1. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

2. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk A Journey of Faith It is still the Christmas season. The plan is to look at the story of the Magi, then to see what there is within the story to challenge us to a Journey of Faith,

3. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk The Magi Wise men A comparable visit by Magi to Nero in A.D. 66 Astrologers and Astronomers  this is NOT a Biblical endorsement of astrology/horoscopes Probably from Babylon  Babylon has a long history of astrology  pocket clay tablets of astronomical tables for this period still exist  the journey would have taken 2-3 months

4. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk The Star We simply do not know!!! Balaam’s prophecy (Num 24:17) about a star rising out of Jacob The best suggestion a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn 7 B.C. Jupiter is traditionally linked with kingship Saturn has been thought to represent the Jews There is also something supernatural about this, it moved and stopped

5. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk The Date??? Herod is thought to have died in Spring 4 B.C. When the Magi arrive Jesus is referred to as a child, and is living in a house. Herod kills all the boys two years and younger, based on when the star first appeared. Best guess, 7-4 B.C.

6. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk The Gifts Isaiah 60:1-6, Psa 72:15, Psa 45:8 Gold; kingship, and useful Frankincense; used in perfumes and incense Myrrh; used by the Ancient egyptians to embalm bodies Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2* “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3* “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4* “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms. 5* “Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you. 6* “A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD.

7. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Steps on a Journey of Faith The first sign - hearing Considering the sign - wisdom/knowledge or Word of God, prayer, taking time Deciding to act / Setting Out The Journey - did they ever consider giving up The False Arrival - they were lost Arriving at the destination - they rejoiced, they worshipped, they presented gifts

8. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Faithful and Full of Faith Which comes first? Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  faith comes in response to something we are hoping for or have a vision for  faithfulness is seeing it through to the point of realisation  faith = believing in = trust Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Paul

9. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Faith and Fear “Only two reasons for doing anything, love and fear.” Faith in God comes out of the love we have experienced What is the basis for our actions in life?

10. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk