Sermon Tone Analysis

4 kings video

Prayer

Matthew 2:

Bethlehem literally means “house of bread”

Wise men Greek word magoi, where our word “magicians” come out of.

But these men were no magicians in the modern sense of sleight-of hand performers.

These men were noble birth, educated, wealthy, and influential.

They were the philosophers, the counselors of the realm, learned in all the wisdom of the ancient East.

The “wise men” who came seeking the Christ-child were not idolaters; they were upright, men of integrity

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 288).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The question implies that the wise men were not Jews

The question implies that the wise men were not Jews

Neither a conjunction of planets, as some have thought, nor a nova, as others have suggested.

The “star” that appeared on the night of Christ’s birth was a “distant company of shining angels” (DA 60; v. 7).

The wise men were led to interpret this unusual phenomenon as the fulfillment of Balaam’s prophecy of “a Star out of Jacob” (Num.

24:17; see DA 60).

Neither a conjunction of planets, as some have thought, nor a nova, as others have suggested.

The “star” that appeared on the night of Christ’s birth was a “distant company of shining angels”.

The wise men were led to interpret this unusual phenomenon as the fulfillment of Balaam’s prophecy of “a Star out of Jacob” .

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 289).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 289).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

:3

These learned teachers [the priests and rabbis] would not stoop to be instructed by those whom they termed heathen.

It could not be, they said, that God had passed them by, to communicate with ignorant shepherds or uncircumcised Gentiles.

They determined to show their contempt for the reports that were exciting King Herod and all Jerusalem.

They would not even go to Bethlehem to see whether these things were so.

And they led the people to regard the interest on Jesus as fanatical excitement.

DA 62, 63

The King of glory stooped low to take humanity; and angels, who had witnessed His splendor in the heavenly courts, as He was worshiped by all the heavenly hosts, were disappointed to find their divine Commander in a position of so great humiliation.

The Jews had separated themselves so far from God by their wicked works, that angels could not communicate to them the tidings of the advent of the infant Redeemer.

God chooses the wise men of the East to do His will.…

These wise men had seen the heavens illuminated with light, which enshrouded the heavenly host who heralded the advent of Christ to the humble shepherds.…

This light was a distant cluster of flaming angels, which appeared like a luminous star.

The unusual appearance of the large bright star, which they had never seen before, hanging as a sign in the heavens, attracted their attention.…

The wise men directed their course where the star seemed to lead them.

And as they drew nigh to the city of Jerusalem, the star was enshrouded in darkness, and no longer guided them.

They reasoned that the Jews could not be ignorant of the great event of the advent of the Messiah, and they made inquiries in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

The wise men are surprised to see no unusual interest upon the subject of the coming of the Messiah.…

They marvel that the Jews are not interested and joyful in prospect of this great event of the advent of Christ.

The churches of our time are seeking worldly aggrandizement, and are as unwilling to see the light of the prophecies, and receive the evidences of their fulfillment which show that Christ is soon to come, as were the Jews in reference to His first appearing.

They were looking for the temporal and triumphant reign of Messiah in Jerusalem.

Professed Christians of our time are expecting the temporal prosperity of the church, in the conversion of the world, and the enjoyment of the temporal millennium.

MAR When Jesus Was Born, January 3

Matthew 2:7-11

Gifts-In Oriental lands one would never think of paying a visit to a prince or any high official without presenting a gift as an act of homage.

In Oriental lands one would never think of paying a visit to a prince or any high official without presenting a gift as an act of homage

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 291).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Gold- It was the symbol of being king.

Gold is also found in the most holy place of the sanctuary, where the presence of the God was at.

Frankincense- A white or pale yellow resinous gum obtained by making incisions in the bark of trees of the genus Boswellia.

It is bitter to the taste but fragrant when burned as incense.

It was used as an ingredient in the sacred incense for the sanctuary.

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 291).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Myrrh- Another aromatic gum highly prized in ancient times, bitter and slightly pungent in taste.

It was probably obtained from a small tree, the Balsamodendron myrrha or Commiflora myrrha, native to Arabia and East Africa.

Was also used for embalming.

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 291).

Review and

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 291).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Nichol, F. D. (Ed.).

(1980).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol.

5, p. 291).

Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The magi had been among the first to welcome the Redeemer.

Their gift was the first that was laid at His feet.

And through that gift, what privilege of ministry was theirs!

The offering from the heart that loves, God delights to honor, giving it highest efficiency in service for Him.

If we have given our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts to Him.

Our gold and silver, our most precious earthly possessions, our highest mental and spiritual endowments, will be freely devoted to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.