Wise men still seek him Pt. 1

The Wise Men of Christmas

This sermon begins a three-week series focusing on the wise men from the Christmas story. While characters like Mary, Joseph, the angels, and shepherds are common in the narrative, the wise men are unique to the account in the Gospel of Matthew. The goal of this series is to learn from their example, apply it to our lives, and grow in wisdom rather than foolishness.

The wise men are famously known for the three gifts they brought to the young child Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While these may seem like unusual gifts for a baby, they carry profound scriptural meaning that will be explored. The central theme is that "wise men still seek Him," and we are called to be people who earnestly seek after God.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-19

The sermon is based on the second chapter of Matthew, which details the arrival of the wise men and the subsequent events.

• Matthew 2:1: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem."

• Matthew 2:7: Herod privately called the wise men and inquired about the time the star appeared.

• Matthew 2:9-12: The star guided the wise men to the house where the young child was. They rejoiced, fell down, worshipped Him, and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned by God in a dream, they returned to their country by a different route, avoiding Herod.

• Matthew 2:13-15: An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus because Herod intended to kill the child. They remained in Egypt until Herod's death, fulfilling the prophecy: "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

• Matthew 2:16-18: Realizing he had been "mocked" by the wise men, Herod became enraged. He ordered the slaughter of all male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah regarding "lamentation and weeping and great mourning."

• Matthew 2:19: The passage notes the story continues after "Herod was dead."

Sermon Points

The Character of Herod: A King in Name Only

• Who God Is: God is sovereign and His plans are not thwarted by earthly rulers. He is a protector who provides divine warning and guidance to His people (seen in the dreams given to the wise men and Joseph).

• Who I Am & How I Should Live: We should be cautious of leaders who hold positions of authority but lack true leadership and a heart for God. We are called to be discerning and follow God’s guidance above human commands.

• Context and Application:

  • The story is set "in the days of Herod the king." The name "Herod" ironically means "heroic," but his actions prove him to be the villain of the story.

  • Herod was the "head man in charge," but he was completely unaware of the monumental event of the Messiah’s birth happening in his own jurisdiction. He had to learn about it secondhand from the wise men.

  • In Matthew 2:7, Herod's ignorance is highlighted as he "privately called the wise men" to inquire about the star. He had no clue what was happening, whereas these foreign seekers were in tune with God's signs.

  • In Matthew 2:8, Herod demonstrates his manipulative nature. He sends the wise men to Bethlehem, feigning a desire to worship the new king himself. This is a classic example of someone using their position of authority to delegate tasks they should be undertaking, revealing a lack of genuine leadership. He was a king by position, not by character.

The Threat of a New King

• Scriptural Context: The prophecy of the Messiah’s birthplace is found in Micah 5:2, which is quoted in the sermon’s narrative: "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah. For out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel."

• Application: Jesus’ arrival is a threat not just to Herod, but to anyone who wants to be the king of their own life. A person cannot claim to be a Christian and simultaneously do whatever they want. This creates an internal conflict because our human nature desires to make its own decisions, contrary to the "be your own person" message of modern culture.

• The Choice: We are presented with a stark choice: either place Jesus on the throne of our lives or "destroy him" by pushing Him away. Attempting to live in the middle ground—claiming to be a Christian without surrendering control to Jesus—leads to what the Bible calls "carnality." This state of quenching God’s Spirit results in misery, anxiety, and depression. You will never be satisfied or happy living a Christian life with Jesus off the throne.

Herod's Reaction and Prophetic Fulfillment

Herod's insecurity and rage are highlighted by his extreme actions.

• Herod's Decree: Feeling mocked by the wise men who did not return to him, Herod ordered the killing of all male children in the region aged two and under (Matthew 2:16).

• Prophecy Fulfilled: This horrific event fulfilled a prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15, quoted in Matthew 2:18: "In Ramah was there voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted, because they are not."

• Flight to Egypt: Joseph was warned in a dream to flee with his family to Egypt to escape Herod's jurisdiction. This, too, was a fulfillment of prophecy, as quoted from Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15: "out of Egypt, I have called my son."

