Jesus the Light of Christmas

Good morning, Merry Christmas and we so glad can celebrate Joulotta together…

We remember that Jesus is the light of Christmas… As we heard this morning in the scripture in John 1.1-14 is that Jesus was in the beginning with God in creation The Word (logos) was with God and the Word was God… Jesus was creator and is the sustainer of or life.…

In Him is the life and the light of men… and this light shines in the Darkness.…

Simeon was a righteous and devout Priest who was waiting for the consolation of Israel…He stood out from the rest of priest that Herod had appointed… Those who were detached from calling of God and were not connected to his mission and purposes.…

Through out history God has always had remnant of people who would not settle… in the temple there Simeon and Devout woman called Anna… Who were seeking God.. …

We told that H.S was was upon Him.. and the God would often to him through his Spirit.. God had told Simeon that he would see Jesus the Christ within his life time…

But Simeon was getting older.. and it would be easy to imagine him begining to doubt where He had heard from God..

Opps (Displace the Equilibria):Tension: Recognize the uncertainties and challenges in life that create a sense of instability.

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 - "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

T/s We learn from Simeon that there are three steps to believing..

1: Anchor Your Faith in God's Unchanging Love

Agg (Problem):Tension: Recognize moments of doubt and the struggle to hold firm in faith.

Action: Amid life's uncertainties, intentionally ground your faith in God's steadfast love.

Resolution: Trust in the promise that God's love never ceases, and His mercies are continually renewed.

Transition: Just as Simeon anchored his faith in the promises of God, we too can find our stability in the unchanging love of the Lord.

Illustration: Consider the oak tree, resilient in storms. Its roots run deep, much like our faith anchored in God's unchanging love.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

T/s We learn from Simeon that there are three steps to believing..

1: Anchor Your Faith in God's Unchanging Love

2: Confront Doubt by Holding Fast to Hope Action: When doubt arises, deliberately hold fast to the hope found in God's promises.

Resolution: Experience the transformative power of unwavering hope as God proves faithful to His Word.

Transition: Like Simeon, who held fast to the hope of seeing the Messiah, we are called to anchor our faith, for He who promised is faithful.

Illustration: Imagine a sailor in a storm, gripping the mast. Our hope, anchored in God's promises, is the mast that steadies us through life's tempests.

Whee (Gospel):Tension: Acknowledge the human tendency to waiver in our commitment to God.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."Action Step 3: Surrender and Rest in God's Unchanging Faithfulness Action: In moments of personal faithlessness, surrender the burden and rest in God's unchanging faithfulness.Resolution: Find peace in the truth that even when we falter, God remains steadfast and true to His nature.Quotes from Well-Known Theologians and Pastors: "God’s faithfulness is the anchor that holds in the storm and the power that calms the waves." - Charles Stanley

"The promises of God are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine." - David Nicholas

Scripture Reference (as part of Action Step 3): Luke 2:29-32 - "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace..."Application: Personal Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on areas of your life where God's faithfulness has been evident.

Closing:As we conclude, let us rest in the assurance of God's faithfulness. In our uncertainties, doubts, and moments of faltering faith, His steadfast love remains unchanged. May this understanding empower us to walk in faithfulness and trust, for our God is forever faithful. Amen.