WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.240
 Thank you, men.

00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:06.780
 Well, as Matthew takes a little bit of time off,

00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:14.439
 word on the street is he's coming up to a big responsibility soon.

00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:19.179
 So he's taking a little bit of time off and seeing family.

00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:22.140
 And because we are Presbyterian,

00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:28.500
 we believe that we're all ordained men who can bring the word of God.

00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:32.439
 So it fell to me this morning.

00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:41.000
 So I have a question for you this morning.

00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:43.120
 What did you get for Christmas?

00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:47.560
 Was it something good?

00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:52.460
 Was it something that you're really planning on enjoying?

00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.379
 Or is it something that you just can't wait to re-gift?

00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:01.079
 And as I was thinking about this,

00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:04.099
 this will kind of give you a little bit of an insight into my brain

00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:06.439
 and how I work, and y'all can pray for my wife.

00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:11.480
 As I was thinking about gifts and good gifts,

00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:14.480
 I started thinking about exercise equipment.

00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.740
 And one of the reasons that I started thinking about exercise equipment

00:01:18.739 --> 00:01:23.759
 is I've never been to a Goodwill or to a used sports store

00:01:23.759 --> 00:01:30.780
 that didn't have a plethora of used treadmills, elliptical machines.

00:01:31.619 --> 00:01:34.199
 And I just happened to be watching TV,

00:01:34.339 --> 00:01:37.560
 and I saw this commercial for this exercise bike.

00:01:37.759 --> 00:01:40.399
 And this woman goes into the storeroom

00:01:40.399 --> 00:01:43.879
 and sees the exercise bike that her husband has bought for her.

00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:46.939
 And she starts sneaking around behind his back

00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:49.039
 to go use it before Christmas morning.

00:01:49.239 --> 00:01:52.299
 And at one point, wakes up at 2 o'clock in the morning,

00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:54.079
 puts on her exercise clothes,

00:01:54.899 --> 00:01:57.119
 runs out, exercises on it,

00:01:57.199 --> 00:01:58.619
 and then comes and gets back in bed.

00:01:58.699 --> 00:02:01.259
 And on Christmas morning is just so surprised

00:02:01.259 --> 00:02:03.599
 that she has gotten this exercise bike.

00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:11.419
 So I don't understand if that's the case for these exercise bikes,

00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:15.699
 why do so many of them end up at Goodwill,

00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:20.139
 used sports stores, in basements holding hanging clothes.

00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:21.159
 Don't raise your hands.

00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:26.740
 What is it about a good gift

00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:29.799
 that we love on Christmas morning,

00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:35.060
 but by February is holding boxes in dirty clothes?

00:02:37.660 --> 00:02:39.200
 Our passage this morning,

00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:40.460
 and it is from the New Testament,

00:02:40.580 --> 00:02:41.439
 not the Old Testament,

00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:44.820
 is Luke chapter 2,

00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:48.260
 verses 22 through 38.

00:02:49.380 --> 00:02:53.300
 So turn in or turn on your Bible

00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:54.580
 and follow along with me

00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:58.720
 or follow in your worship guide.

00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:01.139
 This is Luke chapter 2,

00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:03.259
 verses 22 through 38.

00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:07.000
 And when the time came for their purification,

00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:08.819
 according to the law of Moses,

00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:11.620
 they brought him up to Jerusalem

00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:13.740
 to present him to the Lord,

00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:16.479
 as it is written in the law of the Lord,

00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:19.460
 every male who opens the womb

00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:21.599
 shall be called holy to the Lord.

00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:23.879
 And to offer a sacrifice,

00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:25.680
 according to what it is said

00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:27.579
 in the law of the Lord,

00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:29.540
 a pair of turtle doves,

00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:30.980
 or two young pigeons.

00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:33.620
 Now there was a man in Jerusalem

00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:35.040
 whose name was Simeon.

00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.520
 And this man was righteous and devout,

00:03:39.200 --> 00:03:41.340
 waiting for the consolation of Israel.

00:03:41.880 --> 00:03:43.740
 And the Holy Spirit was upon him.

00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:46.040
 And it had been revealed to him

00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:47.060
 by the Holy Spirit

00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:49.120
 that he would not see death

00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:52.180
 before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:54.760
 And he came in the Spirit

00:03:54.760 --> 00:03:55.760
 into the temple.

