ANNA SAW SALVATION
Update: 2025-12-14
Description
This is my 25th Christmas as lead pastor here at Harvest. That’s 25 Christmas series. It’s 25 times that I’ve packaged and re-packaged one story from the few available passages. I’m not tired of it. It still stirs me like it did when I was a little kid, and even more so since I became a believer. None of us who know Christ and who have received his gift of salvation should tire of it. Matt Smethurst said, “The greatest threat to Christmas isn't secularism or consumerism but our own boredom with the most thrilling story ever told.” In other words, the world isn’t the problem with Christmas, but our own hearts certainly can be.
In three verses from Luke 2:36-38, we have everything we know about a woman named Anna, who has no direct dialogue. We’re not even told that she had a personal encounter with Jesus, just that she was there at the Temple when he was dedicated. But Luke makes sure that we know some important things about this woman who saw salvation. In a world that offers so many “solutions” to our problems and with hearts that are cold, Jesus breaks in, offering the only means by which we may be saved. I’m excited to share it with you.
Series: What the Women Saw
Message: 3 – Anna Saw Salvation
Text: Luke 2:36-38
Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
December 14, 2025
When I see the salvation that Anna saw…
…it provides perspective (2:36-37a)
James 1:2-4
Joy is supernatural delight in the person, purposes, and people of God.
- John Piper, Desiring God
…it inspires devotion (2:37 b)
The greatest threat to Christmas isn't secularism or consumerism but our own boredom with the most thrilling story ever told.
- Matt Smethurst
…it compels prayer and fasting (2:37 c-38a)
Jesus’ Earthly Life
In utero
Birth; Dedication in the Temple — 10 days old
Visit of the Magi; Escape to Egypt — 18-24 months
Return from Egypt to Nazareth — 4-6 years old
Trip to Jerusalem (left behind) — 12 years old
Baptism/Public ministry begins — 30 years old
Triumphant entry; crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension — 33 years old
Luke 9:23
…it motivates mission (2:38 b)
--- RESOURCES ---
80% of Non-Churchgoers Say They Would Go If Invited — So Why Don’t We? by John Taylor
relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/80-of-non-believers-would-go-to-church-if-invited-so-why-dont-we/
In three verses from Luke 2:36-38, we have everything we know about a woman named Anna, who has no direct dialogue. We’re not even told that she had a personal encounter with Jesus, just that she was there at the Temple when he was dedicated. But Luke makes sure that we know some important things about this woman who saw salvation. In a world that offers so many “solutions” to our problems and with hearts that are cold, Jesus breaks in, offering the only means by which we may be saved. I’m excited to share it with you.
Series: What the Women Saw
Message: 3 – Anna Saw Salvation
Text: Luke 2:36-38
Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
December 14, 2025
When I see the salvation that Anna saw…
…it provides perspective (2:36-37a)
James 1:2-4
Joy is supernatural delight in the person, purposes, and people of God.
- John Piper, Desiring God
…it inspires devotion (2:37 b)
The greatest threat to Christmas isn't secularism or consumerism but our own boredom with the most thrilling story ever told.
- Matt Smethurst
…it compels prayer and fasting (2:37 c-38a)
Jesus’ Earthly Life
In utero
Birth; Dedication in the Temple — 10 days old
Visit of the Magi; Escape to Egypt — 18-24 months
Return from Egypt to Nazareth — 4-6 years old
Trip to Jerusalem (left behind) — 12 years old
Baptism/Public ministry begins — 30 years old
Triumphant entry; crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension — 33 years old
Luke 9:23
…it motivates mission (2:38 b)
--- RESOURCES ---
80% of Non-Churchgoers Say They Would Go If Invited — So Why Don’t We? by John Taylor
relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/80-of-non-believers-would-go-to-church-if-invited-so-why-dont-we/
Comments
In Channel
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States00:00
00:00
x
