Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Isn't it interesting? That Mary and Joseph Don't just form a little family bubble with Jesus.
Now they go. To the temple. They present Jesus to the temple. They listen to Simeon. They listen to Anna Welcome to the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Today, we're concluding our lesson on Simeon and Anna, two faithful believers who waited their entire lives to see the promised Messiah. Today, John discusses what their example teaches us about raising the next generation in God's Word. And what it means for all of us to wait for Christ's return.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe. Luke, possibly because he was a physician, appears to have a great love for children. As we've seen, he gives details of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, which the other Gospel writers don't. Last time we saw Mary and Joseph with Jesus in their arms meeting Simeon in the temple. Although it's a dark time for Israel, Simeon claims the promises made in the Old Testament that there would be a time of comfort and consolation for Israel.
and filled with the Spirit, Simeon, As he takes the little boy Jesus in his arms, he knows that this is the Lord's Christ. He recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah who brings salvation to Gentiles as well as to Jews. Today we'll meet Anna, a godly widow, who is also waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Look to First of all, verse 21. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, He was called Jesus.
the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 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 turtle doves or two young Pigeons.
Let's just stop there for a minute. We read in verse 21 about the circumcision. Following the Mosaic law, Mary and Joseph have Jesus circumcised on the eighth day. They are dedicating their firstborn to the Lord.
So, first of all, we have the presentation by Mary and Joseph in Luke 2. Verses twenty-one. Through 24.
Now we have this amazing prophecy by this man called Simeon. Verse twenty five.
Now there's a man in Jerusalem, his 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.
So here is Simeon waiting. But Simeon is not only waiting, we see him now praying. Verse 28. He took him up in his arms. You picture this.
This man, probably an old man, we don't know his age. Taking the baby Jesus 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.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Simeon takes this little boy in his arms. Knowing that this is the Lord's Christ, knowing that this is the Messiah. And now This godly man is able to die in peace according to your word. He's waiting, he's praying. And now he's going to make a prophecy, verse 33.
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them. And said to Mary his mother, Here's a prophecy. Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel. and for a sign that is opposed.
And the sword will pierce through your own soul also.
so that thoughts from many hearts May be revealed. Joseph and Mary marvel at this prayer of Simeon. They're humbled as he blesses them. But then here's the prophecy. It is true.
Simeon is prophesizing that many will rise in Israel. Ah, but the child is also appointed. No, that's it. for the fall of many in Israel. And the sign of this The sign that the consolation of Israel is coming through this little baby, the Lord's Christ.
is that they're coming And the consolation and the salvation is coming at a cost. Pain. Hostility. rejection and suffering are going to be experienced by the Mother Mary. You see, first of all then, the presentation by Mary and Joseph.
Secondly, the prophecy by Simeon. Third, the proclamation by Anna. Verse thirty-six. And there was a prophetess. Anna.
the daughter of Fanuel 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 84. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping 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.
So here in the temple, there are these Two important figures: Simeon. and Anna that Luke is telling us about. No. Scripture says she's an old prophetess. She's a widow of 80.
four years. And it appears that she's present during Simeon's prayer and prophecy. And so she's giving thanks and making a proclamation. To everyone there, the temple was a very, very busy place. She proclaims to everyone the coming redemption of Jerusalem.
And that redemption is coming through this little baby. Jesus.
Now these verses and not just giving us for our information. They're given for our instruction. And I want to draw together four truths which I think can come from these verses. Here's the first one. Children.
must be raised. in accordance with the word of God.
Now that sounds very basic, doesn't it? And it is basic. But it needs to be said, doesn't it? We have a culture which doesn't help us in raising our children. You know that if you're a parent, you know that if you're a grandparent.
But children must be raised. This is the priority. To raise them in accordance with the word of God. And Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the temple in accordance with the law of the Lord. Paul is going to remind Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, Timothy, from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which were able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Wise parents. Teach their children the word of God from infancy, from a child. Don't wait till they're a teenager. No, whenever they're born, you're praying for them. You're reading scripture to them.
You're bringing them up in the ways of the Lord. That was true of Timothy. And that is true for Quite a number of us here that we were raised in the atmosphere of the word of God. Fathers, will you take that initiative? Maybe ten minutes, it may be a prayer.
But you are teaching them the Word of God and the principles that come from the Word of God. But not only are parents to teach the Holy Scriptures to their children. Their children are to be raised in the community of believers. You say, what do you mean by that?
Well, isn't it interesting? That Mary and Joseph Don't just form a little family bubble with Jesus.
Now they go. To the temple? They present Jesus to the temple. They listened to Simeon. They listened to.
Anna. And this is very, very important. We emphasize the importance of bringing up children in the ways of the Lord. We recognize that you as parents need help in raising your children. This is why.
At an early age, we encourage parents to bring their children. into corporate worship. You say, well, they don't understand. You don't understand everything. I don't understand everything.
Spiritual truth. It's hard, it's Pondered, think of Mary, she's treasuring these things in her heart. Mary and Joseph, they don't understand everything that's going on, but God is revealing his truth to them. And so how important it is that children are exposed to corporate worship. Not just their own little Sunday school class, but Learn the great hymns of the faith, learn contemporary hymns.
Understand the importance of the word of God that they are raised in the community of believers.
Now, I understand. There is no command in the New Testament for parents publicly to dedicate their children to the Lord. But at Calvary, we strongly recommend that. Why do we do that? Because we want parents to understand, first of all, They're going to thank God for their children.
They're going to do that publicly. They're going to renew their commitment. As husband and wife, Renew their commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. State publicly that they are seeking the help of God and of us. Their brothers and sisters in Christ, to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.
This is a public, it's a joyful expression. That the community of believers has a very important part in the life of your children.
Now many of you who have raised children here would strongly subscribe to that. You thank God as I thank God. For our volunteers in our nursery. You hand over that little child in the nursery. If it's the firstborn, you wonder if it's going to be there when you come back.
It is. If you're a helicopter mother, that's a little difficult for you. We understand that. But in the nursery We're going to take that little child. not only take care of it, But pray for it.
We're going to teach toddlers. about Jesus. When they get up, they're going to go into a Sunday school class. Then they're going to go into the middle school and High school ministries.
So recognition. that we need help. in raising our children. And that a church involves children, it involves students. and that other people, very importantly, Can be used by God and are used by God.
to point your children your grandchildren to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Don't create your own little family bubble. You say, well, we're strong in the family. Yes, that's good. But we should also be strong.
on the family of God. And this idea that you can raise your children just by yourself. And you don't need to put your children to Sunday school, they don't need to go to youth group, don't need to go to WANA, that you're going to do it all. It's not only contrary to Scripture, it's really quite foolish. We need one another.
The scripture is. Clear on this. The example is given in the Old Testament of the children. and the students being with the people of God as they listen to the law. of the Lord.
So here's the first truth. Children must be raised. in accordance with the word of God.
Secondly, The nation of Israel does have a future. We saw that recently as we went through the book of Esther. I want to repeat it. Notice what Simeon is doing, he's waiting for the consolation. Of what?
Of Israel. What's Anna doing? She is waiting for the redemption. of Jerusalem, the capital. God's holy city, the capital of Jerusalem.
Yes, Jesus Christ is today building his church. We rejoice in that. But the church Does not replace Israel. Paul makes it clear in Romans 11: there is a future for Israel. And just think of this with all that goes on in the Middle East.
God has a future. For his holy city. The great city. the city of Jerusalem. Do you realize that Jerusalem is going to be redeemed in the future.
Anna is proclaiming The future redemption. of Jerusalem. Where would you get that idea from?
Well, turn with me to the book of Zechariah. You say, I don't know where that is. Luke, go back, Mark, go back, Matthew, go back, Malachi, go back, Zechariah, you got it. Zechariah thirteen. I find this fascinating.
Zechariah thirteen, verse one. On that day, That's the day of the Lord, a future day. On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David. and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. to cleanse them from sin.
and uncleanness. Chapter 14. Verse 1. Behold, a day is coming for the Lord. when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.
for I will gather all of the nations against Jerusalem to battle. There's going to be the campaign of Armageddon, isn't there? All of the nations are going to be against Israel, against Jerusalem. and the city shall be taken. and the plough houses plundered and the woman raped.
Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. You say it's very gloomy, yes, but look at verse 3. Then The Lord will go out. And fight against those nations as when he fights on the day of battle. On that day, his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the mount shall move northward and the other north.
Southward. Verse 8, on that day. Living water shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the Eastern Sea and half of them to the Western Sea. That's the Dead Sea in the Mediterranean. It shall continue in summer as in winter.
And the Lord. Will be king over all of the earth. On that day, the Lord will be one and his name one. Verse 16. Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of booths.
And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them. A wonderful redemption. For Jerusalem. It's going to be the center of the earth during the millennial kingdom. And then, in the eternal state, the new Jerusalem is going to come down out of heaven, as we read in the closing chapters of the book of Revelation.
