Renewing Our Wonder 1

Renewing Our Wonder Of Christmas (Part 1)

The Forerunner Of Wonder

Introduction

Illustration: Has anyone watched the classic Christmas movie “The Polar Express?” It is a story told about a select groups of kids who were on a journey to reach that critical disposition they had lost due to their age. That disposition of BELIEF. Before they regained their belief of the Christmas spirit, their attitudes were pictured as dull and despairing. However, once they believed again, their life became full of Christmas color and excitement.

Here is a question for you: How much genuine active “wonder” is in your heart about the real reason for Christmas? It is easy for us to grow numb and just “so so” when it comes to celebrating Christmas. If I have just described your attitude, then I pray as we look closely at the wonder that filled several players in the Advent account, you too regain the wonder you used to have.

The wondrous impact of Christmas is only as loud as the backdrop of the spiritual status of that day. Keep these things in mind:

No prophetic word from God since the prophet Malachi had promised the coming of Elijah over four hundred years earlier.

The nation’s spiritual leaders had become immersed in tradition and for some, they had even become corrupt.

King Herod had been appointed by the Roman senate by the recommendation of Octavius and Mark Antony.

He was the provincial king of the Jews.

He was known for his great building accomplishments. He even allowed for the rebuilding of the temple.

He was a tyrant and extremely wicked.

He had nine wives and had executed one.

He ordered the slaughter of all male children 2yrs and younger in efforts to rid any potential threat to his throne.

Jerusalem was appointed by God as the epicenter of Jewish worship.

Population of about 100,000 during the time of Christ.

Jews traveled three times per year to worship (Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles)

1) A Home In Need of Wonder

Who were the parents of the forerunner of wonder?

Quote: “Zacharias and Elisabeth represent the best of Old Testament piety and as the faithful remnant received the good news of the gospel (1:19). They are an indication that the good news Jesus brings does not conflict with the faith of Israel in the Old Testament.” — New American Commentary

Both parents are described as holy and just. God was pleased with the purity of the morality and the obedience, dependance, and reliability on Him.

A. Zacharias was a godly father

He was a priest of the Levites.

It is recorded there were 20,000 priests at that time.

The Priest were divided up into four courses (Zacharias being in the course of Abia)

Each course served two weeks out of the year in an addition to the special feast days.

Zacharias means “the Lord remembers.”

B. Elisabeth was a devoted mother

She was the daughter of Aaron (you could view her as a preacher’s kid)

She truly served God her entire life.

Elisabeth means “God’s oath”

Quote: “The mention of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s childlessness and their being past childbearing age points to the human impossibility of the events to come and heightens the miraculous character of God’s intervention in their son’s birth.” — Robert H. Stein (The New American Commentary vol. 24)

It is important to keep in mind what it meant to not have any children and being past child bearing age in that culture!

It was reproach.

They were in constant prayer for God to intervene.

C. Their service to God was unconditional

How many today put conditions on their service to God?

Some only engage in service when they are happy and healthy.

NOT Zacharias or Elisabeth! God had denied them up to this point and you could find them following the Lord.

That being said, we will find out that even though there was faithfulness, there was a lacking of wonder in the home!

2) Heaven’s Announcement Of Wonder

A. The announcement of wonder was proceeded by prayer

Zacharias being a priest got the amazing privilege to offer prayers to God in the Temple!

Priests only got this opportunity one time in their life.

This would be the motions of Zacharias as he entered the temple:

Following the morning sacrifice, he would have entered the holy place alone caring a censer of incense.

The golden candlesticks would be glowing to his left, the table of shew bread to his right, and the veil to the most holy place directly in front of him.

He would place the censer of incense on the altar and wait for it to start smoldering.

He would then lift up prayers to God on behalf of the people and himself.

He then would exit the temple and return to the courtyard outside.

What would he have prayed for?

The angel gives us insight.

His prophecy found in verses 68-79 gives us some good insight.

Quote: “Poverty-stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but hew fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.” — Leonard Ravenhill

Psalm 141:2 “2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

B. The announcement of wonder was received while Zacharias was busy doing his job

I make this point for you to grasp that a heart and mind filled with wonder in not isolated to Sunday morning from 9:30-11:30pm +-.

God’s met Zacharias in the everyday duties of his life.

Christian…if you don’t already, you need to be on your knees begging God to fill your heart with the miraculous wonder of Jesus every moment of every day!!!

Let’s take in all that the angel proclaimed:

God was going to remove the reproach off his family by giving them a son in their old age.

God provided the name John (meaning “favored of Jehovah, the Lord hath given grace).

The wonder of God’s providence will once again fill your home (“thou shalt have joy and gladness”).

John will not be ordinary.

He will never be filled with anything that could possibly detour his mind away from the will of God.

He would live with full surrender to the Holy Spirit.

He will direct many Jewish brethren to take interest in

He was ordained from heaven to prepare the hearts of people for the coming of Emmanuel.

C. The announcement of wonder was received with doubt

(Verses 18-20)

This doubt did not develop in his heart for a lack of God proving Himself to his ancestors.

Zacharias knew how God had intervened in the births of Isaac and Samuel many years ago.

He was familiar with the words of Jeremiah 32:17 “17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

Notice the words of Gabriel — Luke 1:19“19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

Zachariah was no different than you and me. Here is how many of us think:

God does the impossible until it comes to my life.

God remembers the prayers of others until it comes to my prayers.

God works in mighty ways for others until it comes to my life.

Notice Zacharias’ punishment (v20)

A tongue is better quite and dumb than loud with doubt.

If the very tongue God has created is not used for declaring the truthfulness of God, then it has become useless to what matters most.

This is why we must guard our hearts from becoming callused with modern religion and religious traditions.

We need FRESH WONDER filling our hearts again about the Christ child who came to take away the sin of the world!!!

3) A Home Filled With Wonder

(v36-37) Gabriel sends Mary to visit her cousin Elisabeth (not a coincidence)

Prior to Mary’s visit, there is no doubt Zacharias was praying for his heart to gain a deeper faith and confidence that what the angel said would come to full term.

A. Mary’s visit was not just for her encouragement

I wonder how many notes Zacharias made while listening to his wife and Mary? (v41-56)

Mary was there for three months.

Zacharias was reminded of some things when Mary Prophesied:

As he listened to Mary’s song, he was reminded how one’s heart and mouth are connected.

God is mighty and can do the impossible with the humble.

His doubt had blinded him from see God’s mercy in giving them a son.

God fills one’s life with good things.

God was using his family to help Israel that He had never forgotten them.

B. Zacharias allows the wonder of his son and the coming Christ to fill his heart and mouth.

(v64-67) What is different about how Zacharias used his voice this time than the last time? HE PRAISED GOD!

(v67) “filled” = He allowed the Holy Spirit to be “totally involved” with his heart and voice.

The Holy Spirit filled him with what he knew he could trust him with.

(v67-80) Zacharias prophesied truth about Jesus and John.

Jesus would (v68-75):

Redeem = to set free by paying a price.

Liberate those who are held captive by sin.

Total victory for the people of God (horn = power and victory).

Salvation = (health and soundness) Anyone who receives Christ is given full soundness within their soul.

He would cancel the debt for all humanity (Remission).

John would (v76-80):

He would prepare a people to receive Jesus.

He would teach them about God’s salvation through Jesus.

He would teach them how God has sent mercy through Jesus.

He would teach them that God has visited them through Jesus.

He would teach them that Jesus has come as the light of Heaven to remove the darkness and give them peace.

Conclusion