WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.859 All right. Well, Merry Christmas Eve. On a day like this, it's easy to get distracted with 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:14.960 holiday arrangements and travel plans, food preparations, gift giving, and other things. 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:23.879 But as important as these things are, let's, for this moment, put them all aside and let's focus 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:30.419 on Jesus and His Word together. Our passage this morning is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:38.879 verses 22 through 33. You can find it on page 805 in your Pew Bible. And this passage is about 00:00:38.879 --> 00:00:47.679 Mary and Joseph presenting gifts to God in the temple, and then about their encounter with a 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:54.479 devout man named Simeon. For you note-takers out there, this sermon is going to have three 00:00:54.479 --> 00:00:59.859 major points. First, we'll talk about how this passage proclaims the Gospel message, 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:07.859 how it proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He has come into our world to redeem us 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:14.340 and to rescue us from our sins by offering Himself for us on our behalf. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:21.920 And while the first point will be about Jesus coming into this world to redeem us, the second 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:30.340 point will be about how Jesus came into our world. It will be about the specific and remarkable way 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:39.700 in which Jesus chose to enter into our creation. And the third point will be about how you can receive 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:51.680 Jesus this Christmas. So, let's begin. Turn with me to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 22 through 34, 35. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:58.359 And this is found on page 805 in your Pew Bible, like I said earlier. So, here we go. 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:07.400 And when the time came for their purification, this is speaking about Mary and Joseph. And when the time 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:13.659 came for their purification, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:19.400 him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male who first opens the womb shall be 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:25.020 called holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:32.080 a pair of turtle doves, and two young pigeons. Now, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, 00:02:32.480 --> 00:02:39.020 and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was upon him, 00:02:39.320 --> 00:02:47.340 and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:54.860 Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him 00:02:54.860 --> 00:03:01.620 according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:10.000 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:16.760 your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples a light for revelation of the Gentiles 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:25.340 and for glory to your people Israel. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:03:26.179 --> 00:03:35.120 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:43.319 of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:47.139 so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:51.079 Let's pray. 00:03:53.959 --> 00:03:58.599 Father, we come before you and before your word. We thank you, Lord, that you have written this 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:04.280 scripture for us, for our enlightenment, our illumination, for our rebuke and our encouragement, 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:09.039 for giving us strength when we are weary. We pray now, God, 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:16.680 put your Holy Spirit in this place in our hearts. Bubble up in us, Lord, so that we may draw near to 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:24.439 you, that we may see you. Lord, we ask that we would, in this hour, come to know the fullness of 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:32.099 the birth of Jesus, our Redeemer. And Lord, we ask this humbly, knowing we're not worthy for this, 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:38.080 and we ask that you would make us worthy by washing us and purifying us before you. 00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:46.500 Lord, open our ears to hear what the Spirit says through your word. And we pray this in the name of 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:48.760 your Son, Jesus, Father. Amen. 00:04:51.760 --> 00:04:56.360 All right, church, this passage begins with Mary and Joseph coming to the temple in order to make 00:04:56.360 --> 00:05:03.639 some offerings to the Lord and to give gifts to God. And Luke quotes two Old Testament passages to 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:11.639 explain what Mary and Joseph are doing as they make these offerings to God. It turns out that these Old 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:17.740 Testament passages are important for understanding the birth of Jesus and the redemption that he worked 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:23.900 for us on the cross. So what we're going to do today is look up these two Old Testament passages 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:31.859 and see what they have to say. And this is great Bible reading practice. In your Bible reading time, 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:38.620 whenever you see Scripture quoting other parts of Scripture, many of us often tend to just kind of skip 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:46.259 over these things. But usually it's fruitful to take some time to look up those passages that are quoted, 00:05:46.479 --> 00:05:53.259 because everything in Scripture is there for a reason. And you will frequently find that there's a good reason 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:59.139 that the New Testament is quoting the Old Testament or that the prophets are quoting Moses and so on. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:06.099 Here in the Gospel of Luke, the evangelist quotes two different passages from the Old Testament to 00:06:06.099 --> 00:06:12.079 explain why Mary and Joseph at the birth of Jesus are making an offering to God at the temple. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:19.579 So let's look each one up in turn. The first passage that Luke quotes is from Exodus, chapter 12, 00:06:19.579 --> 00:06:28.539 verses 11 through 15. And in this passage, we find that it takes place after God has rescued the people 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:34.099 of Israel from slavery in the land of Egypt, and he has brought them into the land he has promised, 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:39.060 the promised land, the land of the Canaanites. And the passage reads like this. These are God's 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:41.819 instructions. He says, starting in verse 11, 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:47.519 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers and shall give it to you, 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:54.480 you shall set apart to the Lord all the firstborn who opens the womb, all the firstborn of your animals 00:06:54.480 --> 00:07:02.459 that are males shall be the Lord's. Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:08.860 redeem it, you shall break its neck. But every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:17.020 And when in time comes, your son asks you, what does this mean? You shall say to him, 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:25.199 by a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt from the house of slavery. For when Pharaoh stubbornly 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:30.759 refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:37.780 and the firstborn of animals. Therefore, I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open up the womb, 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:47.739 but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem. God is saying here in this passage that every firstborn 00:07:47.739 --> 00:07:54.819 of every creature in all of Israel, whether man or beast, was to be sacrificed to the Lord. And this 00:07:54.819 --> 00:08:01.019 is because, if you remember, God had passed over the firstborn of Israel during that first 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:10.240 Passover in Egypt in order to redeem God's people from slavery. And in passing over the Israelites, 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:16.339 God spared the firstborn of Israel when he put to death all the firstborn of Egypt. And therefore, 00:08:16.799 --> 00:08:23.060 because God spared the firstborn of Israel from this punishment, God has a claim to the firstborn of 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:28.779 Israel, whether man or beast. They belong to him because he spared them. And so God asked the 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:34.659 Israelites to acknowledge this by offering up their firstborn to God as a sacrifice in order to 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:40.339 remember that God had spared the firstborn of Israel when he redeemed all Israel from slavery. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:48.199 But there is an exception to this rule in the law of Moses. Moses said that you were required to 00:08:48.199 --> 00:08:55.740 sacrifice every firstborn male from all creatures, except, of course, you were not required to sacrifice 00:08:55.740 --> 00:09:03.620 humans, only animals. If the firstborn we were speaking of is the firstborn son, then you were to 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:10.279 redeem the boy instead. And we learn elsewhere in Scripture that redeeming the firstborn son meant you 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:16.519 were to present the boy in the temple and make a donation as an offering, which was a substitute for 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:23.820 the sacrifice of the firstborn son. In other words, in ancient Israel in the time of Jesus, at the birth of 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:30.500 your firstborn son, you were to symbolically offer your son to God at the temple by giving a substitute 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:38.100 donation in order to acknowledge that God had redeemed all of Israel from slavery and that he'd spared your 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:49.620 firstborn son. Just to repeat, you were to give a substitute gift in lieu of sacrificing your son to God. Instead, you were to 00:09:49.620 --> 00:10:01.740 redeem your son by offering a gift to God. And this is what Mary and Joseph are doing with Jesus in the temple, in the 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:10.100 Gospel of Luke. Mary and Joseph have come to Jerusalem to present Jesus to God. They have come to redeem Jesus by 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:18.220 offering up a gift as a substitution, as a representative token of their son in order to redeem him, in order to thank God for 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:26.360 redeeming them from slavery. But notice what is going on here, church, in this special moment. When Mary and Joseph 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:35.639 come to the temple, they are redeeming their son Jesus. They are redeeming the very one who would redeem all people 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:45.220 from their sins. They are redeeming the very one who would set all people free from their sins and from death. In this moment, 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:57.600 in this passage, Mary and Joseph are redeeming the Redeemer. And they are giving a gift to God to do so. They are symbolically 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:07.700 carrying out the act of sacrificing their son without actually sacrificing their son. But of course, we know what they were only 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:19.620 symbolically doing, God would actually do later when he would sacrifice his son Jesus in order to redeem us. You see what Luke 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:27.920 is telling us here by quoting the Old Testament passage. He is telling us that long ago in the story of Passover, God 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:38.259 foreshadowed to the Israelites that he would give his one and only son to redeem the world from slavery to sin. And God 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:45.579 foreshadowed this by setting the children of Israel free from slavery in the land of Egypt and then by instructing the 00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:54.240 Israelites to always remember how he had redeemed them from slavery by sacrificing the firstborn of all their creatures to God. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:12:03.740 However, as I said, God gave an exception whereby they were to redeem their firstborn sons by giving their firstborn 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:16.320 sons to God instead. And like I've been saying, this permission to redeem their firstborn sons, it foreshadowed to 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:24.159 Israel that true Redeemer, the true firstborn son of God who would come and would actually sacrifice himself. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:32.580 The firstborn son who by his sacrifice would set the people free not just from earthly slavery, but from 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:40.960 spiritual slavery and from slavery to sin and slavery to death and slavery to the devil. And God would do this in order to 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:49.300 usher his redeemed people into an eternal relationship with himself forever. 00:12:49.300 --> 00:13:01.420 Here, friends, we have a true gospel moment. In this passage, in the Gospel of Luke, during this very first Christmas when Jesus was born, 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:14.860 Mary and Joseph some days later have brought Jesus to Jerusalem to offer him to God and to redeem him with a gift, a donation to God in lieu of actually sacrificing him. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:29.919 But now, in this moment, this gift that Luke describes Mary and Joseph as symbolically giving to God is foreshadowing the gift that has now actually arrived on that first Christmas. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:41.599 Because though God did not require humans to sacrifice their firstborn sons, God himself was about to do this very thing with Jesus. 00:13:42.099 --> 00:13:45.719 The Apostle Paul writes about this to the Romans. He says, 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:55.560 For God has done what the law weakened by the flesh could not do, by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:13:56.160 --> 00:14:04.460 And for sin he condemns sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:08.600 who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.120 Friends, this is the gospel message. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:15.779 This is the good news of Christmas. 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:20.179 We were unable to save ourselves. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.220 We were lost. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.960 We were enslaved in darkness. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.480 We were shackled to sin. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.919 We could not free ourselves. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:30.139 But what we could not do, God did. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:38.440 By sending his one and only Son, Jesus, to be born into this world and to wipe away our sins on the cross. 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:47.020 And God promises to raise us up from the dead along with Jesus. 00:14:48.020 --> 00:14:54.280 Just as he raised Jesus from the dead, he will raise us up who believe and trust in him. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:15:04.299 And all of this, friends, was foreshadowed and foretold by the giving of a gift that Mary and Joseph are offering in the passage we have before us. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:19.159 And so, I think, Christians, that at Christmas Eve, what better time is there to consider these things when you give and receive gifts this Christmas? 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:35.039 In your giving and your receiving, remember how at that first Christmas it was marked by Mary and Joseph giving a gift to God to remember how God had set them free from slavery. 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:45.860 To give a gift as a small token, a sampling, a representative, a foreshadowing, a symbol of that greatest gift that was actually being given in that moment. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:55.599 The gift of Jesus, our Redeemer, the firstborn Son of God, whose birth we celebrate today and who came to offer himself on our behalf. 00:15:55.939 --> 00:16:04.899 Therefore, friends, this Christmas, as you give and receive gifts, think of this greatest gift of Jesus while you do so. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:12.679 Well, friends, we've been talking about the first offering that Mary and Joseph made in the Gospel of Luke. 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:21.179 But if we return to our passage in Luke, we see that Mary and Joseph make not just one offering to God, they make a second one also. 00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:23.799 They make an offering of two turtle doves. 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:28.919 And last time we looked up an Old Testament passage about offerings, it proved fruitful. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.079 So let's do it again. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:37.940 Again, the second sacrifice that Mary and Joseph offer is described in the book of Leviticus, chapter 12, verses 6 through 8. 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:46.680 And it concerns the sacrifice that a mother was supposed to offer after she had given birth in order to purify herself. 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:49.920 And this passage in Leviticus, chapter 12, it goes like this. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.940 We'll start in verse 6. 00:16:50.940 --> 00:17:20.940 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:46.900 Friends, according to the law of Moses, whenever a woman gave birth in Israel, she was to offer a lamb and then either a pigeon or a turtle dove for her cleansing. 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:54.240 But the law goes on to say that if she could not afford a lamb, then she could offer two turtle doves instead. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:18:05.560 This little detail is important because if we return to the Gospel of Luke, we see that Mary did not offer a lamb for the sacrifice. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:11.380 Instead, she offered two turtle doves, two small birds. 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:19.220 What this means, friends, is that Mary and Joseph could not afford a lamb on that first Christmas. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:24.660 This means that Mary and Joseph were poor. 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:32.780 This means that on that first Christmas, Jesus, the Son of God, was born into poverty. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:45.399 You see, friends, when Jesus came to be our Redeemer, He could have been born into a rich family or a powerful family. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:52.980 He could have been born into one of great influence or of high education or of immense fame. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:59.220 But instead, Jesus saw fit to be born into a poor family. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:07.819 He chose to count the poor as His family, not the rich. 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.660 Consider this, friends. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:17.019 Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of the richest King in the universe. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:22.720 More than that, the Son of the One who created wealth itself. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:28.539 When He entered this world, He decided to cast off His riches and become poor. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:32.019 Why? 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.100 Why? 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.220 Why did Jesus do this? 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:43.160 Paul the Apostle answers this question in his second letter to the Corinthians. 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.900 He writes, 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:48.140 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:54.880 that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, 00:19:54.880 --> 00:20:00.140 so that you, by His poverty, might become rich. 00:20:02.020 --> 00:20:02.940 Why then? 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.140 Did Jesus become poor? 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:13.460 The Apostle Paul says that He became poor so that you, through His poverty, might become rich. 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:19.280 Scripture goes on to say that though Jesus was in the form of God, 00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:22.740 He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.980 but He emptied Himself. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:28.039 He took on the form of a servant and He became human. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:32.380 And so, by Jesus emptying Himself of His riches, 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:36.339 He was also filling you up with the riches of His grace, 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:39.539 even the forgiveness of sins. 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:43.620 Friends, this is the redeeming act of Jesus. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.539 This is the gift of Jesus, 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:48.740 this forsaking of His riches and His giving them to you, 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.980 this redemption of Jesus. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.779 This is what began that first Christmas. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.339 And so, I say to you, 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.700 remember these things this Christmas, friends. 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:05.299 Consider these things as you give and receive gifts. 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:11.680 Remember not only that the greatest gift that has been given is Jesus Himself, 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:17.539 but that this gift was so great it required Jesus becoming poor for you. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.759 Meditate on this. 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.980 Rejoice in this. 00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:22.500 Be assured of this. 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:25.620 Turn from your sins because of this. 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:27.539 Love God because of this. 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.120 Preach the truth because of this. 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:31.220 Share the gospel because of this. 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:34.799 Share that God has convicted the world of sin, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.259 but thanks be to God. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:39.159 He has sent His Son to redeem the world 00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:41.899 by emptying Himself of His riches 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:46.399 and becoming poor in order to make you rich towards God. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.339 Amen, friends. 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:53.700 We've covered two points thus far. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.460 I've spoken of how the gospel message, 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.879 about how the gospel message 00:21:57.879 --> 00:22:02.019 describes God sending His one and only Son to redeem our world 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.299 and how this was foreshadowed long ago 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.180 in the Old Testament law 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.599 with the giving of a gift 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:09.680 at the birth of your firstborn son. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:15.119 And secondly, I've spoken about how Jesus came into this world, 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:19.779 about how He cast off riches for your sake to become poor 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:22.839 so that you might become rich in God's mercy. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.759 But if you're new to Christianity 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.879 or if you do not know Jesus, 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:29.019 you might be wondering, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:33.539 how can I know this Jesus who became poor for my sake? 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:37.200 How can I draw near to this Son of God? 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:39.119 How can I embrace this good news? 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.700 How can I be redeemed by Jesus 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.319 and have my sins washed away? 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.759 If we keep reading our passage, friends, 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:51.879 you will find your answer in a man named Simeon. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.839 Luke goes on to write 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:56.039 that when Mary and Joseph went to the temple 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.960 to make their two offerings to God, 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:01.140 the evangelist says in verse 25, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.539 he says, 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:03.019 Now there was a man in Jerusalem 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.620 whose name was Simeon, 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.180 and this man was righteous and devout. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:09.319 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:12.000 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:14.860 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:16.420 that he would not see death 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:18.799 before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:22.200 And he came in the Spirit into the temple. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.660 Let's pause for a moment here. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:28.259 Listen to what Luke says about this man Simeon. 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.560 This is all we know of him. 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:31.240 Luke says that he was righteous, 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.420 that he was devout, 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:34.960 that he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:37.080 That means he was waiting 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:40.060 for the promise of Israel's redemption. 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:44.660 Luke adds that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. 00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:48.080 In fact, Luke mentions the Spirit of God 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:50.700 three times in association with Simeon. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:53.460 He says that the Spirit was upon Simeon, 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:55.840 that Simeon came to the temple in the Spirit, 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:58.480 and that it had been revealed to him by the Spirit 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.660 that he would not die 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:01.700 before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:04.559 And look what happens when Simeon is in the temple, 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:07.220 when Mary and Joseph are there with Jesus. 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:09.319 Luke writes in verse 27, 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.299 And when the parents brought in the child Jesus 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:13.940 to do for him according to the custom of the law, 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:17.360 Simeon took Jesus up in his arms, 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.600 and he blessed God. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.799 And he said, 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:23.000 Lord, now your servant is departing in peace 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.919 according to your word. 00:24:25.699 --> 00:24:28.000 For my eyes have seen your salvation 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:30.719 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:33.799 a light for revelation of the Gentiles 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:36.099 and a glory for your people Israel. 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:40.480 Look at what Simeon says about Jesus. 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.939 Isn't it beautiful? 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:45.719 He says Jesus is the salvation of God, 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:49.339 that Jesus has been prepared before the face of all peoples, 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.740 that he is a light 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:54.319 which will bring revelation to the Gentiles, 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:56.819 that is, to all nations, to all people, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:59.420 and that Jesus is the glory of Israel. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.360 And Simeon takes up Jesus, 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.759 and he holds him close, 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:05.420 and he utters all these words. 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:09.380 And he says that he's holding in his arms 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.600 the light of the world. 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.079 He says, 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:15.180 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:20.019 God had promised, 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.259 told Simeon, 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:23.620 that he would see the Christ before he died. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:26.120 And Simeon received the gift 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:28.480 which God had promised him, 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:30.200 and so he rejoices. 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:34.320 Simeon has received the gift of Jesus 00:25:34.320 --> 00:25:35.779 on that first Christmas. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.560 But friends, 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:42.240 consider how Simeon received Jesus. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.059 God told Simeon 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:47.160 that he would see the Christ before he died. 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:48.120 And he did. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.720 But let's probe a little deeper here. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.180 Let me ask you something. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.859 Does Simeon see Jesus 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:55.120 walk into the temple 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:57.460 and prove that he was the Christ 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.740 by raising the dead? 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.700 Does Simeon see Jesus 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.759 work wonders 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:04.000 to clearly demonstrate 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.740 that he is the Christ? 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.900 Does Simeon see Jesus 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.660 heal the sick? 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.840 Does he hear Jesus speak 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:12.759 in teachings more profound 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.200 than anything Moses 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.220 or the prophets 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:17.120 or anyone else ever taught? 00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:19.560 Does Simeon witness Jesus 00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:21.460 risen from the dead? 00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:25.300 Jesus did do all these things, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.400 and we can read about them 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.540 today in the Gospels. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.620 But Simeon doesn't see 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:33.480 any of these things. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.980 All he sees 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.759 is a baby being held 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.779 in his mother's arms, 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:42.000 and the Spirit tells Simeon, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:45.579 this one is the Messiah. 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.980 This one is the Christ. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.200 And Simeon believes. 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.019 So, friends, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.500 how did Simeon receive Jesus? 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.799 He received Jesus 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:01.259 by believing 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:03.220 that Jesus was the Christ. 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.319 He received Jesus 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.799 by believing in Jesus. 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:09.380 And this is the same way 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:12.059 that you can receive Jesus 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.819 this Christmas, 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.059 by believing 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.140 that he is the Christ. 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.940 Just believe. 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.720 All you have to do 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.360 is believe. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.220 It's so simple. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.019 To paraphrase Spurgeon, 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.519 anyone can believe. 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.799 The rich man 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.660 and the poor man 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.240 can believe. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.680 The prince and the pauper 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.240 can believe. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.400 The sinner and saint 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.960 can believe. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.660 The grandmother 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:33.040 and the granddaughter 00:27:33.040 --> 00:27:33.800 can believe. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.920 Friends, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.840 22 years ago, 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.779 I was such a one. 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.600 There I was, 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.740 walking in darkness, 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.000 a slave to my sins, 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:43.940 and God's Spirit 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.800 spoke to me 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:46.000 and pointed to Jesus 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.580 and said, 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.940 this one is the Christ. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.080 And I believed. 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:52.420 And God poured out 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.720 the riches of his grace 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.600 into my heart. 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:56.179 And you too, 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.500 this Christmas, 00:27:57.939 --> 00:27:59.439 you also can believe 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:01.159 that Jesus is the Christ. 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.039 And as you believe, 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:04.559 you too will receive 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.279 all the riches 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.159 of his grace 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.219 poured out for you, 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.299 the redemption 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.799 of your sins. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.000 Friends, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:14.159 this in fact is why 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.459 the Gospels were written. 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:17.939 The Gospel of John says 00:28:17.939 --> 00:28:18.779 in chapter 20, 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.519 verse 31, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:21.259 that this Gospel 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.879 was, quote, 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:23.660 written so that you 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.420 may believe 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:26.120 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:28:26.280 --> 00:28:27.120 the Son of God, 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.960 and that by believing 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.000 you may have life 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.680 in his name. 00:28:32.520 --> 00:28:33.000 Friends, 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:33.700 if you're interested 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.640 in these things, 00:28:34.760 --> 00:28:35.640 then I invite you 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.300 this Christmas, 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:38.680 take up the Bible. 00:28:39.020 --> 00:28:40.480 Read about Jesus. 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.000 Read about his life 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.960 in the four Gospels. 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:44.080 If you don't have a Bible, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.400 grab one from the pew, 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.500 take it home, 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.480 sit down, 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:48.460 and read about 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.580 that first Christmas 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.400 in the Gospels 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.519 of Matthew or Luke, 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.780 and then keep 00:28:52.780 --> 00:28:54.420 right on reading. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.500 Read of the life 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.160 and the teachings 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.720 of Jesus. 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.940 Read of his miracles, 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.259 his healings, 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.320 his acts of mercy, 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:02.000 and keep on going 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.120 and read of his death 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:03.780 on the cross 00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:04.740 and his resurrection. 00:29:05.060 --> 00:29:06.580 And then pray to God. 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.259 Ask him, 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:07.740 Lord, 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:10.560 is this the Christ? 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.080 And the Spirit 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:16.180 will say to you, 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.300 this one is the Christ, 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.980 and he will open up 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.419 your heart 00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:21.519 and believe. 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.599 But friends, 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.359 if you do this, 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.680 I have a word 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.700 of warning for you. 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.480 It is true 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.599 that all you must do 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.440 is believe, 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.619 but this belief 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.399 must be honest 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.480 and from your heart. 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:37.940 You must turn 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.059 from your sins 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.639 and enter 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:42.000 into Jesus' service. 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.119 And as our passage 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.919 goes on to say, 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.960 you must be ready 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:48.120 for God to expose 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.700 your heart 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.980 in order to purify 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.740 you of sins 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.600 as he calls you 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.700 into his good service. 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.279 And the world 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.279 will not like it 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.140 when this happens. 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.640 If we return 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.519 to the final verses 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.440 of our passage, 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:02.100 verses 33 through 35, 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.579 Simeon gives this 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.579 warning to Mary. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.360 Luke writes, 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.980 And his father 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.700 and his mother 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.740 marveled at what was said 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.600 about Jesus. 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:14.519 And Simeon blessed them, 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.740 and he said to Mary 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.220 his mother, 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:16.920 Behold, 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.779 this child is appointed 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.599 for the fall 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.720 and rising of many 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.220 in Israel 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.379 and for a sign 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.180 that is opposed 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.379 and a sword 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.079 will pierce 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.279 through your own soul 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.960 also, 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.680 so that the thoughts 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.619 from many hearts 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.539 may be revealed. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.960 Simeon has a word 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.980 of wisdom for Mary. 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:36.000 He blesses her 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.539 and Joseph 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:38.299 and he prophesies 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.379 that Jesus 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.639 will be appointed 00:30:40.639 --> 00:30:41.700 for the fall 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.500 and rising 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.240 of many, 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.539 that Jesus 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.880 would be a sign 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.779 that is opposed 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.440 by many 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.619 and that the thoughts 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.599 of many hearts 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.539 would be revealed, 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.359 perhaps like a sword 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.480 piercing the soul. 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.400 Simeon here tells Mary 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.779 and us, I think, 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.220 that though we rejoice 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.380 at Jesus' birth, 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.319 there will be many 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.099 who don't, 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:02.859 who, 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.799 there will be many 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.859 who oppose Jesus, 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.680 and though there will be 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.660 many who rise 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.740 because of Jesus, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.380 others will fall. 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:12.020 the thoughts 00:31:12.020 --> 00:31:13.460 of hearts 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.420 will be revealed 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.900 like the piercing 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.560 of the soul 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.280 with a sword. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.360 So, friends, 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.120 this Christmas, 00:31:21.280 --> 00:31:22.820 like Simeon, 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:25.640 let us rejoice 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.720 at the birth 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.500 of our Redeemer. 00:31:27.780 --> 00:31:29.200 Let us, like Simeon, 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:29.980 believe 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:32.140 that he is the Christ. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.520 But let us also, 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.280 like Simeon, 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.440 take heed 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:38.640 and let us count 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.220 the cost 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.340 of believing in Jesus. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.340 But, friends, 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.340 though believing in Jesus 00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:46.140 has a cost, 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.320 I promise you 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.940 that any cost, 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.500 no matter how great, 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.660 is not worthy 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.779 to be compared 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:54.880 to knowing Jesus 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:56.140 and the riches 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:57.120 of his grace 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:58.240 and the fullness 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.640 of his life. 