Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Lk 2

Lilly house - it was busy, but the life was gone.

Temple - the place where heaven and earth touch.

The Temple is where you would go to be near God; to be in his presence.

It was busy, but the life was gone.

Ichabod

Going to see 4 people gather around the true Temple. 2 are old and 2 are young.

These are people that represent what devotion to God looks like.

For time sake, we’ll won’t read the texts of both of the older saints here but I’ll touch on it as we go along.

This text is so theologically rich that it’s tough to pick out one thing and say; that’s it!

I’ll lead us in a bit of a Bible study and just ask that you let God’s word speak to you this morning, let it challenge you.

Let it comfort you.

Let it make you uncomfortable.

Pray

Text

Lk2.22-24

A beautiful picture of devoted young people

There are several things going on here:

Jesus was circumcised and named three weeks earlier.

Purification (their?)

Dedication (poor)

The second wasn’t necessary.

What you see here is a young couple that takes their faith and devotion to God seriously.

As NT Christians, we don’t talk much about sacrifices.

Here we see the heart of dedication and devotion.

There is much to say about preparing your own heart before going to worship.

Here, a young couple shows us the way.

Remember, we don’t know how old Joseph and Mary are, but girls were typically married about the middle of our High School.

Lk 2.

A beautiful picture of mature saints

Simeon and Anna

Simeon

Mary and Joseph are the young people who follow God with all their hearts.

Simeon is the wise elder who has walked with God for many years.

Side note.

Great faith or experience with a great and faithful God?

Simeon is a wonderful example of an older man who’s life is centered around God.

He is Notice who is guiding this encounter.

3X the Holy Spirit.

God is putting this whole scene together.

Simeon has arranged his life to walk with God so he is sensitive to God’s voice and leading.

He goes looking for Jesus as Mary and Joseph bring him into the Temple.

Anna

She was married for only 7 years when she became a widow (early twenties) Now she is 86 years, she worshipped and fasted and prayed.

Again, she has arranged her life around God. Look who he tells!

She celebrates the culmination of God’s promises

Asher - one of the lost twelve tribes.

Rather than grow bitter, she leans into God and worships and tells everyone about Jesus.

They seem to function as Watchers

Prophecy is fulfilled here.

Whereas the shepherds symbolized the average person on the street, Simeon represents the testimony of a wise elder who has walked with God.

Something should probably be said here about the incredible ministry of mature Christians.

We live in a culture that glorifies youth.

Sometimes our most productive years in spiritual service for God, happen in our retirement years.

You may not do the same things you did when you were 30 or 40, but your service is just as valuable.

Don’t sit on the side-lines!

See for full details!

In the middle of a massive, dysfunctional religious system, here are four people who love God. 2 young people just starting their journey and 2 nearing the end of theirs, gather around Jesus, the child of Christmas, This is God’s beautiful resolution of every one of his promises.

And by faith, every one of those promises are appropriated to people who come to this child.

Now watch Simeon.

The old man takes the child in his arms and breaks into song!

Nunc Dimmitus

Now I can depart.

At the sight of Jesus, this old man breaks into praise and says, “Now I can die in peace.”

He has seen Jesus!

He has seen and recognizes God’s plan.

At the sight of Jesus, his life is fulfilled.

Do you think there’s a chance we take him a bit too lightly?

Two distinct aspects of this song:

A light of revelation for the Gentiles

Two questions pop up:

Who/what are Gentiles?

What is meant to be a light of revelation?

A couple of weeks ago we talked how darkness represents; danger, fear, ignorance of God, sin.

Here Simeon says, “Christmas is God’s answer to all that.”

Jesus is God’s answer to fear.

Jesus is God’s answer to danger.

Jesus is God’s answer to shame.

If you want to know God’s will, look at Jesus.

If you want to know God, look closely at Jesus.

Thomas said, “show us the Father...”

Press in a bit here - see Jesus as he is, not an image remade in your image.

Politics.

Miracles and morality.

Jesus is the light of revelation for the Gentiles.

In other words, Jesus is God’s Christmas present to the whole world.

That means everyone.

The guy at work that you can’t stand - Jesus is the light for them.

That family member that gives you trouble - Jesus is God’s light for them

The neighbor that parties through all hours of the night - Jesus is God’s light for them.

Your muslim neighbor, Jesus is God’s light.

The glory of your people Israel

God made a promise to Abraham that is fulfilled in Jesus.

Israel is glorified because it brought Jesus.

Jesus is the glory of Israel, because through him, they perform their service to the world.

Jesus is the one that makes Israel great.

When the promises of God come, they come through the Promised One of Israel.

The great Israelite Simeon sings for joy at the sight of this baby!

Can you imagine being Joseph and Mary right now?