1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,800 He is glorious. 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:13,680 Behold the one who has come to us. 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,680 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:17,680 To get connected or to give online, 5 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,480 you can go to connect.hcv.church 6 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,600 or give.hcv.church. 7 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,600 If at any time during this message 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,240 you feel called to make a change in your life, 9 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:33,040 text changeme to 970-00. 10 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,040 Thank you and enjoy the message. 11 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:39,360 Well isn't it true that with the holiday season, 12 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:44,640 everybody seems to be looking for a miracle during Christmas. 13 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:48,160 There's just something special about this time of year that puts 14 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:51,280 a longing in our hearts for something new. 15 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:55,600 You know, New Year's on the dawn, we want to begin to make changes. 16 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,880 Let me think about the things we have to change in our life. 17 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:04,320 Everybody is looking for a miracle during the Christmas season. 18 00:01:04,320 --> 00:01:08,000 For example, if you just do a simple Google search of Christmas miracle, 19 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,760 here are some of your results. 20 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,960 It's a faith-based movie, shocker. 21 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:16,000 It's a Hallmark movie. 22 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,880 It's a Thomas Kinkade collection. 23 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,040 It's a Reader's Digest article, 24 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,840 the seven true Christmas miracles that restore your hope for the holidays. 25 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,840 It's beyond an article, it's actually a book. 26 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:36,400 Ten Christmas stories that will comfort us from Guideposts International. 27 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:41,200 So people are always searching for something new, a miracle if you will. 28 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:42,800 We all are searching for it. 29 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:43,760 I mean think about it. 30 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:49,520 It's why we fill this season with warm and fuzzy memories, sentimental music. 31 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:55,040 We deck the halls, we string lights, we bake cookies that we only eat once a year. 32 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:56,400 Hmm. 33 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:01,360 We do this, I believe, to help mask some of the misery 34 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,480 and to escape the brokenness within our world. 35 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,760 However, we know that whatever miracle we are seeking, 36 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:14,640 eventually comes January 14th and the post-Christmas letdown kicks in 37 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:17,680 and everything that we had forgotten about for a month, 38 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:24,640 that dark cloud that hovers over us, quickly comes back within our minds. 39 00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:27,280 And we experience disappointment. 40 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:33,680 To be disappointed is to have basically your predictions about the future proven wrong. 41 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,160 That is the definition of disappointment. 42 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,440 You had this idea of the future, what it was going to be like, 43 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:46,720 how it's going to turn out, and unfortunately you're about as accurate as the weather app. 44 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:48,960 Which never is. 45 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:53,040 Don't waste your time even opening it because today was supposed to be sunny and nice 46 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:58,800 and I was going to put my decorations up, but of course it's rainy, cold, and miserable. 47 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:04,160 Disappointment though, if we're honest with ourselves, it can be a small thing. 48 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,360 Like you were going to buy a new home and you were expecting to buy it 49 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:11,200 and you were excited about this purchase and at the last second someone snuck in, 50 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:14,720 gave a better offer, and you lost out. 51 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,440 Maybe this year we're expecting a marriage proposal 52 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:21,360 that you thought was coming from your significant other. 53 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:25,920 You thought this was the one, only now you're discovering 54 00:03:25,920 --> 00:03:29,680 that your endless orbit of dating has no end in sight. 55 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,600 It's disappointing. 56 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:33,680 Maybe it's a friendship you've lost. 57 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,680 Maybe you've been expecting a phone call or a text message from a loved one 58 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:41,280 because you've been hurting and you didn't receive it. 59 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,720 Maybe just this past year you've realized unfulfilled dreams, 60 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:48,640 you have financial worries, you have secret health anxieties. 61 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:54,640 Whatever it is, quite often what happens in December is we forget about those things 62 00:03:54,640 --> 00:04:00,560 and then when 2024 comes around, it just becomes another year of disappointment. 63 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:02,720 And see, if you're in a relationship with God, 64 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,080 that disappointment can leak into our relationship with Him. 65 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,160 Life is hard. 66 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:12,160 I mean, if we're honest, it's not a Hallmark Christmas movie. 67 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:19,440 And deep inside we begin to believe that God is just like the people that let us down. 68 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,880 Maybe He's not going to do what He says He's going to do. 69 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:28,080 We find ourselves beginning to question His promises, His provision, His presence. 70 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:34,000 We're just not sure we can trust Him anymore because we don't want to be let down. 71 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:39,520 Even those of us, you know, I teach weekly about hope, about meaning. 72 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:43,360 And here it is the Christmas season and I'm talking about the real miracle of God 73 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,480 coming to earth in flesh as a baby. 74 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:55,040 We can quickly be distracted with the pains of our world and the wars and the suffering. 75 00:04:55,040 --> 00:05:02,320 See, theologian Flemmling Rudledge reminds us that the hope of Christmas is not acute expression. 76 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:06,160 It's actually grounded in reality of a fallen world when he says this. 77 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:11,600 The great theme of Advent is hope, but it is not tolerable to speak of hope 78 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:17,680 unless we are willing to look squarely at the overwhelming presence of evil in our world. 79 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:22,720 See, friends, this morning we're kicking off our Christmas series called Tremble. 80 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:27,200 And we're going to be looking at the different people that had encounters with God 81 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:32,880 through angelic visitations and their responses to these visits. 82 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:38,640 Just being honest, we're going to dive deep into the details of what Christmas is. 83 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:43,280 Because if we're honest, all of us know or have heard the details of Christmas. 84 00:05:43,280 --> 00:05:49,600 You know, there's a baby, there's a manger, there's wise men and shepherds and donkeys. 85 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:58,240 And apparently somewhere along the line came a drummer boy and now a hippopotamus is involved. 86 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:05,440 So for the next four weeks, we're going to dive deep and we're going to critically examine the story of Christmas 87 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,440 because the story of Christmas is critical to our faith. 88 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:14,160 And this morning we're going to begin where the Christmas narrative starts. 