Over the last few weeks, we've discussed how God stepped out of eternity and entered into human history. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that was promised. He was also that Lamb that was prepared by God, and He is the Lamb that was provided. We look now into Luke chapter 2, and it takes us to Jerusalem. In the beginning part of this chapter, we were in Nazareth, then we went to Bethlehem, and now we go to Jerusalem. And we're told, as Eugene just read, that Jesus, when He was eight days old, was circumcised as the law had prescribed, and that that circumcision was a sign or seal of the covenant that God had made with Abraham way back. when Abraham was chosen to be the father of the nation of Israel. And it was required of every Jewish male who wanted to practice the faith that they must be circumcised. Then we see, or as we read, that when Jesus was 40 days old, that Mary and Joseph had come to the temple there in Jerusalem for the purification rites that were laid down in the Old Testament. the couple was required by the law to present their firstborn son to God. And then they were to bring an offering for Mary's purification after childbirth. You see, the firstborn child, the firstborn son was supposed to be a servant to God in the tabernacle and then later on in the temple. He was supposed to be in the priestly realm. But then God prescribed that the tribe of Levi would serve in that capacity. And so you could come now and essentially buy back your firstborn child from God at the temple. And now it wasn't a very big price to buy back your child, but what they did was they took that money and then they essentially paid for the temple through all of the firstborn children born that year. There was also a time where the wife would have gone through a purification time. This required a lamb, but the law allowed for a sacrifice of two turtle doves or pigeons if the couple was too poor to afford a lamb. And we saw in verse 24 that Joseph and Mary, they offered a sacrifice prescribed for the poor people. But it's interesting to note that as we know that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God, that they also brought a lamb to the temple that day. They brought Jesus Christ. And it's interesting to note that since Mary offered one of the birds as a sin offering that was required by the law, she did not consider herself to be without sin. She was no different than any other person. She wasn't any better. She wasn't any holier than any other person. But she was faithful in offering that which was required of her. In any event, while Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were in the temple, a special event occurred. A man named Simeon and a woman named Anna were also there at the temple at that time. And Simeon and Anna met Jesus that day even though He was only 40 days old. They were overjoyed. and it began to lift up praises to God. Simeon and Anna had something to praise the Lord for. In fact, they can teach us some things that we need to be reminded of here from this passage when it comes to the matter of praise. So, as we look into this text in the next few minutes, notice with me that Christ is the praised Lamb. Let's go to the Lord in prayer before we get into the text. Father, I do pray now that as we look into Your Word, that we would understand the importance of praising You as Sovereign Lord God. That You are worthy of our praise. That our praise should be not just something that flows from our mouths, but a lifestyle of praise. And that our praise is for your glory, but also for the encouragement of others around us. So we pray that you would open your word and speak to our hearts as we look through it here for the next few moments. For it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. Amen. Christ is the praised Lamb. So number one, I want to ask the question, who should I praise? Who should I praise? Well, I kind of already answered that for you. But first I want you to notice as we look at this that obviously Christ is the one to be praised. First of all, notice His appointment. And I'm going to direct your attention back to verse 25. Notice Christ's appointment here. In verse 25 it says, 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, and we'll go on in just a moment, Simeon is led by the Holy Spirit of God here to enter into the temple. And during the time that Jesus was going to be there, and the Bible tells us in verse 26 that Simeon was just and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Now that phrase, consolation of Israel, is kind of an interesting phrase. In the Old Testament you had these rabbis who would describe the time when the Messiah would be on the earth, and they called it the consolation of Israel. So in other words, Simeon is waiting for the Messiah who would bring comfort to Israel. God had revealed to Simeon that before he died, he would see this Messiah in person, and that that Messiah would be the Savior of the world. So Simeon is a man who is led by the Holy Spirit, he's obedient to the will of God, and so God allows him to meet Jesus, the Messiah, before he dies. It's important for us to really think about this in terms of ourselves. It is important for every person to meet Jesus, the Messiah, before they see death as well. Many people in Jerusalem did not even know who Jesus was. The folks in Bethlehem didn't know who He was. The priest who circumcised Him didn't know who He was. And the other people there in the temple that morning didn't know who He was. And sadly most people today do not know who Jesus is. But Simeon knew who Jesus was. Jesus Christ was and is God in human flesh. And He is the Lamb of God that was slain before the foundation of the world. He is the only Savior of sinners and the only way to God. And God had made an appointment with Simeon and He kept His appointment that day. Simeon was excited because the promise Christ had appeared, and he knew who Jesus was. The question is, do you know who Jesus is? And if you know who Jesus is, then you can praise Him like Simeon did. Notice also Christ's assignment going on in verse 28. Then he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, Now let us 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." Simeon praised God because he knew that Jesus had come to change the world. His ministry would impact the Jewish nation and even beyond, also reaching into the Gentile world. Jesus had come to save sinners. He had come to forgive all those who would respond to Him by faith, Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female, whatever their social status was, Jesus came to provide salvation to all who will receive Him. Jesus came into this world to set us free from sin and we join with Simeon in praise because we know why Christ arrived as well. Notice also his accomplishments. Simeon continued his praise by offering a prophecy of his own here. He offers us this prophecy concerning what Christ would accomplish. You'll notice first the stone. The stone. Verse 34 he says, Simeon blessed them and sent them to Mary, his mother. Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel." The phrase, fall and rising again of many in Israel, is an interesting phrase. It indicates those that would reject the Messiah and be cast down, and those who would accept Him and would rise through salvation. Simeon is referencing two passages from Isaiah. The first is Isaiah 8, 14. And he shall be for a sanctuary, but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And then again in Isaiah 28, 16. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion a foundation, a stone, a tribestone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation, he that believeth shall not make haste." Those two important passages are undeniably referencing the Messiah. And the New Testament writers understood this truth. But it's interesting to notice how they quote Isaiah also in reference not just to the Messiah, but specifically to Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul in Romans 9 says, But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not obtained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore, because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, for they stumbled at that stumbling stone, as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense, and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. And then the Apostle Paul once again quotes this passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 1. But we preach Christ crucified, under the Jews a stumbling block, and under the Greeks foolishness. But under them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren. How that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And the base things of the world and the things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to naught things that are. That no flesh should glory in His presence, But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. And then Peter. 1 Peter 2 says, Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious, But unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed." Okay, so I've read several scriptures here, and they may be a little hard to understand, but let me boil it down to you for this. Many in Israel would stumble over the life and the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. They would stumble in rejection of Him as the Messiah. But a few, a few would rise again in salvation. You see, this is the picture. Christ is set in front of every single person that has ever lived and ever will live. And they have to come to the point whether they will stumble over Him and reject Him, or whether they will step up on Him and receive salvation that He freely offers. Notice also the sign from this passage. Verse 34, He finishes saying that at the fall and the rising again of many in Israel. And he goes on and he says, And for a sign which shall be spoken against. Now this word sign means miracle here. Not so much as a demonstration of power, but as a demonstration of divine truth. In the Gospel of John, our Lord's miracles are called signs. Because they reveal truths about Him. John chapter 20 verses 30 through 31, and many other signs truly to Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name. Jesus Christ is God's miracle, and yet people spoke against Him His birth was a miraculous virgin birth, and yet they slandered Him. His life was a miracle, yet they defamed Him. His resurrection from the dead was a miracle, and people lied about Him. And even today, people speak against Him and His second coming. His sign was, as verse 34 says, it will be spoken against. But notice also the sword in verse 35. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy soul also, and the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This image of a sword is for Mary alone. When Jesus would begin His public ministry 30 years later, Mary would suffer and sorrow as her son was despised and rejected of men. And ultimately, she would suffer loss when he was crucified. The fact that the Jews eventually crucified their Messiah points to the fact that their hearts were far from God. And they may not have been openly engaged in idolatry, but they were still guilty of idolatry of the heart. Jesus was God in the flesh. He is the only way to heaven. Any other attempt to enter heaven without going through Jesus is pure idolatry. And Jesus came to earth for us, and we have reason to rejoice. May we fix our praise on Him as that King of kings and Lord of lords. Another question that I see from this text is, how should I praise then, knowing that Jesus is the one I should praise? Well, Simeon and Anna, they magnify the name of the Lord. And they offer Him praise and thanksgiving. But notice how they praise Jesus. First of all, they praise Him vocally. And we see that Simeon, thank God, he did so out loud. Look at verse 28. Then he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now let us 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. He's vocal. He couldn't thank God quietly in his heart. He's speaking this in public. And in verse 38, the Bible simply says that Anna gave thanks likewise. She did it exactly the same way that Simeon did it. She was vocal with her praise. Now I don't know what's happened over the last 2,000 years, but it seems out of vogue or old-fashioned to vocally praise the Lord. But the Bible is full of exhortation. for vocal praise to God. Psalm 98 verse 4, make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth, make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise. Psalm 5 verse 11, but let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice. Let them never shout for joy because thou defendest them. Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 47 verse 1, O clap your hands, all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 135, Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord. Praise him, O ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Sing praises unto his name, for he is pleasant. One more. Psalm 95, verse 1. O come, let us sing unto the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. We read about people in the Bible and they don't keep their praise bottled up in the inside. Simeon and Anna let out their praise. We should also sing forth and shout forth and speak forth our praise of Jesus Christ. But notice also Notice also that it not only was a vocal praise, but it was a visible praise as well. In verse 28 we see the Bible says that Simeon took Jesus up in his arms. Now this simply means that he embraced Jesus with affection by placing him close to his heart. You can imagine the joy in Simeon's heart as he looks at Jesus. And it is revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that this is the Messiah. And he takes Jesus close, and he holds him as you would a newborn. I remember when my children were born, and I was given the great privilege