How to Find the King (Jesus)
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Title: How to Find the King
Theme: The journey of the wise men to find the child, Jesus.
Rhetorical:
introduction:
History has at times been re-written by art.
1.) Jesus is pictured in art as very feminine where John the Baptist is pictured as Masculine.
2.) Jesus is pictured as having long hair - the Bible clearly says that it is a shame for a man to have long hair. (I Corinthians 11:14)
As we walk around this time of year - praise the Lord we see manger scenes - but my kids have noticed they often have wise men and not shepherds.
If you think of the story of the birth of Jesus as recorded in Luke 2 - it was the shepherds who attended his birth and not the wise men.
In our story today - you'll notice that
- Jesus is described as a young child.
- Mary and Joseph are not at the Inn - they are at a home.
- Wicked King Herod kills every child 2 years old and younger trying to destroy Jesus.
The story we are looking at is primarily about the wise men's journey to find the King of the Jews.
You've probably heard a very appropriate saying, "Wise men seek Jesus."
But, they don't just seek Him - they find Him.
ill. I don't like looking for things I can't find. I have a pair of sunglasses that have been missing for about a year. I've searched all over for them but have come up empty. Searching is tedious if you never find. (If I only knew how to find them - my search would have a happy ending.)
exp. Some people have worn themselves out looking for Jesus?
- They've looked for Him in religion.
- They've looked for Him in morality.
- They've looked for Him in experiences.
- THEY HAVE NEVER LOOKED LIKE THESE WISE MEN.
EVERYBODY OUGHT TO SEEK JESUS LIKE THESE WISE MEN. How do wise men seek Jesus?
I. WISE MEN seek Jesus in places of religious truth.
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
exp. Jerusalem was a wise place to seek for truth.
- King David's throne was in Jerusalem.
- The Temple was in Jerusalem.
- Jerusalem was the capital of Judah - the tribe that God had kept for the sake of David when Israel was following after the sin of Jeroboam.
- Jerusalem would soon be known as the place of the death/burial and resurrection of Jesus.
- This city was THE MAIN CITY of the covenant people of God - Israel.
ill. Young lady, atheist, "How do you know what is true when there are so many different religions?" THAT IS A GOOD AND FAIR QUESTION.
question: If I were to ask you what BOOK is the Word of God, what would you say? The Bible.
question: What religions don't use the Bible as their holy book?
question: What religions follow what the Bible teaches?
ill. Passport employee - Interpretation vs. misrepresentation. "I would never be credible if I said, 'Charles Darwin' believed in a literal six day creation.'" How can anyone have any credibility when they say the Bible teaches
- evolution/
- homosexual marriage/
- salvation by works, baptism, church membership.....
- that Jesus Christ IS NOT God.
app. Wise men find a church that is founded on God's Word and believes it for WHAT IT SAYS. These men were on the right track as they pointed their camels towards Jerusalem.
II. WISE MEN seek Jesus when impacted by God's providence.
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,
exp. These men were "spiritually in tune" somehow. Scripture is not clear on how. But, they knew that the star in the east was God's providential leading AND THEY RESPONDED TO HIS PROVIDENCE.
ill. Adonirum Judson - atheist friend - dying in the room next to him.
ill. I sold my aquarium this week to a very nice man who is from the Netherlands. We were talking about Atheism and I said, "You know the Bible says there is no such thing as an atheist." He said, "I suppose. We all pray when we get in a tight spot."
ill. Remember Aiden's testimony - something said, "If you go that way you are going to die." He turned and went back to the place where he found God.
app. Wise men see the hand of God in their lives and think - Right. I need to respond to this.
III. WISE MEN seek Jesus with a readiness to submit to Him.
and are come to worship him.
exp. These men weren't coming to rule over the King. They were coming to fall on their faces before the King.
ill. I shared in another message recently the passage of Scripture where Pharoah put Joseph into the position of second in command. They rode before Joseph crying, "bow the knee."
song: Ron Hamilton wrote a song applying this phrase to the Lord.
What a privilege to come into God's presence,
Just to linger with the One who set me free.
As I lift my eyes and see His awesome glory,
I remember who He is and bow the knee.
Bow the knee, bow the knee,
He is King of all the ages, bow the knee!
