It’s About Him
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ILLUST - Best gift you received? The best gifts given are the ones the people need most and cherish - new coffee maker…
READ Matthew 2:1-11 - The magi visit
Lessons from the Magi
Lessons from the Magi
Important as we bring 2024 to a close
1) Legacy of Daniel
1) Legacy of Daniel
Teaching - lasting impression down nearly 600 years
586 B.C.- Babylon vs Judah
539 B.C. - M/P vs Babylon
4 B.C. - Messiah born
“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.
1000 years prior to Daniel - Numbers 22-24 - story of Balaam - wicked prophet, but still spoke truth of God’s Word (Numbers 24:17)
Daniel, prophesied the number of years until Messiah - Jews know, and he taught Persians
Daniel knows the Word, knows Numbers 24:17 - teaches it to pass down through generation after generation, of pagans!
Magi would not have read or known of Micah - written post-exile - 5:2, prophesying of the Messiah born in Bethlehem
So the Magi go to the “capital” - to the king, in Jerusalem - to get specifics
2) Magi Know to Bring Gifts
2) Magi Know to Bring Gifts
The best they can offer, humbling selves, even though they are prestigious in their own rights
Gold - symbolic of deity, worthy to be worshiped
Frankincense - fragrant perfume from a tree, symbolizing righteousness, holiness
Myrrh - bitterness, suffering, affliction - used as embalming spice, and mixed with drink offered to Jesus on the cross
The magi come from Persia, they know kings, they know their place before kings - bowed down worship!
So, the magi were men who
1) Read and apparently believed God’s Word
2) Sought the King of Israel
3) Recognized the worth of the King
4) Humbled themselves to worship Jesus
Culturally, you’re a magi - you bring a gift, the best gift you can offer
3) The Gift We Bring
3) The Gift We Bring
The best we can offer - our selves
Very appropriate for the New Year
Put off old, put on new
Your self is given, Jesus never takes it
Your self is what is on Jesus wish list
Components of giving self:
1 John 2:4 - Do you know Him?
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
So…Do you know Him?
James 4:7 - give yourselves completely to God
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Psalm 37:5 - give yourself to the LORD
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Deliberate action, holding to a promise
1 John 3:16 - ought to lay down our lives for Him
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 - take up cross, surrender
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Daily…surrender
4) The Gift We Give to Others
4) The Gift We Give to Others
Jesus - how do we give Jesus to others?
Take the lesson from Daniel - give your kids Jesus
How much of this Bible have you taught your children?
How much of this Bible can you teach your children? Or others?
How can you encourage your grown children to teach their children?
Worst things I hear:
“I used to go to church/Cornerstone” (as though there are points for that)
“Not sure what happened, they grew up going to church every Sunday”
Example - Timothy, from young age, was instructed where to find wisdom, the template for life
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
What was he taught about Scripture?
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
To what end?
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
We are here, a church, to be equipped to serve
Prov 22:6 - train up a child - meaning…not just the what (VBS, SS, youth groups)
But importantly - wisdom, action, example, discussion, reading, praying,
Have young children? Train them up?
Children all grown up, out of the house?
Think it’s too late, you’re too old, or maybe “you’re just fine…” ??
Try to find in Scripture where you are told that you can coast, that you’re good enough, all this learning applies to others?
The Bible begs to differ:
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Let others see that you learning, growing closer to the LORD, is important
Looking back on 2024, Ahead to 2025
So how was your 2024, when it comes to learning God’s Word? Sharing, Growing?
So how was your 2024 when it comes to teaching, modeling, the Word?
It’s good to be honest
Where are you, where do you need to start?
What could 2025 look like for you?
How about learning the books of the Bible? In order? Good start
Learn some basic evangelism, Romans Road, e.g.
Maybe the basics of salvation - for you, others
Maybe just getting here when the doors are open, for starters
Where are you, where do you need to grow?
What could 2025 look like for you?
SS, Wednesdays, VBS - opportunities to learn and grow
Maybe baptism - taking that step of faith to publically display your faith
Maybe church membership - stepping into accountability with God’s people
Maybe it’s service in the church - small church, many opportunities
Help others here grow
Maybe parenting - helping your kids grow in the faith
Leading the way - they will follow you, faith or non-faith
Maybe marriage strengthening
Maybe it’s the daily walk
Speech, gossip, careless testimony
CLOSING POINT
Throughout the Christmas accounts
Those Yahweh trusted with the message, sharing the gift of the Good News
Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Magi
None of this was about them - it was about Jesus, and others
Yahweh wants YOU to be His child, by faith
It will only happen when you make it about Him
Yahweh wants to trust YOU with sharing the Good News
It will only happen when you make it about Him
Yahweh wants you to grow in grace and knowledge, and faith - all the areas we touched on, and more
It will only happen when you make it about Him
