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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…

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