Pastor will preach here next Lord's Day at 10.30 and 2 o'clock. There will be no service on Thursday evening this week as we will be worshipping at 9.30 in the morning. There will be a prayer meeting here on Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock.

Let us commence our services today by singing together hymn number 920 to the tune Triumph 691.

When to worship saints assembled,

let the song to Jesus flow.

He forsook his ancient glory,

groaned and bled for worms below.

Ransomed mortals joined to swear the sacred song.

Hymn 920, Tune Triumph 691.

Let us read together from the holy word of God in the gospel according to Luke and chapter 2.

Luke's Gospel, chapter 2, we'll commence reading verse 21.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law. Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.' And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phineir, of the tribe of Asser. She was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about four score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers, night and day. And she came in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and worked strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had filled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and his mother knew not of it. but they supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. When they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed. And his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? Wished you not? I must be about my father's business.

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them. But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man.

May the Lord bless the reading of his own precious word and grant unto us a spirit of real prayer. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which is an art, an art to come, we desire to bow before thy glorious majesty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We desire a spirit of true worship. We desire to enter thy gates with praise and with the voice of thanksgiving, even as we've sung together in our hymn. When to worship saints assemble, let the song to Jesus flow. We pray that it may be so today, that we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth, and that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God our Father, and the sacred fellowship of the Holy Spirit may rest and abide upon us. We read of our Lord Jesus Christ, for through him We have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Grant us that access this day. Grant us that nearness and union and communion in worship. We do humbly beseech Thee.

We come to confess our sins and our sinfulness. And we confess, O Lord, that we have a carnal mind. Thy word declares unto us the carnal mind is enmity to God, is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. But we thank thee that we can come in the name of thine only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who himself said, whatsoever ye ask in my name, I will do it. We thank Thee then for the wonderful glory of the incarnation of the Son of God. We thank Thee that He was made of woman, made under the law, that He might redeem them that are under the law. We thank Thee that He fulfilled and honoured that holy righteous law that Thou hast given. He brought in everlasting righteousness in that holy life that he lived. And then he offered that holy, sacred, sinatonic sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. For by one offering he hath perfected forever all them that are sanctified. And we do thank thee most gracious Lord for the wonderful glory of the name and the power and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank thee that divine justice has been satisfied in that holy sacrifice of Calvary, that peace is made between God and man. We thank thee for the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, that cleanseth us from all sin

We thank Thee, O Lord, that He died for our sins, rose again for our justification, swallowed up death in victory, left our sins in the grave, never to be remembered again. Oh, we thank Thee that He has bodily ascended into heaven and sitteth at Thy right hand. Tis He instead of me is seen when I approach to God.

Lord, this is the ground and the ground alone that we can worship Thee in that eternal rock of ages, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank Thee that in Him we know the love of our Heavenly Father and through Him we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and we desire, O Lord, to lift our heart in adoration thanksgiving and praise unto thee for the glory of his name, the wonder of his grace, that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the son of God.

Oh, do hear us, Lord, we humbly pray. Be with us as a church and as a congregation. Remember our brethren, the deacons, and give them needed grace and wisdom and help in all their responsibilities, we do humbly beseech thee.

Remember, O Lord, we pray thee, each one of our brethren and sisters in church fellowship. Remember, Lord, that us that we may truly love each other, serve each other, and bear each other's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ.

We do pray, most gracious Lord, their words to bless the little ones and the children. We love to see them and to hear them in the house of God and we lovingly commend them to thee and to the word of thy grace. We pray that the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom may be placed in their hearts.

Remember each one of our young friends Lord, we pray that thou wouldst graciously be with them and guide them and direct them, teach them thy ways, lead them in thy paths, bring them to living faith in Jesus Christ. Grant that they may become true followers of thee and of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Grant the fulfilling of that wonderful promise, instead of thy father shall be thy children. whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. We pray for any among us that may yet be dead in trespasses and in sins, that thou wouldst hasten that day when their souls may be quickened into life, and when they may be brought to feel and know their need of a Saviour, their need of redemption, their need of deliverance.

that they may be brought to see the Lord Jesus as the altogether lovely one, the chiefest among 10,000. Be with our young friends, Lord, in every path of providence, and graciously guide and direct them. Help them to commit their way unto the Lord. Trust also in Him. We do humbly beseech them.

We do pray, most gracious Lord, that was blessed parents and give wisdom and guidance and direction, bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We pray most gracious Lord that that was, remember all in the midst of the journey of life, each and every one, and be gracious unto each one and work mightily, powerfully, effectually, their hearts.

Oh Lord we do beseech them. Remember the prodigals that have wandered away and maybe in our view they're as far from God as sheep can run and yet Lord they're not beyond thy power. Do arise, do cause them to be in want and do cause them to return. Thou hast said in thy word that this sort cometh forth, not but by prayer and fasting. Oh, we pray that thou wouldst hear prayer, pull down the strongholds of Satan, send out the glory and light of the gospel into this village and the surrounding villages of Hamlets and gather precious souls in. Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children. O Lord, we do beseech thee for thy great namesake.

Lord, we do pray that thou would remember those of us that are now in the evening time of life's journey and prepare us for that great change that must come to each one of us. when we shall soar through tracks unknown and see thee on thy judgment throne. Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.

Lord, we do pray that thou would remember those that are in affliction and trouble and trial and bereavement. Remember each and every one in the pathways that they're walking in at this time. Comfort every grieving, sorrow and heart, we do humbly beseech thee.

We pray, most gracious Lord, that thou wouldst remember all thy servants as they labour in word and doctrine upon the walls of Zion, that thou wouldst set them free and at liberty this day, that they may be enabled to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, O gracious God, do hear as we humbly beseech thee. Remember thy Zion. Grant mighty signs and wonders to follow the preaching of the word. Grant that thou wouldst fulfil those wonderful gospel promises. I will bring thy sons from far and thy daughters from the ends of the earth, and they shall come from the north and from the south and from the east and from the west.

O Lord of hosts, O God of Israel, O Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, the Son of Man, whom Thou madest strong for Thyself. We do humbly beseech Thee.

We pray for those, O Lord, that are walking in a path of temptation, and that Thou wouldst deliver us from temptation. Whether the enemy comes as a roaring lion to devour, or whether he comes as an angel of light to deceive, we pray that thou wouldst arise, as promised in thy word, that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

Lord, we do pray for our nation. We live in dark and solemn days. Iniquity abounds on every hand. The spirit and power of Antichrist is so prevalent in our own land and in the nations of the earth. Hear the cries of thy little remnant. Return to Jerusalem with mercies. Make bare thine holy arm in the gospel. Give wisdom, Lord, to our leaders, guidance and direction in all matters. Lord, remember the king and the royal household. Grant that we may see thy blessing there. We do humbly beseech thee.

Lord, we pray for those that labour in word and doctrine among the nations of the earth that go forth from among us. We think of thy servants in the Mombasa mission and pray that thou wouldst grant good success to their labours. There are many, Lord, that gather there, but we pray that thou wouldst bless the word that it may be in power in the Holy Ghost and with much assurance.

And oh Lord, we pray for the Savannah Education Trust and the great work that they're doing in Ghana. Oh, that it may be down to the honour, glory and praise of thy great and holy name and of thy church in Ghana. Remember Ian Sadler. and the great work that is as among so many nations in the distribution of thy word and the exposition of it. Supply all their needs, Lord. Bless their endeavors. We do humbly beseech thee and crown thy gospel with success. Lord, we do pray that thou would remember those that are taking services in the coming months at various places with a view to the pastorate. We lovingly commend them to thee and pray that thou wouldst richly bless them, that they may dip their foot in oil and be made acceptable unto the brethren. Do hear us, Lord, we humbly pray thee and send now prosperity. Come and touch one's lips with a live coal from off the heavenly altar. We ask for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Let us now sing together hymn number 27. The tune is Ascension, number 75. I'll read the first verse and we'll commence singing at the second verse. Come Holy Spirit come, let thy bright beams arise, dispel the darkness from our minds and open all our eyes. Hymn number 27 and we commence singing at the Second verse.

I would direct your attention to the chapter that we read, the second chapter in the Gospel according to Luke. And we will read from our text, verses 27, 28, and 29. Luke's Gospel, Chapter 2, reading verses 27 to 29. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.

some very wonderful things revealed to us in this chapter, in this portion of the Word of God. We read right at the beginning of the chapter how that there was a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. and all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph and Mary were of the house and lineage of King David. And so they departed from Galilee, as we read in verse 4, and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. because it was the house and lineage of David, completely unknown to Caesar Augustus, the events that were to take place.

