Wise Men Still Worship
(Matthew 2:1-12)
Sermon Notes
As we celebrate Christmas, what present are you giving to Jesus?
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Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)
1Now 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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
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WISE MEN STILL WORSHIP.
These “wise men” were Magi, Oriental astrologers who studied the stars and sought to understand the times. They were Gentiles who had been especially called of God to come and pay homage to/worship the newborn King.
(Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament.)
WHAT IS WORSHIP?
- In the book “Preventing Ministry Failure, Todd Wilson & Brad Hoffman describe “Worship” as a moment in time when we cease being influenced by anyone or anything but God.
- It’s never about the worshiper but about the One being worshiped.
- Genuine worship invites freedom and intimacy and isn’t dictated by traditions, rules, or expectations—even when traditions are enjoyed within the context of worship. Rather, it’s the enjoyment and celebration of the presence of God. The by-product of worship is a renewed spirit.
- The essence of true worship—honoring Christ for who He is and being willing to give him what is valuable to you.
“When you came here today…are you looking for Jesus?” – Pastor Billy Johnson
- Worship is a meeting between God and His people when the worshiper is brought into personal contact with the one who gives meaning and purpose to life.
Principle of Worship
- The wise men SOUGHT Jesus, and they FOUND Jesus.
- “Seek and you shall find” is a principle that Jesus taught.
- When we come to worship, we must come SEEKING the Lord.
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WE SEE IN THE LIVES OF THE WISE MEN A PATTERN FOR WORSHIP
They entered. V. 11
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
How many times have we come in short of entering?
- To enter in you must leave one place and go into another.
- They had prepared for their journey, studied, and sought out Jesus.
- Make sure that as you worship you enter into the presence of God.
“Open the doors of your house and let Him in.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
They saw Jesus – V. 11
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- When you come in the house, make sure that you SEE JESUS!
- He is who you are looking for in worship.
- He is the reason you enter in.
They bowed. V. 11
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- Fell down – to prostrate oneself.
- They humbled themselves in the presence of their superior. They acknowledged his authority.
“When you’ve got too much to bow down, you’ve got too much.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
They worshipped. V. 11
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- Worship – to kiss (like a dog licking his master’s hand); to revere or adore
- They exalted Jesus as the rightful king.
“The natural response to the presence of God is to worship.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
They gave. V. 11
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- WORSHIPPERS GIVE!
- Opened their treasures (thesaurus) – wealth
They gave expensive and sacrificial gifts out of respect and honor for the child king.
The gifts are SYMBOLS OF CHRIST’S IDENTITY and what he would ACCOMPLISH.
- GOLD was a gift for a KING – For His Means Psalm 72:15 (NKJV)
15And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually, And daily He shall be praised.
- FRANKINCENSE (also simply called “incense”), a glittering, odorous gum obtained from the bark of certain trees, was a gift for DIETY – For His Message Isaiah 60:6 (NKJV)
6The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
- MYRRH, a valued spice and perfume (Psalm 45:8), also came from trees and was used in embalming; thus, it was a gift for a person who was going to DIE – For His Method (Mark 15:23; John 19:39).
Psalm 45:8 (NKJV)
8All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
Mark 15:23 (NKJV)
23Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
John 19:39 (NKJV)
39And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
- These gifts certainly would have provided the financial resources for Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt and back (2:13-23).
(Life Application Bible Commentary – Matthew.)
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They obeyed.
Matthew 2:12 (NKJV)
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
“At the end of the day have you done what He’s said.” – Pastor Billy Johnson
- Obedience to God is proof of your love for God.
John 14:15 (NKJV)
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
“God wants to be included in all of your life…” – Pastor Billy Johnson
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Worship God because He is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.
