Latest / Meadows Baptist Church Podcast / Wise Men Still Seek Him - 12/21/25 - Pastor Charlie Branch

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Wise Men Still Seek Him - 12/21/25 - Pastor Charlie Branch · Meadows Baptist Church Podcast

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Welcome to Meadows Baptist Church
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[music] of Walnut Cove, North Carolina.
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We're so glad you joined us today. If
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you enjoy today's [music] message, be
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sure to subscribe, follow, and share
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with your friends. [music] Now, let's
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join Pastor Charlie Branch with a word
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from God.
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[music]
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Well, I appreciate that this singing
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this morning. If you have a Bible, I
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want you invite you to turn with me uh
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to the Gospel of Matthew if you would
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please. Gospel of Matthew, chapter
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number two. You find your place you
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would stand on reference to the reading
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of God's word. Matthew's Gospel chapter
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number two.
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Matthew's Gospel chapter number two. I
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want to begin reading verse number one.
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Matthew chapter number two verse number
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one. The Bible says, "Now when Jesus was
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born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days
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of Herod the king, behold, there came
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wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
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saying, Where is he that is born king of
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the Jews? For we have seen his star in
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the east, and are come to worship him."
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When Herod the king had heard these
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things, he was troubled, and all
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Jerusalem with him. When he had gathered
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all the chief priests and scribes of the
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people together, he demanded of them
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where Christ should be born. And they
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said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,
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for thus it is written by the prophet,
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and thou Bethlehem, in the land of
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Judah, art not the least among the
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princes of Judah, for out of these shall
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come a governor that shall rule my
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people Israel." Then Herod, when he had
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privy called the wise men, he inquired
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of them diligently what time the star
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appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem,
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and said, "Go and search diligently for
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the young child. and when you have found
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him, bring me word again that I may come
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and worship him also." When they had
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heard the king, they departed, and lo,
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the star which they saw in the east went
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before them, till it came and stood over
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where the young child was. When they saw
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the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
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great joy. And when they were come into
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the house, they saw the young child with
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Mary's mother, and fell down and
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worshiped him. When they had opened
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their treasures, they presented unto him
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gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrr.
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Being warned of God in a dream that they
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should not return to Herod, they
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departed into their own country another
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way. When they were departed, behold,
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the angel of the Lord appearth to Joseph
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in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the
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young child and his mother, and flee
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into Egypt, and be thou there until I
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bring thee word. For Herod will seek the
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young child to destroy him. When he
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arose, he took the young child and his
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mother by night, and departed into
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Egypt, and was there until the death of
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Herod, that it might be fulfilled, which
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was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,
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saying, "Out of Egypt have I called my
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son." Then Herod, when he saw that he
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was mocked to the wise men, was
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exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew
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all the children that were in Bethlehem,
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and all the coast thereof from two years
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old and under, according to the time
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which he had diligently inquired of the
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wise men. Now, Father, I ask you humbly
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this morning. God, as we come before
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you, Father, I desperately need your
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help this morning as we come to the
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preaching hour. And God, I pray, Father,
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Lord, I know that we've come in in this
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theme of Christmas, Lord, much on our
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mind, on our heart today. And Lord, I
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pray, Father, we would look beyond
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Christmas trees and lights this morning.
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and and Lord, the angels singing, God,
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but that we would look beyond to see you
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this morning, Lord, for that's what
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these wise men desired to see. And God,
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I pray, Father, this morning, you'd help
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us all, Lord, to just see you this
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morning high and lifted up. And God, I
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know you came as a baby in a manger, but
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Lord, you didn't stay there. And God, I
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thank you for that. And Lord, I pray,
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Father, this morning, if there's
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somebody in this place lost and undone
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without you, I pray today be the day of
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salvation for them. God, I pray if
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there's one out of the will of God, I
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pray today, Father, you'd drawn back to
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yourself. And God, I pray, Father, more
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than anything, you'd get glory and honor
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out of this service today. Lord, we lift
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your name up. We exalt you. Thank you,
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Father, for all that you've done, all
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that you're going to do. But Lord, thank
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you most of all for who you are. And
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Lord, we ask you in Jesus name. Amen.
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Thank you for standing. You can be
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seated this morning.
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And uh I want to look here in this text.
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Consider
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this account, this story this morning.
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And I mentioned this on last week, I
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believe it was, that I really love
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Matthew's gospel. I love Matthew's
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gospel, the way it was written. I love
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what he's written about here. And and I
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think it's something to me about the
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portrayal of Christ as king. Because
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from the beginning to the very last
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chapter of Matthew's gospel, that is the
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subject matter that's at hand. they he
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is portraying or painting the picture of
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Christ as king and everything that he
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says has that purpose. Now we know that
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all scripture a man portrays him as the
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Messiah and as king. But when you
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consider the gospels, Matthew's gospel
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is really laid out in such a way that
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view that is to vindicate Christ as the
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Messiah to the Jew. He is pointing out
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all the prophecies that are fulfilled.
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He is pointing out the power of his
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birth, the power of his life, his death
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and resurrection, and showing them,
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vindicating unto them, hey, that this
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man really is the Messiah that David and
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all the men of the Old Testament spoke
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about. And when I consider this chapter,
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I want to give you some thoughts here.
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And I'll give you the the idea that the
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Lord's put on my heart, the thought of
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the message this morning. When I look at
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this chapter, there's some things that
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interest me. Number one, I would say
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that the theme here is verse number one.
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that first phrase now when Jesus was
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born and so I would say the theme when
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you consider this passage is the birth
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of Jesus that that is the subject matter
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that is that is being encompassed here
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in this text he is giving us the events
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here surrounding that and so there is
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the Lord in verse number one and then
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there is the land in verse number one
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there's the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
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of Judea is mentioned in verse number
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one this has to do with the house of
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bread that Bethlehem that prophesied
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place where our Lord would come and be
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born of the Virgin Mary there in our
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text. And so Bethlehem, this land plays
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a special part. But I note also here in
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this text, not only Jesus and Bethlehem,
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but I consider the brokenness here
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that's in this text. And you say, "What
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do you mean, preacher?" Well, it's
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really summed up by one phrase in verse
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number one. The Bible says, "Now when
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Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
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notice this, in the days of Herod the
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king." Now you say, "Preacher, what does
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that describe brokenness?" Well, this
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describes the degradation of the house
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of Israel to this point. Now, it's been
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almost a thousand years since the days
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of day, probably a little over that. I
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don't have the exact time on my hand,
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but I can say this, it's been many
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years. And what's happened here is Herod
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is an Edomite. You say, "What do you
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mean an Edomite?" Well, were
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the direct descendants of Esau. We know
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that Jacob and Esau, Jacob was that
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chosen one of God that was ordained to
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bear the seed. He was the one that David
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would come through. And he was the line
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that Jesus would come through. And isn't
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it interesting that Herod, that seed of
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Esau, he's believed to be an Edomite.
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The seed of Esau is now reigning on the
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throne in Jerusalem. And that prophecy
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that was given in numbers, I believe it
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is or actually Genesis. Genesis spoke of
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Judah, that the scepter would not depart
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from Judah until Shiloh comes, speaking
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of Christ. And so, no doubt here in this
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text, the scepter has departed for an
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Edomite, the arch enemies of Israel, is
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reigning on the throne over Jerusalem.
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And so, Jerusalem is broken in this
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text. But I consider also this in verse
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number one. Not only Jesus the birth and
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Bethlehem, the brokenness of Jerusalem.
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But I also consider this band, this band
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of men journeying. In verse number one,
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the Bible says, "Behold, there came wise
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men from the east to Jerusalem." Now,
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what's interesting to me about this, and
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this may not be interesting to you, but
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I it is to me. I I find three
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ethnicities of people in verse number
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one. you you'll find Herod that's
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mentioned of the those that
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were wicked, the outsiders who had
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infiltrated the land of Israel. And then
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there's Jesus, of course, Joseph being
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his earthly guardian, he was the one
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that was rightful to reign on the throne
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of his father David, him and Mary and be
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Mary being in the lineage of the king's
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seed. And so there is Jacob's children
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and there's Esau's children, the
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Israelites and the And then
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this other crowd shows up in verse
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number one. These wise men of the east.
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Now what does that
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one
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the
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east of Jerusalem and the
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Jerusalem
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here in the text of
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all the together in one place? What is
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happening is this one all of them
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together.
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The truth is this Christmas season
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brings together who otherwise would
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together. And when I look at this text
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really you could consider
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this as a people and and say a lot about
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mourn and Jesus is the center point.
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Amen. There was some that wanted him and
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there was some that didn't. Amen. And
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let me say this to you this morning this
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holiday season. If I could offer
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anything to you as a word of advice, let
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you be the one that shines Jesus to
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those that want him and to those that
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don't want him. Amen. And I notice in
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this text, I've said all of that to say
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this. Considering these wise men that on
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their journey in verse number two, look
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what your Bible says. They came from the
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east of Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he
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that is born king of the Jews? For we
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have seen his star in the east and are
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come to worship him." And I want to
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preach on this thought for just a little
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while this morning with the help of the
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Lord on wise men still seek him. Amen.
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Wise men still seek him. Now, I know
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that's an old phrase, probably a little
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bit of a cliche, but the truth is it's
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right. Amen. If you are going to be
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wise, amen, you will be found seeking
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him, serving him, and staying with him.
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Amen. It's just like Jesus told Martha
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when Mary came to sit at his feet. She's
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chosen that good part which shall not be
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taken away from her. And we all ought to
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desire to see him and serve him and stay
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with him. Amen. This morning, and so I
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want to consider some thoughts here.
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Notice this in our text. Number one,
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their declaration in verse two, the
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Bible says they're saying, "Where is he
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that is born king of the Jews?" Now,
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number one, you would say this
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declaration revealed a location that
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they desired. They said, "Where is he?"
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Now, we know Jesus here has been born
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according to verse number one, when
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Jesus was born. And so, the fact is
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given of that. But in verse number two,
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they have come looking for him, desiring
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a location. They're desiring this lad in
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verse number two. Where is he that is
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born, recently born, this young child?
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And they're not only desiring the
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location of this lad, but they're
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desiring the location of their Lord.
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Amen. Look what he says. Where is he
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that is born king of the Jews. Amen.
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Hey, these boys had something those in
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Jerusalem did not have. And let me just
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say this to you this morning. Just
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because somebody names the name or is in
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a place does not mean that they know
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Jesus. Amen. Just because you're in the
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house of God this morning does not mean
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that you know Jesus. Amen. And in this
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text, they come to the place where Jesus
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should have been well known. But isn't
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it interesting? Nobody seemed to know
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where he was at. But them boys that had
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traveled a long way. They had made it on
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this far led by a star to find Jesus.
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And so their declaration was of the fact
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they knew that he who he was, but they
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just wanted to be where he was at. Amen.
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I'm telling you this morning, I'm glad I
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know who he is. Amen. But just like
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those wise men, I just want to be where
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he's at. Amen. Hallelujah. Bless his
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name. Amen. What I'm saying this morning
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is that they wanted to see Jesus. Amen.
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>> And so their declaration declares that
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they desired to find the Lord. Amen. Now
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notice not only their declaration, but
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notice their discernment in verse two.
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Where is he that is born king of the
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Jews? For we have seen his star in the
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east. Now I know this morning these magi
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are often recorded as in history as
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being three men. They're often recorded
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as being soothsayers and and there some
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say that they were kings. Some say that
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they were uh soothsayers, magi,
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magicians, whatever you want to call it.
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But I will say this, God had told them
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where this boy was at.
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>> Amen. And they've come this far and they
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had discernment enough to know that that
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star was different than every other star
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that they had seen. It was his star.
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Amen. You say, "Preacher, how do you
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know that they was right about it?"
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Well, they come to town and what did
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they find? That yes, there was a king
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born. Amen. And so, they obviously had
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some discernment. What was their
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discernment about? Well, they discerned
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his person. Notice it in verse number
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two. For we have seen what? His star.
