Advent Through Their Eyes - Zechariah & Elizabeth

Welcome & Announcements: Daniel

Call to Worship in Song: Chrystal

You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Scripture Reading:

Old Testament Text: Genesis 15:1-6

New Testament Text: Luke 1:67-80

Offering

1 Timothy 6:17–19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

We have been very blessed with the support financially to be able to participate in Operation Christmas Child over the last several years.

In 2019 we raised $1,736 to give 74 boxes for boys and girls aging from 2-4.

In 2020 we raised $2,229 to give 64 boxes for boys and girls aging from 5-8 and include discipleship program, "The Greatest Journey".

This year we raised $2,867 and assembled 92 boxes and had 4 already prepared by church members for a total of 96 boxes for boys aging 2-4 and 10-14.

We also donated the shipping cost and were able to have enough left over to sponsor 19 "greatest journey" programs.

What items are in the boxes?

The packing party itself was a great turn out as we had about 30 stay to help pack each shoebox. The children did a great job decorating the boxes during Kid's Life and really made them each unique. Many of their decorations included reminding the recipients how much they are loved by God, and by us.

I really feel as though God has been faithful and so good to us and we have been able to honor Him but fulfill this command that Paul instructs Timothy with. I want to thank each and every one who participated in giving or packing or praying for these shoeboxes. We would have not been able to accomplish any of it without you and your selflessness. Thank you!

Pastoral Prayer: Daniel

Adoration

Faithfulness

Confession

Thanksgiving

Mike & Sharon

Supplication

Norman & Kaye

Those who are shut-ins and are in need of

Continue to Worship in Song: Chrystal

Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone

Blessed Assurance

Luke 1:5–25 ESV

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. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 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. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 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. And 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 the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 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. 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.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 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. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Prayer

Last week we examined the words of John the Baptist as we examined his identity and message of pointing to Jesus.

We saw how he was preparing the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord Himself.

This week, we are taking a small step back in time before the birth of John the Baptist.

In doing so, we will examine what his parents (Zechariah & Elizabeth) want us to see about Advent.

Zechariah and Elizabeth are trying to get us to see God’s perfect providence and the correct response to His coming.

Since God is Providential, We Must Remember that He is Faithful

What do I mean when I say “providential”?

The Heidelberg Catechism says this about providence.

The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

Essentially it is like saying that everything is under God’s complete and sovereign control.

Since God is Providential, Remember that He is Faithful

God’s Providence in Surprising Circumstances

Luke 1:5 (ESV)

In the days of Herod, king of Judea,

The author of this “good news” account is painting an extremely bleak picture.

Herod was a terrible King for the Jews.

He taxed the people heavily and abused his power over the people of Judea.

Four hundred years of hearing nothing from God.

Have you ever considered that at this moment in Israel’s history, they had not heard from the Lord in 400 years?

Questions like, “Is God really faithful?” would have loomed heavily on everyone’s minds.

Luke 1:5–6 ESV

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. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

In an extremely dark time in Israel’s history, there was a couple who was walking uprightly and blamelessly before the Lord.

This couple would not have been “sinless”

Rather they were walking in step with the Old Testament law in comparison to the people around them.

Zechariah’s name means “The Lord remembers”

And his wife, has also been born into the priestly line.

One commentator said that this couple would be like thinking about an older and godly back woods preacher and his wife.

With that said, the next verse should make us take pause...

Luke 1:7 ESV

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Just think about those two descriptors for a moment.... “barren” and “old”

I love what Kent Hughes comments on this matter of childlessness in the Old Testament.

“In any culture infertility is an aching disappointment, and for some an almost unbearable stress. But the burden cannot be compared to that borne by childless women in ancient Hebrew culture because barrenness was considered a disgrace, even a punishment.”

Essentially for Zechariah and Elizabeth to be without a child would cause others to look at her with great shame and disgrace.

The culture around them would likely be tempted to accuse them of being punished by God for something they did wrong.

Luke 1:6–7 ESV

And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

The Biblical Authors “Winking at Us”

Remember the situation that Abraham and Sarah found themselves in.

They were old and advanced in years, yet God had promised them that He would give them a son.

Abraham responded with faith and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Sarah responded with unbelief and encouraged Abraham to have a child through another means.

The question to ask about suffering is not “What have I done to deserve this?” but “How can I glorify God through this?”

Luke 1:8–9 ESV

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

This information may seem meaningless, but it is in the details that the beauty of providence shines forth.

There were 18,000 priest’s divided amongst the people of Israel.

There were only 14 priest’s who would offer incense in one year.

An individual priest could only offer incense at the daily sacrifice once in his lifetime.

Verse 9 shows us that Zechariah is now getting to participate in a once and a life-time opportunity.

He wasn’t chosen because he was the most pious, or the wisest.

He was chosen because God chose for him to offer the incense.

Proverbs 16:33 ESV

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

In his old age, Zechariah now has the opportunity to offer incense in the temple.

Since God is Providential, Remember that He is Faithful

There is no “luck” in this world, simply God’s providential hand guiding every instance.

You need to understand the weight of this opportunity before Zechariah was the most momentous occasion of his priestly career.

And God Himself has orchestrated all of it.

The joy he felt by being chosen by lot from among his division to offer incense.

With the anticipation of awe, Zechariah prepared to offer incense on God’s altar.

He put on the priestly robes symbolizing purity.

He walked through the temple courts, passing through the crowds that had gathered to pray.

The people chanting as he passed by, “God of mercy, come into your holy sanctuary and receive with pleasure the offering of your people.”

With a humble posture, he slowly ascended to the place where God’s presence was.

As he entered, he saw the sacred furniture that the Israelites had made according to the instructions God gave to Moses on the mountain.

On his left was the golden lampstand of life, flickering in the darkness.

On his right was the table of bread.

In front of him was the golden altar of incense, up against the curtain that guarded the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

At the height of his most momentous and dramatic occasion of his whole life....

Luke 1:11 ESV

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Now remember God has not spoken to these people in 400 years!

Luke 1:12 ESV

And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

Can you imagine for a minute the shell shocked terror that must have been upon him at this time?

Rightly so, Zechariah is struck with fear and is likely completely scared senseless.

God’s Providence Through Joy-Filled Promises

Luke 1:13 ESV

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.

The angel’s response to Zechariah is comforting and yet chilling all at the same time.

Not only will you have a son but listen to the description of him...

Luke 1:14–17 (ESV)

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

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.

And 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 the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

But look at what it says in verse 13....

Luke 1:13 (ESV)

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard,

The angel tells Zechariah that he shouldn’t be afraid because his prayer before God has been heard.

Now it is appropriate to ask “What prayer is the angel referring to?”

The first option is to say that it is the prayer that Zechariah and Elizabeth have prayed for their whole lives.

It would have been the same prayer that any couple, who has struggled with infertility would have prayed for years.

Though this would seem like the prayer that the angel is directly talking about…

The second option would be the prayer that Zechariah would have just uttered as he began to enter the temple, which had to do with the redemption of Israel.

He would have entered the temple asking that God would save Israel and heal their land from the oppression it was under.

What is absolutely striking in this though is that God answers both of them!

Luke 1:13 ESV

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.

Since God is Providential, You Must Remember that He is Faithful to Fulfill His Promises...

There are several things we should note here...

1. The first thing is that God has heard the prayers of His people.

John’s name means, “God has been gracious”

It is also telling that God, rather than Zechariah, is naming this child because of the special role he has been given.

Since God is Providential, You Must Remember that He is Faithful to Fulfill His Promises...

Now you may ask, “what promises are you referring to?”

Obviously we can’t highlight every promise that God has said in His word for believers, but I want to spend time focusing in on ONE.

2. That God hears our prayers.

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

This is not praying for anything we want, like some “COSMIC LOTTERY SYSTEM”

Rather they are prayers that are in step with the will of God.

They are prayers that are in step with WHAT God’s revealed and authoritative will says.

DO you know what this means for me and you?

It means that if there is anything that is burdening your heart, then he is inviting you to come to Him.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The childlessness of Zechariah and Elizabeth is not unknown to God.

Their childlessness has been comforted by divine grace.

It was not because of piety or merit, but by divine grace.

We do not serve a God who is deaf to the prayers of His people.

He hears and sees their prayers and is working in 10,000 ways beyond what you can imagine.

You Must Remember that He is Faithful to Fulfill His Promises.

Look down at verse 18....

Luke 1:18 ESV

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

God’s Providence and A Response to the Promises

What this passage is trying to get us to do is come face-to-face with the two paths of response to God’s promises.

