First Baptist Lenoir City

Matt 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Then, Jesus gives these three commands and a promise. Let's take a look at each one. Command 1: Make Disciples: Command 2: Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Command 3: Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you: The Promise: And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age: Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Now, where do we actually do this? Jerusalem (where we are now)Judea and Samaria (neighboring areas) End of the earth (all other places)

Keep the Gospel Front & Center Death, Burial and Resurrection I. The Gospel must be front page - PE  1.  I Timothy 1:5-7; 12-15  2.  I Timothy 2:5  3.  I Timothy 3:14-16  4.  I Timothy 4:1-5  5.  I Timothy 5:8  6.  Titus 1:16  7.  Titus 2:11-15  8.  Titus 3II. The Things that move the gospel off of the front page - Titus 3:9  1.  Foolish controversies - Sabbath  2.  Genealogies - Jesus was affirmed   3.  Dissensions - 3:10-11  4.  Quarrels about the law - I Tim. 1:8-11    a. They are unprofitable -     b. They are worthless-Col 2:16-23  5.  Paul points us to the priority - I Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20Galatians 6:11-12 John 5:39Luke 24:44-48III. The Body & Blood of Jesus Christ - The Priorities we are to be passionate about:  1.  His birth   2.  His life   3.  His death   4.  His burial   5.  His resurrection   6.  His return - Matthew 26:26-30Isaiah 53

The Anatomy of our Atonement; The Goal of Grace (no help from humans); The Poverty of Humanity. John 3:16 does not say FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE AND NOW YOU GIVE A LITTLE TOO! I. The All-Sufficient Savior: from 3,000 in Acts 2:41 to 5,000 in Acts 4:4               1.            Who does the saving? GOD               2.            Who is being saved? US               3.            Why does God save               4.            How does God save REGENERATION (not re-engineered); not a tune-up, rather a resurrection! Not a resuscitation, rather a resurrection!   II. The Savior vs The Sinner   God/Us (we didn't know)               •             His goodness * lost - Lk 15               •             His lovingkindness * blind - Lk 6:39               •             His mercy * dead - Eph 2:1-10               •             His washing * bankrupt-Mt 5               •             His renewing * impossible - Lk 18               •             His Holy Spirit (John 1:9-11; 3:1-8; 16:7 convicts then converts and cleanses)               •             His grace                •             His heir                •             His hope               •             His life (3 aspects)= spiritual life - speaks of the power nature = Abundant life - speaks of purpose = eternal life - speaks of permanence  What a father needs most in life? Paul was crystal clear in I Timothy 1:12-15+ Admission - BC I'm a sinner, I need a Savior+ Belief - Faith in what God did + Confess - Romans 10:9-10

The fuller sermon title would be THE CURE TO A CRUMBLING CHURCH IS THE SAVIOR & THE SCRIPTURE. This is true in Crete and Lenoir City and every other place on the globe. The modern church in America is consumed by the social instead of the spiritual. Transformation comes from Christ not cultural change. I. The Attitude of Evangelism - 1. Jesus - John 4 2. Peter - Acts 4:12-13 3. James - Luke - John - Hebrews 4. Paul - Romans 9; 22 & 26 • Romans 1:14-16 (duty + desire) • Ephesians 3:8 (God's gift to us) • SALVATION & PASTORAL EPISTLES: I Timothy 1:1, 15; 2:1-6; Titus 1:1-4; 2:8-11;II. The Actions of Evangelism - Titus 3 • Titus 3 - 7 virtues 1. What we do = Remind them (not a new thought) to be: I Timothy 2:1-5; I Peter 2 & 3; I (salvation, suffering, submission). = Submit, Obey, Be Ready - v. 1 (Jesus said “pay taxes” - Matt 22) = To Speak, To Avoid, To Show - v. 2 1. What we were (humility) - v. 3 2. What God does (regeneration) - vv. 4-7

