Gift Giving
Matthew 2:1-12 – 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. (New Living Translation)
Gift-Givers Are Wise
• They were __________________ of the truth
Matthew 2:2 – “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? . . .” (New Living Translation)
• They were willing to go to any length to __________ the truth
Matthew 2:1 – Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, . . . (New Living Translation)
• They didn’t __________ until truth was found – Jesus
Matthew 2:9-11 – 9 . . . And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, . . . (New Living Translation)
• They came for the right _______________
The Gifts of the Gift-Givers
▸ They gave Jesus the __________ they had
Matthew 2:11 – . . . they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (New Living Translation)
▸ Let me share another illustration about gift giving:
What Should I Give to Jesus
❏ I can give Him my _______________
Matthew 9:29 – . . . “According to your faith be it done to you.” (English Standard Version)
Psalm 50:14 – What I want from you is . . . I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory. (The Living Bible)
❏ I can give Him FIRST place in my __________
F __________________
I _______________
R ________________________
S __________________
T _______________
Matthew 6:33 – Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. (New Century Version)
❏ I can give Him my _______________
Psalm 37:5 – Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done . . . (The Message)
Luke 12:34 – Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (New Living Translation)
Hosea 6:6 – I don’t want your sacrifices – I want your love; I don’t want your offerings – I want you to know me. (The Living Bible)
❏ I can __________ Jesus to other people
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (New King James Version)
Luke 14:23 – “Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.” (New Living Translation)
