CHOSEN for the MOST VITAL of MINISTRIES-III —Luke 1:5-25
Attention:
A man was driving when a traffic camera flashed. He thought his picture was taken for exceeding the speed limit, even though he knew he was not speeding. Just to be sure, he went around the block & passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed.
He thought this was quite funny, so he slowed down even further as he drove past the area, but the traffic camera flashed yet again. He tried a 4th time with the same result. The 5th time he was laughing when the camera flashed as he rolled past at a snail's pace.
Two weeks later, he got five traffic fine letters in the mail for driving without a fastened seat belt.
The man was chosen for the most vital of ministries—Maintaining the budget!
Any of us could be chosen for the most vital of ministries.
Need:
My work leaves me unsatisfied... My life seems pointless....leaves me unfulfilled...dispassionate...displeased...uncertain as to the future...etc.
Zacharias & Elizabeth were 2 servants of God thru whom He chose to fulfill His plan of salvation for mankind.
God used Zacharias & Elizabeth to initiate His plan of salvation for mankind.
God chooses people for His most vital of ministries.
When are God’s people chosen for the most vital of ministries?
Those chosen for the most vital of ministries arise in the midst of...
Previously we found that we may be chosen for the most vital of ministries in the midst of...
1—POLITICAL UPHEAVAL(:5)
2—DEDICATED LIVING(:6)
3—PERSONAL DISAPPOINTMENT(:7,25)
4—SPIRITUAL DUTY to the Lord(:8-9)
5—SPIRITUAL HONOR(:9-10)
6—FEAR(:11-12)
7—FELT NEED(:13-14)
8—REAL NEED(:15-17)
Today we will discover that...
9—We are chosen for the most vital of ministries in the midst of...
PERSONAL INSECURITY(:18-20, 23)
Explanation:(:18-23) Questions
A.—Zacharias
:18—“And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, & my wife is well advanced in years.”
Upon hearing his son’s purpose from the angel, Zacharias is taken aback as he cannot see that this will be possible because both he & his wife are “old” & up in years(perhaps too old to be having children in their eyes). This is impossible in His eyes.
He is acting by experience rather than by faith.
“Know”—ginwskw—Strong—to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):-- allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. Thayer—Ginwskw is a knowledge grounded on personal experience.
“Old man”—presbuthv—1) An old man, an aged man; 2) Ambassador.
“Wife”—gunh—1) A woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow; 2) A wife—2a) Of a betrothed woman.
“Advanced”—probainw—Strong—To walk forward, i.e. Advance (literally, or in years):-- + Be of a great age, go farther (on), be well stricken.
:19—“And the angel answered & said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, & was sent to speak to you & bring you these glad tidings.”
The angel responds to Zacharias’ doubt by revealing his name & status before God. He tells Zacharias that his name is “Gabriel”—‘Man of God.’ Gabriel is an angel who stands in the very presence of God.
This is a signal to Zacharias that his doubt is completely unfounded. Unable to distinguish God’s goodness from that which is otherwise. Gabriel’s purpose was to speak directly to Zacharias & reveal the “glad tidings” regarding his son.
“Stands”—paristhmi—1) to place beside or near; 2) To stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present. Strong—To stand beside, i.e. (transitively) To exhibit, proffer, (specifically) Recommend, (figuratively) Substantiate; or (intransitively) To be at hand (or ready), aid:-- Assist, bring before, command, commend...
“In the presence of”—enwpion—1) In the presence of, before—1a) Of occupied place: in that place which is before, or over against, opposite, any one & towards which another turns his eyes.
“Sent”—apostellw—1) To order (one) to go to a place appointed; 2) To send away, dismiss. Strong—Set apart, i.e. (by implication) to Send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:-- Put in, send (away, forth, out), set [at liberty].
