mySundaySermons

1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

A Change of Plans: Do you get rattled if your plans change?
Some folks roll with the punches, go with the flow, & adapt as the river bends.
Others can’t seen straight if the something alters the plan.
What is the difference?
Either you don’t have an opinion, dog in the fight
Or you deal or don’t deal with control..

Here are two examples: (One preventable, One beyond our control)
we are going to church, but you didn’t buy gas and its too far to walk given the weather.
We are going to church, but he weather has made the roads completely hazardous.

Here is another example:
We are going to save more money this month, so don’t spend more at the xx store.
We are going to save more money this month, until our furnace completely quit.

And another, with a twist:
I was going to have a girls night out this weekend, but now I’m taking my child to a birthday party.
I was going to have a guy hunting trip this weekend, but now I’m having to keep the kids for a girls night out weekend.
(Plans change and your adapt because of a greater good)

In the text, the Wise Guys who had come to worship and give tributes to a new King.. a travel club that had been watching, were willing to respond, were willing to travel at great expense of time, to share gifts of great price, went home without telling King Herod..

There is an invitation to go home by another road.
The Great Lesson is that in God’s Direction, there is always another way back home.

We have to be willing to change our plans, change our control, change our comfort and expectation…
Even if we have already gone so far from home in the first place.

Some can identify with the wise travelers who have a great plan..
God calls, and they have a choice to listen, follow and go a new way
Or, go back to King Herod.

The Choose the way back, on the new road.
Talk of changing roads in Jackson..
Ought 2Talk about adding 8 Lanes on i75 between our exit and Stockbridge

New Spiritual Road… new study, new discipline, new service, new message
New Tradition Road.. Protestant reformation, 450yrs, change in tradition..
New Reason Road.. Wisemen listen to God’s new reason.. avoid evil.
So here is a challenge:
Go back to the house, work, school, store, etc.
the same way,
the same person
the same expectations
the same temptations
the same struggles
or try a new way with God’s help.

The twist is that we have a choice, even today