Greetings First Church!

Advent has finally arrived! I looked in the church sanctuary today and it looks amazing per usual thanks to Norma Rushton and the team! Thank you everyone for your help. Here John Noyes and George Rushton are doing the “elevation” work!

Also, just a heads up that this Sunday we are in week two of our “living a life of generosity” for Sunday School. Last Sunday, Ron Giovannacci helped us see the big picture in this. This Sunday I’ll share the aspect of giving time to the Lord and to people. It’s so easy to be governed by the clock and various demands until we come to a place where nothing else seems to fit in to our schedule. To make a big-time Kingdom impact, we need to put the “big rocks” in first with intentionality and a huge amount of trust. The key verse for this Sunday’s class is “teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.

As we begin Advent, we’ll take a look at Luke 1. “In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah named Zechariah” (v. 5). Zechariah was a member of a large group of over 1,000 priests. We learn that his wife, Elizabeth, is from the priestly line of Aaron, that the two of them were blameless in living the commands and requirements of the Lord, that they were further along in years and that Elizabeth was barren (v. 5-7). We see that Elizabeth and Zechariah had to endure a significant trial in being childless despite living a completely righteous life. At that time, often people looked at barrenness as a punishment from God for sin. What a dangerous and hurtful theology. Passages like this show that righteous people go through real trials. It is in these trials that God shows His power. If you are being challenged right now, take comfort. God knows your pain. While the “why” often remains unknown, we can trust in His great redemption and power through our struggle. We see this demonstrated in the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

When Zechariah was on duty and serving as a priest, He was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense (v. 9).This was most likely the only time that Zechariah was chosen for this particular duty as there were so many priests and this was such a special privilege. What a moment for Zechariah. He must have felt both the weight and excitement of this assignment on behalf of the people. While Zechariah was in the temple, an angel appeared next to him. Not what anyone would expect in a moment like this!

When Zechariah saw the angel he was startled and overcome with fear (v. 17). I think I would be too. Talk about a scary and unexpected experience!! But the angel tells Zechariah to ‘not be afraid’, sound familiar? (v. 18). He states that Zechariah’s prayer has been heard. We don’t know what the specific prayer was, whether it was for the people or for a child, but regardless, the prayer is the launching point for the angel to share that they will have a child, and not just any child. This child would “great in the sight of the Lord” v. 15. This child “will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.” (v. 15). Lastly, this child will make ready a people prepared by the Lord. This child would be John the Baptist. His role was to be a forerunner to Christ. In that, he is to get people ready for the Lord. What an amazing task! I love this insight about John’s life. As believers our main task/privilege in ministry is to get people ready for God in this life and in the next. We invest our lives into others to help them grow in the wisdom and love of the Lord. We want to see people ready to meet God and to be growing and making an impact for Him. That’s why we are “in the game”. But to get ourselves prepared, we need to make room in our hearts for Christ. We need to be submitted to Him in every way and experience His love and filling so that we can pour out all that He is pouring into us.

Zechariah struggles with this new information, because he wants the cold, hard facts. “How can I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years” (v. 18). Often, when we have been through real pain, it makes belief hard due to the fear of being burned again or the possibility of the impossible just feels too overwhelming. Here is the really hard part of the Christian life. It is at these tough moments that God often steps out the most.

This is where the battle is for me. I often want to fight this call to step out in faith and stay back in my cocoon where things are safe, warm and comfortable. But I am missing the opportunity to fly when I do this. God wants to free us from our self-imposed exiles and comfort zone lifestyle to pull us to the great unknown where His love and power are so wonderfully made manifest. We acknowledge our lives are in His hands. Where do you feel like Zechariah, in that you need to know your future before you step out in faith? Where is He calling you step out? Ask for His leading and freedom to take the step and see what He will do. Because of Zechariah’s questioning and unbelief, the angel will cause him not to be able to speak until all the prophesy takes place.

Meanwhile everyone waited for Zechariah outside and saw him step out and realized that he had a vision in the sanctuary, even though he couldn’t say anything yet. This powerful story is just beginning. Where do we see ourselves in the story? Are we ready to prepare people to meet the Lord and to grow in faith in Him? Where do we need to prepare room for God to work in our own hearts or is there a “no vacancy” sign that we have up? Do we believe the God of the impossible and can we see how He can redeem every situation?

Come this Sunday to our 9:00 am Sunday Class on Living Generously and then to our 10:30 am service. Steve Karcher encourages us…As we remember the coming of Christ as a baby during advent, let us prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming as reigning King for all eternity. This week we’ll be singing Open the Eyes of My Heart and In Christ Alone.

So join us Sunday and experience the love and joy of the Savior as we begin this wonderfully majestic and powerful Advent season in preparation of the coming of our Lord!

Blessings,