Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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THIS WEEK
We are going to take a break from our study of the book of Revelation
What I would like for us to do is to begin preparing our hearts for Christmas
To take in all of the details of this story
MANY BELIEVE THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
What we will do in the next two weeks is look at the details of the Arrival of Messiah
We will look at the wonder of the First Advent
WHAT I DON’T WANT IS FOR US TO BE PASSIVE ABOUT THE DETAILS AND THE MYSTERY
But to be educated in what is true
And to allow the mystery of the Incarnation to fuel our faith.
fromion to fuel our faith.
CAN WE AGREE THAT IT IS HARD TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?
CAN WE AGREE THAT IT IS HARD TO GRASP THE REASONING BEHIND THE VIRGIN BIRTH?
WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?
TURN TO
Luke 1:5-
DURING THE DAYS OF HEROD THE GREAT
WHO RULED FROM 37-4BC
A CERTAIN PRIEST, ZACHARIAS, WHO WAS OF THE DIVISION OF ABIJAH
Who was the eight generation of priests from the time of David
THIS ZACHARIAS HAD A WIFE NAMED ELIZABETH
Who was also from a priestly line, the line of Aaron
THESE TWO LIVED IN A TIME WHERE IT WAS RARE TO BELIEVE IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE
King Herod had been persecuting the Church
There hadn’t been a prophetic word in about 400 years.
It was a spiritually barren time.
YET, ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH LIVED INTO A DIFFERENT POSTURE
VERSE 6 SAYS THAT THEY WERE BOTH RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD
WALKING IN ALL THE COMMANDMENTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE LORD, BLAMELESS IN ALL THINGS.
However, they had no child
This reality was common among many women of the faith
It is no small thing that Zacharias and Elizabeth found themselves in the same situation as that of Abraham and Sarah
Advanced in age
Without a child
But blameless before the Lord.
Luke 1:8
SO WHAT HAPPENED WITH ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH?
IT WAS WHILE ZACHARIAS WAS SERVING AS PRIEST BEFORE GOD IN THE ORDER OF HIS DIVISION
Each division of the priesthood served in the temple twice a year
Each session lasting about a week
ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOM OF THE PRIESTHOOD, BY LOTTERY, IT WAS HIS TURN TO BURN INCENSE
As Zacharias would offer up the incense
Multitudes would gather outside of the temple to pray
WHILE HE WAS SERVING GOD, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM AND STOOD A\T THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ALTAR
Like almost everyone in the bible
At the sight of the Angel, he was fearful
BUT THE ANGEL CALMS HIS SPIRIT AND BEGINS TO SPEAK TO HIM:
“Do not be afraid”
“Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yohaness”
“You will have joy and Gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth”
“He will be great in the sight of the Lord”
“He shall neither drink wine nor strong drink”
This was common among characters who God greatly used
It was called a Nazarite Vow detailed in , , and
“He willed be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his Mother’s womb”
“He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God”
“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”
“And to make ready a people prepared for the Lord”
The Angel is proclaiming to Zacharias that his son will be the fulfillment of & 4
Malachi 4:
JUST LIKE ABRAHAM AND SARAH
JUST LIKE MANY OF US TODAY
MEN AND WOMEN OF GREAT FAITH SOMETIMES QUESTION THE HOW
THE SAYING RINGS TRUE
“LORD, I BELIEVE, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF”
LUKE 1:18-
IMAGINE IF EVERY TIME WE DOUBTED GOD?
IMAGINE IF WE QUESTIONED THE HOW INSTEAD OF WONDERED HOW?
WE WOULD ALL HAVE TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE
ZACHARIAS STATES THE TRUTH
The fact of the matter was that Zacharias and Elizabeth were in their late 80’s early 90’s
This was going to take a miracle
It would have to be an act of God
But remember, this is normal for the Lord
The God of Zacharias and Elizabeth was a Miracle Maker
It is interesting to me, that this couple did everything right before the Lord
They were used to following God’s Ordinances and Laws
But when the Angel spoke the plans of God for them
Zacharias was a little reluctant
Isn’t that just like us?
We know God is faithful
But do we act like it?
No, we freak out
We know God’s Word doesn’t return void
But do we trust it?
No, we take things into our own hands sometimes.
GABRIEL, RESPONDS TO ZACHARIAS’ QUESTION WITH SOME CONSEQUENCES.
I LOVE HOW HE SAYS IT:
I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God
Man, I came to bless you
I came to speak to you and bring you glad tidings
AKA Good News
But because you questioned the “How”
You will be mute and not be able to speak the Good News come to pass
Why?
Because you did not believe my words
NOW REMEMBER, THIS IS ALL HAPPENING WHILE HE IS ATTENDING TO HIS PRIESTLY DUTIES
THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE WERE WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING ON
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