Star Search

Star Search

Text: Matthew 2:1-10

Intro: we all remember the game show where contestants would compete for the attention and approval of absolute strangers in order to feel important for a matter of one weekend only to be crushed by the same hand that lifted them to slightly less than 15 minutes of fame.

In this passage we see men that are on obviously a different star search. These men enter into town asking one simple question “Where is he born King of the Jews”. We do not know much of the Wise men, legend has that they were kings or even astrologers. One thing is certain, they were convinced of that one thing the king of the Jews was born. They were interested in hearing arguments that no king was here – the king was born all you need do is show us. They were convinced of the birth because of the encounter with the star. Numbers 24:17 ties the prophecy of the Star to the Kingship of Christ. In fact it refers to Christ as the Star of Christmas. Isn’t it true that Christ is the star of Christmas?

This search brought them across the path of a king that is also convinced that the birth of Christ is vitally important. Lockyer describes Herod the Great as,

A man of great physical strength, intellect, strong will, shrewdness, architectural tastes, organizing ability… Profane history speaks of him as “the great”, but he lacked the element of true greatness. He was the incarnation of brute lust and exterminated those who stood in the way of his ambitious schemes. He kept his throne by crimes of unspeakable cruelty and murder. He slew members of his own immediate family and ordered the slaughter of innocent babies in order to kill the infant Jesus.

One thing that we are lead to believe that both of these kings believed a king was born. Each of them took action on just such a notion. There was a fact and each of them acted upon them.

The difference was that the Kings had an encounter that encouraged their faith. Herod used second hand encounters to develop with his flesh.

On Christmas Eve at my church this will message will follow the path of salvation – real faith vs. second hand encounters.

Trans: If we are not careful we can fall into the same trap that Herod fell into.

I. Herod wanted the Answers without the study

Herod wanted the Goal without the journey

Herod relied on secondhand Encounters

Exp: A. Herod seemed as if the only way he could be happy is if someone went and got the baby and brought him in.

B. He did everything short of climbing on the Wise men shoulder and riding them there.

Argument A. There are those in this very room that are doing just that you have been trusting in second hand encounters. You listen to people talk about peace you have done everything that you can to fill the part.

B. They said drugs, and booze, and sex, and parties would bring you peace and happiness, but you haven’t experienced it for your self.

C. You have had your name on the role of this church for years you have done every religiously right thing that you could do and you haven’t experienced it yourself.

Illustration:

App: A. Today everyone of us in here today belong in two different groups of people, those that have had a genuine encounter with Christ personally or those that are relying on second hand encounters.

B. If you have had a genuine encounter there is joy in the continued revelation of the star. The star didn’t stop leading after the first encounter neither does yours

C. If you are relying on second hand in counters you are headed for the same end as Herod himself you may not kill your family. But your sin will faith the same judgement and wrath of the fires of Hell. Your only hope is a personal encounter of faith with the Star of Christmas

Conclusion:

See Herod had more problems than just anger, and pride. He relied on second hand encounters.