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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 6 December 2020 : “My eyes have seen your salvation”

Text: Luke 2:25-35
6 December 2020

Introduction

1. The Christmas narratives

a) Focuses on Jesus
b) Introduces us to different characters who were involved in some way or another
i. Mary and Joseph
ii. Shepherds
iii. Wise men
c) Today’s story is about Simeon and how God helped him meet the Child Jesus

2. An introduction to Simeon

a) The text which we will be reading gives a description of Simeon
b) What do we know about Simeon?
i. He was an older man (Luke 2:29)
ii. He was a humble servant of God (Luke 2:29)
iii. He was waiting for the Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)
(α) There were not many in the Bible who were waiting for the Christ
(β) But Simeon was noted to have been waiting expectantly
(γ) While he was waiting, he sought to live well by being just and devout

 

[A] Simeon was blessed by God

1. Can an older person be blessed by God?
2. The Bible tells us how Simeon was greatly blessed

a) The Holy Spirit was given to Him
i. The Spirit of God was upon Simeon (Luke 2:25)
ii. God provided His Spirit to help Simeon
b) He had been given special knowledge of the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2:26)
i. A word was made known to Simeon concerning the Lord’s Christ
ii. God’s promise to Simeon was that he would see His Christ in his lifetime
c) He was given the privilege of meeting Jesus (Luke 2:27-28)
i. God’s promise to Simeon was fulfilled
ii. Simeon was led into the temple at the right time to Mary and Joseph
iii. Simeon recognised the Lord’s Christ as he took the Child Jesus in his arms

3. Spiritual blessings such as these were to be appreciated greatly

 

[B] Simeon understood that Jesus would grow to become someone special

1. With the knowledge he was given, Simeon understood how special Jesus would be

a) Jesus is special because He would be God’s salvation (Luke 2:30-31)
i. God had prepared salvation for everyone a very long time ago
ii. Jesus would be the one who would bring about this salvation one day
b) Jesus is special because He would be a light (Luke 2:32)
i. He would bring revelation to those who do not know God and His kingdom
ii. He would manifest God’s glory to His people

2. This is hugely significant because it remains relevant to us today

a) We are greatly blessed because of Jesus
i. It is because of Jesus and His death that we can be saved from our sins
ii. It is because of Jesus’ teachings that we are no more in darkness
We can learn about God as our Father
 We can learn about God’s kingdom
iii. It is because of Jesus that we can enter God’s kingdom
b) Having faith in Jesus means that we are already blessed

 

[C] The responses of Simeon after he met the Child Jesus

1. He responded by blessing God (Luke 2:28)

a) Using good and acceptable words
b) Simeon spoke well of God with a tremendous sense of praise
i. For keeping His word to him
ii. For preparing salvation for all
iii. For what Jesus would do for all people

2. He gave a personal word to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 2:34-35)

 

[D] A word of encouragement to the Bilingual brethren

1. Uncles and aunties, we are so greatly blessed!

a) One of the things I am learning personally is that we are blessed
i. Circumstances in life may rob us of the joy and appreciation of being blessed
ii. But it does not take away the reality of blessedness
b) We are spiritually blessed because of the Lord Jesus
i. He saved us from our sins
ii. He gives knowledge to those who do not know about God

2. Uncles and aunties, let us bless God this Christmas!

a) Let us speak well of Him when we meet up with friends and family
b) Let us appreciate and thank Him with a heart filled with praise
i. For being a God who keeps His word given to us
ii. For sending Jesus to be our Saviour and our light