Sermon Tone Analysis

I)       *“The Song of Simeon”*

A)    File:  Luke 2v22to30 the song of Simeon.doc

B)    Audio:  The Song of Simeon

C)    Series:  Christmas

D)    Preached:  December 23, 2007

II)    *Introduction:  Christmas songs*.

A)    Where did we get the idea?

B)    There are five in the Bible:

1)      Elizabeth, 1:42–45; Mary, 1:46–56; Zacharias, 1:67–79; the angels, 2:13–14; Simeon Luke 2:29-32;

III) *A song of Upreach.

Worshiping God for*

A)    *keeping His promise*

1)      v25 – waiting for the consolation of Israel.

*Personal*

2)      v38 – not the only one, Anna sings to “all who were waiting for the redemption of Israel.”

3)      Luke 23:51, Mark 15:43, Joseph of Arimathea

4)      It’s a characteristic of all the faithful remnant of God:  Consistent throughout the Bible – tracking God’s promises, waiting expectantly, and praising Him when He delivers.

5)      Gen.

49:18, Jacob says, “I wait for your salvation, O Lord.”

6)      Psalm 27:14, David writes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

7)      Isa.

25:9, “It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.””

8)      Waiting expectantly for God – seeing Him keep His promises – is a primary characteristic of the faithful.

9)      What promise is He keeping? 

(a)    Gen.

3:17 – the seed of the woman to crush the head of the serpent.

(b)   Gen.

12, 15, 17, etc. the promise of Abraham to make his offspring a great nation – to bless all nations.

(c)    2 Sam. 23, David – he would forever have a descendant on the throne.

(d)   Israel – through the prophets – Messiah brings salvation.

(e)    The entire Law and Prophets is fulfilled in Christ.

(Matt.

5:17)

10)  What is the nature of the promise kept?

B)    *bringing the consolation of Israel*

1)      Consolation, comfort, encouragement,  calling alongside – picture the universal sign of putting an arm around someone and pulling them close.

2)      Beatitudes:  Matt.

5:4.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

verb form

(a)    Our study on the Sermon on the Mount – Salvation.

3)      Isa.

40:1, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

(a)    Septuagint verb form.

A command to be comforted  : 

(b)   66 39~/27.

(c)    It continues.

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare// is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned,” See, consolation is all about salvation from sin!

4)      Indeed the consolation of Israel – but v32 shows also for the Gentiles:

(a)    Therefore, it is significant to the world.

5)      Simeon recognized that the coming of Christ was significant to Israel – even the whole world!

C)    *For allowing Simeon to witness the coming of Christ*

1)      Part of this is personal to Simeon – V26 it had been revealed that He would see Christ!

(a)    Part of the promise kept was personal to Simeon.

2)      Simeon recognized that the coming of Christ was significant to himself – it was personal!

3)      v30:  “MY eyes have seen your salvation.”

A dream of the faithful:

(a)    Psalm 119:123, “My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.”

(b)   Isa.

52:10, “The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

4)      Simeon recognized his incredible privilege.

(a)    How many people held the God-man in their arms?

Imagine Simeon’s thoughts, tears.

(i)     He had waited his life for this.

(ii)   But Simeon knew there was another step.

(b)   Likewise, WE are in a special time and a special place.

(i)     After the cross:  John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto myself.”

We are in the age of the revelation of the cross.

He has been lifted up!

(ii)   Heb.

1:2, “in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.”

Not just prophets, but God Himself!

5)      Simeon understood this was the advent of the Christ – but he also understood that there were more steps in God’s plans

(a)    v34 – the fall and rising of many in Israel

(b)   a sign that is opposed

(c)    Mary – a sword will pierce through your own soul also

6)      Like Simeon knew there was a next step, we have a special revelation to look forward to.

IV) *A song of Outreach*

A)    vv30-32 One theme of Simeon’s song – salvation is prepared for all peoples – He emphasizes gentiles.

1)      He understood that the Messiah was not just for Israel.

2)      Like Isa.

49:6, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

B)    Anna – another faithful waiting in the temple that day.

1)      Came up at that very hour.

2)      Gave thanks to God

3)      Spoke of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

C)    Anna *announces the good news to Jews* waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

D)    Simeon sang to God about *announcing the good news to gentiles*

E)     And God preserved this word to be preached to you today thereby *announcing the good news to you*.

V)    How to have this attitude in the Christmas season:

A)    Be a servant

1)      lit.

bondservant

2)      like Mary

3)      Like Zechariah and Elizabeth

B)    Be holy

1)      found in the temple – keeping the Law of Moses

(a)    Simeon

(b)   Anna

2)      As He is holy

C)    Be expectant