WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.439 Luke 2 verses 22-14 this evening, it's on page 857 and 858. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:22.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.620 I think I learned something that I didn't know before, and that is people learn much 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:44.740 more by observing models than they learn in the classroom. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:46.679 Let me just say that again. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:52.000 People learn much more by observing models than they learn in the classroom. 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:55.659 And to be honest, I've got to be dead, because it's pretty obvious, isn't it? 00:00:55.659 --> 00:01:03.619 If you've played sport, you will know that you learn far more from models than you do 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:05.620 from your dad's coaching, right? 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:08.359 Or football, or rugby. 00:01:08.479 --> 00:01:14.979 We learn more, don't we, from watching and seeing than we do from what they're saying. 00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:18.519 I think that's true with eldership, isn't it? 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:22.819 It's why the characteristics of elders are so explicit. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:29.879 Because you learn primarily from looking at the elders' lives. 00:01:30.459 --> 00:01:32.140 It's certainly true in preaching, isn't it? 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:39.120 Normally, you can tell who someone's models are in their preaching quite easily by listening to them. 00:01:39.759 --> 00:01:42.640 There was a time, wasn't it, I think Chris Roberts had stopped using the claw. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:49.060 But my friends used to mock me, that you're the poor Levy claw, that you can turn the light bulb on off, 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:51.540 that I sometimes would be, he's over that now. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:54.340 Because we like our models, aren't we? 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:57.780 We get like the people that we observe. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:00.000 I think that's the teaching of the New Testament. 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:08.000 You watch, and you see, and you hear, you observe the model, 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:10.539 and you seek to emulate the model. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:15.379 And I think that we learn far more from observing models than we do from listening. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:20.379 So where can we find models for Christian living? 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:27.479 Where can you find a model for living life today as Christian people in the times that we live? 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:33.039 Well, Luke is writing to his patron, a man who is by the name of Theophilus. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:35.019 Let's just come into chapter 1, verse 1. 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:37.519 Let's just get our bearings there, okay? 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:42.280 So Luke says, inasmuch as many people have undertaken to compile a narrative 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:45.620 of the things that have been accomplished among us, 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:52.780 what he's saying there is that Jesus is a fulfilment, 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:56.379 he is a fulfilment of what has been accomplished among us, 00:02:56.420 --> 00:02:57.540 what's been fulfilled among us. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:02:58.340 And then verse 2, 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:02.000 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses, 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:04.580 that is, his source, 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:07.140 his eyewitness accounts, 00:03:07.259 --> 00:03:09.159 that's where he got his information from. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:11.840 And therefore, verse 3, 00:03:11.980 --> 00:03:14.180 it seemed good to me also, 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:17.740 having followed all things closely for some time past, 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:19.780 to write an orderly account for you, 00:03:19.860 --> 00:03:21.340 most excellent Theophilus. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:23.860 In verse 3 there, Luke gives his, 00:03:24.300 --> 00:03:28.640 really his research method. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:31.439 I want you to know, Theophilus, 00:03:31.480 --> 00:03:33.580 that I have investigated everything carefully 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:37.180 in order that I can write down an orderly account. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:39.480 And so what you find in Luke is, 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:41.420 things are put next to each other, 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:42.780 very, very deliberate. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:45.879 There's a very, very deliberate structure to Luke's gospel. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:49.879 Now let me read to you the fourth verse, 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:51.039 literally. 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:53.479 It should read like this, 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:57.400 so that you may know the things which you've been taught. 00:03:58.259 --> 00:03:58.819 Certainty. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.599 So that you may know the things which you've been taught. 00:04:02.859 --> 00:04:03.379 Certainty. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:05.400 The last word of verse 4, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.620 it's like an emphatic, emphatic, 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:09.699 underlined, bold printed word. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:12.139 He wants you to have certainty. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:14.740 He wants Theophilus' patron, 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:16.100 above all things, 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:17.220 in this orderly account, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:19.639 which is based on eyewitness sources, 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.500 which has been researched thoroughly. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:23.800 He wants Theophilus to be certain. 00:04:23.960 --> 00:04:24.579 Certain of what? 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:27.540 Well then Luke gives us, doesn't he, 00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:29.879 the fullest account in all the gospels 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:31.920 of the birth of Jesus Christ. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:33.600 He wants us to be certain 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:36.060 about the fact of Jesus coming into the world. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:39.220 So let's look at the marriage in chapter 1, verse 18. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.259 Chapter 1, verse 18. 00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:46.399 Here is the forerunner of the Lord Jesus. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:48.360 Zechariah sends to the angel, 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:50.199 how can I know this? 00:04:51.219 --> 00:04:52.519 For I am an old man, 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:54.879 and my wife is advanced in years. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:57.620 The angel speaks to Zechariah, 00:04:57.899 --> 00:05:00.139 and tells him that his aged wife, 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:01.860 Elizabeth, is about to give birth. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:03.800 And Zechariah, well he's incredible, 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:04.879 he's in verse 18. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:07.860 And sure enough, it turns out that 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:10.560 Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist, 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:12.860 and the wife of Zechariah becomes pregnant, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.800 and in her sixth month of pregnancy, 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:16.959 the angel Gabriel comes to Mary, 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:18.079 look at verse 31. 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:20.819 Verse 31. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:23.800 And says to Mary, 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:26.180 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:27.100 and bear a son, 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:29.300 and you shall call his name Jesus. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.500 Verse 32. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:32.699 He will be great, 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:35.959 and will be called son of the most high God. 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:38.600 Verse 35. 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:40.819 And the angel answered here, 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:42.480 The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:44.840 and the power of the most high will overshadow you. 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:47.280 Therefore the child to be born 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:48.519 will be called holy, 00:05:48.960 --> 00:05:50.300 the son of God. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:52.300 In the Creed, 00:05:52.699 --> 00:05:53.579 Sunday by Sunday, 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.360 we testify that our Lord Jesus 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:57.259 was born of the Virgin Mary. 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:00.000 An early Christian named Ignatius 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.500 said that he was both made, 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:02.580 that is of Mary, 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:04.340 and he is not made, 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:05.520 that is of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.100 He is of both, 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:09.340 both of Mary, 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:10.660 and he is of God. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:14.160 And Matthew and Luke recount the Virgin birth, 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:15.379 but Matthew and Luke, 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:17.040 or Matthew and Mark on the other hand, 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:18.780 report that he is not the son of Joseph, 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:20.799 but he is the son of Mary. 00:06:22.059 --> 00:06:23.519 The Bible says before you 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:25.919 that he is truly human, 00:06:26.059 --> 00:06:26.799 born of Mary, 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:28.559 but he is truly divine, 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:30.439 he is not tainted by sin, 00:06:30.559 --> 00:06:31.619 he is born of God. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:33.639 And as such, 00:06:33.679 --> 00:06:34.879 he can bridge the gap 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:36.939 between God and man, 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:39.519 because he is truly the God-man. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.139 And in verse 38. 00:06:43.119 --> 00:06:44.099 Mary said, 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.839 Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:48.919 let it be to me 00:06:48.919 --> 00:06:50.519 according to your word, 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:52.819 and the angel departed from her. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:56.459 And I want you to notice her song, 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.259 in verses 52 to 53. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.359 Do you see the song of Mary? 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:04.679 He has brought down the mighty 00:07:04.679 --> 00:07:05.599 from their thrones, 00:07:05.739 --> 00:07:07.699 and exalted those of humblest state. 00:07:07.799 --> 00:07:10.739 He has filled the hungry with good things, 00:07:10.739 --> 00:07:13.219 and the rich he has sent away empty. 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:15.940 The birth of this child, 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:17.220 who is the son of God, 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:18.200 the birth of this child, 00:07:18.260 --> 00:07:19.740 who is conceived by the Holy Spirit, 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:21.180 in the womb of the Virgin Mary, 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:22.840 is going to be marked by 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:25.360 verses 52 and 53, humility. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:28.620 If you come to chapter 2, 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:29.900 you will see that the Lord Jesus 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:31.440 is born in Bethlehem. 00:07:32.880 --> 00:07:34.280 He's born in a stable. 00:07:35.880 --> 00:07:37.700 And so chapter 2 in verse 10. 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:40.560 And the angel said to them, 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:41.899 Fear not, for behold, 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.300 I bring you good news 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:45.839 of great joy that will be for all people. 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:47.699 For unto you is born this day 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:48.579 in the city of David, 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:50.420 a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:52.319 And this will be the sign to you, 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:53.560 you will find a baby 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.219 wrapped in swaddling clothes 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:57.419 and lying in a manger. 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:01.159 A manger. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.599 The angel comes and announces 00:08:03.599 --> 00:08:04.800 the birth to shepherds. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:06.180 Shepherds were lowly people. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:08.579 You don't worry too much 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.480 about shepherds. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.959 They were people of no status. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:16.759 So look at chapter 2 in verse 20. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:18.400 And the shepherds returned 00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:19.860 to glorify and praise God 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:21.180 for all they'd heard and seen 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.680 as they'd been told them. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.079 Another early Christian said, 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.439 which is one of my favourite quotes, 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:28.199 says, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:31.579 without ceasing to be 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:33.019 what he eternally was, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:36.019 he became what he eternally was not. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:38.859 Without ceasing to be 00:08:38.859 --> 00:08:39.919 what he eternally was, 00:08:39.979 --> 00:08:42.339 he became what he eternally was not. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.039 God became flesh. 00:08:46.099 --> 00:08:46.639 And Luke said, 00:08:46.699 --> 00:08:47.979 I want you to get certainty about that. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:50.639 Now let's follow what happened to Jesus. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.079 He is circumcised, 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:52.839 can you see that? 00:08:53.339 --> 00:08:54.879 On verse 22, 00:08:54.979 --> 00:08:56.500 he is circumcised on the eighth day. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:59.100 And on the 40th day, 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:01.019 he is brought for presentation. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.059 Verse 21, 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.559 he's presented to Jerusalem. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:07.360 The visit is timed by the law. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:09.179 Circumcision on the eighth day, 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:10.340 that is the day 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:11.820 that vitamin K, 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.220 the blood-trotting agent, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.179 is at its max. 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:16.240 It's a good day for circumcision. 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:20.220 And 14 days later, 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:21.320 he's presented at the temple. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:23.620 Now there's nothing haphazard here. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.440 The timetable has been set down 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:27.240 by God's law, 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:29.040 and this is no chance encounter. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:30.600 So when he goes to Jerusalem, 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:31.420 verse 25, 00:09:31.660 --> 00:09:32.560 he meets Simeon. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:34.500 Now there was a man in Jerusalem 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.960 whose name was Simeon, 00:09:36.260 --> 00:09:38.500 and this man was righteous and devout, 00:09:38.640 --> 00:09:40.420 waiting for the consolation of Israel, 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.180 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:44.760 It had been revealed to him 00:09:44.760 --> 00:09:47.620 by the Holy Spirit, 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:49.000 that he would not see death 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.019 before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:55.200 It's been revealed to Simeon, 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.299 you will not die 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:57.679 until you see the Messiah. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:09:59.919 So he has a conviction, 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.139 although he's getting on, 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:02.019 he would not die 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:03.379 until he'd seen the Christ of God. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.259 And then he sees in verse 29, 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:07.960 and he says, 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:10.560 Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:12.940 according to your word. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:16.860 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.379 That you are prepared 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.600 in the presence of all peoples 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:22.399 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:24.159 and for the glory to your people Israel. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.100 Well, he's seen the Lord Christ. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.159 He's seen Christ Jesus, 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:30.940 the Son of Mary, 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:31.659 the Son of God, 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:33.100 the second person of the Trinity. 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:34.500 Forty days old. 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:35.659 I've seen it. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.899 I've seen him. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:39.220 But I want you to notice 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.340 that the people were divided 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:42.279 in their response to this Lord Jesus. 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:43.740 Look at verse 30 or 4. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:45.259 And Simeon blessed them. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.480 And said to Mary, his mother, 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.759 Behold, this man is appointed 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:50.680 for the fall and the rising 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:51.759 of many in Israel, 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.000 and for a sign that is opposed. 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:57.279 And a sword will pierce 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.259 your own soul also, 00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:00.899 so that thoughts from many hearts 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.980 may be revealed. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.940 He will bring about division. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:05.680 Do you see that? 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.700 There will be those who follow him. 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:12.840 There will be those who follow his Jesus, 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.879 but there will be those who will not follow him. 00:11:16.920 --> 00:11:19.040 There will be those who recognize Jesus 00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:20.040 for who he is, 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.440 but there will be those who refuse 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:22.560 to recognize him. 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:23.980 And a sword, Mary, 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:25.060 will pierce your heart. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:28.080 There will be those for whom Christianity, 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.980 well, they don't give it a second thought. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.620 It's unimportant for them. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:34.840 There will be those for whom 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:37.519 Christianity is of infinite importance. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:41.759 And for those whom Christianity 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.919 is of no importance. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.500 As C.S. Lewis said, 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.460 the only thing that cannot be 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.439 is moderately important. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.519 Now notice a prophet, 00:11:52.579 --> 00:11:53.600 an old man, 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.159 a six-week-old, 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.840 fragile little baby. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:01.019 But there's another prophet that day. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.940 And her name is Anna. 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:06.060 In verse 36. 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.740 There's a prophetess, Anna. 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:12.540 And she is the daughter of Phanuel 00:12:12.540 --> 00:12:13.720 of the tribe of Asher. 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:15.740 And she is very old. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:19.660 Now, when you're young, 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:22.280 23 seems very old, doesn't it? 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.420 Ali said to me this week, 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:27.580 I, she's pointing at me, 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:28.840 you are very old. 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:32.040 But this lady is very old. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.780 She's definitely 84. 00:12:34.900 --> 00:12:35.920 There's a good argument 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:37.020 that she might be 101, 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.740 but you fall asleep 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.740 by the time I give it to you. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.960 But she's 84. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:42.840 She was widowed 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.280 after seven years' marriage. 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:45.440 And she's so devoted 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.700 that she virtually lives 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.300 at the temple. 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.920 And she gives thanks to God. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.580 And she praises God 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:51.139 for the child. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.100 In verse 38. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.759 And coming up 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:55.060 at that very hour, 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.379 she began to give thanks to God 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.080 and to speak of him 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:57.879 to all who are waiting 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.039 for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.720 Now, simply notice 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.439 what you're seeing 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.220 in Luke's Gospel. 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.740 What have you seen before? 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.259 What have you seen already tonight? 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.059 You have seen that 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.519 the Gospel comes 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.320 to the humble. 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:12.539 Look at how Luke 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.740 gives prominence 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.740 to women. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.460 It's unthinkable 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:18.159 in his day and age. 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.100 Elizabeth, 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.340 Mary, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.259 Anna. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:23.919 And it's not as though 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:25.299 he neglects the aged, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.960 the aged Zechariah, 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.340 the aged Elizabeth, 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.000 the aged Simeon, 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.379 the aged Anna. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.039 All of these are involved 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.259 in the coming of the Christ. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:36.039 This Gospel is going to come, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.679 this Christ is going to come, 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.019 and he's going to solve 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:39.960 the greatest problem 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.819 of humankind. 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.580 But he will not do it 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.519 in a way that pays 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.500 any concession 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.419 to our pride. 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:50.599 He will do it 00:13:50.599 --> 00:13:51.519 in a way of humility. 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.360 And the people 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.620 who are involved in it, 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.419 they are women 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.819 and aged people. 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:56.899 Look at verse 39. 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.659 When they performed 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.539 everything according 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.479 to the law of the Lord, 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:02.740 they returned into Galilee 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.919 to their own town 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.839 of Nazareth. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.279 And the child grew up 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:06.939 and became strong, 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.659 filled with wisdom 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.559 and the favour of God 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:09.240 was upon him. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.259 Where is my model, 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.379 where is your model 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.559 for living the Christian life 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:14.899 today? 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.699 You go to the basic shops 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.339 in Oxford Street, 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:19.779 Westfield, 00:14:19.979 --> 00:14:20.759 and you're confronted 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.379 by Santa, 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.620 and all the array 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.620 of consumables. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.219 Who is your model? 00:14:26.959 --> 00:14:28.699 My model is Simeon 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.299 and Anna. 00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:31.620 And your model 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.879 is Simeon and Anna. 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.919 Simeon and Anna 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.860 give us a pattern 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.019 for living the Christian 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.939 life today. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.539 And I cannot think 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.299 of anyone in the Bible 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.379 who is more of a pattern 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.179 for me today, 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.259 living the Christian life 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.379 today in 2016, 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.500 than Simeon and Anna 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.419 apart from the Lord Jesus 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:46.939 himself. 00:14:47.079 --> 00:14:47.719 But look at them, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.320 he's there. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.139 Here is our mentor, 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.279 here is our pattern, 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.620 this is the pattern 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.240 for living, 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:54.519 Simeon and Anna. 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.060 Here they are in Jerusalem, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.120 the city of God, 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.399 living in the shadow 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.779 of the great temple. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.379 The huge religious 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.920 infrastructure is in its place, 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.220 isn't it? 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.160 The Pharisees 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:09.120 and the Sadducees 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.039 and the teachers 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.039 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.740 of the law. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.899 The Sanhedrin. 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:14.899 And here are two 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.460 little people. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.600 Two little people. 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.519 I don't know whether 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.019 you've ever been to 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.419 the Vatican 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:23.220 in Rome. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.600 I went when I was 12 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.419 and at that point 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:26.159 the church that 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.759 we were part of 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.960 didn't have a building 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.860 and the only room 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.279 that we could get 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.100 was a massive 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.620 sixth home common room 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.200 that had iron maiden 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.200 and death leather 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.420 posters all over 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:37.580 the walls. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.940 And it was in a place 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.360 called 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.920 Come Ready Caillou. 00:15:41.140 --> 00:15:42.280 It's a great year, 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.660 isn't it? 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.040 And then we 00:15:44.040 --> 00:15:45.360 left 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.200 there 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:47.680 to go on holiday 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.100 in Rome 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.720 when you visited 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.200 the Vatican. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.580 I don't know 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.240 where there have been in it. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.180 It is magnificent. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.259 It's like a 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.700 multinational corporation. 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.320 It's so 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.280 impressive. 