Friday Night Large Group, October 24, 2008

“Power”

Luke 2:21-38

Rev. Min J. Chung

(Friday Night Large Group, October 24, 2008)

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When 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 was written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Introduction

When we talk about power, we’re not talking about a shallow type of power, but rather,a deep and transforming power. Shallow power includes physical strength, emotional strength, or the strength to cast out demons. However, true power is the ability to overcome sin, the ability to change other people’s lives, changing others’ hearts, or changing their destinations and destinies.
There are all kinds of systems in this world. The most difficult system to change is people’s hearts. Historical figures could conquer other nations and bring them to their knees, but they couldn’t conquer other people’s hearts.
Luke 2 has many parallels to1 Samuel. Through this passage, we will learn how to live after events like Revival.
Our past always influences our future. Our past does not have to determine our future, but it can influence it, sometimes in a big way and sometimes in small ways. Our culture can also influence our lives. For example, we all have our current hairstyles, but if we had the exact same hairstyle twenty years ago, we’d all get laughed at.
Many people I counsel have been abused in the past. When they make interpretations about the present, their thoughts from the past influence the present and the future.
I don’t like fasting, but I fast because the Bible says to do so. When I fast, I think about food. Everything starts to look like food. Do you know how many TV commercials are about food? When you’re not hungry, you don’t notice them, but when you’re hungry, you notice everything. Even crumbslook good. The best thing about fasting is not the fast itself, but afterward. Afterward, you’re purer than before. Since your heart and mind arepure, it’s important what you do after you fast.
What you do in the past influences what you do in the future. It’s the same with events like Revival. Revival was a good experience for many people. However, Revival isn’t about that one experience, but it’s preparation for what to do in the future. You need to develop agood addiction to praising God. Some of you like praying or praising God right now—so continue to love God, go to small group, and cherish those things—but be cautious of the condition of your heart so you won’t become addicted to wrong things again. Guard your heart andguard what goes into your mind. Cherish the good addictions you have so you won’t fall into sinful addictions.
CFC has a purpose, and every event has a purpose to help you progress in your spiritual life. As you grow, you’re not just circling, but you’re growing upward spiritually. Revival meetings are a time to commit yourself and grow closer to the Lord. Your whole CFC experience will be a part of your past someday. How will it fit into your life? Some people can stay at CFC for ten years and not grow spiritually,while others can stay here two years and grow tremendously. It depends on your heart. How does your CFC experience fit into the whole picture of redemptive history? God has a plan for you. You need to be involved in what God is doing.
In this passage, there are two old saints of God. From past prophecies, they knew Jesuswas coming. They grabbed that chance to see Jesus in the present. They lived the rest of their life for the Lord. They were called to pray and to proclaim the Word of God. That’s what we must do. They waited for the first coming of Jesus. We are waiting for the second coming of Jesus. We are called to pray and to proclaim the Word of God. We need to have long-term perspective and short-term faithfulness.
When I’m preaching the Word of God, I think about your lives fifty years down the line. What can help you now to have long-term perspective? You need it when you listen to the Word of God.

The Story of Hannah and Samuel: David
1 Samuel – Hannah & Samuel
Hannah and Samuel were preparing for the coming of King David. God’s kingdom was pictured through the nation of Israel. Hannah was childless and barren, which was a picture of the Israelites. Hannah prayed, and through her prayer she gave birth to a prophet, and this prophet spoke the Word which gave birth to a nation.
Luke – Elizabeth / Zachariah & John
Luke saw the correlation of the story of Hannah & Samuel with the story Elizabeth, Zachariah & John.
Luke 1:7 says, “But they had no children, because Elizabeth [Zacharia] was barren; and they were both well along in years.”
Luke 1:13 says, “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”

1 Samuel / Luke
Barren Hannah / Barren Elizabeth
Birth of Samuel / Birth of John
Intro of David / Teen years / Intro of Jesus / Teen years
Anointing of David by Samuel / The Baptism of Jesus by John
The anointing of the Holy Spirit / The anointing of the Holy Spirit

When Hannah prayed, she gave birth to Samuel. When Zachariah prayed, Elizabeth gave birth to John.As Luke was writing, he remembered that they awaited King David’ coming in the past, and that King Jesus was going to come.
Luke is thinking about the kingdom of God, which started with Hannah’s prayer and Samuel’s word. Similarly in Luke, the kingdom of God starts with the Word of God and the prayer of the saints.
Just in case we missed that point, we come to the story of Simeon and Anna.

