What Now? Christmas has Happened.
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How many of you focused on Jesus Christ this Christmas?
Will the affects of Christmas be seen in 2026?
Notice what happens after the Birth of Jesus Christ.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Obedience of the Parents
Obedience of the Parents
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 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.
Circumcision:
Circumcision:
Given with the covenant of Abraham.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
It was reiterated in the Law of Moses
3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Purification:
Purification:
3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
6 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:
Dedication of the First Born:
Dedication of the First Born:
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
12 That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s.
6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
All these rights were for the Jews and their relationship with a Holy God.
All of these still exist in a spiritual sense through Jesus Christ.
Circumcision:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Purification:
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Dedication:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When we obey God and put on Christ and live for Christ, then we create a Godly Testimony.
The Testimony of Simeon
The Testimony of Simeon
25 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.
Simeon was Saved!
Simeon was Saved!
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Just as Abraham was saved in the Old Testament by looking forward with Faith for Salvation, Simeon was Saved by Grace through Faith.
The first thing this morning is that you need to know that you are Saved.
Salvation is important because we just celebrated Jesus’ first coming and now we are awaiting His Second and final coming.
If you aren’t saved before you die, then Salvation cannot and will not happen.
Simeon was Surrendered!
Simeon was Surrendered!
Devout is a word that we don’t use very often today but it a very important word.
The word devout means a burning, passionate love in your heart for the Lord Jesus Christ.
This passion is expressed in the next phrase,
25 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.
See, you know you are devout when you are really ready and looking for Jesus to come again.
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Hope leads to Holiness.
Are you devout? Are you holy?
Well, what is the passion of your life? The answer to that question will answer whether you are devout or not!
Question 1: Are you Saved?
Question 2: Are you Surrended?
Devoutness or holiness lead to the next thing we see in Simeon.
Simeon was Spiritual!
Simeon was Spiritual!
Is the Holy Spirit upon you? Are you filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit?
If you are saved, then you have the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit has you.
You may have Grieved the Spirit or you may quenched the Fire of the Holy Spirit.
How you ask? Well, you grieve the Spirit when you don’t listen and you quench when you don’t obey.
So, Question 3: Are you Spiritual?
Spiritual leads to the 4th thing we see in Simeon.
Simeon was Sensitive!
Simeon was Sensitive!
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.
Question 4: Are you Sensitive?
Simeon’s name means “one who hears”.
In this verse, we see Simeon living out his name.
Because He was Spiritual, by being Filled with the Holy Spirit, he understood when the Spirit spoke.
Notice, the Holy Spirit revealed that he should not see death before He had seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are saved, the Holy Spirit will lead.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Just as the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon the first coming of Jesus, the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to you the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That is the entire purpose of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The question is are we sensitive to what the Spirit is revealing or saying.
Not only did the Holy Spirit reveal something to him, but He led him into the temple.
27 And he 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,
Simeon was Satisfied!
Simeon was Satisfied!
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word:
Don’t miss this right here: When The Word of God, and the Spirit of God, and the Son of God all come together, peace enters our heart.
Do you have peace?
Are you prepared to die?
Simeon was now ready to depart this life.
No man or no woman is ready to live until we are no longer afraid to die.
I read Psalm 116:15 quite often at funerals to express this truth.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints.
Now I would really rather go in the clouds when Jesus returns but I am ready for the clod if that is necessary.
Now that we have a testimony and can answer these 5 questions, then we are ready to come into the House of the Lord.
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Are you Saved?
Are you Surrendered?
Are you Spiritual?
Are you Sensitive?
Are you Satisfied?
If you are all of these then good things are going to happen.
However, our testimony is not about us. Hidden under the bushel of our life. Our testimony is about Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can’t stop there this morning. It is great to have a testimony but that is not your purpose in life.
You can come to church. However, church is not the goal.
The goal is Jesus Christ.
Simeon is great and Simeon is a great testimony, but we need to focus on the one that is in his arms.
3 Things real quick this morning.
The Testifying of Simeon
The Testifying of Simeon
Jesus Brings Deliverance.
Jesus Brings Deliverance.
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
What was the purpose of the coming or birth of Jesus Christ? To Deliver Us.
We live in a world of sinners that are bound for the gates of Hell.
Humanity needs a Savior, Someone to Deliver us the bondage of sin and the destiny of hell.
We need Jesus. The one that was begotten of God, born of a virgin.
Don’t get overly excited about the gifts and glamor of Christmas.
