Matthew 2 “The Guiding Light”

The Christmas song, “We Three Kings” speaks to us of the “guiding light” which lead the Magi West from Persia to Jerusalem and eventually to Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew (2:2) this light is referred to as, "His Star."

Not much is known about the exact identity of the Magi but they were most likely Gentiles of high position from a country northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God concerning the birth of, the King of the Jews. Some Bible scholars believe the revelation came through knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Others simply believe it came to them in the sky, as we are told in Matthew’s Gospel, “they had seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:2) Whatever the source, the Magi came to Jerusalem to worship the new-born King of the Jews and to pay Him tribute of Gold, Incense and Myrrh.

On their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem “the star” they had seen in the East, reappeared and led them to the specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. (Matthew 2:9-11) This was truly a miracle, as Bethlehem is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem and “Stars” naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south.

The response of the wise men upon finding Jesus was entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of true discipleship. First they sought the Christ child (Matt. 2:2), and when they had found their way to Him, they rejoiced (Matt.2:10). Then, seeing the child they worshiped Him (Matt. 2:11), and offered him gifts that befit a king (Matt.2:11; cf. Pss 45:7-9; 72:15).

The response of Herod on the other hand was completely different. First, he did not seek to honor the baby Jesus, in fact He was not even aware of His birth under His very nose until the Magi inquired. Second, once he learned of it from the Magi, he tried to deceive them into returning too give him the exact location of Christ child in order that he might supposedly worship Him. But in his heart he had other plans. Two different people groups with two different reactions. The wise men (from the east, gentiles) worshiped Jesus. While Herod (part Jewish, ruler of the nation), sought to kill him.

This early division and the different reactions over the announcement of the birth of Christ, would mark His ministry His entire life. There would be no middle ground. Some would seek Him for life, while others would seek Him to take His life.

The same is true today for many people. Some are like Herod and reject Jesus, while others are like the Magi and see Him for who He is; the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind, the "Light of the World." God's gift to all - if we will only receive it.

The Truth
“A Star shall rise out of Jacob. A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev.22:16)
Merry Christmas.

Titus 3 “Saved By His Grace”

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (v.5)

Entrance to heaven is a gift of grace and not a matter of personal merit. Paul emphasizes this fact in today’s passage by reminding us of our status prior to receiving Christ. The picture is not a pretty one. We were “foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” (v. 2). In addition, we “lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” This reminder immediately follows Paul’s command to “show true humility toward all men” and is related to our obligation to submit to those in authority and to be peaceable and considerate of others (v.2).

There's a lot to chew on in these first five verses, but salvation by grace, and by grace alone is the key point (Romans 3:24). Meaning, we can do nothing to earn it - it's a gift from God. We simply acknowledge our sinfulness and the inability to save ourselves, then place our trust in Jesus, believing that He died on the cross for our sins, who then welcomes us into His grace.

God has provided salvation for you—that’s His part. Receiving it by faith—is yours.

The Truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Titus 2 “Be A Living Example For Good”

 In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (vv.7-8)

In today’s chapter, Paul turns the spotlight from the church to the home. He examines each member of the household, outlining individual duties and responsibilities. To older men, he encourages them to be “worthy of respect” and to exhibit “self control,” among other qualities (v. 2). Older women are to live reverently and teach the younger to do the same (v. 3). 

The letter encourages a pattern of discipleship for older adults to teach the things they have learned. And, for both young and old, he encourages believers to live lives so that opponents have no opportunity to make credible charges of wrongdoing (v. 8). Oh that our society today would take these verses to heart, so that our older men and women would be the righteous mentors God intended them to be.

The Truth  

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor,” the author of Proverbs declares, “it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31).

“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Titus 1 "Choose Wisely"

“I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking.” (v.5)

In the movie, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" Harrison Ford and Sean Connery are in search for the Holy Grail, the cup of Christ. With Sean Connery lying mortally wounded, Harrison Ford must negotiate a deadly maze of traps to gain entrance into an ancient room, guarded by a Knight, and select from that room full of cups and chalices, the one cup that has the healing power of God to save his father's life. While they all appear kingly, only one will bring life. The knight who guards the Grail knows its identity but would die rather than pointing it out, he simply warns Connery to, "Choose wisely."    

