THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME FROM THE BUSY CHRISTMAS SEASON TO COME WORSHIP & STUDY ABOUT CHRIST

1. Luke- Universal Gospel to Gentiles- writes of Temple, Jerusalem, adoration of Anna, etc.
2. Matthew- Legalistic- Jewish completely- writes of Gentile kings coming to worship Jewish King
3. We have Christmas story so corrupted by tradition, observe and study carefully the Bible so we can have the wisdom of the Wise Men to Worship Jesus Christ- Son of God.

I.- THE COMING OF THE WISE MEN!  Matt. 2:1-10

2:1 "now" is literally translated- finally! It was in due time that Jesus came- & so again

A.- WHO WERE THE WISE MEN "MAGI"? ASTROLOGERS, KINGS, SCIENTISTS, MEN OF MYSTERY!

1. There was no general expectation of Gentiles- but these may have heard from Dispersion-Dan.
2. "Magi" could be good or evil- they were priest-sages, scientists of Chaldea -Astrologers
3. But they were not all wise they came to Jerusalem, and they did not know where Christ was to be born

B.- WHAT WAS THE STAR - "SIGN" - THAT GUIDED THEM FROM THEIR KINGDOMS TO THE VERY TOWN- BETHLEHEM?

1. The word Star- or Sign- Num 24:17- from another Gentile prophet -Balaam "Star of Jacob"
2. Astronomers (Scientists) know 7bc, 2 years before birth of Jesus- Saturn & Jupiter joined in the skies
3. A year later-joined by Mars,-6 BC; & March 3 bc -a comet for v.9 But don't force miracles

C.- THESE THINGS OCCURED IN THE DAYS OF HEROD THE KING -v.1 - HEROD THE GREAT, AN IDUMEAN- NOT JEW

1. To get the favor of Jews he rebuilt the Temple, many public works, fed the people in famine
2. He was a Hitler of his day- treachery, slaughter of even relatives-, intrigue, hated by all
3. He plotted- Sanhedrin- Where? v.4; Wise men when v.7; & tried to use them for his evil plans

Do not stumble over quote v.5 & Micah 5:2- "Targuming" was loose interpreting of dead Hebrew

II.- THE GIFTS OF OF THЕ WISEMEN Matt 2:11

They sought and found the House (not manger), and saw the young child (not babe) -

A.- WHEN THEY SAW THE YOUNG CHILD, THEY FELL DOWN AND WORSHIPPED HIM! - not Mary- but Him!

1. Do not worship these wise men- astrologers- they were not supermen because they were right
2. But they did "Worship" Jesus - even as a young child they gave Him what belonged to God!
3. I hope you will learn their wisdom- The greatest things in life are free- this is! Worship!

B.- THEY OPENED THEIR TREASURE CHESTS, AND GAVE TO HIM THREE GREAT MYSTERIOUS GIFTS, STRANGE

1. Gold- that which has always meant great wealth - but unlawful, and dangerous for a poor man
2. Frankincense - a Bitter resin from desert plant- used as Incense - burned-sweet smell
3. Myrrh - a strong drug used as a painkiller, Mark 15:23 refused by Jesus - so how used?

C.- THESE STRANGE GIFTS FOR A LITTLE CHILD HAD A GREAT SYMBOLIC MEANING- CHURCH FATHERS TAUGHT.

1. Gold to a King- illegal for all others to own it! But what ever happened to this King's Treasure?
2. Frankincense for a God- used in the Temple by the High Priest & Jesus is our High Priest
3. Myrrh for one who would die a horrible death for you and me all denied Him in life!

All these given to him in his youth- were denied him later when He came to minister to world

III.- THE WISDOM OF THE WISEMEN Matt. 2:12-18

God had used mysterious ways to guide them but the way was plain! And the way is plain today!

A.- GOD WARNED THEM NOT TO RETURN TO HEROD, v.12 - AND THEY OBEYED GOD RATHER THAN PROTOCOL

1. Today the world certainly tries to trick Christians into being used - Don't let Herod use you!
2. Do not let your ear be deaf to the Lord's plain word- & God will guide you as He did these
3. They heard, and obeyed- this made them fugitives - and they took certain risk, but they obeyed

B.- HEROD WAS EXCEEDING WROTH* AND THE MADMAN SHOWED HOW THE WORLD REGARDS CHRIST- 16-18

1. To protect his Throne he had killed even his wife, & son - and here killed 20 more-Approx.
2. But God's word is fulfilled- both good and evil- not one word will fail!  Be warned, blessed
3. This man -Herod- died a horrible death- and planned to take many with him! but failed!

C.- BUT GOD FULFILLED HIS DIVINE PLAN, AND MARY, JOSEPH, AND THE YOUNG CHILD FLED TO EGYPT-13-15

1. Even the wrath of mad-men will work for His Glory and praise!  God has a plan for History
2. The Prophecy- "Out of Egypt have I called my son" was History to Israel,- but Prophecy- Jesus
3. God has a plan for your life! - A plan that will bless you with heaven- or curse you- hell

Herod and the Wise men both made a choice- If you will listen to God- be wise in His Word

GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE, TO GUIDE YOU TO SALVATION, AND THE BLESSING OF HEAVEN

1. Come as the Wise men- seek until you find Jesus- then fall down and worship Him!
2. Then flee the worldly ambitions of the Herodians.  Give your life and will over to Him! 
3. Join the Family of God- So if the Angel speaks to Joseph- you can flee too!

So Confess Christ as your Savior- be Baptized,- and become a faithful church member!