00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:59.420
 And when the parents brought in the child Jesus

00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:00.500
 to do for him,

00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:02.680
 according to the custom of the law,

00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:05.200
 he took him up in his arms

00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:09.840
 and blessed God and said,

00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:13.439
 Lord, now you are letting your servant

00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:14.680
 depart in peace,

00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:16.139
 according to your word.

00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:19.180
 For my eyes have seen your salvation

00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:20.980
 that you have prepared

00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:23.300
 in the presence of all peoples,

00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.500
 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:29.600
 and for glory to your people Israel.

00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:31.340
 Verse 33.

00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.259
 And his father and mother marveled

00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:36.139
 at what was said about him.

00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:38.219
 And Simeon blessed them

00:04:38.219 --> 00:04:39.659
 and said to Mary his mother,

00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:42.500
 Behold, this child is appointed

00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.779
 for the fall and rising

00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:46.159
 of many in Israel

00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:49.159
 and for a sign that is to be opposed.

00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:53.740
 And a sword will pierce your own soul also,

00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:56.800
 so that thoughts from many hearts

00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:57.839
 may be revealed.

00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:01.139
 And there was a prophetess, Anna,

00:05:01.719 --> 00:05:02.860
 the daughter of Phanuel,

00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:04.599
 of the tribe of Asher.

00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:06.960
 She was advanced in years,

00:05:07.080 --> 00:05:08.260
 having lived with her husband

00:05:08.260 --> 00:05:10.420
 seven years from when she was a virgin

00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:13.379
 and then as a widow until she was 84.

00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:16.320
 She did not depart from the temple,

00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:19.200
 worshiping with fasting and prayer

00:05:19.200 --> 00:05:20.140
 night and day.

00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.140
 And coming up at that very hour,

00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:25.560
 she began to give thanks to God

00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:27.020
 and to all.

00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:29.980
 Father, we thank you for the gift of your word

00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:32.260
 as we study it corporately this morning.

00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:34.819
 I pray that you would remove me

00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:35.719
 from the equation

00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:37.680
 so that as we read and study,

00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:39.599
 the only thing that we see

00:05:39.599 --> 00:05:41.279
 is your son, Jesus Christ,

00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:43.560
 revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.

00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:45.639
 Father, open our hearts

00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:47.199
 and renew our minds this morning

00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:49.360
 as we read and study your word.

00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:50.259
 Amen.

00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:54.180
 So we see three different responses

00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:57.019
 to Jesus' appearance at the temple.

00:05:57.019 --> 00:06:02.779
 We see Mary and Joseph's devotion to the law.

00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:05.519
 We see Simeon's reaction

00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:10.180
 as he is waiting for the consolation of Israel.

00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:15.779
 And we're presented with Anna's overflowing praise.

00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:19.319
 So if you're keeping score,

00:06:19.479 --> 00:06:20.739
 we're going to look at

00:06:20.739 --> 00:06:22.699
 Jesus and Mary's piety,

00:06:24.039 --> 00:06:25.899
 Simeon's prophecy,

00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:28.719
 and Anna's praise.

00:06:29.619 --> 00:06:31.119
 So first let's look at

00:06:31.119 --> 00:06:32.919
 Mary and Joseph's piety.

00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:37.459
 Mary and Joseph were indeed richly blessed.

00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:42.119
 And it is vital that we understand

00:06:42.119 --> 00:06:45.699
 their devotion to the law of God.

00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:47.659
 And how it fits.

00:06:48.179 --> 00:06:50.000
 Because if you get this wrong,

00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:53.959
 you end up on a treadmill headed for hell.

00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:57.199
 And some of you may think that's hyperbole,

00:06:57.599 --> 00:06:58.519
 but it's not.

00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:01.759
 We have to understand this rightly.

00:07:02.739 --> 00:07:04.859
 When you look at verse 22,

00:07:05.979 --> 00:07:09.319
 Mary and Joseph brought up to Jerusalem

00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:12.839
 according to the law of Moses.

00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:14.299
 Verse 24,

00:07:14.979 --> 00:07:18.019
 they were obedient to the law of the Lord.

00:07:18.179 --> 00:07:19.279
 Verse 39,

00:07:19.619 --> 00:07:21.099
 which is outside of our reading.

00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:23.099
 They did not depart

00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:25.939
 until they had completed everything

00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:28.239
 according to the law.

00:07:28.799 --> 00:07:29.799
 Their obedience

00:07:29.799 --> 00:07:32.859
 looks a lot like the Pharisees.

