After Christmas - Message

Intro

Opening Story/Illustration: I remember as a kid and a teenager there was sort of a running joke at my house - If mom was deep cleaning or asking us to deep clean, It meant someone was coming over. We were preparing our home for the arrival of a guest. When we bring a guest into our home we rearrange, clean, and prepare things for their arrival. We make sure we have the foods they like and the drinks they like. We make sure the house is welcoming, comfortable, and prepared for them. It causes a change in our normal patterns. All our energy and time goes into making sure things are ready for this guest.

Transition to the Text: In the Gospel of St. Luke, there is a portion of scripture where we are introduced to some people who have rearranged their lives for Jesus. 2 of them in response to his birth and 2 of them in anticipation of his birth. I want to look at this passage this morning and talk about how we should “rearrange our lives for Jesus” in the upcoming new year.

Text:

Luke 2:22–39 NLT

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 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 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 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. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” 36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 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. 39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.

Transition to Points: Let’s look this morning at how these individuals rearranged their lives for Jesus.

Main Idea: Rearrange your life for Jesus.

Points

They were obedient

His parents go up to Jeruslem

The text is clear

Mary and Joseph’s lives had to be rearranged to make space for Jesus

As parents we often rearrange our lives for our kids.

They were Spirit-Led

The text tells us that Simeon is led by the Spirit

His whole life has been lived in response to the coming of the Messiah

He has rearranged his life to make room for Jesus

They Shared the message

Conclusion