WEBVTT 00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:06.559 Uh we're going to begin a series tonight, probably through the month of December, since this is Christmas. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.279 Y'all see our Christmas decorations around. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:10.560 The month of Christmas. 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:14.560 We're in the month of December, the month of celebrating Christmas, Christ's birth. 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:18.640 And I'm going to begin a series on what um something. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:20.079 What made the wise. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:21.280 Oh laugh. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:23.760 What made the wise men wise? 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:26.160 What made the wise men wise? 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:30.640 And really I'll answer it, but I'm going to go into this because every week I'm going to talk about this. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:32.320 And that is worship. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:37.200 There was one reason that made them wise, and that is the reason they came. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:44.719 They came hundreds of miles, probably 300 miles, to worship Jesus. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:46.640 It's the only reason they came. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:48.320 And I want to talk about worship. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:53.439 Now, I am grateful for Pastor Thomas and the worship team. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:57.119 I am extremely grateful for them. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:04.879 But God wants to take us as a church to a new level in worship. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:10.879 And he wants to take you as a Christian to a new level in worship. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:17.760 The level we are at right now will not be the same level where we will be when we're in heaven. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:22.560 I'm telling you, God wants us to understand about worship. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:25.439 You don't come for preaching. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:27.040 That's just part of it. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:33.439 I really believe that preaching is the icing on the cake, but the cake is Jesus. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:35.200 That's why we come to church. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.239 We come to church to meet with Jesus. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.120 And the preaching is just the icing on the cake. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:48.719 The best part is when we're worshiping and communing and fellowshipping and talking with and receiving from him. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:53.120 So I really believe God wants to take us to a new level. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:02:03.120 You don't realize how many problems that you have that could be solved from one meeting with Jesus. 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.280 Just one meeting with Jesus. 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:15.520 And during worship, Satan does everything in the world to distract you from having a meeting with Jesus. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:17.680 Because all you need is one word. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:18.879 That's it. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:20.639 And you've had it happen to you before. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:26.560 You've been in a situation or contemplating making a move or doing something or in a situation in your marriage. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:30.240 And in worship, God speaks one word, and that's what you needed. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:34.719 And with his spoken word is the power to fulfill it. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:36.319 So all you need is for him to speak. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:37.840 You just need one meeting with him. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:46.080 So I want to stir it up in you for a greater level of worship, a greater understanding there in worship. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:48.319 Now we're going to go through the Christmas story. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:53.360 So I want you to open your Bibles to Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2. 00:02:53.520 --> 00:03:05.039 And we're going to be talking about the wise men in Matthew 2, but before we can read Matthew 2, we're going to have to read Luke 2 first because we have to understand the chronology of the Christmas story. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:20.560 It is amazing to me that most believers, if I were to ask you, many of you here tonight, explain to me the chronological events of the birth of Jesus, about the shepherds, the wise men, all these things. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:21.840 Tell me how this happened. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.680 What was the chronology of it? 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.479 Most believers don't know. 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:35.759 This is the pivotal event in our history as Christians, as followers of Christ, and we really don't know that much about it. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.240 And yet we've heard it preached to us for years. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:40.080 So I want to talk about that, all right? 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.960 Before we get to the wise men, we've got to cover Luke 2. 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:44.639 So that's where we're going to start, all right? 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:47.120 Luke chapter 2, verse 1. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:55.199 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:04:00.080 This census first took place while Aquirinus was governing Syria. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:04.879 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:08.719 Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.599 That's where they were living in Nazareth, Joseph and Mary. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:24.560 But they left Nazareth into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:30.560 So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:43.600 And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, or clothes, some versions say, and we're going to talk about that because a lot of people don't even know what that was that they wrapped Jesus in. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:50.319 Wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:58.319 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:06.959 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:09.519 The glory of God, just so bright. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.680 Think about how bright this glory was. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:13.600 And they were greatly afraid. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:20.879 Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:23.279 And listen carefully what the angel said. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:29.120 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:38.319 In other words, the Messiah, who is Christ the Lord, the anointed one, the Messiah. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:41.839 The Messiah has been born. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:51.759 Every Jew knew what he was talking about, this angel, when he said, There is born to you a Savior, the one you've been waiting for, the anointed one, Christ. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:53.120 That's what the Christ means. 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:55.839 The anointed one, Christ the Lord. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:06:00.319 And this will be a sign to you that this is a true prophecy, is what he said. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:01.439 This will be a sign. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:07.920 You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:20.800 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:33.680 And so it was when the angels had gone away that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:40.240 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and that's important in just a moment. 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:46.959 And the babe, notice every time Luke 2 refers to Jesus, it refers to him as a baby, a babe. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.160 They found the babe lying in a manger. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:58.800 Now, when they'd seen him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:03.680 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told to them by the shepherds. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:07.680 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:14.879 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told them. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:19.040 Now most stop here, but I want you to see the next two verses for the chronology of this. 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:28.879 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:37.120 Now, when the days of her, referring to Mary, her purification according to the law of Moses were completed. 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:40.000 And I'll tell you in a moment how many days that was. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:45.680 They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:47.920 Now, a few things about Luke 2. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:53.680 Some of these you've probably heard in the last few years, but many of these I grew up not knowing. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.240 For instance, what are swaddling cloths? 00:07:56.480 --> 00:08:01.839 Swaddling cloths or swaddling clothes, simply the word swaddling means strips. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:03.519 Strips of cloth. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:09.040 In other words, Mary and Joseph did not have any baby clothes. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:10.319 No blanket. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:12.000 They didn't even have a blanket. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:17.120 They traveled and they had maybe a blanket for themselves, but not a blanket for the baby. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:23.519 They didn't have a coat for the baby, no clothes to put a newborn baby in, nothing to clean the baby with. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:27.920 And so they took either they had two blankets or three or whatever it was. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:34.480 They took one of the blankets, one of the pieces of clothing, and tore it into strips of cloth. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:42.960 Just maybe four inch or six-inch strips, just stripped it, and then they wrapped this baby, this newborn baby, in these strips of cloth. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:56.799 So the angel said to the shepherds, the way you're going to know that this is a sign is that you're going to find a baby wrapped in strips, not in a blanket, but just in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:00.000 Now again, I grew up not knowing what a manger was. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:02.639 I thought that a manger was a stable. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.960 And so you're going to find this baby lying in a stable. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:12.320 It is true that he was born in a stable, but that's not what the word manger means. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:15.840 The word manger means feeding trough. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:18.720 Feeding trough. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:27.440 In other words, that thing, when you see the manger, what we call the manger scene, which we could refer to it as the feeding trough scene if we want to. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:32.240 You know, just let's do let's go see the feeding trough scene over at So-and-So Baptist Church. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:35.039 They're doing a feeding trough scene, a manger scene. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:37.600 See, most of us still think the manger was a stable. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:43.039 What you see the baby lying in, there was something they put hay in for the cows to eat out of. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:45.440 And they probably might have had some hay still in it. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:10:04.559 And they, after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph, unbeknownst to them what the angel had told the shepherds, they lay, they wrap him in these strips of cloth, and they lie him, or lay him in a manger, a feeding trough, and then when the angels get there, they see a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, laying in a feeding trough. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.600 Are you following me? 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:07.039 So that was a sign. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:11.840 Most of us have heard by now that there were more than three wise men. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:16.320 We always thought there were three wise men because the song says, we three kings. 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:19.039 So if the song says it, it must have been three kings. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:21.519 And there were three gifts named. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:23.679 There were more gifts than that. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.799 Matthew 2 tells us of more gifts. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:29.200 It says they opened their treasures. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:31.519 And when you notice, but I'm getting ahead of myself. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.080 I'll preach on that in a few weeks, what the treasures were. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:37.039 But it names three: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:40.960 And I'm going to tell you what those three represent and why the Bible named those three. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:44.320 But they give them the gifts, and so that's why we think there were three. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.120 History records there were fourteen. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.840 I've heard some preachers say there was a hundred. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:51.360 Some say two hundred. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:55.279 I personally think that's evangelistic of those pastors. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:01.039 But there were probably more than three, less than two hundred, we'll say, alright. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:04.080 But history tells us there were fourteen wise men. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.320 So there are more wise men than just that. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.720 Now, they're in Bethlehem. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:19.039 Jesus is born, eight days pass, he's circumcised, and then the days of her purification pass, which according to the law was 40. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:24.159 So then after 40 days, they go to Jerusalem. 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:29.039 Then they come back to Bethlehem, and I'm going to show you that in a little while. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.159 And that's when the wise men show up. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.919 The wise men did not come to the stable. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:48.480 When you see a manger scene somewhere, and it's got shepherds, and maybe even a real-life camel and a goat and a sheep and a cow, and it's got three guys standing there supposed to be kings. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.759 That's not correct. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:56.320 The wise men did not come on the night of his birth, and I'll show that to you in just a moment. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:59.679 The wise men saw a star. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:01.679 Or we could say this. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:06.399 They called it a star, a bright light on the night he was born. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:08.240 And then the light went away. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:11.759 And they're waiting for news about the Messiah. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:16.320 But they travel, even if they left the night he was born. 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:25.360 It would have taken them, most believe, somewhere around four to nine weeks to get there because it was 300 miles. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.840 So uh where from where they came from. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:30.240 300 miles they come, alright? 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.519 And they come to see Jesus. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:33.759 Now we're at Matthew chapter 2. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.320 Alright? 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:37.039 Flip over there to Matthew 2. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:42.159 Matthew chapter 2, verse 1. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.559 Matthew 2, 1. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:55.840 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, after, I just want you to notice the second word of this verse. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:58.320 And somehow we didn't catch this. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.679 After he was born. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:02.159 It doesn't say during the birth of Christ. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.320 It doesn't say before he was born. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:06.399 It doesn't say on the night he was born. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.919 It says after. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:12.159 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:16.960 And it says Bethlehem of Judea, because there's also a Bethlehem by the Sea of Galilee. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:20.399 So it's telling us this is Galilee would be like a region. 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:23.039 Judea was a region. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:32.240 So it tells us Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:34.799 Notice they didn't come to Bethlehem. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.720 They came to Jerusalem. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:41.600 And they said, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:43.120 Now that's a great question. 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:48.399 I love that question because they didn't say, Was a king born? 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:50.000 We think so. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:55.679 We saw some sign in the stars and were kind of sure that a king was born. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:59.279 Listen, they traveled 300 miles because they were sure. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:03.679 And when they got there, they didn't say, Is it possible that a king was born? 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:05.200 They said, Where is he? 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.879 Who has been born king of the Jews? 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.360 Where is he? 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.399 They knew he was born. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.919 That's why they were wise. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:13.039 Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:17.840 For we've seen his star in the east and have come to one reason, worship him. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:19.360 Only reason they came. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:24.639 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:32.480 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:36.399 So they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:43.519 For thus it is written by the prophet, but you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:48.639 For out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:54.240 Then Herod, watch this, when he had secretly called the wise men. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.399 He didn't have the chief priests and scribe. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:00.320 He called them secretly to tell them this because he had evil intentions. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:06.879 When he had secretly called the wise men, determine from them what time the star appeared. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:12.799 And the word determined means inquired exactly or inquired diligently. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:17.120 He wanted to know at the exact time that they saw the star. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.960 And we all know the story. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:21.279 Because he killed people, killed all the children. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.320 How old? 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.600 There's the answer. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:25.600 Two years old and under. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:32.960 And so it's very that's very possible that the wise men don't show up until a year after he's born, maybe a year and a half, even. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:35.679 Because he finds out when they first saw the star. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.720 You follow me? 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:39.759 So, when exactly did you see the star? 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:52.320 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the young child, and when you have found him, notice by the way that Matthew refers to him as a young child, not as a baby anymore. 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:54.559 Alright, so you just keep watching. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:16:01.759 Go search for the young child, and when you have found him, bring back word to me that I may come and worship him also. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.240 By the way, is that what Herod wanted to do? 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.759 What did he want to do? 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.679 He wanted to kill him, is that right? 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.200 But I got a question for you. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:16.879 How come Herod didn't send some spies to follow the wise men so that as soon as they found Jesus, they could kill him? 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.759 Never even thought about it. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.679 That's the right answer. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:28.879 You know why? 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:32.080 Listen to me carefully, because this is good news for us. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.519 God is able to protect his children. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:46.000 And he is so able to protect his children that he can even keep it from entering the mind of your adversary, your enemy for something to do evil to you. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:49.200 Because if Herod had thought about it, he'd have done it. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.720 Because he got tricked. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.600 Remember? 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:53.279 So he didn't even think about it. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.399 That's how great God is. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:54.879 Alright. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:56.639 Then I may worship him also. 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.480 When they heard the king, they departed. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.960 And behold, the star, now this is amazing. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.720 We're going to talk about this in a minute. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:16.400 The star which they had seen in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child, not baby, was. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:20.319 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:24.160 And when they come into the house, into the what? 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:28.160 Well, that should say stable, shouldn't it? 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.759 Hello. 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:35.920 See, it's amazing how we can read the Bible and not see these things. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:46.799 And when they came into the house, they saw the young child, not baby, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:55.200 And when they had opened their treasures, plural, many times over, they presented gifts to him. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:59.839 Here are some of the gifts they presented: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:09.359 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:14.640 Now the original word here for wise men, does anyone have an old King James Version? 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:17.039 Hardly anyone carries one anymore. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:22.400 But does anyone remember from growing up what the word was here for wise men? 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:28.000 Magi, from which we get our word magician. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.799 But it wasn't a bad word then. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:33.680 It did not, they didn't go into different cultic things. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.599 Some did, not these, though. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.759 These were studiers of science. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:40.480 That's why they were called wise men or magi. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:45.279 They studied science and they studied astronomy, not astrology, but astronomy. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:49.519 And they studied medicine and they studied religion and they studied culture. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:54.799 And they were these wise men that were studying all these things, and they come to worship. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:58.160 But what made these wise men wise? 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:01.279 Because we've had lots of philosophers that weren't really wise. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.759 We've had lots of scientists that weren't wise. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.960 What made these wise? 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:07.119 Why did the Bible call them wise men? 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.200 I believe because it's worship. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:11.119 They came for one reason. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:15.599 They recognized the Savior of the world had been born. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.680 They recognize it. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:26.480 Now, I'm going to talk about three types, I think, over the next few weeks of worship. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.799 What made the wise men wise? 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:32.319 And the first one is expectant worship. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.039 Expectant worship. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:38.720 In other words, they expected something. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:44.240 Why would they travel 300 miles if they weren't expecting that they'd have an audience with a king? 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:48.640 They got an audience with the king of kings because they expected one. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.400 And please hear me. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.680 I'm relating this to us. 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:54.079 What do you expect when you come to church? 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.079 Who do you expect to meet with? 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:58.559 Do you meet with God or do you not meet with God? 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.480 Because you don't expect to meet with God. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.319 They expected to meet with him. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.319 They're watching this star. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.920 They see this star. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:11.200 And then they're waiting for news of the Messiah's birth. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:18.000 And they wait and they wait, and it's very possible that they waited for months for news of the Messiah's birth. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:26.880 And finally, when no news came of where he had been born, they get on their camels and all, and they travel 300 miles. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:30.559 And the reason they went to Jerusalem is because it was the capital city. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:35.599 So they went to the capital city and they said, Where is the king of the Jews? 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:38.000 We saw a star, we know he's been born. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:42.559 We don't know where he is, though, and we've been waiting for word, and there's been no word. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:45.039 So we want to know, where is it? 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.799 And they told him where it was. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.480 They said in Bethlehem. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:50.160 And then Matthew 2.11. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.279 Look at this verse again. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:57.680 And when they'd come into the house, they saw the young child with his mother. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:00.400 Notice it doesn't say mother and father. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.359 It says when they came into the house. 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.440 So we got to get the timeline here. 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:07.359 Mary and Joseph come to Bethlehem. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:09.359 It's completely full to be registered. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.119 There's no room at an inn. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.480 There's no room to rent a room. 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.759 So they're in a stable. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.279 Jesus is born in a stable. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:18.640 It's very possible there were more people in that stable. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:26.319 It's very possible that there were other family members of Joseph and Mary that went with them to be registered in the stable with them. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:28.160 Or other families in the stable. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.960 We don't know. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:33.839 There could have been many families in many stables around Bethlehem that night. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:36.720 And so they're there eight days later, circumcised. 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:47.839 Then they go to Jerusalem 40 days later to register, to uh to dedicate Jesus to the Lord, to sacrifice the sacrifice for him. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.720 So, why are they still in Bethlehem? 