00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:35.120
 But it's different.

00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:38.860
 And the difference is,

00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:41.079
 Mary and Joseph's obedience

00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:43.699
 is rooted in humility

00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:45.280
 and in gratitude.

00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:48.500
 We know this because

00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:51.060
 if you flip back to the previous chapter

00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:53.220
 in what's called The Magnificent,

00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:54.560
 when Mary prays,

00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:55.680
 she says,

00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:57.939
 verse 46 through 49,

00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:02.199
 My soul magnifies the Lord

00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:06.500
 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:11.779
 For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:13.199
 For behold,

00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.360
 from now on all generations will call me blessed.

00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:20.800
 For he who is mighty has done great things for me

00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:23.860
 and holy is his name.

00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:27.300
 These are not the words of someone

00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.780
 who is trying to be obedient

00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:30.580
 to earn something from God.

00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:32.200
 You see,

00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:35.259
 the Pharisees had taken the Ten Commandments

00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:37.580
 and they had set them up

00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:41.899
 to ensure that no one ever broke them.

00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.539
 And then they went a step further

00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:45.060
 and they said,

00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:48.360
 we need rules around the Ten Commandments

00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.399
 to make sure that we don't break the Ten Commandments.

00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:53.759
 So, for example,

00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:56.860
 you shall not work on the Sabbath.

00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:58.120
 That became,

00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:01.799
 you cannot wear shoes that have nails in them

00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:04.399
 because if you are walking with shoes

00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.559
 with nails in them,

00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:06.459
 you're carrying nails

00:09:06.459 --> 00:09:07.419
 and that's doing work.

00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:11.779
 If you spit on the ground on the Sabbath,

00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:14.860
 normally common courtesy is you cover it up,

00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:16.360
 but you can't do that on the Sabbath

00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:18.059
 because you would be moving dirt

00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:20.399
 and that would be tantamount to plowing

00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:22.100
 on the Sabbath.

00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.079
 But wait,

00:09:24.319 --> 00:09:27.439
 there's 613 do's and do not's

00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:28.679
 in the Old Testament.

00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:31.399
 That's more rules.

00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:34.679
 Let's set up some rules around them.

00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:38.500
 So now you have so many rules,

00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:42.120
 you have to have one thing more

00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.919
 because nobody can track all these rules.

00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:46.399
 You need referees

00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:48.059
 that you can go ask.

00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:50.079
 If you're about to break one of these rules,

00:09:50.739 --> 00:09:52.019
 whether or not it's okay.

00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:56.619
 And we're going to call these referees lawyers.

00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:00.500
 And that way you can go and ask a lawyer.

00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:04.179
 And what they did was they created

00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:10.340
 a system where people just went around

00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.639
 and looked for loopholes.

00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.480
 How do I get around this?

00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.379
 So the majority of the questions to the lawyers were,

00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:18.179
 how do I get around this?

00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.559
 How do I get past this?

00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:23.099
 It reminds me of W.C. Fields

00:10:23.099 --> 00:10:27.459
 was an actor in the old-timey Hollywood

00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:28.799
 in black and white films

00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:31.119
 and he led a life of great excess.

00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.539
 And at the end of his life,

00:10:32.619 --> 00:10:35.019
 one of his friends saw him in the garden

00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:37.219
 reading his Bible.

00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:39.079
 And the friend said to him,

00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:40.680
 what are you doing?

00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:42.920
 And his response was,

00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.320
 I'm looking for loopholes.

00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:49.220
 A modern example of this

00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:53.080
 is a man by the name of Smokey Yunk.

00:10:54.020 --> 00:10:56.879
 Now, many of us have never heard of this man,

00:10:57.040 --> 00:10:59.060
 but during the 60s,

00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:02.360
 he was the leading crew chief in NASCAR.

00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:07.360
 And the NASCAR officials hated Smokey

00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:10.440
 because his cars would go so much further

00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:12.399
 than anybody else's cars.

00:11:13.180 --> 00:11:16.360
 And they would test his cars

00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:19.419
 and they would fill them up with fuel

00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:22.100
 and they would hold exactly the right amount of fuel.

00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.659
 Well, the reason is because Smokey would

00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:28.680
 inflate basketballs in the gas tank.

00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:33.099
 And that way they would hold the exact amount of gas

00:11:33.099 --> 00:11:35.519
 and then he would deflate the basketballs

00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.779
 and pour more gas into them.

