God With Us: The Journey of the Magi
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of "God With Us," tracing this concept from the beginning of scripture to the prophecies of Revelation. The speaker urges the congregation to approach scripture with an understanding of its historical and cultural context, rather than through a modern lens. This approach reveals the persistent presence of God and His desire for a relationship with humanity, a theme that is woven throughout the Bible.
The wise men, or Magi, are presented as figures who actively sought to be in the presence of Jesus, following a star that led them to Him. The speaker draws parallels between the Magi's journey and the choices that individuals today must make regarding God's calling. The audience is encouraged to pray for others to come to know Jesus and to be proactive in their own spiritual journeys.
The Christmas series titled "home alone" is introduced, emphasizing that believers are never truly alone because God is always with them. This truth is not limited to the Christmas season but is a constant reality. The speaker references the prophecy of Emmanuel from Isaiah, which is fulfilled in Jesus, and discusses the ongoing process of being set free from sin.
The concept of God's omnipresence is highlighted, with the speaker questioning the congregation's desire to experience God's presence and whether their lives reflect that desire. A personal anecdote is shared to illustrate the importance of seeking God's presence.
The Magi's background is explored, revealing their interest in religion, science, and the stars. Their dedication is shown through their long journey to worship Jesus, undeterred by obstacles such as Herod's deception. The speaker emphasizes the importance of discerning fact from fiction in the story of the Magi, cautioning against the common misconceptions perpetuated by tradition and popular culture.
The Magi's origins in Persia are discussed, along with their significant role in society. The speaker humorously notes that the Magi arrived when Jesus was around two years old, not at his birth, and that their names and royal status are later additions to the story. The connection between the Magi and Jewish figures like Daniel is also mentioned, suggesting that the Magi's knowledge of the Messiah's birth was influenced by Jewish teachings during the exile.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible is filled with foreshadowing and mystery, inviting believers to delve into the text with curiosity and without preconceived notions. Understanding the cultural and historical context of scripture is crucial to grasping the depth of God's desire to be with us, a desire that is evident from Genesis to Revelation. [44:46]
- The journey of the Magi serves as a reminder that God can use any means to draw people to Himself, and that each person has a decision to make when confronted with the truth of God's calling. This story encourages believers to persist in prayer for others and to actively respond to God's invitation. [01:01:27]
- The prophecy of Emmanuel, "God With Us," is a cornerstone of Christian faith, highlighting that God's presence is a perpetual truth, not confined to the Christmas season. This prophecy's fulfillment in Jesus Christ is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout history. [40:45]
- A believer's desire to experience God's presence should be reflected in their thoughts and life habits. The fluctuation in our awareness of God's omnipresence is a call to align our daily practices with our spiritual aspirations, seeking a closer relationship with God. [39:27]
- The story of the Magi is a powerful example of dedication and the pursuit of divine truth. Despite common misconceptions, their story teaches us to seek accurate understanding based on scripture and to appreciate the lengths to which they went to worship Jesus, demonstrating the impact of God's story on individuals from diverse backgrounds. [59:27]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:23 - "The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel" (which means "God with us").
2. Matthew 2:1-12 - The story of the Magi visiting Jesus.
3. Revelation 21:3-4 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the name "Emmanuel" mean, and how is it significant in the context of Jesus' birth? ([40:07])
2. How did the Magi know to follow the star, and what was their reaction upon finding Jesus? ([51:48])
3. What are some common misconceptions about the Magi that the sermon addresses? ([52:27])
4. How does the prophecy in Revelation 21:3-4 relate to the theme of "God With Us"? ([43:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand the historical and cultural context of scripture when studying the Bible? ([42:50])
2. How does the journey of the Magi illustrate the idea of seeking and responding to God's calling? ([58:46])
3. What does the prophecy of Emmanuel reveal about God's desire for a relationship with humanity? ([40:45])
4. How can believers become more aware of God's omnipresence in their daily lives? ([45:26])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Magi's dedication to finding Jesus. What are some obstacles in your life that might be hindering your spiritual journey, and how can you overcome them? ([59:27])
2. The sermon encourages us to pray for others to come to know Jesus. Who is someone in your life that you can commit to praying for regularly? ([01:01:27])
3. How can you incorporate the understanding of God's omnipresence into your daily routines and habits? ([46:14])
4. The prophecy of Emmanuel is a reminder that God is always with us. How can this truth provide comfort and strength in your current circumstances? ([40:45])
5. The Magi's story teaches us to seek accurate understanding based on scripture. What steps can you take to deepen your study of the Bible and avoid misconceptions? ([52:27])
6. How can you actively respond to God's invitation in your life, similar to how the Magi responded to the star? ([58:46])
7. Think about a time when you felt particularly aware of God's presence. What practices or habits helped you cultivate that awareness, and how can you continue to do so? ([45:26])
Devotional
Day 1: Unveiling Scripture's Cultural Depths
The Bible's foreshadowing and mysteries beckon a deep dive into its text, inviting a fresh perspective free from modern preconceptions. Understanding the cultural and historical context of scripture is essential to fully appreciate God's enduring desire to be with humanity, a narrative that spans from Genesis to Revelation. [44:46]
Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study of the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the study of historical and cultural contexts into your Bible reading to gain a deeper understanding of God's word?
Day 2: Heeding the Divine Call
The Magi's journey exemplifies the diverse ways God draws people to Himself, reminding us that we each face a decision when confronted with God's truth. This narrative encourages persistence in prayer for others and an active response to God's invitation. [01:01:27]
Acts 17:26-27 - "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively seek and respond to God's calling in your life today?
Day 3: Emmanuel's Enduring Presence
The prophecy of Emmanuel, "God With Us," is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, affirming that God's presence is an everlasting reality, not confined to a season. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus Christ signifies God's unwavering faithfulness and the progression of His redemptive plan. [40:45]
Isaiah 8:10 - "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us."
Reflection: How does the truth of Emmanuel, "God With Us," influence your daily life and the way you interact with others?
Day 4: Reflecting Desire for God's Presence
A believer's longing for God's presence should manifest in their daily thoughts and actions. The fluctuation in our awareness of God's omnipresence is a call to realign our daily practices with our spiritual goals, seeking a more intimate relationship with Him. [39:27]
Psalm 63:1-2 - "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory."
Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take today to cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your life?
Day 5: Pursuing Truth Beyond Tradition
The Magi's story is a testament to dedication and the pursuit of divine truth, teaching us to seek scriptural accuracy and to recognize the lengths they went to worship Jesus. Their journey demonstrates the impact of God's narrative on individuals from various cultures. [59:27]
Daniel 2:48 - "Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon."
Reflection: How can you discern and embrace the true meaning of biblical narratives in your own spiritual journey, setting aside cultural misconceptions?
Quotes
"We are living between two advents where Jesus came to Earth to display his Redemption and to come after setting things right for mankind and yet we are still awaiting his second coming, his second Advent where he will set all things finally right." [41:27] (Download)
"Scriptures are wonderful but there is this aspect of mystery to it that not all questions get answers but sometimes when we dig in deeper with our questions, we find more than we expected." [41:27] (Download)
"God is always with us and yet it's something we say particularly at Christmas. We sing it, we read it in scripture at Christmas time because it embodies the profound truth of Emmanuel, God With Us, in the birth of Jesus." [40:07] (Download)
"The big story that God is telling through the whole of the Bible and even through the church today and hopefully your lives is that God wants to be with you." [01:00:09] (Download)
"Whatever crazy, weird, nerdy thing they might be into, God can use to speak to them at the exact right time when they are ready to respond." [01:01:27] (Download)
"God is with us so that means he can't be more with us or less with us. However, we can become more aware of his presence and experience the manifestation of his presence and the blessings of his presence to greater and greater degrees." [46:14] (Download)
"How much do you desire to experience the presence of God and how much do your thoughts and your life habits reflect that degree of desire?" [46:55] (Download)
"When I have read something that is, to my 21st-century eyes, the most alarming or strange, and I have gotten in there to find out the context, those passages have come to be the biggest and best and most beautiful pictures of God's glory and His goodness." [42:50] (Download)
"The big story that [God] is telling is that God deeply desires relationship with you, that He wants to be with you, and He is relentless in His pursuit of us. Amen." [44:46] (Download)
"The Magi were not satisfied with simply seeing the star or knowing what it was about; they went after worshiping and going to be with Jesus. They weren't deterred by the sacrifice that it was going to take." [59:27] (Download)
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