Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith

Pastor Zach Prosser

Sermon Discussion Notes

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• Ø  The Dedication of Jesus (Luke 2:22-24)

  • It was customary to offer a lamb as a burnt offering (Leviticus 12:6-8).

  • Joseph and Mary didn’t have a lamb to offer, but they offered the spotless lamb of God.

    § John said Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1:29).

• Ø  Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of Faith (Luke 2:22-24)

• The Holy Spirit Moves on those who see through the eyes of faith.

§ Johnleapedinhismother’swombwhenhesensedthebabyJesus(Luke1:39-45). § ElizabethprophesiedthatMarywasthemotheroftheMessiah(Luke1:39-45).
§ Maryprophesiedoverherself:theMagnificat(Luke1:46-55).

• Ø  Zacharias Doubted God (Luke 1:5-25)

  • Zacharias means “the Lord remembers.”

  • God made him dumb (speechless) for nine months because of his unbelief.

    § If you can’t speak the words of faith over something, just be quiet.

  • There had not been a word from God for 400 years before God spoke to Zacharias.

    § Prophecy was not the norm at that time.
    § God is looking for people to step outside of the norm and see through the eyes of faith.

• Ø  Simeon Saw Through the Eyes of Faith (Luke 2:25-35)

  • Simeon’s father is believed to be Hillel the Elder, the leader of the Sanhedrin.

  • Simeon was also believed to be a leader of the Sanhedrin, and his son was Gamiliel I who

    taught the Jewish law to the Apostle Paul.

  • Simeon gave up his position of power to spent one moment with Jesus.

  • The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon, and he saw Jesus through the eyes of faith.

    § The Jewish leaders were looking with natural eyes for a conquering king.

• Ø  Anna Saw Through the Eyes of Faith (Luke 2:36-38)

  • Simeon and Anna waited for the Messiah to come and they didn’t give up hope.

    § Everyone else in the temple missed Jesus.

  • Their faith became sight when they saw Him.

  • Jesus came in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4-5)

• Ø  We are Dependent upon the Holy Spirit to See Through Eyes of Faith

• Jesus said it was for our benefit that He leave us (John 16:7).

Ø Paul Sacrificed All to Obtain Christ (Philippians 3:7-9)
• Like Simeon, Paul thought the reward of obtaining Christ was worth more than all the world.

§ What have you sacrificed to obtain Christ?