Following a Star
- Finding a Smelly Stable -
- week 7 -
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There are many legends about this story of the wise men from the east. For instance, how many wise men were there? In the old days in the east, they believed that there were 12 who made the journey, but now most everyone agrees there were three. One old legend even tells us their names: Melchior, He gave the baby the gift of gold. Balthasar, he presented the gift of myrrh. The youngest of the three was Casper, presented the gift of frankincense to the baby. Yet another legend goes on to tell us that after seeing the baby, the three continued traveling to Spain, telling the world the good news about Christ. These stories bring the wise men a little more to life, but they can also get in the way.
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Think of the disappointment these wise men "Magi" must have experienced who through days and nights had traveled many miles by camel to discover that the star had come to rest over a stable. They had followed a star and found a stable. Surely they were expecting a palace or perhaps a stately mansion. Think how they must have felt. Their vast disappointment as they look down from some nearby Judean hill and came to the realization that their destination was a stable.
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Following stars and finding stables is a common occurrence in human experience. Who among us has not at some time in our life fixed our gaze on some high and lofty star only to find it leads to a stable.
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Hundreds of examples could be given. A young woman graduates from high school full of great dreams and expectations about the future only to wake up one day and discover herself enmeshed in the very drudgery that she had promised herself she would avoid.
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A man comes to retirement age. He thinks of all the good things he's going to be able to do. After a few weeks, however, he begins to discover that retirement is not exactly what he thought it would be. The day starts growing longer. The hours become more oppressive.
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All of us at some time in our life follow a shining star only to discover a smelly stable. The problem is how to turn that stable into a moment of salvation. What is it that enables the wise of every age to turn the stables of life into victory?
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1. For one thing, they understand God is to be found anywhere.
.2. For another, they always offer their best to God.
.3. Because of what happened in the stable, they intend to lead the new life.
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M. MATTHEW 2:1-12 JOURNEY TO FIND A BABY IN BETHLEHEM .
T. MATTHEW 4:12-17 JOHN THE BAPTIST ENDS UP IN PRISON.
W. MATTHEW 4:18-20 SIMOM AND HIS BROTHER ANDREW.
T. MATTHEW 4:21-22 JAMES AND JOHN - SONS OF ZEBEDEE.
F. MATTHEW 8:18-27 THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS.
.
Think of the disappointment these wise men "Magi" must have experienced who through days and nights had traveled many miles by camel to discover that the star had come to rest over a stable. They had followed a star and found a stable. Surely they were expecting a palace or perhaps a stately mansion. Think how they must have felt. Their vast disappointment as they look down from some nearby Judean hill and came to the realization that their destination was a stable.
.
Following stars and finding stables is a common occurrence in human experience. Who among us has not at some time in our life fixed our gaze on some high and lofty star only to find it leads to a stable.
.
Hundreds of examples could be given. A young woman graduates from high school full of great dreams and expectations about the future only to wake up one day and discover herself enmeshed in the very drudgery that she had promised herself she would avoid.
.
A man comes to retirement age. He thinks of all the good things he's going to be able to do. After a few weeks, however, he begins to discover that retirement is not exactly what he thought it would be. The day starts growing longer. The hours become more oppressive.
.
All of us at some time in our life follow a shining star only to discover a smelly stable. The problem is how to turn that stable into a moment of salvation. What is it that enables the wise of every age to turn the stables of life into victory?
.
1. For one thing, they understand God is to be found anywhere.
.2. For another, they always offer their best to God.
.3. Because of what happened in the stable, they intend to lead the new life.
.
M. MATTHEW 2:1-12 JOURNEY TO FIND A BABY IN BETHLEHEM .
T. MATTHEW 4:12-17 JOHN THE BAPTIST ENDS UP IN PRISON.
W. MATTHEW 4:18-20 SIMOM AND HIS BROTHER ANDREW.
T. MATTHEW 4:21-22 JAMES AND JOHN - SONS OF ZEBEDEE.
F. MATTHEW 8:18-27 THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS.