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Zechariah and John

Zechariah- A Priest – A direct descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother

Luke 1:11-15a
New International Version (NIV)

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”

Luke 1:15b-17 (NIV)

He is never to take wine or other 
fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, 
in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — 
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

-John the Baptizer

Luke 1:18 (NIV)

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

What are you hoping for what is only possible with God’s help?

Are you faithful or fearful?

Luke 1:18 (NIV)

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

Luke 1:19-20 (NIV)

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 
And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true 
at their appointed time.”

YAHWEH
THE LORD GOD IS GRACIOUS

Luke 3:7-16a (NIV)

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! 
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 
And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into 
the fire.” “What should we do then?” 
the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” 
he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 
“And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, 
the straps of whose sandals I am not 
worthy to untie.”

Are you ready?

What kind of fruit are you producing 
in various areas of your life?

Are you producing kingdom fruit?

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE,
KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL

How is God interrupting your life?

The Prophets

Advent (adventus – Latin):
a coming, approach, arrival

The Prophets

  • people who utter vividly inspired revelations, 
sharing God’s will with God’s people
  • God used the prophets to interrupt people’s 
lives and get their attention

How has God been trying
 to get your attention?

Isaiah

  • lived between mid-700 and mid-600 BC
  • his prophetic voice pointed to the coming 
of the Savior of the world

Isaiah 7:14 
New International Version (NIV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the 
Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 11:1-7 (NIV)

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Who is God calling you 
to care for, 
to make sure they are treated fairly?

Micah

  • his message came at a distressing time 
for the Hebrew people
  • his prophetic voice points to the future King
 who will be born

Micah 5:1-4 (THE MESSAGE)

But for now, prepare for the worst, victim daughter! The siege is set against us. 
They humiliate Israel’s king, slapping him around like a rag doll. But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter — From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. 
His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, 
and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength, centered in the majesty of God-Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect — 
Peacemaker of the world!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

What area of your life is God interrupting?

Are you ready to respond when God interrupts?

Are you ready for the One who is coming to save the world?

Are you ready for the Good News 
of Jesus Christ?

The Gratitude Gap

Gratitude
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

THANKSGIVING

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into the village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they 
were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he 
was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; 
your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11-19 NIV (New International Version)

The Gratitude Gap

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 
And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father 
through him.
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15 (NIV)

The Discipline of Gratitude
1. How do I exhibit a life of gratitude in 
my life now?
2. How can I develop the willingness to be a more disciplined person who will realize I am grateful 
for His work in me?
3. What blocks gratitude from working 
and being exhibited in me?
4. What can I do to stay focused on gratitude 
even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Ingratitude draws us further from the cross and to a life that is not Spirit-led.

Ingratitude becomes a barrier to seeing the gift of grace 
we have received.

The Gratitude Gap

Gratitude comes from
the relationship we have with Christ.

The Identity Gap

Identity Gap –
Who we are privately and who we are publicly, when it comes to matters of faith.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, 
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your giving may be in secret. 
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, 
will reward you.”

Matthew 6:1-4
New International Version (NIV)

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name,’”

Matthew 6:5-9 (NIV)

And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth,
that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father,
who knows what you do in private. And your Father,
who sees everything will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-17 (NIV)

Character

who you are when nobody is looking

who are are when everyone is looking

Whoever acknowledges me before others,
I will also acknowledge before my father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before others,
I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33 (NIV)

The Prayer Gap

Prayer is an unnatural activity. From birth, we learn the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle toward independence, and frankly, prayer flies in the face of all that. It is an assault on human autonomy, an indictment on self-sufficient living. To people like me, who are fond of racing down the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer can seem a really annoying interruption. Although prayer is alien to our proud human nature, somehow, at some point along life’s journey, most of us fall to our knees, bow our heads, fix our attention on God and just plain pray.

Bill Hybels, Too Busy NOT to Pray, 2008, pp. 13

PRAYER:
Communication with God
Community with God

communis (Latin):
Common, shared by many

“…by intuition or experience we understand that the most intimate communion with God comes only through prayer.”
-Bill Hybels

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
English Standard Version (ESV)

Twenty years ago I reached a breaking point. I’d been a Christ-follower for more than a decade, Willow Creek was growing like a weed and in many regards the future looked bright – divinely bright even. But despite all the inspiring dynamics unfolding around me, my prayer life was gasping for breath. I knew the importance of prayer. I know how to pray. And I even wanted to pray. I just didn’t pray, at least with the frequency and intensity I knew I should.

Bill Hybels, Too Busy NOT to Pray, Intro. to 20th Anniv. Ed.

JESUS PRAYED

Jesus replied [to his disciples], “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matthew 21:21-22
New International Version (NIV)

Two Principles of Mountain Moving Prayer

1. Faith comes by looking at God, not the mountain.

2. God gives us faith as we walk by His side.

God Answers Prayer: No – Slow – Grow – Go

How Do I Pray? Praise the Lord, Repent, Ask, Yield
Don’t worry about anything; 
instead, pray about everything. 
Tell God what you need, and thank him 
for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6
New Living Translation (NLT)

 

The Forgiveness Gap

We hope for emotional amnesia.

Forgiveness is a conscious decision to not allow oneself to be emotionally controlled by the negative actions of someone else.

Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us 
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; 
so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you in your trespasses.

Mark 11:25
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap;
for the measure you give will be 
the measure you get back.

Luke 6:37-38 (NRSV)

In other words, how can we repent and come to God, when we believe that the sins of others against us are greater than our sins against God? To put it another way, how can we accept forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ, if we are more righteous than our fellow humans who sin against us? The sins that others commit against us can in no way be compared to the sins that we (and they) commit against God. If we fail to see that, then we remain 
self-righteous before God, because what they did to us is worse than what we have done against God. We cannot receive the righteousness of God through faith if we maintain and hold to our own self-righteousness before the eyes of God.

Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

Seven Steps to Forgiveness

1. Recognize the injury

2. Identify the Emotions Involved

3. Express Your Hurt and Anger

4. Set Boundaries to Protect Yourself

5. Cancel the Debt

6. Consider the Possibility of Reconciliation

7. Move On

 

Psalm 41

“The great collection of songs and prayers expresses the heart and soul of humanity. In them we find the 
whole range of human experiences expressed.”

-Life Application Bible

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; 
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects them and preserves them — they are counted among the blessed in the land — he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Psalm 41:1-3 (NIV)

dal (Hebrew) – weak, poor, needy, humble, haggard, scrawny

Beatitude (blessed) – state of great joy

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, 
has turned against me.”

Psalm 41:4-9 (NIV)

Our choice: to abandon God or embrace God

But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, 
that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased 
with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 
Because of my integrity you uphold me 
and set me in your presence forever.

Psalm 41:10-12 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away 
from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV)

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Psalm 41:13 (NIV)

What about you?

Turn away from God or toward God?
Blame God or beseech God?
Abandon God or embrace God?

 

Psalm 115

Psalm 115:1-4
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.

And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them;…”
Exodus 20:1-5a (NIV)

Idols in today’s culture look different than the ones in the Bible but they are idols just the same.

What is it in your life that has the potential of becoming your idol?
Or have you already crossed the line?

Psalm 115:5-9
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield.

Sometimes we have spiritual amnesia.

God does not trust us for His existence, yet, we must trust God for ours.

Psalm 115:10-18
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.
May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.
It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence;
it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord.

How about you?
Who gets your glory?
Who or what do you worship?
Where do you look for your salvation?
Who is your God?

Psalm 42

PSALMS- Like poetry that have been poured out of the heart of God’s people | Express the full range of feelings we encounter during our lifetimes.

As the deer pants for streams of water, 
so my soul pants for you, my God. 
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 
When can I go and meet with God?

When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

These things I remember as I pour
out my soul: how I used to go to the house
of God under the protection of the
Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 
Why so disturbed within me? 
Put your hope in God, 
for I will yet praise him, 
my Savior and my God.

My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—
from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves
and breakers have swept over me.

By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet
praise him, my Savior and my God.

 

Peace

Pax (Latin) – Peace, compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of hostility, harmony

Shalom (Hebrew) – safety, security, prosperity, well-being, satisfaction, contentment, intactness, wholeness, kindness, considerate, respectful, just, tolerant of others

Shalom from a “community” perspective
Shalom from an “individual” perspective

The Book of Daniel:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Daniel 3:24-25 (NIV)

What about you?

eirene (Greek) = shalom (Hebrew)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

True peace only comes through Jesus.

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