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Waiting for Christmas

GregLaurie.TV

December 1, 2019

27:30

GregLaurie.TV

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Waiting for Christmas

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THE LOST ARE FOUND.
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OH CAN YOU HEAR ALL THE ANGELS ARE SINGING
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THIS IS THE DAY THE DAY WHEN LIFE BEGINS.
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THE TITLE ITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS: WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS.
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I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON'T LIKE
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TO WAIT FOR ANYTHING.
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YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE ON THE FREEWAY AND YOU SEE THAT
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ONE GUY WHO IS WEAVING IN AND OUT OF DIFFERENT
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LANES TRYING TO GET AHEAD THAT'S ME.
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WHEN I'M IN THE MARKET AND I HAVE TO CHECK OUT,
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I WILL ACTUALLY GO TO THE SEVEN ITEMS OR LESS LINE,
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EVEN IF I NEED TO BUY MORE STUFF, I'LL NOT GET IT
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BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO WAIT IN LINES AND BY THE
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WAY I'M COUNTING HOW MANY ITEMS THE PERSON IN FRONT
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OF ME HAS BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE WHEN PEOPLE CHEAT THERE.
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BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE
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TO WAIT FOR IN LIFE.
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WELL, THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE I WANT TO LOOK AT IN THIS
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MESSAGE THAT ARE A PART OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
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THEY WERE WAITING FOR CHRIST.
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NO IT WAS NOT JOSEPH AND MARY.
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THESE ARE TWO OFTEN OVERLOOKED BUT VERY
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SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
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I'M TALKING ABOUT RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER
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AND FROSTY THE SNOWMAN.
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LET'S ALL SING, RUDOLPH THE RED...
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NO DON'T.
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AND ALL THE PEOPLE WEARING RED STARTED
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TO SING DIDN'T THEY.
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[laughter]
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NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT TWO NAMES YOU MAY
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NOT EVEN KNOW ARE A PART OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
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THEIR NAMES ARE SIMEON AND ANNA.
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THEY DON'T APPEAR IN ANY NATIVITY SCENE THAT IS ON
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A CARD OR DISPLAYED ON A COFFEE TABLE,
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BUT THEY WERE THERE.
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THEY WERE WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS AND IN FACT,
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THEY PRECEDED THE WISE MEN WHO CAME MUCH LATER.
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THE TRUTH IS THE WISE MEN WEREN'T EVEN AT THE MANGER.
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THEY CAME LATER TO THE HOME THAT JESUS WAS IN,
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NOT TO THE MANGER WHERE HE WAS BORN.
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THE WISE MEN MAY HAVE COME UP TO A YEAR TO TWO YEARS
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LATER BUT SIMEON AND ANNA SAW THE LITTLE CHILD
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JESUS BEING DEDICATED IN THE TEMPLE ONLY
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EIGHT DAYS AFTER HIS BIRTH.
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SO LET'S GET THE BIG PICTURE.
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SORT OF THE TIMELINE BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT SIMEON AND ANNA.
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WE START OF COURSE WITH MARY, A YOUNG GIRL,
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A VERY YOUNG GIRL.
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PROBABLY IN HER EARLY TEENS AND SHE WAS LIVING
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IN THE LITTLE TOWN OF NAZARETH.
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NAZARETH WAS SORT OF A NOTHING PLACE, IN THE
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MIDDLE OF NO WHERE AND MARY, FOR ALL PRACTICAL
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PURPOSES, WAS A NOBODY.
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BUT GOD HAD SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN HER TO BE THE
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MOTHER OF THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL AND OF JESUS CHRIST
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WHO WOULD BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
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WE ALL KNOW THE STORY. SHE WAS ENGAGED TO JOSEPH.
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THAT'S THE WORD WE USE TODAY.
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BIBLICAL TERM IS ESPOUSED, WHICH IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
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BEING ESPOUSED WAS ALMOST LIKE BEING MARRIED BUT
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WITHOUT CONSUMMATING THE RELATIONSHIP, SO IT WAS A
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VERY SERIOUS COMMITMENT.
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AND OF COURSE, HERE IS MARY LIVING IN NAZARETH
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AND WHO SHOWS UP BUT THE ANGEL GABRIEL.
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YOU KNOW SOMETHING BIG IS GOING DOWN
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IF GABRIEL SHOWS UP.
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HE'S ONE OF THOSE HIGH-RANKING ANGELS.
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HE GREETS MARY AND TELLS HER SHE'S GOING TO BE
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THE MOTHER OF THE MESSIAH.
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UNDERSTANDABLY, SHE NEEDS A LITTLE MORE INTEL HERE
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CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT SHE'S NEVER BEEN WITH A
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MAN BEFORE AND GABRIEL SAYS, "THE HOLY SPIRIT
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WILL COME UPON YOU.
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THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL OVERSHADOW YOU AND
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THE BABY BORN TO YOU WILL BE HOLY AND WILL BE CALLED
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THE SON OF GOD," AND SO MARY AGREES.
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NOW, HERE'S JOSEPH AND HE FINDS OUT MARY IS PREGNANT.
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FRANKLY, HE'S NOT BUYING IT.
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"OH YEAH, AN ANGEL CAME TO YOU. UH-HUH."
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AND AN ANGEL COMES TO HIM AS WELL AND TELLS JOSEPH
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THAT MARY IS CARRYING THE SON OF GOD IN HER WOMB AND
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THEY ARE TO CALL HIM JESUS BECAUSE HE WILL SAVE HIS
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PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS, AND JOSEPH AGREES.
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AND LET ME JUST SAY, JOSEPH IS THE UNSUNG HERO
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OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
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WE TALK A LOT ABOUT MARY, BUT JOSEPH WENT ALONG
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WITH THIS GAME PLAN.
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REALISTICALLY, HE HAD TO LIVE WITH THIS RUMOR ABOUT
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HIS WIFE BEING UNFAITHFUL TO HIM BEFORE THEY WERE
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MARRIED, WHICH WAS SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH.
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MARY WAS A VERY PURE YOUNG LADY, BUT THIS WAS THE
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REPUTATION SHE HAD TO LIVE WITH BECAUSE A LOT OF
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PEOPLE DIDN'T BELIEVE GOD HAD
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SUPERNATURALLY TOUCHED HER. JOSEPH AGREES.
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AND NOW, SEEMINGLY OUT OF NO WHERE, A DECREE IS
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GIVEN BY CAESAR AUGUSTUS THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD
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BE TAXED SO MARY AND JOSEPH WHO BOTH HAD THE
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BLOOD OF KING DAVID IN THEIR VEINS, THEY WERE
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PART OF THE GENEALOGY OF DAVID, WENT TO BETHLEHEM
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BECAUSE THAT WAS THE BOYHOOD TOWN OF DAVID.
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BUT IT WAS NOT SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE.
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IT WAS ALL ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN BECAUSE
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SCRIPTURE CLEARLY SAID MESSIAH WOULD
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BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM.
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I DON'T THINK MARY AND JOSEPH FULLY UNDERSTOOD
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WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM.
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I THINK IT CAME TO THEM LATER, SO THEY MAKE THE
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JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM.
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WE ALL KNOW THE BEAUTIFUL STORY.
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THEY ARRIVE IN TOWN.
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THERE'S NO ROOM IN THE INN, SO AN INNKEEPER SENDS
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THEM OFF TO A MANGER, REALLY A CAVE, A GARAGE
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WE MIGHT CALL IT TODAY.
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VERY UNSANITARY PLACE, AND THAT IS WHERE THE SON OF
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GOD CAME INTO THIS WORLD.
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NOW, WHEN A BABY IS BORN YOU WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW.
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YOU CALL FAMILY, YOU CALL FRIENDS, YOU KNOW THE
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WEIGHT TO THE BABEL, BABY, OR THE BABEL
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[chuckles] THE BABY.
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YOU KNOW THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE BABY.
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MAYBE THE LENGTH OF THE CHILD AND YOU TELL
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PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT.
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SO HERE'S GOD IN HEAVEN READY TO GIVE THE
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
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WHO DOES HE TELL FIRST?
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YOU WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT
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HE WOULD'VE GONE TO CAESAR AUGUSTUS.
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YOU KNOW, HISTORY TELLS US THAT CAESAR AUGUSTUS WAS 5'7" TALL.
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NOW, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING 5'7" TALL,
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BUT LET'S JUST SAY THAT'S NOT A TALL MAN, OKAY.
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SO THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ANNOUNCES NOT TO THIS MAN
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WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A GOD BECAUSE THAT'S
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WHAT AUGUSTUS MEANS "OF THE GODS".
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CAESAR WAS ORIGINALLY THE NAME OF JULIUS CAESAR, BUT
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AFTER HE DIED THEY TOOK HIS NAME AND MADE IT A
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TITLE AND THIS CAESAR IN PARTICULAR ADDED AUGUSTUS
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WHICH MEANS THE DEIFIED OR WORSHIPPED ONE SO HE
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WANTED TO BE WORSHIPPED SO THE LORD COULD'VE SAID,
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"HEY, YOU ARE NOT TO BE WORSHIPPED.
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THE TRUE SON OF GOD HAS BEEN BORN."
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BUT NO, THE ANGELS DIDN'T GO TO CAESAR OR LITTLE CAESAR.
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THEY DIDN'T GO TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS EVEN.
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THEY WENT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE
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SOCIAL LADDER - SHEPHERDS.
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YOU COULDN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN A SHEPHERD.
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THESE ARE HARD WORKING MEN.
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THESE WERE MEN THAT HAD DIRT UNDER THEIR FINGERNAILS.
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THESE WERE MEN THAT WERE DESPISED IN THEIR CULTURE
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AND THE LORD SAYS, "THESE ARE THE ONES
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I'M GOING TO ANNOUNCE IT TO."
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SO THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES TO THE SHEPHERDS THAT
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THE SON OF GOD IS BORN.
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THEY'RE SHOWN A PORTAL INTO HEAVEN AND THEY SEE
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THE ANGELS OF THE LORD SAYING, "GLORY TO GOD IN
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THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONG MEN WITH WHOM
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GOD IS WELL PLEASED," AND SO THE SHEPHERD SAID,
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"LET'S GO AND SEE THIS THING THAT THE LORD
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HAD TOLD US ABOUT."
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OKAY, SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT CHRONOLOGICALLY?
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WELL, THE WISEMEN OF COURSE SHOW UP ON THEIR
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CAMELS AND THEY RIDE... NOPE. SORRY.
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AS I SAID EARLIER, THEY DIDN'T COME UNTIL MUCH LATER.
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HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED NEXT CHRONOLOGICALLY.
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EIGHT DAYS LATER MARY AND JOSEPH TAKE THEIR LITTLE
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BABY JESUS INTO THE TEMPLE TO HAVE HIM CIRCUMCISED
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AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO WAS
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WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS IN OUR STORY.
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HIS NAME IS SIMEON.
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HE WAS A GODLY MAN EAGERLY WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH.
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BY THE WAY, THAT WAS NO SMALL FEAT AT THIS TIME HISTORICALLY.
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ISRAEL HAD, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES,
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TURNED HER BACK ON GOD.
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THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL HAD NOT HEARD FROM
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THE LORD FOR 400 YEARS.
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400 YEARS SINCE A PROPHET APPEARED.
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400 YEARS SINCE AN ANGELIC APPEARANCE.
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400 YEARS SINCE A MIRACLE HAD BEEN PREFORMED.
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400 YEARS THE LAST WORD THEY HAD FROM GOD WAS FROM
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THE PROPHET MALACHI, THE LAST BOOK OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
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BUT HERE WERE THESE GODLY PEOPLE SIMEON AND ANNA,
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AND OF COURSE, JOSEPH AND MARY.
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REALLY WE HAVE A CROSS SECTION OF HUMANITY.
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MARY: VERY YOUNG, EARLY TEENS.
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JOSEPH: WE DON'T KNOW HIS AGE,
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MAYBE LATE 20s POSSIBLY EARLY 30s.
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SIMEON AND ANNA: BOTH ELDERLY PEOPLE.
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SO, THEY'RE ALL WAITING FOR JESUS TO COME.
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DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY CHRISTIAN
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IN YOUR LITTLE WORLD EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE IN YOUR
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FAMILY PROFESS FAITH THEY DON'T SEEM TO REALLY
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WANT TO PRACTICE IT?
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YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY CHRISTIAN IN YOUR HOUSE.