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Amen. Hey, they recognized that it
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wasn't just anybody. Amen. But it was
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the Messiah. Amen. It was Jesus. They
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discerned his person. But I would say
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this, they'd also discerned his
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prophecy. The fact of the matter is this
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star was a representation that the
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Messiah would come. It was prophesied
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that this star would appear and and Old
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Testament prophecy it was given that
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this star would show up. Numbers 24 and
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verse number 17 and Isaiah chapter 60
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and verse number three. His star would
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show up. And so they were discerning his
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person and discerning his prophecy. But
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isn't it interesting? They also
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discerned his place. You're
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>> right. Where'd they come to? They come
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to Jerusalem. Amen.
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>> Because the king of the Jews would be
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born. Amen. In Jerusalem. Amen.
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>> You say, "Preacher, what's all that got
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to do with anything?"
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>> Well, these boys is heading the right
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direction, aren't they?
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>> Amen. Let me ask you something. What
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direction are you headed in?
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>> Amen. You say, "Preacher, well, I'm at
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the house of God." Well, that's step
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one. Amen.
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>> Amen.
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>> Amen. Step two is where's your desire
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at? Amen. Yes.
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>> I notice in this text, not only their
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declaration and their discernment, the
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teaching of past truth led them to this
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place. And at this time, and I'll say
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this, many have said, speculated that it
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could have been possible these men were
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descendants of those magi that Daniel
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taught in the book of Daniel. those
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those 120 princes that were under him,
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those magi, those uh those uh magicians
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that were under Daniel in the book, they
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said that it could been possible that
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Daniel taught them the prophecies of the
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Messiah, and they've passed it down from
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generation to generation to this point
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in time, and now they have received this
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and come under there. I don't know about
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all that, but I do know this. God
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brought them there. Amen. And God's
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brought them to this place. And so, we
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consider their declaration and their
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discernment. But notice their desire in
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verse two. We have seen his star in the
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east. Notice this. And are come to
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worship him.
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>> Amen.
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>> Come to worship him. Now, I'll say this
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this morning. They didn't come out of
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obligation.
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>> Amen.
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>> They didn't come with any ulterior
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motive.
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>> Yes.
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>> But they came in adoration of the Lord
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Jesus Christ, the one that they'd never
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seen.
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>> Amen.
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>> But they loved. The one they'd never
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laid their eyes upon, but they knew he
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was real.
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>> Yes.
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>> Don't that sound like somebody else?
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Amen.
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>> Hey, I ain't never seen him.
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>> Amen. I've never laid my eyes on him
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physically, but boy, I'm glad. Amen. For
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the leadership. Amen. Somewhere.
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Hallelujah. Somewhere up in the skies.
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Amen. THEY SAW THAT STAR. WELL, I TELL
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YOU WHAT, there's been a star leading
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me. Amen. But he's not in the sky. He's
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in my soul. Amen. The spirit of God been
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leading me. AND ONE OF THESE DAYS I'LL
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GET to the land where Jesus is AND BE IN
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THE PLACE AND see in THE PERSON AND FEEL
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THE PRESENCE RIGHT THERE WHERE HE IS
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BECAUSE MY DESIRE IS TO WORSHIP HIM.
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AMEN. HALLELUJAH. I noticed their
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desire. It was a passionate desire.
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These men traveled thousands of miles to
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see Jesus. Their passion was not without
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purpose. They'd come to worship him. And
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I notice also not only there the purpose
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but it was praise for who he is. We are
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come to worship him. You see when they
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came to Jesus Jesus had done nothing
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>> as of yet to deserve their praise. He
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was just a baby in a manger.
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>> But you see they wasn't praising what he
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had done.
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>> Amen. They were just praising who he
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was. Amen. Hey, they knew who he was and
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before he'd ever done anything.
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Hallelujah. They were JUST GOING TO
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PRAISE him for who he was. Amen. HEY,
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YOU KNOW THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE THIS
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MORNING. WE'RE NOT HERE TO PRAISE HIM
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JUST FOR WHAT HE'S DONE. AND HASN'T HE
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DONE SO MUCH FOR US? AMEN. HE DAILY
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LOADTH US WITH BENEFITS. AMEN. MY CUP
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RUNTH OVER THIS MORNING. GOODNESS AND
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MERCY BEEN FOLLOWING ME all the days of
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my life. Amen. HE'S BEEN BETTER THAN
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GOOD TO ME. OH, BUT HE'S WORTHY OF MY
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PRAISE. NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE DOES, BUT
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I'LL SAY THIS. HE'S WORTHY OF MY PRAISE
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BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS. AMEN. and that
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alone this morning. And I notice what
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brought them to this place.
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You see in this text, Herod has become
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along with all Israel. Verse three, when
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Herod the king had heard these things,
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he was troubled. And not only Herod, but
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all Jerusalem was troubled. Notice that
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in verse three, that reveals the
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spiritual climate of the day in which
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they were living in. Let me just say
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this to you this morning. There was a
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day in this country when preachers
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preached that the Lord was coming back
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that people were troubled. All
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>> right.
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>> Amen.
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>> But I submit to you, we've come to this
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day in America and our country and it
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seems as people are not troubled
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anymore.
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>> Right?
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>> You know what? When Jesus got to the
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cross, he was getting near the end. They
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weren't nobody scared about his death,
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was they? His disciples had left him
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behind. They weren't nobody scared. But
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when he came at first, you know what?
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They were real troubled. We're getting
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close to the end of this thing, folks.
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>> Amen. What I'm saying is they are
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troubled. Why? Because of their sinful
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state. The lack of spirituality among
19:29
Jerusalem has caused them to be fearful.
19:31
Why? Because the king is coming. And
19:33
they know that when the king comes,
19:35
judgment begins where? At the house of
19:38
God. That's
19:38
>> right.
19:39
>> Jerusalem there. It would begin there.
19:41
And of course, we know that Herod was a
19:43
wicked man. And I ain't going to preach
19:44
all of that this morning, but I I want
19:46
to give you some truths concerning these
19:48
wise men. See, what is it that brought
19:50
them to this place?
19:53
Well, I would say four things this
19:55
morning concerning this text that
19:57
brought them to Jesus in our text.
20:00
Number one, I would say first of all,
20:02
it's the light of the star that brought
20:05
them to Jesus. In verse number two, they
20:08
said, "Where is he that's born king of
20:09
the Jews? for we have seen his star in
20:13
the east. You see these men, wherever
20:16
country they were from, they were living
20:18
their life watching.
