Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
Welcome
Good morning, church family! What a joy it is to be together in the house of the Lord today. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or you’ve been part of our church for years, know that you are loved, valued, and welcome here. Today, we’ll be diving into Luke 2:22-40, a passage that reminds us of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. So, take a deep breath, open your heart, and let’s worship together!
Announcements
We’ve got some exciting things coming up in the life of our church:
- Wednesday Night Bible Study – Join us this Wednesday at 7:00 PM as we continue our deep dive into the Gospel of Luke.
- Community Outreach Event – Next Saturday, we’ll be serving our local community with a food drive and prayer outreach. Come be the hands and feet of Jesus!
- Christmas Choir Sign-Ups – If you love to sing and want to be part of our upcoming Christmas service, rehearsals start next Sunday after church.
If you’re new here, be sure to stop by our Welcome Table after service—we’d love to meet you!
Section 2. Call to Worship
Scripture & Invitation
Psalm 95:6 (NIV) says:
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
Church, let’s take a moment to shift our focus from the distractions of the week and center our hearts on God. He is worthy of our praise, our attention, and our love. As we worship, let’s bring Him our gratitude, our burdens, and our whole selves.
Let’s stand together as we prepare our hearts to meet with Him!
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for the gift of this new day and the opportunity to gather as Your people. We invite Your presence into this place—fill our hearts, renew our minds, and draw us closer to You. As we lift our voices in praise, may it be a sweet offering to You. And as we open Your Word, may it transform us from the inside out.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship
A Time of Worship
There’s nothing more powerful than a church family lifting their voices in praise together! Whether you love contemporary songs or traditional hymns, this is our time to celebrate who God is.
Let’s worship with all our hearts, knowing that He inhabits the praises of His people!
Section 5. Scripture Reading
Introduction
Today’s Scripture comes from Luke 2:22-40, where we see Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus to the temple. Here, they encounter Simeon and Anna, two faithful servants of God who had been waiting for the promised Messiah. This passage is a beautiful reminder that God always fulfills His promises!
The Events in Luke 2:22-40
Mary and Joseph obeyed the law and brought Jesus to the temple for dedication. Simeon, a devout man who had been waiting for the “consolation of Israel,” recognized Jesus as the Savior and praised God. Likewise, Anna, a prophetess who had spent her life worshiping in the temple, rejoiced at the sight of Jesus and shared the good news with others.
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40 (NIV)
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 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.”[b]
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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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 may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of 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 prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, 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.[d] 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.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Father, we thank You for the example of Simeon and Anna—faithful servants who waited patiently and trusted in Your promises. Lord, we ask that You help us to wait on You with the same faith and devotion. Strengthen those who are weary, comfort those who are hurting, and fill us all with Your peace as we trust in Your perfect plan.
Congregational Prayer Response
Church, let’s say this together:
“Lord, just as Simeon and Anna waited with faith, help us to trust in Your promises and recognize Your presence in our lives. Amen.”
Section 7. Offering
Giving as Worship
Giving is an act of worship—an opportunity to honor God with our finances and trust Him with our resources. As we bring our tithes and offerings today, let’s remember that everything we have comes from Him, and we give out of gratitude for all He has done.
Offering Prayer
Father, thank You for blessing us so abundantly. We give these tithes and offerings as an act of worship, acknowledging that You are our provider. Use these gifts to build Your kingdom and bless those in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 8. Special Music
A Time of Reflection
Now, let’s prepare our hearts to receive today’s message with a special song. May these lyrics remind us of God’s faithfulness and His unwavering love for us.
Bring This Sermon to Life
Want to dive deeper into today’s message?
Gain access to the full teaching and resources designed to strengthen your faith.
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The One Thing That Changed Everything for Two People Who Waited Their Whole Lives…
The Story That No One Talks About…
Simeon and Anna weren’t famous. They weren’t kings, warriors, or prophets with books named after them. They were just two ordinary people with one extraordinary trait—they waited on God.
For years, Simeon clung to a whispered promise from the Holy Spirit: “You will not die before you see the Messiah.” But days turned into months. Months turned into years. And still…nothing.
Anna? She had been widowed for decades. Most would have given up. But not Anna. Instead, she worshiped daily, fasting and praying, knowing that God always keeps His promises.
Then, in one moment, everything changed.
One ordinary day in the temple. A baby in His mother’s arms.
And Simeon knew.
And Anna rejoiced.
Because when you truly see who Jesus is… everything changes.
Why This Message Matters More Than Ever…
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, waiting feels like a punishment. But God doesn’t waste the waiting. It’s where He refines us. Strengthens us. Prepares us.
This sermon isn’t just about Simeon and Anna. It’s about you. It’s about trusting God in the waiting. It’s about recognizing Jesus when He shows up in your life. It’s about stepping into the fullness of what He has for you.
Imagine standing before your congregation, sharing this message of hope. Picture their eyes lighting up with renewed faith, their hearts stirred with fresh passion.
That’s the power of this sermon.
Here’s My Offer To You…
I’ve taken this message—crafted it, refined it, and structured it in a way that makes sharing it with your church effortless.
You get:
✅ A fully developed, ready-to-preach sermon based on Luke 2:22-40
✅ A powerful expository outline that breaks down the passage with clarity and impact
✅ Deep insights on Christian discipleship and spiritual growth that will resonate with your congregation
✅ A transformational message that will stir hearts, inspire faith, and lead to real spiritual change
All you have to do? Deliver it.
Your donation keeps this ministry alive—if you find value in this message, I ask that you give generously so we can continue equipping pastors and leaders like you.
Let’s bring God’s Word to life—together.
