The Rest Of The Story

The Rest Of The Story

Luke 2: 22 -40

Intro: I want you to finish the following: “When I was growing up, my dream was . . .” Is there anyone here today doing or having done what you planned on doing when you were a child? What happened to your dreams? Usually, our childhood dreams generally fade away as we get older. We grow up, things change, and our dreams become thoughts of what might have been.

I If we really, I mean REALLY want to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, we need to look beyond the presents, decorations and even the manger scene. As Paul Harvey, used to say, “Look at the rest of the story.”

A VSS. 25 – 33 Simeon was a part of a group of Hebrew men called “the quiet of Israel.” They were men who devoted their lives to praying, reading God’s word, and waiting for the Messiah.

B Simeon received a message from God saying that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.

C Simeon saw Jesus because he was waiting for, looking for Jesus. We see what we look for. I ask you, “what are you looking for?”

II There is another person involved in “the rest of the story.” That person is Anna.

A. VSS. 2: 36 – 38 Luke tells us that Anna was a prophetess who spoke god’s Word to God’s people. She was the 84 year old daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

B Anna, like Simeon, was anticipating the coming of the Messiah. She was devoted to her dream of redemption not only for herself; but, also for all of Israel.

C Luke tells us that she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. THAT is devotion!

III Anna saw the baby Jesus and instantly recognized him as the One sent by God to pay the full redemption price for his people from sin and its power.

A The word REDEMPTION is “from a Latin word meaning ‘to buy back’. This involved the liberation of any possession, object, or person, usually by paying a ransom.

B The root word means “to loose’ and so to free. The term is used of freeing from chains, slavery, or prison.

C During the time the Bible was written, the word REDEMPTION was used primarily for the act of freeing a slave. In the Biblical sense, REDEMPTION means that every person is a slave to sin, and Jesus came to pay the price necessary for us to be set free from our bondage to sin.

Concl: Luke 2: 38 gives us The rest of the story “Coming up to them at that very moment, she (Anna) gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

While you may be still be excited about Christmas story with all the joy that comes from it, and looking forward to a new year, it is important to remember THE REST OF THE STORY is telling others that Christ Jesus came to save us from our sins and will come again to gather His faithful into God’s heavenly kingcm.