The Faith of Simeon

The Faith of Simeon

Luke 2:25-35

Intr: A story is told of actress Helen Hayes cooking her first Christmas dinner. After several years of marriage, she decided to try and cook for her family on Christmas day. She sat down with her husband and son and said, “in a moment I am going to bring out the dinner. It may not be exactly as you like. If it doesn’t look good, I don’t want you to say a thing. Just get up from the table, we’ll go to the nearest restaurant and eat.” A few moments later, Helen walked into the dinning room with her turkey. Her husband and son were already standing with their coats and hats on!

Consider: Our expectations have a strange way of controlling our conduct! Simeon is a man whose faith in the coming Messiah changed the way he lived.

Simeon was waiting for the Savior vv. 9-11

Simeon was waiting for the Messiah

Note: Let’s notice how Simeon finally met his Savior . . .

· Joseph and Mary who at first were startled by the announcement of the Angel Gabriel are now, no doubt rejoicing in the presence of their son and their Lord.

· On the 41st day after a woman had given birth to a male child the parents take their child to the temple

Lev 12:6-7 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: (7) Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.

· It was on this visit to the Temple that Joseph and Mary meet Simeon. Simeon is a person of the Christmas story that each of us can learn from.

There are three lessons found here.

I. The patience of Simeon v.25

NOTE: This is a time of year when patience can sometimes run low! People drive faster, people rush more at the stores, and crime seems to be much higher. Much more domestic issues.

Consider v.38-there was a remnant of believing Jews, waiting for their Redeemer. Simeon and Anna were among them. We do not know the age of Simeon, but he was probably elderly. The Holy Spirit taught him and led him, so he was right there when Mary and Joseph came with their baby. God is never late and at times slow-yet right on time.

NOTE: Don’t hurry past the promises of the season.

Promise of peace, of joy, and hope. His patience pointed Him to God’s miraculous work.

To wait for the Messiah v.25

NOTE: consolation refers to the waiting for the Messiah Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;--we are waiting for His Second coming.

To believe the Promise v.26

NOTE: We have also received Promises from the Holy Ghost! 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

To walk in the Spirit v.27

NOTE: He was led by the Holy Spirit into the Temple

God wants us to be led by His Holy Spirit every day Gal 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

II. The prayer of Simeon vv. 28-29

A. A prayer for departure v.29

1. Now Simeon was ready to depart in peace 2Ti 4:6-7 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:--just as Simeon, Paul had so lived a life, he could die in peace within his spirit by knowing he is right with God.

2. Jesus had been born, and now Simeon was ready to die.

3. No one is ready to die until they meet Jesus.

B. A prayer of dependence v.30

1. Simeon was depending upon Jesus for salvation—all men depend on something or someone, we must depend on Christ for our salvation Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. Each of us need a personal Savior Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

3. We are sinners and in need of a Savior Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4. Simeon was a wonderful man, but he also needed a Savior Rom 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

III. The prophecy of Simeon vv. 31-35

A. A prophecy of salvation v.32

1. Simeon prophesies that Gentiles and Jews would be saved Rom 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. The Israelites who would be saved would first fall (repent) and then rise again.

B. A prophecy of suffering vv. 34-35

1. Mary had a sorrowful soul in the day of her son’s crucifixion Joh 19:25-30 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (27) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (28) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (29) Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. (30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

2. Swaddling clothes-death clothes-Jesus would suffer that we might be saved.

Conc; What are you expecting? Simeon’s expectancy of the Messiah caused him to live a life of meaning. His outlook determined his outcome. What are you looking for this Christmas season? If you are looking for Jesus, you will not be disappointed.