WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:10.019 We're going to look up together Luke chapter 2 and starting at verse 22. 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:24.420 Let's hear God's word to us. 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:38.500 When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him, that's Jesus, to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:00:39.520 --> 00:00:46.980 As it is written in the law of the Lord, every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord. 00:00:46.979 --> 00:00:55.859 And to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons. 00:00:57.239 --> 00:01:03.239 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. 00:01:04.179 --> 00:01:09.759 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:18.540 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:24.400 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:30.860 When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, to do for him what the custom of the law required, 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:35.480 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:42.859 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:50.439 for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:56.939 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:02:03.439 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:07.480 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:13.319 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:17.240 and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:21.639 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:26.919 And a sword will pierce your own soul too. 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:34.599 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phenuel of the tribe of Asher. 00:02:35.459 --> 00:02:36.719 She was very old. 00:02:37.519 --> 00:02:41.039 She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:44.219 and then was a widow until she was 84. 00:02:45.339 --> 00:02:51.259 She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 00:02:52.419 --> 00:02:54.599 Coming up to them at that very moment, 00:02:55.039 --> 00:03:01.459 she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:07.579 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:11.839 they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:15.219 And the child grew and became strong. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:21.360 He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:23.360 Amen. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:25.920 Jonathan, thank you. 00:03:35.140 --> 00:03:39.160 Let's pray again for ourselves and for Jonathan. 00:03:39.880 --> 00:03:42.680 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:47.099 We thank you that it is true, that we can trust it. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:54.000 And we pray that the grace of God would be upon us. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:04:00.379 And the Holy Spirit who is active in Simeon's life and Anna's life, 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:06.060 that same Spirit would be active and at work in our lives right now, 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:10.300 through Jonathan, as he brings your word to us. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:12.159 Bless us all. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:13.800 In Jesus' name. 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:14.700 Amen. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:16.480 Thank you, Johnny. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:27.439 If you could keep your Bibles open as we will be dipping in and out of the passage. 00:04:27.580 --> 00:04:30.500 It's a rather long passage, but a very encouraging passage. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:33.120 We'll start off with a question. 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:36.300 What are you waiting for? 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:39.780 What are you waiting for? 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:43.199 If you could think of one thing that you were looking forward to, 00:04:43.280 --> 00:04:45.480 one thing that you really wanted to happen, 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:47.340 perhaps in the next week, the next month, 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.160 or before you pass from life, what would it be? 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:54.660 If you ask that question to people of different ages, 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:55.860 you'll probably get a different answer. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:59.460 You talk to somebody who's really small and ask them what they're looking forward to, 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:00.600 what are they waiting for, they'll say, 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:03.300 I'm waiting to be bigger, to be older. 00:05:04.100 --> 00:05:05.759 Or as people grow up and you ask them, 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:06.939 what are you waiting for? 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:08.920 They'll say, I'm waiting for somebody to marry, 00:05:09.099 --> 00:05:10.860 or I'm waiting for a child to be born. 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:14.399 If you think about it, we wait for a lot of things. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:15.699 Some things are quite trivial. 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:17.819 We wait for the kettle to boil. 00:05:18.159 --> 00:05:22.399 Apparently, we spend four months of our lifetime waiting for the kettle to boil. 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:25.719 But we can wait for something more serious as well. 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:28.279 We might be very ill and sick. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:29.719 It might be a long-term sickness. 00:05:30.099 --> 00:05:31.680 And we're waiting for a relief of that, 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:34.740 waiting for that pain and suffering to end. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.860 But we wait a lot. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:42.220 This morning, we're going to meet two people who are also waiting, 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:44.879 and not just two people in particular, 00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:48.800 a whole nation who are waiting for something to happen. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:52.620 This morning, we're going to meet Simeon and Anna. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:55.300 We're going to meet them in the temple. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:57.280 Both of them are older, 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:03.500 and both of them are waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled. 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:06.779 And they're going to do something quite amazing in our passage. 00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:10.899 But they are going to recognize Jesus. 00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:14.919 Our passage is toward the end of the book of Luke. 00:06:15.179 --> 00:06:17.379 We've been reading that a lot for the last few weeks, haven't we, 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:18.459 in our Christmas services. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:23.039 For Luke details a lot of the early life of Jesus. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:26.900 And if you want to sum up the first two chapters of Luke, 00:06:27.020 --> 00:06:30.480 it would be the arrival of Jesus into the world 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:33.100 and the fulfillment of those promises. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:34.819 And we're going to meet up with Jesus 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:40.240 as they make the five-mile trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:43.980 Take a look at verse 22 onwards. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:46.720 The time of their purification, 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:49.180 according to the law of Moses, had been completed. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:53.800 Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:56.780 Notice the number of times it's going to speak about 00:06:56.780 --> 00:07:00.280 the law of Moses or the law of the Lord. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.360 As it is, verse 23, 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.139 as it is written in the law of the Lord, 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:07.699 every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:11.180 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.680 in the law of the Lord, 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:16.300 a pair of doves or two young pigeons. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.099 We read a lot of things that perhaps are alien to us. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:23.159 A time of purification, sacrifice, 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.939 fulfilling the law of the Lord. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:27.959 The Israelites had specific instructions. 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:30.519 When a child, when a boy was born, 00:07:31.039 --> 00:07:33.159 the mother had to wait for seven days 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:35.000 while she was unclean. 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.540 They then would circumcise the child 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:39.899 and then wait another 33 days 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.480 to present him to the Lord and offer sacrifices. 00:07:43.220 --> 00:07:45.620 In addition, as Jesus was the firstborn child, 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:48.279 he would be presented to the Lord 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:51.699 for all the firstborn of all livestock and people 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.959 belong to the Lord. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.519 What we can take from this is that 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:57.680 Luke is very keen to emphasize 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:02.660 that Jesus' parents fulfilled the law of the Lord. 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:05.240 And if we're unsure as to what that's what he wanted, 00:08:05.760 --> 00:08:07.680 take a look at verse 27. 00:08:08.380 --> 00:08:08.880 He says, 00:08:09.640 --> 00:08:10.420 In the middle of it, 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:12.280 when the parents brought in the child 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:16.120 to do for him what the custom of the law required, 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:19.300 Luke was keen to make sure that we knew 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:22.040 that Jesus' parents had followed the law. 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:23.700 And in case we missed it, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:27.280 take a look at verse 39 and 40. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.039 Verse 39, 00:08:30.179 --> 00:08:32.600 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.720 by the law of the Lord, 00:08:33.839 --> 00:08:35.019 they returned to Galilee, 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:37.259 to their own town of Nazareth. 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:40.220 So Jesus was going to be brought up in a household 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.579 where God's commandments are followed. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:47.179 But God was also going to use their obedience 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:49.539 to ordain events 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:52.339 so that he would meet Simeon and Anna 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:55.360 in the temple on that very day. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.220 Verse 25, 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:00.519 Here we're going to meet Simeon 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.120 who's been faithfully waiting for God's promises. 00:09:03.800 --> 00:09:06.200 Note what Luke says about Simeon. 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:09.320 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:11.460 who was righteous and devout. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:14.060 He was waiting for the consolation of Israel 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:15.980 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:18.759 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.139 that he would not die 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:23.180 before he had seen the Lord's Christ 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:24.120 or the Lord's Messiah. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.519 Moved by the Spirit, 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.879 he went into the temple courts. 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:30.080 When the parents brought in the child 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.340 to do for them what was required of the law, 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:35.539 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.000 Simeon is described as righteous. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:39.240 He was good. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.920 He followed the commands of God. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:44.259 God is described in Scripture as being righteous. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.679 Everything God does is good. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:47.799 All his actions, 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:51.139 all his decisions are morally correct. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:54.279 And we see Simeon as a servant of God 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:58.120 representing those characteristics of God. 00:09:58.319 --> 00:10:00.000 But he was also devout. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:01.600 He was dedicated to God. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:04.460 Do you notice how many times it referred to the Spirit? 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:07.899 Simeon had the Holy Spirit upon him. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.120 Look at verse 25. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.279 The Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:13.419 Verse 26, 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:16.799 He had a revelation of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:18.519 And verse 27, 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.459 Moved by the Spirit, 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:21.939 he went into the temple courts. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.799 Here was a man with the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.819 He had a revelation, 00:10:26.979 --> 00:10:29.259 a special promise that God had given him. 00:10:29.579 --> 00:10:32.279 But he was also led by the Spirit. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:37.419 But note that Simeon was also waiting. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:37.939 He was also waiting. 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:39.419 In verse 25, 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:43.779 it describes him as waiting for the consolation of Israel. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:47.500 And that word waiting is in the sense of waiting for something 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:49.159 that he is looking forward to, 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.000 something favorable. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.799 We can wait for many things, 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:55.139 but often we can wait for things that might cause us anxiety 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:56.279 or stress, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:58.079 something that we really don't want to happen. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:01.700 But Simeon was waiting for something that he was looking ahead to. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:05.580 And what he was waiting for was the consolation of Israel. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:08.879 You might have picked it up from one of the songs we sang just now. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:10.639 Consolation of Israel. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:11.700 What was that? 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:14.180 Well, the word consolation, 00:11:14.300 --> 00:11:16.020 we might use the word comfort. 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:18.079 And the actual meaning of that, 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:22.139 the Greek word meaning for it is paraklesis, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:25.039 to call near or to draw alongside. 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:27.860 We can understand that concept of comfort, 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:28.639 can't we? 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:32.279 When we are anxious or when things aren't going well in our lives, 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:37.799 when we need something or someone to help us through whatever we're going through, 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.659 we want to call them near, 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:40.139 don't we? 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:43.960 We want someone or something to draw alongside, 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:47.399 to help us through so that we are comforted. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:52.379 Simeon was obviously looking for comfort. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:54.899 Think about who Simeon was in the time he lived in. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.600 Simeon was an Israelite. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:00.080 The Israelites were a people blessed by God. 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:02.919 They'd been given great promises of God. 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:04.960 They were told that they would be blessed. 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:07.240 They would become numerous people, 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.700 that God would be their God. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:12.759 But the Israelites sinned, didn't they? 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.679 And if you read the history of Israel, 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.639 you will see that time and time again, 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.840 they sinned. 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:20.439 They disobeyed God. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.699 They turned their backs on God. 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:25.360 God had sent them into exile. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.360 He had brought them back. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:29.059 But that relationship was broken. 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:32.559 Their sin was separating them from God. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:36.100 When Simeon is looking for consolation of Israel, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.360 he's looking for comfort. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.299 But he's not looking for comfort, 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:40.139 thinking, 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:40.579 yes, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:43.299 surely God is going to do this because God is good. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:47.319 He could rely on promises that were in God's word. 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:49.799 He was righteous and devout. 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.120 He was in the temple. 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:53.099 He'd have heard the scriptures being read out. 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.879 Listen to these words from Isaiah, 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:56.919 chapter 40, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.659 1 and 2. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:01.299 It echoes that comfort that Simeon is looking for. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:02.259 They read, 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:05.399 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 00:13:05.859 --> 00:13:10.579 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.979 that her sin had been paid for, 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:17.359 that she has received double from the Lord's hand for her sins. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:22.560 God was calling for comfort for his people. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.620 Isaiah was talking to them before they went into exile. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:27.779 And in a sense, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.940 that promise was partially fulfilled. 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.820 They'd come back. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.340 They were partially comforted. 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:34.180 But they didn't have full comfort. 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.899 And people like Simeon, 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:36.800 people like others, 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:39.300 were waiting for comfort to come into the world. 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:45.139 But Simeon wasn't the only one who was looking for comfort. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.419 Take a look at Anna, 00:13:46.599 --> 00:13:47.599 verse 36. 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:50.599 Anna was described as a prophetess. 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:52.399 And she was very old. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:55.359 And she lived in the temple night and day, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.819 fasting and praying. 00:13:57.099 --> 00:14:00.620 Another servant of God who was totally dedicated to the Lord. 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:03.019 Coming up to them at that very moment, 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.599 she gave thanks to God 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:09.019 and spoke about the child to all who were looking for comfort. 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:11.879 forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.159 It wasn't just Simeon. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.279 It wasn't just Anna. 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:16.699 But all of these people were looking forward 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:18.479 to the redemption of God. 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:21.279 Redemption being a deliverance, 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.479 a rescuer. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.839 They were looking for these. 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.399 And if we had the time, 00:14:25.479 --> 00:14:27.179 we could go through the Old Testament 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:31.079 and look at all of the promises of God, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.299 of a Messiah, 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:34.459 of a comforter to come into the world. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.519 As a teacher of Sunday school, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.759 a great privilege each week 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.840 to teach the children about Jesus. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.279 For the last year and a half, 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:45.340 we have been going through the Old Testament. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:48.840 And it's been amazing to see the connection 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.819 in the Old Testament to Jesus 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:54.620 as we see promises of a Messiah to come, 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:55.639 a comforter, 00:14:56.079 --> 00:14:57.379 someone to console. 00:14:57.379 --> 00:15:00.980 And we are about to see those promises 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:03.139 to be fulfilled. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:07.200 But Simeon had a special promise as well, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.620 didn't he? 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.840 Even though all of these people were waiting for Jesus, 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:13.360 Simeon had a special one of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.759 Look at verse 26. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:17.500 He was promised that it had been 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.480 that he would not see death 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:22.879 until he had seen the Lord's Christ, 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.039 or the Messiah. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:25.779 He had this special promise. 