Sermon Notes for 21 December 2025
Four Gifts That Still Honor the King
Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
What do you give someone who already owns everything—especially when that someone is a King?
When we come before Jesus, what kind of gift is He really looking for from us?
GIFT #1 – GOLD – We Give King Jesus Our Allegiance
Gold represents kingship and authority.
What area of your life still resists the rule of Christ?
GIFT #2 – FRANKINCENSE – We Give Jesus, our Holy Priest, Adoration
Frankincense was used in temple worship and burned as incense to God.
Exodus 30:8 (NKJV) “And the smoke of the incense… ascended before God.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
Is your worship rooted in awe of who Jesus truly is?
GIFT #3 – MYRRH – We Give Jesus Our Trust as Our Savior
Myrrh was used for burial and embalming.
John 19:39 (NKJV) “And Nicodemus… brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) “He was wounded for our transgressions.”
Are you trusting in Christ alone for your salvation, or in yourself?
GIFT #4 – WORSHIP – We Give Jesus Our Heart
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child… and fell down and worshiped Him.”
Before they gave gifts, they bowed.
Do you worship Jesus only with words—or with your life?
Jesus defines true worship…
John 4:23–24 (NKJV) “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1. Worship in Spirit
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
2. Worship in Truth
John 17:17 (NKJV) “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 14:6 (NKJV) “Jesus said… ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’”
Is your worship shaped by Scripture—or by personal taste?
3. Spirit + Truth = Balanced Worship
Jesus did not say spirit or truth—He said spirit and truth.
John 4:23 (NKJV) “For the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
To worship in spirit is to engage the heart; to worship in truth is to honor the Word—and God desires both!
The wise men gave four gifts that still call for a response today:
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.”
The greatest gift you can give Jesus is not what you bring in your hands—but who you lay down at His feet.
When we come before Jesus, what kind of gift is He really looking for from us?
GIFT #1 – GOLD – We Give King Jesus Our Allegiance
Gold represents kingship and authority.
What area of your life still resists the rule of Christ?
GIFT #2 – FRANKINCENSE – We Give Jesus, our Holy Priest, Adoration
Frankincense was used in temple worship and burned as incense to God.
Exodus 30:8 (NKJV) “And the smoke of the incense… ascended before God.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
Is your worship rooted in awe of who Jesus truly is?
GIFT #3 – MYRRH – We Give Jesus Our Trust as Our Savior
Myrrh was used for burial and embalming.
John 19:39 (NKJV) “And Nicodemus… brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) “He was wounded for our transgressions.”
Are you trusting in Christ alone for your salvation, or in yourself?
GIFT #4 – WORSHIP – We Give Jesus Our Heart
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child… and fell down and worshiped Him.”
Before they gave gifts, they bowed.
Do you worship Jesus only with words—or with your life?
Jesus defines true worship…
John 4:23–24 (NKJV) “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1. Worship in Spirit
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
2. Worship in Truth
John 17:17 (NKJV) “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 14:6 (NKJV) “Jesus said… ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’”
Is your worship shaped by Scripture—or by personal taste?
3. Spirit + Truth = Balanced Worship
Jesus did not say spirit or truth—He said spirit and truth.
| Spirit without Truth | Truth without Spirit |
| Emotional but shallow | Correct but cold |
| Passion without direction | Knowledge without devotion |
| Experience-driven | Ritual-driven |
John 4:23 (NKJV) “For the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
To worship in spirit is to engage the heart; to worship in truth is to honor the Word—and God desires both!
The wise men gave four gifts that still call for a response today:
- Gold — Will you submit to His rule?
- Frankincense — Will you adore His holiness?
- Myrrh — Will you trust His sacrifice?
- Worship — Will you surrender your heart?
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.”
The greatest gift you can give Jesus is not what you bring in your hands—but who you lay down at His feet.
Will you give your life to Jesus today?
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
Assurance of Salvation
If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
If you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, please complete the Connection Card below and watch the "Bridge Illustration" video at the bottom of this post.
Posted in Sermon Notes
Recent
Four Gifts That Still Honor the King
December 21st, 2025
CHRISTMAS – When God Sends the Unexpected
December 14th, 2025
CHRISTMAS – GOD’S PERFECT PLAN, PERFECT TIMING, PERFECT GIFT
December 7th, 2025
The Intelligence of the Holy Spirit
November 30th, 2025
Thanksgiving: A Season to Be Grateful
November 27th, 2025
Archive
2025
July
September
October
November
2024
January
April
May
No Comments