22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, 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"), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man in
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in
Sermon Notes: Simeon’s Gift
- We know his location:
- We know his orientation:
- We know his vocation:
- We know his motivation:
- We know his consecration:
- We know his invocation:
Luke 3 (NIV)
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in t desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
The Voice in the Wilderness
q God’s Word Comes to Us.
q We Discover Our Place in His Plan.
q He Gives Us a Vision.
q We Proclaim a Life Changing Message.
q God Brings the Results.
Luke 3 (NIV): 6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
The background is found in Isaiah 40:5 (NIV)
q We are called to be part of the revelation of God’s glory. “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,”
q God wants all to see His glory. “… and all mankind together will see it.”
q God has spoken and that is that. “For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Luke 3:3, 7-10 –
Fruits of Repentance: Meaning Business with God
Luke 3 (NIV): (3) He went into all the country around the
Discussion
What is the difference between true repentance and just wanting to have a “quick” religious experience?
What does it mean to really mean business with God? Why is it important?
What are some practical ways we show we want change in our lives?
What is the significance of the question in verse 10 – “What shall we do?”
Do these verses remind you of something that you need to do to show that you mean business with God?
Ethics of Repentance: What Shall We Do?
Luke 3:10-14 (NIV): 10"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. 11John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" 13"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
14Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."
Discussion
q What does the word, “ethics” mean to you? (Hint: It is the study of right and wrong and how we determine which is which).
q John calls people to practical repentance. What does that mean? How might it be different for different people?
o What was it for ordinary folks?
o What was it for tax collectors?
o What was it for soldiers?
q Respond to this statement: Different people struggle with different issues and temptations.
q What might be some modern applications to these practical evidences of real repentance?
q What does the possibility of life change mean to you? How can we communicate it?
March 26 – Lk.
q What do you see as the significance of John’s life? What was his role according to his own testimony?
q How does that role apply to us?
q Why is it important to point people away from us to Jesus? How can we do that?
q What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
q What does it mean for chaff to be burned? Is this another picture of baptism? Why or why not?
q What was so good about John’s good news?
One More Powerful –Who Baptizes with the Spirit.:
Lk. 3:15-20(NIV): 15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 19But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
Discussion
Have a time of prayer and read the scripture together.
q What do you see as the significance of John’s life? What was his role according to his own testimony?
q How does that role apply to us?
q Why is it important to point people away from us to Jesus? How can we do that?
q What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
q What does it mean for chaff to be burned? Is this another picture of baptism? Why or why not?
q What was so good about John’s good news?
Bible Study
The First Step Toward the Cross – The Baptism of Jesus
Why was Jesus baptized? (from lecture – obedience, identification, demonstration)
What was God pleased with? Why do you think he announced His pleasure?
Have you ever felt Heaven opened up as you were praying?
Describe your feelings about/experience of baptism. What did it mean to you – or would it mean to you if you are not yet baptized?
What is the relationship between baptism with water and with the Spirit?
Luke 4:1-2 –
The Forty Factor
Luke 4:1-2 : And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from
Lucas 4:1-2 - Jesús, lleno del Espíritu Santo, volvió del Jordán y fue llevado por el Espíritu al desierto. Allí estuvo cuarenta días y fue tentado por el diablo. No comió nada durante esos días, pasados los cuales tuvo hambre.
The Bible is full of "40"s.
q 40 years in the wilderness for the children of
q 40 years reign of Saul, David and Solomon,
q 40 days and nights flood
q 40 days fasting by Jesus in the wilderness.
q 40 years in a generation
q The spies were in
q Elijah fasted 40 days.
q After His resurrection, Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days,
1. He deprived Himself.
q He was full of the Holy Spirit.
q He was led by the Holy Spirit.
2. He was depleted.
Isaiah 53:4-6: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Ciertamente él cargó con nuestras enfermedades y soportó nuestros dolores, pero nosotros lo consideramos herido, golpeado por Dios, y humillado. Él fue traspasado por nuestras rebeliones, y molido por nuestras iniquidades; sobre él recayó el castigo, precio de nuestra *paz, y gracias a sus heridas fuimos sanados. Todos andábamos perdidos, como ovejas; cada uno seguía su propio *camino, pero el Señor hizo recaer sobre él la iniquidad de todos nosotros.
Hebrews 4:10:For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
porque el que entra en el reposo de Dios descansa también de sus obras, así como Dios descansó de las suyas.
This temptation was severe because of two factors:
q His weakened condition.
q His weary consecration
3. He was done.
q The test is real.
q The trust is even more real.
q
Be not dismayed.
The Father knows your needs.
Be not swayed.
It is His hand that feeds you.
When come the tests of time
And all your strength is past,
You've only begun to climb,
This is God's chosen fast.
© ) 2006, Tom Sims
Three Great Areas of Temptations of Jesus:
q Significance
o It was a personal attack and a primary attack.
q Surrender
o Two things count: God’s purposes and God’s ways. To these only must we surrender.
q Success
o Beware of: Shortcuts and Sensationalism.
Luke 4:3-13
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Si eres el Hijo de Dios --le propuso el diablo--, dile a esta piedra que se convierta en pan. Jesús le respondió: --Escrito está: 'No sólo de pan vive el hombre.'*Entonces el diablo lo llevó a un lugar alto y le mostró en un instante todos los reinos del mundo. Sobre estos reinos y todo su esplendor --le dijo--, te daré la autoridad, porque a mí me ha sido entregada, y puedo dársela a quien yo quiera. Así que, si me adoras, todo será tuyo. Jesús le contestó: Escrito está: Ádorarás al Señor tu Dios, y a él sólo servirás.'* El diablo lo llevó luego a Jerusalén e hizo que se pusiera de pie en la parte más alta del templo, y le dijo: --Si eres el Hijo de Dios, ¡tírate de aquí! Pues escrito está: "'Ordenará a sus ángeles que te guarden con cuidado; te sostendrán en sus manos, para que no tropiece tu pie con piedra alguna.'* También está escrito: 'No pongas a prueba al Señor tu Dios.'* --le replicó Jesús. Así que el diablo, habiendo agotado todo recurso de tentación, lo dejó hasta otra oportunidad.
Three Great Areas of Temptations of Jesus:
q Significance
o It was a personal attack and a primary attack.
q Surrender
o Two things count: God’s purposes and God’s ways. To these only must we surrender.
q Success
o Beware of: Shortcuts and Sensationalism.
The Great Calling : Luke 4:14-20
14 -And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into
Lesson # 1 – Walk in the Spirit and Listen for the Buzz.
15 - And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Lesson # 2 – Settle on Your Identity in Christ and Be Yourself.
16 - And he came to
Lesson # 3 – Don’t Be Afraid to Go Home and, when in Doubt, Let the Scriptures Speak for You.
17 - And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Lesson # 4 – If You Want to Be Sure of Your Calling, Prepare Your for Life by Immersing Yourself in the Sacred Scriptures.
18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Lesson # 5 – You Are Not the Messiah, but You Are Indwelt by Him. Therefore, speak with Confidence.
Lesson # 6 – It’s Not All About You. It IS All About the Message.
Lesson # 7 – Jesus Has Set the Pattern for Our Individual Callings with His Great Calling.
q Are the poor being told the good news?
q Are the brokenhearted being healed?
q Are captives being delivered?
q Are the blind seeing?
q Are we setting people free?
q Is it happening?
19 - To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 - And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 - And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
Lesson # 8 – This Is the Time to Proclaim Christ and That Is Our Highest Calling.
Luke 5:12-18 - Ministry
Verses 12: Luke 5:12 - While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean
Luke uses the words, “while Jesus …” to remind us that so many things happen in our lives while something else is going on. Think of times when you were about one sort of business and another opportunity arose. Luke tells us that “ a man came along ..” While you are about your business, people “come along.” These are often people with real needs, people to whom you can minister if you will. The man recognized Jesus and fell on His knees. Part of that may have been his desperation and part may have been recognition of Jesus’ greatness. Either way, He makes a great statement, “If you are willing, you can …”
Ministry Happens
q Ministry happens when you are making other plans.
q Ministry contacts come along and Sometimes they are among the “unclean,” with great faith.
q What do you believe that God can do if He is willing?
Verse 13: Luke
Jesus did not hesitate to reach out to the man. He defied social norms and any concern for His own well-being to touch a man who was not only considered unclean, but was thought to be highly contagious. He told the man that He was willing to heal him. Since many people believed that leprosy was a sign of sin in a person’s life, Jesus might be seen to be forgiving this man of sin without even mentioning any sin in his life. Immediately, the leprosy left the man. This can be seen as a symbol of how the stain of sin immediately leaves our lives when we are forgiven.
Ministry Happens with Touch.
q Jesus touched you when you felt dirty and unworthy.
q We can touch people who deeply need to be touched by Jesus, but are considered unclean. We are the hands of Jesus for touching people.
q Jesus is willing. Are we?
Verse 14: Luke 5 14 Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
Jesus was interested in this man’s whole being as well as his reintegration into society. That required that he approach the civil/religious authorities based upon their established laws. Because his disease was also a form of ritual uncleanness, he needed to take care of his responsibilities in that arena before he could mingle with people again. You can announce that you are whole, saved, forgiven, and cleansed, but the real proof is in your life. Be willing to be scrutinized.
The Ministry of Touch Transforms
q It changes us.
q It challenges us.
q It channels us.
Verses 15-16: Luke 5: 15-16 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed
These things cannot be kept silent. When real life change and forgiveness come to people, the news spreads and others gather to hear about it. Nothing beats word of mouth for getting the word out about anything. The change in the leper’s life was obvious. People everywhere are hurting and burdened by sin and
News of Ministry Travels
q How does news about Jesus spread today?
q Are people hungry?
q Why aren’t more people coming to Jesus today? What would make the difference?
The Calling - Matthew 4:18, Luke 5:1-10
Matthew 4:18-22 (New International Version)
18As Jesus was walking beside the
Observation 1: He saw them.
Luke 5:1-11 (New International Version)
1One day as Jesus was standing by the
Observation 2: He involved them.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
4Cuando acabó de hablar, le dijo a Simón: --Lleva la barca hacia aguas más profundas, y echen allí las redes para pescar.
Observation 3: Hechallenged them.
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
Observation 4: He startled them.
9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."
Observation 5: He calmed them.
Observation 6: He inspired them.
11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Observation 7: He called them.
