Looking Forward

Pray

Well this past week I came across a list of the top 10 new years resolutions. Now this list is from a few years back… But what do you think are some of the top new year’s resolutions of the year?

From first to last here are the results…

1. (number 1 new year’s resolution…) Lose weight 2. Get organized 3. Spend less, save more 4. Enjoy life to the fullest 4. Stay fit and healthy 6. Learn something new and exciting 7. Quit smoking 8. Help someone else achieve their dreams (that’s a convenient one) . 9. Fall in love. 10. Spend more time with family. (find it sad that people are more committed to getting organized, or staying healthy than they are to spend time with their family…)

This article goes on to explain… From another angle, the top resolutions fall into the following categories… The majority of Resolutions stem around

Just by a show of hands, does anyone have any new year’s resolutions this year?

Yeah, many people have resolutions. In fact, right around half of all Americans have some sort of resolution. And 50 % of those make resolutions actually keep them. So, there’s nothing wrong with resolutions… Although I did find that

While people start strong, they tend to fade out in early February compared to the first month of January. According to retailers’ juice-cleanse sales dropped by 25 percent the second week of February. At the same time, Shoppers also bought 15 percent more ice cream and desserts, and 35 percent more pizza. So, take that for what you will…

But here’s what I want us to focus on this morning… is how do we approach the year well.

You see for each of us, in one degree or another… we probably have different things in this next year that we are looking forward to. Some of us are looking forward to tropical vacations, and time spent on a white sandy beach. Others of us are hopeful for that new promotion, and large family swimming pool in the back yard… and others of us, maybe we’re just looking forward to our kids finally graduating and moving out of the house. Amen?

But wherever you are this morning, there are probably things that you’re excited about. There are probably things that you’re looking forward to.

But then, here’s the question… how do we position ourselves? As we end 2023, and begin 2024… what are resolutions, in our lives, things that we should stay committed to as Christians. Not just because Dr. Phil tells us to… but according to God’s words… What are things that we should resolve ourselves to doing as we begin and Look Forward to the days ahead.

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Luke 2 and as you’re turning there. I want us to see this morning that as we look forward to coming days, we must - . 1. Wait on the Lord’s Timing. 2. Let God Direct your moves. 3. Worship

1. Wait on the Lord’s Timing

Luke 2:22-32: 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.”

As we stop and unpack the scripture together, we notice several things. In verse 22 we were told, 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.

So, we’re introduced to this word Timing which will come back around to… and when we think about timing or waiting, even in the book of Leviticus. A woman who gave birth to a son, would have to wait 7 days, during the time of her menstrual period. Plus, an additional 33 days before she could enter the temple. Some of us have things in our lives that we want right away… I want to brisket on my smoker and not have to eat at 10:00 at night… but eat at a reasonable hour. And according to the law there is this period of waiting…

And according to the law, for her to become clean. A sacrifice had to be made. Leviticus 12:6-8 6 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. “‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

So again, in the eyes of society, Mary would have been viewed as unclean. But as she presents not only “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” (not a sheep) as well as a five-shekels of silver. Would complete the requirements and then be viewed as clean again.

But in addition to the purification requirements, Mary and Joseph would also go on to present Jesus before the Lord.

Referencing Leviticus 2 and Numbers 3 we’re told: 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”)

So, Mary and Joseph, travel to Jerusalem. To present Jesus to the Lord. this was a time to dedicate Jesus to the Lord, as the firstborn male of the family. And so, in some ways, it was like a baby dedication that we have at church, only it was much more costly to the parents.

But here’s what I want us to notice. Aside from Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus. 2 additional key roles are shown. The first person who’s introduced is a man named Simeon, and later a woman named Anna. We’re not given a bunch of details about them.

But what’s true of them? Why would God see fit, in the middle of Luke 2… after the birth of Jesus, to mention a man named Simeon or a woman named anna? What was different about them?

Well, if we go back to verse 25 for a moment, we’re given the answer… 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.

You see Simeon wasn’t perfect, he wasn’t without sin. (we’ve all sinned...)

But what do we notice about Simeon? He’s a man that is righteous and devout. He’s a man of integrity. We don’t know his age, we don’t know what he looked like, there are so many details that are left out… but what we do know is this… he’s righteous, he’s devout, and here’s the key... he’s waiting on the Lord. He’s waiting on the consolation (comforter) of Israel. Who would provide both salvation for himself and deliverance for Israel

In his book It Happens After Prayer, Pastor H. B. Charles Jr. provides the following helpful illustration of why God often makes us wait for the answer to our prayers.

One hot afternoon, a certain woman walked to her neighbor's produce stand to buy grapes. The line was long. And each person seemed to get special attention. But she waited patiently. When she finally made it to the front of the line, the owner asked for her order. She asked for grapes. "Please excuse me for a minute," was the answer. Then the owner walked away and disappeared behind a building. For some reason, this rubbed the woman the wrong way. Everyone in line before her was greeted warmly. They were given special attention. And, most importantly, they were served immediately. But she was forced to wait. And when she got to the front of the line, she was forced to wait some more. She was offended. She felt the owner took her regular business for granted. The longer she waited, the angrier she became.