89 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:18,720 And we're starting in a place that many people don't even realize is a part of the Christmas story. 90 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:25,280 See, in the Gospel of Luke, we start not with the birth of Jesus, but with the birth of someone else. 91 00:06:25,280 --> 00:06:28,160 The birth of John the Baptist. 92 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:33,040 Luke, as he's writing this Gospel, literally interweaves these two stories 93 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,080 because they help us to understand one another. 94 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:42,080 If we're going to understand the birth of Jesus, we have to understand the birth of John the Baptist. 95 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:48,160 Luke is one of four Gospels, of course, that start the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 96 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:54,560 And just because it's chronologically the third book of Gospels does not mean that it was actually the third book written. 97 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,400 It's just how the book was brought together. 98 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:02,640 See, all four Gospels begin with the start of Jesus's life. 99 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:10,080 They all four reference this brand new season, this brand new age, this end breaking of the Kingdom. 100 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:14,240 And everything prior to the Gospels is the Old Testament. 101 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:18,880 And to just simply oversimplify the story of the Old Testament, for those of you who may not know, 102 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:23,360 God, He created a world where everything was perfect, and mankind, you and I, 103 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:30,000 we decided to sin and rebel against God, allowing a brokenness, an imperfection to come upon the earth. 104 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:36,240 And for the rest of the pages of the Old Testament, God keeps telling His people, 105 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,240 I'm going to make it right. 106 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,800 I'm going to send a Messiah. 107 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,600 I'm going to make it right. 108 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:48,080 The Messiah is coming over and over and over again. 109 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,800 God keeps saying, I'm coming. 110 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:52,080 I'm coming. 111 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:53,760 I'm coming. 112 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,720 And then it stops. 113 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:58,640 And there's silence. 114 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:09,360 And last Christmas Eve, for those of you who are here, I actually taught on this page right here in the Bible that many people know nothing about. 115 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:18,800 A white blank page between the Old and the New Testament. 116 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:29,120 And that white blank page that seems like nothing is 400 years of silence. 117 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:34,480 400 years of nothing. 118 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:38,320 Four centuries of silence. 119 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:47,920 See, the Book of Malachi ends with this promise of a future hope, and then that's the last words that you would hear from God. 120 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:52,480 No prophets were sent to bring messages of judgment or prosperity. 121 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:56,160 No angels, no kings, no deliverers. 122 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:02,000 Israel was literally shaken by the revolution and war during those years. 123 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:07,040 Most of God's people were scattered all throughout the conquering nations. 124 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:15,520 A few had come back when Nehemiah rebuilt the city, but then the Syrians quickly came and ravaged the land again. 125 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:26,800 A revolution by the Maccabees brought temporary hope only to be crushed by Roman oppression so that the people were in bondage again. 126 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:31,920 And it had come to the point that every day that the people walked to the temple. 127 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:36,000 And remember, this temple is built by Herod, an illegitimate king of Israel. 128 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:43,840 They literally would see a Roman flag waving in the wind behind them to remind them that they were captives. 129 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:52,480 Yet in the midst of the darkness, in the midst of where it all seemed lost, nobody could be trusted, God was silent. 130 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:59,440 There's still his hope because God suddenly breaks his silence. 131 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:07,040 And when God breaks his silence, he speaks to a man named Zechariah, which leads us to our first thought this morning. 132 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:12,240 You see, God makes promises to his people. 133 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:14,000 God makes promises to his people. 134 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:19,040 You may not know about Zechariah, but just a quick recap of his life. 135 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,520 Zechariah was an old man at this point. 136 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:27,280 He was also a priest, and he spent his entire life doing his priestly duties. 137 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:30,080 And when we pick up this story, this is where we find Zechariah. 138 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:31,600 He's doing his duties. 139 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:36,080 He is standing beside an altar burning incense. 140 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:45,920 And whenever the priest would burn incense, the people, the people of God would gather in the outer courts of the temple and begin to pray to God. 141 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:52,000 Because symbolically, as the incense would burn, the smoke would rise to heaven. 142 00:10:52,000 --> 00:11:04,320 And when the people saw the smoke from the incense rising to heaven, it increased their faith, realizing that their prayers are going up to God as well. 143 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:16,240 Now, we also have to realize that when it came to Zechariah, there were 24 divisions of families of priests, and each had 300 priests. 144 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:22,640 So every division of priests would have two weeks out of the year where they would serve in the temple. 145 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:27,920 Except during the major festivals, but during the major festivals, every priest was working. 146 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:34,560 This particular day that Luke is describing was a special day for Zechariah. 147 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:44,960 Because see, this man was chosen to go in the holy place, the holy of holies that no one else could enter and burn incense at the altar. 148 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:49,520 To decide who would get this honor, priests would cast lots. 149 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:58,960 And if chosen, this would be a once in a lifetime event, the highest honor in a temple priest's life. 150 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:07,120 And Zechariah would be the one to offer incense before God at the temple on behalf of all the people. 151 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:11,680 I mean, you have to realize this man had waited his whole life for this event. 152 00:12:11,680 --> 00:12:23,360 So amongst the worshippers out in the outer courts, you have to realize there were friends and family who would come from far away to watch him celebrate this special moment. 153 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:32,320 Because see, after this, Zechariah would be looked upon like others chosen for this duty, a spiritual leader among the people. 154 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:39,200 It would literally become the first or second line in every conversation about him for the rest of his life. 155 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:45,120 Zechariah, the one who once served incense at the altar. 156 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:51,680 So picture that, a life changing moment that will never happen again. 157 00:12:51,680 --> 00:12:54,320 And we read this in Luke 1, 10 to 17. 158 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:58,640 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside praying. 159 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:05,560 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing to the right in the incense altar. 160 00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:13,320 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him, but the angel said, don't be afraid, Zechariah. 161 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:17,400 God has heard your prayer. 162 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:22,120 Your wife Elizabeth will give you a son and you are to name him John. 163 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:23,520 Now, I just want to pause there a second. 