of holding them for the very first time. My wife had the opportunity to hold them just for a few minutes. And then they were taken away from her as they were finishing helping my wife get kind of cleaned up. And then they cleaned the baby up. And then they turned to me and handed that baby, those babies, to me. Three times now I've had the joy of that. And when I received those babies, I didn't sit there and hold them like this out in front of me, way out in front of me looking at them like, what do I do with this? No, what did I do? I took that baby and I pulled them in and pulled her in close to my heart. And there was joy on my face that I could not keep from showing. It's the same with Jesus Christ. I'm not saying that you're going to pull Him in close to your heart like you would pull in a newborn. But what I am saying is that Just as Simeon's body gave expression to the joy that was in his heart, and he picked up Jesus in his arms and held Him close to his heart, Simeon's body was designed by God to give expression that flowed from his natural being. And his praise was not only vocal, but it was visible. And our praise shouldn't just be lip service. It should be visible praise. Psalm 134 verse 2 says, lift up your hands in the sanctuary, bless the Lord. In Psalm 63 verse 4, thus will I bless thee while I live, I will lift up my hands in thy name. It looks very weird when people talk about how very happy they are to be celebrating Christmas this week. And they speak in a real kind of monotone voice and they stand very still and you think, are you sure you're really excited about Christmas? Oh yes, I'm very excited about Christmas. My body language and my voice do not match. And I'm not saying that we ought to try to manufacture our body language. But when we really talk about how excited we are about Christmas this week, I can't help but smile. And I can't help throw my hands up. I can't help but get very big in my gestures because it's really exciting. Their vocal praise matched their body language. Their praise was genuine. That's what I want you to get from this. It was genuine. It was authentic. It wasn't fake. Christ has redeemed us from sin and the penalty for sin. He is worthy of our authentic praise. It's a lifestyle of praise. It's not a praise that comes in on Sunday morning and says, praise the Lord, and walks out and lives like the world Monday through Saturday. It's a lifestyle praise. Well, I've told you who we should praise and I've told you how we should praise Him. You might be wondering why. Why should I praise Him? Well, I'm glad you asked because that's our last point. As the name of the Lord was publicly praised, notice three things that happened from this text. First of all, God is glorified. Look at verse 28. Then took He Him up in His arms and blessed God. Their praise brought glory to God. Everything in the temple was about ritual And they become a series of meaningless exercises. And Simeon and Anna break free of all of that. They break free of that ritual. They break free of that tradition. And they begin to worship God. Can you imagine true worship in the temple? Can you imagine coming to church and actually having real worship? Because God is glorified. Their praise took the focus off the ritual and placed it where it deserved, on the Son of God. It's pretty awesome. But notice also though, not only did it glorify God, that saints were encouraged. In verse 33 it says this, Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. Now when we say marvel, we don't mean that they were sitting there like, wow, why are they making a big deal out of this baby? That's not the marveling we're talking about here. Joseph and Mary were witnesses to this praise that Simeon and Anna were giving to their God right there in front of them. And they're hearing the name of God praised, and it's encouraging them. By the way, It still helps God's people when they hear others praising God, worshiping God, and thanking God. When I hear people sing like these children this evening, when I hear testimonies, when I hear someone shout Amen or Glory to God, it lifts me up and it encourages me. So other people need to hear your praise. Other people are strengthened And they are encouraged. And they are edified by your giving thanks to the Lord. But notice last of all that sinners were also evangelized. In verse 38 it says this, And she, speaking of Anna, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Anna goes out and she tells others about the baby that she just saw. And she speaks of Him. And because of her testimony, these lost sinners are told where they could find Jesus. She announces that the Messiah had come. She did more than just sing the Good News. She spread the Good News. When we come to church and we sing the Good News, but when we leave this building, are we spreading the Good News? to sinners that are around us. Hey, remember once you were a sinner as well and someone shared the Good News with you? So it's important for us to open our mouth because we never know who's listening. As I close, some last thoughts here. From this passage, it is very clear that Jesus Christ is God. God tells Simeon that he wouldn't die before seeing Him, and He kept His promise. And I hope that you don't leave here this evening without meeting Jesus Christ. Romans chapter 10, beginning in verse 9, says this, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, and this is where Paul quotes Isaiah again, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Don't stumble over the stone that is Jesus Christ. Step up on him and be saved. For whoever believes in Jesus is not ashamed. You're here tonight in this service because God wanted you to meet Jesus Christ. In this message, God has revealed Jesus and His salvation to you. Will you receive it? Christians, we've been saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ and He is our salvation. He deserves our undying praise. And praise isn't just opening your mouth here in church. True praise is letting your life match your mouth. Don't just talk about Christ. Live Christ every day because it honors God. Your life of praise will encourage other believers and it will evangelize the lost around you. What does this look like for our church? First of all, Jesus is the object of our praise and He is also the head of our church. It's important for us to continually unite together in corporate worship of Him as our King and Lord. I think that Green Mountain Baptist Church is too quiet. I believe that God enjoys hearing His people praise Him and expects His people to praise Him. And I'm not just talking about during the worship service. I'm talking about our everyday lives in this community. We're too quiet. And if our life of praise is truly Christ-honoring, other believers will be encouraged to live Christ-honoring lives as well, and Christ will use our praise to draw unsaved loved ones and angels to Himself. Christ is the praised Lamb.