When You’re No Longer Walking with Christ

Luke 2:41-52

INTRODUCTION: The passage before us has been preached and taught frequently, but most often from a different perspective than we seek this morning. We will look at the passage from the perspective of Joseph and Mary.

I. THE ASSUMPTIONS OF JOSEPH AND MARY (Luke 2:41-45)

A. The Assumption of Christ’s Presence (Luke 2:41-43)

1. The cause of assumption (Luke 2:41-43a)
a. His parents went to Jerusalem every year at this feast (Luke 2:41).
b. This had been done for ten plus years (Luke 2:42).
c. They fulfilled their days and left (Luke 2:43a).
2. The error of assumption (Luke 2:43b)
a. Jesus tarried behind.
b. Joseph and Mary knew it not.

B. The Assumption of Christ’s Whereabouts (Luke 2:44-45)

1. The initial assumption—“supposing him to have been in the company” (Luke 2:44)
2. The second assumption—“they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance” (Luke 2:44)
3. The third assumption—“they turned back again to Jerusalem” (Luke 2:45)

II. THE AMAZEMENT OF JOSEPH AND MARY (Luke 2:46-50)

A. The Amazement of Christ’s Whereabouts (Luke 2:46)

1. He was in the temple.
2. He was in the midst of the doctors.
3. He was participating.

B. The Amazement of Christ’s Behaviour (Luke 2:47-50)

1. They were astonished at His understanding and answers (Luke 2:47).
2. They were amazed at His business (Luke 2:48-50).

III. THE ANSWER FOR JOSEPH AND MARY (Luke 2:51-52)

A. They Returned to Where He Was (Luke 2:45)

1. They did so physically.
2. We must do so spiritually.

B. They Pondered His Words (Luke 2:51-52)

1. “His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
2. We must ponder His word, and consider what we might have missed.

CONCLUSION: Have you kept going through the motions, but failed to notice that you are no longer walking with Christ? If so, you need to repent and return to the spot where you last enjoyed His fellowship.