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YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY
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CHRISTIAN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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THE ONLY CHRISTIAN IN YOUR CAMPUS.
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THE ONLY CHRISTIAN IN YOUR WORKPLACE.
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WELL, THAT'S PROBABLY HOW THEY FELT IN MANY WAYS.
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THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE LORD AND
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KNOW THIS: GOD REWARDS FAITHFULNESS BECAUSE GOD
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HAD REVEALED TO SIMEON, AN OLDER MAN, THAT HE WOULD
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NOT DIE UNTIL HE SAW THE MESSIAH.
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WHAT A PROMISE.
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YOU KNOW SOMETIMES CHRISTMAS GIFTS ARRIVE
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EARLY FROM PEOPLE THAT LIVE OUT OF STATE AND THEY'LL
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HAVE IT MARKED "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS" RIGHT.
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SOMETIMES THEY EVEN COME LIKE A MONTH EARLY.
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YOU HAVE TO WAIT.
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WELL, REALLY TO SIMEON GOD HAD REVEALED THIS TO HIM
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"DO NOT DIE UNTIL CHRISTMAS.
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HERE'S YOUR MARCHING ORDERS, BUDDY, DO NOT DIE.
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STAY ALIVE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE MESSIAH."
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HE HELD ON TO THAT PROMISE OF SCRIPTURE THAT HAD BEEN
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GIVEN 400 YEARS EARLIER FROM MALACHI SAYING THE
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SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL RISE WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS.
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HAVE YOU EVER FELT AS THOUGH YOU HAVEN'T HEARD
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FROM GOD FOR A LONG TIME?
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THERE CAN BE REASONS FOR THAT.
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ONE REASON YOU MAY NOT HEAR FROM THE LORD IS
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BECAUSE OF UNCONFESSED SIN IN YOUR LIFE.
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GOD SAYS IN ISAIAH 59:1 "LISTEN, THE LORD'S ARM IS
00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:38.280
NOT SHORT THAT IT CAN'T SAVE YOU.
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THE LORD'S EAR IS NOT CLOSED THAT IT CANNOT HEAR YOU.
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IT'S YOUR SINS THAT HAVE CUT YOU OFF FROM GOD AND
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BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS HE HAS TURNED AWAY AND HE
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WON'T LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE."
00:10:51.150 --> 00:10:54.030
IF IT SEEMS TO YOU AS THOUGH GOD IS NOT HEARING
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YOUR PRAYERS, AND MORE TO THE POINT, ANSWERING YOUR
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PRAYERS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
00:10:59.130 --> 00:11:00.260
IT MAY BE BECAUSE OF UNCONFESSED SIN.
00:11:00.290 --> 00:11:04.090
THAT IS WHY JESUS TAUGHT US IN THE LORD'S PRAYER TO
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SAY "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US
00:11:08.070 --> 00:11:11.250
OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US."
00:11:11.280 --> 00:11:15.110
EVERY DAY YOU SHOULD PRAY FOR GOD'S PROVISION, AND
00:11:15.140 --> 00:11:18.120
YOU SHOULD PRAY FOR GOD'S FORGIVENESS.
00:11:18.150 --> 00:11:21.030
YOU SAY, "GREG, I DON'T THINK THAT I SINNED TODAY."
00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:23.090
OH. YEAH, YOU DID.
00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:24.180
WE SIN MORE THAN WE THINK WE DO RIGHT.
00:11:24.210 --> 00:11:28.010
THERE'S ALL KINDS OF SINS WE CAN COMMIT.
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SINS OF COMMISSION, SINS OF OMISSION.
00:11:30.070 --> 00:11:32.220
THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER SUBJECT, BUT THE POINT IS
00:11:32.250 --> 00:11:34.270
TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS ASK
00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:38.130
GOD TO FORGIVE YOU.
00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:40.230
SO SIMEON HELD ON TO THE PROMISES OF GOD.
00:11:40.260 --> 00:11:43.190
NEVER LET GO OF GOD'S PROMISES TO YOU.
00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:45.240
HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE.
00:11:45.270 --> 00:11:47.080
HIS PROMISES ARE TRUSTWORTHY, AND A LOT OF
00:11:47.110 --> 00:11:50.210
US LET GO OF THEM SORT OF LIKE THESE GIFT CARDS
00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:53.050
THAT WE GIVE OUT.
00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:55.070
DO YOU GET GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS?
00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:57.110
I HAVE TO SAY, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY NICE TO ME.
00:11:57.140 --> 00:11:59.230
I HAVE MORE GIFT CARDS FOR KRISPY KREME DONUTS THAN I
00:11:59.260 --> 00:12:03.140
EVER WANT TO USE IN A LIFETIME AND THANK YOU FOR
00:12:03.170 --> 00:12:07.180
THOSE OF YOU WHO SENT THEM, BUT PLEASE, NEVER
00:12:07.210 --> 00:12:10.160
SEND ME ANOTHER ONE EVER BECAUSE IF I USED ALL
00:12:10.190 --> 00:12:14.090
THOSE CARDS, I WOULD BE 600 POUNDS.
00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:17.140
ANYWAY, SO THE POINT IS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GIVE GIFT
00:12:17.170 --> 00:12:20.180
CARDS AND A LOT OF THEM ARE NEVER REDEEMED.
00:12:20.210 --> 00:12:24.030
DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF
00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:26.220
GIFT CARDS ARE NOT USED EVERY YEAR?
00:12:26.250 --> 00:12:29.090
I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT SELL THE CARDS LOVE THAT.
00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.150
AWESOME. YOU GAVE US MONEY, WE DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU
00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:34.020
A PRODUCT. CARRY ON. BUT THAT'S HOW
00:12:34.050 --> 00:12:37.190
IT CAN BE WITH US AND THE PROMISES OF GOD.
00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:39.200
THEY'RE THERE FOR US BUT WE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM.
00:12:39.230 --> 00:12:43.150
SO HERE NOW IS SIMEON WHO WAITED.
00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:46.260
BY THE WAY, HIS NAME MEANS GOD HAS HEARD.
00:12:46.290 --> 00:12:50.070
HE WAS WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS, OR MORE
00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.170
SPECIFICALLY, HE WAS WAITING FOR CHRIST AND
00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:55.160
THEN ONE DAY THE LORD LEADS HIM TO GO TO THE TEMPLE.
