Christmas Cousins Part IV: Searching for Comfort

Stephen Poindexter

Christmas Cousins • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Luke 2:1–20

Luke 2:21–38

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Searching for Comfort

People are constantly in search of things. I did a Google search to find out how many Google searches people did per day in 2019. According to Google, there are over 2 trillion Google searches per day. According to the 2015 census there are more than 7.2 billion people in the world. Do you know how many searches that is per person per day? If there were only 7.2 billion people… then that would mean that each person on the face of the earth would have to perform about 277 Google searches per day! That is amazing. As a human race… we are constantly searching for something….

Opening illustration: ...

In the US, the phrase “Disney +” was the most searched term in 2019. Around the world the top searches for 2019 were iPhone 11, Cameron Boyce, Facebook, Amazon, and many searches related to sports championships.

When we think about Christmas images of trees & presents, family & friends, warm food and good fellowship all come to mind.

When we think about Christmas… images of trees & presents, family & friends, warm food and good fellowship all come to mind. Those are all very comforting things. Those are comforts that people all over the world look forward to all year. People search their whole lives for a comfort that will last.

It is amazing how celebrating Christmas brings many people a moment of comfort that not many other life events provide. And just think about it… the source of the comfort that all the world seeks is found in a baby that was born over 2000 years ago.

Jesus’ miraculous birth, heralded by angels, witnessed by shepherds, and celebrated by heaven itself! Heaven and Earth were witnesses to the once in a lifetime event… God … was born in the likeness of man…. and he would be obedient to the Father… even to the point of death.

Amazing!… Jesus’ miraculous birth… heralded by angels… witnessed by shepherds… and celebrated by heaven itself!

Heaven and Earth were witnesses to the once in a lifetime event… God … was born in the likeness of man…. and in order to provide a comfort that would never end… he would be obedient to the Father… even to the point of death.

As we conclude our study of these Christmas Cousins, we are going to pick up our study today in . (Invite to open bibles)

tells us the details about Jesus’ birth… about Mary and Josephs’ journey to Bethlehem and the humble beginnings of Jesus’ life…

Luke also tells us about what happened after the angels have stopped singing and the shepherds have returned to the fields to watch over their flocks. Once the angelic fanfare stopped and reality set in… Mary and Joseph are left with a child to raise.

Verse 21 tells us that they did what every faithful Jew would do… they took their firstborn son to the temp to be circumcised on the eight day, and as was the custom the baby boy’s name was officially recorded as…. Jesus.

Jesus’ name had already been revealed back in chapter 1:31.

Jesus = Jehovah (Yahweh) is my Salvation… and suggests deliverance… He is my Deliverance!

It carries the idea of our being delivered by heroic action from the bondage of sin (cf. , “Mighty God”).

The name Jesus... shouts to the world the heroics of the Incarnation and the cross.

Mary and Joseph do their best to be faithful to the Lord and follow the Law as they raise Jesus. They will do their best to keep all of the ceremonial requirements related with having children.

God was using Mary and Joseph’s faithfulness to ensure that later in Jesus’ life, it could be said that he kept … or fulfilled the law in all points…

In the words of the apostle Paul in , Jesus was “born of a woman, born under the Law”. Jesus’ circumcision served to “fulfill all righteousness” just like when Jesus was Baptized. In , when John pushes back a little at the thought of baptizing Jesus, Jesus says that he should be baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness”. Jesus would echo David’s comments from , “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart”… and He alone kept God’s law perfectly throughout His life.

Only because He did so, could His righteousness be credited to those who believe. — At the cross... God treated Jesus as if He had lived our sinful lives. God is, therefore, able to treat those of us who have responded in faith to Him, as if we had lived Jesus’ perfectly righteous life.

When you look at this passage of Scripture, verses 21-24 tell of a normal event that took place in the life of Jesus that was according to Jewish law and custom.

Luke 2:21–24 ESV

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Any faithful Jewish family would have gone through the same process. The male child would have been circumcised the 8th day after birth and about a month later would have been presented at the temple to be pronounced ceremonially clean and presented to the Lord. Whether rich or poor, this process would have been followed. There were considerations and provisions made for both.

Then, if you skip down to verses 39-40, we are given a normal report of events about what happened once the ceremonial circumcision and cleansing were completed.

Luke 1:39–40 ESV

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

There were considerations and provisions made for both. Then, verses 39-40 give a normal contextual commentary about what happened once the ceremonial circumisison and

Luke 1:39–40 ESV

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 2:39–40 ESV

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

As we are given the details about Jesus’ birth, infancy, and presentation at the temple, verses 25-38 stand out to me as something more.

Verses 25 - 38 almost seem to serve as a prophetic pause in the storyline of Jesus’ life. … it is almost as if someone hits the pause button on the life of Jesus and time stands still for just a moment…

God seems to pause the narrative just long enough for those who have been waiting and watching for God’s promises to be fulfilled… those people who have been searching .... are able to find exactly what they have been looking for!

Verses 25 - 38 are like a prophetic pause… it is almost as if someone hits the pause button on the life of Jesus and time seems to stand still for just a moment… while those who have been waiting and watching for God’s promises to be fulfilled… those who have been looking for true Comfort, find exactly what they have been looking for!

God could have had Luke skip verses 25-38 and the narrative would have seemed normal.

But, He didn’t.

God has given us verses 25-38 to help us recognize Jesus…. these verses are here to help those who are searching for comfort…. find it in the only place where it truly exists…. in Jesus…

In verses 25-38 we are presented with three elements that highlight who Jesus is.... and why we should seek Him. We are given a Song and a Blessing by a man named Simeon, and a Proclamation by a woman named Anna. Let’s first look at the song given to us in verses 25-32.

I. A Song (25-32) Let’s read this together…

Luke 2:25–32 ESV

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Here in verse 25 we are introduced to a man who lived in Jerusalem named Simeon. We are told that Simeon was a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel… and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Verses 21-24 & 39-40 serve as bookends highlighting the

What is the Consolation of Israel that Simeon had been waiting for? The word used here for “consolation” also appears in the Greek Old Testament translation of Isaiah in verses that refer to the Messiah, such as

Isaiah 40:1 ESV

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

and

Isaiah 66:13 ESV

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Those searching for “the consolation of Israel” are those who were living with Messianic expectation… they were actively searching for true Comfort that would only come with the Lord’s Christ appeared.

The phrase is used in the Bible to call attention to the Jewish hope of the coming of the Messiah.

Those Jews who have groaned in times of bondage, wept in times of exile, who now were oppressed under the heaven burden of the tyranny of Rome, looked to heaven for their release from suffering.

The phrase is used in the Bible to call attention to the Jewish hope of the coming of the Messiah. Those Jews who have groaned in times of bondage, wept in times of exile, who now were oppressed under the heaven burden of the tyranny of Rome, looked to heaven for their release from suffering.

[Those who experience constant suffering, grief, and frustration are also those who want to be consoled and are in search of comfort. ]

A Walk with God: Luke The Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25–28)

The consolation of Israel.’ The phrase is used in the Bible to call attention to the Jewish hope of the coming of the Messiah. Those Jews who have groaned in times of bondage, wept in times of exile, who now were oppressed under the heavy burden of the tyranny of Rome, looked to heaven for their release from suffering. You see, it is people who experience consistent grief, frustration and pain who want to be consoled.

We are also told that God had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah… Somehow Simeon had received revelation from God stating that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ with his own eyes.

How long had he been waiting? Days… months… years??? We don’t know… But… we can be almost certain that he would have been waiting and searching with joyous anticipation… coming to the temple… looking.... searching for the consolation of Isreal.... searching for comfort.

One author said… When I think of Simeon, I think of this old saint, who spent his days in the temple. He would come into the temple each morning. He would look around and the priest in the temple would say,

A Walk with God: Luke The Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25–28)

When I think of Simeon, I think of this old saint, who spent his days in the temple. He would come into the temple each morning. He would look around and the priest in the temple would say, ‘What are you doing, Simeon? What are you looking for?’ Simeon would say, ‘Well, I just came today to check and see if the Messiah was here.’ He would be disappointed day after day after day. But God had told him that he would see the Messiah and he had waited and waited, and gone time after time after time, presumably, to the temple, yet every time that he went, looking for the Messiah, the Messiah was nowhere to be seen. The promise was not fulfilled.

If we use our imaginations… We can almost see this elderly man standing in the temple day after day watching people come in and out and asking himself… “is this the One?” Maybe that one over there!!! Maybe that is him! ....

We can almost see this elderly man standing in the temple day after day watching people come in and out and asking himself… “is this the One?” Maybe that one over there!!! Maybe that is him! ....

We can imagine the priest asking Simeon… “What are you doing Simeon?… What are you looking for?” Simeon would say, “Well, I just came today to check and see if the Messiah was here.” — He would be disappointed day after day after day. But, God had told him that he would see the Messiah and he waited and waited,… and every time he went to the temple, looking for the Messiah, the Messiah was not to be found. Simeon was waiting for God to fulfill HIs promise… Until that day, he would constantly be in search for the Comfort that God had promised.

But then.... one faithful day… we are told in verse 27 that he was moved/ prompted by the Spirit… “And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms …”

Simeon, led by the Spirit... had found what he had been searching for… for days, weeks, months, years,… possibly even decades!

Simeon had been searching for comfort… for the Comforter… for God’s promised Messiah… for the Christ and now… He meets him… bundled up .... being presented at the temple. What does Simeon do when he sees Jesus?

He sings praises to God.... look at verse 29…

Luke 2:29–32 ESV

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

As Simeon sings this song of praise to God I can’t help but think that he was experiencing a great deal of peace. I would not doubt it if Simeon had running through his mind as he sang. ..“For unto us a child is born… to us a son is given… and the government shall be upon his shoulders… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!”

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Holding the prince of peace… the Comforter in his arms, Simeon is ready to die. He was ready to go home to be with his God forever. Simeon said that his “eyes have seen the salvation of God”. The baby Jesus was and is God’s salvation. Notice that Simeon did not say that his eyes had seen part of God’s salvation… No! Christ is totally sufficient for salvation. He is all we need!

Do you see what Simeon is saying in his song?

“O Lord, I don’t have to watch this child grow up, I don’t have to watch him talk with the doctors in the temple as a lad of twelve years old; I don’t have to watch him multiply the fishes and the loaves to feed five thousand people to be convinced. I don’t have to watch him walk on the water or turn the water into wine. I don’t have to be on the Mount of Transfiguration. I don’t have to be an eye-witness of the resurrection, or his ascension into heaven. I have seen all I need to see. Now, let me die in peace.’ One glimpse of the Christ-child, and Simeon was ready to go home to God.” (RC Sproul)

True comfort… true peace only comes to us when we understand, like Simeon did, that salvation is Jesus Christ plus nothing else!

Simeons’ song not only shares with us that Christ is sufficient for Salvation, he also shares with us that the salvation of God is being offered to both Jew and Gentile. God’s offer of salvation was to be extended to all people. While this was probably shocking news to the Jews, it was not new information. Isaiah had prophesied long ago in that the Messiah would be a “light to the nations”.

This baby… this Jesus... that Simeon was holding in his arms… is the comfort… the consolation… the Messiah… the Christ that he and all those who were faithful to the Lord were waiting for.

Simeon’s song is one of hope… expectant Joy and Comfort… Those who are searching for Comfort… can find it in Jesus.

As Simeon finishes his prophetic song, he turns his attention to Mary and Joseph and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, delivers a blessing that comes with a short but important prophecy.

Preaching the Word: Luke, Vol. 1—That You May Know the Truth The Presentation (vv. 25–38)

There is yet another facet to Simeon’s beautiful soul. “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (v. 26). Simeon had received an oracle from God, making it clear that though he was aged, he would not leave this life without seeing the Lord’s Messiah. How long had he been waiting? Days—months—years? We do not know. But we can imagine his settled assurance and joyous anticipation as he daily came to the temple looking, reflecting, and sometimes asking himself, “Is this the One? There is a likely couple! Maybe this is him!” And then, one grand day, “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God” (vv. 27–28).

With trembling arms Simeon lifted the fat, dimpled baby from the startled virgin, and for a moment the world ceased to turn. The man of God was, as the early church called him, Theodoches—God-receiver!

Do you see what Simeon is saying in his song?

R. C. Sproul, A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1999), 37.

II. A Blessing (33-35) Look with me at verse 33

Luke 2:33–35 ESV

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

This blessing is really the first negative note in Luke’s gospel so far. These verses foreshadow the opposition Jesus would face, ultimately leading to his rejection by the nation and His crucifixion. “This child”… Your child Mary... Jesus… is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel”. Simeon is speaking to Mary about separation. Jesus is meant to be the One who will determine the destiny of men. Jesus’ ministry would be one of division. Jesus himself, would later say in ,

Luke 12:51 ESV

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

The idea here is that there is no neutral position with Christ. When a person encounters Christ, he is either for him or against him. He either trips over him, or is established by him… which, in a way, is a fulfillment of the prophecy spoken here by Simeon.

This phrase represents the necessary journey all who come to Christ must travel. One Pastor said, “we must bow in humiliation and poverty of spirit before we can rise to new life in Christ” (Hughes). It is not until we admit our inadequacies, that we are ready for God’s grace.

In response to Jesus’ ministry people would be divided. Some would respond in faith… Jews and Gentiles… and some would reject Him in disbelief.

Next Simeon’s blessing says that “this child”… “is appointed… for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

The word for sign here is a very strong word. It describes a proclamation that is so visible, that is so clear, that no one could miss it. It is a word often used in the NT for a miracle. In John’s gospel, he uses this word often when he wrote, “And Jesus did this sign...” It is the sign that bears witness to the identity of Christ… to His power… character… and nature as the Son of God.

A Walk with God: Luke Simeon’s Prophecy (Luke 2:29–35)

The word for sign is a very strong word, and indicates a manifestation that is so visible, that is so clear, that no-one could miss it. It is a word that is often used in the New Testament for a miracle: for example, in John’s gospel, when Jesus does a miracle John writes, ‘And Jesus did this sign …’ It is the sign that bears witness to the identity of Christ, to his power, character and nature as the Son of God. It is a sign that will provoke hostility. People will speak against it.

that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Jesus is the sign… Emmanuel... spoken of in (Remember that verse? “the Lord Himself will give you a sign… the virgin shall conceive and bear a son… and shall call his name Immanuel” )…Jesus is Immanuel spoken of by Isaiah, He is the Son of Man spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel… Jesus is the sign signalling the arrival of the kingdom… God’s presence, power, and person!

Jesus is the sign… Emmanuel spoken of in … the Son of Man spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel… Jesus is the sign… signalling the arrival of the kingdom… God’s presence, power, and person.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Mary… I know this is an exciting time for you.. you are a young mom… you have given birth to God in the flesh.... You are blesse by God....

But…your Son won’t be accepted by those to whom He had come,.... No Mary… This miraculous child… Jesus… would be a sign that would be opposed and rejected.

This word from Simeon would be the first of many heartaches that Mary would experience. Mary… a sword will pierce even your own soul… This probably refers to the passion of Christ.

Mary was there when her son was crucified… she was there at the foot of the cross when the centurion took a spear and put it into the side of her son… She didn’t physically feel the pain of the cold blade piercing her flesh... but she did feel it in her soul.

Mary.... this all has to happen.... this all has to happen so that “the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

When people truly recognize Jesus… when they meet Jesus… their inner thoughts are seen for what they are. Fallen and flawed. Apart from God’s mercy and grace… apart from His intervening on our behalf , people naturally reject Him.

Human goodness is seen as filthy rags… completely unable to handle the truth. Left to ourselves we naturally oppose Christ. But… when we fall before Him in humiliation, we receive grace and new life. Seeking Jesus… Seeking true Comfort means being knocked down by the realization of our lostness and being picked up by the grace and goodness of Christ.