But we see how that God rules throughout all the nations of the earth. It says, by me, king's reign and prince's decree justice. And another word, the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. And as rivers of water, he turneth it with us whoever he will. And these things were all divinely ordered and purposed by the God of heaven. Caesar making the decree to collect the taxes and unbeknown to him, The very central purpose of that was that Joseph and Mary would be at Bethlehem. Because the prophet of the Lord had prophesied in the prophet Micah, Thou Bethlehem Ephratah. You see, a promise of the coming of Christ and that the Messiah would be born at Bethlehem.

We have a God, my beloved friends, that worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, of his own purposes. There is an application of course of this to the lives of the Lord's people. Nothing happens by chance but according to the will of God and the purposes of God. As we read in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, there is a time to be born, there is a time to die. There is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven.

But when we have the promises of the Old Testament, of which those promises run right the way from Genesis through to Malachi, and every one of them is fulfilled in its minute detail. You think of those places in scripture, you think of the Passover that the Lord instituted when the children of Israel were delivered from Egyptian bondage. And when they roasted that Passover lamb on the night of the Passover, took its blood and put it onto the lentils and side posts of the doors of their houses and the Lord said when I see the blood that paschal lamb is a beautiful type of our Lord Jesus Christ as John the Baptist says behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

But then there's something else mentioned there in the Passover lamb bone of it shall not be broken. It's such an insignificant thing but what it was a type. We read that when the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life on the cross of Calvary, when he laid down his life for his friends, when he suffered and bled and died for his people, when they came And they broke the legs of the two thieves that were crucified with him. And they found that Jesus was already dead. It was accounted an act of mercy to break their legs, to hasten their death. Crucifixion was a very long, painful death. So they used to break their legs. But when they came to Jesus, they perceived that he was dead already. And another little scripture, which if you didn't know the fulfilling of it, they pierced his side. And forthwith there came out blood and water. And that was prophesied by the prophet, that they would pierce his side. things were happened according to the word of the Lord, it verifies the word of God.

And so we read in verse six, and so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. because there was no room for them in the inn. You see, he made himself of no reputation. He didn't come to the palaces of the great. He humbled himself. He humbled himself as a man. He was laid in a manger. wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And then we have this wonderful account of these shepherds. You know that the shepherds, by the very nature of their employment, were poor men. They were poor working men. But see how the angels went to those shepherds. They were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And though the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

So these poor shepherds, It was revealed unto them, just as it was unto Simeon, just as it was unto Anna, the prophetess, that's what led me to our second hymn concerning the divine work of the Holy Ghost. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And He gave them a sign, this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest on earth, peace, goodwill toward many. And so the shepherds, they say here in verse 15, let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass that the Lord hath made known unto us. Has the Lord made known something unto you? Just as he revealed himself here by the angels unto these shepherds. And so when it was revealed and there was then that willingness, let us now go. even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord hath made known unto us. What a mercy that the Lord makes known by His Spirit.

We read here concerning when the Lord Jesus Christ was taken up to for the circumcising of the child And we read here with Simeon in verse 25, and behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost. Doesn't this reveal to us, my beloved friends, that real religion is something that is wrought by God. We love him because he first loved us. And it was so with Simeon, waiting. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before He had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit. He came by the Spirit. This was a divinely ordained time. That Simeon should be there, watching, waiting. He came by the Spirit, he came led By the Spirit, we read in Romans chapter eight, as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Are you, am I, being led by the Spirit of God? Solemn thing, my beloved friends, if we're not.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple, when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law see it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost you know that little baby the baby the Lord Jesus we know he was pure and he was holy but he didn't look any different to any other baby you know we we see Pictures, we don't agree with pictures of the Lord Jesus Christ, but you do see pictures and then they put an aura all the way around him. But he wasn't like that. There's no form nor comeliness in him that we should desire him. He was no different to any other baby. But it was revealed. It was revealed unto him. by the Holy Ghost.