“Glad Tidings”—euaggelizw—To bring good news, to announce glad tidings. Strong—to Announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel:-- Declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel). From —eu—&—aggelov— ‘Well message’
:20—“But behold, you will be mute & not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
Since Zacharias acted on experience rather than faith, regarding the message, he has brought upon himself a chastisement from God. Zacharias will thus “be mute” “until” Gabriel’s message is fulfilled by the birth of the promised son(:13). This will also serve the purpose of gaining the attention of others as the miraculous birth will ultimately concern them as well.
“Believe”—pisteuw—1) To think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; 2) To entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity. Strong—To have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. Credit; by implication—to Entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):-- Believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
“Fulfilled”—plhrow—1) To make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full; 2) To render full, i.e. to complete. Strong—To make replete, i.e. (literally) To cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)—to Furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), Accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) perfect, supply.
“Time”—kairov—1) Due measure; 2) A measure of time—2a) A fixed & definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for, 2b) Opportune or seasonable time, 2c) The right time, 2d) A limited period of time. A definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness.
B.—AFTERMATH
:23—“And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.”
This verse seems to assure us that regardless of Gabriel’s appearance to him, Zacharias still had to fulfill his priestly duties for the rest of the week.
Imagine what it must have been like to return to your mundane duties after having been visited by an angel.
He obviously did not press the fact of the angel’s visitation & rag people about how impious they were compared to him. He saw no reason to brag on the visitation as some would do today.
The angel’s visit only emphasized one aspect of Zacharias’ life—the birth of his son. It gave him no bragging rights!
Following the completion of his duties, Zacharias then returns to “his own house.”
It is not known specifically where Zacharias & Elizabeth made their home but in 1:39-40 Mary visits Elizabeth in their house.
It was in “Judah” & probably south of Jerusalem as that was considered “the hill country.”
“Service”—leitourgia—1) A public office which a citizen undertakes to administer at his own expense; 2) Any service. Strong—From—leitourgew—To be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):-- minister.
“Completed”—plhyw—1) To fill; 2) To be fulfilled, to be filled. Strong—To "fill" (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply]); specifically, To fulfil (time):-- Accomplish, full (...come), furnish.
Argumentation:
Fear, Fright, satisfaction, confidence
Eph. 3:8-13—“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, & to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities & powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness & access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
1Jn. 5:10-15—“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, & this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, & that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
2Tim. 1:6-8—“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power & of love & of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,”
Rom. 8:13-17—“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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, & if children, then heirs--heirs of God & joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Illustration:
A large company offered to fly a man out to a meeting business class.
During the return flight he was given gourmet brownies & cookies. Not hungry, I decided to save them for later, so I placed them in an air sickness bag.
After the plane landed I got up to leave & a stewardess approached him. She asked, "Sir, would you like for me to dispose of that for you?"
I said, "No thanks, I'm saving it for my kids."/Stewardess’s INSECURITY
Application:
?Could YOU be Chosen in the midst of PERSONAL INSECURITY?
?What do your PERSONAL INSECURITIES say about your Faith?
?Could God choose YOU for His most vital of ministries?
10—We are chosen for the most vital of ministries in the midst of...
CORPORATE INSECURITY(:21-22)
Explanation:(:21-22)Dependency
A springboard to help us understand the importance of prayer.
How many of us never or only occasionally pray for:
— Ministries(individual & collective), Pastor, Deacons, Elders, Leadership, Worship leader, Teachers, Committees & their specific work(no you don’t have to pray for all of them at any one given time), Worship, Sunday School, Bible Study, Visitation, etc.
Praying is NOT a marathon... it IS an honor & it is work(attention to duty).
:21—“And the people waited for Zacharias, & marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.”
Those who were not directly involved with the burning of the incense waited outside in prayer. Zacharias’ offering took an inordinate amount of time, so the people “marveled”/wondered at the cause of the hold-up.
They too are INSECURE—unsure because the routine is no longer routine on their watch. We assume the worst if our routine were to change. We sense & assume a degree of responsibility whether directly or indirectly. Worship is important to us & rightly so. God’s favor is important to us & rightly so.
