another route matthew 2:1-12 persians bearing gifts why the wise men were wise the gifts of a wise...
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Another RouteMatthew 2:1-12
Persians Bearing Gifts
Why The Wise Men Were Wise
The Gifts of a Wise Man
Persians Bearing Gifts1. Gold – a gift for a king (Jesus as King)
Seneca – “No one in Persia was to approach a king without a gift of gold”
Kings only gave gifts of gold to signify submission and the right to rule
Probably funded the move to Egypt
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Persians Bearing Gifts2. Frankincense – (Jesus as Priest)
Used in temple worship to anoint priests
Often mixed with meal offering (thanks) Never mixed with sin offering Philippians 4:18
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Philippians 4:18 (NASB)18 But I have received everything in full and
have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Persians Bearing Gifts2. Frankincense – (Jesus as Priest)
Used in temple worship to anoint priests
Often mixed with meal offering (thanks) Never mixed with sin offering Philippians 4:18 Signifies worship and perfection
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Persians Bearing Gifts3. Myrrh – death (Jesus as Prophet)
Myrrh was used for embalming Odd, if not offensive, gift for a child Perhaps a gift of faith Signified suffering – Psalm 22; Is. 53:4-5
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Isaiah 53:4-5 (NASB)4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,He was crushed for our iniquities;The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,And by His scourging we are healed.
Persians Bearing Gifts3. Myrrh – death (Jesus as Prophet)
Myrrh was used for embalming Odd, if not offensive, gift to give a child Perhaps a gift of faith Signified suffering – Psalm 22; Is. 53:4-5 Also used as anesthetic – Mark 15:23
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Mark 15:23 (NASB)23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with
myrrh; but He did not take it.
Why The Wise Men Were Wise1. They were wise enough to seek Him2. They were wise enough to seek
information about Him – Romans 10:6-8
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Romans 10:6-8 (NASB)6 But the righteousness based on faith
speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),
7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
Why The Wise Men Were Wise1. They were wise enough to seek Him2. They were wise enough to seek
information about Him – Romans 10:6-83. They were wise enough to worship Him
when they found Him – 2 Timothy 3:7
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2 Timothy 3:7 (NASB)7 always learning and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth.
Why The Wise Men Were Wise1. They were wise enough to seek Him2. They were wise enough to seek
information about Him – Romans 10:6-83. They were wise enough to worship Him
when they found Him – 2 Timothy 3:74. They were wise enough to submit and
obey
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The Gifts of a Wise Man1. Gold – Make Jesus your king!
Can you bring to Jesus your total submission to Him in all areas of your life?
1 Samuel 15:22
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1 Samuel 15:22 (NASB)22 Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt
offerings and sacrificesAs in obeying the voice of the LORD?Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,And to heed than the fat of rams.”
The Gifts of a Wise Man1. Gold – Make Jesus your king!
Can you bring to Jesus your total submission to Him in all areas of your life?
1 Samuel 15:22
God wants the gold of your willingness to make Him King of your life!
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The Gifts of a Wise Man2. Frankincense – Reach out to Him as
your High Priest! God is not distant but near! Hebrews 4:15
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Hebrews 4:15 (NASB)15 For we do not have a high priest who
cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
The Gifts of a Wise Man2. Frankincense – Reach out to Him as
your High Priest! God is not distant but near! Hebrews 4:15
Offer your burdens to Him
Worship Him with your life
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The Gifts of a Wise Man3. Myrrh – Receive Him as your Savior
Jesus was born to die for you Myrrh also represents our death as well
as death to our sins
God wants the myrrh of you dying to your sins
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Application #1
Have you found Jesus?
Are you earnestly seeking Him?
Have you predetermined to worship Him when you find the truth?
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Application #2If you have already found Him, are you offering Him your gifts? Your Gold? (gifts, talents, possessions)
Your Incense? (whole life worship)
Your Myrrh? (dying to yourself because of the spiritual death you deserve but which Christ has taken in His own body and death)
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Conclusion
If you are offering Him your life as gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, then you
will be taking “Another Route” that is glorifying God and drawing others to Him!
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