20:20
They were living their life waiting. And
20:22
they were living their life willing. And
20:24
I'll say more about that in just a
20:25
minute. But you see, the light of this
20:28
star caused them to take a journey. And
20:31
it was the light of this star that led
20:33
them to Jerusalem. Why was it? Because
20:36
this star's light was specific. Let me
20:39
say this to you this morning. The light
20:41
of that star is still specific.
20:43
>> Amen.
20:44
>> Amen. You come to this book and you come
20:46
to the house of bread. Amen. Just like
20:48
these boys did. Amen. You're going to
20:50
get the same Jesus.
20:52
>> Amen. That every generation has got down
20:54
through the ages. This blessed Bible.
20:56
It's a specific light. Amen.
20:58
>> And this star, it showed them the place
21:00
where Jesus would lay. And so they take
21:03
this journey because of the light of
21:05
this star. But it also didn't cause it
21:07
only cause them to take a journey, but
21:09
it brought them joining. In verse number
21:11
nine, look what the Bible says. When
21:12
they had heard the king, they departed.
21:14
And lo, the star which they saw in the
21:16
east went before them. Notice this, till
21:19
it came and stood over where the young
21:22
child was. You see, this star brought
21:24
them to Jerusalem. And there upon the
21:27
streets of Jerusalem, the Bible
21:28
literally says there in the text that
21:30
they ask, "Where is he that's born king
21:32
of the Jews?" And that word saying there
21:35
in verse two means that they were
21:36
literally asking everybody that they
21:38
came across. They were walking around
21:40
every individual. They didn't go to
21:41
Herod's palace, but they were walking
21:43
around through the streets of Jerusalem.
21:45
Hey, where is he? Where's the Messiah?
21:47
Where's the king at? We've heard that
21:49
he's been born. Where is he at? And you
21:51
know what? The stars brought them to
21:52
Jerusalem. And when they realized that
21:54
nobody knew where he was at, isn't that
21:56
interesting? They come down to the house
21:58
of God and nobody knew where Jesus was
22:01
at. Amen. You want to know what that is?
22:03
That's a description of the church in
22:04
the last days. AMEN. SINNERS WALK INTO
22:07
the average church all across THIS
22:09
COUNTRY AND NOBODY CAN FIND JESUS.
22:11
NOBODY KNOWS WHERE JESUS IS. We've got
22:14
transvestites in the pull pit AND
22:16
HOMOSEXUALS IN THE IN THE CONGREGATION
22:18
AND NOBODY KNOWS WHERE JESUS IS. WHY?
22:21
BECAUSE HE LEFT A LONG TIME AGO. AMEN.
22:25
>> Don't know how I got off on all that,
22:27
but the truth is, Amen. That's the way
22:28
it is,
22:29
>> right?
22:30
>> Well, I'm thankful. Amen. And we know
22:31
where he is.
22:33
>> And the star didn't only lead them to
22:35
the house of God in Jerusalem, but it
22:37
led them to the house of bread.
22:39
>> Amen.
22:40
>> In Bethlehem after that they had
22:41
departed from the king. The star
22:43
reappeared and it led them directly. The
22:46
Bible says that it went before them.
22:47
Literally almost saying that it walked
22:49
with them. Amen. You say, "Preacher,
22:51
what's that talking about?" Well, I'll
22:53
say this. It's talking about really
22:54
types the spirit of God. Amen. He will
22:57
lead you to the place where you can get
22:59
some bread. Amen. And so he brings them
23:01
down to Bethlehem, but not only to
23:03
Bethlehem, but he brings them to the
23:05
very house. In verse number 10, when
23:07
they saw the star, they rejoiced with
23:09
exceeding great joy. And in verse 11,
23:11
and when they were come into the house,
23:15
>> Amen.
23:16
>> That star, it didn't just lead him to
23:18
Jerusalem. It didn't only just lead him
23:21
to Bethlehem, but it took him to the
23:24
exact spot.
23:25
>> Amen.
23:26
>> Where Jesus was.
23:27
>> Right?
23:28
>> You say, "Preacher, what do you mean?"
23:29
It brought joining.
23:31
>> Amen. The light of that star still
23:34
brings joining.
23:35
>> Amen.
23:36
>> The spirit of God, the preaching of the
23:37
word of God will bring you into a
23:40
journey. It'll bring joining. But I'll
23:41
say this, it'll bring joy. Look what the
23:43
Bible said in verse 10. When they saw
23:45
the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
23:47
great joy. You see, it was the light of
23:51
that star that caused them to take the
23:53
journey.
23:54
>> Right?
23:54
>> But it was also the light of that star
23:56
that when they got to their destination,
23:57
you know what happened? They rejoiced.
23:59
>> Amen.
24:00
>> Amen. Y'all don't have to read between
24:02
the lines too much on that. Amen.
24:04
>> You know what? It's the light of the
24:05
star. It's going to lead us all through
24:06
this life. You're
24:07
>> right.
24:08
>> Amen. And we get to where he's at. It's
24:10
that light.
24:11
>> Amen.
24:12
>> That same light that showed us we was
24:14
lost and started us on our journey.
24:15
Amen. When we get home, you know what
24:17
we're going to do? We're going to
24:18
rejoice because that same light that
24:20
started with us is the same light that
24:22
stayed with us. And it's the same light
24:24
that'll STILL BE SHINING FOR US WHEN WE
24:26
GET TO THE END OF THIS THING. AMEN.
24:29
>> I consider the light of the star, but
24:32
you also notice there was all there was
24:33
something else they had to hear before
24:35
they could experience this joy from the
24:38
star. Notice not only the light of the
24:40
star, but consider second of all the
24:42
leading of the scriptures. You see in
24:44
our text, Herod, they've come to Herod.
24:46
They've they've asked the question.
