Sermon for December 28th, 2014 - Revision history

Iraneal at 09:52, 28 December 2014

2014-12-28T09:52:32Z

Iraneal at 07:23, 28 December 2014

2014-12-28T07:23:15Z

Iraneal at 03:25, 28 December 2014

2014-12-28T03:25:06Z

Iraneal at 03:10, 28 December 2014

2014-12-28T03:10:53Z

Iraneal at 02:59, 28 December 2014

2014-12-28T02:59:00Z

Iraneal at 22:15, 27 December 2014

2014-12-27T22:15:19Z

Iraneal: Created page with "==Luke 2:22-38== 22 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 23 (as it is written i..."

2014-12-27T18:38:24Z

Created page with "==Luke 2:22-38== 22 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 23 (as it is written i..."

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==Luke 2:22-38==
22 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 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

==Advent Encounters: Anna & Simeon==

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 ==Advent Encounters: Anna & Simeon==
-This week is the last sermon in our series on "Advent Encounters."  Of course, technically we're not in the season of Advent anymore... today is the first Sunday of the Christmas season.  But the sermon series has been about the simple, person-to-person human encounters surrounding the birth of Christ, and there are two more of these encounters that I just couldn't leave out.
+This week is the last sermon in our series on "Advent Encounters."  Of course, technically we're not in the season of Advent anymore... today is the first Sunday of the Christmas season.  But the sermon series has been about the simple, person-to-person human encounters surrounding the birth of Christ, and there is one more of these encounters that I just couldn't leave out.
 Our two principal characters today are Simeon and Anna.  Simeon is a priest in the Jerusalem temple.  Anna is a widow who lives at the temple and likely relies on the care generosity of those who come to the temple to survive.  We don't know exactly how old Simeon is, but we get the impression he has waited many years to see Jesus, and when he finally does, he is ready to die. There is an ancient tradition that holds that Simeon was actually two hundred years old, and had lived to miraculous old age in order for God to fulfill his promise in the right time.   Anna, on the other hand, we are told has lived as a widow "to the age of eighty-four."  But the Greek text is a little ambiguous here, so it's also possible that she has lived 84 years as a widow, which would make her considerably older than that.  By all accounts, both Anna and Simeon qualify for the seniors discount at the Jerusalem Village Inn.
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 And some respond like Anna, with contagious enthusiasm.  We are told that "At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."
-They each have different responses, but no one leaves unchanged.  How will you respond when you encounter Jesus in the face of another person?  How will you be changed in the simple encounters of every day life, as we worship together, as we follow our rituals and our routines?
+They each have different responses, but no one leaves unchanged.  How will you respond when you encounter Jesus in the face of another person?  How will you be changed through the simple encounters of every day life, as we worship together, as we follow our rituals and our routines together?

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 When I'm an old pastor, I will certainly need a hearing aid (I'm almost there now!).  Did you hear the one about the old man who was telling his neighbor about the new hearing aid he just got.  He said, "It cost me a fortune, but it was worth it.  I can hear perfectly now!" The neighbor said, "Really?  What kind is it?"  The old man looked at his watch and said, "About ten thirty."
-For Anna and Simeon, this is primarily an encounter with Jesus, although it's important to note that since Jesus is only an infant at this point, the encounter would not, could not have taken place without the faithfulness of the two ordinary people, Mary and Joseph, who brought him.
+For Anna and Simeon, this is primarily an encounter with Jesus.  For Mary and Joseph, it is primarily an encounter with Anna and Simeon.  Either way, Jesus is present at the encounter, and when that happens, we respond in a variety of ways.
-For Mary and Joseph, since Jesus is pretty much with them all the time, for them this is primarily an encounter with Anna and Simeon, although here it's important to note that the encounter would not have happened without the presence of Jesus.
+Some respond like Simeon, who took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace." Simeon responds with gratitude, and embracing the moment.
-Sometimes, when we gather with other people, we encounter Jesus.  And sometimes
+Some, like Mary and Joseph, respond with awe and wonder.  We read in verse 33 that "the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him."
-DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO CHRIST FILLED ENCOUNTER:
+And some respond like Anna, with contagious enthusiasm.  We are told that "At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."
-*Praise & Thankfulness (Simeon)
-*Awe & Wonder (Mary & Joseph)
+They each have different responses, but no one leaves unchanged.  How will you respond when you encounter Jesus in the face of another person?  How will you be changed in the simple encounters of every day life, as we worship together, as we follow our rituals and our routines?
-*Contagious Enthusiasm