164 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:29,960 Many people just assume that the answered prayer was that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son. 165 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:38,080 But many scholars doing the research have come to realize that the angel was actually speaking to two prayers. 166 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:45,120 Because you remember, Zechariah is standing on the altar before God praying on behalf of the people. 167 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:49,920 And those prayers were for a Messiah. 168 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:53,240 That God would send a Messiah to save the people. 169 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:59,640 So when the angel says, I've answered your prayer, not only is he going to get a son, but the Messiah is coming. 170 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,560 You have great joy and gladness. 171 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:06,040 And many will rejoice at his birth, referring to his son, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. 172 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,240 He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. 173 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:12,200 He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 174 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,800 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 175 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:19,240 He will be a man with the spirit and the power of Elijah. 176 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:21,760 He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. 177 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:23,600 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. 178 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:28,200 He will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly. 179 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:37,360 So Zechariah is simply doing what he had been doing all day, every day for years upon years upon years. 180 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,800 He's going through the same routines that he's been going through for years upon years upon years. 181 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,520 His name is called, he's before the Holy of Holies. 182 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,560 He's burning incense. 183 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:53,280 Though this time it's extra special because he's not just burning incense for himself. 184 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,320 He's burning it for the entire people who are waiting on the Messiah. 185 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:58,720 They're waiting on God to speak. 186 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,280 Remember 400 years. 187 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:04,000 Zechariah is still waiting for a son or daughter to be born. 188 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:09,240 And in the middle of that stillness, God speaks. 189 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:16,560 He sends an angel with a message that says, you and your wife, even in your old age, are going to have a son. 190 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:21,160 There's going to be something special about this guy. 191 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:22,800 I mean, notice what he says. 192 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:26,840 He's going to be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he's conceived. 193 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:31,200 And then the last words that are spoken by the angel are fascinating. 194 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:32,880 Absolutely incredible. 195 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,640 Remember, God had not spoken for how long? 196 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:39,840 Over 400 years. 197 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:44,720 The last words that people heard from God were recorded in the Book of Malachi. 198 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:49,560 And they're written in the Old Testament, of course, Malachi chapter four, verses five through six. 199 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:54,400 And listen, if you can hear a connection between the old and the new. 200 00:15:54,400 --> 00:16:00,480 Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah for the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 201 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:05,760 His preaching will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. 202 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:09,040 Otherwise, it will come and strike the lamb with the curse. 203 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:18,360 The last thing that God says in the Old Testament is the first thing he says in the new. 204 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:22,880 He's saying, Zechariah, all the things I have promised, 205 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:26,720 all the things you've been waiting for is about to come true today. 206 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:28,760 So get ready. 207 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:31,320 God's kingdom is coming. 208 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:34,720 See, God makes promises to his people. 209 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:40,800 And if you've been a part of our community of faith, you've probably heard me say that it's encouragement. 210 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:46,320 You know, in terms of, look, there's all these promises that God makes for us. 211 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,560 It sounds great. 212 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:53,240 But if we're honest, it's a little more complicated than what it sounds. Think about it. 213 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:57,600 How would you be feeling if you were Zechariah and you're like, well, Chris, what do you mean? 214 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:04,600 First, when you get past the initial shock that he's standing in front of an angel, right? 215 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:06,640 He's trembling. He's full of fear. 216 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:13,840 He spent his whole life waiting, waiting for Messiah, waiting for God to speak, waiting for his own child. 217 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:17,200 Then God appears and you know what he says to Zechariah? 218 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:22,400 Wait some more. 219 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:26,360 Hey, Zechariah, you got to wait some more. 220 00:17:26,360 --> 00:17:28,320 And you're like, well, but the angel didn't say that. 221 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,160 But listen to what the angel says. 222 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:32,960 God has heard your prayer. 223 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:37,520 Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son. 224 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,120 He will bring you great joy and gladness. 225 00:17:40,120 --> 00:17:41,400 Many will rejoice. 226 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,080 He will be great in the eyes of the Lord. 227 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:47,560 He will be filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth. 228 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:53,040 Zechariah has been waiting, waiting and waiting for years. 229 00:17:53,040 --> 00:18:00,520 The people have been waiting for over 400 years and God says, wait some more. 230 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:02,960 It's not very helpful to us, right? 231 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:09,280 I don't know. But if someone says to you, hey, I can come help you fix your deck next week, 232 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:11,560 you're like, oh, OK, when? 233 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,960 Well, we'll see when it fits into my schedule. 234 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:18,120 Sure you will. 235 00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:21,800 If you're anything like me, patience runs thin. 236 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:23,920 We're Americans. 237 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,280 We can have food delivered to our house in 35 minutes right after we order it on our 238 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:32,000 phone without communicating to people. 239 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:36,120 We don't have much patience. 240 00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:43,200 Yet so often in the Bible, we discover God does not change things right now or right 241 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:44,200 away. 242 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:49,840 If you read the Bible, you'll notice this word will often. 243 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:50,840 What he will do. 244 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,560 And this just said in the Old Testament. 245 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:54,920 It's all throughout the New Testament. 246 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:56,800 Look at Philippians 419. 247 00:18:56,800 --> 00:19:02,600 The same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs. 248 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:09,120 John 414, but those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. 249 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:11,440 John 14, two through three. 