Don't Stop Believing
BELIEVE: Part 3 | DON’T STOP BELIEVING
Mark 9:23 “All things are possible to those who believe
LUKE 2 :21-40
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so, his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord— “either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 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 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.30 I have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared for all people.32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. 39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
LESSONS FROM SIMEON
1. Believing Means Waiting with Expectation
“He was eagerly waiting for the Messiah…” (v.25)
Simeon was not passive in his waiting. He lived with expectant faith, not disappointed silence. True belief doesn’t ask if God will act, but when.If we truly believe, we don’t just wait, we watch. What promises are we still believing God for, or have we quietly given up?
2. The Holy Spirit Guides Those Who Believe
“The Holy Spirit was upon him… the Spirit led him to the Temple” (v.26–27)
Simeon’s belief positioned him to hear and follow the Spirit. He was in the right place at the right time because he trusted God’s leading.
3. Belief Recognizes God in Unexpected Packages
“He took the child in his arms…” (v.28)
The Savior of the world came as a baby, not a king. Simeon saw salvation where others saw a poor couple and a child. Faith-filled belief sees divine purpose where others see ordinary circumstances.
Are we missing Jesus because He doesn’t show up the way we expect?
LESSONS FROM ANNA
1. Belief is Sustained Through Worship, Prayer, and Fasting
“She never left the Temple… worshiping God with fasting and prayer” (v.37)
Anna’s faith was not seasonal, it was lifelong. Her belief was fueled daily through devotion.
Awe grows where worship lives.
What spiritual disciplines are shaping our belief today?
2. Belief Does Not Expire with Age or Disappointment
“She was very old… lived as a widow…” (v.36–37)
Anna had decades of potential reasons to stop believing. Yet she stayed faithful and spiritually alert.
God’s promises are not limited by our past pain or present season.
3. Believing People Can’t Keep Good News to Themselves
“She talked about the child to everyone…” (v.38)
When Anna recognized Jesus, she immediately testified. Belief naturally leads to proclamation.
If we truly believe, we will speak.
Who are we telling about what God has done?
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Belief Produces Awe, and Awe Produces Witness
Simeon praised God.
Anna proclaimed the good news.
Both were in awe because they believed.
CHALLENGE QUESTION:
Are we believing just enough to survive, or believing enough to be in awe when Jesus shows up?