The fuller sermon title would be THE CURE TO A CRUMBLING CHURCH IS THE SAVIOR & THE SCRIPTURE. This is true in Crete and Lenoir City, and every other place on the globe. The modern church in America is consumed by the social instead of the spiritual. Transformation comes from Christ, not cultural change. Disciples of Christ vs Discipline of men Spiritual Justice vs Social Justice Christlikeness vs Cultural Change Eternal vs Temporal Titus 3 is focused on three groups: believers, unbelievers, & God! Consider each group as you refocus the church. Acts 2:42-47; 20:28-31Believers - Unbelievers - God - Father, Son, Holy Spirit I. The Attitude of Evangelism - Jesus - John 4Peter - Acts 4:12-13James - Luke - John - Hebrews Paul - Romans 9; 22 & 26Romans 1:14-16 duty + desireEphesians 3:8 God's gift to usSALVATION & PASTORAL EPISTLES: I Timothy 1:1, 15; 2:1-6; Titus 1:1-4; 2:8-11; II. The Actions of Evangelism - Titus 3Titus 3 - 7 virtues What we do - = Remind them (not a new thought) to be: I Timothy 2:1-5; I Peter 2 & 3; I (salvation, suffering, submission). = Submit, Obey, Be Ready - v. 1What we were (humility) - v. 3 What God does (regeneration) - vv. 4-7

I. The Presence of God's Grace - 2:11a 1. “For” - “the grace of God has appeared” II. The Purpose of God's Grace 1. “bringing salvation” - “to all men” III. The Power of God's Grace 1. Training - v. 12a 2. Living - v. 12b 3. Waiting & Appearing - v. 13 4. Redeeming - v. 14a 5. Purifying - v. 14b 6. Declaring - v. 15

I. The Presence of Grace - 2:11a “For the grace of God has appeared” II. The Purposes of God's Grace - 2:11b-15 1. The Primary Purpose - Salvation 2. The Secondary Purposes - These 7 discipleship dynamics are consistently mentioned in the New Testament. We all need an ongoing commitment to each of these doctrinal convictions. There is a diverse audience in Titus chapter 2: Older men, Older women, young women, young men. All should be passionate about prioritizing Titus 2:11-15. Today, I want to focus on the wonderful role of mothers. The primary place where discipleship is worked out is the HOME. The CHURCH and CHRISTIAN SCHOOL are secondary places where discipleship is worked out. 3. The 7 Motivations for Godliness: a. Training - v. 12a b. Living - v. 12b c. Waiting - v. 13a • Luke 2:25 Simeon was “waiting” for the consolation of Israel • Luke 2:38 Anna was “waiting” for the redemption of Jerusalem • I Thessalonians 1:8-10 • Hebrews 9:27-28 • II Peter 3:11-15 • Jude 1:20-21 d. Appearing - v. 13b e. Redeeming - v. 14a f. Purifying - v. 14b g. Declaring - v. 15

I. His Name - Matthew 1:18-21 II. His Mission - John 3:16-17 III. His Impact - Mt 27:54; John 20 IV. His Focus - May THE FORCE BE WITH YOU - Acts 1:6-8 V. His Church - Acts 2 - 16 1. Acts 2:38 - 3,000 in Jerusalem 2. I want to be in a church… 3. that responds to the commands of Christ 4. that speaks of the greatness of God 5. that relies on the promised prophecies from the sacred Scriptures 6. that is centered on Jesus and His gospel 7. that calls people to commitment 8. that expects people to be saved 9. that expects people to be baptized 10. that expects people to continue 1. Acts 4:4 - 5,000 in Jerusalem 2. Acts 6:7 - Priests in Jerusalem 3. Acts 8:27-38 - African Ethiopian on the road to Gaza 4. Acts 9:10-19 Saul becomes Paul on the road to Damascus 5. Acts 10:24-29 - Cornelius (Centurion) 6. Acts 16:13-15 & 25-31 - The Jailor & Tailor in Europe (Philippi) 7. Acts 22 & 26 (3 Phases of every testimony) 8. Acts 28:28-31

