WEBVTT

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 Well, thank you, John and Fiona. Good evening, folks. As has been said, my name is Alistair. It's my joy to be the assistant here and to bring us God's word again today. Keep that passage open in Luke in front of you as we go through it. But as you maybe turn there again, let us pray together. Let's pray.

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 Father, we come before you and as we spend a few moments thinking about your servant in Luke, as we think about Anna, the prophetess, Father, would we be encouraged? Would we be challenged? Would we be spurred on to be better disciples who love you, who serve you and who give you everything? We ask this in Jesus' name and for the upbuilding of your kingdom. Amen.

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 What are you waiting for? Maybe you're waiting for the return of normal life as we've gone over yet another weird Christmas. Maybe you want normal Christmas again. You're waiting for the ability to go out and meet all of your friends and all of your family members to have fun and laugh together without thinking about masks or hand sanitizer or restrictions.

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 Or maybe you're waiting for the return of normal life as we've gone over yet another weird Christmas.

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 Or maybe you're waiting to hear the result of a job interview. You've been out of work for a while and you really, really need that job.

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 Or maybe it's a doctor's test result that you're waiting for and it's terrifying. Waiting isn't always fun and it isn't always easy, is it?

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 Waiting isn't always fun.

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 Waiting isn't always fun or easy, but it is something that we do all the time, is it not?

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 And for the Christian, there's an added element of waiting because as Christians, we are called to wait on the return of the Lord.

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 Jesus told us that he will return one day and we are to eagerly anticipate that day.

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 but the question I find a lot of people ask is how exactly should we be living in this period

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 of waiting how can we wait well for that day when the Lord Jesus will return well this evening we're

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 going to look at the example of Anna in Luke 2 and we'll see how she too was waiting for the Messiah

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 to come and I believe Anna can be a great example for us today of how we can live our lives as we

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 wait for Jesus to return so let's do a little bit of background work in Luke 2 before we spend most

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 of our time thinking about Anna together and what we can learn from her extraordinary life

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 so in Luke 2 we are given signs to tell us the reality of Jesus's identity that he is the sent

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 one from God the Messiah of God's people the Savior of the world Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the

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 temple to present him before the Lord following the Old Testament law that you can read all about in

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 Leviticus but in the temple something different happened this day Mary and Joseph were met by two

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 people first Simeon and second Anna two faithful servants who were looking for and waiting for the

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 Messiah but unlike the rest of Israel they weren't looking for a strong political leader they weren't

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 blinded by the popular desire of a military Messiah who would come and kick out the Romans and free

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 Israel to live as they pleased

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 Simeon and Anna were drawn by the Holy Spirit

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 to see the Son of God in the humble form of a baby

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 helpless and in the arms of a poor young mother who walked into the temple that day

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 it's interesting that in Luke 2 the only

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 it's only the humble and so-called unremarkable people of the day who actually recognize Jesus for

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 who he really is the shepherds and these two people in the temple not exactly the trumpet sounding

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 entrance we would expect of a king and yet isn't it fitting because this king is humble and he is gentle

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 so let's take a look inside the temple

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 Simeon prompted by the Holy Spirit goes into the temple and meets this new family

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 and he realizes who Jesus is

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 Simeon has been waiting and the passage says for the consolation of Israel meaning the moment the Old Testament promises

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 would be fulfilled and the Messiah would come to save the Lord's people

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 and so after seeing Jesus Simeon knows that he can die peacefully because this promise has been fulfilled

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 before him his eyes have seen the Savior of the world

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 that's why in his short song of praise Simeon declares

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 for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples

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 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel

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 and then in verses 36 to 38 we are introduced to a wonderful woman of God called Anna

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 we don't have a huge amount of detail about her her life all we have are these three verses

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 but they do tell us quite a bit about her

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 so let's meet Anna briefly and then I want us to focus on three things that characterized her life

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 and how they should challenge and encourage us all this evening as we wait for the return of the Lord

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 so Anna's described look at verse 36 as a prophetess or a prophet

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 she was someone who knew God's word who loved the Lord and who spent time in the temple

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 based on what we see in verse 38 how Anna kept on telling people about Jesus

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 I think I think Luke wants us to see Anna as a great fourth teller of God's word

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 by spreading God's word she's joined the ranks of other women in the Old Testament

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 like Miriam, Deborah, Hannah and others go check them out in your own time

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 Anna is a prophetess because she is proclaiming God's word

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 verse 36 also tells us that Anna was from the tribe of Asher

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 one of the northern tribes of Israel who were largely seen as the unfaithful ones

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 because in the Old Testament they had separated from the southern kingdom

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 and they'd followed a different line of kings from the line of Judah

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 who were under the lineage of David

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 so Anna represents a faithful remnant within the northern tribes of Israel

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 and the last biographical detail we get about Anna

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 before we dive into the three characteristics of her life

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 is that she was a widow

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 so Anna at this point is an old woman

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 now probably around 83, 84

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 and she has not had an easy life at all

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 she was married

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 but just after seven years her husband died

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 and she has been a widow ever since

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 now why do you think Luke highlights that?

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 I think he highlights it so that we can know that regardless of your age and stage

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 regardless of your marital status

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 regardless of whether you have children or not

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 Luke wants you to know that nothing, absolutely nothing

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 hinders us from serving the Lord

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 Anna didn't let her circumstances stop her from serving God

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 she didn't think that she was too old

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 or detached from the younger generations

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 she recognized what she could do

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 and she got busy doing it

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 which is precisely what we should be doing as well

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 but more on that later on

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 so these are all the biographical details we have about Anna

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 but it is just the beginning of the story

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 because in these three verses

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 we can see three things that characterize the life of this extraordinary woman

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 so we'll look at each of these

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 and see how they should also challenge us

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 as we wait for the coming of Christ

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 the first thing we see that characterizes Anna's life

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 is faithful devotion

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 faithful devotion

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 look at verse 37 with me

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 it says

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 she did not depart from the temple

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 worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day

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 Anna was always in the temple

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 so imagine for a minute you're the one with the keys to open the temple gates

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 you are the first there and the last one out

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 you get up early

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 so that all the people in Jerusalem can start their prayers and sacrifices on time

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 you walk to the gates just as the sun is coming up over the horizon

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 and as you twist that key and pull the gate towards you

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 you are greeted with the same face every single morning

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 that was Anna

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 she'd become a feature of the temple

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 but she wasn't just hanging around the temple because it gave her something to do

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 or because she got company there

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 she was in the temple all the time because she loved the Lord

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 and she was eagerly and patiently waiting to see the Messiah

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 that's why in verse 38

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 after Anna saw Jesus and gave thanks to God for him

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 she went out telling people about him

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 she's an example of faithful patience and devotion

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 as she waited in the temple day and night

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 learning the Old Testament promises about God and the coming Messiah

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 praying and fasting

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 joining in with others as they prayed and waited for Jesus to arrive

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 her patience was the result of her devotion to the Lord

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 and brothers and sisters I pray that we too would be characterized

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 as a people of faithful devotion

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 not devoted and patient for the arrival of God's Messiah to save his people

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 that already happened when Jesus came and lived the life that we never could

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 when he died the death that we all deserve

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 and was raised to life victorious over sin and death

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 but faithfully devoted and patient as we wait on his second coming

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 I pray that we would be faithfully patient for the return of our Lord

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 the risen ruling and reigning King

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 who has promised that he will come back

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 and who is currently seated at the right hand of the Father

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 interceding on our behalf

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 and who will come and take us to be with him in the new creation forever

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 but until that day comes we are called to be faithfully patient

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 and have faithful devotion

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 what a timely reminder Anna is for us in our present times

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 because throughout this pandemic we've become used to sitting behind screens

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 haven't we

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 isolation

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 social distancing have become normal

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 but it has affected churches too

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 it's become easy to watch church from the comfort of our couches at home

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 it's become easy not to engage with church meetings

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 and to almost forget about church altogether

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 until Sunday morning comes around again

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 friends if we are Christians

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 we are called to eagerly anticipate the Lord's return

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 and we are called to gather with the Lord's people

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 gathering as a local church body is not a Sunday activity

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 churches aren't social clubs that gather around tea and cake

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 we gather out of a devotion to the Lord

