How to Miss Jesus

O: “Can you imagine being in the same room as Jesus and missing that He’s even there?”

asdfds

Luke 2:22–39 KJV 1900

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. 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. 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, 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, 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. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled 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; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Mary and Joseph return to the Temple

People bustling about - no one notices them. Just another poor couple v24

Never Look for Him

Luke 2:25

Luke 2:25 KJV 1900

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 waiting for the Christ, the consolation of Israel. He was expecting Jesus, and so He saw Him.

Do you ever expect to meet with Jesus? In your devotions? At church? In the way?

Are you spiritually aware throughout your day?

Don’t Live Right

Simeon was not only just before God (saved), he was a devout man.

Devout - reverent, pious toward God, worshipful, God-fearing

Luke 2:25 KJV 1900

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 not only just before God (saved), he was a devout man.

Devout - reverent, pious toward God, worshipful, God-fearing

Ignore God’s Word

Ignore God’s Word

Luke 2:26 KJV 1900

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

God, by His Spirit, revealed to Simeon that he would see Christ before Simeon died.

Devout - reverent, pious toward God, worshipful, God-fearing

Do we take God seriously? Do we act on His promises?

Don’t Be Filled with the Spirit

Don’t Be Filled with the Spirit

Luke 2:25 KJV 1900

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.

Don’t Be Filled with the Spirit

Ignore the Spirit’s Leading

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon a person but did not necessarily dwell with that person forever. As believers in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

Simeon was a Spirit-filled believer. Are we? Have we submitted our lives to Christ?

Ignore the Spirit’s Leading

Luke 2:27 KJV 1900

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,

God brought Simeon into the Temple from someone else in Jerusalem at just the right moment for a divine appointment. He met Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, because Simeon listened to the Spirit’s prompting.

Does God speak to you through the promptings of His Spirit? When you hear Him, do you obey Him?

Give up on God, Because You’re Too Old or Sick

Luke 2:36 KJV 1900

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Give up on God, Because You’re Too Old or Sick

Anna was 84 years old and still serving God faithfully. No one gets to be 84 in this sinful world without health problems - especially in Jesus’ day

Do we let age or infirmity move us to miss out on what Christ is doing? Finish right.

Never Get Over Your Bitterness from Past Hardships

Luke 2:37 KJV 1900

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Never Get Over Your Bitterness from Past Hardships

Anna was a widow for over 60 years. Her husband died, and left her as a widow in a society that did not value widows. This was a life of hardship.

What bitterness are you and I carrying around from past events? Will we let it keep us from being a part of what God is doing?

Quit on God, Because You Lack Resources or Talent

Luke 2:37 KJV 1900

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Quit on God, Because You Lack Resources or Talent

Anna was probably very poor. Widows had a hard time making it in society. Limited options

However, instead of letting her lack of resources stop her from being an obedient believer, she followed God with what she had.

She served God with prayer and fasting - anyone can do that. There’s a place of service for everyone. If we leave it up to the “professionals,” we are going to miss out on meeting with Jesus.

Be Unfaithful to God’s House

Luke 2:37 KJV 1900

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Be Unfaithful to God’s House

Anna, despite age and circumstances, was faithful to attend God’s house night and day. She was always there. Why? Because she love God. Because she expected God to show up.

Do we have Anna’s attitude toward God’s house? Toward service?

“I fear that, many times, I have missed Jesus Christ for one or more of these reasons. What ray of sunshine or joy did I miss out on? What new truth about Himself did I miss out on? What divine opportunity did I miss out on? What blessing did He desire to impart? I don’t know, because I missed it. “

C: “How many times have we allowed ourselves to miss Jesus Christ? How many more times will you allow yourself to miss Him?”

How many more times will you allow yourself to miss Him?

How can we be sure to miss Him?

Review the above points.