LESSONS FROM THE WISE MEN

LESSONS FROM THE WISE MEN
Matthew 2:1-12
December 4, 2011

With our children’s program this morning, we kick off the Christmas season. This morning, I want to take just a few minutes to look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the wise men to see what we can learn from them. So, let’s go to our text verses in Matthew 2:1-12. Lesson #1 is that if you look for God:

YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND JESUS –Matthew 2:1-3 (NASB) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’ And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

These men were learned men devoted to religion and who were held in high esteem. But spiritually speaking, they were not wise but unwise. However, God was going to change their flawed thinking through the birth of Jesus Christ.

These men would’ve known that Daniel had prophesied 500 years earlier, that a decree was going to be issued to authorize the rebuilding of Jerusalem that was then in ruins. (Daniel 9:25-26) Daniel wrote that 483 years following the date of that decree, the Messiah would be in Jerusalem. So, these wisemen knew when Cyrus gave that decree and they just added 483 years to that date. They knew WHEN the Messiah would come, they just didn’t know WHERE.

So, they stopped by Jerusalem and asked “Where?” The prophet Micah would answer that question in Micah 5:2(NASB): " But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

It’s interesting that the first words spoken by a human in the New Test come from these wise men when they asked in Matthew 2:2 “Where is God?” And for 2000 years, people are still searching for God. They ask, “Where was God when my child died – or my husband – or my wife?” Or, “Where was God when I lost my job and my home?” Let me say to you that if you are genuinely and diligently seeking God, you will always be led to Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)says, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” For it is in Jesus Christ that the answers to all if life’s problems are found.

The wise men searched earnestly for God and they found Him in Jesus Christ. Likewise, if you are searching for God, you’ll find him in Jesus Christ. Lesson #2 is that if you are wise:

GIVE JESUS YOUR TREASURE -- Matthew 2:11-12 (NASB) “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”

One of the nice things about Christmas is the giving of gifts. But real gifts are motivated by love. Love always gives. In John 3:16 (NASB) we see real love in action. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Someone said, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” The gifts that the wise men brought were perfect. If you are truly wise, you’ll open your life’s treasures and give Jesus some valuable gifts as well. Gifts like:

GOLD REPRESENTING YOUR FIRST AND BEST -- When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, it means that He is the King of your life and He deserves the best of your time, money, skills and talents -- not your leftovers. Give a gift like:

INCENSE REPRESENTING YOUR JOYFUL WORSHIP -- Incense was used by the priests in worship as an offering to honor and praise God. We should attend church to give praise to God, give a hug or encouragement to someone who’s going through a hard time. Give a gift like:

MYRRH REPRESENTING YOUR LIFE AND LOYALTY -- The myrrh represents the need for us to offer Jesus our lives. That’s what He did for us when He went to the cross and shed His innocent blood for us. Lesson #3 is that when you meet Jesus:

YOU’LL ALWAYS CHANGE -- Not only did the wise men go home a different way, they were different men as they left. Once you meet Jesus, you have a different way of living, a new way of thinking, a whole new set of values.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

When you search for God, you will find Jesus. And that discovery will give you truths that will change your life forever. The wise men weren’t wise because they were seeking Jesus, but they were wise because they found Jesus. Will you come to Jesus this Christmas and open your life to Him?

CALL--- Are you searching for purpose, or for truth or the meaning of life? Or maybe you don’t know WHAT you’re looking for. But if you will seek God with all of your heart, you WILL find that search will always lead to Jesus. Will you open your heart to Jesus this morning and ask Him in to be your Lord and Savior?

If you’re already a Christian, you might be thinking “What truth can I take away with from this message? I’ve already met Christ and given Him my life.” The application for you my friend, is that God wants to use you to go out into this world, and be a guiding and leading star to Jesus Christ. A good place to start that journey is right here in this service. Let’s take a few minutes this morning to come to these altars to worship the Lord. If you’re coming to Christ for the first time, we’ll meet you here and pray with you privately. But if you’re already a Christian, then come with a prayer that asks the Lord to make you like a star that will guide others to Christ.

Lord, thank You for this wonderful Christmas season and the lessons we’re are learning from our time together. There’s a lot of darkness in our world, but Lord we want to be wise and shine like the stars by turning others to Jesus. Give us the grace, anointing and opportunity to be that star for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.