Initiating The Turn-9(2024)

‘INITIATING The TURN’-IX—Luke 1:22(:5-25)

Attention:

I discovered just a couple of years ago that ‘fresh’ Medjool dates were delicious. Until that time of discovery, I didn’t really appreciate the taste of dates, because the only dates I had ever had were dried. Now, for my morning breakfast routine, I cut up two fresh dates into my morning cereal, along with blueberries, strawberries, & bananas, etc..

Whenever we buy Medjool dates, we buy ‘American grown’ dates. I could buy dates that were grown in Iran, but I have issues with knowingly supporting a government & religious system that hates Americans, Israelites, & Christians in general.

By closely examining the labelling on the dates I’m about to buy, I can soon find where the dates I’m holding in my hand, were grown. If I am going to support Americans & the Christian founding of America, & the American Church’s witness to the world, I buy American grown dates.

But in order make that actually happen, requires not only seeing it as important mentally....But it also requires that I initiate the turn to buy fresh & American by:

1)-Physically checking the label before I buy, &

2)-Not letting the ‘higher price’ of the American dates, cause me to buy the cheaper Non-American brands.

*And I said all that, to say this:

*Talk is cheap, unless you actually ‘INITIATE’ the process required to make what you’re talking about, happen!

Likewise, God accomplished the promised ‘turning of people’ to Himself, by INITIATING the actions that were necessary to bring about mankind’s eventual salvation & glorification in Christ Jesus(Eph. 1:6-8, 13-14; Rom. 8:17-21, 30; Heb. 2:9).

*The title of this sermon series ‘turns’ on Lk. 1:16-17.

Need:

Whether they admit it or not, people have a deep-seated need for certainty, settled peace, & confidence in their lives. And some think we can never experience those things in this life....However...that peace, certainty, & confidence can indeed be yours. But ONLY IF you willingly & unconditionally TURN to God, by trusting Christ Jesus as Savior & Lord.

Over 2000 years ago, God ‘INITIATED’ that TURN toward Himself, thru a Jewish couple in Israel whose names were Zacharias & Elizabeth.

Luke informed his audience of the initial steps that God took to turn His people toward Himself.

God began the process of turning of His people toward Himself.

And we are answering the question...

...?What principles does God use to begin turning people toward Himself?

12 principles God used & uses to begin turning people toward Himself.

So far in Luke’s Gospel, we have found that:

In initiating the Turn to Himself, God uses...

1. RIGHTEOUS FAITHFULNESS(:5-7)

2. PRIVILEGED DUTY(:8-9)

3. CONCERTED & DUTIFUL PRAYER(:10)

4. HEALTHY FEAR(:11-12)

5. DIVINE COMFORT(:13a)

6. DIVINE PARTNERSHIP(:13b-17)

7. DIVINE CHASTISEMENT(:18-20)

8. An ENHANCED PERSPECTIVE(:21)

Today we’ll find that:

9—In Initiating the Turn to Himself, God ALSO uses...

An ENHANCED Or SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY(:22)

Explanation:(:22)Recognition

:22—“But when he came out, he could not speak to them; & they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them & remained speechless.”

Though everyone was concerned about Zacharias’ tarrying, it had not reached the point where anyone was sought out to actually enter the Holy Place to extricate him(to our knowledge).

Zacharias eventually emerges from the temple. And as he does, it becomes apparent to all(“they perceived”), that he “had seen a vision” while ministering in the temple. Everyone knew something unusual had occurred in ‘the Holy Place’, because now Zacharias “beckoned to them.”

He could only “beckon”, using bodily gestures, because he was now ‘mute’ or “remained speechless” due to what the angel Gabriel had promised(:20). Zacharias now had a ‘handicap’ he did not possess when he first entered ‘the Holy Place.’ His was a truly unusual scenario, & one which, no doubt, captured the curiosity & concern of all who were aware. Those with ‘ears to hear’ would have known God was present among them & was up to something profound.

The people now know with certainty that Zacharias “had seen a vision.” That is, Zacharias had witnessed a decidedly supernatural manifestation from God!

The people who prayed(:10) are now party to what God is intent on bringing about before them. They, like Zacharias, have become unwitting witnesses to what God is about to do thru John-The-Baptizer.

Argumentation:

1Tim. 2:1-4—“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, & giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings & all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet & peaceable life in all godliness & reverence. For this is good & acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved & to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1Cor. 6:19, 20—“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, & you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body & in your spirit, which are God’s.”