Be His Star: Shine Light in a Dark World

Merry Christmas, church family. Today we looked at the wise men in Matthew 2 and the star that led them—not merely as a sweet story, but as a pattern for our lives. God Himself guided them, and He now calls us to be His guiding lights in a dark world. The wise men traveled far, rejoiced deeply, and bowed low. That’s the rhythm of a life shaped by Jesus: movement, joy, and worship. If He lives in us, our praise should show it. If our faces are frozen while our mouths sing, it’s not a style problem; it’s a heart problem. The star didn’t draw attention to itself—it pointed to Jesus. That’s our assignment too.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” So let’s turn down the volume on pride, preferences, and performance, and turn up the volume on presence—His presence. Being His star doesn’t mean retreating from hard places. It means loving people without compromise, building real relationships, and letting light do what light does: reveal, warm, and guide. When we worship with honest gratitude, when we sit with sinners without losing our convictions, when we serve without needing the spotlight, people see Jesus.

The Scriptures are clear: those who are wise “shine,” and a royal priesthood carries His light into every room (Daniel 12:3; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8; John 8:12). Let’s be rivers, not reservoirs—pouring out what God has poured in. Some of us are discouraged, and I get that. But family holds fast in worship, in small groups, around tables, and in the everyday ways we live the gospel. Jesus’ mission in Luke 4 is finished and still flowing through His church: good news, healing, freedom, sight. If you don’t know Him, come. If you do know Him, shine. This Christmas, be His star at your table, in your neighborhood, at work, and right here when we gather. Less of us, more of Him—and all glory to Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Rejoice with exceedingly great joy Joy isn’t manufactured noise; it’s the natural reaction to a clear revelation of Jesus. The wise men rejoiced before they saw the Child because God had already shown them enough to move their hearts. If our joy is faint, our vision of Christ may be dim. Ask Him to enlarge your sight, and your song will follow. [44:59]
• 2. Be His star, not ours The star’s whole job was to point away from itself. That’s our posture—humble, directional, obedient. When we surrender our need to be noticed and let Scripture and prayer shape our instincts, people don’t meet our ego; they meet our Savior. The world isn’t tired of God; it’s tired of our glare. [54:03]
• 3. Light shines in everyday relationships Jesus sends us to tables and places where sinners sit, not to blend in but to bless. Conviction with compassion is not compromise; it’s how light travels. Build trust, learn stories, carry truth gently, and the door to the gospel often opens from the inside. Presence builds the bridge that proclamation can walk across. [60:23]
• 4. Model worship that awakens hunger What we model in worship teaches more than what we explain. Lively, sincere praise disciples the room—it tells the hurting, the curious, and the skeptical that Jesus is worth our all. When gratitude moves our bodies and our voices, it stirs faith in others. Don’t perform; respond—and let that response be contagious. [93:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [13:57] - Offering and Christmas Eve invite
• [42:05] - Family, fellowship, and joy
• [44:59] - Wise men’s joy and our praise
• [51:16] - The star’s guidance and gifts
• [54:03] - Be His star, not ours
• [57:08] - Less of me, more of Him
• [60:23] - Sit with sinners, build bridges
• [63:59] - Worship with gratitude and zeal
• [67:11] - Herod, pride, and our choices
• [69:41] - Make Jesus the center
• [72:27] - Altar call to authentic worship
• [78:37] - Royal priesthood: identity and calling
• [81:20] - River, not reservoir: shine daily
• [84:31] - Gospel invitation and sending

1. In Matthew 2:1-11, what three things did the wise men do when they finally saw Jesus?
2. What does the passage say the star did to guide them? Name the two movements described in the text.
3. Whom did Herod gather for counsel, what answer did they give him, and what instructions did he pass on to the wise men (vv. 4-8)?
4. According to verse 11, where did the wise men find Jesus—at a house or in a manger?

1. The wise men “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” when they saw the star before they even saw the Child. What does that say about faith and how joy grows from God’s guidance rather than from circumstances?
2. The religious leaders could quote where the Messiah would be born, yet they did not go with the wise men. What danger is there in having correct information without obedient movement? [48:28]
3. “Be His star, not ours” points to a posture that directs attention away from self. What would it mean for a believer to guide others to Jesus without needing the spotlight? [54:03]
4. Light reveals, warms, and guides. How can a believer sit with sinners and build real relationships while holding convictions without compromise? [01:00:23]

1. Movement: The wise men traveled far with purpose. Where is God asking you to “move” next—toward a table, a neighbor, a coworker, or a hard place—and what first step will you take this week? Be specific. [48:28]
2. Joy and worship: If joy is a natural response to seeing Jesus, what would a sincere, non-performative response look like for you this Sunday—voice, hands, posture—so your body matches your gratitude? [44:59]
3. Less of me, more of Him: Where do pride, preferences, or the need to be noticed still steer your choices? What is one concrete way you will turn down self and turn up Jesus’ presence this week? [57:08]
4. Light at tables: Name one person far from God you will sit with on purpose. How will you build trust—learn their story, carry truth gently—and when will you do it? [01:00:23]
5. River, not reservoir: What has God poured into you lately (a word from Scripture, a skill, a resource)? Who will you pour it into this week, and how? Put a name and a plan to it. [01:18:37]
6. Model worship that awakens hunger: Who is watching your life right now (child, friend, coworker)? What will you model—in worship or service—so they see that Jesus is worth your all? [01:33:57]
7. Hold fast with family: If discouragement is real, what step will you take into small-group life or around-the-table fellowship so you’re not walking alone? Share the day, time, and group you’ll try. [01:09:41]