Mikemeshaw.files.wordpress.com



A SIMEON STYLE CHRISTMAS! Text: Luke 2:25-35 Date: 12/20/20 Sunday AMLast week we talked about the announcement of the birth of the baby Jesus! Let’s never let the birth of Jesus become “ho hum” to us as Christians. There’s always a danger that we might slip into a “what’s so special” about Christmas mode. We’ve heard the story of Christmas for years now. So then, why is it special? Why is the birth of Jesus Christ the most significant event in human history? Why should we continue to marvel, year after year? Dr. Don Boys measured Christmas with these words, “Christmas is NOT about toys, tinsel, and trees; NOT Santa, shopping, and snowmen; but SALVATION!” Historian Will Durant adds a more secular twist to the birth of Jesus Christ, he writes, “The greatest question of our time is not communism versus individualism; not Europe versus America; not the East versus the West. It is whether man can live without God.” What a profound statement! Jesus Christ came to answer the Historian’s question! Matthew 1:21 splashes us with HOPE! Matthew 1:21 proclaims (KJV) And she/Mary shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 1 Timothy 3:16 adds this (KJV) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. John’s Gospel does not give us the magnificent details of the Christmas story we experience here in Luke, but John says this in John 1:6-14 (KJV) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. 12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. This morning let’s contemplate for a few minutes on what some might deem a lesser part of Jesus’ birth. I don’t really think Simeon is a “lesser part” of the Christmas story; but you can be the judge of that!I. First, we see Simeon’s Revelation/Anticipation – 2:25-26Let’s begin with some questions… Who was Simeon and what kind of a man was he? Why is Simeon significant within the Christmas story?BACKGROUND… God was silent for over 400 years! Now God reveals to Israel the coming of her Messiah! Times were tough in Israel at the coming of Jesus! Spiritual darkness covered the land! Religion was for the most part dead. Works based religion cannot produce spiritual life! It only produces DEATH! BUT NOW GOD… Galatians 4:4 says (KJV) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.Nazareth knows about Jesus! Bethlehem knows about Jesus! Jerusalem knows about Jesus! AND SIMEON knows about JESUS! Our Scripture says Luke 2:25-26 (KJV) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Do you see what kind of man Simeon was? Simeon’s reputation… “Just and devout.” Justified before God by faith… justified before man because he was faithful to what he believed! Simeon was taught and led by the Spirit! Simeon is part of a believing remnant of Jews. God sets up this prime time meeting in the Temple at Jerusalem. Notice with me that Simeon was a follower of God and that he was a faithful follower as well.He was also a worshiper and a messenger of God.He was also a holy man of God and a hopeful man of God!Simeon loved God, and Simeon listened to God!Philippians 2:15 describes Simeon perfectly (KJV) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world;Simeon’s life-long desire was now fulfilled! As Simeon’s death loomed close… HE SAW JESUS!First, we see Simeon’s Revelation/Anticipation – 2:25-26II. Secondly, we see Simeon’s Dedication – 2:27-32This is called, “Simeon’s Song.” With religion cold and calloused in Israel, God brought forth a remnant of witnesses. Beginning in the heavens (with the angelic host), and now extending into the perimeters of the Temple, Simeon is one of those witnesses! I believe he made a scene!!!Notice the sovereign work of God here… God brought this quartet together! GOD DID IT! Notice some particulars here… The Spirit, The Son Jesus, The Song… Simeon’s prayer!2:27 ~ 1) The Holy Spirit – This is why I said; “GOD DID IT!” Luke 2:27 (KJV) And he/Simeon came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law,Notice how many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned here… (Verses 25-27) Notice this work of the Trinity in Simeon’s blessing upon the baby Jesus! The Holy Spirit confirmed in Simeon’s heart who Jesus was and what work He would accomplish!!! The same is true today! Just as the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus in the NT, the Holy Spirit testified of the coming Messiah through the Prophets, the Priests and the Kings! Just as the Holy Spirit testified to the birth of John the Baptist, so the Holy Spirit testified of the coming of the baby Jesus! Simeon = “God has heard.” The Holy Spirit confirms in Simeon’s heart who this baby is and leads him to bless the parents and the child. 2:28 ~ 2) The Scene – Use you sanctified imagination, and let this scene grip your hearts! Seeing the baby Jesus exploded through the emotions and affections of Simeon! The baby Jesus was Simeon’s singular focus! Luke 2:28 (KJV) Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said… (Imagine this scene if you can!)(This is “The Anointed one!”)2:29-32 ~ 3) The Song or The PrayerLuke 2:29-32 (KJV) Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: 30 ?For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation, 31 ?Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 ?A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.2:29 ~ “Depart” = carries the idea of freeing someone from a chain… a prisoner released from captivity! This is a Song of Peace; Simeon knew he was ready to meet God!Here’s the testimony of the Prophet Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.First, we see Simeon’s Revelation – 2:25-26Secondly, we see Simeon’s Dedication – 2:27-32III. Thirdly, we see Simeon’s Proclamation – 2:33-35 2:33-34 ~ First, Simeon’s ProphecyLuke 2:33-34 (KJV) And Joseph and His mother marveled/amazed at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;With Jesus, there is no neutral ground: People would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him. Life Application Study BibleWilliam Barclay explains, “There is a great refusal just as there is a great acceptance!” TWO OPTIONS: Joyfully accept OR totally reject!!!WE CANNOT IGNORE THIS QUESTION! Matthew 16:13 says When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Derek Thomas explains, "This is the heart of the Gospel–substitution. God made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be reckoned the righteousness of God in Him. That's the Gospel. The Gospel is not simply that God forgives sin, but that God forgives sin by imputing that sin to His own Son and punishing it. He's rejected for us, pierced for us, crushed for us. He has nowhere to lay His head for us. Cast out for us, suffers hell for us, undergoes the torment for the wicked and damned for us."2:35 ~ Secondly, Mary’s Pain Pain as a “piercing sword” and “sorrow will cut through Mary’s heart.”John Stevenson comments on Luke 2:35 “Something will happen that will bring her inner pain. It will strike deep. It will be a sorrow so sharp that it will be as though a sword has cut through her. Mary is going to witness the death of Her Son. She is going to see Him rejected and tried and mocked and crucified like some common criminal.”2:35 ~ Thirdly, Sin’s Payment QUESTIONS: What will you do with Jesus? What about your sins?Luke 2:35?(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.TRUTH! Jesus was born to die… this was JESUS!Charles Wesley’s Hymn, Come Thou Long Awaited JesusCome Thou Long Awaited Jesus,Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own Eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne. Romans 8:32 He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?First, we see Simeon’s Revelation – 2:25-26Secondly, we see Simeon’s Dedication – 2:27-32Thirdly, we see Simeon’s Proclamation – 2:33-35 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download