sf199 - The Danger Of Losing Sight Of Jesus (Luke 2 40-52)
Luke 2:40-52
Introduction
The setting
Passover
Ø Parents (2:41) both Mary and Joseph, only the male head was required to go.
Ø When they had finished the days (2:43) Can you imagine what the days of the Passover meant to Jesus? They were days of absolutely holy delight, in which His pure heart would swell with growing awareness of some connection between Him and all the features and functions of the Passover.
Bar Mitzvah (2:42)
Ø This marked His official induction into manhood and into the full privileges of the Jewish Law
The only absolutely normal human life (2:40; 52)
Ø The word increased is an engineering term which literally means "to chop forward," the word for a corps of engineers clearing a pathway.
Ø Previously (vs. 40), His growth was automatic, but now, strenuous energy and activity are required on His part.
Ø And note that when His will is involved in the growth process, “wisdom” (His inner growth) moves ahead of "stature" (His physical growth). He also “increased . . . in favor with God (His spiritual growth) and man" (the development of His personality, His social growth).
Ø So here is the picture of a perfectly balanced and symmetrical human life.
Every sin a Christian commits results from a loss of perspective.
What happens when we loose sight of Jesus?
1A. The Reasons We Loose Sight of Jesus
1B. We are careless about our walk
The danger of false assumptions
Ø Men traveled separate from the women and children.
Ø Each would have assumed that Jesus was with the other.
Ø Beware of assuming upon grace.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not!
The danger of spiritual apathy
Ø The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Ø We suffer from spiritual auto-pilot
2B. We are captivated by the world
The pull of possessions
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.
The pull of people (2:44)
2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…
John 17:16, 18 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world…18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
3B. We concentrate on ourselves.
Self-centered “Christians” (2:46-47)
Ø We focus our needs and desires.
Ø Inward focused!
Ø Anything that threatens us becomes our enemy; Jesus will always threaten our self-centered lives!
Luke 9:23 …If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
(Little girl and the mirror)
Self-serving churches
Ø They lost Jesus at church!
Ø Church is not about form or tradition!
Ø Church is not about people or programs!
Ø Church is about JESUS!
Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being,
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
2A. The Remedy for Losing Sight of Jesus
1B. They stopped. (2:44)
When they realized He was no longer with them they refused to go any further.
We need to take the same absolutely radical measure Mary and Joseph took; we need to stop everything until we vitally see Him again
Like the prodigal we need desperately to “come to ourselves.”
2B. They switched directions!
This is repentance!
Ø Without repentance there is no hope!
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Repent, Metanoia, means “a change of mind.
Ø Everything begins with a spiritual re-evaluation of life and destiny, now thinking from God’s point of view.
Ø This change of mind leads to a change of character, which in turn leads to a change of direction.
Ø Then comes a change of conduct. All of this means a change of eternal destiny.
Conversion is the turning from all lesser objects unto Christ.
3B. They sought Him. (2:44, 45, 48)
They found Him where they had left Him.
So will we!
Ø God will clearly show you where you left Christ.
Ø Go back there and find Him.
Application – Eight Key Questions
1. Who “lost” Jesus? – His family!
2. In what sense did they “lose” Him? - They only lost fellowship with Him;
3. Where did they “lose” (or, lose sight of) Him? - They lost Him in church!
4. When did they “lose” Him? - During Passover!
5. How did they “lose” Him? - Through indifference and carelessness!
6. How long did they suffer the loss? - Three days!
7. How did they find Him again? They went back to the very spot where they had lost Him.
8. What did they do when they found Him? They resumed the old relationship! (2:51)
Luke 2:40-52
1A. The Reasons We Loose Sight of Jesus
1B. We are ______________________ about our walk
The danger of false ____________________________
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not!
The danger of spiritual _________________________
The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
2B. We are captivated by the world
The pull of ___________________________________
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.
The pull of ______________________________ (2:44; 2 Timothy 4:10)
John 17:16, 18 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world…18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
3B. We concentrate on _________________________.
Self-centered “Christians” (2:46-47)
Luke 9:23 …If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
______________________________-serving churches
Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being,
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
2A. The Remedy for Losing Sight of Jesus
1B. They _______________________________. (2:44)
2B. They switched directions!
This is repentance!
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Conversion is the turning from all lesser objects unto Christ.
3B. They ____________________ Him. (2:44, 45, 48)
They found Him where they had left Him.
Eight Key Questions
1. Who “lost” Jesus? – His ____________________!
2. In what sense did they “lose” Him? - They lost _________________________________ with Him.
3. Where did they “lose” Him? - They lost Him in ___________________________!
4. When did they “lose” Him? - During Passover!
5. How did they “lose” Him? - Through indifference and carelessness!
6. How long did they suffer the loss? - Three days!
7. How did they find Him again? They went back to the very ___________ where they had lost Him.
8. What did they do when they found Him? They __________________ the old relationship! (2:51)