With Soul And Voice, Rejoice...

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:1-3)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 126 acknowledge the stunned joy of the ancient Israelites who were released from captivity: “…we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter.” Later, in verse 3, the psalm shifts to the present tense: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared a point that we can reflect on today: that which happened in the past has a present abiding significance. And in this present Advent season, we are encouraged by this truth: God, who has done great things for others, is here to do great things for us. Ancient Israel saw His mighty hand at work and they celebrated. Mary received His word from an angelic messenger and she celebrated. And we, who have read the stories of those who rejoiced in God, can ourselves break out into a psalm of joy!

Ancient Israel, your exile will end. Rejoice.

Mary, you will give birth to the Savior. Rejoice.

Reader, God will answer your faithful prayer. Will you rejoice in Him today?

O Lord, our Lord, You brought deliverance to people in the past, and You are here to bring deliverance to us now. We wait in anticipation, and we rejoice as we wait, believing that You will do great things for us.

All Scripture references from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Is A Message To You...

The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Zechariah was engaged in ministry work when he was met by the angel Gabriel. Scripture tells us that Zechariah was startled. It had been hundreds of years since any man had received a prophetic word from the LORD, and Zechariah found himself in this strange position of not only hearing the word of the LORD, but also seeing the angel God had sent to deliver the message.

What does it mean for us as Christians when we've spent our time and effort in prayer, but then react with astonishment when God responds? After all, isn't prayer a dialogue? Shouldn't we anticipate that we won't be the only one talking, but that God will make Himself known and heard?

Sadly, in the face of this amazing experience, Zechariah responded with his rationale for not believing Gabriel's message. And there is a part of me that doesn't even want to write this because someone might take offense, but I really need to ask the question: What does it mean for us when God responds to our prayer, but we then rebuff His response with our limited experience and our myopic vision of who God is and what He is capable of doing?

Zechariah's response to the word of the Lord was shocking and disgraceful. This aged minister said, in effect, Gabriel, God's message is wrong. My wife and I are too old and it's too late. But, on what authority could Zechariah stand to say that God was too late? Didn't Zechariah have knowledge of the Law and the Prophets? Didn't Zechariah undergo decades of learning the history of God's dealings with the nation of Israel? Didn't Zechariah know that he served the same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, who sent prophets to heal the sick and raise the dead, and who even sent angels to inform Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child in their old age?

There it is. And that is why Zechariah's response was so wrong.

God had done the “miraculous childbirth to aged parents” thing before, and the account of Abraham and Sarah was common knowledge for any priest. So, in essence, Zechariah's response was a double denial: he discredited the spoken report of Gabriel, and he dismissed the Abrahamic precedent which was written in the books of the Law.

But, enough about Zechariah. What about you and I?

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that it is dangerous to become accustomed to routine, particularly in ministry work. When the vehicle of God's grace and instruction becomes a chore (or, worse, a bore), we run the risk of becoming dulled to the truths we so carefully maintain as a service to others. As a result, when God shows up on our doorstep and speaks to us personally, we summarily dismiss Him.

Gabriel responded to Zechariah's denial with disciplinary action: Zechariah, because you spoke against the verbal and written message, you will not speak again until after your son is named. Perhaps some of us are not being heard today because of a word we spoke against God's messages and messengers. Perhaps some of us have lost our influence because we dismissed a God-ordained opportunity as if it were nonsense. But we are blessed to serve a God who specializes in forgiveness and reconciliation. If we repent, he will restore.

This morning God reminded me of part of a prayer that someone once prayed before a worship service: “God, deliver us from routine.” It's my prayer for today. I pray it's yours as well.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome To Month Five.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 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. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." (Luke 1:21-25)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Andy noted that sometimes we are called to seclusion as God does His work in us. Elizabeth experienced this. Our pastor reminded us that Elizabeth, at the start of her pregnancy, did not share a public testimony of what God had done. Instead she waited until she was near the end of her second trimester, at which point her pregnancy would be visible to all who saw her.

Some Christians are spiritually "pregnant." God has begun to do astounding, miraculous things for them, but no one can see the process that God has set into motion. And our community, just like the community in ancient times, continues with the logic they've always used:

Elizabeth and Zechariah aren't able to have children.
It seems that God didn't give them an heir.

But, behind the scenes, God is speaking a different narrative:

I gave Elizabeth and Zechariah the ability to have children.
I have given them an heir.

The Luke passage is an encouragement and a warning: Don't be bound by what you see. You might be making assumptions based on Month Two... and your God may reveal a completely different view in Month Five.