It's a big deal because Jesus rescues us from sin, fear, and death. 3:1-2  Its a big deal because Jesus was sent by God. - Apostle and High Priest - 4:14-16It's a big deal because Jesus gives us mercy and grace in time of need. - 5:1-10v. 1-4 Old Testament High Priests descended through Aaron are appointed to serve but they are imperfect men.v. 5-6 Its a big deal because Jesus was appointed by God.Psalm 2:7–8 “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”v. 7-8 It's a big deal because Jesus, the Son of God, obeyed the Father perfectly and suffered willingly. This qualifies Jesus as High Priest and demonstrates his humanity.v. 9-10 It's a big deal because Jesus is perfect and therefore, the source of our salvation.It's a big deal because he is not from Aaron, but from Melchizedek. Genesis 14:17-206:19-20It's a big deal because Jesus is the anchor of our souls.It's a big deal because Jesus entered the Holy of Holies.It's a big deal because Jesus is eternal. - 7:1-22Now, let's try to understand Melchizedek - Genesis 14:17–20 “After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was a priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” •      A mysterious but important individual.•      King of Salem - would become Jerusalem.•      A King and Priest, but not from Abraham or Aaron.•      No genealogy and no birth/death recorded. •      He blessed Abraham and Abraham gives an offering.v. 11-14 It's a big deal because Jesus isn't from the line of Aaron (Levitical) but from the eternal line of Melchizedek.v. 15-19 It's a big deal because Jesus is a better hope so we can draw near to God.v. 20-22 It's a big deal because Jesus guarantees a new and better covenant! HE IS THE FINAL PERFECTION, THE EFFECTIVE SACRIFICE.

(“What does a Savior & Lord do”?) Acts 2:14-40 I.  Jesus at His Birth - Matthew 1:18-21    •    Jesus as the Savior will save sinners II. Jesus and His Verse - John 3:16-17    •    Jesus came the first time to save    •    John 13 Jesus declares 11 of His disciples saved (“clean”). III. Jesus at His Cross - Mt 27:24 - Roman Centurions (Mt 8; Luke 7) III.  Jesus after His Cross & Before His Church - 40 days (many encounters)    1.    Met the women    2.    John & Peter ran to the tomb    3.    Met 2 men on the road to Emmaus    4.    Met 10 men inside a locked house    5.    Met Thomas inside a locked house    6.    Met Peter after he went fishing    7.    Taught the 11 for 40 days    8.    Ascended into Heaven IV.  Jesus in His Church - Romans 10:17 - Scriptural sermons produce spiritual fruit.  The Bible must be the basis for every class in the church (without exception).  Let's use biblical language for our worship - for our discipleship - for our evangelism    1.    Acts 2:38 - 3,000 in Jerusalem    2.    Acts 4:4 - 5,000 in Jerusalem    3.    Acts 6:7 - Priests in Jerusalem    4.    Acts 8:27-38 - African Ethiopian on the road to Gaza    5.    Acts 9 - Saul becomes Paul on the road to Damascus    6.    Acts 10 - Cornelius (Centurion)    7.    Acts 16:13-15 & 25-31 - The Jailor & Tailor in Europe (Philippi)

The Joy of Jesus is a Joy for the Journey! • Luke 10:20 - Starts with, “do not rejoice”. That ought to catch your attention; Jeremiah 9:23-24 • Luke 15 - Three times “more joy” • Hebrews 12:2 - Joy in the will of God (1) There was great joy in His Birth - angels, parents, shepherds, Magi, (2) There was great joy in His Death - crazy love mixed with amazing grace - Hebrews 12:2 (3) There was great joy in His Life - Resurrection - angels, women, disciples (1) The About Face - didn't start well; didn't see this coming; didn't see Him coming; The Bible is brutally honest when addressing the failures of faith; The women had some faith (2) The Right Place - Galilee (3) The Wrong Case - Fake news (liars gonna lie; the things people do for money) (4) The Starting Base - where you are; Acts 1:6-8 (5) The Human Race - “all nations” 3,000 would soon be saved - but not this day. Not even after the resurrection of Jesus. 50 days later, here's what happened - Acts 2

(Good Friday probably better stated as Bloody Friday. Good News Friday works as well. So does Amazing Grace Friday.) Blood is mentioned almost 400 times in the Bible, 291 times in the Old Testament, and 91 times in the New Testament. Leviticus and Ezekiel mention blood more than any other OT book, and Hebrews and Revelation mention blood more than any other NT book. 1. Pre-Passover Blood - Leviticus 17:11 2. Passover blood - Exodus 12:21-27 (An action preceded the passing over)3. Jesus speaks of His blood - THIS IS MY BLOOD - Matthew 26:28 4. Jesus sweats drops of blood - Luke 22:445. Judas declared - I HAVE BETRAYED INNOCENT BLOOD - Matthew 27:4 6. Pilate declared - I AM INNOCENT OF THIS MAN'S BLOOD (no you are not - man cannot cover his own sinfulness - Genesis 3) 7. The People declared - HIS BLOOD BE UPON US - Matthew 27:25; Acts 5:28; Genesis 4:10-11 • Hebrews 9 & 10 • Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11; 19:13 • John 6:53-55; 19:34

