The Expansive World of God’s Promises

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Luke 1:5-25

Guest Preacher Rev. Mike Imperiale

Introduction

Luke the evangelist was not only a medical doctor and historian,

but he also provides for us an account of how Jesus’s life relates to our

own.

As you go through this season of Advent and Christmas

and hear some familiar passages from the Bible,

be sure to consider how this amazing story has a direct impact

on your life and on the life of the church.

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After a brief introduction

“that you may know the certainty of these things” in verse 4,

Luke gives us a long, detailed description of the Incarnation,

the birth of Jesus, God becoming a human being

“for us and for our salvation” as the Nicene Creed confesses.

He begins with an important phrase,

“In the time of Herod king of Judea.”

You will hear from critics that the Bible is mythical,

divorced from reality, cannot possible be true.

But Luke insists here and other places that the Bible is located

in real time, place and human history.

So here we go.

I. Why Choose This Couple? (vs 5-7)

“A priest named Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God,

observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive,

and they were both very old.”

The meaning of names in Bible times held important significance.

Like my name: Μιχαήλ, Michael means Who is like God or Gift of God.

No kidding! I just had to tell you…

Pastor Phil means Lover of or Fond of Horses.

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You’ll have to ask him about that…

Zechariah means The Lord Remembers;

and Elizabeth means My God is an Absolutely Faithful One

or My God is an Oath. Luke’s account here demonstrates these names.

Their desire was to love and honor God. “But they were childless.”

You see, in their day, most Jews did not believe in eternal life.

But it was commonly believed that we live on

in our children and grandchildren.

Theirs must have been both disappointment and humiliation.

Did God not remember? Was God really faithful?

What happens when life doesn’t turn out like you thought for hoped?

Whether big or small?

I never thought I’d be divorced, more than 10 years ago.

And now like Zechariah, I’m too old to start something new.

Or maybe for you, you didn’t get that job or promotion or raise.

Or maybe a loved one passed before being reconciled.

Or maybe the house you were hoping for fell through.

There are a lot of maybes that can become a reality.

Of course you can try to help God out like Abraham and Sarah did.

The promised son wasn’t happening.

So, Abraham has a son, Ishmael by Hagar, Sarah’s maid.

That’s a story for another sermon.

II. Chosen By??? (vs 8-17)

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“Then Zechariah was serving as priest before God, chosen by lot,

to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

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.

Many will rejoice because of his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

He will 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.”

Back in that day, there were so many priests

and divisions of priests that it would be a once in a lifetime experience

to be chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense

for the prayers of the people to be lifted up to God.

Was Zechariah still praying for a child?

Or had he given up believing God could bring it about?

That would be too good to be true.

It says that Zechariah was chosen by lot.

But wasn’t he really chosen by God

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for this whole experience to come about?

According to the Bible, angels can appear in a variety of ways,

including as ordinary people or in a radiant form. 

The Bible also suggests that it’s possible to encounter an angel

without realizing it.

Here an angel showed up and Zechariah knew it.

Luke tells us, “He was startled and gripped with fear.” Yeah, no kidding.

And when the angel told him “your prayer has been heard,”

Zechariah didn’t believe it

even if his son would bring him great joy,

be great in the eyes of the Lord, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

It was just too much for Zechariah to take in,

especially to name him John. That didn’t make sense at the time.

John means “God is gracious,” Yohanan, God has shown favor.

It says that John is going to turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God.

You would think a priest of long respected service

would be rejoicing. But he answers back, “How can I be sure of this?”

or “Do you expect me to believe this?”

III. Experiencing God’s Favor (vs 18-25)

“Okay, Zechariah, I’m Gabriel and I stand in the presence of God.

How dare you argue with me?

I’ve been sent by God to tell you this good news.

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But now you will be silent, not able to speak until the day this happens,

because you didn’t believe my words.

But they will come true at the appointed time.”

Like Doubting Thomas wouldn’t believe the resurrection,

(remember?).

“Unless I see the nail holes in his hands and put my fingers into them.”

We human beings want proof.

“God, if you’re real, strike that tree with lightning.” Flash! Crash!

The tree is split in two. “My, My! What a coincidence!”

If an angel said to you, “Your prayer has been heard,”

what would that mean for you?

Maybe you’re tired of waiting on God for an answer.

You may know that prayer is answered with “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet.”

Have you been praying for someone for a long time

and you’re still waiting for the Lord to act.

Zechariah didn’t know what to say. So, Gabriel made sure he couldn’t!

“Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah

and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

When he came out, he couldn’t speak to them,

for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home,”

I think with a smile on his face.

For after this, it says, “his wife Elizabeth became pregnant.

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“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.”

Conclusion

The season of Advent is about being prepared to receive the

coming of Jesus into the world and into our lives. The Lord wants us to

embrace a new way of life. Zechariah and Elizabeth were right there in

the expansive world of God’s promises. Their lives were about to

change in an unexpected way. Pastor Phil will continue Luke’s Advent

account as we approach the glory of Christmas Day.

Will you be ready for Gabriel, John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary

to make a people prepared for the Lord?