Pastor Jerry Eng (Klang Baptist Church)
Matthew 2:1-13
The Visit of the Magi
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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. 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.
The Escape to Egypt
13 When they had gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up” he said “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
I want to look at Chapter 2 where the wise men came to seek Jesus and to worship him.
Many years ago, our church had a renovation and my family and I stayed at a house opposite the church. I saw a lorry parked at the front of the church and to my horror I saw two men collect sacks of pebbles. I saw two bags already loaded in the lorry. When I asked them what are they were doing, they quickly said they had permission from my supervisor to collect these pebbles. Then they quickly packed to leave and even said that they are collecting the pebbles to path their temples.
I am wondering what God will allow them to steal to build their temple?
Where did these wise men came from? The bible tells us they were from far away guided only by a star. You must remember they have no four wheel drive at that time. No GPS either. They were on camels and if you know camels, they are very stubborn animals. They travelled in the dessert. There were sand storms and the nights were cold and days were hot. No perhentian like our highways. No rest stops to quench their thirst or to get a coke. And they were bringing gifts and were at risk of being robbed in the dessert.
But they braved it all to come to worship the Lord. (I salute the teachers here in this church and I pray the Lord bless you as you take on the challenges of being a teacher.)
In Bethlehem, it was mentioned four times as the "House of bread". If you go to the house of bread, what do you find? You find bread and this was the way God had intended it as Jesus is the Bread of Life.
They discovered that Bethlehem was not just a place, but that it was prophesied that Bethlehem is THE place, but it is unfortunate that the people who are in Bethlehem were not the ones that worshipped him. The religious people did not bother at all even though they knew the prophesy well.
Jesus said He will come to give abundant life but we Chinese especially equate abundance with prosperity, with the symbol of a "S" and two strokes. That is not what Jesus meant. Abundance is more than money, it is a life of holiness that God enable us to live. And with it comes challenges, so do not think it's just a bed of roses once you give your life to Jesus.
Seek out Jesus to worship Him.
True worship seeks out our motives and agenda. The wise men came and consulted King Herod. No wonder King Herod was disturbed. He was considered the King at Bethlehem. King Herod had ten wives and he was willing to kill one of his wife and his mother (mother-in-law) just to be sure he is King. So with these men coming looking for a king he was rightly disturbed. Did the wise men know about his character? We are not sure but they did not bear gifts to King Herod. Only to King Jesus.
We are all guilty of things, where we failed to seek Him. We come home and skip our devotion with our family because it was a long day and is tired. We skip once, then another and another. Or prayer meeting. We promise to come but excuses like traffic jam, being tired or having to work late crops up. Our intentions are good but we still don't do it. Or using the company phone to call your cell members, or to photostat cell notes using the office copier. Let's check ourselves.
The star went ahead of them. And they were filled with joy knowing that God had set the star to lead them. It is a real joy, bubbling in their hearts, literally. They were rejoicing with a great joy, a joy with hilarity and that's worship. A mark of celebration and joy. But is it just like what we did on Sunday morning only? The act of worship is 24 hours. What we do at anytime, anywhere is an act of worship. If worship is boring it is because it is self centred. Don't get me wrong there is a place to pray for our own needs but if you look at the Lord's prayer "hallowed be your name" it is God centred first. Let us learn that. That was how the wise men worshipped God.
Worship ought to be reverential.
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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. 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.
The Escape to Egypt
13 When they had gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up” he said “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
I want to look at Chapter 2 where the wise men came to seek Jesus and to worship him.
Many years ago, our church had a renovation and my family and I stayed at a house opposite the church. I saw a lorry parked at the front of the church and to my horror I saw two men collect sacks of pebbles. I saw two bags already loaded in the lorry. When I asked them what are they were doing, they quickly said they had permission from my supervisor to collect these pebbles. Then they quickly packed to leave and even said that they are collecting the pebbles to path their temples.
I am wondering what God will allow them to steal to build their temple?
Where did these wise men came from? The bible tells us they were from far away guided only by a star. You must remember they have no four wheel drive at that time. No GPS either. They were on camels and if you know camels, they are very stubborn animals. They travelled in the dessert. There were sand storms and the nights were cold and days were hot. No perhentian like our highways. No rest stops to quench their thirst or to get a coke. And they were bringing gifts and were at risk of being robbed in the dessert.
But they braved it all to come to worship the Lord. (I salute the teachers here in this church and I pray the Lord bless you as you take on the challenges of being a teacher.)
In Bethlehem, it was mentioned four times as the "House of bread". If you go to the house of bread, what do you find? You find bread and this was the way God had intended it as Jesus is the Bread of Life.
They discovered that Bethlehem was not just a place, but that it was prophesied that Bethlehem is THE place, but it is unfortunate that the people who are in Bethlehem were not the ones that worshipped him. The religious people did not bother at all even though they knew the prophesy well.
Jesus said He will come to give abundant life but we Chinese especially equate abundance with prosperity, with the symbol of a "S" and two strokes. That is not what Jesus meant. Abundance is more than money, it is a life of holiness that God enable us to live. And with it comes challenges, so do not think it's just a bed of roses once you give your life to Jesus.
Seek out Jesus to worship Him.
True worship seeks out our motives and agenda. The wise men came and consulted King Herod. No wonder King Herod was disturbed. He was considered the King at Bethlehem. King Herod had ten wives and he was willing to kill one of his wife and his mother (mother-in-law) just to be sure he is King. So with these men coming looking for a king he was rightly disturbed. Did the wise men know about his character? We are not sure but they did not bear gifts to King Herod. Only to King Jesus.
