Sermon Title: THE GIFT: FRANKINCENSE
Sermon Text: MATTHEW 2:1-12 (NIV)
Sermon Series: THE GIFT
By: BRO. ARNOLD ALO
Sermon Notes:
MATTHEW 2:1-12 NIV
1 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 in the east and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
3 considerations in the prophetic significance of Frankincense, and how these should motivate us in living for Jesus:
I. The Magi
It’s amazing that these wise men who worshiped a different god considered the facts and followed their conclusion to Jesus.
How does this encourage you? How did you arrive at Jesus’ door?
II. The Meaning of Frankincense
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NLT
14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
What two things are fragrant to God now, and what aromas can they produce?
Which aroma / scent are you?
III. The Ministry of Jesus (the recipient of the gift)
Jesus role as High Priest
NT Reference:
Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
OT vs NT (Jesus’) Priesthood:
Hebrews 7:17
17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:4
4 The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Why were priests needed? Because of sin!
If we don’t understand the Holiness of God, we will not take sin seriously.
Hebrews 10:10-12 (NLT)
10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
A. Offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins
Priests’ work was never done vs Jesus finished work & where He was seated
Hebrews 10:12
12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Mark 16:9
9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.
B. Pray in behalf of God’s people
Jesus as intercessor:
Hebrews 7:25
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save[a] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Jesus as mediator:
Job 9:33
If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
1 Timothy 2:5
5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.
Jesus finished work of sacrifice (in obedience & love of the Father) & His continuing work of love (supporting, carrying us through)
The example of Paul as a mediator / middleman
Philemon 1:18-19
18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
Jesus is the bridge:
(Priest in Latin, Pontifex = bridge builder)
Exodus 19:6
6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Since you are also a priest, How are you building bridges for God?
Who are you praying for?