Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Prepare Him Room, Part 4 (Matthew 2:1-20) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
What is known about the wise men or magi who
traveled from the east to worship Jesus is learned from the Matthew 2:1-16.
Magi or MAGOS “refers to those who
have wisdom through investigation and interpretation of the movements of
heavenly bodies” (Holeman Study Bible
Notes, Matthew 2:1, 7, & 16). These magi were believed to have originated
from Babylon where their ancestors interacted with Jewish exiles at the time of
the prophets’ writing of a coming Messiah. It is not known how many wise men
there were only that they brought three types of gifts; gold, frankincense, and
myrrh (Matthew 1:11). The names “Gaspar”, “Melchior”, and “Balthasar” are the
result of legend and tradition and are not found in the biblical text. Further,
as revealed by Matthew 2:11, “And when they were come into the house, they saw
the young child with Mary His mother…” the wise men did not arrive the night of
Jesus’ birth, but some time later.
In search of the Jewish Messiah these wise men
logically made their way to the Jerusalem, the spiritual and cultural center of
Israel. When the regional king, Herod inquired as to the birthplace of the
Messiah the chief priests and scribes quoted from Micah 5:2. Read Micah 5:2-5.
What details about the Messiah are revealed in this passage?
King Herod, lying to the wise men, instructed them, “Go
and search carefully for the child… report back to me so that I too can go and
worship Him.” (Matthew 2:8, HCSB) What do the following Scriptures reveal about
authentic and inauthentic worship?
Matthew 7:21-23--
Mark 5:6--
Psalm 96:9 & John 4:24--
John 6:29 & Romans 12:1--
Hebrews 11:6--
Application
Pastor and author Louie Giglio observes, “Worship is
the activity of the of the human soul. So not only do all people worship, but
they worship all the time.” Herod’s lie to the wise men that he too desired to “worship”
the young Messiah ultimately revealed the true object of his worship, himself. Jesus
taught that genuine worship, the worship that God accepts is worship rooted in “spirit
and in truth” (John 4:24). The starting point for this worship (“work”) is to “believe
in the One” sent by God-- Jesus Christ (John 2:29). Have you, in response to
God giving His Son on your behalf, surrendered your life to Him? Have you, like
the wise men, discovered the gift of Christmas? (Matthew 2:10)
Monday, December 15, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Prepare Him Room, Part 2 (Matthew 1:18-25) Questions for Reflection
Dig Deeper
Most of what we know about Joseph, the man God chose to be the foster father of
Jesus is found in the first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel, first three chapters of
Luke’s gospel and two verses in John’s gospel quoting others referring to Jesus as his
son (John 1:45 and 6:42). The last mention of Joseph in the New Testament is found
in the parallel verses of Luke 4:22 and John 6:42, “And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?” What specific details about Joseph do you observe in the following Scriptures?
Luke 2:4; John 1:45--
Matthew 1:20-24; 2:13-14; 2:19-20--
Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23--
Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3--
Matthew 1:19-20--
Luke 2:21-22; 2:41--
Luke 2:33, 46--
Perhaps the greatest affirmation of any man’s character is said of Joseph in Matthew
1:19, “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man…” (HSCB) The word “righteous”
comes from the Greek word dikaios referring to those whose character and actions are
“wholly conformed to the will of God, approved of or acceptable of God” (Strong’s,
g1342). What do you glean about the righteous from the following Scriptures?
2 Corinthians 9:10; 11:15--
Ephesians 5:8-10; 6:14--
James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:2--
Philippians 1:11; James 3:18; and 2 Peter 3:13--
Application
Ultimately, Jesus Christ alone is the “Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). At salvation, the
believer is credited (imputed) Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 10:10; Philippians
3:9; and Titus 3:5). A fruit of being “clothed in Christ’s righteousness” is growing daily
in righteous (holy) living (Philippians 1:11). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pursue
righteousness (holiness) in your day to day life? How might this be a prerequisite for
being used by God?
Most of what we know about Joseph, the man God chose to be the foster father of
Jesus is found in the first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel, first three chapters of
Luke’s gospel and two verses in John’s gospel quoting others referring to Jesus as his
son (John 1:45 and 6:42). The last mention of Joseph in the New Testament is found
in the parallel verses of Luke 4:22 and John 6:42, “And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?” What specific details about Joseph do you observe in the following Scriptures?
Luke 2:4; John 1:45--
Matthew 1:20-24; 2:13-14; 2:19-20--
Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23--
Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3--
Matthew 1:19-20--
Luke 2:21-22; 2:41--
Luke 2:33, 46--
Perhaps the greatest affirmation of any man’s character is said of Joseph in Matthew
1:19, “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man…” (HSCB) The word “righteous”
comes from the Greek word dikaios referring to those whose character and actions are
“wholly conformed to the will of God, approved of or acceptable of God” (Strong’s,
g1342). What do you glean about the righteous from the following Scriptures?
2 Corinthians 9:10; 11:15--
Ephesians 5:8-10; 6:14--
James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:2--
Philippians 1:11; James 3:18; and 2 Peter 3:13--
Application
Ultimately, Jesus Christ alone is the “Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). At salvation, the
believer is credited (imputed) Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 10:10; Philippians
3:9; and Titus 3:5). A fruit of being “clothed in Christ’s righteousness” is growing daily
in righteous (holy) living (Philippians 1:11). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pursue
righteousness (holiness) in your day to day life? How might this be a prerequisite for
being used by God?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)