The Presence of God – Wise Men | Sunday Service | Dec 27, 2020

We welcome you all to the last service of the year 2020. As we welcome you all for the service, we also welcome the new year that is ahead of us, in Jesus’ name.

We will continue with the Part 9 of our ongoing series, “Presence of God“.

Today we will start with the Gospel of Matthew…

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.

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.

This section talks about three wise men however doesn’t explicitly talks about who they were. Even though we don’t know a lot about them, but we can call them wise. Why? Because they became to look for the Lord.

There are three things we can learn from these three wise men…

These people had knowledge at the same time they admitted the presence of God.

But what was that star? A star? Few consider that to be Jupiter. Some Jewish scholars consider that star means “Brightness” or “Glory of God”. (Shekinah)

When Solomon dedicated their temple, there was Shekinah glory.

When Shepherd’s were watching their flock of sheep at night, they saw the glory of the Lord.

We can learn one lesson from the wise men that when you have desire to seek the God, God will make a way for you, direct you and guide you. Just like God directed these kings/wise men. It wasn’t just the longings in their heart, it was also a nature of man to be curious.

In Matthew 2, the wise men worshiped Jesus and that became their number one priority.

While they were traveling, it was a long distance. It wasn’t a pleasant journey as we are already aware of the robbers from many accounts from history, moreover rugged terrain. Yet, there are these men, in-spite of the difficulties, willing to worship God. They could have stayed in their comfort zone, yet they decided not to.

Recognize the goal of your journey people of God. When you do, then you will enjoy worshiping God, irrespective of the difficulties and reluctance.

Bible says that people will run to Church to worship the living God in the last days.

How did these wise men expressed their worship to God?

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.

In the presence of God, you should bow down, maybe physically you won’t fall, but your attitude should be like that.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Do you have desire to give to God? Many of us were upset because we didn’t received a Christmas gift we desired, imagine these three wise men. They gave the best of their best to honor God.

When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord , his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it

And you shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it; it is a grain offering. And the priest shall burn as its memorial portion some of the crushed grain and some of the oil with all of its frankincense; it is a food offering to the Lord .

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.

Illustration: Dr. J. R. Miller, once wrote, “They were not content merely to worship the King showing Him homage in word and posture; but they also laid their gifts at His feet. It is not enough for us to sing our songs of praise to Christ, to look up adoringly into His face, to bow before Him in reverent worship, and to speak our heart’s homage in words. We should bring our gifts, too, to lay at His feet. There is great deal of sentiment in the consecration of many people: when there is call for gifts of sacrifice, or for real service, it instantly vanishes. People sing missionary hymns heartily, and when the collection-box comes to them they have no gifts to offer. Those men not only brought presents, but they brought those that were costly. We should bring our best, our gold and frankincense and myrrh, the alabaster box of our heart’s deepest love, and the best of our life and service.”

People of God, I don’t know what is your condition or situation today, but God wants you to be wise.

People, let us come before God and thank Him for the stories we hear which encourages us. We also hope that you are encouraged as well.

We thank you for joining us today and we look forward to see you again at the first service of the year 2021. God bless!