God alone on His throne,
See Him high and lifted up and bow the knee!
Kneel before Him, all adore Him.
As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.
In His hand He holds the power of creation.
With His voice He spoke, and all things came to be.
Yet He hears each simple prayer I bring before Him
When I humbly seek His face and bow the knee.
Bow the knee, bow the knee,
He is King of all the ages, bow the knee!
God alone on His throne,
See Him high and lifted up and bow the knee!
Kneel before Him, all adore Him.
As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.
app. Herod was unprepared to worship Jesus. But, not these men. Once they knew they were in the presence of God - they were ready to worship. Wisemen are ready to submit to Jesus when they find him.
IV. WISE MEN seek Jesus from pure motives.
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
exp. They are looking for him and asking around. They can't wait to find him. But when Jerusalem hears about this King they are in a panic. (Rightly so. They knew the fragility of the goverment and at a whim all the male children 2 and under would be killed.)
note: Many of these people are going to get involved in the search for Jesus for the wrong reasons. God is not going to allow them to find Him because their motive is not right.
ill. There is a man named Simon the Sorcerer in the NT who sought God for power. WRONG REASON. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
ill. There is a story of a pharisee who sought God to proclaim his own self worth. WRONG REASON.Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
ill. Others in the NT sought Jesus to ensnare Him in his words - like the lawyer.
luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
app. What is your heart motive in coming to church today? Are you seeking Jesus? Have you come sincerely to worship Him. Wise men find Jesus because they are seeking with pure motive.
V. WISE MEN seek Jesus with an open Bible.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
exp. How did they come up with the answer of Bethlehem. They knew that the OLD TESTAMENT (God's Word) said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
note: 700 years since that prophecy was written and IT HAD JUST BEEN FULFILLED EXACTLY AS GOD SAID.
question: Have you ever wondered why more people don't read the Bible for themselves? I used to ask people, "If God wrote you a letter, would you read it?" Of course you would.
app. There is no way that mankind is going to find Jesus without taking the time to open His book. If they find Him outside of that, it is only because of HOW MERCIFUL GOD IS. (I encourage you in all our services to listen with an open Bible.) Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
VI. WISE MEN seeking Jesus find Him miraculously.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
exp. There is no scientific explanation for this "star" other than the fact that God did something incredibly miraculous. This star was in the East when they came - but now it guided them right to the house.
note. If you are have found Jesus - God has done a great miracle.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
ill. Can you remember the days of school when you were given information that was more than you could handle - but then the light went on and you got it. Praise God for teacher who didn't quit but helped you to get it.
app. God's Spirit is very persistent - but you and I would never get the Gospel without His help. Anytime someone finds Jesus the miracle is as great as this wondrous star.
VII. WISE MEN seeking Jesus brings gifts worthy of the King.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
exp. Gold, frankincense, myrrh for the young king. His parents are just poor people. Joseph was a carpenter. How precious these gifts were to them and to the Lord.
ill. Have you ever known a young lady who didn't like to get a gift from her young man? I'm sure that many girls may just want the gifts - but if it is a sincer young lady - she wants that sign of affection from the one she loves.
app. God is no as interested in our gifts this morning as He is in SEEING THE EVIDENCE OF OUR AFFECTION FOR HIM. 2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
VIII. WISE MEN who find Jesus, are on guard against falsehood.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
exp. Satan was ready to step in to attack the Lord through these men but God took them home another way. It is often the case when someone finds Jesus, Satan seeks to destroy them by false teaching.
ill. My father in law - went to Jewish Passover services/ Pentecostal meetings, etc seeking Jesus. But, when he found him God led him to a great church and got him grounded in God's Word.
app. Wisemen who find Jesus - are careful to let God guide them after coming to Jesus.
conclusion: These men were not just called wise men. They were wise. Wise men seek Jesus - and find him.
Have you found the Lord this morning?
1) Are you searching in the right place of truth?
2) Are you aware of the providence of God that is working to bring you to Himself?
3) Are you ready to submit to Him?
4) Are you seeking Him with pure motives?
5) Is your Bible open on your journey?
6) Have you miraculously found Him?
7) Do you have anything you want to give Him today? (because He is worthy?)
8) Are you careful to follow God now that you have found Christ?