• God's Humility and Hope: Jesus’ story begins in humble circumstances: born in the insignificant town of Bethlehem and then taken as a refugee to Egypt (a place often symbolizing the world or sin in the Bible). This should be an encouragement. Just as the Savior came from a place of no significance and even dwelt in "Egypt," God can call us out of our own "Egypt"—our lives lived in the dirt of the world. Like David in the Psalms, we can ask, "Who am I that God would be mindful of me?" and find hope in the fact that God chooses to work through the humble and lowly.

Who Were the Wise Men?

The sermon then shifts focus to the identity and background of the "wise men" who came to worship Jesus. They were not just random, wealthy figures but part of a specific, historical class of people.

• Historical Context: The term "wise men" (or "Magi") refers to a class of highly educated individuals—teachers, priests (of other religions), physicians, astrologers, and scholars. They were often consulted by kings and rulers for their ability to interpret dreams and understand difficult matters. They were not necessarily a godly group and were sometimes associated with sorcery and magic.

• Key Points about Wise Men in Scripture:

  1. Called Upon in Difficulty: Wise men were the "answer men" of their time.

     • Example: In Genesis 41:8, Pharaoh calls for his magicians and wise men to interpret his troubling dream.

     • Example: In Exodus 7:10-12, Pharaoh’s wise men and sorcerers are able to replicate the miracle of turning a rod into a serpent through their "enchantments," though Aaron’s rod-serpent ultimately swallows theirs.

     • Application: This demonstrates that supernatural power is not exclusive to God. The enemy also has power, and we must be discerning. As 1 John warns, we must "try the spirits to see if they're of the Lord." Not every supernatural event is from God.

     • Example: In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar demands his wise men tell him both his dream and its interpretation, threatening them with death when they cannot. Daniel, who was being trained among them, is the one who provides the answer through God’s power.

  2. Special Education and Skills: These men were highly skilled and intelligent, groomed for leadership and advisory roles.

     • Example: In Daniel 1:3-4, the king commands that intelligent, skillful, and knowledgeable young men from Israel be brought to the palace to be trained in the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were part of this group.

     • Example: In Exodus 36:4, "wise-hearted men" were needed for the skilled work of building the sanctuary. They were the architects and engineers of their day.

     • Example: In Deuteronomy 1:13, Moses is instructed to choose "wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes" to be made rulers over the people. They were chosen for their leadership qualities and understanding.

     • Example: In the book of Esther, the king consults wise men who "knew the times." They were like the writers of the Farmer's Almanac, making predictions based on their study of astrology and other signs.

A Warning Against "Nicolaitanism"

The pastor concludes with a warning against a hierarchical system of thinking in the church that elevates certain "wise men" over the common person.

• The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans: This term, found in Revelation, refers to a system where a spiritual elite ("Nico" - leader) dominates the laity ("laity" - the average person). This creates a structure where a priest or pastor is seen as having all the answers and authority, which can lead to corruption.

• The Danger: This system intimidates people and discourages them from questioning or studying the Bible for themselves. The pastor shared an anecdote of a Catholic woman who was told by her priest to stop listening to him and to trust the "church fathers" over what the Bible itself says.

• The Truth: This is not how the church is supposed to function. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Bible is the ultimate authority, and every believer has direct access to God and His Word. We should not be intimidated by those who seem to have more education or a higher position.

Wise Men vs. The Wise God

Introduction: We Are All Equal Before God

The pastor begins by establishing a foundational truth: all people, regardless of status, wealth, or position (like the president), are equal before God. We are all born in sin and will all face death. We come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing. This equality is a crucial starting point for understanding our relationship with God and with others.

The Nature of "Wise Men"

• Human Reliance on Wise Men: People naturally look to "wise men" for answers, especially in difficult situations. These are individuals who often have a special education or a particular skill set.

• A Critical Comparison: It is vital to compare the words of human "wise men" with the words of the wise God. Without this comparison, we risk elevating human intellect above divine truth, simply because someone seems smarter than us.

God’s Perspective on Human Wisdom

The pastor highlights how God, through the prophets, consistently challenged the people’s tendency to listen to "smart people" instead of Him.

