MATTHEW 2
12 Outlines
Matthew 2
LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS
The Christmas story is full of truths which we can apply to our own lives. Consider these four truths from Matthew 2:
1. GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT Vss. 1-2
Jesus was born at just the right time and in just the right place (Micah 5:2)
The wise men came at just the right time to just the right place.
2. GOD'S ENEMIES ARE TREACHEROUS Vss. 3-8
Satan, through Herod, would do all that he could to destroy the Lord Jesus, including trying to deceive the wise men.
3. GOD'S SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL Vss. 9-14
a. To go. Vss. 9-10
b. To share. Vs. 11
c. To obey. Vss. 12-14 (The wise men and Joseph obeyed God's directions.)
4. GOD'S PROTECTION IS POWERFUL Vss. 15-23
Satan through Herod tried to destroy Jesus, but God protected His Son.
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Matthew 2:1-8, 16-18
WHAT MADE HEROD MISERABLE?
GOOD NEWS MADE HIM TROUBLED Vss. 1-3
JEALOUSLY MADE HIM TRICKY (DECEPTIVE) Vss. 4-8
JEALOUSLY MADE HIM TREACHEROUS Vss. 16-18
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Matthew 2:1-12
AN EVENTFUL VISIT
CONCERNING THE WISE MEN:
DIRECTED INQUIRY Vss. 1-2
DISTURBED KINGDOM - Vs. 3
DISTINCT PROPHECY Vss. 4-6
DECEITFUL INSTRUCTIONS Vss. 7-8
DELIGHTFUL VISIT Vss. 9-11
DIVINE INTERVENTION Vs. 12
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Matthew 2:1-12
WISE MEN
WISE MEN INQUIRE Vss. 1-6
WISE MEN INVESTIGATE Vss. 7-10
WISE MEN INDULGE OR INTERACT Vs. 11
WISE MEN ARE INSTINCTIVE Vs. 12
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Matthew 2:1-12
THE SEARCH FOR MESSIAH
REQUEST Vss. 1-3
The Wise Men came asking Where is He that is born King of the Jews?
RESEARCH Vss. 4-6
Herod was troubled and researched to find any information he could.
He learned of the prophecy of Micah 5:2.
REPORT Vss. 7-8
Herod privately got the information to the Wise Men. His hope is that they would report back and that he would be able to kill the Lord Jesus.
REWARDS Vss. 9-11
The rewards the Wise Men received for finding Jesus was actually seeing Him, worshipping Him, and sharing with Him.
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Matthew 2:1-12
HOW WISE ARE YOU?
WISE MEN SEEK JESUS - Vss. 1-10
WISE MEN SHARE WITH JESUS - Vs. 11
WISE MEN SENSE GOD'S LEADING - Vs. 12
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Matthew 2:1-12
WISE MEN STILL
There are many wise people mentioned in the Bible.
There were Enoch and Noah, wise enough to walk with God.
There was Ruth, wise enough to say to her Jewish mother-in-law,
"...for whither thou goest I will go; and whither thou lodgest, I will
lodge; Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; (Ruth 1:16)
There was Andrew, who was wise enough to bring people to Jesus.
There was David, who was wise enough to say "The Lord is my shepherd, I
shall not want."
There was Martha, wise enough entertain Jesus in her home.
There was Martha's sister, Mary, wise enough to set at Jesus feet and hear
his word.
And, of course, there were the three wise men, who came to Jesus when he was
born.
There are still wise men (and women) today. God is looking for wise men who
will imitate the qualities of the wise men of Matthew 2.
WISE MEN STILL COME - Vss. 1-10
WISE MEN STILL WORSHIP - Vss. 2, 11
WISE MEN STILL GIVE - Vs. 11
WISE MEN STILL LISTEN - Vs. 12
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Matthew 2:1-12
WISDOM AT WORK
They were called "wise" men. Indeed these men showed much wisdom!
(Note that the first letter from each of the points spell "STAR".)
They SOUGHT the King! - Vss. 1-2
They TRAVELED from the East - Vss. 1-10
To Jerusalem - Vss. 1-8
To Bethlehem - Vss. 9-10
They ADORED their King. - Vs. 11
They RESPONDED with Obedience - Vs. 12
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SEEKING THE KING
A TROUBLED DAY (The days of Herod the king) Vs. 1
A TENSE INQUIRY Vss. 2-8
A TREMENDOUS SIGN Vss. 9-10
A TERRIFIC VISIT Vs. 11
A TIMELY WARNING Vss. 12-13
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Matthew 2:1-14
THE RESULTS OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas effects people in different ways. We see this in the story of the Wise Men.
THE WISE MEN HAD A PURPOSE - Vss. 1-2
They came to worship the newborn King of the Jews. We should have the same attitude at Christmas. We are to worship Him. Now we worship Him as our Redeemer, Lord, and friend.
HEROD HAD A PROBLEM - Vs. 3, 7-8
Herod was troubled, and wicked king that he was, he troubled everyone else when he was troubled!
After inquiring of the priests and scribes, Herod sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem to see the King and report back. He claimed to want to worship Jesus. He wanted to kill Him. There are people today who still have a problem with Jesus. They want to destroy Him and His followers.
THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS HAD A PROPHECY - Vss. 4-6
This is interesting. The religious leaders knew their Bibles. They know what the Scripture said about the birth of their King, and yet they did nothing to respond. Evidently they either didn't believe it, or were afraid of King Herod. Today there are many ministers who claim to be Christ's servants, who don't believe God's Word concerning the Virgin Birth of Christ and many other key doctrines.
THE WISE MEN HAD A POTENTATE (KING) - Vss. 9-11
They worshiped Him.
They gave Him gifts.
Let us worship Him.
Let us give Him gifts of money for His work (gold) sweet smelling prayers of adoration and requests (frankincense), sacrificial service (myrrh).
JESUS HAD PROTECTION - Vss. 12-15
God warned both the Wise Men and Joseph.
HEROD HAD PERVERSION - Vss. 16-18
What a terrible crime!
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Matthew 2:1-15
SOMETHING SPECIAL
SPECIAL TIME - Vs. 1 - "When Jesus was born..."
SPECIAL PLACE - Vs. 1 - Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
SPECIAL PERSON - Vs. 1 - Jesus - Isaiah 9:6
SPECIAL WELCOMING COMMITTEE - Vs. 2 - The Wise Men
SPECIAL ENEMY - Vss. 3-8 - Herod
SPECIAL JOY - Vss. 9-10 - See Luke 2:10
SPECIAL GIFTS - Vs. 11
SPECIAL PROTECTION - Vss. 12-15
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Matthew 2:1-18
WISE OR WICKED?
WISE MEN SEEK JESUS - Vss. 1-2
WICKED MEN SCHEME AGAINST JESUS - Vss. 3-8
WISE MEN FIND JESUS - Vss. 9-12
WICKED MEN FIGHT JESUS - Vss. 13-18