First Baptist Church Litchfield
chapel 12/17

      • Isaiah 53:1–3ESV

  • Joy To The World
  • Who Would Have Dreamed
  • He Who Is Mighty

      • Luke 2:1–7ESV

  • Away In A Manger
  • Luke 2:25–35 “25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting 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 do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.””

    The Longest Night of the Year

    Christmas Eve is the culmination of anticipation in just about every child’s heart in the Western Hemisphere.
    Some of you have been counting down the days since July. Some of you waited until after Halloween. A few very disciplined souls made it all the way to Thanksgiving.
    For children, Christmas Eve is almost unbearable. You can’t sleep. You keep checking the clock. You wonder if morning will ever come. You imagine the presents, the candy, the joy. Christmas Eve feels like the longest night of the year.
    For parents, the joy shifts. The anticipation isn’t about what you will receive, but about watching your children receive. You wait to see delight on their faces. You wait for family to gather. You wait for peace—even if just for a moment.
    Christmas has been called “the most wonderful time of the year” because it is a season of waiting and longing. And that is exactly where the Bible meets us.
    Christmas is not mainly about presents. It is about promise.
    It is about the first Advent—the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. For hundreds of years, God’s people waited. They prayed. They hoped. They wondered if God would keep His word.
    One of those people was a man named Simeon.
    Like Israel, we struggle to wait well. When God feels slow, we grow restless, distracted, or discouraged—and we look for satisfaction somewhere else. But Simeon was faithful. He waited for the Lord well, and he teaches us how to wait. In so many words, Simeon teaches us:

    Because God always keeps His promises, we wait for Jesus with faithful obedience, Spirit-filled hope, deep satisfaction, and joyful mission.

    Luke introduces us to Simeon not as a king or priest, but as a faithful waiter—someone who shows us how to wait for God.

    I. Wait Faithfully by Living a Life of Trusting Obedience

    (Luke 2:25)
    “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
    Simeon was not famous. He was not powerful. He was faithful.
    Luke describes him as righteous and devout. That does not mean Simeon was perfect. It means he trusted God’s promises and lived in obedience to God’s Word.
    Simeon believed that God would send the Messiah—the “consolation of Israel,” the One who would comfort, rescue, and restore God’s people.
    And Simeon didn’t just say he believed. He lived like it.
    In the Bible, righteousness has always come by faith. Just like Abraham, Simeon trusted God—and God counted his faith as righteousness. Faith is about trusting the Lord, and faith is how we are made right with God.
    Simeon lived before the cross. We live after the cross. But both Simeon and you and I are made righteous by the same act of faith. Simeon trusted God to bring the Messiah and was counted as righteous for his faith. We are declared righteous not by our good behavior, but by trusting that Jesus lived for us, died for us, and rose again for us, which are do by faith.
    Faith is not just an act of your mind or your heart. True faith always changes how we live.
    Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
    Waiting for Jesus is like training for a championship season. No athlete sits on the couch eating junk food and says, “I’m waiting for game day.” Real waiting looks active. It shapes how you live now.
    Students, as you wait for Jesus:

    Are you trusting God even when obedience is hard?

    Are you living differently because Jesus is coming again?

    Waiting well means living faithfully.

    But Simeon didn’t wait alone. God gave him help.

    II. Wait Dependently by Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

    (Luke 2:26–28)
    “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit… And he came in the Spirit into the temple…”
    Three times Luke mentions the Holy Spirit in just a few verses.
    Simeon was:
    Taught by the Spirit
    Led by the Spirit
    Sustained by the Spirit
    On this side of the cross, every believer receives the Holy Spirit. God Himself lives within us. After Jesus rose from the grave, He did not leave His disciples as orphans. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, but before He did, He made them a promise — “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16–17). At Pentecost, that promise was fulfilled. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead descended upon His people and now dwells in every believer. The Spirit is not merely a force or influence, but a divine person — God Himself — who takes up residence within you.
    Jesus also said in John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” The Spirit’s ministry in your life is to open your eyes to the glory of Jesus. He brings illumination where there was darkness, conviction where there was hardness, and comfort where there was despair.
    But we have a problem. But we can ignore Him. We can grieve Him. We can resist His work. Don’t do that. Paul says we are to walk by the Spirit—to listen, obey, and depend on Him daily.
    Trying to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit is like trying to power a phone without charging it. Eventually, you shut down.
    Students:

    Are you praying for the Spirit’s help?

    Are you listening to His conviction?

    Are you relying on Him instead of yourself?

    Waiting well means depending on God’s power, not your own.

    Faithful obedience and Spirit-filled dependence lead Simeon to something remarkable—contentment.

    III. Wait Peacefully by Finding Your Satisfaction in Christ

    (Luke 2:29)
    “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word.”
    Simeon holds baby Jesus—and says, “I’m ready to die.”
    Why?
    Because his life is complete. This moment—meeting Jesus—is the pinnacle of Simeon’s existence. Simeon teaches us something radical: Jesus is enough.
    A.W. Tozer wrote,
    “All that man can know of God and His love in this life is revealed in Jesus Christ.”
    Simeon didn’t need more success. More years. More recognition.
    He had Jesus.
    Every Christmas toy eventually breaks. Every game system becomes outdated. But what if you found something that never faded?
    That’s Christ.
    Students:

    What are you hoping will finally make you happy?

    What would disappoint you more—losing Jesus or losing comfort?

    Waiting well means resting in Christ now, not later.

    But Simeon doesn’t keep this joy to himself. Waiting always leads to witness.

    IV. Wait Missionally by Speaking the Truth About Jesus

    (Luke 2:30–35)
    Simeon proclaims that Jesus is:
    Salvation for all people
    Light for the Gentiles
    Glory for Israel
    But he also speaks honestly: Jesus will be opposed. A sword will pierce Mary’s heart.
    The Messiah came not just to comfort—but to save through suffering.
    The first Advent led to the cross. The sky grew dark. Judgment fell on Jesus instead of us.
    The second Advent will bring light, justice, and restoration.
    Light always reveals what’s really there. Jesus exposes hearts—not to shame us, but to save us.
    Students:

    Are you willing to speak about Jesus even when it’s unpopular?

    Are you living on mission while you wait?

    Waiting well means pointing others to Christ.

    Christmas Morning Has Come—and Is Coming Again

    Christmas Eve feels endless—but morning always arrives.
    Simeon waited. And God kept His promise.
    Jesus came. And one day—He will come again.
    So students, as you wait:
    Wait faithfully
    Wait dependently
    Wait peacefully
    Wait missionally
    Because the greatest gift of Christmas is not under the tree.
    It is Jesus Christ Himself.
    And all who trust Him will never wait in vain.
    “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
    Amen.

      • Luke 2:25–35ESV

  • Empowered by the Spirit, Guided by the Word

      • Revelation 1:5–6ESV

First Baptist Church Litchfield
pastorjason.fbcl@gmail.com
217-324-4232
http://www.firstbaptistlitchfield.org/
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