Preparation for the World
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Introduction
Introduction
What a wonderful day my friends, we are here for the second Sunday of the month and we are celebrating Advent...
Advent just refers to His coming… Jesus coming into the world!
Last week we began by looking at the first topic of Advent, and that was Hope. God himself had given the nation, yes even the world hope for the future. The salvation of the Lord was at hand and soon God would send a Savior, one greater than Moses, one greater than the prophets and one greater than David.
Oh Yes! God would send his own son into the world. Jesus!!
Now today we come to the second theme of Advent, Preparation!
God was setting the stage, He was making everything ready for the entrance of His Son into the world.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Hang on to that first part.... “...in the fullness of time....” At just the right time, when all the preparations were in place, Jesus came, born of a virgin!
This my friends is where we will begin today, the greatest point of God’s preparation, and it is with John the Baptist.
So if you have your Bibles, lets go to Luke chapter 1 and lets look at the lives of Zechariah and Elisabeth.
Luke chapter 1, verses 5-13
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
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What a tremendous passage, as we see the Lord at work in our world, finishing the final preparations for the coming of His Son. He sent one ahead of the son, one who would finish the work of telling the world to get ready.
Today that message is still being heard, get ready… Jesus is coming soon!
3 things I want you to examine with me my friends....
Prayer was Heard....
Prayer was Heard....
Friends there is something we love to hear from God, amen! ‘Your prayer has been heard...”
Oh man, when we reach out by faith and seek His face, asking, pleading at times and yes hoping for an answer, I want you to know, God is in the business of answering.
Please note, that doesn’t mean the answer is favorable, it doesn’t mean we get our way simply because we ask, it means this .... God does answer! The answer could be Yes, it might be No, and there is one more possibility, and that is not yet.
The world had been on hold my friends, I want you to know that many had been praying for God’s deliverer, for God’s redeemer to come… God was at work, but the timing wasn’t right just yet, but it was closer than anyone knew....
Now here in our passage there is a old couple. Zechariah and Elizabeth…They had been praying, and I suspect as any good Jewish man or woman, they prayed for God’s deliverance, but we also they prayed for a child.
It was a sad thing to have no children, no heir and no helper along the course of a couples days. This was the state of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
** They were faithful, it was Zechariah’s turn to serve in the temple…(explain this)
Looking at the text we know they were both from priestly lines… and they faithful, upright and sadly old with no child. Verses 5-7 tell us this truth
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
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And the Bible tells us that this day Zechariah was serving in the Temple, more specifically, He was in the holy area, by the altar of incense.... and there was a visitor there.
Look with me at verses 10-13
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
So lets examine this a little closer… the hour of incense… what is that?
Now we know that the hour of incense corresponds to the actions of the evening sacrifice. About 2:30pm, the Priest would make their final sacrifices of the day and have all the pieces of that sacrifice laid out on the altar. So usually about the Ninth hour, 3pm they would begin their corresponding services and rituals…
At this time we find Zechariah inside the Temple making his offering of incense upon that altar, it was this altar that lay immediately in front of the curtain that divided the holy room from the most holy room....
So as he has done each day, he does this day… but it all suddenly changes!
The Angel of the Lord appears to him on the right side of the Altar… and Zechariah was afriad… it says he was troubled… You think....
Then the angel speaks to him… Zechariah… Your prayer as been heard...
Those my friends are the most precious words ever spoken… your prayer has been heard...
Gabriel, yes we know his name… verse 19. Your prayer has been heard, Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will call his name John.
How wonderful, what they have asked for… God is doing great things in their midst. There is much we can learn right here..
A. They were Old… But they never gave up in prayer. Why? They believed God was able, even as they grew older and older every year.... they knew God was faithful. Are you faithful to pray, even when the time drags on and on...
B. God was at work, not only in their lives, but in the lives of so many others as well. What God was doing would benefit the whole world as He was making preparations for the Savior.
C. I am reminded over and over again, God is faithful...
Let me ask you a question? What are you praying for?
Are you faithful to the point that you pray and refuse to give up?
God hears and answers prayers… Yes, No and in a while… He is always at work.
Now this brings me to my second thought of the day, as we celebrate and consider the Preparation for the World...
2. A Great Son.....
2. A Great Son.....
Now you might think, we know they are having a son… But I would remind you this boy will not be just any son… He will be great in the sight of the Lord.
I mean look at this, Zechariah is in the Temple, he is serving the Lord , doing his work there and the arch angel Gabriel arrives to make this special announcement...
Friends, this is the reveal party of all time… Listen, your wife will have a son, and his name will be called John.
There wasn’t any blue power going off in the Temple, but I think there was applause in heaven as God’s plans and preparations are being revealed....
