To open this sermon I used 3 current examples of what is flying in the face of Christianity in our nation, in our culture, and in our society.
LUKE 2:25-35
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking 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 carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
I. Simeon tells us three things about baby Jesus that are STILL TRUE TODAY!
1. He will be the cause whereby MANY WILL FALL!
-What is important for us to remember, is that it is not so much GOD that judges MAN, but rather, MAN who judges HIMSELF!
-His judgement is his REACTION to CHRIST!
-When confronted with Christ it is up to EACH PERSON to respond and the CONSEQUENCES ARE GREAT either way.
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it WAS TRUE THEN, and it is TRUE NOW! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
2. He will be the cause whereby MANY WILL RISE!
Acts 4:12(NASB)
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
-Public opinion has no weight when it comes to the Word of God!
-And no court of law can decree any other way to get to heaven!
-There is ONLY ONE WAY to heaven, and that is through JESUS CHRIST!
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it WAS TRUE THEN, and it is TRUE NOW! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
3. He will meet with MUCH OPPOSITION!
-When it comes to Christ there is NO NEUTRALITY!
-You either CHOOSE HIM or REJECT HIM!
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it WAS TRUE THEN, and it is TRUE NOW! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
II. So, how do we RESPOND?
1. We should NOT BE SURPRISED!
2. We must remember that this is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE!
a. How do I know - the Bible tells me so!
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
3. Know that the devil hates FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, and THOSE WHO REJECT HIM!
a. That means he hates those who consistently fly in the face of Christians just because you’re a Christian!
b. The devil hates Muslims!
c. The devil hates heterosexuals AND homosexuals!
d. The devil hates those who make fun of you and your faith!
e. The enemy is NOT those who believe differently than us, or our hostile toward us . . . our enemy is the DEVIL!
4. We must BLESS those who CURSE us and OVERCOME EVIL with GOOD.
5. Remember we have already BEEN WARNED this would happen.
6. We must PRAY for PERSEVERANCE and WISDOM
7. Stand STRONG!
Simeon prophesied about it . . . it WAS TRUE THEN, and it is TRUE NOW! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
Florida Professor Demands Student Stomp On Jesus:It all started with a conflict between an antagonistic professor and one brave student at Florida Atlantic University. Ryan Rotela was told by his professor to write Jesus Christ’s name on a piece of paper and stomp on it. Rotela defiantly refused and in retaliation, a formal disciplinary action was started against him.
But, before the system could roll over Rotela, a funny thing happened. The word about what was happening to him got out, Christians became outraged, and suddenly the university’s tune quickly changed.
Now, comes word that the professor, Deandre Poole, has been put on administrative leave following a withering public response, that included complaints from the Governor of Florida, Rick Scott.
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it WAS TRUE THEN, and it is TRUE NOW! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
OUTLINE:
I. Simeon tells us three things about baby Jesus that are S_________ T_______ T_________!
1. He will be the cause whereby M_______ W_______ F________!
-What is important for us to remember, is that it is not so much G______ that judges M______, but rather, M_____ who judges H____________!
-His judgement is his R________ to C_______!
-When confronted with Christ it is up to E________ P___________ to respond and the C____________ are G_________ either way.
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it was T_____ T_______, and it is T________ N_____! N____________ H____ C____________!
2. He will be the cause whereby M_________ W_____ R_______!
Acts 4:12(NASB)
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
-There is O_________ O_____ W_____ to heaven, and that is through JESUS CHRIST!
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it was T_____ T_______, and it is T________ N_____! N____________ H____ C____________!
3. He will meet with M_______ O_______________!
-When it comes to Christ there is N____ N__________________!
-You either C_________ H_____ or R________ H_________!
-Simeon prophesied about it . . . it was T_____ T_______, and it is T________ N_____! N____________ H____ C____________!
II. So, how do we R_______________?
1. We should N_______ be S_____________!
2. We must remember that this is a S_____________ B____________!
3. Know that the devil hates F____________ of C______, and T______ W____ R________ H_____!
4. We must B__________ those who C_________ us and O__________ E________ with G________.
5. Remember we have already B______ W________!
6. We must P_____ for P__________ and W_______!
7. Stand S____________!
