WEBVTT

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 So a bit of a story before we jump into God's word.

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 Wednesday, April 17th, 2014, at 11am,

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 the Iron Lady, the Right Honourable Baroness Margaret Thatcher of Kestevin

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! was laid to rest at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

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 Her funeral was a state funeral attended by heads of state the world over, royalty and dignitaries.

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 It had all the pomp and ceremony and to the delight of a minister,

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 it was full of scripture, hymns and prayers.

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 For us this morning, I'm not going to do a deep dive into a funeral that happened 11 plus years ago,

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 almost 12 years ago, but for us this morning, what is of particular note is the recessional hymn.

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 When the coffin was taken out of St. Paul's, the Nunc Dimittis was sung.

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 It was put to music and sung.

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 If the Nunc Dimittis is unfamiliar to you, no problem.

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 It's the Song of Simeon.

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 In fact, it is the song we'll be looking at this morning, starting in verse 29 and going to verse 32.

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 It is also the song that is sung or prayed at the end of evening prayer every single day in the Book of Common Prayer.

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 The Book of Common Prayer is scripture put to prayers that it's really part of our tradition in the Anglican world.

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 The words are fitting for the bookend of one's day and especially of one's life,

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 as one rests satisfied with a job well done.

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 So agree with her politics or not, I don't bring her up to get political, agree with her politics or not,

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 Lady Thatcher accomplished a great deal in office and in life in general.

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 She came from humble beginnings.

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 She led the United Kingdom through turbulent times, including the Cold War.

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 She accomplished much.

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 And I would think that at the end of her life, she had a degree of satisfaction for what she did.

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 She had a very, very rich and full public life.

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 However, for the Lady Thatcher and for us this morning,

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 if we were given some quiet, which is a bit of a hot commodity for some of us with young kids,

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 if we were given some quiet to think about life and the things that truly matter

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 and we felt comfortable with sharing from our heart of hearts,

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 what would we describe as a life that is truly full, a life of complete satisfaction?

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 I think it's an important question for us to consider, regardless of where we are at in life.

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 If you are visiting or new, we've been asking some big questions in light of these four songs for the Savior

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 in Luke's early narrative in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1 and 2.

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 And we come finally to the Nunc Timidus, which is just to say Latin for,

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 now let your servant depart in peace, which is the opening line in the song.

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 This prayer, this song of Simeon, has been in use in the church for at least since the 4th century.

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 It's very ancient, included in the daily prayers of God's people.

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 And as such, it has deeply shaped generations of Christians to take stock of their life,

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 whenever it would end, at the end of each day, in light of eternity.

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 And it helps us to ask this question.

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 If my life were to end, would I depart in peace?

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 If my life were to end, would I depart in peace?

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 A profound question, especially in our day.

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 You know, we have a very interesting culture here in the West, and in Canada in particular.

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 On one hand, when we're considering death, on one hand, death is tucked away.

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 It is unseen.

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 We live in a very kind of sanitized time.

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 We are not acquainted with death.

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 And yet, there's a bizarre obsession with the experience of death as we are eager to read or watch accounts of people

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 undergoing health treatments or end-of-life care, or to follow people as they post or vlog about their grief or loss.

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 It's a really interesting, I don't know if you want to call it a confusion, but maybe a lack of clarity around what death is and how we should live in light of it.

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 So, how should we prepare for the end?

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 What must we do to live a life of true satisfaction?

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 How can we, like Simeon, declare,

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 Now, let us, thou, thy servant, depart in peace?

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 As we consider some of these questions, let's turn our attention to the final song for the Savior.

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 And we're going to look at two things from the text.

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 First, we're going to look at the strength of faith.

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 And second, the satisfaction of peace.

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 A bit of a background just to orient us with the narrative before we jump into these two points.

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 Mary has had the baby Jesus.

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 And as per Jewish custom, after about 40 days, she is to present herself at the temple to be cleansed from ritual impurity.

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 Now, I'm not going to get into this at length.

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 Only just to say that Mary is going to the temple not because she has sinned, necessarily,

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 but because the law of Moses says that she has to offer sacrifice for her ritual impurity.

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 Now, not only are they at the temple making the trip from Nazareth to the temple in Jerusalem for that purpose,

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 but also Jesus being the firstborn out of Mary is, again, according to the scriptures, he has to be redeemed.

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 I won't get into that.

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 Only just to point out that Mary and Joseph, although they are very poor,

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 and we know they're poor because the sacrifice that they alter is not a lamb, but two doves,

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 which is like the very minimum for poor people to offer in the temple,

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 that they are devout people, that they are seeking to follow the law as the Lord has commanded.

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 So, with that as a background, we're going to look at the story and look at our first point,

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 the strength of faith.

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 So, turn with me, verses 25, and we'll read 25, 26, and 27.

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 Verse 25.

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 Now, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon,

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 and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel,

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 and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

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 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

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 that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

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 Christ is just the Greek term for the Hebrew word of Messiah.

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 It speaks of God's anointed one.

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 So, he was promised that he'd see the Lord's Messiah or anointed one.

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 Verse 27.

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 And he came in the Spirit into the temple,

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 and when the parents, that is Mary and Joseph,

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 brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law,

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 verse 28, he took him up in his arms and blessed God.

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 Let us pause there before we continue on.

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 Simeon has waited and waited and waited

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 for the long-promised deliverance of Israel.

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 To say consolation is to say a deliverance or a redemption

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 or salvation of the nation from their centuries-long exile,

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 both in body and in soul, as promised by God.

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 A bit of a background to where Israel's at by the time the first century comes.

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 They have been scattered across the known world.

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 They have been in exile for six, seven hundred years.

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 They have settled in faraway lands.

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 And as is the case for all kind of geopolitical movement,

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 they have assimilated and synchronized their customs and faith to local practices.

