#ComeSunday #SermonNotes: In the days leading up to Sunday worship, we share a brief sermon summary and questions for devotion and reflection. Follow us on our website and on facebook to stay up to date!
Matthew 2:7-12 (Common English Bible)
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Summary:
In the Greater Gifts worship series, our focus is to lift up the gifts God gives the church to work together reach out and encourage others to receive the love of God.
After the magi gave gifts to the Christ child, God offers the magi their own gift: a change of plans for a safer way home. Like the magi, our initial plans may be good, but God may be offering a better one. We must not stick to the old plan when God is gifting new possibilities!
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever received a gift that was better than the one you expected? What was it?
- Why is it sometimes hard to let go of something we have in order to get something better?
- Is God opening a new possibility in your life? In the life of the church? What is the new route God is gifting you/us to get there?