Today, we're gonna continue talking the miracles God wants to do in our lives this Christmas . . .
This week in our home we had a couple of different miracles (around the same issue) . . . see . . . I had the flue this week - I was sick and I'm a baby when I get sick . . .I'm just a little needy . . . and a little demanding when I get sick . . . (typical man) (whining) . . . but really . . . I was so sick this week that probably most people would have been hospitalized (yes) . . . sickness racked this powerful body . . . (at least in my mind it was that serious). Anyway, I was asking God for what seemed like a miracle . . . that He would take what illness and disease had crippled . . . and restore me to health . . . which would truly be a miracle . . . However . . . I think Pam's miracle was different . . . I think she was asking God for the miracle of patience to endure my whining . . .
Everybody needs a miracle . . .
Today were gonna look at 2 parts of the Christmas story that involve 2 completely different groups of people - the wise men and the shepherds. Now . . . . . . you don't get two more opposite sets of people and any where than these . . . and yet . . . both were very much a part of the miracle of Jesus birth --
Let's look at Matthew 2:1-12.
I'll read you this portion of the Christmas story . . .
"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 in the east and have come to worship him."
And when King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So then, he had called together all the chief priests, and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied,
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 make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
And after they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. And 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 and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
So let's find out what these guys were doing there that first Christmas . . . and what we can learn from them . . .
I. God's miracles come to diligent seekers
Let's read verses 1 & 2 again . . .
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem 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 in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2
The bible gives a title to these guys called Magi - now this name - Magi was the term (title) given to the scholars, professors and men of wisdom from ancient Babylon. If you had good knowledge - if you were well read or had specific learning about the land or animals or the weather or the stars (specifically about astrology) you were called a Magi - it was a very respectable term - like being called a professor or Dr. today. That's why in scripture they were also called wise men - because that's exactly who they were. They had extra-ordinary wisdom, and the bible says they were on an journey following a certain star the star was leading them to Jesus . . .
Now its obvious as you read the account that these particular Magi also had some connection to money - maybe there were some rich men backing the wise men I'm not sure - but these guys had enough money to be on the road for a couple of years with their entourage of perhaps other student intern wise men and servants, horses and camels etc. . . . . . . See the bible never says how many wise men there actually were . . . We always think there were only 3 because they left 3 gifts - but that is in our minds only because of the nativity scene pictures. Norman Rockwell has painted that picture for us . . . not the bible . . . It is more likely that there were several of them and that this trip was, for them, more like an expedition, . . . an adventure that may have included dozens of people and lasted for 2 or more years. That's how long bible scholars estimate their journey took from the time the star began leading them - 2 years. Keep that number in your head . . .
See . . . we also have this really nice picture (in our minds) of 3 wise men showing up in the stable the night Jesus was born. Well, the shepherds made it that night but the wise men came a couple years later . . . when Jesus was already a toddler - they showed up at the house . . . . not the stable . . . and more than likely that was a pretty big deal . . . having these foreign men of wisdom just show up in the country, let alone at your door . . .
The bible says that " When Herod (King of Israel) heard this (their story) he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him." Matthew 2:3
I think when these guys rolled into town and set up camp they were a big enough group to make a pretty big scene . . . . . . and when they started telling their stories - word spread throughout the whole city . . . of this newborn king and the star that had brought them to Jerusalem . . .
At any rate - my point is this . . . . . . that they (this big entourage) had been on their journey for a long time following a star that they believed was given to them as a sign from God . . . Can you imagine that? Scholars and wise men on camels for 2 years - following a star. See . . . .folks, here's the point . . . we've got to get our heads around just how committed these guys were to seeking spiritually . . . . . . - how diligent they were in their search for Jesus . . .
Two years . . . the best and brightest minds of the east ® men who had recognized the times, . . . . . . and they were willing to refocus their energy and set aside their resources to commit themselves (and their time) to the real journey of life . . . The journey to find Jesus . . . .
See, . . . this journey, for them, was a once in a lifetime thing. They had spent years of their lives reading the scriptures, and had spent significant time interpreting the signs of the day . . . . . . (that spiritually, the world was about a change. . .) and this historic event had something to do with following that star and finding a baby . . . and nothing was going to keep them from their calling. They were committed to it and diligent in their search . . . . . . and think about this . . . . . they were so committed to their search, when they left home, they had no idea where the journey would take them, or even how long it would take . . . Think about that - they saddled up to chase what God was calling them to do, not knowing where it might lead . ( Diligent SEEKERS.)
Now, here's the key to the story of the Magi that we need to catch . . . they weren't satisfied with simply having knowledge of this great thing God was doing. The wise men put action to their knowledge . Their greatest longing wasn't just to know about God - they wanted to see Him and experience Him . . . They wanted to be face to face with God . . . Unlike Herod the King of Israel - listen to his approach to Jesus . . .
In Matthew 2:8 . . . it says . . .
He sent them (the Magi) to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." Matthew 2:8
He basically said, " Hey you guys go and do the diligent thing - I'm kinda busy, just doing my king stuff here . . . I'll let you guys go out and search - I'll let you interpret the signs and I'm just gonna sit here . . . " See he an active player - he chose to sit on the bench . . . with a head full of knowledge . . .
Folks, it's not enough to know - we must also decide to go . . .
If you and I want to be part of a soul miracle God wants to start this Christmas . . . we've got to decide to go and put action to our knowledge and . . . . We need to give our energy and time and resources to the journey of coming face to face with God. We can't sit back anymore and let someone else tell us about God. It's our turn. It's time for a new thing - because God wants to do a powerful new thing in you . . . Face to face . . . and folks - it's only when we expend life energy to the journey of the soul, that we really discover the truth about ourselves and the truth about our lives . . . We've got to put our spiritual knowledge to work . . . to action . . .
That's the journey God is calling us to this Christmas . . .
And here's what I think . . . . . . - I think God is preparing you for that journey - right now today. I think there is no coincidence that you are here today . . . And I think God is calling each of us to explore what that adventure looks like for us and you know what I think? I think it's time for God's people to go deep into another realm this Christmas and that's the realm of God's spirit, (stay with me here) because this is a risky journey and we've got to count the cost a bit . . . . Folks . . . do we have any idea the time it's going to take to go on this journey of soul. Do we realize the cost of a journey like that? You know folks, . . . . . . so often our life energies are all used up on the physical and external side of life. What we will eat , or what we will wear , or what we look like . . . or where we will live , or what pleasure or lifestyle level we will attain to next , . . . . . . and folks hear this . . . all that stuff, wears us out . . . and its all external - all physical - and don't get me wrong . . . these things are all good and fine . . . but people, the real miracle that God wants to do in your life this Christmas . . . is on the inside (not the outside) - it's internal (not external) and an internal journey takes a whole different kind of energy . . . It takes soul energy and you can't get that without God.
Folks, I'm here to tell you today that that's the next level for us - it's internal change - not external focus - but internal and spiritual transformation . That's where I want to go - I don't want to just hear about God anymore - or even know about him. I want to see Him - I want to be consumed with His presence and committed to His purpose . . . I want to get face to face with God . . . and I think that's the journey he's calling this church to . . . corporately, that's where we're going . . . . but it starts with individuals who are gonna become diligent seekers . . . .
And I think that's why you're here today. So that He can speak to you individually about what it may mean to be a DILIGENT SEEKER who is consumed (with the journey), and committed (to the search) for internal transformation .
See . . . it's not enough just to know . . . you must decided to go . . . and to be honest I can't really tell you what it's gonna take for you to take that journey to the next realm ® Spiritually, in your life . . . Now, . . . some of these things may help, study - serving - intentional time spent listening - but each of you have to hear from God on your next step (not from me) and then you need to take action . . . god's miracles come to diligent seekers . . . Stick with me.
Now, here's something that put this into even greater perspective for me this week . . . and that was to contrast these Magi/wise men and what God called them to do, with the shepherds who were not Magi at all - they weren't scholars . . . In fact they were kinda the unwise men . . . and yet God also worked powerfully in their lives . . . See . . . because
II. God's miracles also come to everyday people in ordinary places
Luke 2:8-20 (Another part of the Christmas story)
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them (and gone into heaven), the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened . . . ."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, . . . . and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. And then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
This is a great part of the Christmas story. I had to include these guys during the Christmas season - because they're my favourite. The shepherds are the guys who just logically . . . fit the least, into the story of God's coming to this earth and no one but God would have ever picked a bunch of shepherds . . . to be the ones to welcome His son . . . and I wanted to tell a bit of their story today because they're completely different than the wise men - but the journey they found themselves on was very much the same.
In contrast to the wise men, shepherds were not ranked highly on the social scale - it was a lowly occupation- and they weren't highly educated . . . and in religious circles they were also considered outcasts because their work (working with sheep) made them ceremonially unclean . . . . . . - plus often this line of work attracted people with shady pasts. When you applied to be a shepherd -you just kinda knew nobody was gonna do a bunch of reference checks on your resume, . . . . . . and so . . . it seems that these shepherds were the most ordinary group of labourers you could find and were also the lowest rung on the social ladder. They actually lived out with the flocks of sheep - that was home for them.
