This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Heaven In Our Mist", 12/29/13

 

 

HEAVEN IN OUR MIST

 

Luke 2:25-38

THE HOLY SPIRIT; OUR COMFORTER

V:25. " And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him."

 A. In the church, you will find those whose minds are focused on the Word of God.

     1. The Lord introduced us to a man who was focused on the promises of God.

     2. He had a lifestyle of holiness.

     3. He followed the commands of God and was devoted to service.

     4. When you are devoted to following the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will be

 

          your  guide.

 B. Faith in the Lord brings fulfillment in life.

    1. Simeon was a man who studied the Word.

    2. He believed the Word.

    3. His hope was in the Lord.

        a. He waited on the Lord to bring comfort to Israel.

        b. He was satisfied with the Lord.

 C. When your focus is on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will comfort you.

      1. The Holy Spirit is a helper, a teacher and a comforter.

      2. The Holy Spirit gives understanding to the Word.

 

V:26. " And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ."

 A. Simeon lived a life looking for the Messiah, the anointed one, the redeemer of

 

      Israel.

     1. He had a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would see the promised seed

         of Israel before he died.

     2. He was divinely influence and protected by the Holy Spirit.

 B. Because he lived a righteous life, his dream of seeing the redeemer of Israel would

 

      be realized.

     1. Simeon was a patient man.

        a. He waited on the Lord to fulfill His promise to him.

        b. He trusted the Lord to keep His promise.

     2. The text indicates that he was old in age, but full of hope.

        a. He did not get discouraged because the Lord was long on keeping His promise.

        b. We can trust the Lord to keep all promises to us.

  C. Simeon accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

      1. When we accept Jesus, we are baptized into His death and resurrected into the

           newness of life.  1 Cor 12:13

       2. With Jesus, you will not experience death, but will experience eternal life.

  

WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT

 V:27. " And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the

  child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law."

 A. Simeon allowed his thoughts and actions to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

     1. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus, the author of righteousness into His temple.

     2. According to the Law, the first born belongs to the Lord (Num 18:15-16).

        a. According to the Law, the first born could be redeemed with five shekels from

         

           the Lord in the sanctuary ( a shekel was about 66 cents). 

 B. The Holy Spirit gives us an understanding of the Word.

     1. The Spirit is the guide to Jesus.

     2. Simeon was guided to Jesus by the Spirit.

C. Jesus, the High Priest of all believers came into His temple. Heb 4:14

     1. The great prophet of times and events came into the temple. John 6:14

     2. The King of Kings came into the temple. Luke 19:38

     3. The eternal Word came into the temple.

     4. God, Himself came into the temple.

     5. The best place to be is in the Temple of the Lord.

 

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

V: 28. " Then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word."

 A. We should at all times worship the Lord.

    1. In His sanctuary, we should give Him praise.

    2. The Lord should be kept close to our heart.

B. Peace in our life is found in Jesus Christ.

   1. With Jesus in our life, we are released from the bondage of sin into eternal life.

   2. With Jesus in our life, we can see our eternal home in heaven.

 C. It is important that members of the Church pray for one another.

    1. When a baby is born, the Church should surround the family with prayer,

         encouragement and support.

 

V:30. " For my eyes have seen Your salvation."

 A. When we come to Jesus, we come to our salvation.

   1. We can only see Jesus with our spiritual eyes.

   2. The just live by faith and not by sight.

 B. Simeon was living by faith.

   1. It was his faith in the Word that brought him into the temple to see

       Jesus.

   2. Babies were normally brought into the temple to be dedicated to the

       Lord.

   3. How did Simeon know that this was the day when the Lord would be

       in the temple in the form of a baby?

       a. His faith through the power of the Holy Spirit guided him to Jesus.

       b. His knowledge of the Word gave him the time of the coming of the

           promised seed.

 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

V:31. " Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples."

 A. The Lord prepared a family line to present Himself to the World.

      1. The Lord prepared a couple to be the earthly parents of Himself.

      2. The Lord prepared the body of Mary to receive the spirit of Jesus.

      3. God set the time for Jesus to be born in the flesh.

 B. Jesus was presented to all the people.

     1. Regardless of our history, past sins and conditions, Jesus is presented

         to us as our salvation.

     2. We don't deserve Jesus, but He is a free gift.

         a. By the Grace of God, we were chosen to receive Jesus.  Rom 3:24,25

 

 V:32. " A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."

