Dr. Adrian Todd - gatewaychurch.uk

1. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

2. A Journey of Faith • It is still the Christmas season. • The plan is to look at the story of the Magi, • then to see what there is within the story to challenge us to a Journey of Faith, Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

3. The Magi • Wise men • A comparable visit by Magi to Nero in A.D. 66 • Astrologers and Astronomers • this is NOT a Biblical endorsement of astrology/horoscopes • Probably from Babylon • Babylon has a long history of astrology • pocket clay tablets of astronomical tables for this period still exist • the journey would have taken 2-3 months Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

4. The Star • We simply do not know!!! • Balaam’s prophecy (Num 24:17) about a star rising out of Jacob • The best suggestion a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn 7 B.C. • Jupiter is traditionally linked with kingship • Saturn has been thought to represent the Jews • There is also something supernatural about this, it moved and stopped Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

5. The Date??? • Herod is thought to have died in Spring 4 B.C. • When the Magi arrive Jesus is referred to as a child, and is living in a house. • Herod kills all the boys two years and younger, based on when the star first appeared. • Best guess, 7-4 B.C. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

6. Gold; kingship, and useful Frankincense; used in perfumes and incense Myrrh; used by the Ancient egyptians to embalm bodies Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2* “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3* “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4* “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms. 5* “Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, The wealth of the nations will come to you. 6* “A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD. The Gifts Isaiah 60:1-6, Psa 72:15, Psa 45:8 Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

7. Steps on a Journey of Faith • The first sign - hearing • Considering the sign - wisdom/knowledge or Word of God, prayer, taking time • Deciding to act / Setting Out • The Journey - did they ever consider giving up • The False Arrival - they were lost • Arriving at the destination - they rejoiced, they worshipped, they presented gifts Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

8. Faithful and Full of Faith • Which comes first? • Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. • faith comes in response to something we are hoping for or have a vision for • faithfulness is seeing it through to the point of realisation • faith = believing in = trust • Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Paul Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

9. Faith and Fear • “Only two reasons for doing anything, love and fear.” • Faith in God comes out of the love we have experienced • What is the basis for our actions in life? Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

10. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk