December 23, 2007

The Three Gifts

Matthew 1:18-25 - the birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 2:1-3,7-16 - Jesus at one to two years of age

Matthew 2:2 - the star led the wise men to Jesus

-the star represents the Holy Spirit

-Romans 8:14 - we are to be led only by the Holy Spirit

-the wise men stopped following the star and ended up in Jerusalem and created a mess

v11 - 3 gifts presented to Jesus Christ - Gold, frankincense, myrrh

1. 3 represents the trinity

2. 3 represents giving and not taking

3. 3 represents provision

The 3 GIFTS

(1) GOLD -

-gold was only given to Kings at this period of time as a gift

**kings produce other kings and rulers we are kings - Rev 1:5-6 & 1 Peter 2:9

-gold represents deity - Jesus Christ is God

**His name is Immanuel meaning God with us

-gold is scarce and must be dug out of the earth

**Jesus is the only beloved Son - means unique and one of a kind

(2) FRANKINCENSE -

-very expensive

-came from Balsam trees in the Middle East, India

-smelled good

It represents 2 things:

1. It represents worship

a.) come as you are to worship

b.) Jesus is the only one to worship

c. it speaks of the fragrance of His life

frankincense means whiteness

(3) MYRRH

-was obtained from a thorn bush in the Middle East and Ethiopia

-it was a pale yellow color at first that turned into a dark red color

-it was embalming fluid

It speaks of 2 things:

1. it speaks of the bitterness of mistreatment

-myrrh was bitter to the taste

-we wil lbe offended

2. it speaks of the death of Jesus Christ

-He died for everyone - the 3 wise men were gentiles............................