SERMON OUTLINE. COMMUNION December 4th 10th Remember He was Born to Die I. INTRODUCTION. Luke 2:21 33 II. WHY DID HE COME TO DIE?

Transcription

1

2 December 4th 10th SERMON OUTLINE Luke 2:21 33 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 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 I. INTRODUCTION A. It is one of life s basic questions: Why am I here? 1. It s a question of purpose. It s a question of identity. 2. It s a question Jesus never had to wonder about. B. Jesus knew His purpose from eternity past and we are reminded of it in our Communion observance. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) C. Christmas is the celebration of the eternal God coming in human flesh. (John 1:1, 14) 1. He came to glorify God. 2. He came to redeem mankind. 3. He came to offer His life as a ransom. 4. God always saw the manger in the shadow of the cross. Communion reminds us that Jesus was born to die. II. WHY DID HE COME TO DIE? A. Jesus was born to die to save the world from sin. B. God sent His son to be the savior of the world. (Hebrews 1:1-3a; John 3:16) C. This was the consolation (the encouraging comfort of the One who would fulfill God s promise to save Israel and people from all nations) that Simeon was waiting for. (Luke 2:25-26) D. Which is why when he saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and praised and worshipped God for fulfilling His promise. (Luke 2:27-32) 1. Which is why Joseph and Mary marveled at what Simeon said. (Luke 2:33)

3 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. 2. Maybe it brought back all the words the angels and shepherds said the night Jesus was born. (Luke 2:10-12) E. Jesus knew the plan and the purpose from eternity past. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:4-6, 9-12) F. Jesus knew He had come so at just the right time He could give His life to save us from our sins. (Mark 10:45; Romans 5:6; Acts 2:22-23) III. CONCLUSION A. Simeon responded in praise and accepted Jesus as God s Messiah and his salvation. What is our response? (Luke 2:29-32; John 1:10-13) B. Jesus was born to die to save us from our sin. SERMON NOTES

4 COMMUNION WA R M U P The important issue of Christmas is not so much that Jesus came, but why He came. There was no salvation in His birth. Nor did the sinless way He lived His life have any redemptive force of its own. His example, as flawless as it was, could not rescue men from their sins. Even His teaching, the greatest truth ever revealed to man, could not save us from our sins. There was a price to be paid for our sins. Someone had to die. Only Jesus could do it. Describe what Christmas morning was like in your family growing up. Share with the group the first time you remember Christmas being more than just giving and receiving gifts. John MacArthur DIG I N Read Luke 2:21 33 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 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 prom- ised, 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.

5 REFLECTIONS Luke 2:21 33 Read John 1:1, 14. In regards to Jesus dying for our salvation, why was it essential that John establish the fact that Jesus is God in human flesh and not just a human being? Read Simeon s story in Luke 2: Why was Simeon s heart so full of joy and praise when he beheld the infant Jesus? What did Simeon say about Jesus that made even Joseph and Mary marvel at his words? Jesus was born to die. He knew that was His purpose. Through that death He would bring glory to God and eternal life to us. Read Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 10:45; Romans 5:6; Acts 2: In your own words, describe how these verses help you understand that Jesus death was no accident but had been the plan of God from eternity past? TAKE IN Ask Yourself What does it do to bolster your faith to know that God in eternity past chose to send Jesus to die so you could be saved and live with Him forever? How does this fact change the way you understand the angel s message of Christmas, that Jesus coming is good news of great joy for all people?

6 PRAY UP Ask God Father, thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Father, help me see how Jesus purpose on earth relates to my own. Father, help me experience Christmas this year in a deeper way. PRAYER REQUESTS