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 Oftentimes, retaining some key aspects of the faith,

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 but also incorporating things that were not commissioned by God in any way.

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 And yet, even in the land, so there's Jews scattered across the known world,

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 but in the land of Israel, there were also Jews,

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 Jews, although they were under Roman occupation.

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 And likewise, they were a hodgepodge of beliefs and customs.

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 Many were Hellenized, which is to say they acted and spoke

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 and participated in Greco-Roman life.

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 Others were adherents of various sects and cults

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 that emphasized certain parts of the Bible over others.

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 Some were violent.

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 They were freedom fighters or terrorists,

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 depending on what side of the equation you were on.

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 Some were violent.

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 Some were reclusive.

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 Some had power.

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 Some had none.

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 But most believed that there would be a Christ or a Messiah or a chosen one

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 that would deliver them from their enemies,

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 whoever their enemies would be.

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 They differed wildly on who that Messiah would be,

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 but certainly there would be a Messiah.

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 I guess the too-long, didn't-read of the whole matter was

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 Israel was a giant collection of various beliefs.

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 Very few followed the faith of the Scriptures.

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 Why was this?

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 I think in part because of the natural reality

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 of large amounts of people moving to different regions.

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 But on a spiritual level, I'll suggest to you this morning

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 that it is because the promises God made didn't come true

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 as fast as they wanted them to.

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 Trusting God is hard.

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 Having faith that endures is extremely difficult.

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 Waiting for God to confirm and do what he says in Holy Scripture

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 is not an easy thing.

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 So the temptation is either to twist or reimagine God's words and promises

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 so that they say something different,

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 or to make them overly figurative,

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 or even abandon Scripture altogether.

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 So you see, waiting is a very difficult thing,

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 and it has been the problem with God's people time and again

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 so that they wait, and then they wait, and then they begin to forget.

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 Constantly in the Scriptures, God tells them to remember,

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 and yet so few do.

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 If you or someone you know has gone through a deconstruction of their faith

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 or has left their faith,

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 I would wager that it is in part due to this relatable difficulty of trusting God

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 when he seems absent.

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 And I know that it is more complex than that,

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 but I would suggest that that aspect is included in somebody's story

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 or journey towards deconstruction or leaving the faith completely.

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 And as a result, a despondency can come when God is seen as untrustworthy,

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 when he is seen as unworthy to be the object of our praise and devotion

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 and our faith.

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 Waiting is hard.

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 Waiting is hard.

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 This is why Simeon is such a fantastic example of a faithful waiting,

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 a faithful trust.

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 So his age isn't given.

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 And I kind of wrestled with this

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 because almost all the commentaries suggest that he was a very elderly man,

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 especially with what he was saying.

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 But in nowhere does it say that he was an elderly man.

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 I'm just going to take it that he is.

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 That there's a lot of very learned people that went before me

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 that say he was an aged man, so he's an aged man.

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 So although his age isn't given, he is almost certainly elderly,

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 and he is eagerly awaiting God's salvation.

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 He says that he is both righteous and devout,

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 meaning he is careful in his conduct with people,

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 and he is reverent before the Lord.

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 He seems to have understood that the Lord would make good on his promise

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 to send the Messiah and to console or redeem Israel.

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 And more than that, he was promised to see that consolation in the Lord's Christ

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 with his own eyes.

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 How does one fight against despondency,

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 against losing one's trust in the Lord?

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 By faithfully waiting.

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 And here we have such a prime example to emulate.

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 Simeon has waited well.

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 If he is an elderly man,

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 it suggests in the text that he has waited a very long time.

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 He has not given in to the cults and the customs around him,

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 nor has he abandoned the biblical faith.

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 Which isn't to say, what I'm not saying is that he is this perfect person,

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 but that through the years he has maintained his faith.

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 He has remained faithful to believing in the promises that God has spoken of in the scriptures.

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 But, you know, put on your skeptics hat.

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 It could easily be said that anybody would have such a faith

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 if they were promised to see the fruition of that faith.

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 It says that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ.

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 But I want to suggest a bit of a pushback.

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 I've heard it said by some people that have struggled with their faith

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 that if God would only reveal himself to me,

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 okay, if God would only speak,

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 then I would believe it.

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 But I'm to believe that there is some being up there that I've never seen,

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 I've never heard,

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 I'm supposed to believe in this book,

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 how am I supposed to make sense of this?

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 Here's a bit of a pushback to that.

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 Simeon was an elderly man who was already walking in righteousness and devotion.

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 The text seems to imply that he was promised that he would see the Lord's Christ later in life.

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 That this wasn't something that he was given from this promise when he was a little boy,

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 but that he received this as an elderly man.

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 The text also implies that this righteousness and devotion that he exhibited was longstanding.

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 That he had a faithful walk with the Lord for many decades in his life.

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 And he was given the revelation from the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah

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 precisely because he was walking in faith,

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 not because his faith was waning or non-existent.

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 There's this very remarkable story later on in Luke's Gospel.

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 Jesus himself is teaching about,

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 he's giving a parable and it's about the rich man and Lazarus.

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 And what's interesting is that out of all of Jesus' parables,

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 which are instructive stories to communicate,

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 especially truth about the kingdom of God,

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 Lazarus, this poor man, is the only one who is named in any of the parables.

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 I'll try to sum up and be brief about this,

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 but Jesus tells this story about this rich man who was exceedingly wealthy

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 and this poor beggar, Lazarus.

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 They both die.

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 And in the afterlife, Lazarus is in heaven.

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 He is beside Father Abraham.

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 And the rich man is in hell.

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 The fire of hell is licking at him.

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 He is in anguish.

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 And he thinks that he can command Lazarus, who is in heaven,

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 to do his bidding like he could command Lazarus

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 to do his bidding when they were on earth.

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 And it becomes very clear that this is not the case.

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 The tables have turned.

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 And right at the end, he says,

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 if I can't be saved, then send Lazarus to visit my family

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 and tell them from the grave to believe in God

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 and to walk a faithful life.

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 And Father Abraham, he replies like this.

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 And this is from Luke chapter 16, verse 29.

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 But Abraham said,

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 they, that is the rich man's family,

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 they have Moses and the prophets,

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 which is to say the scriptures.

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 Let them hear them.

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 But the rich man said,

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 no, Father Abraham,

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 but if someone goes to them from the dead,

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 they will repent.

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 And Abraham said to him,

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 if they do not hear Moses and the prophets,

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 neither will they be convinced

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 if someone should rise from the dead.

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 I'll just say this.

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 We are so inoculated from belief in God,

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 okay,

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 as a people,

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 as human beings.

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 We will come up with all sorts of excuses

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 or proofs that that wasn't really what we experienced,

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 if we had some kind of religious experience.

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:17.839
 We are so inoculated from believing in the Lord

00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:20.200
 that time and again,

00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.619
 and this is one example,

00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.579
 there's a few others,

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:27.660
 where even the most dramatic instance

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.259
 of God revealing himself

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:32.539
 would not result in a saving faith.

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.279
 And I would say to you this morning

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:37.000
 that that's probably still the case.

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:40.779
 Religious or not,

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:46.200
 people will look to something metaphysical.

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.920
 And when I say metaphysical,

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.880
 beyond just the material world that they see,

00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.599
 saying it to the universe

00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:55.099
 or whatever kind of belief system

00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:58.940
 that in a time of crisis we lean upon,

00:18:59.339 --> 00:18:59.519
 say,

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.339
 if only I can get through this,

00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.660
 I will believe,

00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.880
 or universe,

00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:07.259
 pay me back for all the good karma I have given.

00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.180
 Whatever it may be,

00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:09.800
 we are constantly

00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:13.660
 looking past this material world

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:15.880
 and sometimes it works.

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.720
 Maybe it's coincidence,

00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:19.820
 okay,

00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:20.580
 maybe it's not.

00:19:20.800 --> 00:19:21.400
 Sometimes it works,

00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:21.880
 and yet,

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:25.300
 we continue on in cycles of unbelief.

00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:28.019
 I bring this up just to say,

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:34.859
 Simeon is walking in a righteous and devout way,

00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.019
 and because of that,

00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.139
 he is given this promise,

00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.759
 but he doesn't become righteous and devout

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:42.139
 because he was given a promise first.

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.559
 Waiting is difficult.

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:49.500
 It is very, very hard.

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:52.440
 Having faith in God is a very,

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:53.740
 I mean,

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:55.200
 a near impossible task,

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.680
 and yet,

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.299
 this is what we are called to.

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:05.360
 What is important to note in our text today

00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:09.340
 is that Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit,

00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:12.140
 which is to say that God had empowered him

00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:15.740
 to act righteously and devoutly

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:18.380
 to do the things that God had called him to do.

00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.840
 So, back to the text.

00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.980
 Salvation had indeed come to

00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.940
 the one who,

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.079
 with expectant faith,

00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:28.180
 waited for the Lord God to do

00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.099
 what he had promised.

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.940
 And, as I have said,

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.319
 Simeon's faith, I'm sure,

00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.079
 was beyond,

00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:36.240
 was far from being perfect,

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.900
 and yet,

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.380
 he was blessed because

00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:41.319
 he chose to believe.

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.960
 The result was great comfort.

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:51.000
 Not in a life free of pain,

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.160
 but in one so satisfied

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.360
 in purpose and meaning

00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:56.380
 that it says that he could

00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.940
 die a fulfilled man.

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.380
 I want to say to you this morning

00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.519
 that faith

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.140
 isn't so much

00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:05.059
 the amount of faith we have,

00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.600
 but the degree of,

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.440
 or the,

00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.840
 not the degree of faith that we have,

00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:11.500
 but the person that our faith is in.

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:14.799
 So, what can rid a man

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.059
 of fear of death?

00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.380
 How can Simeon say,

00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.680
 I can depart in peace?

00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:22.000
 What can take away the terrors

00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.700
 of the graveyard?

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.079
 What can help us see

00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.339
 soberly and clearly

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.799
 so that the false promises

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:30.039
 that money and power

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.900
 and standing

00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.960
 and even health

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.720
 will not bring us

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.480
 ultimate satisfaction in this life?

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.240
 How can we have clarity

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.200
 in that regard?

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:40.039
 It has to be nothing

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:42.559
 less than faith

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.440
 in God

00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:46.360
 who gives His redemption,

00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:48.420
 who gives His deliverance,

00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.720
 who gives His consolation

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.960
 to all peoples.

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.200
 This is what we see in Simeon.

00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.960
 That this faith that he has,

00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.019
 it buoys him up.

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.000
 That God strengthens him

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:06.660
 as he is walking with the Lord,

00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:08.360
 as he is choosing

00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:09.420
 to trust the Lord

00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:11.220
 and not in other things,

00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:14.400
 and the Lord is keeping him afloat.

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.320
 And this will then bring us

00:22:17.320 --> 00:22:18.340
 to our next point.

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.540
 For having such a faith in God

00:22:20.540 --> 00:22:23.220
 that brings about this consolation

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.920
 will ultimately

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.680
 also give us peace.

00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.440
 And a peace that is so profound

00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.080
 that life,

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.720
 that the life to come

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.940
 will be more of an exciting

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.860
 journey

00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:36.600
 and prospect

00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.380
 and adventure

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.340
 than anything else

00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:38.980
 in this life.

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.039
 So we'll get to our second point,

00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:42.160
 the satisfaction of peace.

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.160
 Look with me

00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:45.320
 at the Nunc Dimittis,

00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.380
 this prayer

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.820
 and song of Simeon.

