Video teaching coming soon
There is no online teaching for this study yet, but the written notes and any available study resources are still below.
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Review…
- The Gospel of Luke…
- The focus of Luke is on the humanity of Jesus – showing Him as the perfect flawless man…
- Key Verse – Luke 19:10 – “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
- Luke 1:5-25 – the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist…
- Zacharias & Elizabeth – had no children – and they were now very old…
- The Angel Gabriel came to Zacharias in the Temple – they would give them a son – John
- Luke 1:26-56 – the announcement of the birth of Jesus…
- Jesus had humble beginning – the Angel Gabriel came to Mary in the city of Nazareth…
- Nothing is impossible with God – Virgin birth – Mary would bear a son Jesus – Immanuel!
- Luke 1:57-80 – the birth of John the Baptist…
- Elizabeth and Zacharias named their newborn son – John – God is gracious…
- He would be the greatest of all prophets – he would point people to the rising sun – Jesus!
- Luke 2:1-20 – the birth of Jesus…
- 1st – According to the Word of God Micah 5:2 – Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Roman census)…
- 2nd – The Passover Lamb – Jesus was born in a manger – born to die for the sins of man…
- 3rd – The angels announced Jesus’ birth to an unusual audience – simple shepherds…
- The least likely of all men – so that God would get the glory when the gave the message…
- The shepherds went out and told everyone / anyone that Jesus had been born!
- The Dedication of Jesus (3 things)… vs. 21-40
- 1st – Following Jesus example – Circumcision and dedication... vs. 21-24
- Everything that Jesus did – His entire life – is an example for us to follow…
- As we are going through the Gospels we must remember Jesus’ life is our example…
- Everything He did and said teaches us how we are to live our lives…
- Following Jesus in circumcision…
- After 8 days Jesus was circumcised…
- According to the command God gave to Abraham in Genesis 17:7-14…
- Every Jewish male had to be circumcised on the 8th day – symbol of God’s Covenant…
- A strange sign for a covenant/promise with God – but it was symbolic…
- It was a picture – showing the cutting away the sinful desires of the heart…
- * Colossians 2:11 – “When you came to Christ, you were ‘circumcised,’ but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure—the cutting away of your sinful nature.”
- Before we came to Jesus we did what our sin wanted us to – we were slaves to sin…
- We did not think about Jesus – how to live for Jesus – how to live a righteous life…
- But when we accepted Jesus Christ – we died to that old sinful nature…
- The sinful desires of our heart were cut off – so we were free to live for the Lord!
- * Romans 6:6 – “Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
- Did you ever wonder why sins bother you now when they did not used to…
- It used to be if you lied, or cheated, or were mean to others – it did not matter…
- Yet now these things bother you – cause you have been circumcised in your heart…
- You are no longer bound to sin – but free to love and trust Jesus with all your heart…
- That change of heart – circumcision of the heart – is the sign that you are God’s child
- At the circumcision – His name was called Jesus…
- Like with John – it was Jewish tradition to name your sons on the 8th day…
- ‘Jesus’ was not a unique name – lots of little Jewish boys were given the name Jesus…
- It is the same name as ‘Joshua’ – who led Israel into the Promised Land…
- The name Jesus (Yashua in Hebrew) – abbreviation of Yahweh~Shua – God is salvation!
- In His name was His purpose – God became a man to free us from the bondage of sin!
- Following Jesus in being dedicated to the Lord (3 things)…
- 1st – Jesus was taken to the temple and dedicated to the Lord…
- According to Leviticus 12:1-8 – a woman was ‘unclean’ for 40 days after having a son…
- At the end of those 40 days she was to go to the temple – to offering sacrifices…
- A lamb as a burnt offering / and a bird as a sin offering to the Lord…
- Mary and Joseph were poor – they could not afford a lamb for the sacrifice…
- Instead they brought two birds – the offering God allowed for those who were poor…
- We often assume God cannot relate to our lives – understand our problems…
- How could God possibly understand what its like to be poor – not have enough to eat
- Yet Jesus came from a VERY poor family – many days where there was not enough rice…
- Meaning He understands – and is not only able – He is more than willing to help us!
- 2nd – According to Exodus 12:2 – the 1st born son had to be redeemed…
- When God brought the 10th and final plague on Egypt – the Death Angel…
- God spared all of the 1st born sons of Israel through the blood of the lamb…
- In effect He purchased those sons (both men and animals) by saving them…
- Therefore every 1st born male animal had to be offered as a sacrifice to the Lord…
- Every 1st born son had to be redeemed – a sacrifice offered in his place…
- It seems an odd command – always having to sacrifice or redeem the 1st born sons…
- But it was meant to be a picture that pointed us to our need for Jesus…
- We were all condemned to death because of sin – eternal separation from God…
- In order for us to live – the 1st born ‘Son of God’ had to die in our place…
- 3rd – Dedicating our children to the Lord…
- The dedication of Jesus to God – is where we get the idea of dedicating our kids…
- Our children are a gift from God – we only have them for a short time…
- I Samuel 1:27-28 – “I asked the LORD to give me this child, and he has given me my request. I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.”
- As parents it is our opportunity – responsibility – to teach them about God…
- We dedicate our children to the Lord – not for their sakes – but for ours…
- We make a vow before God – to teach our children to know and follow Jesus!
- Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
- Therefore we are to train up our children – teach them about Jesus…
- They ultimately have to make their own choice – but we give them the foundation
- Ephesians 6:4 – “And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.”
- Not just in words – but in our actions – our children will follow in our footsteps
- Especially fathers – dads you set the example your children will follow…
- Recent study – if Mom & Dad attend church, 72% of their children remain faithful
- If only the Dad, 55% remain faithful / If the only Mom, 15%
- If neither attended regularly – only 6% remain faithful to following the Lord!
- 2nd – The example of Simeon & anna… vs. 25-38
- While Jesus was there at the Temple being dedicated – two people met Him – Simeon & Anna…
- Simeon – (5 things)… vs. 25
- 1st – A man who listened to the Lord – the name Simeon name means ‘listening’…
- 2nd – A righteous man – he did his utmost to live according to the commands of God…
- 3rd – A devoted man – he dedicated his life to serving and following God…
- 4th – A patient man – he had been waiting for years to the see the savior – Messiah…
- 5th – A man always full (imperfect) of the Holy Spirit…
- Simeon’s godly characteristics enabled him to see/know things others missed…
- The example of Simeon (4 things)…
- 1st – Simeon saw Jesus…
- Simeon took up the baby Jesus in the curve of his arms – and began to bless God…
- Where others only saw a little baby boy – Simeon saw the Messiah…
- His eyes had seen ‘God’s Salvation’ – a neat play of words – Jesus name…
- Simeon saw Jesus because he was patient to wait for the Lord…
- We all want to see Jesus working in our lives – but are we patiently waiting…
- We tend to be in a rush – we want God to provide/heal now – we don’t want to wait…
- When things don’t happen in our timing – we turn to someone else to get what we want
- It is when we learn to wait upon the Lord – we will see Jesus work in our lives!
- 2nd – Simeon knew God was faithful to His Word…
- Lord – you are letting your servant depart in peace – according to your Word…
- God had promised Simeon he would see the Messiah – and here he was holding Jesus!
- Simeon knew God was faithful to His Word – because he took the time to listen…
- God is always going to be faithful to His Word – but often we are not listening…
- If we never spend time in God’s Word – if we are not listening to the Lord…
- We will never hear from God – never learn that God is faithful to His Word!
- 3rd – Simeon knew God came to save the world…
- Jesus would be a light to the Gentiles – the savior for ALL people…
- The common concept of the Messiah – was He would be the savior for just Israel…
- Simeon understood what no one up to that point did – Jesus came to save the world!
- That is why – Joseph and Mary marveled at these words of Simeon…
- God did not come to just save the Jews – He came so we could all go to heaven!
- 4th – Simeon knew Jesus came to die…
- Simeon told Mary – ‘Many will reject Jesus – but He will be the greatest joy to others’…
- Jesus would reveal the deepest thoughts of the hearts of men…
- Jesus came to convict the World – to show men their sin – and need for a savior…
- Jesus would test the hearts of men – through the message of the cross…
- The sword that would pierce Mary to the very soul…
- Speaking of Jesus crucifixion on the cross – Mary would watch her ‘Son’ die…
- Matthew 10:34 – “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
- The cross makes you either stand for Jesus – or against Him – it divides..
- No middle ground – no grey – if you are not for Him then you’re against Him…
- Anna – (3 things)…
- 1st – She was a prophet – daughter of Phanuel (face of God) – from the tribe of Asher…
- There are 6 women in the Bible who are given the title Prophet…
- But Anna is the ONLY woman given the title in the New Testament…
- 2nd – She was REALLY old…
- Like most women of the day she likely married young – perhaps 15 or 16…
- But her husband died after only being married for 7 years…
- Then she had either been a widow for 84 years – making her about 106 years old…
- Or it could also read she was now an 84 year old widow – either way – VERY old!
- 3rd – She was a true widow…
- * I Timothy 5:5 – “A true widow, one who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. Night and day she asks God for help and spends much time in prayer.”
- She did not depart from the Temple – she served God say and night (prayers & fasting)
- Because Anna was always in the Temple – constantly hanging out with the Lord…
- She was there in the Temple just as Jesus was being dedicated – told everyone about Jesus!
- The example of Anna…
- Here is a woman who had a tragic life – and was now VERY old and feeble…
- Yet because she dedicated herself to the Lord – Prophet – always with the Lord…
- She saw Jesus – and God used her to spread the Good news to anyone who would listen!
- No matter what we have been through – or what how old or un-talented we think we are…
- As we give ourselves wholly dedicate ourselves to the Lord – spend time with the Lord…
- God will reveal Himself to us – and use us to share the Good News with others!
- 3rd – Fulfilling the law… vs. 39-40
- When Joseph and Mary finished everything the Law required…
- It was very important – from birth – that Jesus wholly fulfilled the requirements of the Law
- Jesus came as a man – ‘in the flesh’ as it were – yet lived a perfect sinless life…
- Jesus did what no one else could– He fulfilled the righteous requirement of God’s Law…
- Then Jesus – the only perfect man – paid the price for our sin – Death – Romans 6:23…
- In that moment Jesus condemned sin – defeated the death once and for all!
- Then came one of the great mysteries of the ages – God gave us Jesus’ righteousness!
- * II Corinthians 5:21 – “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
- In Jesus – we have lived a perfect life – we have fulfilled the requirement of the Law…
- So now when God looks down on us – He does not see our sinful mistakes/flaws…
- He instead sees the perfect life of His Son Jesus – He sees us as perfect/flawless!
- Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth…
- Luke doesn’t give us the story of their flight to Egypt to escape King Herod – Matthew 2:23
- Just as Luke does not record the coming of the wise men to see Jesus…
- Yet none of the other Gospels tell us about Zacharias & Elizabeth or Simeon & Anna…
- That is why it is so important to read all 4 account of the life of Jesus…
- Each gives us a slightly different perspective – together giving us the whole picture!
- Jesus grew – and became strong in Spirit – filled with wisdom – the Grace of God upon Him…