Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

4. that more acute, more spiritual, perspective should permit them to live by greater insight and toshare that insight with those not yet blessed with it (Titus 2:1-5)5. the wisdom of aged Peter is in ensuring that coming generations would have a reminder of whatmatters (Second Peter 1:10-15)6. Paul understood that only his eternal hope really mattered (Second Timothy 4:6-8)B. Waiting On The Lord1. both Simeon and Anna were waiting on the Lord, although Luke describes their wait differentlya. Simeon was waiting for the Consolation of Israel, having been promised that he would notdie until he saw it with his own eyesb. Anna waited on the Lord by tarrying in the place of worship all that she could2. there is a reason the song says, “The waiting is the hardest part.” (“Hope deferred makes theheart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).a. Abraham and Sarah found it hard to wait on the Lord to give them Isaac and even theapostles had to wait in Jerusalem to be endowed with power of the Holy Spiritb. waiting requires patience to allow the Lord to work out his plan in his time, not yours, and itapplies to vengeance, reward and every blessing under the sun (James 5:7-113. Simeon and Anna were waiting on the Lord to come and the people James addressed werewaiting for him to protect them; we are waiting on the Lord to return or else to take us in death, and wemust wait patiently, for he knows best when (Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7-9, Psalm 39:7)C. In The Temple1. we must respect Anna who toiled in the temple daily to participate in prayers and fellowship withher brethren (Psalm 92:12-15)2. the Hebrew writer warns against forsaking the assembling of Christians, but one who is plantedin the temple of Christ’s body is eschewing that danger altogether (Hebrews 10:24-25)3. someone asks, “Must I attend every service, every Bible class, every gospel meeting?”a. can you even imagine Anna or the psalmist asking such a question?b. the question betrays a heart that lacks devotion to God and holds affection for the world andits pursuitsc. certainly there are occasions of illness, work and other matters that make assemblingimpossible, but whenever we are able, we ought to rise as earnestly as Christ walked into Jerusalem for usD. Looking For Redemption1. Anna shared the good news with all those who were looking for redemption2. too few in this world today are still looking for redemption for they have decided that sin is anantiquated notion and that heaven, if it exists, is surely universal in its membership3. the Jews of Anna’s era were slaves to Rome and desired to be set free as a sovereign state again;too few understood that the Messiah’s mission had nothing to do with politics and everything to do withpiety (John 8:28-36)a. redemption begins when our spirits are reclaimed from the devil in the resurrection waters ofbaptism and is punctuated when our bodies are raised from the soil to enter Heaven (Romans 8:20-25)b. we are sealed with the Holy Spirit until this redemption occurs because Christ shed his bloodas the purchase price for our sinful but penitent selves (cf. Ephesians 1:7-14)4. are you still looking for redemption, either as a seeker who has not yet obeyed the gospel or aChristian who has, but continues to await the return of Jesus?a. it’s easy to get impatient or complacent and fall into bad habitsb. it’s better to continue looking for redemption (Philippians 3:12-14)ConclusionAnna and Simeon prove that experience should bring perspective, but we can all hone our insight today.90! Jeff S. Smith