24:49
Somehow or another, it's gotten around
24:50
to Herod, but Herod calls them to
24:52
himself in verse number seven. But they
24:55
he's gathered all the chief priests and
24:57
scribes together. In verse four, they he
25:00
asked of him where Christ should be
25:01
born. And they tell him in verse number
25:03
five, they give him that location, the
25:05
place Bethlehem of Judea. In verse
25:07
number five, they tell him of the
25:09
prophet. He says, "For thus it is
25:11
written by the prophet." Micah chapter 5
25:13
and verse number two gives this
25:15
prophecy. And then there's the prophecy
25:17
that he tells them of. Verse six. And
25:19
thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, art
25:22
not the least among the princes of
25:23
Judah. For out of thee shall come a
25:25
governor that shall rule my people
25:27
Israel. And it was the leading of the
25:30
scriptures that caused them to continue.
25:33
You say, "Preacher, how is this?" Well,
25:35
let me just give this to you for a
25:36
second here. You see, these wise men
25:39
didn't have this on hand,
25:41
>> right?
25:41
>> But these chief priests and scribes did.
25:44
>> And so, you know what? God took that
25:46
wicked king Herod. They followed that
25:49
star all the way to Jerusalem. Herod's
25:51
got wind of it and out of fear, he goes
25:53
to the chief priest and he inquires of
25:55
the word of God and they tell him, "All
25:57
right, this is where he's going to be
25:58
born." And then Herod goes back to him
26:00
in verse number seven. Then Herod, when
26:02
he had prevently called the wise men,
26:04
inquired of them diligently what time
26:06
the star appeared. And notice verse
26:08
number eight, and he sent them to
26:11
Bethlehem. Now, isn't that interesting?
26:14
These boys got to Jerusalem and say,
26:16
"Well, we're looking for him. We don't
26:17
know where he's at." But God uses the
26:20
one that was going to try to kill him.
26:21
>> That's right.
26:22
>> To send these men to his very house.
26:24
>> Yeah.
26:25
>> And God can take the word of God
26:29
>> through any means by which he desires
26:31
to.
26:31
>> Right.
26:32
>> God spoke to Moses through a burning
26:34
bush,
26:35
>> to Balum through that donkey. God can
26:38
speak to you and I through just about
26:39
anything,
26:40
>> right? But it's his word that will lead
26:43
us to where Jesus is. Amen. I'll say
26:47
this this morning. I the leading of the
26:49
scriptures, it calls them to continue to
26:52
see the light of the star. You see, if
26:53
they had never heard this scripture,
26:55
they would have never continued. Let me
26:57
tell you this. The light of the star in
26:59
this life, it'll get you along down
27:00
life's road. But you know what? There's
27:02
going to be days when you going to have
27:03
to have the scripture.
27:04
>> You're right.
27:05
>> Cuz you know what? There's days of
27:07
darkness.
27:08
>> You're right. There's days where the
27:09
light don't seem to shine. I know this
27:11
is super simple this morning. This just
27:12
what God put on the heart.
27:14
>> There's days where it's dark and the
27:16
light doesn't shine. I'll tell you this.
27:18
You need something that'll shine in the
27:19
darkness. Amen. Peter said we have a
27:21
more assured word of prophecy. Said that
27:23
you do well that you take heed as a
27:25
light that shineth into a dark place
27:28
>> for the darkness of life. When the star
27:30
quit shining, there is the scripture
27:32
that would lead them. But I'm thankful
27:34
after they were faithful to obey the
27:36
scriptures. You know what? The star kept
27:37
shining.
27:38
>> Right?
27:38
>> Amen. Notice verse number nine. And when
27:41
they had depart, when they heard the
27:42
king, they departed and lo the star
27:45
which they saw in the east went before
27:46
them. So they obeyed the scripture and
27:48
the star reappeared. And you say,
27:50
"Preacher, what does all this have to do
27:52
with anything? What is it special about
27:54
them seeking Jesus?" Well, they sought
27:56
him because of the light of this star.
27:58
And they sought him because of the
28:00
leading of the scriptures. But I'll tell
28:01
you why they sought him. They sought him
28:03
because they loved him.
28:04
>> Amen.
28:04
>> Amen. Notice the text, verse number 10,
28:07
11, and 12. When they saw the star, they
28:10
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Hey,
28:12
they weren't rejoicing just because of
28:14
that star shining. They were rejoicing
28:16
because of what that star's light was
28:18
shining on. Amen. They know that THAT
28:20
STAR WAS HIS STAR. And wherever it was,
28:23
he was going to be. Oh, friend, hear me
28:25
this morning. When the star shines, you
28:27
just know it ain't about the light of
28:29
the star, but it's about the Lord WHO
28:31
THAT STAR'S SHINING ON. AMEN. HEY,
28:34
that's what we DO EVERY TIME WE TRY TO
28:36
PREACH THE WORD OF GOD AS WE TRY TO
28:38
SHINE THE LIGHT ON JESUS CHRIST SO YOU
28:40
CAN SEE HIM. GOD, HELP US TO HIDE BEHIND
28:43
THE CROSS IN THESE DAYS SO THAT A LOST
28:45
AND DYING WORLD COULD SEE HIM WHO'S
28:48
invisible and be saved. Amen.
28:51
>> They desired to see him because they
28:53
loved him. They praised him in verse 11.
28:56
They fell down and worshiped him. They
28:59
presented him gifts, gold, frankincense,
29:01
and myrr. They also not only presented
29:04
him gifts, but they protected him. You
29:06
say, "How did they protect him,
29:07
preacher?" In verse 12, they were warned
29:10
of God in a dream that they should not
29:11
return to Herod. The Bible says they
29:13
departed into their own country another
29:15
way. Just another time. It shows that
29:17
they loved him.
29:18
>> Right?
29:19
>> You see, they could have feared the
29:21
king's commandment and went and told him
29:22
where he was at.
29:23
>> But you know what? Their love for Jesus
29:25
was greater.
29:26
>> Amen.
29:27
>> You say, "What do you mean, preacher?"
29:28
Well, I'm saying they sought him because
29:30
they loved him.
29:31
Let me ask you this morning. Do you love
29:33
him?
29:34
>> Amen.
29:35
>> Do you love him?
