I think is right to say that we’re facing testing times now more than ever. Many migrants are facing an uncertain future as talks continue in the Brexit negotiations. There’s a significant growth in church attendance across other denominations such as the Pentecostal. Some of our members are moving to other denominations. Our Methodist churches across the connexion continue to decline in church membership and attendance. These are all possible reasons to long for a change now more than ever.

In the midst of this testing time, this morning Luke presents us with a joyful story about two righteous people whose amazing experiences at the time of Jesus’ customary ceremony in the temple confirms that he’s our Messiah.

Born in Jerusalem as a refugee, 40 days old Jesus has been brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph for a customary ceremony. According to Jewish law, after the birth of a male child, the mother was ritually unclean for seven days and had to remain at home for a further thirty-three days after which, on a fortieth day, a purification sacrifice had to be offered.

Unable to afford a Lamb as an offering, poor Mary offers two small birds and five shekels to the presiding minister. Based on a cultural and biblical believe that like every firstborn son, Jesus, when presented to the Lord shall be set apart as holy, will be redeemed, express gratitude and purify Mary.

In the temple are the presiding minister, Old lady Anna and many Christians who have all come to worship, to share their concerns and to seek a sign from God. As they got to the temple they encounter an old man name Simeon outside waiting and watching.

So what do we know about Simeon? Simeon is a layman as well as devout Christian oriented towards the future restoration of Israel, the day his people will be set free. Like Anna he was the heart and soul of the temple, saw things hidden from normal people, probably helped organised bible studies. Simeon loved hymns, he knew the scripture, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he will not die until he sees the Messiah. He waited and persevered despite challenging times, looking for signs of the Messiah.

Finally, the wait is done. Change is coming. Just as promised. Just like the prophet said. The hope of the world is here. Our King has come to us. Salvation laid before for all to see His light. So he immediately comes into the temple where he waits until baby Jesus is brought forward by His parents.

Luke tells us: ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. ³⁴“This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed”

Simeon is overcome with joy. He can now give his praise. The wait is done. It’s been a long time. The battle is won. The promised one is finally here. The joy-bringer. The life changer. The light and hope of the world. The strong deliverer. The lover of justice. Nothing can stand in his way. Change has got to come! Oh what a joyful moment.

How does this relate to us? I’m sure we can all relate to this story in some way. I know I certainly can. I think is right to say that we all have some irritations in our lives and desire a change. I know sometimes change doesn’t come as quickly as we hope for. I know it gets discouraging sometimes. It can leave us feeling lonely, weak, frail and bewildered. We can wonder if God is really with us in our situation. I know some of you are fed up with the state of our churches. Fed up with seeing your church fall into a decline. Fed up with the status Quo. Fed up with seeing our young people leaving the church.

Perhaps you desire for justice to roll down like water. Perhaps for our people to be set free. For revival across our churches? Let me tell you something, brothers and sisters we can no longer afford to just talk about a change. No longer is it enough to just dream about John Wesley’s heartwarming experience. No longer can we afford to sit idle and do nothing. No longer can we afford to wait on someone else to bring about that much-needed change. No longer can we afford to make excuses. Excuse about money. Excuse about ideas. There’s no better time to unite for the sake of our church and fight for a change.

I recently watched a powerful documentary about a man called Marcus Garvey who fought for a change and left a great legacy. Many of you may know Marcus Garvey as a supporter of Pan-Africanism. Someone who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in his country Jamaica before he moved to Harlem in New York. Someone who also founded the Black Star Line to provide transportation for his people to Africa.

Garvey fought courageously with the imperial system in Jamaica and especially in America for the redemption of Africa. He saw that the imperial system was made to keep the working class and oppressed down and exploit them economically and physiologically for the advantage of the elite. He urged African-Americans to unite to bring a change all over the world, to be proud of their race and culture. In his fight, an old friends W.E.B Du Bois and A. Philip Randolph labelled him pompous and foolish because they saw his message as engaging in a grand destruction.

Many of his own people filled complaints to help provide a legitimate reason for the US government to move against him – “see his own people don’t want him so there must be something wrong with this person.” And so they placed undercover detectives on him to find issues that will lead to imprisonment, with the ultimate goal of deportation from America.

In 1922, Garvey was arrested for mail fraud in connection with the sale of stock in the Black Star Line, which had now failed due in part to political sabotage attempts. Garvey was finally sentenced to prison for five years but before he went to prison he left a powerful legacy. He inspired the largest black movement in history through unity and courage.

In our first reading from the book of Galatians Paul writes, ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷So you are no longer a slave.

This morning I believe the Lord is asking us: are we prepared to be courageous and unite for freedom?

So what can we take from today’s readings? Brothers and sister salvation has come but we got to play our part. Let us rise up in unity this morning with a greater willingness. Let us rise up with a greater determination. Let us fight to rebuild the Methodist church to where it ought to be. Let us remember that the legacy we leave behind will help determine the future of our church. We got to recognise that just one individual can’t do this alone; it requires the wisdom of the elders and all of our young people’s energy. We got to find ways to bring young people to our church, guide them, mentor them even.

In his death, Garvey legacy had inspired many including Kwame Nkrumah to unite his people to fight for their independence and become Ghana’s first prime minister.

Rev King writes as an eyewitness during Nkrumah’s first speech in parliament, “I could hear people all over that vast audience shouting, “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” Before I knew it I started weeping, I was crying for joy. We could hear about all the struggles, all the pain and all the agony that these people had gone through for this moment. I could hear that old Negro spiritual once more crying out: “Free at last, free at last, Great God Almighty, I’m free at last.” Nkrumah named Ghana shipping line the Black Star Line and its national soccer team the Black Stars, in honour of Garvey.

In the final analysis, Nkruma and Garvey’s legacy teaches us that, just as Jesus was given a mandate, we too have the mandate to speak against the injustice in our community. The discontent in our churches. We got to speak up in our meetings. Recognising that the world will reject us. They’ll conspire for our downfall. But let us keep in mind What Jesus told his disciples. “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Because brothers and sisters God is working against the resistance in our life, in the world to bring a change for us. Regardless of our current circumstance, let us allow Him to fortified us in faith and remain fearless as we seek to imitate Him. And we do this in faith believing that a change has got to come because Simeon said,

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

Gracious God, give us courage, eternal joy, patience and the Spirit of unity to fight for a change, a revival across our churches and to reveal your salvation to everyone around us as you continue to pour your spirit in us. Amen