WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980 Do you see what I see? 00:00:04.020 --> 00:00:05.820 A rabbit or a duck? 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:10.720 What seems impossible to work out at first, 00:00:10.939 --> 00:00:13.359 but you'll get it eventually with some help. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:14.300 How about this one? 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:17.359 Imagine a duck is eating a rabbit. 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:20.480 Can you see both of them now? 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:25.740 It works as an illusion, but in real life, 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:29.899 can someone be both righteous in God's eyes, 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.820 but unbelieving and not sure of themselves at the same time? 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:37.019 There are a couple in the Gospel of Luke, 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:38.119 which we just read out. 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:41.060 Zechariah, the husband, is a priest, 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:42.539 and his wife, Elizabeth. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:47.320 And this couple is identified in verse 6 of chapter 1 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:51.859 as both of them were righteous in the sight of God, 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:57.500 observing all the Lord's commands and decrees painlessly. 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:00.859 But they were childless 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:04.599 because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, 00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:06.560 and they were both very old. 00:01:08.259 --> 00:01:10.019 Righteous in God's eyes 00:01:10.019 --> 00:01:12.099 and blameless in obeying the law, 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:13.819 but childless. 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:18.319 The reason is because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:20.099 and they were both very old. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:24.280 The word but, at the beginning of verse 7, 00:01:24.679 --> 00:01:27.119 highlight that this is out of expectation, 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.299 something somewhat unusual. 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:34.919 What would you normally expect 00:01:34.919 --> 00:01:38.319 for someone who are considered to be righteous in God's eyes 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:40.560 and blameless in obedience? 00:01:42.679 --> 00:01:46.000 Chinese greet each other in the new year by saying this. 00:01:46.679 --> 00:01:47.699 James, can you help us? 00:01:47.700 --> 00:01:53.760 So, sin is our heart, 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:56.100 xian is wishes, 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:58.040 si is things, 00:01:58.700 --> 00:01:59.920 and chen is fulfilled. 00:02:00.320 --> 00:02:01.320 So if you put that together, 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:02.520 we actually wish each other 00:02:02.520 --> 00:02:05.400 whatever we wish for will come true. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.680 We might expect the same for someone 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:11.500 who finds favor in God's sight. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:14.400 They will get whatever they wish for, 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:18.479 but this couple did not have any child. 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:21.240 What do you think about them? 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:24.719 Are they really righteous and blameless? 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:29.000 If obeying God will get blessing, 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:31.520 they do not have the blessing of child. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:34.439 Is there something wrong about their obedience? 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:37.760 Let's look at Zechariah. 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:39.060 His name, 00:02:39.260 --> 00:02:41.460 his name after a prophet 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:44.020 that written the second last book of the Old Testament. 00:02:45.140 --> 00:02:46.620 From what we have just read, 00:02:46.700 --> 00:02:47.380 he is old, 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:49.719 and he was called to serve in the temple 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:50.740 by burning incense. 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:53.340 And then in verse 11, 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:57.240 then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:00.240 standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 00:03:01.100 --> 00:03:02.580 When Zechariah saw him, 00:03:03.320 --> 00:03:05.960 he was startled and was gripped with fear. 00:03:07.160 --> 00:03:09.219 He was startled and gripped with fear. 00:03:09.660 --> 00:03:10.920 Fair enough to be startled. 00:03:11.140 --> 00:03:13.640 I will be somewhat startled 00:03:13.640 --> 00:03:15.480 if someone appeared in front of me suddenly. 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:17.680 But gripped with fear, 00:03:18.320 --> 00:03:18.860 terrified. 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:22.200 What was the reason of that response? 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:25.380 One of the reasons for his fear 00:03:25.380 --> 00:03:27.200 would have to do with his knowledge 00:03:27.200 --> 00:03:30.100 attached to his own name and the angel. 00:03:31.200 --> 00:03:34.180 His name means God remembers. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.600 If I think that God remembers 00:03:37.600 --> 00:03:39.740 both my good and bad deeds, 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:41.840 I would be fearful. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:44.440 And in the Old Testament, 00:03:45.140 --> 00:03:48.320 angels were often sent to execute God's judgment. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:50.880 In Genesis 19, 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:53.380 God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah 00:03:53.380 --> 00:03:54.700 by an angel. 00:03:55.640 --> 00:03:56.240 In Exodus, 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:59.380 the angel of God brought Israel out of Egypt, 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:01.200 led them through the wild wilderness, 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:04.860 and drove out all the people in the promised land 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:06.340 for them to settle there. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:09.700 Many examples of angels 00:04:09.700 --> 00:04:11.240 carry out God's judgment 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:13.200 on individuals and ordinations 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:15.200 in the book of Zechariah 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:15.719 Zechariah 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:17.680 and also in the Old Testament. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.199 His fear may have to do with 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.099 focusing too much on what someone would call 00:04:24.099 --> 00:04:26.099 the scary side of God. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:29.480 They see God as an unrelenting 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:30.939 punisher of wrong 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:33.980 and the all-powerful, 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:35.019 sovereign ruler 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:36.680 that does not care. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:40.379 One that allows all the suffering and pain 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:42.120 without giving any explanation. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:43.899 However, 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:46.019 the Bible also talks about 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:47.540 how God sent angels 00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:48.899 to look after widows 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:51.360 and those in trouble 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:54.240 like Abraham's servant wife Hagar 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.740 in Genesis 16. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:59.000 Or in Judges 13, 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:01.439 Samson's mom was barren 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.319 and visited by an angel 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:05.199 before she conceived him. 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:08.019 We pick and choose 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:09.139 the image of God 00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:10.379 that most of the time 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:11.939 is not the complete picture 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:13.659 of what God really is 00:05:13.659 --> 00:05:15.800 and we become fearful. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:19.939 Evangelist and apologist 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.959 Ref. Zechariah says 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:24.639 people always tend to have an idea 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:25.159 that 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:27.480 malevolence is God's doing. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:31.939 Benevolent is evolutionary wisdom, 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:33.560 which means 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:36.199 when we have a natural disaster, 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:37.680 tragedies, 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:38.519 or 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:40.680 a climate-like event, 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:42.439 those are the acts of God. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.939 But if you have a bumper crops, 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:46.340 a beautiful day, 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:47.920 a close brush 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:49.439 with what should have been death 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:50.220 but wasn't, 00:05:50.899 --> 00:05:51.899 a wonderful joy 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:53.240 and pleasure of life 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:55.500 are not given 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:57.000 such beneficent source. 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:01.000 Even though Zechariah is a priest, 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:02.360 he is fearful 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.379 because he did not see 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:05.240 God 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:06.000 as how God 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:06.759 see himself, 00:06:07.020 --> 00:06:07.480 see him. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:10.819 Like many of us, 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:11.960 he obeys God 00:06:11.960 --> 00:06:12.780 out of fear, 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:13.780 out of routine 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:14.460 and tradition. 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:16.100 The fact that 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.080 they are childless 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:18.420 would also contribute 00:06:18.420 --> 00:06:19.900 to their uncertainty 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:20.680 and fear. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:23.060 When I marry 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:23.900 Vivian, 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:24.379 my wife, 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:25.580 we plan to enjoy 00:06:25.580 --> 00:06:26.720 a couple of years 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:27.480 with our kids. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:29.020 After that, 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.240 we try for a whole year 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:31.460 without any success. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:33.439 So our GP suggested 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:34.319 that we should do 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:35.019 some tests 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:36.540 started with me. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.120 And I remember 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.300 a very mixed feeling 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:39.939 of waiting 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:41.100 for that test result 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:42.660 about my health. 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:44.400 And in one sense, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:46.740 I want a healthy report 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:48.000 so that I was not 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:48.960 the source of the problem. 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:50.879 But that would mean 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.259 that all the weight 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.300 of that problem 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.480 will fall on Vivian. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:57.319 And if it's what's me, 00:06:58.360 --> 00:06:59.580 it's a problem fixable. 00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:01.540 What if it's not? 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:03.160 What other option 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:03.800 do we have 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:04.420 to have children? 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:06.439 Millions of questions 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:07.520 went through my mind. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:09.160 Even though 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:09.960 they have concluded 00:07:09.960 --> 00:07:11.120 that it was 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.520 Elizabeth's barrenness 00:07:12.520 --> 00:07:14.120 and her old age, 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:16.300 Zechariah would also 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.220 have questioned 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:18.400 whether there's 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:19.060 something wrong 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.540 with him. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.740 We were told 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:23.540 he observed 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.379 all the Lord's commands 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:26.160 and decrees 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:27.340 blamelessly. 00:07:27.840 --> 00:07:28.939 But we weren't told 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:29.460 why. 00:07:30.960 --> 00:07:31.580 Did he try 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:32.720 to fix his problem 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:34.200 or that uncertainty 00:07:34.200 --> 00:07:35.160 about himself 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:36.620 by being ridiculous 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.400 in everything he does? 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:39.900 Did he do 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:41.620 everything blamelessly 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.020 hoping to win 00:07:43.020 --> 00:07:44.240 the favor of God 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.540 in getting a child? 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:48.700 In Zechariah, 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:49.100 the book, 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:50.379 chapter 7, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:51.100 verse 5, 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:52.960 the word of the Lord 00:07:52.960 --> 00:07:53.480 Almighty 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.620 came to Zechariah 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.120 the prophet 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.680 to ask his people 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.760 when they were 00:07:58.760 --> 00:07:59.540 performing 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:00.680 their religious duty, 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:02.480 was it really 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:03.500 for the Lord 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:04.060 that they are 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:04.620 doing them? 00:08:05.460 --> 00:08:06.640 Are you not just 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:07.439 doing the duty 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.220 for yourself? 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:10.920 I used to approach 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:11.500 religion 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.379 with the same 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:13.180 kind of mindset, 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:14.759 treating it 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.660 like a tool 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.840 to better my life, 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:18.259 treating it 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:19.639 as a moral compass 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:21.279 to live a good life. 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:23.379 I still fall back 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:24.259 into traps 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.139 of being religious, 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:27.079 having an upright, 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.139 blameless life, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:29.199 but fearful, 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.519 not 100% sure 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.279 whether I have 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.019 done enough. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.259 Do you sometimes 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:36.259 feel the same way? 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:37.600 Not sure 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.259 whether you 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:40.899 or what you do 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:41.600 are acceptable 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.360 by God. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:45.680 knowing his state 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:46.200 of mind, 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:46.759 the angel 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:48.180 said to Zechariah 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:50.279 back in Luke 1.13, 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.019 Do not be afraid, 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:52.659 Zechariah. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:53.659 Your prayer 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.539 has been heard. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:56.600 Your wife, 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:57.000 Elizabeth, 00:08:57.180 --> 00:08:57.759 will bear you 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.300 a son 00:08:58.300 --> 00:08:58.899 and you are 00:08:58.899 --> 00:08:59.460 to call him 00:08:59.460 --> 00:08:59.840 John. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:01.800 He will be 00:09:01.800 --> 00:09:02.600 a joy 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:03.240 and delight 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:03.779 to you 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.700 and many 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:05.300 will rejoice 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:05.800 because of 00:09:05.800 --> 00:09:06.320 his birth. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:07.480 The angel 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:08.100 goes on 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:08.580 for another 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.580 three verses 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:10.639 focusing on 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:11.340 what his son 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:12.259 will become 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:13.720 and the great 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:14.500 things he will 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.139 achieve 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.020 and what he 00:09:16.020 --> 00:09:16.840 needs to do 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.879 his whole life. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:19.720 The message 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.500 of the angel 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.400 is clearly 00:09:21.400 --> 00:09:22.280 about his son 00:09:22.280 --> 00:09:23.320 who will call 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:24.460 John and the 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.340 Lord that he 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:26.020 will serve. 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:27.720 But the way 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.759 Zechariah replied 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.200 so that deep 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:31.360 down he did 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:31.980 not believe 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:32.520 that God 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.139 can do the 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.660 impossible 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:35.120 of using him 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.140 in his old age 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:37.240 and giving him 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:37.700 a son 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.700 to bring back 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:39.100 many 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.000 of the people 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.460 of Israel 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:41.040 to the Lord 00:09:41.040 --> 00:09:41.500 their God. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:43.019 Zechariah 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.879 answered the angel 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.100 how can I 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:45.960 be sure of this? 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.680 I am old man 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:48.639 and my wife 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:49.540 is well alone 00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:50.180 in years. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.200 The angel 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:52.779 said to him 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:53.840 I am Gabriel 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.000 I stand 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.620 in the presence 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.180 of God 00:09:56.180 --> 00:09:57.159 and have been 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:57.920 sent to speak 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:58.420 to you 00:09:58.420 --> 00:09:59.300 and tell you 00:09:59.300 --> 00:10:00.340 this good news 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.700 and now 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:02.180 you will be 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:02.779 silent 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.879 and not able 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.460 to speak 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.259 until the day 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.139 this happens 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.080 because you 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:08.779 did not believe 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.539 my words 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.240 which will 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.019 come true 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.659 in there 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:12.459 upon the time. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:14.740 The angel 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.299 Gabriel 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.179 took offense 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:17.039 of Zechariah's 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:17.480 question 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.179 and the statement 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:18.819 about himself 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:19.620 and his wife. 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.379 What was wrong 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.159 with his reply? 00:10:23.839 --> 00:10:25.279 How can I 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:26.259 be sure of this? 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:27.779 I am an old man 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.919 and my wife 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:29.360 is well 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.679 along in years. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.600 When Gabriel 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.360 was clearly 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.100 focusing on 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.899 the great work 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:35.799 that God 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:36.279 is going 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.120 to do 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.559 through his 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:38.860 son 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:39.220 and the 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:39.500 Lord, 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:40.779 Zechariah 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:41.519 was focusing 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.340 on himself 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:42.779 and his 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:43.100 wife. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:45.279 He is 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:46.299 beyond doubting 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:46.939 or questioning. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.100 He had 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.860 decided that 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.539 God is not 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:50.120 going to give 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:50.819 him a son 00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:51.819 or restore 00:10:51.819 --> 00:10:52.299 Israel 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:52.740 in his 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.259 lifetime. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:54.759 He asked 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.399 for proof 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.220 to counter 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.059 his unbelief. 00:10:58.679 --> 00:10:59.139 Another 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.840 apologist, 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:00.779 Os Guinness, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.360 pointed out 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.519 if people 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.320 are torn 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:03.659 between 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.759 options, 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.180 unable to 00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:06.600 make up 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:07.340 their minds, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.460 or if they 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:08.879 are up 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.620 in the air 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.279 over something 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.000 and unsure 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.639 which side 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:12.960 they should 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.840 come down 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.200 on, 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:15.500 or if they 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.800 are furiously 00:11:16.800 --> 00:11:17.659 debating 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.399 with themselves 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.399 or hanging 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:19.899 back, 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:21.360 waiting up 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.180 their reservation. 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:23.740 There are 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.720 nothing if 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.440 not in two 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.019 minds. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.379 This condition 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.340 of doubleness 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.460 is the 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.120 essence of 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.480 doubt. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.240 But 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:32.740 Zacharias 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.399 seems very 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.000 resolute 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.560 with his 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:34.879 statement 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.720 about himself 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.460 and his 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.519 wife that 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:37.840 it is 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.519 impossible 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.080 for them 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:39.340 to have 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:39.820 a child 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:40.460 at their 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.060 conditions. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:43.519 Zacharias' 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.440 unbelief comes 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:44.860 from looking 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.259 at his 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.100 ability and 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:46.600 condition 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.220 instead of 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.000 listening to 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:49.039 and believes 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:49.680 that word 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:50.159 of God. 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:51.680 He relies 00:11:51.680 --> 00:11:52.379 on his 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.120 own understanding 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.600 about his 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.200 situation, 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.460 how he 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.320 sees himself 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:56.879 instead of 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.420 how God 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:58.060 sees him 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:58.720 and his 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.080 wife. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.240 So when 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:00.620 the angels 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.080 are pleased 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:01.460 to say 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.220 that it's 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:02.680 going to 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.800 happen right 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:04.180 then, 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:05.340 then he 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:05.900 asks for 00:12:05.900 --> 00:12:06.400 proof. 00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:08.340 He asks 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:08.980 for proof, 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.800 a sign of 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:11.200 what is 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:11.540 going to 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:11.900 happen. 00:12:12.900 --> 00:12:13.400 So God 00:12:13.400 --> 00:12:13.879 gave him 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.080 a sign by 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:15.800 taking away 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.639 his ability 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.320 to speak 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:18.520 until the 00:12:18.520 --> 00:12:19.500 day all 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:19.860 that God 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.340 has said 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.259 comes true. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.940 He literally 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.520 becomes what 00:12:23.520 --> 00:12:23.920 he asked 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:24.100 for. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.000 He asked 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.640 for a sign 00:12:25.640 --> 00:12:26.379 and God 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:26.800 made him 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:28.000 mute so he 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.460 has to keep 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:29.360 signing for 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:29.920 nine months. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:31.360 God 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:31.879 listened to 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.039 what 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.479 Zachariah 00:12:32.479 --> 00:12:33.000 asked of 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.839 him and 00:12:33.839 --> 00:12:33.959 he 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:34.699 became part 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:35.000 of the 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.039 answer to 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.399 what he 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:36.819 asked. 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:39.740 People 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.459 often ask 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:40.939 or question 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.419 whether the 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:41.959 Bible is 00:12:41.959 --> 00:12:42.579 the truth, 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.839 whether God's 00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:44.559 way is a 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.299 way of life 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.879 we should 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.559 adopt and 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:47.079 embrace. 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.299 And Jesus 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.139 said in 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.799 John 8, 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.259 31, 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:50.779 32, 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:51.879 to those 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.479 who believe 00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:52.819 him, 00:12:52.820 --> 00:13:03.480 hold to 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:03.840 Jesus' 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.440 teaching, 00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:05.900 not making 00:13:05.900 --> 00:13:06.600 an excuse 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.660 even before 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:08.700 you even 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.340 tried. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:11.100 Listen carefully 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:11.820 to what the 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:12.460 Bible tells 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.160 us about 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:14.160 God and 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:14.600 how our 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.120 relationship 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.720 with God 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.200 and with 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:16.580 others 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:17.000 mean to 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.320 be. 