Slow As Christmas

SLOW AS CHRISTMAS

Lk. 2:25-35

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Valerie Hughes and her husband were on the way to the hospital with their 15-year-old daughter who was scheduled to undergo a tonsillectomy.

2. During the ride, they talked with her about how the procedure would be performed. “Dad,” the girl asked, “how are they going to keep my mouth open during the surgery?”

3. He replied with a wry smile, “Easy. They’re going to strap a phone beside your face!”

B. TEXT

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Lk. 2:25-35

C. THESIS

1. Some things are known to be very slow. There are expressions such as “slow as a turtle/snail.” “Slow as molasses in January.” “Slow as the 7-year itch.” “Slower than a octogenarian with ankle weights.” And a real one, that might surprise you, “As slow as Christmas.”

2. Today we’re looking at a man who waited a long time for Christmas – he actually waited all his life! But it finally arrived. So if you think you’ve waited a long time, think about Simeon!

3. Message title? “Slow as Christmas.”

I. SIMEON EXPECTED THE MESSIAH TO COME

A. MANY HAVE EXPECTED THE MESSIAH

1. EVE looked for the Christ - Gen. 3:15; He would be the woman's seed that would bruise the serpent's head.

2. ABRAHAM looked for Christ on Mt. Moriah - Gen. 22:8; God Himself would provide a lamb.

3. JACOB looked for Christ - Gen. 49:10; he prophesied "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet."

4. MOSES looked for Christ - Deut. 18:18; God told him He would raise up a prophet like Moses.

5. DAVID saw His suffering on the Cross of Calvary, Psalm 22.

6. OTHERS of the prophets saw Christ’s glory and spoke of Him -- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. They looked for the Messiah, straining their eyes through the mists of time, into the future.

B. SIMEON’S ANTICIPATION. He believed the Messiah would come in his day. WHY?

1. Isaiah 7:14 predicted Messiah would be born and Micah 5:2 said he would be born in Bethlehem, 6 miles away.

2. Daniel 9:25-26a said Messiah’s coming would be 483 years after the rebuilding of the streets of Jerusalem (457 B.C.).

3. Malachi said the Lord would suddenly come to His Temple – Mal. 3:1B.

4. David said the Messiah would suffer crucifixion, the preferred method of execution by the Romans – Ps. 22:16

5. Isaiah said Messiah would be rejected by the Jews and suffer for sins (53:3-10). Place right, Time right, Gov’t right!

C. DON’T WE HAVE EVEN MORE REASON TO ANTICIPATE THE LORD’S SECOND COMING? YES!

1. Israel is back in her own country and Jerusalem is again in Jewish hands -- Luke 21:24.

2. Rise of Russia, China, and hostile Arab neighbors.

3. Rise of the European Union -- the Revived Roman Empire -- Daniel 2.

4. The Great Missions Movement that has taken the Gospel to every nation the last 150 years -- a fulfillment of Mt. 24:14.

5. The Lord Jesus told us, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your

redemption is drawing near” Lk. 21:28.

6. The Jews are prepared NOW to Rebuild the Jewish Temple.

WE NEED TO BE READY!

II. SIMEON: READY TO MEET JESUS

A. WHY WAS SIMEON CHOSEN?

1. Wouldn't it be wonderful if YOU knew that you wouldn't have to die, but would live until the Rapture? You'd see it!

2. That's what God told SIMEON -- you'll live to see the coming of Messiah! Why?