Sermon Notes

GBC DEC 14 2025
TITLE: THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI
ACTS 20:35 Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
A casket in the Cologne Cathedral actually is supposed to contain the skulls of these three Magi.
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world  itself could not contain the books that would be written. JOHN 21:25
“The main purpose is to show the reception given by the world to the new-born Messianic King. Homage from afar,
hostility at home; foreshadowing the fortunes of the new faith: reception by the Gentiles, rejection by the Jews”
MATTHEW 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
I. THE MAGI
Num. 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD. Isaiah 60:6
FACT#1 GENTILES CAME TO WORSHIP THE JEWISH KING
No person who follows the light God gives him can miss worshiping at the feet of Jesus. In Jesus Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). In Him dwells “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9).
WORSHIP HAS MANY FACETS

• PRAISE-BOTH MUSICAL & NON MUSICAL
• PRAYER
• IT IS SURRENDER TO GOD AS LORD AND KING
• IT IS BOTH READING HIS WORD AND MEDITATING UPON IT
• IT IS GIVING FROM THE HEART UNTO THE LORD

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no
means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
II. PROPHECY FULFILLED
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
AT Robertson in Some Minor Characters in the New Testament said “ I call him “Herod the Great Pervert”. He was great in sin and in cruelty
FACT #2 GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS FULFILLED
ISAIAH 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it With justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
III. FALSE WORSHIP
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me ISAIAH 29:13
The magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King.
The Gentiles sought and found Him, but the Jews did not.
FACT #3 THE DANGERS OF FALSE WORSHIP
IT PUTS ONE’S SELF INTERESTS BEFORE THE LORD IT MAGNIFYS RELIGION AT THE EXPENSE OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST IT MISLEADS THOSE AROUND US
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
IV. TRUE WORSHIP
PSALM 72:10-11 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
PSALM 2:7-8 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me,“You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession
FACT #4 THEY OFFERED THEIR BEST FREELY
EXODUS 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish
The Wise Men’s experience is a good lesson in finding the will of God:
(1) They followed the light God gave them
(2) They confirmed their steps by the Word of God
(3) They obeyed God without question and He led them each step of the way.
(4) They went home by “another way”
Anyone who comes to Christ will go home another way and be a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).