February 20, 2011
Scripture:
Scripture:
Scripture:
Can we look at that portion in Revelation again? We have seen in chapter 4 the Lord is announced as the worthy, because he created all things. Then, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon” (vv. 1-4). But then, someone said, “Don’t weep. Someone has been found to open the book.” Who was it? It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah. John looked, and saw a lion … no, he saw a lamb, as it had been slain. The work of salvation required a lamb, not a lion. We saw in Philippians how He was obedient unto death. On the cross, He took all our sin and the judgement of God. So who better to open the book than the One who experienced that judgement? So He took the book: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (vv. 8 & 9). What was in the book? It holds all the judgements of the tribulation. Who is more suited to open the book and mete out judgement to the world that rejected Him? He is worthy because He is the Lamb. “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (v. 10). When the Lord comes to reign, He will come as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. We can’t know how much God values His Son; but we should worship Him as the only worthy One. “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (v.12). We have done so this morning!
Hymn 335 - I am so glad that our Father in Heaven
Prayer
We’re going through the story of Jacob. Last time, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Jacob still had the fear about facing Esau.
Read Genesis 33:1 - 18, and ch. 35:1 - 3, & 9 - 20
This chapter begins when Jacob looked up and saw Esau with 400 men on the horizon. Jacob lined his family and men into three groups, so if Esau started to fight with one of the groups, the other two could get away.
Read Vv. 3 & 4: Jacob did this to try and appease Esau. He tried to make Esau look like someone very good and important. In truth, Esau wasn’t very good; he didn’t want to have anything to do with God. When they met, they kissed and wept.
Vv 5 & 7: Esau saw all of Jacob’s family and asked who they were. Jacob introduced them all and had them bow down before Esau. Then, Esau asked what the animals were for, v. 8. Jacob told Esau that they were a gift, to find grace in his sight. Jacob had all his calculations wrong! We can see that the Lord was in it. However, Jacob urged Esau to take the gift.
Read vv. 12 - 16. Jacob tried not to offend Esau when he told him about their traveling plans. He told Esau that he would come to Seir, so Esau went back to Seir. However, instead of going straight to Seir, Jacob first went to Succoth.
Read ch. 35:1 - 3. God told Jacob to go to Bethel. In v.9, the Lord blessed Jacob, and told him again that his name was changed to Israel.
V.18 Rachel—Jacob’s favorite wife—died while giving birth to Benjamin. This must have been a very sad time for Jacob.
We see how God was in charge of Jacob’s life. He changed Jacob from a cheat to a blessed man, leaning on the Lord for help. Jacob had twelve sons, whose children are referred to as the twelve tribes of Israel. It’s precious to see that if you have to do with God, He can make things right in your life. He certainly did that for Israel.
Last time Mary and Joseph were in the temple fulfilling the law, and we heard what Simeon had to say. Today, they’re still in the temple and another person comes along. Anna was a prophetess who lived in the temple, and the text seems to say that she was eighty-four. She was from the tribe of Asher, probably a faithful descendant of the children of Asher that came to Hezekiah’s Passover.
It’s important to note that Simeon and Anna are only mentioned in Luke’s gospel. We’ve come to look at these two chapters because they seem to come after what happened in Malachi. There was a little remnant there who feared the Lord, thought on His name, and spoke often to each other. Anna was a part of these, but four hundred years later. She spoke of the Lord to those that looked for redemption in Israel; so there was a witness of two people - Simeon and Anna - which was legally convincing under the law.
Anna was a widow, with a widow’s heart, but she ceased to be such when she found the Lord. She was waiting for her bridegroom and she found him. Even though she was so old, yet it’s precious to see what her occupation was. She fasted, prayed, and served God. These are things that all God’s people are to do.
Another thing that she did was give thanks. This isn’t an unbeliever’s action. The people were under bondage, yet still she found something to give thanks for. Whatever our situation is, there is always something to give thanks for.
She also spoke of the Lord to all those that looked for redemption. She was a testimony for her Lord. One wonders how many faithful people were left after four hundred years and many generations. The number would generally dwindle, but not all the faithful here were elderly people. Mary and Joseph were young folks, and it is precious to see them.
Anna didn’t pick Jesus up like Simeon did, but she gave thanks and then went and told others about him. She had her private enjoyment of our Lord, and then the public enjoyment. This is an important principle for our lives. We need to have our private study, but we also need to tell others about our Lord and to worship with others.
This gospel is written to the Gentiles, and though it is the story of grace coming in, that grace magnifies the law (Vv. 22-24, 27, & 39 reference the law) without making it the basis of our relationship with God. Joseph seemed to take his responsibility seriously, and would make sure that all was done correctly; because he was Jesus’ legal father, if he wasn’t his biological father. After they had done all that the law required, they went back to Nazareth.
We then seem to jump about twelve years, with just a reference to Jesus’ progress. He grew, not just physically, but spiritually. To grow we have to eat; and it’s the same way spiritually, but with different food. We have to feed on the Word of God; and then we need to meditate on it, like a cow chewing it’s cud. After a while, we stop growing physically, but we can always be growing spiritually. In first John, the apostle gives three stages of development: children, young men, and fathers. Sadly, some people still seem to be children after many years of being saved.
Then the Lord was filled with wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. If we are saved, and in Christ, then He becomes our wisdom. Grace was also upon Him, as He was the One who brought grace and truth to the world.
So may we learn lessons from Anna and our growing Lord.
Hymn 350 - Fishers of Men
Prayer