00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:39.559
 So they wrote a rule called the Smokey Rule

00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:43.539
 that you could not have anything else in the gas tank.

00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:47.539
 But his cars were still going so much further

00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.519
 than everybody else's cars.

00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:53.419
 So they wanted to inspect the car.

00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:54.599
 They brought it in.

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.199
 They removed the gas tank.

00:11:57.200 --> 00:12:00.220
 And in my favorite Smokey story,

00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:03.400
 Smokey gets in and starts up the car

00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:06.400
 and drives off even though it has no gas tank.

00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:09.620
 Because Smokey had discovered

00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:13.960
 if you put enough fuel line from the gas tank to the engine,

00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:16.700
 you could hold an extra five gallons of fuel.

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:20.960
 He was so prolific

00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:25.240
 at working around and finding loopholes

00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:28.779
 if you drove to church this morning,

00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:32.659
 there is a good chance you used one of his loopholes.

00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:37.539
 He had 12 patents when he finally retired from NASCAR.

00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:41.799
 I tell you this because

00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:46.039
 this is how the Pharisees thought

00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:48.720
 about the law of God,

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.539
 not the rules of NASCAR.

00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:52.620
 How do we get around?

00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:59.079
 Mary and Joseph were humble.

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:04.279
 The Pharisees prayed to be admired.

00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.500
 This is the difference.

00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:10.379
 You see, if you are trying to manipulate God through obedience

00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:12.840
 to get better kids,

00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.340
 a better marriage,

00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.700
 a better job.

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:21.419
 What do you do when the wheels come off?

00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:24.360
 And the wheels will come off

00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:27.899
 because we live in a fallen world.

00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:31.159
 Some false prophets will say,

00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:33.399
 well, you just need to do more.

00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.059
 You just need to give more.

00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.700
 You just need to sacrifice more.

00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:43.320
 That is a lie from the pit of hell.

00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:48.180
 You can't sacrifice enough

00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:50.040
 to earn God's favor.

00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:52.180
 What are you going to give God

00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:54.360
 that He doesn't already have?

00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:57.560
 What are you going to do for God

00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:59.820
 that He can't do for Himself?

00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.580
 Joseph and Mary were pious.

00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:10.620
 And they were devoted to the law.

00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:13.940
 But it was not to earn God's favor.

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.980
 It was because what God had already done for them.

00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.540
 C.S. Lewis says it this way,

00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:25.780
 and he has a way of saying things

00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:27.200
 very clearly and succinctly.

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:31.400
 God does not love you because you are good.

00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:36.740
 God makes you good because He loves you.

00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:39.480
 You understand the distinctive there?

00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.919
 They followed God's law

00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:46.259
 because God's word said to.

00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.659
 And He is a loving Father

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:50.699
 who wants what's best for them.

00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.860
 God's love for you.

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:51.940
 God's love for you.

00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.720
 God's love for you.

00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.080
 God's love for you.

00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:55.620
 So that's Mary and Joseph's piety.

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.280
 Simeon's prophecy

00:14:58.280 --> 00:15:01.280
 is the next thing I'd like to look at.

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:06.000
 We're told that He was a man of Jerusalem,

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:08.699
 that He was righteous,

00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.740
 that He was devout.

00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:14.100
 We're also told that He was waiting

00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.199
 on the consolation of Israel.

00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.600
 Or another way of saying this,

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:22.179
 He was looking for the salvation of Israel.

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:27.859
 I think sometimes when we picture this scene

00:15:27.859 --> 00:15:30.719
 of Simeon waiting for Mary and Joseph,

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:33.359
 we tend to think these are the only two people

00:15:33.359 --> 00:15:34.120
 in the temple.

00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:36.359
 And that's not accurate.

00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.099
 I think a better way to think of it

00:15:39.099 --> 00:15:41.239
 is a busy market,

00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:43.919
 or even better, a mall at Christmas.

00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.379
 And there's no crowd control devices.

00:15:46.599 --> 00:15:48.639
 People are just a sea of humanity

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.279
 going back and forth and back and forth.

00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:56.559
 And Simeon, over years of waiting,

00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:59.279
 has a good vantage point.

00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:01.139
 And he's watching.

00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.699
 And the Holy Spirit,

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:06.240
 the third member of the Trinity,

00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:06.939
 has said,

00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:09.279
 Simeon, today's the day.

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:11.379
 Something good is going to happen.

00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:14.720
 You're going to see the second member of the Trinity.

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.939
 The salvation of Israel.

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:20.519
 So Simeon, at a good vantage point,

00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.539
 head on a swivel,

00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:24.360
 looking back and forth across the crowd

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.019
 and looking around

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.500
 and waiting

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:30.139
 as he's waited for so long.

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.120
 And finally,

00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.980
 he sees Mary and Joseph.

00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:38.139
 Joseph more than likely

00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:40.019
 has now secured the two birds

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.059
 and he's clutching them.

00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.639
 Because if they get away,

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.840
 he's got to go buy more

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:45.100
 and he doesn't have enough money

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.360
 for more birds.

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:49.000
 Mary is clutching Jesus.

00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:52.340
 And Simeon is making his way

00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.340
 through the crowd.

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.460
 The sea of humanity.

00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.360
 And he approaches Mary

00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:00.340
 and probably just holds out his hands.

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.920
 And Mary,

00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:08.700
 Joseph, unable to let the birds go,

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.500
 really can't step in front and say no.

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:12.019
 Mary now seeing,

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:15.960
 she's seen the shepherds appear.

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.759
 She's had Gabriel come in.

00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.720
 She's just,

00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.359
 just miraculous things are happening.

00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:26.299
 And she just hands Simeon her baby.

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.420
 And Simeon,

00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:31.000
 what does Simeon do?

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.140
 He says,

00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:35.200
 now I can die.

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.880
 Now I can go.

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.480
 Old Testament prophets have been,

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.799
 this is not the first Old Testament prophet

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.740
 to ask to die.

00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.100
 Elijah asked to die

00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:49.120
 because he wanted to escape his pursuers.

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.799
 Moses wanted to die

00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:52.860
 because he wanted to escape his responsibilities.

00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:55.259
 Simeon is the first one that says,

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.900
 I have seen the salvation of Israel.

00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.160
 I can go now.

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.160
 I am complete.

00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.380
 I am full.

00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:06.620
 And then,

00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.640
 he sings.

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.780
 As Matthew told us last week,

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:15.000
 singing is the thing that,

00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:17.540
 the one thing that connects your heart

00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.960
 and your head

00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.340
 and your soul.

00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.040
 And Simeon sings

00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:25.680
 and praises the Lord with these words,

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.480
 Lord,

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:30.340
 now you are letting your servant depart in peace

00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:31.760
 according to your word.

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:34.940
 For my eyes have seen your salvation

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.740
 that you have prepared

00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.859
 in the presence of all peoples

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:41.059
 a light for the revelation

00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:43.220
 to the Gentiles

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.519
 and for glory

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:46.460
 to your people Israel.

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:49.240
 Now this is a radical song.

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.420
 I mean,

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.379
 if this had been playing over the loudspeakers

00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.960
 at the temple,

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.940
 it would have been banned.

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.819
 And that's the reason why we know

00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.779
 it's from the Holy Spirit.

00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:00.379
 This is not something that he picked up

00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.480
 at the temple.

00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:04.500
 Salvation was for the Jews,

00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:07.240
 not the Gentiles.

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:13.140
 He then turns and prophesies to Mary.

00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:15.500
 We're told in verse 33

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.560
 that Mary marveled

00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:18.560
 at these words.

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:22.880
 Mary has been witnessing miraculous event

00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.340
 after miraculous event.

00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:28.319
 And when she recounts these words

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:30.959
 to the beloved Dr. Luke,

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:33.399
 who is writing this down for us,

00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:40.299
 she recalls these words,

00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.039
 Behold,

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.899
 this child is appointed

00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:44.480
 for the fall and rising

00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.619
 of many in Israel

00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:48.740
 and for a sign that is opposed.

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:52.120
 A sword will pierce through

00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:54.279
 your own soul also,

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.859
 so that thoughts from many hearts

00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.779
 may be revealed.

00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.059
 Simeon tells her

00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.400
 that not only is your son

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.859
 going to be opposed,

00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.420
 but some of this opposition

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:07.140
 is going to spill over

00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.759
 onto you.

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.799
 Simeon's prophecy

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.980
 is as true today

00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.900
 as it was

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.299
 when Simeon uttered it.

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:18.339
 As I drive around

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.359
 Colorado Springs,

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.500
 I see lots of the little fishes

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:23.399
 on the back of cars.

00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.859
 I also see

00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:27.220
 the little fish

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.579
 with the feet

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.480
 coming out of it

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.419
 with Darwin written

00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.279
 in the middle of it.

