Hush my mouth
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Introduction: I grew up in Memphis. One aspect that dominates the Memphis landscape is very positive. St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital. Golf tournament dedicated proceeds towards this charity. Deeply Southern. Signs that the officials use doesn’t say “Quiet, please.” It says, “Hush, y’all”. Sometimes we hush our mouth. Today we look at a message I’ve titled: Hush my mouth
This time, it is not someone who hushes their mouth on their own. It is the story of Zechariah drawn from Luke 1
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. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 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. At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 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. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 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. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 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.”
Through Zechariah and his family, let’s look at four realities in life:
Reality 1: The influence of family
Reality 1: The influence of family
God works through families; legacy of generations of following Christ can be used by the Lord as a great blessing to the world and to the church. Look at Luke 1:36
And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless.
Family connection between Elizabeth and Mary.
As much as family can be a positive factor in life, it can be a continuing negative . Exodus 20:5
Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,
Example – Researchers are proving that alcoholism has a genetic piece to the puzzle.
“In the hunt for the powerful forces that drive addictions, researchers say they have definitively linked a common genetic trait to drug and alcohol abuse. Research has shown that about half a person's likelihood of developing an addiction is based on genetics. Ten to 20 genes may be involved,”
New Zealand study links violence to genetic predisposition -- but indicates it is almost like a trigger without a firing pin. What it takes for this gun to function is a violent situation, like abuse, where the pin is installed.
Generation after generation pass doing the same sins – becomes ingrained. Babylonian concept of the afterlife.
Is there no hope?
Story in OT full of symbolism; a story of faith and of supernatural protection; ultimately a story of redemption.
Quickly tell you the story because it forms a important part of the background of what we are discussing. Rahab
Matthew 1:1–6
An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
Abraham fathered Isaac,
Isaac fathered Jacob,
Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,
Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
Perez fathered Hezron,
Hezron fathered Aram,
Aram fathered Amminadab,
Amminadab fathered Nahshon,
Nahshon fathered Salmon,
Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab,
Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth,
Obed fathered Jesse,
and Jesse fathered King David.
David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
Pagan prostitute- pagan for who knows how many generations - becomes a godly wife – her genetics run in the blood of the Messiah.
Do not for a second believe that the genetics of life are unchangeable and binding. With the Creator nothing is fixed. The One who spoke the Universe into existence can speak dramatic change today. Christ changes lives. He can change yours.
Reality 2: God's control of family
Reality 2: God's control of family
Life situation of this couple. Luke 1:7
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
Luke 1:23–24
When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said,
Disgrace – today – testify by experience: sense of loss; sense of loneliness; sense of isolation (Even little side comments: Oh, you don’t understand, you don’t have kids)
How do you deal with this situation?
1. Seek God’s leadership in working through the physical breakdown – do everything that you feel is God’s leading. Where we stopped.
2. Remember who you’re dealing with – God is in control of your body – made it – fearfully and wonderfully made. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 A believer who never has children is no punishment, but plan – if you can learn to give Him the glory in the midst of the situation.
3. Never lose sense of trust. God sometimes works out of time to fulfill his plan. Dennis.
Reality 3: The greatness of second fiddle ministry
Reality 3: The greatness of second fiddle ministry
Luke 1:14–17
There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 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. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 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.”
Born to be a priest; called from before conception to be a prophet. A child who would be used – but always second fiddle. Never measure up to his cousin. We have made a big thing of greatness when greatness is measured differently by heaven. The gold standard for our society is to be the best.
Luke 7:24–28
After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
See, I am sending my messenger
ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
No one greater. Jesus redefines greatness. Careful in how we esteem those around us. Least saint is immeasurably great in the eyes of the Lord – value? Demands that we learn to value not according to the standards of the world but according to the standards of the kingdom. Even popular American culture once understood this underlying principle.
Clarence: There is no George Bailey.
[George searches his pockets for identification, finds none]
Clarence: You have no papers, no cards, no driver's license, no 4F card, no insurance policy.
[George finally searches his watch pocket for the rose petals from Zuzu]
Clarence: They're not there either.
George Bailey: What?
Clarence: Zuzu's petals... You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.
Conclusion? Clarence: You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?
Great story– greater story written over and over. What would your life be like without the entrance of Jesus?
What if He had never come and there was no Christmas? What if He had never come and there was no life change; no redemption from the sinful conditions we live in? What if He had never come and life was what so many think it is: the product of blind chance. We live; we die; there was never any meaning.
Hear me! The message of Christmas is that God finds you so important that He changed the destiny of the Universe for you.
Reality 4: Man people are not ready for the unusual.
Reality 4: Man people are not ready for the unusual.
When God is in our lives, we must constantly be ready for the unusual.
Luke 1:18–22
“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
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. 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.”
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 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.
Better prepared – by call (priest); by privilege (burning incense was an honor even among the priests)
What was his activity in the Holy Place? Burning of incense. Closer to the presence of God than at any time in his life. What does he do? Luke 1:13 : Your prayer has been heard. Already know he is godly, don’t we? Praying for a son to carry on the priestly ministry. Instead: a powerful force for the advance of God’s kingdom. First message from God in 400 years.
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.
Though better prepared, he was less ready than some others– heard the message (less astounding than what Joseph and Mary would hear) but failed to believe. When we follow the Lord, we never need be surprised when He does what He promises in Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
