The document is a summary of a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi on December 20, 2015. It discusses the biblical passage of Matthew 2:1-12, which describes the visit of the Magi to see the newborn Jesus. The summary provides background information on the Magi and how their visit fulfilled prophecies dating back to Daniel. It also examines the significance of the gifts the Magi brought - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and how this showed Jesus' identity as King, Priest and one who would die. The sermon emphasizes that the whole world will one day worship Jesus as Lord.

1. Matthew 2:1-12
The King Worshiped
“The Magi Visit With Gifts”
December 20, 2015
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA

2. What’s the number one thing?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HdKEr1hZ7iI/TWY2eWJdLoI/AAAAAAAAAgw/V0dVLTrGG1g/s1600/Glory.jpg
The Glory of God

3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God.

4. December Memory Verse
Luke 2:14
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

5. Please Pray For: The Pastor Search Committee
Ross Aven Rodney DePriest
Laurel Ditto Susan Lindsay
Chris Maddux Joe Young
Paul Moak, Jr. (Chairman)

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Christmas Eve Service – 5:00 PM
• No Sunday School Next Sunday – Dec 27
• Worship Service at 10:30 AM – Dec 27
• Regular Schedule on January 3, 2016

7. References
• Dr. Chuck Missler, YouTube Video, Daniel Chapter 6, Session 7.
• The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, Nelson Bibles, 1997, Word
Publishing.
• The NIV Study Bible, 1985, Zondervan Bible Publishers.

8. Christmas Gifts
• Are you good at selecting gifts?
• How did the Magi, who were Gentiles, know what gifts to bring
Jesus, who was born King of the Jews?
– Dream from God?
– Good guess?
– Lessons from Jews during Babylonia captivity?

9. Trivia Question
• Who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive?”
– Solomon
– David
– Paul
– Jesus

10. Answer
• Jesus
Acts 20:35b NKJV
35b And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
• This is the only direct quote from Jesus’ earthly ministry
recorded outside the canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke,
John).

11. Introduction to Matthew 2
• Matthew was a tax collector turned apostle.
• Matthew directed his writing to the Jews.
• His goal in writing was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah.
• Matthew 1 provides the genealogy of Jesus and begins
explaining how Jesus was the fulfillment of OT prophecy.

12. Introduction to Matthew 2
• Matthew is the only Gospel to record the visit of the Magi.
• There is a lot of historical background that Matthew assumes
the reader would know.
– Political climate of Roman occupation.
– History of relationship of Parthians and Romans.
– Historical events verified by Herodotus and Josephus.

13. The Visit & Gifts of the Magi
• A trip that was planned 600 years earlier.
• The Christmas Story in Daniel 5-10 (Dr. Chuck Missler).
• The Bible does not give us many confirming details about the Magi
and their purpose.
• Their visit resulted in the first martyrs for Jesus being innocent
babies.

14. Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, wise men (Magi) from the East came to
Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of
the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come
to worship Him."

15. …Bethlehem of Judea
• Judea was a buffer zone between the Roman Empire and the
Parthian Empire.
• Roman Empire – Europe, Asia Minor, Egypt, Syria and Judea.
– Judea had been under Parthian rule earlier.
– Under nominal Roman rule at time of Jesus’ birth.
• Parthian Empire – Ancient empire of Asia (Babylon) west of
Roman Empire.
– Split off from Greece after Alexander the Great.
– Now Afghanistan and Iran.

16. Conflict between Romans and Parthians
• During 1st Century BC Parthia grew into an empire extending
from Euphrates River to the Indus River and from Oxus River to
Indian Ocean.
• Middle of 1st Century BC, Parthia was a rival of Rome and
several wars occurred between the two super powers.
• Judea was right between the Romans and Parthians and had
been under control of both super powers.

17. Parthians Advance West

18. Parthian Empire 1 AD

19. …in the days of Herod the king,
• Herod given title of “King of the Jews” by Augustus Caesar in
37 BC and rule of Judea after Romans defeated the Parthians.
• Magi looking for He who is “born King of the Jews”.
• Jews were more comfortable with Parthians than Romans.
– Relationship from captivity 600 years earlier.
– Many Jews had remained in Babylon area.
• Herod always suspicious that Jews would revolt and align with
Parthians.

20. …wise men from the East
• Wise men (NKJV) or Magi (NIV) … Greek is magos.
• Oneiromancy – dream interpretation was key skill, not
astrology.
• Magi were a hereditary Persian Priesthood.
– Dual roles of priest and government officials.
– Priests for Magi religion established by Darius (Daniel 6).
– Duty to select the kings for Persian (Parthian) Empire (potential
enemy of Caesar).
– Debate about this becoming Zoroatrianism.

21. …wise men from the East

22. Go Back 600 years to Daniel
• Daniel, a Jewish prisoner, is in captivity in Babylon under King
Nebuchadnezzar.
• Interprets dreams for the King.
• Daniel had been appointed chief over all Magi (the Rab-Mag)
by King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius.

23. Daniel 5
• In 539 BC King Belshazzar sees a hand writing on the wall
during a drunken banquet but cannot understand the writing.
Daniel 5:11 NKJV
11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the
Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and
understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were
found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your
father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers,
Chaldeans, and soothsayers.

24. Daniel 6:1-3 NIV
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the
kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom
was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that
the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished
himself among the administrators and the satraps by his
exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the
whole kingdom.

