Ready to Build

Ready to Build

Psalms 127:1 NKJV

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…

I Corinthians 3:9- 11 NKJV

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

• Have the right plans
• Be prepared for Change Orders
• Get Permits
• Get Insurance for protection

Some of the Pharisees (guardians of Jewish tradition) had as rigid, self-defined expectations of the Messiah as a political/military deliverer who would overthrow Rome, restore Israel’s kingdom, and affirm their religious status. The place of oral traditions and strict legalism over mercy and a pure heart before God. (Mark 7, Matthew 12)

Some of the Sadducees (priestly elite/ruling council) rejected the promise of a resurrection and afterlife and concerned themselves only with this life, its worldly status quo, and their temple status.  (Matthew 22:23-33; John 11:48)

Jesus spoke in parables because of their hardened hearts. (Matt. 13)

There are two people in Scripture who, without hearing Jesus speak or seeing any miracles or signs performed by Jesus, still recognized Him as the promised Messiah.

Luke 2:25-32

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Simeon is referred to as “just” or “righteous,” which speaks to his conduct and his right relationship with God.

Devout- “Eulabes”(Strongs Greek 2126) “taking hold of well”, “handling well/carefully.”

It conveys a cautious reverence towards God

 Waiting – “Prosdechomai” (Strongs Greek 4327) “waiting actively, expectantly.”

 To look forward to, to wait with confidence and patience, a hopeful expectation

Luke 2:36- 38

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting’s and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke is pointing out the uniqueness of Anna, “a prophetess”. It places Anna in the lineage of OT prophetesses like Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4)

“tribe of Asher” – northern “lost” tribes deported by Assyria (2 Kings 17)

Anna chooses God’s plan over her own personal plans.

Anna’s life was not casual devotion-it implies:

• Consistency
• Loyalty
• Priest-like dedication
• Intentional

Anna function in service role, even though she was not a priest.

Anna’s life was a quiet act of resistance against cultural expectations.

She becomes one of the first evangelists for Jesus.

Psalms 51:17 NIV

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise