WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.320 I'd like us just for a wee while to turn back to Luke 2 and we'll read again verses 27-32. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:20.440 And Simeon came in the spirit into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:29.320 he took him up in his arms and blessed God saying, Lord, now you're letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.600 For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:42.679 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. 00:00:45.579 --> 00:00:50.260 We're all very much looking forward to Christmas Day in just a few days time, 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:53.840 which is always a very exciting and happy time of year for us. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:58.480 And it's a time when we think and remember Jesus' arrival. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:06.239 This is the time of year when we go back to the Bible's record of the birth of Jesus. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:11.939 And we remember all the amazing things that took place there. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:16.500 And there's so much to rejoice in when we think of Jesus' arrival. 00:01:16.979 --> 00:01:18.659 He's come to be the saviour of sinners. 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:22.900 He's come to fulfil all the promises of God's word. 00:01:22.900 --> 00:01:27.219 And he's come to give hope to all who come to him in faith. 00:01:27.380 --> 00:01:32.980 So there's so much that's wonderful about Jesus' arrival. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:36.920 And at Christmas time, that's what we think about. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:41.960 We spend a lot of time thinking about Jesus' arrival. 00:01:42.660 --> 00:01:45.900 And that's great and wonderful. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:51.380 But what I want us to recognise today is that at this time of year, 00:01:51.800 --> 00:01:55.060 we're thinking about Jesus' arrival. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:56.160 And that's good. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:03.840 But all of the time, Jesus is thinking about your departure. 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:18.800 The whole gospel is focused and confronting us with the reality that our lives just now are short. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:22.719 And they're all heading towards a departure. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:32.180 And that departure is the thing that matters for all of us and especially for Jesus. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:35.280 It's brilliant to think about his arrival. 00:02:35.580 --> 00:02:38.300 And we're going to be looking at that today all the time. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:41.020 He is thinking about your departure. 00:02:42.140 --> 00:02:47.500 And that's brought before us very powerfully in the account that we read here about Simeon. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:56.560 Because as we read these verses, we see Simeon rejoicing at the arrival of Jesus. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:03.159 But all of that's tied to Simeon's departure. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.180 As he says in verse 29, 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:12.080 Lord, now you're letting your servant depart in peace. 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:17.819 So today we're thinking about Jesus' arrival, Simeon's departure. 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:23.879 And all of that, I hope we'll see, is getting us to the heart of what the gospel is about. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.439 And it's getting us to the heart of stuff that all of us need to think about. 00:03:29.079 --> 00:03:30.819 We're going to look at it under two main headings. 00:03:31.239 --> 00:03:32.979 We're going to look at what Simeon knew. 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:36.159 And we're going to look at what Simeon didn't know. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:40.599 What Simeon knew and what Simeon didn't know. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.599 So first of all, thinking about what Simeon knew. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:46.879 And one of the fascinating things about Simeon, we don't know much about him. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:54.259 But one thing that's clear is that he clearly knew more than the people who were around him. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:57.879 When you go through the gospels, you see that again and again and again, 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:02.379 Jesus gets misunderstood by the people who are around him. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:08.479 And there's even moments when Mary and Joseph don't quite understand what Jesus has come to do. 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:12.019 And we saw that as we read through to the end of the chapter when Jesus was 12 years old. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:15.019 They didn't understand what Jesus was saying when he said, 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:18.420 Did you not know that I would be at my father's house? 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:24.039 Many people misunderstood Jesus back in the New Testament and still today. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:25.980 But not Simeon. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:38.219 And the words that he speaks in this section reveal to us that he knows more than most about who Jesus is. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:41.000 And about why he's come. 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:48.500 And that shouldn't surprise us at all because verse 25 tells us that the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:55.319 And one of the things that the Holy Spirit does when he comes upon us is he opens our eyes to see the truth 00:04:55.319 --> 00:05:00.600 and helps us to understand more about what God wants us to know. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:03.960 So Simeon knows more than the people who are around him. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:05.680 What was it that he knew? 00:05:06.459 --> 00:05:10.319 Well, I want to highlight five things that we see in these verses. 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:15.660 Number one, Simeon knew that Israel needed the Christ. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:20.139 You see that in verse 26 that it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:23.819 that he did not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:28.240 Now when you hear that word Christ, you should be thinking of the word anointed. 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:29.819 That's what the word Christ means. 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:31.199 So you should be thinking the word anointed. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:36.599 And when you hear the word anointed in the Bible, you should be thinking of three things. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:40.779 You should be thinking of prophet, priest and king. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:44.219 These were three key roles in the Old Testament. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:48.980 And all of them involved being anointed to these offices. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:51.319 So when you hear the word Christ, think anointed. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:55.219 When you hear anointed, think prophet, priest and king. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:06:03.340 And the Christ was the one promised in the Old Testament who would come and fulfill these roles. 00:06:03.760 --> 00:06:06.680 And Israel desperately needed that. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:12.079 Because they had lost the kingdom centuries earlier. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:16.240 When you get towards the end of the Old Testament, that's the culmination of it. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.579 The kingdom is lost as they're conquered by the Babylonians. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:24.319 And now it's no longer the Babylonians who rule them. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:25.060 It's the Romans. 00:06:25.460 --> 00:06:26.620 But it's still foreigners. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:31.120 Ever since the end of the Old Testament, they'd lost their independence. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:33.379 The kingdom had been conquered. 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:36.000 The prophets had gone silent. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:41.240 But Zechariah and Malachi 400 years ago were the final Old Testament prophets. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:42.920 For 400 years, nothing. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:45.000 Silence. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:50.040 And the priesthood was a mess. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:56.040 In that period, in between the Old Testament and the New Testament, we call it the intertestamental period, 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:05.540 there was a whole lot of corruption and chaos in relation to both how Israel's nation was being ruled, 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:09.300 lots of conflicts, lots of rival family groups. 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:14.020 And the priesthood had become a mess, full of corruption. 00:07:15.020 --> 00:07:17.879 Different groups were vying for power. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:24.620 So by the time Simeon is alive, the kingdom has been lost, the prophets are silent, the priesthood is a mess. 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:30.420 And Simeon knew that all of that desperately needed to change. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:35.759 He knew that Israel desperately needed a prophet to give them God's truth. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:41.240 They needed a priest to restore a right relationship with God. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:46.259 And they needed a king to rule and defend them. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.379 They desperately needed God's anointed saviour. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:51.399 Simeon knew that they needed the Christ. 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:56.620 Second thing that Simeon knew was that the saviour was coming soon. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:59.079 Simeon knew that the saviour was coming soon. 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:00.939 This had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:06.819 And Simeon joins Elizabeth and Zechariah and Mary and Joseph and a few others 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:12.639 to whom God speaks in order to announce that the saviour is coming. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:15.899 So there are a few who know that Jesus is coming. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:18.219 And Simeon is one of them. 00:08:18.220 --> 00:08:23.020 And for Simeon, all of that's tied to his departure, as we've been seeing. 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:29.340 He's been given this promise that he will not see death until he sees the saviour. 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.920 And at long, long last, the moment has come. 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:38.660 Simeon meets the Christ that he has been waiting for. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:43.580 And as his words declare, God has kept his word. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:52.020 He's saying that now you're letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.080 Simeon's eyes have seen the saviour. 00:08:56.680 --> 00:09:03.139 Number three, Simeon knew that this Christ was not just for Israel. 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:05.800 And that's a crucial point to recognise. 00:09:06.280 --> 00:09:10.960 Throughout the whole Old Testament, God's saving purposes have been global. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:13.200 It's been for the whole world. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.879 And the covenant established with Abraham way back in Genesis 12 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:22.660 came with the promise that through Abraham and through his descendants, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:26.080 all the nations of the world are going to be blessed. 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:31.200 So although Israel is the chosen nation through which God's savings purposes 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.460 are going to be revealed in that Old Testament period, 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:36.460 it was never intended to be just for Israel. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:41.879 It was always a plan of salvation for all people. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:45.660 Simeon knew that, but most of the people around him didn't. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:51.360 Most of the people around him saw themselves as the favoured nation. 00:09:52.280 --> 00:09:56.440 And everybody else, everyone who was a foreigner, was an enemy. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:02.480 Many around Simeon wanted the Christ to come 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:06.540 and they wanted the Christ to scatter the foreigners. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:14.260 But what God actually wanted was for the Christ to gather them. 00:10:15.880 --> 00:10:16.940 Simeon knew that. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:20.360 His song speaks beautifully, his words speak beautifully, 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:27.560 in verse 32, about how this saviour is a light for revelation to the Gentiles. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:32.779 And the truth is, that is everything that Israel was always meant to be. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:36.620 Israel was always meant to be a light to the nations. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:39.340 And this is part of the many ways in which the New Testament reveals 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:42.039 that Jesus is actually the one who fulfills everything 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:44.920 that Israel was meant to be in the Old Testament. 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:49.259 And this is explaining to us why Israel has that special function 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:51.620 and place in God's redemptive plan. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:55.779 In the Old Testament, Israel is functioning as a shadow, 00:10:55.959 --> 00:10:57.360 or as what we would call a type. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:02.919 Something that's looking forward and pointing forward to the full reality. 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:06.839 So in the Old Testament, you have the family nation of Israel, 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:11.860 and that's functioning as a shadow of the true family of God, 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:14.299 the church of Jesus Christ. 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:17.079 Simeon is recognising this, 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:20.899 that the shadow in the Old Testament is being fulfilled in the New. 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:22.799 Now, a lot of people have different views on this, 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:27.139 but my own view and the main view among Reformed churches, 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.419 of which we are part of, 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:35.419 would say that this is why God's purposes are now not focused 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:38.500 on the political nation of Israel 00:11:38.839 --> 00:11:41.559 in the same way that they were in the Old Testament. 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:43.740 And what happens in the Middle East 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:49.139 is not of prominent eschatological significance 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.940 in the way that some argue it would be, 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:53.919 because we're saying that the Old Testament, Israel, 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:56.440 is now fulfilled in the church, 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:01.200 because the promise was always for the nations. 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:04.480 God's purposes are now fulfilled through the church, 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:07.500 where Jew and Gentile are united together, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:11.139 one body, one family, fellow citizens, 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:14.940 as saints and members of the household of God. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.740 Simeon knew this. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:20.720 He saw that the Christ was not just for Israel. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.259 Number four, 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:25.399 Simeon knew that conflict lay ahead. 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:29.079 And you see that when he speaks about, 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.519 in verses 34 and 35, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.179 he says, 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:36.699 this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.679 And this, again, 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:42.799 is a crucial insight that shows that Simeon knew and understood 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:46.779 more than the people around him, 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:51.179 because many people around Simeon expected the Christ 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:54.659 to cause the rise of Israel 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:56.360 and the fall of the Romans. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:58.480 That was their big hope. 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:01.559 And so for the people at the time of Simeon, 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.240 that was the big problem. 00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:05.299 The Israel, Jerusalem, 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.779 it's under Roman rule. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:09.199 And so the big hope is that the Messiah, 00:13:09.339 --> 00:13:10.419 the Christ is going to come, 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:13.179 and he's going to cause the nation of Israel to rise again, 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:14.859 and the Romans are going to fall. 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:20.299 And we will have our independent state once again. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:23.120 But Simeon knew that that's not what's going to happen. 00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:27.879 Simeon knows that the conflict and controversy 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:31.759 is going to come within the people of Israel. 00:13:32.739 --> 00:13:37.859 It's the fall and rising of many in Israel. 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.620 And in particular, 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.139 conflict is going to come 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:45.399 among the religious leadership. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.919 And that's exactly what you see in the Gospels. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:50.299 Because it's the religious leaders in Israel, 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:53.419 they're the ones who resented Jesus. 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:55.519 They're the ones who opposed him. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.720 And ultimately, 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:01.279 they're the ones who crucified him. 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.720 And at the same time, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:08.399 they're also the ones that Jesus criticizes most sharply. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:11.899 So if you look and you read on in the Gospels, 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:15.279 Jesus says hardly anything about the Romans. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:19.779 And yet he's constantly calling out 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:25.220 the distorted and damaging mindset 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:28.840 of the religious leaders within Israel. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.179 He exposed that hypocrisy. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:34.159 And just as Simeon says, 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.679 although they had an outward appearance 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:38.179 of piety and superiority, 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:42.480 the true state of their hearts gets exposed. 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:43.539 You see at the end of 35, 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:47.039 that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.419 Isn't that what Jesus did? 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.959 He went around and he saw the religious leaders 00:14:50.959 --> 00:14:52.740 and they had all the outward appearance 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.980 of piety and superiority 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.159 and religious conformity. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:59.059 Jesus saw straight through it all into their hearts. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.600 And he exposed their hearts. 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:04.939 He exposed their hypocrisy. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.399 And at the same time, 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.759 Jesus would reach to those 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.480 who are at the very bottom of society. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.399 So he healed the sick. 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.519 He helped the poor. 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.879 He touched the leper. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.919 He welcomed those who were rejected. 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:20.600 And he loved those who were despised. 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.860 And so in other words, 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:25.740 Jesus' ministry would frequently turn 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:28.120 all of the religious, social, 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:31.639 and cultural expectations of Israel upside down. 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:34.899 The rising and falling is not the rise of Israel 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.720 and the fall of the Romans. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.940 The rising and falling is within Israel. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.759 Jesus is turning everything upside down. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.899 He was the friend of tax collectors and sinners. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.360 He was the one who said that if you want to lead well, 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.639 you've actually got to be a servant. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:49.620 You've actually got to be ready to wash one another's feet. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.980 He says, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.779 The last shall be first. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.600 And the first shall be last. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.700 The powerful who thought they were at the top, 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:02.220 they were the ones who were in for a fall. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.220 And the poor and the broken 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:07.659 and those who'd made a total mess of their lives 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.980 at the bottom, 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.399 they were going to be lifted up. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:15.100 So Simeon knew that Israel needed the Christ. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:17.759 Simeon knew that the Savior was coming soon. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:20.460 Simeon knew that this Christ is not just for Israel. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.259 Simeon knew that conflict lay ahead. 