Perhaps the focus & tone of the prayers changed in those moments.
“Waited”—prosdokaw—1) To expect (whether in thought, in hope, or in fear); 2) To look for, wait for. Strong—To anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication—To await:-- (be in) Expect(-ation), look (for), when looked, tarry, wait for.
“Marveled”—yaumazw—1) To wonder, wonder at, marvel; 2) To be wondered at, to be had in admiration.
“Lingered”—cronizw—To linger, delay, tarry. Strong—To take time, i.e. linger:-- Delay, tarry.
: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 & as he does, it becomes apparent to all that he “had seen a vision” while ministering in the temple. Everyone knew something had occurred in the Holy Place as Zacharias “beckoned to them” about his experience.
He could only “beckon” because he was now mute... a handicap he did not possess when he first entered the Holy Place. A truly unusual scenario & one which, no doubt, captured the curiosity of all who were aware.
The people now know with certainty that Zacharias “had seen a vision.” that is, not that the angel was intangible, but that Zacharias had witnessed a decidedly supernatural manifestation from God.
The people who prayed are now party to what God is bringing about before them. They, like Zacharias, have become unwitting witnesses to what God is about to do.
“Perceived”—epiginwskw—1) To become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly—1a) To know accurately, know well; 2) To know.
“Vision”—optasia—1) The act of exhibiting one's self to view; 2) A sight, a vision, an appearance presented to one whether asleep or awake. Used 4X. From—optanomai—)To look at or behold(with the eyes); 2)To allow one's self to be seen, to appear.
“Beckoned”—dianeuw—To express one's meaning by a sign, nod to, beckon to, wink at. Strong—To nod (or express by signs) across an intervening space:-- beckon. Used 1X.
“Remained”—diamenw— To stay permanently, remain permanently, continue. Strong—To stay constantly (in being or relation):-- Continue, remain. Used 5X.
“Speechless”—kwfov—Blunted, dull. Strong—Blunted, i.e. (figuratively) of hearing (deaf) or speech (dumb):-- Deaf, dumb, speechless.
Argumentation:
1Sam. 12:22-24—““For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”
1Thes. 5:14-22—“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
Heb. 13:17—“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Peter’s angelic escape from prison & arrival at the prayer meeting.
Acts 12:5-16—“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.”
Let’s not be too critical of the pray-ers. God did not reveal to them thru their prayers that Peter had been released. As far as they were concerned, Peter was still in prison. They did not fail in this. It is not an instance of faithlessness on their part. God did answer their prayers.
Illustration:
Welfare of others is in some way dependent upon the actions of one.
Grade school/One kid that cuts up/Disrupts the entire class(students & teachers) & slows learning/CORPORATE INSECURITY
Application:
?Could WE be Chosen in the midst of CORPORATE INSECURITY?
?What do our CORPORATE INSECURITIES—Our Prayers &/or prayer-life say about our Faith?
?Could God choose YOU for His most vital of ministries?
11—We are chosen for the most vital of ministries in the midst of...
OUTCOME(:24-25)
Explanation: (:24-25) Fulfillment/Proof/Certainty/Result
:24—“Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; & she hid herself five months, saying,”
?Why would Elizabeth hide herself for five months?
*Until it became obvious to others that the prophecy was true—until she was ‘showing.’ With no physical ‘evidence’ what we say is just vain & idle ramblings.
This holds true for all Christians...Without the life to back up what we claim is our love, no one pays us attention.
“Hid”—perikruptw—1) To conceal on all sides or entirely, to hide, seclude. Used 1X.
:25—“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.””
Elizabeth in her own words declares that the One who is her Lord has looked upon her with favor regarding her estate. He openly acted in a particular timeframe of Elizabeth’s life after she had lived the majority of it. God regarded her plight in such a way as to completely remove her “reproach” among others.
