SERMON NOTES — Sunday, November 29, 2020 “Finding HOPE in our Uncertainties”

Luke 2:22-38 NIV 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He 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.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

“HOPE points us past our present predicament to God’s promises." (Romans 8:24-26)

“HOPE produces in us the power to persevere.” (Romans 5:2-5 NIV)

“HOPE points us to the person with the power to save us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV“

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of November 30 - December 5

“ReDiscovering Christmas: Good News in Troubling Times”   (The Daily Readings along with the Advent Reading Plan)   MONDAY Isaiah 40:31 TUESDAY 1 Peter 1:3-4 WEDNESDAY Isaiah 43:1-2 THURSDAY Romans 5:5 FRIDAY Romans 15:13 SATURDAY Ephesians 1:18  

Prayer for this week: “Gracious God, we pray that you would fill our hearts with hope as we place our trust in Your Son, the Light of the World. Shine bright in our darkness so that our lives might shine for you.” In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.  

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?   IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?   APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?