00:15:26.219 --> 00:15:27.620 So can you imagine, Simeon, 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.819 the expectation he had 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:31.500 that every morning he woke up, 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.219 he was still alive, 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:35.259 meaning he didn't see the Lord's Christ, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.620 and he was about to. 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:39.980 And we see that this very day 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:43.279 that he was going to meet with Jesus. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:45.860 Can you imagine being led by the Spirit 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:48.599 as he walked to the temple that day, 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:51.100 each step getting closer 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:53.800 to meeting with Jesus? 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.560 We pick it up in verse 28. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:59.259 Simeon took Jesus in his arms 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:01.080 and praising God, saying, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.860 Sovereign Lord, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.659 as you have promised, 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:07.700 you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:10.639 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.000 which you have prepared 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.259 in the sight of all people, 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:16.000 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:19.679 and for the glory of your people, Israel. 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:24.799 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.600 Isn't that an incredible verse? 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:30.120 All the expectation of all the years, 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:32.299 all of the Old Testament promises 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.580 coming together 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:36.700 as he took Jesus in his arms 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.820 and he could say, 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:41.340 My eyes have seen your salvation. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.399 Simeon was holding a baby, 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.519 a newborn baby, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:46.639 less than 40 days old. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:49.059 And yet, with the eyes of faith, 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.000 he could see that this baby 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.360 was God's chosen way 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.579 of saving his people. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:17:00.879 We've just spent a lovely time in Christmas. 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:03.559 We've had Christmas celebrations. 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.859 We've had lovely times 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.920 and carol services. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:09.119 Perhaps we've been to nativity plays 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.480 and seen the story of Jesus acting out. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:16.079 Not many people will have recognized Jesus in that. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.819 But Simeon recognized Jesus. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.240 But not only him. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.900 Look again at Anna. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.519 When Anna met with Jesus, 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.860 she said she praised God. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.420 We're not told what Anna said, 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:31.019 but she gave thanks to God. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:32.140 With a grateful heart, 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.539 she saw who Jesus was. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:35.759 And you see, 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:38.220 Simeon and Anna did something 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:41.059 that many people in Jesus' time didn't do. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:43.359 And they did something 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.819 that many people in today's world do not do. 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.099 And that was, 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:49.220 they recognized Jesus. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.980 Do you recognize Jesus? 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.019 When you pick up God's word 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.679 and you see the name of Jesus in print, 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.779 do you recognize who he truly is? 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:59.740 That he is the one that was promised? 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:02.579 That he was the one that the Old Testament spoke of 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.679 would come into the world? 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.740 Do you recognize him as the one 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.200 who is your savior? 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:10.440 The one who would pay the penalty for your sins? 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:13.279 Do you remember when you first recognized Jesus? 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:17.019 I remember when I first recognized Jesus. 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:20.679 When I first time that I came to realize who Jesus was, 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:23.599 I'd spent perhaps 18 months 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.799 hanging around Christians. 00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:26.240 I enjoyed their company. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.379 I enjoyed their food. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:30.940 I enjoyed spending time in Bible studies. 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.299 I was learning about God 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.619 and learning about Jesus. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:38.339 But I use the word learning about very deliberately. 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.139 You see, 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.259 I was learning about Jesus 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.819 and all these great facts, 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:44.439 but they were all up here. 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:46.579 Until one day, 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.339 we were in a Bible study 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:50.099 and we were reading Romans. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:53.240 And the verse that I came across was, 00:18:53.639 --> 00:18:57.119 for the wages of sin is death. 00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:58.539 Being an accountant, 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.839 I could understand wages. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.279 You get wages for something that you are due, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.740 that you worked for them. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.579 And all of a sudden, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.460 it hit me. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.559 I was due death, 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.339 separation, 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.059 punishment, 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.539 hell, 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:14.240 because of my sin. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.640 And for about two weeks, 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.599 I fought against that. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:19.480 I did not want to consider myself a sinner. 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.440 Yet I knew in my head 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:25.539 that Jesus came to save me from my sins. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:28.579 About two weeks later, 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.399 at a Bible study, 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.519 somebody pointed out to me 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.099 that there was a second half to that verse. 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.220 For the wages of sin is death, 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:37.139 but the gift of God is eternal life 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:39.039 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.940 It was then that I recognized Jesus. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.980 Simeon and Anna could recognize him. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:47.799 They could see that he was the one that was promised. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.799 The Old Testament had promised him. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:52.259 Now I was able to do that 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:54.799 because I could see that my sins were forgiven, 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:57.779 that I did not have to pay the penalty for my sins 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:01.680 because I recognized who Jesus was. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:04.099 Yeah, but did Simeon not say 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:06.059 that the Messiah was going to be 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:09.039 the consolation of Israel? 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:11.659 How then was I going to be saved? 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.019 After all, I'm not a Jew, 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:15.680 and I'm pretty sure none of the rest of us are either. 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:19.500 Look at what else Simeon said about Jesus. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:23.799 Verse 31, speaking of Jesus as salvation, 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.180 he says, 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:26.879 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:29.440 a light for revelation to the Gentiles 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:33.200 and for the glory of your people Israel. 00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:37.240 God had prepared salvation in the sight of all people. 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.940 It wasn't hidden. 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.759 It wasn't something that was going to be 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.659 for a small select group of people. 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:44.899 It was going to be for all people. 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:46.619 Israelites are Gentiles, 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:49.460 Gentiles being those who are not Jews. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:53.319 Jesus also described as a light, 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.539 a light for revelation to the Gentiles. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.799 Does that sound familiar? 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.139 Jesus being a light. 00:20:58.899 --> 00:21:00.799 Think of these words again from Isaiah, 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:04.419 prophesying what would happen in Isaiah 49. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.139 He said, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:08.440 Is it too small a thing for you to be my servant 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:10.960 to restore the tribes of Jacob 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:13.940 and bring back those of Israel I have kept? 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:17.840 I will also make you a light to the Gentiles 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:21.500 that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:25.380 Isaiah was talking about a servant of the Lord. 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:27.120 People didn't know who the servant was. 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.360 There was a lot of confusion, 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:31.379 but they knew a servant of the Lord was coming 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:35.639 and he was coming in the form of Jesus Christ. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:41.259 You see, salvation comes through Jesus 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:45.299 and that salvation was not going to be just for the people of Israel, 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:48.779 but for the people to the ends of the world, 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.159 the ends of the earth. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:54.920 But as that salvation goes out to the end of the world, 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:58.160 not everyone is going to recognize Jesus. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:03.759 Look at what Simeon says in particular to Mary. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.240 Verse 33. 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:10.279 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said to them. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:13.400 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:19.040 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:21.940 and to be a sign that will be spoken against 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:24.539 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:29.359 and a sword will pierce your heart, your own soul too. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:32.799 Note that Simeon is speaking directly to Mary, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.980 not to Joseph, to Mary. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:41.599 And he speaks to Mary that Jesus is going to be a sign 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.579 that will be opposed, 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.440 a sign that will be spoken against. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:48.240 We mightn't like to think of that over Christmas, mightn't we? 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.539 We enjoy Christmas. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.960 We enjoy going to the carol services. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:54.380 We enjoy everything to do with the presents. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:58.259 But Jesus didn't remain a baby, did he? 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:02.359 Verse 40 reminds us that the child grew and became strong, 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:05.920 filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.660 And as Jesus went through his life, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.980 he was opposed, wasn't he? 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:14.460 Not everyone accepted who Jesus was. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.440 There was many people gathered around Jesus. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:18.600 They enjoyed him for a while, 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:22.140 and as Jesus taught them different things, 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.019 they fell away. 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:26.720 And the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.820 they opposed him. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:31.320 They even were coming up with plans to kill him. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.940 Isaiah was prophesying to Mary that, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.880 yes, this is going to happen to your son. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.380 Listen to these words again from Isaiah. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:42.740 Let's look forward to this servant that would come. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:45.240 Isaiah 53, verse 3. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:48.480 He was despised and rejected by mankind, 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:51.680 a man of suffering and familiar with pain, 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:54.380 like one from whom people hide their faces. 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:58.500 He was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:01.180 And Jesus spoke about that rejection. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:04.440 He knew that he was going to be rejected by people 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:07.740 as he went from being a baby 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:10.840 back toward Jerusalem to the cross. 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:13.880 He told his disciples in Luke 9, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:17.039 the Son of Man must suffer many things 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.660 and be rejected by the elders, 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:20.779 the chief priests and the teachers of the law, 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.120 and he must be killed 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:25.380 and on the third day be raised to life. 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:28.019 But notice also what he says to Mary. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.900 He says, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:32.400 A sword will pierce your own soul too. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:35.160 Mary was a new mother. 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:38.019 She had a newborn baby in front of her, 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.740 and yet Simeon was saying, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:42.200 A sword will pierce your soul too. 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:44.519 Jesus was no ordinary baby, 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:46.160 and Mary, when it comes down to it, 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:48.180 was no ordinary mother. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.100 Mary would suffer also. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.660 She would see the rejection 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:54.360 and the suffering of her son. 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:59.199 We see Mary and Jesus together in Jerusalem here, 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:01.919 and just over 30 years after this, 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.859 we see them again in Jerusalem, don't we? 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.500 But this time, 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.919 Jesus will be hanging on a cross 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:10.439 for your sins and my sins, 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.979 and Mary will be watching. 00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:14.599 Look at how John describes it. 00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:18.779 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:22.659 Mary was going to live to see her son rejected, 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:26.560 a sword was going to pierce her heart too. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.840 The question for us is, 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.140 when we see this, 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:32.640 when we see that Jesus 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:34.880 is going to be rejected by men, 00:25:35.300 --> 00:25:36.740 what do we do with Jesus? 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:39.440 How do we respond to Jesus? 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.920 Are we going to be people 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.800 who believe in Jesus, 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:46.880 believe that he died for our sins 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.560 and rose again? 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:50.480 Or are we going to reject Jesus? 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.340 It's a serious question, isn't it? 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:54.580 Perhaps a quick question, 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.160 we might say, 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.700 well, that's not really for Christmas. 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.519 But this story reminds us 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:01.320 that Jesus coming into the world 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:03.279 was not so that we could have 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.440 a lovely time at Christmas, 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.960 and even though we do, 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:09.720 but Jesus came with a specific mission, 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.980 and that mission was to save his people. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.300 The hint is in his name, 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:18.180 to save his people from their sins. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:23.240 But note what else Simeon says. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:25.240 He said, verse 35, 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.380 so that the thoughts of many hearts 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:29.600 will be revealed. 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:32.259 Our hearts are very important 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.440 when it comes to salvation. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.000 God knows our hearts. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:38.039 We cannot hide things from him. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.519 Listen to what Paul said 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.620 to the Romans. 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:44.699 If you declare with your mouth, 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.899 Jesus is Lord, 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.559 and believe in your heart, 00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.459 God raised him from the dead, 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.139 you will be saved. 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.619 For it is with your heart 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:54.099 that you believe and are justified, 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.939 and it is with your mouth 00:26:55.939 --> 00:26:57.939 that you profess your faith 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:59.559 and are saved. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:02.019 God knows all of our hearts. 00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:04.819 We can hide things from each other, 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.279 can't we? 00:27:05.979 --> 00:27:07.859 None of us can see one another's hearts. 00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:09.799 And we will meet people 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:12.240 who perhaps profess to be Christians, 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:13.799 but God knows. 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.879 But what each of us needs to do is, 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:19.899 are we following Jesus? 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.479 God will know. 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.539 We can fool one another. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:26.379 If we are rejecting Jesus, 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:30.099 if we're not truly Jesuses, 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.159 there is still hope. 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:34.779 Listen to these words from Peter. 00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:37.339 He was speaking to a big group of people 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.819 after Jesus had ascended, 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.879 and he said, 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:42.699 Repent then and turn to God 00:27:42.699 --> 00:27:45.500 so that your sins may be wiped out, 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.559 that times of refreshing 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:49.079 may come from the Lord. 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.980 Repent, turning away from sin, 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:54.259 that your sins may be wiped out. 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.439 That offer is still open. 00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:58.279 Even if you are here rejecting Jesus, 00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:00.679 the offer of salvation is still there. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:03.500 The offer is for refreshment. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.759 We look for that, don't we? 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.279 We long for comfort and refreshment, 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:09.500 and if we are believing in Jesus, 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.939 we have that comfort. 00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:15.139 We have the comfort knowing that our sins are forgiven. 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:18.299 Simeon was looking for that comfort 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:22.679 when he was talking about the consolation of Israel. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:27.380 And for us now, as we read this passage, 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.960 as believers, we can take comfort 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.640 that God fulfills his promises. 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:36.680 Do you notice we read three verses from Isaiah? 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:40.420 All of those came true in Jesus. 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:42.680 And as we go into 2020, 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:48.039 we can trust that God fulfills his promises. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.580 He made promises to his people. 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:54.259 Simeon, Anna, and others were faithfully waiting 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.640 for those promises to be fulfilled. 00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:58.480 And then Jesus appeared. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.560 We see Simeon. 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:02.720 He'd received God's salvation, didn't he? 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:05.100 After he had seen Jesus, 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:09.220 he said, you can now dismiss me in peace. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.920 He'd received the goal of salvation. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:13.299 He had seen Jesus. 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:16.539 We haven't seen Jesus yet, have we? 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:20.519 As believers, we know that our salvation is secure, 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.360 for there's no power or authority 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:25.480 can take us out of the Lord's hands. 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:28.599 But we have not seen Jesus yet. 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.140 We've seen him in the words of Scripture, 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:32.700 but we haven't seen him face to face. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.980 So in a sense, we're still waiting 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.420 for the promises of God, aren't we? 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:39.380 And God gives us great promises. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:43.400 Listen to what Paul wrote to the Philippians. 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:43.900 He said, 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:47.660 But our citizenship is in heaven, 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:51.720 and we eagerly await a saviour from there, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.740 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:56.680 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.660 We're here for a temporary time only, 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:01.779 and we eagerly await, 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:03.380 we're still waiting, aren't we, 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:05.599 for a saviour to come. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.299 And when Jesus comes, 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:09.039 he will take each one of us, 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.720 as if we are believers. 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:13.099 What a wonderful promise that we have. 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.579 And think of all the promises 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.420 that flow from that. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:19.079 When we pass from this life, 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:21.079 we have an inheritance 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.879 that can never perish, 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.199 spoil, or fade. 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.599 A few weeks ago, 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.439 when Dan was preaching, 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.039 he was preaching from 1 Peter. 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.559 And in the very first chapter, 00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:31.259 there's wonderful verses 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:33.279 that speak of the confidence 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.139 we can have 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:36.500 when we pass from this life. 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.519 Listen to these words 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.899 from 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:41.580 Praise be to the God and Father 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:43.320 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.740 In his great mercy, 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:46.400 he has given us new birth 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.519 into a living hope 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.640 through the resurrection 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:50.220 of Jesus Christ from the dead 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:52.640 and into an inheritance 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:54.560 that can never perish, 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.160 spoil, or fade. 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.340 This inheritance is kept in heaven 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:58.880 for you, 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.140 who through faith 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:02.040 are shielded by God's power 00:31:02.040 --> 00:31:05.460 until the coming of the salvation 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:07.220 that is ready to be revealed 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.180 in the last time. 00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:09.960 We're still waiting. 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.860 We're waiting for Jesus to come, 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.299 but we can be sure 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.380 he will come. 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.880 And even though we live 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.400 in a life, 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.000 in a world, 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.200 that there seems to be 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.220 so much sorrow 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.740 and so much pain 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.640 and suffering, 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.200 when we go to be 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:26.059 with the Lord in heaven, 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.759 the new heavens 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.519 and the new earth, 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.740 there will be 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.279 no more pain, 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.160 no more tears. 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.220 He will wipe every tear 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.759 from our eyes, 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.860 but the old daughter 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.819 will have passed away 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.019 and the new one 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.619 will have come. 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.939 We can bring those promises 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.759 to other people. 