Scripture Read: Matthew 1 - 2
Title: The Magi and King Jesus H.E.A.R. (H) Highlight verse: "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" Matthew 2:11 (E) Explain: Who were the Magi? Why were they following a star? Why were they seeking this King of Kings? “Originally they (the Magi) were a class of priests among the Persians and Medes, who acted as the king’s advisors, and cultivated astrology, medicine, and occult natural science. They are frequently referred to by ancient authors.”[1] These New Testament Magi were non-Jewish religious astrologers who, from astronomical observations, inferred the birth of a great Jewish king. After inquiring of Jewish authorities, they came to do homage to this child king. Whether ‘the East’ from which they came is Arabia, Babylon or elsewhere is uncertain.[2] The Magi came to Jerusalem to seek a king who was prophesied to be born. They were familiar with the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah (even though they were pagan priests) because the prophet Daniel was a prince and the chief among this very class of wise men. His prophecies were made known to them; and the calculations by which he pointed to the very time when Christ should be born became, through the book of Daniel, a part of their ancient literature.--Ed.) [3] A quick reading of Daniel 4 gives insight as to how Daniel was in fact the “chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon…” The Magi came to Jerusalem following a star. They went to King Herod to inquire of this child’s whereabouts. This concerned Herod because this so called "King" who was to be born had the potential to put his job in jeopardy. Many people in Jerusalem didn’t think he deserved to be the King since he was not from the lineage of David. After hearing about this child king Herod inquired of the Chief Priests and they came to the conclusion that this King they sought was to be born in Bethlehem (according to Micah 5:2). So Herod met with the Magi secretly to commission them to find this child and return to tell him where he was. The magi never did return because they were warned in a dream not to go back.The Magi followed this star in the sky, being star gazers this came natural to them. As they followed the star it rested over the house Mary, Joseph and Jesus were in. Upon their arrival they “rejoiced with exceeding joy”. These pagan star gazers came seeking the Messiah and they found him. Then we see the very first response of the Magi upon seeing the child… They fell down and worshiped him. They worshiped him and then gave their gifts. Warren Weirsbe describes this moment like this, "The magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King." [4] Contrary to what most believe and have been taught the Magi did not come to visit a baby in a manger on the night he was born. Matthew tells us they visited the child in a home. The way the story is told certainly sounds like everything happens one event right after the other in one night. The truth is the Magi had to travel from a far distance, they went to Jerusalem first to find out where the King was supposed to be born and we are told Herod had all children from the ages of one to two years old murdered. So this would suggest the Magi visited a child who was possibly 1 to 2 years old (probably 2 years). (A) Application: I think there is something important in this story… before we can truly give our gifts and talents to the King He desires that we do it as an act of worship. The offering gold, frankincense and myrrh have a symbolic meaning to them. Gold signifies Jesus’ purity and deity, frankincense signifies his priestly attributes and myrrh signifies his death. All three of these gifts were ordinary gifts given to a king and this signifies Jesus is the King, the Deity, The Priest and the Savior. It’s probable they didn’t bring these gifts with these thoughts in mind, but it is suggested that they were costly gifts and would have been sufficient to fund the upcoming trip Mary and Joseph had to make to Egypt. Either way they, along with some shepherd’s all understood that a King had been born and this King would truly be the savior of the entire world. How does all of this apply to us today? The Magi knew they were in the presence of a King and we see this simply by the way they inquired about and responded to him. They said "We come seeking the King of the Jews". When they approached him, "they fell down and worshiped him" like a king. They responded in worship by giving him costly. Unlike the Magi, we do not need to come to the king and offer kingly and expensive gifts to the Lord or lords; instead we need to bring our ourselves as living sacrifices (offerings) to him and seek His presence in our lives. We can understand that by giving ourselves to Jesus fully we are offering the greatest gift God desires from us. In return his presence or Spirit in us is, which is indeed the greatest gift any of us can receive from God. We are confirmed that Jesus is not an exclusive Messiah who is only to be worshiped by the Jewish people, the privileged, the powerful or the pious. He is the King of all nations, both Jew and Gentile have the honor and privilege of worshiping the humble Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world. He is the Savior of all who come to worship him and put their complete faith in him. We see that if God accepts the worship of Pagan Priests who offer themselves fully to him He will accept the worship of anyone of us who comes to the manger to worship him. (R) Respond: Lord, I offering myself as a living sacrifice to you. May my gift of me be an acceptable offering and the ultimate worship that I can give to you. [1]Smith, W. (1997). Smith's Bible dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [2]Wood, D. R. W. (1996, c1982, c1962). New Bible Dictionary (713). InterVarsity Press. [3]Smith, W. (1997). Smith's Bible dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [4]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Mt 2:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
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Scripture Read: Luke 2
Title: The Birth Of Jesus H.E.A.R. (H) Highlight verse: "And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him." Luke 2:40 (E) Explain: The second chapter of the Gospel of Luke is one that is very familiar to all of us. It is the account of Jesus' birth. If you have ever watched A Charlie Brown Christmas you have heard Linus recite the passages in this chapter. However, this chapter details more than the other three Gospels the childhood of Jesus. We actually have a glimpse of his humanity. We see that he was born to a mother, he was circumcised on the eighth day, and he was presented at the temple for purification, according to the Law of Moses. He grew in strength and in wisdom and God's favor was upon him. He went to the temple to learn and to teach. He caused great anxiety and worry for his parents when he separated from them for three days. And a passage that I have overlooked is found in verse 51 that says, "...and he was submissive to them." He was submissive to his parents! This was the Savior of the world, the Son of God, and the one who was present at the Creation of the world. He is God in human flesh and he was submissive to his parents, and as we will find out later he was a servant to all. Jesus was not only the