A Gift for the King

Matthew 2:1

Matthew 2:1–12 NKJV

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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

1 Corinthians 3:9–15 NKJV

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:9

If He *did* exalt you from your own efforts, you’d give glory to yourself!

He *wants* to exalt you, but *He* wants to exalt you.

The Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones, aren’t for you. They’re your offering, to Him.

God made sure, when Jesus entered this world, He’d have gifts, offerings, given to Him.

Singing is not worship, unless you’re singing, what you’re living.  Singing is not worship, unless what your singing simply reflects, your daily life.

Worship at church is not your worship, it’s a time for you to express to God, what you’ve been living all week. What you’ve been living is your worship. Church is a time to say, I’m surrendering to you, God! I’m giving you all the things I’ve held back! 

Do you think God cares if you sing to Him at church, then act like the world the rest of the week?

When they saw that the King was here, they dropped every other priority! They said, I don’t care what I have going on, the King is here! He deserves my gifts!

They didn’t say, “The King is here!  Let’s go get something from Him!"