250 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,120 There's more than enough room in my father's home. 251 00:19:14,120 --> 00:19:17,680 If this were not so, what I've told you, I'm going to prepare a place for you. 252 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:22,680 When everything is ready, I will come and get you. 253 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:30,840 HCV, I'm just encouraging you that God's promises involve waiting. 254 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:35,160 And unfortunately for many followers of Jesus, when they don't receive what they are asking 255 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:40,720 for right now, they begin to question if God is good. 256 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:47,280 Why is so much of scripture filled with God talking about what he will do, what will happen? 257 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:48,880 Well that's our next thought. 258 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:53,280 See God's promises, they require faith. 259 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:55,120 God's promises require faith. 260 00:19:55,120 --> 00:20:00,640 Notice again what he says to Zechariah about his son John the Baptist. 261 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,680 He will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 262 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,320 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. 263 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:09,120 He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. 264 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:11,880 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. 265 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:16,040 And he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly. 266 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:23,880 See the essence of faith is believing God for a reality that we cannot possibly see 267 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:30,520 in a broken world or in a broken situation that doesn't seem to be changing. 268 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,200 Hebrews 11.1, faith shows the reality of what we hope for. 269 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,880 It is the evidence of things we cannot see. 270 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:42,480 See we worship a God who makes promises to us because his promises require a faithful 271 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:44,400 response. 272 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:46,760 But this is the challenge of faith. 273 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:52,760 It's hard to trust God with things happening later when it doesn't feel like he's acting 274 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:54,000 right now. 275 00:20:54,000 --> 00:21:00,560 Why should I trust you God with my future when I don't really like what's going on 276 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:05,240 in my present? 277 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:07,720 And all of us feel that way. 278 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:12,280 But oftentimes during the Christmas season those thoughts and those feelings they get 279 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:14,640 exaggerated. 280 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:20,960 The Christmas season could quickly bring up reminders that hey our life isn't perfect. 281 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:25,440 Our life is far from a Hallmark movie. 282 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:30,000 Our life is not how we envisioned it to be. 283 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,520 Because quite often during the holidays we can feel like God has forgotten us. 284 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:39,480 Well everyone else has the perfect family to celebrate the holidays with but I'm single 285 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,320 and alone. 286 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:44,920 My parents are divorced. 287 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,680 My parents are barely married. 288 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:54,640 There's a reminder that you've lost a loved one and you won't see them again here on this 289 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:56,920 earth. 290 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:03,160 You want to be married and every Christmas card you get is like another reminder that 291 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:04,800 you're single. 292 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:09,320 You want children and every Christmas card you receive is another reminder that you're 293 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:12,080 childless. 294 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:19,400 Christmas can bring about painful reminders that our life is not where we want it to be. 295 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:21,440 God I'm tired of waiting. 296 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,400 When are you going to do something? 297 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:29,360 Friends we have to realize that this is just simply a part of faith. 298 00:22:29,360 --> 00:22:32,600 Waiting is part of being in a relationship with Jesus. 299 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:37,080 And all throughout scripture we find people questioning whether God will act on what he 300 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,640 promises which leads us to our next thought or third thought. 301 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,920 It's people question God in times of uncertainty. 302 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,280 Now remember Zechariah. 303 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:47,280 He's been waiting. 304 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:48,280 He's been waiting. 305 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:52,040 He's chosen to burn the incense for the people. 306 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:55,040 He's in the holy of holies and an angel is standing there. 307 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:56,840 He falls to his face in fear. 308 00:22:56,840 --> 00:22:59,200 He's gripped with fear. 309 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:00,960 And then we read this in Luke 1 18. 310 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:04,880 You can almost see Zechariah standing back up. 311 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:07,520 How can I be sure this will happen? 312 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:12,520 I'm an old man now and my wife is also well along in years. 313 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:18,240 And it's like when I read those words how can I be sure this will happen? 314 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:21,800 It's almost like Zechariah just sounds tired. 315 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:25,160 Doesn't he sound tired? 316 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:30,400 He spent his whole life waiting for the Messiah but he's still under Roman oppression. 317 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:35,240 He and his wife spent their whole lives praying and expecting and wanting children yet they 318 00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:37,800 remain childless. 319 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:43,440 And when I read this it sounds like he simply lost his energy to wait on God. 320 00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:47,600 He lost energy to trust him and he begins to what? 321 00:23:47,600 --> 00:23:49,200 Question. 322 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:54,160 In times of uncertainty we begin to question God. 323 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,000 Zechariah was used to being let down. 324 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:01,800 And just being honest some of you gathered here this morning are used to being let down. 325 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:07,440 You walk through these doors wanting more wanting a touch from God because you've been 326 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,920 let down this week. 327 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:11,400 Maybe your spouse let you down. 328 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:14,440 Maybe it was your boss or your co-worker or your children. 329 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:18,560 Maybe it was friends or family members or maybe you're just at a place where you're 330 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:22,960 just tired and burn out on religion. 331 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:30,240 Maybe just the nastiness of the world that we're living in has just wore you down. 332 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:37,960 Because I want to encourage you that throughout the Bible where God makes a promise to his 333 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:42,680 people immediately the people begin to question. 334 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,560 They begin to wonder is this true? 335 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,960 It happened with Abraham, Moses, Gideon. 336 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:49,680 You see it here with Zechariah. 337 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:54,880 God makes this promise and God's people begin to question that promise. 338 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:55,880 And hear me out. 339 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:59,160 God isn't surprised with our doubt or our questioning. 340 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:04,040 Please don't try to hide it because he knows our hearts anyway. 341 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:07,200 Like we have these doubts and these questions that we try to hide and pretend they're not 342 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:08,200 there. 