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 out of a love for his word and a love for his people

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 we gather to give God all the glory

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 and to help each other grow in our understanding of his word

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 and his will for his people

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 Anna isn't here to teach us that we simply need to get busy with church

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 and have a full diary all the time that we always need to be in the building

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 but Anna is a reminder to us of the importance

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 of spending time with the Lord's people

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 and building one another up

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 spurring each other on until the day where we are taken to be with the Lord

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 or he returns

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 so brothers and sisters please gather together

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 fellowship together spend time in God's word together in church

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 in coffee shops around your homes around tables around meals

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 do everything you can to have faithful devotion

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 until Jesus returns

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 and the second thing we see that characterizes Anna's life is

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 faithful prayer and fasting

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 faithful prayer and fasting

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 look at verse 37 again

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 she did not depart from the temple

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 worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day

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 Anna used her time to pray and fast

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 but she goes above and beyond what was asked of her under the Old Testament law

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 according to the Old Testament law

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 there was only one day a year

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 where Israel were required to fast

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 and that was the day of atonement

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 but it does seem that around about this time of Jesus' birth

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 fasting had become quite a common practice

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 among some Israelites

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 remember maybe in Matthew 9

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 when Jesus is asked by John's followers

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 why his disciples don't fast

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 and Jesus says that to them then

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 why should they mourn when the bridegroom is with them

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 but a time is coming where the bridegroom will not be there anymore

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 and Jesus says his disciples will fast

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 now prayer and fasting go hand in hand

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 fasting means voluntarily going without food

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 for spiritual purposes

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 now when I was studying at the Faith Mission Bible College

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 here in Edinburgh a number of years ago

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 I did my final dissertation on fasting

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 the role of biblical fasting in the lives of believers today

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 because I had no idea about it

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 I wasn't taught about much in church

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 and I hadn't really thought about it much

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 and in my research for that paper

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 I realized that fasting is either focused on too much

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 and almost seen as a

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 some kind of secret spiritual superpower

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 that strengthens your prayers

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 or in the other extreme

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 it is neglected

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 and not talked about at all

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 and not practiced at all

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 sadly we don't have time to go into this

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 massive but wonderful topic of fasting in depth

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 but in your own time please do read Isaiah chapter 58

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 Matthew chapter 6

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 and Matthew chapter 9

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 to learn more about what biblical fasting is

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 but Anna used her time for prayer and fasting

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 so much of our time is spent with food in front of us

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 isn't it?

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 I mean I don't know about you guys

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 but I definitely had a food coma over Christmas

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 we sit around the table

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 we catch up with people

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 and we spend time together

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 Sabina and I were in Austria with my in-laws in September

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 and we always laugh

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 because when we're there

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 our lives revolve around food

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 we have breakfast

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 and at the breakfast table

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 we're already thinking about what's coming for lunch

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 and then we have lunch

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 and it goes straight into coffee and cake

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 and then thinking about dinner

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 and then there's a few snacks in between

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 before we actually hit dinner

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 and then there's some sweets afterwards too

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 food is a very good gift from God

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 that should be enjoyed

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 and it takes up a lot of our time

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 which is a good thing

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 but Anna voluntarily gave up food

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 for periods of time

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 and devoted herself to prayer

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 we don't know exactly what she was praying

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 but based on these verses

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 I'm sure she was thanking God

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 for his care for her

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 over all the years

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 that she'd been a widow

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 and I'm sure that she was praying

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 that the Messiah would come

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 and save the Lord's people

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 so she is an example of faithful prayer

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 of time dedicated to the Lord

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 and spent on her knees

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 before him in worship

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 our brothers and sisters

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 I pray that we too would be

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 a people characterized

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 of faithful prayer

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 and fasting

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 why don't we very practically

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 take Anna as an example

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 and look into the practice

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 of fasting

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 and if you are physically able

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 and if it's wise for you to do so

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 think about voluntarily

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 going without one meal

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 and spending that time

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 in prayer instead

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 start a prayer list

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 keep it on you at all times

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 as you go about your day to day life

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 and when you have a second

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 pull it out

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 pray for people

00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:55.039
 pray through psalms

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.359
 pray prayers that we see in the Bible

