COME AND WORSHIP #2—The Cost of Worship
December 10, 2023 / Pastor Rick Countryman / Big Valley Grace Community ChurchWORSHIP
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men (Magi) from 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.”
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,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men (Magi), 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!”
After this interview the wise men (Magi) 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.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:1-12 NLT
Bethlehem
(House of Bread)
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem… Matthew 2:1 NLT
- King David was born in Bethlehem
- Two of David’s mighty men (Elhanan and Asahel) were born in Bethlehem
- Naomi, her husband, and their two sons lived in Bethlehem
- Boaz and Ruth were married in Bethlehem
- Caleb’s family settled in Bethlehem, and his grandson Salma became known as “the father of Bethlehem”
- Joseph and Mary were born in Bethlehem
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem
- God told us the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 ESV
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with
him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:1-5 NLT
Magi
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men (Magi) from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem… Matthew 2:1 NLT
The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! 11 The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.”
The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. Daniel 2:10-13 NLT
There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon. Daniel 5:11 NLT
“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…” Numbers 24:17 NIV
Star
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men (Magi) from 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 2:1-2 NLT
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. Luke 2:8-9 ESV
And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30 NLT
Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Revelation 16:10 NLT
After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. Revelation 18:1 NLT
Worship
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men (Magi) from 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 2:1-2 NLT
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him… Matthew 2:11 NIV
#1—The wise men brought themselves as an act of worship!
“We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Verse 2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 NIV1984
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14 NIV1984
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV1984
#2—The wise men brought gifts as an act of worship!
Then they (the wise men) opened their treasures and presented Him (Jesus) with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NIV1984
Gold represented the fact that…Jesus was a king!
“King of kings and Lord of lords” Revelation 19:16 NIV
Incense represented the fact that…Jesus was pure!
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us…2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Myrrh represented the fact that…Jesus was going to die!
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4“Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. Isaiah 60:1-6 NIV1984