Stargazing 2 (The need for a Savior)

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Wednesday night we continued in our current series: Stargazing. (Click here to listen to the podcast). We examined the encounter that the wise men had with the newborn Savior. It's found in Matthew 2.

As the wise men from the east were stargazing one night, they saw the star arise and came to Jerusalem looking for Jesus. In Matthew 2:1-2 They are recorded saying that they have seen the star, but wanted to know where Jesus was. I can't help but think about Christmas, especially in America where it is SO commercialized! I often wonder, "Jesus, where are you in all of this."

The wise men knew what the star meant, they just couldn't get to Jesus. We see the star of David, we see the shepherds, the wise man, the donkey carrying someone dressed as Mary, we see Joseph - the whole manger scene... oh yeah, and baby Jesus. We know that's what Christmas is all about - we just can't bring ourselves there. Christmas is all about US and not JESUS. We wake up Christmas morning and it's all about the presents, while Jesus sits in the corner of our living rooms watching us be consumed with ourselves. How do we make Christmas different this year? We take a look at the wise men.

Matthew 2:10 says that when the wise men saw the star they rejoiced with great joy! Why? Because they had been waiting for so long? Good point! Waiting for what? - A SAVIOR! Here's the key to a Christ centered Christmas... Realizing our need for a savior! The wise men KNEW they needed a savior! That's why they couldn't contain themselves and were overwhelmed with joy! (Matt 2:10) They were so overwhelmed with joy that they fell on their face and worshiped Him! I see a whole lot of worship at Christmas... worship of ourselves. How much do we worship Jesus, who was born into this world for the purpose of dying? We don't think about that as we walk down the mall or as we sit in Orange Park traffic?!? One thing we pointed out last night was this...

"When we realize the NEED

for a Savior, worship will

become a natural byproduct."

They finally found Jesus, the promised Messiah, they gave Him gifts and worshiped! (Matt. 2:11) Frankincense and Myrrh I understand can help in postpartum healing, but I'm not sure what a baby is going to do with a bar of gold. "Bling" didn't come around for a few thousand years. It's ok to give gifts at Christmas, I'm not knocking that - I just think we're a little consumed by it. What we should be consumed with is the greatest gift of all, payment for our sin! Paul says it's indescribable! (2 Corinthians 9:15) I sure am glad He stuck with the plan of redemption!! I sure am glad that:

• As they arrested Him in the garden, He didn't resist
• When they slapped Him & spit in His face, Hi didn't fight back
• When He had His beard ripped out, He didn't call His angles to defend Him.
• When his back began to look like hamburger meat because he was tied to a post and flogged, He didn't quit
• When they made Him carry His cross through the city to be crucified, He didn't say, "I don't deserve this, let Kevin pay for his own sins. (I cried as I saw my name written there)
• As the enormous nails were hammered into His hands &feet, He endured the cross for the Joy set before Him! (Hebrews 12:2)

Do you know what JOY he was referring to??? YOU!!! He died for YOU! Make this year different from years past where we've given & received gifts, all the while, leaving Jesus in the manger. This Christmas, who is it all going to be about? You or Jesus? When we realize the need for a Savior, our worship of Jesus becomes a byproduct.

Stargazing 1 (What to give Jesus)

Last night we began a three week Christmas series entitled: "Stargazing". We tried to record it, but it was a terrible recording. We are still working out technical difficulties (or maybe a demon in the soundboard). Have you ever gone stargazing! It's incredible! It's indescribable! It's... I don't know, but what I do know it that on a dark clear night, as I look into the sky and see it lit up with stars I think, "WOW God, you are beautiful! You are glorious!" After all Psalm 19:1 tells us that, "The heavens display the glory of God". Like we need to be told that.

Matthew 2 records the story of the wise men... As they were stargazing one night they saw God's star rise and followed it as it led them to the place where Jesus was born, that tiny place called Bethlehem (the prophesied birth place of the Savior - Micah 5:2). When the wise men (however many of them there were) came to Jesus, they fell down and WORSHIPPED, they REJOICED with great joy, and they brought Him GIFTS. Wise men they were, for they knew that this infant would one day save them from their sins.

When they saw the Savior they brought gifts... isn't that what Christmas is really all about?!? What if one year we didn't give any gifts, but simply had a birthday party for Jesus?!? How different would that be? I know of a church in Lakeland that actually does this (Heritage Baptist), they did it last night for their children's ministry! If you did have a birthday party for Jesus what would you give Him? Seriously what do you give a God who has everything? We challenged our students last night by asking them that question. Justin Locke suggested we give Him our will since He doesn't own that. Great point! Were all familiar with this verse...

"... give your bodies to God..."

Romans 12:1 (nlt)

Could that be what we can give God this Christmas??? (Shhhhh here's a secrete, He already owns it anyway - 1 Cor 6:20) What could happen if we presented our body to God as a present this year?

Last night we looked at a teenage girl who gave her body to God. You know who she is and so does the rest of the world. Many center their whole religion around her. Her name is Mary. Luke 1:26-38 records a little about her encounter with God's plan to bring Jesus into the world. I especially like verse 38...

"...I am the Lord’s servant, and

I am willing to accept whatever

He wants..." - Luke 1:38 (nlt)

In other words Mary said, "God, I'm yours, you can have my body". God used her to bring Jesus into the world! What would happen if we presented our bodies to Him this Christmas as a present? Here's what would happen... Just like Mary, only in a different way, He would use us to bring Jesus into the world!