Magi: Drawn. Challenged. Released

One of my favorites

Magi: Follows pattern of our vision statement:

Who are those drawn from the East?

Magi=magic= Old Persian: Learned/astronomers

Magi come from the East!

Astronomers who knew the sky Waze knows the roads...

We can deduce other important facts about the Magi from these

How do they come to worship?

Through the supernatural direction of a star

They were drawn there through the shining of a new star in the sky.

Astronomers Proof:

* Venus

* Halley's comet

Kidger believes he has found a series of occurrences that tipped the Magi to the Messiah's birth: a triple passing of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B.C.; the "massing" or coming together of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in 6 B.C.; two occultations of Jupiter in 6 B.C.; and a nova in 5 B.C. The nova was recorded by Chinese and Korean astronomers and would have been visible throughout the East. This was the Star of Bethlehem, according to Kidger's theory.

* Conjunction-- alignment of two planets, called a conjunction. A triple conjunction, when planets such as Jupiter and Saturn pass close to one another three times in a year, is very rare and therefore most notable.

* A nova or supernova--A nova is not a new star, as the name implies, but an old or dying star that suddenly becomes a million times brighter because of a surface explosion, then fades within weeks back to its normal luminosity. A supernova is much more intense, at least a billion times as brilliant, and lasts up to a year...

The only time they speak in the text:

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

His star? How did they know that it was his star?

12 short verses as well. They were a persistent and bold lot. They were persistent because they may have been travelling for months following this star. They were bold because they were in Jerusalem, but they weren’t searching Herod’s palace. You’d think that they’d just go there. But instead they were walking the beat- asking the people who should be in the know. They were asking Israelites, people who would have had major sections of the Old Testament memorized. Surely they would know where to find the King of the Jews! Like I said earlier, this question was a dangerous one because the man who considered himself the King of the Jews was a bloodthirsty despot!

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

His star? How did they know that it was his star?

Come to worship.

And worship really is the purpose of our word for Drawn.

We are drawn to Jesus, a people pulled through a supernatural tug to worship…

People who don’t have all the answer yet but are seeking Jesus face.

Discovered by Outsiders, like you and me! Distant. Separated. Yet called towards, drawn towards, through curiosity, pull and a desire to worship.

Holy Spirit Pull!

Irresistible Grace:

Desire to Worship!

Not of you!

Canons of Dort:

Faith is therefore the gift of God,

not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure,

but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him;

nor even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should, by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of salvation, and actually believe in Christ;

but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe and the act of believing also.

Analogy of Bride and Groom: Desire to be together, desire to worship!

Analogy of Bride and Groom

Journey of discovering there’s a whole movement online:

Blogs called exminister by John W. Loftus: Evangelistic about Atheism… Books and blogs.

www.recoveringfromreligion.org

voicesofdeconversion.com

My Conversion/Deconversion Story

John W. Loftus

Today I am pretty much guilt free. That is, I have no guilt in regards to the Christian duties mentioned above. I am free of the need to do most of the things I felt I had to do because I was expressing my gratitude for what God had done. And yet, I am still grateful for my present life, even more so in many ways. I love life. I'm living life to the hilt, pretty much guilt free, primarily because my ethical standards aren't as high. In fact, I believe the Christian ethical standards are simply impossible for anyone to measure up to.

Choosing the less obvious King.

And so in this passage we see a boy whose brain is still developing. He still needs his diaper changed, and he probably runs into things and then cries, and then needs Mary or Joseph to pick him up to wipe away his tears and give him a kiss for comfort. Just speaking out of my own every day experiences here…

Where is the King of the Jews?

It’s a question we need to be asking regardless of context.

Jesus probably gets into things Mary would rather him not get into, and he holds tightly to daddy Joseph when they go to the busy public market. But when the Magi wrap on the door of Mary and Joseph’s home- one can only imagine how confounding of an experience this was.

Context is everything in this passage

Herod the Great!

Herod’s Temple: 19BC building project

2. Herodium: when he wanted a famous crib, he got one: 1,300 feet high, palace and fortress of 4 towers on top, massive swimming pools, bathhouses, extensive gardens.

2. Hippodromes: when Herod wanted chariot races, he got them

But with all this visual greatness, the Magi stayed transfixed on the Star. Hard to beat that star!

