OPENING SCRIPTURE:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “WHERE IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN KING OF THE JEWS? We saw his star when it rose and have COME TO WORSHIP HIM.” (Matthew 2: 1-2 NIV)

• They were looking for the King.
• They came to worship the king.

Worship is a faith journey: A journey that you make in your heart and the purpose of the journey is to look for Him.

When they saw the star, they were OVERJOYED. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and WORSHIPED him. Then they opened their TREASURES and presented him with GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH. (Matthew 2:10-11 NIV)

• Their worship was not a formality. Their worship was purposeful.
• The purpose of their worship was demonstrated in the gifts they presented to Jesus.
• Each gift had a unique meaning and purpose in worshipping the savior king.

#1 GOLD: HIS KINGSHIP

• Gold is a symbol of royalty and kingship. It was a treasure fit for a king.
• By bringing gold, the wise men acknowledged Jesus as King.

What does that mean to you and me?

Our gold is found in the way we worship when we recognize His authority as King.

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are CLOTHED WITH HONOR AND MAJESTY, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. (Psalm 104: 1-2 NKJ)

• Oh my soul: your mind, will and emotions recognize His kingship.
• Clothed in honor and majesty: appealing to His Kingship by what you see spiritually.

“I SAW THE LORD, high and exalted, SEATED ON A THRONE; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1 NIV)

The purpose of our worship should always be about seeing Him on the throne of our lives, as Savior King

#2 FRANKINCENSE: HIS DIETY

• Frankincense was a costly incense used in worship and prayer, burned in the temple as a fragrant offering to God.
• By bringing frankincense, the wise men were acknowledging the deity of Jesus

What does that mean to you and me?

• Our worship is not a once-a-week deal. Worship is a lifestyle.
• Worship is a continual process,

Through Jesus, therefore, LET US CONTINUALLY OFFER TO GOD A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)

• What comes out of mouths should be meaningful and powerful. Powerful because we are professing His name.

I will bless the Lord at all times; HIS PRAISE shall CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH. (Psalm 34:1 NKJ)

#3 MYRRH: HIS SACRIFICE

• Myrrh was used in ancient times to anoint and embalm the dead.
• This gift from the wise men foreshadowed the suffering and death that Jesus would endure for our salvation.

What does that mean to you and me?

• Embracing the Cross: Myrrh challenges us to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and to remember that He came to die for our sins.
• It serves as a daily reminder that the old self died with Jesus on that cross.

MY OLD SELF has been CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NLT)

• Because our savior king lives, we can face tomorrow victoriously.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I HAVE COME that they may have LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL. (John 10:10 NIV)

• That’s why we worship our Savior King!

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?