Sermon
Simeon & Anna
Center Church
Speaker: Josh Miller
September 14, 2022 · 35 min
Summary
Luke 2:22-38 shows how the incarnation of Jesus Christ transformed three groups: Joseph and Mary, who prioritized their child's spiritual formation over convenience; Simeon, an elderly man whose hope in Christ's coming enabled him to face death with peace; and Anna, a suffering widow who found purpose in witnessing Jesus and proclaiming his redemptive work. The sermon applies these examples to show how believing in the incarnation should reshape Christian priorities in parenting, perspective on mortality, and response to suffering.
Highlights
If the incarnation really happened, if we really believe that God took on flesh and came to dwell among us, then it changes our focus in parenting. The bull's eye on the target, the north star is that our children might come to know the Lord.
Convenience and faithfulness are always at war. It is hard to go to church. It's hard to be on a serving team. It is hard to be a part of a missional community.
Jesus Christ did not stay separate from suffering in heaven, but he came to earth, he took on flesh. He understands what it's like to suffer. We have no record of Jesus laughing in the scriptures, we have multiple records of him crying.