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
-- FACT: They’re expecting one thing because “they’ve done this before”
- IMP: But there is more here than meets the eye – Zech knew God’s faithfulness
-- He also knew that he had to obey God; his very life’s purpose depended on it!
-- And when he obeyed God … he could speak again! (v63)
-- To the astonishment of the Jones’s, this miracle happened and then they praised
-- See v66, they asked: what will this child … why? Because God was upon him!
- BIG APP: When we follow God, we MUST be moved to obey & respond also!
-- When we obey, the results then become the work of God, not ours! ? (KEY)
- TR: So, now that Zechariah has been healed, he begins to rejoice and preach
-- Now, I want us to see this, this is where we fit in … for our challenge is simple:
Point 3 – Will we proclaim the good news of Advent?
- Once Zechariah could speak, he begins to glorify God (vv67-80)
-- This is his song of praise; the fulfillment of prophecy (in OT; see this next year)
-- Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
-- APP: Zechariah’s song, or prophecy, is a song of God’s goodness to Israel!
- Proclaiming God’s goodness means that we praise Him with and in everything!
-- When we experience God’s call, we must submit to how His will moves in us
-- CHALL: Are we grateful for what God is doing (even in the terrible times)?
- When you consider Advent, and what God has already done for us …
-- Can we not be thankful to God for the gift of Christ? Here are 3 take-aways:
-- Prayerfully to help you prepare to also celebrate the season (think differently)
Big Idea
1 - Where is God challenging you to be faithful to Him?
-- The critical (active) response is that we would praise like Zechariah did
-- Remember Mary’s response in Luke 1:46, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord”
-- Advent: Do we rejoice at God’s provision even in when we don’t feel like it?
2 - When God promises to do something He will complete it
-- Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
-- The promised redeemer is what brings you and I hope for tomorrow!
-- Advent: Do we seek to know Him and share Him with those around us?
3 - We must consider this season as a chance to freely tell others
- This should be a season of hope, a season of worship, a season not about us
-- Perhaps we need to take the time to glorify the One who came for one purpose?
-- Advent: John prepared the way for Jesus, who came to redeem all of creation
- John the Baptist was born for the purpose of preparing the way for Jesus
-- Jesus Christ came into this world for the sole purpose of dying for your sins
-- Both were obedient to God, and because of that God worked in/through them
-- Where are we on the responding to God’s call because of who He is?
- With every eye closed and every head bowed …
-- I’d like to ask you just to listen for a moment as God speaks to us
-- For us, there is a part here that we must fulfill … we are called to listen/obey
- Perhaps we need to ask for His forgiveness and give our praise solely to Him?
-- We should not come to His house and then go home without meeting with Him
-- Think of Zechariah and how God dealt with Him in His house, in his rebellion
- What is it that we need to change in our lives to obey God this Advent season?
- Pray (Salvation, Repentance, Gentle/Open Heart)
