1. CHRISTMAS 04 THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH I.INTRODUCTION A.Love reading about the Christmas story. 1.Regarded as stories to tell your children!

2. 2.“Don’t take them seriously!” 3.Look at some “smart” fellows who believed this was more than a story! II.Matthew 2:1-2 A.Not much information about these “wise men”!

3. a) They were from Persia. (1) Priests called “Magi”. (2) Seldom of royal blood! (3) These men were not Jews! (a) Jesus’ own didn’t show up!

4. (b) Theodore Roosevelt (c) Jews had been expecting a Savior! (i) Not “wise in time”. b) “Wise men” from another country saw His star! (1) TRIP = twelve to fourteen days. (2) Make camp every night.

5. (3) To carry supplies for the fourteen days. (4) “Gifts” guarded each night! (a) Determined to follow through! III.Matthew 2:9-11

6. A.“Wise Men” worshipped the King of Kings! 1.Why an act of faith? a) Nothing would indicate child to be a prince! b) Parents couldn’t afford a room. c) Child born in a barn!

7. d) Nothing to indicate royalty. 2.“Wisdom” told them this was God’s Son!! a) Cicero: (1) Think about Cicero’s statement. (a) Wisdom fails at basic level will fail at others!

8. (2) Were “wise” in the true sense! b) Matthew 2:11 c) Matthew 6:21 (1) “Wise Men’s” “treasure” in this boy! (2) Wisdom told them this was “good”. 3.Look at their gifts! a) Verse 11

9. (1) Gold for Kings! (2) Frankincense anointment of Priests. (3) Myrrh fragrance of death and burial. IV.OPPOSITE OF WISDOM FOOLISHNESS!

10. A.Matthew 25:1-13 1.Foolish = ill-prepared! 2.Foolish = caught off- guard! 3.Foolish = left behind! V.CONCLUSION

11. A.“Intelligent” men of the day missed Jesus! 1.Didn’t notice the event! a) Can have intelligence without wisdom! (1) A lot can’t tell the difference.

12. (2) Pharisees were pretty foolish! 2. “Wise Men” from the east – very wise! B.Which are we? 1. “Wise men” and women?

13. a) It is the TRUTH! 2.John 14:6 a) True wisdom - NOT missing Jesus!