Where Is He?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Matthew 2:2 - "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
They were looking for someone. They were looking for a newborn King, were looking for direction and they were looking for someone to lavish their worship.
In order to look for something you have certain criteria by which to find what you are looking for.
What/who you are looking for?
Where did you last see it or where did you hear that it was?
Why are you looking for it?
I. Who/or what are you looking for?
I. Who/or what are you looking for?
If you don’t know what you are looking for you will always settle for what ever you find. That always brings temporary peace, but not lasting peace.
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
A. The wisemen came looking for a KING.
They knew he was a newborn king.
Isaiah 9:6–7 (NASB95)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
They were confronted by a man made king.
He was a political pawn that was in power by the Roman government and not by divine direction.
Man made things are temporary. Herod did a lot of great things, but He was also a tyrant. He built a lot of things in his name, but he also took from the people.
Not everything you are seeking is the real deal.
Matthew 24:5 (NASB95)
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (NASB95)
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
You will search out things that will sit on the throne of your heart, but those things are not the things God promised would bring you lasting peace. They found a child
Sometimes we come expecting God to be one thing, but find something else. Give God the opportunity to become what He needs to be for you.
B. What are you seeking in a King?
A King is someone who leads you.
Without leadership you will follow anyone or anything.
**King of Kings and Lord of Lords** (Revelation 19:16) - "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
JESUS IS GOD’S WORD MADE FLESH - If you want to know who God is look at Jesus.
**The Word (Logos)** (John 1:14) - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
If you are in darkness
**The Light of the World** (John 8:12) - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
If you have depression and chaos
**Prince of Peace** (Isaiah 9:6) - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
He should be the first and last place you look.
**Alpha and Omega** (Revelation 22:13) - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
If you want the assurance of God’s presence...
**Immanuel** (Matthew 1:23) - "'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."
If you are lacking direction...
**Good Shepherd** (John 10:11) - "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
If you are lacking connection...
**The True Vine** (John 15:1) - "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
If you are spiritually hungry...
**Bread of Life** (John 6:35) - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
If you need clarity of mind
**The Way, The Truth, and The Life** (John 14:6) - "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
If you are feeling unstable
**Rock** (1 Corinthians 10:4) - "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ."
II. Where did you see it or where did you hear that it was?
II. Where did you see it or where did you hear that it was?
If you don’t know where you need to seek for it, you will search everywhere and never find what you are seeking.
Matthew 2:2 (NASB95)
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
A. We saw his star in the east…
This was the star Balaam prophesied about .
Numbers 24:17 (NASB95)
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
This verse has traditionally been understood by Christians as a messianic prophecy, pointing to Jesus as the "star" rising out of Jacob (Israel).
In the New Testament, the appearance of the star at the birth of Jesus is interpreted as the fulfillment of this prophecy:
Matthew 2:1–2 (NASB95)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
These Magi, often referred to as Wise Men, followed the star which they believed heralded the birth of the new King of the Jews.
This event solidified the connection between Balaam's ancient prophecy.
They didn’t pursue the path of the star, based on a hunch. They knew about the prophesy, they knew all the signs. It was a matter of waiting for the appearance of the star to appear.
These weren’t traditioanlly kings, they were WISE-MEN
B. Wisemen and women seek out a Savior where they heard about him?
Where are you searching?
Some people are searching for what only jesus can provide, they are searching in drugs, alcohol, sex, partying, clubs. Some are searching for God through acts of service.
One night a man was crawling around on the ground looking for something when his friend walked up and saw him looking and he asks him, “What are you doing?” The man replied, “I lost my keys to my car.” So his friend began to help him look. After a time they didn’t find the mans keys. His friend said, “Where did you lose your keys, because they aren’t here?” The man said, “Well…I lost them back there but it was too dark and the light is better here.”
You can’t find Jesus anywhere else.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
III. Why are you looking for it?
III. Why are you looking for it?
Without a reason you will always wander aimlessly.
A. They had a purpose in why they were seeking Jesus.
Matthew 2:2 (NASB95)
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
The wise men traveled many hundreds of miles to see the king of the Jews. When they finally found him, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts.
This is so different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, explain himself, prove who he is, and give us gifts.
But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today not for what they can get from him but for who he is.
God reveals himself to those who seek him and rewards them with faith .
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95)
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
1. Faith as a Requirement
The Magi's journey was initiated by faith.
They believed in the prophecies that spoke of a coming King, a Savior for the Jewish people, even though they themselves were from a foreign land and culture.
Their faith was not passive; it prompted them to embark on an arduous journey, driven by the conviction that what the prophets spoke of in Scripture would come to pass.
2. Belief in God's Existence**
The Magi's pursuit demonstrates a deeply held belief in the legitimacy and divine authority of the Jewish scriptures.
Their study of the stars and accompanying prophecies led them to a firm conclusion that not only does God exist, but He also intervenes in human history.
The star they followed to Bethlehem is a physical manifestation of their belief, a guiding sign that directed them to the newborn King.
3. God's Reward for the Earnest Seeker**
Hebrews 11:6 asserts that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The Magi's reward was the privilege of witnessing the infant Christ.
Their journey culminates in an encounter with Jesus, where they are able to offer their gifts and worship—their genuine response to finding the promised Messiah.
Their search was validated and rewarded, not with material wealth or earthly power, but with a spiritual discovery that would change history.
Through their faithful pursuit, rooted in the belief of God's word and promise, the Magi were rewarded with a divine encounter that exceeded human expectations.
Their journey illustrates that faith is not static but propels you toward revelation, and that earnestly seeking God yields the ultimate reward—His presence and recognition in our lives.
B. You must become comfortable with pursuing God in the face if discomfort.
They traveled for miles and for years in pursuit of the new born King…Jesus
They carried their gifts never deviating from their path.
C. Four things to do when on your Spiritual Journey
1. Cultivating Faith amidst Challenges
The wisemen began their journey by turning a physical action into a person application.
Just as the wisemen undertook a physical journey that required faith, we are often presented with life's challenges that compel us to exercise faith.
This could be a significant life change, such as moving to a new city for a job or starting a new educational path.
The key is to approach these situations with faith, trusting that there is purpose in the paths we take, especially when guided by our convictions and values.
2. Recognition God’s guidance
The wisemen acknowledged God by following the star.
if you will allow your heart to hear, God will lead you.
When you stop listening He stops talking.
3. Seeking with Earnestness
Earnest seeking requires action, much like the wisemen’s proactive journey to find Jesus.
‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Earnest - sincere and very serious.
Are you serious in your pursuit of Christ?
True seeking is not a passive endeavor but one that demands dedication and effort.
4. The Reward of a Fulfilled Life
They got to witness Jesus the Christ the promised Messiah.
Who can say that they know someone famous? Or that we witnessed something that we will never forget?
When you seek after Jesus you will encounter Him and when you do no one can tell you that it never happened.
That moment for you may not be the same as it was for someone else. It was your moment.
That encounter - each wiseman saw baby Jesus (they met the same savior) each one came away with a different experience.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
