Worship the Savior

A Thrill of Hope

Worship The Savior

Matthew 2:1-12

The whole concept of Christmas is rooted in worship!

“What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” Greg Beale

What We Learn From the Magi About Worship

1. They were willing to Pay a price (1)

Think about all that was involved in their travels.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, ESV)

Like any relationship, our relationship with Jesus does not get better or deeper accidentally.  It takes Desire and Effort.

2. They were Seekers of the truth (1-2)

• Speculators – Guess at the truth
• Seekers – Take the time and trouble to find the truth

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)

“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:22–23, ESV)

3. They came with an Expectant Spirit (2)

• The Magi were Expectant
• Herod was Resistant
• The religious leaders were Indifferent

Question:  Who are you more like right now?

4. They were Persistent in their search (11)

Failure is the path of least “persistence.”

5. They came for the right Reason (2, 11)

Too many people today are looking for ways to use Jesus.

6. They gave Jesus their Best (11)

The 3 gifts mentioned tell us something about Jesus’ identity:

• Gold: Jesus is the King
• Incense: Jesus is the Priest
• Myrrh: Jesus is the Savior

What Gifts Can I Bring To Jesus?

1. I can give Him my Trust

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5, ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV)

Question: Where in your life are you trusting God?  Where are you not giving Him your trust?

2. I can give Him First Place

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

F – Finances 
I – Interests 
R – Relationships 
S – Schedule 
T - Troubles

Question: Where has Jesus not been first place in your life?  What will you do to make Him first place in this area of your life?

3. I can bring Others to Him

“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23, ESV)

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:40–42, ESV)

Question: Who can you help bring to Jesus?  What are some practical steps you can take?

4. I can give Him My Obedience (12)

““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, ESV)

“To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.” C.S. Lewis

We become what we worship!

“What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” Greg Beale

Making It Personal

• Who or what am I currently worshipping? What does my use of my time and finances tell me about what I truly think is “worthy and valuable?” How is it impacting my life?
• How am I currently coming to Jesus? In what ways am I like Herod?  In what ways am I like the Magi?
• Where in my life am I trusting God? Where am I not giving Him my trust?
• Where has Jesus not been first place in my life? What will I do to make Him first place in this area of my life?
• Who can I help bring to Jesus? What are some practical steps I will take?
• Who can I share these truths with?

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