Look with me at , verses 12-18
12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
As the angel shares the joy of this coming child, the angel shares this truth....
Look at verses 14-17
A. He will bring you joy and gladness.... without a doubt, a long prayed for child brings joy to a family, especially this family. This couple were old, they were not young anymore and for them to have a child, without a doubt was indeed a miracle of God....
B. Many will rejoice at his birth.... Not only would family and friends rejoice. says...
58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
They rejoiced , they were sharing the joy of Elizabeth and Zechariah… but I believe God was also getting a the glory as well....
C. He will be great before the Lord… this is a very unique saying… it really has a meaning of standing close to God, more so than any of the prophets before him. John would have a God given ministry, one that required much of Him but the world would be blessed as he prepared the way for Jesus.
Much required of him, He had a calling in his life, a calling that was God given.. God had set upon him a Nazarite vow… usually a person would place that upon themselves as they followed God, but God sets his on Him before he was born so that even his parents would understand how special this child was..
Most importantly, He would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from before birth. Without a doubt this man would be God’s vessel, holy and used for his glorious purposes...
D. Walking in the spirit and power of Elijah.... He would be a man out of time, if you will. John would be the last of the OT prophets, the last one who is proclaiming the coming of Lord’s promise…
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’
As such we see that He will prepare the way for Jesus. As John preaches we know the people will come and respond to God’s message or repentance.. Literally, God will use him to turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God.
As such we see that He will prepare the way for Jesus. As John preaches we know the people will come and respond to God’s message or repentance.. Literally, God will use him to turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God.
John would be a great son, a holy prophet who one day will see Jesus and say… Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World.... John 1:29..
John is a great Son, He was a holy vessel, used by God for His glory… Preparing the way for the Lord.
I want you to know my friends, Jesus is coming again. You can be vessels, filled by the Holy Spirit, used of God to help prepare the hearts of many for teh Lord’s return. Oh, the sea is full, we must be fishers of men, bringing many with us as the Lord returns to gather His church.
Now let me share just one more thought with you my friends today....
3. Doubt leads to Praise.....
3. Doubt leads to Praise.....
You know at times when God speaks to us, when he calls us to serve, to share or to be a witness we often doubt, God are you really asking me? We feel unsure, when God knows us and knows our potential...
This day, as the angel of the Lord, Gabriel stands in front of Zechariah, Zechariah has some doubt...
Let return to our text.... look with me at verses 18-25
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 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.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Now I want to encourage you not to look to harshly upon Zechariah, he is like us, we doubt at times. and he did..
As Gabriel tells him this news, He is filled with doubt, how can this be… literal translation… we are old as dirt… we are well past child bearing years...
Gabriel tells him...... I am Gabriel, and I stand in the presence of God. Wow! Can you imagine? He was sent to tell him this news… verse 19 says it was good news… and indeed it was...
But there is some judgment here.... you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this takes place....
Zechariah should have believed and he should have given glory to God.... But he is condemned to silence until John’s entrance into this world.
And so he leaves the Temple silent, the people know from the time he as spent in there and his inability to speak that he has seen a vision, something wonderful....
Verse 23 tells us that when his time of service had been completed, he returned to his home and Elizabeth conceived in her later years...
How wonderful, to see the promise of God spoken to him and then to see his wife become with child and know that God was at work....
Friends, God is at work in you… if you will only believe and follow...
9 months are completed and the time of his birth came....
Now if you will jump to verses 57-65
:57-65
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.” 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. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,
The day came, and Elizabeth bore a son… and families and friends rejoiced with her..
Now according to Jewish law, 8 days after birth was the time for purification, circumcision and the naming of the child, dedicating him before the Lord.
12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,
And so when it was time to name John, the family objected at that name. They sought to name him after his father, Zechariah but Elizabeth said no.. his name is to be John. They are hesitant, so they approach John.. making sing to him…
Can you see this… what do you want to name him… in this awkward, crazy way.... He can’t speak but his hearing is fine...
John motions for something to write with… and he writes
63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
Now verse 64 says that immediately his mouth was opened and he began to praise, bless and give glory to God.. His doubt has lead to praise..
Now verse 64 days
He is praising God for the gift of a son, one who will turn the hearts of the children back to the Father… preparing the way for Jesus.
You see, John was the man of preparation… helping prepare the world for the coming of God’s great gift, A savior...
I said while ago, while we celebrate God’s act of preparation, getting the world ready… ready for the coming of Jesus...
You can be agents of change as well, helping prepare the world for his second coming..
He can do more with your life, than you ever hope too...
God is good!
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 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.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
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.” 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. 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.
67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.