Portrait of a Saint
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Finding guidance from an Old Testament saint for New Testament disciples.
Text: Luke 2:25
Date: 05/30/2021, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 21
Description:
After the glory of the Incarnation and the celebration of the angelic host, Luke grounds us in the continuity between the Old and the New Testaments. First, by the careful inclusion of the rites of circumcision, purification, and dedication-- as Joseph, Mary and Jesus visit the Temple in Jerusalem. And then by introducing two Old Testament saints. The first is a man named Simeon, who will later provide us with Luke's fifth song of the Nativity Narrative. But in this message, we will focus on the simple but profound biography Luke gives of this extraordinary, righteous, devout, faithful, and Spirit-filled man. Ultimately we will hold him up as an example, and through the portrait of this saint, call ourselves into a closer, more obedient walk with Christ.
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I. Introduction
A. Evil times in Israel.
B. Prelude to redemption, Gen. 6:5-6, Ezek. 6:11.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 2:25.
A. Context
B. Portrait of an Old Testament Saint, vs. 25.
1. Defining a "saint".
2. Characteristics of a saint.
a. An extraordinary man.
i. Something spectacular to "behold".
ii. A transitional name, Rev. 21:12,14.
b. A righteous man.
i. A righteous community, Luke 1:6,28, 2:37, 23:50, Matt. 1:19.
ii. Understanding Old Testament righteousness, Gen. 6:9, Job 1:1, Gen. 17:1.
iii. The essence of righteousness, Matt. 23:23-24, 27, Mark 7:15, 21-23.
iv. The righteousness of faith, Gen. 15:6.
v. The foundation of our righteousness.
c. A devout man.
i. A devoutness born of faith and love, Matt. 23:26.
ii. Devoutness in a New Testament context, James 2:21-24.
iii. The foundation of our devoutness, John 14:15, Rom. 2:28-29.
d. A faithful man.
i. The meaning of "consolation".
ii. The desperate need for comfort, Isa. 40:1-2.
iii. The consolation of all humanity.
e. The presence of the Holy Spirit.
i. The work of the Spirit in the Old Testament, John 14:16-17.
• The work of the Spirit in Old Testament saints, Judg. 14:6, 1Sam. 11:6, 16:13, Jug. 16:20, 1Sam. 16:14.
• The Spirit and the saints in Luke, Luke 1:15,35,41,67.
ii. The work of the Spirit in the New Testament, Ezek. 36:26-27, Acts 2:2-4, Joel 2:28, Jer. 31:33.
iii. The saving work of the Holy Spirit, Jer. 17:9, Eph. 2:1-3,10, Heb. 10:4.
iv. The Spirit and Simeon, Joel 2:29, Ex. 31:2-3, Num. 11:26-29.
III. Application
A. The times are dark.
B. The world needs men and women like Simeon!
1. The world needs extraordinary saints!
2. The world needs righteous saints!
3. The world needs devout saints!
4. The world needs faithful saints!
5. The world needs Spirit-filled saints!
IV. Conclusion