00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:45.240 Do you notice how Anna, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:47.039 when she saw the baby, 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.799 her desire was to speak 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.819 to others? 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:52.639 We can bring that comfort 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.659 to others. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.059 You see, 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.720 there's many people 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.500 in our families, 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.359 many people that we work with, 00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:58.960 our friends, 00:31:59.439 --> 00:32:01.740 who will have enjoyed Christmas, 00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:03.079 who will have seen Jesus, 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.879 but will be happy 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:05.300 to leave Jesus in that manger 00:32:05.300 --> 00:32:06.980 and pick him up again 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.020 next Christmas. 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:10.220 But we can share 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:12.000 the hope that we have 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:13.600 with those around us. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.860 And as we go into 2020, 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:17.260 we can rely 00:32:17.260 --> 00:32:19.380 on the promises of God, 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:21.120 that one promise of God 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:23.200 will ever be broken. 00:32:24.780 --> 00:32:26.100 Here's a challenge for us. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:27.880 As we pick up God's word 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:29.260 in the next few months, 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:29.920 in the next year, 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:32.080 and we see a promise of God, 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.960 take a note of it. 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.179 Perhaps put a little 00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:36.579 P in your Bible 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.720 for promise. 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.119 And when you're going 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.960 through a tough time 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.379 in the year, 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.740 when you're suffering, 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:44.159 or life seems to be 00:32:44.159 --> 00:32:45.279 just that little bit 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.899 too hard, 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.019 or you begin 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.439 to doubt God, 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.099 pick up the Bible, 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.779 look at the promises 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.579 that you've listed, 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:55.240 and trust God 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.559 to fulfill those promises, 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.099 and that when we 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.659 pass from this life, 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.699 we have a wonderful 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.200 inheritance. 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.500 Jesus might come back 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.319 in the next 12 months, 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.559 and how glorious 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.200 that will be, 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:08.460 but when we see Jesus, 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.180 we will be able to say, 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.360 as Simeon did, 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:14.080 my eyes have seen 00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:14.880 your salvation. 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:16.980 Let's pray. 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.819 Father, we thank you 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.740 for this wonderful 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.519 piece of scripture. 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.319 What joy, 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.000 what excitement 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.799 there must have been 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.620 when Simeon 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:28.200 saw you, Lord, 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.920 as a baby, 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.360 and said, 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.480 my eyes have seen 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.140 your salvation. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.600 I thank you 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.820 that all the promises 00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:34.840 of the Old Testament 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:36.320 were coming true, 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.740 and that the promised 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.259 Messiah, 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.160 the promised one, 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.060 came, 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.420 and they recognize you, 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:42.720 Lord, 00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:43.420 as the one 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:45.120 who could save them 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.860 from their sin, 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:47.340 and we too have that promise, 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:48.259 and we want to thank you 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.779 for that. 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.200 And as we head 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.060 into the next year, 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.800 we can be confident 00:33:52.800 --> 00:33:54.140 that you will continue 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.259 to uphold 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.259 all your promises, 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.200 for, Father, 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.119 you do not break 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:59.059 any of your promises. 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:01.059 We look forward 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.420 to you coming again, 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:02.720 Lord. 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.440 We look forward 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.319 to an inheritance 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.519 that can never perish 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.660 or spoil or fade, 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:09.340 and we think of those 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.000 that we know 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.699 and we love 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:12.619 who are rejecting you. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.260 Might indeed 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:15.780 we have that desire 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:17.340 to bring that comfort 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.360 to them, 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.579 to share you 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.679 with those around, 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.340 being confident 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.900 in your word 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:25.179 and your promises. 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:27.019 in Jesus' name, 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.119 Amen.