Click the "Sermons" button for access to hundreds more messages and
PowerPoint Presentations!
Use the controls, below, just like you would a VCR. Click the "Play"
arrow to begin. This page must remain open to continue listening. To browse the internet while you listen, open a new browser window by clicking on "File", then "New", then "Window".
Click here to vote for this sermon. [A new window will open.
Scroll to the bottom of the new page to enter your
vote. Then close the page to return to this page.]
If you appreciate this sermon ministry
then help spread the Word and recommend it to others by casting your vote.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where
is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,
and are come to worship him. When they had heard the king, they departed;
and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it
came and stood over where the young child was. [10] When they saw the star,
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
In this passage the wise men are coming to
witness the birth of Jesus Christ by following a star that had risen in the
east. Verse two says that their intention was to worship Him. It is
important for us to realize that the wise men’s focus was not so much on
following the star in the sky as it was on the Star Jesus Christ.
God’s Word gives us 256 names for the Lord. I
believe this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name
could express. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as a Star or the Light of
the World. Numbers 24:17 first mentions this in prophecy: “I shall see
him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star
out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the
corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
We read something similar in the New
Testament. Second Peter 1:19 tells us, “We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your
hearts.” Jesus Christ is once again referenced as the Star in
Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you
these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and
the bright and morning star.”
I am thankful today that while some people
may be involved in astrology and following the stars in the heavens, I can
worship the Lord Jesus Christ–the real Star of Heaven and Earth!
I want you to consider with me this Person of
light. John 8:12 says, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am
the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.” Do you realize that the wise men were
not seeking to worship the star or the angels; they were seeking the true
light of Christmas–Jesus Christ? We read in Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my
light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my
life, of whom shall I be afraid?”
Jesus is the Light of the world. Without Him
we would be lost in the darkness and hopelessness of sin. John 1:6-8 states,
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a
witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might
believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
I am sure the star in the sky was very
exciting to the wise men, but Jesus the Star of Heaven was life-changing!
Wouldn’t you like to experience the Light of Jesus? Accept Him as your
Savior and experience the hope and joy of the Light of Christmas this
season.
[above from Dr. Paul Chappell]
A STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A MAN WHO WAS A
SHOEMAKER WHO HAD A LONGING DESIRE TO BE A MISSIONARY. EVERYONE WHO CAME
INTO HIS SHOE SHOP HEARD ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.
ONE DAY HIS FRIEND TOOK HIM ASIDE AND SAID,
"ALL THIS TALK ABOUT JESUS IS RUINING YOUR BUSINESS." THE MAN RESPONDED, "MY
BUSINESS? MY BUSINESS IS TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I ONLY COBBLE SHOES TO MEET
EXPENSES.”
WHETHER YOU COBBLE SHOES, WORK AT WAL-MART,
OR BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO GREAT
THINGS TO SHINE BRIGHT AS A STAR.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS JUST KEEP DOING THE
LITTLE THINGS LIKE OUR SHOEMAKER DID WITH GREAT CONVICTION, GREAT WISDOM,
GREAT BEAUTY AND GREAT LOVE.
THIS IS WHAT OUR SCRIPTURE REFERS TO AS
PUTTING YOUR LIGHT ON A STAND TO LET IT SHINE FOR ALL TO SEE SO THEY WILL
PRAISE AND GLORIFY GOD. IT’S TIME FOR US TO COME OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OUR
BASKETS AND SHINE.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
JUST AS A LIGHTHOUSE USES ITS GLOWING BEAM TO GUIDE SHIPS TOWARDS SAFETY AND
AWAY FROM DANGER, SO ARE WE TO USE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST TO GUIDE THE LOST TO
THE SAFETY OF GOD AND AWAY FROM SIN’S DANGERS.
FOR INSTANCE, LIGHT WAS THE FIRST THING GOD
CREATED. SOME OF THE FIRST WORDS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE ARE, “LET THERE BE
LIGHT” (GENESIS 1:3).
John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little
while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness
come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Philip. 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless,
the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at
hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the
armour of light.
Ephes. 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now
are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
THE WHOLE REASON FOR SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON
“LIGHT” IS SIMPLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE CONTINUALLY WAGING A BATTLE
WITH THE FORCES OF DARKNESS.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WIN THE VICTORY OVER THIS
DARKNESS IS THROUGH THE LIGHT THAT IS RECEIVED FROM JESUS CHRIST.
LIGHT CAME INTO THE WORLD NOT ONLY THROUGH
THE CREATION OF A LITERAL “SUN” AND BUT ALSO THROUGH GOD’S SON JESUS CHRIST.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THIS STORY OF THE
SHINING STAR DOES NOT END WITH THE WISE MEN. THE ABILITY FOR THIS STAR TO
CONTINUE SHINING IS NOW LEFT UP TO US.
YES, WE ARE TO SHINE LIKE THE LIGHT OF THE
CHRISTMAS STAR! NEVER DIMINISHING, NEVER WAVERING. NO MATTER WHAT IS GOING
ON AROUND US WE ARE TO SHINE AS A BEACON OF LIGHT TO THE WORLD!
WE MUST NEVER, EVER, LOSE OUR REFLECTIVE
BRIGHTNESS OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR!
HOW DO WE BECOME THE LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO
SEE JESUS CHRIST? THERE ARE FIVE WAYS TO BE “L-I-G-H-T.” TO A LOST AND DYING
WORLD:
L = LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
I = IMITATE CHRIST
G = GET TO KNOW OTHERS
H = HOSPITALITY
T = TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS
[All Caps from Chaplain Charles Mallory,
USAF]
Help keep this service free by
recommending it using:
All Sermons and Slideshow Presentations Copyright Jerry
Shirley and Grace Notes Ministries unless otherwise credited.