A Walk with God: Luke Simeon’s Prophecy (Luke 2:29–35)

‘And a sword will pierce even your own soul.’ This can only refer to the passion of Christ. Mary was there when her son was crucified. The word for sword refers to a long sword: it could be called a spear. Think of Mary standing at the foot of the cross, when the centurion took a spear and put it into the side of her son. What did she feel? Obviously she didn’t feel the cold blade of steel penetrate her own skin, but she felt it in her soul.

Preaching the Word: Luke, Vol. 1—That You May Know the Truth Simeon’s Revelation (vv. 34, 35)

When people truly encounter Christ, their inner thoughts (that is, their evil thoughts) are seen for what they are. Apart from God’s merciful intervention, people naturally oppose him.8 But Christ reveals what our inner lives are really like. Human goodness is seen as filthy rags. Unable or unwilling to handle the truth, we naturally oppose Christ’s work. But when we fall before him in humiliation, we receive grace and new life. Jesus always knocks us down so he can pick us up.

—> transition to last point… <—

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

This prophetic pause ends with a word from a prophet… a prophetess to be exact. A woman named Anna is introduced to us for only a moment, but in that moment we are able to witness the highlight of her entire career, as she makes a proclamation of a lifetime. A Proclamation about Christ.

III. A Proclamation (36-38) Look with me at verse 36

Luke 2:36–38 ESV

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Both Simeon and Anna were living examples of all that was good in Israelite piety (Hughes)… both were aged… both were devoted to God … both were prophets…and both were filled with expectant hope! Simeon and Anna represent everyone who understands that their only hope was in the mercy and grace of God.... the One who provides true Comfort… the Christ.

Preaching the Word: Luke, Vol. 1—That You May Know the Truth The Presentation (vv. 25–38)

Simeon and Anna embodied all that was good in Israelite piety

...Simeon and Anna embodied all that was good in Israelite piety (Hughes)… both were aged… both were devoted to God … both were prophets… both were filled with expectancy…

Simeon and Anna represented all who saw that their only hope was in the mercy and grace of God.

Like Simeon, Anna came into the temple… at the very moment she saw Jesus, we are told that she gave thanks to God and proclaimed the truth about Jesus to everyone who would listen.

Anna recognized Jesus.... how did Anna recognize Jesus? Like Simeon she too had to been searching for Comfort… She too had been waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise of the Christ. Led by the Spirit, she too recognized this baby as the Messiah.

It is noteworthy that Luke describes Anna’s ministry and character by staying that she worshipped with “fasting and prayer day and night”. Luke connects this comment with Anna’s lifetime of service to God.

Many times we think that service involves preaching, teaching, reaching out to the poor, the hungry, those in prison. Those are all worthwhile areas of ministry and forms of service. But, this singular devotion of prayer and fasting can also be a ministry.

Anna was totally focused and completely devoted to the service and worship of God… Such a devout and godly woman was a fitting witness to meet Jesus that day.

Luke 1–5: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Anna

Anna was singularly and completely devoted to the service and worship of God; such a devout, godly woman was a fitting witness to Jesus.

A Walk with God: Luke Anna’s Prophecy (Luke 2:36–38)

It is interesting that Luke should describe her life of fasting and prayer as a life of service to God. Usually we think that service involves preaching, or teaching, or reaching out to the poor, the hungry or the imprisoned, all of which, of course, are forms of service and dedication to God. But this singular devotion of prayer and fasting can also be a ministry.

The text tells us that she spoke to all who were “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem”. The phrase “waiting for” means to look forward to with expectation or to welcome something with excitement.

When Anna saw that the Christ… The Consolation of Israel… the Comforter had come, she ran out and told everyone that had been waiting with expectation... to welcome the Messiah!

Like Simeon, people who were waiting for the Consolation of Israel… are people who were waiting for the Messiah… people who were searching for true Comfort.

From Anna’s actions we can understand that after 400 years of prophetic silence... while Israel was in the midst of Roman oppression… there was still a remnant… a group of people who were faithful to God… who still believed… who were still searching… who still hoped for the coming of the Messiah.

