When the Silence Ended
Rev. Sean Lester
January 4, 2004 evening service
Luke 1:5-25
Introduction
CAN YOU SEE THE LAND?
It was a fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions.
The water was numbingly cold that day. The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. She swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So she quit. . . only one-mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it." It wasn’t the cold or fear or exhaustion that caused Florence Chadwick to fail. It was the fog.
A. Before we get into the text, it is good to examine the circumstances surrounding the writing of this Gospel. There were apparently many stories about Jesus circulating in both written and oral form. As you know, stories tend to stretch and morph into legends over time. Did Washington have false teeth? Did he cut down the cherry tree? You get the picture. However, the account of Jesus’ life is vital to our faith, and must not become the stuff of myth. Luke recognized the importance of accuracy and set out to research and verify what was being told.
Luke states that the purpose of this treatise is to give an orderly account of what happened so that Theophilus might be certain about what he had been taught. It is good for us to know that what we are studying is not just one man’s recollections about the life and resurrection of Jesus, but a carefully researched documentation of what happened.
B. There was a moment in time when God broke his silence.
1. The Word of God to Israel had been silent for 400 years. During that time Israel had been largely dominated by foreign powers, except for a brief independence under Judas Maccabeaus. However, the words of prophets were not heard in the land.
2. The last word that God gave says, (4:5) "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (4:6) And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."
The last Word before prophesy fell silent was a promise to send someone in the power of Elijah who would prepare the way for the Messiah.
3. That time had now come with the words, "In the time of King Herod..."
B. There was a real couple chosen to give birth to the prophet who would come in the power of Elijah.
1. They were a priestly couple. Presumably they were knowledgeable of the Scriptures and prayerful that the Christ would come.
2. They were a blameless couple who were faithful to God.
3. They were a barren couple who served the Lord even though it could be said that God did not favor them.
C. A real moment for divine intervention.
1. Zechariah the priest had been chosen by lot, by chance. It is difficult to say if by casting lots that God was allowed to have his way in choosing a priest, or if by doing so God was challenged to keep His plan with someone who was old and unable to have children.
2. The people were standing around waiting for Zechariah to come out. The people were to be praying for the salvation of Israel. There was anticipation, as there had been for many, many years.
3. Zechariah was alone in the Most Holy Place.
Proposition: The angelic visit foreshadowed the imminent revelation of Israel’s salvation.
Interrogative: What was being foreshadowed by these events?
Transition: These events show us the kind of events that take place before a visitation of God takes place that brings a revival of awareness of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I. Private Revelation of God’s Plan of Salvation.
A. Zechariah and Elizabeth were symbolic of the nation.
1. They were barren just like the faith of the nation was barren. I am sure that Elizabeth and Zechariah did what married people do to conceive, but they never had children. The religion was practiced by the rules, but righteousness was never produced in the nation.
2. Zechariah and Elizabeth could do nothing to change their fortunes, their barrenness was beyond their control just like Israel’s captivity to Rome was beyond their control. Except that God should intervene, their circumstances would not change.
3. Allow me to stop and ask, "What can we do in Reed City to change our fortunes? Except for an act of God, will the factories and shops remain in town? Have the city fathers and the county commission been able to present a vision for prosperity? No. Our situation worsens as the society’s respect for God declines. We need God to give us a plan for salvation for our community.
B. God sent Gabriel with the plan of salvation for Israel.
1. It was a specific plan for them. It would be there responsibility to give the name John to their son. They were to raise him as a Nazarene.
2. It was a revelatory plan that allowed to see their work in the larger plan for the salvation of Israel.
C. You already know the big picture. Jesus Christ came to earth to purchase our salvation. He was killed by sinful man but rose from the dead after three days and has ascended to the right hand of God. He confirms salvation in those who come to God in repentance by giving them His Holy Spirit. Therefore, whoever comes to God through faith in Jesus Christ will be saved. Now, what is the small picture for Reed City and environs?
1. Revival will begin with a plan spoken to a blameless person who is in the place of private prayer, who is interceding for the community.
2. The Lord will speak to that person in some way so as to reveal what is to be done and how it is to be done. That plan will involve the person praying in some way, and it is very likely that it will be perceived as impossible.
Illustration: Ed Silvoso describes in his book "That None Should Perish" how after much prayer, cities gave glory to God after the church found ways to provide needed water supplies.
Transition: As you might expect, whenever God reveals a plan that is too much for you to believe, there needs to be some confirmation.
