Zechariah’s Tests God’s Promises Series

2024 Christmas Series – Part 2

Sermon 2 – Zechariah’s tests God’s promises

Luke 1:5-25, 57-66, and 67-80

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons! This morning, we continue our series on Advent

-- Might ask, “What is Advent?” Comes from Latin word, “Adventus”

-- In its original form it means "coming" or "arrival" (it’s an announcement)

-- In the Greek, it is the word “parousia”; second coming (prophecy)

- For us: It’s the fulfillment of God’s desire to restore our relationship with Him

-- Prophecy began in Genesis 3:15 and throughout the Old Testament (+300 times)

--- Someone to come: “He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

-- Way to think of it: As a wonderful reminder of what God has done for you

-- This season we celebrate one truth: the arrival of the Messiah, God’s Redeemer

- Last week we talked about Mary’s visit with Elizabeth:

1. Elizabeth’s baby leaped in the womb; Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit

2. Elizabeth was delighted to see what God did in Mary’s life (praised her)

3. Mary responded in worship: her soul glorified God (it’s not about her)

- This morning, we are going to examine the events of John the Baptist’s birth

-- Many would ask why we’d look at him at Advent, well … remember …

-- His purpose was to proclaim the coming Messiah; he’s last of OT prophets!

- It is by knowing John’s purpose we can be encouraged to be proclaimers also

-- RE: You and I are on the welcoming committee, not the planning committee!

- Read Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:57-66, Luke 1:67-80

- Pray (for wisdom, discernment, & spiritual growth)

Point 1 – Encountering God must produce real transformation

- Zechariah was a priest serving under Herod; was found righteous before God

-- RE: We discussed this in Nehemiah; tribe of Levi served as priests in Jerusalem

-- God found favor and sent a messenger while he was working at the temple (v8)

- Thought: Many ask if God is still speaking to us, and I believe that He is

-- CHALL: If we are listening, God will speak to us – but then we must obey Him

-- APP: EX: We cannot ask God for help and then discard His wisdom!

- The angel gives him wonderful news, that he and Elizabeth will have a son

-- v13 is a specific command to take note of: his name will be John … and …

-- The angel proclaims John purpose (prophet), how he will live (clean), he’ll be filled with the Spirit before his birth (last week, v41), and he’ll turn people to God

- But Zechariah had a problem … he fails to believe God! (DOUBT) (v18)

-- Reread verse 19 … Consider the impact of where this angel has come from!

--- Gabriel is an archangel in the Bible, often associated with delivering important messages from God to His people … Gabriel’s name means "God is my strength"

- Re-read verse 20 … I’m thinking about this time Zechariah is like, “Uh-oh”

-- Look deeper at what is happening here … where is he right now?

-- He is standing in church, doing priestly things (which is his calling, v8-9)

-- And there on Holy Ground is where he decides to doubt God’s promise (v20)

- Meanwhile (v21), everyone else is outside waiting for him … consider this:

• Probably wondering what was taking so long to complete his “duties”

• Normally, it is routine when it comes to things being done at the temple

• He goes in, burns the incense, comes out, and off to Osaka we go … right?

- But when he comes out and is mute they obviously realize something’s different

-- IMP: When we get into the presence of God, we ought to experience a change

-- Of course, when cannot all be stricken mute, but a change ought to be evident

-- Others ought to be able to see that we’ve spent time with God; Zechariah did

- There’s a lesson here for us: sometimes church can be more than what we expect

-- IMP: Sometimes, God has a few more things planned for us than what we plan

-- CHALL: But … are we in a rush to hurry God up and get on with our day?

-- Advent: Are we spending time allowing God to work in us during this season?

- TR: So after he returns home, he and Elizabeth go into seclusion – why?

Point 2 – Zechariah is compelled to obey God’s authority

- It’s 9 months later and Zechariah hasn’t spoken but he has God’s promise (v57)

-- And when John was born, they were preparing for his circumcision/naming

-- Now, cue neighbors, friends, and family who have all come for the event