Sermon and Worship Resources

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Luke 2:22-40 · Hebrews 4:12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... , and a reckoning for all people. Jesus’ very nature would be as a “sword of truth,” which would discern the hearts of all humankind. That truth would be painful, especially as it comes from divine origin. And that two-edged blessing would come to pierce Mary’s own heart as well, for the son she would love so dearly and purely would cause her intense anguish and unimaginable pain. One day, she would watch her son die on a Roman cross. Not only that, but his actions throughout his ministry would ...

2. Love Them Before You Leave Them

John 19:25-26

Sermon

James Merritt

... said: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also). (Lk. 2:34-35) Without a doubt, as sweet little Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, stood near the cross, looking at her Son, she could feel that sword literally piercing her own soul. She was sorrowing because Jesus died. She was sorrowing because of the way He died. He died the shameful death reserved for common criminals ...

3. The Other Side Of Christmas

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... of Christmas. How sad! If people could only see our hope is not in Jingle Bells, or holly, or mistletoe, but in a God who loves us enough to take our sufferings upon himself. That is real hope. That is real joy. Simeon knew. So did Anna. A sword might pierce Mary's soul, but it is the sword of God's eternal purpose. That purpose is that you and I and all creation would know the salvation of God. 1. From a sermon by Dr. Donald Strobe. 2. From a sermon by Eric Ritz. 3. Carol Kent, SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE ...

4. Can Anybody Really Hear Me?

Luke 8:1-15

Drama

Arley K. Fadness

... D: (Set back by his abrupt, insensitive demeanor) Well, I must make some decisions for my future. Pastor Lovet: Fine. Go on. I'm listening. (Reads a book) Mary D: What I mean is, should I marry Harry, or go to college and get some knowledge, or pierce my ears and work for Sears? Pastor Lovet: (In stained-glass voice, insensitively) That's a real dilemma, Mary. When I was your age I already knew what I planned to do. Why, when I was twelve years old, I managed the neighborhood paper route, went on to college ...

5. A Cross In A Cradle

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... from their family in a stable. Then there were the shepherds storming in to offer their adoration. And finally they encountered a strange old man on the Temple steps who sang them a beautiful song, but also startled them with the revelation that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. What would happen next? What happened next was an old woman named Anna. Anna had been widowed for many years. She spent all of her time at the Temple, fasting and praying. Anna was a remarkable woman. In all her years she had not ...

6. Back to the Real World

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” Then he adds these disturbing words: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” An unusual thing to say to a young mother: “A sword will pierce your own soul too.” I wonder if these words sent a shiver through Mary’s heart. And then Luke tells us about that adventure at the temple when Jesus was twelve, and then he, too, is silent until Jesus is thirty and ready to begin his ministry ...

7. You Now Have Set Your Servant Free

Isaiah 25:1-12

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

... told by Luke, is known as the Presentation, which we celebrated a few days ago, and it offers much for us to reflect on this day as we gather for the burial office for our beloved friend N. First, Simeon supposedly said to Mary: "A sword will pierce your own soul, too." That was perhaps Mary's first inkling that Jesus' death would occur before her own; that this new life which would bring joy to the world would also bring sorrow to her. This mixing of joy and sorrow we call grief. N.'s life has brought joy ...

8. The Great Reveal

Luke 2:22-40

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... time to wrap our heads and hearts around that miracle. Perhaps this is why Simeon’s prophecy rings so true, as he speaks to Mary in particular (the only one of Jesus’ parents still alive at his death): “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of ... and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed –and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” Jesus, God’s greatest revelation, will by his presence reveal not only God’s plan for salvation but ...

9. Crucified, Dead, and Buried

John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... one of his bones will be broken, probably a citation of Psalm 34:20, and they will look on the one they have pierced, a citation of Zechariah 12:10. The first summarizes verses 31–33, the second, verses 34–35. The purpose of verses 31–33 ... come. Whether the extravagance is intended as a final testimony to Jesus’ kingship or simply as the expression of a love comparable to Mary’s, its effect is to place Joseph and Nicodemus once and for all in the circle of Jesus’ true disciples. Because of them, ...

10. The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37, John 19:17-27, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

11. The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

12. The Terrible Tree

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

George Bass

... feet she had tended in the cradle. Would not those nails pierce her heart no less than His feet? Would not those thorns stab her soul no less than His brow? They were like a girdle studded with spikes round her inmost being, and the sword of sorrow was all that she could bring herself to bear.32 Mary’s mind must have been flooded with memories, and no small measure of pain and doubt, as she and the others watched Jesus dying on the cross. Why was she allowed to be there without being harassed or arrested ...

13. Joseph's Story

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Erskine White

... given birth can imagine what she went through. But you must remember: she had none of the painkillers, fetal monitors or other conveniences you modern parents expect today. No, my Mary was on her own in that dark, dank cave, amid the cattle and the hay. The time drew closer and Mary convulsed in spasms of agony. Her loud cries pierced the night, and pierced my heart as well. She called out my name and words from the Book of Genesis flashed through my mind as I answered her: "In pain you shall bring forth ...

