What if ….. We offered God our first and our best? What if …. You found hope this Christmas? What if …. The message became our mission? What if … We lived the faith and obedience of the shepherds? What if …. We offered God our first and best? All of these messages invite us to see a new year in a new way. They call us to preparation and transformation.

Matthew 2:1-12 NIV What if……we offered God our first and best? After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

What if……we offered God our first and best? “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

What if……we offered God our first and best? After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

What if……we offered God our first and best? Observations about the magi’s intentions: 1. The magi made it their priority to follow the sign, the star of God’s making. 2. The magi made God’s time table their time table. 3. The magi offered the child Jesus their most precious gifts. It was worship. 4. The magi did not consider if the child was qualified or capable of using their gifts. The magi interrupted their lives to follow the star. Whatever they did daily, it stopped. They were singular in their focus. They followed at great risk and cost. They gave their time to seek for a king. This journey had no benefit for them. They lost time to honor a child. They had no idea were going or how long it would take. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were common gifts for royalty. They were very valuable. Not only were the gifts precious, they went to great personal expense to give them. They knew the king they sought would be a child. When they did not find him in a palace but did find him in a common dwelling elsewhere, they still gave Him their gifts. They did not stop to consider how a child would “spend” the gifts.

What if……we offered God our first and best? Applications: If we offered God our first and best… 1. We would prioritize time with God. 2. We would prioritize time to serve others in Jesus’ name. 3. We would offer God the best of our abilities and talents. 4. We would acknowledge that God is the owner, and we are the manager. 5. We would offer God the first and best of our money and material resources. Just like the magi dropped their lives to seek the child, we ought to be sure to give God priority in our time. Listen, talk, keep our eyes open on the journey – just what the magi did. The most important thing to the magi was placing their gifts at King Jesus’ feet. Jesus has told us that serving others in His name is serving Him. Giving God our best always has the expression of serving others because Jesus died for each of us. Many people need to know … God deserves the best of our efforts and ability, not half-heartedness. Jesus told several parables that drive this truth home. If it all belongs to Him, should we not freely offer to Him our first and best? The magi were not believers and did not know the grace of God. We do. Shouldn’t we get this?