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:18.640 Live it 00:13:18.640 --> 00:13:18.920 out in 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.400 your life 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.019 is a 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.340 way to 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.720 know the 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.679 truth and 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.360 understand how 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:23.039 God can 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.519 do the 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.100 impossible 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:24.879 in your 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.279 life. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.319 Life has 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:29.079 changed for 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:29.399 both 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.079 Zachariah 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.120 and Elizabeth 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.779 after 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.539 Zachariah 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.579 encountered 00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.039 God. 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.019 And new 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.319 life has 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.139 started in 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.639 and among 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:37.919 them, 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:38.959 growing in 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.559 Elizabeth's 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:39.779 tummy. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:40.840 It's a 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.199 matter of 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:41.759 time before 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.179 the good 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:42.559 news of 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:42.740 God 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:42.959 will 00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.220 fill. 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.079 We have 00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.620 just seen 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.259 how the 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:46.840 husband 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.379 responds. 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.059 Let's 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.500 now look 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.320 at the 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:49.600 wife 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.299 Elizabeth. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.360 After 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:52.779 this, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.039 his wife 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.340 Elizabeth 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:54.740 becomes 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.159 pregnant 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.220 and for 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.059 five months 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:57.779 remains in 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.320 seclusion. 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:00.539 Why 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:00.879 Elizabeth 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.600 remains in 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:01.960 seclusion 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.620 for five 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.080 months? 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:03.919 It will 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.480 be because 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:04.980 she is 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.639 very cautious 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.399 and careful 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.000 about her 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.419 pregnancy. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:09.259 A general 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:09.840 rule for 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:10.240 a Chinese 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.820 couple is 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.120 not to 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.899 tell anyone 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.600 about any 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.100 pregnancy 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:13.840 up to 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.480 three months 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.360 until the 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:15.840 new life 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.320 is fully 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.120 formed and 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.840 settled within 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.200 the mom. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.500 But why 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.100 remains a 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.419 Christian 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.179 for five 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:21.600 months? 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.220 For 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.500 what she 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.159 said in 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.080 verse 25, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.379 she seems 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:28.759 to feel 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.200 her new 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.779 situation 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.059 like 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.720 Zechariah. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:31.720 The Lord 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.100 has done 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.639 this for 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:32.899 me. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:33.899 She seems 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.200 to be 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:34.620 focusing 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.639 on herself 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.460 and her 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:36.679 own 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.179 condition. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.679 Her 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.100 pregnancy 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.740 was great 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.259 news for 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:41.879 new life, 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.779 but too 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.379 good to be 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:43.899 true for 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.379 her old 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:44.779 age. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.419 In 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.220 these days, 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:46.779 he has 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.279 shown his 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:47.659 favor. 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.899 She is 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.079 also 00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:49.579 concerned 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:49.980 about how 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.199 people 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:50.819 see her. 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:52.299 She considers 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.039 herself as 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:53.759 a disgrace 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.959 and says, 00:14:55.079 --> 00:14:55.539 God now 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.339 has taken 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:57.019 away my 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.480 disgrace 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.000 among the 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.339 people. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.019 Having a 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.480 new life 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.019 is a great 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.419 thing, 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.219 but she 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:02.759 was too 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.679 worried to 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.120 be seen 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.699 as someone 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.519 who had 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.179 been touched 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:06.839 by God. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:08.740 Every 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.419 encounter 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.199 with God 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.039 will result 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.959 in changes. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.379 The changes 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.000 are done 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.899 by God. 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.720 like a 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.000 baby 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.439 growing 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:16.799 in a 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.519 woman's 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:17.819 tummy. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.039 But it's 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.639 so easy 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.019 to be 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.519 caught up 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.199 and worry 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:22.159 about what 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.840 is happening 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.899 and forget 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:25.139 that you 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.659 are part 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:26.240 of God's 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.899 great plan 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.659 of the 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.120 salvation 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.620 to this 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:28.939 world. 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.539 Two 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.340 self-focused 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.899 persons, 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:33.779 one is 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.480 unbelieving, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.819 another ashamed 00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.259 of their 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.059 own condition, 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:38.360 seen by 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.960 God as 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.799 righteous and 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.360 blameless 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.079 in their 00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:41.620 obedience, 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.000 because it 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.419 was what 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.179 God does 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.080 in and 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.940 through us 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.539 that make 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.139 us righteous 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.940 and blameless. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.179 God is 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.940 never wrong 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.580 and he 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.759 never makes 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.259 mistakes. 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:53.919 That is a 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.500 truth we 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:54.860 should hold 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.440 on to, 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.259 even though 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.860 at times 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.519 we are like 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.220 Zechariah 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.899 and Elizabeth, 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.060 not sure 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:00.980 about ourselves 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:03.060 or God 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.539 sees us 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.019 differently 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.879 to how 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.279 we see 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:05.740 ourselves. 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.759 When it's 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.240 time for 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.840 Elizabeth to 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.200 have her 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.620 baby, 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.379 she gave 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:11.779 birth to 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.240 a son. 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.460 Her 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:13.840 neighbors 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.759 and relatives 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.480 heard that 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.179 the Lord 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.919 has shown 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:17.480 her great 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.879 mercy and 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.379 they shared 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.980 her joy. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.460 On the 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.039 eighth day, 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:22.940 they came 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.899 to circumcise 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.399 his crowd 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.200 and they 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.740 were going 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.299 to name 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:26.899 him after 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:27.480 his father 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.240 Zechariah. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.820 But his 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.759 mother spoke 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.419 up and said, 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.159 No, 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.179 he is to be 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:33.840 called John. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.580 They said 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:35.980 to her, 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.899 There is no 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.379 one among 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.080 your relative 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.639 who has 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.180 that name. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.799 She 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.239 overcome 00:16:41.239 --> 00:16:41.919 her shame 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.000 and shared 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.519 her joy 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.839 with others 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:45.759 at the 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.099 birth. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:46.979 But most 00:16:46.979 --> 00:16:47.579 importantly, 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.559 eight days 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.019 after the 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.299 birth, 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.399 she repeated 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.059 what the 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.179 angel Gabriel 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.599 said, 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.759 He is to be 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.419 called John. 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.099 Means God 00:16:56.099 --> 00:16:56.799 is gracious. 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:59.219 I can imagine 00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:00.019 Zechariah not 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.919 able to speak, 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:01.919 still has 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.699 gotten through 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:03.620 to her 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.419 about the 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:04.960 significance 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.720 and the 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.160 meaning of 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:06.620 the birth 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:07.059 of their 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.200 son and 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.840 the importance 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:09.640 of trust 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.539 and obedience 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.259 towards the 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.799 message of 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.039 God. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.240 She can only 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.720 rely on 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.240 Zechariah 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.279 signing God's 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.860 message to 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.579 her to be 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:19.160 encouraged and 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.000 God spoke to 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.640 her through 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.319 her muted 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.420 husband by 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:22.960 signs. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.299 Then they 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.120 make signs to 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.039 his father to 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.680 find out what 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.220 he would like 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.759 to name the 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.079 child. 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.340 He asked 00:17:30.340 --> 00:17:30.960 for a writing 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.360 tablet and to 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:32.860 everyone's 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.559 astonishment. 00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:34.879 He wrote, 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:36.000 His name 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.839 is John. 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.319 Immediately, 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.639 his mouth was 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.479 opened and 00:17:40.479 --> 00:17:41.299 his tongue set 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.379 free and he 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.259 began to speak 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:44.439 and praise 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:44.919 God. 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.259 Zechariah had 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.219 nine months 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:49.179 to face how 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.699 he used to 00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.439 live his life 00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:51.699 and to become 00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.639 ready to 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.399 receive a new 00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:53.819 life. 00:17:54.979 --> 00:17:55.799 God addressed 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.479 his unbelief, 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:58.539 his fear, 00:17:58.879 --> 00:17:59.959 his self-reliance. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.939 A self-centered 00:18:01.939 --> 00:18:02.500 priest, 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.740 a husband of 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.699 a barren wife, 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.839 become father 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.539 of the one 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.899 who bring back 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.719 many of people 00:18:08.719 --> 00:18:10.000 to God and 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.639 go on before 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.639 the Lord to 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.119 make people 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.819 ready for 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.099 him. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.459 God's words 00:18:15.459 --> 00:18:16.579 through the 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.219 angel did 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:18.399 come true at 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:18.879 that appointed 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.379 time. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.859 Eight days 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.939 after a son 00:18:21.939 --> 00:18:22.579 was born to 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:22.859 them, 00:18:23.439 --> 00:18:24.339 Zechariah wrote 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:24.919 on the 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:25.759 tablet, 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:26.659 his name 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.219 is John. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.019 He fulfilled 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.079 the proof 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:35.319 that he 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.960 asked for. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.919 He became 00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:37.439 the answer 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:38.039 to all his 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.819 questions about 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.460 whether God 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.059 can do the 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.240 impossible in 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.859 using him. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.439 All the 00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:44.059 answers to 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.599 our questions 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.259 about God 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.720 is often 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.439 found in 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:47.099 the question 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.919 and the 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:48.500 questioner. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.059 His name 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.519 is John 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.079 means God 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.799 is gracious. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:52.939 It is 00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:53.859 declared three 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.699 times in this 00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:55.179 passage, 00:18:55.180 --> 00:19:01.380 God is 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.000 gracious to 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.779 Zechariah and 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.820 Elizabeth by 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.220 doing the 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.340 impossible to 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.980 give them a 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.100 son at their 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.120 old age. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:09.440 God is 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.380 gracious to 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.080 this world 00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:11.799 and his 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.259 people, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.700 you and 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.039 me, 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.960 by coming 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.460 into this 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.860 world to 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.240 deal with 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.720 the curse 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.620 that humans 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.140 brought on 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.620 themselves. 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:20.960 Zechariah, 00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:21.660 after following 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.500 God's instruction 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.220 to declare, 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:23.980 God is 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.400 gracious, 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.640 become a 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.519 prophet himself, 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.759 speaks of 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.279 God's great 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.380 works throughout 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.500 history to 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.059 raise up a 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.839 saviour for 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.620 us, to 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.880 enable us to 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.480 serve him 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.279 without fear 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.420 in holiness 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.799 and righteousness 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.620 before him. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.400 Zechariah 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.420 means God 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.180 remembers. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.819 We still 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.440 need Christmas 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.360 because it 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.120 tells us that 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.059 God remembers 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.319 us and 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.860 sees us 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.319 differently. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:52.620 God 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.200 enables us 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.680 us to 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.220 serve him 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.480 without 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:54.940 fear. 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.080 God 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.799 remembers 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.660 his promise 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.140 to his 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.220 people that 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.779 is recorded 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.120 in the 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.039 Bible and 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.620 fulfilled in 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.200 the life of 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.539 Jesus. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.799 Learning and 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.299 remembering 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:05.900 God's 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.220 word, 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.799 holding to 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.480 his teaching, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.480 you will 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.920 know the 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.059 truth and 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.759 be able to 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.240 see what 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:12.799 God sees 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.100 in you and 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.920 understand how 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.680 God do the 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.519 impossible in 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.120 your life 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.160 through Jesus. 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.160 We still 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.779 need Christmas 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.620 to remind us 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.460 that we 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.039 treat God 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.619 like what 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.180 Zechariah 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.759 is with 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:24.960 did. 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.339 Unbelieving, 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.680 self-focused 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.579 and ashamed, 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.700 but God 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.819 never see us 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.619 in the same 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.619 way as how 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.019 we see 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.480 ourselves. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.259 In Zechariah 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.359 2, verse 8, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.799 it says that 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.420 the God, 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.680 our Father 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.240 in heaven, 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.359 sees us 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.079 as the 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.920 apple of 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.500 his eyes. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.460 The apple 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.359 of his eyes 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.119 are very 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.180 dear and 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.720 close to 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:50.960 him. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.799 God's 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.340 word about 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.880 how he 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.259 is going 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.779 to save 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.519 us and 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.039 this world 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.519 did come 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.900 true at 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.380 the appointed 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.220 time at 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.640 the first 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.880 Christmas and 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.779 continue to 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.259 do so. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.420 Our 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.240 gracious God 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.319 did the 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:07.259 impossible by 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.440 turning disgrace 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.000 and shame 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.559 to joy. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.480 Gracious God 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:11.860 did the 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.400 impossible, 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:13.200 changing 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.900 unbelieving 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.980 heart to a 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.600 heart full of 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.000 praise. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:19.440 Towards the end 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.120 of chapter 1 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:20.660 of Luke, 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.019 joy and 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.180 praise is a 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.920 life that God 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.840 intends for us 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.299 to live, 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:29.460 not unbelieving 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.480 and ashamed 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.120 of ourselves. 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.799 So praise 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.580 be to the 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.480 Lord, the 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.900 God of 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.259 Israel, 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.400 because he 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.980 has come to 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.500 his people 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.100 and redeemed 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:38.400 them. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:39.519 He has 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.480 raised up a 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.039 strong king 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.660 of salvation 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.840 for us in 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:43.400 the house of 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:43.860 his servant 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.279 David, as 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.820 he said 00:21:45.820 --> 00:21:46.380 through his 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.160 holy prophets 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.980 of long 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.300 ago.