WHAT A LIFE DIRECTED BY THE SPIRIT LOOKS LIKE

WHAT A LIFE DIRECTED BY THE SPIRIT LOOKS LIKE – Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson

This morning we are in Luke 2 for our message titled – “WHAT A LIFE DIRECTED BY THE SPIRIT LOOKS LIKE.” With all the mess that is going on in this world, we desperately need men and women, boys and girls under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Erwin Lutzer said, “To be controlled by the Spirit means that we are not controlled by what happens on the outside but by what is happening on the inside.” Can you imagine what would happen if we were totally controlled by the Holy Spirit?

Luke 2 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just 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 So he came by 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

Overall Background: The incident we just read took place when Joseph and Mary came to the temple to dedicate the Baby Jesus. They encountered a man named Simeon. Listen to his description in verse 25 “…this man was just 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 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. Have you noticed something unusual about this person? Three times we hear the Holy Spirit in his description. He was not a priest or some religious leader, just an ordinary man living under the control of the Spirit.

To some of you this may be a foreign concept. It may even sound weird. Are you telling me to be possessed?!! No. God is Trinity – three in one, Father, Son, and Spirit. When I receive the Son whom the Father sent to be my Savior, then the Spirit becomes my daily companion and helper. To be under the direction of the Holy Spirit means every moment I live in communication with Him. To be under the Holy Spirit means every moment I turn to Him for every need and want in my life. He guides us and helps us in every way.

Illustration: In Mexico mission trip having a translator who was a constant companion and resource. Without him we felt completely lost.

The Holy Spirit is that companion who is our resource and help every moment. He is waiting for us to seek His help.

Simeon was a man who was under the guidance and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Application: Are you a person whose life is directed by the Holy Spirit? How do people describe you? Do they describe you as a person who is under the Holy Spirit? Do they describe you as a person who is led by the Holy Spirit? Do you understand the power that comes into our lives when we are under the authority of the Holy Spirit? By the way, you cannot have the Holy Spirit in your life until you have Jesus in your life.

This morning we will see some marks of a life under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Again, these are not all the marks but just some marks.

 1. GOOD REPUTATION BEFORE PEOPLE AND GOD

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout,

Background: Not a whole lot is given about him but his character is described as just and devout. “Just” in his dealings with people and “devout” in his dealings before God. First, let’s look at “just” = dikaios, which means righteous. Simeon was righteous in how he dealt with people around him – his wife, children, neighbors, co-workers, and community. You could trust him. His word was his bond. If he told you something, you could count on him. How did He have this righteousness? Because the Holy Spirit was upon Him. In John 16:8 Jesus said, “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

We are living in a time where we need 40 pages of signatures to seal one deal. Why? There is no righteousness. People do things for each other but much of it is selfish. The Holy Spirit keeps us righteous before people. By the way, there will come a time when the Holy Spirit will be completely removed, and when that happens 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Application: How is your reputation with people? The Holy Spirit can help you with that.

Now, let’s look at the second adjective – “devout” = eulabes, which means someone who is faithful to the things of God. Simeon was faithful regarding the things of God – his prayer life, temple participation, and ministry. You could count on him to be faithful to the things of God. How did he have this devotion? Because the Holy Spirit was upon him.

By His very name, the Holy Spirit is holy. When he comes into our lives he begins to root out all that is unholy. Sin has to run. You have to deal with sin. Show me a person who is under the direction of the Holy Spirit and I will show you a person who is trying to live a blameless life. Show me a person who is living in sin and I will show you a person who does not have the Holy Spirit or a person who is not submitted to the Holy Spirit.

Application: How is your reputation before people and God? Are you living a life under the direction of the Holy Spirit? Are you asking Him to help you live the Christian life?

2. HOPE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD

25 “…this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

Background: What was the consolation of Israel? It was the promise of deliverance for the people of Israel. Many times in the Old Testament God promised through the prophets, especially Isaiah, that one day He would deliver His people.

Isaiah 40 1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. 2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned;

Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.

There are many more references that promise the consolation of Israel. Simeon was a man who trusted in the promises that God had given in his book. Show me a person who is under the direction of the Holy Spirit and I will show you a person who believes in this book – the Bible. Show me a person who is hopeless and I will show you a person who is not filled with the Holy Spirit. Anytime I hear I don’t think it’s going to work or I’m afraid it’s not going to work, I see a person who at that moment is not filled with the Holy Spirit. The problem with our nation and our community is hopelessness.

Application: Are you a hope-filled person? Are you person who believes in the promises of God? The real question is – Are you a person under the control of the Holy Spirit?

3. EYES LOOKING FOR JESUS CHRIST

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.

Background: Simeon had received a promise through the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. In spite of what was happening around him, the Holy Spirit had given him the assurance that Jesus was on His way.

Did you know that the primary work of the Holy Spirit is to point you to Jesus? In John 14:26 Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Again, in John 15:26, Jesus said, “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”

My greatest need everyday is to see Jesus but I cannot see Him unless the Holy Spirit reveals Him to me. My selfishness pride, envy, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, lust, greed, and every sin in the book are constantly blocking my view of Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can clear the way so I can see Jesus.

27 So he came by 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, What was the custom of the law? It was almost a month after Jesus was born. According to the law the mother of the male child was unclean for 7 days and then had to be confined for 33 days. Altogether, 40 days had passed since the birth of Jesus and Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus had come to the Temple for 3 important ceremonies: first, purification ceremony for Mary; second, presentation of Jesus as the firstborn to God ceremony; and third, dedication of the firstborn to God’s service ceremony.

May I make an application here: Dedicating our children to God is a very special ceremony. We used to do that as a church but sadly we have gotten away from that. Baby dedication tells God that our children are His gift to us and that we are grateful. It also tells God that we want his hand of blessing, guidance, and protection on them.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon right up to the Baby Jesus. 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God

Application: Who are you looking at this morning? Is it Jesus? Oh I got peace or joy or hope. Wrong answer. Charles Spurgeon once said, “I looked at Christ and the dove of peace flew into my heart. I looked at the dove and it flew away”

4. CROSS AS THE DECIDER OF DESTINY

Now, what follows is known as Nunc Dimittis from the Latin first words “Now dismiss.” 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Holy Spirit enabled Simeon to see people through the cross. There are only two categories of people – those who will rise and fall. In other words, saved and lost. Which one are you? Do you know someone who is lost? The Holy Spirit can help you.