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CloseRyan Sim - December 31, 2013
Tuesday - Study It - The Night That Changed the Wise
Here’s the story of the Magi or wise men visiting Jesus: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12 ESV) Here we have men of reason and knowledge visiting Jesus. They were astronomers or astrologers, the difference was less clear in Jesus’ day. Suffice it to say, they would have believed events in heavens connected with events on earth, and something told them that a King of the Jews was being born. They used their considerable resources, money, time to travel to Israel. They risk robbery on the road, or disappointment when they arrive. Once there, they gave their treasured gifts, and their worship. They gave their hearts, to a baby or child (this may have happened up to two years after Jesus’ birth). This was not a small thing, worshipping a baby. If they are wrong, and this isn’t God himself, they could be accused of idolatry, worshipping something on earth rather than God in heaven. They also risk embarrassment, intellectual ridicule, etc. Question: What practical risks are involved in following Jesus today? How do you calculate what risks are worthwhile? Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading here. Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today! Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/readingplan Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/events/!
Related Topics: Christmas, Herod, Jesus, Magi, Wise Men | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "The Night that Changed Everything"
In preparation for Christmas, our Daily Challenges are going to explore the lifechanging significance of Jesus' birth so long ago. It's more than a sentimental story, or a time for generosity, Christmas celebrates The Night that Changed Everything. We'll explore the original Christmas story from the Bible, and its impact on five kinds of people.
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Day 1 - IntroductionAugust 1, 2012 |
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Day 2 - The Big Story Act 1August 8, 2012 |
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Day 3 - The Big Story Act 2September 1, 2012 |
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Day 4 - The Big Story Act 3September 2, 2012 |
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Day 5 - The Big Story Act 4September 3, 2012 |
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Day 6 - The Big Story Acts 5 and 6September 4, 2012 |
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Day 7 - Is there a God?September 5, 2012 |
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Day 8 - How Does God Reveal Truth?September 6, 2012 |
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Day 9 - Why The Bible?September 7, 2012 |
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Day 11 - Who are we?September 9, 2012 |
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Day 13 - A Life Centred on GodRyan Sim - September 11, 2012 |
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Day 16 - Replacing GodRyan Sim - September 14, 2012 |
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Day 17 - The Consequences - 1 and 2Ryan Sim - September 15, 2012 |
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Day 18 - The Consequences - 3 and 4Ryan Sim - September 16, 2012 |
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Day 19 - The Problem of EvilRyan Sim - September 17, 2012 |
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Day 20 - What God Did About EvilRyan Sim - September 18, 2012 |
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Introduction to Daily ChallengesNovember 2, 2012 |
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Monday - New Idea - Poor in SpiritNovember 12, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - Poor in SpiritNovember 13, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change - Poor in SpiritNovember 14, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act On It - Poor in SpiritNovember 15, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - Poor in SpiritNovember 16, 2012 |
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Monday - A New Idea - Those who MournNovember 19, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - Those Who MournNovember 20, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change - Those Who MournNovember 21, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act - Those Who MournNovember 22, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - Those Who MournNovember 23, 2012 |
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Monday - A New Idea - MeekNovember 26, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - MeekNovember 27, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change - MeekNovember 28, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act - MeekNovember 29, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - MeekNovember 30, 2012 |
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Monday - A New Idea - Poor in SpiritDecember 3, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - RighteousnessDecember 4, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change It - RighteousnessDecember 5, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act On It - RighteousnessDecember 6, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - RighteousnessDecember 7, 2012 |
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Monday - A New Idea - MercifulDecember 10, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - MercifulDecember 11, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change It - MercifulDecember 12, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act On It - MercifulDecember 13, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - MercifulDecember 14, 2012 |
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Monday - A New Idea - Pure in HeartDecember 17, 2012 |
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Tuesday - Study It - Pure in HeartDecember 18, 2012 |
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Wednesday - Change It - Pure in HeartDecember 19, 2012 |
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Thursday - Act On It - Pure in HeartDecember 20, 2012 |
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Friday - Reflect - Pure in HeartDecember 21, 2012 |
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Christmas EveDecember 24, 2012 |
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Christmas DayDecember 25, 2012 |
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Boxing DayDecember 26, 2012 |
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Thursday - December 27December 27, 2012 |
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Friday - December 28December 28, 2012 |
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New Years Eve - GrowthDecember 31, 2012 |
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New Years Day - GroupsJanuary 1, 2013 |
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Wednesday - January 2 - GraceJanuary 2, 2013 |
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Thursday - January 3 - GenerosityJanuary 3, 2013 |
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Friday - January 4 - GodJanuary 4, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - PeacemakersJanuary 7, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - PeacemakersJanuary 8, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - PeacemakersJanuary 9, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act - PeacemakersJanuary 10, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - PeacemakersJanuary 11, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - PersecutedJanuary 14, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - PersecutedJanuary 15, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change - PersecutionJanuary 16, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act - PersecutedJanuary 17, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - PersecutedJanuary 18, 2013 |
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Monday - New Idea - Living BackwardsJanuary 21, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - Living BackwardsJanuary 22, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change - Living BackwardsJanuary 23, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act on It - Living BackwardsJanuary 24, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - Living BackwardsJanuary 25, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - SaltJanuary 28, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - SaltJanuary 29, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - SaltJanuary 30, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - SaltJanuary 31, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - SaltFebruary 1, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - LightFebruary 4, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - LightFebruary 5, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - LightFebruary 6, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - LightFebruary 7, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - LightFebruary 8, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - LawFebruary 11, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - LawFebruary 12, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - LawFebruary 13, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - LawFebruary 14, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - LawFebruary 15, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - AngerFebruary 18, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - AngerFebruary 19, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - AngerFebruary 20, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - AngerFebruary 21, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - AngerFebruary 22, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - The LookFebruary 25, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - The LookFebruary 26, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Study It - The LookFebruary 27, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - The LookFebruary 28, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - The LookMarch 1, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - TruthMarch 4, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - TruthMarch 5, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - TruthMarch 6, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - TruthMarch 7, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - TruthMarch 8, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - RetaliationMarch 11, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - RetaliationMarch 12, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change It - RetaliationMarch 13, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - RetaliationMarch 14, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - RetaliationMarch 15, 2013 |
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Monday - A New Idea - NeighboursApril 8, 2013 |
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Tuesday - Study It - NeighboursApril 9, 2013 |
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Wednesday - Change - NeighboursApril 10, 2013 |
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Thursday - Act On It - NeighboursApril 11, 2013 |
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Friday - Reflect - NeighboursApril 12, 2013 |
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