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:25, 28 December 2014
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	When I'm an old pastor, I will certainly need a hearing aid (I'm almost there now!). Did you hear the one about the old man who was telling his neighbor about the new hearing aid he just got. He said, "It cost me a fortune, but it was worth it. I can hear perfectly now!" The neighbor said, "Really? What kind is it?" The old man looked at his watch and said, "About ten thirty."		When I'm an old pastor, I will certainly need a hearing aid (I'm almost there now!). Did you hear the one about the old man who was telling his neighbor about the new hearing aid he just got. He said, "It cost me a fortune, but it was worth it. I can hear perfectly now!" The neighbor said, "Really? What kind is it?" The old man looked at his watch and said, "About ten thirty."

		+	For Anna and Simeon, this is primarily an encounter with Jesus, although it's important to note that since Jesus is only an infant at this point, the encounter would not, could not have taken place without the faithfulness of the two ordinary people, Mary and Joseph, who brought him.

		+	For Mary and Joseph, since Jesus is pretty much with them all the time, for them this is primarily an encounter with Anna and Simeon, although here it's important to note that the encounter would not have happened without the presence of Jesus.
		+
		+	Sometimes, when we gather with other people, we encounter Jesus. And sometimes

	DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO CHRIST FILLED ENCOUNTER:		DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO CHRIST FILLED ENCOUNTER:

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 For one thing, we (like the community in this story) are an inter-generational community.  Together we span all ages and stages of life, and we all have something to offer to each other.  Anna and Simeon are relieved and fulfilled in seeing the child who will cary on and complete the work they have dedicated their lives to.  The children and the young members of this community offer the same hope for those here who are in the twilight of life--the promise that we will cherish and carry on all that they have built when they are gone.
-Likewise, Anna and Simeon have valuable insight and perspective to offer to Mary and Joseph.  Both Mary and Joseph have been told several times now that their son is the savior of the world--they have been told this by angels, shepherds and kings.  And yet, it hasn't seemed to quite sink in yet.  Judging by the very next story about young Jesus losing his parents in the temple, it still doesn't quite sink in.  But I imagine that Mary and Joseph remember this encounter, and at some point they reflect back on the words spoken to them by Anna and Simeon, and they begin to understand.
+Likewise, Anna and Simeon have valuable insight and perspective to offer to Mary and Joseph.  Both Mary and Joseph have been told several times now that their son is the savior of the world--they have been told this by angels, shepherds and kings.  And yet, it hasn't seemed to quite sink in yet.  Judging by the very next story about young Jesus losing his parents in the temple, it still doesn't quite sink in for another few years.  But I imagine that Mary and Joseph remember this encounter in their hearts, and at some point they reflect back on the words spoken to them by Anna and Simeon, and they begin to understand.
 DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO CHRIST FILLED ENCOUNTER:
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 *Awe & Wonder (Mary & Joseph)
 *Contagious Enthusiasm

