Unexpected Worship
Notes
Transcript
Opening Comments:
Opening Comments:
Please meet me in your copy of God’s Word in Matthew 2:1-12 pg.757 in our church bibles.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, “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.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Prayer:
Prayer:
Father,
We gather today seeking your presence and guidance. As we explore the “Unexpected Worship” of the young Christ child, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to your truth. Grant us understanding, conviction, and transformation.
May your spirit speak to us, and may we respond in obedience to him as he does.
In Jesus name, Amen
Introduction:
Introduction:
As you study both the birth and early childhood of Jesus, find that there are very few things that are just “usual” or “common.” In fact, you might say, that everything surrounding his birth and childhood were very unusual and uncommon. Unexpected to say they least, which has been our theme for this series “An Unexpected Christmas.”
The fact that Jesus is the Son of God, the virgin birth, the announcement by angels, being born in a stable etc. were all very unusual and unexpected events.
But, as if all of that were not unusual or unexpected enough, then comes the experience of the wisemen (Magi) from the East.
The wisemen (Magi) are a great representation of those who are seeking a relationship with Christ today.
As they searched for him, their journey was full of unexpected events.
Which is usually the case for those who are searching for Christ. God is faithful and while you seek for Christ, He is seeking for you and leading you to Jesus regardless of your circumstances, and events, be they expected or unexpected.
As we begin to examine the passage before us, right away, in v.1 some necessary details leap off the page at us.
We see that Christ was born in Bethlehem.
While we’ve stated that, up to this point, we have not discussed it much.
Bethlehem was only six miles to the south of Jerusalem and was famous for two things:
1.) The hometown of King David
2.) The prophecies that it would be the birthplace of the messiah.
Christ was born under the reign of Herod the Great, who reigned from 37 BC to 4 AD and was known as the King of Judea. (He was a roman governor).
The wise men were Magi from the east (likely Persia.) They came as emissaries from one or more foreign nation seeking the Messiah.
Needless to say, their arrival in Jerusalem, and their arrival upon the doorstep of Jospeh and Mary was an unexpected visit that brought with it some unexpected worship of the Christ child.
I.) The Magi came to Jerusalem to ask an unexpected question. (v.2)
I.) The Magi came to Jerusalem to ask an unexpected question. (v.2)
Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?…
Have you ever wondered how did they know the King of the Jews had been born?
The direct answer to that question is not found in the scripture but two other significant facts are:
A.) They had an unusual journey.
They were guided by a star and not just any star, but “His star.”
Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
…For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Apparently, something different stood out about this star, it stood out from the rest, perhaps it had never been seen before.
This much we do know, whatever else was significant about the star, it was certainly miraculous.
It appeared the very moment of Jesus birth.
It appeared to Gentile wise men in a far east country.
It guided them to first to Jerusalem to worship the new born king.
It appeared at the very time they were studying about the Messiah.
It appeared again to guide them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
B.) They had a significant purpose.
To worship the newborn king.
Where is He? Is a question that needs to be asked of everyone. Yet it’s a question that will take any off guard.
Listen friend, if Jesus is not the king of your heart and life, then he is not yours and you are not His.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Jesus was sent into the world to redeem the world but most rejected him and most still do today.
The Magi came seeking a King in order to worship him and friend if you are without Christ today you should do the same.
II.) The unexpected disturbance caused by the Magi. (v.3-6)
II.) The unexpected disturbance caused by the Magi. (v.3-6)
The arrival of the wisemen effected the people in Jerusalem greatly.
Few of them were even aware of the prophecies of Messiahs birth let alone that he had been born and yet, here came this delegation looking for a king that Jerusalem did not even know about. Imagine the shock of the wisemen when they found out that the Jews did not even know about their own king.
Our text shows us three groups of people who were disturbed by the arrival of the wisemen to worship the new born king:
A.) Those who anticipated his coming.
The only problem is that Christ did not come in the way they were anticipating. They expected a conquering king, not a child or a self sacrificing savior.
B.) The government (Herod).
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
Herod was a bloody and vicious tyrant who had even had members of his own family murdered in order to protect his reign.
A man possessed with evil.
A man full of suspicion and savagery.
A man with a mind so warped it would give the command to slaughter thousands of innocent children.
A man so bent on tyranny, no child would spoil his rein.
C.) The religionist.
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
They did not want a king to come the way in which Jesus came because that did not fit into their religious framework.
The very people who should have known of messiahs coming were so wrapped up in their legalistic religiosity that they missed the savior.
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Give the gospel and speak again of vain religiosity.
III.) The unexpected commission given to the magi. (v.7-8)
III.) The unexpected commission given to the magi. (v.7-8)
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
The wisemen seemingly did not expect to have to search for Christ.
When they arrived at Herod’s palace, they unashamedly testified of the miraculous star which had led them on their journey. In fact, we get the impression that everyone in Jerusalem (from Herod down) heard about it.
The wisemen never expected to have to search for Christ and now they were given the commission to do so, because the King of Kings own people were not aware of his own coming.
From this, we can learn two things:
A.) Far too often, when searching for Christ among those who claim to belong to him, people come up empty.
Simply put, our lives do not match up to our message and we cause people to abandon their search.
HOW SHAMEFUL!!
B.) Any person, who seeks Christ, will be led by God to him. Even if it takes an evil person to do it.
God used Herod to aide the wise men on their search for the messiah.
When the Holy Spirit begins to draw a person to Christ, it can happen in an unexpected ways.
Talk about the book “Gay Girl Good God.” How she felt drawn to Christ in the midst of her sin. Someone was praying for he and she did not even know it.
Talk about Billie at Riverside
IV.) The unexpected sign given to the Magi. (v.9-10)
IV.) The unexpected sign given to the Magi. (v.9-10)
The star guild them a second time and apparently, this was unexpected.
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
God honored their search for Christ, just as God will honor the search of all those who call upon Christ.
29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
V.) The unexpected king of the Magi. (v.11-12)
V.) The unexpected king of the Magi. (v.11-12)
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
When the wisemen found Christ, he wasn’t clothed in royal splendor surrounded by wealth, they found a child in a humble house with humble parents, and yet, they bowed down and worshipped him like the king he was.
From this we learn:
A.) God’s ways are not our ways.
Christ isn't what this world wants or expects him to be, but he is exactly what his father and his word declares him to be, God’s savior, born God’s way, to redeem men according to God’s plan.
Yet, he deserves your worship for who he is. He came as a lowly babe in a manger, dwelled among common people, but yet, He is the sovereign ruler of the universe and should be worshipped and adored as such. At Christmas and all year long.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Today, we've explored the “Unexpected Worship” of Jesus from the Magi and discovered
The magi came to ask an unexpected question.
They made an unexpected disturbance.
They were given an unexpected commission.
They saw an unexpected sign.
And, they met an unexpected king.
