WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Merry Christmas, church family. It's good to see you all this morning. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:08.960 Our sermon text is from Luke chapter 2, verses 21 through 40. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:11.900 That's page 805 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:16.420 Let me encourage you to turn there. We'll have it on the screens when I read it the first time, 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:20.039 but it'll be good to have it open in front of you as we kind of walk through the text today. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:24.120 As we come to God's Word, let me pray for us. 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:36.179 Lord Jesus, before your resurrection and ascension, you promised your apostles that you would send your Spirit 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:43.000 to bring everything that you had taught them to mind and to guide them into all truth. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:48.260 Lord, we thank you for the work of your apostles preserving for us your Word, 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:51.359 and we thank you that your Spirit is still at work today, 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:59.299 bringing light and knowledge and love and peace to our hearts as we come to you through the means of your Word. 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:03.939 So we pray now, Holy Father, that as we come to you this morning, 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:09.239 you would open our eyes and ears to hear what your Spirit is saying to us through your Word. 00:01:09.399 --> 00:01:10.879 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:12.539 --> 00:01:19.079 All right, Luke chapter 2, verses 21 through—I'm going to read through 38 this morning. 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:21.700 Luke writes this. He says, 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:51.000 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:55.560 And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:57.659 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:04.840 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:07.460 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:11.960 and when the parents had brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:15.400 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:21.219 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your Word. 00:02:21.920 --> 00:02:26.580 For my eyes have seen your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:30.879 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:35.060 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:38.000 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:42.759 Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:44.740 and for a sign that is opposed, 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:48.019 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.759 so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:57.120 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. 00:02:57.739 --> 00:03:02.019 She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:04.219 and then as a widow until she was 84. 00:03:05.019 --> 00:03:09.239 She did not depart from the temple worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 00:03:09.699 --> 00:03:13.099 And coming up at that very hour, she began to give thanks to God 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:18.680 and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:26.280 Well, waiting can be hard, can't it? 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:30.259 We've just spent a whole month waiting for Christmas, 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:34.319 waiting to open presents, waiting for school to go on break, 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:36.379 waiting for vacation from work. 00:03:36.799 --> 00:03:38.000 Waiting can be pretty hard. 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:41.219 But what about when the waiting is over? 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:46.000 What about when the thing you've been waiting for finally arrives? 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:48.259 Well, that can be hard too. 00:03:48.579 --> 00:03:49.759 You spend so much time waiting, 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:53.019 sometimes we don't know exactly how to live once the waiting's over. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.120 How's life supposed to change? 00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:56.419 What are we supposed to do now? 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:03.899 Now, our passage shows us four people who've spent a long time waiting. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:06.519 First, there's Mary and Joseph. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.719 They've been waiting nine months for their baby to be born. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:12.939 Then Simeon, waiting for the consolation of Israel, 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:16.699 but also waiting for the fulfillment of God's particular promise to him 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:18.959 that he would see the Lord's Christ before he saw death. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.779 Now, we don't know how long Simeon had been waiting, 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.579 but presumably for many years. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:27.879 And then we have Anna, 84 years old, a prophetess, 00:04:28.199 --> 00:04:30.680 living a life of prayer and fasting and worship in the temple, 00:04:31.159 --> 00:04:33.599 waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:04:34.719 --> 00:04:38.179 Waiting along with all the other faithful Israelites mentioned in verse 38. 00:04:38.919 --> 00:04:39.679 Lots of waiting. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:45.060 But then, at last, their waiting's over. 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:48.439 The thing that they've been waiting for has finally arrived. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:50.920 And how do they respond? 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:56.620 You know, this time of year, the Christmas season for Christians 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:00.480 is about more than waiting for gifts and waiting for vacations, right? 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.439 It's about reliving again that wait and the longing, 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:07.480 reliving again that longing for Christ to come. 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:10.040 It's about putting ourselves back into this long story of God, 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:11.379 longing for our Redeemer. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:14.860 And then, as we relive this story, Christmas arrives, 00:05:14.900 --> 00:05:16.700 and the angels sing, and the incarnation happens, 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:18.360 and we celebrate with joy all over again, 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:20.840 and we light candles on Christmas Eve, and it's a lot of fun. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.439 But what next? 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:24.640 The waiting's over. 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:25.740 Now what? 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:30.000 How do we live the day after Christmas? 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:36.259 You know, there's an important spiritual principle here, actually. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:39.720 Sometimes our spiritual life grows stagnant 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:42.060 because we don't know what's next. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:44.000 We hear the good news about Jesus. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:45.600 We see our need for a Savior. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:47.319 We place our trust in Him. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:48.819 We experience His love. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:50.699 But then what? 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:54.660 Isn't it true that becoming a Christian is often like realizing 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:56.960 that you've been waiting for something your whole life, 00:05:57.080 --> 00:05:59.480 and you might not even have realized exactly what it is, 00:05:59.580 --> 00:06:01.420 and then in the person of Jesus, at last, 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:02.680 you feel like you've found it. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:05.060 Or rather, He's found you. 00:06:06.140 --> 00:06:08.960 And you realize that He's the one you've been waiting for. 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:11.440 But what next? 00:06:12.580 --> 00:06:13.520 The waiting's over. 00:06:14.140 --> 00:06:14.800 Now what? 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:19.280 But this doesn't just apply to those of us who are new in the faith. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:22.560 It actually applies kind of across the board for us. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:24.459 If you've been following Jesus for some time, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:28.480 you know that your spiritual life can get a little stagnant sometimes. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:31.519 It can sort of feel like that Christmas gift you opened, 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.259 but then a few years later, 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:34.939 it just sort of sits there on the shelf, 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:36.139 not really doing anything. 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:38.720 The waiting's over. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:39.259 Now what? 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:39.840 Right? 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:44.360 Well, this is where our passage comes to speak to us. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:48.000 How do we live the day after Christmas? 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.360 How do we live when the waiting's over? 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:50.879 When we're new to the faith? 00:06:51.080 --> 00:06:52.580 Or maybe stagnant in the faith? 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:56.639 Well, each of the characters in our text 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:59.720 show us something about how to live 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:02.780 now that Jesus has arrived in our lives. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:06.680 So let's look first at Mary and Joseph. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:09.079 And what we see through their example is, 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:10.439 is now that the waiting's over, 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.699 now that Christ has come into our lives, 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:15.480 we delight to obey his word. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.800 Look again at verses 21 through 24. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:20.439 At the end of eight days, 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.579 when he was circumcised, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:22.439 he was called Jesus, 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:23.720 the name given by the angel 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:25.139 before he was conceived in the womb. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:27.319 And when the time came for their purification, 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:28.439 according to the law of Moses, 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:29.840 they brought him up to Jerusalem 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:31.060 to present him to the Lord, 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.780 as it is written in the law of the Lord. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.620 Every male who first opens the womb 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:36.259 shall be called holy to the Lord 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.680 and to offer a sacrifice 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.439 according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:41.319 a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.899 So we see Mary and Joseph here 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:45.240 obeying God's word. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:47.660 Now there are three ways in particular 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:49.360 that Mary and Joseph obey God's law 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.280 in this short passage. 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:54.340 First, as Genesis 17 says, 00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:56.939 they circumcised Jesus on the eighth day. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:00.319 And then as Exodus 13 says, 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:01.959 they are presenting Jesus, 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.480 their firstborn son to the Lord. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:05.920 And finally, as Leviticus 12 says, 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:08.400 they're coming to offer appropriate sacrifices 00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:11.140 for ceremonial purification after childbirth. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:16.400 Now consider all that's just happened 00:08:16.400 --> 00:08:17.740 to this young couple. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:20.560 An angel has appeared to both of them 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.040 on separate occasions in Luke 1 and Matthew 1, 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.379 telling them that their child 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.300 was going to be the Messiah 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:27.620 and to be born to Mary as a virgin. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.560 Then after giving birth in a stable, 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:31.120 a group of shepherds burst in 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.920 with news about angels singing Gloria, 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.399 excited to meet the newborn king, 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.399 that's all pretty wild stuff, right? 00:08:36.599 --> 00:08:37.939 Those are the sort of experiences 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.159 you could write about 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:41.360 and get a book contract in no time. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.299 But notice how Mary and Joseph 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.059 respond to the fact 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:47.919 that God has fulfilled his promise. 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:51.219 Notice how they respond 00:08:51.219 --> 00:08:52.199 to the great news 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:52.959 that their son 00:08:52.959 --> 00:08:54.719 is being heralded as the Messiah. 00:08:54.959 --> 00:08:56.899 After being such radical recipients 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:58.519 of God's grace and favor, 00:08:58.740 --> 00:08:59.740 how do they respond? 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:03.720 They obey God's word. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:07.159 God's law for them 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.319 isn't some arbitrary code. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:12.399 It isn't some kind of cosmic killjoy. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:15.039 No, this is the word 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:18.299 of their awesome, faithful, loving God, 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:20.179 and they delight to keep it. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:24.099 It's the same for us, you know. 00:09:25.099 --> 00:09:26.459 When Christ comes to us, 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.579 when we receive him, 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.259 when our waiting is over, 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.179 and we find in him 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:32.599 all that we've been longing for, 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:33.439 suddenly, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.479 God's commands 00:09:35.479 --> 00:09:37.620 aren't some burdensome, 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.139 tiresome thing. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:42.099 No, God's commands 00:09:42.099 --> 00:09:44.079 are the life-giving paths 00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:45.359 of our loving God. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:48.720 Maybe you've had the experience 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:49.980 of opening up a Lego set 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.879 on Christmas. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:51.899 Has anyone here 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:52.879 opened up a Lego set 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.399 on Christmas? 00:09:54.180 --> 00:09:54.539 Okay. 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.039 Some of you have. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:58.419 Imagine it with me. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.360 You open up the package, 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:02.200 tiny pieces fall out, 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:03.340 they scatter across the table, 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.100 some of them sometimes 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:05.019 are in different bags, 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.860 and the thing looks nothing 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.740 like it looks 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.000 on the front of the box, right? 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.240 But then, 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.840 as the pieces are all over the table 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:12.860 and you're looking at the picture, 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.220 out of the box drops, 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.200 the instructions. 00:10:17.180 --> 00:10:17.759 And then, 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:18.580 step by step, 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:20.779 you see how the pieces 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.500 go together, 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:22.940 how it all fits 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:24.919 to make this cool-looking thing 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.460 on the front of the box. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:28.840 You know, 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:29.680 when we become a Christian, 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.659 it's a little like that. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.300 You open the gift, 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:33.980 and on the front of the box 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.320 is this glorious picture. 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:37.060 And the picture on the front 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:38.419 of the box is you 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:40.080 in all the glory 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.139 of Christ's likeness. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.320 That's the goal. 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.580 Your life, 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.620 radiant with the glory 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.660 of Christ in you. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.960 And then you open the box, 00:10:49.520 --> 00:10:51.320 and all the pieces fall out. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.920 In other words, 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:55.780 your Christian life starts, 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.000 and you realize 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.220 that you've got 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:59.280 a lot of broken pieces, 00:10:59.920 --> 00:11:00.860 and the pieces 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:01.600 don't seem to fit, 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:03.259 and there are some pieces 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:03.879 you just don't know 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:04.440 what to do with. 00:11:05.660 --> 00:11:06.300 And you can get 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:07.000 a little discouraged. 