• Scriptural Rebuke of Human Wisdom:

  • Isaiah 29:14: God declares, "the wisdom of their wise men shall perish." He promises to nullify human intellect that opposes Him.

  • Isaiah 44:25: God "frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish." When human wisdom stands against God’s Word, God will expose it as foolishness.

  • Jeremiah 8:9: "The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?" If someone rejects the Bible, which is the mind of Christ, they possess no true wisdom.

  • Jeremiah 10: The prophet states that even if you gather all the wise men together, none of them can compare to the Lord. God will always win the debate.

  • Jeremiah 51: God says He will take the princes and wise men and make them drunk, causing their words to become nonsensical.

• Pastor’s Example: The pastor shared a personal story of attending a Christmas party with highly successful Jewish lawyers. Initially intimidated by their intelligence and wealth, he observed that as they became drunk, their impressive stature diminished, and one even had to apologize for his foolish behavior. This illustrated God’s point in Jeremiah—He can easily make the "wise" appear foolish.

The Right Kind of Wise Man: Daniel’s Example

There is nothing inherently wrong with being intelligent or skilled. The key is the source and posture of that wisdom.

• Daniel’s Humility: When the king’s wise men could not interpret his dream, Daniel was brought in. Instead of boasting in his own ability, Daniel said, "wise men can’t interpret the king’s dream, but I know the God that can."

• Application: A true wise man or woman acknowledges that their ability comes from God and points others to Him. It's good to be "wicked smart," but that intelligence must be submitted to God’s authority.

All Are Equal in Death

The sermon returns to the theme of equality, emphasizing that wisdom, status, and wealth are temporary.

• Psalm 49: This psalm teaches that both the wise and the foolish die alike. In the end, King Herod is dead, just as everyone else will be. This is the great equalizer.

• Wise Men in Every Culture: Every society has a group of "wise men" who make decisions for others, often in secret because they believe they know what’s best. We see this in our own government today.

God’s Choice: The Common and the Foolish

While God can and does use wise and educated people, His pattern is often to choose the unlikely.

• God Uses Wise Men: In Matthew 23:34, Jesus says, "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes..." God is not against education or intelligence. The pastor confessed his own past prejudice against wealthy and educated people, admitting it was an ignorant and "trashy way of thinking."

• God Prefers the Humble: The key passage for this point is 1 Corinthians 1:25-28.

  • "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (v. 25)

  • "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called..." (v. 26)

  • "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are..." (v. 27-28)

• Why God Chooses the "Foolish": The key is the phrase "after the flesh." People who are wise "in the flesh" often become proud and think they are smarter than God. They struggle to submit to a Bible that contradicts their own thinking. God chooses the weak and foolish so that when He accomplishes something great through them, He alone gets the glory. No one can boast in their own strength or intellect.

Biblical Examples of God Using the Unlikely

1. Gideon (Judges 6): God called Gideon a "mighty man of valor" while he was hiding in fear. Gideon’s response was, "I'm poor. I'm the least in my father's house." God used him precisely because of his low status, so Gideon couldn't take credit for the victory.

2. Moses: When called by God, Moses’ excuse was, "I can't talk. I'm not eloquent." God chose an insecure man to be His spokesman so that the power would clearly be from God, not from human talent.

3. Elijah and John the Baptist: These prophets were not polished, eloquent speakers. They were rugged, hairy men who came with a simple, powerful message: "Thus saith the Lord."

4. Samuel: When Saul was looking for the prophet, he walked right up to Samuel and didn’t even recognize him. Samuel was not impressive in stature, but he was fearless before the king because he feared God alone.

5. David: When a new king was to be anointed, David’s own family overlooked him. The chosen one was the youngest son, out watching the sheep.

The Christmas Story

Introduction: Beauty, Wisdom, and Humility

• To claim beauty or intelligence as one’s own accomplishment is vanity. These are gifts from God.

• Whether beautiful, intelligent, or facing physical challenges, every person is created by God.

• The core truth is that we all enter the world as sinners in need of God. The Bible says God chooses the "base things of the world."

