WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.220 Jesus. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:07.700 You'll turn in your Bibles to page 857 in the Black Church Bible. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:07.679 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.799 I'll work out that people learn as much by observing models than they learn in the classroom. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:44.880 In fact, people learn more by observing models than they learn in the classroom. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:51.159 That's been my experience, and I suspect it's been yours, and I think it's certainly the 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:52.320 teaching in the New Testament. 00:00:54.019 --> 00:00:58.600 For those of you who are parents, where did you learn about parenting? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.180 For those of you who are married, where did you learn about marriage? 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:09.599 In your job, where did you learn to do it? 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.319 In preaching, it's certainly the case, isn't it? 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:18.640 That you learn more from models than you do from the classroom. 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:22.719 You've seen people who've done it well, and you've got to learn often their voice sounds 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:23.859 the same, isn't it? 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:29.480 There's a generation of Welsh preachers that were trained under Barbara's husband, Geoff 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:35.060 Thomas, and they all speak like this with big hands, and they wave like windmills. 00:01:35.960 --> 00:01:39.439 And you observe the model, and you seek to emulate the model, don't you? 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:47.219 And I want to say to you this morning that we learn far more from observing models than 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:49.540 we do by listening to all the theories of education. 00:01:49.540 --> 00:01:54.560 It's why reading Christian biographies is so really vital and important. 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:01.920 It's why finding people in this congregation who you can look to, and they can be your model, 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:04.100 is so vital. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.240 And Luke understands this. 00:02:07.940 --> 00:02:09.659 Let's just look at his purpose. 00:02:09.920 --> 00:02:11.540 Come back with me to the start of his gospel. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:13.759 You'll see why he's writing. 00:02:14.919 --> 00:02:17.599 He's writing for his patron, the man who supports him. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:21.199 A man who's called Theophilus, that's his name. 00:02:22.859 --> 00:02:24.719 And he says, well let me read you one more, it's fine. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:29.519 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative, a report of the things that have 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:32.439 been accomplished among us, have been fulfilled among us. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:36.560 What has happened in Jesus is a fulfilment. 00:02:38.079 --> 00:02:42.500 Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers, servants of the 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:44.219 word, delivered them to us. 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:48.659 That is, my source is eyewitnesses. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:54.419 And so therefore it seemed good to me, also having followed all these things closely for 00:02:54.419 --> 00:02:59.280 some time past, to write an orderly account for you. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:01.379 Most excellent Theophilus. 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:07.500 Do you see, my research method is, Luke says, I want you to know that I investigated very 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:12.039 carefully in order that I can write down an orderly account for you. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:15.500 I didn't just sit down one day and think, oh, what do I remember about the Lord Jesus? 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:16.359 Let me write it down. 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:24.199 Now look at the first verse, that you may have certainty concerning the things which you've 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:24.579 been taught. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:32.000 In the original it is this, that you may know the things which you've been taught, certainty. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.079 The last word in which Luke uses in verse 4 is the word certainty. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:46.680 Because he wants Theophilus' patron, the man who's supporting him, above all things, in 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:52.020 this orderly account, this eyewitnesses sources that he's researching. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:55.180 He wants Theophilus to be certain, to back his life on it. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:55.719 Certain of what? 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:01.379 Well, Luke proceeds to give us the fullest account of Jesus coming into the world. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:04.199 So look at chapter 1, verse 8. 00:04:05.539 --> 00:04:06.960 Here's the coming of John the Baptist. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.000 He's the forerunner. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:10.579 He's the one that goes before the Lord Jesus. 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:15.919 The angel speaks to Zechariah and tells him that his angel, his aged wife, Elizabeth, 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:17.319 is about to give birth to a son. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:18.199 Verse 18. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:20.759 Zechariah said to the angel, how do I know this? 00:04:21.479 --> 00:04:24.039 If I'm an old man, my wife is advanced in years. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:29.740 And so sure enough, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, the wife of Zechariah, 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:31.500 she becomes pregnant in her old age. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:36.519 And in her sixth month of pregnancy, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:37.259 Look at verse 31. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:41.180 Verse 31. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:45.699 And the angel says, behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:47.419 and you shall call his name Jesus. 00:04:50.039 --> 00:04:52.959 And he will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.339 And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 00:04:56.419 --> 00:04:58.740 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and ever and ever. 00:05:00.479 --> 00:05:01.779 And Mary said, well, how will this be? 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:02.560 Because I'm a virgin. 00:05:02.719 --> 00:05:04.759 The angel answered, the Holy Spirit will come upon you. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:07.500 And the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:11.379 Therefore the child will be born to you and be called Holy, the Son of God. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:15.519 In the Creed, already this morning, we confessed together, haven't we, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:22.120 that Jesus is both of Mary and of God. 00:05:23.159 --> 00:05:28.019 Early Christian, David Ignatius said that he was both made, that is, of Mary, 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:31.159 and he is not made, that is, of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:34.980 Both of Mary and of God. 00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:39.280 And Matthew and Luke both account the virgin birth. 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:46.040 Matthew and Mark, on the other hand, report that he is not the son of Joseph, 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:47.500 but he is the son of Mary. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:53.940 The Bible is very clear that it wants to say to you that Jesus Christ is truly human. 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:59.079 But he is truly divine, he is not tainted by sin, he is born of God. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:03.819 And therefore, because he is both fully God and fully man, 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.120 he can bridge the gap between man and God, the God and man, 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:08.439 because he is the God-man. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:09.360 Look at verse 38. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:14.720 And Mary said, behold, I am the servant of the Lord, 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:16.759 let it be to me according to your word. 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:18.660 And the angel departed from her. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:25.240 And I want you to notice the song in 52-53. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:29.000 Mary praises God. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:30.600 In verse 52, she says this, 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:32.800 He's brought down the mighty from their thrones, 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.000 and exalted those of humble estate. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:39.420 He's filled the hungry with good things, 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:41.879 and the rich he sent away empty. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:45.680 And so the birth of this child, who is the son of God, 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:49.080 the birth of this child, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:50.420 in the womb of the Virgin Mary, 00:06:50.760 --> 00:06:53.580 is going to be marked by humility. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:56.520 And if you come to chapter 2, 00:06:56.520 --> 00:06:59.439 you will see that the Lord Jesus is born in Bethlehem. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.019 He's placed in a manger, chapter 2, verse 10. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:06.360 And the angel comes and announces the birth to shepherds. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:09.120 Shepherds, we learned last week from Chris Humphrey, 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:10.779 that the lowliest of society, 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:13.860 they literally have no name. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.000 There's no names of the shepherds. 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.360 They are lowly people. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:20.159 You don't worry too much about shepherds. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:21.240 They were not people of status. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:23.120 So chapter 2, verse 10, 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:25.519 the angel said to them, 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:28.259 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:29.779 and it would be for all the people. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:31.920 Chapter 2, verse 20, 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:35.019 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.779 for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:41.519 Augustine said this famously to me, 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:44.779 Without ceasing to be what he eternally was, 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:47.920 he became what he eternally was not. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:51.240 God became flesh. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:55.400 Luke says, I want you to have absolute, rock-solid certainty. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:58.379 Now let's follow what happened to Jesus. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.780 He's circumcised on the eighth day. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:03.939 On the fortieth day, he's brought for presentation. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:06.220 Verse 21, I seduce them. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:08.580 The visit is timed by the law. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.280 It's not random. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.420 Circumcision on the eighth day, 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:13.819 They say that's the day 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:15.620 that vitamin K, 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:17.580 the blood-clotting agent, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:18.740 is at its maximum. 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:20.759 So it's a good day for circumcision. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.020 Forty days later, he's presented at the temple. 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:25.819 There's nothing haphazard, 00:08:25.900 --> 00:08:26.480 nothing random. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:29.600 The time table has been set down by God's law, 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.400 and this is no chance encounter. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:33.600 And he goes to Jerusalem, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.500 verse 25, 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:36.560 and he meets Simeon. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:39.159 Now there's a man in Jerusalem 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.159 whose name was Simeon. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.839 And this man was righteous 00:08:42.839 --> 00:08:44.399 and devout, 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:48.079 waiting for the consolation, 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.219 the comfort of Israel, 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:51.159 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:53.319 And then it had been revealed to him 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:54.000 by the Holy Spirit 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.559 that he would not see death 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:58.039 before he'd seen the Lord's Christ. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:02.159 So Simeon is getting on in years, 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:04.500 but he had a conviction 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:05.779 that he will not die 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.819 until he'd seen the Christ of God, 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:09.260 the anointed ruler of God. 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:10.960 And he sees him. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.540 Verse 29. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.320 Lord, you are letting 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.240 your servant depart in peace 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.500 according to your word. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:21.180 Why? 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.500 Because my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.860 He's seen Christ Jesus, 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:28.960 the Son of Mary, 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:29.800 the Son of God, 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:31.560 the second person of the Trinity, 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:32.820 forty days old. 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:33.920 I've seen it. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.819 I've seen him. 00:09:37.479 --> 00:09:38.479 But I want you to notice 00:09:38.479 --> 00:09:39.599 that people were divided 00:09:39.599 --> 00:09:40.399 in their response 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:41.139 to the Lord Jesus. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:42.179 Look at verse 34. 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:44.879 Simeon blessed them 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.819 and said to Mary his mother, 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:46.979 Behold, this trial is appointed 00:09:46.979 --> 00:09:47.939 for the fall 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:49.419 and for the rising of many 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.000 in Israel, 00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:52.500 for a sign that is opposed. 00:09:53.979 --> 00:09:55.659 And a sword will pierce 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:57.079 your own soul also. 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:01.740 Mary, you'll see him suffering. 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:04.419 He will bring about division. 