Simeon: Led by the Spirit

Welcome

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas weekend. Thank you for joining me this morning.

Use this time for rest and connecting with family and friends.

Our normal schedule will resume this next Sunday, January 2.

In a couple of weeks we are going to begin 21 days of Prayer.

Introduction

Four weeks ago, we began a series of messages, entitled “The Hope of Christmas.”

Luke wrote as an introduction the purpose of his account of Jesus’ life: “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

The purpose of the Christmas story is to give us “certainty” of the Gospel (Good News) message of Jesus Christ. It is meant to build up our faith.

In the course of this series we looked at the Gospel through the lives of Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds.

Today we are going to close out this series with a look at a man by the name of Simeon.

Text

Luke 2:25–26 ESV

25 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. 26 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.

Transition

In these two verses of Scripture, we are introduced to a man that God ordained to be part of the Christmas experience.

Who was Simeon?

He was righteous and devout.

He was waiting for the consolation of Israel (the messianic hope).

The Holy Spirit was upon him.

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see the fulfilment of that messianic hope.

At the center of Simeon’s part of the Christmas story is the Holy Spirit.

In fact, the Holy Spirit superintends the entire advent of Christ.

The Holy Spirit in Christmas

The People and the Holy Spirit

Zechariah was introduced to the Holy Spirit as One who would empower his soon to be son (John the Baptist).

Mary was introduced to the Holy Spirit as the One who would supernaturally cause the conception of Jesus in her womb.

Elizabeth was introduced to the Holy Spirit as the One who infilled her and caused her to prophecy about Mary.

Zechariah was himself filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.

And Simeon was infilled, and led by the Holy Spirit to meet baby Jesus.

The work of the Holy Spirit

Empowerment

Miraculous

Prophecy

Edification

One who leads and guides

Specifically, the One who leads us to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit in Simeon

Simeon and is character.

Righteous and devout—a man who believed in God—and lived out that belief in right living.

Simeon longed for the fulfilment of God’s promise in sending the Messiah.

Simeon and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was upon him.

Simeon had been given a divine purpose in the plan of God.

I think it interesting that Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Simeon all lived a righteous life.

Righteousness, holiness, living according to God’s moral code, opens the door of receptivity to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Simeon was led by the Spirit.

Simeon was informed by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before death.

Simeon was guided by the Holy Spirit to go to the Temple at the exact time Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus according to the Mosiac Law.

Simeon was empowered by the Holy Spirit to prophesy.

The Holy Spirit and the Gift of Prophecy

Luke 2:27–32 ESV

27 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

This is the fifth and the last of the “Christmas songs”—prophetic messages given by the Holy Spirit to authenticate the Gospel message and encourage believers.

Pastor and biblical scholar, Warren Wiersbe, had a wonderful insight into this prophetic message.

Worship hymn.

Simeon blesses God for keeping His promise and sending the Messiah.

He joyfully praises God that he has been privileged to see Christ.

Salvation hymn.

“My eyes have seen your salvation.”

Simeon now declares that he can “depart [this life] in peace.”

The word “depart” in the Greek has several meanings, and each of them tells us something about the death of a Christian.

It means to release a prisoner.

To untie a ship and set sail.

To take down a tent.

To unyoke a beast of burden.

God’s people are not afraid of death because it only frees us from the burdens of this life and leads into the blessings of the next life.

Missionary Hymn.

Jesus will restore the glory of Israel and bring the light (Gospel) to that Gentiles.

The coming of Christ provides the opportunity for all who would believe the experience of genuine, supernatural salvation.

Conclusion

The story of Simeon reminds us of the work and Person of the Holy Spirit.

We are also reminded how important it is for us, as Christians, to live a life that is receptive to the work and Person of the Holy Spirit.

We see through this Christmas story to absolute need for us, as believers, to filled with the Spirit—empowered to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

As we prepare for the coming New Year, let us resolve to open our heart and life to the Holy Spirit’s work—which ultimately centers on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to the lost.

For the message of Christ is the hope this world needs!