Prepare for the Miraculous

The day after Thanksgiving, Emma and I often go battle the crowds, as we did this year. There is something I find amazing about the day after Thanksgiving and that is the focus with which most of the women shop.

God’s Message to Zechariah and Elizabeth:

God’s Messages to You, Part 1

Luke 1:5–25 CSB

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. 8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 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 fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” 18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

Pastor Brandon Cox

The day after Thanksgiving, Emma and I often go battle the crowds, as we did this year. There is something I find amazing about the day after Thanksgiving and that is the focus with which most of the women shop.

The day after Thanksgiving, Angie and I often go battle the crowds, as we did this year. We even ran into a

couple of you there. There is something I find amazing about the day after Thanksgiving and that is the focus with

Have you noticed that when it comes to Christmas shopping, men find a bench somewhere but women often have this look of intensity?

which most of the women shop. Have you noticed that when it comes to Christmas shopping, men find a bench

They are zeroing in on the purpose for which the day after Thanksgiving must have been given to us – to shop!

somewhere but women often have this look of intensity? They are zeroing in on the purpose for which the day

after Thanksgiving must have been given to us – to shop!

We often live life with a similar kind of focus. We pursue with intensity our daily grind. We get into the routine of living and we just live with full effort.

We often live life with a similar kind of focus. We pursue with intensity our daily grind. We get into the routine

of living and we just live with full effort. Sometimes we get so focused on daily life that we forget to keep our

eyes peeled for the miraculous. We need to open our eyes to the possibility that there is more to life than simply

Sometimes we get so focused on daily life that we forget to keep our eyes peeled for the miraculous. We need to open our eyes to the possibility that there is more to life than simply surviving. There is a miraculous level of living as well. Just as the children of Israel in the wilderness became hardened to the daily miracles of life, so do we.

surviving. There is a miraculous level of living as well. Just as the children of Israel in the wilderness became

Luke 1:5–25 CSB

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. 8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 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 fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” 18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

hardened to the daily miracles of life, so do we.

The angel gave six specific promises to Zechariah in this passage:

• Your prayers are going to be answered.

• God has been gracious. (The name “John” means “grace of God”).

• You and your people will know joy and gladness.

• Your child is going to be great.

• Israel will see national revival.

• Your child is the forerunner to the soon-coming Messiah.

What was Zechariah's response?

This is much like the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land, then when Moses went to receive the Ten

Luke 1:18 CSB

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Commandments, they forgot God and shaped a golden calf. It’s like the rich man who begged Abraham to send

Lazarus back from the grave to witness to his brothers. It’s also like Thomas, who demanded more than mere

verbal affirmation but wanted visible evidence. All are cases in which people demanded more evidence than the

Zechariah doubted and responded by essentially saying, “Give me more evidence and then I will believe!”

Zechariah doubted and responded by essentially saying, “Give me more evidence and then I will believe!” This is much like the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land, then when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments, they forgot God and shaped a golden calf. It’s like the rich man who begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the grave to witness to his brothers. It’s also like Thomas, who demanded more than mere verbal affirmation but wanted visible evidence. All are cases in which people demanded more evidence than the plain promises of God.

plain promises of God.

This is much like the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land, then when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments, they forgot God and shaped a golden calf.

It’s like the rich man who begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the grave to witness to his brothers.

It’s also like Thomas, who demanded more than mere verbal affirmation but wanted visible evidence.

All are cases in which people demanded more evidence than the plain promises of God.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MIRACULOUS…

Luke 1:6 CSB

6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.

luk1:6)

Here’s the amazing thing about Zechariah and Elizabeth (lest we should discredit them completely). Even though they weren’t seeing anything miraculous, they were still living faithful, godly lives. Israel was in the midst of 400 “silent” years with no prophecy, no recorded angelic announcements, and no significant miracles to speak of.

Here’s the amazing thing about Zechariah and Elizabeth (lest we should discredit them completely). Even

though they weren’t seeing anything miraculous, they were still living faithful, godly lives. Israel was in

Yet here were two servants living faithfully.

the midst of 400 “silent” years with no prophecy, no recorded angelic announcements, and no significant

miracles to speak of. Yet here were two servants living faithfully.

When there is no fanfare, when nobody is watching, when there is little to look forward to tomorrow, do we continue living faithfully for God, ready to respond at any moment?

we continue living faithfully for God, ready to respond at any moment?

Luke 1:8–9 CSB

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

There were approximately 20,000 priests divided into 24 courses of ministry, each serving two eight-day

There were approximately 20,000 priests divided into 24 courses of ministry, each serving two eight-day periods of time during the year. Each course consisted of about 830 men.

periods of time during the year. Each course consisted of about 830 men. To get to burn incense was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zechariah. It was a special occasion, but it was nothing compared to

what God wanted to do in that once-in-a-lifetime moment. But Zechariah seems so into the momentum of

The Biblical Illustrator: St. Luke, Vol. I Vers. 8–10

They offered the morning and evening incense; trimmed the lamps of the golden candlestick, and filled them with oil; kept up the fire on the great altar in front of the Temple; removed the ashes of the sacrifices; took part in the slaying and cutting up of victims, and especially in the sprinkling of their blood, and laid the offerings of all kinds on the altar. They also announced the new moons, which were sacred days like the Sabbaths, by the blowing of trumpets. But this was a small part of their duties.

doing his duty that he fails to realize the significance of the experience.

To get to burn incense was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zechariah. It was a special occasion,

Most of the time the priests are performing rather mundane tasks.

