December 1, 2024
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Our hopeful expectations are realized when we focus on Jesus

Luke 2:22-38
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 the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb 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.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation 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 Christ. 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.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of 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 until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

I. Hope Requires Waiting

II. Hope Is More Than a Wish

Hope is confidence in God’s power to keep His promises.

III. Hope Is a Gift to Share

When we have seen the King we can’t help but share the news!

Next Steps

• I confess my turn and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I choose to wait with hope for God to keep His promises.
• I commit to carrying hope to my friends and family this Christmas season.

Deep Dive

1. What are you looking forward to the most this Christmas season?
2. How is that expectation a reflection of biblical hope?
3. Read Luke 2:36-38 and discuss how Anna modeled “carrying hope.”

Springboards

1. What is your favorite Christmas song? Can you think of one that sings of “peace”?
2. What does the word “peace” mean in Luke 2:14?
3. How can we be at peace in our hearts and minds even when life is hard?