Seeking Christ: The Wise Men

Intro

R.C. Sproul “The problem is not that we don’t know enough; the problem is that we don’t obey enough.”

Who were the wise men? They were referred to as magi, but would have been court officials and this group came from the east. Probably Persia or Babylon around 1,000 miles away

Not Searching by Earthly Knowledge (v. 1-6)

These wise men were not necessarily Jews, but probably gentiles searching for this promised king

By their experience and earthly knowledge where do you search for a king? In the capital at the palace

And that is where these wise men went

By earthly knowledge it made complete since what they were doing

But is this where the baby messiah was to be found? No

He would be found 6 miles south of the capital city in a regular small town, in a regular house

So after traveling for months they were now only a few hours away

Earthly wisdom took them as far as it could—but only Scripture could take them the rest of the way.

Let us be honest we can get a long way with changes in our lives, with self help books, change of habits, change of friends, etc., but these things can only can get us so far and no matter how far they take you they still fall short of what Scripture can do for you

Often we search for Christ in things that have the right “spiritual” elements to them

But Christ is not limited to places that have the right atmosphere set

We look for Christ in conferences, personalities, buildings, styles, and emotions—but Christ is revealed through His Word and found by those who humbly seek Him.

all those other things are tools that help us

To Give by Heavenly Wisdom

These Wisemen gave gifts that many say would have been valued in the tens of thousands of dollars

Who does that? travels hundreds of miles to find a king you are not even sure who he is and you find him and he is around 2 and you give him gifts valuing in the tens of thousands of dollars

Really it sounds absurd, but earthly knowledge was not guiding them the Lord was, and we will see next week how this gift blessed

But how do we give of ourselves? And I am not talking about tithes, I am talking about in all ways.

Do we have a wisemen approach or a Judas approach?

The wisemen gave out of an abundance of the joy of the heart while Judas was held back in giving by a greed of heart in how does it benefit him

The wisemen gave out of worship, not out of obligation, shows their trust in Christ

They gave out of obedience not what makes sense

John 12:4–6 ESV

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Our giving of time, talents, and money is often dictated on how it benefits me, often we do not give if it inconveniences me

But our life as a believer if we are being honest is full of inconveniences in order for us to be a better witness for Christ

Is that not Christmas Christmas: The incarnation itself is God’s inconvenience for our salvation.

Wise men: Giving flows from joy and reverence.

Judas: Restraint flows from self-interest masked as spirituality.

Judas spoke the language of compassion, but his heart was governed by control.

In Our Search use Discretion

Follow the wisdom of Christ and picking and choosing your battles

Matthew 10:16 ESV

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

When searching for Christ will in your life, is it your responsibility to face every enemy? To come out on top? To get the last word in?

No

Your responsibility is to trust tin the Lord and do what he has called you to do.

Several years ago I was in a situation where I had faced some strong opposition and I knew it was coming to a head

Well the week it was finally coming to the point God convicted me with Matthew 10:14 before I even knew the finally meetings with opposition was coming

Matthew 10:14 ESV

And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

These words carried me through a meeting and gave me guidance in a meeting that I was told it was nothing spiritual or personal but they wanted me to leave

I came to an agreement to leave, even though I had every right to stay, and if the opposition was made public could have stayed

My agreement to leave had nothing to do with the opposition but every bit of the guidance God had given me for meditating on his scripture

“The Magi worshiped boldly—but they did not confront Herod.”

Matthew 2:12 (warning in a dream):

They obeyed God quietly.

They did not announce their escape.

Faithful obedience does not require public victory.

Conclusion

Examine where you are searching for Christ. Are you relying more on experiences, personalities, emotions, or settings than on the Word of God? Earthly wisdom will take you part of the way—but Scripture must lead you the rest of the way.

Evaluate the posture of your giving. Do you give like the Magi—out of joy and reverence—or like Judas—calculating how it benefits you? True worship gives freely because Christ is worthy, not because it is convenient.

Practice discerning obedience. Faithfulness does not require winning every argument, confronting every enemy, or staying in every battle. Sometimes obedience looks like worshiping, listening, and quietly departing when God says, “Go.”

Trust God’s guidance more than your rights. The Magi did not insist on recognition or explanation. They obeyed the warning God gave them. A mature faith rests in God’s direction even when it costs reputation, position, or comfort.