The Story of Simeon and Anna: Jesus
The Names
Simeon = “heard”
Samuel = Heard of God
Hannah = “grace”
Anna = “Hannah”
Luke is intentionally saying there’s a prophet named Anna like Hannah. He’s not emphasizing the people, but he’s emphasizing Simeon’s word, that will be spoken forth, and Anna’s prayer.
The kingdom of God starts with the Word of God and prayer.
Simeon – Lesson on God’s Word
In order for the kingdom of God to expand in your heart, you absolutely need the Word of God and prayer.
God’s Word gives us purpose for living

a)Luke 2:25-26 says, “25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

b)The only problem was that in the intertestamental period, there was no revelation. Simeon was waiting for Jesus to come. Simeon likely checked the temple everyday for each newborn. People probably new that Simeon was looking for the Messiah.

c)The point is that Jesus was Simeon’s life. Simeon knew he wouldn’t die until he saw Jesus. Jesus was the reason he was living.

d)There’s a story of Sioux Indian warriors. Every morning, they would get up and if it was a nice day, they would say, “Today is a good day to die.” That was the purpose of their existence.

e)That was Simeon’s thought process, but His purpose of his life was Jesus.He was looking forward to saying, “Today, I saw Jesus.” When do we think it’s a good day to die? Some people who are suicidal want to die because they aren’t getting what they want. Others want to die because there’s nothing else they want in their life. For Simeon, it is when he lifts up Jesus that he would say, “Today is a good day to die.” He was living only to see Jesus. That’s how we ought to live.

God’s Word gives us visions in life

a)Luke 2:29-32 says, “29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

b)When Simeon saw Jesus, he knew Jesus was the personification of salvation. Simeon had spiritual eyes to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah. There were many great religious leaders at that time, but even though they performed great miracles, they couldn’t recognize that Jesus was the Messiah. Simeon didn’t do anything miraculous, but he recognized Jesus. When we read God’s Word and meditate on it constantly like Simeon, we can have the vision to see the reality of life. Do you see Jesus daily? Do you want to see Jesus?

c)When you start to see Jesus, you start to see reality. Simeon saw everyone through Jesus. Simeon saw the world, history, and redemptive history through Jesus. He saw reality.

God’s Word gives us the message to proclaim

a)Luke 2:33-35 says, “33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’”

b)Those who reject Jesus willfall and those who accept Jesus willrise. When you accept Jesus, you’re humble. When you reject Jesus, you’re proud. That’s an indication of your heart, which will be revealed.

Anna – Lessons on prayer
Prayer is an expression of love

a)Luke 2:36-37 says, “36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.”

b)Anna wasn’t just old-- she was very old. She was married during her teenage years and had lived with her husband for seven years. In Greek, it’s unclear if she had been widowed for eighty-four years old or if she’s eighty-four years old.

c)Why is there such an extensive description of her marriage? The point is she had been a widow for many years, and she had been in the temple. Jesus was her love. Jesus was her groom. Shepictured the church of Christ—she stayed in the temple and would not leave.

d)Prayer is an expression of our love for Christ. Our problem is that we are filled with so much self-love when we pray.That’s why we are called adulterous people in James 4. We pray with the kind of heart to get more things. For Anna, however, her love was Jesus. We need to pray like that. Prayer is for righteous people.