343 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:11,760 No they're real. 344 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:13,980 And you have to remember who Zechariah was. 345 00:25:13,980 --> 00:25:19,760 He was an old man and he's been following God for his entire life. 346 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:21,680 He wasn't just a man that followed God. 347 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:27,600 He was a priest which meant his entire life has been teaching the story of God to other 348 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:30,960 people for years and years and years. 349 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:36,360 He has taken the Old Testament stories and taught them to the people of God. 350 00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:42,800 So when the angel of God appears and gives him this message that even in your old age 351 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:49,080 you will have a child it's very confusing that Zechariah would respond well how can 352 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:52,240 I be sure of this? 353 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:53,240 Because think about it. 354 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:56,480 Let's make Zechariah fast forward that Zechariah is alive today. 355 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:57,680 Think about it. 356 00:25:57,680 --> 00:25:59,640 He was raised in church. 357 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:01,120 He attended Sunday school. 358 00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:05,240 He was a part of groups through his teen years and his college days. 359 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:08,080 Zechariah knew the promises of God. 360 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:13,480 So much so that back then being a priest he memorized the promises of God. 361 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,120 He had to have them memorized in order to be a priest. 362 00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:22,880 So his response is confusing because one of the most important people in the Old Testament 363 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:26,240 is this man named Abraham. 364 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:30,440 And Abraham is known as the father of the Jewish people. 365 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:34,280 And listen to what God said to Abraham in Genesis 17. 366 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:39,980 Then God said to Abraham, regarding Sarai your wife, her name will no longer be Sarai. 367 00:26:39,980 --> 00:26:42,080 From now on her name will be Sarah. 368 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:44,080 And I will bless her and give you a son from her. 369 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:48,200 Yes, I will bless her richly and she will become the mother of many nations. 370 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:52,480 Kings of nations will be among her descendants and Abraham bowed down to the ground. 371 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:55,680 But he laughed to himself in disbelief. 372 00:26:55,680 --> 00:26:58,560 How could he become a father at the age of 100? 373 00:26:58,560 --> 00:26:59,640 He thought. 374 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,520 And how can Sarah have a baby when she is 90 years old? 375 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:08,000 See, Zechariah knew that story. 376 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:09,520 He taught that story. 377 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:11,640 He had the story memorized. 378 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,880 He said he believed in the story. 379 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:19,640 Yet when an angel of God comes and delivers a message personally to him that he's going 380 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:23,840 to have a son in his old age, what's Zechariah do? 381 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,760 How's that going to happen? 382 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:30,440 Sounds like you and me, doesn't it? 383 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:36,720 He knew that God did it before and if he did it before he could do it again. 384 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:42,400 If he believed that God gave Abraham in his old age a son, surely he could do the same 385 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:43,400 with him. 386 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:48,240 But here's the problem that Zechariah is struggling with and I believe that many of us struggle 387 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:50,560 with. 388 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:56,360 Zechariah is struggling to trust God with his future because he has forgotten what God 389 00:27:56,360 --> 00:28:02,800 has done in the past and he's so wrapped up in the present. 390 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:05,800 Can I say that again? 391 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:13,040 Zechariah is struggling to trust God with his future because he's forgotten what God 392 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:21,760 has done in the past and he's so consumed with his circumstances in the present. 393 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:27,940 See whenever there's uncertainty in our life we begin to question the promises of God because 394 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:31,440 we feel like our life is out of control. 395 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:35,120 And when we can't control our life we don't like it. 396 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:40,160 We don't like how God is handling our present situation and it throws our entire relationship 397 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:43,240 with God into turmoil and doubt. 398 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:48,400 Then we find ourselves binge watching harm walk Christmas movies trying to stir up and 399 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:53,240 muster up Christmas spirit so we can make it through the holiday season. 400 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:58,040 It doesn't work. 401 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:01,040 Listen to what Zechariah says to the angel. 402 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:03,480 How can I be sure of this? 403 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:07,560 I'm an old man now and my wife is also well along in years. 404 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:09,120 How can I trust? 405 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:11,760 So do what you say you're going to do. 406 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:16,760 What I'm currently living with doesn't line up with what you're promising. 407 00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:18,800 He's questioning. 408 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:22,480 He's questioning God and the format goes like this. 409 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:23,800 How God? 410 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:29,560 Because I am blank. 411 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:30,560 How God? 412 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:31,560 How is this going to happen? 413 00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:33,760 I am old. 414 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:39,880 And for some of you, for all of us, you can fill that blank with anything. 415 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:45,400 Anything that is going on in our current circumstances are reasons for us to question God about the 416 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:46,400 future. 417 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:47,400 God, how? 418 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,800 How are you going to restore my marriage? 419 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:52,320 I'm not even happy at it. 420 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:56,640 God, how are you going to make me a person that loves others? 421 00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:58,080 I'm too anxious. 422 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:02,840 God, how can I give to make a difference in someone's life? 423 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:04,200 I'm not wealthy. 424 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:05,200 I'm not good enough. 425 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:06,200 I don't have a job. 426 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:07,200 I didn't go to school. 427 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:08,200 I'm a failure. 428 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:09,200 I made too many mistakes. 429 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:10,200 How God? 430 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:11,200 How is this going to happen? 431 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:12,200 I am. 432 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,320 Fill in the blank. 433 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:24,040 We question God when uncertainty arises in our daily life, which leads us to our next 434 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:25,720 stop. 435 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,800 This is encouragement to all of you. 436 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:33,200 God keeps His promises. 437 00:30:33,200 --> 00:30:36,320 Zechariah says, how? 438 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:38,720 And notice the response, Luke 1, 19 to 20. 439 00:30:38,720 --> 00:30:39,720 I love this. 440 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:42,320 And you can almost see it. 441 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:48,160 It's like, then the angel said, and it's almost like he just stands up, sticks out his chest 442 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:49,960 and his wings flare out. 443 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:52,000 I am Gabriel. 