Sermon Tone Analysis

Waiting in Faith

Introduction

       In some ways we can relate to believers at the end of the OT era.

They had been waiting a few thousand years for the Messiah & we have been waiting 2 thousand years for Christ to come again.

Heb.

11:1.

The HS kept hope & anticipation vibrant in their hearts just as He does in ours.

Remember that after conception, Jesus was born & grew naturally (Luk.

2:7); “the baby”- βρέφος  (Luk.

2:16); “the child Jesus” (Luk.

2:27).

I.

Jesus is *Brought* by His Parents (Luk.

2:22-24)

A.     The Law required purification of a mother

/After birth of son = 7 days uncleanness + 33 days purifica-tion (Lev.

12:1-4).

The ceremony involved sacrificing an animal at the temple - poor people sacrificed 2 turtledoves or pigeons since they did not have & couldn’t afford a lamb.

/

B.     The Law required redemption of the 1st born child

/All 1st born creatures belonged to God – either sacrificed or redeemed with money (Ex.

13).

Redemption price = 5 shekels Joseph & Mary loved God & obeyed His law (1Jn.

5:3)./

The Creator of mankind & author of the Law humbles Himself to be helplessly handled by parents & subjected to the very law that He gave for the good of mankind (Gal.

4:4).

The author of language so humbles Himself that as a 40 day old infant, He cannot speak…

II.

Jesus is *Revealed* to Simeon (Luk.

2:25-35)

A.     The Holy Spirit was in control of Simeon (Luk.

2:25-27)

/The Holy Spirit has been working in Simeon – granting grace to *wait* for God’s Deliverer, revealing *longevity* of life & *timing* for him to act…  God never leaves to the plan of redemption to chance; He chooses, reveals, convicts, leads…/

B.     The Holy Spirit enabled Simeon (Luk.

2:28-35)

/The Holy Spirit enabled Simeon to *take* hold of God’s Deliverer, to *bless* God, *prophesy* the truth about Jesus & *bless* Mary & Joseph.

The Holy Spirit prepared Simeon to die in *peace* with God (as he had lived).

No one should ever want to die before you have seen & believed Jesus in your heart.

Only then are you ready to both live & die (Phil.

1:21)./

This 40 day old infant is ordained & appointed by God to save Jews & Gentiles; He is appointed for the salvation of some & judgment of others; and Mary will experience grief & anguish in her heart because of the awful ways that Jesus will suffer…  God is revealing the Truth about *this baby* & *this child*…

III.

Jesus is *Praised* by Anna (Luk.

2:36-38)

A.     Jesus is worth the sacrifice (Luk.

2:36-37)

/Married & widowed at a very young age (-30 yrs.

old); she had other option – remarriage, rejoin family, occupation…  But she chose to fully devote her youth, talents & skills to serve the Lord in the place of worship.

Just one look made all the sacrifice worth while; just being in His presence…/

B.     Jesus is worthy of praise (Luk.

2:38)

/Thank God for salvation, for keeping you faithful, for keeping His promises, sending the Savior, opening your eyes & heart.

Go tell others who are *waiting* for deliverance; go tell them the good news…/

God uses ordinary, holy & humble believers regardless of your age or gender.

Mary & Joseph were very young, Simeon & Anna were older saints.

Simeon & Anna (like Mary, Joseph & shepherds) didn’t have a high social or religious status.

But they did have high & holy character qualities…  (1Co.

1:26f)  Learn from their names:  *Mary* – rebellious or stubborn, *Joseph* – increasing or adding, *Simeon* – hearing & obeying, *Anna* – grace.

God uses young~/old, male~/female, have been stubborn or rebellious in the past, increasing in blessings~/poor, quick to hear & obey and full of God’s grace – God uses ordinary, holy & humble believers just like you…  There is one other name in this story – *Jesus* – salvation or Savior.

They were *waiting* for Jesus to come the 1st time to save them from the penalty & power of sin; we are *waiting* for Him to come the 2nd time in great glory & majesty to save us from the very presence of sin.

If you have seen & believe on Jesus in your heart, you are ready to live & die; ready to trust & obey, wait & take action, praise & prophesy, sacrifice & be blessed, give thanks & tell others...

/ /

\\ !! CONCLUSION

Therefore, wait for God in faith my brother~/sister.

Stay faithful in whatever God has assigned your hands to do.

The Savior has come and He is coming again soon!