THREE MEN AND A BABY
Matt. 2:1-11
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: ENTERING HEAVEN
1. Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season," Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."
2. The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle," he said. "You may pass through the pearly gates," Saint Peter said.
3. The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells." Saint Peter said, "You may pass through the pearly gates."
4. The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's glasses. St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"
5. The man replied, "They're Carol's." [humormatters.com]
B. THREE MEN AND A BABY BACKGROUND
1. In 1987 there was a movie entitled “Three Men and a Baby,” a comedy about the mishaps and adventures of 3 men who end up being responsible for a infant, playing on the fact that men generally don’t know how to take care of a baby.
2. Another movie along the same lines was 2003 “Daddy Daycare.”
3. The three Wise Men (if there were 3) were just about as dense as most men. Did they bring toys? Clothes for baby Jesus? Something to eat? No!
4. WHAT DID THEY BRING?
a. A hunk of metal.
b. Ground tree sap.
c. Myrrh – a poisonous substance! Real bright!
5. If the Wise Men had been Wise Women they would have brought something more practical – like diapers, a wind-up swing, a pacifier, wipes, and spinach baby food!
6. So we know what the Wise Men did wrong (not really – they’re gifts were of great value), but WHAT DID THEY DO RIGHT? Let’s read the story and see.
C. TEXT
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, 2 “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” 3 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. 4 He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly; 6 “It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.” 7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. 8 Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.” 9 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. 10 They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. [Message]
D. THESIS
1. JESUS CREATED QUITE A STIR!
a. “After Jesus was born…” A stir began as soon as He was born. He had not: spoken a word; worked a miracle; proclaimed a single doctrine.
b. Yet while there was only infant cries and weakness, all things were stirred by His coming:
1). Angels appear singing of His glory;
2). A Star appears heralding His birth;
3). On earth – Shepherds see visions and
– Wise Men begin journeys.
2. The Question is – ARE WE STIRRED? The powers of the heavens are shaken; the earth was being shaken; but are WE being shaken?
3. When Christ is born in you – He will stir your whole nature. A sacred revolution begins within us.
4. Is there a stirring in your nature? Has He really come to you? If He has, He cannot be hidden!
5. The Wise Men may represent us as pilgrims. How did they respond to Christ?
6. They did three things:
a. They heeded God’s message through the star;
b. They persevered in their search;
c. They entered in, to know Christ.
I. HEEDED GOD’S MESSAGE THROUGH THE STAR
A. RECOGNIZED GOD’S VOICE
1. Who were these Magi?
a. Highly educated; a priestly caste.
b. Especially engaged in the study of Astronomy.
c. Hadn’t degenerated into idolatry, but were seekers after God. They saw the stars as God’s handiwork and writing tablet.
2. WHAT THEY DIDN’T SEE:
a. Misconceptions today. They didn’t see a…
1). Star (in the regular sense of the word);
2). Comet;
3). Conjunction of planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars-7B.C., as Kepler suggested in 1606).
b. It couldn’t have been a conjunction of planets because:
1). It continued to shine for 2 years!
2). It moved; disappeared and reappeared.
3). It hung so low in the atmosphere that they could distinguish which house it hung over. Jerusalem and Bethlehem were only a few miles apart.
3. THEY SAW SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL
a. A NEW STAR! Chinese astronomers recorded the appearance of a new star in 4 B.C. (Lange’s, “Matt.,” p. 57).
b. UNUSUAL LOCATION
c. STATIONARY over Israel – like a satellite – while all other stars moved across the sky.
4. HUMOR
a. A Pastor was preaching on the Wise Men. His main points formed the acrostic “STAR.”
b. The Pastor had 4 kids bring placards onto the platform at the end to spell the word “STAR.”
c. The moment came. They got mixed up and spelled it backwards – “RATS!” The congregation fell out.
5. THEY KNEW THE STAR WAS A SIGN FROM GOD
a. It was the shekinah light (like that in the Holy of Holies, from God’s burning presence) like what had led the Israelites in the wilderness with Moses.
b. The voice of God in the hearts of the Wise Men told them that this light pointed to the King of the Jews, which they must see and worship.
c. They didn’t have the Bible, churches on every corner, the gospel on the Internet, TV, radio, etc., but they listened to the Voice of God and carefully obeyed! (They put us to shame!)
d. Are we listening to the Voice of God? He is speaking! It may be by a light, peculiar circumstances, prompting of the Holy Spirit, or remembrance of Scriptures.
e. FOR THE WISE MEN, GOD USED A STAR.
“ “ FISHERMEN, God used a miraculous catch;
As a witness to all BAKERS, God multiplied bread.
“ “ “ “ FARMERS, God spoke of unplowed ground.
“ “ “ “ MERCHANTS, “Buy the truth and sell it not.”
For CRT OPERATORS: press “DELETE” to erase old life,
Press BACKSPACE to repent of your sins,
Press ENTER key to enter the Kingdom of Christ.
6. We will find Christ if we, like them, are earnest seekers.
B. ACTED ON GOD’S VOICE/DIRECTION
1. THEY WERE MOVED TO ACTION. They weren’t content with admiring the star, comparing it to others, or just taking notes about it when it moved.
