Traveling a diffrent road

Text: “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed

to their own country by another way” (Matt. 2:12 RSV).

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1–12

Introduction

Just as the wise men chose a new direction after encountering the Christ child, our lives are forever changed when we come to know the risen Christ as Savior and Lord.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, the glory of God shone around the shepherds as they watched over their flocks. (Luke 2:9) In that moment, ordinary men witnessed an extraordinary revelation—God making Himself known and an angelic host proclaiming the good news of the Savior’s arrival.

1. (Luke 2:13–14) Their experience reminds us that God often meets people right where they are and calls them to respond in faith.

2. Scripture doesn’t tell us how many wise men traveled from the East or exactly where they came from, but their story still carries powerful lessons for us.

a. These men were considered wise by earthly standards, yet their greatest wisdom was shown in seeking out and worshiping Jesus.

b. Today, we too show true wisdom when we earnestly seek Christ and submit our lives to Him.

3. Matthew records that after being warned by God in a dream, the wise men “departed to their own country by another way.”

a. This simple phrase speaks a deep spiritual truth: when anyone genuinely encounters Christ—when we bow before Him in worship, trust Him for salvation, and follow Him as Lord—we don’t walk away the same.

b. Our lives take a new direction. We begin traveling a different road, one marked by obedience, faith, and the transforming grace of God.

I. Recognizing and responding positively to the living Christ enabled

many people to travel a different road during the ministry of our Lord.

The wise men were not the only ones who traveled a different road after

meeting Jesus Christ. To meet him, to believe in him, and to respond to him

positively produced a revolutionary transforming effect in the lives of people

during his life and ministry.

A. Matthew the publican traveled by a different road after he responded positively to the invitation of Jesus Christ to become one of his followers (Matt. 9:9).

a. How did Matthew meet Him?Jesus saw him sitting at the tax collector’s office.

b. How did Matthew believe in Him? Jesus saw Matthew where he was, in the tax collectors booth.

c. How did Matthew respond to Jesus? He threw a party a shared Him with his friends.

B. The woman at the well-traveled a different road after meeting Jesus (John 4:39–42).

a. How did She meet Him? Jesus spoke to her.

b. How did she believe in Him?  John 4:39 Her life was changed from meeting Jesus. “He told me everything I ever did.” Vs. 39

c.  How did she respond to Jesus? She unashamedly shared Him with others.

C. The man possessed by demons and who lived in the tombs traveled a different road after he met and was delivered by Jesus Christ (Mark 5:19–20).

a. How did he meet Him? The demons submitted to Jesus. Vs.6-7

b. How did he believe in Him? Vs. 18 He begged Jesus that earnestly that he might remain with him.

c. How did he respond to Jesus? He obeyed. Vs. 20 “So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they all were amazed.

D. Zacchaeus, the Jewish tax collector for the Roman occupational authorities,

walked a different road after Jesus came into his home for dinner and remained in his heart as Lord (Luke 19:8).

a. How did he meet Him? He saw Zacchaeus sitting in a tree trying to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was searching.

b. How did he believe in Him? Vs. 6 “So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.”

c. How did he respond to Jesus? With Joy, his life was changed.

E. The man born blind traveled a different road after Jesus came by (John 9:25).

a. How did he meet Him? Jesus saw this man John 9:1where he was.

b. How did he believe in Him? John 9:6 He trusted and obeyed Jesus.

c. How did he respond to Jesus? John 9:25 He testified about Jesus.

F. Saul, the proud, legalistic, religious Pharisee who persecuted the early Christians, traveled a different road after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–22).

a. How did he meet Him? Saul was persecuting the church, and Jesus was working in his heart. Acts 9: 1-9

b. How did he believe in Him? Jesus spoke to him “Saul Saul why do you persecute me”

c. How did he respond to Jesus? Acts 9:20” At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God”.

II. The followers of Christ travel by a different road in the present.

The wise men left Bethlehem by a different road because God warned them in a dream. In the same way, anyone who comes to Jesus Christ today begins to walk a different path in life. This happens because God gives them a new nature and the Holy Spirit comes to live within them—His gift to all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Gal. 4:6–7) says.

