The Christmas Story: Four Perspectives (4)

Four Perspectives: A Lesson in True Worship

Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (KJV)

Introduction

The story of the wise men is one of the most beautiful accounts of worship in Scripture.

They traveled far, guided by a star, to find and honor the newborn King, Jesus Christ.

The account of the wise men visiting Jesus is not just a story of travel or gifts—it is a profound lesson in worship.

Their journey teaches us that true worship involves sacrifice, humility, and a heart wholly surrendered to God.

Today, we will explore four lessons from the wise men about worship.

I. The Pursuit of Worship

vs.1-9

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

A. Worship Requires Intentional Seeking

The wise men traveled great distances, demonstrating that worship is not passive but active.

True worship begins with a heart that seeks after God

(Psalm 42:1

Psalm 42:1 KJV 1900

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Worship just doesnt happen, you must be intentional about worship.

I dont come to church expecting (hoping, presuming) to worship, I come to church intending (determined) to worship.

When you are expecting something to happen you are hoping that the enviroment is right, the music is right, no distarctions, and so on.

The wise men came determined to worship the King

regardless of who else was worshipping him or not worshipping, they were going to.

B. Worship is Guided by Divine Revelation

The star served as a sign, directing them to Jesus. (v.2,9)

They were led by the star

we are led by His Spirit and directed by His Word.

God uses His Word and Spirit to guide us toward Him in worship (John 4:23-24

John 4:23–24 (KJV 1900)

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We will never achieve true worship unless we are guided by God through the Holy Spirit.

It would do the modern church well to realize that fundamental truth.

Churches have come up with everything imaginable to improve or achieve worship.

Genuine worship is not worked up through the cleverness of man; it is led of God.

Many churches have implemented “worship leaders.”

The only worship leader we need is the Holy Ghost.

If He says pray, we ought to pray. If He says praise, we ought to praise. If He says preach, then it’s time preach. If He says repent, then we need to fill the altar and call on God.

Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons, 2015, 7.

I am convinced the reason many congregations never truly worship is because they lack spiritual discernment.

There are no carbon copies for worship. It is impossible to set a standard or to expect the usual result. Sadly, we achieve the usual result, a lack of worship, but it is not within our power to dictate worship. Real worship is led of the Lord. I pray we will learn to be sensitive to His direction and willing to follow.

C. Worship Should be Our Ultimate Priority

These wise men had come from the east.

Despite their wealth and wisdom, their chief aim was to find and worship the King.

Seek Him Early Ps. 63:1

Psalm 63:1 KJV 1900

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Seek Him first Matt.6:33

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The wise men had determined with purpose that regardless of their circumstances They were going to worship the King.

We are unsure of the exact location from which the wise men came, but it is very likely they traveled several hundred miles from the east to get to Jerusalem.

It is probable they came from Babylon, modern day Iraq.

Consider the journey they made at that point in history.

No doubt these men were well to do and well educated, but even their position in society would not have ensured an easy trip. They traveled hundreds of miles across the desert sands on camels or donkeys. They endured the harshness of the heat of the day and the cold nights. Travel in barren places was dangerous in those days. Bandits patrolled the known travel routes in search of victims to rob and take advantage of. These men were not deterred. They were committed to worship the Lord. The overwhelming desire for worship persuaded them to make the trip, travel to a distant land under extreme conditions, and seek out the Lord. Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons, 2015, 8–9.

Worship has that effect on those who genuinely desire a closer relationship with the Lord.

Cold, nor heat, nor rain, nor snow would keep them from making the journey and neither should our circumstances keep us from worshipping God.

These men knew that they had to get to Bethlehem to worship (the place were Christ was)

There may be something beyond your control that keeps you from getting to church, but that should not be the only time you worship God.

Corporate worship is needed and biblical and I believe that if the church doors are open you should be present but if that is the only time you are worshipping God, then you know nothing about true worship.

If you have Christ living in you then worship should be daily and continual

I have had more worship services in the drivers seat then I have in the pew

Worship is intentional

Worship is directional

Worship is Vital

If you ever experience genuine worship, it will create a hunger and desire that only worship can fulfill.

Nothing else can replace or satisfy the soul that is hungry for worship.

Nothing was going to stop these men from worshipping the King.

Distance, Distractions, even death (v.12) would not keep them from worship.

Question: What are you placing above worship, is there something in our lives that is keeping us from worshipping God?

II. The Posture of Worship

(Verses 10-11a)

“...rejoiced with exceeding great joy,…and when they were come into the house,...fell down, and worshipped him…”

A. Worship Involves Emotion

Can you begin to imagine what must’ve went through their minds and hearts as they found Jesus?

