or Luke 2 verses 25 to 35. If
you'll turn there. Okay, starting in verse 25, Luke
2, 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. And it was revealed
unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before
he had seen the Lord's Christ. 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, then took he up in his
arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace according to thy word. Mine eyes have seen
salvation. which thou hast prepared before
the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the
glory of the people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled
at these things which were spoken of him. 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 for a sign which
shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall shall pierce
through thy own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may
be revealed." I'm going to take my jacket off, it's warm in here. This is the only place in the
Bible where Simeon is even mentioned, just these 10 verses or 11 verses,
but The Holy Spirit inspired Luke
to tell us about Simeon because it was important for us to know.
He wouldn't put it in the Bible if he didn't want us to know
about Simeon. Everything in the Bible is there
to help us understand Christ and what he'd done for us. We
know nothing about Simon except what is revealed in these 11
verses. But this man is set before us
in words which identify his character. As one who had been saved by
the free and sovereign grace of God, that is the only way
any of us can be saved. So let's look at these verses.
Verse 25 is an accurate description of every saved sinner. Verse
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 of Israel and the Holy Ghost was upon him. Simeon was a just
man, upright, honest in his dealings with men. He was devout, devoted
to the worship, service, will, and glory of God. He was waiting
for the consolation of Israel. Christ is the consolation of
his true Israel. The Holy Ghost was upon him.
Believers are men and women who live and walk in the Spirit.
Let's look at verse 26, and we see some revealed facts. Verse
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. Without question, this refers
to the fact that the Lord specifically and supernaturally revealed to
Simeon that he would not die until he had seen Christ with
his own eyes. But this is also a revealed fact. Not one of God's elect shall
die until the Holy Spirit reveals their salvation of Christ to
them. He will not lose any of his chosen
people. It's just not possible. Going
to verse 27, as a blessed God, verse 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
led by the Spirit of God to be in the temple at that particular
time. God has precise timing for everything, and so Simeon
was led by God to be there right
when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus into the temple. He
was then able to see the face of God. When we come to God's
house and are led here by the Spirit of God, we are sure to
meet the Son of God here. Matthew 18.20 tells us, for when
two or three are gathered in his name, I am there among them.
Verse 28 through 33 shows us the glorious salvation. Verse
28, starting at verse 28. Then took he him up in his arms. That would be a very personal
faith to hold Christ in your arms. I can't begin to imagine
what that would have been like knowing who he was and what he
does or done for his people. It just You know, I just can't
begin to imagine what that would have been like for him. And he
blessed God and Simeon gave praise to God. How could you not give
praise to God when you're standing there holding Jesus in your arms? And then going to verse 29, Lord,
now let us thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
Simon had complete confidence in Christ. And how could you
not have complete confidence knowing he's there in your arms
and knowing what has been revealed to you? For mine eyes have seen
thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all
people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of the
people the people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled
at these things which were spoken of him." And they were talking
about being spoke about Christ. Verses 34 and 35 tells us about
a Savior and a gospel, despised by men of every age except for
those that it's been revealed. the world basically does not
understand Christ and what he actually done for us. In verse
34, And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary his mother, Behold,
this child is set for the fall rising again of many in Israel,
and for a sign which shall be spoken against Verse 35, yea,
a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts
of many hearts may be revealed. The verses reveal three simple
the blessed spiritual truths, gospel truths which we ought
to understand and believe in our hearts. The first one is
those who have seen Christ have no reason to fear death. Yes,
it is possible to die without fear. The Lord Jesus Christ came
here to deliver us from the fear of death. Going to Hebrews The
second chapter of Hebrews 14 and 15, for as much when as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise
took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that
had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them
who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage. The Lord Jesus has delivered believers from that which might
cause them to look upon death with fear. We are delivered from
our sins. We've been delivered out from
under the law that has condemned unbelievers. Many die in frustration
with helpless, hopeless baseless hope, peace, and release from
misery. Yet there are very few who die
in complete confidence and peace, but every believer ought to remember
these few verses in Romans 8. There's about three or four verses
here I want to go over. In Romans 8, 31, if God be with
us, who can be against us? There is no power that can separate
us from the love of God. Romans 8.35, who shall separate
us from the love of Christ? There's nobody able to do that. And then in Romans 8.38 and 39,
for I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor
principalities nor power nor things present nor things to
come nor heights nor depth nor any other creature shall be able
to separate from the love of God, which is in Christ." That's
in Romans 8, 38, and 39. If we keep these verses in our
minds and our hearts, we should have no fear of death. Number
two, wherever true faith is found, there is gospel knowledge and
spiritual understanding. This man, Simeon, was not a spiritual
idiot. He had a clear knowledge of the
person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is important. Faith in Christ
is not Faith in Christ is not a leap in the dark. It is confidence
based upon the revelation of God. He reveals to us who He
is, and that should give us all the confidence we would ever
need. It is a result of being taught of God. It is obvious
from the verses we have read, Simon knew that, A, God has an
elect people in every race, Jew and Gentile, who are the true
Israel of God. B. All men and women by nature
are engulfed in spiritual darkness. We are brought into the spiritual
light by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ
is the light of the world. Christ is the glory of God, the
glory of the triune God, the glory of the revelation of God,
and the glory of his people. In Jeremiah we read, Thus saith
the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither
let the mighty man glory in his might. Let not the rich man glory
in his riches, but let him that glorieth glory in this, that
he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which
exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, saith the Lord." That's Jeremiah
chapter 9, verses 23 and 24. Then in Corinthians we read,
but of him ye are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom
and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that according
as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. That's
in 1 Corinthians verses 30 and 31. The Lord Jesus Christ is himself
God's salvation. Salvation is a person, and that
person is Christ. There is no other way for salvation.
Going to the third thing, certain things always follow Christ and
his gospel. 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 son which shall be
spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through
thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. That's Luke verses 34 and 35.
Many will fall by him. Many will be resurrected by him.
Pain and persecution will be the lot of all who love him as
long as we live in this world. In conclusion, I'm getting done
very fast here. What do we think of Christ? Does
he cause us to stumble and fall? If you believe in Christ of true
understanding, he is not a stumbling block, but for the world he is
very much so a stumbling block. Have you fully accepted him as
your Lord and Savior? And when Things are revealed
to you when the Gospel or the Spirit reveals the Gospel to
us. We have full acceptance of it. We don't have any doubt. Is He to you a Savior of life
unto life or a Savior of death unto death? As believers, we
have life in Christ and Him alone. May God give us no rest until
we find rest in Him. If we have rest in Him, we have
full confidence of our salvation and complete confidence. So that's
the end of it. I'm 15 minutes, so I apologize
for being quite so short, but I thought it was longer than
that. But any questions or anything? Okay, then I'll close in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you
for giving me the words that you want us to take to our hearts.
Help us to understand those things and bless those that are not
able to be here. Be with those that are traveling
and give them travel mercies. We ask these things in Jesus
name. Amen.