"And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit"

Andrew Franks

Advent • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Luke 2:22–38

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Introduction

Example of Sudoku and Minesweeper

Experience of Romans and understanding that I am a sinner

Example of Kyle and Trinity

Phrase - “the penny drops”

The challenge with Christianity - some assent the truth, but the penny has not yet dropped

Example of leg prosthetic vs organ transplant

Luke 2:22–38 ESV

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Context

Mary had given birth to Jesus

The importance of Jesus had been authenticated in various ways

Angel Gabriel -

Elizabeth and John -

Shepherds and Angels -

As part of Jewish custom, circumcised Jesus on 8th day

Came to offer cleansing sacrifice () and first-fruits redemption ()

Text analysis

The main point of this text is to confirm Jesus as the expected Messiah - ,

The coming salvation as light for Gentiles and glory to Israel

There is a providential convergence of three events

Mary coming for the rituals

Simeon blessing God and parents for God’s faithfulness

Anna speaking to those attending the temple who were in expectation

Simeon and the Holy Spirit - understanding the experience after the fact

The penny must drop

Although the main point of the story is about Jesus’ kingship, this text also affords us the view of how the reality and certainty of Jesus’ kingship can affect a person

Simeon’s desperation for the consolation of Israel and his longing leads to the incredible statement in when the Holy Spirit moves him to see the babe

Luke 2:29a ESV

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

Against all logic and wisdom, he is convinced that this babe represents his deepest longing; why?

To contrast the account of Simeon, my experience is that there are people in regular Christian community who are able to articulate the profound truths of the Christian faith, but also communicate that the penny has not dropped in all areas; AND THIS INCLUDES ME IN SOME AREAS - MY STRUGGLE WITH GRACE

It also seems to be a time where Christian leaders have fallen away from their faith

QUESTION: How much of the penny has dropped for you? Where are the areas in your faith, where the truths are sitting in your head, and have yet to permeate into your very core?

QUESTION: How desperate are you to change that?

The problem is that these truths are not mentally assented to or comprehended, but impressed deeply by the Spirit of God into our very core

How can you work with the Holy Spirit to impress these truths into your core?

Find your desperation

Be persistent in seeking to experientially know God more and more

Study the Bible as the revelation of God

Give up distractions - Anna and fasting

Closing

There is an incredible comfort and assurance to be experienced when we fully embrace all that Jesus means and has accomplished

It is possible to know the peace of God as a n experiential reality - submit to the Holy Spirit

There is an incredible comfort and assurance to be experienced when we fully embrace all that Jesus means and has accomplished

There will come a time when the inner thoughts of your heart are revealed; let God deal those inner thoughts now rather than when it is too late

Prepare the time of fasting and prepare that NUC will be engaging in Jan 2020

Example of Paul Washer and mountain man

Two general groups of people

Those whose hearts have not been opened by the Spirit of God

Do not come to the Christian faith as one whose views are merely logical or propositional

Keep seeking God; He is faithful to reveal Himself through the Spirit at the time best for you

Understand that God will reveal the thoughts of your heart, so get honest with God

Those whose hearts have been opened by the Spirit of God

Jesus is real

There is a journey of progression, of increasing maturity and confidence in the reality of Jesus’ kingdom - see

It is the Spirit’s function to lead you into truth - see ;

Both Simeon and Anna offer us a picture of how we can partner with the Holy Spirit

Seek consolation; do not settle

Study the Bible

Align your understanding of the kingdom of God with what the Scriptures reveal about that kingdom

Become familiar with the promises God has made

Pray

Worship with fasting and constant pray

Practice thankfulness

Align your understanding of the kingdom of God with what the Scriptures reveal about that kingdom