Read Luke 1:5-7
1.LEARN TO PLEASE GOD, NOT MAN! In verse 6, notice firstly that this passage says that Zechariah and Elizabeth were upright IN THE SIGHT OF GOD! In other words, they sought to please God, not men!! (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4) DO WE SEEK TO PLEASE JESUS ALONE OR ARE WE TRYING TO GET THE PRAISE OF MEN? Seeking to please Jesus alone means that we will be willing to offend men with the truth of God’s word out of love, just like Paul was willing to do in Galatians 1:10. In contrast, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were looking to gain the praise of men!! (Matthew 6:2,5,16)
2.LEARN TO OBEY ALL OF GOD’S WORD! Secondly we see that Luke 1:6 says Zechariah and Elizabeth followed ALL of God’s commandments, not just some!! So often as christians we can be guilty of picking and choosing what we feel comfortable following in the bible. But just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, will we follow all of Jesus’ commands and not just some? (In Matthew 28:20 as part of the great commission, Jesus told His disciples to teach the world to obey EVERYTHING He had commanded them.) DO NOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE FOLLOWING IN GOD’S WORD! LEARN TO OBEY ALL GOD’S WORD IN CONTEXT.
3.UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE! (vs 6-7) We see that Zechariah and Elizabeth’s OBEDIENCE to God was UNCONDITIONAL and not based on circumstances. Even when God didn’t bless them with children, they still remained upright in His eyes!! DO WE UNCONDITIONALLY SEEK TO REMAIN UPRIGHT IN GOD’S EYES WHETHER HE BLESSES US OR NOT? (Luke 2:36-38 Anna faithfully continued to serve the Lord despite being widowed 7 years into marriage!! She could so easily have been bitter with God for taking her husband away, yet she continued to faithfully serve Him!!) In Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to disobey God by bowing down to King Nebachudnezzar’s idol, whether He chose to save them from the fire or not!! Their faith in God and obedience to God was UNCONDITIONAL!!
vs 7- Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous, yet they couldn't have children!! Therefore notice this was not due to sin, but rather God's bigger purpose!!
4.GOD CAN USE THE ELDERLY! Verse 7 says that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were WELL ON IN YEARS. We also find in Luke 2:25-26 and 36-38 that both Simeon and Anna were old in age. Yet it was these elderly people that God used to help amidst Jesus’ birth!! When society tends to give up on the elderly, do we realise God still has plans to use them? The older generation can tend to sometimes disqualify themselves from ministry to let the younger generation serve the Lord, and yet we see that:
-God called Abraham at the age of 75 (Genesis 12:4).
-God met Moses at the burning bush when he was around 80 years old!!
-In Joshua 14:10-12, God used Caleb at the age of 85!!
(So what’s your excuse for not allowing God to use you?)
GOD DOESN’T JUST USE THE YOUNG, HE USES THE OLD ASWELL!! In our old age, will we recognise that everyday that God still gives us breath by His grace and mercy, means another day we have to serve Him!! WILL WE REALISE THAT WE NEVER STOP SERVING JESUS UNTIL HE CALLS US HOME, no matter what age we are? (See Philippians 1:21)
May they be able to say of us in our old age “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him. ” (Psalm 92:14-15). (Isaiah 46:4)
God bless!
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