• The Attitude toward the Aged • The Actions of the Aged• The Army of the Aged - Serving with wisdom, availability, & maturity - 70s, 80s, 90s, 100sSenior Adults are not viewed with respect in many places in the world. Unfortunately, that same attitude sometimes shows up in the church.  Paul wants Pastors like Titus and Timothy to embrace the senior citizens in their congregations. I Timothy 5:1-2. Paul described Timothy in three distinct ways:(1) He was relatively young - I Tim 4:12(2) He was physically weak - I Tim 5:23(3) He was spiritually fearful/timid - II Tim 1:5-7 I. Listen to the Scriptures on Senior Adults (The strength of sr adults)Lev 19:32; Exodus 20:12 (Eph 6:2-3); Deut 32:7; Psalm 37:25; Prov 16:31; Isa 46:3-4Abram & Sarai (100 & 90) - Genesis 17:15-17 - had Isaac which in Hebrew means “laughter”. Who do you use as an example today?Moses - Got God's assignment at 80 years of age. It would be a 40-year commitment.Our recent Christmas Series - Simeon & Anna - Luke 2:25-38. He was looking forward to passing on, and she was described as being “very old”. They both served the Lord without any thought of retiring from doing the Lord's work until God took them home!II. Look to the Aged for Leadership  1. Titus 2:1-2 • What Eliab was to Titus 1• Rehoboam is to Titus 2 - I Kings 12:4-11 (his lack of wisdom divided a fractured country).

GODLY LEADING must be accompanied by GODLY LIVING & GODLY TEACHINGI. Our Statement of Faith - The Scriptures II. The Theology of Truth 1. God's Word is Divinely Inspirational - Matthew 4:4; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16 2. God's Word is Transformational - Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 15:16; Hebrews 4:12 3. God's Word is Directional - Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4 4. God's Word is Verifiable - Acts 17:11 5. God's Word is Eternal - Isaiah 40:8 6. God's Word Christ-Centered - Luke 24:44-46III. The Restoration of Order - 1:9-11 1. Hold fast - 1:9a 2. As taught - 1:9b 3. So that - 1:9c a. Able to give instruction in sound doctrine - 1:9d b. (Able) to refute those who contradict - 1:9e

GODLY LEADING must be accompanied by GODLY LIVING & GODLY TEACHING I. Our Statement of Faith - The ScripturesII. The Theology of Truth 1. God's Word is Divinely Inspirational - Matthew 4:4; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16 2. God's Word is Transformational - Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 15:16; Hebrews 4:12 3. God's Word is Directional - Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4 4. God's Word is Verifiable - Acts 17:11 5. God's Word is Eternal - Isaiah 40:8 6. God's Word Christ-Centered - Luke 24:44-46  III. The Restoration of Order - 1:9-11 1. Hold fast - 1:9a 2. As taught - 1:9b 3. So that - 1:9c a. Able to give instruction in sound doctrine - 1:9d b. (Able) to refute those who contradict - 1:9e 

The NT Church is Primarily a place for God. It's a place for God's Word to be established. It's a place for God's Son to be exalted. It's a place for God's people to be equipped. It's a place for God's plan to be engaged.  I. The Foundation of God's Church - The Worldview of our Faith is TRUTH. The Truth of God is found in His Word:a. In the Spoken Word - Genesis 1; Matthew 4:4 (mouth of God); II Timothy 3:16b. In the Written Word - Exodus 20 (finger of God); I Peter 1:16-21c. In the Word Made Flesh - Jn 1:1,14 II. Two Worldviews - Truth & Lies(As in Crete so in every place people gather corporately - You will either hear the Word of God or the word of man, I Thessalonians 2:13. There will be truth or tales. Why should truth be so important to us? 1. Satan seeks to destroy truth through deception and doubt - In John 8 he is called a liar and the father of lies.  a. The truth sets people free – John 8:32b. The truth makes people holy - John 17:17c. The truth leads people to Heaven - John 14:6d. The truth fights off the Tempter and his temptations - Mt. 4:1-11 III. What a Pastor Must & Must not be - (Looks can be deceiving - Most of you know who David is. Many of you know who Samuel is. Few know much of anything about Eliab - I Samuel 16:6-7. He was the oldest son. He was the obvious choice. But he wasn't. 1. What a pastor must NOT be - 1:6-72. What a pastor MUST be - 1:8-9 3. A lover of strangers (hospitable) - “never met a stranger (philoxenos vs xenophobia); Luke 10:25-37; Romans 1:8-13; Galatians 6:9-104. A lover of good things - II Tim 4:6-85. A sensible man - Level-headed, Keeps a cool head - Acts 23:56. Just - upright; a stand-up guy 7. Devout - practice what you say you believe8. Self-controlled -