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.580 And number five, 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.679 Simeon knew that suffering was on its way. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.600 And that's revealed in what he says to Mary in verse 35. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:33.740 A sword will pierce her soul as well. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.639 And that's exactly what happened. 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:40.360 The Mary who carried her baby into the temple in chapter two 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:45.720 would go on to see wave after wave of controversy 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:47.680 and criticism of her son. 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:50.240 She'd experience confusion and tension herself 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:52.560 as she tried to figure out why he'd came 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:54.100 and what he was going to do. 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:57.419 And ultimately, she would stand in front of the cross 00:16:57.419 --> 00:17:03.240 and watch him be crucified and die. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:08.599 Simeon knew that the days ahead were not going to be easy. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:12.059 If the Christ was going to complete his mission, 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:16.079 then it meant walking down a path 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:20.279 that inevitably leads to great suffering. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:25.519 So, it's amazing what Simeon knew. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.420 In just a few verses, 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.579 so much is revealed. 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:35.000 He has a level of understanding that stands out 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.779 from the people who are around him 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:39.039 and from the other people that you encounter 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.660 as you read through the gospel. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:47.200 And what Simeon knew transformed his departure. 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:52.680 What Simeon knew transformed his departure. 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:56.299 In other words, he knew he was ready to die. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:04.640 Now, now your servant can depart in peace. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:09.120 And as we think about all of that, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.840 it prompts a crucial question. 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:15.779 Do you know what Simeon knew? 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:20.580 Do you know what he knew? 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:25.140 Do you know that you need the Christ as well? 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.960 All of us do. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:29.220 All of us need the Christ. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:32.440 Actually, what's maybe more accurate to ask 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:35.299 is that do you know that you need 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:37.600 the right Christ in your life, 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.360 the true Christ in your life? 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.799 And the reason I ask that, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.360 because as we were saying, 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:45.140 that word Christ points to the biblical offices 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.620 of prophet, priest, and king. 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.580 And when you hear phrases like prophet, priest, and king, 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:51.480 it can sound a wee bit like technical theological language, 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:54.380 and it can sound a million miles from your own life, 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:56.020 and it all can seem a wee bit abstract, 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.480 maybe even a bit irrelevant. 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:59.580 But the truth is, prophet, priest, and king, 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:02.100 these are describing the three biggest influences 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.680 in your life. 00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:08.180 These are describing the three biggest influences 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:10.820 in your life, because everybody's got prophets. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.620 Everyone's got priests. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.960 Everyone's got a king. 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:20.840 Some people choose the prophetic voice 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:22.279 of social media, 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:26.180 and whatever is being said, 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:28.940 whatever is being said to you, 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.240 whatever you've been asked to do, 00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:31.720 that's what you're going to do. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:34.720 Sometimes it's the prophetic voice 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.680 of a secular ideology, 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.900 or political party, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:42.579 or maybe the most powerful one of all 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:44.240 is simply what other people think. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.039 That as you go through your life, 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.000 like what you wear, 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.759 what phone you have, 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.059 what you ask for for Christmas, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.799 what you hope to achieve 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.900 in the next year of your life, 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.460 it all actually comes back 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:59.019 to a fear of what other people think. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:01.539 If so, that's the prophet in your life. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.759 It's telling you what you need to do. 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:07.519 And it can be such a powerful voice. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:11.119 People also constantly choose priests, 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:14.339 but when we choose the wrong priest, 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.859 it just means that you've been asked 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:17.279 to sacrifice the wrong thing. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.180 And so the priest of 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.659 get to the top of your career 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:23.539 is going to get you to sacrifice time 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.119 with your family, 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:26.619 because you just need to spend 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.700 a few more hours at work, 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.119 and just need to make sure 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.019 that you get this done, 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:33.079 and better days will be ahead. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.680 Right now, there's no time 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.039 to spend with the kids. 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.900 The priest of pornography 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.579 is going to tell you 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:41.139 to sacrifice your personal purity. 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:44.299 Just have another look. 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.420 The priest of more money 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.339 is going to tell you 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.799 to sacrifice your contentment, 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.639 because no matter how much we get, 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.240 it's never enough. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.640 We choose the wrong priests, 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.640 and it means we sacrifice 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.400 the wrong thing. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.620 And people choose the wrong king, 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.559 because all of the time 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.779 we allow ourselves to be ruled 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.359 by money, 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.200 or by our possessions, 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:07.039 by our success, 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.259 by people's opinions, 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.380 or by anxieties. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.099 And these kings will rule over you, 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:15.659 but they will never defend you. 00:21:18.219 --> 00:21:19.759 Instead, they leave you exposed. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.639 We desperately need 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:25.099 the real Christ. 00:21:26.719 --> 00:21:28.299 We desperately need Jesus 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:30.619 as the prophet, priest, and king 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:32.079 in our lives. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:35.119 Do you know that he's actually come? 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:36.039 Now maybe you say, 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.519 of course I do. 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.539 I know that he was born 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:39.699 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:41.140 I've known that my whole life. 00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:42.140 It's not actually what I mean. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.960 Do you know that he's actually 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.799 come here today to meet you? 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.500 Do you know that that's why 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.559 he's brought you here? 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:55.080 To meet with him. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.680 To hear his voice. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.519 Do you know, like Simeon knew, 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:03.160 that he is for everyone? 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:04.460 Now for Simeon, 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.160 the big division 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:08.180 was Jew and Gentile. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.980 We don't struggle 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.180 with that same question 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.360 in the same way. 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.660 We struggle with 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.539 a different question. 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.560 We think, 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:18.039 yes, Jesus is for everyone, 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:20.680 except for those 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.539 who aren't really good enough. 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.380 Except for those 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.539 who've messed up too much, 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.019 made too many mistakes. 