6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. NIV

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians shows what this new path looks like. In it, he describes at least four distinct ways believers are called to “walk” as they live under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

A. We are to “Walk worthy of the calling you have received. NIV” (Eph. 4:1).

a. The apostle is affirming that belief in Jesus Christ as Lord should

result in behavior that is worthy of one’s new relationship to God.

b. Believers are to respond to the highest and best that is within them

because they have received through the new-birth experience the

new nature that comes from God.

c. This new nature is to be worked out in actual experience and is to result in good works that magnify and glorify God (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12–13).

Eph 2:10

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

NIV

Phil 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

NIV

B. We are to “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2).

a. The love of which Paul speaks is agape love, the God-kind of love that expresses itself in a persistent, unbreakable spirit of goodwill toward others.

b. This kind of love can demonstrate kindness and helpfulness even toward the most unattractive.

c. This imperative does not call for an emotional attraction, but                                or a Christian response both to those inside the faith and to   those outside the family of God.

C. We are to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).

a. Verse 9 explains what this means: “(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” (NIV).

1. To walk in the light is to walk conscious of the fact that we are always in God’s presence.

2. It means to walk in complete transparency.

3. It means to walk differently from the ungodly world.

D. We are to walk in wisdom rather than in foolishness (v. 15).

a. Followers of Christ are to watch their step and not follow the ways of foolishness that lead to self-destruction and to harmfulness to others.

b. To accomplish this, we must continually seek to know the mind of God. (Phil.2:5)

c. We can do this best by listening to the words of Jesus Christ and not only hear him but heed him (Matt. 7:24–27).

Matt 7:24-27

24 "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

NIV

Conclusion

Entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth enables you to walk a new path for the rest of your life. With Christ as your Savior and Friend, you can move forward without fear—whether it relates to your past, your present, or your future.

1. When you truly worship Christ and allow Him to lovingly lead your life, you can reach your highest potential on the road ahead.

a. With Him walking beside you, you can avoid the failures that come from trying to travel alone.

The message of the gospel is simple yet powerful: God loves you.

2. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins and to rise again so that you might have eternal life.

a.  The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”(Romans 10:13).

3. Today, you can experience forgiveness, peace, and a brand-new life.

a. Jesus Christ stands ready to receive you—just as you are. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to fix everything on your own.

b. Come to Him in faith, believing that He died for you and rose again, and He will save you.

4. If God is speaking to your heart right now, don’t put it off.

a. Step out in faith.

b. Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.

5. If you’re ready to take that step, you might pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Today I trust You as my Savior and surrender my life to You as Lord. Thank You for saving me. Help me follow You from this day forward. Amen.”

6. If you prayed that prayer sincerely, based on the promises of God’s Word, you are now a child of God.

a. We invite you to come forward, make your decision public, and allow us to rejoice with you, pray for you, and help you begin your new walk with Christ.

Maybe you’re already a believer, but you know in your heart that you haven’t been walking as closely with the Lord as you once did. Perhaps you’ve grown distant, become distracted, or allowed sin, discouragement, or the pressures of life to pull you away from the fellowship you once enjoyed with God.

1. The good news is that your Heavenly Father is not angry or far away.

a. He is lovingly calling you back to Himself.

b. The Bible says, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord” (Malachi 3:7).

c. He is ready to restore your joy, renew your strength, and set your feet back on the path He has for you.

2. Rededication doesn’t mean you’re getting “saved again.” It simply means you’re choosing to come home—choosing to surrender afresh, to lay aside whatever has hindered you, and to follow Jesus with renewed devotion.

3. If God is speaking to your heart today, I invite you to respond.

a. Come and say, “Lord, I’m coming back. I give myself to You again. Take my life and use it for Your glory.”

You might pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, I belong to You, but I’ve drifted from You. Today I confess my sin and my coldness of heart. I return to You fully. Restore my joy, renew my walk, and help me live faithfully for You from this day forward. Amen.”

4. If you’re ready to rededicate your life, step out and come.

a. I would love to pray with you, encourage you, and walk beside you as you renew your commitment to Christ.

b. He stands ready to restore, strengthen, and lead you.

Will you come?

Today is the day of salvation. Won’t you come?