Having a Right View of God

Luke 2:36-38

Catch up from Simeon, his life and how we as professed believers, ought to live in light of our new birth:

Just and devout

Living in light of Christ’ return

Yielding to the Holy Spirit ‘s work in our lives

Drawing near to God

This week we look at the Anna—a prophetess who bore the same witness as Simeon, an elderly woman of “great age,” who despite being widowed for some 84 years—lived a life of devotion and dedication to God.

The accounts of both Simeon and Anna, reveal a truth each of us must adopt: A right view of God. As we saw with Simeon, his right and growing view of God was reflected in his devotion and dedication, as Scripture described him as a “just and devout man,” and b/c of this, saw a unique and divine promise fulfilled in his life.

The account of Anna gives us another example of a person living with a right view of God. Though Anna bore a much different status as Simeon (a widow of 84 years), her devotion and dedication to God was just as compelling and stirring as others in the “hall of faith” we read about in Hebrews 11.

As we begin today, what is your view of God? Is it right and growing? Is it one-sided or skewed? Do you see Him as a tyrant? Do you see Him as ALL love an no justice?

Your view of God effects every areas = of your live

(READ Luke 2:36-38)

I. (v.36) Setting and set-up

Luke 2:36 “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;”

She was the daughter of Phanuel; Phanuel’s name was taken from the place Phanuel itself—the place where Jacob wrestled with God face to face (Genesis 32:24-30).

Anna’s name means “gracious”

Anna was a descendant of the tribe of Aser

Aser was the 8th son born to Jacob

Aser means “happiness”

Aser was the tribe known for prosperity and good food (they were known for having a fertile plot of land where olive trees were grown, which provided them with great wealth)

She was a prophetess (we will cover this shortly)

Anna was a widow

Married at a young age, she was widowed after only 7 years of marriage

Scholars believe she had been widowed for some 84 years

Anna was a person who “did not depart from the temple”

Anna lived devoutly, having the right view of God. Her view of God is reflected in her devotion and dedication to God, as we will see in these three verses—the prayer and aim of our time together? In learning of Anna’s devotion and her view of God—that our devotion and dedication to God might grow, as our right view of God develops and grows.

What does having the right view of God lead us to?

I. (v.36) Having the Right View of God—leads to the conviction to live your life in devotion and dedication to God

Luke 2:36 “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;”

(CONTEXT)

Anna—as a prophetess: prior to the account of Anna, there had not been a prophet in Israel for 300 years—yet God had raised one up—and a woman at that (women leaders were very rare in that day);

One on a spiritual par with other saintly women used by God (Miriam, Hannah, and Deborah)

Anna as prophetess, then leads us to understand that Anna was a person of immense devotion to God--as though she lived face to face with Him; she would have been

Devout in her study of God’s Word and prayer life

Devout in her service, committment, and devotion to God—seeking His will in all things

Devout in sharing the truth about God and God’s message with others

Anna, as a believer and of what we know of her, lived her life under the conviction her life belonged to God

Anna could have remarried, she lived in the conviction God desired her whole life to be dedicated and committed to Him—that she might concentrate (attend) upon the Lord without distraction

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

What must we understand, in order that we might walk in immense devotion to God?

You and I have been created in the image of God

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” ,

Psalm 139:13–14“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

Each of us, created in God’s triune image, were created for amazing purpose

To be in fellowship with God,

To be relationship with God,

To worship God, and also

To reflect His attributes to the world

Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Kindness, compassion and forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

You and I have been reconciled to God

Believers have been brought into “marvelous light”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Believers have been brought into the light of salvation through Jesus Christ

Believers where rescued, when, as sinners without strength and ungodly, couldn’t save ourselves

Romans 5:6 “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:10 “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

By grace alone and faith alone

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

Titus 3:5 “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”

You and I have a purpose in salvation—in Christ

For a purpose of sanctification

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

For a purpose of bearing witness

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

How then do we live in right, committed, and dedicated devotion to God?

(Living right) This carries the foundational truth that devotion to God must be rooted in the confines of salvation—you cannot live dedicated to God if you’re not in relationship with God

Rules, works, and religion—apart from a surrendered and sold-out heart of Jesus Christ—does nothing more than produce a life of white-washed tombs

(Living committed): This carries with it Christ’s directive in order to live committed to Him

A life of self-denial, denying

Our indulgence to self—

Our indulgence to our desires, comforts, ease, appetites, and urges

Our indulgence to our thoughts and feelings

Our indulgence to deceptions & enticements/pride & boastings, etc

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself...”

A life of “taking up” one’s cross (we must understand the cross is ALWAYS an instrument of death—not just an object to carry or bear)

A believer is to die mentally and actively—denying himself daily, while allowing the mind of Christ to fill his thoughts every day (sometimes moment to moment)

A believer is to put his/her will, wants, and ambitions to death—rather following Christ and doing His will

A believer’s “taking up” their cross is

Active, not passive

Daily surrender (at times moment to moment)

Evidence of a spiritually disciplined life

A believer must reckon themselves dead to sin, but alive to God

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

A life of following Christ says

A believer should not let sin reign in his body nor yield his bodily members as instruments of sin

Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Ephesians 4:17–19 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

Ephesians 4:22 “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,”

A believer ought to yield themself to God as much as those who are alive from the dead are yielded to God

Romans 6:13 “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Ephesians 4:23–24“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

A believer recognizes the truth Christ holds and the truth He is:

John 8:31–32 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

A believer recognizes the value of His wisdom

Proverbs 1-7 presents an emphasis on keeping/hearing/treasuring/binding/leaning/applying God’s wisdom to one’s live

Proverbs 1-7’s disciplines are the daily pursuits the believer needs to avoid the pitfalls of sin & worldly living, and ultimately live in better understanding of what it means to live walking in fear of the Lord

A believer recognizes the value of abiding in Him—a life connected to Christ

(John 15:4-10)--Jesus refers to “abiding” 10 times within these verses and in studying these we learn (quickly)

Abiding in Christ one bears much fruit, while not abiding one bears nothing (v.4-5)

Abiding in Christ is proof of salvation, while not abiding is proof of a lack of salvation (v.6)

Abiding in Christ sees a reciprocated relationship with God--His Word abides in the believer and their branches abide in Him (v.7)

Abiding in Christ and His love is to keep His commandments (v.9-10)

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

1 John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

Abiding in Christ produces the most visible expressions of one’s relationship

Joy (John 15:11 ““These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” )

Love (John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

II.(v.36) Having the Right View of God—leads us to not lose hope over the years of our Christian walk

Luke 2:36 “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;”

(CONTEXT)

Anna refused to lose hope over the many years of her life

She was about 84 years old when we are introduced to her—that’s 84 years of holding fast to the belief and hope, holding fast in looking and anticipating the coming Messiah:

Imagine living to a “great age” believing and holding fast to a promise you didn’t know you’d ever see come to fruition?

The patience and perseverence

The endurance and steadfastness

The holding fast and purposeness of the heart

Imagine living for God under the hope of coming salvation

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

While Anna's hope was in the salvation to come thru the Messiah, the believer’s hope rests in the finished work of salvation--under the promise of accomplished salvation

In Christ we are a new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

In Christ we are assurred of salvation’s inheritance

Ephesians 1:13–14 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

In Christ we are in the position of restoration

Restoration— “Apokathistemi”—is positional

To restore to it’s former state

To be in it’s former state

In Christ, we also live in the hope of eternal glory in the presence of Christ and the Father

Titus 2:12–14 “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

2 Corinthians 5:1–4 “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

III.(v.36) Having the Right View of God leads to never grow bitter in the face of sorrow/disappointment/setbacks/hardship

Luke 2:36 “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;”

(CONTEXT)

Anna was a widow, she had been married at an early age and had lived with her husband only 7 years before he died

This was certainly a period of sorrow and sadness for Anna

This was a time of set-back and hardship—personally and (unfortunately) culturally

This was a time which could have produced a lot of chaos in her life:

Questions about her welfare and care

Questions about her status, inheritance, and future

Questions about an heir, a son, or how she would survive and continue, yet

Anna remained a widow—not out of bitterness/disappointment, rather out of the conviction God desired her life to be totally committed to Him

Anna, instead of scrambling to find another husband, squared her devotion and commitment squarely on God and entrusted Him to care for her as He had promised through His Word.

Psalm 68:4–5“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.”

Psalm 146:9 “The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”

Job 29:12–13 “Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

It goes without saying that our lives at times will be full of sorrow and set-backs, loss and failure, and feelings that our lives are in chaos b/c of these sorrows and setbacks (two things to know)

God is not a God of chaos—He is a God of order and purpose

As God of order, we can see this thru the lens of the creation account

Genesis 1:2–3 “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

For man today, this is accomplished through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

When Christ becomes what is centered in your heart, then the chaos of sinful choices, the chaos from the sorrows and set-backs of this world are put in their rightful place…under His feet and our lives become more centered and focused on Christ our Risen Savior

If His glory can give order to an earth without form and void, He can bring order into the chaos we experience in ours. The glory of God brings order out of chaos.

As a God of purpose, again we see this thru the lens of the creation account

Genesis 1:16–17“Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,”

Psalm 147:4 “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.”