Son of God incarnate, the Lord of lords and King of kings, he was also a servant leader. I am excited for the weeks and months to come as we will look at the life of Jesus, His purpose in coming to earth, and how He is the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. (A) Application: I think often it is so easy to accept the truth that Jesus was/is God incarnate. We are constantly reminded that he is our Lord and savior, he is divine and he is the Son of God, but sometimes (not always) we forget that Jesus was also human. He had parents, he was a child, he went through the awkward phases of life as he matured into a man. He learned, he grew, and he experienced all human emotion. Now, I don't think we should just focus on his humanity or just focus on his divinity, we are to focus on the truth that He is/was both human AND divine. This should ultimately remind us or reinforce what we already know and believe that because of his humanity and divinity he is one who can relate to us. Think of this... The God of all creation took on the form of a human, walked among his creation and submitted to the rules of humanity. Why? Because he had a plan of redemption and he wanted to show us the way to the Kingdom of God. Jesus modeled compassion, servanthood, empathy, leadership, love, prayer, selflessness, sacrifice, and so much more so we can know how to model and live our lives for God's glory. But as we will see eventually (and what we should already know) is that he came to set the captives free, to give his life as an atonement for sin, to raise from the dead for our justification, and sit at the right hand of God the Father to rule and reign for all eternity. (R) Respond: Lord, help me to live and model my life after Jesus. I know I can never live a life of sinless perfection as he did, but he showed us that the true character of a believer and follower of Jesus is found in living our lives as he did. Scripture Read: Luke 1
Title: The Announcement and Birth of John the Baptist H.E.A.R. (H) Highlight verse: "But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.' " Luke 1:13-17 (E) Explain: The Gospel of Luke begins with the story of John the Baptist. Luke gives an account to the foretelling of his birth given by the angel Gabriel. The angel tells John's father Zechariah, about his son who will be conceived and born. The child will be great before the Lord and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. His purpose will be to call the people of Israel to God; in other words, he will be a prophet to the nation calling them back to God. He will proclaim in the power and spirit of Elijah by calling people to repentance. However, his main priority will be to prepare the way of the coming Messiah. As you will see, John's "job" was to be a voice for God, and to be the one who makes the way for the Lord. He is in fact the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1, "Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way for me." (A) Application: The prophecy of John the Baptist was made approximately 500 years before he was born. This is a long time! However, in reading the fulfillment of this prophecy we are reminded once again of God's faithfulness in completing what He promises. John the Baptist had a specific role and job to do when he was born and grew up. His primary role was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. He preached a message of repentance and he announced the coming Kingdom of God. His role was technically a support role, his calling and purpose was not about him and his goals, it was about Jesus and His Kingdom. Do you know that you have a similar calling as John the Baptist on your life? God has created you and me for a purpose and that purpose may not be what you think it is. Some think that God has called and purposed for to to do great and mighty things in this world in order to make a name for themselve and build their kingdom. But actually our calling is completely opposite. God has commissioned you and me to be the voice that proclaims the Kingdom of God. We have the calling and responsibilty to share the message of repentance and anounce to the world that the King, Jesus, has come and His Kingdom is near. This is a message that has been entrusted to us, Galatians 2:3, 4 says, "For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." May we be faithful stewards of the Gospel and may we speak to please God. (R) Respond: Lord, I have been entrusted with the Gospel, not because I am worthy but because you have called me to share it. May I faithfully share the Good News of Jesus and be pleasing in your sight. Scripture Read: Malachi 4
Title: Justice of the LORD H.E.A.R. (H) Highlight verse: "For behold. the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and evil doers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. " Malachi 4:1 - 2 (E) Explain: The concluding chapter to the Old Testament is one of hope and despair and justice. It is a prophecy of hope for those who remain faithful to the LORD because it is a day of healing and joy. It is a day of despair tofor the evil doers because it is a day of punishment and judgment. It is a prophecy of completion. It speaks of the Day of the LORD where everything is complete... Justice, healing, punishment, judgment, and victory. (A) Application: The Old Testament concludes with a bang. It concludes by showing that God is just and He will complete was He has started. Throughout the Old Testament the prophets have been warning Israel of impending judgement and discipline. Many of the prophets have called Israel back to their God. He is lovingly disciplining His people and inviting them back to Him after they have been unfaithful to Him. And now, the final chapter concludes with a promise of mercy and justice. God will show mercy to the one who returns in faithfulness and He will show judgment to one who continues in their evil ways. This promise remains for us today. God will show grace, mercy and restoration to those who have turned from evil and are obedient to God and believe on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, God will show judgment, punishment and justice to those who continue in their sinful ways. Ultimately the Old Testament ends with a promise... God will show mercy and justice and depending on where you stand with Him, this can bring great hope, or great fear. How does it end for you? (R) Respond: Lord, I so often want justice when I have been wronged, but seek mercy when I have wronged. Help me to show grace, mercy, and forgiveness when I need to. But most of all may I live my life in obedience to you so that when I face the Great Day of the LORD I will rejoice because your promises will be fulfilled. I was scheduled to start my Romans Chapters 1 - 7 study this Sunday, but due to unforeseen circumstances the class was canceled. I thought I would still post my notes from the study. I will post a new one every Sat. evening or Sunday morning. There are questions at the end of each study and many of them were adapted from Timothy Keller's Romans 1- 7 For You (The Good Book Company) and some were written by me. I hope you enjoy this study.
ROMANS (Introduction and Romans 1:1 – 15) INTRODUCTION
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Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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