The King: Simeon & Anna

Passage: Luke 2:21-38 CSB

The Presentation of Jesus

When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

29 Now, Master,

you can dismiss your servant in peace,

as you promised.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation.

31 You have prepared it

in the presence of all peoples—

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and glory to your people Israel.

33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Pray:

Background:

This passage takes place about forty days after the birth of Jesus.

Main Points:

1. The Presentation of Jesus
   1. When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).
   2. Obedient to the law of Moses
      1. These first 4 verses are focused primarily on the law of Moses and the Jewish customs. We see Mary & Joseph obey the law and customs of the day.
      2. In obedience Mary & Joseph named their son Jesus, which means “Jehovah is Salvation”.

   3. “Redeem” the Redeemer

      1. They had to “redeem” the boy since He was their firstborn as stated in Exodus 13:11-13. This was a sign of when God brought the Israelites out of slavery. The sacrifice they brought symbolized the sacrifice that was made to save the lives of the firstborn males. By making this sacrifice they were acknowledging that Jesus belonged to God.

      2. Application: Parents, have you prayed and acknowledged that your children belong to God? God loves my kids way more than I ever could. He knows what’s best for their lives, He desires to bless them, to prosper them, to grant them favor and anointing.

         1. I encourage you tonight, dedicate your children to God and pray that God’s will be done in their lives.

         2. Anytime you are around other Godly men and women, have them pray over your children and your family. These moments will catalyze spiritual awakening and growth in the children and parents. 3. This type of ceremony was being fulfilled as the child “redeemed” was the Redeemer of the world through His precious blood. It would appear that they were poor due to them bringing two turtledoves instead of a lamb. But Jesus was the Lamb! C’Mon! 4. “For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.” - 1 Peter 1:18-19 5. Jesus was the spotless lamb that no other sacrifice would suffice, He was the chosen Redeemer that no gold or silver could purchase, He is the One that provides the Way, Truth, and Life to all!

            4. Jesus Fulfilled the Law
               1. Jesus was born under the law, and though he rejected religious tradition, He obeyed the law perfectly

         3. “When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” - Galatians 4:4

         4. “Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” - John 8:46 2. Jesus redeems us from the curse of the law

         5. God’s law is His system of rules by which He shows His will and guides the affairs of the world. People were expected to uphold every letter of the law, but none could uphold it perfectly, none but Jesus.

         6. The purpose of the law was to reveal our sin and need for a savior. Jesus came as the ultimate redeemer.
         7. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” - Galatians 3:13
         8. “For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1
         9. Application: Stop living in bondage, stop being held back, stop living under the “law” and embrace the GRACE OF KING JESUS!
         10. Simeon’s Prophetic Praise
             1. 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
             2. Simeon - a man led by the Spirit, taught by the Word of God, obedient to the will of God, and gifted as a prophet for the glory of God.
             3. Christmas Song - People of Praise
                1. Let’s be a people of praise. Let’s have a song in our hearts toward our heavenly Father. He is worthy of our praise. Praise shifts the atmosphere. Praise raises the expectation. Praise elevates your perspective. Praise is our obedient response to God’s goodness in our lives.
                2. “My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life.” Psalm 63:3
                3. Praise connects the truth of God’s Word with the emotions of the soul. Praise is a sweet fragrance to God.
             4. “dismiss” in verse 29
                1. This Greek word has several meanings, but it speaks of releasing a prisoner, setting sail, or taking down a tent.
             5. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—

      3. Compassion and salvation for the whole world is one of Dr. Luke’s major themes.

      4. God’s salvation is for all! I don’t care if you’re homeless or wealthy, depressed or happy, gay or straight, black, brown, white, yellow, or orange, atheist or catholic, HIS LOVE REACHES OUT TO ALL! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! C’MON!!!

         6. “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many

      5. Jesus is the cornerstone, but to some He is the rejected cornerstone.

      6. Question: Is Jesus your cornerstone or trippingstone?
      7. You will either reject His salvation and stumble and fall or accept His salvation and stand on the rock. There is no neutral ground here!

      8. He is the “salvation stone”, “judgement stone”, and “touchstone” revealing the true thoughts of our minds.

         7. 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

      9. Jesus is the light of the world!

      10. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” - John 1:4-5
      11. I want to declare to the one living in darkness tonight that Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost. He is the light of the world and He wants to give you life tonight!
      12. Next Sunday at our Candlelight Service we will light candles as a symbol of declaration that the light of the world has come.
          8. Prophets and Prophecy
      13. Story: prophecy at Vous about the families
      14. “And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” - Acts 2:17
      15. “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.” - 1 Corinthians 14:1
      16. Prophecy is not fortune telling. It can be both foretelling and forthtelling, but it is not shaking a magic ball. Prophecy is not adding to or taking away from the authority of God’s Word.
      17. Prophecy brings truth to the present and purpose for the future!
      18. A prophetic word is not from man or woman, but from God. It should be birthed out of prayer, led by the Holy Spirit, and initiated by those pursuing righteousness.
      19. The primary purpose of prophecy is to encourage, strengthen, comfort, and sometimes convict other believers.
      20. “Prophetic revelation is not only rooted in the gospel of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; its ultimate aim or primary focus is also to bear witness to the person of the incarnate Christ. Prophecy, therefore, is fundamentally Christ-centered.” - Ps. Sam Storms
      21. Test It: “Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22
      22. Anna’s Testimony
          1. 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
          2. Anna’s name means “Grace”. She is a Godly and faithful servant leader. She devoted herself to serving God with fasting and prayer.
          3. There are 43 references to women in Luke’s Gospel. Luke never neglects or diminishes the role of women in the Kingdom of God. He’s always honoring and elevating women to live out their God given gifts.
          4. Widows at this time were often neglected or exploited in spite of the commandments of the law. Anna did not let this slow her down or stop her from serving God.
          5. Being a prophetess, Anna had a special gift of declaring and interpreting God’s message. She not only joined in the praise, but she boldly proclaimed about the redemption that was to come for Jerusalem!

Closing:

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith that Jesus is Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone.

And would all my believers in the house today pray it with some passion. Let’s go.

Prayer For Salvation:

“Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free”

If you prayed that prayer for the first time then Scripture says “anyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge them before my Father”. I’m going to ask that if you prayed that prayer today for the first time would you lift your hand and let me know so that I can celebrate with you today.

1. God’s so proud of you. 2. The angels are rejoicing with you. 3. We believe God has a special plan for your life. Would you stand and let’s continue to lift our voices and give God praise!