Exodus 18:1-27 & Joshua 1:1-9

1. The call of Christ and the supremacy of Christ. • John 3:3 • The first step in the Christian life is in obedience to those two words. • And the whole pathway of the Christian life is traveled in obedience to those two words. 2. The fact that difficulties present themselves to the minds of many, which are very real and definite, but there is a decision that must be made - BUT...People who are attracted to Jesus, who admire all they know about Jesus, who are conscious of their own need and His ability to supply their need, who in their deepest heart intend to follow Him, but... -The claims of Christ are such, and the power of Christ is such that everything that comes after that "but" needs to be put out of your life. -I will follow you Lord, but... -When Jesus says, "Follow me," He demands submission of the whole being, and from that moment we don't get ahead of Him, we go after Him. -Do you remember the last time Jesus said "Follow me?" -To be outside the Kingdom is to be without everything that gives life its fullness in the present and its hope for the future.

I. Who? The Author of Creation "God"II. How? The Manner of Creation "created"III. What? The Object of Creation "the heaven and earth"IV. Why? The Purpose of Creation, Romans 11:361. Who made you? God2. What else did God make? God made all things.3. Why did God make you and all things? For his own glory.4. How can you glorify God? By loving him and doing what he commands.5. Why ought you to glorify God? Because he made me and takes care of me.Our problem as humans is that although we “ought to glorify God” because He made and takes care of us, we have rebelled against Him and sought to live our own life our own way. Sometimes we're defiant, but most of the time we just ignore God and His Word.Because of our rebellion, God has promised to judge us. Heb. 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” One day, we will face God for our rebellion unless we submit to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. While Jesus lived on earth, He never rebelled against God, yet He died on an old rugged cross.Why did Jesus die? 1 Peter 3:18 says: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for theunrighteous, that he might bring us to God,”Jesus died for our sins, if we repent of our sins and trust in what He has done on the cross for us.So what will you do? Will you continue to rebel against God or will you submit to Christ as your Rulerand trust in His sacrifice for the payment for your sins? There are only two ways! Your way ends in eternal death! His way ends in eternal life! “Choose you this day whom you will serve!”

There are eyewitnesses during every phase when Jesus walked this earth.

There are eyewitnesses during every phase when Jesus walked this earth.I. The Focus of Eyewitnesses - 1:1-4 1. Eyewitnesses of His birth - 2. Eyewitnesses of His life (Mt 2,14,28; I John 1:1-4) 3. Eyewitnesses of His death - many 4. Eyewitnesses of His resurrection - I Corinthians 15:1-8 5. But many eyewitnesses didn't believe! True and the Scriptures readily admit that fact usually included with a sharp rebuke! 6. All will witness His return - Matthew 24:15-31 7. We may not be eyewitnesses of His birth, life, death, & resurrection, but we are eyewitnesses of how Jesus has changed our hearts, our minds, our passions, our priorities - Never underestimate your testimony about the changed life that came from coming to faith in Christ!Longevity / Fidelity in spiritual disciplines - worship, fasting, prayer because of their impact on our relationships with/ God and man. Break down Matthew 6 after Anna II. The Gospel Message (we all share) 1. The Consolation of Israel - Simeon keeps us thinking of Jesus at Christmas 2. The Redemption of Jerusalem—Anna keeps us thinking about Jesus at Christmas. Thank you, Luke, for all the reminders that the Savior saves, the Redeemer redeems, and the Lord leads. Don't lose the reasons why Jesus came. We gather because God saved us. We serve because God saved us. We send because God saved us. We share because God saved us. 3. The Theme of Redeemer & Redemption - • Job said • David said • Isaiah said • Peter said • Paul said • John said MATTHEW 6:1-18Galatians 3:13-14 - redemption connected to the cross