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.600 I don't know enough. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:33.240 That I'm different 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.160 to everybody else. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:37.360 but 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:39.759 you've got to know 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.220 that he's come for everyone. 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:45.800 That no one's excluded. 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.900 No matter what your story, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.820 no matter what your circumstances are, 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.779 he has come for everyone. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.980 He's come for you. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.200 And do you know 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.320 that everyone 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.840 will either rise 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:57.220 or fall before him? 00:22:57.220 --> 00:23:02.140 Everyone will either 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.579 rise or fall 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.980 before him. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.200 That's ultimately 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.779 where history 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.660 is going to take us. 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.279 And either 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.960 we will 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.100 exalt ourselves 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:14.120 and reject him 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:15.100 and push Jesus away, 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.360 or we'll bow down 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.019 before him 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.079 and trust him. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.660 If we do the first, 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.440 if we reject him, 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:20.880 we'll fall. 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.319 If we bow down 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.740 before him 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.360 and trust him, 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.059 we will rise. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.599 If 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:29.960 we're trusting him, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.960 then it's safe 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.019 to depart. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.960 If we reject him, 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.480 then it's not. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.039 And do you know 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.799 that the agony 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.519 of his death 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.119 is the key 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.099 to eternal life? 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:45.759 The sword 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.500 that pierced 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.440 Mary's soul 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:49.559 and the cross 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.240 that crushed 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.740 Jesus 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.599 in agony, 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.179 that cross 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:52.519 is actually 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.119 the key 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.980 to our salvation. 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.659 it's through 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.519 that cross 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.639 that we're saved. 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:01.259 And 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.940 this is, 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.279 again, 00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:04.279 where we come back to, 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.779 this is what we 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.059 absolutely have to 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.819 think about so much, 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.419 because you might think, 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.559 yeah, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.339 I know that. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:09.899 But 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:11.619 the big, 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.099 big question 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.720 is, 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.779 do you know it 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.500 as in, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.299 not just like, 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.159 I'm aware of it, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.000 I'm aware that Jesus 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.879 died and rose again, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.599 and I'm aware of it. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.079 that's just to be aware 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.419 of it, 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.480 but to know it 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.240 is to know that 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.639 that was for me, 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:29.539 and it's my only hope. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.019 And a lot of people, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.240 you'll struggle with the question, 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.199 am I really a Christian? 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.079 Am I really a Christian? 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:37.199 And we apply all sorts 00:24:37.199 --> 00:24:38.099 of criteria 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.839 to that question 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.379 where we think, 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:39.579 well, 00:24:39.719 --> 00:24:40.819 I don't know enough, 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.000 I haven't changed enough, 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:44.240 I'm not in the same category 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.899 as other people. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.379 All of that's the wrong question 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.399 to ask. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.119 Are you a Christian? 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.799 How do you know the answer 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.319 to that question? 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:50.539 Well, 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.199 look at the cross 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:52.119 and tell me what you're seeing. 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.179 And if you're looking 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.779 at the cross 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.599 and you're thinking, 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.879 that is my only hope, 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:04.459 then 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.939 if you can say that 00:25:05.939 --> 00:25:06.500 you're a Christian, 00:25:07.159 --> 00:25:08.179 that's what it means 00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:09.000 to trust in Jesus, 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.979 to say that cross 00:25:09.979 --> 00:25:10.779 is my only hope. 00:25:10.979 --> 00:25:11.859 There's loads I don't know, 00:25:11.959 --> 00:25:13.359 there's loads I need to learn, 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.159 and there's loads 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.039 that I wish was different, 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.119 but I know 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.259 that I need Jesus 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.699 and he's my only hope. 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:22.079 that's what makes you 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.439 a Christian. 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.559 And that's what I want you 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.239 to ask yourself 00:25:27.239 --> 00:25:27.899 and think about. 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.239 Do you know 00:25:29.239 --> 00:25:31.559 what Simeon knew? 00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:37.219 There's also, however, 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.879 stuff that Simeon didn't know, 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:40.279 and this will be very quick. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.159 I just want to suggest 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:42.939 three things 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:44.319 that Simeon didn't know. 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.679 The first two, 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.379 I'm pretty sure 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.099 he didn't know them. 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.939 The third one, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.259 he definitely didn't know. 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.619 Number one, 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.299 I don't think Simeon knew 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.119 just how bad 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.059 the suffering would be. 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:55.980 So he knew 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.179 that conflict lay ahead, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.679 but 00:25:58.679 --> 00:26:01.279 I don't think he knew 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:03.599 just how severe 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:05.759 that was going to be. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:09.740 we know more than he did. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:13.120 because we can read 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.680 of how Jesus 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.440 was betrayed 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.539 by one of those 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.500 who was closest to him. 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.259 We can read 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.240 of Jesus' sweat 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.160 falling to the ground 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.960 like drops of blood 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.839 as he prayed 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.259 in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.819 We can read 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.620 of the crown of thorns 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:25.019 pressed into his head 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.960 and blood 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.960 ran down his feet. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.420 We can read 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.900 of a whip 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.920 scourging his back. 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.579 We can read 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.480 of him being hit 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.680 and spat upon 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.440 and mocked. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.359 We can read 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.779 of him 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:35.279 being nailed to a cross, 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.460 hung to die 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.440 as slowly 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.640 and as agonisingly 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.220 as possible. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.900 We can read 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.600 of him crying out, 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.600 my God, my God, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.120 why have you forsaken me? 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.620 We know way more 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.759 than Simeon knew. 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.340 But we don't know it all. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.380 Because the cross 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.200 took Jesus 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.460 to the very depths 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:58.160 of physical pain 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:59.920 and spiritual agony. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.700 On the cross 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.680 he took everything 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.200 that our sin deserves. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.320 Every ounce 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:06.059 of God's righteous wrath, 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.940 his holy wrath, 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.140 poured out upon him. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.360 All the agony 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.039 of an eternity 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.580 in hell 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.900 experienced by Christ 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.759 as he hung 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.519 in the darkness. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.799 The agony, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.420 the sorrow, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.039 the emptiness, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.940 the distress, 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:18.000 the darkness, 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.660 the horror. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.200 We don't know 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.880 what that was like. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.140 And it's beyond 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:24.600 what we can describe. 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:26.680 We don't know 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.680 what it was like. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.360 We just know 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.180 who it was for. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:37.200 It was for you. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.200 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.259 Second thing 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.060 that Simeon didn't know 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:43.860 is that I don't think 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:45.380 he knew just how big 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.600 this baby was going to be. 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.140 Now I don't mean 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.900 in terms of weight. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.240 I mean in terms 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.940 of importance. 00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:50.720 So he knew 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.360 that this baby 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:51.820 was the one 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.759 that they'd been waiting for 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.460 and longing for 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.039 and praying for. 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:55.039 He knew it was the Christ 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.240 but I'm not sure 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.759 that he knew 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.779 that as he held this baby 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.720 he was holding God 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.600 the Son himself. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:01.899 And I'm not sure 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:02.799 that he knew 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.480 that this baby 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.000 would grow 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.219 to be the image 00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:06.119 of the invisible God 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.299 the radiance of his glory 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.240 the exact imprint 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.000 of his nature 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.799 and the one 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.319 through whom 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.679 all things were created 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:13.039 the one who upholds 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.639 the universe 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.579 by the word 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.279 of his power. 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.259 I'm not sure he knew 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.279 that this baby 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.879 would grow to be 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.740 the man who would come 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.500 and inaugurate 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.419 God's kingdom 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.139 who would build 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.579 the church of Jesus Christ 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.559 and that the lives 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.399 of millions 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.139 and millions 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:26.000 and millions 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.619 of people 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.980 would be utterly 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.619 transformed 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.699 by everything 00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:30.779 that this child 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.439 would accomplish. 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.519 And I don't think 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.199 that Simeon knew 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.319 that 2,000 years 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.279 after Luke 2 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:37.619 3,700 miles away 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.459 there would be people 00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:39.719 gathering in Stornoway 00:28:39.719 --> 00:28:41.319 so that the first thing 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.799 that we do 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.859 as a new week begins 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:44.079 is to meet 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.199 in Jesus' name 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:46.839 and to worship him 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.959 and praise him 00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:48.719 for everything 00:28:48.719 --> 00:28:49.559 that he has done. 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:50.939 Simeon didn't know 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.219 all that. 00:28:51.479 --> 00:28:52.379 We know more 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.159 than he did. 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.919 We can look 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.339 at the rest 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.979 of the New Testament. 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.459 We can look 00:28:55.459 --> 00:28:56.199 at 2,000 years 00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.919 of church history. 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.920 We can look 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.700 at the church 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.539 across the world 00:28:59.539 --> 00:28:59.940 today 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.840 and we can look 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.460 at our lives 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.940 and say 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.080 Jesus has done 00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:04.140 amazing, 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.600 amazing things. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.340 We know way more 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:08.140 than Simeon knew 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:10.259 but we don't know 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.720 it all 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.880 because Jesus 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.539 is continuing 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.759 to do his mighty work 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.720 and we don't know 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.340 yet who's going 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:16.680 to be sitting 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.200 in these pews 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.900 in a year's time. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.680 We don't know yet 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.120 who's going 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.500 to be brought 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.019 to faith 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.920 as the Holy Spirit 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:23.320 works in this town. 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:25.259 We don't know 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.939 how the church 00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.599 is going to be built 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.480 in years to come 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:29.460 but Jesus 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.559 is going to do it. 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:31.879 He's going to 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:33.119 continue his work. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.740 There's so much 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.960 more to come. 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.399 That's why 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:36.839 we should be 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.559 so excited 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.639 about all 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.139 that Jesus 00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:40.519 is still doing 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.919 and that he will do. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.240 So I don't think 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.919 that Simeon knew 00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:44.659 how bad the suffering 00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:45.179 would be 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:46.379 and I don't think 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.099 he knew how big 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.700 and significant 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.740 this child would be 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.920 but thirdly 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.259 when it comes 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.220 to Simeon's 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.779 departure 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.200 I am absolutely 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.980 certain 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:57.200 that Simeon 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.579 had no idea 00:29:58.579 --> 00:30:01.059 just how amazing 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.579 it would be. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.339 Simeon says 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.120 so beautifully 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:09.019 now I can depart 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.819 in peace. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.220 He's ready to die. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.880 He's ready for eternity. 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.599 He's ready to depart 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.919 but at that moment 00:30:18.919 --> 00:30:19.539 as he speaks 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.119 those words 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:22.439 he has no idea 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:24.859 just how amazing 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:26.199 the destination 00:30:26.199 --> 00:30:27.559 is going to be. 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.139 And that's maybe 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:31.899 something that we 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:33.299 just don't speak 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.179 about enough. 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.519 The fact that 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.799 the future promised 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.740 for the Lord's people 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.119 the new creation 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.019 the new heavens 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.819 and the new earth 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:44.419 is just amazing. 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:47.500 And we should think 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.319 and speak about it 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.839 more because 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.019 the Bible reveals 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:51.319 a lot to us 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.980 about it. 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.500 It speaks to us 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.099 of a place 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:56.539 of majestic glory. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.440 Revelation 21 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.140 speaks of 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.619 the glory of the Lord 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:01.599 in the new Jerusalem 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.680 in the new creation. 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.920 It's radiance 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:05.619 like a most rare jewel 00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:06.440 like jasper 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.779 clear as crystal. 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.240 You imagine 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.299 the most beautiful 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.140 stunning 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:11.259 glimmering sights 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.819 you've seen. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.720 That's a picture 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.880 of the glory 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:17.019 awaiting us. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.779 It's a place 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:19.220 of astounding beauty. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.240 Revelation 21 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.559 again 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.359 the wall of the city 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.480 was built 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.119 a jasper 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.539 the city 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.500 was pure gold 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.579 like clear glass. 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.339 The fountains 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:26.839 of the walls 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.220 of the city 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.759 were adorned 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.319 with every kind 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.720 of jewel. 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:30.000 The first was jasper 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.859 second sapphire 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.539 third agate 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.299 fourth emerald 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.079 the fifth onyx 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.839 sixth carnelian 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.720 seventh chrysolite 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.599 eighth beryl 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.259 ninth topaz 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.119 tenth chrysoprace 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.119 eleventh jacinth 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:39.420 twelfth amethyst 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.019 amethyst 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.960 stunning 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.700 absolutely 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.740 stunning. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.819 It's also a place 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.200 of magnificent 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.640 togetherness 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:53.259 that there 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.900 there is a 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.779 great multitude 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.180 that no one 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.740 could number 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.559 from every nation 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.420 all tribes 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:00.880 people 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.440 languages 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.299 standing before 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.840 the throne 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:04.600 together. 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:07.779 all the time 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.219 in our lives 00:32:08.219 --> 00:32:08.659 just now 00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:09.379 we experience 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.019 the agony 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.779 of separation 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.579 the promise 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.159 of our future 00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:12.879 is a place 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:14.659 of unbreakable 00:32:14.659 --> 00:32:15.419 togetherness 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.539 it's a place 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.399 of perfect healing 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.059 he'll wipe 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.759 away every tear 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.919 from your eyes 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.799 death shall be 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.299 no more 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.159 neither shall there 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:23.779 be mourning 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.699 nor crying 00:32:24.699 --> 00:32:25.659 nor pain 00:32:25.659 --> 00:32:26.399 anymore 00:32:26.399 --> 00:32:26.859 it's a place 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.639 of unspoiled 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.059 holiness 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.980 a place of 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.899 thrilling worship 00:32:29.899 --> 00:32:30.599 where the 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.959 volume 00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:33.099 of praise 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.799 is going to be 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.519 incredible 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:36.420 as we lift 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.039 up our voices 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.920 to praise 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.299 Jesus 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.180 and it's 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.420 going to be 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:39.879 a place 00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.000 of unending 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.460 love 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.480 that nothing 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.519 can separate 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.039 you from 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:45.160 Romans 8 38 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.379 neither life 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:46.839 nor death 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.379 nor angels 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:47.819 nor rulers 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.139 nor things 00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:48.559 present 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.339 nor things 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.700 to come 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.200 nor powers 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:50.579 nor height 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:50.960 nor depth 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.460 nor anything 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:51.779 else 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.799 in all creation 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.480 will be able 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.200 to separate us 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.619 from the love 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:54.980 of God 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.700 in Christ 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.079 Jesus 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.940 our Lord 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.859 and everything 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.519 good and 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.059 precious and 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.379 wonderful 00:32:59.379 --> 00:32:59.660 that we 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.259 experience in 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.639 this life 00:33:00.639 --> 00:33:01.279 everything good 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.619 and precious 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:01.879 that you 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:02.559 experience this 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.879 week 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.460 this week 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.819 will be a 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.299 great week 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.059 for so many 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.379 