Introduction

Luke 1:5-17 NASB
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7 And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.

Days of Herod – 400 years of silence

Zechariah – God Remembers

Elizabeth – God’s Oath

God remembers his oath.

Elizabeth is barren.

8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Zechariah is given a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Incense offering symbolized the prayers of Israel ascending to God in a sweet aroma.

11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John was consecrated from conception to prepare the way for Jesus.

Malachi 3:1 NASB
1 “Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of armies.

John is coming in the spirit and power of Elijah.

Malachi 4:5-6 NASB
5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers,

Change starts in the home.

SO WHAT!?

In disappointment we can choose our response.


Our response shows what we worship.


In desolation we can choose to have faith.


Petition: formal request. Philippians 4:6-7



In discouragement we can submit our will to God’s plan.


If dependence is the goal, then weakness is an advantage.



God can use our disappointment, desolation, and

discouragement for his Glory.