CHRISTMAS GIFTS: In our consumer culture, Christmas can become all about getting and giving the latest gadgets and goods. Due to this, we've pushed aside the one gift that fulfills our deepest needs: Jesus the Christ. This series takes a fresh look at the gifts the wise men brought the child Jesus--gold, frankincense, and myrrh--and the ultimate gift that Jesus offers through salvation. In this first part of our Christmas Gifts series we take a look at the gift of gold that the magi presented to Jesus. Gold was the metal of kings. It represented royalty. The magi recognized that this was a King who had been born. Notably, before they presented their gifts they recognized that he was worthy of worship and they bowed their hearts and their knees before him in worship. A Gift for A King Matthew 2:1-11 December 6, 2020 Matthew 2:1-11 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I. Requests about a Coming King II. Reactions of the Current King III. Rejoicing for the Competent King Concluding Truth: Whenever Jesus becomes your King, you will go out differently than you came in • Herod followed the star of self, though he claimed to be a worshipper • The religious leaders followed the star of religion; they knew all the right answers but had all the wrong actions • The magi were seeking a King, and when they found that King, they worshipped Him