• True wisdom comes from understanding God’s Word, which reveals how little we know on our own.

• Any gift, whether beauty or intelligence, should be used for God’s glory, recognizing its source.

The Journey of the Wise Men: Going the Right Direction

• Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1 - "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem."

• Observation: The Wise Men came from the east, meaning they were traveling west.

• Spiritual Application: God’s movement in the Bible is often from east to west.

  • Example (Genesis): Adam was cast out of the Garden of Eden, eastward.

  • Example (Genesis 13): Lot chose the land to the east, moving away from God’s intended direction.

• Key Point: The Wise Men were going in the right direction. When we are on the right path with God, even when we stumble, we can still fall forward into His grace. The key is to keep moving in the right direction, get things right with the Lord after a mistake, and continue on the path He has set.

Scripture and Revelation: How God Guides

• Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:2 - "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

• The Wise Men were "stargazers" who likely knew of Old Testament prophecies about a star, such as the "star of Jacob" in Numbers 24.

• The religious leaders of the day also knew the Scriptures.

  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:4-5 - When Herod asked where the Christ was to be born, the chief priests and scribes answered by quoting Micah 5, which prophesied the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.

• Observation: In that time, Scripture was treated as a legitimate source of historical truth. Today, it is often dismissed. We must hold it as completely true and accurate.

• Spiritual Application: God uses both His Word and divine revelation to guide us.

  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:14 - "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

  • Understanding the Bible requires the Holy Spirit to "turn the light on" and open our eyes. The Wise Men used the available Scriptures, but God also illuminated their path with a star.

The Shepherds and the Wise Men: A Tale of Two Arrivals

The pastor contrasts the arrival of the shepherds (from Luke) with the arrival of the Wise Men (from Matthew) to make a crucial point about who God reveals Himself to first.

• The Shepherds (Luke’s Gospel):

  • They were in the fields when an angel announced the Savior’s birth.

  • They immediately found the baby Jesus in a manger, in a stable.

  • They were so amazed they told everyone they met.

  • The Bible does not mention them bringing any material gifts.

• The Wise Men (Matthew’s Gospel):

  • The common nativity scene showing shepherds and Wise Men together at the stable is inaccurate.

  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:11 - "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him..."

  • By the time the Wise Men arrived, the family was living in a house, and Jesus was a "young child," not a newborn "babe" in a manger. They arrived much later, possibly a year or two after Jesus’ birth.

• Key Point: With all their knowledge, wisdom, and resources, the Wise Men were "late to the party." God chose to reveal the birth of the King first to humble, lowly shepherds.

Conclusion: Who God Is, Who You Are, and How to Live

• Who God Is: God is sovereign and His wisdom is infinitely greater than any human intellect. He delights in using the weak, the poor, the foolish, and the despised to accomplish His purposes and confound the proud. His power is made perfect in our weakness. He is a protector who guides His people through His Word and divine revelation. He is the King who desires our hearts above all else.

• Who You Are: You are usable to God, not because of your strengths, but often because of your weaknesses and insecurities. Your value is not in your IQ, your job, or your social status. If you feel poor, weak, or "the least," you are exactly the kind of person God loves to use for His glory. You are called to worship the King, regardless of what you have to offer.

• How to Live:

  1. Your own "smarts" will only get you so far. Sometimes, over-analyzing and relying on human intellect can slow you down in your spiritual journey.

  2. Worship is for everyone. The message is not about IQ or social status. All of us are called to worship the King.

  3. God wants your heart. You may feel you have little to bring, but the King doesn't need material gifts. He came to rescue the human heart, and that is the gift He desires most.

  4. God calls the humble. For those who feel they aren't much, aren't smart, or have little to offer, be encouraged. When you come with nothing but a humble heart, you are ready to give everything to Him in worship.

  5. Do not put your ultimate trust in "wise men" or human experts. Compare everything you hear to the Word of God. Humble yourself before God, acknowledge that you cannot "think for yourself" apart from His truth, and let the Bible correct your thinking. If you are intelligent and gifted, use those gifts to point people to God, not to yourself. Embrace your weaknesses, knowing that they are the very platform upon which God can display His strength.