444 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,720 Like, can you see that? 445 00:30:55,720 --> 00:30:59,080 I mean, just gets up in his chest. 446 00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:03,520 I stand in the very presence of God. 447 00:31:03,520 --> 00:31:06,400 It was He who sent me to bring you this good news. 448 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:08,600 And he's referencing, pointing Zechariah. 449 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:12,120 Look, it's all God. 450 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:16,760 He says, but now since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable 451 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:21,520 to speak until the child is born, for my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper 452 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:22,520 time. 453 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:30,520 So Zechariah, he questions the angel, and the angel gets right back on him. 454 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:33,320 I'm standing in the presence of God. 455 00:31:33,320 --> 00:31:34,520 Second ago, you were trembling. 456 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:36,040 Now you're questioning. 457 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:37,400 You say you believe in God. 458 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:40,600 You have taught others your entire life to trust and follow God. 459 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:43,680 I have come from Him with the message of hope, of life. 460 00:31:43,680 --> 00:31:45,320 Now you question. 461 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:49,520 See, listen, God loves to hear our doubts. 462 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:51,600 God loves to field our questions. 463 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:59,960 He loves to hear our anguished cries for help. 464 00:31:59,960 --> 00:32:03,320 But God can't stand unbelief. 465 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:07,640 In fact, unbelief is a sin. 466 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:11,640 And Zechariah now is punished. 467 00:32:11,640 --> 00:32:20,500 He is mute for the duration of the pregnancy, so that he can watch what happens and experience 468 00:32:20,500 --> 00:32:24,320 what it means to sit in silence. 469 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:26,520 Zechariah questioned God. 470 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:27,680 How God? 471 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:28,680 Because I am. 472 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:29,680 Right? 473 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:30,680 He's making excuses. 474 00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:31,680 Well, I am. 475 00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:35,680 Well, there's another story in the Bible where once again, God's messenger appears out of 476 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:38,080 nowhere with a promise from God. 477 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:39,440 And once again, God's people, what do they do? 478 00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:40,440 They question. 479 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:41,840 Look at Exodus 3. 480 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:44,720 But Moses protested to God, who am I to appear before Pharaoh? 481 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:48,640 Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt? 482 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:50,480 God answered, I'll be with you. 483 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:51,920 And this is your sign. 484 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:53,640 I'm the one who sent you. 485 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:56,720 When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain. 486 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:59,040 But Moses protested. 487 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:00,040 Notice Moses. 488 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:01,040 I am. 489 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:02,040 I can't talk good enough. 490 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:03,040 I'm nobody. 491 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:04,040 I'm worthless. 492 00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:05,040 I am. 493 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:06,040 I am. 494 00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:07,040 Moses protested. 495 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:09,840 If I go to the people of Israel and tell them that God, your answers have sent me to you, 496 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,560 they will ask me, what is his name? 497 00:33:13,560 --> 00:33:14,640 Then what should I tell them? 498 00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:15,820 God replied to Moses. 499 00:33:15,820 --> 00:33:17,600 Notice God's response. 500 00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:20,040 I am who I am. 501 00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:21,360 Say this to the people of Israel. 502 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:24,640 I am has sent me to you. 503 00:33:24,640 --> 00:33:29,680 God says, tell them I am sent me. 504 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:33,040 Moses questioned God with an I am statement. 505 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:34,440 I'm not good enough. 506 00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:36,360 What's God respond with? 507 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:38,240 I am good enough. 508 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:43,680 See, the answer to Moses' questions, the answer to Zechariah's questions, the answer to our 509 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:48,620 questions is the exact same as our question to God. 510 00:33:48,620 --> 00:33:50,600 You just have to move the question mark. 511 00:33:50,600 --> 00:33:51,840 You have to get rid of it. 512 00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:58,400 When we say, hey, God, how can this be because I am, he responds, because I am. 513 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:02,120 Yeah, you can't do it on your own. 514 00:34:02,120 --> 00:34:07,800 You need me. 515 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:09,960 God is saying, I am the one who parted the seas. 516 00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:12,960 I am the one who said I would have a promised land for you and I did. 517 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,680 I am the one who said I would slay a giant and I slayed a giant. 518 00:34:16,680 --> 00:34:20,080 I am the one who said I am coming again and now I am coming again. 519 00:34:20,080 --> 00:34:21,320 I will defeat the enemy. 520 00:34:21,320 --> 00:34:22,480 I will destroy death. 521 00:34:22,480 --> 00:34:27,640 I will give you an eternal paradise in heaven because I am the God who says what I'm going 522 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:31,480 to do and I will do it. 523 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:36,660 And friends, this is why we have to start here. 524 00:34:36,660 --> 00:34:40,920 This is why we have to start in Luke's gospel. 525 00:34:40,920 --> 00:34:46,960 Just the birth of John the Baptist paralleling it with the birth of Jesus. 526 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:55,200 The point of both of these births is God saying, I am going to do what I promised. 527 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:57,560 John the Baptist's birth fulfills a prophecy. 528 00:34:57,560 --> 00:35:00,560 Remember, Malachi chapter four, God said he was going to what? 529 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:07,160 Send Elijah, someone that would go ahead of Jesus, John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy. 530 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:13,240 But Jesus' birth in life, listen to this, fulfills more than 300 prophecies in the Old 531 00:35:13,240 --> 00:35:15,160 Testament. 532 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:21,840 While Jesus lived his time here on earth, more than 300 prophecies were fulfilled. 533 00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:27,080 And these prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, he couldn't do on his own. 534 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:30,840 These aren't things that he just made up or were outside of his control. 535 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,640 Just think about when he was born. 536 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:39,000 He was born a virgin, he was born in Bethlehem, and he was born in the line of King David. 537 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:45,000 Those three truths fulfilled three prophecies from hundreds of years before they happened. 538 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:53,840 The point, Christmas is communicating to us that the God of hope can be trusted. 539 00:35:53,840 --> 00:35:59,600 See, friends, we have a lot more in common with Zechariah than we think. 540 00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:02,880 We all have a little Zechariah in us. 541 00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:07,440 Zechariah was waiting on God, and the people of God had been waiting for over 400 years 542 00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:08,440 in complete silence. 543 00:36:08,440 --> 00:36:10,640 Remember that blank page? 544 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:17,280 Now Zechariah finds himself mute, unable to talk, just like God was not talking as if 545 00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:24,440 God was wanting Zechariah to experience and live in his complaining. 