Sermon: HOW ARE YOU LIVING?

Subject – HOW ARE YOU LIVING?

Text – Luke 2:25-26

Sermon delivered by:
Pastor Henry S. Cotton, Jr. of St.James Missionary Baptict Church in Philadelphia.

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25 Now 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:25-35 NIV

INTRODUCTION – 

As we take notice of how the people are living such ungodly lives today, many of us are simply stating that these days have been prophesied to come, and so we just go through the motions of our lives and even our callings, waiting for the Lord to come.

This is not the first time the people of the world were found to be living in a fashion that was not pleasing to GOD. We read in the word of GOD that during one these times, there was a “righteous and devout” man who was PRAYING, LIVING, and WAITING for the Messiah to come and restore peace and comfort back to Israel. This man’s name was Simeon. We may not know a lot about the history of Simeon, but what we do know says a lot about him:

POINTS – 

• His name means “Hearing, Hears and Obeys; or Hearing with Acceptance.”
• He was a righteous and devout man.
• He was waiting for waiting for the Messiah to come and restore the people of Israel.
• The Holy Ghost was on him.
• The Holy Ghost told him that he would not die before he saw the LORD’s Messiah (expound).

 

1. (v. 25) – Despite how many of the people were living in Israel, Simeon has been singled out as one who was living righteously and devoutly; and he was also found to have a heart for Israel. Simeon also believed in his heart that the Messiah was going to come and restore Israel. We are told in the scriptures that the “Holy Spirit was on him” (expound).
2. (v. 26) – The Holy Spirit revealed the promise to Simeon that he would not die before he had the chance to see “the Lord’s Messiah.”

1. To us this looks like GOD blessed Simeon for his faithfulness.
2. Even then there were a number of false people going around claiming to be the Messiah; but the Holy Spirit made it clear to Simeon that it would be God’s Messiah who he would see (expound).

CONCLUSION 

Simeon did not forget the promise the Holy Spirit made to him. Matter-of-fact, when Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to the temple where he saw the Messiah, Simeon reminded the LORD of his promise and said that he was ready to be “dismissed” by Him. Simeon did not try to parlay for more time, but taking the Messiah in his arms he then bestowed a blessing (benediction) upon the Messiah; along with a prophetic word (expound). 

My sisters and my brothers, are you one of those who are so Heavenly minded that you are no Earthly good? Is your focus so much on going to Heaven that you allowed yourself to lose your compassion for the many souls that appear to be going to Hell? Are these souls not the reasons why were commissioned and given our commands?