Matthew 2:1-11; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min.
December 13, 2020
Scripture Reading:
Psalms 10-139:1 “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know -NKJV You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my sitting down and my rising up; You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for behind and before, And laid me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost behold, You are there. If parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
WORSHIP In The UNEXPECTED, PT. 1
1. WORSHIP In The UNEXPECTED can include ANY and EVERYBODY
A. You need to COME to Jesus.
B. You need to PRESENT YOURSELF to Jesus.
WORSHIP In The UNEXPECTED, PT. 2
1. WORSHIP In The UNEXPECTED can take place ANY and EVERYWHERE.
2. WORSHIP In The UNEXPECTED INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU HAVE.
A. You need to give The LORD ALL of WHO you ARE – YOUR PERSON (v. 11a)
Matthew 2:1-11 (ESV) – 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, 2 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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘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.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. . .
B. You need to give The LORD the best of WHAT you HAVE – YOUR POSSESSIONS. (v. 11b)
Matthew 2:11b (ESV) – 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.
1 Chronicles 29:14-17 (ESV) – “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.
Romans 12:1 (ESV) – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Questions to Consider
1. Why do you give gifts at Christmas?
2. How do you feel when you give a gift to an adult and that person doesn’t give you anything, not even a card?
3. What prompts people to make great sacrifices for others?
4. How would you define worship?
5. What sort of activities does worship involve?
6. What are some various “presents” you might give to Christ today?
7. What are some specific ways you can serve as “stars” and lead others to Christ?
8. What star-like, shining deed can you do today to point a non-Christian friend to Christ?
9. What sacrifice do you need to make for Christ this week?
10. What gift of time, talent or treasure would demonstrate your love for Jesus this week?