of us 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.180 everything that's 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:06.619 good and 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.079 precious and 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.619 wonderful is 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.319 a glimpse 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:12.539 it's a glimpse 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.480 of what God 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.200 is preparing 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:16.299 for his people 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:18.779 Simeon was 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.659 about to depart 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.659 he did not 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:22.000 know just how 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.639 amazing the 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.419 destination was 00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:23.879 going to be 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:25.399 he knows 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.779 now 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:30.220 he knows 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.599 now 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:35.019 and for us 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.299 we cannot 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.099 stretch our 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.039 minds far 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.440 enough 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:40.940 to imagine 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.680 the peace 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.680 and the joy 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.720 and the security 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:45.059 and the beauty 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.899 and wonder 00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:47.680 of what God 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.279 has prepared 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.859 for those 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.399 who love him 00:33:49.399 --> 00:33:50.200 we can't 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.680 stretch our 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.200 minds far 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:51.519 enough 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.480 to imagine 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:52.720 that 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.299 but if you're 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:53.819 trusting in 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.559 Jesus you're 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:54.759 going to 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.220 find out 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:58.439 you're going 00:33:58.439 --> 00:33:58.799 to find 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.119 out 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:02.259 and as we 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:02.759 close 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.759 surely 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:06.399 surely 00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:08.279 that's the 00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:08.799 departure 00:34:08.799 --> 00:34:10.059 that everyone 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.739 here wants 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.199 to have 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:15.440 surely that's 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:15.960 the departure 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.639 that you want 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.779 that's the 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.400 departure that 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.039 Jesus came 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.860 to give 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.119 you 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:22.279 we're 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:22.800 thinking about 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.420 his arrival 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:25.320 he's thinking 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:25.699 about your 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.199 departure 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:28.659 and he's 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.179 holding out 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.539 the offer 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.039 to all of 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.380 us 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.039 that if we 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.539 trust in 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:32.980 him that 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.559 departure 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:36.500 will be 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:38.079 unspeakably 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:39.099 amazing 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:43.559 but all 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:43.800 of this 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:44.340 comes back 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:44.759 to what we 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.800 said to 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.259 the kids 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:49.900 there's 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.080 an 00:34:50.080 --> 00:34:51.060 inescapable 00:34:51.060 --> 00:34:51.640 connection 00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:53.840 between 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.460 going 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:56.100 and 00:34:56.100 --> 00:34:56.460 knowing 00:34:56.460 --> 00:35:00.580 if that's 00:35:00.580 --> 00:35:01.180 the departure 00:35:01.180 --> 00:35:03.580 that we 00:35:03.580 --> 00:35:03.960 want 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:06.740 if that's 00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.480 the destination 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:09.020 where we 00:35:09.020 --> 00:35:09.320 want to 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:09.660 go 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:12.460 Jesus is 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.040 the saviour 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:15.579 that all 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:15.800 of us 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.079 need to 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.279 know 00:35:16.279 --> 00:35:19.920 I hope 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.420 that every 00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.119 single person 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.519 in here 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:23.119 can take 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.719 Simeon's 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:24.279 words to 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:24.539 be their 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:24.820 own 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:27.539 that I 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.460 your servant 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:30.179 can depart 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:30.679 in peace 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:33.199 Amen 00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:34.320 let's pray 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:42.100 Lord Jesus 00:35:42.100 --> 00:35:42.700 we just 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.180 thank you 00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:44.059 so so 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.840 much for 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.500 everything that 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:45.820 you've done 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.160 for us 00:35:46.160 --> 00:35:46.700 we thank you 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.059 for your 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.600 arrival 00:35:47.600 --> 00:35:48.500 for everything 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:48.800 that it 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.100 means 00:35:49.100 --> 00:35:49.620 for everything 00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:49.860 that it 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.440 accomplished 00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.980 for everything 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.220 that you 00:35:52.220 --> 00:35:52.940 have changed 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.640 for us 00:35:53.640 --> 00:35:55.720 and we 00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.059 thank you 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.380 that in 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:56.700 your 00:35:56.700 --> 00:35:57.340 arrival 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:59.740 you were 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.240 thinking 00:36:00.240 --> 00:36:01.340 about our 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:01.780 departure 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:04.440 we thank you 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.640 that you 00:36:04.640 --> 00:36:05.100 have opened 00:36:05.100 --> 00:36:05.740 up a way 00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:07.240 for life 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:08.860 for all 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.200 who come 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:09.600 to you 00:36:09.600 --> 00:36:11.200 and so 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:11.560 we pray 00:36:11.560 --> 00:36:12.000 that every 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.460 single one 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:12.880 of us 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.860 would look 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.280 to you 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.320 trust in 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:15.600 you 00:36:15.600 --> 00:36:16.600 and follow 00:36:16.600 --> 00:36:16.900 you 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:18.620 help us 00:36:18.620 --> 00:36:19.120 and guide 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:19.440 us 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.620 and thank 00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:20.860 you for 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.300 everything 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:23.080 Amen 00:36:23.080 --> 00:36:26.700 we're going 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.140 to close 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:27.760 singing from 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.380 Psalm 4 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:28.840 in the 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.000 Sing 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.340 Psalms 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.680 version 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:34.019 and that's 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.480 on page 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:34.960 4 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:40.379 and we'll 00:36:40.379 --> 00:36:40.559 sing 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.179 verses 3 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:41.739 to 8 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:42.299 know that 00:36:42.299 --> 00:36:42.659 the Lord 00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.059 has set 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.500 apart 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.199 the godly 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:44.480 as his 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:44.719 own 