29:37
>> You say, "Preacher, what does all this
29:38
mean?" Well, I'll say this. It really
29:40
comes down to this. You know the reason
29:41
why they saw him? They saw him because
29:43
the light showed them the way. They saw
29:45
him because the leading of the
29:47
scriptures filled in the gaps or they
29:49
didn't understand. They they they saw
29:51
him because they loved him. And I'll say
29:53
this, and this is so practical and so
29:55
simple, it almost makes me sick, but
29:57
it's the truth. You know why they saw
29:59
him? because they were looking for him.
30:02
>> You're right.
30:03
>> Come on.
30:06
>> And thus the title, wise men still seek
30:09
him.
30:10
>> You know what? If you're seeking him,
30:11
you going to be looking.
30:13
>> You're right.
30:14
>> Amen. I feel like the church in this day
30:16
and time is walking around with their
30:17
eyes closed.
30:18
>> You're right.
30:18
>> Amen. We just We see everything that's
30:21
wrong. We see everything that's bad. We
30:25
see everything that's not right and
30:26
messed up. Amen. And misfits. LET ME ASK
30:29
YOU, WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU SAW
30:31
SOMETHING that was right?
30:32
>> Amen.
30:33
>> Let me say this to you. There's a lot
30:35
more that's right with the church than
30:36
there is that's wrong. Somebody say,
30:38
"Amen." HEY, I'M TALKING ABOUT WE STILL
30:40
GOT A KING JAMES BIBLE. WE'RE STILL
30:43
PREACHING THE GOSPEL. WE'RE STILL
30:44
SINGING THE OLD SONGS AND TRYING OUR
30:47
BEST TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE AND WALK WITH
30:49
GOD. I'M SAYING THERE'S A LOT LESS WRONG
30:51
THAN THERE IS RIGHT. AMEN. GOD HAS BEEN
30:54
GOOD to us. Amen.
30:56
>> And what does this text tell us? They
30:58
were looking. Notice verse two. Where
31:01
did it all begin? Verse two. Where is he
31:04
that is born king of the Jews? For we
31:06
have seen.
31:09
We have seen. You know the reason why
31:12
you don't see Jesus is because you're
31:14
not looking.
31:15
>> Right.
31:18
>> You're not looking. You see, they were
31:20
watching. You say, "Preacher, how is
31:22
it?" Well, let me ask you this. Herod
31:24
and all Israel couldn't find him.
31:26
>> Yeah, you're right.
31:28
Israel didn't know where he was. They
31:30
didn't come to his birth and crown him
31:32
king. The only ones that came were the
31:34
shepherds, amen, at his birth. And then
31:36
some two years later, these wise men
31:39
show up and they've come here to give
31:41
these gifts to Jesus. But you don't hear
31:43
of anybody else other than Elizabeth and
31:45
the immediate family. And then later on
31:48
in chapter 3 and four, John the Baptist
31:50
shows up and says, "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF
31:52
GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SINS OF THE
31:54
WORLD." BUT NOBODY COULD FIND HIM. WHY
31:57
IS THAT? They weren't looking for it.
31:59
>> You're right.
32:01
>> You say, "Preacher, but Herod sent his
32:03
sent his men out there to find him and
32:06
they killed all the babies that were
32:07
under two." You understand, FRIEND? THEY
32:09
WEREN'T looking for Jesus. You say,
32:11
"Preacher, but they were they wanted to
32:13
kill him." Oh, yeah. They weren't
32:15
looking for him physically.
32:16
>> You're right.
32:17
>> But here's the truth about it.
32:19
>> Come on.
32:20
>> Jesus only reveals himself to people
32:23
that want to see him.
32:24
>> Right.
32:28
There were people that were looking for
32:29
him, but they didn't love him.
32:32
>> You're right.
32:34
>> You know what a lot of people's problem
32:35
in church in this day and time is?
32:37
>> Come on.
32:37
>> They're looking for Jesus to get
32:39
something from him.
32:40
>> Amen.
32:41
>> But they don't love him.
32:43
>> Amen.
32:44
>> Think about this with me. Herod and all
32:46
Israel couldn't find him. It's because
32:48
they couldn't receive him.
32:50
>> You're right.
32:51
>> Amen. Jesus said, John said it himself
32:53
of Jesus said he came unto his own and
32:56
his own received him not. You think
32:58
about this. When they heard about that
33:00
star, then them them magi walked through
33:02
the streets of Jerusalem talking about
33:04
this star. And and isn't it interesting
33:06
that never once none of those men do you
33:09
see recorded do they ask the magi,
33:11
"Well, when are you going to see it
33:12
again? And how can we go with you?"
33:15
>> Right?
33:16
>> Why didn't Herod ask HIM, "HEY, WHERE'S
33:18
THAT THING SHINING AT? We want to GO
33:20
WITH YOU AND FOLLOW YOU. WE WANT TO SEE
33:22
HIM, TOO. But the truth is, they didn't
33:24
want to.
33:24
>> You're right.
33:25
>> The Jews didn't want to see him. Herod
33:27
didn't want to see him. Why? BECAUSE
33:28
THEY DIDN'T LOVE HIM. They were not
33:31
looking for him. They But these
33:33
servants, Amen. these magi, they were
33:35
watching. Verse two, we have seen.
33:40
They were waiting. They were watching.
33:42
But I'll say this, they were willing.
33:45
>> Right?
33:46
>> Verse number 11, notice it again. And
33:48
when they were coming to the house,
33:51
some writers say that this is some two
33:53
years journey that these men take. I
33:54
ain't got no way to verify that, but I
33:57
know it's hundreds of hundreds of miles
34:00
that these men have traveled. And
34:02
they've come all the way and the star
34:05
has led them to Bethlehem.
34:07
And they walk into the house. Why is
34:09
that? Because they made a decision back
34:11
in the east.
34:13
>> Oh, I wish somebody hook up with me.
34:16
They made a decision back over there in
34:17
the east when all they saw was that
34:19
star.
34:21
[clears throat]
34:21
>> Anybody, anybody yanking up with that,
34:24
this yoking up with that?
34:25
>> They made a decision back there in the
34:27
east when all they saw was the star,
34:29
they said this, that's his star.
34:30
>> Amen.
34:32
>> Put your walking shoes on, boys.
34:34
>> Amen.
34:35
>> Why is that? They were willing.
34:37
>> You're right.