00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.880
 We'll look in verse,

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.559
 actually we'll start

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.340
 in verse 27

00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.240
 and read down to 32.

00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:56.900
 And Simeon came in the spirit

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.840
 into the temple,

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.259
 and when the parents

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.620
 brought in the child Jesus

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.380
 to do for him

00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:02.700
 according to the custom of the law,

00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.460
 Simeon took him up

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.020
 in his arms

00:23:05.020 --> 00:23:05.840
 and blessed God

00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:06.220
 and said,

00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.180
 Lord,

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.400
 now you are letting

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.560
 your servant depart in peace

00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.880
 according to your word.

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.020
 For my eyes

00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:13.020
 have seen your salvation

00:23:13.020 --> 00:23:14.360
 that you have prepared

00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:14.980
 in the presence

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.260
 of all peoples

00:23:16.260 --> 00:23:18.160
 a light for revelation

00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.140
 to the Gentiles

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.520
 and for glory

00:23:20.520 --> 00:23:21.640
 to your people Israel.

00:23:22.540 --> 00:23:23.580
 In some ways,

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.620
 I imagine Simeon

00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:27.780
 as that knight

00:23:27.780 --> 00:23:29.060
 in the last crusade

00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:30.640
 who is pale and old

00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.280
 and has been waiting

00:23:31.280 --> 00:23:31.980
 for centuries

00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:34.720
 guarding the chalice.

00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:38.500
 He is weary,

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:41.000
 and yet he is delighted

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.380
 that his job is finished

00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.960
 and his time

00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.700
 has now come to an end.

00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:45.280
 Yet,

00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.720
 these words

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.960
 are not those

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.500
 of a man

00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.220
 who is weary

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.000
 from pain

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.800
 or frustrated

00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:52.380
 with his life.

00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:53.480
 Rather,

00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.259
 they are words

00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.880
 of a man

00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:56.120
 whose desire

00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.320
 for genuine peace

00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.380
 has come to fruition.

00:23:58.380 --> 00:24:00.860
 consider the peace

00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.860
 Simeon possesses

00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:04.120
 and how it is grounded

00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.180
 not in speculation

00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.320
 but in promise.

00:24:07.260 --> 00:24:08.240
 A peace so powerful

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.680
 that he is ready

00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.240
 to die

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.120
 without regret.

00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.440
 He is ready

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.100
 to die

00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:17.440
 without fear

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.600
 of unsaid words

00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.660
 or unfinished work.

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:22.220
 Can you imagine

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.779
 an ending

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:24.080
 more glorious

00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:24.560
 than this?

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.240
 A peace

00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.519
 that God

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.440
 himself gives,

00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:29.960
 a peace

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.800
 that God

00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:31.420
 has promised

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.779
 in his word

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.320
 that has come

00:24:33.320 --> 00:24:33.820
 to pass,

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.500
 these promises

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.680
 that were made

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.420
 because mankind

00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:38.279
 lacked peace,

00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:39.519
 because it

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.259
 was such

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.019
 an elusive thing.

00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.400
 He may have

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:44.800
 struggled

00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:45.720
 and muddled

00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.540
 through life

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.659
 at certain

00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.099
 points,

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.279
 but nevertheless,

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.519
 here he is

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:52.980
 at the end

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.539
 of the day

00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.759
 and he has

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.119
 peace,

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.879
 so much peace

00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.359
 that he is

00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.079
 ready to depart.

00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.539
 Last week

00:24:59.539 --> 00:24:59.960
 during our

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.460
 Lessons and

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.059
 Carol service,

00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:01.899
 we read

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.779
 a whole

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.059
 number of

00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.420
 different

00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.180
 scripture verses,

00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.059
 nine in total,

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.740
 and they were

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:09.500
 communicating

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.500
 to us

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.960
 redemption,

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.460
 redemptive history,

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.000
 and it began

00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.839
 in Genesis 3.

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.500
 I guess it would be

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.000
 on this side

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.319
 for you guys.

00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.259
 Genesis 3,

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.559
 this promise

00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.400
 that was made

00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.559
 to Adam

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.019
 and Eve

00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.619
 immediately

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.440
 after they

00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:23.960
 sinned,

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.339
 after they

00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:24.960
 broke covenant

00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.640
 and relationship

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.200
 with God

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.140
 because of their

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.920
 selfish pride,

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.940
 that God

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.779
 would send

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.579
 someone to

00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.740
 crush the serpent.

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.059
 It's kind of

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.680
 really interesting

00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.019
 language,

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.680
 but it was

00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:37.039
 the first promise

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.119
 that God

00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.539
 would not

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.440
 allow mankind

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.000
 to exist

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.759
 in this state

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.259
 of evil

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.920
 and brokenness

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.460
 indefinitely.

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:47.039
 that this

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.559
 promise

00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.400
 throughout the

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:49.960
 Old Testament,

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.720
 whether explicitly

00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:53.120
 or there

00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.880
 be allusions

00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.440
 to it,

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.779
 it was

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.579
 constant in

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.100
 scripture that

00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:57.900
 God would

00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.779
 make a way

00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.759
 for peace.

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.940
 No longer

00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.579
 would we have

00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.600
 enmity or

00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:05.259
 frustration in

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.960
 our relationships,

00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.799
 either with one

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.360
 another or

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.000
 between us

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.039
 and God.

00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:09.799
 And the

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.279
 wonderful thing

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.680
 about this

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:10.899
 and what

00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.379
 we see

00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:13.200
 in Simeon's

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.539
 prayer

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.519
 is that

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:14.940
 it was

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.539
 according to

00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:15.899
 your word,

00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.399
 which is to

00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.259
 say that

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:17.639
 it wasn't

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.279
 a contingency

00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.539
 plan,

00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:18.879
 it wasn't

00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.480
 a plan B.

