Proof and Promises

Intro

Favorite things is snow. Never get it. See it to believe it.

Need: We tend to struggle with God’s promises without proof around it. We like to see to believe. Often we need a reminder about what faith is.

Main Idea: True faith believes without seeing

Exp. Luke is compiling this account to show what has happened in the life of Jesus. Verse 1-2. Passive. God has done these things. Questioned eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Verse 3-4. Orderly means detailed. Luke has the most content of each story. Theophilus means friend of God. Likely a Roman official because “most excellent.” Must be a believer. “What you have been taught.”

Imperative #1: Pursue righteousness, not blessings. (5-7)

Exp. Narrative begins here. Zechariah was a priest. Verse 5. Elizabeth was in priestly line. Herod built the temple. Verse 6. This is a righteousness that can’t be faked. Following God’s statutes and commandments. Blameless. Their sin is not the fault for verse 7. Akin to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was praised for righteousness, God was praised for blessings. If you serve God for blessings, you are actually serving yourself.

Ill. Students offered me chick fil a if I gave him an extension on his paper. Very nice. It was actually self-serving. We can have this same mentality.

Arg. It’s not wrong to want from God, but it’s wrong for that to be the anchor of our relationship with God. Our righteousness is tied to Christ. Our call is to die to our desires.

Galatians 5:24

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Christ - Following Christ doesn’t ensure prosperity, but it does ensure righteousness. His righteousness is imputed to us.

App. What do we do?

Pursue holiness even when you don’t feel the blessing.

Stop expecting from God and start enjoying God.

Imperative #2: Trust in promises, not proof. (8-23)

Exp. Zechariah is working in the temple. People were praying outside. Verse 11. Standing at the right symbolizes authority. He was terrified. Verse 13. They are older. God heard your prayers. Likely a prayer prayed years before. His name will be John. John’s impact:

He will bring joy and gladness. Verse 14. As a child brings to a family. Many others will rejoice.

Be great before the Lord. Verse 15. God has great plans for him.

Must not drink strong wine, but be filled with the HS. Verse 15. HS would fill him. Must be holy.

Turn Israel to God. Verse 16. They were not following God. Corrupt.

Comes in the spirit of Elijah. One who prepares the way for the Messiah. Verse 17. From Mal. 4:6. Elijah is forerunner, so is John.

Exp. Zechariah asks for a sign. Verse 18. Prove this can happen. How could I know?

Ill. Seems reasonable. Extra most bestest pizza. Doesn’t make sense at all.

Exp. Verse 19-20. Stands in the presence of God is intentional. Given a sign to aid in his faith. Punitive. He is given a sign. Lake of faith leads to punishment. Faith requires:

Giving up feelings.

Giving up proof.

Christ - We are called to trust. Trust in God’s promises. The promise given to them was a promise set in motion to see the coming Christ. Christ would fulfill all of these things. The ultimate promise fulfiller is Christ himself. His promise to resolve sin came to pass. His promise to return will as well.

App. What do we do? Trust in his promises, not your proof.

Know his promises. Give rest. Bring hope. Judge guilty. Save the lost. NOT make life easy.

Result: No more shame (24-25)

Exp. The result of God’s promises is a removal of shame. Verse 24-25. Elizabeth was older. Childlessness was seen as God punishing you. She had lived in shame. God’s provision removed that. She says what Rachel says in Genesis 30:23.

Genesis 30:23

She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”

Exp. God’s provision of John was not due to their righteousness, but due to his ultimate plan. To them, it seems personal, but God is paving the way for something greater. It has a personal outcome, but also a global outcome.

Christ - As Elizabeth’s disgrace was taken away, so too does Christ take ours. The greater plan was John paving the way for Christ. Greater plan, prepare for the lamb of God. Lamb who would be slain.

App. You don’t need to live in shame. Give your shame to Christ.

Confess your shame.

Turn from it.

Live in truth.

Bow your heads. Pray for God to help you trust.