34:38
>> They were willing. You say, "Preacher,
34:40
what's the truth of this this morning?"
34:42
Well, I said the title is this. wise men
34:44
still seek him. I I thought about this.
34:46
This verse came to my mind immediately
34:48
about this text and I know we've been
34:49
sort of scattered this morning. I
34:51
believe this is what God had for us
34:52
today. Acts 17,
34:55
Paul was preaching to those men of
34:57
Athens on Mars Hill. And he made one of
34:59
the most profound, probably one of the
35:01
most profound sermons in history. He
35:03
preached to these men. But one of the
35:04
most profound statements he makes in
35:06
verse 27 of Acts 17. He says this, put
35:09
it in your margin. The Bible says that.
35:13
Notice verse 26. Let's read it here. And
35:15
hath made of one blood all nations of
35:18
men for to dwell on all the face of the
35:20
earth. And hath determined the times
35:23
before appointed in the bounds of their
35:25
habitation. Now, isn't that interesting?
35:26
I was just telling you about them three
35:28
groups of people.
35:30
>> Herod's crowd and the Israel, Jesus
35:33
family, and then these magi that come
35:36
in. And what does Paul say?
35:38
He hath made of one blood all nations of
35:41
men for to dwell on all the face of the
35:43
earth and hath determined the times
35:45
before appointing the bounds of their
35:46
habitation. Verse 27 that they should
35:49
seek the Lord if happily they might feel
35:52
after him and find him. Oh, listen to
35:54
this. Though he be not far from every
35:58
one of us.
35:59
>> That's right. Right.
36:02
>> You know what? Them wise men traveled a
36:04
long ways physically.
36:06
But you know what? When they took that
36:08
step to leave, you know what? They was
36:09
one that accompanied them all the way.
36:11
>> That's right.
36:13
>> You know, from the moment you got saved,
36:15
heaven feels like a million miles away
36:17
physically, doesn't it?
36:18
>> Right.
36:19
>> But I'll tell you this, in the spirit of
36:20
God, there's been somebody walking with
36:22
you.
36:23
>> From the day that you decided,
36:25
>> you're right.
36:26
>> And you know what? One of these days,
36:27
you're going to step foot in Jesus
36:28
house. You're
36:29
>> right. Amen.
36:32
>> Notice it again. Verse 11. And when they
36:35
were coming to the house, they saw the
36:38
young child with Mary his mother, and
36:40
fell down and worshiped him. And when
36:43
they had opened their treasures, they
36:44
presented unto him gifts, gold, and
36:46
frankincense and myrr. You know what?
36:47
One of these days when we get to his
36:49
house,
36:49
>> right?
36:50
>> You know what we going to do?
36:52
>> We going to present what he's given to
36:54
us in this life,
36:55
>> right?
36:57
>> Lay it all at his feet.
36:59
>> Amen.
37:00
>> You know what we'll do? We'll bow his
37:02
feet.
37:02
>> Yes. and worship him.
37:05
>> Amen.
37:05
>> Because you know what? He started with
37:07
us. He stayed with us.
37:08
>> You're right.
37:10
>> And he delivered us,
37:12
>> right?
37:13
>> Brought us into his house.
37:16
>> And you know what? These wise men left
37:17
his house on this earth. But I'll tell
37:19
you what, we'll never leave his house
37:20
over there. Amen.
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>> I say, bless his name.
37:24
>> I don't know about you, but I'm going to
37:26
just keep on seeking him. Amen. Not
37:28
because I need to be saved again, but
37:30
because he saved me way back yonder. And
37:32
I'm just going to keep on following him
37:34
and serving him and seeking him. Why?
37:36
Because I know if I'll stay with him,
37:38
I'll never go wrong. AMEN. HEY, THE
37:40
LIGHT MIGHT GO OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE
37:42
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, BUT THANK GOD I'VE
37:44
GOT THIS BLESSED BIBLE TO KEEP ME IN THE
37:47
DARK TIMES. AMEN. AND WHEN IT'S ALL SAID
37:49
and done, I'LL END UP AT HIS HOUSE ON
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THE SUNNY BANKS OF SWEET DELIVERANCE.
37:54
NEVER MORE TO WORRY ABOUT SIN STRIFE.
37:57
HEY, THERE'LL NEVER BE NO MORE DANGER OF
37:59
JESUS. HEY, HE'S GOING TO WIPE OUT ALL
38:01
THE ENEMIES. AMEN. But ain't nobody
38:03
going to be trying to take his life over
38:05
there. Amen.
38:06
>> Right. That's right.
38:08
>> We'll be safe in his arms.
38:10
>> Amen.
38:10
>> Instead of us beholding a baby, we'll
38:12
behold a lamb.
38:13
>> That's right.
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>> As it had been slain. Amen.
38:18
>> Amen.
38:19
>> Let me ask you this morning,
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>> will you seek him?
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>> Because wise men still seek him.
38:26
>> Amen. Every head bowed and every eye
38:28
closed this morning.
38:32
>> I'll say this to you today.
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Jesus
38:37
is the best thing
38:39
that has ever happened to any of us.
38:45
>> He is the greatest
38:48
blessing that you and I had. You say,
38:50
"Preacher, I just do not feel blessed."
38:52
Let me say this to you this morning. If
38:54
you have Jesus,
38:57
you have more
39:00
than the richest
39:02
of rich men. You have more wealth
39:06
than the most renowned men of this
39:08
world.
39:12
[music] We've been made hes and joint
39:14
hes
39:15
with Jesus Christ. And when those magi
39:19
looked on him that day,
39:24
it's like I told you, they didn't come
39:27
for what he could do for them. Cuz that
39:29
little baby didn't have much to offer
39:31
them.
39:33
But you know what? They knew who he was.
39:36
They knew he was Lord.
39:40
And they knew that just down the road,
39:44
some 30 years later,
39:46
he would give his life so that they
39:49
could be saved.
39:52
I didn't preach about it, but those go
39:54
that gold frankincense and myrr, they
39:56
were representing
39:58
that he was a king,
40:00
that he was a sacrifice,
40:02
and that he was a savior. [music]
40:06
And they pointed out his deity,
40:09
incarnate God in flesh,
40:13
there for Mary and Joseph to see.
