All about the Baby
Notes
Transcript
A Common Problem
A Common Problem
We tend to lose focus as life closes in around us
Christmas and Easter help bring back the focus on Jesus…but it quickly fades again
It’s even easy for a preacher—lots of good things to preach on
We chase details that may be interesting…but we lose the point
The point of this narrative, the entire birth sequence narratives, is Jesus
The point of the Gospels as a whole, is Jesus
The entire NT, the entire Bible, points to Jesus
It is all about the baby
We celebrated the birth…but wait, there’s more
There Was Trusting
There Was Trusting
Trust in the Lord for basic provisions
They were not, at this point, people of any means—their sacrifice gives us that clue
>>As yet no gold, frankincense or myrrh
Mary and Joseph followed the law—sometimes that requires sacrifice
Circumcision by day 8, purification 33 days following
>>Ceremonial purification; Joseph also would become ceremonial unclean in the process
>>>Presentation would require redemption of the firstborn, 5 shekels ($50-60 today)
There was a measure of faith required to obey
50 bucks + 2 birds+travel and loss of a day’s pay...
…and since this was the Son of the Most High…surely they could skimp a bit
…>>>but the didn’t
Once again…there’s more!
They trusted the prophetic words of Simeon and Anna
…also both people of faith—and mere footnotes in the greater narrative
Speaking to the Father...
…your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples
…for revelation to the Gentiles
(big gasp!)
…and for the glory to your people Israel
They marvelled
After all they had seen: their own angelic visitations; the words of Elizabeth, the words of the shepherds...
Still the Word of God—and the plan of God—was being revealed to them
Others Were Trusting
Others Were Trusting
v. 38, Anna gave thanks and spoke to
…all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem
There was still a faithful group…those who “got it”
Classic Lutheran liturgy:
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen
There Was Wisdom
There Was Wisdom
With wisdom comes perspective
Simeon likely old—ready to die…but was faithfully waiting
Anna was old—84 we’re told—she recognized this baby for who He was
Both had seen it all; had seen the hope of the nation rise and fall
Both were waiting to share their knowledge of their God
Both would have known
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
They had been Godly people and would now share the wisdom and knowledge revealed to them
Mary and Joseph would see a glimpse of what was to come
There Was that Baby
There Was that Baby
The Baby is the point
He would be the light
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Many would disbelieve, and fall
…both then and continuing
Many would rise…looking forward to the eternal glory of those redeemed—we can look toward the resurrection of the dead… more in a minute....
…and then there’s the foreshadowing of Calvary
We look again to Isaiah
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Mary would see the side of her son pierced by a sword
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
Only by this was the resurrection of the dead possible
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
That’s a Wrap
That’s a Wrap
The last of our Christmas messages…though Christ will be central in all our preaching
If God, through Christ, can be trusted for our salvation, can we not trust him for the basics?
Trust in Christ implies repentance and obedience
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Lexham Theological Wordbook Repentance
Repentance is an act of acknowledging past wrongdoing, expressing regret or contrition, and committing to right behavior and obedience to God. It is a transformative process that involves turning away from sin or transgression and turning back to God.
The difference between rising and falling...
…and in these troubled times, can we not trust Him with our future?
Are you gaining perspective?
Time with God brings knowledge…brings wisdom…brings perspective
the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
>>When we trust God’s Word…spend time in God’s Word…live God’s Word;
>>>Converse with God in prayer we draw closer and see through the haze of all that is around us
Sum total of this message: Have you made your life
ALL ABOUT THAT BABY?
If not, begin that today
If you’ve been slipping…change that today