1 00:00:03,780 --> 00:00:04,680 Thank you, Lawrence. 2 00:00:04,780 --> 00:00:05,580 Good morning, everyone. 3 00:00:07,380 --> 00:00:09,680 Really nice to see you, be back from 4 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:10,180 my trip. 5 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,400 Thank you for your prayers for Stephen and 6 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,040 I when we were in India and Kenya. 7 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:19,040 They made a big difference. 8 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,580 I went, my health was pretty questionable when 9 00:00:21,580 --> 00:00:24,620 I began that journey, and it made improvements 10 00:00:24,620 --> 00:00:25,480 all through the trip. 11 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:28,260 And it was astonishing to come off a 12 00:00:28,260 --> 00:00:30,900 trip as substantial as that and to be 13 00:00:30,900 --> 00:00:32,240 healthier when I came back than when I 14 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:32,520 left. 15 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,700 So, thank you very much. 16 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Wonderful things happened. 17 00:00:36,460 --> 00:00:39,680 In India, there was a very strong move 18 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,600 of God's Spirit and literally hundreds of people 19 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:45,400 a day we saw experiencing the power of 20 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:45,700 God. 21 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,300 And so, just deeply fulfilling time there. 22 00:00:50,900 --> 00:00:52,520 We went on from there to Kenya, first 23 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:53,200 of all to Nairobi. 24 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:55,860 There was a group of quite eminent young 25 00:00:55,860 --> 00:00:58,000 national leaders who wanted to meet with us, 26 00:00:58,060 --> 00:01:02,460 interested in via, and again, just something of 27 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,080 real favor was resting on that time. 28 00:01:06,140 --> 00:01:09,500 Within 24 hours, those young leaders wanted to 29 00:01:09,500 --> 00:01:12,460 move here for training, want to plant via 30 00:01:12,460 --> 00:01:14,140 churches in in Kenya. 31 00:01:14,140 --> 00:01:15,660 They were just so on board. 32 00:01:16,060 --> 00:01:18,600 It was a really, really splendid time. 33 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:22,160 And again, so thank you that your prayers 34 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:23,820 for helping to make that possible. 35 00:01:24,180 --> 00:01:26,660 When we are finished in Nairobi, we went 36 00:01:26,660 --> 00:01:29,240 up to the desert region of northern Kenya. 37 00:01:29,940 --> 00:01:31,720 A place called the Turkana Desert, which is 38 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,140 one of my favorite places in all the 39 00:01:33,140 --> 00:01:36,880 world, where northern Kenya meets Sudan, Somalia, and 40 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:37,240 Ethiopia. 41 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,540 Working in a United Nations refugee camp that 42 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:46,280 has now swollen to upwards of 350,000 43 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,280 people in that camp. 44 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:50,880 This is probably about my 15th time there. 45 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,500 Each year, I try to take people from 46 00:01:53,500 --> 00:01:56,980 Lethbridge, especially from our church, to go visit 47 00:01:56,980 --> 00:01:58,040 that refugee camp. 48 00:01:58,860 --> 00:02:02,020 Because most of the people that come as 49 00:02:02,020 --> 00:02:04,980 refugees from East Africa come through that significant 50 00:02:04,980 --> 00:02:05,900 camp at Kakama. 51 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:08,660 And so I want our people to realize 52 00:02:08,660 --> 00:02:09,880 what it's like to live in a refugee 53 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:10,240 camp. 54 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,780 And to have a sense of not just 55 00:02:13,780 --> 00:02:17,200 sympathy, but respect for people's journeys, both there 56 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,860 and when people move here as refugees, to 57 00:02:19,860 --> 00:02:21,160 be able to meet people. 58 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:22,720 So all the time I meet people here, 59 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:24,240 and where do you come from? 60 00:02:24,260 --> 00:02:25,060 I come from East Africa. 61 00:02:25,140 --> 00:02:26,120 Did you come through Kakama? 62 00:02:26,500 --> 00:02:27,960 The question is, how do you know Kakama? 63 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:29,800 Oh, I was just there last week. 64 00:02:30,420 --> 00:02:32,060 What would you go to Kakama for? 65 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,020 We spent years trying to get out of 66 00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:34,560 that place. 67 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:37,300 And I tell them, I went there so 68 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:39,920 I'd appreciate and respect your journey. 69 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:41,820 So that when you come to Canada, there's 70 00:02:41,820 --> 00:02:44,640 people here that, in a sense, have made 71 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:47,800 the efforts to understand what you have been 72 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:48,000 through. 73 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:50,860 And so it was good to be there, 74 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:54,020 but I'm also very attuned when refugees come 75 00:02:54,020 --> 00:02:57,160 here that this is God bringing the nations 76 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:57,960 to our doorstep. 77 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,320 So I have went, upon my return, my 78 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,940 coming home, I have met twice with one 79 00:03:04,940 --> 00:03:07,740 of the senior figures in our local immigrant 80 00:03:07,740 --> 00:03:08,300 services. 81 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:11,300 And I said, I understand, they know that 82 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:13,540 we've done a lot with Nepali-speaking immigrants. 83 00:03:14,060 --> 00:03:15,800 And we actually have a kind of a 84 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:17,040 favor there because of that. 85 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,100 And so I've said, I understand we have 86 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:20,680 immigrants coming from new countries. 87 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:22,260 I just want to say, whatever we can 88 00:03:22,260 --> 00:03:23,920 do, we want to be there. 89 00:03:24,060 --> 00:03:26,340 And when I talked about our heart for 90 00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:29,960 refugees, he was quite moved and asked me 91 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:31,180 if I would come and speak to the 92 00:03:31,180 --> 00:03:31,580 staff. 93 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:33,460 Which would probably be the first time in 94 00:03:33,460 --> 00:03:34,880 the history of immigrant services they asked a 95 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,640 pastor to come and speak to their staff. 96 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,760 So, it was really, I'm really looking forward 97 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:42,640 to that. 98 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:44,300 So if you ever get a chance to 99 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:45,820 study in the Old Testament how many times 100 00:03:45,820 --> 00:03:48,700 God speaks to people about foreigners who come 101 00:03:48,700 --> 00:03:50,360 in from other countries and how they should 102 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,280 be treated, go make that a study because 103 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:54,720 it'll affect your life forever. 104 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,120 It certainly has affected how I see things. 105 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,240 Secondly, a little bit of talk about Christmas 106 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:01,800 potluck. 107 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:04,300 You know, it's been our custom annually that 108 00:04:04,300 --> 00:04:06,260 we have had a Christmas dinner together. 109 00:04:06,660 --> 00:04:08,580 But like many things, sometimes we visited that 110 00:04:08,580 --> 00:04:10,240 and said, is that still hitting the mark? 111 00:04:11,340 --> 00:04:13,540 Because sometimes the people that we have most 112 00:04:13,540 --> 00:04:15,459 targeted wanted to come haven't come. 113 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:17,880 We're also very well that we have a 114 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:19,760 very, very well connected core. 115 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,140 But if all of our events target the 116 00:04:22,140 --> 00:04:25,600 exact same group of people, then, so part 117 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,740 of the question is, what do we have 118 00:04:26,740 --> 00:04:28,300 to do that people who don't yet feel 119 00:04:28,300 --> 00:04:31,460 connected could feel connected to our core and 120 00:04:31,460 --> 00:04:32,960 feel like they're part of our core and 121 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:33,740 moving with us? 122 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:36,480 The other thing I have to be honest 123 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:37,540 is that when we run some of these 124 00:04:37,540 --> 00:04:39,500 things the last couple years, even the people 125 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:40,900 who have come have just all of a 126 00:04:40,900 --> 00:04:42,900 sudden left and left a tiny little handful 127 00:04:42,900 --> 00:04:43,540 cleaning up. 128 00:04:44,260 --> 00:04:45,180 And so this is meant to be a 129 00:04:45,180 --> 00:04:45,960 community event. 130 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,240 And when we do those things, it doesn't 131 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,760 exactly say community all over it. 132 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:53,360 It says, here's a little tiny handful of 133 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:55,860 people you're serving us, and then we'll dine 134 00:04:55,860 --> 00:04:56,420 and dash. 135 00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:59,980 And so we need to do something to 136 00:04:59,980 --> 00:05:02,640 kind of change that so that from beginning 137 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:04,680 to end, it is an expression of community. 138 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,460 So I actually would, since coming back from 139 00:05:08,460 --> 00:05:10,780 my trip, would I'd like to run something. 140 00:05:11,340 --> 00:05:13,500 So we're going to have something on Thursday 141 00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:17,200 evening at 6pm on the 17th of December, 142 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:18,520 you'll hear more about this. 143 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:22,160 So it could be a little new because 144 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:23,180 I'm running it. 145 00:05:24,820 --> 00:05:27,040 But if you belong to three categories, if 146 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,760 you're new here in the last year and 147 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,220 don't really feel connected, please come out to 148 00:05:33,220 --> 00:05:33,500 that. 149 00:05:34,860 --> 00:05:36,640 Number two, if you're old here and don't 150 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,400 really feel connected, because our church has underwent 151 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:42,200 a lot of transition in the last years, 152 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:45,780 and so if that's you, then please come 153 00:05:45,780 --> 00:05:46,680 and be there. 154 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,160 Third category, if you're like me and want 155 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:50,820 to connect with people that don't feel connected, 156 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:53,020 you actually want to come and be on 157 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:54,980 deck and say, who don't I know here? 158 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,300 And how do I help people feel like 159 00:05:58,300 --> 00:06:00,120 that they're coming to our church is important 160 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:00,640 to us? 161 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:02,780 And that we want to connect. 162 00:06:03,420 --> 00:06:05,280 That we've had this kind of slogan all 163 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:06,580 these years that we want to be a 164 00:06:06,580 --> 00:06:08,280 community and not a crowd. 165 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:10,420 But if we're going to keep that up, 166 00:06:10,460 --> 00:06:13,220 it requires a lot of intentionality on our 167 00:06:13,220 --> 00:06:13,500 part. 168 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:14,680 And it's well worth it. 169 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,880 The reason so many of you feel deeply 170 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:19,720 connected as a core is because we started 171 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:21,660 with that many years ago, and we worked 172 00:06:21,660 --> 00:06:22,400 hard toward that. 173 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,900 But we've also got to keep that up 174 00:06:25,900 --> 00:06:28,760 with new people who are coming. 175 00:06:29,060 --> 00:06:31,600 So we understand that we've transferred a lot 176 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:33,940 of responsibilities in the last couple years over 177 00:06:33,940 --> 00:06:35,380 to our home groups who are doing a 178 00:06:35,380 --> 00:06:36,680 wonderful, wonderful job. 179 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:37,700 So that's intentional. 180 00:06:37,840 --> 00:06:39,180 So if you're doing something as your community 181 00:06:39,180 --> 00:06:40,920 group, and you already have a get-together 182 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,660 and meal, then don't feel like you need 183 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:43,180 to replicate. 184 00:06:43,860 --> 00:06:45,820 Because the bases for you are probably well 185 00:06:45,820 --> 00:06:46,180 covered. 186 00:06:47,180 --> 00:06:48,660 You don't have to do both. 187 00:06:49,100 --> 00:06:51,840 But I'm especially targeting people that I don't 188 00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:52,140 really know. 189 00:06:52,220 --> 00:06:53,380 I look at some of you, worship with 190 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:55,320 you Sunday by Sunday, and our core I 191 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:55,820 know deeply. 192 00:06:55,900 --> 00:06:56,880 I've walked with you for years. 193 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:58,040 But there's all kinds of people. 194 00:06:58,100 --> 00:06:59,040 I look out to you, and I don't 195 00:06:59,040 --> 00:06:59,680 really know you. 196 00:07:00,700 --> 00:07:01,580 And I want to. 197 00:07:02,420 --> 00:07:04,180 And so we're going to set up a 198 00:07:04,180 --> 00:07:05,020 very simple evening. 199 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,060 Potluck, bring food. 200 00:07:07,340 --> 00:07:09,100 So just in case you're thinking someone else 201 00:07:09,100 --> 00:07:10,060 will bring food, I don't need to. 202 00:07:10,140 --> 00:07:12,780 Just so you know, I am a man 203 00:07:12,780 --> 00:07:13,940 running this, not a woman. 204 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:15,700 That's going to make this different. 205 00:07:16,420 --> 00:07:19,300 Because a woman would have lots of contingencies. 206 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,480 She would know who's going to bring what, 207 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:24,560 and she's going to know where we're going 208 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:25,760 to lack, and she's going to know who's 209 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:26,700 going to come with nothing. 210 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:28,720 And so they would have all that figured 211 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:28,900 out. 212 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,980 I'm just opening the door, set out a 213 00:07:31,980 --> 00:07:34,160 few tables, and I just want to hang 214 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:34,460 out. 215 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,200 And so anyways, if you don't bring food, 216 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:38,900 we're going to be in a whole lot 217 00:07:38,900 --> 00:07:40,500 of trouble coming to a potluck. 218 00:07:41,820 --> 00:07:44,280 So come, and come be prepared and looking 219 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:45,420 for some heart connection. 220 00:07:45,540 --> 00:07:48,620 Meaning come and and and ready to engage, 221 00:07:49,140 --> 00:07:51,060 you know, in meaningful conversation. 222 00:07:51,460 --> 00:07:53,460 And if you're a real introvert, come and 223 00:07:53,460 --> 00:07:55,920 be prepared to engage in really meaningful awkward 224 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:56,500 silences. 225 00:07:57,580 --> 00:07:59,040 And we'll work with that. 226 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:06,300 But regardless of your temperament, come, and and 227 00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:08,100 we will have a very simple evening, and 228 00:08:08,100 --> 00:08:10,480 a lovely little potluck, and a chance to 229 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:11,980 get, and when you leave you'll think, I, 230 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:14,300 I I know a few people that I 231 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:17,720 didn't know before, and I gained some connections 232 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:18,740 that I didn't have. 233 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,600 And that will be, make it all worthwhile. 234 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:26,880 I'd like to turn my attention now to 235 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:27,480 the Holy Scripture. 236 00:08:29,380 --> 00:08:35,990 Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, and we're 237 00:08:35,990 --> 00:08:39,950 going to take a reading from the 24th 238 00:08:39,950 --> 00:08:44,600 verse, 25th verse. 239 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,380 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called 240 00:08:55,380 --> 00:08:55,940 Simeon. 241 00:08:57,860 --> 00:09:01,160 He was righteous and devout. 242 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,920 And he was waiting for the consolation of 243 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:09,440 Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 244 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,480 It had been revealed to him by the 245 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:17,720 Holy Spirit that he would not die before 246 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,860 he has seen the Lord's Christ, the Messiah. 247 00:09:22,810 --> 00:09:26,190 Moved by the Holy Spirit, he went into 248 00:09:26,190 --> 00:09:27,190 the temple courts. 249 00:09:28,550 --> 00:09:30,970 When the parents brought in the child Jesus 250 00:09:30,970 --> 00:09:33,630 to do for him what the custom of 251 00:09:33,630 --> 00:09:37,830 the law required, Simeon took him in his 252 00:09:37,830 --> 00:09:43,290 arms and praised God, saying, Sovereign Lord, as 253 00:09:43,830 --> 00:09:47,730 you have promised, you now dismiss your servant 254 00:09:47,730 --> 00:09:50,850 in peace, for my eyes have seen your 255 00:09:50,850 --> 00:09:54,110 salvation, which you have repaired in the sight 256 00:09:54,110 --> 00:09:57,010 of all people, a light for revelation to 257 00:09:57,010 --> 00:09:59,750 the Gentiles and for glory to your people 258 00:09:59,750 --> 00:10:00,190 Israel. 259 00:10:01,630 --> 00:10:04,650 The child's father and mother marveled at what 260 00:10:04,650 --> 00:10:05,470 was said about him. 261 00:10:05,470 --> 00:10:09,450 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary 262 00:10:09,450 --> 00:10:14,370 his mother, This child is destined to cause 263 00:10:14,370 --> 00:10:16,590 the rising and the falling of many in 264 00:10:16,590 --> 00:10:19,430 Israel, and to be a sign that will 265 00:10:19,430 --> 00:10:22,330 be spoken against, so that the thoughts of 266 00:10:22,330 --> 00:10:26,030 many hearts will be revealed, and a sword, 267 00:10:26,290 --> 00:10:29,770 Mary, will pierce your own soul, too. 268 00:10:30,130 --> 00:10:32,630 May God bless this public reading of his 269 00:10:32,630 --> 00:10:33,090 holy word. 270 00:10:36,070 --> 00:10:38,930 We are here today on the second Sunday 271 00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:42,390 of Advent, and Advent, of course, has been 272 00:10:42,390 --> 00:10:45,190 thought of as a time of preparation. 273 00:10:46,850 --> 00:10:50,150 Because in some ways we identify in this 274 00:10:50,150 --> 00:10:54,070 period with those who were prior to Christ, 275 00:10:54,270 --> 00:10:56,190 who were waiting for the coming of the 276 00:10:56,190 --> 00:10:56,610 Messiah. 277 00:10:57,410 --> 00:10:59,910 And just like they lived, as it were, 278 00:10:59,990 --> 00:11:04,590 between two times, between times of promise and 279 00:11:04,590 --> 00:11:05,730 times of fulfillment. 280 00:11:05,930 --> 00:11:07,650 So the whole of the Old Testament is 281 00:11:07,650 --> 00:11:09,930 full of promises that one day a Messiah 282 00:11:09,930 --> 00:11:12,790 would come, and these people waited daily for 283 00:11:12,790 --> 00:11:14,430 the fulfillment of that promise. 284 00:11:14,970 --> 00:11:18,150 But just like they waited between two times, 285 00:11:18,790 --> 00:11:21,310 so also we in the New Covenant also 286 00:11:21,310 --> 00:11:25,230 find ourselves living between two times, between the 287 00:11:25,230 --> 00:11:28,790 first Advent and the second Advent, between the 288 00:11:28,790 --> 00:11:30,730 first coming of our Lord and the second 289 00:11:30,730 --> 00:11:35,490 coming of our Lord, between partial fulfillment and 290 00:11:35,490 --> 00:11:38,910 complete fulfillment of all God's promises, between the 291 00:11:38,910 --> 00:11:40,410 now and the not yet. 292 00:11:40,990 --> 00:11:43,610 And as a result, we know two things, 293 00:11:43,950 --> 00:11:47,870 both a deep thankfulness for what we have 294 00:11:47,870 --> 00:11:50,730 received from Him, but at the same time 295 00:11:50,730 --> 00:11:53,470 a deep longing for more of Him. 296 00:11:53,550 --> 00:11:55,630 And so we will live in that tension 297 00:11:55,630 --> 00:12:00,250 of fulfillment and thankfulness, but also longing. 