Wise Men Still Seek Jesus!

MATT. 2:1-12   (VS 2, 11)

(CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, PART I)

SUBJECT: True Christmas Observance

THEME: these wise men sought the Lord Jesus Christ with great diligence to worship Him. Certainly, we would be wise to follow their example!

RELEVANCE: Matt 2:2 … for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  We must embrace the great wisdom of seeking Christ in every facet of life. We must seek him to know him personally and intimately, to bring his presence and power into daily experiences, to secure the sweet knowledge of his precious will, and to discover another reason for which to worship him.

INTRODUCTION: Isa 55:6, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

1. We are commanded to seek the Lord. To ‘seek’ means to press into the fellowship of Jehovah to acquire experimental knowledge or confidential acquaintance with Him. –adapted from Keil and Delitzsch
1. The beginning of heart faith is often represented as seeking for God, or probing and searching for his ways (Deut 4:29; Job 5:8; 8:5; Ps 9:10; 14:2; 27:8). This invitation extends to all to seek after God, and to return to him.
2. It implies:

                                                               i.      That we are by nature ignorant of God-since we are directed to ‘seek’ for him.

                                                             ii.      That if we are to have his favor, it must be desired and sought with repentance. No one becomes acquainted with God without earnestly desiring it.

                                                            iii.      That the invitation to seek God should be made to everyone. Where there are sinners, offer the invitation (see Isa 55:7).

                                                           iv.      That the knowledge of God is of value beyond estimation—infinite significance. God would not command us to seek that which is worthless; he would not earnestly urge us to do so unless it is of inexpressible importance.  –Adapted from Barnes’ Notes

2. We are assured that he can be found when we seek him.
3. We are warned that we only have a window of opportunity to be met with a favorable response from Him. James 4:8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Let us this Christmas season seek him that we may worship him!  Let us endeavor to find another way in our individual lives, our family life, and our church life in which we worship Christ this Christmas! Surely, our attention to Christ must consist of more than a ten minute Scripture reading of Luke chapter two, the birth of Christ! Yes, wise men still seek Him today and daily.

MESSAGE:

I.  WISE MEN STILL FAITHFULLY SEEK HIM.

Matt 2:1, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem    

       A.  THEIR SEARCH INVOLVED GREAT EFFORTS

Matt 2:1… there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

             1.  Their Journey Was A Long Distance From the East to Jerusalem.

These Wise Men belonged to the priestly caste among the Persians and Babylonians. They came from the land where the human race began, the region of Abraham’s origin.  This was also the land of Jewish Captivity, where many Jews still lived. Daniel, the prophet, served in this land.  These Magi from the East were experts in the study of the stars and served as advisers to kings.  If this is the case, the distance of their trip would have been about 800 to 1,000 miles one way to Worship the young King!

             2.  Their Journey Must Have Cost Them Greatly Financially

No doubt these men traveled with an entire caravan or at least an entourage of tens of people and servants.  It was not safe to travel a thousand miles in a small group across a desert waste land infested with bandits.  Their arrival in Jerusalem was so monumental that it stirred up the whole city!  I’m sure that this trip cost great amounts of money to eat, drink, and provide shelter all the way for tens of people and their travel animals.  It certainly cost them greatly to seek God and Worship the Young King.

             3.  Their Journey Took Them a Long Period of Time

According to Ezra 7:9, it would take about four (4) months to travel from Persia (Iran or Iraq) to Jerusalem.

All this time invested for just a brief period to worship the young King of the Jews! 

Application: Many people today don’t have time to worship Jesus! Either they won’t be faithful to church or they are ready to leave as soon as the services get started good.  But Wise Men still make time and create opportunities to Worship Him and Seek His face.  Put some time into worshiping your King this Christmas!

             4.  Great Difficulty in Their Search Did Not Discourage Them, But Rather Defined Their Determination to Know the Lord Jesus and Worship Him.  What GREAT EFFORTS characterize your and my search to KNOW and WORSHIP Him?  What Difficulties DEFINE our devotion to Christ?  How much is it Costing us to Worship our King?  What kind of Time have we invested into Worship and Service to Him?

