Welcome to Worship
December 20, 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lighting the Advent Wreath: The Shepherd’s Candle: Love
The Hyo Lee Family
Call to Worship (pre-recorded): Joy to the World!
Madeline Carbonell, organ
Christmas Offering for International Missions Video: Committing to Reaching the Unreached
South Asia
Welcome and Prayer: Rev. Kevin Freeman
Special Recognition
Worship Song (pre-recorded): Joy to the World!
Traditional Worship Team
Children’s Moment and Parent and Child Dedication: Alicea Torres Family
Musical Meditation (pre-recorded): Gloria Hodie
RBC Covid Handbell Choir
Scripture: Luke 2:21-40
Sermon Series: The First Songs of Christmas
Sermon Title: Simeon’s Song
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon Notes:
The singer of this week’s song of Christmas definitely lives up to his name.
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, BORN UNDER THE LAW, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” —Galatians 4:4-5, ESV
25 - “[Simeon] was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 - It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27 - Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required,
28 - Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 - “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace.
30 - For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 - which You have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 - a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 - The Child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him.
34 - Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35 - so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” —Luke 2:25-35
Simeon’s name means, “Trust and obey” and the story of his song of Christmas shows us that this name described Simeon well.
1.) Simeon lived a life of
.
“Waiting is our destiny. As creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for, we wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a ‘not yet’ that feels like a ‘not ever.’” —Lewis Smeades
“Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly!” —Colossians 3:16
a.) Studying God’s Word helped him to
the way God
.
“Prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” —2 Peter 1:21
“…the Lord will grant full insight and understanding in everything.” —2 Timothy 2:7
b.) It also helped him
the way God
.
“I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hands.” —Psalm 31:14-15a
“God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow [according to His perfect timing] to answer them.” —Luke 18:7
2.) Simeon lived a life of
.
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations—a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” —Luke 2:29-31
Prayer and Benediction: Rev. Mark Adams