1. Best Wishes - Guy and Ann McDaniel

3. Wise Men Still Seek Him (O’Neal church of Christ; Athens, Ala. Dec
Wise Men Still Seek Him (O’Neal church of Christ; Athens, Ala. Dec . 24, 2017 Thanks Glen )

4. Matthew 2:1-12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,(Where He was born);
2 Saying, 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.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

6. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

7. These wise men (The Bible does not say how many:
It may have been 2, 3, 4, 5, or any number!)
Came from afar off. (Matt. 2:1 “came from the East
To Jerusalem”)
They were not at the manger but the Bible says
They were in a house.(Matt. 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.
And when they had opened their treasures, they presented
Unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”)

8. Gold.. as a precious metal
Frankincense.. Perfume or incense.
Myrrh:.. Anointing oil.
Someone has suggested:
The gold- suggested His royalty as King of the Jews and Lord of lords.
In the frankincense, they saw His divinity.
The myrrh represented His humanity— and that to the fullest extent because myrrh suggests death and burial. Thus, the gifts came to show Jesus as King, God, and Man.

9. Daniel 12:3 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

10. The Birth of Christ brought attention From across the world.
The same is true today. There is interest in the birth
Of Christ from afar.
India; Russia; China;Germany; ..all over the world!

11. Wise Men Still Seek Him…
A Wise man is described in the Bible:

12. Proverbs 1:5
As a man who will hear:
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov. 9:9
As a man who listens and becomes even wiser”
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

13. Proverbs 12:15
One who will listen to instructions:
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Read the instructions!!

14. #1 These wise men sought to find Him to
Worship Him. Wise men will seek Him today to worship God Through Him.
John 4:23-24; Matt. 4:10
They traveled far off.
They had to pay the price for the trip .
They were prepared to show their gratitude to Him.
To what extent will you go to seek the Lord? Isa. 55:6-7

15. These wise men had to come from a far
Away place . They saw His star ..and followed it.
(there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem)
When you find in the Bible what God has said
about Jesus, and His Way, His truth.
You will too.
We can learn about Jesus in His Word. Rom. 10:17

16. #2 These wise men came with gifts for the
Young child. They came to show their appreciation
For the Saviour.
What gifts do we offer God today? What gifts
do we give?
a) We today can give upon the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7
b) We can give individually to those who are in need.
Gal. 6:10

17. #3 These wise men listened to God’s warning.
They were warned in a dream not to return to
Herod. And they heeded that warning. (Mt.2:12)
You and I can be wise only if we heed God’s Warning
to us. 2 Cor. 6:2

18. These wise men departed a different way.
V. 12 “they departed into their own country
Another way.”
And yes they were changed by their experience.!

19. We cannot remain the same when God’s
Word finds lodgement in our hearts.
Acts 2: “Pricked in their hearts”…
Acts 8: “If you believe in all your heart…”
Rom. 6: “Know ye not…

20. 1. God’s Warning of coming wrath.. Wise men hear and
tremble. Cf. Acts 24:25 Felix not a wise man: “As Paul
reasoned of righteousness,temperance and judgment to come Felix trembled …
2. God’s warning of condemnation. Wise men seek
Redemption. Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace..”
3. God’s warning of procrastination. Wise men act
Quickly, while there is time. Prov. 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

21. Wise Men still listen to God’s warnings: Just like these wise men, who returned another way.
They had seen the child. They had given to the child.
They now return . They are different now.
Which way are you traveling? Are you with Him,
For Him and following in his direction.

23. Luke 2:8-148 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

24. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.