Difficulty should not discourage us in our Spiritual Searches; they should Define our devotion and dedication!

ILLUSTRATION: It took my family over 2 years to raise support to go to Germany and minister among the military personnel there.  There was great difficulty yes, but it only made evident HOW MUCH we wanted to obey God’s call and serve here!  Now what about us, HOW MUCH do we want to know Him, and His will?

       B.   THEIR SEARCH INVOLVED GREAT GUIDANCE

                 1.  They Were Guided By a Star

Matt 2:2, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east…

This Star can only be explained as a supernatural miracle of God.  This was an unparalleled phenomenon in Human experience.  This Supernatural Light was without doubt a direct act of God pointing these men to the exact location of the young King (vs. 9)!  It was a Supernatural Announcement of a Supernatural Birth and Life!

                2.  They Were Guided By Herod the King

Matt 2:7-8, Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  8, And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child…  

Herod was a bloody old tyrant who was appointed to the throne in Jerusalem by the Roman government.  He was responsible for killing several of his own family members including one of his wives and some of his children.  The last thing he wanted to here was news about some new king of the Jews when he was the reigning monarch.  No doubt he felt threatened. But still God uses him here to direct these wise men!  God sometimes uses even the most unlikely sources to guide those who truly seek Him!

ILLUSTRATION: It was a lost man, an Air Force failure, who led me to the answers I needed to leave the military and pursue the ministry God called us to in 1994.  

               3.  They Were Probably Guided By Daniel the Prophet Also (The Word of God)

It is reasonable to conclude that these men were familiar with the Jewish scriptures and knew of the coming of a Messianic King.  They could have known about Daniel’s 70 week’s prophecy concerning Israel and the first coming of the Messiah (Dan 9:24, 25). Yes, I believe that the prophecies of Daniel helped these men in the search for the King of Israel. (See also Dan. 3:29-30; 6:26-28). This is the greatest guidance that we could ever have—the Bible!  It’s more reliable then reading the stars, the words of men, horoscopes, and modern psychology.

APPLICATION:  When We Have the Word of God as Our Guide, We Have Great Guidance from God’s Miracle Book That Directs and Transforms Lives.  The Bible will lead you to God; the Scriptures will reveal to you God!  If you need to be saved, this Bible will point you to HOW to be saved.  If you require direction in your Christian walk, this Bible will take you by the hand and lead in God’s path of righteousness.  Like the Wise men, you have got to trust it to direct you, and therefore determine to follow its guidance.

       C. THEIR SEARCH INVOLVED GREAT SURPRISES

Matt 2:2-3, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  3, When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

            1. They Were Surprised to See That The Jews Did Not Know of Their Own King’s Birth.   You and I both have been disappointed with religious people who have no relationship with God.  Do not let hypocrites discourage you in seeking the Lord in truth and sincerity!

            2.  They Were Surprise to See The Humble Lifestyle of This New King

Matt 2:8, And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child…

Matt 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother…

Certainly, he should have been in the palaces of Jerusalem and not in a humble little house.  This no doubt surprised these men, but it did not discourage them nor disappoint them to make them quit in their search.  Many Christian quit and get discouraged because a Christian, a Church, a Pastor, or Christianity in general is not what they think it ought to be.  But not theses Wise Men they still sought Him!

APPLICATIONS: There Will Be Some Surprises For Us As We Seek The Lord Also. But we will never be disappointed in Him! Romans 10:11, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Paul is not saying that Christians will never be disillusioned or disappointed. At times people will let us down and circumstances will take a turn for the worse. Paul is saying that God will keep his side of the bargain-those who call on him will be saved. God will never fail to provide righteousness to those who believe.—The Life Application Commentary Series  

II. WISE MEN STILL WORSHIP HIM

Matt 2:2, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matt 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold …

        A.  THEIR WORSHIP CONSISTED OF SINCERITY AND SO MUST OURS

Matt 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child ….

1.      No hypocrisy, just pure and genuine Worship of the Son of God!  It was not the surroundings or the house that moved these men to worship, just simply the presence of God!  Some feel like they can only worship God in a great edifice or in the right environment, but not these Wise Men.  The Presence of God was enough for them.   Phil 2:9-11, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:   10, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2.      I would to God that this building would be known as a place where people meet with God and genuinely worship Him.  I pray that God’s presence would be fully realized each service by all in attendance!