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.440
 This was

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.799
 not some

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.359
 kind of

00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.819
 fix-up

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.500
 because God

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:24.879
 somehow

00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.379
 didn't get

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.019
 the ingredients

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.519
 in the

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.339
 creation soup

00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.160
 just right

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.099
 and dinner

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.700
 was ruined.

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.799
 That salvation

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.480
 was planned

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.680
 from the

00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:33.960
 beginning

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.519
 and in the

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.039
 presence of

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.660
 all people,

00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.599
 which is to

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.220
 say in the

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.960
 ancient world

00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.539
 and according

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:39.799
 to the

00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.099
 scriptures,

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.740
 there were

00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.480
 the Gentiles

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.879
 and then

00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.319
 there was

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.759
 Israel.

00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.099
 And here

00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.819
 it is not

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.180
 saying that

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.680
 salvation,

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.119
 even though

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:47.819
 just previously

00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.579
 it said that

00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.500
 Simeon was

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:49.799
 waiting for

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.440
 the consolation

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.879
 of Israel,

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.299
 it isn't

00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.700
 just for

00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.119
 Israel,

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.899
 it is for

00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.440
 all people.

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.559
 So that

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.180
 Gentiles,

00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.139
 those that

00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:56.539
 are not a

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:56.920
 part of the

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.000
 Jewish nation,

00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.779
 the Israelite

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.079
 nation,

00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.680
 they are

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.299
 no longer

00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.000
 destined to

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.599
 walk in

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.259
 superstition

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.859
 and darkness.

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:05.779
 And for

00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.180
 the Jewish

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.859
 nation that

00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:08.279
 since they

00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.619
 have gone

00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.240
 off course,

00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.579
 they would

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.980
 be brought

00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.599
 back home

00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:10.940
 and given

00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.680
 such an

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.160
 incredible

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.140
 honor that

00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.579
 the Savior

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:13.860
 of the

00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.240
 world was

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.140
 born through

00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.500
 them.

00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.259
 We sang

00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.640
 O Holy

00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.240
 Night and

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.779
 I mean

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.099
 capturing it

00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.380
 incredibly in

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.380
 verse,

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.380
 the thrill of

00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:24.680
 hope,

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.720
 the weary

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.120
 soul rejoices.

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.200
 This is

00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.720
 exactly what

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.059
 we're reading

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.579
 about here

00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.299
 in Simeon's

00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.519
 song.

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.440
 But the

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.099
 temptation will

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.779
 always be to

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.339
 consider that

00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.000
 peace through

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.700
 Christ is not

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.019
 enough.

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.639
 That what he

00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:39.039
 truly gives is

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.539
 good but not

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.039
 great.

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.160
 That we must

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.579
 add something

00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.539
 that is lacking.

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.539
 I one time

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.099
 went to,

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.279
 there was a

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.740
 Starbucks,

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.680
 that was like a

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.839
 massive frou-frou

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.660
 Starbucks down

00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.619
 in the market

00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:55.799
 and I had my

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.619
 birthday free

00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.400
 drink so I went

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:57.819
 down there with

00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.160
 Christine,

00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.620
 I don't think

00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:58.980
 we had any

00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:00.320
 kids and I

00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:00.720
 ordered,

00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.220
 it was called a

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.880
 Siphon Brew

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.779
 Coffee and it

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.540
 was like $11

00:28:04.540 --> 00:28:06.100
 for a coffee and

00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.840
 it took 25

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.240
 minutes.

00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.600
 This lady was

00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.740
 like very

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.500
 passionate about

00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:10.920
 coffee.

00:28:11.300 --> 00:28:11.720
 This is how I

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.279
 give back to my

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.759
 community.

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.980
 Kind of like

00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.400
 interesting way to

00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:15.880
 give back to your

00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.560
 community that can

00:28:16.560 --> 00:28:17.120
 afford $12

00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.620
 coffees.

00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:18.740
 Okay, the

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.420
 point is,

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.240
 the point is

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.800
 after all of

00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.600
 that, okay,

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.180
 after all of

00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:24.600
 that, I'm

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.279
 expecting the

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.040
 best coffee I've

00:28:26.040 --> 00:28:26.660
 ever tasted,

00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.680
 okay, life

00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.140
 changing coffee

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:30.000
 and she

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.620
 says, do you

00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.460
 need room for

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.740
 dairy?

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.560
 And I think

00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:35.160
 you put dairy

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.980
 into this, it's

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.320
 like putting

00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:36.940
 lipstick on a

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.200
 pig.

00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:39.040
 Like, why

00:28:39.040 --> 00:28:39.500
 would we do

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:39.820
 this?

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.779
 Is this supposed

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.160
 to be the

00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.300
 best coffee and

00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:42.580
 we're going to

00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.259
 add to it to

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.720
 make it better?

00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.500
 It's supposed to

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:44.940
 be the best.

00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:45.840
 And I think we

00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.240
 do something

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.840
 similar,

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.920
 potentially,

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:50.500
 with trusting

00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:52.160
 in the Lord for

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.680
 his peace.

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.700
 We have to

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.460
 augment it.

00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.140
 We have to put

00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:57.100
 a bit of salt on

00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.939
 this Michelin

00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:59.639
 star dinner

00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.219
 that is in

00:29:00.219 --> 00:29:00.859
 front of us.

00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.459
 And yet,

00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:04.879
 if we do

00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:06.419
 that, it is

00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.439
 not a guarantee

00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:08.279
 that we will

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.339
 have a higher

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:11.379
 degree of

00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.240
 peace, but it

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.299
 robs God's

00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.079
 salvation of the

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.579
 peace that it

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:14.859
 gives.

00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.119
 You cannot

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:19.299
 have Jesus

00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.740
 plus, okay?