They were everyday, humble, blue-collar kinda people and yet God came to them first with the miracle that night . . . and my bet is, the first thought they had when an angel showed up was . . . . . . gee . . I haven't been to church in like 9 years and now God's talking to me - (gulp) . . . . and I bet some of them were even at the place (in their lives) where they felt neglected by God - or forgotten by God or worse yet - abandoned by Him . . . and suddenly the presence of God is very real and all around them. And I love that line that says, "the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone all around them." Luke 2:9 Great picture . . .God's glory with a bunch of dirty shepards.
See folks, (only with God) can the extraordinary happen, in a very ordinary setting - and only with God can supernatural power visit the most lowly and humble.
Folks, there's something here for us (in this story) . . . something for every one of us . . . all the way from the most scholarly seeker here today or (the highest on the social ladder) to the one who has no bed to sleep in tonight . . . . . . People hear this . . . the presence of God is all around us today and we probably don't even know it . And the love of God, that won't let us go, comes and seeks you out , right where you're at, He won't let you go! . . . and He hasn't forgotten about you. (He hasn't abandoned you), no matter who you are or what you've done . . . . . .
In fact in this very moment He is speaking to you about your soul . . . and He's speaking to you about changing the world around you and through you . . . and you and you . . . everyday ordinary people - God's miracles happen to everyday people who live in ordinary places . . . Just like this city - just like your house or in your workplace . . . everyone of us . . . everyday . . .
Check this out . . . The angel's message to the shepherds drove this point home even farther . . . "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10 & 11
Folks, to experience the miracle of Jesus - you don't have to go anywhere specific - or look a certain way (or act a certain way) or be seen at just the right Christmas extravaganza's. Right where you're at today - you can experience the miracle. I love this!!! You see, the angels didn't say it was just for some people - or just intelligent people or the right people - but it was for all people.
Even for lowly shepherds - out in the fields whose lives weren't even "clean" enough to be allowed into the temple . . .
God wanted them to know . . . God needed them to know first that Jesus was born for them . . . and oh - yeah for every body else as well . .
Folks, you and I can put our name in there too- this message is for you and for you and for me . . . and it's a message of great joy.
One more thing. Look what happens to the shepherds - internal transformation happens . . . . . . I can't explain it - I don't even know how God does it - It's a miracle. But these shepherds are changed when they see Jesus . . .
Luke 2:16, 17, 18, 20
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word (lowly shepherds) concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told .
See folks, something happened to these guys and it had nothing to do with their external situation . . . . . . in fact verse 20 says that the shepherds went right back to where they were the night before . . . They never got a new job - or more money - no instant physical changes at all . . . none of that changed for them . . . . . but something was different - they had seen Jesus and suddenly their lives were different inside . They now saw with new eyes . . . spiritual eyes . . . . . . and everything looked different . . . And folks, when you take time to really see Jesus, everything begins to look different and I thnk miracles come inot focus when we look at Jesus . . . . .
See . . . when you really see Jesus, suddenly, that marriage, where you thought there was no life - suddenly you begin to see the possibility of a miracle . . . and when you begin to see Jesus . . . that boring job that you hate every day, as you go out the door to work suddenly - some how, you can begin to see that God has a purpose for your life and a destiny and a calling for your life . . . . . and that your job is part of that . . . and when you see Jesus . . . suddenly that health problem or financial concern or addiction . . . isn't so completely overwhelming . . . . . . and there's hope and strength to face our challenges . . . That's what happens when ordinary folks meet Jesus - they see things differently . . . . and their very ordinary lives take on the extraordinary, and the powerless become power filled . . . and the diligent seeker finds truth . . . . . .
Close
Story
2 Funerals - this week
1 - 70+ year old woman who quietly served God and touched people her whole life - amazing.
1 - 42 year old father of 5 who died of cancer . . . 42 years old
And folks, funerals and death have this way of lining up our priorities ®
Life is short - and death is real. And I came out of those 2 experiences this week asking some pretty big internal questions . . .
What am I doing with my life? and
What's my focus gonna be? and
What difference do I want to make in the world? and
How can I best make that difference? and
Am I seeking God with all diligence? and
Am I developing and multiplying those things in my life that will last forever? And I was asking myself. . . How the balance was in my life . . . . . . the balance between focusing on the external and physical verses the internal and spiritual.
Folks, hear this. Life is short . . . so "Seek God diligently - focus your life on listening to His voice - make choices so as to discipline yourself to act out your faith. Place your life in a position to be transformed inside. And be thankful that God works in every day ordinary folks like us . . . And then when you catch a glimpse of Jesus . . . take a moment to soak Him up - to let the glory of God shine around you - and then get excited . . . . and spread the good news to everyone you meet . . . because . . . God's miracles come to diligent seekers and they absolutely come to every day ordinary people like us . . . |