There's something about those births (8) / Christmas Continues w/ “The Eyewitness of Anna” / Luke 2:36-40   The Wonderful Women associated with Jesus - Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, WATW (Samaria), Mary Magdalene, Mary & Martha, Lydia - Unlikely women who witness to Jesus! Anna was a part of the “O' Come Let Is Adore Him” Crowd! The Adoring & Awesome Anna! A lot is said of this godly elderly woman in a little space.    •   Married for 7 years - So widowed for over 60 years - Godly through the ages! Don't miss that.   •   Prophetess - no examples given    •   Daughter of Phanuel -    •   Tribe of - 12 tribes; 10 & 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin); The 10 tribes aren't lost (Revelation 7:6 & 14:1-5 speak of the tribes established by God). BTW - Simeon most likely named after tribe    •   Never told of quarters for godly women I. The Credibility of Anna -    1.   Look at her character -   2.   Look at her commitment - “never leaving” but not isolated! She interacted. She communicated. She evangelized. She is a critical part of the True Christmas Story.    3.   Look at her compassion - 4 incredible evidences:     a. By her worship - Jesus spoke of   •   Jesus in Matthew 4 (and serve)   •   Jesus in John 4 (true worship)   •   Jesus in Mark 7 (vain worship)     b. By her fasting - Jesus spoke of   •   Fasting is a private matter - don't promote your practice    •   Fasting is a spiritual matter (physical benefits but spiritual purposes) - Joel (Return) & Jonah (Repent) attached to prayer not to diet    •   Fasting is an essential matter - “Why don't Your disciples fast?” Oh they will but not while I'm here! Don't Fast at the Feast!      c. By her thankfulness - Jesus           spoke of (didn't mean she wasn't           lonely)   •   Jesus asked, Where are the other 9   •   Jesus expressed gratitude as the pattern of His life - John 11 to The Lord's Supper (Eucharist is Greek for giving of thanks)   •    Jesus commanded gratefulness -      d. By her evangelistic mindset (like            Simeon!)    •   Like Elizabeth; Like Mary; Like Zechariah; Like TWATW - John 4

Did we celebrate Christmas with/ singularity, simplicity, and sincerity, focusing on our Savior? Let's evaluate how we did so we get it right.Long before we met Luke, we see in the First Books of the Bible, aka The Five Books of Moses, the essential need for credible witnesses to confirm God's Word and, therefore, God's will. The number one goal of the Bible is to discover what is and isn't true. Incredible witnesses, yes, but more than that, they are credible witnesses! • Deut. 19:15-16; Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:15-16; John 8:12-18; Acts 10:35-43; II Cor. 13:11; I Tim. 5:17-19; I John 5:6-12; Rev. 11 - Two olive trees / Two lampstands Luke & Matthew confirm the Christmas Truth over and over again with credible witnesses - with character witnesses.I. The Two or More Witnesses of Christmas - 1. Zechariah & Elizabeth 2. Mary & Joseph - 3. Multiple Shepherds - 4. Multiple Magi - 5. Simeon & Anna - dealt with devotion, with death, “If a man dies will he live again?”; last week we ended the Lord's Supper with Matthew 26:29 (Jesus was emphatically saying to His disciples, “See you on the other side”)II. The Obedience of Faith of Mary & Joseph - 2:21-24III. The Witness/Testimony of Simeon - 2:25-34 1. The Credibility of Simeon (4) a. He was righteous, devout, and was waiting in the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him - 2. The Commitment of Simeon - “waiting for the consolation” - Reminds me of I Thess 1:8-10 3. The Conviction of Simeon - Holy Spirit revealed to him a. He would not see death until he saw the Lord's Christ - b. Like Jesus & Paul - Simeon wasn't afraid of death - Are you • John 14:1-3; 17:1-5: I Cor. 15 (no more sting in death); II Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:21-24; II Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 12:11 c. Simeon blesses God - v. 28 d. Simeon “blesses” them - vv. 34-35 4. The Commission w/in Simeon's Prophecy - One of the evidences of the Spirit speaking through Simeon is that he quotes the prophecy of Gentile inclusion “a light to the nations” (something Luke does frequently)(1) This Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel - • Who fell? • Who rose?(2) And for a sign that is opposed -(3) (And a sword will pierce through your own soul also) - “so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” • Some 30-plus years later Luke tells us of another heart that was pierced (Simeon didn't know this) and that is the heart of Jesus Himself • Triumphal Entry context for 2 passages depicting the rise and fall of Israel(1) Luke 19:37-48 - Jesus weeps over a nation, over a city, over the holy city (2) Matthew 21:33-46 (from Psalm 118; also quoted in Acts 4:11)From the Cradle to the Cross - We will meet Anna next week!

