Sermon Central
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Full And Faithful Series
Contributed by Tom Papez on Dec 4, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Teaches about Simeon and Anna, two faithful characters important to the baby Christ after his birth. Uncommonly talked about.
FULL & FAITHFUL
CHRISTMAS SERIES #4: SIMEON & ANNA
INTRO: Have you ever heard of the 12 Days of Christmas? Of course you have. I used to think that the 12 days of Christmas had some type of inner meaning developed with specific intent that was used to help young people like myself wait until Christmas better. Not true.
Actually, the 12 days of Christmas begin on the day after Christmas, and go for 12 days (December 26-January 6), so it actually begins after Christmas on the Canadian holiday of boxing day (and it used to be the annual Blues-Black Hawks game, I am not sure if they still play it on that day or not).
1. SIMEON (FULL OF THE SPIRIT)
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:22-35
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"[b]), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."[c]
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved 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, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
A. FULL OF THE SPIRIT: We must not forget the importance of the Holy Spirit. Please allow me to explain to those who want a dose of how the Spirit may make us work and live our lives.
Wal-Mart Cart Example: So I am shopping at Wal-Mart, bringing my items out to my van in the rain, load up my kids, throw the food in the trunk…gentle with the eggs, then race to get back in my car. Then, there it is, the shopping cart, all by itself. I want to leave, but the Spirit tugs…put away the cart, put away the cart. So you get out in the rain, push the cart up to the store, actually grab another one on the way, get back in the car, soaked, start up your car, and that is when the same spirit that just ordered your heart to do something tells you…well done. That’s one example of how the Holy Spirit moves, if we let him.
In this Case: The topic is much more sincere. The Holy Spirit is prevalent in Simeon’s life (which is unusual by the way, the Holy Spirit really enters in to people after the Resurrection, but for some reason Simeon has it, as well as Zechariah & Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents, Luke 1:41/1:67). The topic is NOT ABOUT A WAL-MART CART. THE TOPIC IS THE SON OF GOD IN LIVING FORM!!! Can you imagine living close enough to God to sense or even be told you will see the savior face to face. Wow.
B. MINE EYES HAVE SEEN
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he hath loosed the fateful lightning
of his terrible swift sword;
his truth is marching on.
Refrain: Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
This song of course is an American hero song in which the Lord tramples his enemies. And that is what Christ did—he conquered!
Does Anyone Know How We Got Christmas on December 25th?
First off, Christ was not born in December (uhhhhh). He was born when shepherds are in the field watching their sheep—which is fall. Anyhoo, there was a pagan holiday on December 25th right around the Winter Solstice. Now, there are a lot of rumors, guesses, and a bunch of stuff associated with it. But essentially, Solis Invicti was the holiday meaning “holiday of the unconquered Sun.”
