Extraordinary Promises to Ordinary People

Extraordinary Promises to Ordinary People

Luke 1:5-25

I. Introduction

II. God’s miracles often happen through ordinary people

A. Explanation

1. Zechariah was a priest and his wife was also of the priestly tribe of Levi

2. They were faithful believers and lived a faithful life

a. They were righteous and blameless

b. Not perfect of sinless, but faithful

3. But they had no child – The were advanced in years and it was clear that they could not have children.  This would have been a sad situation.  Many would have believed them unfaithful, and this was God’s curse.  Others would have pitied them for being childless.  Nonetheless, they stayed faithful to God.

B. Application

1. There is nothing about these two that makes them stand out.  To the contrary, their childless situation would have made them stand out as forsaken by God.

2. Still, God chose them to use in His mighty plan. They would be the recipient of a child

a. that had been prophesied

b. That was the forerunner to the Messiah

c. That was chosen by God to do amazing things

3. Sometimes we believe that we are too ordinary to be used of God, but it isn’t true

4. God is not using our power to do great things.  He works his great power through us when we are faithful to Him

5. God can use you!

III. God’s timing is worth waiting on

A. Explanation

1. The timing of the priestly duty – While they would often serve at the temple twice per year, the opportunity to go into the temple and offer the incense before the Lord was a once in a lifetime opportunity

2. First the timing of their pregnancy

a. This would have been something they waited, hoped for, and prayed about for years.  Now, in God’s timing, they are informed they are having a child

i. They have long since stopped thinking it was possible

ii.It was medically impossible

b. Yet, they remained faithful through the years despite their infertility

c. Because of God’s timing they, and everyone, will know that there is something special about the child to be born

3. Second, The timing of the prophecy of Messiah

a. This is the forerunner of Messiah who will make the way before him

b. Malachi 4:5-6 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 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.”

c. This is the perfect time for Him to arrive

B. Application

1. We want God to work on our timing and get frustrated when we have to wait

2. But God’s timing is always right

3. We are to be patient and wait upon the Lord

4. We like knowing that Christmas is coming, and we know exactly when the gifts will arrive

5. But God’s gifts are so much greater if we are willing to wait on Him.

IV. God’s plans always bring hope

A. Explanation

1. God reveals His plans through the angel Gabriel

2. The plan:

a. No fear – Do not be afraid

b. Elizabeth will bear a son – their greatest hope

c. You shall name Him John – Meaning God has been gracious

d. You will have joy and gladness

e. Many will rejoice at His birth

f. He will be great before the Lord

g. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit

h. He will go before Him in the power and spirit of Elijah to turn the hearts of many

3. This is an amazingly rich promise that would give hope to Zechariah as a father as well as a Jew

4. It was a hope for His family and His nation – God would fulfill His promise

B. Application

1. God is perfectly good, all loving, and all powerful.  Whatever He promises will be good even when we can’t see it

2. We can trust God even in our hardest moments because He is working all things together for good for those who love Him

3. Trust His goodness. 

V. God’s words should always be trusted

A. Explanation

1. After Gabriel offer this wonderful promise to Zechariah his response is doubt

2. His response – “How shall I know this? For I am an old man advanced in years, and my wife is advanced in years.” This is pure doubt in what God has promised

a. Does he think God is not able?

b. Does he believe that his situation is outside the reach of God

3. The consequence – He was made mute

B. Application

1. God is always faithful and yet we know He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us

2. We are told that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord

3. He tells us, I am with you always even to the end of the age

4. We are called to trust Him and believe His promises

VI. God’s goodness is the source of real joy

A. Explanation

1. The opposite reaction comes from Elizabeth

2. Note that all Jewish women of that day would have lived hopeful that they would be the mother of the Messiah – It would be a high privilege to be chosen by God

3. Here, Elizabeth is told that she is the next best thing – The mother of Elijah who is to precede Messiah

4. To her, this blessing is the God looking upon her

5. This blessing is God taking away her reproach from among people – Those who may have looked down on her for being infertile will now see her as a other of someone great and chosen by God

B. Application

1. Elizabeth is able to see the goodness of God and rejoice in it

2. So often we are so busy looking at the difficulties in life that we cannot see the blessings

3. For those who are in Christ Jesus the blessings far exceed the difficulties

4. We have real hope!

VII.Conclusion

A. What about you this Christmas – Do you feel unseen. Do you know that God knows your name.  He knows your situation.  He cares about what is going on in your life. He has a plan for you. 

B. The truth is He sent you a Savior. Place your faith in Him

📖 What happened: Nola Carpenter’s story

In November 2022, a young TikToker — Devan Bonagura — uploaded a 15-second video taken at a Walmart in Hackettstown, New Jersey. In the clip, an elderly woman (81-year-old Nola Carpenter) sat in the store break room, looking tired and downcast. The video captioned: “Life shouldn’t be this hard.” New Jersey 101.5+2My Modern Met+2

The video struck a chord. Viewers felt compassion for Nola — many were moved by what seemed like a hard, weary life just to keep a roof over her head. Soon, people encouraged Devan to set up a fundraiser to help her. Goalcast+2GameRant+2

He did exactly that — launching a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe titled “Let’s help Nola retire.” The initial goal was modest (e.g. $10,000) but within 24 hours, it had already exceeded $100,000. KMTV 3 News Now Omaha+2New Jersey 101.5+2

Just two days later, Devan met Nola in the store parking lot and informed her what had happened. At that time, the fundraiser had raised about $110,000. Nola — overwhelmed — said she would still need to work until she paid off her house mortgage. The Independent+2New Jersey 101.5+2

But the generosity didn’t stop. Over the next week or so, donations kept pouring in until the total reached around $186,000+ — more than enough for Nola to pay off her home and retire. KMTV 3 News Now Omaha+2My Modern Met+2

In a final follow-up, it was announced that Nola planned to retire following the holiday season (she said she’d stay on through the holidays to help out at Walmart, out of sense of loyalty). The Independent+2New Jersey 101.5+2

In history, the story of Horatio Spafford serves as a profound example of God's presence in suffering. After losing his four daughters in a tragic shipwreck, he penned the hymn 'It Is Well with My Soul.' Spafford's ability to articulate hope amidst his deep sorrow demonstrates how God can reveal His love and peace, even when life takes us through unimaginable pain. His faithfulness serves as a beacon for those weathering storms, reminding us that God walks with us in our trials.