Matthew 2:7-12 – 7 . . . Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. (New Living Translation)

1 Peter 1:3, 9 – 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, . . . 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. (New Living Translation)

Four Primary Steps to Hope

1. Accepting the truth about ______________________ and about ___________________________________

• The only way to fulfill God’s purpose for my life is to face _____________________ as fully and truthfully as possible

John 8:31-32 – 31. . . “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (New Living Translation)

• Our hope must be based on __________________________

What choices are you making and what consequences are you facing?

2. Accepting the truth about _____________________

• The truth about God is that His goal is our __________________ , our ______________________ , and our ____________________________

He has overcome every obstacle that could keep us from Him, except our unbelief.

• The story of the magi inspires hope by showing us the __________________- ____________________ love of God

God showed us through the magi that he was interested in leading the world to the Savior.

Paying _____________________________________ to God

• The wise men paid attention to God

How does the trappings of vainglory and personal ambition keep us from seeing God?

• The wise men looked beyond the ______________________ of this world

• You will write a ______________________ ending to your “Christmas Carol” by failing to pay attention to God

Being ready to make _____________________________ to follow God’s leading

• The way of hope is the way of sacrifice

• Because of their sacrifice, the wise men received a new start on life

Matthew 2:12 – When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, . . . (New Living Translation)