Message Notes

Ministry : Pulpit Ministry 2020 Bilingual Worship
Date : Nov-Dec 2020
Speaker : Intern Pastor Moses Kwek
Title : “A God who gives great joy”
Text : Matthew 2:1-12

Introduction

1. God

a. He is the Giver of many good things

b. He can also give great joy through the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The story of the Wise Men Matthew 2:1-12

a. The Wise Men searched for the Lord Jesus Christ after He was born

b. They came to experience the exceedingly great joy that God gave

The Wise Men see a special Star Matthew 2:1-2

1. The Wise Men

a. They were learned Gentiles (non-Jews) from a faraway land

b. But they had little knowledge of God and the Scriptures

2. Seeing the Star of the Lord Jesus Christ

a. It appeared when the Lord Jesus Christ was born

b. It shone and gave great light

c. The Wise Men believed it signified the birth of the “King of the Jews”

d. The Wise Men left in search of Him, to worship Him

The Wise Men’s long search for the Lord Jesus Christ

1. They had travelled far and came to Jerusalem Matthew 2:2-3

a. Jerusalem was the capital of Israel

b. They had mistakenly assumed that the King would be born here

c. Herod was troubled when he heard about the Wise Men seeking the “King of the Jews”

d. All Jerusalem feared because Herod was a wicked king

2. Resuming their search

a. They were pointed to Bethlehem through the Scriptures

i. Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born Matthew 2:4

ii. The writings of prophet Micah were referenced Matthew 2:5-6

iii. Herod sent them to Bethlehem Matthew 2:7-8

b. The Star reappeared and went before them Matthew 2:9

i. The Wise Men followed the Star

ii. Until they arrived at the house where the Lord Jesus Christ was

The exceedingly great joy of finding the Lord Jesus Christ

1. The Wise Men rejoiced with exceedingly great joy Matthew 2:10

a. God filled their hearts with exceedingly great joy when they found the Lord Jesus Christ

b. The greatness of this joy was emphasized

c. It was a joy unlike anything else

2. A special time of worship Matthew 2:11

a. The Wise Men fell down and worshipped Him

i. Planned

ii. Heartfelt

b. They opened their treasures and offered gifts to the Lord Jesus Christ

i. Precious

ii. Significant

Our appreciation of the story of the Wise Men

1. We have a God who gives great joy

a. Regardless of our background

b. Even if we have only a little knowledge about God and the Scriptures

2. What is needed to experience this great joy

a. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

i. The Wise Men believed that He was God’s Chosen “King”

ii. They believed that He was deserving of their worship and gifts

b. Faithfulness in seeking the Lord Jesus Christ

i. The Wise Men spent much time and effort in their search

ii. They never gave up despite facing challenges

iii. They faithfully followed the Star after it reappeared

Encouragement to us all

1. To have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

a. As Saviour

b. As Lord

c. As Shepherd

2. To be faithful in seeking the Lord Jesus Christ

a. Each day

b. Amidst all of life’s challenges

3. To experience the great joy that God can give

a. To rejoice greatly in the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas

b. To offer worship with great joy in our hearts