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Introduction
The stories in the Christmas narrative teach us some valuable life lessons.
Luke is the only Gospel that begins with the birth of John the Baptizer.
(Purpose of his writing is found in )
Theophilus
His identity is unknown, however it is a proper name and “Most Excellent” suggests a man of some power.
Some even suggest that it’s possible that Theophilus could be Luke’s publisher or possibly a follower of Luke’s writings.
Though it’s not clear whether Theo was a believer, it’s obvious that he has received some instruction in the faith.
It’s important to remember as we dig into the Christmas narrative that it had been 400 years since God has spoken.
Lets put it into perspective … The year 1618
1618
The first colony in Jamestown, Virginia was only 11 years old
The pilgrims, the founders of Plymouth, MA wouldn’t arrive for another 2 years
The Declaration of Independence wouldn’t be signed for another 158 years
Not only did it seem as though God had been silent, but it was a very dark time …
1. God is at work in the darkness
Herod the Great
He was not “great” in character.
He was cruel and viscious
“It was safer to be Herods pig that it was to be his son”
After hearing about the birth of Jesus and his inability to find and kill him, he ordered all boys under the age of two to be killed
“In the days of Herod” = “In the darkest and most evil days that men could remember”
With the birth of Jesus, God was getting ready to turn on the lights.
It has been over 400 years since the people have heard from God
If this was a Christmas movie, the camera turns from the darkness of Herod to the home of a man named Zechariah = “In the days of Herod … there was a priest named Zechariah” (Elizabeth … daughters of Aaron)
Zechariah & Elizabeth were devoted to the Lord
Zechariah & Elizabeth - righteous & walking blamelessly (Not perfect but righteous)
For Jews, the absence of children was seen as a reproach—evidence of God’s judgment on a person’s sin.
How hard it must have been for Zechariah, a spiritual leader in Israel, and Elizabeth, to keep on obeying God, keep on remaining consistent in their faith, and still bear the sentence of a life unacceptable.
Submitted to the word and will of God
Lesson: When you are doing all that God has asked you to do, and He still doesn’t respond to your prayers, Keep pressing on!
Although culturally they lived in dark times & and personally they had no children, there names would be helpful to them …
Zechariah - “The Lord Remembers”
Zechariah - “The Lord Remembers”
If time permits read the entire Psalm (not in powerpoint)
psalm 121.1-8
Elizabeth - “The Oath of God” “my God is an oath or my God keeps His promises”
Elizabeth - “The Oath of God” “my God is an oath or my God keeps His promises”
When we are going through difficulties and hardships it hard not to say … Where is God?
Why is He allowing me to go through this?
The reality is, however, that God often does his best work in the darkness!
He forces us to rely on Him
He Produces Steadfastness in Us
He Prepares Us to Comfort Others
Charles Spurgeon, who was well acquainted with trials, said:
None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.
As the sycamore fig never ripens if it be not bruised, as the corn does not leave the husk without threshing, and as wheat makes no fine flour till it be ground, so are we of little use till we are afflicted.
Why should we be so eager to escape such benefits?
We shall have to wait with patience, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
He waited to give grace to us; let us wait to give glory to him.
2. God is at work in unusual ways
“While he was serving … he was chosen by lot”
The historian Josephus estimated that there was around 20,000 priests
The historian Josephus estimated that there was around 20,000 priests
This was a once in a lifetime event!
Zechariah didn’t know it, but God had been planning this day from the very beginning.
Zechariah and his family were going to be a part of God’s plan to offer salvation to the world.
What seemed like unexplainable silence was really God’s work of preparing Zechariah and Elizabeth for this incredible day.
When God seems silent, Consider this …
(1) Noah worked on the arc for 100 years before it started to rain
(2) Abraham waited 25 years before his promised son Isaac was born
(3) Moses herded sheep in the wilderness for 40 years before God spoke to him in the burning bush
God’s Delay is not His Denial!
“All of God’s saints, if allowed to live long enough, are led into the wilderness.”
God works in unusual ways to man, but to God it is a planned way!
“The Lord works in Mysterious Ways” (Not found in the Bible)
Some ideas where this may have come from …
A hymn written by William Cowper in the 19th century that says, "God moves in a mysterious ways; His wonders to perform; He plans His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm."
God wants to give us understanding …
Zechariah learned that not only does (1) God works in the darkness but (2) God works in unusual ways.
luke 1.
It seems unlikely that Zechariah was praying for a son at the Golden Altar of Incense.
First it would be a selfish need to be praying at that moment and second he and Elizabeth were both well advanced in years.
(They probably had given up on that prayer a long time ago)
“your prayer has been heard” AND “your wife … will bear you a son”
Zechariah’s prayer - perhaps the same prayer as Simeon in chapter two …
It had been 400 years since they last heard from God
1618
The first colony in Jamestown, Virginia was only 11 years old
The pilgrims, the founders of Plymouth, MA wouldn’t arrive for another 2 years
The Declaration of Independence wouldn’t be signed for another 158 years
The last words of God to be heard would be fulfilled in John the Baptizer
mal 4.
Zechariah’s son will fulfill this prophecy!
Luke 1.14-
3. God is at work even when His servants doubt
luke 1.
“Any chance of a sign?” (Doubting = we can find this encouraging)
Zechariah’s sign …
If we do not believe God’s promises, we shut our own mouths!
Zechariah & Elizabeth = The story of God’s Faithfulness!
(1) God is at work in the Darkness
(2) God Works in Unusual Ways
(3) God Works Even When His Servants Doubt
“God’s silence is how it feels, it’s not how it is.”
God is still working!
the lord
Later when the same angel (Gabriel) appears to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus …
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