There's Something About That Birth: “Can I Get a Witness?” Luke 2:21-40 The Consolation/Redemption of Israel III. The Witness/Testimony of Simeon - 2:25-34 1. The Credibility of Simeon (4) a. He was righteous b. He was devout c. He was waiting in the consolation of Israel - not said of the JRE! d. The Holy Spirit was upon him - 2. The Holy Spirit revealed to him a. He would not see death until he saw the Lord's Christ - b. Like Jesus & Paul - Simeon wasn't afraid of death. Simeon anticipated death - • John 17:1-5 • II Corinthians 5:6-8 • Philippians 1:21-24 • II Timothy 4:6-8 • Revelation 12:11 c. Simeon blesses God - v. 28 d. Simeon “blesses” them - vv. 34-35 • Luke records a third praise (1:46-55; 68-79; 2:29-32) • One of the evidences of the Spirit speaking through Simeon is that he quotes the prophecy of Gentile inclusion “a light to the nations” (something Luke does frequently)

I. Mary pointed people to Jesus - 1:46-56 II. John the baptizer pointed people to Jesus - 1:57-66 III. Zechariah pointed people to Jesus - 1:67-80 1. He blessed God - 2. He remembered God's Covenants - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David 3. He highlighted God's salvation - a. Saved from sin b. Saved from enemies 4. He trusted the transformed life - a. The life without fear b. The life with holiness c. The life with righteousness 5. He pointed to the Sunrise - a. He was a prophet to the Son b. He prepared the way for the Son c. He pointed to a new dawn - light over darkness & life over death! Isaiah 9:1-2; 60:1-3; Malachi 4:1-3; II Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16

Mary's Example to Us: • Singing praises • Serving Her Savior • Sharing His story • Caring about people's soul/spirit • Knowing Scripture • Knowing her Savior

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13–14 Psalm 1 Matt. 5:2-11 Gen. 13:12-13 Gen. 19:1 Gen. 19:7 John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 Jeremiah 17:7–8 - “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

A 5 Week Series from Luke 1 & 2    •   5 Weeks of Christmas Truths    •   5 Weeks of Christmas Roots    •   5 Weeks of Christmas Births I. The First Miraculous Birth (JB)   1.   The Eyewitness Writer - Luke 1:1-4   •   A Gentile; A Physician; A Missionary with Paul   •   Luke's first account in the gospel book named after him follows Jesus from birth to Calvary   •   Luke's second account in the Book of Acts follows Peter at Pentecost then Paul from Damascus to Rome    •   Mentioned in Col 4; II Tim 4; Philemon 1:24   2.   The Eyewitness Forerunner - 1:5-25 (The birth foretold)   3.   The Uniqueness of this birth - 1:15-16 (His unique birth isn't in every gospel book, but his unique role is in every book)       a. He will be great in the sight of              the Lord        b. He will take a Nazarite Vow        c. He will be filled with the Holy              Spirit even from the womb        d. He will turn many of the children              of Israel back to the Lord their              God       e. He will go in the spirit and power              of Elijah - Matthew 3:1-3; Mark              1:1-5; Luke 3:1-6; John 1:19-23   •   TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN    •   THE DISOBEDIENT TO THE WISDOM OF THE JUST    •   TO MAKE READY FOR THE LORD A PEOPLE PREPARED - Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1-4; Malachi 4:5-6    4.   John was the forerunner; Elijah to come; The one who prepared people; The one who introduced Jesus (John 1:29); The Best Man (John 3:22-31)