Anna ran out and proclaimed the good news that she had seen the Lord’s Christ… The Messiah! The Promised Deliverer... The Comforter!

John F. MacArthur Jr., , MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009), 167.

Anna left the temple praising God and proclaiming a message of Hope to all those who had been searching for Comfort.... waiting for the Messiah to come. He’s Here!!!

Conclusion and Application:

Over the last four weeks, we have been introduced to four cousins.... Christmas cousins. Each cousin was given an important prophetic role to play in God’s plan of redemption.

Zechariah and Elizabeth would be used to give birth to John, who would be used greatly by God to pave the way for the Messiah!

… TBD…

Mary would be blessed and faithfully used by God to give birth to Jesus… the promised Deliverer! Mary and Joseph would see to it that Jesus was raised according to the Law…

The birth of Jesus was heralded by Angels, welcomed by Shepherds… and recognized by those who had remained faithful to the Lord and were waiting for the Lord’s Christ.... those who had been searching for true Comfort… and would find it in the salvation of God.

With over 2 Trillion Google searches being done every day.... people around the world are searching for something. Many are searching for answers… many are searching for true Comfort that can never be provided through the pleasures and distractions offered by the world. Those who are searching for Comfort… will only find it in the Salvation of God… in Jesus.

Jesus is the Salvation of God who was promised long ago, who has opened access to redemption and reconciliation to all, both Jew and Gentile.

Simeon’s Song gives us Hope of Christ’s ministry.... Simeon’s Blessing lays out the reality of Christ’s ministry.... and Anna’s proclamation spreads hope and joy to all who have been faithfully waiting for God to fulfill His promise of Salvation.

What is the main idea we can walk away with from the text today?

Recognizing Jesus for who He is, is the first step in embracing the salvation He has provided.

Intended Response:

How are we to respond?

Believe what the Bible says about Jesus and embrace Him as your Savior and Redeemer.

Maybe you are here today and you are not a believer… you have never responded in faith to Christ. For those who have never truly found “Comfort”… God is calling you to recognize Jesus for who He is… He is the Savior, Redeemer, and Rescuer of the souls of men. God is calling you to believe what the Bible says about Jesus… Believe in who Jesus is… the Son of God… God in the flesh… who dwelt among us…. Faith in Christ is the only way you will ever receive true comfort.

God is calling you... to Believe in who Jesus is and respond to Him in faith… Don’t wait… this is something that we can do today.

For those of us here who have responded in faith to Christ and have been reconciled to God… For those of us who have a real relationship with Jesus, we are also being called to recognize who Jesus is… He is our Savior… our Lord… our Sovereign… our King… We have been comforted with the gift of Salvation by the Creator of the World and author of Salvation.

We have been comforted with the gift of Salvation by the Creator of the World and author of Salvation. Do our lives reflect that reality? When the people of Alliance look at you, can they immediately tell that you belong to Christ? Can they look at you and recognize Jesus?

Do our lives reflect that reality? When the people of Alliance look at you, can they immediately tell that you belong to Christ? Can they look at you and recognize Jesus?

Believer, God is calling you to Re-affirm your believe in who Jesus is, and let that belief actively drive each and every action you make. Make sure that when you are going through the steps of life… that all those who look and listen to you… can see that you have found the true Comfort that the whole world is searching for.

What should you do today? Re-affirm your believe in who Jesus is, and let that belief actively drive each and every action you make. Make sure that when you are going through the steps of life… that all those who look and listen to you… can see that you have found the true Comfort that the whole world is searching for.

Prayer —

— Transition to closing song…

We are going to close today by singing our song of the month… “Is He worthy?”

As you sing this song today… you will be asked a question… “Is He worthy?” Is Christ worthy of all blessing and honor and glory?

If you believe that, then respond as we sing by saying… “He is”.

Christ is worthy of all honor, glory and praise.

If you believe that in your heart today then, let’s respond appropriately to God’s Word.

If you have a need or would like to talk... you are welcome to come down front and speak with me or please find me after the service.

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