In THE Father’s House

Luke 2:39–52

Sermon Notes

  1. The God-man grew into manhood, vv. 39–42, 52
  2. The God-man longed to be in His Heavenly Father’s house, vv. 40–50
  3. The God-man submitted to His earthly parents’ authority, vv. 49–51

Reflection questions

  1. Jesus is not simply an example to us (see 1 Peter 2:24), but Scripture does tell us to follow His example, sometimes (see 1 Peter 2:21–23). How does the example of Christ’s childhood challenge us to new obedience? (See Hebrews 5:7)

  2. As you consider Luke 2:49, do you think of God’s law as a duty or a delight? Consider the words of this hymn (Love Constraining to Obedience), from William Cowper: “To see the Law by Christ fulfilled, To hear His pardoning voice, Changes a slave into a child And duty into choice.” Also consider Hebrews 10:5–7 and Ps 40:6–8.

  3. Why is it important that Christ lived and died for you? See 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21. Why is Christ’s death different or better than someone else’s death, better than the death of a lamb or goat or bull?

What Jesus Came to Do

Luke 2:21–37

Sermon Notes

Jesus came to:

  1. Fulfill the Law (v. 21–24)
  2. Save (vv. 21, 30)
  3. Give consolation and comfort (v. 25)
  4. Be a light to the Gentiles (v. 32)
  5. Be the glory to Israel (vv. 26, 32)
  6. Cause the rise and fall of many (v.34)
  7. Die (v. 35)
  8. To reveal the hearts of mankind (v. 35)

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some common misconceptions and wrong beliefs about who Jesus was and what he came to do?
  2. What are some different names and titles for Jesus Christ? (A quick google search can help you out here) How do their meanings help us understand what Jesus came to do?
  3. If you were to summarize the mission of Jesus, what would you say it was? What steps were taken in his life to accomplish it? How does it connect/apply to us?
  4. Our text said Jesus was appointed for the rise and fall of many, and the scriptures describe Jesus as either a cornerstone or a stumbling block. Why is this? Some people seem to be rather unaffected Jesus, but how does a proper understanding of him prevent us from being “neutral” about Jesus?

The KING ... in a Feeding Trough

Luke 2:1–21

Sermon Notes

10 Christmas Cards from Bethlehem

  1. a census, vv.1–2
  2. a hometown, vv.3–5
  3. a manger, vv. 6–7a
  4. a full house, v.7
  5. a curious choice, vv. 8–9
  6. a multitude, but not at first, vv. 9–10, 13–14
  7. an awesome sight, vv.9–12
  8. a particular peace, vv. 11–12, 14
  9. a missing wise man (or three?), vv. 15–18
  10. a reflective mother, v. 19

Reflection questions

  1. Why is it important to know that Jesus was born in humble, shameful circumstances and that the first witnesses to his birth were a despised group of shepherds? Compare this to what Jesus says in Luke 5:31–32.
  2. How is the birth of Jesus good news of great joy to you?
  3. How much time have you spent pondering the Christmas story and its impact upon you and upon the world?

After Darkness, Light

Luke 1:67–80

Sermon Notes

5 Blessings that the birth of John the Baptist brings to God’s people. It is:

  1. A sign of God’s salvation, vv. 67–71
  2. A confirmation of God’s covenant, vv. 72–73
  3. A freedom to worship God fearlessly, vv. 73–75
  4. A prophet to prepare the Lord’s way, vv. 76–78
  5. A lesser light pointing to the Greatest Light, vv. 78–80

Reflection questions:

  1. What did first–century Israel most want to be delivered from? What do you most want deliverance from? What do you think God most wants to deliver you from?
  2. Why did God deliver His people? (See Lk. 1:74–75) Also read Psalm 67 and compare this passage to the first line of our church’s mission statement (see the front of your bulletin).
  3. Why does God use poetry to teach truth to us? Why doesn’t he just tell us the facts in a more straightforward way? (Try summarizing vv. .78–79 without poetry and see which version is more memorable. Try the same thing with Psalm 23:1 and 2 Samuel 23:1–5.)

God is at Work

Luke 1:57–66

Sermon Notes

  1. God has removed our Shame (vv.57–58)
  2. God has changed our Faith (vv.59–64)
  3. God draws a response from Us (vv.65–66)

Questions for Reflection

  1. What are some traditions you have that make this time of year feel like “Christmas?”
  2. How does the “messaging” of Christmas (from commercials, signs, radio) distract us from the center of the reason for celebrating this holiday?
  3. What are some things you are commonly asking God for in prayer? Are you looking more often for comfort and therapy from God or healing of our core problem of sin?
  4. Why do we become complacent or afraid of sharing this good news that Jesus came to earth to save us from our sin?
  5. What are some challenges you have faced in your evangelism?

Nothing Will Be Impossible with God

Luke 1:26-45

Sermon Notes

  1. Favor to the Undeserving, vv. 26–33
  2. Faith in the Impossible, vv. 34–38
  3. Fulfillment of the Incredible, vv. 39–45

Reflection questions

  1. Why was Jesus born into such humble circumstances? How do you see the humiliation of Jesus even before He is born in this story? What response should we have to Jesus’s voluntary humbling of Himself? See 2 Cor. 8:9; Philippians 2:5–8.
  2. Does the Bible hold up Mary as an object of worship? Does the Bible hold up Mary’s faith as something you should imitate? Can you think of other examples of a faith in God that is ready to obey and accept the circumstances He gives? (See Isaiah 6:8; Luke 5:11)
  3. Compare the following stories of God’s miracle babies – Gen. 18:9–15; 1 Sam. 1:19–28; Judges 13; Luke 1:18–20; Luke 1:26–38. Compare the reactions from the different characters. Which character’s reaction would most closely resemble your own?

Trusting in Our Faithful God

Luke 1:5-25

Sermon Notes

  1. Silence doesn't change his faithfulness v .5–17
  2. Your wavering faith doesn't change his faithfulness v. 18–24
  3. Therefore, trust that he will faithfully fulfill his promises v. 22–25

Reflection questions:

  1. What are some reasons that we can trust God?
  2. What is something in your life that currently feels like silence from God?
  3. How have you waivered in your faith? How has that changed God's faithfulness toward you? (Hint: for those of you in Christ, it hasn't... Zep 3:17, Gal 3:3–5, Gal 4:4–7)

The Gospel of Knowing For Sure

Luke 1:1–4

Sermon Notes

  1. A Promises-Kept Account, v.1
  2. An Eyewitness Account, v.2
  3. An Orderly Account, v.3
  4. A Certain Account, v.4

Reflection questions

  1. How did being an eyewitness to Jesus’s ministry impact the eyewitnesses? Cf. 2 Peter 1:16ff; Luke 9:28–36 (esp. v.33); Luke 5:8 (compare to Isaiah 6:5)
  2. How is Luke’s gospel not simply a series of stories about Jesus but also a series of Old Testament fulfillments? See Luke 1:1; 24:25–27, 44–49

  3. What are some of the things Luke wanted Theophilus (and all of us) to be certain of? See Luke 1:17, 77; 2:29–32; 4:18–19; 5:32; 9:20–22, 51; 19:10.

    Title taken from a chapter title in Phil Ryken’s commentary on Luke.