January 12, 2025

There’s something about those births (8) / Christmas Continues w/ “The Eyewitness of Anna” / Luke 2:36-40   The Wonderful Women associated with Jesus - Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, WATW (Samaria), Mary Magdalene, Mary & Martha, Lydia - Unlikely women who witness to Jesus! Anna was a part of the “O’ Come Let Is Adore Him” Crowd! The Adoring & Awesome Anna! A lot is said of this godly elderly woman in a little space.    •   Married for 7 years - So widowed for over 60 years - Godly through the ages! Don’t miss that.   •   Prophetess - no examples given    •   Daughter of Phanuel -    •   Tribe of - 12 tribes; 10 & 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin); The 10 tribes aren’t lost (Revelation 7:6 & 14:1-5 speak of the tribes established by God). BTW - Simeon most likely named after tribe    •   Never told of quarters for godly women I. The Credibility of Anna -    1.   Look at her character -   2.   Look at her commitment - “never leaving” but not isolated! She interacted. She communicated. She evangelized. She is a critical part of the True Christmas Story.    3.   Look at her compassion - 4 incredible evidences:     a. By her worship - Jesus spoke of   •   Jesus in Matthew 4 (and serve)   •   Jesus in John 4 (true worship)   •   Jesus in Mark 7 (vain worship)     b. By her fasting - Jesus spoke of   •   Fasting is a private matter - don’t promote your practice    •   Fasting is a spiritual matter (physical benefits but spiritual purposes) - Joel (Return) & Jonah (Repent) attached to prayer not to diet    •   Fasting is an essential matter - “Why don’t Your disciples fast?” Oh they will but not while I’m here! Don’t Fast at the Feast!      c. By her thankfulness - Jesus           spoke of (didn’t mean she wasn’t           lonely)   •   Jesus asked, Where are the other 9   •   Jesus expressed gratitude as the pattern of His life - John 11 to The Lord’s Supper (Eucharist is Greek for giving of thanks)   •    Jesus commanded gratefulness -      d. By her evangelistic mindset (like            Simeon!)    •   Like Elizabeth; Like Mary; Like Zechariah; Like TWATW - John 4