Eyes On the Star
December 5, 2021

*Matthew 2:1-12 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. *

Myths about the wise men:

  • There was not only three Magi; most likely there could 12-100.
  • They did not worship Jesus in the manger; they worshipped Him in a house Most likely 40+ days after.
  • The star did not shine the entire time.

“A stir begins is soon as Christ is born. He has not spoken a word; he has not wrought a miracle; he has not proclaimed a single doctrine; but ‘when Jesus was born,’ at the very first, while as yet you hear nothing but infant cries, and can see nothing but infant weakness, still his influence upon the world is manifest. ‘When Jesus was born, there came wise men from the east,’ and so on. There is infinite power even in an infant Savior.” – Charles Spurgeon

**
1. Lift your eyes to dream God’s dream. **

  • God will always speak to us and the result will be joy, expectancy and hope.

  • God’s word will have the Last say.

  • The details may fade, but Gods dreams wont fail.

  • Learn to live life in between the suddenly moments of life.

  • The in between is where we are prepared and matured.

    1. King David- nearly 15 years between his prophecy and His reigning.
    2. Abram waited 25 years for His promised son.

*
2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.*

2. *Eyes on the Star Not the distraction. *
*Peter 5:9-10 ESV
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.*

  • We allow and look to our enemies to affirm whether the word was from God.
  • You may see it clearly, but no one else will.

3. *Surround yourself with People who will remind you of the dream. *

1 Samuel 23:17 NLT
“Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.”

4. Find strength in the waiting. *

*Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14 Wait for the LORD be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.*

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe a time in your life that time God spoke to you for the first time.

  2. Describe a promise from God that you are still believing for. It could be a future ministry, new business, a healing, a relationship that you are believing God to restore.

  3. Why is it so hard for us to grow in the “in between” moments of life?

  4. What is one way in your life that you have allowed your enemy or situation to affirm God’s call over you.

  5. Read psalm 27:13-14. What has helped you to wait well in your life?