Title of message: Seeker or Spectator?
Top Christmas Gifts:
o 1930 – Mickey Mouse Hankercheif
o 1938 – Monopoly
o 1943 – Slinky
o 1952 --Mr. Potato Head
o 1959 – Barbie
o 1975 -Pong –ATARI
o 1977 – Green Slime
1980 –Rubicks Cube
o 1983 –Cabbage Patch Kids
o 1989 –Nintendo Gameboy
o 1992 –Barney
o 1996 --Tickle Me Elmo
o 2009 –Notebook E-Reader
o 2010 –iPad
(Matthew 2:1-2) (NLT) “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise menfrom eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose,and we have come to worship him.”
(Matthew 2:3-5) (NLT) “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born? In Bethlehem in Judea…”
(Matthew 2:7-8) (NLT) “Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
(Matthew 2:9-11) (NLT) “After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Lessons from the Wise Men:
1. Seek the Truth
(James 4:8) (NKJV) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
2. Find Joy
Worrying never solves tomorrow’s problems, it only robs today of its peace.
(Luke 2:10) “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
(Matthew 2:9-10) (NLT) “After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
3. Worship Him
(Matthew 2:11) “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
What are you going to find this Christmas?
(Jeremiah 29:13) “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