Prayer provides strength

a)Luke 2:37 says, “…and then was a widow until she was eight-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

b)We usually eat for strength, but Anna fasted for strength. Jesus was her food and nourishment. That’s what Jesus meant in John 4 when the disciples went into the town to get food and Jesus was witnessing to a Samaritan woman. Jesus said to His disciples, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." . He is saying that He provides the food.

c)Anna fasted for food and nourishment. Anna’s heart was pure and undivided. Anna’s love for Jesus was through prayer. She was fasting and feasting with God’s power.

(1)Prayer provided strength for purity.

(a)Anna’s heart was pure.

(2)Prayer provided strength for worship.

(a)Anna worshipped night and day.

(3)Prayer provided strength for the ministry of Jesus’ kingdom.

(a)Anna was praying for the coming of Jesus and the consolation of the nation of the Israelites and the redemption of the world. She was praying for the world, which means she was praying for us.

(4)Prayer provided strength for daily perseverance.

(a)Anna was a widow for eighty-four years. How long have you been serving the Lord? Two years? Are you going to quit? Do you not want to quit? At least have that desire. There is no secret to faithfulness in the Christian lifeexcept through the Word of God and prayer. If you’re going to use your mind, study God’s Word. If you’re going to spend time, spend time praying as much as you can.

Prayer leads to redemptive overflow

a)Luke 2:38 says, “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

b)What comes out of your mouth? Complaining? Bad things about other people? When you want to choose a spouse, listen to what they say. Do they praise God or do they complain about other things like circumstances and situations? Don’t choose that kind of person. Jesus wants a bride that’s waiting for her groom.

c)She gave thanks to God and was speaking forward. She was filled with the thought of Jesus. She did not experience much comfort in her life because she so dearly sought after Jesus.

d)[ Movie Clip: Ratatouille is about the rat helping a chef, nicknamed “Linguini,” cook. ]

e)The rat, called “Little Chef,”sat on top of the human being and controlled him from inside of thechef’s hat. The rat was the real chef.

f)[ Movie Clip: “Linguini” had to explain to the other chefs that the rat was the one who helped him cook. ]

g)Now, the rat is no longer in the chef’s hat. “Linguini”had to explain to the other chefs in the kitchen that it was the rat inside of his hat that helped him cook. Try to see the correlation tothe Christian life from this. The rat is on the chefcontrolling his actions.

h)When the chef told the truth (much like the Gospel), nobody would believe it. The truth was that it was what was inside of him that enabled him to do what he did. He had no gift but received all the credit for what he was doing. He was able to serve through what was in him. We are to serve and feed others, but we can only do that through the Spirit of God in us that is strengthening us and empowering us. Unless the Master is in us, we can’t help others and serve others. Our job is to make critics become our fans.

The Story of The New Testament Church: Us
How can we have a powerful life to feed others?
Knowing: We must study the Bible
We must study the Bible. It doesn’t mean just reading the Bible. How does God speak to us through the Bible? Sometimes, we think the Bible is like a supernatural book in a supernatural sense. We think that when we read something, the verse that comes to us is what we need (like receiving revelation). It can be true that God can work that way supernaturally.However, God revealed His Word through history. People recorded historyin the Bible. God spoke through His people, not through dictation, but through interpretation. They chose the sentences they wrote with their own logic. That means they didn’t use vocabulary they didn’t know. Through their logic and thinking, the Spirit of God inside of them helped them to write the Bible without a mistake.
When we study the Bible, all the logic of the law of literature must be applied. We must study it, then we can apply the Bible.
Luke meditated and interpreted 1 Samuel, which was logical. When we say, “I want to understand what the Bible says,” we have to understand the author’s thoughts. At CFC, that’s what we’re trying to do. You might think it’s complicated and difficult, but it’s actually easier than your classes. If you can understand your classes, you can understand our preaching. It might be more difficult than other churches, but it’s easier than your classes.
Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

a)Exegesis is interpretation out of the text.