Ephesians
3:1-12 (p1174)
Matthew
2:1-12 (p966)
INTRODUCTION: New Year’s resolutions?
What? How? Why?
READINGS
Not just me, but Christ
Focused on ourselves
Take a look at ourselves maybe, but fix your
eyes on Christ
Two looks at Christ for every look at self
A resolve to seek Christ
Whatever the cost
The cost for the wise men
“The East”
Babylon? – Daniel a wise man in Babylon – just
a guess!
Babylon – near Al-Ḥillah
in Iraq, 55 miles south of
Baghdad
684 miles to
Jerusalem and Bethlem
259 hours of walking – 6 hrs a day – 43 days of walking
And back again, perhaps by the long way!
Difficulty, expense, danger
The whole of life on hold for a few months
Risking their lives
Not just my failings (or
achievements), but Christ’s glory
When we look at ourselves, what do we see?
Cf. our failings or achievements
A positive vision of the glory of Christ
Worship him!
Give him their gifts!
Lay their all at his feet
Honour him
The King of Kings, of whom we should make much
Whom we should obey
For whom we should risk all
Jesus’ glory
Paul: “the unsearchable riches of Christ”
(Ephesians 3:8)
Richest person in the world
Forbes: Elon Musk - Net worth: $251.3 billion
He was the
richest person in the world for much of 2022 as well.
His fortune
rose by $6 billion during December 2023.
You can’t know how rich Christ is!
Inexhaustible
Why seeking to know Christ better would always
be a great resolution!
Not just for me, but Christ’s glory
for all the nations
Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves!
Paul a prisoner / a servant for the sake of
the nations
All people
Mystery – secret now revealed
The non-Jewish nations like us are invited in
Ephesians 3v6
Co-heirs with Israel
Co-members of the same body
Co-sharers in the same promise in Christ Jesus
Will I seek Christ whatever the cost?
How could I serve God’s gospel purposes this
year with my time, effort, money, prayers, by how I live and speak?
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