3. Theaters: when Herod wanted entertainment, he got them

But with all this visual greatness, the Magi stayed transfixed on the Star. Hard to beat that star!

4. Harbor: when he wanted populating hospitality, he got it

One thing to see the star and be drawn to Jerusalem, it’s another thing to stay fixed on the star and not get all googly eyed with what was in front of them.

Just as the word for drawn is linked with the desire to come to worship, the word ‘challenged’ is linked to discipleship.

5. Herodium: when he wanted a famous crib, he got one: 1,300 feet high, palace and fortress of 4 towers on top, massive swimming pools, bathhouses, extensive gardens.

Discipleship is nothing less and nothing more than following Jesus as the King. The magi teach us something about discipleship:

Sticking to the True King!

I imagine Mary opening the door with Jesus hammering something in the background. There at the threshold of her door, she sees a collection of eager eyes and smiling faces from places clearly not from Bethlehem.

You need to think this year: Who is it which I will serve? Who is my King? What distractions in my life are taking me away from that service.

BUT, Discipleship is a Joyful experience!

Mary turns to around and calls back: “AHHH, Joseph, were you expecting guests?”

Protection for the Magi.

Star appeared again: ‘Rejoiced exceedingly with great joy’.

Lit.= “They rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

“They can hardly contain themselves.”

The Message= “They can hardly contain themselves.”

I imagine the magi peaking through the doorframe at little one banging two pieces of wood together. The Magi slowly make their way inside and, in their own language, approach Jesus with gentle words of praise. Each phrase comes out of a heart overflowing with joy. After months of tra

They haven’t found the king yet but they are close!

Already but not yet! Follow Jesus to the end!

May following Jesus in 2019 bring you joy, despite the danger around you!

Despite being the minority

Despite stirring the pot

The worship service continues with Magi placing gifts at the foot of the moving child’s feet. Each Magi take a turn- some give frankincense, some give myrrh, some give gold. Mary and Joseph may not have understood a word the Magi were saying, but 90% of communication is non-verbal anyway. Their faces say it all. Mary and Joseph watch an amazing event unfold before them. The dreams and the message of the angels Mary and Joseph experienced 2 years ago continue to prove to be true. Mary especially remembers the words of Gabriel, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (). His Kingdom will never end!

The magi understood that Jesus was the king with a kingdom that will never end. Through a mysterious and miraculous process, the Holy Spirit enlightened their minds in such a way that they understood that Jesus, not Herod, was the person who deserved their devotion. They found him in an unlikely town in an unlikely home. They never found him in a palace in Jerusalem, clothed with purple robes with a crown of gold perched over his head. They found him in a regular home with regular parents being a regular 2 year old boy with all that 2 year old boys do.

What was that dream about?

Did Gabriel arrive again?

Did they dream travelling back to Jerusalem?

All we’ve got: They were warned: Don’t get back. Don’t go back to those who are supposed to know the most about this King.

Don’t get back. Don’t go back to those who know the most about the King. They will get you and kill you...

The Dream

All we’ve got: They were warned: Don’t get back. Don’t go back to those who are supposed to know the most about this King.

Don’t go back to that former way. You found life, right here, and now it’s time to be released with a new sense of purpose with a new direction...

Don’t go back to that place, because although competing Kings call us back, we ought not go back!

Don’t go back to that former way. You found life, right here, and now it’s time to be released with a new sense of purpose with a new direction...

Don’t go back to that former way of life. You found life, right here, and now it’s time to be released with a new sense of purpose...

Come as you are, but don’t expect to stay the same!

Released with purpose!

God releases us to reconnect with all sorts of people as person who has been directly impacted by the King.

We think: How great it is for them to have met baby Jesus- or at least toddler Jesus.

We have a more privileged position in history as the Magi!

Resurrected people:

Drawn to Worship by the Holy Spirit

Challenged to follow Jesus the King everyday

Released out with the power of the King. Power of Humility and joy, and mercy for those who have yet to receive mercy…

Think about the places the Magi were sent: Totally unreached!

God sent them back home a new route…

Going back to the wrong king...

People chose our church because it had one aisle!

But there is meaning to having 2 aisles! Go back another aisle.

What does it mean to be released differently?

Change from sinner to saint.

Journey of discovering there’s a whole movement online:

From called to Christian

Blogs called exminister by John W. Loftus: Evangelistic about Atheism… Books and blogs.