Jesus came to deliver us from Sin.
Remember Matt 1 21
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Simeon was holding his Savior.
When you come to church, are you clinging to Jesus? Jesus is the Deliverer.
But keep looking.
Jesus Dispels Darkness.
Jesus Dispels Darkness.
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Jesus is light! You are not the light, You are to testify of the light by allowing the light to shine through you.
You can never understand the meaning of life until you know the Light of the world whose name is the Lord, Jesus Christ.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jesus who was lifted up on the cross of Calvary as Light of the world to dispel the darkness of the world.
Are you here this morning looking into the light in order that your sins may be revealed and removed?
We need to tell people that Jesus Delivers and that Jesus Dispels Darkness, but we also need to testify that
Jesus Determines Destinies.
Jesus Determines Destinies.
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;
“the fall and rising again of many in Isreal” that is Destiny. You will rise or fall on Jesus Christ.
Jesus will be your foundation, your stepping stone or He will be your sinking sand and stumbling block.
Your destiny is determined by what you do with Jesus Christ.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
All of us have been predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Jesus came and died for everyone. Only Satan is predestined for hell and Second death.
Whether we will be justified and glorified is determined upon if we respond to the call of Jesus.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Jesus Disturbs Disdain.
Jesus Disturbs Disdain.
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 [Destiny]; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Jesus, this precious baby that we all celebrated this last week is going to face disdain.
What do I mean by disdain?
He will be mocked.
He will be blasphemed.
The world hates Jesus Christ.
Throughout the gospels, Jesus was called crazy, a demon, and a winebibber and a glutton. Others accused him of being born out of fornication.
People hate Jesus Christ.
I can be liked and appreciated as long as I preach the love and grace of Jesus, but when I preach the truth of Jesus, His judgment and on singularity of Jesus Christ to get to heaven, then people get angry.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
If Jesus is not the only way to God, then he can’t be any of the ways to God.
Not all religions are going to get to God and not all religions are trying to get to God, because Christ is the only Way.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We can’t just preach a little of Jesus and little of this and little of that.
It is all Jesus or nothing which leads to the last thing we must testify.
Jesus Divides.
Jesus Divides.
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
I am not the one that divides people and religion, that is Jesus.
Simeon is speaking to Mary.
Your soul, your mind and heart will be pierced also. Why? How? because the thoughts of many will be revealed.
It is one thing for people to think disdain about Christ. It is something entirely different when they speak it and show it.
Understand this morning!
Jesus Will Divide Your Heart.
Jesus Will Divide Your Heart.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Mary would have a divide in her heart. A divide between her natural emotions as a mother and her desire for the will of God.
Jesus is going to produce conflict in your very own heart, between your soul and your spirit.
Not only will Jesus divide your heart, but
Jesus Will Divide Your Family.
Jesus Will Divide Your Family.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Who is saying this? Jesus
Now that we have determined who is speaking, lets read on.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
If everyone in the family has not received and is focused on Jesus Christ the family will be divided.
However, when we put Him front and center, He unifies families.
We are not to not love our families and lay down our lives and protect our families. We just must do those after laying down our life for Christ first.
Listen, stay with me,
Jesus will not only divide your heart and your famiy but Jesus will divide this church.
Jesus will Divide this Church.
Jesus will Divide this Church.
You may look holy this morning, and seem to be praising God and worshipping God, but you are not all holy this morning.
You are not all praising and worshipping God this morning.
There are people sitting here this morning with a divided heart. There are people sitting here this morning husband and wife that are divided. One saved and one lost.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Christ has a sword in His hand. He is the Word of God. He will divide your heart, your family, this church.
But lastly,
Jesus Declares Decisions.
Jesus Declares Decisions.
Look back at verse 35.
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Every Sunday, people are revealing their heart. Every Sunday people are exposing their self to God and Others.
The gospel is a sword of life unto life or death unto death.
When we get angry when I am preaching the truth, you are revealing your heart.
When you skip church because you are tired, you are revealing your heart.
Your education, economic situation, nor your environment determines your heart. You are the only one that can reveal your heart.
The Bible is filled with the 2 different hearts int he same situations and environments.
Cain and Abel, same environment, same family, but very different hearts.
2 Thieves on the cross, very different hearts.
This morning, some of you will respond and some of your want, yet you are all sitting through the same message.
This next year will be determined by what you decide to do with Jesus.
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Will you take Jesus in your arms and Praise God or will you walk away or not even notice.