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.700
 I've seen the little fish

00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:35.379
 taken away on UFOs.

00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:37.879
 I saw one fish

00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.639
 in the mouth

00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:40.339
 of a Tyrannosaurus Rex

00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.279
 with Evolution

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.700
 written on the side of it.

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:45.539
 I don't see

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.799
 the Muslim

00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.500
 or the Islamic scales

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.960
 treated that way.

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.120
 It's because

00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.460
 Simeon's prophecy is

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:57.460
 Christ will be opposed,

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.000
 not Muhammad.

00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.759
 And if you don't think

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:04.039
 that Christ is oppressed

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.059
 even today,

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.819
 please see me

00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.500
 after the sermon

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.580
 so I can inform you

00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.340
 of what's going on

00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:08.799
 in China.

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:11.960
 Christ is opposed

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.819
 even today.

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.619
 And as Mary

00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.539
 is thinking

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:19.220
 as she's telling Luke

00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.180
 and Luke is writing

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.919
 this down

00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:23.579
 and she's remembering

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.700
 these words

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.619
 that Simeon

00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.419
 has told her

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.419
 about how Christ

00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:28.599
 is going to be opposed

00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:31.359
 and it's even

00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.019
 going to pierce

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.799
 her soul.

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:35.119
 At the time

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.839
 it would have been

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.659
 like taking

00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.720
 your infant child

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.360
 to the doctor

00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:38.900
 and the doctor

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.259
 saying,

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:39.920
 yes,

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.059
 there's something wrong.

00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.360
 We'll just have

00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.500
 to wait and see.

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.019
 And the anxiety

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.180
 that that carries

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.860
 with it.

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.480
 But don't you think

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.779
 as she is relating

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.000
 this to Luke

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.200
 after the resurrection,

00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.900
 the twinkle in her eye

00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.519
 as she has been comforted

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:05.299
 by her resurrected son,

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.500
 the Savior of the world,

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:09.259
 don't you think

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.259
 that she had

00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.900
 a little bit

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.039
 of a grin

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.660
 as she is recounting

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.460
 this to Luke?

00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.420
 So,

00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.559
 we've looked at

00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.440
 Mary and Joseph's

00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.860
 obedience.

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.360
 We've looked at

00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.900
 Simeon's prophecy

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:31.500
 and his psalm.

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:31.599
 Anna.

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.259
 So,

00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:34.900
 now we turn

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.960
 our attention

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.539
 to the fifth

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.359
 character of this

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.700
 story,

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.259
 Anna.

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.779
 In these three

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.119
 verses,

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.099
 we're told about

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.039
 Anna's lineage.

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.900
 We're told that

00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.660
 she was the daughter

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.299
 of Phanuel,

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.079
 of the tribe

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.799
 of Asher.

00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.599
 We're told that

00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.799
 she was old.

00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.359
 Not that it matters,

00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.440
 but I tend to side

00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:58.960
 with I.H.

00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.960
 Marshall on this

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.759
 that the 84 years

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.600
 means that she

00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.140
 was a widow

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.799
 for 84.

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:07.360
 It's not important

00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.360
 other than

00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.380
 she's between

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:11.059
 84 and 103

00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.319
 years old.

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.720
 She's old.

00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:17.220
 And at this time,

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:20.180
 that's not unheard

00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.660
 of,

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.220
 but not common.

00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.240
 So,

00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.380
 if you and I

00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:24.880
 were walking

00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.579
 down the streets

00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.220
 of Jerusalem

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.920
 and I said

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.539
 the old woman

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.220
 at the temple,

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.500
 more than likely,

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.740
 we both knew

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.200
 who we were

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.819
 talking about.

00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.680
 And you have

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.380
 to ask yourself,

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.100
 why are all

00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.259
 these details

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.839
 in here?

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.960
 And the reason

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.240
 that,

00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.100
 because they don't

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.700
 move the narrative

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.200
 forward,

00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:45.839
 they don't move

00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.620
 the story forward,

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.319
 why are these

00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.100
 details here?

00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.220
 And the answer

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.680
 is,

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.519
 Luke doesn't

00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.279
 want to entertain

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.879
 us,

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.160
 he wants to

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.019
 be accurate

00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.180
 with the

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.740
 information.

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.799
 When you see

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.859
 details like this

00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.319
 in here,

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.680
 it's proof that

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.440
 the Bible is

00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:01.759
 true.