00:12:55.190 --> 00:12:59.120
BOY, I'M SURE HE'S GLAD HE WENT THAT DAY.
00:12:59.150 --> 00:13:01.250
HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHERE YOU DECIDED TO GO TO
00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:04.260
CHURCH AT THE LAST MINUTE AND YOU'RE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE.
00:13:04.290 --> 00:13:08.290
OH, I'M SO GLAD I'M IN CHURCH TODAY.
00:13:09.020 --> 00:13:10.280
MAN, YOU CAN BE SURE HE WAS GLAD HE WAS IN THE
00:13:11.010 --> 00:13:13.200
TEMPLE THAT DAY BECAUSE HE KNEW ONE OF THESE DAYS
00:13:13.230 --> 00:13:15.250
THE MESSIAH WAS GOING TO COME. I DON'T KNOW WHEN.
00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:18.010
I DON'T KNOW HOW I'LL KNOW.
00:13:18.040 --> 00:13:19.190
AND THEN ONE DAY, IN TO THE TEMPLE WALKS MARY AND
00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:23.050
JOSEPH AND THE BABY JESUS.
00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.050
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:26.060
HOW DID HE KNOW IT WAS THEM?
00:13:26.090 --> 00:13:27.180
WELL, THEY HAD HALOS OF COURSE.
00:13:27.210 --> 00:13:29.120
HAVEN'T YOU SEEN THE CHRISTMAS CARDS?
00:13:29.150 --> 00:13:32.110
MARY AND JOSEPH HAVE A HALO AND JESUS HAS ONE
00:13:32.140 --> 00:13:34.230
TOO, BUT HIS IS A LITTLE SMALL HALO.
00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:37.090
A LITTLE KID HALO, RIGHT.
00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.270
NO. THEY DIDN'T HAVE HALOS.
00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.070
THEY LOOKED LIKE ANY OTHER COUPLE, AND IN FACT,
00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.170
THEY WOULD LOOK LIKE AN IMPOVERISHED COUPLE
00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:44.230
BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE.
00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:46.260
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT TWO TURTLE DOVES
00:13:46.290 --> 00:13:48.230
WHICH WAS THE LEAST YOU COULD BRING IN THE TEMPLE.
00:13:48.260 --> 00:13:52.290
SO HERE THEY COME, BUT THE LORD REVEALS TO SIMEON
00:13:53.020 --> 00:13:56.080
BECAUSE HE WALKS WITH GOD, THIS IS THE MESSIAH.
00:13:56.110 --> 00:13:59.200
SO HE'S VERY AGGRESSIVE, HE WALKS RIGHT UP TO MARY
00:13:59.230 --> 00:14:02.040
AND JOSEPH AND TAKES THE CHILD INTO HIS ARMS AND WE
00:14:02.070 --> 00:14:06.010
READ ABOUT IT HERE IN LUKE 2:32, "HE THANKED GOD HE
00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:09.230
HAD SEEN THE MESSIAH AND HE PRAYED, 'HE IS A LIGHT
00:14:09.260 --> 00:14:13.200
TO REVEAL GOD TO THE NATIONS.
00:14:13.230 --> 00:14:15.210
HE'S THE GLORY OF YOUR PEOPLE IN ISRAEL.' MARY
00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:17.280
AND JOSEPH WERE AMAZED AT WHAT WAS BEING SAID ABOUT HIM.
00:14:18.010 --> 00:14:21.090
THEN SIMEON BLESSED HIM AND SAID TO MARY, THE
00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.260
BABY'S MOTHER, 'THIS CHILD IS DESTINED TO CAUSE MANY
00:14:23.290 --> 00:14:28.000
IN ISRAEL TO FALL, AND MANY OTHERS TO RISE.
00:14:28.030 --> 00:14:30.290
HE ASCENDS AS A SIGN FROM GOD AND MANY WILL OPPOSE
00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:33.180
HIM AND AS A RESULT, THE DEEPEST THOUGHTS
00:14:33.210 --> 00:14:36.040
OF MANY HEARTS WILL BE REVEALED.''
00:14:36.070 --> 00:14:38.110
AND THEN THIS POWERFUL STATEMENT TO MARY:
00:14:38.140 --> 00:14:41.060
"AND A SWORD WILL PEIRCE YOUR VERY SOUL."
00:14:41.090 --> 00:14:47.110
THE GODLY SIMEON HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH.
00:14:47.140 --> 00:14:49.250
THE LORD HAD SHOWN HIM HE WOULD NOT DIE UNTIL HE SAW
00:14:49.280 --> 00:14:53.240
THE MESSIAH. WHY? BECAUSE HE WAITED WITH EXPECTANCY.
00:14:53.270 --> 00:14:58.030
LOOK AT LUKE VERSE 23 CHAPTER 2, "HE WAS A MAN
00:14:58.060 --> 00:15:01.220
NAMED SIMEON RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT, EAGERLY WAITING
00:15:01.250 --> 00:15:05.200
FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME AND RESCUE ISRAEL."
00:15:05.230 --> 00:15:08.110
EAGERLY WAITING.
00:15:08.140 --> 00:15:09.180
THAT COULD BE TRANSLATED ALERT TO HIS APPEARANCE.
00:15:09.210 --> 00:15:14.150
YOU KNOW SOMETIMES WE SAY, "I NEVER HEAR FROM GOD."
00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:17.060
WELL, ARE YOU EAGERLY WAITING?
00:15:17.090 --> 00:15:19.100
ARE YOU EAGERLY LISTENING?
00:15:19.130 --> 00:15:22.010
YOU SEE, THE THING IS I THINK A LOT OF TIMES
00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:24.030
WE DON'T HEAR FROM GOD BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TUNED IN.
00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:26.230
HERE'S A THOUGHT, IF YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM GOD,
00:15:26.260 --> 00:15:29.150
PUT DOWN THE CELLPHONE. TURN OFF THE CELLPHONE.
00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:34.060
TURN OFF THE TABLET. TURN OFF THE TV.
00:15:34.090 --> 00:15:36.280
GO OUTSIDE WITH A BIBLE IN YOUR LAP.
00:15:37.010 --> 00:15:40.180
LISTEN, I BET GOD MAY SPEAK TO YOU.
00:15:40.210 --> 00:15:43.110
THERE'S A APP OUT THAT APPLE NAMED THE APP OF THE YEAR.
00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:48.090
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS APP IS CALLED?
00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.250
THE NAME OF THE APP IS "CALM" AND YOU KNOW
00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:53.020
WHAT THE APP DOES?
00:15:53.050 --> 00:15:54.010
BASICALLY, IT SHOWS YOU NATURE SCENES.
00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:57.110
CRASHING WAVES. TREES BLOWING WITH A BREEZE.
00:15:57.140 --> 00:16:02.080
A FIREPLACE CRACKLING AWAY, AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED
00:16:02.110 --> 00:16:05.130
TO WATCH IT FOR ONE MINUTE.
00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:07.050
A LITTLE TIMER GOES ON. WATCH THIS FOR ONE MINUTE.
00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:09.090
PEOPLE SAY, "THIS IS SO CALMING."
00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.290
HEY, PUT THE STINKIN' PHONE DOWN AND GO OUTSIDE.
00:16:11.020 --> 00:16:14.240
IT'S EVEN BETTER AND GOD MADE IT.
00:16:14.270 --> 00:16:17.280
[applause]
00:16:18.010 --> 00:16:23.060
YOU KNOW, JUST GO OUT AND ENJOY GOD'S CREATION.
00:16:23.090 --> 00:16:25.130
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT BEING OUT THERE AND BEING
00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:28.070
QUIET AND LISTENING.
00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.110
YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE LORD.
00:16:29.140 --> 00:16:30.200
YES, SIMEON WAS EAGERLY WAITING FOR JESUS TO COME
00:16:30.230 --> 00:16:33.280
THE FIRST TIME AND GUESS WHAT?
00:16:34.010 --> 00:16:35.170
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK A SECOND TIME AS WELL
00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:39.260
AND WE SHOULD BE EAGERLY AWAITING THAT.
00:16:39.290 --> 00:16:42.150
HEBREWS 9:28, I FELT SOME OF YOU WANT TO CLAP.
00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:45.270
GO. CLAP. LET IT OUT. DOESN'T THAT FEEL GOOD?
00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.190
[applause]
00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:50.060
IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE IT'S TRUE.
00:16:50.090 --> 00:16:51.270
HEBREWS 9:28 SAYS, "HE WILL COME AGAIN, NOT TO
00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:54.280
DEAL WITH OUR SINS, BUT TO BRING SALVATION" LISTEN,
00:16:55.010 --> 00:16:58.280
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM."
00:16:59.010 --> 00:17:02.220
ARE YOU EAGERLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF CHRIST?
00:17:02.250 --> 00:17:06.200
THAT'S A REAL TEST I THINK IN MANY WAYS TO DETERMINE
00:17:06.230 --> 00:17:11.170
WHERE YOU'RE AT SPIRITUALLY.
00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:13.090
I THINK IF YOU'RE RIGHT WITH GOD YOU WILL LONG FOR
00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:16.040
THE RETURN OF CHRIST.
00:17:16.070 --> 00:17:18.030
I THINK IF YOU'RE NOT RIGHT WITH THE LORD OR
00:17:18.060 --> 00:17:20.100
MAYBE LIVING IN A WAY YOU SHOULD NOT BE LIVING, YOU
00:17:20.130 --> 00:17:22.200
SORT OF DREAD HEARING ABOUT THE RETURN OF
00:17:22.230 --> 00:17:26.050
CHRIST BUT HE'LL COME AGAIN.
00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:28.090
THE FIRST TIME HE CAME IN A MANGER.
00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:30.140
NEXT TIME HE'LL COME IN GLORY.
00:17:30.170 --> 00:17:33.020
THE FIRST TIME HE CAME IN SWADDLING CLOTHS.
00:17:33.050 --> 00:17:36.200
THE NEXT TIME HE'LL COME IN A ROBE DIPPED IN BLOOD.
00:17:36.230 --> 00:17:40.050
IN HIS FIRST COMING HE WAS SURROUNDED
00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:43.000
BY SHEPHERDS AND ANIMALS.
00:17:43.030 --> 00:17:45.090
IN THE SECOND COMING HE'LL BE ACCOMPANIED
00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:47.150
BY SAINTS AND ANGELS.
00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:49.230
AT HIS FIRST COMING, THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE INN.
00:17:49.260 --> 00:17:53.030
AT HIS SECOND COMING, THE DOOR OF THE HEAVENS
00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:55.110
WILL BE OPENED TO HIM.
00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:57.040
IN HIS FIRST COMING HE CAME AS THE LAMB OF GOD
00:17:57.070 --> 00:17:59.140
WHO WOULD DIE FOR THE SIN OF THE WORLD.
00:17:59.170 --> 00:18:02.040
IN HIS SECOND COMING, HE'LL RETURN AS THE
00:18:02.070 --> 00:18:04.170
FEROCIOUS LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.
00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:07.170
YES, HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN AND LIKE SIMEON
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:10.220
WE SHOULD LIVE IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT DAY.
00:18:10.250 --> 00:18:14.140
MESSIAH IS COMING AGAIN.
00:18:14.170 --> 00:18:17.110
[applause]
00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:19.280
SO THERE'S ONE OTHER PERSON IN OUR STORY THAT
00:18:20.010 --> 00:18:23.050
WAS WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS.
00:18:23.080 --> 00:18:24.180
WAITING FOR CHRIST AND IT'S ANNA.
00:18:24.210 --> 00:18:27.150
SHE HAD BEEN A WIDOW FOR MOST OF HER LIFE.
00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:30.000
SHE LOST HER HUSBAND AFTER 7 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
00:18:30.030 --> 00:18:33.130
SHE'S NOW 84 YEARS OLD.
00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:35.230
ANNA, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES,
00:18:35.260 --> 00:18:38.170
LIVED IN THE TEMPLE AS SHE WAITED FOR MESSIAH.
00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:42.140
VERSE 37 AND 38 OF LUKE 2 SAYS, "SHE NEVER LEFT THE TEMPLE.
00:18:42.170 --> 00:18:48.170
BUT STAYED THERE DAY AND NIGHT WORSHIPPING
00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.280
GOD WITH FASTING AND PRAYER.
