Do You Hear What I Hear?
Introduction
Billy Graham said, “Jesus was born into the family of man that we might be born again into the family of God.”
In Bible history we read many accounts of God making Himself known to His creation.
Hebrews 1:1-3 - “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
He spoke to Moses through a Burning Bush.
The Israelites followed a God provided cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
He used animals to get other’s attention:
A donkey with Baalam.
A great fish with Jonah
A rooster with Peter
God speaks through His Word, His Spirit, His Son, others, circumstances, etc.
He spoke to me through a carpenter at a drink machine (N. W. Pridgen).
He spoke to me through Pastor M. E. (Eugene) Gibson.
I. DO YOU SEE THE STAR: GOD WITNESSED IN THE SKY
In the passage I read, we see Him leading and speaking (directing) through a star. In the Old Testament and the New Testament the word for star is used figuratively to represent any great brilliance or radiance. In Numbers 24:17 the Messiah is spoken of as a “star that shall come out of Jacob.” In the New Testament, Revelation 22:16 refers to Himas “the bright and morning star.” It was surely the glory of God; blazing as if it were an extremely bright star.
Psalms 19:1-4a - “The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.”
The testimony of the universe comes forth consistently and clearly, but sinful mankind persistently resists it. For this reason, general revelation cannot convert sinners, but it does make them highly accountable. Salvation comes ultimately only through special revelation, i.e., as the Word of God is effectually applied by the Spirit of God.
1. It serves as a Guiding Star. 2
2. It serves as a Gladdening Star 10
II. GOD WITNESSED IN THE SCRIPTURES 4-6
Matthew 1:21-23 - “’And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’" So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "’Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’" which is translated, "God with us."
A. To Some It Brought Intimidation
Herod-I like my kingdom just the way it is. He felt disturbed and threatened with the coming of a King.
B. To Some It Brought Indifference
Priest - 2Timothy 3:7 - “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 5 to 6 miles south of Jerusalem to Bethlehem, to close to ignore.
C. To Some It Brought Inquisitiveness
Wise Men- if there is a God to know I wish to seek Him with all my heart.
III. GOD WITNESSED THROUGH HIS SON 8, 11
The gifts revealed that they had found:
A. The King
“gold” – a gift for a King; as King Jesus came to rule our hearts.
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Johann Schenes, “…though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, If He’s not born in thee, thy soul is still forlorn.” (empty, sad, lonely, nearly hopeless, not having much of a chance).
B. They Had Found the Priest
“frankincense” – a beautiful smelling incense often sprinkled on certain offering of worship as a symbol of the people’s desire to please God. A gift given to the Priest. A priest is one who opens the way to God for man.
C. They Had Found The Redeemer
“myrrh” – is the gift for One who is to die. Jesus came to die.
CONCLUSION
In Matthew they found Jesus in the House, but in Luke 2 they found Him in a manger. Proverbs 14:4 - “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.”
He came to the messy. .
He came to give meaning.
He came with a message of Hope.