12/8/2019
Christmas Prepared
Luke 1:3-4 I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Christmas Is Historically True
Luke 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Blamelessness Recognizes Sin
Luke 1:6-7 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
Worship Calls Us To Assemble Regularly
Luke 1:8-10 Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot according to the custom of the priesthood to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. When the time for the burning of incense came all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Angelic Beings Are Real
Luke 1:11-12 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.
God Hears & Grants Earnest Prayer
Luke 1:13-15 But the angel said to him: “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to give him the name 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.
Substance Abuse Hinders Spiritual Power
Luke 1:15 …he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
Revival Comes Through Repentance
Luke 1:16 -17 He will bring many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God. He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
In Our Human Condition Issues Appear to be Impossible
Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Unbelief Has Consequence
Luke 1:19-20 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the presence of God! I was sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. Now you will be mute and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
God’s Visitation Is Real!
Luke 1:21-22 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Babies Change Our Lives!
Luke 1:23-25 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Malachi 4:1-6 “ The day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “ Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere My Name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these thing,” says the LORD Almighty. “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”