1. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 Context - A Christmas Timeline GALILEEGALILEE JUDEAJUDEA EGYPTEGYPT Elizabeth (3 months until John born) 6 months Bethlehem stable Temple Presentation (day 40) Bethlehem house (1-2 years) Hiding in Egypt A few months? Return to Nazareth Census Magi LukeMatthew Herod dies 6 BC4 BC7 BC5 BC

2. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi Gentiles, from the East – perhaps Persia –Unlikely to have been kings –A very different culture –Zoroastrian priests or advisors? –Worshipping a King for all peoples Astrologers –Magic –Not like horoscope writers or fortune tellers of today –Should we use them today? Is 47:12-14 –No, but God used best channels available for them The message they received was backed up by Scripture God also spoke to them in a dream

3. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 Creation is under His Authority But God can! “Through him (Jesus) all things were made”. He is it’s ruler (Rev 3:14) –Shadows can go backwards –Solid iron can float –Gravity can be suspended –People can be teleported Don’t worship creation itself –Gaia, Mother Earth etc is idolary “Ye cannae change the Laws of Physics Jim” Creation will continue to speak until the end (Matt 24:29)

4. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 Creation’s Voice Proclaims it Psalm 19 – God speaks through creation and scripture. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. See also Romans 1:20

5. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 God can speak to us through Creation

6. God Speaks Through Creation Matthew 2:1-12 Summary God holds creation together so He can use it to speak to us This may be through the natural beauty and order of creation Unusually this may be through a miraculous occurrence Check out what He’s saying – does it agree with scripture? – if not then disregard Don’t be fooled by horoscopes, tarot or tea leaves