Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin December 27, 2009

“Christmas Wonders”

Part 4 of 4 ~ Matthew 2:1-12

  

“Wonders” – to marvel at things that are too high or difficult for us to comprehend, great & wonderful

Job 37:14 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.

Psalms 119:27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

  

We have looked at many Christmas wonders… Genealogy, Grace, Incarnation, Perfect Timing, Providential Plans, God using me, Bethlehem, Birth, Angels, shepherds… three more today, yet there are so many more…

  

I.       The Wonder of the Magi v1

Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

  

·         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.

·         You read that Daniel was placed in charge of all the Wisemen in Babylon…

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.

 

·         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, Rivers & other obstacles…

·         They traveled by caravan… often very large with many camels, servants, tents & supplies – wealthy!

·         The journey would have taken them 4-6 months to make… why did they come?  They asked in V2…

·         “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”  They came seeking Jesus, seeking TRUTH.

·         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…

·         They were alert to what was happening… They asked questions… they did whatever to find answers.

 

Be Wise: To Diligently Seek Jesus

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

·         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…

·         You’re not here this morning by accident… long, long ago God knew you would be here this morning.

·         He knows your greatest joys and He knows your deepest struggles… He see’s your heart.

 

·         Just as the Wisemen came seeking Jesus, I believe you came here seeking Jesus this morning.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 

·         You may NEVER find a better time than this morning… Seek Him while He may be found, He is near…

 

II.     The Wonder of the Star vs2-10

Matthew 2:2-10 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.

 

·         Their entourage caused a big stir for Herod & all of Jerusalem… seeking the King of the Jews…

·         Roman Senate gave Herod (whose father was a Jew) the same title “king of the Jews”… “disturbed”

·         He inquired of the Jewish leaders… where the Messiah was to be born… Hatred, jealousy, liar…

 

·         The wondrous Star… Natural explanations range from a planet conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, to a low hanging meteor to an erratic comet to some saying maybe it was just an “inner vision”…

·         In the O.T. we see a glimpse of God’s Shekinah glory leading the Israelites with pillar of fire & cloud.

·         Both the Greek & Hebrew word for star is also used figuratively to represent a great brilliance in sky.

·         Magi were trained in star gazing and this “star” led them to Jerusalem & to further investigation.

·         I do not believe this was an ordinary star or a natural occurrence... But God’s supernatural light

·         Perhaps only visible to the wise men, (angels are seen appearing at certain times to certain people).

·         This supernatural “star” guided the Wiseman to the very house where Jesus was…

 

Be Wise to seek Jesus… and we also must…

Be Aware: Of God’s Guiding Stars – He brings into our lives… Look what God says in Romans…

Romans 2:19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God. NLT

·         There is no indication anyone else saw the star… It was custom-made, a specific one-of-a-kind star.

·         God often brings a “star” into our lives to help us find direction to the Lord... “beacons for Christ”

·         Special circumstances, a friend, an individual, maybe even an illness… trying to get our attention…

·         We can respond three different ways when God is trying to reach us…

·         Fear – Shown by King Herod

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

·         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…

·         Rejoicing – Shown by the Wise Men

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

 

Who’s the “Star” God has brought into Your Life? And what is your response?

·         God brings guide post to help you in your spiritual journey, to help you in your search for truth.

·         God always uses different kinds of stars or instruments to help us, to get our attention.

·         Who’s the star? Some person who stepped into your life, some circumstance that’s out of your control?

·         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, news story, an event or perhaps 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…

·         Chances are you have a star in your life if you would just slow down and look carefully.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

·         God sends a “beacon light for people lost in darkness without God” in their lives…

 

 

 

III.  The Wonder of the Gifts Vs11-12

Matthew 2:11-12 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.

·         Notice carefully they did not worship Mary, Joseph or the star… they worshiped Jesus… King of Jews

The Wisemen presented Jesus with three gifts…

·          Gold – a Gift for Royalty – purity, King of the Jews, King of kings and Lord of lords! (Rev 19:16)

·          Incense – a Gift for Deity – Worship (temple), fragrant prayers offered to the Lord (Ex 30:8)

·          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.

 

·         Interesting, we see the lowest class of society, the shepherd nobodies, they worshiped Christ Jesus!

·         And we see the upper class of society; the powerful, influential Wise Men of the East worshiped Jesus!

·         Whatever is holding your attention is holding your heart and your heart determines your worship.

 

Be Wise to seek… Be Aware of stars…

Be Changed: Receive God’s Gift of Eternal Life

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

·         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 & frazzled?? 

·         God may be trying to get our attention in our circumstances… Could they actually be God’s star?

·         Wisemen sought & found… If you are not yet a believer, God brought you out to Church this morning…

·         Why?  Because He has a gift for YOU! The Gift of God is eternal life… It’s why Jesus was born…

 

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--

 

·         God has a Christmas gift for you… forgiveness of sin, purpose for living & eternal future in heaven!

·         What a gift – forgiveness for your past, help in the present & security for your future!

·         This Christmas, I invite you to truly believe in Jesus… Would you, receive the free gift He offers you?

 

Let’s Pray

·         Right where you are… Do you know Jesus? Would you pray this simple prayer from your heart…

 

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I now invite you into my life as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life, forgive my sins and make me your child. Amen

 

REMEMBER - The Christmas Story is surrounded by Wonders! The Object of all Wonders is Jesus!

 

Have a Happy New Year!