Bible Text: Luke 2:25-32 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Abiding in Christmas
Abiding in Christmas is learning to recognize God’s work in our lives
Lord, I know you’re especially busy this time of year, but I’m just a little tired. If you get a moment, I sure could use some help.
My request? For help, Dudley reminds him. Biggs replies, Is this some kind of joke? …or who put you up to this… Biggs persists. Dudley interjects, HE did…but I’m afraid you picked the wrong day for me to be a good sport.
Simeon the son of Hillel a Jewish theologian; Rabban
Luke 2:25-35
Abiding in Christmas means we are willing to be SURPRISED by the unexpected
…And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. 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…For my eyes have seen Your salvation…
…Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word…
Simeon had been living, abiding by the Word of God.
John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
God created us so we would know fulfillment and love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (discipline).
Abiding is waiting!
…the Consolation of Israel; …light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel
Zechariah14: 3-4 Then the LORD will go forth. And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two…
And in fact a day unlike any other day would come…
Matthew 27:51-53 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Abiding in Christmas is seeing the new beginnings that come in small packages…
Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin…
As we learn to WAIT and we are able to accept God’s will we experience the peace of God!
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word
Deliverance
Design
Destiny
To abide in Christmas is to be patient with the CONSTRUCTION process
End of construction
Thank you for your patience
A person FILLED, and FULL and LED by the Holy Spirit hears the Lord
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. So he came by 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…
Bottom line
Abiding in Christmas is trusting in the Lord Jesus