MAGI TREASURES - WORSHIP GOD WITH GIFTS (4 OF 4)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23
This content is part of a series.
Magi Treasures - Worship God With Gifts (4 of 4)
Series: Christmas, Keep Your Eye On The Goal
Steve Jones
Matthew 2
INTRODUCTION: Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents' house. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs, "I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE. I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO. I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR..." His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Grandma is!"
I want to talk about gifts today but not so much what we ask for ourselves but rather what we can offer. We have been in a sermon series entitled "Keep your eye on the goal of worship." Our focus has been the wise men and we have learned from them to keep our eye on the goal of worship by reading God's word, following God's star and trusting in God's sovereignty. Today, as we conclude this series I want us to think about keeping our eye on the goal of worship by giving God gifts. The gifts we give to God have three characteristics illustrated by the gifts of the wise men.
I. GIVE GOD GIFTS OF VENERATION
Matthew 2:11 "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."
The gifts of the Magi were given in an attitude of veneration. We see this in their posture as they bow down before the child Jesus to worship him. Veneration means honor, adoration, appreciation, thanksgiving, respect, reverence and awe. The attitude of the giver in worship is every bit as important as the gift itself to God. The veneration that we have in our hearts for God sanctifies our gifts to him and makes them acceptable. If that veneration for God is missing, the gifts are not acceptable.
In Acts chapter 5 we read of a married couple ...
Series: Christmas, Keep Your Eye On The Goal
Steve Jones
Matthew 2
INTRODUCTION: Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents' house. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs, "I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE. I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO. I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR..." His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Grandma is!"
I want to talk about gifts today but not so much what we ask for ourselves but rather what we can offer. We have been in a sermon series entitled "Keep your eye on the goal of worship." Our focus has been the wise men and we have learned from them to keep our eye on the goal of worship by reading God's word, following God's star and trusting in God's sovereignty. Today, as we conclude this series I want us to think about keeping our eye on the goal of worship by giving God gifts. The gifts we give to God have three characteristics illustrated by the gifts of the wise men.
I. GIVE GOD GIFTS OF VENERATION
Matthew 2:11 "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."
The gifts of the Magi were given in an attitude of veneration. We see this in their posture as they bow down before the child Jesus to worship him. Veneration means honor, adoration, appreciation, thanksgiving, respect, reverence and awe. The attitude of the giver in worship is every bit as important as the gift itself to God. The veneration that we have in our hearts for God sanctifies our gifts to him and makes them acceptable. If that veneration for God is missing, the gifts are not acceptable.
In Acts chapter 5 we read of a married couple ...
There are 15486 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