We are all guilty of things, where we failed to seek Him. We come home and skip our devotion with our family because it was a long day and is tired. We skip once, then another and another. Or prayer meeting. We promise to come but excuses like traffic jam, being tired or having to work late crops up. Our intentions are good but we still don't do it. Or using the company phone to call your cell members, or to photostat cell notes using the office copier. Let's check ourselves.
The star went ahead of them. And they were filled with joy knowing that God had set the star to lead them. It is a real joy, bubbling in their hearts, literally. They were rejoicing with a great joy, a joy with hilarity and that's worship. A mark of celebration and joy. But is it just like what we did on Sunday morning only? The act of worship is 24 hours. What we do at anytime, anywhere is an act of worship. If worship is boring it is because it is self centred. Don't get me wrong there is a place to pray for our own needs but if you look at the Lord's prayer "hallowed be your name" it is God centred first. Let us learn that. That was how the wise men worshipped God.
Worship ought to be reverential.
When the wise men reached the tent, they fall down to worship Him. We can only worship God and exalt Him when we are down there and He is up there. We will do well to examine our heart's attitude with deep respect, honour and reverential.
True worship is sacrificial.
The wise men instantaneously opened their chest to offer their gifts without hesitation. All their actions were one smooth flow of sequence with no hesitation. They brought Gold for the King, Frankincense for Christ as God and Myrrh as an incense to the suffering redeemer. They were well prepared. Good preparation honours God.
How did we prepare for worship this morning? How many of you watched football last night? What time did it ended? How you wish you can sleep late right? Or families with many children and they came late as the children were not able to get ready in time. Why? Because they didn't sleep well. Why? Because you took them out late last night. We need to prepare for worship, one hour before going to church they should be awake. Or we adults? Aiyoh, pastor's preaching again. Or we complain about a speaker pastor invited. Boring. Remember it is all about God.
True worship is obedience.
How did we prepare for worship this morning? How many of you watched football last night? What time did it ended? How you wish you can sleep late right? Or families with many children and they came late as the children were not able to get ready in time. Why? Because they didn't sleep well. Why? Because you took them out late last night. We need to prepare for worship, one hour before going to church they should be awake. Or we adults? Aiyoh, pastor's preaching again. Or we complain about a speaker pastor invited. Boring. Remember it is all about God.
True worship is obedience.
They departed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem in response to God leading. They followed the star God set. They didn't question.
How then do we worship?
How then do we worship?
Christianity is not about just doing. It is not just based on a set of instructions. We do because He first did it. We love because He first love us.
Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
We are to give ourselves. When we do that we have no problem about our time, talent and our money. The last one is very sensitive. I won't talk about that. I'll let your pastor do that.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Please note the rich again is not just about money okay? When we give ourselves to the Lord the rest will follow.
Talents are something we Asians don't handle very well. We tend to compare. When a son scores 98 we ask why not 100? Or we ask how much your friends got? Why do we need to do that? We must be careful. God give talents to individuals for His purpose.
True worship disturbs us. It is said "we comfort the afflicted to afflict us". We will not offer an offering to the Lord that cost us nothing. We don't have to steal pebbles. This is not our God. We bring what is in our heart.
Wise men and women
Wise boys and girls
Worship Christ the King
In Wise Ways
Here are the Notes from the Powerpoint Presentation
for those of you who missed it taking notes.
1.0 Introduction
Wrong worship means idolatry.
It insults God
2.0 Wise People Worship Wisely
One Big Movement with
Part I
- Wise people seek Christ to worship, vv1-2
Part 2
- True worship disturbs us, vv3-8
Part 3
- True worship factors, vv9-12
Part 1
- Wise people seek Christ to worship, vv1-2
a. Nothing stops wise people from worshipping Christ, vv1-2b
No barrier too rough
No condition too tough
to stop us from worshipping Christ.
b. Where is the new born King, v2
- Bethlehem, 4x in 12 verses (1, 5, 6, 8)
“House of Bread”
- Where will you find the Bread of Life but in the House of Bread!
Part 2
- True worship disturbs us, vv3-8
a. Check out who this Jesus is, vv3-5
- He came to fulfill God’s promise
- A ruler and shepherd, v6
b. True worship questions our motives, vv7-8
- Herod’s background!
- To kill Jesus, v13 (child) and v16 (children)
- We have our excuses too!
Part 3
- True worship factors, vv9-12
a. It is joyful, vv9-10
b. It is reverential, v11
c. It is sacrificial, v11
d. It is obedient, v12
How then do we worship?
Romans 12:1
- Give ourselves
- Our time, talents, treasure!
3.0 Summation and Conclusion
Matthew 1:1-12 shows one big movement of worship that consists of three parts
Part 1 – Wise people seek Christ to worship, vv1-2
a. Nothing stops wise people from worshipping Christ, vv1-2
b. Where is the new born King, v2?
Part 2 – True worship disturbs us, vv3-8
a. Check out who this Jesus is, vv3-6
b. True worship questions our motives, vv7-8
Part 3 – True worship factors, vv9-12
a. It is joyful, vv9-10
b. It is reverential, v11,
c. It is sacrificial v11,
d. It is obedient, v12
V2
"Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to worship him!”
One question in 12 verses,
The rest is the act of worship!
David:
“I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that would cost me nothing!”
When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hand, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine.
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
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