You know, the Holy Ghost dwells in the heart of every living child of God. That is what makes them a living child of God. When the living spirit of the living God takes up his dwelling place in the heart. The apostle, when he writes to the Corinthians, he says, Know ye not that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost? If so be the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Does the Spirit of God dwell in your heart? Does he dwell in my heart? If he does, there'll be spiritual life. There'll be spiritual light. There'll be spiritual understanding, there'll be spiritual ears, there'll be spiritual eyes, there'll be spiritual feet. You must be born again. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You know this is not something that is optional friends, it's something that is absolutely necessary.

The divine work and power of the Holy Ghost, when He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. It's the divine work of the Spirit of God. He will convict and convince of sin. Lord is a sovereign in the way that he works in the hearts of the Lord's people. I've known at least two people because I've heard and I've done it myself and I realized I've been wrong in doing that, laying down that this is what will happen when the Spirit quickens you, you'll be convinced of your sin, you'll be Realize your darkness and your bondage and your helplessness And then Christ will be revealed

But you know, I've known at least two of the Lord's people one of them is now in glory and the very first spiritual Reality that I knew was Christ was made precious One of my own brothers now gone to glory The very first spiritual light he had was the love of Christ shed abroad in his heart. And he said it was so precious. And he said to me, afterward, I knew conviction of sin, but he said the initial spiritual light I had was the love of God shed abroad in my heart. He said it was so precious. was made so precious to him. And he said, I used to hear ministers say, you've got to have this, and this is the order, and you'll be convinced of sin, you'll have this, you'll have that. And they lay down and put a straight jacket on the truth and say, this is how you'll experience it.

My beloved friends, the Lord is an absolute sovereign in the way that he teaches each one of his children. Yes, each one of the Lord's children will know conviction of sin, And many of them, that will be the first spiritual impressions they ever have, is conviction of sin. But some of the Lord's people, they first know the love of God, shed abroad in their heart. Then afterwards they know conviction of sin. We mustn't, as it were, lay down that this is how the truth has got to be experienced in everybody. Every one of the Lord's children has a unique experience. The Lord is a sovereign in the way that he teaches each one of his children.

I've often said to you, I couldn't give anything for your religion if it has no sin in it. And how true that is. If the Spirit of God indeed dwells in our heart, we will know that we're sinners. The Spirit of God is called a witness. And he witnesses in our heart. He witnesses that we're sinners. He witnesses that we're in darkness. He witnesses that we're in bondage. But then it says, He will take of the things of Jesus and reveal them unto you. He will reveal them unto you, just like he did to Simeon. It was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

I often refer you to that portion of scripture in the beginning of the first epistle to the Corinthians in the second chapter, where it speaks there of the work of the Holy Ghost. It says in verse nine, a quotation from Isaiah, but as it is written, I have not seen nor ear heard, neither ventured into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, so the Spirit of man which is in him, even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received. That's the question that we have here this morning, my beloved friends. Have you received of the Spirit of God? Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Now here is a very fundamental teaching here friends, but the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. You see my beloved friends, when the Spirit of God quickens our soul, were given spiritual discernment, a spiritual understanding. We read in the Word of God, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened. Old things are passed away, behold all things become new.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death. Something very precious here that was revealed unto Simeon. that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Now at this point the human race have been waiting for the coming of Christ for 4,000 years. But it was revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. You see, and when we see the Lord's Christ, as we read in the Word of God, he that hath the Son hath life. He that hath not the Son of God hath not life. In him is life. In him is life. In the glorious person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

exceedingly well-known scripture, isn't it? I am the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. You know, it speaks very beautifully in the opening passage of John's Gospel of the glorious person of God manifest in the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word. The term, or the name, the Word, refers to the divine nature of the Son of God. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. From all eternity. It's Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. The yesterday means yesterday eternal. He's the self-existent and the almighty God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life. And the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness. And the darkness comprehended it not.

This glorious light speaks then of John the Baptist there was a man sent from God whose name was John the same came for a witness to bear witness of the light it's written with a capital l why because it's Jesus the son of God that all men through him might believe he that is John the Baptist was not that light but was sent to bear witness of that light that was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, the true light that now shines. We read in that beautiful prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ in the ninth chapter of the prophet Isaiah about the people that sat in darkness have seen a great light. It's the light that shines, the people that sat in darkness. Maybe there's one on another here and you feel that you're in darkness. And you feel that you're walking in darkness and in bondage. But my beloved friends, there is a glorious light that shines in the glorious person of Jesus Christ. I am the light of the world we read in Isaiah 9.

