The One Worth Waiting For
Notes
Transcript
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dec. 26th - Christmas “program” / special numbers
Dec. 31st - New Year’s Eve Gathering
*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card
DECLARATION:
Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.
We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.
Prayer for...
INTRODUCTION:
Review:
WHY?…
TODAY: We’re looking at the portion of the Christmas story that contains a “sword”
Christmas was never what they expected!
Jesus comes int he midst of great suffering.
Opening Scripture:
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Jesus: The One Worth Waiting For (2:22–40)
1. The one who was dedicated to the Lord’s will from the beginning (vv. 2:22–24, 39).
Israelites dedicated the firstborn to the Lord according to the Law (Ex. 13:12).
The two birds brought as an offering showing that Mary and Joseph were poor (Lev. 12:8).
v. 39 Luke doesn’t want you to forget that Mary and Joseph OBEYED the law.
2. The one who brings peace in the midst of pain (vv. 2:25–35).
A SIGN (Is. 8:14-15) - Expresses purpose
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
A SWORD - the future death of her son and the heart-wrenching time ahead
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world
Peace is associated with the restoration Jesus brings!
3. The one who is worth giving our whole lives to (vv. 2:36–38).
Simeon spoke to the parents and Anna speaks to the faithful people of God
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Conclusion/Reflection:
Christmas is a time to rededicate ourselves to God.
Christmas is a time to participate in the restoration of all things by Jesus who brought the peace of God to us.
Christmas is a time to give!
Let us not forget in the pain and suffering that we experience that Jesus is worth waiting for!
Bibliography
Alan J. Thompson, Luke, ed. Andreas J. Köstenberger and Robert W. Yarbrough, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament (B&H Academic, 2016), 54.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Tom Wright and Patty Pell, Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals or Groups, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London: SPCK, 2011), 25.