Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, as we begin this New Year, let’s be inspired by the example of Simeon so that we can also learn to wait, listen and move in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Today, we reflect on how The Holy Spirit wants us to listen to Him and act as He leads.
To watch this devotional, follow the link below
‘Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”’ (Luke 2:25-32)
As we continue our reflections on this snapshot of Simeon, I want us to notice more of the work of the Spirit in Simeon as he listens and moves as the Spirit leads.
1. Simeon listens to the Spirit
Simeon is presented as a man who listens to what the Spirit says. We read, ‘It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.’ Yesterday we saw how Simeon is described as righteous, devout and waiting for God to act. I hope that we can see that listening to the Spirit is at the heart of righteousness, devotion and waiting. Revelation from the Spirit is at the heart of being a Christian. Reading God’s Word with a listening ear is worship. Listening to teaching in your church is worship. Listening and ‘weighing’ prophetic words in light of scripture honours God. Today, from this snapshot of Simeon, may we be inspired to seek revelation and honour God’s voice in our lives.
2. Simeon is moved by the Spirit
The final thing that I want us to see today is that Simeon responds to the leading of the Spirit. we are told of him, ‘Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required…’ To be ‘moved by the Spirit’ is to be responsive to His leading. As we read God’s Word, hear teaching, in prayer, in our consciences, through the encouragement of others etc. we are led by the Spirit and we need to ‘move’ - to act - as He leads.
Let’s pray together
“Holy Spirit, I thank you that you speak and lead. You are the living God. I commit myself to your Word and listening to you afresh. Give me a humble heart that listens and then acts as you lead. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday our message from Luke 2:25-32, was entitled, New Year Inspiration From Simeon. Here, we reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit in Simeon’s life and how we might seek to wait, listen and move in the power of the Spirit.
Please read Luke Luke 2:25-32 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What are the various things that are said of the Spirit in this passage?
How would you like to follow the example of Simeon in this New Year?
SIV - What does this text tell us about Jesus’ mission, and how can we be involved?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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