Simeon

‘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.’ Luke 2:25

Suggested Further Reading: Hebrews 6:9–20

How consolatory the doctrine of election to the Israel of God! To some men it is repulsive. But show me the gracious soul that has come to put his trust under the wings of the Lord God of Israel. ‘Chosen in Christ,’ will be a sweet stanza in his song of praise. To think that before the hills were formed, or the channels of the sea were scooped out, God loved me; that from everlasting to everlasting his mercy is upon his people. Is not that a consolation? You who do not believe in election, go and fish in other waters; but in this great sea there are mighty fishes. If you could come here, you would find rich consolation. Or come again to the sweet doctrine of redemption. What consolation is there, beloved, to know that you are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. Not the mock redemption taught by some people, which pretends that the ransom is paid, but the souls that are ransomed may notwithstanding be lost. No, no; a positive redemption which is effectual for all those for whom it is made. O to think that Christ has so purchased you with his blood, that you cannot be lost. Is there not consolation in that doctrine, the doctrine of redemption? Think, again, of the doctrine of atonement—that Christ Jesus has borne all your sins in his own body on the tree; that he has put away your sins by the sacrifice of himself. There is nothing like believing in full atonement; that all our sins are washed away and carried into the depths of the sea. Is there not consolation there? What say you, worldling, if you could know yourself elect of God the Father, if you could believe yourself redeemed by his only begotten Son, if you knew that for your sins there was a complete ransom paid, would not that be a consolation to you?

For meditation: The Christian is not supposed to be an inactive academic, but those who consider doctrine boring rob themselves of the comfort of the Scriptures (Romans 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Sermon no. 659
26 August (Undated Sermon)