00:11:07.400 --> 00:11:07.740 You can get 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.420 a little frustrated, 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:10.140 and you can be tempted 00:11:10.140 --> 00:11:10.700 to give up. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:13.240 But then out falls 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.160 the instruction manual. 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:16.580 And in the pages 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:17.520 of God's word, 00:11:18.020 --> 00:11:19.300 we see the means 00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:20.620 whereby God, 00:11:21.140 --> 00:11:22.180 through his spirit, 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:24.080 is going to slowly 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.480 start putting the pieces 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:27.000 where they're meant to go. 00:11:28.040 --> 00:11:29.200 He'll slowly start 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:30.020 building you 00:11:30.020 --> 00:11:31.040 into the image 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:31.640 of his son 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:34.040 through the means 00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:34.620 of his word. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:37.440 Of course, 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.580 now that Christ has come, 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:40.159 we no longer live 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:41.159 under the particular 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:42.960 customs of the Mosaic law. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.620 Things like circumcision, 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.320 the presentation 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:46.240 of the firstborn, 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:47.639 ritual sacrifices 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.539 after childbirth. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:49.720 These ceremonies 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:51.320 are no longer binding 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:52.840 now that the Messiah 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.399 has come. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.440 But as you read 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.120 the New Testament, 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.159 you see that God 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:57.759 has continued 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.720 to give his church 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.480 the guidance 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.080 and instruction 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:00.720 we need 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.259 to become like Jesus 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.240 in this era 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.360 of the new covenant. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.080 He's shown us 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:06.580 practically 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.539 how to love him 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.220 with all our heart, 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.200 soul, mind, and strength. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:09.960 He's shown us 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.000 practically how to love 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:12.240 our neighbor as ourself. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.220 But of course, 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:15.940 some of these instructions 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.679 seem a little odd 00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:17.620 at first, don't they? 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:19.299 Even if we're not called 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:19.980 to go up to Jerusalem 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.600 and sacrifice 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.560 after we have a baby, 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:22.779 still, 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.980 some of the instructions 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.700 of the New Testament 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.299 strike us 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.120 kind of culturally 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.779 against the grain 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:28.620 at times, don't they? 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.399 Some seem odd. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.820 Some seem challenging. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:35.360 Sometimes God's instruction 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.879 through his word 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.940 can seem impossible. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:40.720 But you know, 00:12:40.760 --> 00:12:41.620 if you look again 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.760 at our passage here 00:12:42.760 --> 00:12:43.960 in Luke chapter 2, 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:46.160 what you see 00:12:46.160 --> 00:12:47.879 isn't just 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.260 a young couple 00:12:49.260 --> 00:12:50.540 obeying God's word. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:53.540 What you also see here 00:12:53.540 --> 00:12:55.100 is your Savior 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.540 coming under the law 00:12:57.540 --> 00:12:58.180 for you 00:12:58.179 --> 00:13:00.779 in his circumcision, 00:13:01.099 --> 00:13:02.159 in his presentation 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:03.039 at the temple, 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.899 the Lord of the universe 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.659 is taking the law 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.679 upon himself 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:10.219 and he will obey it 00:13:10.219 --> 00:13:12.000 and he will keep it 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.239 to the very end. 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.879 Jesus here truly 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.359 is God with us. 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:19.199 So when the commandments 00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:20.779 of God seem burdensome 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:21.879 or seem impossible 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.519 to us, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.299 remember 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:25.159 that your Savior 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.639 has walked this road 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.360 for you 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.759 and he will continue 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.000 to walk this road 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.059 with you. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.340 In his obedience, 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.120 he accomplished, 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:34.439 yes, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.460 a perfect righteousness 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.199 for you, 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.659 but now through his spirit 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.620 he's working out 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.220 this righteousness 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:39.919 in you. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.799 In other words, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.919 he's justified you 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.620 through his obedience 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.159 to the law 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:45.399 and he will go on 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.980 and sanctify you as well. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:50.980 So this is part of 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.799 what it means to live 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.679 when the waiting's over. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.799 We don't just sort of 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.419 twiddle our thumbs 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.279 and wonder what's next. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.599 We have the very word 00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:57.699 of God directing us, 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:59.279 showing us how to become 00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.979 the sort of people 00:13:59.979 --> 00:14:00.759 he created us 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.639 and redeemed us to be. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.539 We get to put the pieces 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.839 of our life together 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:06.159 according to the plan 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:06.839 of our creator 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.819 and our redeemer 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.179 and we get to become 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:10.819 more and more 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:12.059 like Jesus. 00:14:14.579 --> 00:14:15.599 But that's not all. 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.879 Because after Mary and Joseph 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.599 enter the temple, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.240 they're met by another person 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:20.899 who's been waiting 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.579 for the Christ 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:23.220 and he's been waiting 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.280 longer than nine months. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.320 Simeon's been waiting, 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:26.820 it would seem, 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.780 for many years. 00:14:28.920 --> 00:14:30.400 And what we see in Simeon 00:14:30.400 --> 00:14:31.520 is that now that 00:14:31.520 --> 00:14:32.340 the waiting is over, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.480 now that Christ 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.600 has come into our lives, 00:14:34.920 --> 00:14:36.800 we receive his peace. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.060 We receive his peace. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.780 Look with me again 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:41.300 at verses 25 through 32. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.580 Now there was a man 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:42.980 in Jerusalem 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.980 whose name was Simeon 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.940 and this man 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.000 was righteous and devout 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.600 waiting for the 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.580 consolation of Israel 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.620 and the Holy Spirit 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.280 was upon him 00:14:49.280 --> 00:14:50.440 and it had been revealed 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.520 to him by the Holy Spirit 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.699 that he would not see death 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.399 before he had seen 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.199 the Lord's Christ. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.679 And he came in the Spirit 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.259 into the temple 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.419 and when his parents 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.519 brought in the child Jesus 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.279 to do for him 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.100 according to the custom 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.500 of the law, 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:02.139 he took him up in his arms 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.240 and blessed God 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.559 and said, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:03.919 Lord, 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.179 now you are letting 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:06.199 your servant depart 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.259 in peace 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:09.220 according to your word. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.699 For my eyes have seen 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:11.379 your salvation 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.720 that you have prepared 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.220 in the presence 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.079 of all peoples 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:15.679 a light for revelation 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.600 to the Gentiles 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.819 and for glory 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.799 to your people Israel. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:22.000 Now Simeon's blessing 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.000 here in verses 29 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.579 through 32 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:24.699 is often called 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:25.559 the nunc dimittis 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.719 which is just a Latin 00:15:26.719 --> 00:15:28.799 translation of verse 29. 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.379 Now you are dismissing. 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:32.219 Now you are letting 00:15:32.219 --> 00:15:33.259 your servant depart 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.479 or dismissed 00:15:34.479 --> 00:15:35.459 in peace. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.740 Notice how this peace 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.559 for Simeon 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.039 is both personal 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.319 and global. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.259 It's personal 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.259 and global for Simeon. 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.219 On the personal level, 00:15:46.359 --> 00:15:47.259 Simeon here is talking 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.200 about his own death. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.679 The Lord had promised him 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.019 through the spirit 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.100 that he would see 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.860 the Lord's Christ 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.620 before he died. 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.840 And now 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.259 that he has seen Jesus, 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.600 he's seen the Christ, 00:15:58.819 --> 00:15:59.519 he knows 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.539 that he can depart 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.319 from this life. 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:03.799 Now the fact 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.220 that Simeon 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.860 is talking about 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.500 his departure, 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.340 his death, 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.759 that's what makes us think 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.319 that Simeon 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:08.960 is most likely 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.879 in his later years, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.939 that he's an old man 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.899 in the temple. 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:13.980 But notice, 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.059 now that he's held 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:16.319 Christ in his arms 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.280 and seen Christ 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.060 with his own eyes, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:19.100 he's ready to meet 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.940 the end of his life 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.700 with what? 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.180 With peace. 00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.100 And of course, 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:26.720 that isn't just true 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.520 of Simeon, is it? 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.520 It's true of everyone 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:31.400 who has seen 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:32.160 in Jesus 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:33.000 the fullness 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.020 of God's salvation. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.940 Did you notice? 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.980 Simeon says 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.600 of the child, 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.520 my eyes 00:16:39.520 --> 00:16:40.260 have seen 00:16:40.260 --> 00:16:41.260 your salvation. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.380 Simeon is saying 00:16:43.380 --> 00:16:44.660 that all of God's 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.559 saving purposes 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.500 are found 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.559 in Christ. 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.579 There's no salvation 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.439 apart from him. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.159 He's the storehouse 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.139 where all the rich 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.059 blessings are found. 00:16:54.839 --> 00:16:55.699 And that means 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:57.100 that if you have Christ, 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.879 then you have it all. 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.799 There's nothing 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.139 God has withheld 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.659 from you 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:04.059 if you have his son. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.839 And that means 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.920 we can face anything, 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.440 even death, 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.399 like Simeon, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.899 with peace. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:16.519 Imagine what it 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.200 would look like 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.940 to live your life 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.340 without the fear 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:20.900 of death. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.160 Some of us 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:24.860 are afraid of death 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.640 because we're not sure 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.280 what might happen 00:17:26.280 --> 00:17:27.340 to us after we die. 00:17:29.080 --> 00:17:30.240 But if you're united 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.960 to Christ 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.860 through faith, 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.200 then all of your sins 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.680 are forgiven 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:35.940 and God promises you 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.660 eternal life 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.680 in his own presence. 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:39.980 So if you belong 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.480 to Christ, 00:17:40.540 --> 00:17:41.320 you need not fear 00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:41.840 what happens 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:42.560 after you die. 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:45.600 But some of us 00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.280 are afraid of death 00:17:46.280 --> 00:17:47.320 because we're afraid 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:49.060 of what we might 00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:50.160 not have accomplished. 00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:52.060 We're afraid 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:52.820 we might not 00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:53.440 have accomplished 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.259 all that we want 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.800 to accomplish 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:55.660 before we die. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.920 In other words, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.240 we're sort of afraid 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.340 of death coming 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:01.100 because we're afraid 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:02.340 that maybe we won't 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.019 have experienced 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.740 everything we want 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.300 to experience 00:18:04.300 --> 00:18:05.180 before death comes. 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.200 So we're afraid 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.100 of the end to come. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.380 Maybe we won't 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.220 accomplish everything 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.240 we want to accomplish. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:13.059 And so the prospect 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.740 of death simply 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.240 as the end 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.779 of this life 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.700 fills us with dread. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.279 And it casts 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.420 a shadow over our life, 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.420 a shadow of anxiety 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.480 or pressure 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.740 or fear 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.660 or regret. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.220 But for the Christian, 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:28.180 this need not 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.019 be the case. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.240 We can view 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.079 the prospect 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.900 of death 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.980 not with anxiety 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.039 or fears 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.660 of regret, 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:36.800 regret, 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:38.460 but with peace. 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:41.040 Why? 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.019 Because we know 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.519 on the one hand 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.820 that it's our sovereign God 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:47.279 who numbers our days 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.720 and like Simeon, 00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:49.480 we can trust 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.000 God's timing. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.320 Perhaps 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:53.360 we don't accomplish 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:53.960 all we hope to 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.540 in this life, 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:56.279 but we still live 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:56.860 in the confidence 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.840 that God is doing 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.620 his good work 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.540 in us and through us. 00:19:01.300 --> 00:19:01.880 But you know, 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.560 on the other hand, 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.800 we also serve 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.900 a risen Savior 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:07.780 a risen Savior 00:19:07.780 --> 00:19:08.460 who promises 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.320 a new creation. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.860 And what this means 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.940 is that this life 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.620 isn't the end, 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.940 but just the beginning. 00:19:15.780 --> 00:19:16.500 Yes, you know, 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.300 there are notes 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:18.400 that are being played 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.240 in this life 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.900 full of beauty 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.080 and full of power 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:21.700 and yes, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.500 it's very true 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.340 that we don't want 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.380 the music of this life 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.300 to end, do we? 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.780 And we think about 00:19:27.780 --> 00:19:28.580 all the great things 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.660 and desires that we have 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.460 and we don't want 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.900 that music to stop. 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:34.720 But if we serve 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.660 a risen Savior, 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.759 then these notes 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.500 that we hear 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.200 in this life 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.600 are just a prelude 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:41.080 to a greater symphony 00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:41.560 to come 00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.380 in the new creation. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.680 And so we can face 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.259 death now, 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.160 not with despair 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.940 or with regret 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.440 of things we may not 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.820 have done 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:50.019 or may not have experienced, 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.840 but we can face it 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.519 with peace 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:54.440 because we know 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.840 that God has 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.860 much better in store. 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:00.340 And you know, 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:00.940 Simeon shows us 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.420 that this is not 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.480 just a personal peace 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.840 that we can experience 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.099 in our own lives, 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.819 but it's also 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.599 a global peace. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.819 It's a peace available 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.639 to everyone 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.980 without distinction. 00:20:10.199 --> 00:20:11.720 In verses 31 and 32, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.319 the salvation of Christ 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.619 is set before all peoples. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.740 He's a light 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.839 for both Gentiles 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.679 and Jews. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.459 For Jews, 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.659 Christ is their glory. 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.699 He's the one 00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:21.579 they've been waiting for, 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.659 the one who sums up 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.480 their long history 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.119 with God 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.099 and brings it 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.179 to its climax. 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:29.460 For Israel, 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.860 Jesus is their glory. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.580 But for the Gentiles, 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:35.960 Christ is light too. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.400 He's their revelation. 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.519 Christ is the unveiling 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.000 of the one 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.000 they were looking for 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.860 when they didn't 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.440 even know it. 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:45.640 So this peace 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.180 isn't something 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:48.019 that greedily belongs 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.240 only to a select few. 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:50.039 No, it's freely 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.799 offered to all. 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.180 It's not just personal. 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:53.000 It's global. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.500 It's not just for Simeon. 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:55.200 It's for you. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:59.080 But Simeon goes on 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.740 to say that it's not 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.600 just personal and global. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.660 This peace is costly 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.580 as well. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.900 Look again at verses 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.200 33 through 35. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.120 And Jesus' father 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:09.299 and mother marveled 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.940 at what was said 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.440 about him. 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.180 And Simeon blessed them 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.380 and said to Mary, 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.779 his mother, 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.160 Behold, 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.180 this child is appointed 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.759 for the fall and rising 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.600 of many in Israel 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:18.940 and for a sign 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.700 that is opposed 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.500 and a sword will pierce 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.380 through your own soul 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:24.080 also so that thoughts 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:24.720 from many hearts 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.460 may be revealed. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:28.640 Now, Simeon here 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.259 is warning 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:31.039 these young parents 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.640 that the road ahead 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:34.060 for this child of theirs 00:21:34.060 --> 00:21:35.740 will not be an easy one. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.840 You know, 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.420 you might think 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.200 up until this point 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.960 in the birth narrative 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.420 that everything's going to be 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.160 one sort of 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.560 triumphant parade 00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.140 to glory. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.120 The king is here. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.580 The angels are singing. 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:48.980 Old men and women 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.680 are dancing. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.920 And yet, 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.620 the road 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:55.220 will not be an easy one 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.960 for this child. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.039 Simeon says 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.539 he's going to be 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.840 sort of like a litmus test. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:03.060 Some will encounter Jesus 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:04.480 and they will fall. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.400 They will not 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.340 see in him 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.160 God's salvation, 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:09.259 but in pride 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.140 they will reject him. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.980 Others will encounter Jesus 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.860 and they'll rise. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.860 They'll behold him 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.700 with the eyes of faith 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.500 and in humility 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.320 call out to him 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.960 for rescue 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.579 and he will receive them 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.359 and raise them up. 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.279 In other words, 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:22.740 Christ, 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.379 as Simeon says 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:23.919 at the end 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.700 of verse 35, 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.179 he's going to expose 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:27.819 the innermost thoughts 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.439 of the heart. 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.639 And he still does that today. 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.079 Christ poses a question 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.299 to each one of us 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.500 and there's no neutral ground. 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.819 Will we receive him 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.379 as king, 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.480 as Lord, 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.460 or will we reject him? 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.720 Will we humble ourselves 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.419 before him? 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:49.139 Or will we turn away 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.779 in pride 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.899 and live for some other Lord 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.159 of our own choosing? 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.960 There's no getting around 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.939 this decision. 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:01.019 Each of us must face 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.839 the question of whether 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.980 we will bow to Jesus 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.879 as Lord. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.099 But these verses 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.299 don't just speak 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.579 of the decision 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:11.299 that Christ poses 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.259 to each of us. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.500 It also speaks 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.159 of the decision 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.019 Christ made 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.560 for each of us. 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.480 We see here 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.600 that when Christ came, 00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:23.500 he humbled himself. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.940 He submitted himself 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.880 willingly 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:28.120 to the rejection 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.120 of his own people. 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:31.320 He was willingly opposed, 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.820 as verse 34 says. 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:35.160 And then Simeon speaks 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.620 of a metaphorical sword 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.880 that will pierce 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.880 Mary's own soul. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.019 And most readers 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.740 of Luke's gospel 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.080 have taken this piercing 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.200 as a reference 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.319 to Mary's sorrow. 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:44.759 Where? 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.920 At the cross. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.680 Mary would see 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.620 her own son 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:50.340 rejected and crucified. 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.059 And sorrow 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.840 would stab her heart 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.920 like a sword. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.500 And so we see 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.039 in this text 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.660 not just 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.740 an old man, 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.519 Simeon, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.960 living in the peace 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.539 of Christ. 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.779 We also see 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.380 our Savior 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:07.700 and the costly price 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.340 he would pay 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:09.380 to win us 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.960 that peace. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.799 You see, 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.680 it's only because 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:14.100 our Savior was rejected 00:24:14.100 --> 00:24:15.920 that we can be accepted. 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.940 It's only because 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.799 he was opposed 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.079 that we can be received. 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.500 Why? 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.160 Because our sins 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.759 deserve God's rejection. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.620 But on the cross, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.259 Christ is rejected 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.319 in the place 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:30.039 of our sins. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.019 That's why peace 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.799 can be ours 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.559 and is offered 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.259 to everyone. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.680 Because the debt 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.059 of sin 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.660 has been paid 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.200 in full 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.980 through his sin-bearing death. 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.460 Now, 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.539 if we reject him, 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.779 we will fall, 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:45.819 as Simeon says, 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.400 under the weight 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.259 of our own sin. 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.539 But if we receive him, 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:51.240 we will rise, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.200 having been released 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.299 from the burden of sin 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.240 through his death 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.920 on our behalf. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.860 And for those 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:59.140 who do humble themselves 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.259 and receive 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.360 this gift in Christ, 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.720 it is a peace 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.980 that not even death 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.100 itself can take away. 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.819 Why? 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.619 Because our Savior 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.659 has died for us. 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.379 We can live in peace 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.419 even in the face of death. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.659 So now that the waiting 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.119 is over, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.359 now that Christ 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.319 has come into our lives, 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.879 we receive 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.139 and live in peace 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.619 with courage 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.359 and freedom 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.279 from the fear of death 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.299 and from the guilt of sin. 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.159 But there's one more figure 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:29.039 Luke wants us to see. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.559 One last way 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.179 that Luke here 00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:32.119 charts out for us, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.039 sketches out for us 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.019 how to live. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:35.519 And that is Anna 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.420 in verses 36 through 38. 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.180 And what we see in Anna 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.839 is that now 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.779 that the waiting is over, 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.859 now that Christ 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.940 has come into our lives, 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.940 we proclaim his kingdom. 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.639 We obey his word, 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.200 we live in peace 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.859 and we proclaim his kingdom. 00:25:50.139 --> 00:25:50.619 Look again 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:52.039 at verses 36 through 38. 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.180 And there was a prophetess, 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.500 Anna, 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.639 the daughter of Phanuel 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.799 of the tribe of Asher. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.339 She was advanced in years, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.279 having lived with her husband 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.960 seven years 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.960 from when she was a virgin 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.039 and then as a widow 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.059 until she was 84. 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.559 She did not depart 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.119 from the temple, 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.319 worshiping with fasting 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.460 and prayer night and day. 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.359 And coming up 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.179 at that very hour, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.819 she began to give thanks to God 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.899 and to speak of him 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.839 to all who were waiting 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:13.279 for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.319 Now Anna is sort of 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.839 this wonderful contrast 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.679 to Simeon, 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.319 isn't she? 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.200 Simeon, 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:19.539 you know, 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.460 after he meets Jesus, 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.960 he's like ready to retire, 00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:22.379 right? 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:22.799 He's like, 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.359 Lord, 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.000 okay, 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.659 you fulfilled your promise to me, 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.500 I'm good, 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.419 let me go. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.359 But, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.059 we get the sense 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:32.519 that Anna is just getting started. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.379 If Simeon shows us 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:35.179 the serenity, 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.839 the peace that Christ brings, 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.799 Anna shows us the vitality, 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.599 the energy that Christ brings. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.299 She might be 84 years old, 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.599 but now that Christ has come, 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.099 she can't help but proclaim 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:46.440 the arrival of her king 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:48.179 and the restoration of Jerusalem 00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:50.159 and the arrival of God's kingdom. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.720 So friends, 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.960 let this be an encouragement to you. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.759 If you feel 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.819 that you are reaching 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.940 your later years, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:59.220 God still has a plan for you 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.500 to use you 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.519 to advance his kingdom. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.519 And that's true of all of us. 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.240 Just think of all the characters 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.559 we met in Luke 1 and 2. 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.580 Young and old, 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.180 some who work in the temple, 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.440 some who work in the fields, 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.799 some who are named, 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:14.120 some who are unnamed, 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.620 but all together, 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.539 God is gathering his church 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:19.120 around Jesus' son, 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.700 the Messiah, 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.360 our Lord, 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.720 and in Anna, 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:24.320 we see this first lighting 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.240 of the flame 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.980 that will continue to burn 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.539 through the gospel of Luke 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.619 and then especially 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.740 in Luke's sequel, 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.700 the book of Acts, 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.619 where like Anna, 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.500 the early church 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.559 filled with the Spirit 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.960 will take this news 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.839 of their Redeemer 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.119 and begin telling it 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:40.240 to all who will hear. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.240 A message of good news, 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.559 of great joy 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.659 for all people. 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.099 A message of repentance 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.480 and the forgiveness of sins 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.720 for all people. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.619 A message of eternal life 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.460 and freedom 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.919 for all who believe. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.559 You see, 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.619 Anna understood 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:59.119 that when the waiting 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:00.159 was over, 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.779 the real mission 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.639 had just begun. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.819 Now that Christ was here, 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:08.000 the world needed to know. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.139 The kingdom of God 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:10.899 had arrived 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.839 and the great renewal 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.539 had begun. 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:17.000 So for us, 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.039 as the year ends 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.220 and another year begins, 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.639 who will we tell 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.500 this year 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:24.059 about the good news? 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.980 A co-worker, 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.980 a friend, 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.039 a neighbor? 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:30.139 Who in your life 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.079 needs to know 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.500 that God has come 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.000 in Christ 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.159 to give us His peace 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:35.799 without charge, 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.639 fully of grace? 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:41.460 let's begin praying for them. 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.460 Let's think about 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.040 how we might 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.980 open up 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.520 spiritual conversations 00:28:46.520 --> 00:28:47.100 with them. 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:49.020 And friends, 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.200 do all of this 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.860 with a deep sense 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.980 like Anna 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.000 of joy 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.980 and thanksgiving. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.580 God wants to use you 00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:58.800 to bring this good news 00:28:58.800 --> 00:28:59.680 to those who need it. 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:01.100 What a wonderful privilege 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.640 to be bearers 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.600 of good news. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:06.159 the good news 00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:09.000 that God loves us 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.279 and sent His Son 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.039 to be our peace. 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.719 So the waiting's over, 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.119 friends. 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.659 Christ has come at last, 00:29:16.939 --> 00:29:18.219 but the adventure 00:29:18.219 --> 00:29:19.000 has just begun. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.079 Through His Word, 00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:22.139 He's making us 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.899 more like Jesus. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.519 Through His peace, 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.559 He's giving us courage 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.119 and freedom 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.259 even in the face of death. 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.500 And through His mission, 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.599 He's advancing 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.039 His kingdom 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.680 through us. 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.420 So church, 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.180 may we live 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.319 like Anna 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.180 and Simeon, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.119 like Joseph 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.799 and Mary, 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.440 who when the wait 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.940 was over 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.899 had their course set 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:43.000 by the arrival 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.619 of their King. 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:44.839 Amen? 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:45.839 Amen. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.420 Let's pray. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.259 God, 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.839 we thank You 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:53.839 for the many pictures 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.639 that You've preserved 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.159 for us 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.799 from this history 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.299 of the earliest days 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.259 of Jesus our Lord. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.339 and how men and women, 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.539 young and old, 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.220 insiders and outsiders, 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.180 were all gathered 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:07.200 into Your people 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:10.659 and given this great purpose 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:12.399 to live for Your kingdom. 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:15.599 We pray for a fresh pouring out 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.659 of Your Spirit, God, 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.220 upon us 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.399 as this year ends 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.099 and another begins. 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:20.740 Oh Lord, 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.879 make us like Simeon, 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.639 confident in Your peace. 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.119 Make us like Anna, 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.700 excited and thrilled 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.639 to share the news 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.119 of the One 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.819 who has come 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.079 and is coming again. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:31.979 God, 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.419 do all this 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:32.819 for the glory 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.539 of Your great name 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.059 and the upbuilding 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.619 of Your church, 00:30:34.719 --> 00:30:35.059 we pray. 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:35.859 Amen. 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:35.979 Amen. 00:30:35.979 --> 00:30:36.479 Amen. 00:30:36.480 --> 00:31:06.460 Thank you.