Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? A day that the Lord has made, and we are here, gathered in His name, ready to receive His Word. The air is filled with anticipation, our hearts are open, and our spirits are eager. We are waiting, like empty vessels, to be filled with His divine wisdom.

Today, we are opening the pages of the Gospel according to Luke, specifically, Luke 2:22-40. This passage, my dear friends, is a treasure trove of divine truths. It is a passage that talks about dedication, discernment, and devotion. It is a passage that will teach us to see God in every detail of our lives.

Before we delve into the Word, let me share with you a quote from Henri Nouwen. He once said, "The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord." Today, we are living in the Bible, we are living in Luke 2:22-40. Let's read the passage together [read text].

Let's bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for this gathering, and for Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand Your truths. Speak to us, Lord, through this passage. Teach us about dedication, discernment, and devotion. Help us to see You in every detail of our lives. We ask all these in the precious name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now, let's delve into the Word together, my dear brothers and sisters. Let's live in the Bible. Let's live in Luke 2:22-40.

Dedication of the Divine

In the passage we've read, we see Joseph and Mary taking their newborn son, Jesus, to the temple in Jerusalem. They were following the Law of Moses, which required them to present their firstborn son to the Lord and offer a sacrifice. This act of obedience shows their dedication to God and His laws. They were willing to travel from their home in Nazareth to Jerusalem, a journey that was not easy or comfortable, especially with a newborn baby. Yet, they did it out of their love for God and their commitment to obey His commands.

This dedication is more than obeying rules and regulations. It's about a deep, personal commitment to God. It's about making God the center of our lives, the focal point of our existence. It's about putting God first, above everything else. This is what Joseph and Mary did. They dedicated their son, Jesus, to God.

In our lives, we are also called to be dedicated to God. We are called to put Him first, to make Him the center of our lives with obedience to His commands. This requires sacrifice. It requires us to give up our own desires and plans. But this is what it means to be dedicated to God. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Secondly, we see Simeon, a righteous and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was waiting for the Messiah, the one who would save his people. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. This shows Simeon's dedication to God. He was dedicated to waiting for God's promise and seeking God's will. He was dedicated to serving God, even in his old age.

Waiting requires patience. It requires faith. It requires trust in God's timing. But Simeon was willing to wait. He was willing to trust in God's promise and to dedicate his life to waiting for the Messiah. And his dedication was rewarded. He was able to see the Lord’s Messiah. He was able to hold Jesus in his arms and praise God for His faithfulness.

We too are called to trust in His timing. We are called to have faith in His promises. This requires dedication. It requires us to be patient. It requires us to trust in God, even when we don't understand His plans. But when we are dedicated to waiting on God, we will see His faithfulness. We will see His promises fulfilled. We will see His salvation.

Next, we see dedication in Anna, a prophetess. She was a widow and was very old. Yet, she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. This shows her dedication to God. She was dedicated to worshiping God. She was dedicated to seeking God through prayer and fasting even in her old age.

Worship is more than singing songs or attending church services. It's about honoring God with our lives. It's about acknowledging His greatness and His goodness. It's about expressing our love for Him and our gratitude for His blessings. Anna understood this. She dedicated her life to worshiping God.

The final aspect of dedication in this passage is seen in Jesus Himself. As a baby, He was dedicated to God by His parents. As He grew, He became strong and was filled with wisdom. The grace of God was on Him. This shows Jesus' dedication to God. He was dedicated to growing in wisdom and stature. He was dedicated to fulfilling God's plan for His life.

May see seek the Spirit’s help in walking in this level of dedication. It requires us to be disciplined. It requires us to make an effort to learn and grow. But when we are dedicated to growing in wisdom and stature, we will be able to fulfill God's plan for our lives. We will be able to be a blessing to others and glorify God.

Discerning God's Voice in Silence

Next we find ourselves in the presence of Simeon, a man described as righteous and devout ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO