Introduction:

Since the early 18th century, monks living in the snowy, dangerous St. Bernard Pass (a route that goes through the Alps between Italy and Switzerland) kept canines to help them on their search and rescue missions after very bad snowstorms. Over a span of nearly 200 years, more than 2,000 people were rescued because of the heroic dogs’ and their uncanny sense of direction and resistance to cold. These beautiful animals saved lost soldiers to lost children. Since then the St. Bernard dogs have become famous for searching, finding and saving lives.

The wise men became famous too for their search and rescue of the little child known as the promise Messiah. They were among a very few whom found the Christ Child. These were wise men or Magi as they were known. It is a Persian word for those that were experts in the star. They were astrologers not really three Kings. They searched and searched and their efforts paid off for they found Him the “Christ” who was foretold of Old.

I. The Wise Men Searched for Jesus

1. How wise were the wise men? They were very wise to have found Jesus Christ they were very wise not to return to Herod. The wise men traveled from the East where they noted an unusual star. This was something out of the ordinary. God gave these Gentile scholars a special sign a special star. Is. 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. This was miraculous star that lead them to the Christ. Two details in Matthew are of special interest:

2. First, the text implies that only the Magi saw the star, whereas comets and exploding stars would be visible to everyone on Earth. Second, the star went before the Magi and led them directly from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. This is a distance of about six miles, in a direction from north to south. However, every natural object in the sky moves from east to west due to the Earth’s rotation. It also is difficult to imagine how a natural light could lead the way to a particular house.

3. The conclusion is that the Star of Bethlehem cannot be naturally explained by science! It was a temporary and supernatural light. After all, the first Christmas was a time of miracles.
God has often used special, heavenly lights to guide his people, such as the glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) and the temple (1 Kings 8:10) and that shone upon the apostle Paul (Acts 9:3). Such visible signs of God’s presence are known as the Shekinah Glory. This special light is a visible manifestation of divine majesty.

4. Sometime after his birth they found him at a house. The time lapse was anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 years. Note verses 15, 16 of chapter 2. They were wise men because they were aware of OT prophecies. They knew by their calculations this was the right time for the promise Messiah.

2. The Magi searched for the Promise King. They found Him and worship him. Their worship included paying respect, homage and giving gifts. We would do well to do the same.

II. Wise Men still Search for Him.

1. If you are not sure of your salvation then you would do well to seek the Lord. Jesus said in John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [40]And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. If you are not save search the scripture and you’ll find the truth that Jesus Christ saves.

You can make that decision right now. Open your heart to Him and trust Him as your personal Savior right now. He died on the cross for you. He rose from the dead for you. He can handle your crisis. You need His righteousness. You have none of your own. It is a free gift and it is entirely different from our righteousness. — II Cor. 5:17, 21 / 6:2

2. If you are saved and have stopped searching the scripture then you may have found yourself perplexed concerning decision in your life that need to be made. Jeramiah the prophet gave some very wise words in chapter 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Very little searching is going on in the right place… the scriptures. We look to the world and its corrupt philosophy and buy into it subtle seductive lies to make decisions that should come from God Word as believers. We need to search the scriptures and make decisions based on a Biblical truth and not by what the latest fad, trend or what is politically correct or morally acceptable.
— (Show paper weight that sits on my desk as a reminder that wise men still seek him.

3. Only 15 % of born again adults have a biblical world-view according to the latest surveys conducted by Barna Research Group. They believe in absolute moral truth and that the Bible is the source of that truth. This means 85% of born again adults have neither the foundation nor the theological perspective required for a biblical world-view.
4. A biblical world-view affects a person’s religious behavior. Here is how.
a) In a typical week, people with a biblical worldview are: Nine times more likely to avoid adult-only material on the Internet… Five times less likely to use tobacco products Three times more likely to intentionally not watch a movie due to its objectionable content Two-and-a-half times more likely to pray for the President Two times more likely to volunteer time to help the needy
b) In a typical week, people with a biblical worldview are: Almost three times more likely to attend Sunday School class Two-and-a-half times more likely to read the Bible Two times more likely to attend a church service Two times more likely to volunteer at their church
Being a Christian does not make your problems go away but it does give you an Advocate to whom you can take every concern and question you have. Yes, like the wise men you may have to do come searching but it will pay-off in spiritual dividends. — I Peter 5:7
F.B. Meyer says, “Thousands of Christians are like water-logged vessels, they cannot sink; yet, they are saturated with so many inconsistencies, worldliness and little permitted evils that they can only be towed with difficulty into the celestial port.
What sin easily besets you? With Moses, it was anger/ murder. With Elijah, it was deep depression. With Peter, it was contemptuous/ public denial. With Samson, it was recurring lust. With Thomas, it was cynical doubting. With Jacob, it was deception. What about you?

III. Be a wise man—Seek Him Now.

1. At the start of a new-year many people make what they call “New Year’s Resolutions”.
The word ‘resolution’ means the act of resolving or determining. (World Book Dictionary) The word carries to some degree the idea of solving a problem. At the start of a new year people stop and look at those things in their life which are not as they should be and those things which are not as good as they could be and determine to improve in those areas in the new-year.

If we are to be “Wise Men” we need to seek and search for the savior helps to resolve to fix them and we need to start now. A good news year resolution would be to stop with the daily procrastination of spiritual things.

2. Procrastination is the enemy of progress. Yet we often put things off until tomorrow what we ought to do today. A wise person will resolve to stop putting things off most important the things of spiritual importance. We put off too many important ministries of the Lord, prayer meeting, Bible study, service and witnessing.
— Proverbs 11:30 / James 4:17

Conclusion:

If your resolutions to obey God last year did not result in success it won’t do so this year either. The Lord seeks your love. Love for Christ is the only motivating element that can produce the kind of changes we really desire first in our spiritual relationship and in the physical world around us. When we draw near to God our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed!

Jesus repeatedly helped multitudes of people, yet He didn’t allow Himself to become haggard and hurried. He nurtured His connection with God through prayer. How is it with you? Will you take time alone with God to experience His strength and fulfillment?