3Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.
4There I will go to the altar of God, o God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!
Psalm 43:3-4 (NLT)

Song 4 – Sovereign Over Us

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

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22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31  that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

God works through ordinary people who trust Him.

I. The Faithfulness of God Through Obedience vv 21-24
II. The Faithfulness of God Through Waiting vv 25-35
III. The Faithfulness of God Through Worship and Witness vv 36-40

Introduction
1. When you think about faithfulness, what kinds of people or actions come to mind?
2. Why do you think God often chooses to work through quiet obedience instead of dramatic moments?

Into the Text
3. In verses 21-24, what do Mary and Joseph’s actions reveal about their priorities and understanding of God?
4. In verses 29-32, how does Simeon describe Jesus’ mission, and what does this teach us about God’s heart for the whole world?
5. In verses 34-35, why does Simeon say Jesus will cause both the fall and rising of many? What truth about the gospel does this point to?
6. In verses 36–38, what can we learn from Anna’s life of prayer and worship about staying faithful through long seasons of waiting?

Applying the Text
7. What would it look like this week to practice quiet obedience to God in your home, work, or community?
8. How can your regular rhythms of prayer, serving, and kindness become opportunities to reflect God’s faithfulness to others?