Growing in Responsibility(2)

Intro: Kids come up while ANGELA introduces message.

ED: introduce kids and let them tell their age.

Ask kids questions:

What do you think the word RESPONSIBILITY means?

RESPONSIBLE—Having an obligation to do something

RESPONSIBILITY — being in charge of something/a duty

So in order for a household to run smoothly, there are chores to do. Usually a person is assigned a chore that keeps the household running.

Do you have chores at your house?

What is your favorite chore?

What is your least favorite chore?

What is mom’s least favorite chore?

ANGELA: videos of chores

Things 12/13 yr old boys do today

What was Jesus doing at 12 yrs of age?

Just as there are responsibilities for family members to carry out within the household; so are there responsibilities for family members within the Family of God to carry out.

1 John 2:6 NLT

6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

We are going to look at the life of Jesus in Luke chapter 2 beginning with verse 21 through the end of the chapter to see how He was able to do what He did at age 12.

I. Jesus Had Faithful Examples

Jesus had parents and others who gave examples of faithfulness, godliness, and righteousness.

A. Parents acted in obedience—Presented Jesus at the temple (vs 21-24)

1. Circumcision (vs21) (Gen. 17:12)

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary 1. The Circumcision (2:21)

He was ‘born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law’ (Gal. 4:4f.) and was thus subjected to the requirements of the law.

2. Naming Him—Jesus (vs 21)

Luke 1 He was given this name by the angel Gabriel

3. Purification offering (vs 22,23)

A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lev. 12:6-8)

**Indicates that Joseph and Mary were relatively poor at the time. They did not use this as an excuse to ignore God’s Law.

Some might say being present at the temple/synagogue

But that was the Law—we are not under the Law now.

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Hebrews 10:24–25 NLT

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Chore slides with parents working with the children

App. We need to exemplify church attendance and faithfulness to God. We need to bring our children to church.

B. Temple/Church congregants —Family of God (vs 25-38)

Simeon—Luke 2:25

Luke 2:25 NLT

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him

Righteous/upright

Gk word Yasher

Fire Bible Chapter 2

In the OT, this word meant more than just conforming to the commandments; it meant that a person was in a right relationship with God—both in heart and in action

He prayed over Baby Jesus

In a time of terrible spiritual conditions in Israel/the world, Simeon was devoted to God and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit,

He spoke God’s revelation over Him.

Luke 2:33–34 (NLT)

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.

34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.

He blessed the parents.

**We are obligated to pray over the children of our church body/church family.

C. Anna—Luke 2:37-38

Luke 2:37–38 NLT

37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

she fasted and prayed

She spoke well of Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for Him.

This was a blessing to the parent.

As a child I heard people in the church talk badly about other children in the church. Kids hear this.

Parents to stand

Colossians 4:6 NLT

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

App. We need to bless and encourage parents and children by praying and fasting/ speaking well of them.

II. Jesus Accepted Responsibility (vs49)

A. Attended the festival with His parents

New Living Translation Chapter 2

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary J. The Boy Jesus in the Temple (2:41–52)

All male Jews were required to attend at the temple three times in the year, at Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles (Exod. 23:14–17).

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary J. The Boy Jesus in the Temple (2:41–52)

It was Joseph and Mary’s custom to go up at Passover, the feast that commemorated the deliverance of the nation from Egypt (Exod. 12).

Jesus was left behind on this occasion when He was 12 yrs. old.

**Women/smaller children traveled ahead

Men/older boys traveled behind.

Luke 2:46–47 NLT

46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary J. The Boy Jesus in the Temple (2:41–52)

They found him among the teachers in the temple precincts.

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary J. The Boy Jesus in the Temple (2:41–52)

This was a customary place for teaching

A. Hung out with the right crowd —the teachers (vs 46)

B. He listened to the teachers (vs 46)

C. He looked for answers in the right place (46)

D. He obeyed His parents (vs 51)

III. Jesus was Spirit-Led (vs 40,52)

Luke 2:40 (NLT)

Luke 2:40 NLT

40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Luke 2:52 NLT

52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

A. He grew mentally, physically and spiritually.

B. Jesus had a relationship to God shared by no other.

Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 109.

C. Fully aware of His relationship with God the Father (vs 49)

It is possible for people of ALL ages to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Take up YOUR cross and follow me

Paul—

Philippians 2:12 NIV

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Conclusion:

If we claim to be a follower of Christ, 1 John tells us we truly are IF we follow Jesus in ALL of His ways.

We find and know His ways through the Word of God.

Through His Word God has given us a blueprint for right living; for knowing our responsibilities to both the family in our household as well as our responsibilities within the family of God.

We do family chores or carry out our responsibilities because we love them.

We carry out our God given responsibilities in our own personal life/relationship with God; and within the family of God because we love Him.

**Walker kids have heard this over and over “You either love God or you don’t” —that’s why we do what we are called to do.

Not a lot of wiggle room.

Call boys forward.