546 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:28,440 And then when the time came for his baby to be born, and it was time to name him, notice 547 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:30,480 what we read in Luke 1. 548 00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:35,460 When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. 549 00:36:35,460 --> 00:36:41,760 They wanted to name him Zechariah after his father, but Elissa said, no, his name is John. 550 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:43,080 What? 551 00:36:43,080 --> 00:36:46,840 They exclaimed, there is no one in all your family by this name. 552 00:36:46,840 --> 00:36:50,900 So they used gestures, they asked the baby's father what he wanted to name him, emotion 553 00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:56,720 for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, his name is John. 554 00:36:56,720 --> 00:37:06,400 And then notice this part, instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. 555 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:09,920 All fell upon the whole neighborhood in the news of what had happened spread throughout 556 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:11,000 the Judean hills. 557 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,640 How did Zechariah respond? 558 00:37:14,640 --> 00:37:21,940 He responded with praise, and praise spread throughout the land. 559 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:25,560 How will you respond this morning? 560 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:30,520 See, we are in the same position as Zechariah. 561 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:35,560 Daily we live in the tension of the already and the not yet. 562 00:37:35,560 --> 00:37:38,800 Daily we face the struggle, the temptation, the heartache. 563 00:37:38,800 --> 00:37:41,800 We question God, why is this addiction still here? 564 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:44,600 Why can't I overcome this sin? 565 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:46,880 Why am I arguing and fighting with my spouse? 566 00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:58,040 We're asking God to get involved. 567 00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:01,160 He promises He will. 568 00:38:01,160 --> 00:38:03,200 And how do I know that? 569 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:11,560 Because God promised Jesus, and Jesus came, He was born, He lived, He died, He was resurrected, 570 00:38:11,560 --> 00:38:17,380 He ascended to the heaven, and He promises He will return. 571 00:38:17,380 --> 00:38:22,520 We are still waiting for that promise. 572 00:38:22,520 --> 00:38:25,600 And that promise is what we read in Revelation 19. 573 00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:29,920 Then I heard again what sounded like a shout of a vast crowd, or a roar of a mighty ocean 574 00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:32,800 waves, or the crash of a loud thunder. 575 00:38:32,800 --> 00:38:36,800 Praise the Lord, for the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns, let us be glad and rejoice, 576 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:38,740 let us give honor to Him. 577 00:38:38,740 --> 00:38:43,200 For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself. 578 00:38:43,200 --> 00:38:46,680 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. 579 00:38:46,680 --> 00:38:50,560 For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people, and the angel said to 580 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:54,880 me, write this, blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. 581 00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:58,640 And He added, these are true words that come from God. 582 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:01,280 And you say, Chris, why is that there? 583 00:39:01,280 --> 00:39:03,880 Because Jesus is coming back. 584 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:07,000 And when He comes back, He's throwing a party. 585 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:09,680 He's having a wedding feast. 586 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:12,480 And the question is not whether Jesus will be at the party. 587 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:16,280 The question is, will His bride? 588 00:39:16,280 --> 00:39:21,800 Will the church be ready, or will we slowly allow ourselves to conform to the patterns 589 00:39:21,800 --> 00:39:24,240 of this world? 590 00:39:24,240 --> 00:39:26,200 Will we forget to wait on God? 591 00:39:26,200 --> 00:39:28,160 Will we fail to trust Him? 592 00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:30,720 Will we begin to believe that He's not reliable? 593 00:39:30,720 --> 00:39:39,720 The message of Christmas is not about manufacturing sentimental feelings of good joy. 594 00:39:39,720 --> 00:39:44,420 It's about believing the reality that God has birthed something new in Jesus. 595 00:39:44,420 --> 00:39:48,600 And because of this, God will birth something new in you and me. 596 00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:54,500 And He will continue to do it day after day after day after day. 597 00:39:54,500 --> 00:40:00,040 And that newness is breaking out this morning in the hearts of God people amidst the broken 598 00:40:00,040 --> 00:40:02,220 world. 599 00:40:02,220 --> 00:40:06,000 And we're diving into this series because I believe God wants us to fall in love with 600 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:08,760 Him again this Christmas. 601 00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:12,880 I believe that God wants us to draw close to Him. 602 00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:18,560 That we're tired of the sentimental time of the year where there's tree lighting and all 603 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:19,560 good stuff. 604 00:40:19,560 --> 00:40:21,240 You know, I'm not going to complain about it. 605 00:40:21,240 --> 00:40:24,120 I'm not going to say it's bad things. 606 00:40:24,120 --> 00:40:27,240 All good things. 607 00:40:27,240 --> 00:40:34,000 But what's the most important thing is are we praising Him? 608 00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:40,000 Because when Zechariah was freed from being mute, what was the first thing that he did? 609 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:41,800 He praised God. 610 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,760 He thanked Him. 611 00:40:44,760 --> 00:40:46,240 Which leads to our action steps. 612 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:48,240 The first is this. 613 00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:53,400 We need to daily offer praise. 614 00:40:53,400 --> 00:40:54,400 Luke 1, 68-70. 615 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:59,080 The cool thing about Zechariah is not only did he praise God, but they recorded a song 616 00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:01,840 and he prophesied about what his son would do. 617 00:41:01,840 --> 00:41:05,440 Praise the Lord the God of Israel because he was visited and redeemed his people. 618 00:41:05,440 --> 00:41:10,160 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David just as he promised 619 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:12,840 through his holy prophets long ago. 620 00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:16,960 Zechariah praises God for the hope, the salvation that Jesus would bring. 621 00:41:16,960 --> 00:41:20,720 And my question to you is do you daily thank God for what He has given you if you're in 622 00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:21,960 a relationship with Him? 623 00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:23,960 And you say, well, Chris, what did He give me? 624 00:41:23,960 --> 00:41:24,960 John 3, 16-17. 625 00:41:24,960 --> 00:41:27,000 For this is how God loved the world. 626 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:30,920 He gave us one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have 627 00:41:30,920 --> 00:41:31,920 eternal life. 628 00:41:31,920 --> 00:41:36,240 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. 629 00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:41,760 That alone, those two verses alone, are enough for us to offer praise back to God. 630 00:41:41,760 --> 00:41:47,560 Do we daily take time in our busy schedules, in our craziness of the holiday season, to 631 00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:54,440 reflect on the wonderful gift that God gave us this holiday season? 632 00:41:54,440 --> 00:41:58,080 Jesus is the one who came in flesh. 633 00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:01,080 He is the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. 634 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:07,380 He is the living and promised Messiah that offers grace and a relationship with our Creator 635 00:42:07,380 --> 00:42:10,160 every single day. 636 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:13,400 Will you offer Him praise? 637 00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:14,560 Which leads us to our next step. 638 00:42:14,560 --> 00:42:16,240 We've got to be grateful. 639 00:42:16,240 --> 00:42:21,160 Being grateful is a Thanksgiving reminder that it's already passed. 640 00:42:21,160 --> 00:42:26,280 So many people rush through Thanksgiving to get to Christmas when in reality we are called 641 00:42:26,280 --> 00:42:30,200 as godly people to be grateful every single day. 642 00:42:30,200 --> 00:42:31,200 Luke 1, 71-75. 643 00:42:31,200 --> 00:42:35,800 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. 644 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:40,320 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering His sacred covenant, the covenant He swore 645 00:42:40,320 --> 00:42:43,000 with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 646 00:42:43,000 --> 00:42:47,180 And we have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear in holiness 647 00:42:47,180 --> 00:42:49,560 and righteousness for as long as we live. 648 00:42:49,560 --> 00:42:54,440 Zechariah reflects on the way that salvation has changed him and his people. 