[If] preachers wish to preach with divine authority, they must proclaim this message of the inspired Scriptures, for the Scriptures alone have divine authority. If preachers wish to preach with divine authority, they must submit themselves and echo the Word of God. Preachers are literally to be ministers of the Word.
Sidney Greidanus

Why The Wise Men Rejoiced

Why The Wise Men Rejoiced 56 WHY THE WISE MEN REJOICED BC-09-4A Mt. 2:1-12 & Is. 61:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

  1. We normally think of the wise men bringing gifts
    1. Gold, frankincense & myrrh
    2. WISE men still bring Him gifts
  2. But they were glad not because of the gifts that they brought,

    but of the gifts that they would receive:

  3. Ps. 68:18, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them”
  4. THE GIFT OF THE GOSPEL WAS GIVEN
  5. “The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek”
  6. Mt. 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
  7. Jn. 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”
  8. Ro. 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”

II. THE GIFT OF HEALING AND HELP WAS GIVEN

  1. “He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted”
  2. Is. 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”
  3. Mt. 8:16, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick.”

III. THE GIFT OF DELIVERANCE WAS GIVEN

  1. “He hath sent me… to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to them that are bound”
  2. Psalms 34 tells us that God is our deliverer:
    1. Verse 4, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my FEARS”
    2. Verse 7, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them [from DANGER].”
    3. Verse 19, “Many are the AFFLICTIONS of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all”

IV. THE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY WAS GIVEN TO ALL

  1. “He hath sent me… to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengence of our God”
  2. 2 Cor. 6:2, “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, how is the day of salvation”
  3. THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION WAS GIVEN
  4. “He hath sent me… to comfort all that mourn”
  5. Mourning is grief (the expression of sorrow) over death
  6. Jn. 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto [Martha], I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”