He was the One they had longed to see.

He was the desire of their hearts.

Upon finding Jesus they were filled with exceeding great joy.

Worship will bring joy to our lives. It may not always bring happiness, but it will bring joy.

Our happiness in dependent upon circumstances, but real joy is settled from within.

I don’t know about you, but I have joy this morning. When I consider all that Jesus has done for me and the hope I have in Him, I can’t help but experience exceeding great joy. Knowing the Lord will bring joy to your heart. If you never experience joy in worship, then I would question whether you know the Lord.

How could we be truly saved and not have joy?

B. Worship involves Humility

The wise men, though influential, bowed before a child.

True worship acknowledges God’s greatness and our dependence on Him (Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1–5 KJV 1900

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

When we worship Him in Spirit and truth, we will see Him like Isaiah did and we will worship with awe and reverence.

C. Worship Involves Focus

Their worship was directed solely at Jesus, not at Mary or the surroundings.

Genuine worship focuses on Christ as the object of our adoration (Colossians 3:1-2

Colossians 3:1–2 KJV 1900

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

III. The Presentation of Worship (Verses 11-12)

“…and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

A. Worship is Sacrificial

True worship involves sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

a. Our Time

—These men had spent many days seeking the Lord.

They had to be diligent in their search for Him.

They were willing to give of their time to worship the Lord.

They sacrificed time at work to worship (Im not saying quit your job, but if your job keeps you from worship then the job should go not worship)

They sacrificed personal time to worship (Personal time is good, but hobbies should never trump worship)

They sacrificed bed time to worship (If you sleep to long in the mornings and have to rush out without spending time with God, go to bed earlier or stop sleeping so much)

Is worship precious enough to you to give of your time to worship the Lord?

I’m not talking about just a few hours each week, but giving of ourselves each day we live in order to worship Him.

If we are unwilling to sacrifice our time, we will never achieve worship.

b. Our Treasure

—They brought precious gifts unto the Lord.

These gifts were gifts of value.

They weren’t leftovers; they offered the best they had.

Gold: A gift fit for a king, representing Jesus’ royalty.

Frankincense: Symbolizing Jesus’ priestly role and His intercession.

Myrrh: A foreshadowing of His sacrifice and death.

Their gifts were costly, demonstrating their devotion.

Are we offering our best to God, or leftovers?

Worship requires that we be willing to sacrifice our treasures to the Lord. He is certainly worthy and expects our tithe. That is one way that we worship the Lord, but this goes much deeper than that. Worship requires that Jesus be the desire of our being. It requires that we place nothing else above Him. It demands that worship be the priority rather than an occasional occurrence.

c. Our Traditions

—Keep in mind these men were from the east.

They were not from a culture that was familiar with the things of God.

They did not live among a people that worshipped God.

It is likely they would have been ridiculed and rejected for their faith in the Lord, but they didn’t let that stop them from seeking Jesus.

They were willing to let go of their traditions to seek Him even if it cost them their reputation.

We desperately need that commitment in our day. We need those who simply do not care if the world approves of our worship. We need those who are more concerned about worshipping God than gaining the favor of the world. We need those who will lay aside the long held traditions in favor of biblical worship. We need those who will worship whatever the cost!

A. Worship is Sacrificial

B. Worship is Trans-formative

After worshiping, they departed by another way, symbolizing a change.

Genuine worship leads us to walk in the newness of life that we have. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It leads us to walk in His foot steps not our own

It leads us to live for Him and not our selves

True Worship will transform you if you will let it!

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Conclusion

Reflect on your pursuit: What are you prioritizing above worship? How can you seek Christ more intentionally this week?

Check your posture: Are you humbling yourself before God? Is your worship focused on Him alone?

Evaluate your presentation: Are you offering your best—time, talents, and treasure—to God in worship? and are you allowing worship to change you?

Let us follow the example

of Joseph and be obedient to the call of God and proclaim His name

of Mary and Surrender our hearts fully to Him in Service

of Shepherds and remember that grace and mercy is available to all and needed for our daily lives

and of the wise men and worship Him with all our heart soul and might. by pursuing Him regardless of the situation, by positioning over selves humbly before Him regardless of who we are, and by Presenting Him our best regardless of the cost.

This week and the weeks and months ahead, commit and determine that no matter the situation you will be obediant to his call, surrender your all to Him, rejoice in His grace and mercy and worship Him in spirit and truth.

Closing Prayer: Lord, we come before You today, longing to worship You in spirit and in truth. Help us to seek You with all our hearts, to bow in humility before You, and to offer our very best in devotion. Transform our lives as we behold Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.