Luke 2:22-32

Lead By Example | Luke 2:22-24

What are we reading about here? A baby dedication. Now for us and our church a baby dedication is a mother and a father standing in front of the church body and declaring “I will raise this child to know Jesus, We will pour the word of God into their life, Our household and our family will be centered around Jesus are we grow together to become close to you”. Most of you probably were dedicated, or if you grew up catholic you might have been baptized, point is, your parents cared so much about you that they want to honor God and thank him for the gift of your life, and to promise that as you grow up you will hear the gospel.

Thats what Mary and Joseph are doing here. They are going according to the Law of Moses and the Law of the Lord to dedicated and present Jesus at the temple. Jesus and his family are walking in example to show us what we need to do.

With a lot of things in life there are things that are hard to do or we might think are easier to ignore, right? Theres a jewish folklore (who can tell me what that means) an old story that King Solomon, son of King David, asked his wise men to make him a ring that would make a sad person happy and a happy person humble. They engraved “This too shall pass”

If we follow Jesus and what he says to do, we will achieve everything he wants for us in our life, but if we choose go agiainst the Lord’s will, things will seem easier and fine but you are going with what the world wants you to do. The bible says in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

If we walk with Jesus things will be hard, decisions that affect your life or the lives of others will be made, But in those low moments knowing “this too shall pass” will give you a light to look at. In the high moments it helps you remember “this too shall pass” but God’s hand will always be in your life. This leads us into point 2

God gives us assignments | Luke 2:25-27

We are introduced to Simeon who we are told is a man of “righteous and devout” He is filled with the Spirit of God and he was given a word that he would not die until he met the Messiah. God tells us what our purpose is. Sometimes its more specific, sometimes it can be very unclear until we step out and walk in faith. In Simeons case it was very clear, when i meet the Messiah, my assignment is done. In all the peaks and valleys he could look to, “The holy spirit told me im not done until i meet him”. My personal example is my calling and my son. God promised me clear as day that Abby and I would have a baby, and our promise in return was that we would raise that baby to know and love God. In all the lows I knew Psalm would be okay, and God would honor what he spoke to us. When I gave my life to Jesus 2 years ago I knew God had more in store than what i could imagine. If you would have told me then I would be a Pastor now i would have been terrified. “Does that mean i have to stop doing this or give up this?” Right? But God has worked in my life and my families life to prepare us for this assignment.

Some of you will know without a doubt, clear as day, what you are being called to do. Some of you will not know what that looks like until you walk in faith. At different seasons of your life you will have different experiences. My experience with Psalms birth was much different than my experience stepping into ministry. In each part of your life God will lead you if you listen. That leads us to our third point.

God will lead your life | Luke 2:28-32