Apprenticing Jesus A Series Through the Gospel of Luke Your Breakthrough Is Coming! Sermon Synopsis: sometimes we work hard, wait long, and see no change. But for God s people, don t give up. You re breakthrough is coming. Themes: perseverance, hope Luke 2:22-40 (ESV) 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 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. 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. 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, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 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, 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. 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. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. By Chris Lazo January 21, 2018 1 of 5
Intro: Ever feel stuck? Like what you re doing is not working? You re stagnant, not moving. Get so close, then fail, fail, fail. Waiting. illust: Vikings > don t give up! The game isn t over. I can t help but think of Simeon (doing all the right things his entire life, still waiting) In fact, this paragraph sets us up for the scene. J&M Purification 1 (22) Dedication 2 (22) The Law of Moses (22,39) Jerusalem (22) Temple (27) Offering (24) Two fixtures of the old way: Simeon and Anna (25,36) Luke is highlighting the old system under the Law 3 J&M are in it, doing well. They face Simeon who s been doing it whole life. Still waiting! Have you ever felt stuck? Like doing the Jesus thing ain t working out. You need to pay attention to Simeon, cause at a certain point in his waiting, HE GETS A REVELATION It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ (26) All a sudden, Simeon gets his breakthrough Imagine if Simeon gave up at 35, 47, 62 You may think, I m stuck, and I need to get unstuck! when maybe God has you stuck, waiting, growing older, nothing happening cause He wants to show Himself to you in a way you never would have noticed had you given up after round one. What is the significance of that revelation? God is working Even while Simeon did his thing, Jesus was coming to town. When the answer came to him finally after all those years, and he took Jesus in his arms, he was able to say, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation i.e., The Savior is real, I can die now. 1 2 Lev 12:8 Exodus 13:2; see Bock, 235 3 Luke bunches together a bunch of Jewish practices here to present Jesus family as obedient to the Lord, unquestionably pious By Chris Lazo January 21, 2018 2 of 5
Simeon saw Jesus and believed in the promises associated with him no matter how impossible they seemed at the time. We can too! 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) AP! For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (yes&amen) Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1294 Q. What does that little word "Amen" express? A. "Amen" means: This shall truly and surely be! It is even more sure that God listens to my prayer than that I really desire what I pray for. *Isa. 65:24; 2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:13 God always has a breakthrough. It just doesn t always look the way we expected. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. (33-35) This Messiah will not bring revolution with armies, weapons, or arguments. He will start by freeing the human heart from its misery. Cross > repp God/man > death is vicarious, meaning that through death, he was able to open a way for us to truly live! Romans 6:4 (ESV) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Imagine if Mary gave up. But she didn t. She the breakthrough was coming. Like Simeon, Mary, and the Minnesota Vikings, you need to hear something that might change your life: the game isn t over, don t give up. Breakthrough is coming. Maybe you don t believe that 4 Heidelberg Catechism: The Lord s Prayer. https://www.rca.org/resources/heidelberg-catechism-lordsprayer By Chris Lazo January 21, 2018 3 of 5
Maybe you believe God is out to ruin your life, or to abandon you, or to leave you on your own. So I want to end with a list of passages that say you are wrong. AP! 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (ESV) You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Psalm 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! James 1:12 (NIV) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Matthew 10:22 (ESV) The one who endures to the end will be saved. But I am out of endurance! 1 Peter 1:3-9 [we] by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. But I can t do this by myself! By Chris Lazo January 21, 2018 4 of 5
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. But is what I m doing really matter? 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Yeah but I m tired. I tried to endure. I feel empty! Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. If God is for you, who can be against you? Wait on the Lord. Don t give up. Your breakthrough is coming. By Chris Lazo January 21, 2018 5 of 5