APPLICATION: our worship must be in sincerity!

Josh 24:14, Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

1 Cor 5:8, Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

2 Cor 8:8, I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

      1.  Our Worship cannot be sincere if we have bitterness spewing out of our mouths.

      2.  … with hatred and resentment in our hearts.

      3.  …with Sin dominating every day.

      4.  …with misconceptions about God controlling our thoughts.

      5.  …with our minds and hearts distracted from Christ.

        B.  THEIR WORSHIP CONSISTED OF HUMILITY AND SO MUST OURS

Matt 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him…

Ps 95:6, O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

These were men of high stature and great social standing.  They were assistants to the kings of the east.  Men of great renown.  But yet they bowed down or fell on their faces before the King to worship Him.  We too must daily bow our Heads, Hearts, and Hands in surrender and devotion to our Lord.  God help us to walk before you in true humility.  Pride is hated by God and as long as our hearts are filled with pride we’ll never worship Him.

ILLUSTRATION: Joseph Exercised Humility Before Pharaoh And Gave Glory To God For Interpreting Pharaoh’s Dream. Gen 41:16, And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

ILLUSTRATION: JOHN The Baptist Exercised Humility Before Israel In His Assessment Of Himself, And In His Desire To See The Lord’s Ministry Increase. Luke 3:16,  John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 3:30, He must increase, but I must decrease.  31, He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

It is not what we have done, but what he has done!  It’s not who we are, but who he is!  It’s not what we want, but what he desires!

       C.  THEIR WORSHIP CONSISTED OF GENEROSITY AND SO MUST OURS

Matt 2:11 … and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

1 Chr 16:29, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The one thing that marks true and sincere worship is the desire to share of one’s possessions with the Lord.  Is he king of our treasures today?  No doubts the things given to the Lord were used to provide for their needs during their flight into Egypt.  God wants to use our moneys to meet need in this ministry!  About 30% of the members of the church carry 80% of the financial load of the average church.  Are You Doing Your Part?

            1.  Every Christian ought to tithe their income faithfully.

            2.  Every Christian ought to financially support worldwide missions efforts.

            3.  Every Christian ought to sacrifice at times to meet special needs in the church.

            4.  Every Christian ought to give cheerfully and freely

            5.  Become a Christian who gives to God faithfully this Christmas.

                           

QUOTE:   TITHING SURPRISE

The Christian Who tithe will be surprised:  (1) At the Amount of money he has for the Lord’s work. (2) At the deepening of his spiritual life in paying the tithe. (3)   At the ease in meeting his own obligations with the nine-tenths. (4) At the ease of going from one-tenth to a larger percentage. (5) At the preparation this gives to be a faithful and wise steward over the nine-tenths remaining. (6) At himself for not adopting the plan sooner!

Mal 3:10, Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

              D.  OUR WORSHIP CAN ONLY BEGIN AFTER WE ARE SAVED

Isa 55:6-7, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:   7,  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

                      1.  Turn From the Life of Sin and Destruction today.

                      2.  Trust Jesus Christ today as your Personal Savior

                      3.  This may be the ONLY opportunity you’ll ever have again....

CONCLUSION: These Wise Men Sought the Lord Jesus Christ With Great Diligence For to Worship Him. Let us Follow Their Example and ascribe fantastic worth to Christ!

We Understand the Great Wisdom of SEEKING HIM in all matters, now let’s lives as seekers. SEEK HIM to Know Him Personally and Intimately.  Press into His fellowship to gain the Sweet Knowledge of His Precious Will.  Discover more ways and occasions to WORSHIP Christ.

1. Maybe you should seek Him in the area of Salvation.

2.  Maybe you need to seek Him about baptism and church membership.

3.  Maybe you need to seek Him to Know Him and His Will for your life and ministry.

4.  Make today the day you determine to be faithful in Worshiping Him in church.

5.  Make today the day you start to worship Him in your giving.

6.  Make today the day you dedicate your life to God.