12-18: An Emmanuel Encounter

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Thank you for joining us in worship today! Phil Flowers shares with us today from Luke 2 about having a true encounter with Emmanuel this advent season.

Resources:

: The Bible Project :: https://www.bibleproject.com

: YouVersion Bible App :: https://www.bible.com

luke 2:22-38

Jesus Presented in the Temple

[22] When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), [24] and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

[25] Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. [26] It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. [27] Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, [28] Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

[29] “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

[30] For my eyes have seen your salvation,

[31] which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

[32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

[33] The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. [34] Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, [35] so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

[36] There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, [37] and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. [38] Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Notes:

1. An Emmanuel Encounter

   1. Matthew 1:23

2. The Context of an Encounter

   1. Luk 2:22-24

   2. 2 Corinthians 8:9

3. The Anticipation of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:25a

4. The Catalyst of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:25b-27

5. The Embracing of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:28

   2. "When Simeon saw salvation, he saw a Person, not a word, doctrine or creed.” (David Jeremiah)

6. The Effect of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:29-32

   2. “Shalom is one of the richest words in the Bible. You can no more define it by looking up its meaning in a dictionary than you can define a person by his or her social security number. It gathers all aspects of wholeness that result from God’s will being completed in us. It is the work of God, that when complete, releases streams of living water in us and pulsates with eternal life.” (Eugene Peterson)

7. The Rejection of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:33-35

   2. “Jesus was never regarded as a mere moral teacher. He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met him. He produced mainly three effects – hatred, terror, or adoration.” (C.S. Lewis)

8. The Application of an Encounter

   1. Luke 2:36-38