God's Amazing Story
From Barrenness to Abundance
Study Guide Week Two
Message for Sunday December 9, 2018
This Week Reading: Luke 1:5-25 Additional Reading: Matthew 11:1-7
Introduction
The most important event in the history of mankind began in a situation of barrenness. All of human history was preparing for the birth of Jesus and all of human history from that point to the present flows from the birth of Jesus (The Gospel of Luke by Norval Geldenhuys). John the Baptist, the one prophesied to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus was born to parents who were unable to have children because of his mother Elizabeth's sterility and both his parent's advanced age. God began the restoration of the world by using a broken and barren situation. This is not the first time God has worked in this way. Abraham and his wife were unable to have children yet God gave them a son and Abraham became the father of nations. This was also the situation with Samuel's mother Hannah. It appears that God actually works through situations of barrenness. We can apply this principle in a variety of aspects in our lives from personal needs to ministry goals to career and family desires.
Luke records the incident of the birth of John the Baptist in great detail. Luke makes clear that Zechariah and Elizabeth were following God and even writes that they were blameless before the Lord. This word is sometimes translated as faultless before the Lord. In the very next sentence which begins with the word BUT Luke tells us the were unable to have children. This challenges our theology which tends to state that if we follow God and are blameless then God will bless us. The incident also gives a glimpse into the spiritual realm that is usually unseen. As we read through the Christmas story we note an fairly intense involvement of angels throughout this time in history.
Luke records the incident of the birth of John the Baptist in great detail. Luke makes clear that Zechariah and Elizabeth were following God and even writes that they were blameless before the Lord. This word is sometimes translated as faultless before the Lord. In the very next sentence which begins with the word BUT Luke tells us the were unable to have children. This challenges our theology which tends to state that if we follow God and are blameless then God will bless us. The incident also gives a glimpse into the spiritual realm that is usually unseen. As we read through the Christmas story we note an fairly intense involvement of angels throughout this time in history.
Background Information
Malachi the prophet had predicted that there would be someone to appear who would be the forerunner to the Messiah who would prepare the way for the Lord. This prophecy is in the book of Malachi chapter 3 verses 1-4. Note how precisely this applies to what the angel Gabriel said to Zechariah in Luke 1:14-17. Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was indeed the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matthew 11:7-11). Zechariah was a priest serving in the Jewish temple. He was a decedent of Moses' brother Aaron the first priest in Israels history. Elizabeth was the daughter of a priest and also from a priestly line. The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah while he is performing his duties inside the temple. He is alone inside lighting incense and the people are outside praying. Gabriel is only one of two angels in the Bible who are named. The named angel is Michael. Gabriel is not a regular angel but apparently a chief angel. He states that he,Gabrielle, stands in the very presence of God Almighty. Gabriel appears several times in the Bible. Each time he is bringing a direct message from God himself. It thus appears that Gabriel is God's messenger (Daniel 8:16-26; 9:20-27; Luke 1:26-38). The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that the child will be totally dedicated to the Lord. The description Gabriel gives is of someone who has taken a Nazarite vow. This is described in Numbers 6:1-8. Zechariah would have understood this reference and description.
Despite the miraculous appearance of an angel, Zechariah questions how the promise will happen. The question how is usually an subtle indication of lack of belief. Zechariah is focused on his inability and not on God's ability.
Despite the miraculous appearance of an angel, Zechariah questions how the promise will happen. The question how is usually an subtle indication of lack of belief. Zechariah is focused on his inability and not on God's ability.
Key Points
- Serve God where you are. Be faithful in what is in front of you. Do not let your circumstances make you bitter.
- God has a timetable He is working it out in the spiritual realm and it will be manifested in the physical realm. Everything will be fulfilled at the appointed time.
- Focus not on your inability and circumstances rather focus on God's ability and purpose. God wants to use your brokenness, disappointments and struggles for His glory and purpose.
Digging Deeper Questions
1. What areas of barrenness or lack of fruit do people have in their lives - list some examples other than the inability to have children. What experiences of barrenness have you experienced?
2. How do you think Elizabeth and Zechariah felt when they realized they could not have children? How would you feel?
3. How did Zechariah and Elizabeth respond to the circumstance of barrenness? What lesson can you learn from how Zechariah and Elizabeth responded to the situation?
4. How did Zechariah react when the angel Gabriel appeared? How would you react? Why?
5. Read verse 13-17 and discuss the different parts of this promise to Zechariah. How do you see it fulfilled in the life of John the Baptist?
6. What was Zechariah's response? Why? How would you have responded? Have any of God's promises ever seen too impossible for you to believe? What promises do you struggle to believe?
7. What principles do you learn from this true story that you can implement in your life?
2. How do you think Elizabeth and Zechariah felt when they realized they could not have children? How would you feel?
3. How did Zechariah and Elizabeth respond to the circumstance of barrenness? What lesson can you learn from how Zechariah and Elizabeth responded to the situation?
4. How did Zechariah react when the angel Gabriel appeared? How would you react? Why?
5. Read verse 13-17 and discuss the different parts of this promise to Zechariah. How do you see it fulfilled in the life of John the Baptist?
6. What was Zechariah's response? Why? How would you have responded? Have any of God's promises ever seen too impossible for you to believe? What promises do you struggle to believe?
7. What principles do you learn from this true story that you can implement in your life?
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