Story of Dylan getting a pair of socks… and just saying “Thankkkkk youuuuu.”

how we react to gifts can be pretty crucial! I know I’ve given gifts before and the reaction of some people are just hilarious and heart breaking at the same time haha.

I remember my sophomore year we weren’t very good - we had good talent, but other teams in our region/conference were a lot better than us.

Well, one game we were going on the road to play TL Hanna, and they had a player that threw a fastball 95-97 mph… IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Hanna players ran their mouths, and I remember the practice before we played them our coach really prepared us to be able to hit his fastball.

Going into the game we really felt like we were ready to play.

Reacting to THE Gift

As Christmas approaches, Zacharias heard a message that he would receive an incredible gift… What can we learn from his reaction?

God has given us the beautiful, perfect, inerrant Word. So for us, we shouldn’t be waiting around for an angel’s announcement in order for us to grow or hear from God.

So tonight, I want to take a look with you at THE RESPONSE of Zacharias and learn from him.

this story leads up to the birth of Jesus, and as we get closer to celebrating the birth of Jesus, let’s learn from Zacharias as he anticipated the birth of the Messiah!

Introduction

We are going to study in the book of Luke, who God used in to write through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

verse 3 - the phrase “from the very first” can be translated “from above.” This shows that Luke was guided by God through his research of who Jesus was and what His life was like.

Luke planned to give an accurate and authoritative account of the birth, life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

He was giving this account to a man named Theophilus (‘one who loves God’) and he was probably a Roman official, who needed to have his faith established.

How great it is that through God’s grace Luke’s account is now solidified in the Holy Scriptures!

so… as Luke begins to give an account about the life of Jesus, he starts by describing two Angelic Announcements that are as important as a healthy heartbeat in the faith of a believer.

The first visit was to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.

Let’s take a look at this Angelic visit to Zacharias, and take a peep at what we can learn from this angelic announcement...

So, as Christmas approaches, Zacharias heard a message that he would receive an incredible gift… what can we learn from his reaction?

1. The Timing of the Message

Verses 5-12

While the mere mortal man stayed faithful to his God ordained role, the messenger from the Almighty said he would become a father to a God ordained forerunner!

Zacharias is a man that I feel would fit right in here at Mount Pisgah. Faithful, Godly, and a servant.

But he is also a man that has had some troubling tough times.

This story, leading up to the Messiah being born…

let’s take a closer look at what’s going on in the life of the person recieving this message:

A Shaky Time Period

King Herod the Great was ruling and we know he was a paranoid, crazy person

Also, God had been silent for 400 years.

was the last thing God spoke

A Solid Profession

Look what Luke says about them:

v. 6 - righteous, obeying, blameless!

How good is that?

we need some more folks that will just make a decision, have a backbone that no matter how crazy the times are, or what’s going on around us, we are going to decide to BE OBEDIENT to the Lord!!!

verses 8-12

Zacharias was a priest and his job was twice a year to light incense in the temple

2 times a day he would go in and light incense

why?

it covered the bad smell of the animals that were sacrificed

it was a picture of the scent rising into the heavens and being pleasing to God

it also was used on the Day of Atonement.. the priest would burn incense to separate himself from the mercy seat in the Holy of holies so his life would be spared

Zacharias had a cool job!

A Sad Concern

2. The Topic of the Message

you need to think about this

look at verse 7

they “Had no child”

“Because that Elisabeth was barren...”

“and they both were now old.”

so not only did they not have a kid, but it was BECAUSE Elisabeth was barren

childlessness carried a social stigma and often meant an unstable future and the end of the family line. Elizabeth’s life would have been particularly difficult, as barrenness was usually believed to be the fault of the woman. Wright argues that Zechariah displayed righteousness by standing by his wife rather than leaving her in favor of someone who could give him an heir

and as if that wasn’t bad enough, look back at verse 7 - “now well”

you ever had a circumstance that’s rough… and then it seems like you get to the point where there’s “no going back”

“now” - that one word there hit me like a ton of bricks.

because I know there are students in here that might have struggled with some things, and you’re thinking: “because I’ve done this, NOW I can’t be used”

I know there are parents/married couples in here that the husband might be thinking: “I’ve been so bad to them, and NOW it feels like I can’t get them back.”

Please know you aren’t hopeless!

Don’t let the discouragement you’re feeling now stop you from the plan God has for you later!

And don’t think for one second that while you’re in the midst of a discouraging time that God doesn’t have a plan for you! Because it was “now” “present time” that God was planning to send the forerunner of Jesus all the while Zacharias and Elizabeth had no clue!

God’s timing is so good, and as we just looked at the Timing of this Message, see next:

2. The Topic of this Message

The topic of this message was that their miracle son would be the front runner of Jesus!

What if we have a boy and he’s a preacher?

What if he’s athletic?

What if he’s a scholar?

What if we have a girl and we make sure she doesn’t date until she’s 23?

What if they become an athlete.

What if they come out of the womb at 6’ 5”.

