Welcome to Cornerstone Bible Church

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Stay safe today! Please check on loved ones to make sure they are ok.

Titus 2 Ladies will meet this Tuesday at 6pm

Please bring finger foods.

Please bring all donations for the 14th and Chestnut family.

Thank you for all you do and the love you share year by year for families in need in our community.

Music

Prayer

The Wisemen

OPENING PRAYER

Jesus, You are the greatest gift we could ever receive. Teach us this Christmas to give You what You desire most — not just what we can wrap, but our hearts. Amen.

INTRODUCTION — “WHEN THE GIFTS MISS THE POINT”

Object Lesson:

Hold up a wrapped present and shake it.

Say:

“We’re really good at this. We know how to wrap gifts, buy gifts, compare gifts… but sometimes we forget who the gift is actually for.”

In the skit, the Wisemen arrive shocked — no gifts for Jesus.

They argue about shipping delays, prices, and who deserves credit.

Then Mary quietly reframes everything:

“It’s Jesus who is the gift… your hearts, gentlemen. Your hearts.”

That line sets our direction today.

This is not a sermon about generosity alone — it’s a sermon about worship.

Today we’ll look at four movements from the Magi’s story:

Recognizing the Gift

Responding with Worship

Releasing Our Hearts

Reflecting the Gift

I. RECOGNIZING THE GIFT

Matthew 2:1–2, 10–11

Matthew 2:1–2 ESV

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.”

Matthew 2:10–11 ESV

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.

Key Truth:

True worship begins when we see Jesus for who He really is.

Object Lesson:

Turn off the lights briefly and turn on a single star-shaped light (or flashlight pointed upward).

Say:

“The Magi didn’t follow convenience. They followed revelation.”

Explanation:

The Magi were scholars, not sentimental travelers.

They saw a supernatural sign and concluded:

A king unlike any other has been born.

This recognition cost them:

Time (months of travel)

Comfort (dangerous roads)

Resources (royal-level gifts)

They restructured their lives around what they recognized as true.

Illustration (from skit):

The modern Wisemen want worship to be easy, fast, and efficient.

The original Magi believed someone worthy of a supernatural sign deserved a supernatural response.

Applications:

Personal:

What do your calendar, finances, and attention reveal about what you truly recognize as valuable?

Relational:

When you recognize Jesus as treasure, you help others “see the star.”

Your life becomes an invitation.

Church-wide:

Our goal isn’t for people to leave saying “Great church,” but “Great Savior.”

II. RESPONDING WITH WORSHIP

Psalm 96:8–9 ESV

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! 9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

Key Truth:

Worship is recognition expressed through action — and it costs something.

Object Lesson:

Place three items on a table labeled: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh.

Explain briefly:

Gold — Kingship

Frankincense — Deity

Myrrh — Sacrifice

Say:

“These gifts preached theology before any sermon was spoken.”

Explanation:

Worship in Scripture means to bow down.

The Magi didn’t come to get something from Jesus — they came to give something to Him.

Illustration (from skit):

A sheep wrapped in tinsel is funny — and revealing.

We sometimes offer creative gestures without thoughtful surrender.

Applications:

Personal:

Ask honestly: Does my worship cost me anything?

Time? Comfort? Pride? Resources?

Relational:

Show your family that worship shapes decisions.

Don’t just teach priorities — model them.

Church-wide:

Worship doesn’t end with singing; it continues in obedience all week.

III. RELEASING OUR HEARTS

Proverbs 23:26 ESV

26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

Key Truth:

The gift God desires most is not what we bring — but who we give.

Object Lesson:

Hold up a paper heart.

Tear off small pieces labeled “time,” “money,” “reputation,” “control.”

Say:

“God doesn’t want pieces. He wants the whole thing.”

Explanation:

In Scripture, the heart is the control center of life.

God isn’t after performance — He’s after allegiance.

Mary understood this when she said,

“Your hearts, gentlemen.”

Illustration:

Religious people can give perfectly while withholding themselves.

Jesus consistently confronts external obedience without internal surrender.

Applications:

Personal:

What part of your heart have you kept back from God?

Relational:

A surrendered heart changes how you love, forgive, and serve.

Church-wide:

Healthy churches are not built on activity, but on surrendered hearts.

IV. REFLECTING THE GIFT

2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Key Truth:

Gratitude for Christ naturally overflows into generosity and love.

Object Lesson:

Hold up an empty box, then slowly fill it with words written on cards:

time, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, patience

Say:

“When you receive the Gift, your life becomes the wrapping.”

Explanation:

We don’t give to earn God’s approval — we give because we already have it.

The Magi returned home “by another route.”

An encounter with Jesus always changes the way forward.

Illustration (from skit):

Re-gifting a crockpot is funny — but revealing.

Too often, we give God leftovers instead of firstfruits.

Applications:

Personal:

Let gratitude reshape how you live, spend, and serve.

Relational:

Your transformed life “unwraps” Christ for others.

Church-wide:

A grateful church gives generously — not just financially, but relationally and missionally.

CONCLUSION — “THE GIFT FOR THE GIFT”

The Magi traveled the farthest — not to give Jesus something impressive, but to give Him themselves.

This Christmas:

Don’t just bring Jesus your schedule

Don’t just bring Him your wallet

Don’t just bring Him your voice

Bring Him you.

CLOSING PRAYER

Jesus, You are the indescribable gift. We give You our hearts — not out of obligation, but gratitude. Change us, and send us back into our world by a different route because we have truly encountered You. Amen.

Closing Community Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.