Grandpa Simeon

26 March 2014

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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 lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. - Luke 2:25-35

siemon happy

What a glorious promise that was given to this faithful man of God! God promised Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. We do not know how long Simeon waited for the fulfillment of that promise, but the context suggests he had been looking for the Messiah for quite some time.  The Spirit of God brought him to the temple at the very time Mary and Joseph were bring Jesus in and pointed them out to him. This is no coincidence! It is wondrous providence!

Simeon then rejoices in and prophesies about Jesus. One of the most remarkable statements that I find in Simeon's declaration is this, "I have seen thy salvation." He did not say, "I have seen the hope or possibility of salvation." He did not say, "I have seen the beginning of salvation."  He attributes the work of salvation solely to God by saying "thy salvation." Moreover, he sees the act of salvation the same way God does. Salvation is complete in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when Jesus was born into the world, God's salvation of His people was as good as done! No matter what man would try to do, God was saving His people.

Next, Simeon gives prophecy about the life of Jesus as the Messiah. As promised, the Messiah came in the flesh and dwelt among men (before the face of all people). He was a light to the Gentiles. As promised, the hope of salvation was to extend beyond the nation of the Jews and show that God has children in every nation of the world.

Mary and Joseph marvel at what is being said, and then Simeon speaks about the true purpose of Jesus coming in the flesh.  He is born to die on the cross.  Not only so, but Mary will be one of the few believers who remain faithful through this horrible scene. Everyone else, even Peter, turns away.

Like Simeon, we must glory in the birth of Christ at the same time we glory in His death on the cross.

The death of Christ is still a stumbling stone to the proud.  But He is still a Rock of salvation to those who are sin sick and need a physician. What a man thinks about the death of Christ on the cross will truly reveal what is in the depths of his heart.

Tags: family, harmony_of_the_gospels, luke, prophecy, salvation, simeon

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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