Waiting on the LORD

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Text: Luke 2:25-32

What he’s waiting on is a sure hope

• Simeon is waiting for the consolation of Israel. Who is the consolation of Israel? His name is Jesus Christ.
• Simeon is an old man. He’s not a priest whose business it is to teach the scriptures and administrate the things in the temple. Simeon does not have that call on his life. And this time of Jesus birth, the Holy Spirit of God begins to make it very clear that the old covenant with the nation of Israel is a failing covenant.
  • From the heathen wise men who attend Jesus’ early days when Israelites should’ve been there.
  • To this unknown man Simeon in the temple who recognizes the consolation of Israel before any priests have an idea of who it is.
  • If anyone should’ve been expecting the consolation of Israel it should’ve been all of Israel. And if that weren’t enough, the priesthood serving in the temple should’ve been very aware that their salvation was born. But they weren’t.
• The only people who had and have to this day a sure hope are those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God.
• People can wait for things that will never happen. People can convince themselves of things that will never happen. There is a word for that, disappointment. There is an attitude for that, depression. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
• But in Jesus Christ there is a sure hope. And waiting for Jesus Christ won’t disappoint.
• Simeon was waiting in assurance, in expectation! Today, there is more assurance of the return of Jesus Christ than Simeon had of his first coming.
• Paul preaching in Acts 17 told the university Greeks that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was God’s assurance that Jesus Christ would one day rule all things.
• Maybe you need this type of hope this morning!

Patience is how you wait (vs 25)

• Simeon waited in patience and being led by the Spirit of God.
• Every man that has this hope purifies himself, even as he is pure. Kind of like waiting to see someone you love. You clean up, you may clean up the house, you make nice preparations, you prepare a celebration. This is Simeon waiting on the LORD Jesus
• Just means fair treatment. It means doing unto others as you’d have them do to you.
  • Simeon’s “Waiting” looks like a just life.
  • The prophet said the just shall live by faith. Then Paul explained it in Romans. Then it was illustrated in Hebrews by the list of faithful.
  • The just shall LIVE by faith. I emphasize LIVE, because we’ve overemphasized FAITH and perverted it to mean just a mental decision.
  • Simeon is LIVING by faith. This is why he’s just. This is why he’s at the temple.
• Devout means committed. In all your ways acknowledge the LORD, and he shall direct your paths.
• Simeon’s devotion and his equitable treatment of people are evidence of his faith.
  • Faith is the evidence of things not seen. You can’t see Simeon’s belief. But I can see evidence of it.
  • You can’t see Simeon’s hope, but you can the evidence of hope in his life.
• Maybe you’re convinced you’re waiting on Jesus Christ. Well, why don’t you test that theory? John said if you have this hope, you’ll purify yourself. If your life is full of injustice, you’re not really waiting on Jesus Christ. You’re just a hypocrite. If you’re not committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, then the thoughts in your head about yourself are just your own delusions.

A promise is why he’s waiting (vss 26-29)

• He was waiting in hope because of a promise. That promise of Jesus Christ’s coming was made to the entire nation of Israel, but only a few were listening. Simeon was one man that listened.
• 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.
• God’s children aren’t the ones with the titles. 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 taking off your hat when you enter a room with the Bible. We’ve confused old with righteous and some generations seemed to think everything good ended with them. That’s called SELF-RIGHTEOUS pride.
• God’s children are the ones who are led by the Spirit of God.
• Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice and they know me and they follow me.
• Simeon waits around the house of God.
• And because Simeon is led by the Spirit of God, he is satisfied and at peace with his own death.
  • I’ve seen God’s salvation in Jesus Christ
  • I’ve seen the Light of the whole world who is Jesus Christ
  • Led through the shadow of death
  • Simeon now prepared for death since he’s seen the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sign of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (vss 34-35)

• A man who saw the resurrection.

The revelation of hearts

• Simeon’s heart had been revealed. This is what he’s been waiting for!
• Your heart is being revealed and will be revealed by Jesus Christ!
• A sword that pierces a soul? That’s spiritual. 
• The sword is the word of God that cuts to the heart – 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.