SF562 - There Is Still A Star In The Sky - T IS FOR THREE WISE MEN (Matthew 2 1-12)
SF562
There Is Still A Star In The Sky...
“T” IS FOR THREE WISE MEN
Matthew 2:1-12
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
(Matthew 2:2) ..."Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
He is the Star!!!
In Numbers He is the Star of Jacob...
(Numbers 24:17) ".... A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.
In 2 Peter He is the Star that shines in our hearts...
(2 Peter 1:19) ... a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
In Revelation He is the Bright Morning Star...
(Revelation 22:16) "... I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Sermon Background
The Magi
What we don’t know...
How many?
How many gifts?
What country?
Their names?
What they saw - Many believe it was The Shekinah glory of God not a physical star!
What we know...
They found what they were looking for. They got what they wanted for Christmas!
How to Get Everything You Want For Christmas....
I heard about a little boy who was telling his daddy all that he wanted for Christmas. The list was very long. His daddy told him that it was a long list so he better talk to the son's teacher at school and see what kind of grades he was making. The son told his daddy, "Don't bother, I'll be happy with a pair of roller skates."
(Proverbs 13:20) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
1A. YOU MUST WANT THE RIGHT THINGS.. THEIR DESIRE (1-2)
1B. They Wanted To Find Jesus
They asked life’s most important question.
Like the Philippian Jailer they sought the key to eternal life...
(Acts 16:30) He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
2B. They Wanted To Worship Jesus
“Worship” = proskuneo, (mean. to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); prostrate oneself in homage
(John 4:23) Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
3B. They Wanted To Follow Jesus
I believe they wanted to change their lives...
(1 Corinthians 13:11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
2A. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO OVERCOME BARRIERS... THEIR DETERMINATION
1B. The Barrier of Distance
Great distance ~ 300 miles
How far have you gone for God?
2B. The Barrier of Difficulties
No cars
No comfort
Poor conditions
Most of us worship the god of comfort...
3B. The Barrier of Danger
En route
In Jerusalem - Herod
Murdered his sons, wife and others.
Murdered the babies in Bethlehem
And as a matter of fact, when Herod died, he knew he was going to die, and just before he died, he said, "Get some of the best known citizens of our land, and when I die, put them to death." Because he said, "if they don't shed any tears for me, maybe they'll shed some tears form them. And I want there to be some tears when I die."
3A. GIVE THE RIGHT GIFTS...THEIR DEVOTION (9-12)
1B. Gold - Royalty: Sovereign Dominion
I give you my will
(Matthew 6:10) your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I give you my wealth
(Matthew 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
2B. Incense (Frankincense) - Priestly: Sinless Deity
Frankincense was used to worship God.
(Exodus 30:34‑36) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices‑‑gum resin, onycha and galbanum‑‑and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, {35} and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. {36} Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.
I give you my worship
3B. Myrrh - Humanity: Sacrificial Death
Myrrh was used to embalm the dead
Mark 15:22-24; John 19:38-39
I give you my witness!
I’ll give Him my will, my wealth, my worship, my witness.
APPLICATION
Three Response To Christ...
Herod and oppose Jesus
Religious leaders and ignore Jesus
Wise Men and seek Jesus
Which will you be?