Sermon Tone Analysis

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The First Sunday after Christmas

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MARKED FOR GREATNESS

!!! Text: Luke 2:21-38

/Dr.

Carl C. Fickenscher II/

Who could possibly have foreseen such greatness for this tiny little baby?

Well, apparently her mother, because when she was just seven months old, her mother swung a deal to have her picture on the box of Snowy Bleach.

Know who the baby was?

Brooke Shields.

Long before her first movie, long before Suddenly Susan, Brooke Shields was marked for celebrity--at least in the mind of her apparently quite ambitious mother.

From what we read, Brooke's mom seems to have done everything possible to promote her daughter's career from age zero on.

How fortunate for both of the that Brooke did grow up to be rather attractive.

How unfortunate for both of them that she can't act.

We have good reason to believe that our Lord Jesus received no childhood pampering or pushing as did Brooke Shields.

In fact, our text for this first Sunday of this Christmas season suggests that Jesus' parents made sure to give their son a normal childhood.

But our text even more clearly proves that, like Brooke Shields at seven months,

THE BABY JESUS WAS MARKED FOR GREATNESS.

Luke's Gospel identifies three voices who proclaimed the greatness that lay ahead for the baby Jesus.

This morning, let us worship together the Christ child in all His glory.

But at the same time, let's also realize how important it was for us that Jesus lead that "normal life."

I. First to mark son of Mary~/Joseph for greatness: angel Gabriel (9 months before birth)

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First verse text week after Jesus born, but Gabriel's words not forgotten *(21)*

*"And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb."*

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Both Mary~/Joseph told give baby name that marked for greatness: Jesus

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Jesus means Savior, and doesn't get any greater

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In Joseph's dream, angel even added Jesus save people from sins (something only God do)

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Angel made very clear Mary~/Joseph: child raise together be greater any mere human being ever be \\  

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Mary~/Joseph good parents, though, weren't they--didn't let little thing son's being God get way parental duties \\  

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Had son (God Self) circumcised 8th day (just as OT covenant required all Hebrew boys) #.

Then fulfilled other parental duty *(22-24)*

*"Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord'), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'"*

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Firstborn son always to be presented to Lord holy

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Reminder of how God saved Israel slavery Egypt killing firstborn of Egyptians

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Mary~/Joseph's son (course) already holy, but willingly complied

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Didn't consider selves special case, any way exempt God's Law #.

We know that temptation, don't we

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When God's Word commands do something unpleasant--

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Give up pet sin

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Obey traffic law think silly

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Stick it out tough marriage rather divorce--

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So easy us decide our case exceptional, God didn't really mean include us His command, maybe we even know better than God

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Joseph~/Mary knew God's Law did speak them and God (as always) knew best

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Of course He did

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By His circumcision, Jesus placed under Law (same Law under which we live because sin)

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Absolutely essential Mary~/Joseph give son this kind normal childhood, because as one under Law could Christ fulfill for us

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And only by first fulfilling Law could Jesus fulfill name--become Savior

II.

Next to mark Jesus for greatness: man named Simeon *(25-28*)

*"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

So he came by the Spirit into the temple.

And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God."*

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We don't know much about Simeon \\  

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An old man, we presume #.

Strong believer in Messiah, we know

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Certainly one who was tuned into God's will

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From what said, sounds as if knew everything to know about baby Jesus \\  

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Holy Spirit revealed Simeon this tiny baby (some 30 years away from first public appearance) the Christ~/Messiah~/Consolation Israel \\  

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This baby be One wipe away tears of all suffer

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Be not just first born Mary~/Joseph, but very first to be born God's new age

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Age which all sacrifices replaced by one sacrifice

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Age which not approach God through priests~/temples but as priests~/temples, as friends of God~/dwelling places of same Holy Spirit

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This little baby marked to do all that

And more.

(*29-32)*

*"Lord, [Simeon said] now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."*

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Simeon knew Jesus salvation which God prepared all people \\  

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Simeon held baby his arms, but (reality) baby held Simeon His arms--just as Jesus holds all people

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He has brought truth of Self to Gentiles~/us~/you~/me

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And is One in whom Israel rightfully glory

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He our salvation~/refuge from sin~/from every trouble

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He reason that--no matter what face lives--can depart (or continue) in peace

Simeon recognized Jesus as marked for that kind of greatness, but

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He also recognized Jesus as a marked man \\  

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Not everyone would receive Jesus with joy--most people mark Him for scorn *(34-35)*

*"Then Simeon...said to Mary His mother, 'Behold, this Child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'"*

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Suppose true of most really great people

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Have lot admirers~/lot enemies

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People either love or despise great ones

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Few observers remain neutral presence of greatness

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Certainly true of Jesus

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While be salvation of everyone who received Him, be downfall those who rejected

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Jesus cure for all "wishywashyness"~/all hypocrisy

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Faith in Jesus as Savior makes anyone religious in true sense and truly friend of God

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Regardless of past sins

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Regardless of outward appearances

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Regardless of sins continue to commit

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Other hand, indifference to this baby and man He grew be makes one enemy God, and no good works, no sincere intentions, no striving be religious bring us back to Him \\  

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All this, Simeon, knew was result of ultimate mark Jesus' greatness *(35a)* *"Yes, [Mary] a sword will pierce through your own soul also."*

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Simeon knew--years down road--this smiling young mother weep at foot son's cross

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But Simeon doubtless also understood Jesus' death cross pinnacle His greatness

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That God all Self killed--and out of love for very people who killed--surely ultimate evidence great God we have

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Jesus death cross taken away sins whole world

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And though pain pierced Mary's soul, also saved us

III.

Final to mark Jesus for greatness: woman named Anna *(36-38)*

*"Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."*

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Anna marked Jesus' greatness one key word: redemption \\  

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Apparently were many like self looking forward One who buy back God's people from sins