Pastor Dave Martin Cross Creek Community Church December 17, 2006
“Wise Seekers”
Christmas Messages
Mt 2:1-12
· This Christmas, the search was on for Play Station 3 – camping outside of various stores… waiting
· So many people seeking to buy so few Play Stations… prices as high as $1600 now around $1000.
· Yet in our age terrorism & materialism… people are crying out, seeking truth & the meaning of life itself
· Why am I here? Where am I going? Where did I come from? Is there a God? Does God care about me?
· If you are here this morning, you came out to church, then YOU are a spiritual seeker… like the Wisemen
· They are often called magi or kings, they were seekers, searching for truth, searching for a Savior
Matthew 2:1-12 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "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." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
· Who were these Wisemen? How many were there? Where did they come from?
· You read that Daniel was placed in charge of all the Wisemen in Babylon in Daniel 2:48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.
· We read of Wisemen during the days of Daniel who lived during the Babylonian kingdom in 600BC – then came the Persian kingdom in 530BC – then the Grecian kingdom in 330BC – then at the birth of Christ, we again see the Wisemen who lived during the Roman Empire that came into being in 63BC…
· We believe the Wisemen were a combination of astrologers who studied the stars, magi or magicians, scientists, doctors and philosopher… they were very wise, intelligent and high ranking (kings) of their day… they read all the scrolls & ancient manuscripts, highly educated, powerful and very wealthy.
· This morning for our Christmas message, we’re going to look at what it means to be a “Wise Seeker”.
WISE SEEKERS…
1. Seek the Truth
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “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.”
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Notice the Magi came from the east… possibly Persia (region of Iran), beyond the Persian Gulf region to possibly India or even China… they needed to cross the Arabian Desert & other obstacles… |
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They traveled by caravan… often very large with many camels, servants, tents & supplies – wealthy! |
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The journey would have taken them 4-6 months to make… why did they come? They asked in V2… |
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“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” They came seeking Jesus, seeking TRUTH. |
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Reading the O.T. and having God’s man Daniel leading their “order” 600 yrs earlier… it was passed down… that the Jewish Messiah will be coming to earth… born of a virgin… born in Bethlehem… |
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They were alert to what was happening… They asked questions… they did whatever to find answers. |
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Wise Seekers Seek Truth… God’s Word tells us… |
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
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Seek Truth with all your heart! Jesus said… |
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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If you seek the Lord with all your heart – you will find Jesus (Truth) and He will set you FREE from SIN. |
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Wise seekers seek Truth… Wise seekers also follow the Star(s)… |
WISE SEEKERS…
2. Follow the Star
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
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The Wisemen followed the star toward Bethlehem traveling in a Westerly direction… stopping at Jerusalem, can you imagine the commotion of this caravan of Wisemen pulling into town? |
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God Sovereignly orchestrates the affairs of man… months earlier God placed a special object in the sky |
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In their 4-6 month journey the Wisemen followed God’s special guiding star… This was not just some ordinary star but a special one of a kind star to guide the Wisemen to Jesus. |
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Some say it may have been a Super Nova, comet, planet cluster or an asteroid… there’s no star like it |
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This special star led the Wisemen to travel West then to travel South then it stopped! Unlike anything known to man… A special one-of-a-kind star leading the Wisemen. In the O.T. we see the Shekinah glory of God leading the nation of Israel in the desert wilderness… |
Exodus 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
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I believe this star was only visible to the Wisemen… custom made star, for wise seekers of truth! |
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Throughout history God used different methods to get people’s attention… pillar of cloud, pillar of fire, speaking donkey, raven, angelic beings, famine, captivity, shipwrecks, eyesight, persecution, etc. |
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What stars are in your life? If you think about it – there are often times in your life where God sent a “star” to guide you… a book you read, a TV show you saw, situation, an event or the church you attend… No doubt God has brought people across your path to serve as a beacon, a star to bring you to Himself… Maybe your stars were Godly parents, your best friend or even your worst enemy… |
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If you are not a believer – God brought you out to Church this morning… seek truth and you will find. |
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God loves you and has a plan for your life… He will use anything to get your attention… even pain if necessary. God’s special “star” in your life may have been an untimely death of someone close to you, or some deep hurt you went through…family or marriage problems, financial difficulties, nasty divorce, problems with your health, maybe your goals & plans fizzled out… feeling stressed out?? Could all your anxiety you’re having be God’s “star” trying to get your attention? God is trying to get our attention in the middle of all those “problems”. |
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Why? Because He has Good News for YOU! I love these verses we looked at last week from Luke |
Luke 2:10-11 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
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God has a Christmas gift for you… forgiveness of sin, purpose for living & eternal future in heaven! |
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What a gift – forgiveness for your past, help in the present & security for your future! |
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
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BUT – how will you respond, when God sends a “star” into your life??? |
Three Responses when “Stars” come into our lives…
· Fear – Shown by King Herod
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
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The Wisemen caravan pulled into town – searching for the Jewish Messiah King… Herod & all Jerusalem were disturbed and troubled… Herod reasoned, I’m king, I won’t share my glory! Herod was ruthless… he killed his wife and two sons… now he slaughters young boys… |
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God brings a “star” into your life… We hear the Good News, yet it all scares you… fear will paralyze you into doing nothing – with dire eternal consequences… Governor Felix & Paul… |
Acts 24:24-25 “… he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
· Indifference – Shown by the Religious People
4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied…
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The High Priest, Pharisee’s & Scribes, Jewish Sanhedrin… The center of the movers & shakers of Judaism were 6 miles away in Jerusalem. Yet they could care less about going to check out the reports of the “King of the Jews” birth in Bethlehem. Wise men came… Herod upset along with the entire city… quite a stir… yet they were unresponsive, uninterested, and indifferent. |
John 1:10-11 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
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God brings a “star” into your life… We hear truth of God’s Word…yet our hearts can be cold and calloused… spiritually sleepy, dull… you could care less about getting your life right with God. |
· Rejoicing – Shown by the Wise Men
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
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When the Wisemen saw the God produced guiding star – they rejoiced and continued to follow it… leading them to Jesus… the one who cleanses and changes our lives… angels rejoice in heaven over one sinner who repents (Lu 15:7)…WOW, this is GOOD NEWS not bad news! |
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
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When you come to Christ, He produces an inexpressible and glorious joy – deep assurance! |
WISE SEEKERS… Seek the Truth – Follow the Star…
3. Recognize the Worth
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
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Recognize who this baby Jesus really was… What makes this baby so different than any other baby? |
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This baby was God – Immanuel. This baby split time in half, BC to AD. This baby was born of a virgin with no physical earthly sin natured father, this baby is actually the Creator of the universe! Made in the likeness of fleshly man w/o sin nature in order to be the sacrificial Lamb at Calvary. Jesus, Born to Die! |
Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
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Jesus is God in the flesh and by Jesus all things were created – including you and me! |
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The magi brought gifts… one preschooler said, “The maggots brought gifts of gold, Frankenstein and smurfs” |
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The Magi recognized the great worth of the One born King of the Jews! |
Jesus was Given…
Ø Gold – a Gift for Royalty – King of kings and Lord of lords! (Rev 19:16)
Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Ø Incense – a Gift for Deity – Worship (temple), fragrant prayers offered to the Lord (Ex 30:8)
Exodus 30:8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.
Ø Myrrh – a Gift for Humanity – Christ suffering and sacrificial death (2Co 5:21)
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
That’s why the multitudes in heaven cry out…
Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
WISE SEEKERS… Seek the Truth – Follow the Star – Recognize the Worth…
4. Receive the Gift
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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You’re not here this morning by accident… long, long ago God knew you would be here this morning. |
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God loves you and you matter to Him, God made you for a purpose… He was there when you where conceived in the womb… He was there when you were born, drawing your first breath of air… He knows your greatest joys and He knows your deepest struggles… He see’s your heart. |
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Just as God led the original seeking Wisemen to Bethlehem, He led you here this morning. |
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What are you searching for? Just to be happy? Working 9-5 everyday struggling to make ends meet, feeling trapped in a rut. Maybe you desire to feel loved or to discover the meaning to life. |
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We often search for happiness, peace and fulfillment in everything else besides the Lord – Emptiness! |
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The Wisemen came as seekers but left as believers… their investigation turned into adoration… |
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They were changed when they came to Jesus…12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. |
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You cannot have a true encounter with Jesus Christ and remain unchanged… Receive the gift - |
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Gift of your sins forgiven, gift of peace, purpose, new life presently and eternal life in heaven forever! |
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You must receive God’s gift for you… the indescribable Gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ! |
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
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Turn from your sin, believe in your heart, Confess with your mouth = you will be saved! (Rom 10:9-10) |
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You see God has done everything to save your soul… He loves you so much that He sent His perfect Son Jesus to die as a sin bearer in your place… He was buried and He rose again – God accepted His sacrifice for sin… Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – no one comes to the Father except through Him… the one born 2000 years ago. This Christmas, you need to give your life to Him! |
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I challenge you to give your life to Christ this Christmas. He gave His life for you. |
Let’s bow together…
Invitation