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:06.720 There will be those 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.320 that rise up and greet him. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:08.879 There will be those 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.039 that fall at him 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:12.159 because they won't recognize him. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.060 There will be those 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.360 that follow him. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.019 There will be those 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:16.720 that recognize him 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:17.419 and those that don't. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:19.240 And a sword is going to 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.000 pierce your heart. 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:23.539 There will be those 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:24.320 who Christianity, 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:26.320 they will not even give him 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:27.259 a second thought. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.220 They'll think he's unimportant. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:32.920 And there will be those 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:33.680 for whom Christianity 00:10:33.680 --> 00:10:35.860 is of infinite importance. 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:38.480 C.S. Lewis said, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.620 The only thing that 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:41.139 Christianity cannot be 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.100 is moderately important. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.639 There will be those 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.460 for whom Christianity 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.759 is utterly irrelevant 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:47.480 and unimportant. 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.700 And there will be those 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:50.399 for whom it is 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.300 infinitely important. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:54.139 Now notice a prophet. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.540 An old man. 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:59.379 A six week old 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.759 fragile little baby boy. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:04.039 There's another prophet there. 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:05.659 A prophetess. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.360 Her name is Anna. 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:07.099 Who's 36. 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:09.279 And notice that Anna 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.500 is the daughter of 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.679 Fanuel of the tribe of Asher. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.980 She is very old. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:17.339 I know that when you're 23, 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.360 everyone seems very old, 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:20.759 don't they? 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:23.079 Maybe you're young. 00:11:23.719 --> 00:11:24.939 You're a teenager here 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:26.040 this morning. 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:27.400 And 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:29.800 you're mid-twenties. 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:31.280 She was very, very old. 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:34.880 But we notice she was 84. 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:36.560 She's been widowed 00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:37.720 after seven years of marriage. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.400 And she was so devoted 00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:40.640 that she virtually lived 00:11:40.640 --> 00:11:41.220 at the temple. 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:43.960 And she gave thanks to God 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.840 and she praised God 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:45.380 for the child. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:45.940 Look at verse 38. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:46.060 Look at verse 38. 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.260 And coming up 00:11:50.260 --> 00:11:51.080 at that very hour, 00:11:51.260 --> 00:11:52.500 she began to give thanks to God 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.720 to speak of him 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:55.200 to all who were waiting 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.259 for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.120 Now, just notice 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.080 what we've seen this morning 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.120 in the kind of whistle-stop tour. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.059 What have we seen? 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.259 We've seen in Luke's gospel 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.360 that the gospel, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.659 the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:09.580 comes from the humble. 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:13.919 Look at how Luke gives prominence 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.559 to women. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:16.840 To Elizabeth. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.559 To Mary. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.239 To Anna. 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.379 And it's not as though 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.419 he neglects the agent, 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:25.799 is it? 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.339 The agent Zechariah. 00:12:29.239 --> 00:12:30.359 The agent Elizabeth. 00:12:31.199 --> 00:12:32.099 The agent Anna. 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:33.579 The agent Simeon. 00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:36.059 All of those are involved 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.639 in the coming of the Christ. 00:12:37.859 --> 00:12:38.899 The gospel is going to come. 00:12:38.979 --> 00:12:40.039 The Christ is going to come. 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.619 And he's going to solve 00:12:41.619 --> 00:12:43.419 the greatest problem of humankind. 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:49.339 But he will not do it 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:50.339 in a way that pays 00:12:50.339 --> 00:12:52.099 any concession to our pride. 00:12:53.719 --> 00:12:54.539 He will do it 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.360 in the way of humility. 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:58.000 And the people involved 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.519 will be women and aged people. 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.419 Look at verse 39. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:04.199 And when they performed everything 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:06.679 according to the law of the Lord, 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.419 they returned into Galilee 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:11.279 to their own town of Nazareth. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.679 Absolute obscurity. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.799 And the child grew 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:17.039 and became strong, 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.000 filled with wisdom 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.120 and the favour of God 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.799 was upon him. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.679 So where's my model for living? 00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:24.000 That's my point this morning. 00:13:25.599 --> 00:13:28.000 When I go into the sales this week, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.419 I'm confronted with all the bargains. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:32.979 As I face 2020 00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:35.159 with all my plans 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:37.379 and all my thoughts of getting fit, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.719 who is my model? 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:41.459 Who is my model? 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:44.280 My model is Simeon and Anna. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:48.220 And your model is Simeon and Anna. 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:51.080 They are a pattern for Christian living today. 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:54.100 And I cannot think of anyone in the Bible 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.900 who is more of a pattern for me today, 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.180 living the Christian life. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.720 Today in 2020, 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.060 than Simeon and Anna. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.740 Apart from the Lord Jesus himself. 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.139 Look at them. 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:02.960 Here is our mentor. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.200 Here is our pattern. 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:07.120 This is my pattern for living. 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.240 Simeon and Anna. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.520 Here they are in Jerusalem, 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.640 in the city of God, 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:12.240 living in the shadow of the temple. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:15.879 The huge religious infrastructure 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.320 is in place. 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:18.960 You've the Sadducees 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:20.160 and the Pharisees 00:14:20.160 --> 00:14:21.180 and the Sanhedrin. 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:22.960 And then there are these two little people. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:27.879 I don't know if you've been to the Vatican in Rome. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:30.940 I went when I was about 12 years old. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.780 I was visiting my aunt in Rome. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.780 And at that point, 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:37.100 our church didn't have a building. 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:40.800 It met in a kind of sixth form common room. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:43.460 And what I remember about that room was for you 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:45.840 is that it was very serious, 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.600 that kind of church series. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.860 But there were deaf leopards 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.519 and Iron Maiden posters 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:51.779 all along the walls. 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:55.000 And there was kind of... 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.100 We met in a... 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.740 We met in Forest and Comprehensive 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.899 in Cumberland y Cayule. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.939 That was the name of the place. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.899 It was obscure. 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.740 You kind of went up these steps 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.159 and you went in. 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:07.319 And then we went to Rome 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:08.899 and you visit the Vatican. 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:09.659 If you've ever been there, 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.159 it is magnificent. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.340 It is a multinational corporation. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.980 And it was like I... 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.720 We kind of went to this little corner shop 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.860 church. 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.700 The Vatican was so impressive. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.800 And yet we met in a... 00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:26.259 Dirty, sixth form common room. 00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:27.940 And Simeon and Anzal 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:29.300 must have been overwhelmed by this, 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:29.720 wasn't they? 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.700 All the religious structures in place. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.340 But Jesus is fragile. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.700 Born out of wedlock. 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:42.700 Born in obscure Bethlehem. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.500 Born in a stable. 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.840 He's placed in the animals' feed trough. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:51.860 We were given... 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.700 You know, where's Wally? 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.540 A friend of mine says a book called 00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.779 Find the Dragon. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.460 You know where's Wally? 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.840 And you have these scenes, 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.139 don't you? 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.560 Really, really busy scenes. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:01.860 Really important scenes. 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.480 And you have to find 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.180 either Wally or the dragon. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.840 And you look and you can see everything, 00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:10.080 but you can't see Wally. 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.340 And then once you spot him, 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.180 once you spot him, 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.580 you can't unspot him, can you? 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:19.160 He's so insignificant in the drawing. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.700 But once you see him, 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.060 you can't see, 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.240 that's what this is like here. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.220 It seems so insignificant. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.200 This baby, born out of wedlock, 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.620 born in obscure Bethlehem, 00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:29.720 born in a stable. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.420 He's placed in an animal feeding trough. 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.700 He comes to the Holy City 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:37.440 at six weeks old, barely. 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:39.259 And here's an old man 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.340 who has received a promise. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.120 And here's a woman, 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.460 they're 84 years of age. 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.060 And they're very, very much 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.740 in the minority, 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.159 but they're looking for the Christ. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.060 And the religious hierarchy 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.899 is in place. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.639 The chief priests are meeting. 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.820 The elders are meeting. 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.120 And they all seem to be 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.860 going through the motions. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:58.159 They've got no sense of expectation. 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.840 And so what you have, 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.320 at this point in history, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:03.799 is you have a nation of hope, 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.460 living in hopelessness. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:08.420 And you have a people 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.700 of expectation, 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.600 living without any sense 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.380 of expectation. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.700 And he comes to the world, 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:17.160 but the world doesn't recognize him. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.600 And it does not receive him. 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.440 But Simeon does. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.779 And Anna does. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.960 And they are people of hope, 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:28.259 living with hope, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:30.940 surrounded by a people of hope, 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:32.299 living in hopelessness. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:34.579 And I want to say to you, 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.740 that's exactly our situation. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.960 Next week, 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.220 the business of church life 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.319 will start up, won't it? 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.980 Little stars will start up, 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.099 gloriously, 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.059 on a Monday morning. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.740 We'll move things around. 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.659 And put things out. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.839 And language class 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:55.019 will start up 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.419 on a Wednesday. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.700 And kids clubs 00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:00.059 on Thursday. 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:02.599 and Ealing Lumpstein talks. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.079 And the book tables. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:06.079 And Sunday school. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.460 And presbytery 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.119 will come. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.559 And there will be 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.419 committee meetings 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:11.579 for those of us. 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.319 And discussions 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.179 and decisions 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:14.299 all in place. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.079 But if we're honest, 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.039 little 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:22.200 real expectation 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.259 of the coming of Christ. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.839 People with hope, 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.200 living as if there was no hope. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:32.599 If 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.639 Simeon and Anna 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.419 were here today, 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.679 they'd be quaint. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.819 They'd be oddities. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.419 They'd be oddballs. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.039 Barely 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.539 holding 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.319 onto life. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:42.779 Waiting. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.659 Waiting. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:44.819 Waiting. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.740 But this is 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.679 authentic Christianity. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.119 Authentic 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.759 Christian experience. 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:54.799 We are, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.619 as God's people, 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.139 anticipatory people. 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:58.659 When looking 00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.279 to the future, 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:02.440 God has promised me 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.740 that in life 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.980 I'll have six experiences. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.119 And so far 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:07.779 I've only had two. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.079 I was born 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:12.599 and by His grace 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.559 I was born again. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.500 What are the other four? 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.799 What are the other four experiences 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.259 I will have? 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.599 Death, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.700 resurrection, 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.419 judgment, 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:26.100 and entering into the new heavens 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.720 and the new earth. 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:30.120 So I've had two 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:32.759 and I've got four to count. 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:36.940 Don't you think we should be like Simeon and Anna? 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:37.800 We live in anticipation, 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:40.800 future focused mindset. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.120 Will it be today? 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:43.860 Chapter 2, 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.519 verse 25. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:47.059 Now there was a man in Jerusalem 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.000 whose name was Simeon 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.660 and this man 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.279 was righteous 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.859 and devout 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.440 waiting. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.339 Waiting 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:54.519 for the consolation of Israel 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.160 and the Holy Spirit 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.660 was upon him. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.019 Chapter 2, 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.500 verse 38. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.900 And coming up 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.599 at that very hour 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.339 she began 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.400 to give thanks to God 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.259 and to speak of Him 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.500 to all who were waiting 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.180 for the redemption 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.859 of Jerusalem. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.799 Listen, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.559 if you will, 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.940 to the song of Simeon 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.319 in the Anglican prayer book. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:14.240 Which comes, 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.519 it's in the Anglican service 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.480 of morning 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.679 and evening prayer every week. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.359 Listen to these words. 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.819 Now let your servant 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.859 depart in peace 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:22.019 according to your word. 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.799 For mine eyes 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.899 have seen your salvation 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.839 which ye prepared 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.619 before the face 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.259 of all people 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.980 to be a light 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:29.259 to lighten the Gentiles 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.519 and to the glory 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.659 of your people Israel. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.659 You see, 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.720 Cranmer got it. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.220 Cranmer got it. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.639 That Anna and Simeon 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.159 were to be a constant reminder 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.779 to prayer book Anglicans 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.519 that Simeon is our model 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.900 and that Anna is our model. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.580 That we're looking 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.240 for the day. 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:51.600 It's a weekly reminder. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.480 Do not live 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.680 for the day today 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:55.800 but live for the day 00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:56.640 which is coming. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.040 And allow our hope 00:20:59.040 --> 00:20:59.960 to spur us on. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:03.019 How are we to live 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.400 holy and godly lives 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.360 as we wait for the day? 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.380 How are we to live 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.460 while we wait 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.440 for the blessed hope? 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:11.340 And in the light 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:11.940 of waiting for that 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.400 blessed hope 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.279 Titus says we say 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.279 no to ungodliness. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.840 And we live 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.880 for holy, godly, 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.580 upright lives. 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.580 That is how we're to live. 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:23.200 So here's Charles Simeon. 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.019 Charles Simeon 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.580 was an African rector 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:28.740 in Cambridge. 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.140 And his church 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.380 you can still go and see it 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.279 today. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.840 It's opposite 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.779 King's College Chapel. 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.799 And Charles Simeon 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.420 laboured there 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.960 for the gospel 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.320 for over 50 years. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.740 He endured great opposition. 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.019 But Charles Simeon 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.859 saw many young men 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.480 and women 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.279 become Christians. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.359 And one of those 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.740 young men 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.379 was a young man 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:47.839 by the name of 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.519 Henry Martin. 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.859 And Henry Martin 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:52.240 had a wonderful career 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.799 ahead of him. 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.720 He was a remarkable 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.419 linguist. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.679 But when he came 00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.220 to Christ 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.000 he shaved his back 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.519 and all that. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.000 And he went to India. 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.480 And he went to Iran. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.419 He lived in Iran. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:08.000 modern day Iran. 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.560 And he began 00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:10.500 to translate 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.580 the scriptures 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:13.019 in those countries. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.240 Fluent 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.220 Farsi speaker. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.820 At the age of 31 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.800 Henry Martin 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:19.680 went to Turkey 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.580 but he died. 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.980 At the age of 31. 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.660 Charles Simeon 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.460 his old minister 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.240 his old boss 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:29.759 placed in his drawer 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.680 a portrait 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.420 of Henry Martin. 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.860 And every morning 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.980 one biographer said 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.160 Simeon would walk 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.120 past that portrait 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.799 and stop. 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.099 And he would look 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.740 into the face 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.279 of the painted 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.019 Henry Martin 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.839 and he would say 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.860 be serious. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.740 Be earnest. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.740 Don't trifle. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.120 I won't trifle. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.319 And that's living 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.059 for the day isn't it? 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.740 Be serious. 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.700 Be earnest. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.059 Don't trifle. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.099 Don't trifle. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.059 I won't trifle. 00:22:58.059 --> 00:23:00.419 Simeon and Anna 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.299 expected 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.279 waiters 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.339 for the day. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.200 The first advent 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.700 has come 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.599 with all its fun. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.139 But through it all 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:14.039 the second advent 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.359 is still coming. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.279 I don't want you 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.700 to know the story 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.839 of Bishop Frank Retief. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.119 He was a minister 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.700 in Cape Town 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.720 in 1993. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.819 Four men 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.579 broke into 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:28.000 his church 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.180 in the evening service. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.299 They took out 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.440 automatic weapons 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.559 and they killed 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.360 11 members 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.019 of the congregation. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.039 There were 58 people 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.660 in that church 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.100 wounded 00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:38.660 as a result 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.200 of the breaking. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.799 And as a result 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.039 of that 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.799 Frank Retief said 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.400 I formulated 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.440 my five minute rule. 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.500 And my five minute rule 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:46.980 is this 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.160 whatever is causing 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.000 me anxiety 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.779 and worry 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.519 right now 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.240 imagine I was 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.759 to die 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.579 and go to heaven 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.379 in five minutes 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.160 or the Lord Jesus 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.839 was to come back 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.440 in five minutes. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.519 How does the issue 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.619 look in the light 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.799 of my five minutes 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.460 till my death 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.940 or the coming 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.599 of the Lord Jesus? 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.559 Think about this week. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.319 What have you got 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.000 stressed with? 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.579 What have we got 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.740 anxious about? 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.319 What have we lost it 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.000 with the children 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.319 over? 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.019 How does that look 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.480 in the light 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.359 of the five minute rule? 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:22.740 Frank Retief 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.839 said 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.379 he formulated 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:25.419 the five minute rule 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.599 not to live 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.219 for now 00:24:27.219 --> 00:24:28.039 but to live 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.500 in the light 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.139 of the imminence 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.719 of eternity. 00:24:31.459 --> 00:24:31.899 And that is how 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.839 Simeon and Anna lived. 00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:33.599 They had a promise. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.439 Anna was looking 00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:35.079 every day 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.339 84 years of age 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:38.439 but she did not 00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:39.139 lose that sense 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.740 of expectation. 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.339 What about you? 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.799 Will you and I 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.959 as we move into 2020 00:24:44.959 --> 00:24:45.779 will we live 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.699 by the five minute rule? 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.339 He is coming 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.079 and it could be 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.719 at any moment. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:52.059 And how does that 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.679 which causes 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:55.000 myself 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.399 and you 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.479 so much anxiety 00:24:56.479 --> 00:24:57.099 how does that 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.879 look 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:59.339 in the light 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.119 of his return? 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:04.799 Simeon and Anna 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.839 are examples 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.699 are models 00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:10.759 are patterns 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.659 are mentors 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.500 be serious 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:15.599 be honest 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.479 don't trifle 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.759 I won't trifle 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:22.140 let's pray 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:23.320 but I will 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:23.320 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:25.660 as far as 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:25.860 as 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:25.860 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:25.860 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:25.860 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:25.860 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:25.860 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.740 as 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:26.960 as 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.800 as 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:27.800 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:27.800 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:27.960 as 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:27.960