NOTHING EXCITING EVER HAPPENS AROUND HERE!

NOTHING EXCITING EVER HAPPENS AROUND HERE!

Luke 1:5-22 KJV

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

          Zacharias, whose name means “Jehovah has remembered”, was one of many priests in Jerusalem and it was his “turn”, or in the order of his course, to minister at the altar of incense.  There are several, they seem to be coming fast now, things that I want to point out.

1. We bring our whole selves into ministry!

          Zacharias and Elizabeth, whose name means “God of the oath – or “the God who keeps His promise,” was barren and without a child. They were old and physically it seemed impossible for them to ever have a child, much less a son to carry on the name. In spite of that, I believe, it was the constant prayer of Zacharias that he should have a son. This is what Zacharias brought to the altar of prayer!

2. Many others are affected by our relationship with God!

          The whole multitude was outside praying. One of those was Elizabeth who was praying, along with her husband, both the ritualistic prayers and the prayers of her heart. Oh, that she would have a son!

3. God hears our prayers!

          “Thy prayer is heard” said the angel. Notice that the angel did not say your prayers are heard. The prayers of tradition and ritual did not attract the attention of God. It was the prayer – that one earnest prayer – that moved God to action.

4. When prayers are heard the impossible becomes possible!

          First of all the “official” prayer of the priest would be for the deliverance and consolation of Israel. In other words, Zacharias was praying for Messiah to come. Waiting has a way of taking the passion out of our praying. Next, of course, was the prayer for a son. The angel announced that God was about to answer both prayers.

Luke 1:17 KJV

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

5. We often remind God of the impossibilities of His promises!

          Zacharias reminded the angel of the God who knows everything that it was not possible to have a child. One has to wonder if he was equally doubtful regarding the coming of Messiah.

Luke 1:18 KJV

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

6. We try God’s patience with our disbelief!

Gabriel, whose name is a combination of geber and el, points to the mighty God! The mention of the angel’s name is itself an answer. It means that he represented a God that was more than capable of making this come true. Moreover, Gabriel points to his high station in the system of angels. He is an archangel, similar to a prime minister.

          If prayer brings blessings then doubt has its own consequences. Zacharias would be struck dumb and not be able to speak – “because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

7. Miracles happen in the most ordinary of circumstances!

          If you think your life is dull and unimportant, if you often say “nothing exciting ever happens around here,” then you have just described the fertile soil needed for any miracle.

Dear Lord today there lies before us as a normal Sunday filled with normal worship and normal ministry. Yet in our heart there are strong desires. Look upon us ordinary people and do something extraordinary. AMEN