“God set them”—God didn’t flippantly cast the stars into the firmament

“God counts them”—God knows them and their purpose

For man today—if He can give purpose to the stars, how much more can He give you purpose, you who have been formed by His hands and given the breath of life—you who are the pinnacle and capstone of all He created

It is because of this—as well as the gospel itself, that we should and can live a life totally committed to God

A life totally committed to God rests in the understanding that He cares and takes care of His children

Luke 12:24–31 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

A life totally committed to God rests in knowing the peace of God guards and protects their lives, freeing them from a divided heart and mind

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

A life totally committed to God, see its contentment squared on Christ and Christ alone, no matter “worldly status”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

A life totally committed to God, realizes the inseperable love of God they are loved by/with

Romans 8:31–36 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.””

Romans 8:37–38 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,”

IV.(v.37) Having the Right View of God leads us to never cease in our praise and worship of God

Luke 2:37 “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.”

(CONTEXT)

Anna never ceased in her worship of God—day or night

“did not depart from the temple...” either means

She was given a room or

She never missed a service

Anna’s fastings and prayers were the spiritual disciplines of a heart totally sold out and surrendered to God—despite being of a “great age,”

Anna did not give herself to the flesh in her years of devotion and service to the Lord, not to

Immoral gratification

Meaningless activities which wasted time

Apathy or laziness

Anna’s praise and worship never ceased, b/c she continued to hold the promise of coming salvation near her heart

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

Our praise and worship should have the same attitude and intention as

Joshua—Exodus 33:11 “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.”

Kent Hughes says this about Joshua’s attitude of praise towards God, “Joshua was so overcome by God’s presence that he would not leave the tabernacle? There is such passion in this picture. “Lord, you’re so wonderful, I cannot leave this room. I beg you, let me stay.”

David—Psalm 27:4 “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”

Our praise and worship of God—as Anna’s was on the promise of salvation—should be reflected of the accomplished work of salvation.

The gravity of God’s grace should so encompass our hearts, that it’s only heart beat is the praise and worship of Jesus Christ

Our praise and worship isn’t only reserved for Sunday mornings—though it’s the reason we meet

Our praise/worship and devotion of God should envelop EVERY and ALL areas of our lives

V.(v.38) Having the Right View of God leads us to more understanding of Christ and a greater heart of thankfulness

Luke 2:38 “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Anna—in seeing Baby Jesus, erupted in thankfulness to the Lord. Why?

Anna realized in that moment that God did in fact care for her and was looking after her

Anna realized in that moment that she belonged to God, so much so, that He had guided her to this very moment

Anna realized in that moment, the (H)ope she had been hoping in had made His arrival

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

A person’s praise and worship erupts from their hearts

The moment the reality of Christ and Him crucified has remitted their sins

The moment the reality of the empty tomb has given them abundant and eternal life

The moment they realize the love, care, and compassion of God was showered upon them, thru His Son Jesus Christ

VI. (v.38) Having the Right View of God leads us to share the message of redemption with unbelievers and believers alike

Luke 2:38 “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Anna’s response (aside from her praise/worship and thankfulness) was to share the good news of redemption with those seeking it—looking for it

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—You and Me)

Redemption (apolutrosin) conveys the idea of deliverance or setting a man free by paying a ransom, a ransom which cannot be paid by the one imprisoned—b/c the imprisoned person is powerless to free himself.

Redemption spiritually speaking is this:

Man has been captivated/kidnapped by

Sin

Corruption and death

Satan

Man—in this state:

Needs to be liberated, delivered, and set free

Is unable to liberate himself (there’s no power, ability, or energy within man to free himself)

Man, then is “redeemed”—set free thru

By the blood of Jesus Christ—meaning God Himself paid the ransom for man’s release (life for a life)

When he (a person) “truly” calls upon the Lord to save him:

God buys him right out from the marketplace of this corruptible life

Romans 10:13 “For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.””

God redeems him once and for all—purchases and removes him from further sale

Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”

Redemption—the message of salvation—as it impacts, restores, and saves a soul—ought to illicit a deep hunger in a person, they can do nothing more and desire nothing more, than to be a witness of God’s great love, grace and mercy to those who might listen

(CLOSING/WORSHIP)

(At the back of the sanctuary there’s a list of representative names, titles, and descriptions of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—you are more than welcome to take one—they have Scripture next to each one)

We will list only a handful of each as we close: (READ FROM LIST)

A right view of God makes a person wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15)

A right view of God understands the purpose of sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

A right view of God confront how we handle our sin, knowing the difference b/t godly sorrow and worldly sorrow (2 Cor 7:9-11)

A right view of God determines how we worship—on Sunday morning and every day of the week

A right view of God determines right devotion of God—how we read & study His Word, how we engage Him in prayer

A right view of God determines how we confront our weaknesses, shortcomings, temptations, and brokenness

What section of Scripture can we leave ourselves with that will give us a glimpse?

Acts 17:24–28“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”

Acts 17:29–31 “Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.””

What is your view of God