And here is Anna. This godly woman who again knows the Old Testament scriptures, is proclaiming. that there's going to come a time for the redemption of Jerusalem. In her day, that was very dark. Religion There was very nominal, very legalistic, very harsh.
Ah, but she's looking ahead and now realizes that in Jesus Christ There is the consolation of Israel, as Simeon says, and there is the redemption of Jerusalem. as said by Anna. Second point in conclusion is this: the nation of Israel has a future. Third, Followers of Jesus Christ are waiting. for his return.
What's Simeon doing? He's waiting for the consolation of Israel. What's Anna doing? She is waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. What are we to do?
Listen to Paul. We are waiting, he says, Titus 2, verse 13. We are waiting. for our blessed hope. The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Same word, waiting. Used by Luke. in reference to Simeon and Anna, now used by Paul. What are followers of Jesus Christ to do? We are waiting.
For the return of our Savior. This is our blessed. Hope. But the Christian We don't worry, we're not fearful. We take an interest in what's going on, of course, we are.
We're to engage our culture, we don't retreat from it, that is true, but we look up. And we realize that one day Perhaps before the end of this year. We don't know, but what is very, very clear is that Jesus Christ is coming back. That there's a wonderful future for us. The history as we know it isn't going to continue in a linear way forever and ever.
There's going to be a dramatic change, and that change is going to happen by the return of our Savior. And what are we to do? We're to do as Simeon did. to look beyond the darkness. He believed in the consolation of Israel.
He was waiting for that. We're to do what Anna did, to look up. And she was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. We are waiting. first and foremost for the return of our Saviour.
from heaven. That changes our priority, doesn't it? That changes how we live. That gives us an urgency in communicating the gospel to those who don't know Christ. Waiting.
For that blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour. Jesus Christ. Can that be said of you? You're so bogged down in your own little life. You're looking down.
Or you're looking out at the world and you're full of fear. Look up. Wait. for a saviour from heaven. Finally.
Jesus not only provides salvation, he does that, he is. Salvation. He is the light. of the revelation to the Gentiles. and for the glory of the people Israel.
Simeon looked to Christ and experienced peace. Notice what he says in verse 30: For my eyes have seen your salvation. He recognized. That Jesus was not only going to bring salvation, He is salvation. His name is Jesus, for he saves his people from their sins.
Jesus comes not just to point the way to salvation, not just to tell us about salvation, He is salvation, in other words. There's no salvation for you. There's no salvation for me apart from Jesus Christ. No one else can forgive your sins. No one else can take you to heaven.
No one else can defeat death. No one else can Conquer. The devil and the foes of darkness and hell in our life, other than our magnificent. Saviour. Salvation has come.
and comes in the person of Jesus. That's God's grace, isn't it? He's not just shouting to us, this is what you must do. He is. Sal That is to know Christ.
It's the no. Salvation. He's central. In salvation. This is the verdict with Pastor Jean Monroe.
And the conclusion of a message about Simeon and Anna. John has more to share in just a moment, so keep listening. From matters of good and bad to right and wrong, and even identity and relationships, our world seems more confused than ever. But to find truth and certainty about who we are and where we're going, we need to tune out all the voices and the noise and look to the Word of God. To help us do that, John wrote a booklet titled Eternal Security: Finding Certainty in a Chaotic World.
He shares a bit of his personal testimony along with a careful examination of scripture to help you answer the real and important questions you may have about your salvation. This special booklet is completely free by mail or download. Just visit our website at theverdict.org. Here at the Verdict, our work is to share the truth of God's Word and the good news of Jesus Christ with as many listeners as we can. And during this special time of giving and sharing the story of Jesus, we invite you to partner with us by making a year-end donation.
We've made it quick and easy to give online at the verdict.org. And then, as we close, we invite you to join us in person for Sunday worship at Calvary Church, home of the verdict. were located at the corner of Highway fifty one and Ray Road in South Charlotte. To find directions and details, just visit our website at theverdict.org. And now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Do you believe that Israel has a future? Today we've seen an increase in anti-Semitism. and nations even calling for the complete destruction of Israel. But we're taught to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Well you do that. Perhaps you're in a dark time and are struggling to find hope. Will you look to Jesus who is a light to the whole world? that was recognized by Simeon and Anna, and I trust now by you. How will you respond to Jesus, the long-promised Messiah who comes to save you?
Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
