My Footprint of Expectation
Series: The Footprints of Christmas
December 27, 2020
Frank Foreman
This Sunday, Frank concludes this series of messages on "The Footprints of Christmas," as we look together at the expectation of Simeon, who was promised the opportunity to see the Christ before he died. His anticipation of that opportunity is clearly seen in his words when that moment comes. Do we share that same level of expectation when anticipating His return again one day?
Episode Notes
Pause to Consider:
What would you have thought if you encountered Joseph and Mary carrying the Baby Jesus out of the stable that next morning? ...or if you passed them in the Temple the next week?
Luke 2:25-31, 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. 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. 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, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
BIG IDEA:
Expect to see Jesus as He truly is and He will not disappoint you.
1. TO SEE JESUS IS TO SEE GOD'S PROMISES FULFILLED.
- It is impossible for God to not keep His promises.
Numbers 23:19, God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?
Pause to Consider: What is a promise of God that brings you peace and hope?
2. TO SEE JESUS IS TO SEE SALVATION PRESENTED.
- God’s perfect Son fulfilled God’s perfect requirement of God’s perfect Law.
2nd Corinthians 5:21, For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Pause to Consider: How do we receive salvation?
3. TO SEE JESUS IS TO SEE GOD'S OFFER REJECTED.
- Jesus was rejected because He failed, in their eyes, to meet their expectations.
Matthew 27:22-23, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”
Pause to Consider: Why do people reject Jesus as Savior today?
NEXT STEP:
Start looking at Jesus through unselfish expectations.
Content Copyright Belongs to New Horizons Christian Church
6607