00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:04.920
 So,

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.940
 Anna,

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.940
 confronted with

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.839
 the Christ

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.299
 child,

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.700
 the Savior,

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.980
 the Messiah,

00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.920
 her response

00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:18.099
 is different.

00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.500
 Her response

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.019
 is,

00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.519
 the same

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.779
 response that

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.819
 we all have

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.200
 when we

00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.579
 encounter

00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.759
 something that

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.400
 moves us.

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.700
 We want to

00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.240
 tell people

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.839
 about it.

00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.960
 If you eat

00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.900
 a meal at a

00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.579
 good restaurant

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.019
 downtown,

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.680
 some of us

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.200
 take a picture

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.599
 of it and

00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.039
 post it on

00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.420
 Facebook.

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.660
 If you hear

00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.639
 a song that

00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.480
 just moves you,

00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.279
 you download it

00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:42.920
 and email it

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.379
 to people.

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.539
 When you

00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.500
 take a picture

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.259
 that just

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.119
 excites you,

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.660
 you put it

00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.360
 on Instagram,

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.620
 Anna is

00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.240
 not any

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.640
 different.

00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.019
 The only

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.480
 thing different

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:52.880
 is the

00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.460
 technology.

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.779
 She immediately

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.900
 rushes out to

00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.620
 those people

00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.700
 that are waiting

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.440
 on the redemption

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.700
 of Jerusalem

00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.560
 and says,

00:25:00.800 --> 00:25:01.540
 guess what?

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.040
 He's here.

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.139
 her.

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.579
 She's excited.

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.359
 So here we

00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.819
 are, five

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.339
 days after

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.799
 Christmas.

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.000
 Presents have

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.759
 been unwrapped.

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.019
 You're hopefully

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.879
 enjoying them.

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:21.960
 But did

00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.740
 Christmas this

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.480
 year live up

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.120
 to the hype?

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.320
 Was it

00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:27.040
 everything that

00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:27.560
 you thought it

00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:27.980
 would be?

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.400
 You see,

00:25:31.520 --> 00:25:32.200
 when we get

00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.800
 angry or we

00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:36.620
 get frustrated

00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:39.200
 or we're sad,

00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.920
 it's because of

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.920
 unrealized

00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.800
 expectations.

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.200
 We set up in

00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.200
 our minds

00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.920
 how the

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.900
 event or the

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.799
 activity or

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.720
 the holiday is

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.299
 going to go.

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.500
 And if things

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.480
 don't go exactly

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.200
 the way that we

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.700
 have them laid

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.160
 out in our

00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.140
 mind, we tend

00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.500
 to go,

00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.120
 yeah, it was

00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.799
 great.

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.779
 It just didn't

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.840
 go the way I

00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.220
 thought it

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.500
 would.

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.940
 Anna and

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.539
 Simeon were

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.140
 waiting with

00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:11.080
 expectation for

00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.720
 the Messiah.

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.680
 They were

00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:15.220
 waiting on the

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.019
 Savior and they

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.440
 were open to

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.360
 God's provision.

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.820
 Anna and

00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.720
 Simeon placed

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.779
 their hope in

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.220
 God.

00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:24.940
 Those that had

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.720
 gathered at the

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.340
 temple looking

00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:26.720
 for the

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.340
 Redeemer of

00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:31.039
 Jerusalem were

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.759
 putting their

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.720
 hope into a

00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:34.940
 warrior, not a

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.799
 five-week-old

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.180
 infant.

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.900
 The people

00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.660
 gathered there

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.259
 at the temple

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.920
 were paying

00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.420
 attention.

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.620
 They were

00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.980
 waiting expectantly,

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.559
 just like Anna and

00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.019
 Simeon.

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.579
 But they put

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.339
 their hope in

00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.740
 the wrong

00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.139
 thing.

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.740
 They missed

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:51.079
 it because

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:52.440
 Jesus wasn't

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.119
 what they were

00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.700
 expecting.

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.159
 Anna and

00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.919
 Simeon point

00:26:56.919 --> 00:26:57.519
 to the one

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.299
 thing that you

00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.039
 can put your

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.960
 hope in that

00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.700
 will not

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.179
 disappoint.

00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.919
 There is

00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.819
 someone who

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.899
 will not let

00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.440
 you down.

00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.259
 He is the

00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.879
 gift of the

00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.240
 world.

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.059
 Christmas is the

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.759
 holiday that

00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.599
 marks when he

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.959
 came in the

00:27:13.959 --> 00:27:14.480
 flesh.

00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:16.019
 As we sing at

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.439
 Christmas,

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.619
 incarnate.

00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.619
 He came to

00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.659
 this earth as

00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.980
 a real person

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.459
 because it

00:27:23.459 --> 00:27:24.639
 takes a real

00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:26.279
 person to

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.039
 save real

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.879
 people.

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.199
 He lived the

00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:32.079
 perfect sinless

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.819
 life that we

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.119
 cannot.

00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.779
 He died on a

00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.579
 cross to pay

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.059
 for all of our

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.519
 sins.

00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.879
 Let that sink

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.199
 in.

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.059
 He paid for

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.019
 every sin

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.539
 that you

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.419
 ever committed

00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:46.940
 and every

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:48.539
 sin that you

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.440
 are ever

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.159
 going to

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.539
 commit.

00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.599
 Everything that

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.159
 you're going

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:53.039
 to do wrong

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.019
 or that you

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.619
 should have

00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.480
 done right

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:57.339
 died with

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.379
 Christ on

00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.279
 that cross.

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.659
 If you are

00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.339
 in Christ

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.759
 Jesus,

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.779
 your account

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.720
 is now

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.480
 marked

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:09.059
 paid in

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.659
 full.

00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:11.540
 And the

00:28:11.540 --> 00:28:12.160
 reason we

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.680
 know that

00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.180
 the check

00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:15.600
 cleared is

00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.540
 because on

00:28:16.540 --> 00:28:17.120
 the third

00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:18.279
 day he set

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.700
 aside the

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.680
 grave clothes,

00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.820
 moved the

00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:22.660
 rock, and

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.900
 stepped out

00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.279
 of the tomb.

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.480
 This is the

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:29.240
 Messiah Simeon

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.940
 and Anna were

00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.620
 waiting on.

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.759
 This is the

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.620
 Messiah they

00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.740
 had placed their

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.300
 hope in.

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.299
 gift.

00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.539
 This is why

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.119
 when they

00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:37.759
 encountered

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.759
 Christ they

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.859
 sang and

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.859
 they rejoiced.

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.099
 This is the

00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.460
 gift that they

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.799
 could not wait

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:47.139
 to share with

00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:47.579
 others.

00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.940
 Christmas is

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.779
 over and we

00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.119
 have received

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.519
 the greatest

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.720
 gift ever.

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.659
 And I

00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.539
 implore you,

00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.200
 I beg you,

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.319
 enjoy him.

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:03.899
 Let's pray.

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.720
 Father, we

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.379
 thank you,

00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.980
 especially during

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.619
 this season,

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.480
 for the gift of

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.919
 your son,

00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.839
 Jesus Christ.

00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.379
 Your son,

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.220
 the servant who

00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.059
 appeared not in

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.819
 power or as a

00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:18.299
 warrior or as a

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.200
 conqueror.

00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:21.159
 He came in the

00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.919
 form of a

00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.839
 helpless babe,

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.720
 born in

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.259
 humility to

00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.279
 proclaim peace.

00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:28.119
 The servant who

00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.079
 set aside the

00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.919
 honor due him

00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:30.659
 in his name,

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:32.019
 came to

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.300
 redeem us.

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.880
 Not because of

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.779
 anything we had

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:37.320
 done, no,

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.940
 while we were

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.840
 still sinners and

00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.480
 even worse,

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:41.220
 enemies of God.

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.700
 Christ suffered

00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.600
 and went to the

00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.420
 cross for us.

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.920
 Such was the

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:47.220
 Father, Son, and

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.500
 Holy Spirit's love

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.480
 for us.

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.300
 This is the true

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.259
 story of Christmas

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.320
 that we love to

00:29:54.320 --> 00:29:55.720
 hear season after

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.320
 season.

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.720
 That the Father

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.140
 loved us so much,

00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:00.500
 he sent his

00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.560
 son in human

00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:02.940
 form to do

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.780
 what Adam could

00:30:03.780 --> 00:30:05.300
 not, to live a

00:30:05.300 --> 00:30:07.080
 perfect life, to

00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.040
 die on our

00:30:08.040 --> 00:30:10.040
 behalf, and to

00:30:10.040 --> 00:30:11.180
 say on the cross,

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:13.120
 it is finished.

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.460
 Amen.