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:00.900 It's like we went 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:01.920 to a little corner shop 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.780 for church. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.980 And Simeon and 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.639 Adam must have been 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.799 overwhelmed by this. 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.799 All the respective 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:08.899 religious structures 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.539 in place. 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:12.120 All of the glory 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.919 of the new temple. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.620 The Sadducees, 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.319 the Pharisees, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.000 the Sanhedrin. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.620 And here are these 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.480 two little people 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.139 and Jesus is Fadja. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.240 He is born of 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.720 wedlock. 00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:21.299 He is born in 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.299 a school of Bethlehem. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.399 He is born in a stable. 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.620 He is placed in an 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.799 animal's feet trough. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.879 He is barely 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.039 six weeks old. 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.459 He comes to the 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:30.559 holy city and he is 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.659 an old man. 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.480 Here is an old man 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:35.100 who has received 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.699 a promise. 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:36.779 And here is a woman 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.419 who is 84 years of age 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.860 and they are very much 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.579 in the minority 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.399 but they are looking 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.120 for the Christ. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.259 The religious 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.980 hierarchy is in place. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.719 The elders 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:48.579 are meeting 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:51.299 and yet 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.399 they all seem to be 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.199 going through the motions 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:54.100 without any sense 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.819 of expectation. 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.360 Living without 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.560 expectation. 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.659 Well here are 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.159 a people 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.680 of expectation 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:04.319 living without 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.180 any expectation. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.279 Here is a nation 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.099 of hope 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.900 but it is living 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.680 in hopelessness. 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.980 He comes to the world 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.579 but the world 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.960 does not recognise him 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.779 and it does not 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.380 receive him 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.360 but Simeon does 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:19.240 and Anna does. 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.420 And they are people 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:22.180 of hope 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.380 living with hope 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.480 surrounded by 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.420 a people of hope 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.660 living in hopelessness. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:29.279 But I apologize 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.220 that is precisely 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.420 our situation today. 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.900 This week 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.259 we will have 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.820 Presbytery. 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:37.240 I look forward 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:37.640 to Presbytery. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.360 I really enjoy it. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.300 We will have 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:39.980 committee meetings. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:40.660 We will have 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.220 discussions 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:43.620 about possible 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.240 church plans. 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.380 Decisions will be made. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.240 Candidates for the 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.220 ministry will be interviewed. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.519 People will be nominated 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.600 for office. 00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:51.240 Reports will be received. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.360 Budgets approved. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:52.960 Trustees 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.519 consulted. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.420 Votes cast. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:58.440 But I think the danger 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.340 always 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:00.340 for church 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:00.940 courts 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.900 is that 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.000 there may well 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.160 be little 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.420 real expectation 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:05.920 of the coming 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.460 of Christ. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.540 People 00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:10.519 with hope 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.500 living as if 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.360 there is no hope. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.720 If they were 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.460 here today 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.800 they would be 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:18.220 a little bit 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.680 quaint 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.620 oddities 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:20.600 Anna and Simeon. 00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:22.140 Old people 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.279 barely holding 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:23.920 on to life. 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:26.259 kind of people 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.019 no one really 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.740 wants turning up 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.259 to a church 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.640 plant. 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.620 You know what I mean? 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.140 But they are 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:31.460 waiting. 