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 This week is the last sermon in our series on "Advent Encounters."  Of course, technically we're not in the season of Advent anymore... today is the first Sunday of the Christmas season.  But the sermon series has been about the simple, person-to-person human encounters surrounding the birth of Christ, and there are two more of these encounters that I just couldn't leave out.
-Our two principal characters today are Simeon and Anna.  Simeon seems to be a priest in the Jerusalem temple, and Anna, as a widow, likely lived at the temple and would have been taken care of by the temple authorities.  We don't know exactly how old Simeon is, but we get the impression he has waited many years to see Jesus, and when he finally does, he is ready to die. There is an ancient tradition that holds that Simeon was actually two hundred years old, and had lived to miraculous old age in order for God to fulfill his promise in the right time.   Anna, on the other hand, we are told has lived as a widow "to the age of eighty-four."  But the Greek text is a little ambiguous here, so it's also possible that she has lived 84 years as a widow, which would make her considerably older than that.  By all accounts, both Anna and Simeon qualify for the seniors discount at Village Inn.
+Our two principal characters today are Simeon and Anna.  Simeon is a priest in the Jerusalem temple.  Anna is a widow who lives at the temple and likely relies on the care generosity of those who come to the temple to survive.  We don't know exactly how old Simeon is, but we get the impression he has waited many years to see Jesus, and when he finally does, he is ready to die. There is an ancient tradition that holds that Simeon was actually two hundred years old, and had lived to miraculous old age in order for God to fulfill his promise in the right time.   Anna, on the other hand, we are told has lived as a widow "to the age of eighty-four."  But the Greek text is a little ambiguous here, so it's also possible that she has lived 84 years as a widow, which would make her considerably older than that.  By all accounts, both Anna and Simeon qualify for the seniors discount at the Jerusalem Village Inn.
 I suspect that a few of you here today can identify with Anna and Simeon.  But just in case you can't, I've compiled a list of the top ten signs you might be getting older:
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 .  You finally know all the right answers, but nobody asks you the questions anymore.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 27 December 2014
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	==Advent Encounters: Anna & Simeon==		==Advent Encounters: Anna & Simeon==
		+	This week is the last sermon in our series on "Advent Encounters." Of course, technically we're not in the season of Advent anymore... today is the first Sunday of the Christmas season. But the sermon series has been about the simple, person-to-person human encounters surrounding the birth of Christ, and there are two more of these encounters that I just couldn't leave out.
		+
		+	Our two principal characters today are Simeon and Anna. Simeon seems to be a priest in the Jerusalem temple, and Anna, as a widow, likely lived at the temple and would have been taken care of by the temple authorities. We don't know exactly how old Simeon is, but we get the impression he has waited many years to see Jesus, and when he finally does, he is ready to die. There is an ancient tradition that holds that Simeon was actually two hundred years old, and had lived to miraculous old age in order for God to fulfill his promise in the right time. Anna, on the other hand, we are told has lived as a widow "to the age of eighty-four." But the Greek text is a little ambiguous here, so it's also possible that she has lived 84 years as a widow, which would make her considerably older than that. By all accounts, both Anna and Simeon qualify for the seniors discount at Village Inn.
		+
		+	I suspect that a few of you here today can identify with Anna and Simeon. But just in case you can't, I've compiled a list of the top ten signs you might be getting older:
		+
		+	10. Everything that works hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.
		+	9. Your memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, and you often repeat yourself unneccesarily.
		+	8. Your memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, and you often repeat yourself unneccesarily.
		+	7. Your little black book only contains names ending in M.D.
		+	6. You fall down and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
		+	5. Santa Claus starts looking younger and younger every year.
		+	4. Your knees buckle and your belt won't.
		+	3. Your back goes out more than you do.
		+	2. You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.
		+	1. You finally know all the right answers, but nobody asks you the questions anymore.
		+
		+
		+
		+
		+	*******
		+
		+	Asked by a reporter how he had managed to live to the age of 100, an old man explained: 'Well, son, I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if ever we argued the loser should take a long walk to cool off. So I guess I've benefited from 79 years of fresh air."
		+
		+
		+	This old guy was talking to his neighbor telling him about the new hearing aid he just got. "It cost a fortune, but it was worth it. It works perfectly."
		+
		+	"Really," said the neighbor. "What kind is it?"
		+
		+	"Ten thirty."