00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.539
 You cannot have

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.500
 salvation plus,

00:29:23.199 --> 00:29:24.159
 plus whatever you

00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.859
 want to add after

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.119
 that.

00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.439
 You can't have

00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:26.740
 that.

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.240
 It's Christ

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:31.019
 and with him

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.740
 this divine

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.379
 peace or

00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.119
 nothing at all.

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.219
 Friends, let

00:29:36.219 --> 00:29:36.599
 us, like

00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.419
 Simeon, find

00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.319
 the satisfaction

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:39.659
 that is divine

00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.259
 and worthy of

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.659
 our faith.

00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.039
 This peace

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.639
 that passes

00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.759
 all understanding.

00:29:45.459 --> 00:29:45.799
 And as we

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.419
 wrap this up,

00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.419
 let's read the

00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.000
 narrative that

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.179
 follows the

00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:49.419
 Nunc

00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.839
 Dimittis,

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.099
 verses 33

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.819
 and 35.

00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:53.019
 It's not a

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.079
 part of the

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.599
 servant song,

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.939
 but it's

00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.639
 connected and

00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:58.220
 has just a

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.939
 deep insight

00:29:58.939 --> 00:30:00.079
 that is worthy

00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.379
 of our

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:00.740
 attention.

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.839
 Read with

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.339
 me verses

00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.139
 33 to

00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:03.659
 35.

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.980
 And his

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.519
 father and

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.919
 his mother

00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:08.039
 marveled at

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.700
 what was said

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.179
 about him.

00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.500
 And Simeon

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.299
 blessed them

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.460
 and said to

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:12.879
 Mary his

00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.079
 mother,

00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.439
 Behold,

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.000
 this child

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.539
 is appointed

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.740
 for the fall

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.379
 and rising

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.919
 of many in

00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.460
 Israel and

00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.099
 for a sign

00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.159
 that is

00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.939
 opposed.

00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.360
 And a

00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.240
 sword will

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.059
 pierce through

00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.539
 your own

00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.200
 soul also,

00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:24.180
 so that

00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.920
 thoughts from

00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.500
 many hearts

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.100
 will be

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:26.580
 revealed.

00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.580
 He says

00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.120
 three things

00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.299
 here.

00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:31.680
 We're going to

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.580
 focus briefly

00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.200
 on just two

00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.420
 of them.

00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:33.900
 The first

00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.820
 is that

00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.279
 Christ will

00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.539
 be a

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.900
 divisive

00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.160
 figure.

00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:38.600
 He was a

00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:38.920
 divisive

00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.279
 figure in

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.640
 his day.

00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.200
 He continues

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.720
 to be a

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.100
 divisive

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:43.220
 figure in

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.580
 our day.

00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.480
 Why?

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.600
 Because with

00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:47.940
 the coming

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.539
 of Christ,

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.200
 God will

00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.839
 make it

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.579
 very plain

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:51.940
 to the

00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.559
 human race

00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.379
 that we

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.259
 are very

00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:56.619
 non-self

00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:57.039
 sufficient

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.480
 people.

00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.720
 We cannot

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.799
 enjoy either

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.859
 consolation or

00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.899
 peace that

00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.639
 results in

00:31:03.639 --> 00:31:04.279
 long-lasting

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.039
 satisfaction

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.399
 because at

00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:07.440
 our core

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.119
 we lack

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.539
 a peace

00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:09.759
 and

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.420
 consolation.

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.379
 So we

00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:11.639
 cannot

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.799
 create

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.180
 something that

00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.700
 we desperately

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.359
 need from

00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:15.720
 nothing.

00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:16.779
 Okay?

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.639
 There's a

00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.059
 void

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.159
 of peace

00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:19.339
 and

00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.980
 consolation

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.200
 and

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.460
 therefore

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.779
 we

00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.139
 can't

00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:21.419
 produce

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:21.559
 it

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.019
 ourselves.

00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.399
 Sin and

00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:24.859
 evil are

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.259
 so very

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.659
 prevalent

00:31:25.659 --> 00:31:26.799
 and impossible

00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.319
 to deal

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.579
 with.

00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:28.859
 It will

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.319
 take nothing

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.940
 short of

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.980
 Christ dying

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.279
 in our

00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.839
 place for

00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.379
 our sins

00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.759
 because we

00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.460
 cannot atone

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.799
 for the

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.240
 wrongs we

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.659
 have done.

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.759
 Which is to

00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.139
 say that

00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:38.799
 we cannot

00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.779
 save ourselves.

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.259
 We cannot

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.879
 give ourselves

00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.779
 lasting peace.

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:42.700
 And the

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.099
 coming of

00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.599
 Christ has

00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:43.960
 made that

00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.339
 very,

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:44.879
 very clear.

00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:46.820
 there's no

00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.300
 amount of

00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:47.640
 good that

00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:47.940
 we can

00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.520
 achieve that

00:31:48.520 --> 00:31:49.040
 will tip

00:31:49.040 --> 00:31:49.800
 the scales

00:31:49.800 --> 00:31:50.660
 in our

00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.200
 favor that

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.540
 we may

00:31:51.540 --> 00:31:52.280
 enjoy a

00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:52.900
 self-wrought

00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.620
 satisfaction.

00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.120
 And why

00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.440
 will this

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.900
 cause many

00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.400
 to fall

00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:58.940
 and rise?

00:31:59.260 --> 00:31:59.440
 Well,

00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.240
 for those

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.660
 that it

00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.080
 will cause

00:32:01.080 --> 00:32:01.880
 the fall,

00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.700
 be that

00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.920
 those that,

00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.440
 and maybe

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.180
 some among

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:05.760
 us or maybe

00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:06.420
 even seasons

00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:06.940
 in our lives

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.240
 where we

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.800
 think that

00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:09.740
 we can

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.800
 actually exist

00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.759
 and live

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.740
 completely

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.599
 satisfied,

00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.539
 like a

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:14.940
 deep,

00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.240
 like core,

00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:16.700
 heart of

00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.539
 heart satisfaction

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.019
 apart from

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.319
 Jesus.

