Good Morning Church!
Welcome back to the weekly Sunday service. May God bless you and reveal Himself unto you today with today’s word.
As we enter this new season of celebrations, we will be learn about something very important today and we will call this session, “Shine like a Star!”
This is the month of exhibition of God’s greatest love towards humanity, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate that Jesus came to this world to set an example for us, wherein we can learn several lessons from His birth. Jesus Christ, and He alone is the reason for the celebration. He alone need to be honored and worshipped.
God wants us to shine like a star. In this world there are different stars, who people recognise as movie stars, sport stars, instagram stars, rockstars and what not. However God wants us to be a star unlike these. A star that that shines Christ!
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.
Philippians 2:15-16(a)
Let us shine! The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-12
Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah’s kingdom. Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.
What joy these wise men felt upon this sight of the star, none know so well as those who, after a long and melancholy night of temptation and desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage, at length receive the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God. We may well think what a disappointment it was to them, when they found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not think themselves baffled; but having found the King they sought, they presented their gifts to him. The humble inquirer after Christ will not be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities. Is a soul busy, seeking after Christ? Would it worship him, and does it say, Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer? Nothing! Hast thou not a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, and foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispose of it as it pleases him; he will take it, and will make it better, and thou shalt never repent having given it to him. He shall frame it to his own likeness, and will give thee himself, and be thine for ever. The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Providence sent these as a seasonable relief to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. Thus our heavenly Father, who knows what his children need, uses some as stewards to supply the wants of others, and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth.
This star was a supernatural star. Even king Herod couldn’t see it, likewise many may have seen it as a common star. However, the wise men saw the star and realized this was something different.
There are three things we can learn from this incredible star:
1: Star was the source of incredible joy.
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:9-10
They were filled with joy to see the star because they knew it will lead them to where the king is born. During 1st century, people used to read stars in order to navigate. However, this star was different, it didn’t just led them, but helped them reach their destination exactly to where Jesus was born.
Please understand that we must shine like a star in order to lead the ones who do not know the way. God has brought us out of darkness for a purpose, so we can shine and show the way to the ones who have missed their way and still living in the dark. However, it is only Jesus who can satisfy the thirst of people who are thirsty about something unknown to them.
Illustration: Sometimes during Christmas, we decorate our homes with stars hanging out of our balconies. And it is a common perception that the house with a star could be a potentially Christian home. However remeber one thing, this star doesn’t moves.
2: The star moved and led peoole to the place where Jesus was.
The wise men went after the star and eventually the star ked them to the place where Jesus was born.
3: It was a unique star.
A supernatural manifestation, that king could not understand, but guided men.
The purpose of God for our life is not to make money, but to shine like a star. Our mission will not be accomplished or completed unless we bring people face to face with Jesus.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:10
Wherever you live or work, people are watching you and they are noticing you. Shine like a star and lead the way for many from the darkness. Be like a star, because it will reflect Christ through you. Shine for Jesus and bring the ones looking at your light, face to face with Jesus.
Coming back to the verses from Phillipians….
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.
Philippians 2:15-16(a)
These verses makes much more sense considering the crooked world of this time, isn’t it?
During this time, in the city of Phillipi, people were too busy and kiterally building the infrastructure under the Roman governance. Why? Well, it is simple, the source of income, future and business. Secondly, these people were more concerned about their job security instead of focusing on God. Isn’t this similar to our present situation? We are concerned to educate our children in top notch schools and colleges. Anything wrong? No! However, taking care of their and our physical needs should not add up to ignorance of the spiritual need among us.
They were busy with the infrastructure, jobs, finances and future of their children. Can we identify ourselves with the peoole of Phillipi. The Holy Spirit guides Paul to take care of the people from Phillipi, who were then living in the darkness.
If you bring a star from a shop, you need to add light for it to shine. This is what we need to do, add light of Christ to remove the darkness from within.
Illustration: In a sugarcane shop, when you order a sugarcane juice, they will squeeze 3-4 times and after that twist to get the maximum juice. Once juice is out, it is discarded as a manure or for animals to devour. In a same fashion, if you allow the things of the world to squeeze the light of Christ from you, you will never be able to shine. Christ should shine through you!
The unique bright star was seen by many, but the king couldn’t see it. The world where we are living is a twisted and perverted one and we need to shine like a star that world can see Christ through you.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
People of God, do not get squeezed by the things of this world, because this world will squeeze God out of you. Shine like a star and let Christ shine through you. And if you feel you aren’t strong enough to fight, pray and ask God to strengthen you and help you shine like a star.
Dear Church, we hope you are encouraged with today’s word. We pray that may God let your light shine theough Him and may the darkness depart. Thank you for joining us as we look forward to seeing you next week. God bless!