Sermon Notes - Luke 2:21-35 - Littleby Baptist Church - February 22, 2026

1.        Last week we moved from talking about the events leading up to Jesus’ birth to talking about Jesus’ birth.

a.        God had orchestrated the entire thing.

b.       Jesus was the fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham and others.

c.        His lineage was that of the house of David, as prophesied long before.

d.       He was born in Bethlehem, as foretold.

e.        Things happened as God planned.

2.        In the birth of our Lord, we also see that He came for all.

a.        Born in the humblest of settings.

b.       Followed by His first visitors, shepherds.

c.        People who were not accepted by many.

d.       An angel told the shepherds that baby Jesus would be there.

e.        They went and found Him.

f.          Exactly as the angel stated.

3.        Reminding us once again, when God says something, we can count on it.

a.        Through the birth of Jesus.

b.       Prophesies and promises have come to fruition.

4.        God is faithful.

a.        We need to be faithful and follow Him.

b.       Not letting things get in the way.

c.        If God has called us to something.

d.       He will give us what we need to do His will.

e.        Our job is to take that step of faith.

5.        Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds had heard from God.

a.        Each one had a choice to make.

b.       Each one chose to step out in faith.

c.        Exactly like we are called to do.

6.        Let’s continue this morning with the events that followed Jesus’ birth.

7.        Luke 2:21

a.        Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph faithfully named the baby as Gabriel had said.

8.        They were being faithful in what they could.

a.        They went to have Him circumcised on the 8^th day.

b.       And they named the baby Jesus.

c.        Their faithfulness continues.

9.        Luke 2:22-24

a.        Following the OT Law, found in Leviticus 12.

b.       Mary had to present an offering after her time of purification.

c.        Having a son, it was 33 days.

d.       7 days unclean and 33 days for purification.

e.        The time was double if a lady had a daughter.

10.   In addition to the purification we are seeing Joseph and Mary, faithfully presenting their first-born male to God.

a.        As was commanded in Exodus 13.

b.       All first born male children and animals, are to be presented to God.

c.        It was how they were to honor God for passing them over when the final plague hit Egypt.

11.   We see hear that they offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

a.        The offering for those who could not afford the proper sacrifice of a lamb.

12.   This supports that the wisemen had not arrived yet.

a.        The wisemen gave Mary and Joseph expensive gifts.

b.       If they had received those gifts, they would be able to afford a lamb.

c.        Being faithful followers of God, if they could have afforded the lamb they would have offered one.

13.   Why does Luke include these events?

a.        Naming the baby Jesus.

b.       Circumcision on the 8^th day.

c.        Then on the 40^th day, offering a sacrifice for Mary.

d.       And presenting the first-born son.

e.        To show that they were faithfully doing what God had told them.

f.          The things commanded from years past and the things they were told more recently.

14.   Being in the temple that day brought them into the presence of a man who was waiting to see Yahweh is salvation, one of the names of Jesus.

15.   Luke 2:25

a.        Luke tells us Simeon is righteous and devout.

b.       A man who was guided by the Holy Spirit.

c.        Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and now Simeon were filled or guided by the Holy Spirit.

d.       People who stand out in their commitment to God and His leading.

e.        It would be great to be found in their company.

16.   Simeon was a man who was looking forward to the consolation of Israel.

a.        He was watching for the day when Israel would return to following God.

b.       He must have seen the corruption of the leaders of the day.

c.        And was hopeful for the day that Israel would honor God.

d.       Follow His commands and serve Him.

17.   Simeon’s faith was strong.

a.        And he trusted in God’s leading.

18.   Luke 2:26

a.        Imagine knowing something was going to happen in your lifetime.

b.       Think about how you might live your life differently, if you knew Jesus would come before you die.

c.        In your 20’s or 30’s it might be a thought hanging out there.

d.       Probably shape your priorities, but your focus would be split between building a life and telling people about Jesus.

e.        As you get older, 50’s, 60’s, the time you spend talking about Jesus would likely increase.

f.          Hit retirement age and Jesus hasn’t come back yet, it might drive us to share Jesus with everyone.

g.        Behavior would change as time felt shorter.

19.   Simeon was on the lookout for the Messiah.

a.        He was faithfully serving God each day.

b.       He did not know when the Messiah would come.

c.        Just that He would.

20.   We don’t know when Jesus will return.

a.        Biblical scholars debate on what the End of Days will look like.

b.       By watching the world, we know the pieces are coming together.

c.        Our time could be drawing short.

d.       We don’t know if we will be here tomorrow.

21.   How should that knowledge impact our priorities?

a.        Do we need to serve God more?

b.       Do we need to share Jesus with more people?

c.        Do we need to step out in faith without having all of the answers?

d.       I encourage you to pray about it.

e.        Seek God’s will for your service.

f.          And follow His lead.

22.   Luke 2:27

a.        When we listen to God, He has us where He wants us.

b.       Simeon was listening to the Holy Spirit.

c.        And he arrived exactly when he needed to.

d.       When Mary and Joseph were faithfully following the commands of God given to Moses.

23.   This wasn’t a by chance event; it was God guided.

24.   Luke 2:28-29

a.        Simeon sees baby Jesus.

b.       Through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

c.        Knows that He is the Messiah.

d.       And knows that God has fulfilled His promise to him.

25.   God promised.

a.        God fulfills.

b.       A reoccurring theme so far in Luke.

c.        And throughout Scripture.

d.       Think about this for a moment.

e.        Do we take God at His word?

f.          Do we trust in the things Scripture tells us?

g.        I suspect, if you are like me, there are times we can say...

h.        Absolutely, I am not as good at it as I should be.

i.          Thankfully Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith.

j.          We need to trust in our God more.

k.        It is a process and something we can grow in.

l.          The more time you spend with God the easier it becomes to trust Him.

26.   Luke 2:30

a.        Jesus, Yahweh is Salvation.

b.       Nothing in Scripture tells us that Simeon knows how Jesus’ life will play out.

c.        But what he did know and believed is that salvation was going to come through the baby in his arms.

d.       Jesus is salvation for all of humankind.

e.        He is salvation for all who turn to Him.

27.   Luke 2:31-32

a.        God has prepared this amazing gift.

b.       Something that was part of His plan from before time began.

c.        A gift.

d.       Salvation.

e.        For Jews and Gentiles alike.

f.          A light of revelation for those who did not know the OT Scriptures.

28.   Isaiah 42:6-7

a.        Jesus is a covenant, a promise, a guarantee for all people.

b.       All nations.

c.        He is the light that can break through the darkness in our lives.

d.       The darkness in the world around us.

e.        We need to let Him be that light.

29.   The last little bit of this verse talks about glory to God’s people, Israel.

a.        They are meant to be priests to the world.

b.       They were faltering on that.

c.        But Salvation was brought to them, through Jesus.

d.       Jesus is for every man, woman, and child.

e.        No matter who their ancestors are.

30.   Luke 2:33

a.        From Gabriel.

b.       Luke 1:31-35

c.        From Elizabeth.

d.       Luke 1:43

e.        From the Angel, that the Shepherds shared.

f.          Luke 2:11

31.   Having heard all of that, what could amaze them?

a.        There was one piece of new information in what Simeon said.

b.       That was that Jesus would be salvation to the gentiles.

c.        That could be what got their attention.

d.       That and maybe that some stranger knew what he knew.

32.   God had been giving Joseph and Mary more information.

a.        As well as confirming what He had already told them.

b.       This should strengthen their faith.

c.        Help them to stand strong.

d.       Allow them to trust in God with the turmoil they would face.

e.        Helping them to hold on to what He has told them with the uncertain future.

33.   Like we are to hold on to the Word of God.

a.        Trusting in what it teaches us.

b.       Believing in the promises it contains.

c.        Knowing that our God is faithful.

d.       Helps us to step forward and faith.

e.        And comforts us when hit with challenges.

34.   Luke 2:34-35

a.        Jesus’ life was not going to be easy.

b.       Some would rise when they recognize that salvation comes through Jesus.

c.        They will be saved by their faith in the Messiah.

d.       Others would fall when the reject the truth that Jesus was telling them.

e.        And Mary, like any mother, would endure pain as the events of Jesus’ life unfold.

35.   This all being in the past for us.

a.        We can look at these last couple of verses and know they are true.

b.       Those who followed Jesus.

c.        Who gave their lives to Him, may have faced turmoil and death on earth.

d.       But they are with Him for all of eternity.

e.        The same for us, if we trust in Jesus we will spend forever with Him.

f.          What a wonderful day that will be.

36.   Those that do not trust Jesus.

a.        Those who rejected His truths.

b.       Who do not accept the gift He is offering.

c.        The gift of salvation, forgiveness, and an eternity with God.

d.       Those that reject the Light will have a horrible eternity.

37.   Which will you choose?

a.        Life eternal with the Salvation of the Lord, who died for us.

b.       Forgiving us of our sins.

c.        Or, agony for all of time.

d.       Each of us have to make a choice.

e.        If you want to know more about Jesus, I would love to talk with you.

38.   For us Christ followers, take God at His Word.

a.        Trust that He is with you.

b.       Trust that He is faithful.

c.        And step out in faith.

d.       Pointing people to Jesus.

e.        And doing what He has called you to do.