298 00:12:01,630 --> 00:12:03,670 And I want to turn to this man 299 00:12:03,670 --> 00:12:05,010 in the New Testament. 300 00:12:05,190 --> 00:12:06,590 He's at the kind of tail end of 301 00:12:06,590 --> 00:12:07,110 the Old Testament. 302 00:12:07,390 --> 00:12:10,030 He's someone whose entire life had been waiting 303 00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:11,990 for the Messiah, and he did that so 304 00:12:11,990 --> 00:12:16,530 well that he provides a very fine example 305 00:12:16,530 --> 00:12:18,290 for us in our day. 306 00:12:19,390 --> 00:12:21,470 The reading begins with these words. 307 00:12:21,530 --> 00:12:24,470 Now, there was a man in Jerusalem called 308 00:12:24,470 --> 00:12:24,970 Simeon. 309 00:12:26,090 --> 00:12:28,610 He was righteous and devout. 310 00:12:28,810 --> 00:12:29,290 Righteous. 311 00:12:30,370 --> 00:12:31,330 Right with God. 312 00:12:31,950 --> 00:12:34,130 He wasn't just playing at his faith. 313 00:12:34,250 --> 00:12:36,550 Where it counts, he was right with God. 314 00:12:36,770 --> 00:12:38,630 And he was devout. 315 00:12:39,910 --> 00:12:42,230 He showed deep devotion. 316 00:12:42,790 --> 00:12:44,290 He had it where it counts. 317 00:12:45,030 --> 00:12:50,170 But interestingly, what his righteousness and devotion looked 318 00:12:50,170 --> 00:12:50,530 like. 319 00:12:50,730 --> 00:12:53,250 The next phrase is this, he was waiting. 320 00:12:54,230 --> 00:12:56,250 He was righteous and devout. 321 00:12:56,650 --> 00:12:57,350 He was waiting. 322 00:12:57,790 --> 00:13:00,670 His righteousness showed up in this way. 323 00:13:00,830 --> 00:13:02,050 It made him wait. 324 00:13:02,310 --> 00:13:04,370 His devotion caused him to wait. 325 00:13:04,590 --> 00:13:06,290 We don't have that kind of value on 326 00:13:06,290 --> 00:13:06,690 waiting. 327 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:10,010 We wouldn't think that that's a sign of 328 00:13:10,010 --> 00:13:10,510 righteousness. 329 00:13:10,830 --> 00:13:13,510 That it's a sign of deep devotion that 330 00:13:13,510 --> 00:13:14,830 someone would wait. 331 00:13:15,850 --> 00:13:18,190 Because we might wait if we have to. 332 00:13:18,950 --> 00:13:20,370 We would never think of it as a 333 00:13:20,370 --> 00:13:20,870 good thing. 334 00:13:20,970 --> 00:13:22,830 We might find it annoying. 335 00:13:25,460 --> 00:13:26,060 Undesirable. 336 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:27,520 Frustrating. 337 00:13:27,660 --> 00:13:28,740 Even angering. 338 00:13:29,060 --> 00:13:29,920 Having to wait. 339 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:33,100 But we certainly wouldn't think of it as 340 00:13:33,100 --> 00:13:34,640 a sign of deep devotion. 341 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,240 And yet, I think it's right. 342 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:37,460 It really is that. 343 00:13:38,380 --> 00:13:41,620 Because sometimes what we most love in life 344 00:13:41,620 --> 00:13:43,160 is seen in this. 345 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,620 By what we're willing to wait for. 346 00:13:50,560 --> 00:13:52,820 So what you most love in life isn't 347 00:13:52,820 --> 00:13:55,620 seen by what you can have most quickly 348 00:13:55,620 --> 00:13:56,260 at your fingertips. 349 00:13:57,340 --> 00:13:59,540 What you most love in life is not 350 00:13:59,540 --> 00:14:01,940 measured by that which is most quickly accessible. 351 00:14:02,420 --> 00:14:05,520 Sometimes what you most love in life is 352 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:06,140 seen in this. 353 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:08,660 By what you're willing to wait for. 354 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:12,760 More than once, I've had a family come 355 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,640 to me in the church and maybe their 356 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,260 daughter was just getting to dating age and 357 00:14:19,180 --> 00:14:22,140 sometimes there's a interesting interested suitor. 358 00:14:22,340 --> 00:14:24,360 And sometimes this suitor has been a few 359 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:24,880 years older. 360 00:14:24,980 --> 00:14:26,600 And so anyways, I get asked questions. 361 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,080 My advice to the young woman has been 362 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:29,520 the same. 363 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:33,120 If this really is God's choice for you, 364 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,400 and if this young man really loves you, 365 00:14:38,780 --> 00:14:40,580 then this is what his heart will say 366 00:14:40,580 --> 00:14:40,960 to you. 367 00:14:44,260 --> 00:14:45,540 You are worth waiting for. 368 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:48,700 So maybe you're a little on the young 369 00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:52,920 side for a relationship of that type. 370 00:14:53,380 --> 00:14:54,680 Of that kind of commitment. 371 00:14:57,240 --> 00:14:59,580 But you'll know you're on to something special 372 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:03,320 when someone says, I love you enough to 373 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:03,980 wait for you. 374 00:15:05,180 --> 00:15:07,840 I think sometimes Jesus is waiting for us 375 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:08,600 to hear those words. 376 00:15:08,660 --> 00:15:09,680 To hear those words from us. 377 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:12,920 We love you enough that waiting can be 378 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:13,400 pleasurable. 379 00:15:13,820 --> 00:15:16,880 Waiting can be an exercise of devotion. 380 00:15:17,060 --> 00:15:18,780 It can be a sign of our righteousness 381 00:15:18,780 --> 00:15:20,960 by what we're willing to wait for. 382 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,320 I understand that sometimes waiting produces longing. 383 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:26,140 That waiting isn't easy. 384 00:15:26,500 --> 00:15:28,400 But the same truth prevails. 385 00:15:28,900 --> 00:15:32,800 What we most long for in life shows 386 00:15:33,540 --> 00:15:34,940 what we most love. 387 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,520 And so here's Simeon, a righteous man, a 388 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,160 devout man, and it says he was waiting. 389 00:15:42,260 --> 00:15:42,920 How do you wait? 390 00:15:46,220 --> 00:15:47,180 You wait like Simeon? 391 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:49,840 Because his waiting was not a sign of 392 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:50,980 passive resignation. 393 00:15:51,580 --> 00:15:55,140 His waiting was a sign of eager expectation. 394 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:57,160 God had made him promises. 395 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,920 And every single day of his life, this 396 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:02,460 man woke up and those promises were as 397 00:16:02,460 --> 00:16:04,960 real and fresh to him as if God 398 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,180 had made them to him that morning. 399 00:16:08,860 --> 00:16:09,820 Eager expectation. 400 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,080 He was an older man who had been 401 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:14,460 waiting for the fulfillment of promises for many 402 00:16:14,460 --> 00:16:19,340 years, and yet he still has eager expectation. 