2. MANY OTHERS SAW THE STAR AND DID NOTHING!
a. Many today hear the Bible but don’t put it into practice.
b. The Scribes and Pharisees, when asked where the Christ was to be born, told the Wise Men, but they didn’t go themselves! Their religion was head knowledge, but not obedience. They weren’t doers, but hearers only!
c. SCARY TRUTH. Many who are physically near to the Gospel and have much light are far away in their hearts and will excluded (Mt. 7:21-23).
3. THE WISE MEN DIDN’T SAY, “Isn’t that Star nice?” but “Let’s go and worship!”
4. Friends surely said, “Who will man your observatory?” “Will you abandon your work?” “Who will take care of your wives, children and grandchildren?” THEY ANSWERED, “We must find Christ! We have seen His star! [they forsook all.]
5. THEY DID NOT DELAY
a. They set out at once. They didn’t know when it would disappear.
b. Some of you have long postponed your journey. Why not set out in January 2018?
c. We can’t ignore God and then come when we want to.
II. PERSEVERED IN THEIR SEARCH
A. THE JOURNEY WAS DIFFICULT
1. Had to travel by night and rest by day.
2. Had to face: Hostile tribes, broad rivers, trackless deserts.
3. Do we have to cross a desert to get to Jesus? Would you, if that’s what it took?
B. HAD TO OVERCOME HINDRANCES
1. IGNORANCE of People – “What new king?”
2. HOSTILITY OF HEROD: face grew black; eyes flashed; voice
3. UNBELIEF of the Priests and Scribes.
a. How strange that none of them went with them?
b. They had no desire for Christ. Do we?
c. The Wise, “I will find Christ alone if none will join me!”
III. ENTERED IN TO KNOW CHRIST
A. THE STAR STOPPED OVER THE HOUSE
1. They came to the house. What will they do? Keep looking to the Star? NO! They enter in. If you’ve been led to Christ, go to Him! Don’t linger at a distance.
2. They knocked on the door. They entered. They saw the face of God incarnate. You too must see Christ for yourself.
3. They worshipped Him. If you can worship God for His power, how much more when He comes in feeble form to bear our sins?
4. They gave costly gifts – first they gave themselves, then they gave their goods to the Lord.
B. THE STAR DISAPPEARED
1. May my sermon come to a pause here, as the Star did.
2. Forget about the preacher – the ‘Star’ that points you to Christ. Turn your attention to Jesus! Worship Him and see His face!
3. Jesus was born that you might be “born again.” He lived so you might live. He died so you might die to sin. He is risen and is interceding for you.
4. Don’t bring Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh; God wants you to your faith, your love, and your repentance and fall before the Son of God.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. Dr. James Dobson relates a story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior from cancer. Now, several days before Christmas, she felt terribly alone—so much so she decided she was not going to decorate for Christmas.
2. Late that afternoon the doorbell rang, and there was a delivery boy with a box. He said, "Mrs. Thornhope?" She nodded. He said, "Would you sign here?" As she signed the paper she asked, "What’s in the box?"
3. The young man laughed and opened up the flap, and inside was a little puppy. The delivery boy picked up the squirming pup and explained, "This is for you, Ma’am. He’s six weeks old, completely housebroken." The young puppy began to wiggle in happiness at being released from captivity. "Who sent this?" Mrs. Thornhope asked.
4. The young man set the animal down and handed her an envelope and said, "It’s all explained here in this envelope, Ma’am. The dog was bought last July while its mother was still pregnant. It was meant to be a Christmas gift to you."
5. In desperation she again asked, "Who sent me this puppy?" As the young man turned to leave, he said, "Your husband, Ma’am. Merry Christmas."
6. She opened up the letter from her husband. He had written it three weeks before he died and left it with the kennel owners to be delivered with the puppy as his last Christmas gift to her.
7. The letter was full of love and encouragement and admonishments to be strong. He vowed he was waiting for the day when she would join him. He had sent her this young animal to keep her company until then.
8. She wiped away the tears, put the letter down, and then remembering the puppy at her feet, she picked up that golden furry ball and held it to her neck. Then she looked out the window at the lights that outlined the neighbor’s house, and she heard from the radio in the kitchen the strains of "Joy to the World, the Lord has Come."
9. Suddenly Stella felt the most amazing sensation of peace washing over her. Her heart felt a joy and a wonder greater than the grief and loneliness.
10. "Little fella," she said to the dog, "it’s just you and me. But you know what? There’s a box down in the basement I’ll bet you’d like. It’s got a little Christmas tree in it and some decorations and some lights. And there’s a manger scene down there. Let’s go get it." -
11. God sent His Son to be born in Bethlehem to give you some special gifts---freedom from fear, the joy of salvation, peace that lasts. You don’t have to wait any longer to open those gifts—you can come this morning, hold out your empty hands, and He will fill them. Won’t you come unwrap the gifts He has for you today? [T. Michael Crews]
B. THE CALL
1. The Wise Men probably spent some time planning what they would give the Son of God. There is an old proverb which says, "The only gift worth giving is yourself."
2. When God decided to give US a gift, He gave us the gift of Himself. Why don’t you give God the gift of yourself this Christmas. Let’s pray.
3. “Heavenly Father, You gave us the gift of Your Son – the gift we needed most. So I give You the best that I have – the gift of myself. Please receive my life as a gift. Help me to hear Your voice. Help me to do Your will. Help me to live to please you. Merry Christmas! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
