Sermon
#15 Luke
Sermons
Title: CHRIST – OUR
LIGHT, OUR GLORY,
AND OUR SALVATION
Text: Luke 2:25-35
Subject: Simeon’s Prophecy
Date: Sunday Evening –
Tape # V-51a
Introduction:
1. Here is an accurate description of every saved
sinner.
25. And, behold, there was a man in
This
is the only place in the Bible where Simeon’s name is mentioned. We know
nothing about him, except what is revealed in these eleven 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.
·
Simeon was a just man, upright and 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
·
The Holy Ghost was upon him. –
Believers are men and women who live in and walk in the Spirit.
2. Here is a revealed fact.
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 had specifically and
supernaturally revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen
Christ with his own eyes.
But this also is a revealed fact. – Not one of God’s elect shall die until they have seen Christ with the eye of faith (2 Pet. 3:9).
3. Here is a blessed Guide
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,
When
we come to the house of God by the Spirit of God, we are sure to meet the Son
of God here! Read on…
4. Here is a glorious Salvation (vv. 28-33).
28. Then took he him up in his arms (PERSONAL
FAITH), and blessed (PRAISED) God, and said,
29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart
in peace, according to thy word: (CONFIDENT HOPE)
30. For mine eyes have seen thy
salvation,
31. Which thou hast prepared before the face
of all people;
32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and
the glory
of thy people
33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of (ABOUT) him (CHRIST).
5. Here is Savior and a gospel despised by all men in
every age, except those to whom he is revealed (vv. 34-35).
34. 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 sign which shall be spoken against;
35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy
own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
The
verses we have read reveal four simple, but blessed, spiritual truths, gospel
truths which we ought to lay to heart.
I.
God
never leaves himself without a witness.
In the worst of places, in the darkest of times, the Lord God still has his seven thousand who have not and will not bow the knee to Baal. Most in every age wear the mark of the beast; but God’s elect will not (Rev. 13:8).
The
·
A
· An Obadiah in Ahab’s household.
·
A Daniel in
· A Jeremiah in Zedekiah’s court.
·
A Simeon in
· An elect remnant in an apostate age.
II. 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 (Heb.
Forasmuch then 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. (Hebrews 2:14-15 AV)
The Lord Jesus has delivered me from that which might cause me to look upon death with fear.
· My Sin.
· God’s Law and Justice.
· Eternity.
· My House.
· His House.
Many die in frustrated
resignation, with the helpless, baseless hope of peace and release from misery.
There appear to be “no bands in their
death.” Yet, there are very few who die in confident peace. But ever believer out to (Rom.
Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, [which] thou hast purchased. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, [in] the place, O LORD, [which] thou hast made for thee to dwell in, [in] the Sanctuary, O Lord, [which] thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry [land] in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 15:16-19 AV)
III. Wherever true faith is found, there is gospel knowledge and spiritual understanding.
This man, Simeon, was no spiritual ignoramus. He was not a spiritual idiot. This man had a clear knowledge of the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is important. Faith in Christ is not a leap in the dark. It is confidence based upon the revelation of God. It is the result of being taught of God (John 6). It is obvious from the verses we have read that Simeon 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 great spiritual darkness.
C. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.
D. Christ is the glory of God. – The glory of the Triune God. – The glory of the Revelation of God. – The glory of his people.
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 lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 AV)
But of him are ye 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. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31 AV)
E. The Lord Jesus Christ is, himself, God’s salvation. – SALVATION IS A PERSON!
IV. Certain things always follow Christ and his gospel (vv. 34-35).
A. Many will fall by him.
B. Many will be resurrected by him.
C. Pain and persecution will be the lot f all who love him as long as we live in this world.
Application:
“What think ye of Christ?”
1. Do you stumble and fall at him?
2. Have you fallen upon him?
3. Is he to you a savor of life unto life, or a savor of death unto death?
May God give you no rest until you find rest in him.
AMEN.