetary resources for supplies and the gifts they were taking to Jesus.
2- Truly serving Jesus will require us to follow paths that will risks, the investment of time and personal resources.
a- Time to prepare yourself and resources to minister to people.
b- Time to carry out the tasks God has called you to perform.
c- Sacrifice of personal resources to fulfill God’s call.
d- Risk of hardship and possibly danger in fulfilling God’s call.
B. Follow a path that requires dealing with inconvenient circumstances and unbelieving people.
(Matthew 2:3-8).
1. Herod - saw Jesus as a personal threat "King Herod was deeply disturbed"
a- As he grew older, he became increasingly paranoid about threats against his person and throne.
He had numerous sons, wives, and others close to him put to death because he feared plots to overthrow him.
After frequent disputes with Caesar Augustus, the emperor uttered his famous pun that he would rather be Herod’s pig (hys) than his son (huios).[1]
2. The people in general- "...as was everyone in Jerusalem."
a- Many people in Jerusalem were not ready to welcome Christ as King--for that meant change for them personally.
3- Following Christ will lead down paths that bring us into inconvenient circumstances and into contact with difficult people.
a- There are purposes behind confronting these circumstances and people.
(1) To develop our character.
(Romans 5:3-5)
(2) To use us as witnesses to the lost.
(Acts 1:8a)
C. Follow a path that is revealed on-the-go.
(Matthew 2:9).
1- The Lord provided the guidance the wise men needed when they needed it.
2- Following Christ means abandoning the idea that you can plan out your journey.
a- The Lord will provide you with moment -by-moment guidance through the Holy Spirit.
(Galatians 5:25)
b- The key to accessing this guidance is “living in the Spirit.”
(1) This means having a consistent time alone with God (Prayer and Bible study) and seeking to stay “tuned-in” to the Holy Spirit throughout the day.
II.
CHOOSE TO OFFER SACRIFICE THAT IS COSTLY(Matthew 2:10-11).
A. Sacrifice offered in the right attitude.
(Matthew 2:10).
1- The wise men had the right attitude - Joy!
2- God wants us to have the right attitude as we serve.
Hymn- Serve the Lord With Gladness
B. B. McKinney
Verse 1
Serve the Lord with gladness in our works and ways
Come before His presence with our songs of praise
Unto Him our Maker we would pledge anew
Life’s supreme devotion to service true.
Verse 2
Serve the Lord with gladness thankful all the while
For His tender mercies, for His loving smile:
Blessed truth enduring, always just the same,
We will serve with gladness and praise His Name.
Verse 3
Serve the Lord with gladness, this shall be our theme,
As we walk together in His love supreme:
Listening, ever listening for the still, small Voice,
His sweet will so precious will be our choice.
Chorus
Serve Him with gladness, enter His courts with song;
To our Creator true praises belong:
Great is His mercy, wonderful is His Name.
We gladly serve Him, His great love proclaim.
3- God will reward us when we serve with the right attitude.
(2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
B. Sacrifice of the best gifts available.
(Matthew 2:11).
1- The wise men did not bring the cheapest gifts they could find - they gave the best available.
a- The gifts, which the three men carried, were fit for a King.
(1) Equivalent to today’s prices,
a pound of frankincense was worth $500 a pound, and
a pound of myrrh was $4,000.
a pound of gold was valued at $600, and in today’s market,
Today, a pound of gold could cost 10 times that amount.
2- Given what the Lord has done for us, we should be willing to give him our very best.
a- This begins giving our very selves.
(Romans 12:1-2)
III.
DETERMINE TO COMPLETELY OBEY GOD.(Matthew 2:12).
A. Obedience that is open for divine direction.
(Matthew 2:12b).
1- The wise men were attentive when God sent them instructions to return home by a different route.
a- The word translated “being warned” means “to give a response to one who asks or consults; hence, in the passive, as here, to receive an answer.
The word therefore implies that the wise men had sought counsel of God” (Vincent).
These magi were not simpletons.
They readily perceived Herod’s craftiness and being concerned about it, they wisely sought God about it.
2- We need to seek God for direction in every situation we face.
(James 1:5.)
B. Obedience that moves in trusting action.
(Matthew 2:12a).
1- The wise men not only sought direction from God, but moved in simple trusting action (obedience).
a- We are not told the route they took, but it was one that was likely unfamiliar to them.
2- When we seek the Lord’s guidance, wisdom dictates that we then move in obedience to His leadership.
a- While the pathway He leads us in may not be familiar to us, it is not unfamiliar to Him!
(Luke 6:46).
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