 A. Jesus is non denominational.

     1. He was born a Jew.

     2. The Jews were the first to receive Jesus.  Rom 1:16

     3. God brought to the nation of Israel His glory.

     4. The Jews were the first to hear the teaching of Jesus.

     5. The Church of Jesus Christ was born in Israel.  

 B. It is through the nation of Israel that Jesus was brought to the Gentiles.

    1. Any non Jew is a Gentile by birth.

    2. All who believe in Jesus is a Jew by adoption. Rom 8:23

    3. Jesus was given first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.  Rom 1:16

    4. We should thank God that He chose us for adoption into the body of

         Christ.

  C. Jesus brought us into the Light out of a darken world.

      1. His Grace has fallen fresh on us with the revelation that He is the way

          to eternal life.

      2. Once he saw Jesus, Simeon was on his way to eternal life.

 

THE AMAZING GRACE

V:33. " And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him."

 A. We should never cease to be amazed by the Word of God.

      1. No one can do what Jesus has done for us.

      2. Every waking hour, the amazing Grace of God is shown to us.

 B. All around us is the amazing glory of God.

      1. His creation is amazing.

      2. The gift of salvation is amazing.

      3. His love for us is amazing.

      4. We should continue to be amazed for what God does for us.

 

ENCOURAGING THE FAMILY

 V:34. " And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed."

 A. Simeon confirmed the prophecy of the life of Jesus.

    1. Israel would suffer disappointment, and ruin because they rejected the Lord Jesus.

    2. They falsely accused Him and condemned Him to death on the cross.

        a. Instead of receiving the light of the world, they chose darkness.

    3. Israel was looking for a King to relieve them from Roman occupation.

        a. Israel would be disappointed.

        b. Jesus came to give them eternal life, not life on earth.  

        c. Jesus came to free them from their sins, not the Roman government.

  B. Israel would fall because they rejected the Savior that came for their salvation.

     1. The temple would be destroyed.

     2.  Israel was taken into captivity. (70 AD)

  C. The Israelites who accepted Christ would rise to eternal life.

     1. The Church of Jesus Christ was born out of conflict with the Jewish hierarchy.

     2. Many who followed Jesus were persecuted.

         a. Those who follow Jesus receive the hope of eternal life.

         b. Those who follow Jesus receive peace in their hearts and peace with the

              father.

 

V:35. " And a sword will pierce even your own soul — to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

 A. Mary would see Jesus crucified on the cross. 

     1. Her heart would be pierced by witnessing the death of Jesus.

     2. She would hear the thoughts of many who wanted to kill Jesus.

     3. She would hear talk of her son being a sinner and a trouble maker.

     4. She would witness the good that He did, yet be discouraged by those

         who opposed Him.

B. Mary needed the strength of the Lord to endure the injustice done to Jesus.

    1. Many opposed the Gospel and many tried to destroy the Church.

    2. Mary needed the comfort of the Holy Spirit to encourage her.

    3. To endure this life, we must be reminded the Grace of God is sufficient

         for us.

 

THE POWER OF PRAYER

V:36. " And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage."

 A. The Lord uses men and women to provide words of encouragement to His

      people.

     1. The older women are encouraged to give council and support to the younger

          women.

     2. Women who have devoted their lives to the Lord are excellent role models

          for younger parents.

 

 B. Anna was gifted by the Lord with words of wisdom to advise others in

     spiritual matters.

 

V:37.  "And then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers."

 A. There are those whose contribution to the Body of Christ is fasting and praying.

     1. The prayers of the righteous are heard and acted upon by the Lord.

     2. Intercessory prayer is an important part of worship.

 B. Anna was constantly in the temple offering prayers to the Lord.

    1. There is no better activity than communication with the Lord through prayer.

    2. We can serve others in the body of Christ through our constant prayers

         for their well being.   

 

 V:38. "At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and

  continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of  

  Jerusalem."

  A. When we are in the temple of the Lord, we have an audience hungry for a

       word from the Lord.

      1. God communicated His Word to those who are continually in His

          presence with prayers and petitions.

      2. Anna was in the house when Jesus came in.

  B. Our attitude in the House of the Lord should be one of thanksgiving.

     1. To those who are dedicated to the Lord, special insight is given about

         Jesus Christ.

     2. Jesus is the redemption of the nation of Israel and to all mankind.

     3. The ministry of Jesus Christ began in His temple.

     4. His presence gives hope and encouragement to the Body of believers.