To get to burn incense was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zechariah. It was a special occasion, but it was nothing compared to what God wanted to do in that once-in-a-lifetime moment. But Zechariah seems so into the momentum of doing his duty that he fails to realize the significance of the experience.

The Biblical Illustrator: St. Luke, Vol. I Vers. 8–10

They had to examine all cases of ceremonial uncleanness, especially leprosy, clearing those who were pure, and pronouncing others unclean; to estimate, for commutation, the value of the countless offerings made to the Temple, and to watch the interior of the Temple by night. They were required, moreover, to instruct the people in the niceties of the law, and to give decisions on many points reserved, among us, to magistrates.

Ministry, if we aren’t careful, may become mundane to us. The miraculous may become commonplace.

But Zechariah seems so into the momentum of doing his duty that he fails to realize the significance of the experience.

To get to burn incense was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zechariah. but it was nothing compared to what God wanted to do in that once-in-a-lifetime moment.

But Zechariah seems so into the momentum of doing his duty that he fails to realize the significance of the experience.

He gets caught up in the middle of his task, he sees and angel of the Lord giving him a promise and his focus is How can I trust you? How can what you are saying be true?

400 hundred years of silence— God speaks to him and he is looking at it with doubt.

We get to the point where we just go through the motions of life and we forget how significant it is to put

400 hundred years of silence— God speaks to him and he is looking at it with doubt.

We get to the point where we just go through the motions of life and we forget how significant it is to put flowers on the table, to visit the hospital, to sing in the choir.

flowers on the table, to visit the hospital, to sing in the choir.

My question is: Why was he performing the ceremonies and serving at the temple then? right? The truth is he believed as we will see in a second. But ministry was just so automatic, service was just so auto pilot that expecting a miracle was not something you did.

Ministry, if we aren’t careful, may become mundane to us. The miraculous may become commonplace. We get to the point where we just go through the motions of life and we forget how significant it is to put flowers on the table, to visit the hospital, to sing in the choir.

Refuse to let ministry become mundane. Expect for miracles and for God to move at any point.

Luke 1:13 CSB

13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

Here again is another great thing to notice about Zechariah. He kept praying in spite of the lack of an answer. Even though he and his wife were beyond child-bearing years, he kept praying for a child.

Here again is another great thing to notice about Zechariah. He kept praying in spite of the lack of an

answer. Even though he and his wife were beyond child-bearing years, he kept praying for a child. He

He may have doubted the answer, but he had been on his knees in prayer, praying with persistence.

may have doubted the answer, but he had been on his knees in prayer, praying with persistence.

A Lesson in Persistent Praying…

Luke 11:10 CSB

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

is written in a continuous sense. In other words, it literally reads “Whoever keeps on

is written in a continuous sense. In other words, it literally reads “Whoever keeps on asking… keeps on seeking… keeps on knocking… will be answered.

asking… keeps on seeking… keeps on knocking… will be answered.

Luke 1:18–20 CSB

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day because they demanded a sign. The problem is not that

Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day because they demanded a sign. The problem is not that they were seeking to know God’s will more assuredly, but rather that they were demanded more evidence than God’s very own Word. This is really the crime of Zechariah.

they were seeking to know God’s will more assuredly, but rather that they were demanded more evidence

He hears the message of God through Gabriel and demands more.

than God’s very own Word. This is really the crime of Zechariah. He hears the message of God through

Gabriel and demands more.

So often we hear and understand what God is saying about something, yet we won’t believe it until we hear more.

hear more. We demand greater evidence than what God is willing to give. We must learn the simple truth

We demand greater evidence than what God is willing to give. We must learn the simple truth that God’s Word is enough. His say is the final say.

that God’s Word is enough. His say is the final say.

Kids often bargain with us. When we say “no” to something, they begin to reason with us or try to lay claim to some territory. We do the same with God. He says “yes” or “no” to something and we keep bargaining. We try to re-interpret His words or re-explain them for a new generation. In doing so, we often call into question the sufficiency of the Scriptures. But God’s Word IS enough!

Kids often bargain with us. When we say “no” to something, they begin to reason with us or try to lay

2 Timothy 4:3–6 CSB

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.

2 Timothy 4:3–5 CSB

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:3 CSB

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear.

In other words believe my word. Believe that my word is sufficient. Don’t fall pray to asking the questions that the serpent asked Eve. Did God really say that?

claim to some territory. We do the same with God. He says “yes” or “no” to something and we keep

Zechariah was unwilling to believe in the clearly revealed Word of God concerning his future.

bargaining. We try to re-interpret His words or re-explain them for a new generation. In doing so, we

What have you believed about God’s promises to you of eternal life?

often call into question the sufficiency of the Scriptures. But God’s Word IS enough!

1 John 2:25 CSB

25 And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.

Zechariah was unwilling to believe in the clearly revealed Word of God concerning his future. What have you believed about God’s promises to you of eternal life?

John 3:16 CSB

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

believed about God’s promises to you of eternal life?

1 John 5:13 CSB

13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Revelation 3:5 CSB

5 “In the same way, the one who conquers will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.

Romans 10:9–12 CSB

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him.

Romans 9:8–12 CSB

8 That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring. 9 For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. 10 And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac. 11 For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—12 not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.

Romans 9:

Prepare for the Miraculous

1. Live life on call for God

2. Refuse to let ministry become mundane

3. Keep praying with persistence

4. Believe that God’s Word is enough