King Of Kings, High Priest, And Ultimate Sacrifice

Given at Glorious King Jesus (GKJ Christian Church)

Apex, NC

December 26, 2010

Main Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-11

Note: This includes a teaching review on Simeon & Anna from Luke 2:22-38, followed by the sermon on Matthew 2:1-11.

Scripture Reading and Teaching: Luke 2:22-38

Luke 2:22-38

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"),

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 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.

27 So he came by 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,

28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against

35 "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Days of Purification after a birth -- done 7 + 33 days after birth. This is all outlined in Leviticus 12.

(25-35) Simeon

(25) Just

Devout

Waiting for the Messiah ("Consolation of Israel")

The Holy Spirit was upon him

(26) Had an open ear

He would see the Messiah before he died

(27) Led by the Spirit

(28-31) Recognized the provision of God

(32) …for all people

(34) Blessed the couple

(35) Knows that Jesus would reveal the intents of the hearts of many

Knew that Mary would also be in that camp

(36-38) Anna

(37) Remained a widow after her husband's death, likely for around 50-60 years.

Devoted to prayer night and day

Many see this as a special occasion, perhaps Yom Kippur (overnight prayers), though Anna seems to be the type to consistently be in prayer, so it's not a certainty that this was Yom Kippur.

(38) Recognized the provision of God

Evangelist! -- told others who Jesus was.

These were two godly figures. Perhaps they would never have known that their faithfulness to God would be recorded by the writer Luke for a remembrance through the centuries. Malachi records that the Lord writes a book of remembrance for each one of us. What are we doing with our lives? Are we godly, as Simeon or Anna? Or are we doing things that we would not want remembered?

Live your life so that you leave a legacy, and that when you remember your life, you can remember it with both joy and thankfulness.

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Sermon: Matthew 2:1-11

In the aftermath of the humble birth of Jesus, we've discussed Simeon and Anna and their proclamations about Jesus, even at His infancy. Perhaps several months later, and many scholars suggest even years, Matthew 2 takes place, when the "wise men" come from the East to seek out the amazing King. Tonight, we will focus on the gifts given by these men from afar, both relating to significance to Jesus' life, as well as some background on how these gifts were used throughout Scripture.

Our main text comes from Matthew 2, and we will read verses 1-12.

Text:

Matthew 2:1-11

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,