Matthew 2:11 ESV And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

Ever had difficulty finding the perfect gift? But when you find it, you know it…

The Magi brought specific gifts for their recipient…

Gold, The Gift For A King 

Magi recognized Jesus as a king - Matthew 2:2 (ESV) saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Magi brought Jesus gold, the customary a gift from one Kingdom’s King to another.

• Queen of Sheba visited king Solomon and brought him gifts, including 120 talents of gold, or 7936lbs or $186,273,792

How much gold would the wise men have brought Jesus? Gold is currently $1467 oz. An iPhone 5 size would be $47,000.

John 18:33, 36–37 (ESV) So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”  Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The gift of gold was the perfect gift for our King, Jesus!

Frankincense, The Gift For A Priest

Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin. Produced by scraping the bark of certain. When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma.  The cost of frankincense precluded it from being common. It was burned to worship God.

Exodus 30:34–37 (ESV) The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part),  and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.  You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you.  And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.

Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The gift of frankincense was the perfect gift for our Priest, Jesus!

Myrrh, The Gift For A Sacrifice

Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East.

Like frankincense, it can be used as incense,

It also had wider usage as a perfume, anointing oil, balm

John 19:38–39 (ESV) After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.  Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

Myrrh, the perfect gift for our sacrifice, Jesus,

Jesus, the Perfect Gift For Us

No other gift is so uniquely fashioned for each and every one of us!

John 3:16–17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 26:26–28 (ESV) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  

We have a tendency to romanticize Bible stories. As each unfolds in our mind, they do so on a big screen with an epic soundtrack and dynamic visual effects. We often miss that each one took place on an average day, in a regular neighborhood, and in the lives of common people, just like you and me.

But they were common people with remarkable qualities. And it was those remarkable qualities that positioned those common people to experience God giving birth to the miraculous in their lives! This series is to draw your attention to those common people, to see the us in them, and do lean into their remarkable qualities so that His eternal purposes can come to life in our lives.

Luke 1:5–7 (ESV) In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Zechariah and Elizabeth are key players in the Christmas narrative. She was an older relative to Mary, and they would become the parents of John the Baptist, who would be the forerunner to announce the ministry of Jesus.

Positioned To Hear From God

Heaven Is Always Speaking. Positioning Yourself To Hear Is One Of Your Greatest Pursuits.

• Zechariah - Luke 1:11-13 (ESV) And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

• Martha - Luke 1:39–44 (ESV) In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Angels spoke to this couple out of the blue.

It is more common and frequent for hearers to hear from God as they tune in.

How I Tune In.

• I pray before reading the word, or hearing the word

• I partner with the Holy Spirit – He’s my teacher!!!

• As I read, something resonates – I note it.

• Often, it continues to resonate.

• I take note and lean in, researching additional scriptures, etc.

• It takes on a life of its own.

• Find books, read, further research, prayer, etc

• Develop the thought and apply

Learn how it works for you!

Their Righteous Living Was Noteworthy

Right Living Best Positions Us For All That God Wants To Do For Us, In Us And Through Us.

Luke 1:6 (ESV) And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

Right living leans into the same grace that others lean into after doing the wrong thing. But it right living positions us with:

• confidence, faith

• no season of correction

• better circumstances, less debris

• better reflection of Christ

• the devil doesn’t have a foothold, nor his demons.

They Were Anchored In His House

Everything God Does Starts In His House And Flows Outward. Get In That River And Be A Part What He Is Doing!

• Luke 1:8–9 (ESV) Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

• Luke 1:59 (ESV) And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,

Zechariah and Martha’s lives were centered around the gathering of God’s people. That’s where God spoke to them. That’s where God unlocked the most amazing things in their lives that impacted the world!

Jesus life was centered in God’s House as well.

• Luke 2:22 (ESV) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

• Luke 2:49 (ESV) And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

• Luke 19:47 (ESV) And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him,

While God dwells in heaven, His Spirit dwells on earth and is experienced most often as a byproduct of the gathering of His people in His House.

The vast majority of the salvations, healings etc I have seen have been in His house!

As a parent: you live with us, you go to church – increase the odds of heaven coming to your earth

Thriving With Some Of Life’s Biggest Prayers Unanswered

Living With Your Eyes On Who God Is Best Positions You To Experience What He Has Yet To Do.

Luke 1:6-7 (ESV) And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

They had no child, but they were not bitter! Their eyes were on God, not their circumstances.

3 Hebrews: Daniel 3:16–18 (NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

1 Thessalonians 5:18–19 (ESV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

The Spirit of God is trying to lead us, but Thanksgiving and Faith is the environment in which He thrives in us.

There is a freshness in all of their dealings that shows no bitterness

Ephesians 4:31 (ESV) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

• bitter – pikria – figurative to something that taste bitter; a state of sharp, intense resentment causing spite or hatred

Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Bitterness is something you’ve placed in your mouth

bitter not sweet – disappointment, unmet expectations

causes physical reaction, you feel and others see

it impacts everyone - the yuck flavor on you gets passed to them

not unforgiveness – demand repayment

more subtle – it’s a flavor that is uncomfortable that impacts you and everyone.

We have a tendency to romanticize Bible stories. As each unfolds in our mind, they do so on a big screen with an epic soundtrack and dynamic visual effects. We often miss that each one took place on an average day, in a regular neighborhood, and in the lives of common people, just like you and me.

But they were common people with remarkable qualities. And it was those remarkable qualities that positioned those common people to experience God giving birth to the miraculous in their lives! This series is to draw your attention to those common people, to see the us in them, and do lean into their remarkable qualities so that His eternal purposes can come to life in our lives.

Matthew 1:18–21 (ESV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”Mary &

Joseph were positioned to hear as Heaven spoke.

Heaven Is Always Speaking. The Miraculous Is Unlocked As We Are Positioned To Hear.

Every miracle in your life will begin with God speaking followed by you hearing. The key is to continue to position yourself to hear. Right NOW.

Mary:

• Luke 1:28, 30-31 (ESV) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Joseph:

• Matthew 1:19 (ESV) And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

  • resolved – to think with the purpose of planning a course of action

• Matthew 1:20–22 (ESV) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

  • considered: to process information by giving consideration to various aspects

Matthew 11:15 (ESV) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Revelation: Revelation 2:7 (ESV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

• ears - not only the ability, but the responsibility

• hear – pay attention and respond

Today there are more distractions than any ever, because this time matters on earth more than any other

God wants to do more today than any other collective time in history! It starts with being tuned into him.

God can speak out of the blue, but hearing is enhanced:

• create moments of listening

  • read and listen to the word

  • podcasts & books

• create environments to encounter the one speaking

  • dynamic environment with the Spirit engaged

  • John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

  • prayer, corporate worship

This is something we do; something others do on our behalf.

• put your children in a place to have an encounter with heaven

• we can’t guarantee the response, but we can guarantee the opportunity

• our highest call is not our children’s graduation, getting a good job, marriage, good relationship with us

• create moments to hear from and respond to God

Mary & Joseph were recognized as righteous.

Right Living Best Positions Us For All That God Wants To Do For Us, In Us And Through Us.

God can do anything, anywhere for anyone at any time. But he consistently does his best things frequently in the lives of those who live according to His Word.

• Mary - Luke 1:27–29 (ESV) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

  • her righteous life had earned her favor with God

• Joseph - Matthew 1:19 (ESV) And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

  • he had every right to rub her face in her “assumed sin”

  • his response – protect her

• right-living matters to God

• right-living aligns us with God

• right-living best positions us for His purposes

• wanting one thing when heaven wants another, and yielding…

  • Mary - Luke 1:38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

  • Joseph - Matthew 1:20–25 (ESV) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

• submission isn’t real until there is a burn, and redirection of the will

• obedience is a reality when you want to do something else.

Some people willfully sin because they know God will forgive.

• Romans 6:1–2 (ESV) What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!

• Hebrews 10:26–27 (ESV) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

• 1 John 3:6–10 (ESV) No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

The Unintended Consequences Of Sin :

• brings injury to your relationship with God

• limits the function of the Holy Spirit

• give the devil a foothold and his resources

• pledges obedience to sin

• invites deception

• negatively impacts the faith of others

• makes it difficult for God’s best to unfold

Right-living:

• cannot be allowed to turn into self-righteousness

• that turns into self-righteousness is offensive to God

• cannot lifts lf up and looks down on others

• self-righteousness omits the cross

• possible because of His grace

• Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Mary & Joseph: aligned with Biblical sexuality

Honoring Biblical Sexuality Unites Us With Heaven And Protects Us From Being United With _______________________.

Our relationship with God is incredibly intimate - His Spirit lives within us

Sex unites us, body soul and spirit with someone else in a way that can only be compared to the closeness God wants to have with us.

Have you ever invited someone too close and then couldn’t get rid of them?

• Matthew 1:18 (ESV) …Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together …

• Luke 1:, 34 (ESV) And Mary said to the angel, “…I am a virgin?”

Culture has always had something to say about what is sexually in bounds.

Man has always had desires and experiences outside of those bounds

Sex is a gift from God.

Sex unites us, body soul and spirit with someone else in a way that is only comparable to the closeness God wants to have with us.

To bring something that close that is out of bounds will affect you, and will affect your relationship with God, not to mention your relationship with others

• 1 Corinthians 6:18–19 (ESV) Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

• 1 Corinthians 6:15–17 (ESV) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Some of the greatest acts of worship and offerings you can give to God is burn you experience when obedient in moments of sexual temptation.