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The Meaning of Christmas Part V, “Change” Trinity Bible Church 1/1/06
Introduction: Luke 2:36-38
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. NKJV
Lately I’ve been reading a book, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever. In the book he talks about his church, other churches, (and our church!). We may be using it soon for our Wednesday night study. (Read p. 21 1st two paragraphs).
This is the fifth of the series, “The Meaning of Christmas”. So far we have learned about Rejoice or Joy, Worship, Peace, & Hope. Today the theme will be Change. Some people respond positively to change but to others, change is scary. If change is necessary, it will always be a good thing.
Last week, after my message on Simeon, someone asked me why I didn’t include Anna in that message? I wanted to keep it brief and I wanted to dedicate an entire message to look at her with this character study. “Anna, a woman who welcomed change”.
I. She Got Better, not Bitter.
A. Change in the air. There was soon to be a change in the political, geographical, and spiritual definition of the identity of what was the Kingdom of God. Up to this time, anyone calling themselves a child of God would assume all of those things were wrapped up in being a Jew and hopefully living in Judea. Anna could not have realized the magnitude of what was about to happen, but she saw change and welcomed it – why?
Luke 2:37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years. NKJV
B. Why could she welcome change? 1. Because she had suffered much? Does suffering, does deprivation, does lack of comforts make someone more acceptable to change? Maybe, but for many, those types of things make them bitter, not better! *Remember Naomi in Ruth 1:20?
And she said to them, Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. AMP (Tell story)
2. It wasn’t that way with Anna, she didn’t get bitter, but better!
*My wife and I have known many throughout 30 years of ministering together just like Anna. Some are here today with the same sterling testimony of the grace of God.
Or maybe you are just like Naomi, having been hurt by circumstances beyond your control. You may have even felt like it was the Lord that wounded you! I like how Micah 7:8-10 says it, (Look it up when you get home).
II. She was a Builder, not a Buster. who did not depart from the temple.
A. She was Rightly Focused. Anna saw change coming, welcomed it, and went around telling all she could about it, why? Because she was constantly building and seeking to edify her church. She didn’t depart from what was good for her local assembly, when she was awake, it was her constant concern. Before she went to sleep every night she would be praying and interceding for the needs of her brothers and sisters.
B. Housewife Example. Prov 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. NIV
A wise housewife builds in the same way a wise church member builds, and visa-versa. (The following are in random order, but look up Prov. 31 when you get home.)
1. A wise housewife cares about her family’s needs even above her own, -likewise a wise church member. Phil 2:3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. AMP
2. A wise housewife cares about the needs of her own household before outsiders needs, -likewise a wise church member. Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. NIV
3. A wise housewife, if she has to work outside the home, does so, not for personal achievement and self fulfillment, but to better enhance the security of the household. -Likewise the wise church member, if there is some para-church ministry outside the order of church services, they will make sure it is not in competition or in any way depletes the ministry of their local body. Eph 3:10-11; 20-21 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. NKJV
(Get better, not bitter; Be a builder, not a buster!)
III. She Knew Christ, not just Christianese. and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
A. Contrast Anna with Herod. She lived for God and others, he lived for himself. She heard of the Christ child and gave thanks, he heard and gave lip service. She did the right thing, he said the right thing.
B. What Impresses You? Some people have the right lingo, they know how to talk spiritual and to our shame we are impressed by them.
The disciples were impressed with some rich donors whose loud praying as they gave much seemed to indicate a sincere faith. Jesus told them the poor widow who gave only a small copper coin, gave more than them all – why? Because she gave all she had!
The people of Samaria (Acts 8) were impressed with Simon Magnus, calling him the great power of God. But when Peter showed up, he commanded him to repent of his wickedness because he wanted the gift of God to keep on amazing people.
John contended with a smart aleck in one of his churches. 3 John 9-10 I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but proud Diotrephes, who loves to push himself forward as the leader of the Christians there, does not admit my authority over him and refuses to listen to me. 10 When I come I will tell you some of the things he is doing and what wicked things he is saying about me and what insulting language he is using. TLB
Conclusion: She was Fired up, not Burned Out. served God with fastings and prayers night and day…she gave thanks to the Lord.
How could an 84 (or as some think 103) year old widow accept change so easily? How could she hear through Simeon (vs. 38) about the ministry of Messiah will bring a sword and then “Give thanks to the Lord”?
Could it be that she had been with Christ in the school of prayer and it was a hidden source of her zeal and willingness to accept any change God brought her way?
I am going to introduce some changes soon; you will see a couple of them in this month’s bulletin. They are:
After we get back from visiting Ron Testa in Mexico, I would like to take the entire church through a marvelous –
Can you expect some reaction? We don’t even need the devil to tempt us, our flesh will say things like, “I don’t feel led to fast on that Wednesday”. How can the average TBC member accept change?
The same way Anna did, With grace, humility, and enthusiastic joy!
May God help us all to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness is my prayer.
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