From drawn to disciple.

www.recoveringfromreligion.org

From meandering to missionary!

We leave as a new to invite people into this same process of being drawn, challenged, and released!

voicesofdeconversion.com

We leave as a new to invite people into this same process of being drawn, challenged, and released!

My Conversion/Deconversion Story

Released as missionaries:

John W. Loftus

Today I am pretty much guilt free. That is, I have no guilt in regards to the Christian duties mentioned above. I am free of the need to do most of the things I felt I had to do because I was expressing my gratitude for what God had done. And yet, I am still grateful for my present life, even more so in many ways. I love life. I'm living life to the hilt, pretty much guilt free, primarily because my ethical standards aren't as high. In fact, I believe the Christian ethical standards are simply impossible for anyone to measure up to.

Imagine people drawn to our worship…

Think about the people in your area:

Christians- All different tribes.

New Converts

ChristiansNew Converts

New Converts- will the fruit grow?

UnChristians

Christian but de-churched

Pseudo-Christian

Nominal-Catholics, baptists

Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses

Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist.

Nominal-Catholics, baptists.

Agnostic

Atheist

De-converts

Deconversion stories:

www.recoveringfromreligion.org

voicesofdeconversion.com

Blogs called exminister by John W. Loftus: Evangelistic about Atheism… Books and blogs: Today I am pretty much guilt free. That is, I have no guilt in regards to the Christian duties mentioned above. I am free of the need to do most of the things I felt I had to do because I was expressing my gratitude for what God had done. And yet, I am still grateful for my present life, even more so in many ways. I love life. I'm living life to the hilt, pretty much guilt free, primarily because my ethical standards aren't as high.

voicesofdeconversion.com

My Conversion/Deconversion Story

John W. Loftus

Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist.

Agnostic

Sunday Assembly.com: We’re not here to tell you how to live your life—we’re here to help you be the best version of you you can be. The Sunday Assembly:Is 100% celebration of life.

1. We’re not here to tell you how to live your life—we’re here to help you be the best version of you you can be. The Sunday Assembly:Is 100% celebration of life.

Atheist

1. We are born from nothing and go to nothing. Let’s enjoy it together.

2. Has no doctrine. We have no set texts so we can make use of wisdom from all sources.

3. Has no deity. We don’t do supernatural but we also won’t tell you you’re wrong if you do.

4. Is radically inclusive. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their beliefs—this is a place of love that is open and accepting.

5. Is free to attend, not-for-profit and volunteer run. We ask for donations to cover our costs and support our community work.

6. Has a community mission. Through our Action Heroes (you!), we will be a force for good.

7. Is independent. We do not accept sponsorship or promote outside businesses, organizations, or services.

8. Is here to stay. With your involvement, The Sunday Assembly will make the world a better place.

9. We won’t tell you how to live, but will try to help you do it as well as you can.

10 And remember point 1… The Sunday Assembly is a celebration of the one life we know we have.

Cynical? Sarcastic? Haha, your New York branch broke off from you! Already feeling the pain of division.

Many of the groups no longer meet, and if they do, they gather with like 7-12 people...

Cynicle? Sarcastic? Haha, your New York branch broke off from you! Already feeling the pain of division.

Interesting experiment!

How to be released as missionaries to love!

God invited outsiders, Easterners, Gentiles, the Spiritually filthy, astrologers into his plan of salvation! God drew even people like that into his plan!

We are released as missionaries: To love them where people are at and to walk alongside them to explore God’s purpose for them. We aren’t responsible to bring anyone to faith, but we are responsible to love people to it.

Sent as missionaries: To love them where people are at and to walk alongside them to explore God’s purpose for them. We aren’t responsible to bring anyone to faith, but we are responsible to love!

People starving for community and meaning!

Every single one of them have their own story. Every single one of them has a history as to why they decided to make the decisions that they made, and the only way any of them will be drawn to the right King is through supernatural light.

Every single one of them have their own story. Every single one of them has a history as to why they decided to make the decisions that they made, and the only way any of them will be drawn to the right King is through supernatural light. Supernatural light...

Conclusion: Family of God

To whom?

To everybody with love…

Conclusion: Family of God

Magi: Drawn. Challenged. Released

Introduction:

Drawn

Challenged

Challenged

Released

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