WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 Good morning, everyone. My name is James. Is anyone feeling prepared for Christmas? 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:16.300 I hear some concerned noises. Well, what do you have to do to get ready? Do you still have to 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:20.920 buy presents, prepare the food, put the decorations up, maybe buy a Christmas tree? 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:30.640 We moved house a week ago, and yesterday we bought our first real Christmas tree. And I tell you what, 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:36.740 it smells amazing. We set up the decorations, and Isaac kept putting them on and then taking them 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:42.280 off, and he just didn't get the idea of it. But, you know, I feel like to really be prepared for 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:47.820 Christmas, I still need a Christmas ham. I still need to get a ham. I see at least one person nodding. 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:53.859 That is really good. What is it for you that makes you feel like you could say, yes, 00:00:54.560 --> 00:01:01.439 I'm prepared for Christmas? What about the Christ side of Christmas? 00:01:02.460 --> 00:01:08.840 Is there anything you do to prepare yourself to celebrate God sending his eternal son? 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:16.000 Or does this just get lost in the busyness of the season? Over the next two weeks, 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:23.060 we're going to consider what God did to prepare for that very first Christmas. Because it was a very 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:28.540 well-prepared event, very long in coming. And we're going to consider what we should be doing 00:01:28.540 --> 00:01:36.039 to prepare for Christmas next week, in just 11 days. I hope that doesn't scare you too much. 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:43.340 It does, good. Please open your Bibles, or keep them open with me, to Luke chapter 1. 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:52.100 In Luke's account of the gospel, he doesn't start off his narrative with Jesus, the main character. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:02:01.240 He starts off with two fairly ordinary people, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah and Elizabeth 00:02:01.240 --> 00:02:08.719 were both descendants of Aaron. He was the priest who helped Moses. But there's a problem. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:11.300 Have a look with me at verse 6. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:18.379 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations 00:02:18.379 --> 00:02:25.439 blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:31.719 along in years. You know, immediately this makes me think of other notable characters in the Bible, 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:36.939 particularly the Old Testament, who were barren. Abraham and Sarah, who eventually had Isaac. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:43.539 You know, Hannah, she really wanted a child, and she promised God that if she had a son, 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:49.599 she would give him to the Lord. And that's Samuel. And we can think, something great is going to happen. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.699 You know, we've got this problem. What's God going to do to fix it? 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:58.899 But at this point, we should note that Elizabeth, a little later on, describes it, 00:02:59.339 --> 00:03:03.819 she describes her barrenness as a disgrace among the people. 00:03:05.780 --> 00:03:11.199 Deuteronomy 28 says that one of the repercussions of not following the Lord's commands 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:14.379 is that the fruit of your womb would be cursed. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:22.419 And you can imagine that when people saw old Elizabeth, you know, slowly wandering down the 00:03:22.419 --> 00:03:27.180 street to the market, you know, they would have given her a sideways look, saying, you know, 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:31.500 what has she done to earn such disgrace from God? 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.759 Even now, although children are not as common in marriage, you know, people still ask the question, 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:42.359 you know, you guys have been married for a couple of years, when are you going to have kids? 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:49.520 And if people are struggling with infertility, it is very difficult to talk about. 00:03:51.200 --> 00:03:56.520 Elizabeth and Zechariah's pain and shame at this point is very real. 00:03:57.720 --> 00:04:01.420 And since she's old, there is no end in sight for her. 00:04:02.420 --> 00:04:05.940 So what is God going to do into this situation? 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:14.039 The author Luke then tells us about a time when Zechariah was doing his priestly service in the temple. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:16.639 This is the temple in Jerusalem. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:21.040 And it was his group of priests turn to go and serve at the temple. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:25.019 And someone would be chosen to go and burn incense. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:29.100 And Zechariah just happens to get chosen by random. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:34.020 And this would have been a very special honor for Zechariah. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:37.400 You know, some priests would just never get the chance to do this. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:40.500 And he's going to the most holy place. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:45.240 The most holy place to offer incense to where God was said to dwell. 00:04:46.320 --> 00:04:49.620 You know, you can imagine this old priest as he's walking through, 00:04:50.020 --> 00:04:52.860 trying to remember every image of the temple. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:57.260 He's read the description in the Bible, but he's just trying to remember every part. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:01.759 It would be like the biggest cricket fan in the world. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:04.519 Not me, but, you know, I'd love to do this. 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:06.800 You know, going to the home of cricket, Lords, 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.379 and being able to walk out onto the turf and touch the grass and be like, 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:13.459 ah, so many cricket players have played here, this is amazing. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:20.180 Or, you know, a massive guitar fan or a music fan being able to hold one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:22.439 and maybe even being able to play it. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:24.540 It's just very special. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:29.360 You know, for cricket and, you know, guitar, this is almost religious. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.959 For Zechariah, it was very religious. 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:34.519 But it's a very special event. 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:37.660 He's been a priest all his life. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:42.379 And now he gets to go to the most important place for Judaism. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:45.300 The place where sin was atoned for before God. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:50.480 And what happens in the temple is almost comedic. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:53.120 It's designed to make you laugh. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:54.439 Have a look. 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:57.439 He walks in. 00:05:57.520 --> 00:05:58.800 He's there to offer incense. 00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:03.600 And then, bam, out of nowhere, there's an angel standing right there. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.740 Just, it'd be like me walking up here and then just an angel appearing right here. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.600 And he's startled. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:12.439 He probably nearly drops the incense he's come to offer. 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:14.879 And the angel speaks to him. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:17.279 Have a look at verse 13. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:18.360 Let's see what he says. 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:21.699 Do not be afraid, Zechariah. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.879 Your prayer has been heard. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.779 Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:29.480 And you are to give him the name John. 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:31.399 Then down in verse 17. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:36.419 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. 00:06:37.479 --> 00:06:40.000 To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:42.939 And the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. 00:06:43.919 --> 00:06:47.599 To make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 00:06:49.179 --> 00:06:53.500 The angel promises a son who will be like the prophet Elijah. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:56.179 Who will prepare people for the Lord. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:00.299 This is really significant for at least three reasons. 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:05.220 First of all, an old man and an old woman are going to have a child. 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:07.079 This is miraculous. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:09.199 God is working miracles again. 00:07:10.520 --> 00:07:13.520 Secondly, there's going to be another prophet in Israel. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:16.939 This is after 400 years of silence. 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:19.980 So not only is God working miracles again. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:21.780 He is speaking again. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.560 And he has promised that the Lord will come. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:28.120 So God is working miracles. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:30.180 He is speaking and he is coming. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:31.579 This is amazing. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.259 And how does Zechariah respond? 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:36.519 Verse 18. 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:39.100 How can I be sure of this? 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.040 I am an old man. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:44.920 And my wife, she is well along in years. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:49.199 I think that's a polite way of saying she's also old. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.579 But take note husbands. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:52.540 You know, that's a good way to say it. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:57.519 Zechariah doesn't believe the good news from the angel. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:05.139 It's important to note at this point, Zechariah is functioning as Israel's representative in the temple. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:10.379 He is the priest in the very heart of the temple before God. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:14.060 And he doesn't trust the message from God. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:21.819 This is an early indication of the way the Pharisees and Sadducees would respond to Jesus in the future. 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:25.139 You know, not believing what he says, but saying, where is your sign? 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:29.120 And I love how the angel responds here. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:31.560 You can imagine his face changing. 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.539 So, you know, so his face looks like a storm. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.340 Have a look in verse 19. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:59.139 Zechariah comes out of the temple. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.299 He can't speak. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:02.379 He's got a sign to the people waiting. 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:09.240 And as the angel promised, Zechariah and Elizabeth conceive a child. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:13.519 But there's a really interesting comment from Elizabeth here. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:15.419 In verse 25. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:19.079 The Lord has done this for me, she said. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:26.559 In these days, he has shown his favor and he has taken away my disgrace among the people. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.379 The Lord has done this for me. 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:36.079 Isn't that a bit short-sighted and a bit of a selfish view for Elizabeth to be saying this? 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:39.960 You know, God is working out his plan for salvation for mankind. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:44.700 Prophesied about in the Old Testament that John would be the forerunner for Jesus. 00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:48.120 And this woman thinks it's all about her? 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:52.440 Well, these two things are not separate. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:55.160 God is bringing joy to Elizabeth. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.960 But he's also bringing about his plan for salvation. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:02.860 Because God uses ordinary people. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.800 Ordinary people like all of us here. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:10.900 And he uses our hopes and desires for his own purposes. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:17.280 Our passions, our hopes and our desires are not necessarily separate from God's. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.700 He is a loving father. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:24.940 And he can use them to bring joy through our patience and faith in him. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:29.000 We are real people in a real world. 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:33.020 With real desires, hopes and passions. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:37.379 And God does not call us to cut off from those good desires. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:40.500 Even if we should flee the sin of the world. 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:46.080 Alyssa and I have just moved out of more college accommodation. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:49.639 We had the benefit of living in a great community for four years. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:53.019 In a one-bedroom and then a two-bedroom apartment. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:56.399 And it was really good to be in community. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:11:04.019 But in that little two-bedroom apartment with two kids, it sometimes got a bit small. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.579 And Isaac, he likes to run and jump and jump off things. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:12.840 And just a week ago, we moved into a house in Beverly Hills. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.920 Just near where we'll be working next year. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:18.680 And this is something we've been looking forward to for a while. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:21.320 Setting up a little house for ourselves. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:23.300 With a backyard for Isaac. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.259 With a room for Tamara. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:29.480 Just so that, you know, we've just been looking forward to this. 00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:31.920 This has been one of our desires recently. 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.019 We moved last week. 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:38.620 And on the second day we were there, we got an invitation in our letterbox. 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:43.019 For a cul-de-sac Christmas party a couple of days later. 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:44.539 And we thought, this is fantastic. 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:46.120 We can, you know, we've just moved in. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.779 And we're going to get to meet all of our neighbors. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.579 And we got to meet them all. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:51.479 And there's some unique characters there. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:54.399 There's some Christians that just live across the road from us. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.179 Which is really lovely. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.819 But what I'm really interested in is. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:04.340 How is God going to use our desire to have a house in the suburbs. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.420 With good neighbors. 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:10.780 How is God going to use that desire to reach these people? 00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:14.820 They all know that next year I'll be an Anglican minister. 00:12:15.640 --> 00:12:18.180 Probably going to see them every day after church. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:20.220 You know, today I'll see them when I get home. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.160 It's Sunday. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:23.300 They'll probably say, what have you done today? 00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:25.520 And I'll say, well, I was at church. 00:12:25.760 --> 00:12:26.800 Let's talk about Jesus. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:32.399 But what opportunities is God setting up for me with my neighbors? 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:40.299 What desires and passions do you have that God could use? 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:43.859 If only you would see them and be open to them. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:49.379 If you talk to a young man in our congregation, Ian Francis. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:52.199 If you talk to him for longer than a couple of minutes. 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:55.019 He might mention how good the surf was this morning. 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.199 Was it good this morning? 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.240 Scary. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.139 Scary. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.799 But scary, good. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.120 Okay. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.419 I'm not sure what that means. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:08.120 And Ian regularly tells me about how he went for a surf. 00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:12.039 And how he just invited someone to come to church. 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:15.719 And how he may have even read the Bible with someone this morning. 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:16.879 Did that happen this morning, Ian? 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.379 He's trying to remember. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.299 Maybe not this morning. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.319 That's okay. 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:27.480 I love how Ian's passion for surfing and for God are not two separate things. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:33.200 Zachariah was full of doubt and didn't trust God. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:37.680 Elizabeth had been waiting for many years for her child. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:45.500 But God was going to use them and their passion and their desires to announce the coming of the Lord. 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:47.899 Even though they were ordinary people. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:52.019 As part of being prepared for Christmas. 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:56.600 Be prepared for God to use you in extraordinary ways. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.340 Even though we are ordinary people. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:04.220 How can your passions and desires be used? 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:11.980 Is it simply the case of sharing a passion with someone or sharing something you like? 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.920 Like say golf. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.940 I don't particularly like golf. 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:17.500 But if you were to play golf with a friend. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:20.700 You've got them with you for a good couple of hours. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.340 Walking around a golf course. 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:26.100 What a great opportunity you could have to talk to them. 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:31.060 Jumping down to verse 57. 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:34.879 We also jump to the end of Elizabeth's pregnancy. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.700 And her baby's birth. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:40.879 She wants to call him John against the custom of the time. 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:43.040 But the people with her are confused. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:45.420 So Zachariah clarifies. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.259 Have a look at verse 62. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:54.299 Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name the child. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.240 He asked for a writing tablet. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.639 And to everyone's astonishment he wrote. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.159 His name is John. 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:04.179 Immediately his mouth was opened. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.899 And his tongue was loosed. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:08.639 And he began to speak praising God. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.899 When the baby is named John. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:15.779 It not only brings an end to Zachariah's silence. 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:20.259 But also it brings an end to God's silence to Israel. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.159 Zachariah's silence. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:27.039 It's a metaphor for the 400 years of silence that God had with Israel. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.059 With the birth of John. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:31.980 God is going to speak again to the people. 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:35.839 This doesn't seem that amazing for us. 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.939 Because we as Christians. 00:15:38.079 --> 00:15:39.079 We're people of the book. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:42.339 You know we can always refer to God's word. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:46.460 But Israel had to have prophets to speak to them. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:49.820 They didn't rely on the written words like we can. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:53.600 For us if we have questions about something in life. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.620 We talk to God. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.100 We pray. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.340 We read his word. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.000 For an Israelite. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.800 They could pray. 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:03.019 But they were dependent on a prophet. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.320 To hear from God. 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:06.700 So this really is. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:09.139 An amazing occasion for Israel. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.280 And the whole world. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:13.980 God is going to be speaking again. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:18.740 And the message that the prophet like baby would bring. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:22.399 Is indicated by a song that Zachariah sings. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:25.799 You know he's probably been busting to make a noise for nine months. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:29.980 And he's had time to think about his own doubts. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.939 And God's word from the angel. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:33.539 From the messenger. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.860 And he sings praising God. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.100 In verse 76. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.959 Have a look with me. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:41.460 And you my child. 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:44.120 Will be called a prophet of the most high. 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:47.180 For you will go on before the Lord. 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:49.540 To prepare the way for him. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:53.060 To give his people the knowledge of salvation. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.540 Through the forgiveness of sins. 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:59.419 This is the message that John brings. 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:02.279 To repent and have forgiveness. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:05.279 And this is the same message that Jesus brings. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.779 God is speaking again. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.240 And what does he say? 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.639 Your exile. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:15.940 Your control from other enemies is over. 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:18.240 The real enemy. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:20.680 Separation from God by death. 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:22.279 Is going to be dealt with. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.000 There will be forgiveness of sins. 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:30.140 This is still the same message that God speaks to us today. 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:34.559 Zachariah prophesied about God's mercy. 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.900 And the coming forgiveness. 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:38.240 And the coming forgiveness of sins. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:41.720 And we see this in how tenderly God treats us today. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:46.259 He lowers himself to our level as a man. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.940 He paid the ultimate price. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:53.100 And he deals with our sinfulness, doubt and faithlessness. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:58.500 God reveals his preparations and the inner workings. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.600 Of this big event. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.039 The coming of the Lord. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.299 He shows us all the pieces. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.440 For the most spectacular Christmas in history. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:12.500 So what does it mean then for us to be prepared for Christmas? 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:16.480 The first question we need to consider. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:19.580 Is how we will respond to the message. 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.940 Of salvation. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.980 And freedom from sin. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:25.640 That John and Jesus bring. 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:29.100 Will we respond like Zachariah first did. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:31.380 With fear and doubt. 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:34.460 Or maybe we'll just respond with nonchalance. 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.880 And say you know I've heard it all before. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:38.140 I'm not that interested this year. 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:43.520 Can I ask you to consider this week before Christmas. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.660 How have you responded to this message? 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:54.000 You may have been sitting in roughly the same spot in this church for 5, 10, 20, 30 years. 00:18:55.260 --> 00:18:59.120 And thought look everything is fine between me and God. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:04.980 But maybe you've not heard the message and actually responded. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:07.079 You may have thought look I'm part of the club. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.940 But when it comes down to brass tacks. 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.519 And life gets difficult and stressful. 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:15.839 You don't trust like Zachariah. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:21.740 Zachariah needed those nine months to consider God's work and his words. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.000 Before the Lord's first coming. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:30.059 This time of year is a good opportunity to consider the words of Jesus. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:35.660 The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:41.119 You might be feeling like you are mostly prepared for Christmas next week. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:44.240 With all the food, most of the presents organized. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:48.279 But are you prepared for the second coming of Jesus? 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:53.859 Have you put as much time and thought into being prepared for the second coming of Jesus 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:57.799 as you have for a lunch next Thursday? 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.779 Maybe a dinner. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:02.620 Is next week... 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:04.739 Are you putting a lot of time into that? 00:20:04.739 --> 00:20:09.439 Are you putting a lot of time compared to the amount of time considering the Lord's second coming? 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:16.919 It is more important to be prepared for that day that Jesus returns than for next Thursday. 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:18.599 Let's pray together. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:32.759 Heavenly Father, we thank you for how you have showed us the inner workings and preparations for your plan of salvation. 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:39.279 Help us to not ignore them or the forgiveness that you have brought us through your Son. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:48.399 Help us to consider anew this week your Son's birth and how we respond to him. 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:57.699 Help us to be prepared to love those around us and take every opportunity you give us, Lord. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.779 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:00.919 Amen.