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali and afterward did more grievously affect her by the way of the sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. You see, a great light. And it goes on and speaks of this great light in verses 6 and 7. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Now Simeon would have been familiar with this scripture. Unto us a child is born. As he waited for the consolation of Israel, it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ. And he came by the Spirit.

With mercy, my beloved friends, when we come by the Spirit, even when I was under the first impressions of The Spirit's work in my heart is all I knew at that time was conviction of sin and darkness and bondage. But I shall never forget one Lord's Day afternoon, Mr. Clark, Ebbing Clark of Barton came across to preach the afternoon service at Westerley. And his text was, though your sins be a scar, there was something within my soul that needed something. And I can see him now, soft as wood. He was soft as wood. And there was something there. I was engaged to a young lady at that time. And she came to the service with me. And after the service, as we went home, she said to me, I've never been to such a miserable service in the whole of my life. She came from among the brethren churches. And it seemed that the Lord revealed to me at that time what a great distance there was between us when it came to spiritual things.

The Lord had begun to work I had no hope, I hadn't been raised up to hope, but when that dear old man preached, there was something that he preached that in my soul, I felt a need in. I didn't have it, I felt a need in. You see, my beloved friends, we read of Samson that the spirit of the Lord moved him between the camps of Dan and Eshterhal, and that's what happens in the spiritual life. When the Lord begins that work of grace, when the Holy Spirit begins to teach, he reveals, he shows, and he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms.

What a amazing experience that must have been. When he took that little babe in his arms and he knew that he was the Messiah, then took him up in his arms. I know there are those of us here that have by faith, I certainly have and I know there are others here of you that have, You've taken Christ in the arms of faith. You've embraced him with the arms of faith. You know him. You felt his love, you felt life and liberty in your heart. You felt the preciousness of Jesus Christ. It's the spirit that works faith in the heart. Maybe little faith, The Lord's people often feel they have little faith. It's said in scripture, you have little faith. But the great thing is, do you have faith? Is Christ precious? Is there something in Jesus Christ that you long to lay hold of? Can you say with the hymn writer, give me Christ or else I die? Jesus is the one thing needful. I without him perish must.

See, Jesus is the way to God. He is. He's the way to God. Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word the day that I was brought into gospel liberty. A wonderful day that I shall never forget. I was driving my truck through Cobra, across the Cobra Cross, and my soul was so full. And I sung from the very depths of my heart, yes, I shall soon be landed on yonder shores of bliss. and there with all my powers expanded shall dwell where Jesus is. And do you know friend, it seemed to me that even if I lived to 100 years old, it would be so soon. Yes, I shall soon be landed.

It's a precious thing when the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostle calls it Christ in you, the hope of glory. And when you embrace him, and when he embraces you,

There was a little one after that, on another occasion in a time of great affliction and great soul trouble, that those words in Solomon's Song chapter 1 were breathed into my very soul. My beloved is as a cluster of campfire in the vineyards of Engidae. And the effect of those words, in my feelings I was sinking in a pit and I couldn't reach the sides and there was almost a sense of despair that I was sinking into this pit and then those words breathed into my heart by the Holy Ghost my beloved and the effect of those words was just as if the Lord Jesus put his arms right round me and those words followed in with such heavenly power and unction.

The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. You know, the child of God can never fall beneath those everlasting arms. They're always there, they're always underneath him, but it's only when you come into those great trials of temptation, of trouble, soul trouble, When you come into those places where you feel to be sinking, it's then you fall into those everlasting arms and you feel the support of those everlasting arms. The child of God can never fall beyond those everlasting arms. They're always there. That's why they're called everlasting arms. It's the everlasting love of our Heavenly Father and it's the everlasting love of our Lord Jesus Christ And it's the everlasting love of the Holy Ghost. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. It's everlasting love.

Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.

After that experience I had My beloved is a cluster of campfire, and the doctor referred me to the hospital. I'd been laid up for weeks. And during that week before I went to the hospital, I literally walked in Psalm 23. It was so sacred. The Lord is my shepherd. And I honestly felt that I was going to die. been exercised about the ministry for quite a few years but it just seemed to go away and I thought glory and I cannot express to you the love I felt to Jesus Christ. I loved my wife, I loved my family but oh I felt willing to go and I could leave my wife and my family in the Lord's hands in his everlasting love and mercy.