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.259
 Okay?

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.579
 That is

00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.500
 what the

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:21.919
 scripture will

00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:22.980
 call delusion.

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.000
 And if you've

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.740
 tried that

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.079
 and have

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.680
 come up

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.059
 short,

00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.700
 you can say

00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.519
 actually it is

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:28.919
 a bit of a

00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.299
 delusional

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.619
 thought.

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.440
 But for

00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.019
 those that

00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.940
 can recognize

00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:35.220
 that they

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.659
 are in

00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.220
 deep need

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.599
 of a

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:36.919
 savior,

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.419
 what Christ

00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:38.940
 extends

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:40.019
 is mercy

00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.700
 and joy

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.139
 and love

00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:41.539
 and an

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:41.819
 eternal

00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.519
 satisfaction

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.559
 that will

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:43.960
 transcend

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.519
 this world,

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.599
 that will

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.259
 be rooted

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.819
 in an

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.319
 unchanging

00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:47.839
 God and

00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.359
 therefore will

00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.980
 never change.

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.720
 And it's

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.220
 offered to

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.119
 us as a

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.579
 free gift

00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.079
 of grace.

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.200
 The second

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.859
 point that

00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.299
 he makes

00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.920
 is related

00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.240
 to the

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.440
 first,

00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:57.720
 but it

00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.139
 speaks to

00:32:58.139 --> 00:32:58.619
 Christ being

00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:59.220
 both God

00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.720
 and judge.

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.680
 Notice at

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.019
 the very

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.259
 end,

00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:01.660
 Simeon

00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.339
 says that

00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:02.960
 Christ will

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.500
 cause the

00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.960
 thoughts

00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.119
 from many

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.660
 hearts to

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.220
 be revealed.

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:07.960
 Throughout

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.599
 the New

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:08.980
 Testament,

00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:09.759
 there are

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.799
 13 uses

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.920
 of this

00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.200
 word

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.839
 translated

00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.420
 here as

00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:13.839
 thoughts,

00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:14.819
 and in

00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.339
 every

00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.579
 instance,

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.539
 it comes

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:17.900
 with a

00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.220
 negative

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.660
 constant,

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:21.799
 it is

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.920
 pejorative,

00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:23.879
 it's negative.

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.059
 These thoughts

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.660
 are bad

00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.039
 thoughts,

00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.559
 these thoughts

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.079
 are vain

00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.420
 thoughts,

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.879
 these thoughts

00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.559
 are doubting

00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:29.980
 thoughts,

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.740
 these are

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:32.019
 thoughts all

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.700
 of which are

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.420
 hostile to

00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.059
 God and

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.640
 his purposes.

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.559
 It is

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.440
 really the

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.400
 condition of

00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.000
 one's heart

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.980
 that our

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.620
 thoughts are

00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:43.800
 then reflecting.

00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.180
 Therefore,

00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:45.740
 when Simeon

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.140
 says that

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.600
 the thoughts

00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:47.519
 from many

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.019
 hearts will

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.720
 be revealed,

00:33:49.280 --> 00:33:49.740
 he means

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.040
 that the

00:33:50.040 --> 00:33:50.640
 coming of

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.300
 Christ will

00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:52.360
 show how

00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:52.840
 utterly

00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:54.560
 broken and

00:33:54.560 --> 00:33:56.360
 sinful and

00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.019
 deceived the

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.440
 human heart

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.080
 truly is.

00:33:58.780 --> 00:33:59.200
 And on one

00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.440
 hand,

00:33:59.500 --> 00:33:59.900
 the life of

00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.240
 Christ will

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.940
 be so

00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.840
 utterly and

00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.220
 completely

00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:04.060
 perfect that

00:34:04.060 --> 00:34:04.800
 all of

00:34:04.800 --> 00:34:05.740
 existence will

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.240
 see this

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.880
 life as the

00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.220
 ultimate

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:09.079
 exemplar and

00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.539
 therefore the

00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.300
 standard of

00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.660
 goodness and

00:34:11.660 --> 00:34:12.599
 of kindness

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.440
 and love so

00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.380
 that even

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.180
 people outside

00:34:15.180 --> 00:34:15.660
 of the Christian

00:34:15.660 --> 00:34:16.140
 faith can

00:34:16.140 --> 00:34:16.840
 talk about

00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.940
 Jesus and

00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.700
 often wonder

00:34:18.700 --> 00:34:19.360
 why his

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.039
 followers don't

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.400
 look like

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:20.579
 him.

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.660
 But it will

00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:25.500
 also mean that

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.519
 no human soul

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.579
 can hide their

00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.920
 wickedness from

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.519
 his just

00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.340
 judgment.

00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.760
 Simeon is

00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:33.099
 saying that

00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.640
 Christ sees

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:33.960
 all.

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.259
 God sees

00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.619
 all.

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.839
 And he knows

00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.219
 all.

00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.159
 And he is the

00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.859
 only one who

00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.400
 will perfectly

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.259
 judge all

00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:40.759
 who ever

00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:41.139
 lived.

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:42.039
 And all

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.500
 who ever

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.119
 lived will

00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.659
 be judged.

00:34:45.859 --> 00:34:46.579
 It's a

00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:46.859
 terrifying

00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.339
 thought,

00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:47.819
 okay?

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.159
 It's a

00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.480
 terrifying

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:49.900
 thought.

00:34:50.779 --> 00:34:51.619
 But maybe

00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.239
 not so

00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:52.980
 terrifying if

00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.500
 we consider

00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.319
 this incredible

00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:55.879
 scene once

00:34:55.879 --> 00:34:56.179
 again.

