Response of the Wise Men
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Response of the Wise Men (rough draft)
Response of the Wise Men (rough draft)
Intro, what we know and don’t know about the wise man (list)
(or wiseman video)
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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-
In 1971 a member of this church named Imogene Achorn went on to be with the Lord. She was a woman who was dedicated to God, to this church and to faithfully attend this church. There is a page in our church records dedicated to her and the memory of her service.
She was the daughter of a local farmer. She never married. When her father died she lived alone.
She didn’t own a car and didn’t know how to drive one, but she made it to church every Sunday - although she lived 7 miles away. She arrived early every Sunday, sometimes hours early. She sat in some of the pews that you are sitting in right now. She had Sunday school in a classroom that maybe your class meets it. She served in the same fellowship hall that you go to for socials. How did she make it to church? When she could not get a ride, she walked the 7 miles. She didn’t walk 7 miles in the latest Nike or Adidas.
After walking her 7 miles in the cold of January, she served children, she served youth, served the older - wherever someone needed to hear about the Jesus she stepped up.
Mrs. Imogene Acorn (with her funny name) new what it was to sacrifice. She knew what it was to sacrifice so she could worship God with the people she loved. She knew what it was to walk 7 miles, in the heat of August, in her church shoes and then serve in the nursery or serve in the kitchen.
Mrs. Imogene made sacrifices to be with God’s people because she loved God’s people, loved God’s Word and she loved to tell others about Jesus.
For those of you who are younger there was air conditioning, telephones and plenty of cars in 1971.
Transition - We know that sacrifice is a major value in the Christian faith.
I. The Wise Men Sacrificed for Christ, Matthew 2:1-2
I. The Wise Men Sacrificed for Christ, vs. 1-2
Matthew
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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
As best we can tell this was not a typical Astronomical event. This was not a
The wise men sacrificed -
How could the Wise Men have really sacrificed, weren’t they some kind of Wealthy Ruler?
She was the daughter of a local farmer. She never married. When her father died she lived alone.
the scripture tells us that wise men, “Came from the East”.
A conservative guess is the wise men traveled 400 miles to see Jesus (one way). They would have been on camels for 2-3 weeks, in one direction.
Following the star, they would have traveled at night and slept during the day.
Their food and water would be what they could carry.
Most of their trip would be over desert when snakes and scorpions are most active.
She didn’t own a car and didn’t know how to drive one, but she made it to church every Sunday - although she lived 7 miles away. She arrived early every Sunday, sometimes hours early. She sat in some of the pews that you are sitting in right now. How did she make it to church? When she could not get a ride, she walked the 7 miles. She didn’t walk 7 miles in the latest Nike or Adidas.
They wanted to see and worship Jesus so much they laid down their comfort, their time, their agenda.
They left their families alone for at least over a month total. They sacrificed.
They sacrificed because Jesus is worth it.
Jesus is worth sacrificing:
time for,
sacrificing time for,
relationships for,
Jesus is worth...
Comfort for
Jesus is worth living for.
Wise Men gladly sacrificed for Jesus.
Jesus asks us to gladly sacrifice for him. (Pause)
She served children, she served youth, served the older - wherever someone needed to hear about the Lord she stepped up.
Mrs. Imo Gene Acorn (with her funny name) new what it was to sacrifice. She knew what it was to sacrifice so she could worship God with the people she loved. She knew what it was to walk 7 miles in her church shoes and then serve in the nursery or serve in the kitchen.
As best we can tell this was not a typical Astronomical event. This was not a predicted and expected comet. This was a supernatural occurrence where a light or a star moved around directing the Wise men.
Transition - The wise men sacrificed because the reward was so valuable.
Illustration - TJ football players ran and practiced and took injuries for the reward, not of money or …, but to be the champion.
The reward was worth it.
Transition?
II. The Wisemen Worshiped Christ (2:9-11)
The wise men were told about Jesus the Messiah from the book of Micah...
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
-There was an anticipation to find Jesus and worship Him.
-There was an anticipation to give to Jesus more than their time or money - they gave their hearts in worship.
-They gave their affection in worship
-They were joyous over the news of seeing the star.
To see the star meant to see Jesus.
Look what verse 6 says about Jesus.
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Jesus would not only be the greatest leader and King ever, He would be a unique ruler.
Jesus would rule and be a shepherd.
Jesus would rule and care for.
Jesus would be King and watch over the lives of His people.
Jesus would rule and ...
The Wise Men were the first non-Jews to worship Jesus.
The wiseman were happy to sacrifice for the reward of worshiping the the King of creation.
The wiseman were happy to sacrifice for the reward of worshiping the the King of creation.
Jesus is not only be King of your life - The boss.
He is the Shepherd of your heart. The nurturer of your soul. He shepherds by caring and providing for you...
Is your favorite politician a ruler and shepherd? NO.
Have you known of a King that not only ruled over the people, but also dearly loved them? No!
Jesus is the ruler of the all things,
He was the King of their heart.
Is Jesus the shepherd of your heart?
There was a price to pay.
Does He have your love and affection?
Imma Jean Acorn Class (illustration)
Transition - because Jesus had their love and affection the Wise Men gave offerings to the King
When you love, you give.
III. The Wise Men gave an offering to THE KING ()
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
Here we are at Christmas. We give to others because we love them.
The Wise Men were the first non-Jews to worship Jesus.
Here we are at Christmas. We give to others because we love them.
The wise men gave to the the Christ child out of love, respect and honor.
Do we give to King of the Universe because He needs anything?
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
A
There were 3 gifts: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
Because there were 3 gifts we assume there were 3 Kings though the bible doesn’t tell us how many wise men there were.
Speculation on what the gifts mean or represent.
Gold for a king, The crown and the throne of a King is plated with gold.
Frankincense for a god, - It was considered the most elegant and royal of fragrances and used when worshiping deity.
Myrrh for Christ’s coming burial - Myrrh was used as a spice on the deceased body during burial.
We know this:
The baby was is God. Do you believe He is God?
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
The baby is a King. Is He the King of your life?
-If you say yes, How do you know?
The baby was preparing Himself for burial, even from birth.
Why? He would live a sinless life and hang on a cross to make a payment for sinners.
The wise men offered gifts to a King who would later offer Himself on the Cross as the Savior for their sin.
Question - Is Jesus your Savior?
Is Jesus your Savior?
If not, Would you give your life to Him and today fully trust Him?
Christ follower - If you have already trusted Christ would you re-offer yourself as a worshiper of Him today - willing to make the sacrifices to fully follow Him?
Pray
______________________________________
Gospel -
The Wise men were willing to give an offering to a King who would offer Himself on the Cross.
The wise men gave their heart in worship to a King who would love them to death.
The wise men sacrificed a small part of their life to a King who would sacrifice all of His life for them on the Cross.