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:33.880 They are waiting. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.320 And this is 00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:36.900 the authentic 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.320 Christian. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.380 This is the 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:39.759 authentic 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:41.000 Christian experience. 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.500 We are 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.700 anticipatory 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.220 people. 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.240 We are 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.700 looking to 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.180 the future. 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.920 God has 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.500 promised me 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.259 that in life 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.920 I will have 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.220 sex experiences. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:55.200 six experiences. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.819 Number one 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.240 I was born. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.860 Number two 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.960 by his grace 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.640 I was born 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.059 again. 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.640 What are the 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.240 other four to 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.519 come? 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.160 Death 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.120 resurrection 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.799 judgment 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.799 and entering 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.279 into the new 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.720 heaven and 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.319 the new earth. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.240 Do you see 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.420 that? 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.120 I was born 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:24.180 and by his 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.759 grace I have 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.860 been reborn. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.080 I have been 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:27.660 born again. 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.380 But death, 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:29.880 resurrection, 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:30.620 judgment and 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.100 entering into 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.500 the new 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.960 heavens and 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.220 the new 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.539 earth are 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:32.920 all still 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.320 to come. 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:33.900 We have 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.480 had two 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:34.820 and there 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.160 are four 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.600 to come. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.240 Don't you 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.840 think we 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.160 should be 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.779 like Simeon 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.140 and Anna? 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.800 We live 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:39.740 in anticipation 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.600 with a 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.039 future 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.100 focused 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:42.820 mindset. 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.400 Look at 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.960 chapter 2 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.900 verse 25. 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.100 There was a 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:47.420 man in 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.700 Jerusalem 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.200 whose name 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.680 was Simeon 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:48.960 and this 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.299 man was 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.700 righteous 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.440 and devout 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.840 waiting for 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.660 the consolation 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.160 of Israel 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.519 and the 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.180 Holy Spirit 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.720 was upon 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.019 him. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.299 Chapter 2 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.220 verse 38. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.380 And coming 00:19:59.380 --> 00:19:59.759 up at that 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.240 very hour 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.759 she began 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.060 to give 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.519 thanks to 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:01.860 God and 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.240 to speak 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.539 of him 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.940 to all 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.279 who were 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:04.920 waiting for 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.400 the redemption 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.940 of Jerusalem. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.820 Listen to 00:20:08.820 --> 00:20:09.180 the song 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.720 of Simeon 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.180 and if you 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.420 grew up in 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:10.700 the church 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:10.920 you've been 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.480 in a prayer 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.060 book service 00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:12.900 it comes 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.299 up every 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.740 morning and 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.340 every evening 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:15.660 every single 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:15.980 evening. 00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:16.960 Listen to 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.560 these words. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.899 Now let 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.480 your sermon 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.099 depart in 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.859 peace according 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.299 to your 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.200 word for 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.919 my eyes 00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:23.319 have seen 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.119 your salvation 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.220 which you 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.980 prepared before 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.720 the face of 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.339 all people 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.859 to be a 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.679 light to 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.259 lighten the 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.440 Gentiles and 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.179 to the glory 00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:31.619 of your 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.539 people Israel. 