The Forerunner's mother

I. Introduction

Prayers

Memory Verse

Rom 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

The Forerunner Foretold

2. Catch-

Where we’ve been:

We are in the Advent section of Luke still, trying to get ready for Jesus

I. 4 faith building examples in the lead-up to Jesus

1. The righteous example shows the kind of people who honor God (5-7)

2. The honorable people serve God (8-10)

3. Doubt can reign in even the most righteous (11-20)

i. The good gospel (11-17)

1.

Illus??

ii. The bad response and judgment (18-20)

1.3. Application- Let’s talk about doubt

Is doubt something horrible to be kept hidden?

Jesus deals with unbelief in Mark 9

The disciples couldn't cast out the spirit because of their little faith (Cf. Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:6)

Yet, a poor father is shown in a positive light

mark 9:22-24 “ But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!””

Do you remember what is the purpose of LUke? How does this give us certainty?

this story strengthens our faith.

God was teaching Zechariah to trust his word. The priest’s temporary disability was a sign against his unbelief. God said, “You want a sign, Zechariah? I’ll give you a sign.

SO, how do we respond to doubts?

1) admit our doubts, then encourage our faith:

2) Read the bible

To read when faith is at a low ebb is counter-intuitive and unnatural. That’s why I have appreciated the motto, “Force feed.” There are times when I don’t know what is good for me. A Blizzard from Dairy Queen seems preferable to . . . anything. Those are the times when I have to over-ride my physical cues and tell my body that it is time to eat something decent. So, when doubts come, force feed. The Word of God is what is best for us.

3) Listen to People’s Stories. There is at least one other way my doubts are eased: I ask people what God is doing in their lives

The Journal of Pastoral Practice: Volume 1, Number 1, Winter 1977 2. Doctrine

The feelings may come, but in the meantime we are obligated, in the light of the lordship of Christ, to obey what He has already said.

We must not allow the feelings to direct us, but instead choose to do what is right and let the feelings follow

4. God uses the righteous to bless others (21-25)

i. Explanation

did not take long to offer the incense, and priests normally came out quickly from the holy place

But what happened when he came out?

he would have come out these doors to give the benediction, but he cannot speak

Somehow the people can tell he had a vision, something that didn’t happen anymore

They now know that God is speaking again, so there is great anticipation for his son

Then he stay until his week of service is done and goes home to his wife.

She becomes pregnant and she responds with scripture

Genesis 30:22–23 ESV

Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”

How does that sound familiar?

But, she praises God.

iii. Application

Does she blame God or the people for the reproach?

Yet, she will still be part of raising her son to prepare the way for the messiah

III. Conclusion

1. Cohesion-

We saw how hard faith is… and how the most faithful can struggle

2. Resolution-

IV. Closing prayer

Questions/Thoughts?