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:52.319 Well, let me show you a map. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:52.799 All right? 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:57.599 Now, I don't know, I I put this up before and I stand in the back and I couldn't hardly see it. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.839 So I see some of you already squinting too. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.319 So, oh, I can see it real well from here. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.200 Okay. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.279 Put the pointer up there. 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:07.200 Right there is Nazareth. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.559 Can any of you see that? 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.400 That city is Nazareth. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.680 That's where they live. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:16.480 They came 70 miles south to Bethlehem. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.839 There's Bethlehem. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:22.160 And then five miles north of that, north, it'd be up. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.839 That's just Jerusalem. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.480 That's it. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.480 That's Jerusalem, alright? 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:30.960 So Jerusalem is 65 miles south of Nazareth. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:35.359 Bethlehem is another five miles south, 70 miles from Nazareth. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:42.960 So they go to Bethlehem and the baby is born, but 40 days later they've got to go five miles to Jerusalem. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:45.039 So you make the choice. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:51.839 Does David, does uh Joseph and Mary stay in Bethlehem for those 40 days with relatives? 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.160 That's where they're from, that's their hometown. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.279 Do they stay there? 00:22:55.519 --> 00:23:06.240 Or do they travel 70 miles back to Nazareth for 40 days and then travel 65 miles back down to Jerusalem and 65 miles home? 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:09.519 Now remember, they didn't have a Lexus. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.559 They didn't even have a Chevy. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.119 They traveled on a donkey. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.960 They traveled, they walked. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:26.640 Mary traveled, think about this, they traveled 70 miles right before the baby was born in the last month of her pregnancy. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:30.319 Think how hard that was on Joseph. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.400 I'm kidding. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.440 I'm kidding. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.279 Traveling with a pregnant woman. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.160 I'm kidding. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:38.559 It's very hard on Mary to do that. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:43.920 Do you think Mary wanted to just turn around and go 70 miles back home after she plopped the baby out? 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.880 Got the baby out. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.880 Okay, let's go back home, you know. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.279 No. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:50.880 You know, she said to Joseph, we ain't going nowhere, buddy. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:53.839 Because we got to go to Jerusalem in 40 days. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:56.880 You go to get out there and find some work here. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.119 And Joseph was a carpenter. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:02.960 So after everyone leaves and goes back to their city, they found a house. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:08.160 They rented a house in Bethlehem because they got to go to Jerusalem 40 days later. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:11.759 You understand that Joseph was a carpenter and he had family there. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:13.039 They got him a house. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:15.839 They had a swing set in the backyard for Jesus. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:19.440 And they had a got one of them little Walmart pools, you know, and all. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:22.799 But of course, Jesus walking on the water, you know that. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:26.799 You can hear Joseph, you need to learn to swim. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.119 No, I really don't. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:32.079 Okay, just keep walking on the water, son. 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:34.000 Just don't let the kids see you, you know. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:36.480 So they got them a house now. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:41.279 And when the wise men come, he's a year to two years old. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.480 You follow me? 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:51.759 And they come into the house and they see the young child with his mother, probably because his father was at work. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:55.839 And so they see the young child and they come and they worship. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:06.480 And then I believe that they lived in Bethlehem up to that two years until after the wise men leave, the angel appears to Joseph in a dream, remember, and says, Go to Egypt. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.720 And that's when Herod comes and kills all of the males in Judah. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:13.680 In Judea, the whole region, not just Bethlehem. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.599 He kills them all. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.799 And he kills them all. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.759 They go to Egypt. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:21.039 Then God appears to him in dreams and says, You can go back, it's safe now. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.759 And he goes back. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.720 And this is what it says. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.799 It says he would have dwelt in Judea. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:27.119 In other words, probably back in Bethlehem. 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:30.319 But God warned him again and said, No, there's a new leader. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.279 You don't need to go there. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.880 He's just as bad as Herod. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:36.079 And so it says, so he returned to Nazareth. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.799 See, I think he just had a home there in Bethlehem. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:41.839 They rented a house, they started business, everything's going great. 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:46.000 And Jesus is a year, a year and a half, two years old, and the wise men show up. 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:47.039 And here they come. 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:49.440 Now, this is something amazing to me. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:52.880 These wise men were from Arabia. 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.440 So what would their ethnicity be? 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.920 Arabic, right? 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.279 They're Arabic. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:01.039 And they come and worship Jesus. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:05.119