00:18:51.010 --> 00:18:53.100
SHE CAME ALONG JUST AS SIMEON WAS TALKING WITH
00:18:53.130 --> 00:18:55.290
MARY AND JOSEPH AND SHE BEGAN PRAISING GOD AND SHE
00:18:56.020 --> 00:18:58.230
TALKED ABOUT THE CHILD TO EVERYONE WHO HAD BEEN
00:18:58.260 --> 00:19:03.240
WAITING EXPECTANTLY FOR GOD TO RESCUE JERUSALEM."
00:19:03.270 --> 00:19:08.030
THAT'S INTERESTING. YOU LOOK AT ANNA.
00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:09.210
YOU KNOW SHE JUST SHOWS US HOW A BELIEVER SHOULD LIVE.
00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:13.070
YOU KNOW, REALLY, WHAT DID ANNA DO?
00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:15.290
SHE DID THE FOUR THINGS WE TELL NEW BELIEVERS TO DO.
00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:19.190
YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE COME TO CHRIST AND WE SAY WE
00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:21.180
HAVE A BIBLE FOR YOU THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS RIGHT.
00:19:21.210 --> 00:19:24.030
WE SAY, GO BACK INTO THIS ROOM AND WE'LL TALK TO
00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:26.080
YOU, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT HAPPENS
00:19:26.110 --> 00:19:28.110
BACK IN THAT ROOM?
00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:30.090
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE AND WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:32.260
IT'S REAL SIMPLE.
00:19:32.290 --> 00:19:33.250
WE TELL BRAND-NEW CHRISTIANS THAT THEY
00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:36.030
NEED TO STUDY GOD'S WORD EVERYDAY.
00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:38.160
THEY NEED TO PRAY AND BE A PART OF THE CHURCH.
00:19:38.190 --> 00:19:41.150
THEY NEED TO SHARE THEIR FAITH.
00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.130
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT ANNA DID.
00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:45.090
HERE IS A WOMAN THAT STUDIED GOD'S WORD.
00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:47.050
SHE WORSHIPPED AND FASTED. SHE PRAYED.
00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:50.120
SHE WENT TO CHURCH, OR IN HER CASE, THE TEMPLE AND
00:19:50.150 --> 00:19:53.040
IMMEDIATELY SHE SHARED JESUS WITH OTHERS.
00:19:53.070 --> 00:19:56.120
NOW, THEY HAD ONE THING IN COMMON.
00:19:56.150 --> 00:19:58.200
THEY WERE BOTH OLD.
00:19:58.230 --> 00:20:00.100
AS I SAID EARLIER, THEIR OBJECTIVE WAS: DO NOT DIE
00:20:00.130 --> 00:20:03.140
UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND ONCE SIMEON HELD THE BABY IN
00:20:03.170 --> 00:20:07.150
HIS ARMS, HE SAID IN VERSE 29, "LORD, NOW LET YOUR
00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:12.010
SERVANT DEPART IN PEACE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORDS
00:20:12.040 --> 00:20:14.200
BECAUSE MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION."
00:20:14.230 --> 00:20:18.010
HE WAITED AND HE DIED WITH HOPE.
00:20:18.040 --> 00:20:21.060
IN FACT, SIMEON HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HOLDING HOPE
00:20:21.090 --> 00:20:25.000
IN HIS ARMS WHEN HE HELD JESUS.
00:20:25.030 --> 00:20:27.130
HOPE HAS A NAME AND IT'S JESUS.
00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:30.080
HE HELD ON TO THAT HOPE.
00:20:30.110 --> 00:20:31.250
WE HAVE THAT SAME HOPE.
00:20:31.280 --> 00:20:33.080
[applause]
00:20:33.110 --> 00:20:36.010
THIS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU, MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A
00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:39.280
DOWNER FOR SOME, BUT THE FACT IS DEATH
00:20:40.010 --> 00:20:42.110
AND CHRISTMAS ARE INSEPARABLY CONNECTED.
00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:47.010
I KNOW THAT DOESN'T FIT THE CHEERY HOLIDAY IMAGE
00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:49.000
OF WHAT WE THINK CHRISTMAS OUGHT TO BE BUT DEATH
00:20:49.030 --> 00:20:51.220
AND CHRISTMAS ARE CLOSELY CONNECTED.
00:20:51.250 --> 00:20:54.180
DON'T FORGET THAT THE ANGEL SAID TO JOSEPH OF
00:20:54.210 --> 00:20:57.240
JESUS HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.
00:20:57.270 --> 00:21:03.220
DON'T FORGET THAT THE MAGI, THE WISE MEN
00:21:03.250 --> 00:21:07.020
WHO CAME LATER, BROUGHT THREE GIFTS -
00:21:07.050 --> 00:21:09.250
FRANKINCENSE, GOLD, AND MUR.
00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:11.160
MUR BEING AN EMBALMING ELEMENT.
00:21:11.190 --> 00:21:14.050
HERE IS WHAT JESUS HIMSELF SAYS ABOUT WHY HE CAME.
00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:17.240
HE SAID, "I HAVE COME SO YOU MIGHT
00:21:17.270 --> 00:21:21.110
ALL GO SHOPPING," RIGHT. NO.
00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:23.260
I HAVEN'T READ THAT VERSE. "I HAVE COME SO YOU MIGHT
00:21:23.290 --> 00:21:26.170
HAVE AWESOME CHRISTMAS PARTIES." NO.
00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:29.010
"I HAVE COME," JESUS SAYS, "TO GIVE MY LIFE AS A
00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:34.040
RANSOM FOR MANY."
00:21:34.070 --> 00:21:35.150
WHY DID YOU COME, JESUS?
00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:37.130
WHY WERE YOU BORN IN THAT MANGER IN BETHLEHEM?
00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:39.110
WHY DID YOU WALK AMONG US AS A MAN?
00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:41.240
WHY DID YOU DIE ON THAT CROSS AND RISE
00:21:41.270 --> 00:21:43.260
AGAIN FROM THE DEAD?
00:21:43.290 --> 00:21:44.280
JESUS SAYS, "I CAME TO GIVE MY LIFE AS A RANSOM
00:21:45.010 --> 00:21:48.280
FOR MANY" BECAUSE WE'RE ALL SEPARATED FROM GOD
00:21:49.010 --> 00:21:52.030
BY OUR SIN AND HE'S COME TO FORGIVE US.
00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:56.030
HE CAME TO THIS EARTH BECAUSE WE'RE SINNERS
00:21:56.060 --> 00:21:58.290
THAT NEED A SAVIOR.
00:21:59.020 --> 00:22:00.280
BUT IT'S HARD FOR US TO ADMIT WE'RE SINNERS
00:22:01.010 --> 00:22:03.010
SOMETIMES, AND IT'S HARD FOR US TO JUMP INTO HIS OPEN ARMS.
00:22:03.040 --> 00:22:07.090
THE OTHER DAY I WAS IN MY HOUSE.
00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:09.290
I WAS WATCHING SOMETHING ON TELEVISION AND I HEARD
00:22:10.020 --> 00:22:12.030
THE VOICE OF MY WIFE SAY "GREG!"
00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:14.090
AND I LOOKED AROUND.
00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.070
I COULDN'T SEE HER ANYWHERE SO I WENT
00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:16.070
BACK TO MY PROGRAM.
00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:17.080
SHE YELLS AGAIN "GREG!" EVEN LOUDER.
00:22:17.110 --> 00:22:20.000
I'M LIKE WHERE IS SHE?
00:22:20.030 --> 00:22:20.290
I'M WALKING AROUND TRYING TO FIND HER.
00:22:21.020 --> 00:22:22.050
I GO IN MY BACKYARD, I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP,
00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:24.270
CATHE IS UP IN A TREE.
00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:27.140
[laughter]
00:22:27.170 --> 00:22:28.180
SHE'S UP IN A TREE.
00:22:28.210 --> 00:22:30.080
I'M LOOKING UP AT HER IN A TREE LIKE,
00:22:30.110 --> 00:22:31.190
WHY ARE YOU IN A TREE?
00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:33.090
WELL, WHAT HAPPENED WAS SHE WENT OUT TO PUT
00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:35.230
SOMETHING IN THE TRASHCAN AND WE HAVE A LITTLE WALL
00:22:35.260 --> 00:22:38.100
RIGHT NEXT TO OUR GARAGE AND THE DOOR IS LOCKED
00:22:38.130 --> 00:22:42.060
ON THE OUTSIDE. I DIDN'T KNOW THIS.
00:22:42.090 --> 00:22:43.200
SO AS SHE WENT OUT THE DOOR SHUT BEHIND HER AND
00:22:43.230 --> 00:22:45.190
SHE WAS LOCKED IN THIS TINY LITTLE SPACE SO SHE
00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:48.110
CLIMBED UP ON A TRASH CAN AND THEN SHE CLIMBED UP IN
00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:51.010
THE TREE BUT COULDN'T GET DOWN FROM THE TREE.
00:22:51.040 --> 00:22:53.170
SO SHE YELLS OUT TO ME, "GREG, HELP ME!"
00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:57.090
SO I COME OUT AND THERE SHE IS.
00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:58.230
I LOOKED UP AT HER AND I SAID, "HERE, CATHE!
00:22:58.260 --> 00:23:00.190
JUMP INTO MY ARMS."
00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.170
SHE SAID "NO WAY."
00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.210
[Laughter]
00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.070
COME ON.
00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.070
I'M TRYING TO BE THE PRINCE OR SOMETHING
00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:06.250
I DON'T KNOW.
00:23:06.280 --> 00:23:07.220
JUMP INTO MY ARMS. I'LL CATCH YOU.
00:23:07.250 --> 00:23:09.020
SHE SAYS "NO, GET A LADDER."
00:23:09.050 --> 00:23:11.030
[laughter]
00:23:11.060 --> 00:23:11.290
I DON'T THINK SHE TRUSTED ME.
00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:14.150
I THINK SHE WAS AFRAID I MIGHT DROP HER SO I GOT
00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:18.150
HER A LADDER AND SHE GOT DOWN SAFELY.
00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:21.050
SO CATHE WAS IN A TREE.
00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:23.120
THERE YOU GO.
00:23:23.150 --> 00:23:24.160
BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE THE WAY GRANDCHILDREN THEY'LL
00:23:24.190 --> 00:23:28.080
JUST JUMP INTO YOUR ARMS.
00:23:28.110 --> 00:23:29.210
SOMETIMES THEY DON'T TELL YOU THEY'RE COMING RIGHT.
00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.200
THEY JUST DECIDE THEY'RE GOING TO FLING THEMSELVES
00:23:31.230 --> 00:23:33.200
AT YOU AND YOU CATCH THEM AT THE LAST SECOND.
00:23:33.230 --> 00:23:36.010
SO THE LORD IS STANDING THERE SAYING,
00:23:36.040 --> 00:23:37.190
"JUST JUMP INTO MY ARMS RIGHT NOW."
00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:39.110
GET A LADDER!
00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.160
NO. YOU NEED TO SURRENDER AND LET GO AND CHRIST WILL
00:23:40.190 --> 00:23:43.210
CATCH YOU AND JESUS WILL NOT DROP YOU FOR SURE.
00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:47.160
[applause]
00:23:47.190 --> 00:23:51.070
GOD CAN FORGIVE YOU OF ALL OF YOUR SIN AND NONE OF US
00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:55.260
HAVE THE PROMISE WE'LL BE HERE NEXT CHRISTMAS.
00:23:55.290 --> 00:23:58.130
YOU KNOW, SIMEON DIDN'T HAVE THAT PROMISE.
00:23:58.160 --> 00:24:01.150
THE LORD SHOWED HIM HE WOULD LIVE UNTIL
00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:03.210
HE SAW THE MESSIAH. WE HAVE THIS CHRISTMAS.
00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.170
WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL BE HERE NEXT CHRISTMAS,
00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:08.140
BUT WE'RE HERE THIS ONE SO LISTEN, DON'T LET THIS
00:24:08.170 --> 00:24:12.250
OPPORTUNITY GO BY BECAUSE GOD IS OFFERING YOU THE
00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:15.190
GREATEST OF ALL GIFTS.
00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.260
I LOVE THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU GIVE GIFTS
00:24:16.290 --> 00:24:19.190
TO CHILDREN, THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW
00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:21.290
IF THEY LIKE THE GIFT OR NOT.
00:24:22.020 --> 00:24:23.090
[laughter]
00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:25.000
THEY HAVEN'T LEARNED TO LIE LIKE ADULTS.
00:24:25.030 --> 00:24:26.150
YOU EVER GET A GIFT THAT'S LIKE THE WORST GIFT EVER?
00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:29.160
BY THE WAY WHEN I GIVE A GIFT TO SOMEONE, I'LL SAY
00:24:29.190 --> 00:24:31.240
THIS, "I GOT THIS FOR YOU.
00:24:31.270 --> 00:24:33.260
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE IT.
00:24:33.290 --> 00:24:35.290
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, HERE'S WHERE I GOT IT.
00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:38.030
HERE'S A GIFT RECEIPT.
00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:39.240
PLEASE RETURN IT AND GET WHAT YOU WANT."
00:24:39.270 --> 00:24:41.250
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT GIVE YOU THE UGLIEST SWEATER
00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:44.090
EVER MADE AND THEN THEY'LL SEE YOU TWO WEEKS LATER,
00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:47.190
"WHY AREN'T YOU WEARING THE SWEATER?"
00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:49.160
BECAUSE IT'S UGLY.
00:24:49.190 --> 00:24:50.260
[laughter]
00:24:50.290 --> 00:24:52.100
SO YOU DON'T WANT TO HURT THEIR FEELINGS.
00:24:52.130 --> 00:24:53.130
JUST DON'T BE THAT PERSON.
00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.280
BUT WITH A KID, YOU GIVE A GIFT.
00:24:55.010 --> 00:24:57.090
WE GAVE GIFTS TO OUR GRANDCHILDREN LAST NIGHT.
00:24:57.120 --> 00:25:01.040
WE DO IT A LITTLE EARLIER THAN CHRISTMAS AND WITH
00:25:01.070 --> 00:25:03.100
LITTLE CHRISTOPHER, I GAVE HIM SOMETHING
00:25:03.130 --> 00:25:05.070
AND HE'LL SAY "HUH" OOF.
00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:07.010
REALLY?! I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD GIFT.
00:25:07.040 --> 00:25:09.280
THEY'LL TELL YOU WHAT THEY THINK.
00:25:10.010 --> 00:25:11.080
WELL, GOD IS GIVING YOU A GIFT.
00:25:11.110 --> 00:25:12.230
DON'T PUSH IT ASIDE. ACCEPT IT. ENJOY IT.
00:25:12.260 --> 00:25:16.030
THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE.
00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:18.010
I'D LIKE TO CLOSE IN PRAYER AND SOME OF YOU
00:25:18.040 --> 00:25:21.120
NEED TO MAKE A RECOMMITMENT TO JESUS.
00:25:21.150 --> 00:25:24.040
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HERE.
00:25:24.070 --> 00:25:26.070
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.
00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:27.060
OTHERS ARE LISTENING.
00:25:27.090 --> 00:25:29.030
YOU NEED TO MAKE A RECOMMITMENT TO JESUS.
00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:32.180
YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THE LORD'S RETURN.
00:25:32.210 --> 00:25:36.000
YOU ARE NOT LOOKING EXPECTANTLY FOR CHRIST'S RETURN.
00:25:36.030 --> 00:25:39.250
YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW YOU SHOULD NOT
00:25:39.280 --> 00:25:42.110
BE DOING AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS.
00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:44.190
MAKE A RECOMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:47.000
TURN FROM THAT SIN. RECOMMIT YOURSELF TO HIM.
00:25:47.030 --> 00:25:49.170
THERE'S SOME OF YOU HERE THAT WELL, YOU'VE NEVER
00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:52.180
EVEN ASKED JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE.
00:25:52.210 --> 00:25:54.150
YOU'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT HIGHLY OF JESUS, BUT YOU
00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:56.180
NEVER UNDERSTOOD HE CAME ON A RESCUE MISSION FOR YOU.
00:25:56.210 --> 00:26:00.190
YES, TO BE BORN IN THE MANGER, BUT YES TO DIE ON
00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:03.270
THE CROSS AND TO BEAR YOUR SINS AND MINE AND THEN TO
00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:07.160
RISE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD AND HE'LL COME INTO YOUR
00:26:07.190 --> 00:26:10.210
LIFE RIGHT NOW AND YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN.
00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:13.250
IF YOU NEED JESUS IN YOUR LIFE, RESPOND AS WE PRAY
00:26:13.280 --> 00:26:17.030
AND YOU CAN PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME.
00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:18.240
IF YOU WANT CHRIST TO FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SIN.
00:26:18.270 --> 00:26:21.140
IF YOU WANT TO COMMIT YOUR LIFE TO JESUS OR RECOMMIT
00:26:21.170 --> 00:26:24.210
YOUR LIFE TO JESUS, JUST PRAY THIS PRAYER
00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:27.170
RIGHT WHERE YOU SIT.
00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.210
YOU CAN PRAY IT OUT LOUD IF YOU LIKE, BUT PRAY THIS
00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:31.090
WITH ME WHEREVER YOU ARE.
00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.210
JUST PRAY LORD JESUS, I'M SORRY FOR MY SIN AND I
00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:37.090
TURN FROM IT RIGHT NOW.
00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:40.100
THANK YOU FOR BEING BORN IN THAT MANGER.
00:26:40.130 --> 00:26:43.060
THANK YOU FOR DYING ON THE CROSS.
00:26:43.090 --> 00:26:46.030
THANK YOU FOR RISING FROM THE DEAD.
00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:49.140
THANK YOU THAT YOU'RE COMING BACK AGAIN.
00:26:49.170 --> 00:26:51.200
I CHOOSE RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW TO FOLLOW YOU AS MY
00:26:51.230 --> 00:26:59.000
SAVIOR AND LORD, AS MY GOD AND FRIEND.
00:26:59.030 --> 00:27:03.160
IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN.
00:27:03.190 --> 00:27:06.260
GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU THAT PRAYED THAT PRAYER.
00:27:06.290 --> 00:27:09.270
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.100
[applause]
00:27:11.130 --> 00:27:13.170
[Phil Wickham: This is the Day] THIS IS THE DAY WHEN
00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.290
THE LOST ARE FOUND.
00:27:15.020 --> 00:27:17.020
OH CAN YOU HEAR ALL THE ANGELS ARE SINGING.
00:27:17.050 --> 00:27:21.120
THIS IS THE DAY THE DAY WHEN LIFE BEGINS.
00:27:21.150 --> 00:27:22.150

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Waiting for Christmas

Waiting for Christmas

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Waiting for Christmas

Waiting for Christmas

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