Series A - Epiphany

TEXT:  Matthew 2:1-12                                                                                  

THEME:  As people seeking to be wise, we to must kneel before the reality of the Christ-child.                                                             

TITLE:  "Wise Men Still Seek Him"                                                             

                                                                                                                          

 

INTRODUCTION

(Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  Where are we going?  Is this all there is?)

(Wise men from the east came seeking a real baby who brought real salvation.)

 

I.  WE CAME FR0M THE HAND OF A REAL CREATOR/GOD...WHERE DID WE COME     

     FROM?

 

  1. What are the options?

    1. We came about by an unseen, unduplicated interaction of enzymes in some, never observed primordial soup..."We came from nothing".

      1. We are just another step on a never ending evolutionary ladder.

      2. We are just another form of animal life of no greater or lesser value than any other form.

      3. When we die, our role has been played and our existence is finished..."We are headed toward   nothing".

    2. We are the hand-crafted, incredible design of a far more incredible designer.

      1. We came into existence because God wanted a chance to love us and for us to love him back forever.

      2. Our existence is the result of an act of divine will, not an accident of nature.

  2. We are created different than and superior to the animals.

    1.  The Bible says that we have been given the very image of God as a unique human possession.

      1. This "Image" is the quality of being an immortal being .

      2. This "Image" is seen by the constant hunger of all humanity to be in relationship with our creator.

    2. While God has given us dominion over the animals, they are ours to care for and to use.

      1. It was God who made clothes of animal skin for Adam and Eve after the fall.

      2. It was God who gave humanity permission to eat animals for food after the flood.

  3. Bottom line:  We came from God and we are headed back to God.

 

II.  GOD HAS CALLED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH A REAL SAVIOR...WE ARE TRULY 

      LOVED!...WHERE ARE WE GOING?

 

  1. While God had a great plan for His creatures, we abandoned Him and His plan:

    1. This is no mere "story"...It is not a fiction or a mere moral lesson...It is the truth!

      1. Adam and Eve destroyed the plan and brought the curse of death on us all through a single act of human disobedience.

      2. This was a terrible act of rebellion against a holy Creator.

    2. Since that time, the world has paid a terrible price and the act of rebellion has been repeated countless times by our forefathers and ourselves.

      1. Just look at the tragedy that we have brought upon ourselves!

      2. Just look at the tragedy our own actions have had on our own lives!

      3. Can there be any doubt?

  2. Yet, God continued to love us despite our rebellion.

    1. Rather than do away with us, as we deserved, He determined to have compassion on us all.

      1. He totally comprehended our inability to get ourselves out of the mess we have made.

      2. His love motivated His action to send us a real Savior.

    2. God sent us a message of light wrapped in a little baby..."...a Savior is born to you this night in the city of David who is Christ, the Lord."

      1. This is no "Superman", it is God Himself, come in the flesh of humanity.

      2. He has come to reestablish Eden in our hearts and in reality.

      3. He lived a real life...He suffered a real death...and He rose from the dead for real.

 

III.  WE ARE  CALLED TO SERVE A REAL GOD AND SAVIOR... "WHY ARE WE HERE?"

 

  1. God has loved you and has demonstrated that love in amazing ways...Do you love Him?

    1. What has been your response to God's love?

      1. Institutional indifference?

      2. Occasional referrals in time of crisis?

      3. Academic or intellectual acknowledgment?

      4. Honest, heartfelt love?  Somewhere in-between?

    2. A living relationship with God makes everything we do totally different than before!

      1. Suddenly, the vail of ignorance is lifted to see the world as it really is.

      2. Life is a sacred trust, careers, home and even recreation are places of sacred service.

      3. Life is more than paying the bills, obtaining material goods and reproducing ourselves through having children...It is a matter of eternal...not passing importance.

  2. Why settle for meaninglessness?  Why put up with nothing when God is offering us everything!

    1. If you've been struggling with your life...wondering why you're here, what you're here for and where you're going when its all over; then know the truth:

      1. God is real.

      2. God really loves you.

      3. God is calling to you through His Son who is your real, honest-to-goodness Savior.

      4. God is calling you to a life of real service...real purpose...real meaning...and a real destination.

    2. Are you a present day wise man or woman seeking understanding and reality, then remember it is still true...Wise men and women still seek Him!

Did you find this helpful?
yesno

Questions/Comments:

Email Address:

Copyright ©  2001 CrossTies Counseling Ministries, Inc.
All Rights Reserved