Welcome to Eastern Hills Baptist Church
We are so glad that you decided to join us in worship today. Here at Eastern Hills we realize that we are all in different places on our journey with Christ, and that's okay. Whether you are a seeker, looking for answers, or a long-time follower of Christ, you are welcome here.

TODAY'S POINTS:

1: Promises kept. (57-63)

2: Punishment removed. (64-66)

3: Prophecy declared. (67-75)

4: Promises renewed. (76-80)

Note to the user: For some reason, YouVersion is returning an error when attempting to insert a reference from the Psalms. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Psalm 127:3

3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward.

Psalms 56:10-13

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere humans do to me? 12 I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you. 13 For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.

"Zechariah’s prophecy defines John’s life in relationship to Jesus’s life and mission. Beloved, all lasting meaning is found when we define our lives this way. Greatness comes from serving the Lord, not from serving ourselves. Greatness comes when we, like John, say, “We must decrease; Jesus must increase” (see John 3:30)."

—Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke

Psalms 89:3-4

3 The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’ ”

Psalms 18:17 and 106:10:

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.

10 He saved them from the power of the adversary; he redeemed them from the power of the enemy.

Psalms 23:4

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

Psalms 97:10-12

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful ones; he rescues them from the power of the wicked. 11 Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

Discuss these questions this week:

—When have you made a promise that was hard to keep? Did you keep it?
—Have you ever experienced a time when difficulty or affliction was used by God to deepen your faith? How or when?
—Why is it important that Zechariah's prophecy focused so much on Jesus, instead of John?