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.419 And it's a 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:35.179 constant reminder 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.460 isn't it? 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.159 Cranwell wrote 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.659 that in the 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.299 prayer book 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:40.079 that Simeon 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.399 is our 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:42.299 model and 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:42.700 that Anna 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.079 is our 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.460 model. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.799 That we 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.220 are looking 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.839 for the day 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.359 it's a 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:46.759 weekly 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.459 reminder 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:47.980 that we 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.619 do not 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.119 live for 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.519 the day 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.000 today 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.319 but we 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.759 live for 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.119 the day 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:52.519 which is 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:52.859 coming. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.439 And we 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:54.899 allow our 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.419 hope to 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:55.980 spur us 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.279 on. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.039 How are we 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.480 to live 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.220 holy and 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.119 godly lives 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.459 as we 00:20:59.459 --> 00:21:00.179 wait for 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:00.720 the day? 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.599 How are we 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:02.980 to live? 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.639 We wait for 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.319 the blessed 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.799 hope. 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.339 That's how 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.740 we do it. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.480 We say no 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.259 to ungodliness. 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:07.759 We live 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.319 godly and 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.319 upright lives 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.539 as we wait 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:10.779 for the 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.099 blessed 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.419 hope. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:15.300 So here 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:15.779 is Charles 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.240 Simeon. 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.060 Charles 00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:18.519 Simeon was 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.019 an Anglican 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.480 director for 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.160 50 years 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.460 at Cambridge 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.019 University. 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:22.680 His church 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.860 is opposite 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.539 King's College 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.620 Chapel and 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.460 Simeon laboured 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.860 there in a 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.300 remarkable 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:27.820 ministry. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.080 He saw 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:29.779 young men 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.259 and women 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.940 converted and 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.440 one of those 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.120 young men was 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:32.640 a young man 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.100 by the name 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.460 of Henry 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:33.920 Martin. 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.860 And Henry 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.420 Martin had a 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:37.160 wonderful career 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.800 ahead of him as 00:21:37.800 --> 00:21:38.680 a linguist but 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.420 when he came to 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.360 Christ he turned 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.200 his back on that 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.759 and he went to 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.779 India and 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.380 Persia and 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.200 modern day Iran 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.319 and he began to 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.980 translate the 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.559 scriptures in 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.240 those places. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.180 At the age of 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.220 31 Henry 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.120 Martin went to 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.740 Turkey and he 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.299 died. 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.180 At the age of 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.640 31. 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.500 And Charles 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.180 Simeon had 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:57.860 placed in his 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.460 drawer room a 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.200 portrait of 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.920 Henry Martin. 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.660 And every 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.200 morning one 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.000 biographer said 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.559 Simeon would 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.500 come past that 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.200 portrait and 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.440 stop and he 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.220 would look into 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.140 the face of the 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.840 painted Henry 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.259 Martin. 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:10.900 And he would 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.460 say be 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:11.980 serious. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.860 Be earnest. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.180 Don't trifle. 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:17.840 I won't 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.280 trifle. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.620 That's living for 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.000 the day. 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:22.420 Be serious. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.840 Be earnest. 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.240 Don't trifle. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.720 I won't 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.180 trifle. 