It’s Sunday once again.
Welcome to Atheist church.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Sn5rV6oM0&feature=related
Today’s Sermon is from Luke chapter 2: 
"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 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, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation..." (Luke 2:24-30)
Skeptics often say that Christianity says that all Jews go to Hell. But that’s not true. Those who believe that have no idea where Christianity has its roots. They are in Israel. The promise of the Christ came through the Jews. Jesus was Jewish, the disciples were Jewish, the first converts were Jewish. Christianity is Jewish, and here we have an aged Jewish man who was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." He was waiting for the promised Messiah--the one who would open the door of immortality to mortal man (he wasn't the only Jew who was saved--see Hebrews 11). God Himself had revealed to him that he would not die until he saw "the Lord’s Christ."
God then led him into the Temple at the precise moment that Joseph and Mary took Jesus into the temple to be dedicated to God. Simeon knew who Jesus was because God had prepared him for that amazing encounter. From that moment, he was ready to face death
Simeon had assurance of salvation because he had faith in the coming Messiah. He was justified through faith, just as so many Jews (listed in Hebrews chapter 11) were also justified by faith. Simeon was a Jew who knew who Jesus was because God showed Him to him.
Every Christian has had the same experience as Simeon. God shows us who Jesus is. When Jesus asked His disciples "who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:13-17). God reveals who Jesus is to those who repent and trust Him, and from that moment, like Simeon, you can look death in the face without fear and say, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen your salvation..."
No collection:
Announcements: The winner of this week’s financial gift is Kelley.
Benediction: May you be open to hearing God’s voice through His Word, so that like Simeon you can face death without fear, because your eyes have seen the Lord’s Christ.
Thanks for joining us today.
Picture: Simeon's Moment, Artist: Ron DiCianni
http://www.tapestryproductions.com/products/artist/rondicianni/simeonsmoment.php
Saturday, April 10, 2010