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.659 the Lord 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:46.079 will hear 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.379 me when 00:36:46.379 --> 00:36:46.899 I call 00:36:46.899 --> 00:36:48.239 and my 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:48.819 request 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.460 make known 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.219 and down 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.460 to the 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:50.839 end 00:36:50.839 --> 00:36:52.679 I will 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:53.259 lie down 00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:53.819 and sleep 00:36:53.819 --> 00:36:54.379 in peace 00:36:54.379 --> 00:36:55.299 my heart 00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:56.000 will rest 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.500 secure 00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.359 for you 00:36:57.359 --> 00:36:57.719 alone 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.339 oh gracious 00:36:58.339 --> 00:36:58.819 Lord 00:36:58.820 --> 00:36:59.460 will keep 00:36:59.460 --> 00:36:59.760 me 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:00.280 safe 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.860 and sure 00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:02.059 3 to 8 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:02.840 to God's 00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:03.120 praise 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:08.460 know that 00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:11.199 the Lord 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:13.699 has set 00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:15.699 apart 00:37:15.699 --> 00:37:16.500 the 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:19.159 godly 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:21.039 as 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:22.000 his 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:23.739 own 00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:24.799 the 00:37:24.799 --> 00:37:26.699 Lord 00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.579 will 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:29.039 hear 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.940 me 00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.880 when 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:30.880 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:32.200 I 00:37:32.200 --> 00:37:33.480 hope 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.880 and 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:36.320 thy 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:37.619 request 00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:39.780 may 00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:41.519 know 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:43.619 in 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:45.519 anger 00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:48.420 do not 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.420 pray 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:50.900 God's 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.960 law 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:53.900 consider 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:56.260 and be 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:57.700 still 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:59.699 still 00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:03.139 is it 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:04.079 a 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:05.719 righteous 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:10.179 sacrifice 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.579 and 00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:13.239 wait 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:14.659 upon 00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:16.659 his 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:18.659 will 00:38:18.659 --> 00:38:20.079 oh 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.659 who 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:22.559 can 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.460 show 00:38:23.460 --> 00:38:25.460 ! 00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:25.460 00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:26.460 any 00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:27.460 earth 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:29.460 I 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:30.460 hear 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.460 so 00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.460 many 00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:34.460 say 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:36.460 O 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:38.460 Lord 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:40.460 shine 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.460 on 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.460 us 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.460 with 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:44.460 your 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:46.460 light 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:47.460 show 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:48.460 us 00:38:48.460 --> 00:38:49.460 your 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.460 face 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.460 face 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.460 I 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:53.460 pray 00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:56.460 you 00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:57.460 filled 00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.460 my 00:38:58.460 --> 00:39:00.460 heart 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.460 with 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.460 greater 00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:04.460 joy 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:06.460 than 00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:07.460 others 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.460 may 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:09.460 have 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.460 found 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:11.460 as 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.460 they 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:13.460 rejoice 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:14.460 ! 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:15.460 that 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.460 harvest 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:17.460 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.460 when 00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.460 green 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:19.460 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.460 white 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.460 above 00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:21.460 00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.460 will 00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.460 lie 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:23.460 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:24.460 and 00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:25.460 sleep 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.460 in 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.460 peace 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.460 my 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.460 heart 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.460 will 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:30.460 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.460 in 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.460 peace 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:32.460 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.460 heart 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.460 will 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.460 lie 00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.460 down 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:36.460 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:37.460 sleep 00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.460 in 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:38.460 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.460 and 00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:40.460 sleep 00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:40.460 00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:41.460 peace 00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:43.460 my 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.460 heart 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.460 will 00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.460 rest 00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:48.460 secure 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.460 for 00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:51.460 you 00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:53.460 alone 00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:55.460 O 00:39:55.460 --> 00:39:55.460 00:39:55.460 --> 00:39:56.460 Lord 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.460 will 00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:59.460 keep me 00:39:59.460 --> 00:40:00.460 safe 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.460 and 00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.460 true 00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:09.460 after the 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:11.460 benediction 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:11.460 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.460 the main 00:40:12.460 --> 00:40:13.460 door 00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:14.460 as you step 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:14.460 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.460 week may the 00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.460 grace of our 00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.460 Lord Jesus 00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.460 Christ and the 00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.460 love of God and 00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:20.460 the fellowship of 00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:21.460 the Holy Spirit be 00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.460 with you all 00:40:22.460 --> 00:40:23.460 Amen 00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:34.460 up 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:35.460 up 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:35.460 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:36.460 up 00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:35.460 ! 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:40.460 up 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.460 up 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:41.460 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:41.460 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:42.460 up 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.460 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:43.460 up 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:45.460 up 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.460 ! 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.460 up 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:47.460 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:47.460 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.460 up 00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:49.460 up 00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.460 up 00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.460 up 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.460 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.460 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.460 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.460 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.460 up 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:51.460 ! 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.460 up 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:52.460 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.460 up 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:52.460 ! 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.460 up 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:40.460 ! 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.460