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How to be wise

Matt 2: 1- 12

Rev Peter R Green Christmas Day, 2006

NOTE: This sermon was preached from a few notes jotted onto a page, so there is no complete text. This is a reconstruction of the outline, based on memory. The event was the community breakfast held at the Mission on Christmas morning.

1. What we know about the magi:

Priests of the Zoroastrian religion

Astrologers

Royal advisers to the Persian court

Came from what we now know as Iran and Iraq

Believed in

* One God, Ahura Mazda

* A Devil, Ahriman

* Final judgment

* A coming saviour (Saoshyant) born of a virgin, who would defeat Ahriman and end the world's chaos

* The Saoshyant would be born around the time Jesus was actually born.

They were wise, and show us some ways to be wise.

We don't know

How many of them

Their names

2. Being wise: following the light we have

Their religion did not cover the detail that Judaism did

They were astrologers, which is prohibited in the Bible

But they applied what they did know and realised that God was doing something wonderful in accordance with their own ancient prophesies and what they had seen in the stars.

Many people say, “I won't make any decisions until I have all the facts.” They avoid commitment in this way.

3. Being wise: acting on what we believe

Many people believe certain facts, but it is not what the Bible says faith is about until we begin putting it into action. It remains just a good idea.

The wise men acted on what they believed -- at considerable personal cost.

4. Being wise: worshipping Jesus

Faith must not only be put into action, it must have an object and lead to personal change. The magi were wise because they recognised Jesus' importance, and they acknowledged his superiority to themselves and his rulership over themselves.

5. Conclusion:

Act on what you already know about Jesus, such as his fulfilment of prophecy, his good deeds and miracles, his death and resurrection. You'll never have all the answers.

Never assume that agreeing with the facts is equivalent to faith. Faith without works is dead. If you believe it, act on it. Declare your belief. Be baptised. Seek ways to serve right now.

Worship Jesus, who is Lord of All, and worthy of all our worship and praise.

AMEN

On

© Peter R. Green 2006. Permission is granted for quotation in full for non-commercial purposes provided that authorship is acknowledged and this copyright notice is displayed with the text. Portions also copyright The Bible, NIV (Zondervan Ltd.)