II. Confirmed Revelation of God’s Plan for Salvation.
A. The Word of God was too much for Zechariah to handle. He had his reasons.
1. Zechariah and Elizabeth were barren and they were old. First, Zechariah knew that it was not possible for them to have a child, or at least very unlikely. Secondly, one would have to question as to whether it would be desirable. After all, it takes a lot of energy to raise a child, energy which may well have been in short supply.
2. Also, it wasn’t usual for an angel, or anyone else, to show up in the Most Holy Place, or any place for that matter. There is nothing to indicate that Gabriel looked any different than a normal man. Of course, there is the fact that Gabriel was in the inner place without anyone having seen him go in, and the fact that he didn’t drop dead once he got in. Still, Zechariah isn’t accustomed to being approached in this way.
Illustration: Sometimes God doesn’t tell us His plan because we wouldn’t believe it anyway.
B. The messenger was given authority to confirm the message. I am not sure of the significance of Gabriel causing Zechariah to be mute, but I am sure that doubt gets in the way of obedience.
1. Gabriel had the authority to act. As he said it, "I stand in the presence of God, and have been sent to give you this good news."
2. The act was appropriate. Zechariah’s mouth got him in trouble. The best way to keep from further trouble is to shut it, and keep it shut until the prophesy is fulfilled.
3. It was a common sign in Scripture. Jacob had a permanent limp as a result of asking for a blessing. Saul of Tarsus was struck blind for a time. Miriam was struck with leprosy.
C. Believers are given the authority to not only proclaim the message, but to confirm the message. Who are we to preach? We are Spirit-filled believers who dwell in the presence of God. And these signs will confirm what we preach:
1. Demons will be driven out.
2. New tongues will be spoken.
3. They will handle danger and survive.
4. They will not succumb to attempts on their life.
5. They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
D. The signs get people’s attention. Just as the people marveled at what happened to Zechariah, they marvel at what happens to confirm the message of salvation.
Transition: Participation in God’s plan comes with blessing for those involved.
III. Blessed Revelation of God’s Salvation.
A. Elizabeth’s pregnancy confirmed what the angel had said to Zechariah. It was a clear indication that they were living in the center of God’s plan of salvation for the nation. Yet, Elizabeth says something that may strike you as amusing. She says, "The Lord has done this for me."
1. As I read this, I want to question her. I want to say, "He did?" I thought that God did this for himself. Sure, he wanted to save Israel, and all people. But he needed a forerunner, he chose them. Wasn’t it for His own purpose that Elizabeth was made pregnant?
2. But then, perhaps she is right. Perhaps God saw them and chose them because he takes pleasure in using people who are disabled, barren, lost. He likes to grab people’s attention with a miracle that indicates that he is near and paying attention to them. Perhaps he chose Elizabeth because he wanted her to have the joy of parenthood, and why not kill two birds with one stone?
B. God blesses people who participate in His plan of salvation.
Illustration: Fred Smith notes, "When God selects our service, He sends the power. When we volunteer, we keep control, even while attempting worthwhile work."
1. Abraham was credited as righteous for following God to a place where he would lead him. Abraham was blessed with everything he would need to father a nation. I can imagine that Abraham was quite satisfied with the life he got in the process.
2. David didn’t have it so bad, either. He saw adventure, defeated enemies, led his nation. Not a bad life.
3. There were many who had a difficult life, like the prophets. As Hebrews declares, "They rejoiced in being beaten and torn up so they would have a better resurrection."
Illustration: I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been satisfied himself. -- Watchman Nee
4. It is hard not to be inspired by the life of Paul, who never owned anything after coming to Jesus, but was deeply satisfied with the life he had been allowed to lead.
C. And herein is a lesson for every believer. If you want a life that is blessed by God, get in the middle of His plan for salvation. Testimonies abound of people who were blessed with healing, prosperity, adventure because of their participation in the activities of salvation. (here I give personal testimonies and observation)
Transition: God had re-entered human history by acting upon the life of a righteous yet disabled couple.
Conclusion
A. The absence of God’s voice in the community gives urgency to the spirit of those who are righteous. It should drive them to their places of private prayer to seek God’s salvation in the community.
B. God does answer the prayers of those who intercede. He answers by showing them what he is going to do through them. The answer may be impossible for the one He uses, and it may be hard to believe.
C. God will confirm His word to the one whose prayer is being answered, and through the one who is delivering the message. Sometimes the sign will be disabling, but it will be appropriate and it will glorify God. It is best not to doubt God’s Word.
D. God’s plan of salvation blesses in personal ways those who participate in it.
