Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

Isaiah 7:14

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Matthew 2:1–12

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

DEFINITION: Worship, at its core, is an expression of reverence, adoration, and submission toward the .

Jeremiah 29:13

You shall seek for Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart!

Worship That Guides

1. Wondrous star of divine .

Matthew 2:2

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

The Wise Men recognized the Wondrous Star as divine leading them to the newborn King.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be guided by divine signs, recognizing the King’s in our lives.

2. Overcoming in worship.

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

The Wise Men overcame obstacles by not to fear or political agendas, honoring the Holy King.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be marked by overcoming personal obstacles and honoring the Holy .

3. Joyful to divine revelation.

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

The Wise Men responded with joyful worship, expressing dedication and in the presence of the King.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be characterized by joyful , responding to divine revelation.

Worship That Honors

1. Herod’s wrong in worship.

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Herod’s troubled reaction exposed his wrong motives in wanting to worship Christ for gain.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be free from personal , honoring the Holy King with pure motives.

2. Knowledgeable yet religious leaders.

Matthew 2:4

And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

The religious leaders possessed knowledge but lacked faith, missing the opportunity to worship the Messiah.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be characterized by transformative , not just head knowledge.

3. worship in Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:9

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

The Wise Men’s humble worship in Bethlehem demonstrated a recognizing the King of Kings.

APPLICATION: Our worship should be marked by , acknowledging the holiness of our King.

Worship That Brings Joy

1. The significance of gold: acknowledging Jesus as .

Matthew 2:11

Opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The gift of gold symbolized acknowledgment of Jesus as King, highlighting His royal .

APPLICATION: Our worship should recognize Jesus as the King of Kings, offering Him the due to His authority.

2. Frankincense as of Jesus, the High Priest

Matthew 2:11

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

Frankincense, associated with worship, signifies recognizing Jesus as the High Priest, the between God and man.

APPLICATION: Our worship should acknowledge Jesus as our High Priest, our with God.

3. Myrrh as symbol of Worship

Matthew 2:12

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The gift of myrrh symbolizes worship, foreshadowing Jesus’ redemptive mission.

APPLICATION: Our worship should embrace sacrificial , recognizing the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Takeaway Lessons of Worthy Worship

1. worship: recognize divine signs guiding us to worship the King in our lives.

How God Speaks:

1. Through His .

2. Through .

3. Through other .

4. Through .

5. Through the .

2. worship: worship with pure motives, free from personal agendas, honoring the Holy King.

3. worship: express joyful devotion, responding to divine revelation, acknowledging the holiness of our King.

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Worthy Worship of the King: Lessons from the Wise Men