1. Part 2:​
Alive In The ​
Adventure ​
Of Jesus

2. Immutability of God. God never changes.
Progressive revelation. God wants to be known!
Creation
Covenant
Law, Priests, Kings
Prophets
Finally!
Incarnation

3. Gospel writers are careful to tie the Incarnation to all of salvation history that has gone before. Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy. (We’ll get there on Dec. 21)

4. Luke begins his gospel with the story of a couple that embody all the ways God has already been revealed to Israel. 1:5-7 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

5. Zechariah and Elizabeth are both priest’s kids. Z. is a priest himself.
They know and follow the Law.
They are faithful, prayerful, worshipful people.
Their life story mirrors that of Abraham and Sarah.

6. 1:8-10 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

7. 11-15 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. …

8. 18-20 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so
18-20 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” …

9. 23-25 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home
23-25 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

10. God honors the traditional prayers of the people of God
God honors the traditional prayers of the people of God. Zechariah is in church, using the written prayers of confession and intercession printed in the order of service for the day. Hundreds of years of salvation history are repeated in the same prayers that are said every year on the same day. That is where God meets him.

11. God hears
the corporate prayers of the people and
the individual prayers of two people
and answers them both without disappointment or contradiction.
John is a child for Z and E.
John is a prophet for Israel.
John prepares the way for Jesus.

12. God answers our prayers according God’s greater purposes in the world
God answers our prayers according God’s greater purposes in the world. The When of John's birth was all tied up in the When of Christ's coming. He was far too late for Z and E! They were ‘getting on in years.’ But he was born exactly when he was needed by God to introduce Jesus to the world.

13. This seems to be a central truth of the Christmas story, because it happens to everyone! Mary’s child came far too early! She was not yet married. Joseph wasn’t there when Gabriel showed up to talk about this baby. There was no home, no preparation, no crib, no doctor….

14. Luke 1:38, Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” … “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”