It was not that her reproach had been taken away solely by her finally becoming pregnant, but more so that she had become pregnant with a child whom God would use mightily & strategically in the fulfillment of His many promises since the beginning of His revelation to mankind.
*?Why is it important that our “reproach among people” is removed?
No one wants others to think badly of them.
Particularly as Christians we have—not only a personal reputation among others, but we have a personal reputation that speaks of either—Christ’s reality or the lack thereof— in our lives.
Our faith builds upon faith. It progresses, it grows, it strengthens, it diversifies, it expands, incorporates....vastly more than when we first believed.
“Dealt with/Done this”—poiew—1) To make— 1g) To (make i.e.) render one anything—1g1) To (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that, 1g2) To (make i.e.) declare one anything, 1h) To put one forth, to lead him out, 1i) To make one do something—1i1) Cause one to, 1j) To be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about); 2) To do—2a) To act rightly, do well—2a1) To carry out, to execute, 2b) To do a thing unto one—2b1) To do to one, 2e)To perform: to a promise.
“Looked on/Looked with favor/Shown his favor”—epeidon—To look upon, to regard. Strong—To regard (favorably or otherwise):-- Behold, look upon.
“Take away”—afairew—1) To take from, take away, remove, carry off; 2) To cut off. Strong—To remove (literally or figuratively):-- Cut (smite) off, take away.
“Reproach/Disgrace”—oneidov—1) Reproach; 2) Shame. Strong—Notoriety, i.e. a taunt (disgrace):-- reproach.
Argumentation:
Php. 4:10-13—“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Lk. 24:49—““Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.””
Where will the Spirit lead us? Anywhere God equips us!...
Jn. 3:7-8—““Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, & you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from & where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””
Isa. 55:11-13—“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains & the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.””
Prophets suffered greatly at the hands of their own unbelieving countrymen.
Ezek. 2:3-6—“And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they & their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent & stubborn children. I am sending you to them, & you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse--for they are a rebellious house--yet they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers & thorns are with you & you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.”
Jer. 36:2-3, 23-24—““Take a scroll of a book & write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, & against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity & their sin.””....“And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife & cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words.”
Jer. 37:15—“Therefore the princes were angry with Jeremiah, & they struck him & put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe. For they had made that the prison.”
Illustration:
My wife/Called to aid her father as he had lost consciousness/CPR performed/EMTs arrive/Resuscitated/Passed away anyway later that night/Can you live with that OUTCOME?
God convicts you to share the good news with your neighbor with whom you have always been at odds/She gets radically saved/Can you live with that OUTCOME?
God convicts you to live rightly before your most bitter enemy/To treat them with the dignity they deserve as a human being/They don’t respond favorably/Can you live with that OUTCOME?
Application:
*If we are not careful we can spend our whole lives working toward an end result—something we want. When we get it, there are no bells & whistles, there is no parade, no hoopla, no big deal. Its entirely anticlimactic. Because the journey getting to it is where the real lessons should have been learned & they should have lead us to a different outcome...the one desired by God rather than us. Our journey should have been toward God in the first place. The journey should have begun empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Your journey can begin now...Begin in God now...
?Could YOU be Chosen in the midst of OUTCOME?
?What does your OUTCOME say about your Faith?
?Could God choose YOU for His most vital of ministries?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Man taunting the seat belt citations
Action:
We are chosen for the most vital of ministries in the midst of...
9—PERSONAL INSECURITY(:18-20)
10—CORPORATE INSECURITY(:21-22)
11—OUTCOME(:24-25)
1—POLITICAL UPHEAVAL(:5)
2—DEDICATED LIVING(:6)
3—PERSONAL DISAPPOINTMENT(:7,25)
4—SPIRITUAL DUTY to the Lord(:8-9)
5—SPIRITUAL HONOR(:9-10)
6—FEAR(:11-12)
7—FELT NEED(:13-14)
8—REAL NEED(:15-17)
Presented 10/03/2010pm to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