14. Beware of Cute

Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... .” Hearing was believing. Some early Eastern church writers testified that because it was with her ears and not her eyes that Mary was confronted with the angel’s message, Mary conceived through her ear. Some Renaissance paintings depict the Immaculate Conception by a light-ray from the heavens piercing Mary’s ear. In the Coptic Life of the Virgin” Ephrem declares, “By her ear did Mary behold the Hidden One who had come in the utterance; the Power who had come to embodiment was thus conceived in ...

15. Choices

Drama

J. B. Quisenberry

... I may have seen the young couple from Nazareth; I don't know. Like I said, after a while they all look the same to me. Music (soprano or alto solo) "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" Third Reader: (Mary takes the baby from hiding and cuddles it, and lays it in the manger.) Later that night, the silence of the Judean plain was pierced by a baby's first cry. The Son of God, the Savior of all humankind, was lovingly and tenderly wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. Joseph looked down with wonder at his new ...

16. Mary's Song

Luke 1:46-47, 52

Sermon

Will Willimon

... bad chosen or planned. It put her in a bad way with her fiancé. The Angel told Mary to "fear not," but old Simeon told Mary the truth of what it meant for her to be ''blessed among women" when he predicted that "a sword will also pierce your side." Motherhood would not be easy for Mary. Yet, Mary sang: "My soul magnifies the Lore, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,..." This is no lullaby Mary sings. The words thunder forth like a battle chant: "He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered ...

17. The House Of Our Dreams

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word -- for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. But that was not all -- when he had prayed and praised God, Mary and Joseph marveled at what was said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary -- "Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against -- and a sword will pierce through your own soul as well – that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. What might that have done for ...

18. Simeon's Song

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... ." That is called the Canticle, the song of thanksgiving. But Simeon isn't finished. Not only is there a canticle, there is an oracle. The oracle is the prophecy, "This child is set for the rise and fall of many." Then he turns to Mary with these terrible words, "And a sword shall pierce your soul also." That is our text. What are we to make of it? Simeon is obviously there as corroboration. He is the expert witness to provide the essential testimony that this is the Messiah. He is a good witness. He is a ...

19. Mourning for the One They Pierced

Zechariah 12:10-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... one. Could the people’s rebellion have hurt God so severely that it could be expressed in this metaphor of stabbing? The description of physical distress in Hosea 11:8c comes close (cf. Simeon’s prophecy to Mary, “a sword will pierce your own soul too,” Luke 2:35). The first hearers and readers, however, definitely would not have understood how God could be the object of mourning for one who is dead. The Lord, the God of Israel, is the living God. An alternate translation of the MT is preferable ...

20. Luke 2:22-40

Luke 2:21-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ,” this “salvation,” will be opposed by some within Israel. Simeon’s prophecy does not clarify the form this opposition will take. But the prophecy does bring the experience of this rejection directly home to Mary. Jewish opposition to Jesus will be “a sword” that will pierce Mary’s “own soul too.” Luke’s narrative not only assures the reader of Jesus’ chosen identity and divine power, but also introduces the first nuances of the conflict and rejection that the Messiah will encounter ...

21. Some Assembly Required

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

... fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against ... that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35) Finally, Simeon looks deep into Mary’s eyes and says, "A sword will pierce your side also." (Luke 2:35) Who "also" will be pierced? Simeon is saying that a sword will pierce Jesus’ side! His words point beyond the romantic manger scene to the Cross. He looks beyond Bethlehem to Calvary. A lot of people walking the streets of Jerusalem that day must have stopped ...

22. Come and See

John 1:29-42

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... trial and crucified even though he was innocent and sinless. And having been crucified, He was definitely punctured, penetrated and pierced for our sake. And he showed those puncture wounds to Thomas after the Resurrection. He pointed to them Himself. Not only ... her mysterious rescuer, and she confesses her love for Spider-Man. Mary Jane is impressed that Peter "knows" Spider-Man. In fact, Peter admits he's had a "conversation" with Spider-Man about Mary Jane. She wants to know what Peter told him about her. ...

23. Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:21-40

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... 19; 17:5–6, 13; 21:27–28; 24:2–9; 25:2–3; 28:23–28). The last part of v. 35 refers to the sharp sword that will pierce Mary’s own soul. Down through the centuries numerous explanations have been offered for this statement. Perhaps the most popular interpretation is that Jesus’ rejection and death will cause terrible sorrow for Mary, as possibly depicted in John 19:25–27 (so Marshall, pp. 122–23). The problem with this interpretation is that it relies on John’s Gospel. Luke, however, does ...

24. Simeon

Drama

Charles L. Koester

... which You have made ready for every people. A light to show truth to the Gentiles and to Your people Israel." The young couple, Joseph and Mary, were surprised and marvelled that I knew that this child was the promised Messiah. Then as I handed the child back to His mother, I said ... He will expose the secret thoughts of many hearts." And for you (Mary) I said, "Your very soul will be pierced by a sword!" She did not know what I meant until she later stood beneath the cross of her son’s crucifixion and watched ...

25. Broken Yet Sincere

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... story is about healing a wounded spirit. In the story today, we see two of Jesus’ followers (Uncle Cleopas and Aunt Mary) returning home to Emmaus from Jerusalem after the Passover. Not to mention all the events surrounding Jesus’ death and the women’s ... the wounds. “Then” you’ll recognize him. There is still power in the blood of Jesus. We live in a wounded world, a pierced planet. Jesus’ body was broken for us, so that we might become whole again. By his stripes, by his wounds, we are healed ...

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