00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:57.159
 For what

00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.799
 we see is

00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.299
 Simeon,

00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.099
 this elderly

00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:00.420
 man, at

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.900
 the end of

00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.460
 his life,

00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.619
 holding this

00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.139
 tender,

00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.139
 helpless baby

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.839
 in his arms.

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:06.940
 And yet

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.819
 that child

00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:08.980
 was the

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.359
 creator,

00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.159
 is the

00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:10.619
 creator of

00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.259
 all things.

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.380
 The one who

00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.059
 actually is

00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:13.920
 holding Simeon

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:15.819
 and holding

00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.339
 us this

00:35:16.339 --> 00:35:16.619
 morning.

00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:18.420
 That in the

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.980
 incarnation,

00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.380
 God literally

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:22.880
 became a

00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.699
 human being,

00:35:23.839 --> 00:35:24.319
 took on

00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:24.799
 flesh,

00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:27.139
 that God

00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:27.460
 became

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.420
 enfleshed.

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:30.599
 And it is

00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.279
 nothing short

00:35:31.280 --> 00:35:32.980
 of God

00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.740
 knowing our

00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:34.600
 sinful estate

00:35:34.600 --> 00:35:35.100
 and our

00:35:35.100 --> 00:35:36.100
 utter helplessness

00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:37.380
 becoming

00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:38.620
 himself helpless.

00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.200
 And although

00:35:40.200 --> 00:35:40.900
 he knew no

00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.180
 sin,

00:35:41.600 --> 00:35:42.380
 became sin

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.980
 for us so

00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.280
 that,

00:35:44.620 --> 00:35:45.060
 what 1

00:35:45.060 --> 00:35:45.360
 Corinthians

00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.460
 tells us,

00:35:46.580 --> 00:35:46.900
 that we

00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.340
 might become

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.920
 the righteousness

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.519
 of God.

00:35:49.580 --> 00:35:49.960
 I'll end

00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.440
 with this.

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:57.300
 God loves

00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:57.659
 you.

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.659
 He loves

00:35:59.659 --> 00:35:59.880
 you.

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.300
 He loves

00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:01.539
 you,

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.579
 and he

00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.159
 loves you

00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:04.159
 in such

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.619
 a way

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:06.579
 that he

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.059
 is willing

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.380
 to go to

00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.019
 great length

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.519
 so that you

00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.059
 will be with

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.260
 him.

00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.179
 And yet,

00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.480
 he does so

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.320
 knowing all

00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.039
 of your junk,

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:17.279
 all of your

00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.380
 history,

00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:19.579
 all of the

00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:19.980
 things that

00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.300
 you would

00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.000
 blush to

00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.480
 confess.

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.519
 He knows

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:22.920
 it all,

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:24.579
 and he

00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.179
 loves you.

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.340
 His great

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.239
 desire is to

00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:28.940
 console you

00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:30.099
 with an

00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.659
 everlasting

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.679
 consolation,

00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:32.779
 to give you

00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:34.880
 peace and

00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.639
 satisfaction

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:37.619
 to such a

00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.940
 degree that

00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.519
 this life,

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.219
 although it is

00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:41.119
 wonderful and

00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:41.840
 good and

00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.860
 worthy to be

00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.420
 enjoyed,

00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:45.000
 it will

00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:46.019
 pale in

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.880
 comparison to

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.400
 the life to

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:47.619
 come,

00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.380
 the satisfaction

00:36:48.380 --> 00:36:48.980
 and peace

00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.200
 that he

00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:49.599
 will give.

00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.639
 For he

00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:52.940
 will give

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.519
 you himself.

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.180
 The eternal

00:36:55.180 --> 00:36:56.840
 God has

00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.900
 welcomed us

00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.680
 into his

00:36:58.680 --> 00:36:59.340
 very presence

00:36:59.340 --> 00:36:59.980
 if we are

00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.420
 but to

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:00.960
 trust in

00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.139
 him.

00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:01.760
 Again,

00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:02.159
 not a

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:02.599
 perfect

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.059
 trust,

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.500
 but put

00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.159
 our faith

00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:06.940
 in Christ

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:07.480
 himself

00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:10.360
 to remind

00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.059
 ourselves and

00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.559
 believe that

00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:13.059
 no achievement

00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.559
 that we

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.320
 could do

00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:15.820
 can bring

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.360
 us such

00:37:16.360 --> 00:37:17.059
 satisfaction,

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.599
 that there's

00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.299
 no amount

00:37:19.299 --> 00:37:20.360
 of good

00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.880
 living we

00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.179
 can do

00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:21.480
 that will

00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.039
 bring us

00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:23.380
 a consolation

00:37:23.380 --> 00:37:23.759
 that will

00:37:23.759 --> 00:37:24.420
 even hold

00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:24.980
 a candle

00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:26.179
 to what God

00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.759
 is offering

00:37:26.759 --> 00:37:27.980
 us to us

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.380
 in Jesus

00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:28.820
 Christ.

00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:32.960
 So I think

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.420
 what Simeon

00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.420
 is telling us

00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.619
 to do this

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.099
 morning with

00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:36.539
 his life

00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:38.900
 is to

00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.599
 trust in

00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.199
 Christ and

00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:41.139
 like Simeon

00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:42.639
 to enjoy

00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.099
 a holy

00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:43.859
 satisfaction,

00:37:44.539 --> 00:37:45.019
 a deep,

00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.759
 deep trust

00:37:45.759 --> 00:37:47.579
 that we

00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:47.960
 may know

00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.379
 the Prince

00:37:48.379 --> 00:37:48.900
 of Peace

00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.440
 all the

00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:49.759
 days of

00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:50.119
 our life.

00:37:50.119 --> 00:38:11.420
 as

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