Woodville Baptist Church
Christmas Eve Service

      • 2 Corinthians 3:18NLT

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      • Acts 1:8ESV

  • O Come

      • Matthew 2:1–12NLT

  • Answering Christmas Issues
    Message 4
    Matthew 2:1 – 12
    Matthew 2:1–12 (NLT)
    1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
    2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
    3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
    4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
    5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
    6 ‘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.’ ”
    7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
    8 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!”
    9 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.
    10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
    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.
    12 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.
    ​
    INTRODUCTION:
    Angie Flaute of Celina, Ohio made sure that her children knew the real meaning of Christmas by telling them the Biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth. She explained that after he was born, three wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the infant Jesus.
    Her six-year daughter thought about what she heard and responded, “a Wise-Woman would have brought diapers.” [1]
    We laugh at the little girl’s response, but what kind of gift are we giving to Jesus? After all it is his birthday.
    ​
    ​

    I. GIVE THE GIFT OF SELF (MATTHEW 2: 1 – 2)

    Matthew 2:1–2 (NLT)
    1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
    2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

    A. Wise men gave the gift of self to Christ.

    1. The wise men began by offering the gift of themselves to the child Jesus.
    a. They were willing to travel a long distance to go see Jesus.
    b. This required giving themselves to him
    2. The first gift that Jesus wants from you and I is self.
    (Romans 12:1 – 2)
    Romans 12:1–2 (NLT)
    1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
    2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
    a. The first step is the giving of self to Jesus so that he can save us. (Matthew 1:21)
    Matthew 1:21 (NLT)
    21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
    1) we have a sin problem that can only be solved by a Savior.
    · Like a man who is drowning – must give himself into the hands of the one who can save him.
    b. We must give ourselves to him so that he can live his life through us. (John 14:23)
    John 14:23 (NLT)
    23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
    (1) He will live in and through us in the person of his Holy Spirit.
    (2) We must be willing to allow him to be in control. (Ephesians 5:18)
    Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)
    18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

    B- Worship is a gift of self that Jesus desires. (Matthew 2:2)

    Matthew 2:2 (NLT)
    2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
    1- He desires real worship.
    a. Real worship requires that we change our focus.
    · The worship experience of John on the Isle of Patmos is a prime example. (Revelation 1:9 – 20)
    ​

    II- GIVE A GIFT THAT COSTS YOU SOMETHING. (Matthew 2:3 – 11)

    A. Time (Matthew 2:2)

    Matthew 2:2 (NLT)
    2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
    1. The wise men's journey cost them much time.
    a. preparation time
    b. travel time
    2. The greatest gift that you can give Jesus is your time.
    a. Time in God's word.
    (1)The Bible is God's love letter to you.
    (2) The Bible contains God's instructions for your life.
    b. Time talking with him.
    (1) This is your prayer life.
    (2) You are to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
    1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
    17 Never stop praying.
    c. Time serving him.

    B- Ernest seeking (Matthew 2:3 – 9)

    Matthew 2:3–9 (NLT)
    3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
    4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
    5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
    6 ‘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.’ ”
    7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
    8 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!”
    9 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.
    1- The wise men saw Jesus through every channel available.
    a. Following the star
    b. Inquiring about Jesus's location
    c. Entering his house
    2- You and I must earnestly seek him:
    a. Through worship (public and private)
    · seek his presence
    b. Through study
    o seek to understand his will
    o seek to understand him personally

    C- Humility (Matthew 2:11)

    Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
    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.
    1- Recognize that he is Lord.

    D- Material possessions (Matthew 2:11)

    Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
    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.
    1- We must recognize that it is he who owns everything.
    2- We must view ourselves as the steward of all that God has placed under our control, rather than its owner.
    a. Giving - the tithe is the beginning place of doing this. (Malachi 3:8)
    Malachi 3:8 (NLT)
    8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
    ​

    III- GIVE THE GIFT OF COMPLETE OBEDIENCE. (Matthew 2:12)

    Matthew 2:12 (NLT)
    12 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.

    A- Obedience begins with listening to God.

    1- Listening to his word.
    a. As it is preached and taught.
    b. As you study it.
    2- Listening to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
    a. His job is to convict you and direct you.
    (John 16:8, 13)
    John 16:8 (NLT)
    8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
    John 16:13 (NLT)
    13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

    B- Obedience means doing what he says.

    1- If the wise men had not obeyed God, it would endanger the life of Jesus.
    2- When we fail to obey, the consequences can be disastrous.
    (Luke 6:46)
    Luke 6:46 (NLT)
    46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
    a. Personally
    b. To the people we love
    c. To the fellowship of believers.
    d. To the future effectiveness of God's work.
    ​
    Conclusion:
    Keep Christ in Christmas
    As now we celebrate His birth,
    The coming of the Christ to earth,
    May we, amid our joyous mirth,
    Keep Jesus first in Christmas!
    As chiming bells ring out their lay,
    And hearts are merry, light, and gay,
    Remember it is His birthday—
    Keep Jesus first in Christmas!
    Let’s sing of Him in carols sweet,
    Let’s lay our best gifts at His feet
    And make the season’s joy complete—
    With Jesus first in Christmas!
    ​
    ​
    [1] —Reader’s Digest, December 2002, p. 203

      • Matthew 2:1–2NLT

      • Matthew 2:2NLT

      • Matthew 2:3–11NLT

      • Matthew 2:2NLT

      • Matthew 2:3–9NLT

      • Matthew 2:11NLT

      • Matthew 2:11NLT

      • Matthew 2:12NLT

      • Luke 6:46NLT

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Woodville Baptist Church
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