DECEMBER 11, 2022
SERIES: CHOICES FROM THE CHRISTMAS STORY
CHOOSING A GIFT TO BRING TO JESUS?
Matthew 2:1-11 (NCV) – Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. They asked ‘Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, as well as all the people in Jerusalem. Herod called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of the law and asked them where The Christ would be born. They answered, ‘In the town of Bethlehem in Judea.’ Then Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men and learned from them the exact time they firs saw the star. He sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Look carefully for the child. When you find Him, come directly and tell me so I can worship Him too!’ After the wise men heard the king, they left. The star that they had seen in the East went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. They came to the house where the child was and saw Him with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their gifts and gave Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
WHAT MADE THE WISE MEN WISE?
1. They were seekers of truth.
Vs. 2 – Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews?
2.They were willing to go to any lengths to find it.
Vs. 1 – They had come on a long journey from the East.
3. They didn’t stop until they met Jesus.
Vs. 11 – They finally came to the place where Jesus was.
4.They came for the right reason.
Vs. 2 – We have come to worship Him.
5. They gave Jesus the best they had.
Vs. 11 – They bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and gave Him their gifts of gold and of frankincense and myrrh.
GOLD = the most precious metal, the gift for a KING.
FRANKINCENSE = used in Temple worship to GOD. MYRRH = a spice used to embalm a body after DEATH!
WHAT SHOULD I GIVE TO JESUS?
1. I give Him my trust.
Psalm 50:14 – I want you to trust Me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give Me glory!
2. I give Him first place.
Matt. 6:33 (NIV) – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the other things will be given to you as well.
3. I give Him my heart.
Psalm 37-5:(Mes) – Open up before God, keep nothing back! He’ll do whatever needs to be done.
Luke 12:34 (NIV) – Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be there also.
4. I will bring to Jesus other people.
John 3:16 (NIV) – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 14:23 (NLT) – Go out into highways and countryside and urge everyone you find to come in, so that the house will be full.