I wonder what they will be like. I personally hope they are just like her

But check this out… Zacharias was just performing his duties, and he’s told what his miracle son is going to be like, and what he is going to do!

How incredible is that?

Notice, though, what makes this so incredible:

Zacharias made God is

His Answered Prayer

God Answers Prayers

verse 13 - your prayer is heard

I’m sure they spent many sleepless nights praying together!

They probably had many nights soaking the pillows they rested on, all the while trying to trust God’s perfect will

and now, Gabriel says, “Hey Zacharias, your prayers are heard”

I wonder if all of our prayers were answered tonight how it would impact others?

God Does Miracles

God not only heard his prayers, but God answered his prayers and said, “I’m going to give you a son!”

God Awards Purpose

look at how his son would be described:

notice what Zacharias said verses 67-80:

people will rejoice

Redeem (v. 68)

verse 15 - great in the sight of the Lord

Opening of prison door

Horn of salvation

horn means - Winning of a battle

Winning of a battle

salvation means - “health and soundness”

stay away from strong drink

Remission (v. 77)

this word means to “send away, to dismiss, as a debt”

Cancelling a debt

verse 15 - filled with the Holy Ghost, mothers womb

Dayspring (v. 78)

Dawning a new day

verse 16 - many will turn back to the Lord

verse 17 - he will have the spirit of Elijah

verse 17 - HE SHALL GO BEFORE HIM

who is Him? Jesus!!!!

why? “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord!”

As I’ve been studying through this, I can’t help but think, “Wow, Zacharias had it easy as a parent… right?”

The topic of this message was the Messiah

He could always pull the “Is that how a Fore Runner of Jesus

If John ever acted up, Zacharias could always pull the “Oh, is that how you think someone who is going to be great in the eyes of the Lord, and turn people’s hearts back to God should act? Oh real mature Mr. Fore Runner of Jesus”

The purpose of John was to point others to the Messiah!

And The purpose of John was to point others to the Messiah!

It makes me think of this:

Hailey and I sometimes play the “what if” game when we talk about the possibility of God giving us a family one day.

3. The Thrill of the Messiah

What if we have a boy and he’s a preacher?

What if he’s athletic?

What if he’s a scholar?

What if we have a girl and we make sure she doesn’t date until she’s 23?

What if they become an athlete.

What if they come out of the womb at 6’ 5”.

I wonder what they will be like. I personally hope they are just like her

Parents, please hear this:

As Zacharias heard the great news that he would have a miracle baby boy directly from the angel Gabriel, and he heard his sons purpose, why would he ever want anything different for John?

I know I’m not a parent, but I am fortunate enough to be learning a lot of lessons through Scripture and through being a youth pastor here… but what if just maybe God has a better plan for your student than you do?

I mean call me crazy, but what if instead of living vicariously through your kid you raise them up in the way he should go?

You know what Zacharias heard?

He heard that his son’s life would be all about Jesus!

the topic of this message from the angel wasn’t all about John being born, but about The Savior coming to the earth!

we’ve studied 1. The Timing of the Message, & 2. The Topic of the Message but lastly I want you to see:

3. The Thrill of the Messiah

3. The Thrill for the Messiah

After Gabriel told Zacharias that he would have a son, Zacharias doubted and because of that he was silenced for 9 months.

he went home, Elizabeth was concieved and hid herself for 5 whole months until Mary (pregnant with Jesus) came and met with her

But now finally, John was to be born.

verses 57-63 tell us more about that, and it shows that neighbors and others wanted to name him Zacharias after his father. But she told them his name was John. Then Zacharias wrote on a tablet the same detail

verses 64-66: He was then able to talk, and the people were amazed.

Look what they said: “Oh wow, what manner of child shall this be!” (or “what will he turn out to do!”)

but then the proud father speaks up!!!

Look what he says notice what Zacharias said verses 67-80:

Zacharias was silent for 9 months… wow.

2. Gabriel brings good news

notice what Zacharias said verses 67-80:

3. John will lead people to Jesus

Redeem (v. 68)

Opening of prison door

Horn of salvation

horn means - Winning of a battle

salvation means - “health and soundness”

Remission (v. 77)

this word means to “send away, to dismiss, as a debt”

Cancelling a debt

Dayspring (v. 78)

Dawning a new day

who is he talking about?

Jesus! The real gift!

Invitation:

maybe you’re here tonight and you’ve had some tough times this year. and you have had that “because ____ NOW I can’t be used” moment. Can I invite you to join me in an altar tonight and just ask God to give you the strength to repent and walk with Him in faith?

Maybe you’re here tonight and you just want to be the parent that pushes their kid toward Jesus… how about grab your student and pray with them tonight?

Maybe you’re a student and you’re trying to figure out what God’s plan for your life is… join me down here.

maybe you’re already so wrapped in a gift that pales in comparison to Jesus… how about do what Zacharias did, and just praise the Lord for THE Gift in His Son Jesus.