40:16
And isn't it wonderful that God left
40:18
Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem just long
40:20
enough so that they could get there and
40:22
see him?
40:23
>> Yes.
40:25
>> Let me say this. I'm telling you, this
40:28
is helping me this morning.
40:29
>> Amen.
40:30
>> You know what? But until the last soul
40:32
gets saved,
40:33
>> the gospel, Jesus will still be in
40:37
Bethlehem. You're
40:38
>> right.
40:39
>> Till the last ones lays their eyes on
40:42
HIM BY FAITH AND TRUST HIM, Jesus will
40:45
stay.
40:46
>> Amen. Right.
40:50
>> Father, thank you so much
40:53
for the privilege that we have
40:56
to trust in you, to seek you, to serve
40:59
you, to know you.
41:06
Lord, [clears throat] I thank you for
41:07
the precious truths of this scripture
41:11
that teach us, Father, we can know
41:16
that we've been with you.
41:19
Lord, the light of that star will lead
41:21
us on. And Lord, I know it's not a
41:24
physical star, not something that we can
41:26
physically see, but the spirit of God
41:28
living on the inside,
41:32
illuminates our heart
41:34
gives us direction.
41:37
And Lord, for every day that it feels
41:39
dark and gloomy,
41:41
when everything feels wrong, we don't
41:44
know which way to go, I'm thankful that
41:46
your word is still there
41:49
that we can go to in those dark times.
41:53
And Lord, I pray, Father, for every
41:54
heart that's here this morning. I pray
41:56
nobody leave this service lost this
41:58
morning.
42:00
And God, for the rest of us, I pray we'd
42:02
rest in the light,
42:05
knowing, Father, that we're headed to
42:07
your house.
42:13
I want to ask you this this morning just
42:15
before we close this service.
42:19
Are you saved?
42:21
Do you know the Lord?
42:25
I never do this, but I want to just ask
42:27
you if you're saved, could you just
42:28
raise your hand and testify that this
42:30
morning? Preacher, I'm saved.
42:33
Saved, you know you're saved.
42:35
Amen. [music] You can put them back
42:38
down.
42:42
I'll say this to you this morning. If
42:43
you're here in this place and you are
42:44
not saved,
42:46
you can be saved today.
42:49
You can be saved today. You say,
42:50
"Preacher, [music]
42:52
would you pray for me? I know I'm not
42:54
saved. I need to be saved." Preacher,
42:56
anybody like that? Just slip your hand
42:58
up right back down. I want to pray for
43:01
[music] you. Anybody be honest? You
43:04
couldn't raise your hand this morning
43:05
that you're saved.
43:08
Would you be honest enough to slip it up
43:10
and say, "Preacher, I'm lost."
43:16
Anybody? [music]
43:18
Let me say this to you. Maybe you are
43:20
saved,
43:22
but you just feel like you're walking
43:24
through the dark time [music]
43:28
these holidays seasons of the year.
43:31
Often times the hardest things that
43:32
you'll go through in life just because
43:34
sometimes you'll sit there at a table
43:36
and there'll be an empty chair.
43:41
There'll be a
43:44
seemingly open place in your heart
43:46
because
43:48
those that you are around are not there
43:51
anymore.
43:53
Let me say this to you. Jesus will be
43:55
whatever you need.
43:58
He's been a father. He's been a mother.
44:00
He's been a friend, a sister, a brother.
44:06
And I can promise you there's some folk
44:09
in here that'll tell you when everybody
44:10
else is gone.
44:12
>> Yes.
44:13
>> I'll tell you he'll be there.
44:15
>> Right.
44:16
>> He will not leave you. He will not
44:19
forsake you.
44:22
And I want you this morning just allow
44:24
that place in your life that seems
44:28
empty, let Jesus fill that up.
44:33
Don't let regrets
44:35
and remorse,
44:40
don't let wishing something was
44:42
different fill it up. Let Jesus fill it
44:43
up. Cuz here's what'll happen. The devil
44:47
want to fill that place up in your life
44:50
and he'll make you bitter. But I'll tell
44:53
you this, you let Jesus fill that place
44:55
up in your life, you know what? It'll be
44:56
blessing,
44:57
>> right?
44:59
It'll be a place of bliss
45:03
because he can do that. Father, thank
45:06
you so much.
45:08
Thank you so much, God, that
45:12
Lord, you're not in that manger anymore.
45:15
You're not in Bethlehem. You're not even
45:17
on the cross anymore. But Lord, you're
45:19
in heaven.
45:21
And Lord, for these your children here
45:23
this morning that are hurting,
45:25
God, you're praying for them.
45:28
You told Simon Peter that you were
45:30
praying for him. And your word tells us
45:33
that you ever live to make intercession
45:35
for us.
45:37
And Lord, that you love us even more
45:39
than we could even imagine ourselves.
45:41
God, I pray through these days, Lord,
45:43
this season, Father, I know it's hard
45:45
for many. I pray, God, that you would
45:46
help us to rest in you. But Lord, I
45:49
pray, Father, even more than just
45:50
resting. I pray that we would go beyond
45:52
resting to rejoicing,
45:55
>> rejoicing, God, because you have given
45:57
us so much. And I bless your holy name
46:00
for it. Lord, I thank you for this
46:02
service today. I thank you for the sweet
46:03
spirit that we've had here in the house
46:05
of God. And I pray you'll go with us
46:07
now. We ask it in Jesus name. And God's
46:09
children said,
46:10
>> "Amen."
46:10
>> Amen.
46:11
>> Thank you for joining our service today.
46:13
We'd love it if [music] you join us in
46:15
person the next time you are able at
46:17
Meadows Baptist Church. Our physical
46:20
address is 2988
46:22
Stewart Road in Walnut Cove, North
46:25
Carolina. Our service times are Sunday
46:28
school [music] at 10:00 a.m., Sunday
46:30
morning worship at 11:00 a.m., Sunday
46:32
evening worship at [music] 6:00 p.m. and
46:34
Wednesday evening Bible study at 700
46:37
p.m. For more information, visit us at
46:40
[music] meadowsbaptisturch.com.
46:42
Thanks again for tuning in.