MAKING ROOM FOR FAITH
Make Room for Christmas #1
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, December 7, 2025
(Luke 2:25–33, NLT) “At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”
1. SIMEON WAS DEPENDABLE
“He was righteous and devout” (v. 25)
“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” –J.K. Rowling, Christianity Today, 2000-06-19
2. SIMEON’S OUTLOOK WAS EXPECTING THE BEST
“… eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come…” (v. 25)
- Remove your doubts
- Redirect your will, think and your emotions will follow
- Renew your confession of faith
Eighty-two percent of regular Bible readers described themselves as “at peace.”
Seventy-eight percent of regular Bible readers said they felt “happy” all or most of the time.
Sixty-eight percent of regular Bible readers said they were “full of joy.” -Barna Research Group
3. SIMEON DEPENDED ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The Holy Spirit was upon him” (v. 25)
4. SIMEON WAS SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
“That day the Spirit led him to the Temple” (v. 27)
“The Spirit lifts, gives vision, direction, and power. Ministry is riding on the free winds of the Spirit that lift us to heights we cannot climb on our own. We can’t stay in the air very long on our own strength, but we can seek thermals. Our soul-wings are made large that we might catch the Spirit.” –David J. Hansen, The Art of Pastoring: Ministry without all the Answers, IVP, 2012, p 51
5. SIMEON LIVED A FULFILLED LIFE
“God didn’t call me to find fulfillment in the quantity of my work for him but in the quality of my walk with him.” –Robert J. Morgan
(Luke 2:28-32) “He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
GROWTHWORK
(Ephesians 1:23) “The church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”
(John 4:24) “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
- Come with sincere heart.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you.
- Be an encourager.
- Be committed to God’s will for your life.
- Trust God’s timing.
- Receive God’s blessing.