403 00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:21,060 Sometimes we go, well, I guess I'll wait 404 00:16:21,060 --> 00:16:22,280 because I have no choice to. 405 00:16:22,420 --> 00:16:23,840 But really it's resignation. 406 00:16:25,740 --> 00:16:27,520 I'll resign to have to wait. 407 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,380 There's no sense of eagerness and anticipation in 408 00:16:30,380 --> 00:16:30,580 it. 409 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:33,200 But this man was different. 410 00:16:34,420 --> 00:16:36,800 In particular, it says he was waiting for 411 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:38,080 the consolation of Israel. 412 00:16:38,260 --> 00:16:40,400 He wasn't even waiting for something for himself. 413 00:16:41,220 --> 00:16:43,820 He could tell that his nation was grieving. 414 00:16:44,500 --> 00:16:46,980 His nation needed consoling. 415 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,680 That they had been waiting for 400 years, 416 00:16:49,780 --> 00:16:52,600 the 400 silent years, and that that waiting 417 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,560 had taken a toll on their hearts. 418 00:16:55,020 --> 00:16:56,660 And so here's a man who is full 419 00:16:56,660 --> 00:16:57,380 of the Holy Spirit. 420 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,220 Here is an old prayerful man, and when 421 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:01,920 he is in prayer, he can pick up 422 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,079 the heartbeat of his nation. 423 00:17:04,380 --> 00:17:06,319 And so he's saying, Lord, I am waiting 424 00:17:06,319 --> 00:17:08,079 for the consolation of my nation. 425 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:12,520 You're gonna come and you're gonna console through 426 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:13,720 the provision of the Messiah. 427 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,839 He's waiting for the consolation of Israel. 428 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:18,599 The scripture goes on to say that he 429 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:19,980 had every reason to wait. 430 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:22,200 This wasn't just wishful thinking. 431 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,579 He was waiting because the Holy Spirit had 432 00:17:24,579 --> 00:17:28,280 spoke to him and revealed things to him. 433 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,100 And especially this, that he would not die 434 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:36,380 until with his own eyes he had seen 435 00:17:36,380 --> 00:17:37,140 the Messiah. 436 00:17:39,050 --> 00:17:42,310 And so he's an elderly man, been waiting 437 00:17:42,310 --> 00:17:44,690 for probably the majority of his life, and 438 00:17:44,690 --> 00:17:47,170 he has been clinging to this promise that 439 00:17:47,170 --> 00:17:48,750 he would not die before he saw the 440 00:17:48,750 --> 00:17:49,310 Lord's Christ. 441 00:17:51,730 --> 00:17:53,850 And every single day he rolls out of 442 00:17:53,850 --> 00:17:56,110 bed, and he asks the Lord a question. 443 00:17:57,370 --> 00:17:58,470 Lord, is today the day? 444 00:18:02,850 --> 00:18:03,790 Not today, Simeon. 445 00:18:04,370 --> 00:18:04,670 Okay. 446 00:18:05,670 --> 00:18:08,110 And this faithful old man rolls out of 447 00:18:08,110 --> 00:18:09,770 bed the next day with the exact same 448 00:18:09,770 --> 00:18:13,890 question, and the same anticipation, not disappointment, is 449 00:18:13,890 --> 00:18:14,610 today the day? 450 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:20,520 It's not today, Simeon, but thanks for asking. 451 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:21,540 Okay. 452 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:28,740 Day in, day out, month in, month out, 453 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,620 year in, year out, with this man decade 454 00:18:31,620 --> 00:18:33,480 in and decade out. 455 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:36,480 Every single day he rolls out of bed 456 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:38,640 onto his knees and says, Father, is today 457 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:39,140 the day? 458 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:40,840 He's an old man, but he's got the 459 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:41,980 faith of a child. 460 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:44,200 Is today the day? 461 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:44,340 Is today the day? 462 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:51,040 Simeon, no, but thank you for believing. 463 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:54,580 Thank you for waiting. 464 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:57,520 Thank you for hoping. 465 00:18:57,660 --> 00:18:59,620 Remember, he's praying for the consolation of Israel. 466 00:18:59,900 --> 00:19:02,460 Very few people in the whole nation were 467 00:19:02,460 --> 00:19:04,660 waiting with that kind of hope, but Simeon 468 00:19:04,660 --> 00:19:05,000 was. 469 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,900 Until one day he wakes up, and he 470 00:19:11,900 --> 00:19:13,880 rolls out of bed, and he asks that 471 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:14,980 same old question. 472 00:19:17,340 --> 00:19:18,880 Father, is today the day? 473 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:23,860 And it's the first day he hears an 474 00:19:23,860 --> 00:19:26,420 answer that is different from what he has 475 00:19:26,420 --> 00:19:27,000 always heard. 476 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:32,720 Is today the day, Lord? 477 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:35,500 You told me I wouldn't die before I 478 00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:36,400 saw the Lord's Christ. 479 00:19:36,700 --> 00:19:38,040 I believe it with all my heart. 480 00:19:38,140 --> 00:19:39,340 I've been waiting for decades. 481 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:40,840 Is today the day? 482 00:19:45,110 --> 00:19:48,830 And on this day, heaven says, Simeon, yes, 483 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:52,220 today is the day. 484 00:19:54,420 --> 00:19:55,700 Now, do you realize if he hadn't been 485 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:57,740 asking day by day, he would have totally 486 00:19:57,740 --> 00:19:58,540 missed that day. 487 00:20:02,210 --> 00:20:05,210 If his heart had grown dull, if his 488 00:20:05,210 --> 00:20:09,610 expectation had waned, then when it really counts, 489 00:20:10,190 --> 00:20:12,230 he would no longer even be asking the 490 00:20:12,230 --> 00:20:12,590 question. 491 00:20:14,030 --> 00:20:16,710 But because this man was waiting in hope, 492 00:20:17,390 --> 00:20:20,590 he was full of expectation. 493 00:20:21,950 --> 00:20:23,690 When he asked, Lord, is today the day? 494 00:20:24,790 --> 00:20:26,270 At last the answer come. 495 00:20:26,350 --> 00:20:27,470 Today is the day, Simeon. 496 00:20:28,930 --> 00:20:30,570 The Messiah is here. 497 00:20:30,670 --> 00:20:31,950 He's down in the temple courts. 498 00:20:32,550 --> 00:20:34,390 And the story doesn't tell us what follows 499 00:20:34,390 --> 00:20:38,190 exactly between the time he is told that 500 00:20:38,190 --> 00:20:39,550 and the time he gets to the temple 501 00:20:39,550 --> 00:20:39,870 courts. 502 00:20:40,070 --> 00:20:43,050 But I imagine this old man was just 503 00:20:43,050 --> 00:20:44,630 the face of a young boy, and he'd 504 00:20:44,630 --> 00:20:46,010 gather up his garments. 