Expectant Preparation

Sermon Notes Nov. 27, 2016 Luke 2:21-40 Think about one promise that affects you personally (could be from God or some person). Reread Luke 2:21-40. Q. What made Simeon and Anna ready to see the promise fulfilled? What preparations did they do? Q. What does this brief glimpse of 2 old saints add to the Christmas story? Q. What lingers for you from the service? (A song, a prayer, a line from the sermon, a discussion afterwards?) Briefly summarize the sermon. What do Black Friday shoppers do to prepare? [Read the ‘promises,’ plan, go, sacrifice time and comfort…] The prophets “advertised” Christmas centuries in advance Isaiah 9:6 (eternal kingdom) Micah 5:2 The messiah will come from Bethlehem Others? Comparison: how do Black Fri shoppers prepare? How should we? Q. What are you expecting in faith? What are you expecting this Christmas? Q. What preparations do you do to hear God? [This is key, and it’s not meant to be a guilt factory. I’ll ask the group members what they do, and I hope we learn from each other’s spiritual disciplines. One thing we do which may not come up is: we wait, believing. Anna waited 70 years.] Q. What has God promised? I John 5:14-15 Everything. [Also, eternal life, forgiveness, the holy spirit, his presence, wisdom…] How can I act on what I’ve heard? 1. Repent our lack of expectation. 2. Ask in faith to see God’s promises fulfilled. 3. Ask God to fulfill his promises in your life.