Immanuel: Experiencing God's Presence

Transformational Joy

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11 NIV

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Matthew 2:9-11 NIV

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

11 ...He has also set eternity in the human heart…

1) A FLICKERING HOPE

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Matthew 17:20 NIV

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

2) AN UNCHARACTERISTIC PAUSE

Matthew 2:1-2 NIV

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 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.”

Acts 17:27 NIV

27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

James 4:8 NIV

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you...

Isaiah 55:6 NIV

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

3) A WONDERFUL SURRENDER

Matthew 2:11 NIV

11 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 11:28 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

John 14:6 NIV

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.