649 00:42:54,440 --> 00:42:55,480 What is the gospel? 650 00:42:55,480 --> 00:43:01,400 The gospel is good news that transforms lives today and every single day. 651 00:43:01,400 --> 00:43:05,340 It never leaves someone unchanged. 652 00:43:05,340 --> 00:43:09,680 We look back on the things we've done wrong, the mistakes we've made, the failures, our 653 00:43:09,680 --> 00:43:11,520 own unbelief. 654 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:15,920 But because of God's mercy we are forgiven. 655 00:43:15,920 --> 00:43:23,160 Zechariah reflects on God's salvation and how it enables him to be God to others every single 656 00:43:23,160 --> 00:43:24,160 day. 657 00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:25,160 And how do we do that? 658 00:43:25,160 --> 00:43:27,880 You say, Chris, how can I show God to others? 659 00:43:27,880 --> 00:43:28,880 Romans 8-11. 660 00:43:28,880 --> 00:43:32,160 The spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. 661 00:43:32,160 --> 00:43:35,960 And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies 662 00:43:35,960 --> 00:43:37,560 by the same spirit living in you. 663 00:43:37,560 --> 00:43:45,000 The Holy Spirit enables us to live for God every single day with boldness, with openness, 664 00:43:45,000 --> 00:43:47,960 with love, with mercy, which leads us to our final step. 665 00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:52,960 You praise God, you be grateful, you daily ask God to be used. 666 00:43:52,960 --> 00:43:56,840 And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High because you will 667 00:43:56,840 --> 00:43:57,840 prepare the way of the Lord. 668 00:43:57,840 --> 00:44:02,080 You will tell his people how to found salvation through forgiveness for their sins because 669 00:44:02,080 --> 00:44:03,800 of God's tender mercy. 670 00:44:03,800 --> 00:44:07,480 The morning light from heaven is about to break upon us and give light to those who 671 00:44:07,480 --> 00:44:13,860 sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death into God as to the path of peace. 672 00:44:13,860 --> 00:44:17,140 God enjoys using His people in His plan. 673 00:44:17,140 --> 00:44:24,680 He loves to use the weak, the forgotten, to make a difference and to bring hope to those 674 00:44:24,680 --> 00:44:27,040 who think they have it all together. 675 00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:30,680 God loves to involve us in His plan. 676 00:44:30,680 --> 00:44:37,040 And we are called to remind people, especially during the holiday season, of this good news. 677 00:44:37,040 --> 00:44:42,280 We are called during this holiday season to our lives to reflect God's love and His mercy 678 00:44:42,280 --> 00:44:43,280 to other people. 679 00:44:43,280 --> 00:44:46,280 And friends, that's the good news. 680 00:44:46,280 --> 00:44:48,760 The good news is Matthew 28. 681 00:44:48,760 --> 00:44:52,720 Jesus came and told His disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on 682 00:44:52,720 --> 00:44:53,720 earth. 683 00:44:53,720 --> 00:44:57,120 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptized in the name of the Father and the 684 00:44:57,120 --> 00:44:58,880 Son and the Holy Spirit. 685 00:44:58,880 --> 00:45:02,320 And let these new disciples obey all the commands I have given you. 686 00:45:02,320 --> 00:45:03,760 And be sure of this. 687 00:45:03,760 --> 00:45:05,880 Church, be reminded of this. 688 00:45:05,880 --> 00:45:12,960 Jesus is with you always, even to the end of the age. 689 00:45:12,960 --> 00:45:21,960 Isn't it amazing that for many people, the Christmas story is one that hasn't even been 690 00:45:21,960 --> 00:45:24,640 written yet? 691 00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:27,200 They don't even realize there was a Zechariah. 692 00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:29,480 They don't even realize there was a John the Baptist. 693 00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:32,600 They don't even realize there's hope, there's meaning, there's purpose for their very own 694 00:45:32,600 --> 00:45:34,080 lives. 695 00:45:34,080 --> 00:45:38,040 And yet we've been given the ability to daily go out and share this good news with other 696 00:45:38,040 --> 00:45:43,320 people to see their lives transformed, to see them set free. 697 00:45:43,320 --> 00:45:48,860 But so often we get bombarded with the craziness of the holiday season, our jobs, our schedules, 698 00:45:48,860 --> 00:45:52,640 our children, everything that's happening that we forget the main purpose and then we 699 00:45:52,640 --> 00:45:56,160 lose the meaning of the season. 700 00:45:56,160 --> 00:46:02,120 This season is about God's promises being fulfilled in our lives. 701 00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:08,200 And those promises happen when we go back to God and we allow Him to speak to our life. 702 00:46:08,200 --> 00:46:10,080 Will you stand with me? 703 00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:16,080 Now listen, I want you to stay focused with me a second. 704 00:46:16,080 --> 00:46:17,080 Okay? 705 00:46:17,080 --> 00:46:22,400 I want you to stay focused with me a second. 706 00:46:22,400 --> 00:46:27,360 I know that as we close, everybody's preparing to leave, packing up, listening. 707 00:46:27,360 --> 00:46:31,560 I need you to come back to me a second. 708 00:46:31,560 --> 00:46:36,320 I've been, I downloaded a book that's been helping me with this series and I just want 709 00:46:36,320 --> 00:46:42,320 to read a quote from the book because I believe it really reflects where we are as the American 710 00:46:42,320 --> 00:46:45,440 church. 711 00:46:45,440 --> 00:46:50,440 One of my least favorite phrases I hear pastors and worship leaders say, forgive me because 712 00:46:50,440 --> 00:46:52,200 I've said this. 713 00:46:52,200 --> 00:46:54,360 God showed up today. 714 00:46:54,360 --> 00:46:59,800 It strikes me as odd as if God is a lazy teenager whom we are trying to rouse to get in the 715 00:46:59,800 --> 00:47:01,600 church. 716 00:47:01,600 --> 00:47:07,920 My response in my mind of course is always, God didn't show up, He's always here. 717 00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:13,160 The real question is, will you show up? 718 00:47:13,160 --> 00:47:20,040 And see, I believe that was the word for all of us this morning. 719 00:47:20,040 --> 00:47:22,440 Will you show up? 720 00:47:22,440 --> 00:47:25,880 And how I felt like we were going to close is this, we're going to close by worshiping 721 00:47:25,880 --> 00:47:28,200 because that's what Zechariah did. 722 00:47:28,200 --> 00:47:31,960 And if we're going to follow the biblical example, we're going to follow what Zechariah 723 00:47:31,960 --> 00:47:36,400 did and we're going to allow ourselves to unibidly worship God. 724 00:47:36,400 --> 00:47:41,700 And I want to challenge some of you. 725 00:47:41,700 --> 00:47:45,040 You've never even sung a song. 726 00:47:45,040 --> 00:47:49,400 Just being honest, you've never had a word come out of your mouth and we have the words 727 00:47:49,400 --> 00:47:52,740 on the screen. 728 00:47:52,740 --> 00:47:56,600 You can't sing, well God, I'm my good voice isn't good enough. 729 00:47:56,600 --> 00:47:57,600 I'm embarrassed. 730 00:47:57,600 --> 00:47:59,160 I'm an introvert. 731 00:47:59,160 --> 00:48:00,600 There's too many people here. 732 00:48:00,600 --> 00:48:03,200 It's a big church. 733 00:48:03,200 --> 00:48:07,960 I am. 734 00:48:07,960 --> 00:48:09,920 God is challenging you. 735 00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:16,420 Listen, God is challenging you to get over yourself and praise Him this morning because 736 00:48:16,420 --> 00:48:21,000 I believe He's going to unlock chains that are on your hands and your wrists and you're 737 00:48:21,000 --> 00:48:24,020 going to walk in a freedom like you've never walked in before. 738 00:48:24,020 --> 00:48:25,020 But it's your choice. 739 00:48:25,020 --> 00:48:26,020 It's your choice. 740 00:48:26,020 --> 00:48:35,320 So before we sing, first, if you have arthritis issues, if you have arthritis, I'm sorry, 741 00:48:35,320 --> 00:48:36,320 we want to pray for you. 742 00:48:36,320 --> 00:48:38,320 There was a word that God wanted to heal arthritis. 743 00:48:38,320 --> 00:48:40,680 Our prayer team would be over here on the right to pray for you. 744 00:48:40,680 --> 00:48:44,080 So if you feel like you want to call, pray for arthritis, get over there. 745 00:48:44,080 --> 00:48:47,240 Or you need prayer for arthritis, get over there. 746 00:48:47,240 --> 00:48:53,360 Second, the best gift that you could give back to God is yourself. 747 00:48:53,360 --> 00:48:54,360 Make a choice. 748 00:48:54,360 --> 00:48:56,000 I'm going to pray a simple prayer. 749 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,720 I'm going to invite the entire church to pray it with me. 750 00:48:58,720 --> 00:49:02,000 And some of you will pray it for the first time or recommit to it for the first time 751 00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:03,000 in a long time. 752 00:49:03,000 --> 00:49:06,800 And if that's you, give me a big hug on your way out or text me. 753 00:49:06,800 --> 00:49:07,800 Okay? 754 00:49:07,800 --> 00:49:08,800 Let's pray together. 755 00:49:08,800 --> 00:49:11,480 Jesus, I'm broken. 756 00:49:11,480 --> 00:49:17,040 I'm full of doubt, shame, regret, sin. 757 00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:18,040 Change me. 758 00:49:18,040 --> 00:49:20,760 I believe you're God's son. 759 00:49:20,760 --> 00:49:24,120 I believe you died for me. 760 00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:25,120 Set me free. 761 00:49:25,120 --> 00:49:27,960 Fill me with your spirit. 762 00:49:27,960 --> 00:49:32,040 Allow me to share the good news with others. 763 00:49:32,040 --> 00:49:34,640 In Jesus' name, amen. 764 00:49:34,640 --> 00:49:38,960 This is going to be an incredible series for the entire month of December. 765 00:49:38,960 --> 00:49:44,560 It's going to come late, Christmas Eve gatherings, Christmas gatherings are going to change lives. 766 00:49:44,560 --> 00:49:48,360 Are you willing to praise God and to put Him first? 767 00:49:48,360 --> 00:50:12,240 I want to invite you now to sing and to worship and to allow your change to be broken.