Sermon Tone Analysis

Two nights ago we looked at and considered how the common writers of John, Luke, and Matthew responded to the birth of Christ by sharing it in written form and making Him known

We looked at Joseph and Mary as the obeyed the Lord’s message and pondered on the things they heard

We considered the shepherds… their amazement with the message, how they looked into things they heard, and how they proclaimed it to ALL!!!

As we considered the events of Christ birth and the responses we looked at what our response should be as well.

We sit here today over 2000 years later…

The events of that night are long past

The impact of that life of the baby in the manger… the Son of God… is crystal clear to us now, or should be

We looked at common people who recorded and reported of this amazing event… yet somehow there remain some who see this still as a fairy tale, nothing more than a heartwarming story.

Surely the wise and educated would not believe such a thing as God coming as man, born of a virgin, God coming as a baby to save… WHO COULD BELIEVE THIS???

That Night… God made Himself known to the common people because He saw their hearts.

GOD IS NOT HIDING… Romans 1:20

Everywhere you look we see the evidence of God, including the scriptures!

As God sent His Son to earth to be born of a virgin, He made it known… to the common and to the wise and educated… Matthew 2:1-18 shares the encounter of such individuals…

The Wise Seek

These Gentile Magi are the first gentiles recorded for us to worship Christ

MAGI = a person noted for unusual capacity of understanding based upon astrology (such persons were regarded as combining both secular and religious aspects of knowledge and understanding) Individuals with HIGH POSITION of authority and wealth.

To these (GENTILES) Magi He gave a sign in the heavens to declare the birth of His Son

A sign so clear and evident… they knew not just a a ruler but “One born a king”, not who would one day be king...

This “star” was understood also as a divine work of God (worship)

How would gentiles in the East know of God???

Made aware most likely when Daniel taught in Babylon,

God is always working… these men were looking and seeking Proverbs 9:10

These were men who had a reverent fear & understanding of who God was & is! (Daniel & Nebuchadnezzar's words)

God is NOT Hiding

God also in even a greater way than to the gentiles made Himself known to Israel...

They had been given the revelation of the scriptures, the prophets Micah 5:2, Numbers 24:17 the priest and scribes who knew!

The coming of Christ had not been hidden, rather it had been proclaimed!!!

Zachariah and Elizabeth were making known the Messiah had come!

By this time word of Jesus in the temple would have spread through Simeon and Anna

The shepherds announcement would have been heard by many in Bethlehem and by travelers

Bethlehem is only about 5-6 miles away

Mary and Joseph were not keeping it quiet who their son was

God is NOT hidden, rather He is actively seeking man, revealing Himself, even to the extent of emptying Himself and becoming a man John 1:4-5 & John 1:14 The Light came to the darkness but the dark did not comprehend...

How Will You Respond?

The magi were seeking The King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King.

Jerusalem

Troubled as the Magi arrive and start to ask about the one born king of the Jews!

Wait a new ruler, king, a baby?

Troubled… Change???

Complacency???

Unexpected??? we want a warrior not a baby

Herod

He hears and is troubled too!

No one is going to take his throne!!!

Had his wife and brothers slain to guard against any possibility of losing power

Brilliant man and architect, but a fool by any definition Psalm 14:1

Gave lip service to impress, knew He was the Messiah!

In his heart was pride and arrogance that plummeted him in a downward spiral!

By The Way… Herod dies… and stays dead!

Scribes and Priest

Could understand the scriptures, quote them, but did NOT allow them to impact them, to penetrate their hearts

The Messiah had come, they pointed others to worship (Magi)

But would not worship themselves

The Magi

The King of kings, come as man…

They seek Him… over 800 miles!

Search for Him… time, effort, possibly close to two years have gone by

They worship Him!!!… wise and powerful they bow to the King of Kings

The Son of God in fleshed worshiped, given gifts…

Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh (gifts fit for a King)

God’s provision for His Son and the parents

NOW YOU…

How will you worship?

What will you give to Him? How will you seek Him?

Romans 12:1-2 gives us a good starting point...

You realize the sacrifice He made?

Not only in coming as a man, and living a sinless life for you and me, He died for your sin and mine…we look back and we remember His coming,

I want us to look forward and RESPOND wisely as we remember Jesus Christ coming

… are you responding as Jerusalem, Herod, Religious leaders, or as the magi who sought out the Christ, Jesus has done everything to pursue you!

The Wise Still Seek Him Today!