00:17:57.359 --> 00:18:00.199
 use whatever tools you can think of

00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:01.939
 to raise your voice in praise

00:18:01.939 --> 00:18:03.359
 and thanksgiving to the God

00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.099
 who loves you

00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:06.619
 and who gave his life for you

00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:10.859
 fast and pray in light

00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.659
 of the return of Jesus Christ

00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:15.019
 pray that the church

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:16.180
 both this church

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.639
 and the global church

00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.900
 would be strengthened

00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.700
 in the knowledge

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.759
 of God's word

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:23.220
 pray for our elders

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.619
 for boldness

00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.379
 and strength

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.819
 as they lead this church

00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:29.099
 pray for wisdom

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.720
 for you to know

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.299
 how to glorify Christ

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.339
 in every area

00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.059
 of your life

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.160
 every single day

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:38.379
 and pray for the non-Christians

00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.000
 in your life

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.779
 that they would come

00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.160
 to a saving knowledge

00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:42.180
 of Jesus

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:44.220
 and that they too

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.680
 would eagerly await

00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.259
 his return

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:49.360
 jot down those names

00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:50.720
 pray for them

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.720
 keep them in your phone

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.340
 in your wallet

00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:52.880
 anywhere

00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:55.259
 but pray for people

00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.600
 to come to know Jesus

00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:59.340
 Jesus will return

00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:00.680
 and that will be a glorious

00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.740
 and a dreadful day

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.019
 glorious for those

00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.700
 who are Christians

00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.820
 and have put their trust

00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.340
 in Jesus

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.899
 because on that day

00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.779
 we will go to be

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.819
 with our Lord forever

00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.659
 in perfect harmony

00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:15.399
 but a dreadful day

00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.059
 for all those

00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.399
 who have rejected Jesus

00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:19.359
 because for them

00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.259
 that day will not be

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.159
 one of rejoicing

00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:22.019
 but one of judgment

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:25.579
 and so we need to pray

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.559
 that people would come

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.679
 to know Jesus

00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:29.559
 that they would have

00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.099
 forgiveness

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.439
 and that they could

00:19:31.439 --> 00:19:32.299
 look forward to

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.240
 eternal life

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.519
 that is only possible

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.759
 through Jesus

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:39.259
 so we should be people

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.339
 characterized by

00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.980
 faithful

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.799
 devotion

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.579
 faithful prayer

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.259
 and fasting

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.259
 and the third thing

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.139
 that characterizes

00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:47.940
 Anna's life

00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.240
 is faithful

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.019
 proclamation

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.359
 faithful

00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.619
 proclamation

00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.539
 read verse

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.900
 38 with me

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.700
 and coming up

00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.799
 at that very hour

00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:00.119
 she began to give

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.000
 thanks to God

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:02.279
 and to speak

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.960
 of him

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.019
 that's Jesus

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.680
 to all

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.460
 who were waiting

00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.400
 for the redemption

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.420
 of Israel

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:09.819
 so Anna realizes

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.460
 who this little baby is

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:13.059
 and she gives thanks

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.000
 to God for him

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.660
 and then she

00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.519
 immediately

00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:17.400
 goes out

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.579
 and starts to speak

00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.619
 about him

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.420
 she proclaims

00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.740
 to every single ear

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.539
 that will hear

00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.559
 who this little baby is

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:27.519
 and it's her role

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.599
 as a prophetess

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.759
 she began to share

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.220
 Jesus

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.680
 with those

00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.559
 who were patiently

00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.799
 waiting for the Messiah

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:36.960
 but that didn't just happen

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.859
 on this day

00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:39.799
 the words used

00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.859
 in the original language

00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:42.399
 point to a continuous

00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.559
 talking

00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.180
 so basically

00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.819
 from this

00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.899
 moment on

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.619
 until the day

00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.599
 that Anna breathed

00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.259
 her last

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.839
 she kept on

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.899
 spreading the news

00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.440
 of Jesus

00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.799
 the news

00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.599
 that the long

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.579
 awaited Messiah

00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.039
 had already come

00:20:57.039 --> 00:21:00.359
 this extraordinary

00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.960
 woman

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.079
 proclaimed Christ

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.299
 to the people

00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.039
 of Israel

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:06.319
 and because

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.159
 she was probably

00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:07.980
 around 84

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.579
 she most likely

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.359
 died before

00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.259
 Jesus' public

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.379
 ministry began

00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:14.000
 some 30 years

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.420
 later

00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:17.519
 she saw

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.279
 who he was

00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.019
 before the rest

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.539
 of Israel

00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.599
 even got a glimpse

00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:23.199
 she knew

00:21:23.199 --> 00:21:23.859
 that the Messiah

00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.500
 had come

00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.079
 and she could not

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:27.099
 keep that good news

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.779
 to herself

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.939
 she needed

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.679
 to spread

00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.199
 the news

00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.839
 to all

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.980
 those who would

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.439
 listen

00:21:32.439 --> 00:21:34.199
 so that they knew

00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:34.939
 the one who could

00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.619
 save them

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.359
 had arrived

00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:40.159
 Anna was

00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.759
 still only able

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.799
 to see a little

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.879
 part of the story

00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.779
 she couldn't tell

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.419
 people of the

00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:47.359
 teachings of Jesus

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.599
 of his miracles

00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.219
 of his perfect

00:21:51.219 --> 00:21:51.819
 life

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.959
 she couldn't

00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:53.559
 tell people

00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.379
 of his death

00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:54.899
 and of his

00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.419
 resurrection

00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.679
 and how Jesus

00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.719
 was the perfect

00:21:57.719 --> 00:21:58.939
 sacrifice

00:21:58.939 --> 00:22:00.339
 needed

00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.559
 to take away

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.079
 the sins

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.619
 of all those

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.159
 who trust

00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.740
 in him

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.839
 and to bear

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.819
 the full wrath

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.240
 of God

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.059
 against the sins

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.979
 of the world

00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:11.079
 but friends

00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.779
 because of where

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.559
 we stand

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:15.179
 in history

00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.379
 we have

00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.540
 the full story

00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:19.860
 we know

00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.840
 the whole gospel

00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:21.860
 and we have

00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.500
 a job

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.460
 to take it

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.260
 out to the world

00:22:24.260 --> 00:22:25.060
 and to spread it

00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.720
 as freely

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.660
 as we possibly

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.320
 can

00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:30.760
 if you're looking

00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:31.520
 for a new year's

00:22:31.520 --> 00:22:32.440
 resolution this year

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.240
 make that one

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.600
 that you take

00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.480
 every single

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.040
 opportunity

00:22:36.040 --> 00:22:36.820
 to share

00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:37.720
 Jesus Christ

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.800
 with the world

00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.520
 that needs to know

00:22:39.520 --> 00:22:39.920
 of him

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:43.400
 Anna only knew

00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:43.900
 a little bit

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.400
 of the story

00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:44.940
 but she makes

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.500
 sure everyone

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.340
 knows about it

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.900
 are we

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.880
 faithful

00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.320
 in our

00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:49.780
 proclamation

00:22:49.780 --> 00:22:50.580
 of Christ

00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:52.560
 or do we

00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.120
 hide it

00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:56.820
 maybe you're

00:22:56.820 --> 00:22:57.260
 sitting here

00:22:57.260 --> 00:22:57.680
 this evening

00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.440
 and you're

00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.220
 nodding away

00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.940
 sounding your

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.300
 amens

00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:00.960
 but thinking

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.540
 that this

00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:02.080
 devotion

00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:03.800
 this prayer

00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.560
 and fasting

00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.200
 and proclamation

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.520
 is only for

00:23:06.520 --> 00:23:06.860
 the younger

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.440
 generation

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:09.420
 maybe you think

00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:09.880
 you've served

00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.360
 your years

00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:10.900
 in the church

00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.380
 and you just

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.060
 need to step

00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:12.580
 aside

00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:13.420
 and let the

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:13.940
 young folk

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.620
 do their thing

00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:16.679
 let me push

00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.419
 back on that

00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:17.939
 a little bit

00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:18.579
 and say that

00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.299
 you cannot

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.039
 retire from

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.479
 the Christian

00:23:20.479 --> 00:23:20.939
 life

00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:22.579
 there is no

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.139
 such thing

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.779
 as being too

00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.000
 old to serve

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.979
 look at Anna

00:23:25.979 --> 00:23:28.439
 probably in her

00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.439
 80s and yet

00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:29.979
 she gathered

00:23:29.979 --> 00:23:30.619
 with the Lord's

00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.299
 people and she

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.359
 proclaimed Christ

00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.579
 all the time

00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:36.059
 she spent her

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.839
 time in prayer

00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.359
 and fasting

00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.179
 out of a deep

00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:39.179
 rooted devotion

00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:40.000
 to Christ

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:42.240
 friends

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.759
 if you are

00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.160
 old

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:45.539
 teach the

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.759
 younger

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.380
 generation

00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:48.119
 because we

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.019
 need to know

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.920
 how to follow

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.880
 Christ well

00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:52.339
 we need to

00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.940
 learn from

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.799
 your experience

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.460
 we need to

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.059
 know how to

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.500
 faithfully

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.680
 proclaim Christ

00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.599
 to the world

00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.460
 let us learn

00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.380
 from you

00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:02.240
 we need to

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.720
 know how to

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.339
 serve Christ

00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.920
 to the best

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.660
 of our ability

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:07.680
 but that doesn't

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.400
 mean you stop

00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:10.300
 I know so

00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:10.920
 many people

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.560
 in this church

00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:13.600
 and elsewhere

00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.220
 who are too

00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.700
 frail

00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.140
 who are too

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.080
 ill to gather

00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.640
 with the rest

00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.120
 of the church

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.800
 family on

00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.720
 Sundays and

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.640
 other meetings

00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.120
 however

00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:23.580
 their service

00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:24.100
 has not

00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:24.560
 stopped

00:24:24.560 --> 00:24:26.220
 they spend

00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.700
 every free

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.360
 minute they

00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.920
 have praying

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.620
 for the people

00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.360
 of this church

00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.960
 praying for the

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.720
 outreach of this

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.360
 church praying

00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.060
 for the leaders

00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:35.720
 and praying for

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.940
 individual members

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.700
 and caring for

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.360
 them as well

00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:42.279
 praying that the

00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:42.840
 Lord would do

00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.380
 his work

00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.120
 praying that the

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.620
 church would

00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.940
 grow and

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.279
 ultimately that

00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.900
 God would be

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.559
 glorified

00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.200
 so regardless

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.100
 of how old

00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.740
 you are

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.960
 the Lord has

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.779
 a work for you

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.680
 to do in your

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.120
 season

00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:57.460
 do not neglect

00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:57.900
 it

00:24:57.900 --> 00:25:00.279
 but out of a

00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.220
 deep love for

00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.740
 the Lord

00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.039
 a deep love

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.920
 for his people

00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.620
 a deep love

00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.639
 for his word

00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:08.059
 serve to the

00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.579
 best of your

00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.539
 ability like

00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.139
 Anna did

00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.519
 that goes for

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.059
 both young

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.899
 and old

00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:16.319
 and you will

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.019
 be mocked for

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.459
 sharing the

00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:17.799
 gospel

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:19.759
 persecution

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.899
 may come

00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:22.099
 and you will

00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.059
 definitely have

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:24.179
 awkward conversations

