I walked into the sanctuary not feeling like myself, but the Lord met us with a simple, steady reminder: there’s joy for the journey. From Matthew 2:8–12, we traced the road of the Magi—outsiders drawn by a star, passing through a palace where motives were mixed, and arriving in a house where everything changed. Herod wanted information he could weaponize, but the wise men wanted a King they could worship. That contrast matters. You can be in the same room, hear the same Scripture, sing the same song—and still be moving toward very different ends. We need discernment for that.
The text says they rejoiced when they saw the star—before they ever laid eyes on Jesus. That means God gave them joy as a traveling companion, not a finish-line prize. Some of us want to delay praise until every prayer is answered, but the Magi teach us to rejoice when God gives direction, not only when we see outcomes. And when they finally arrived, they didn’t negotiate, compare, or perform. They fell down. They worshiped. They opened treasure. Real worship lays down what we cling to. It is both posture and offering.
Then God redirected them. Having worshiped, they went home another way. That’s not just a geography change—it’s a discipleship change. Worship will always adjust your route. I think of Sister Alberta, who lost almost everything and yet could stand up and say, “I still have joy.” That’s not denial. That’s a deep knowing: my circumstances can fluctuate, but my Christ is not unstable. Joy in Jesus steadies the steps.
I challenged the room—not to watch worship from a distance, not to wait for the phone recap—but to bring our whole selves before the King. The ones who traveled the farthest often praise the loudest because they remember every mile. We prayed for those carrying heavy loads, we welcomed those seeking a church home, and we came to the table to remember the One who came to us first. Advent begins with a star and ends at a house where worship changes people. If you’ll follow the Light, you’ll find joy in the journey—and you won’t go back the same way you came.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Joy shows up before arrival God gave the Magi joy at the sight of the star, before they ever reached the child. Joy isn’t just a reward at the end; it’s grace that helps us keep going when we’re not there yet. Celebrate guidance, not just outcomes. Rejoicing is how we travel faithfully through uncertainty. [40:51]
- 2. Discern motives in holy spaces Herod talked about worship while planning harm, proving that proximity to sacred things doesn’t guarantee a surrendered heart. Don’t confuse religious language with holy intent. Ask the Spirit to sharpen your discernment so you aren’t steered by flattery or fear. Integrity matters more than access. [46:25]
- 3. Worship bows low and gives freely The wise men fell down and opened their treasures—posture and offering as one act. Authentic worship surrenders both pride and possession, because love without cost is only sentiment. When Christ is the treasure, our lesser treasures find their rightful place. Giving becomes glad, not grudging. [41:34]
- 4. Worship will change your walk After encountering Jesus, the Magi went home by another route. Real worship re-maps your habits, priorities, and pathways. God’s warnings and whispers redirect the willing heart, often away from what is convenient toward what is faithful. If He has your worship, He will have your steps. [63:33]
- 5. Choose joy beyond circumstances Testimony after testimony reminds us: joy isn’t the denial of pain; it’s the refusal to surrender to it. You can lose much and still keep what the world can’t take—joy rooted in Christ. This joy steadies your hands for today and opens your mouth in praise while you wait. [49:39]
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