25. …wise men (Magi) from the East
• The Medo-Persian Magi had been trained by Daniel about
Jewish prophecies and signs of a coming Messiah.
• This training was passed down through the next 6 centuries to
a select group of the Magi.
• Chapters 9-10 of Daniel contains prophecies of dates that were
fulfilled by Jesus.
• How else would the Magi know so many details of a Jewish
Messiah?

26. …saying, “Where is He who has been born King of
the Jews?”
• A calculated insult to Herod who had bribed his way to the
title, “King of the Jews”.
• Herod was not Jewish (Idumean – Descendent of Esau).
• “Born” King vs. Appointed King.
• The Magi had the power to anoint a governing King if Judea
was under Parthian rule.
• Did Herod suspect an upcoming conspiracy?

27. Matthew 2:2 NKJV
2 “For we have seen His star in the East and have come to
worship Him.”
• Why did the star not guide them directly to Bethlehem?
– “Star of Bethlehem” was not a natural phenomenon (settled over a
specific location).
– Not a conjugation of Jupiter and Saturn.
– Probably like the Shekinah that guided the Israelites (pillar of cloud or
pillar of fire).

28. “…have come to worship Him.”
• Why would a select group of Medo-Persian Magi come to worship a
Jewish King?
– The Magi were NOT Jewish!
– Worship a foreign king in enemy territory?
– Symbolic that the whole world will bow down someday to worship Jesus.
• Isaiah 45:23b – Before me every knee will bow; …
– Kneeling is symbolic of reverence, submission.
– Kneeling renders one defenseless.
– A position for worshipping.

29. All will worship Him … Someday!
• Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of
those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.

30. Matthew 2:3 NKJV
Matthew 2:3 NKJV
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.
• A group of rival “King Makers” enter Jerusalem.
• Traveled with own protection and force.
• Unimaginable oriental pomp and pageantry.
• Persians were intimidating group.
• Herod and Jews were nervous.

31. Magi

32. Matthew 2:4 NKJV
4 And when he (Herod) had gathered all the chief priests and
scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the
Christ was to be born.
• Herod calls for Jewish leaders to answer.
• Answer was written in scripture and Jewish priests knew the
answer to the prophecy.

33. Matthew 2:5-6 NKJV
5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is
written by the prophet: 6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of
Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of
you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. '
• Quote Micah 5:2.
• Priests knew the location, but did not accompany Magi to
Bethlehem.

34. Matthew 2:7-8 NKJV
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men,
determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he
sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for
the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back
word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
• Timing of the star?
• The Magi may have been taught by Daniel about the dates.
• How did Magi know when the star appeared, they were to go,
take gifts and worship?

35. Matthew 2:9 NKJV
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star
which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came
and stood over where the young Child was.
• Star guided them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
• Star “stood” over house.

36. Matthew 2:10-11 NKJV
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great
joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the
young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and
worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
– Living in a house now.
– Jesus’ age (maybe a 2-year-old).
– 3 gifts implied 3 wise men, thus “We 3 Kings of orient are…”

37. The gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh
• Gold – represents Deity (King).
– Symbol of kingship on earth & heaven.
• Frankincense – represents Priesthood.
– Incense burned in Temple.
– Imported to Israel from East.
• Myrrh – represents Death.
– Used for embalming or death anointing.
– More valuable than gold at this time.

38. How did the Magi know what gifts to bring?
• Daniel’s instructions while in Babylon and head of Magi?
–Daniel had a visit from angel in Daniel 10 with prophecy.
• Use of the gifts?
– Money for travel to Egypt?
– Used later to fund ministry and myrrh for Jesus’ burial?

39. Matthew 2:12 NKJV
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not
return to Herod, they departed for their own country another
way.
• God communicates to Magi through a dream.
• They were experts in dream interpretation.

40. OT Reference to Magi as Kings
Psalm 72:10-11
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; The
kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. 11 Yes, all kings shall fall
down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
Isaiah 60:3
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the
brightness of your rising.

41. Magi Traditions
• Eastern tradition (Church) – 12 Magi.
• Western tradition 3 Magi (# of gifts).
– Dec 25 – Jan 6: Epiphany (12 days of Christmas).
• 6th Century – Names given for 3.
– Balthasar, Melchoir, Gasper.
• 7th Century – Named for sons of Noah.
– Shem(Asia), Ham(Persia), Japeth(Europe).
• 14th Century – Armenian tradition.
– Kings of Arabia, Persia, India.

42. Lessons from the Magi’s Visit
1. God connects the dots of history so that every prophecy about
Jesus was fulfilled.
• Roman control of Judea.
• Magi visit and gifts.
2. God does the same for our lives in connecting the dots so that all
things work together for good
• Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are the called according to His
purpose.

43. Source of Gifts in the Bible
James 1:17 NKJV
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning.
• All of our blessing (gifts) come from God.

44. God’s Greatest Gift to Us - Jesus
John 3:16 NKJV
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should
boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk
in them.

45. Jesus’ Gift to Us – Himself & Peace
John 14:27 NKJV
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this
grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

46. Happy Birthday to the
“Prince of Peace”

47. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

48. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me.”

49. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay
the penalty for our sins.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.

50. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in
the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

51. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his
God and he shall be My son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be an overcomer.

52. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe
in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will
be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

53. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
If you have questions or would like to know more, Please,
contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/