Simeon's Hope - Bible Baptist Church

Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Simeon is a spiritual man. He’s an informed man: very informed about the things of God. And this is how a man who knows about the Lord conducts his business.

The way he lived proved he had hope in the LORD (vs 25)

Waiting is not the passing of time. Waiting is expectation. Like the expectation of a paycheck. You perform a service knowing there is reward at the end of it. What’s Simeon’s service look like?
Just means doing right; it is justice. Simeon “waiting” looks like living a just life. He lives a just life in earnest expectation that there is value and reward for the way he chooses to live his life.
Devout means committed. This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel. Simeon believes that his dedication to the LORD will have value to the LORD and so he chooses to live his life this way as well.
Evidence of his hope was the way he lived his life.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

His hope brings direction from God (vss 27-32)

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
You think your desperation brings direction from God. And sometimes your desperation leads to seeking God which brings His leadership. But desperation itself doesn’t bring direction from God.
Simeon’s hope is what yielded the LORD’s direction.
Leading of the Spirit of God are the children of God
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Consider the contrast of Simeon and religious leadership. Simeon is not a Pharisee. He doesn’t appear to have any teaching titles like the Scribes and Pharisees. But the LORD would say of most of those religious leaders that they are no more God’s children than the rocks are. In fact the rocks are more God’s children than they are. Simeon understands more about the work of God in Jesus Christ than the teachers of the scriptures.
God’s children aren’t the ones with the titles. They aren’t the conservative political groups. They aren’t the liberal political groups. They aren’t the ones who served in the military and love their country. They aren’t the ones in law enforcement who protect their community. They aren’t the big givers at the 4H auction. While these may have admirable qualities, we’ve confused America with Christianity. We’ve confused civil service with Christianity.
God’s children are the ones who are led by the Spirit of God. (Nicodemus must be BORN AGAIN. You can’t see the kingdom of God unless you take direction from the Spirit of God. Why? Because the Spirit of God is the one who reveals the kingdom of God.)
Led to the temple where he’d find Jesus.
Led through the shadow of death
Simeon now prepared for death since he’s seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 23

Simeon’s clear understanding of the gospel (vss 34-35)

A man who saw the resurrection.
A sword that pierces a soul? That’s spiritual.
Hebrews 4:11-13 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Notice the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal the secrets of men’s hearts.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Simeon’s hope is Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.