Visited By An Angel
Notes
Transcript
Elizabeth Was Barren
Elizabeth Was Barren
Zechariah and Elizabeth had no children
They were elderly
They have been praying to God for a Child
like Abraham, Rachel, and Isaac,
the parents of Samson
the mother of Samuel
all of these similar people had the same problem
No children
But all of these people had another thing in common
God was going to use their child mightily
And this mother was not going to be disappointed
They have been praying for a child
they have been faithful to God and His word
God has not spoken to His people since Malachi 400 years ago
The land of Israel is under the control of Roman Empire
under a puppet king- Herod - a butcher
so this is where we pick up our account
Read Luke 1 5-22
PRAY
A Remnant
A Remnant
Old Testament Saints
V 5-7
Zechariah and Elizabeth were both of the tribe of Levi - priest
Both Righteous in the sight of God
the two kinds of righteousness
go to Luke 18 9-14
Abraham justified by faith
Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, then understand that the ones who have faith, these are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news in advance to Abraham: “In you all the nations will be blessed.”
in some way the scriptures preached the gospel to the old testament saints
in the time of Elijah Baal was worshipped
he thought that he was the only one left alive who was loyal to God and he wanted to die
I will leave in Israel seven thousand, all of the knees that have not bowed down to Baal and all of the mouths that have not kissed him.”
at the time of Job
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil.
Job also we will see in eternity
They were all looking forward to the coming of the Messiah
God could not just declare them righteous because he wants to
His justice has to be satisfied
The wages of sin is death,
God could not say to Abraham i like you you seem to be a good guy I’ll declare you righteous
These old testament saints had Justification on credit
on the account that Jesus was coming to die a sacrificial death for them
Zechariah and Elizabeth were blameless
because they were declared righteous by God
they were living out what was inside
They had recieved Grace when grace was a rare thing in Israel at that time
As we should live up to what God has put on the inside
When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh appeared to Abram. And he said to him, “I am El-Shaddai; walk before me and be blameless
This Messiah is what Zechariah and Elizabeth were waiting for
Probably praying for
As He Was Serving
As He Was Serving
V 8-9
Providential service
Chosen by lot to serve in the temple
The lot will be cast into the lap, but all of its decisions are from Yahweh.
there were so many priests that one could only serve once
and to go into the temple to offer incense was even rarer
at that hour the people would be in prayer
all over, and in the temple court
V 8 As he was serving
Look, children are the heritage of Yahweh; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
The family was childless, they knew that children were from God
it would be easy for Zechariah to be bitter and refuse to serve
but he gives us a good example of someone pressing on in the Lord
So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
As he was doing the work of the Lord that he was called to bigger and better things
Warren Wiersbe makes an excellent point - You have probably noticed that God often speaks to His people and calls them while they are busy doing their daily tasks (ZECHARIAH WAS CARRYING OUT THE BURNING OF INCENSE). Both Moses and David were caring for sheep, and Gideon was threshing wheat. Peter and his partners were mending nets when Jesus called them. It is difficult to steer a car when the engine is not running. When we get busy, God starts to direct us..
Jesus wants us to be found faithful when he returns
are you faithful?
are you doing what He has called you to do
do you see a need? fill it!
What needs has God shown you?
are you being faithful in it?
Visit By An Angel
Visit By An Angel
V 10-12
The Heavenly message
V 13-17
V 18 prove it to me
V 19-22
because I stand before God
because you dont believe me
because you need a sign
I will make you a mute
V 23 he went home with the best news
Conclusion
the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth
Give us some saintly life lessons
live out what you are on the inside
trust in the providence of God
trust in God even though all others around you are not
be faithful in the work God has given you