<“Christmas 2016: Witnesses After the Manger
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. JOSEPH/MARY – OBDEDIENT IN WORKING
A. IDENTIFIED WITH GOD’S PEOPLE
Lk 2:21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
>1. CIRCUMCISON (also Lev 12:2; Gen 17:10-14; Josh 5:9; Is 52:1; Jer 9:25; Ezek 44:7,9)
>2. NAMING
B. IDENTIFIED WITH MANKIND
Lk 2:22-24 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in YHWH’s Torah, “Every first-born male shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
>1. PURIFICATION
>2. SIN OFFERINGS (also Lev 12:6-8; II Cor 8:9; Mt 2:1-12)
II. SIMEON – OBEDIENT IN WAITING
A. CHARACTER OF SIMEON
>1. PHYSICAL CHARACTER
Lk 2:25a Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, (also Lk 1:65; 2:20)
>2. SPIRITUAL CHARACTER
Lk 2:25b-26 and this man was righteous and devout, awaiting the comforting of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (also Is 40:1-5, 31; Deut 19:15)
B. BLESSINGS BY SIMEON
>1. BLESSING GOD
Lk 2:27-32 And he came in 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, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (also Eph 2:11-21)
>2. BLESSING PARENTS
Lk 2:33-35 And His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him. And Simeon blessed them. [In addition] he said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the humbling and elevating of many in Israel, and for a target that is rejected (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (also Eph 3:11; Lk 18:9; I Cor 15:17)
III. ANNA – OBEDIENT IN WORSHIP
A. CHARACTER OF ANNA
>1. PHYSICAL CHARACTER
Lk 2:36-37a There was a prophetess, Anna bat-Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow eighty-four more years. (also Ex 15:20; Jud 4:4; II Kg 22:14; Acts 21:9)
>2. SPIRITUAL CHARACTER
Lk 2:37b She was always at the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
B. BLESSING
>1. THANKING GOD
Lk 2:38a And coming up at that precise hour she began to give thanks to God
>2. TESTIFYING OF MESSIAH
Lk 2:38b and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.