00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:26.319
 but that is what

00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.859
 we've been called

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.299
 to do

00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:29.059
 we live in a

00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.559
 world that is

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.199
 dying without

00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:31.319
 the knowledge

00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.899
 of Jesus

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.900
 and the gospel

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.420
 and we have

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.080
 a responsibility

00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.180
 to take that

00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.259
 news to the

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.620
 world

00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:40.240
 we should never

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.000
 be ashamed of

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.460
 the gospel

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.120
 or hide it

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.680
 out of sight

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.220
 but instead

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.840
 we should boldly

00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:46.320
 and faithfully

00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.400
 proclaim Christ

00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.420
 to the world

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.960
 that needs to

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.200
 hear

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:52.220
 I think if each

00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.860
 one of us

00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.800
 lived this kind

00:25:53.800 --> 00:25:54.320
 of life

00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.700
 using Anna

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.560
 as an example

00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:57.240
 I think the

00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.700
 church

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.620
 this church

00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.940
 global church

00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:01.060
 would be a

00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:01.860
 different place

00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:03.959
 we would be a

00:26:03.959 --> 00:26:04.839
 people marked

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.939
 by a great

00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:07.099
 love for the

00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.419
 Lord

00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:09.159
 for his words

00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:10.419
 for his people

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.259
 and a great

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.159
 love for the

00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.599
 lost

00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:14.519
 of our country

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:16.619
 that is the

00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.119
 life that we

00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.719
 are called to

00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:18.219
 live that is

00:26:18.219 --> 00:26:18.919
 how we live

00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:20.179
 in light of

00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:20.879
 the return of

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.159
 Jesus

00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:23.179
 so our lives

00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:23.759
 are full of

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.179
 waiting

00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:26.619
 waiting for

00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.619
 important days

00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:29.000
 doctors

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.579
 results

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.139
 interview

00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.919
 outcomes

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:32.400
 time with

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.019
 friends and

00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.440
 family

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:33.900
 and that

00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.640
 waiting isn't

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.259
 always fun

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.440
 and it isn't

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.100
 always easy

00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:39.180
 but Christians

00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.880
 should be waiting

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.800
 eagerly for the

00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:41.620
 return of Jesus

00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.940
 we should be

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.800
 waiting well

00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:45.200
 by following

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.200
 Anna's example

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:49.480
 of her faithful

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.080
 devotion

00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:51.600
 her faithful

00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.300
 prayer and

00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.700
 fasting

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.900
 and the

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.220
 faithful

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.840
 proclamation

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.660
 of the gospel

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:57.440
 living like

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:57.940
 this

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.759
 will bring

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.379
 glory to

00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.720
 God

00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.960
 and will

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.759
 prepare us

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.119
 for that

00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.119
 glorious day

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.400
 when we see

00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:05.019
 him face to

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.420
 face

00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:07.039
 let's pray

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.420
 together

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:10.839
 heavenly father

00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.000
 we thank you

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.359
 for the

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.339
 wonderful promises

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.240
 in scripture

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.400
 we thank you

00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.839
 for the lord

00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.500
 jesus christ

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.059
 who promised

00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.759
 that he would

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.140
 return and

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:20.900
 take us to

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.519
 be with

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.259
 himself in

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.839
 a wonderful

00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.660
 new creation

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:26.320
 father we

00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:26.920
 ask forgiveness

00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.660
 for the times

00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.180
 where we don't

00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.600
 take that

00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.140
 seriously

00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:31.700
 for the times

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.759
 where your

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.580
 return is not

00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.160
 something we're

00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:34.759
 even thinking

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.180
 about

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:38.620
 father would

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.140
 you give us

00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:39.720
 a burden

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.180
 for the people

00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.900
 around us

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:43.180
 give us a

00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:43.720
 burden for

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.300
 this city

00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:45.900
 for this

00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.300
 neighborhood

00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:46.759
 for this

00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.220
 country

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.000
 and for the

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.360
 world

00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:50.560
 that people

00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:51.080
 would come

00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.820
 to a saving

00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.660
 knowledge of

00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.480
 jesus christ

00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:55.800
 father we

00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.500
 recognize that

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.040
 that work

00:27:57.040 --> 00:27:58.060
 must start

00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:58.640
 in our own

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.480
 hearts first

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.920
 and so we

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.360
 ask that by

00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:01.880
 your spirit

00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.259
 you would

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.040
 convict us

00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:04.680
 you would

00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.440
 challenge us

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:07.160
 and that you

00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.640
 would give us

00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.620
 opportunities to

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.300
 share the gospel

00:28:09.300 --> 00:28:10.720
 help us be

00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.160
 faithful

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.460
 help us use

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.160
 our time to

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.779
 pray and to

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.860
 fast and

00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.320
 help us

00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:16.279
 proclaim christ

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.940
 at every

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.040
 opportunity we

00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:19.340
 get we

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:20.040
 ask this in

00:28:20.040 --> 00:28:21.259
 his name and

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.840
 for the upbuilding

00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.380
 of your

00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:22.720
 kingdom

00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:24.060
 amen