Here in our text, the apostle Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to appoint leaders for the growing band of believers. Except for preaching the gospel, nothing Titus did for the Christians on Crete was more important than finding them the right leadership, so crucial to the successful growth of the church. Titus’s job of both teaching and choosing leaders would be no easy task. As we shall see, the inhabitants of Crete were a difficult and problematic people, some of whom had infiltrated the church. Thus, Titus would have his work cut out for him in finding the men who fit the qualities listed by Paul in verses 6-9. So Paul gives Titus these guidelines along with the warning to "choose wisely" that purity might prevail. 

While not all decisions are equal, many present themselves with multiple options, dilemmas that can give us reason to pause, to be uncertain. In that moment, never be to quick to move forward without taking time to pray for guidance, to seek His wisdom, that you may be lead by His Spirit, and "choose wisely." 

The Truth: "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

Habakkuk 3 “Keep Your Faith In God”

“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” (vv.17-18)

Verses 17 and 18 are perhaps the best-known and best-loved verses in the book of Habakkuk, and seem more relevant than ever in these difficult economic times. They are an example of unwavering faith in God, despite difficult circumstances. 

Here in our text, things are as bad as they can possibly be. The trees do not bud, the crops do not ripen, and the livestock are dead. A modern paraphrase might read: “The cupboards are bare,” yet the prophet says, "I will rejoice in the Lord." The bottom line here is not the circumstances in which he and the people of Judah find themselves in, but God (v. 19). He (God) is their source of confidence and strength, the only Rock on which they can rely.

Life can be just as difficult in our world as well. At some point, most of us have wondered, “Where is God in my trouble?” And we may have thought, 'It seems like injustice is winning and God is silent." And in those times, we all had a choice as to how we responded to our troubles. The prophet Habakkuk had an attitude worth following: He made the choice to rejoice in God and keep his faith in Him.

We too can choose to be focused on the Lord, and not on our circumstances, to live above the shadows of fear and bask in the sunlight of faith. Even though we, like Habakkuk, may have a long list of troubles, faith’s answer to disappointment must always be: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18). That type of attitude will enable us to live above the circumstances instead of under them. Therefore, "keep your faith in God," and your eyes on Him.  

The Truth: “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?” (Psalm 27:1)

Habakkuk 2 “The Righteous Will Live By Faith”

“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.” (v.4)

Back in chapter 1, the prophet Habakkuk had complained about the violence and injustice around him. It seemed to him as if the wicked were swallowing up the righteous. So he asked the question, “Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?” (Hab.1:13). 

After patiently waiting, God now responds to Habakkuk by saying that His people were to be "just" and were to live by faith. They were not to be like the one who is "proud" and "not upright" (v.4). A proud and self-sufficient person will rationalize his faults and imperfections. He doesn't want to admit that he needs God, though his ways are not upright.

Even today when wickedness seems to prevail in our world, God still urges us to live our lives in faith, taking to heart His assurance to Habakkuk that there will be a day of reckoning for the wicked - a day when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord" (v.14). 

Therefore, in spite of all the ugliness, the wrongs, the schemes and evil doings of men, we must live by faith and wait for the final verdict from our LORD, who rules the universe from “His holy temple” (v.20). 

The Truth: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Habakkuk 1 “Where Are You?”

“How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear! Even cry unto thee of violence, and thou will not save.” (v.2)

Habakkuk was a questioner. He saw his king and the people plunged deep into immorality and wondered, “Lord, why don’t You judge Your people? Why aren’t you working? Where are you?”

I’m sure we’ve all experienced the same feeling when, in our judgment, God seems to be unconnected or not on His job. But a little further down here in chapter 1, Habakkuk received his answer, “For I will work a work in your days, which you will not believe, though it be told you” (v.5).

And just as in the days of Habakkuk, so God still governs in the affairs of men today. He is not slack, nor indifferent and all will still be made to answer for their trespasses and sins, but in His timing and not ours.  

The Truth: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

2 Timothy 4 “Make It Known”

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (v.2)

In today’s text Paul charged Timothy to “Preach the Word.” This is not addressed only to preachers, however. The word, preach, means “to make it known.” God’s people can do this over a cup of coffee. We can make known the good news of what God has done for us wherever, whenever, and to anyone who is open to listening.

Therefore, let’s not be shy to “make known” what God has done for us! Share your story, then share the gospel – “make it known.”

The Truth: “God so demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)