Songs of the Season - Week 4 - Pastor Nick Grim

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We're continuing our series: " Songs of the Season" and we looked at the song "Oh come all ye unfaithful" and came to this conclusion: Prayer defines your relationship with God!

Before we dive to far into our message hear this:
1.God has a message for you not the person that is not here.
2. Let God speak to you not me.
3. If God asks you to live differently today do something about it. Remember that little changes are what creates growth in Jesus

What is something you were more excited to give than to receive?

Luke 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Luke 2:1-3 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Who are these wise men?

(The wise men were men who studied astronomy who came from Babylon following the prophesy that was given to them 500 years before Jesus was born. They traveled a minimum 900 mile each way, at fastest speeds that is approximately 56 days worth of travel.)

Was it worth it?

Luke 2:3-9 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way.

Reasons we don’t worship Jesus:
--We question whether Jesus is the King
--You want someone else to do the work for you
(Any good healthy relationship requires sacrifice--Herod won’t even travel)

--We will do anything to remain in control
(When Herod finds out he kill babies to stay in control, Every sin revolves around selfishness)

Luke 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Luke 2:9-12And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Was it worth it?

Jesus brings peace
---Wise men gave it all away, they found a King more valuable then their material wealth

Jesus brings joy
---After so much time of exhaustion, being questioned, and danger happiness can be taken but joy can not

Jesus brings security
---Warned them in a dream

What do we need to sacrifice?
---Time: So you can pray, read your bible, meditate on Gods word, Turn off the TV earlier, wake up earlier, choose to not be quite so busy
---Wealth: We have so many possessions and finances
---Sin: Our selfish desires

Jesus is worth the sacrifice!