Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather in His presence, to bask in the warmth of His love, to be enveloped by the peace that surpasses all understanding? We come together today, united under the banner of Christ, to seek His face, to learn His ways, to hear His Word. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. The Lord has gathered us here today for a purpose, to reveal to us the depths of His love and the heights of His glory.

We turn our hearts today to the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 2:22-40. It's a passage that is so often overlooked, nestled as it is in the shadow of the Christmas story. Yet, it is a passage that shines with the radiance of redemption, realigns us with righteousness through re-dedication, and reveals the reality of salvation. It's a passage that whispers to us the profound truths of God's love, His mercy, His grace.

Before we delve into the Word, I am reminded of a quote by the esteemed preacher and theologian, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." So, let us approach this passage today with childlike wonder, with open hearts, ready to receive what the Lord has in store for us.

Reflecting the Radiance of Redemption

In the heart of this passage, we find a man named Simeon. He was a man who lived with an expectation, a hope, a promise. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. And when he saw Jesus, he recognized Him. He took the baby in his arms and praised God. He saw in this child the fulfillment of God's promise, the radiance of redemption.

Simeon's encounter with Jesus was not a random event: It was a divine appointment. God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And God, in His faithfulness, fulfilled that promise. Simeon's life was a testament to the faithfulness of God. He lived with the expectation of God's promise, and he saw the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus.

The importance of living with expectation: He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was waiting for the Messiah. He was waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise. And his waiting was not in vain. He saw the fulfillment of God's promise in Jesus. He saw the radiance of redemption in the face of a child.

Simeon's encounter with Jesus was not just about seeing: It was also about recognizing. Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah. He recognized Him as the fulfillment of God's promise. He recognized Him as the radiance of redemption. And his recognition was not based on physical appearance. It was based on spiritual discernment. It was based on the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

The importance of spiritual discernment: We need the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the truth about Jesus. We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see Jesus as He truly is. We need the Holy Spirit to help us recognize Jesus as the Messiah, as the fulfillment of God's promise, as the radiance of redemption.

Simeon's encounter with Jesus was about praising: He took the baby in his arms and praised God. He praised God for His faithfulness. He praised God for the fulfillment of His promise. He praised God for the radiance of redemption. His praise was not just a response to what he saw. It was a response to who God is. It was a response to God's faithfulness, to God's promise, to God's redemption.

The importance of praising God: We praise God not just for what He has done, but for who He is. We praise Him for His faithfulness, for His promises, for His redemption. We praise Him for the radiance of His redemption that shines in the face of Jesus.

Simeon's encounter with Jesus was about proclaiming: He proclaimed the truth about Jesus to Mary and Joseph. He proclaimed that Jesus was destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. He proclaimed that Jesus was a sign that would be spoken against. He proclaimed that Jesus was the radiance of redemption.

The importance of proclaiming the truth about Jesus: We are called to proclaim the truth about Jesus to the world. We are called to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of God's promise, the radiance of redemption. We are called to proclaim the radiance of His redemption that shines in the face of Jesus.

Realigning with Righteousness through Re-dedication

As we continue to reflect on this passage, we see a theme of righteousness and re-dedication emerging ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO