1. Looking for Jesus Luke 2:40-52

2. 2 People are Looking for Jesus Most are looking in the wrong places Most are looking in the wrong places –Media (movies, TV, magazines, books) –Religious holidays and festivals –History –Art Why should you look for Him? Why should you look for Him? –He came looking for you, Lk. 19:10 –Seek Him to be saved, Matt. 11:28-30

3. 3 You Will Not Find Jesus Today… In the Jewish temple keeping the Law of Moses, Lk. 2:42 In the Jewish temple keeping the Law of Moses, Lk. 2:42 –When on earth, He kept LOM, Matt. 26:18 –Jesus fulfilled & removed OT law with its shadows (including feasts), Matt. 5:17; Col. 2:13-17; Eph. 2:14-15; Heb. 7:18-19 –You will not find Jesus today by going back to the OT for your authority to serve Him

4. 4 You Will Not Find Jesus Today… In religious traditions, Lk. 2:46 In religious traditions, Lk. 2:46 –Won’t find Him in a manger during Christmas worship services (Lk. 2:16) –Won’t find Him on Easter morning at a sunrise service, (Lk. 24:1-3) –All such inventions of men are vain worship before God, Jno. 4:23-24; Matt. 15:7-9

5. 5 You Will Not Find Jesus Today… Among relatives & friends, Lk. 2:44 Among relatives & friends, Lk. 2:44 –Love our families, but they are not the source of truth & salvation, Matt. 10:34-37 –One cost of discipleship is choosing Christ before family, Lk. 14:25-26, 33 (5:8-11) –How can we find Jesus among those who are not following Him in truth?

6. 6 You Will Not Find Jesus Today… On a throne in Jerusalem, Lk. 2:45 On a throne in Jerusalem, Lk. 2:45 –Premillennialism tries to find Jesus there –Christ is a priest & king at the same time, Zech. 6:12-13  If He were on earth, not a priest, Heb. 8:4  His throne is not & will not be on earth –But, He was born to be a king, Jno. 18:37  His kingdom is not of this world, Jno. 18:36  His kingdom exists today! Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9

7. 7 You Will Not Find Jesus Today… In the halls of worldly wisdom, Luke 2:40, 46-47, 52 In the halls of worldly wisdom, Luke 2:40, 46-47, 52 –He was certainly wise about this world –His wisdom excels man’s in every way (Lk. 11:31) Mk. 6:1-4; Jno. 7:32, 45-46 –World’s wisdom will not bring you to God, 1 Cor. 1:18-25 –Whose wisdom can you rely on: Your own? The world’s? Jesus’? – Col. 2:8

8. 8 You Will Find Jesus Today… In His temple (the church), Lk. 2:46 In His temple (the church), Lk. 2:46 –Jewish temple destroyed by His authoritative judgment, Matt. 23:37-24:1-2 –His temple has been built, Eph. 2:19-22 Exalted at right hand of God, Acts 2:33 (Matt. 28:18) Exalted at right hand of God, Acts 2:33 (Matt. 28:18) –Head of His body (church), Eph. 1:22-23 –Prophet, Acts 3:22-26 –High Priest, Heb. 8:1-3; 10:21 –King, Acts 2:33-36 (Psa. 110:1-2) –Savior of His church, Eph. 5:23

9. 9 You Will Find Jesus Today… In the Scriptures, Lk. 2:46-47 In the Scriptures, Lk. 2:46-47 –Invited to learn from Jesus, but how? (Matt. 11:29) Eph. 4:20-21 –Testimony of Scripture, Jno. 5:39-40 –Produce faith leading to life, Jno. 20:31 –Willing hearts…believe & be saved, Acts 17:11-12  Jesus the Word of truth that leads us to God (Jno. 1:1-2, 14-18)  Refuse to hear His words…do not have God (Jno. 8:46-47)

10. 10 You Will Find Jesus Today… Doing His Father’s business, Luke 2:49 (Jno. 8:29; 9:4) Doing His Father’s business, Luke 2:49 (Jno. 8:29; 9:4) –Jesus will not bend to our will (Matt. 7: 21-23) By humbly, sincerely & earnestly looking for Him, Lk. 2:48 By humbly, sincerely & earnestly looking for Him, Lk. 2:48 –Parents looked for Jesus “anxiously” (with intense pain, sorrow) –Keep pure motives, Jno. 6:25-27 (Matt. 5:3-6)

11. 11 Look for Jesus Where He Will Be Found! In His Word In His Word In His Church In His Church At the Right Hand of God At the Right Hand of God Doing the Father’s Will Doing the Father’s Will Look where Jesus is & you will find Him! (Matt. 7:7) Look where Jesus is & you will find Him! (Matt. 7:7)