What happens when an insincere king mixes it up with sincere Christ-seekers?

1. Sincere and Insincere Worship

2. Our actions—not our intentions—demonstrate our sincerity or insincerity as worshipers of Jesus.

3. Insincere worshipers use people and the Bible for their own purpose.

4. insincere worshipers... are disturbed by sincere seekers. “ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed....” (Matthew 2:3)

5. insincere worshipers... use the Bible to benefit themselves. “ [Herod] asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written....” (Matthew 2:4-5)

6. insincere worshipers... use people. “ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [He said], 'As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may worship him.'” (Matthew 2:7-8)

7. Sincere worshipers are focused on Jesus.

8. sincere worshipers... search for Jesus. “ Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We...have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

9. sincere worshipers... take guidance from the Bible. “ After they had heard the king [tell them what the Bible said], they went on their way....” (Matthew 2:9)

10. sincere worshipers... follow God's lead. “ [They followed the star] until it stopped over the place where the child was.” (Matthew 2:9)

11. sincere worshipers... worship Jesus. “ They bowed down and worshiped him...[and] presented him with gifts....” (Matthew 2:11)

12. What gift will you give Jesus?