Advent series Getting ready for Christmas Developing… an expectant heart a willing spirit a new world view a life vision

Picking up Zechariah’s story…

Luke 1: When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us -

to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Developing a life vision What are we born for?

People have always questioned the meaning of life. Often with the wrong starting place - ourselves. We don’t find life’s meaning by looking internally.

Rick Warren: The Purpose Driven Life. The purpose of our life is far greater than our own personal fulfilment, our peace of mind or even our happiness. It’s far greater than our family, our career, or even our wildest dreams and ambitions. If we want to know whey we were placed on this planet we must begin with God. We were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

Ephesians 1:11 (the message) It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

Zechariah had learnt this in his nine months silence. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. v64

1. Life vision - to worship God The ultimate goal of everything is to show the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God Ps 19 We don’t add to his glory. But we – like Zechariah - can recognise it, honour it, praise it, reflect it and love it. You are worthy O Lord our God to receive glory, honour and power. For you created everything. Rev 4:11a

Zechariah begins by worshipping. Praise be to the Lord… v68 Worship is our highest calling – this deep need is inbuilt within us. If we don’t worship God, we’ll find something else to worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted.

We’re talking about more than music… Worship is not for our benefit. It’s to bring pleasure to God not to ourselves. These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Isaiah 29:13

Worship is a lifestyle. Loving God and giving ourselves to be used by his purposes. Everything we do becomes an act of worship. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31 This enabled Zechariah to dedicate his son to God. And for John to live a life that served God.

The secret of this life vision – do everything as if you were doing it for Jesus. So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to- work, and walking- around life - and place it before God as an offering. Rom 12:1

2. Life vision – to become like Jesus It’s what God always intended. Becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel and act. In cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah: filled with the holy Spirit v6 John: became strong in spirit v80 And then by John 3:30: He must become greater; I must become less.

The goal of our life isn’t our comfort but our character development. God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Eph 3: 20 (the message)

3. Life vision – to serve God We were put on earth to make a contribution - to add something, not to simply consume. To serve him without fear v74 Zechariah to his son declares a life vision: And you my child.. v76

We serve God by serving others. The world demands greatness through power, possessions, prestige and position. Jesus measures greatness in terms of service. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Matt 20:26

How real servants act… Seeing others’ needs Doing the best with what we have Faithful perseverance Having a low profile Think more about others than self Seeing ministry as opportunity not obligation Knowing our identity in Jesus

4. Life vision – to tell others God doesn’t want his love and purposes to be kept a secret. Once we know the truth we share it with others.

For you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation… v76 We were made for this mission. We have a story to share – what has Jesus done for you? We have an invitation to offer.

Life vision & forks in the road Jesus faced these big questions too. Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12:

Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. John 12:25