505 00:20:46,710 --> 00:20:49,190 And probably as fast as his old frame 506 00:20:49,190 --> 00:20:52,290 would take him, that man ran through the 507 00:20:52,290 --> 00:20:53,210 streets of Jerusalem. 508 00:20:53,950 --> 00:20:55,010 Muttering, he's here. 509 00:20:55,650 --> 00:20:56,590 He's here. 510 00:20:57,490 --> 00:20:58,110 He's here. 511 00:20:58,150 --> 00:20:58,650 He's down here. 512 00:20:58,670 --> 00:20:59,230 He's here. 513 00:20:59,310 --> 00:21:01,290 And everybody wondering, where's Simeon going? 514 00:21:06,630 --> 00:21:07,430 A couple questions. 515 00:21:09,190 --> 00:21:10,730 Number one, what did he expect to see 516 00:21:10,730 --> 00:21:11,430 when he got there? 517 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:17,080 Number two, was he disappointed? 518 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:22,720 Because if you take a look at the 519 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:25,760 Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah, it's 520 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:29,000 reasonable that Simeon would have expected some very 521 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,220 much larger-than-life figure to be waiting 522 00:21:32,220 --> 00:21:32,880 for him there. 523 00:21:34,300 --> 00:21:37,120 Someone who's going to vanquish the Romans, someone 524 00:21:37,120 --> 00:21:40,600 who is going to make everything right and 525 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,360 usher in a wonderful new golden age. 526 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,500 Over Christmas or over Advent, when you get 527 00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:50,060 a chance, you look back at the Old 528 00:21:50,060 --> 00:21:51,640 Testament messianic prophecies. 529 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:53,780 What would you have expected if you were 530 00:21:53,780 --> 00:21:54,220 Simeon? 531 00:21:54,360 --> 00:21:56,480 It would have been reasonable for him to 532 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,200 expect someone gigantic. 533 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,540 And so when he arrives at the temple 534 00:22:03,540 --> 00:22:06,020 gates, and he looks around and doesn't see 535 00:22:06,020 --> 00:22:12,430 anybody gigantic, Lord, where? 536 00:22:13,850 --> 00:22:16,690 Because it seems like temple life is continuing 537 00:22:16,690 --> 00:22:18,590 like it always did. 538 00:22:19,030 --> 00:22:21,170 It doesn't seem any different today than it 539 00:22:21,170 --> 00:22:21,810 did yesterday. 540 00:22:24,410 --> 00:22:26,050 So when he says, where? 541 00:22:27,050 --> 00:22:28,510 You know what the Holy Spirit points him 542 00:22:28,510 --> 00:22:28,710 to? 543 00:22:32,690 --> 00:22:33,610 That baby. 544 00:22:36,780 --> 00:22:37,780 The baby, Lord. 545 00:22:38,140 --> 00:22:39,960 That baby you mean that looks like every 546 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:40,500 other baby. 547 00:22:41,980 --> 00:22:42,380 Great. 548 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:43,720 I've been waiting all my life, and I 549 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:44,740 have a 20-inch Messiah. 550 00:22:48,390 --> 00:22:49,550 I would have been disappointed. 551 00:22:49,670 --> 00:22:50,250 I was like, really? 552 00:22:50,810 --> 00:22:51,890 That's what I've waited for? 553 00:22:53,930 --> 00:22:54,330 Really? 554 00:22:55,570 --> 00:22:57,210 That kid is going to change this whole 555 00:22:57,210 --> 00:22:57,490 thing. 556 00:23:00,780 --> 00:23:02,160 Because I'm not righteous like him. 557 00:23:04,550 --> 00:23:05,870 I don't wait like him. 558 00:23:08,580 --> 00:23:10,280 I don't roll out of bed every single 559 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:12,760 day like I ought and say, it's the 560 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:13,480 day of the day, Lord. 561 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:19,560 And so I, I learn from this old 562 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:28,010 righteous devout man who went over under the 563 00:23:28,010 --> 00:23:30,110 Holy Spirit's leading, and he took that small 564 00:23:30,110 --> 00:23:34,480 infant in his hands, and he blessed that 565 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:34,820 infant. 566 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:42,830 So here, here's a an icon of of 567 00:23:42,830 --> 00:23:44,770 a depiction of Simeon as an old man 568 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,240 holding that baby in his hands. 569 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:51,260 And this is what he cries out. 570 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,240 He said, Lord, Sovereign Lord, it's just like 571 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:53,820 you promised. 572 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:55,400 What would we have said? 573 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:56,520 Lord, this is a little disappointing. 574 00:23:57,760 --> 00:23:58,840 Simeon didn't say that. 575 00:23:59,740 --> 00:24:01,140 It's just like you promised. 576 00:24:01,460 --> 00:24:03,240 You were faithful to all your promises. 577 00:24:06,230 --> 00:24:07,450 Now I can depart in peace. 578 00:24:07,510 --> 00:24:09,530 You can take me to heaven because everything 579 00:24:09,530 --> 00:24:11,650 you promised me in this life, you have 580 00:24:11,650 --> 00:24:11,970 done. 581 00:24:12,690 --> 00:24:14,130 I'm ready now to go to heaven. 582 00:24:15,150 --> 00:24:18,270 And he blesses that child because he understood 583 00:24:18,270 --> 00:24:20,530 things that we don't understand. 584 00:24:20,870 --> 00:24:23,750 Is that when God has promised grand things, 585 00:24:24,010 --> 00:24:26,310 they are still going to start in small 586 00:24:26,310 --> 00:24:26,950 ways. 587 00:24:29,250 --> 00:24:31,110 Then when God wants to change the world, 588 00:24:31,230 --> 00:24:33,650 he still starts things and gives them a 589 00:24:33,650 --> 00:24:34,910 humble beginning. 590 00:24:35,910 --> 00:24:38,550 And if you overlook those small things, they 591 00:24:38,550 --> 00:24:40,590 will never grow up to be large things. 592 00:24:41,890 --> 00:24:44,390 And he took that small infant in his 593 00:24:44,390 --> 00:24:47,350 hands and thought everything God has ever promised 594 00:24:47,350 --> 00:24:49,870 for the salvation of the world is in 595 00:24:49,870 --> 00:24:50,890 this small bundle. 596 00:24:51,670 --> 00:24:53,730 And he actually had the eyes to see 597 00:24:53,730 --> 00:24:53,990 it. 598 00:24:54,450 --> 00:24:57,190 And he blessed that small bundle knowing that 599 00:24:57,190 --> 00:24:59,290 if I bless it, one day he will 600 00:24:59,290 --> 00:25:01,650 grow enough to be a fully grown, blown, 601 00:25:02,290 --> 00:25:07,450 world-saving, life-changing, universe-ruling Messiah. 602 00:25:08,070 --> 00:25:10,650 And he could see it in this infant. 603 00:25:13,290 --> 00:25:13,930 Beautiful. 604 00:25:15,430 --> 00:25:17,170 Oh, I want to be righteous like that 605 00:25:17,170 --> 00:25:17,450 man. 606 00:25:20,610 --> 00:25:22,410 Three lessons to draw from Simeon. 607 00:25:23,370 --> 00:25:24,410 Number one, What? 608 00:25:25,950 --> 00:25:28,590 Do we know how to wait like he 609 00:25:28,590 --> 00:25:28,850 did? 610 00:25:33,330 --> 00:25:36,330 To show eager expectation, not resignation. 611 00:25:36,850 --> 00:25:38,150 That's not biblical waiting. 612 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:42,680 Oh, we'll just have to see how it 613 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:43,220 pans out. 614 00:25:43,540 --> 00:25:44,660 That's not biblical waiting. 615 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:49,840 That's just resignation, not anticipation. 