Audio Sermons

Renewing Our Strength in the Lord:
Christmas Covenant
Life B-P Church Combined Christmas Service, 21st December 2025
Text: Luke 2:21-35

1. Jesus was circumcised according to the covenant God made with Abraham
   1. God’s covenants with man are suzerain-vassal covenants. Not between equals and not negotiated. God as Creator has the right to impose His will on His creatures.
   2. In a covenant, the Preamble identifies the parties; the Prologue lists what the suzerain has done to deserve loyalty; there are Promises and Stipulations and then the listing of Blessings and Cursings; followed by an Oath.
   3. Covenants are typically ratified in blood.
   4. Covenants are an act of grace from a sovereign Creator.
2. Jesus was brought to the temple in accordance with the law (Lev 12:6-8; Exo 13)
   1. God’s Covenant of Grace is gradually revealed through a series of covenants, including the Davidic covenant which foretells the advent of a Messiah (2 Sam 7:12-16), and the New covenant which foretells the spiritual blessings He will bring (Jer 31:31-34).
   2. God’s Covenant of Grace is gradually revealed through history

3.    Simeon was waiting to see the Lord’s Christ

1. By being just and devout
2. By understanding what the Messiah would do

4.    Simeon blessed God for showing him His salvation
He recognized the advent of Christ as the next step in the fulfilment of God’s Covenant of Grace as revealed in the Servant Songs of Isaiah.

1. Isa 42:1-9
   - God’s Servant brings justice, mercy, gentleness, healing and deliverance. 
   - He is given “for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles” (Isa 42:6)
2. Isa 49:1-12
   - God is glorified in His Servant, who is His “sharp sword”, His arrow “polished shaft” to bring Jacob (Israel) again to Himself.
   - God will glorify His Servant
   - The Servant will “restore the preserved of Israel” and be a “light to the Gentiles”

5.    Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and prophetically declares the ministry and suffering of Jesus.

a.    Isa 50:4-11
- God’s Servant will be given the “tongue of the learned”
- He will remain silent and resolute in the face of mistreatment and humiliation
- His message is one of obedience and faith in God
b.    Isa 52:13 – 53:12
- God’s Servant will bear the punishment of sin for us
- Though oppressed and afflicted, He will eventually be glorified
- This is the outworking of God’s Covenant of Grace (c.f. Rom 5:6-8)
- (WCF VII.2 “The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.)
- (WCF VII.3 “Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.”)

Conclusion
Christ is the fulfilment of the Covenant of Grace. The “Nunc Dimittis” (Latin: “Now you let depart”) reminds us that there is great satisfaction in seeing the Lord’s salvation. Contentment in Christ (Heb 13:5,6) must be accompanied by pursuit of Christ (Phil 3:7-14) – the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord”. God gives us a new heart to know Him (Eze 36:25-27; Jer 31:34) as part of the new covenant (Heb 8:10-12); and that will be our greatest glory (Jer 9:24).

Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly.

Questions for discussion

1. Is the Christian faith a series of stifling rules and constant guilt or the joyful pursuit of the knowledge of our Saviour, Jesus Christ?
2. What can we do to know Christ daily (not just at Christmas)?
3. What will the knowledge of Christ lead us to?