God Moves When You Step Out | Luke 1:57-66

God shows MERCY to those who OBEY him | Luke 1:57-60

English Standard Version Chapter 1

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

What is everyone thinking? HOW DID SHE SURVIVE?? Here we have Elizabeth who is very old in age and she just went through a healthy pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. This is God’s mercy. God showed mercy to Elizabeth.

We also read that the whole crew, the people there were like “We’ll his name is Zechariah after his father” could you imagine if Psalm was born and the doctor held him and said “welp we have little David jr here after him father” Elizabeth said “No, he shall be called John” Obeying what God had told her. Obeying the command that God gave to her and Zechariah. God shows mercy to those who obey him. That brings us to point 2

God FULFILLS his promises | Luke 1:61-64

English Standard Version Chapter 1

61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

What are we reading here? We are reading God’s promise to Zechariah come to fruition. Back in Luke 1:20 we read

English Standard Version Chapter 1

And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Right so they said “None of your relatives have this name what gives?” They named him John because that’s what God said to do right? Doesn't that sound so simple? If we look at it from the eyes of bible times, this is weird. They are judging them for naming him John. This would be like inviting someone to church or youth group and they give you the weirdest look. If you’re nervous then its super awkward right? But if you trust that God will take care of you then helping spread the gospel doesnt seem like that big of a deal. God has given us all a promise, that if we put our faith in him we will be SET FREE, and if we trust that he will fulfill that promise then going against the normal isn't so scary. Point 3

God wants you to STAND OUT | Luke 1:65-66

English Standard Version Chapter 1

65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

We learn here that John is marked. We read way back about Gabriel telling Elizabeth that her child will be filled with the Holy Spirit even. In. The womb. People can tell from his parents, from the nature of the pregnancy, geez even from her relative who is carrying Jesus. This pregnancy was meant to stand out. God doesn’t need us to show how great and merciful he is, but he chooses to use people who love him to further the kingdom of God. God is calling all of us to stand out. I’ll say over and over again that I don’t have a bible degree, I don’t have any education or certifications yet, I’ve only came back to faith recently. 2 years coming up on October 8th, Abby’s birthday. None of us are going to be prepared for what God’s calling on our life is, but if we step out in faith God is not going to let you down. First of the year I’m going to start school to get my degree so I can better do what God has called me to do. He’s gonna open doors if you just take one step at a time. Because God wants us to stand out. He wants us to have a story to share so that people can see lives transformed though Jesus Christ.

As we close tonight I want to give us time to pray, and with that I have 3 prayer points for you.

Help me obey the calling you’ve put on my life. Help me to be brave and step out in faith.

Help me live a life that reflex’s you.