616 00:25:51,900 --> 00:25:53,760 And so for Simeon, we don't know how 617 00:25:53,760 --> 00:25:54,160 old he is. 618 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:55,800 We just know he's a very old man 619 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,520 who's waited for very long. 620 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:00,840 But by the way he acts, you'd think 621 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:02,120 God made him the promise yesterday. 622 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,020 And I want to be like that too. 623 00:26:07,740 --> 00:26:09,980 Number two, he was a man who transitioned 624 00:26:09,980 --> 00:26:10,460 well. 625 00:26:12,900 --> 00:26:15,200 He'd waited for something for all these years, 626 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,380 but he knew when the Holy Spirit was 627 00:26:17,380 --> 00:26:19,960 signaling that change was in the air and 628 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:21,180 he was able to go with it. 629 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,660 My imagination allows me to see, if nothing 630 00:26:25,660 --> 00:26:28,020 else, that the day that Simeon ran down 631 00:26:28,020 --> 00:26:30,220 there, there was probably very likely some other 632 00:26:30,220 --> 00:26:33,000 people that saw this little crying infant and 633 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,540 said this, would you shut that baby up? 634 00:26:35,620 --> 00:26:36,940 We're trying to pray here for the coming 635 00:26:36,940 --> 00:26:37,460 of the Messiah. 636 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:41,180 How come it's only Simeon saw it that 637 00:26:41,180 --> 00:26:41,460 day? 638 00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:44,420 How many people were in the temple courts 639 00:26:44,420 --> 00:26:46,840 praying for the fulfillment of God's promises and 640 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:48,060 missed them right under their nose? 641 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:52,560 People who got tired of waiting. 642 00:26:54,020 --> 00:26:54,500 Impatient. 643 00:26:54,940 --> 00:26:57,960 Book of Hebrews says faith and patience inherits 644 00:26:57,960 --> 00:26:58,380 the promises. 645 00:26:58,620 --> 00:27:00,020 I used to think it was just faith 646 00:27:00,020 --> 00:27:00,880 that inherits promises. 647 00:27:01,260 --> 00:27:03,180 Faith and patience inherits the promises. 648 00:27:03,180 --> 00:27:05,660 And we have to understand we live in 649 00:27:05,660 --> 00:27:09,000 a hugely impatient society and it costs us 650 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:12,460 much more dearly than we can imagine. 651 00:27:18,500 --> 00:27:19,700 He transitioned well. 652 00:27:20,980 --> 00:27:23,180 The wind of change came into his prayer 653 00:27:23,180 --> 00:27:25,360 room and said you've been here believing for 654 00:27:25,360 --> 00:27:27,140 this, but now you need to move here 655 00:27:27,140 --> 00:27:29,160 and expect the fulfillment of that. 656 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:31,660 And that when you do get there, don't 657 00:27:31,660 --> 00:27:32,840 be disappointed, Simeon. 658 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:35,600 Third lesson, he knew how to see the 659 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:36,700 great and the small. 660 00:27:41,460 --> 00:27:42,300 Can we do that? 661 00:27:44,380 --> 00:27:46,100 I've had things that have even happened in 662 00:27:46,100 --> 00:27:46,660 the last month. 663 00:27:47,060 --> 00:27:48,440 I know they are signs. 664 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:50,340 Are they big signs? 665 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:51,040 They are to me. 666 00:27:51,700 --> 00:27:53,200 When you've been waiting for 12 years or 667 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:54,660 when you're waiting for 30 years for something, 668 00:27:57,440 --> 00:27:58,780 I've been watching for little signs. 669 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:00,960 And when I see them instead of going, 670 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:02,000 oh, that's kind of disappointing. 671 00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:02,800 That's all it is. 672 00:28:04,730 --> 00:28:08,110 You will never see your promises fulfilled if 673 00:28:08,110 --> 00:28:08,610 you do that. 674 00:28:11,060 --> 00:28:13,880 But if you can say that's a small 675 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:19,540 beginning, that's God acting in our midst, and 676 00:28:19,540 --> 00:28:22,420 we can see it and be thankful for 677 00:28:22,420 --> 00:28:26,520 it and bless it, then those small blessings 678 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:29,920 will grow up until they're bigger than we 679 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:30,600 could ever imagine. 680 00:28:32,990 --> 00:28:34,250 So how do you wait? 681 00:28:40,180 --> 00:28:41,800 I don't wait as well as I'd like. 682 00:28:42,220 --> 00:28:43,360 Number two, how do you transition? 683 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:54,680 Number three, can you see the big and 684 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:56,020 the small right under your nose? 685 00:28:56,100 --> 00:28:58,100 How many people miss the Messiah right under 686 00:28:58,100 --> 00:28:58,660 their nose? 687 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:03,700 2,000 years this child has prophesied, and 688 00:29:03,700 --> 00:29:05,280 there he is right under their nose, and 689 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:07,360 there's one man that sees it. 690 00:29:20,420 --> 00:29:23,400 So similarly, things are happening in our midst. 691 00:29:24,660 --> 00:29:28,660 I've noticed shifts and changes even actually since 692 00:29:28,660 --> 00:29:29,360 our name changed. 693 00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:41,980 If I had more time, I would chronicle 694 00:29:41,980 --> 00:29:42,560 them for you. 695 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:47,680 But Todd, those are just small. 696 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:51,120 I know. 697 00:29:53,860 --> 00:29:55,580 But I have put myself at the feet 698 00:29:55,580 --> 00:29:57,080 of Simeon for the last 25 years. 699 00:29:58,460 --> 00:30:00,240 And I learned something from that old man. 700 00:30:09,020 --> 00:30:10,980 How to appreciate the small signs of God's 701 00:30:10,980 --> 00:30:11,160 moving. 702 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:16,880 How to bless them when I see them. 703 00:30:17,820 --> 00:30:20,780 How to have eyes to see them when 704 00:30:20,780 --> 00:30:22,200 they go indetectable to others. 705 00:30:31,270 --> 00:30:32,670 I wish I had the time to unpack 706 00:30:32,670 --> 00:30:33,490 the rest of the passage. 707 00:30:33,870 --> 00:30:36,410 The rising and this child will cause the 708 00:30:36,410 --> 00:30:37,810 rising and the falling of men. 709 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:45,920 Wow, he was going to upset kingdoms. 710 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:49,020 There would be people in leadership who didn't 711 00:30:49,020 --> 00:30:49,520 used to be. 712 00:30:50,900 --> 00:30:52,700 And people that used to have places of 713 00:30:52,700 --> 00:30:53,600 influence that would lose it. 714 00:30:55,710 --> 00:30:57,830 The hearts, there'd be a sign that would 715 00:30:57,830 --> 00:30:58,670 be spoken against. 716 00:30:58,950 --> 00:31:01,090 So here he's prophesied this is a gift 717 00:31:01,090 --> 00:31:02,270 from heaven and people are going to speak 718 00:31:02,270 --> 00:31:02,750 against him. 719 00:31:03,670 --> 00:31:05,530 But it will reveal what is in those 720 00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:05,810 hearts. 721 00:31:07,650 --> 00:31:09,230 There's so much in that passage. 722 00:31:10,090 --> 00:31:11,890 So I always watch what people speak against. 