Finally, the produce stand owner reappeared. And with a big smile, he presented her with the most beautiful grapes she had ever seen. He invited her to taste them. She had never tasted grapes so good. As she turned to leave with her delicious grapes, he stopped her. "Oh yeah, I'm sorry I kept you waiting," said the farmer. "But I needed the time to get you my very best."

We transition then to ourselves this morning… with one year behind and another year ahead… and the question is, will we wait on the Lord? You see here’s the point, Oftentimes, we think we know best… Sometimes, we can get impatient. But church… we need to wait on God’s timing…

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31 KJV

2. Let God Direct your moves

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.”

As we continue with the scripture. We see that Simeon, a righteous and devout man… after waiting for the consolation of Israel; Referring to the one Who would provide both salvation for himself and deliverance for Nation. Finally comes to the point in time, where Jesus has finally been brought to the temple and temple courts.

And now that the timing is right, and here’s the key, we see that Simeon is being moved by the spirit of God. He’s not acting on his own… and he’s not moved just anywhere, he’s moved to the temple courts. For the bible says:

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.

You see, God had not only a specific timeline… God had a specific place and a specific purpose for Simeon to fulfill. And I want us to notice what Simeon does in finding Jesus. We’re told:

vs 34 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

You see the entire chapter, chapter 2 centers around Mary, and Jospeh and Jesus. And really… around Jesus… But God saw fit to include Simeon, not only because he was perfect, but because he would obey the Lord’s direction and ultimately be a blessing to others.

I wonder about us, as we enter the new year… will we allow the Lord to give direction in our lives, will we look to His will… Will we be a blessing to others?

I came across a post this week that explains: When I started a new church in Los Angeles County, California, I found that I was overwhelmed with pressure and stress. I was working more than seventy hours a week. My wife would ask me to take a day off, and I would say, "I can't." I wasn't sleeping at night, and I started to take sleeping pills. When the church was about a year old, I woke up in the night, and I had this strange sense that God was laughing at me. As I lay in bed, I wondered, Why is God laughing at me?

It would take five years before I finally got an answer to that question. Here's how it happened: when we moved into our current house, I saved the heaviest piece of furniture for last—the desk from my office. As I was pushing and pulling the desk with all my might, my four-year-old son came over and asked if he could help. So together we started sliding it across the floor. He was pushing and grunting as we inched our way along. After a few minutes, my son stopped pushing, looked up at me, and said, "Dad, you're in my way." And then he tried to push the desk by himself. Of course, it didn't budge. Then I realized that he thought he was actually doing all the work, instead of me. I couldn't help but laugh.

The moment I started laughing at my son's comment, I recalled that middle-of-the-night incident and I realized why God was laughing at me. I thought I was pushing the desk. I know that's ridiculous, but instead of recognizing God's power and strength, I started to think it all depended on me.

Friends for us this morning as we enter a new year… God has amazing things in store for you… but it’s not about you getting God on your page… it’s about trusting God at his word.

Would we trust the Lord at his word? Would we trust his promises to us? Knowing that he is good at all times. Waiting on him, but also allowing Him to be God.

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

3. Worship

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.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

As we consider our final point this morning, we’re introduced to another key woman by the name of Anna. Who the bible tells us is very old. and we find that God would also choose to include her in this scene… again, not because of any family status or because she’s royalty or wealthy. Of course, those things could have been possible, but really the key about anna is that she has devoted her life to worshiping God.

And what we see is this, at the very moment as Simeon is saying his prophetic hymn of praise. That anna would also come up to this little group. We’re told:

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.

Now again, like Simeon, little is known of anna. We see that she has been a widow for a long time,that she’s older in age… and there are host of other details about anna, which are left out, but that we can assume that life wasn’t always enjoyable for her at every moment.

But what we do see is this… is that she is holding onto hope in the lord. She is looking forward to the redemption of Israel 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.

We also notice in vs 37: … She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

You see here’s the point, she had committed her life to worship.

By the way. The word worship in the text has a few meanings… it means

1. To render religious service or homage, to worship

2. To serve for Hire.

You see, some 30 years later… Jesus would rebuke Satan in the wilderness and use these words: 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Luke 4:8

Jesus made it clear that the only one that we should worship with our lives, is the Lord our God. and therefore… we should serve Him only.

Here’s my question to us as we begin a new year… who, or what are we serving? Who are we worshipping? Who or what are we spending our time, our treasure and our talent on?

Friends, this morning, we are called to Worship the Lord your God and serve him only

When we look to Simeon, when we look to anna. There are many things that we don’t know… but what we do know is they were looking forward to the coming messiah. They waited on the Lord’s timing, they remained faithful. They remained Holy… and they continued to worship the Lord, they continued do the little things right. And they continued to serve God.

What about us? No matter what your new years resolution may look like for yourself… for and foremost are we committed to God? First and foremost, will we worship? Will we wait on his timing? Will we look to his lead, will we ask for His will?

Call the worship team up

- Wait… Continue to Look to him no matter where you are today.

- Ask for His will

- Continue to worship. Continue to give thanks.

- Maybe you’ve never accepted the Lord as your Savior...

Pray