Wise Ways from Wise Men

Notes: Wise Ways from Wise Men
December 18, 2016
Coast Hills
Pastor Chet Lowe

Matthew 2:1-6 ESV
[1] Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Jesus the Generous Gift of God is born.

The Roman government voted Herod in as the King of the Jews. He was the Roman puppet king.

Daniel was the first of Wise men.

The three wise men would of been with a large enough group that King Herod would of heard they were coming.

1. The Wisest thing you can do is to take time to worship Jesus.

Matthew 2:2 ESV
[2] saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

How did they know...
Daniel 7:1-2 ESV
[1] In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. [2] Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

Hundreds of years later they knew the King of kings would come.

Numbers 24:17 ESV
[17] I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

God used the things the wise men were good at to get their attention.

God uses the things we know to get our attention.

Revelation 5:14 ESV
[14] And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Worship brings victory, because we are worshipping the living God.

Why did the wise men have to ask for directions after traveling so far?

Matthew 2:3-7 ESV
[3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" [7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

Herod was in his last days at this time. He was dying of a kidney disease.

Herod was asking for Christ, this troubled the Jews.

Our enemy is troubled, Satan knows Jesus wins the battle.

2. The Wisest thing you can do is get direction from the Word.

How many of us know to be kind to one another and don't do it.

Micah 5:2 ESV
[2] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

3. The Wisest thing you can do is to set your mind on things above.

How did you lose your joy in the journey?

How did the Wise men get their joy back?

Matthew 2:9 ESV
[9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

The enemy lies to you and tells you that you aren't good enough.

Colossians 3:2 ESV
[2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

4. The Wisest thing you can do is go home a different way.

Matthew 2:10-12 ESV
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Wise men walked in and dropped to the ground and worshipped Jesus.

It didn't matter what the surroundings were, they worshipped Jesus.

They opened their treasures and gave to Jesus.

They didn't come to Jesus for what they could get, they went to Him with what they could give.

Acts 20:35 ESV
[35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Give of our treasures and talents and God will use them to bless us and others.

What is the good and perfect will of God for your life?

Jesus in the Midst of Us

Notes: Jesus in the Midst of Us
December 11, 2016
Coast Hills
Pastor Chet

Revelation 1:9-18 NKJV
[9] I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. [10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, [11] saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." [12] Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. [14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; [15] His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; [16] He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. [17] And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. [18] I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Isaiah proclaimed Jesus' birth 740 years before it happened.

The Book of Revelation was written 60 years after Jesus on the island of Patmos.

Patmos means "my killing". John was sent there to die.

1. John would turn and listen to Jesus.

Even on Patmos.

Patmos was considered John's Tribulation.

John knew Jesus' voice, do you know Jesus' voice?

John would listen to Jesus' voice in the midst of trial.

Psalm 56:3 NKJV
[3] Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

2. Jesus is in the Midst of Us.

Revelation 1:12-13 NKJV
[12] Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

These lamp stands are the church. Jesus is standing in the midst of the church.

John 19:18 NKJV
[18] where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

Jesus is in the middle of our suffering with us.

Revelation 2:1 NKJV
[1] "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

Revelation 7:17 NKJV
[17] for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

When Jesus is in the midst, He is with you. The Generous Gift that keeps on giving.

3. Jesus is Our Wise High Priest

Revelation 1:13-14 NKJV
[13] and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. [14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

Jesus is the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19 NKJV
[18] Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness";

Revelation 1:14-15 NKJV
[14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; [15] His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

John is describing the overwhelming presence of Jesus in our lives.

When Jesus comes, He burns away all those things that don't glorify Him in your life.

John describes how if you listen, you will only hear God's voice.

Psalm 130:6 NKJV
[6] My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Revelation 1:17-18 ESV
[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Jesus the Generous Gift that keeps on giving is the gift of faith and hope.

When someone has the keys, they are the owner.

Jesus gives us the touch of love.