The Winking of the Biblical Authors

Except this story is completely flipped on its head.

Zechariah is one who is filled with unbelief.

And rejecting God’s promise.

Elizabeth is the one who trusted and believed God.

The first path is what we see from Zechariah....

1. Response of Unbelief

Now on the surface, this seems like a tame question.

We even see similar responses from Abraham who God declared as righteous because of his faith, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” (Gen 15:8)

Or even Mary just a little while later when she says, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

But there is a different heart behind the question, and that heart is plain because of the angels response to his unbelief.

The objection Zechariah raised is the objection that we always raise: I don’t believe what You have said.

John Chrysostom

“Zechariah looked at his age, his gray hair, his body that had lost its strength. He looked at his wife’s sterility, and he refused to accept on faith what the angel revealed would come to pass.”

This is where you and I always struggle.

One aspect of unbelief is....

A. The Unbelief of Denying the Super-Natural

Unbelief is not the result of your feelings, doubt, temperament, or circumstances.

“Sure, God exists, but He doesn’t work in my life.”

“Sure I believe the Bible is true, but I don’t believe its the authoritative word of God.”

Romans 4:19–25 ESV

He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

The second thing we see is...

B. The Unbelief of Demanding Too Much Evidence

It is not wrong to ask questions.

It is actually important that we ask questions, but there is a way we can ask questions which is ungodly and with an accusative spirit.

Luke 11:29–32 ESV

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

1 Corinthians 1:22–24 ESV

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

John Piper

“This is a warning to us, lest we like Zechariah demand too much evidence before we will believe God's promises.”

The response to Zechariah’s unbelief is what we see in verse 19....

Luke 1:19–20 ESV

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. 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.”

The angel identifies him to show that Gabriel is not coming on his own agenda but has been commissioned by God Almighty!

Do you know what I love about this though?

Zechariah’s unbelief in no way will stop what God has promised.

His inability to believe has not hampered the promises fulfillment.

The “good news” will be fulfilled in spite of human unbelief!

Luke 1:22–23 ESV

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. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

What were the people doing during all this time?

Now normally, the priest would enter the temple to spread incense and come back out and not linger.

The people were waiting and becoming increasingly concerned by the amount of time that Zechariah was spending time in the temple.

We see the weight of the punishment now, Zechariah had the greatest news he had ever heard, and he couldn’t share it with anyone.

Thankfully this passages doesn’t end here.

We see a second response for us here today...

2. Response of Faith

Luke 1:23–25 ESV

And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Maybe you feel a heavy burden and you realize that you are like Zechariah today… let me encourage you with this.

Luke 1:62–65 ESV

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,

Brothers and sisters, God is not surprised or taken off guard by your suffering.

The God who made the galaxies and yet knows the hairs on your head.

He knows your future.

Your comings out and your going in.

Since God is Providential, Remember that He is Faithful.

“if we are faithless, he remains faithful—”

Response & Closing Prayer: Daniel

GLORIOUS JEHOVAH, MY COVENANT GOD,

All Your promises in Christ Jesus are       YES and AMEN, and all shall be fulfilled. YOU Have spoken them, and they shall be done,   commanded, and they shall come to pass. Yet I have often doubted YOU,   have lived at times as if there were no God. Lord, forgive me that death in life,   when I have found something apart from YOU,   when I have been content with fleeting things. But through YOUR grace I have repented; YOU have given me to discover my pardon     in the wounds of Jesus,   and my soul has trusted in him, my God incarnate,   the ground of my life, the spring of my hope. Teach me to be resigned to YOUR will,   to delight in YOUR law,   to have no will but YOURS,   to believe that everything YOU have is     for my good. Help me to leave my concerns in YOUR hands,   for YOU have power over evil,   and bring from it an infinite progression     of good,   until YOUR purposes are fulfilled. Bless me with Abraham’s faith   that staggers not at promises through unbelief. May I not instruct YOU in my troubles,   but glorify YOU in my trials; Grant me a distinct advance in the divine life;   May I reach a higher platform,   leave the mists of doubt and fear in the valley,   and climb to hill-tops of eternal security in Christ     by simply believing he cannot lie,     or turn from his purpose. Give me the confidence I ought to have in him   who is worthy to be praised,   and who is blessed for evermore.