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.

Now, why could he say this? Because he goes on to say, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. He's seen Jesus. It's like the disciples on the mount and they saw Christ transfigured and they saw no man save Jesus only. It's a precious thing when we see no man save Jesus only. And we feel that we can depart to be with Christ which is far better.

Mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people and light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. What a marvellous thing that was. Then we read here of Hannah, Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Phineu in verse 36. It says here she was of a great age and lived with her husband seven years from her virginity and she was a widow of four score. A score is 20 for you younger people. 84 years which departed not from the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day and she come in in that instant it was divinely ordered she come in in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

What a time of rejoicing in those that were waiting for the Lord's appearing. It was revealed unto them by the Holy Ghost. Those shepherds, a wonderful thing was revealed to them, that holy child that was born and laid in the manger at Bethlehem.

Now, we read here, and this is the only place in Scripture we read anything of the childhood of Jesus Christ. And we read in verse 40, and the child grew and waxed strong in spirit as his holy human soul, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. What a wonderful child he must have been. And the grace of God, that means the power of the spirit of God was upon him. And we read in the last verse, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.

He had a body and soul. Our soul is often called our reasonable soul. And why is it called a reasonable soul? Because our soul, the spiritual part of our nature, we read in Genesis that God formed the body of Adam out of the dust of the earth and then we read that God breathed into Adam the breath of life and man became a living soul. Now that living soul is the seat of our intellect and our reason. The powers of reason that human beings have is given to them by God and it and it's in our soul.

Now human nature then is made up of these two parts. We have a physical body, the animals of course all have physical bodies but man has a spiritual soul that will live forever, that will live forever. and these words that we're looking at here concerning Jesus Christ reveal to us that he too had a physical body and a spiritual soul and this is what is alluded to and the child grew much strong in spirit that's his holy soul filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him and Jesus increased in wisdom stature in favor with God and man I've often looked at it in this line that the Lord Jesus he knew by experience what it was to be a little babe he knew what it was to be a toddler he knew what it was to live as a child and then as a teenager and then as a man That's what these scriptures reveal to us.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man. And I look at that word, it gives us light on that word in the Hebrews, he was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Even you young people, you children and young people, Lord Jesus he knew what it was to be a child he knew what it was to be a young person and he certainly knew what it was to be tempted these things are written for our instruction and then in verse 49 something very precious it's the first recorded words of Jesus Christ on earth

See in the 48, verse 48 says, and when they saw him, they were amazed and his mother said unto him, son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, how is it that you sought me? Wished ye not that I must be about my father's business? They are the first recorded words of our Lord Jesus Christ wishing on that I must be about my father's business. And then there's that other word in scripture spoken by Jesus Christ just before he was to suffer, bleed and die on the cross of Calvary for the sins of his people. And he said, to this end was I born, for this cause came I into the world.

This little babe, as Simeon says, was set for the rise and fall of many in Israel. This little babe was the eternal son of God, manifest in the flesh. This little babe was made of a woman made under the law that he might redeem them that are under the law. And this man, he lived here upon earth in perfect obedience to the law of God. He did no sin. Neither was any guile found in his mouth. He did that for his people. What you can't do, what I can't do, Jesus has done.

I come not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. And the Lord Jesus has fulfilled the holy law of God and brought in everlasting righteousness for his people. And the Lord Jesus, when he suffered and bled and died on Calvary, he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. He gave his life a ransom for all. As the apostle says, great is the mystery of godliness. It's a great mystery. God was manifest in the flesh. He was manifest in the flesh. There is one God, and one mediated between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave his life a ransom for all. He gave his life, and then he swallowed up death in victory and rose from the dead. And then he ascended up into heaven, into eternal glory. He's made a new and living way into the holy place.

Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Lord, now let us now thy servant depart in peace according to thy word. May the Lord add his blessing. Let us now sing together hymn number 709, the tune Winchester Old 270. This is a beautiful hymn concerning the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Lord that made both heaven and earth and was himself made man lay in the womb before his birth, contracted to a span.

Hymn 709, tune Winchester Old, 270.

Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the sacred fellowship of the Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us each. Amen.