Complete in Christ (3)
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Turn to and read Colossians 2:1-6. Pray.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Last Sunday we began a look at two individuals, who are associated with the birth of Christ, who are examples to us of what it is to be “Complete in Christ.”
Turn to and read Luke 2:22-35.
In vs. 29, Simeon says:
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word:
His life was completely.
While we understand that statement, I believe that Simeon’s life was already complete:
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Now, just a little reminder from last week’s message:
Who was Simeon?
Who was Simeon?
Simeon was evidently an elderly man living in Jerusalem. Other than that, we are not given much detail about his background: who he was; how old he was; where he was from; etc. Also, Luke is the only Gospel writer who records this meeting for us. Luke writes about individuals who most would have otherwise considered to be insignificant.Aren’t you glad that, in God’s eyes, you are not insignificant?While there may not be many in this world who know who you are or care much about you, God knows who you are; He cares for you.We should not measure our lives by the number of people who know our name but by the number of people who have heard the name of Jesus Christ from us!
Luke does, however, give us a brief character sketch of this man:
Simeon was just and devout.
Simeon was just and devout.
The word just means righteous. Quite likely he had accepted by faith God as his Savior.
Have you accepted, by faith, Jesus Christ as your Savior?
The word devout means God-fearing.
Quite literally we could say that Simeon was devoted to God.
What (or who) have you devoted your life to? What pursuits have you given your life to? Are you completely devoted to God? Or is there something - no matter how small - that you are holding back from God?
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel.
Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel.
There are several things about Simeon - and his relationship with God and with God’s Word - that I believe we can reasonably assume because of this:
To say that Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel indicates that he was looking forward to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
From this we can reasonably assume that Simeon knew Scripture.
He undoubtedly spent a lot of time in the Scriptures. He knew the Old Testament prophecies which foretold of a coming Messiah.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
From this we can reasonably assume that Simeon placed a great deal of importance upon God’s Word.
How much importance do you place upon God’s Word? A follow-up question to that would be: How well do you know God’s Word?
Can we say, as Job did...
Job 23:12 KJV 1900Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Now we do not know how old Simeon was nor are we told how long he had waited but to say that he waited would indicate His complete trust in God. He believed that God would fulfill the promises which he had made.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Complete trust in God is dependent upon complete trust in God’s Word.
If we do not have 100% confidence in God’s Word than we will not have 100% in God.
Conversely, if we have 100% confidence in God’s Word than we will have 100% confidence in God!His patience.
Because of his complete trust in God, Simeon was able to patiently wait for the time when God would fulfill His promises.
Complete trust in God and in God’s Word will produce patience. Patience will produce peace.
I believe that there is another characteristic that we can learn about Simeon from the fact that he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.”
Simeon had a positive attitude.
Simeon had a positive attitude.
The social and political climate in which Simeon lived wasn’t that great. But because of his complete trust in God’s Word and dependence upon God, every day he had a reason to get up and face the day with a smile because today could be the day when he would see the Christ child!
Simeon got up every morning saying, “Today could be the day!”
Simeon also got up every morning expecting God to do great things!
We do not have to “work up” a positive attitude. If we are completely dependent upon God and completely trusting in God’s Word than it will produce a positive attitude.
Simeon was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Simeon was filled with the Holy Ghost.
The phrase, in Luke 2:25, “…and the Holy Ghost was upon him,” is the Old Testament equivalent to the New Testament being “filled with the Spirit.”
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The Spirit controlled everything Simeon did.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Does the Spirit of God control everything that you do?
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
From the description that Luke here gives to us of Simeon’s character, I believe that it could be said that Simeon was a godly man in whom God was well pleased. But it is important to point out that God was not well pleased with Simeon because of what he did.
God was well pleased with Simeon because of what Simeon had allowed God to do to him!
And, isn’t that what’s really important?
Have we given God the “green light” to do whatever He desires in us and through us?
Some of you may enjoy watching the renovation shows on TV. Even though each renovation is slightly different, there is one thing that they all have in common. Before the renovations can be done, the owners of the home must give permission for the renovations to be done. The owners must hand the keys over to the renovators!
Before we can experience the renovations which God desires to accomplish in our lives, we must “hand the keys over!”
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.
Who was Simeon? While we don’t know much about him; what we do know about him leads me to believe that he would be someone that I would like to know and that he would be someone that I could - and should - pattern my life after!
Are you just? Have you accepted Christ as your Savior?
Are you devout? Are you completely devoted to God?
Are you completely trusting God? Do you completely trust God’s Word?
Do you know God’s Word?
Are you filled with the Spirit of God? Does the Spirit of God control everything that you do?