723 00:31:17,190 --> 00:31:19,130 Because they think that they are revealing something 724 00:31:19,130 --> 00:31:21,090 and they don't realize they are being revealed. 725 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:33,600 And so beloved, we are too in a 726 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:34,300 time of transition. 727 00:31:36,420 --> 00:31:38,280 Let us keep our eyes open. 728 00:31:43,220 --> 00:31:44,980 For some very, very blessed signs. 729 00:31:48,370 --> 00:31:49,690 We're going to go to the Lord's table. 730 00:31:50,190 --> 00:31:51,850 This is the very nature of the Lord's 731 00:31:51,850 --> 00:31:51,970 table. 732 00:31:52,130 --> 00:31:55,330 Every time we celebrate the Lord's table, it 733 00:31:55,330 --> 00:31:56,390 is a partial fulfillment. 734 00:31:56,570 --> 00:31:59,590 Meaning, every time we celebrate it, it is 735 00:31:59,590 --> 00:32:02,290 a looking forward to the great wedding feast 736 00:32:02,290 --> 00:32:02,910 of the Lamb. 737 00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:07,320 It is a looking backwards to the last 738 00:32:07,320 --> 00:32:07,600 supper. 739 00:32:07,940 --> 00:32:09,840 And at the exact same time, it is 740 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,780 a partial fulfillment and a looking forward to 741 00:32:12,780 --> 00:32:14,340 the great feast of the Lamb. 742 00:32:14,540 --> 00:32:16,680 When we will gather around that table. 743 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:19,440 And what we now know in part, we 744 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:20,760 shall then know in full. 745 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:28,340 And so we will gather around his table 746 00:32:28,340 --> 00:32:28,700 today. 747 00:32:32,420 --> 00:32:34,360 And we will enjoy as much of his 748 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:35,640 presence as he's willing to give. 749 00:32:37,180 --> 00:32:38,980 And we will look forward to that day 750 00:32:41,790 --> 00:32:44,370 when we will know it in unlimited ways. 751 00:32:46,130 --> 00:32:46,690 Let us go. 752 00:32:55,420 --> 00:32:56,540 Would you bow your heads in a word 753 00:32:56,540 --> 00:32:57,240 of prayer with me? 754 00:33:13,430 --> 00:33:19,690 All who truly turn to Christ and away 755 00:33:19,690 --> 00:33:20,410 from your sins. 756 00:33:21,650 --> 00:33:25,430 All who seek to be reconciled with your 757 00:33:25,430 --> 00:33:29,370 neighbors and intend to lead the new life 758 00:33:29,370 --> 00:33:32,250 following the commandments of God and walking in 759 00:33:32,250 --> 00:33:33,150 his holy ways. 760 00:33:35,810 --> 00:33:38,590 Draw near now with faith and take this 761 00:33:38,590 --> 00:33:46,070 holy sacrament to strengthen, to console and to 762 00:33:46,070 --> 00:33:46,730 nourish you. 763 00:33:49,380 --> 00:33:53,460 Let us make our humble confession to our 764 00:33:53,460 --> 00:33:54,220 heavenly father. 765 00:33:59,240 --> 00:34:01,400 So first a moment of private confession we 766 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:13,820 bring before him our impatience, our 767 00:34:13,820 --> 00:34:14,420 despair. 768 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:25,219 Lord, where have we given up on promises? 769 00:34:26,679 --> 00:34:28,480 Where is there some part of our heart 770 00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:31,920 that is that has just given up? 771 00:34:31,920 --> 00:35:05,490 Father, restore 772 00:35:05,490 --> 00:35:07,130 to us the heart of Simeon. 773 00:35:15,660 --> 00:35:23,960 Let us live daily in eager anticipation, holding 774 00:35:23,960 --> 00:35:28,280 on to the promises like they were just 775 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:29,660 given to us an hour ago. 776 00:35:59,780 --> 00:36:01,900 Father, forgive me for my impatience. 777 00:36:10,940 --> 00:36:12,840 Forgive me for where I get too easily 778 00:36:12,840 --> 00:36:15,840 discouraged when you don't seem to act quickly. 779 00:36:28,270 --> 00:36:30,470 Help me to show my love for you 780 00:36:32,110 --> 00:36:34,510 in my waiting and in my longing. 781 00:36:42,660 --> 00:36:52,630 Help me transition well, not to feel stuck 782 00:36:53,770 --> 00:36:54,990 and backward looking. 783 00:37:00,020 --> 00:37:02,660 And please give me eyes to see the 784 00:37:02,660 --> 00:37:12,570 promises being fulfilled 785 00:37:12,570 --> 00:37:16,010 right under my nose in small ways. 786 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:28,990 The heart to bless them so that small 787 00:37:28,990 --> 00:37:38,410 breakthroughs might mature into big ones. 788 00:38:28,550 --> 00:38:30,230 Lord, this is your table. 789 00:38:32,690 --> 00:38:34,850 You are our great high priest. 790 00:38:39,480 --> 00:38:41,460 So lead us in this meal. 791 00:38:43,140 --> 00:38:45,740 Feed us on your very own presence. 792 00:38:46,300 --> 00:38:48,160 You are the bread of life. 793 00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:58,320 Feed us with hope and promise and life 794 00:38:58,320 --> 00:38:59,100 and joy. 795 00:39:08,100 --> 00:39:09,320 Preside over your table. 796 00:39:17,310 --> 00:39:19,230 I ask that all of heaven would come 797 00:39:19,230 --> 00:39:37,670 to earth around this meal Scripture 798 00:39:37,670 --> 00:39:40,610 says, who shall ascend the hill of the 799 00:39:40,610 --> 00:39:40,890 Lord? 800 00:39:44,970 --> 00:39:47,110 But he who has clean hands and a 801 00:39:47,110 --> 00:39:47,610 pure heart. 802 00:39:49,650 --> 00:39:53,690 So let us make our confession to him. 803 00:39:56,070 --> 00:40:02,250 Together, merciful Father, we confess that we have 804 00:40:02,250 --> 00:40:06,510 sinned against you in thought, word, and deed 805 00:40:09,990 --> 00:40:12,070 by what we have left undone. 806 00:40:13,550 --> 00:40:16,090 Forgive us where the cares of this world 807 00:40:16,090 --> 00:40:20,190 have become our cares, where we have succumbed 808 00:40:20,190 --> 00:40:23,170 to the love of things, where we have 809 00:40:23,170 --> 00:40:26,050 used our minds and bodies and words in 810 00:40:26,050 --> 00:40:26,890 impure ways. 811 00:40:28,030 --> 00:40:30,030 Forgive us where we have given way to 812 00:40:30,030 --> 00:40:36,830 discouragement and despair, self-pity, false comforts, harmful 813 00:40:36,830 --> 00:40:38,810 addictions, and selfishness. 814 00:40:39,990 --> 00:40:43,170 Forgive us where we have neglected your two 815 00:40:43,170 --> 00:40:46,910 great commands, where we have not loved you 816 00:40:46,910 --> 00:40:49,990 with our whole heart and have not loved 817 00:40:49,990 --> 00:40:51,630 our neighbors as ourselves. 818 00:40:52,050 --> 00:40:56,290 Lord, we're truly sorry and we humbly repent. 819 00:40:57,830 --> 00:41:01,210 For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, 820 00:41:01,550 --> 00:41:04,890 Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us 821 00:41:05,470 --> 00:41:08,130 so that we might delight in your will 822 00:41:08,130 --> 00:41:13,110 and walk in your ways by the power 823 00:41:13,110 --> 00:41:16,170 of your Spirit and to the glory of 824 00:41:16,170 --> 00:41:16,850 your name. 825 00:41:19,480 --> 00:41:23,600 And so receive the forgiveness of your sin. 826 00:41:31,540 --> 00:41:32,000 Hallelujah. 827 00:41:38,440 --> 00:41:42,160 Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his 828 00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:47,420 great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to 829 00:41:47,420 --> 00:41:51,040 all those who with heartfelt repentance and true 830 00:41:51,040 --> 00:41:55,360 faith turn to him, have mercy upon you. 831 00:41:56,660 --> 00:42:00,560 Pardon and deliver you from all your sins 832 00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:03,280 through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 833 00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:18,320 And all God's people said, Amen.