Zechariah and Elizabeth How prayers and dreams are fulfilled

1
Zechariah and ElizabethHow prayers and dreams
are fulfilled

• The Christmas story illustrates real life lessons
  that we often miss, because we focus exclusively
  on the story of Christ coming to earth! If we
  take the time to see the other characters in the
  story as more than props, we will gain some
  valuable help!

• Their family trees are impressive--v. 5
• Their characters/behavior are upright,
  blameless--v. 6
• Their trial/burden (no children --v. 7) is a
  disgrace in this culture--v. 25

2
Their dreams and prayers have died because
Elizabeth is older But remember

• Dreams and prayers are not always realized in our
  timing, or even as they normally happen to
  others.
• Sometimes dreams/prayers need to be infused with
  reality and the Scripture--James 16-8.
• Other times, there is simply a delay until timing
  is right--until all the elements come together!
• Principle There is usually a gap between the
  time we pray and the answer, so do
  not conclude that your prayers will
  never be answered!

3
The fulfillment of our dreams and prayers may
have a supernatural element to it

• If that is the case, we may exhaust our resources
  and options before God steps in supernaturally.
• God may give us more than we hope for!
• In the normal course of events, God (or His
  answer/emissary) may show up and surprise us!
• Examples Prayers for family, ministry
  opportunities, accomplishments, resources,
  job change, relationships, etc.

4
What does Zechariah do?

• He continues to be faithful and upright--vv. 6-7.
• His life is changed by lot, not by effort, busy
  work, or frenzied activity--vv. 8-10.
• His circumstances are changed as he is faithful
  to the prescribed instructions found in
  Scripture--v. 11.

5
Responses--vv. 12-17
The visit causes several

• Zechariah fear. v. 12--When Zechariah saw
  him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
• Angel vv. 13-17--
  a)
  ...dont fear...
  b) ...your
  prayers are answered...
  (Likewise Our longstanding
  prayers will stay before the Lord.)
  c) Here is the
  answer You will have a son (13a) this is
  what you will name him (13b) this is what he
  will be like (14-15) this is what he will do
  (16-17). Why is the prayer answered now?

6
Timing--v. 17
Notice the

• The prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth are
  answered and in keeping with the timetable of the
  coming of the Messiah--v. 17.
• Likewise, the answers to our prayers and hopes
  may have extraordinary implications to others.
• The answers may be waiting for perfect timing
  --a timing that will include other
  peoples prayers, dreams, hopes, even problems
  that we will meet or enable as our prayers are
  answered!

7
Responses--vv. 18-20
Notice how Zechariah responds

• Zechariah doubt, v. 18 (not belief)
  Zechariah asked the angel, How can I be sure of
  this? I am an old man and my wife is well along
  in years.
• Angel vv. 19-20
  a) This is who I
  am. I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of
  God.
  b) This is why I was sent. ...to
  tell you this good news. c) This is what will
  happen to you. You will be silent and not
  able to speak until the day this happens...
  d) This is why. ...you did not believe my
  words... e) The answer ...come
  true at their proper time.

8
Results--vv. 21-22
Notice the

• There are consequences for not recognizing or
  believing Gods solution when it comes.
• Doubts and unbelief keep us from telling the good
  news and freely speaking about Gods love.
  21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting
  for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long
  in the temple. 22
  When he came out, he could not speak to them.
  They realized he had seen a vision in the temple,
  for he kept making signs to them but remained
  unable to speak.
  23 When his time of service was completed, he
  returned home.
• Application Our witness is affected by
  faith/doubt.

9
Answer--vv. 24-38
Notice their

• Their answer includes the timing and fulfillment
  of the events in the life of Mary, the mother of
  Jesus, and the coming Messiah.
• Application AGAIN--the timing of our answers,
  our dreams include Gods sovereign arrangements
  in other peoples lives, too.
• The delays will make sense when we see how many
  different circumstances and life experiences of
  others go into our solutions--vv. 24-38.

10
Deep spiritual responses--vv. 39-45
Notice the fulfillment causes

• Notice the contrast 1) Zechariah doubts and is
  silenced. 2) Mary and Elizabeth believe and
  give praise.
• Elizabeths perspective is something Zechariah
  needs to hear. v. 45--Blessed is she who has
  believed that what the Lord has said to her will
  be accomplished!
• Application Blessing comes with belief!

11
What does Zechariah do?--vv. 57-58
We are familiar with Marys response

• The promise is fulfilled--vv. 57-59a.
• But without the good news, they do not understand
  are going to name the boy after his father--v.
  59a.
• Elizabeth knows the name (v. 60), but it does not
  make sense to call him John because it is not the
  customary way to name a child--v. 61. (Only
  after a relative.)
• Zechariah is asked to write the name and he says,
  his name is John--v. 53. (John literally means
  the Lord has given grace.)
• Progress Doubt to faith--to obedience--to
  praise--to prophecy blessing for Johns family
  and the world!

12
Zechariah praise--vv. 64-79
Listen to

• He begins to praise God--v. 64.
• The people are filled with awe--v. 65a.
• People throughout the area are talking about the
  fulfillment of their dream/their prayer--v. 65b.
• They begin to ask questions about the miracle/the
  answer to prayer-v. 66.
• Zechariah prophesies--vv. 67-75.
• Zechariah has a dedication prayer at his sons
  dedication--vv. 76-79. (Our model for baby
  dedication --a prayer for the child based
  on his/her name.)

13
What does this say to us?
What are the lessons from Zechariahs life?

• All answers to prayer (e.g., births) flow from
  grace!
• The impact of our prayers/answers are lessened
  because of unbelief and some do not hear the good
  news!
• The timing of our answers (the fulfillment of our
  dreams) includes Gods sovereign
  arrangements in other peoples lives,
  too--we must learn to believe in
  delays!

14
What does this say to us? (continued)
What are the lessons from Zechariahs life?

• Obedience to Gods Word will eventually give us
  the opportunity to openly praise God, because on
  the other side of obedience is a miracle of
  provision, healing, solutions, answers, dreams
  fulfilled, etc. God answers believing prayer!
• Spiritual insight and praise should cause others
  to be in awe and ask questions about our God!
  Are the answers to your prayer and the miracles
  seen in your children/friends causing people to
  ask questions about your faith?