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:30.440 Simeon and 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:30.960 Anna were 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.680 expectant 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.620 waiters for 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:32.980 the day. 00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:33.880 Oh the first 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.580 day has come. 00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:35.100 The first 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.680 advent and it 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.460 is great fun 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:36.960 and we should 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.759 enjoy it. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:40.019 But the 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.599 second advent 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.099 is coming. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.619 I reread this 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:44.839 and you can 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.279 ask him why 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.019 Bishop Frank 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.500 Ratief. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.240 Bishop Frank 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.720 Ratief was 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.720 evangelical 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.180 minister in 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.680 South Africa 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.879 and in 1993 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.879 four men 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.460 broke into 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.019 his church 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.500 in the evening 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.079 service. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.079 They took 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.099 automatic weapons 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.539 and they 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.400 killed 11 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.220 members of 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.859 his congregation. 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:00.940 There were 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.819 58 people 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.819 wounded as a 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.460 result of that 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.039 break-in. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:06.579 Frank 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.119 Ratief said 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.339 this. 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.000 As a result 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.519 of that I 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.359 formulated my 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.920 five minute 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.299 rule. 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.000 And my 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.460 five minute 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.859 rule is 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.180 this. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.579 Whatever is 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.019 causing the 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.539 anxiety and 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.180 worry right 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:19.440 now, imagine 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.180 I was to die 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.559 and go to 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:20.960 heaven in 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.539 five minutes. 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.259 Or the 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.700 Lord Jesus 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.119 was to come 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.579 again in 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.139 five minutes. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:26.960 Now how 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.259 does the 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.740 issue look 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.079 in the 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.599 light of my 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.059 five minute 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.399 rule? 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.039 Till my 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.559 death or 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:31.879 the coming 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.420 Lord Jesus? 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:34.320 And Frank 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:34.940 Ratief says 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.220 that he 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.060 formulated the 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.580 five minute 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.800 rule not 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:38.420 to live for 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:40.380 now, but 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.100 to live in 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:41.580 the light of 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.180 the imminence 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.740 of eternity. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.560 And that's 00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:46.060 how Samir and 00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.560 Anna lived. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.500 They had a 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.900 promise. 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:50.700 Anna was 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.259 looking every 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.460 day, 84 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.840 years of age, 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.460 but she did 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.160 not lose that 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.620 sense of 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.279 expectation. 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.160 What about 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.340 you? 00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.720 Will you 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.320 live today 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:00.800 and tomorrow 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.480 by the five 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.860 minute rule? 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.279 He is 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.719 coming and 00:24:02.719 --> 00:24:02.959 it could 00:24:02.959 --> 00:24:03.179 be at 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:03.359 any 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.740 moment. 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.339 And how 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.879 does that 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:10.119 which causes 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.939 so much 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:12.359 anxiety look 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:12.740 in the 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.199 light of 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:14.039 his return? 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.259 Simeon and 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.759 Anna are 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.359 examples, 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.759 are models, 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.519 are pattern, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.919 are mentors. 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.519 Be serious, 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.579 be earnest, 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.759 don't trifle. 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:34.720 let's pray. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:34.720 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:34.720 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.299 Let's pray. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.299 00:24:35.299 --> 00:25:05.279 Thank you.