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:01.299 And this Christmas, 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.840 if this cost 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:04.940 is what is preventing you 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.640 from believing 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:07.039 that Jesus is the Christ 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.240 and from following him, 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:11.140 then here's what you do. 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.539 Ask God for help. 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.440 Friends, 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.320 we serve 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:18.580 a gentle Savior. 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.279 He longs 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.400 to bear your burdens. 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.940 And moreover, 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.039 Scripture says 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:26.019 that he delights 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:27.500 in mercy. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:29.759 So come to God. 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.039 Say, 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.559 Lord, 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.519 this Christmas, 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.839 I rejoice 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.480 at the birth 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.119 of your Son. 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.500 I want to believe, 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.240 but I fear 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.359 my heart being exposed. 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.339 I fear opposition. 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.200 I fear the world. 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:42.759 Help me, 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.019 Lord, 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.859 by your Spirit. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:46.099 And God will hear 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:46.680 your prayers 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.460 and answer them. 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.579 And he will fill you up 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.079 with the riches 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.859 of his grace. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.359 In fact, 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:54.700 friends, 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.640 let's close 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:56.220 this sermon 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.360 by praying 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:58.600 for these things 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.039 right now. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.880 Let's pray together. 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:06.880 Oh, 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.400 Father, 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.440 we thank you 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.120 that you gave 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.539 your Son, 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:09.900 Jesus. 00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:10.860 We thank you 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.660 for his birth. 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.660 We rejoice, 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.059 Lord, 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.980 that that long 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.140 prophesied coming 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:15.680 came 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:17.680 2,000 years ago 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.460 in Bethlehem. 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.480 Lord, 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.420 we rejoice 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.420 at this. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.000 Lord, 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.519 we pray 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:26.059 that if there 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.039 are those among us 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.900 who are struggling 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.519 in the faith, 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:28.859 Lord, 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.079 we ask that by 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:31.019 your Holy Spirit 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.420 you would point 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.000 to Jesus 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.660 and say, 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.900 this one is 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.660 the Christ 00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:37.379 and that they 00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:38.099 would believe. 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:38.720 Lord, 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.619 we pray for those 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.400 of us who already 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.039 believe that you 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.900 would strengthen 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.759 our faith, 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:43.460 that you would 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.599 overflow us 00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:45.379 with joy. 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.480 Lord, 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.200 we pray 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.079 that we would 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.119 share this gospel 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.700 with others 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.240 and that for 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.039 those who 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:52.240 oppose Christ, 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:52.900 for those who 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.759 fall because of 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:53.960 him, 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:54.580 Lord, 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.140 that you would 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:55.799 not let us 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.380 be fearful, 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.360 that you would 00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:57.920 help us to 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.740 respond to them 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.580 in love and 00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.920 mercy and grace. 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.680 Lord, 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.140 that you would 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.660 give us good 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.319 courage to 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:03.940 follow you 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:05.039 and to rejoice 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:06.279 with joy 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.480 unrestrained. 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.900 Lord, 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:12.380 we thank you 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:14.159 for every single 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.880 thing you have 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.579 given us 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.220 in Jesus 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:17.980 and it is 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.259 in his name 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:20.059 that we pray. 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.319 Amen.