Parents Treasure These Things
The Life of Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Tales of Two Parents: The Journey of Faith
Tales of Two Parents: The Journey of Faith
Bible Passage: Luke 2:21–40, Matthew 2:1–12, Matthew 2:13–18, Matthew 2:19–23, Luke 2:41–52
Bible Passage: Luke 2:21–40, Matthew 2:1–12, Matthew 2:13–18, Matthew 2:19–23, Luke 2:41–52
Summary: This sermon examines the profound roles of Mary and Joseph throughout Jesus' early life, highlighting their obedience, faith, and protective instincts as they navigate the challenges posed by the birth of the Messiah.
Application: Through the example of Jesus' parents, we can find encouragement in our own parenting and personal responsibilities. They teach us to respond to divine guidance, face adversity with trust, and embrace our roles with diligence and faith.
Teaching: The sermon reveals how Mary and Joseph's actions reflect deep faith and commitment to God's purpose, thus inviting the congregation to learn about the importance of obedience to God's calling in their lives, especially amid uncertainty.
How this passage could point to Christ: Mary and Joseph serve as pivotal figures in the narrative of Christ, demonstrating how God actively directs human lives to fulfill His redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the incarnation of Christ and His work for salvation.
Big Idea: Our parental and personal journeys require steadfast faith, following the example of Mary and Joseph who embraced their God-given roles with unwavering trust and obedience.
Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Joseph's and Mary's actions, focusing on the Judaic customs surrounding family and parenting. Use Logos to examine the original Greek text for nuances in the verbs that express obedience and authority in Matthew and Luke's accounts, and perhaps delve into theological commentaries that discuss the implications of divine revelation in familial relationships.
1. Purity and Promise
1. Purity and Promise
Luke 2:21-24
Perhaps explore how these verses illustrate Mary and Joseph's commitment to fulfilling Jewish law and customs, exemplifying obedience and devotion in their parental roles. You could encourage your congregation to consider how such acts of faithfulness to God's promises can be mirrored in their own lives. Highlight how their actions point to the broader work of God in bringing forth Christ for redemption.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
2. Providence and Prophecy
2. Providence and Prophecy
Luke 2:25-35
You could focus on Simeon's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and how the faith of Mary and Joseph allows them to receive this divine confirmation. This sermon point could suggest that, like Simeon, discerning God’s work requires patience and faith. Maybe invite your listeners to consider how recognizing Jesus as the light brings purpose to their journey, inspired by Mary and Joseph's acceptance of their divine mission.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
3. Proclamation and Peace
3. Proclamation and Peace
Luke 2:36-40
Examine Anna's prophetic announcement and the affirmation it brings to Mary and Joseph. You might suggest that God's faithfulness is shown through the witnesses He raises, encouraging believers to trust in the unfolding of His promises. Highlight the Christ-centric theme of these verses, showing how even in Jesus' infancy, God is confirming His salvation plan through faithful individuals like Anna.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
4. Pilot and Protect
4. Pilot and Protect
Matthew 2:1-12
Explore how Mary and Joseph's faith is challenged by King Herod's treachery, highlighting their protective instincts as parents. Perhaps use this passage to discuss how vigilance and trust in God's guidance can be critical in safeguarding what God has entrusted to us. Encourage listeners to draw parallels between Mary and Joseph’s journey and their own challenges, emphasizing God’s protective hand in our lives.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
5. Prepare and Prevail
5. Prepare and Prevail
Matthew 2:13-18
Examine Joseph's obedience in fleeing to Egypt as a divine directive, illustrating a critical moment of trust in God's plan. Suggest that, like Joseph, we must be prepared to move in alignment with God’s will, even in uncertainty. Highlight how this relates to the Christ-centric view of God's plan to protect His Son for future salvation work, encouraging individuals to act in faith where God leads.
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
6. Pathway and Provision
6. Pathway and Provision
Matthew 2:19-23
This point could focus on the return to Nazareth and Joseph's continual faithfulness in following God’s guidance. You might reflect on how God reassures Mary and Joseph, leading them safely, and how believers today can find assurance in God’s continuous guidance. Tie this to the Christ-centered narrative of God's purpose being fulfilled despite obstacles, urging the congregation to remain steadfast in their divine roles.
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
7. Purpose and Parenting
7. Purpose and Parenting
Luke 2:41-52
Perhaps explore how Jesus’ actions at the temple reveal His understanding of His divine mission, emphasizing Mary and Joseph's role in nurturing Him. Discuss how faith and curiosity should drive our spiritual growth, as they did for Jesus in His youth. This point could suggest that recognizing our place in God's story is crucial, inspired by Mary and Joseph's parenting journey alongside Jesus' acknowledgment of His divine role.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