Nevermind your logic, and put your commentary on hold. God is working on seemingly barren situations behind the scenes.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Have A Luke-See.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

Pastor Andy took time at the start of Sunday's sermon to note that Luke was a diligent researcher. Luke's source material was gathered from “those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.” (Luke 1:2, emphasis mine)

Just as Luke was blessed to know people who knew the Lord, we too are blessed. During Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene's fiftieth anniversary events our church took time to honor pastors, leaders, and members, some of whom have served in our local church for decades. They are our modern-day “eyewitnesses and servants” who have been in our faith community “from the first.” They know our Lord Jesus, and have lived in a way to make Him known to us.

We are privileged to have a living history book at Bronx Bethany! We thank God for a community in which longtime members are neither privileged nor pushed aside, but are present to hand down stories of God's faithfulness. It is their presence that allows newer members to have the same resources that Luke accessed before writing Theophilus: eyewitnesses and servants of the word, careful investigation of all things, an orderly account left as a legacy, and a certainty of what has been taught.

Lord God, thank You for those You spoke to in times past. Thank You for their diligence and their joyful obedience. Help us to be like Luke: give us grace to learn, compassion to teach, and patience that empowers us to share You with the generations to come.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I Notice The Service Is Different Today....

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18)

Luke's gospel starts the Advent story with the account of an elderly couple: Zechariah and Elizabeth. The presence of this couple in this narrative encourages us to remember:

God has heard the petitions we've prayed. The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah: your prayer has been heard." (see Luke 1:13)

God can send a "sneak preview" of the supernatural. As an assurance of the miraculous birth of John, God sent a preview of another miracle-- Zechariah's silence. Gabriel said, "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens..." (see Luke 1:20)

God alone receives the credit for His actions. Luke's gospel says that the people knew Zechariah had received a message from God because of two unusual events:

The interruption of action- Zechariah was taking too long to come out of the temple after the customary offerings and prayers had been made. (see Luke 1:21)
The interruption of speech- Zechariah was rendered incapable of pronouncing the priestly blessing, which was an expected component of his temple duties. (see Luke 1:22)

Have you prayed a prayer that seems to have gone unanswered for years?
Take heart. God has heard. He will send an answer.
Take care. Believe the messenger and the message.

Lyricist.

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is His name." (Luke 1:46-49)

What is our response when we realize that God has been mindful of our humble state?

Pastor Sam shared with us that Mary composed the most elevated prose as the expression of her joy. Her joyful words, too, were not just a celebration of what God had done in her personal life; she also praised God for His mercy to her people. "He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and His descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers." (Luke 1:54-55)

According to the Luke 1 passage, this joy-fest is reserved for the people of God who meet certain criteria:

*They live in a humble state (verses 48 and 52);

*They fear God across their generations (verse 50);

*They hunger for God's supply of goodness and grace (verse 53).

We are warned that if our hearts are filled with pride and self-sufficiency, then we will not be recipients of the joy that comes from God (see Luke 1:51-53).

What is in our hearts today? Is there the sense that we can take care of ourselves independently, or is there the knowledge that it is only God who can supply our needs and fill us with joy?

Let us pray that we will be found as one of those who humbly, reverently, and wholeheartedly seek after God.

The Mighty Lord has done great things for me: I am glad!

The Real "Ordinary People".

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam shared with us that the Holy Spirit is interested in ordinary people.

In Luke's Advent narrative we see that "In the sixth month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee" (Luke 1:26). Our pastor noted that Nazareth is not Times Square: Nazareth and Judea were ordinary nondescript towns, but God saw and knew the people there.

Sometimes we assume that if we are in a remote area, God is unaware of our station and character. But God sees and knows all people. His messenger Gabriel made it clear that Mary's character was known: "The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28) Elizabeth and Zechariah were also known by God: "Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." (Luke 1:6)

God is aware. In Psalm 139 we see this reality reinforced in the song of David. A few verses from the psalm are below. I pray that we will reflect on these words today, with gratitude and joy, recognizing that we are never hidden from the sight of Almighty God.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
Too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
And the light become night around me,"
Even the darkness will not be dark to You;
The night will shine like the day,
For darkness is as light to You.

(Psalm 139:3-12) (Click here to read Psalm 139 in its entirety)

News Flash.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." (Luke 1:41-43)

For this year's Advent season, Pastor Sam has shared with us concerning the role of the Holy Spirit in Luke's account of the Advent narrative. This past Sunday we had time to reflect on Elizabeth.

• By the Spirit, Elizabeth was able to see what was invisible to others. It was the Spirit who gave Elizabeth the knowledge of Mary's pregnancy, even though Mary was not visibly pregnant at the time.
• By the Spirit, Elizabeth was able to have a prophetic perspective on natural events. It was the Spirit who caused Elizabeth to understand that her baby in her own womb was not moving randomly, but "leaped for joy".
• The Holy Spirit discloses the works of God. It was the Spirit who revealed to Elizabeth that Mary's pregnancy was not from a sexual encounter, but was a miraculous act of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit reveals for us what other people are not saying. It was the Spirit who caused Elizabeth to know that Mary's baby was not merely another child to be born, but was also the Lord of glory.  

Our pastor noted that "God, through the Holy Spirit, can cause you to understand things." Things that seem to be ordinary might in fact be extraordinary, but we will not know what God is doing unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and under His inspiration she saw and spoke.

Who inspires your sight and speech?

Open Invitation

"The Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit alone, is able to make the impossible possible." -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

"For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam shared: "He who is able to do the impossible is now the main ingredient of our lives." The Holy Spirit, who is available to us, is able to do now what He did in past history: He makes the impossible possible.

We have been given opportunity to have a role in this process: our part in the project is to say yes to God. Our pastor asked us, "Have you opened your heart to the Holy Spirit?" In Luke chapter 1, we see that Mary did just that. She responded to the angel's message by opening her heart to the Lord: "I am the Lord's servant", Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

God is able to do things that we cannot imagine (see Ephesians 3:20-21). His power is not bound by the challenges and personal situations we face. Some of us have experienced this in certain areas of our own lives. But, do we believe that the Holy Spirit has the power to move in every area of our lives? Will we choose to say yes to the power of the Spirit, even when He invites our participation in seemingly impossible projects? Have we invited the Holy Spirit to have unrestricted access to us?

Lord God, there is no part of my life that is off-limits to You. I long to be part of Your work in the earth. I give You my mind, my heart, my body, my talents. In the midst of my challenges, and even in the midst of knowing that Your work in me might bring more challenges my way, I give myself to You. Lord, let it be unto me according to Your word.

Luke 1:26-45

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

(Luke 1:26-45, New International Version)

Fear Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

"Fear is the flip side of idolatry. When you believe that there is something bigger than God, when you believe that something is going to be more dangerous than God's safety, it grips you and it terrorizes you. No wonder the Bible talks about 'fear not'." -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (Second Timothy 1:7, King James Version)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam reminded us of the danger of living in fear.  Zechariah said of God, "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us" (Luke 1:69a). God, by His power, brings to light the promises given to His people. Our pastor shared that God has broken into history in order to free us, and part of that freedom includes deliverance from fear.

Pastor Sam also mentioned a point that I'd like us to reflect on today. In much of our Christmas imagery we focus on Jesus as an infant. Infancy connotes a sense of helplessness and complete dependence. But we must always keep in mind that Jesus, though He chose to enter humanity in this way, is still the King in the kingdom of God. He holds all power and authority. There is none greater than He. As we rest in His greatness, we lose all fear.

There is a Negro spiritual that reminds us of our need to recognize Jesus in His greatness and power, even as we are surrounded by icons depicting His humanity. A poignant line in the song says, "Sweet little Holy Child, we didn' know who You was." When we live in fear, our conduct indicates that we really don't know the greatness of the One we call Lord and Savior. The enemy of our souls uses fear: a) to keep us from entering into the promises of God; and/or b) to make us think that Jesus is still a baby incapable of rescuing His people. But we are called to reject all fear and instead embrace faith in our Lord and Christ, who saves us.

Are you freed from fear?

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us... to rescue us from the hands of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all of our days." (see Luke 1:67-75)

Song Leader.

"His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:" (Luke 1:67)

In Bibles with headings, Luke 1:67-80 is usually headed "Zechariah's Song". But, as Pastor Sam shared with us on Sunday, the prophetic words that came from Zechariah's mouth in verses 67 through 75 were preceded by Divine action: Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit of God who conducted the song.

Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah gave voice to the deep longing and yearning felt by the people of God. Our pastor summarized this yearning in three points:

*Freedom from enemy oppression;
*Freedom from fear;
*Freedom to pursue a lifestyle of holiness and righteousness.

Can we, in 2013, still appreciate this narrative? Do we believe that now, as then, God can speak prophetically through His faithful servants?

Is He free to speak through you?

All Dressed Up, But Not Ready To Go.

“It is a vital thing to prepare yourself for what God is going to do decisively. This kind of decisive coming of God is not something that He must make catch you unawares or unprepared.” –Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

The unprepared. In this past Sunday’s sermon Pastor Sam spoke of the parable of the ten virgins. All ten were dressed and waiting for the bridegroom, but when the bridegroom finally arrived five of the virgins were unprepared to go out to meet him. Though they were in the right place and in the right attire, they lacked the supply of oil needed to light their way. (see Matthew 25:1-13) As we engage in Christian ministry and activity today, we are warned that not everyone who adopts Christian culture is ready to meet the Christ we claim to serve.

The unaware. The purpose of the life and ministry of John the Baptist was to serve as one who prepared people for the ministry of Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:5-17). Our pastor shared: “The Holy Spirit took care to fill John the Baptist from his mother’s womb.” In the same way, the Holy Spirit is present today to make us aware of our need to renounce idolatry and seek the presence and blessing of the Lord. John the Baptist exhorted the people of his day to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8a); we are encouraged to do the same.

v  Are we producing fruit that shows the world we have embraced repentance, or do our lives show a lack of joyful obedience to God’s word?

v  Are we prepared to meet our Lord Jesus at any time, or are we harboring known sin and self-serving works?

v  Are we aware of our need to give ourselves, completely, to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

It's A Dead Reckoning, Dude.

Today we wrap up our reflections on the Christian experience of trauma in relation to the kingdom of God.

Here, again, are three statements Pastor Sam made during the message:

• "Sometimes in the process of grace, you go through untold trauma in the soul."
• "If you don't give up, don't bail out, don't resist, you might be around to see the end of God's grace."
• "What a joy it must be to know that God used you to do what He wants to do."

Today, let's think about the third statement.

Pastor Sam's statement on the joy of the just soul is not for everyone. The end of the sentence is the key: "What a joy it must be to know that God used you to do what He wants to do."

In the famed parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we see that God has a wonderful reward for the just and righteous soul: "Enter into My joy! You have done wonderfully!" But the assessment of the value of one's work is bound in the validity of the work assignment: that is, are you doing what God wants you to do? Or, are you doing what you want to do?

Several years ago, a colleague of mine was in a regrettable situation. The person was a valued trustee and longtime churchgoer, but she insisted that she "had the right" to engage in serial adultery. Her rationale was that she was free to live her life as she pleased, and as long as she gave lots of money to church and diligently served on her board she would not be excluded from heaven. She was fully committed to doing what she wanted to do, whether for good or ill. And, she fully expected that God would commend her.

However, the Old and New Testaments are filled with words that urge us to do what God wants us to do. There are the Ten Commandments; the Great Commandment; the Great Commission. There are the psalms and proverbs which urge us to walk in wisdom and obedience to God's law and will. There are the parables of Jesus. There are the letters dictated by the glorified Christ to the seven churches noted in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. There are the countless exhortations from Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. The constant theme? "Do what God says."

Doing what God says, as we see from the life of Mary, is not an easy thing. Obedience costs.

But guess what? Our salvation was a costly acquisition.

When I was a child, one of the hymns I learned was Norman Clayton's Now I Belong To Jesus. Yes! Jesus owns me. He is the Master and I am His slave. He gave His life for me; I gave my life to Him. When the Lord calls, what can the authentic Christian do but obey? After all, what slave dares to tell his master what to do?

But that is what some in the faith have done.

-Yes Lord, I know You said I am to preach, but I'd rather play the guitar for You.
-Well, Lord, I know You said don't associate with him, but I need money and he has lots of it.
-Lord, we're going down to New Orleans to help build houses. We know You didn't ask us to, but could You bless our project anyway?
-Lord, I refuse to forgive.


In the parable of the talents, there was one servant noted for his disobedience. He buried his money into the ground instead of investing it. At the end of the project, he was identified as a man of sloth and wickedness.

-But digging a hole is hard work! And when is it wicked to safeguard someone else's property?

Digging a hole was hard work, but it was not a work wrought in support of the Master.
Safeguarding property is a nice gesture, but not when the Master has called us to take risks.

Lord, we have conducted our dead reckoning... and we now see that we have wandered far from Your desire. Please help us to return to the course You have set for us!

Sway. Pace. Groan.

And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. (Luke 1:10)

Our theme at Bronx Bethany this year is Engaging Transformational Prayer... Experiencing Transformational Provision. A lot of praying has been going on.

Some of us are, like Zechariah, faithfully doing our work as we wait for God to answer our petition.
Some of us are, like Elizabeth, enduring disgrace as we wait for God's merciful intervention.
Sadly, though, some of us are not praying at all.

Luke 1:10 specifically notes that congregational prayer was occurring "at the hour of the incense offering". When the priest was in the temple offering incense (a representation of their prayers), the people were outside praying in tandem with the ministry of the priest. All of them.

Let us resist the temptation of being merely casual observers, and instead engage transformational prayer-- corporately seeking God even as our pastors faithfully carry out their ministry assignments. Pray, pray, pray.

"And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer..."
Is that too much to ask?

Public Humiliation... Private Celebration.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:41-45, italics mine)

In this past Sunday's sermon, our pastor shared a few aspects of prophetic ministry:

• God reveals what is hidden;
• God reinforces what He has already said;
• God encourages the obedient.

Today, let's consider the third aspect: prophecy as encouragement to the obedient.

Encouragement. In considering the prophetic encounter between Elizabeth and Mary, we see that Elizabeth's prophecy began and ended with a word of blessing to Mary. Mary had the joy of hearing God's commendation: "My daughter, you are blessed. You have believed Me; I will fulfill My word in you."

It is important to note that Elizabeth's prophecy did not erase the challenges Mary would face. But, the prophecy did produce in Mary the encouragement she would need to face those challenges as the months and years progressed. I would even go so far as to say that, without the prophetic encouragement from Elizabeth, we would not have had the resultant, exuberant, confident praise response from Mary: the Magnificat, found in Luke 1:46-55.

Pastor Sam reminded us that this story has a powerful ending. In Luke 1:46, we read that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for the final trimester of Elizabeth's pregnancy, then Mary went back home. Specifically, Mary chose to return home just at the point when her own pregnancy would become obvious to others in her community, rather than hiding out at Elizabeth's home for the duration.

Mary, encouraged by the word of the Lord through Elizabeth, went home strong enough to face the ridicule and innuendo of her neighbors. It was a ridicule that lasted well into Jesus's adulthood: "I am one who testifies for Myself; My other witness is the Father, who sent Me." Then they asked Him, "Where is your father?" (John 8:18-19) The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48)

People who don't recognize the work of God in us might be quick to speak a word of ridicule or disgrace. But those of us who recognize prophetic work ought to be quick to speak words of life, love, and encouragement. God, things don't look good, but You are good and Your promise is being fulfilled. Thank You for choosing to work in and through Your prophetic community.

How do you treat people who walk in obedience to God's prophetic word?
Do you encourage them, or do you ridicule them?

"De worl' treat You mean, Lawd; treat me mean too.
But please, Suh, fuhgive us Lawd; we didn't know 'twas You." (Robert MacGimsey, 1932)

Sam's Message. Same Message.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)

In yesterday's blog we started reflection on a few aspects of prophetic ministry:

• God reveals what is hidden;
• God reinforces what He has already said;
• God encourages the obedient.

Today, let's consider the second aspect: reinforcement of what God has already said.

Reinforcement. Pastor Sam shared a point that is critical for us to embrace: Genuine prophecy is always consistent with the word of God. Therefore, we must be people who are fully immersed in the word of God, so that we are not deceived by false prophets.

In the story of Elizabeth, we see that her prophetic word was understood and received by Mary without question, because Mary had already heard the same message of God from the angel Gabriel. In other words, it was not new news: it was old news. But the reinforcement of this news, from the mouth of a person who was not present at the event, intensified the truth and inevitability of the message.

Last month after a service, I shared something with Pastor Sam that I will re-state here in print. If I should happen to drop into hell, it will not be the fault of our pastor. Bronx Bethany is a prophetic community: that is, the word of God is preached from the pulpit and reinforced through care groups, music and worship arts, and educational classes. There is no lack of exposure to what God is saying. If a member of our church, knowing the truth of Scripture, willfully walks apart from the word of God, then we must earnestly pray that he or she repents. Otherwise, they are bound to perish. There is no way they can claim they didn't know what God said.

One of the challenges we face is that, though we are a Nazarene community, there are many attendees who are at best nominal in their faith. That is not a criticism: that is a reality. Pastor Sam alluded to this reality during the sermon. There are those who believe that their healing and financial well-being is a sign that God does not mind if their lives are lived in opposition to His commandments. But the Scripture tells us that God, through His mercy, is continually seeking to save the lost.
 

Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. (Romans 2:4-5)

 

So the reinforcement of what God has already said is a rich gift which encourages us to persevere in our walk with Christ. It is why we are exhorted to remain in community, to repent, to grow in grace and in knowledge of God's word, to deeply love God, and to humbly obey Him. By doing so, we embrace His mercy and escape His wrath. We position ourselves for receipt of this glorious gift of prophecy.

 

Further, though we are not in a position to choose which spiritual gifts God gives to us, Scripture nonetheless encourages us to seek after this particular gift.

 

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. (First Corinthians 14:1-3)

 

God loves you! He desires to have all of you, and He desires that you have all of Him. I pray you will submit yourself to Him, completely.

This is not new news; it is reinforcement of old news... the Good News. Read it for yourself.

The Reveal.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? (Luke 1:41-43)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam mentioned a few aspects of prophetic ministry. In the engagement of prophecy, a person becomes privy to what God is seeing and saying.

• God reveals what is hidden;
• God reinforces what He has already said;
• God encourages the obedient.

Today, let's consider the first aspect: revelation of hidden things.

Revelation. The writer of Hebrews made a statement about the revelatory nature of prophecy: For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

This would not have been a surprise to the Hebrews, but a reminder. Old Testament Scripture contains several examples of priests and prophets speaking things that only God could have told them. In fact, it was such a known occurrence that even non-Israelites asserted God's power to bring specific words of knowledge to His prophets.

Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.” The man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.” The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice. Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” (Second Kings 6:8-12)

During the sermon, Pastor Sam made a passing comment about God being the revealer of what happens in our bedrooms. Scripture supports his assertion. It is not a reason to be angry; it is a reason to be grateful that God is so earnest to rescue His people. God is not joking. He has a deep love for us, and will use every means to bring salvation and deliverance-- even using a seemingly ignorant person to tell us things they shouldn't know.

God again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)

Elizabeth, simple woman in the hills of Judah.
Elizabeth, infilled with the Holy Spirit of God.
Elizabeth, privy to the work of God.
See. Hear. Speak. Love.

A Private Realization… A Public Revelation.

When Zechariah’s time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:23-25)

God’s timing: In these days…

God is the One who determined that Elizabeth and Zechariah would bear a child—not in their prime bearing years, but in their old age. Our Lord, from time to time, chooses to do the miraculous in us and through us. We become participants in His great work… but we do not control the timing. That prerogative is left to God alone.

God’s option: …He has shown His favor…

God, in addition to giving Elizabeth and Zechariah the joy of having a child, gave them the favored position of being parents of John, the forerunner of Christ. There would be no other parents who had that special designation. “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)

God’s rescue: … and taken away my disgrace…

God, by giving Elizabeth a child, removed from her the state of barrenness that her culture viewed as a form of curse… and that she viewed as a form of disgrace. “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” (Luke 1:57-58)

God’s exposure: …among the people.

God allowed Elizabeth to experience the social stigma of barrenness for decades, but He then gave her a pregnancy and birth which touched her community and region. “All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.” (Luke 1:65-66)

The Lord has done this for me. In time, all will see.

I, Elizabeth.

In our English-language services yesterday, Pastor Sam continued the series on "Human Stories In The Divine Drama". This week, we will reflect on Elizabeth.

It's amazing how we can read the same scripture passage for years, or even decades, but God in His greatness can open our minds to new insights. One of the blessings we experienced during yesterday's sermons was that God, through our pastor, shed new light on Elizabeth's story (found in the first chapter of Luke).

Elizabeth was unemployed, but qualified. Elizabeth was a bonafide member of the priesthood: not because she was married to Zechariah, but because she herself was a descendant of Aaron. Although her culture did not permit women to serve in the temple, Elizabeth nonetheless carried in her genes the legacy necessary for being a temple priest.

Elizabeth was ridiculed, but righteous. Rather than becoming bitter about the stigma of barrenness, she chose the way of righteousness. Being public figures exposed Elizabeth and her husband to colleagues and congregants who viewed their childlessness as a curse. However, they did not go into hiding. They continued living in the presence of their community, expressing the grace of God to the people.

Elizabeth was clueless, but prophetic. Mary had not spoken to Elizabeth. But at hearing Mary's voice, Elizabeth was moved by the Holy Spirit and began to speak prophetically concerning Mary's status as Theotokos (the woman who would bear God incarnate). Elizabeth even gave a word of knowledge concerning the condition of Mary's heart: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45)

What an encouragement for those of us who live by, and walk in, the Spirit of God (see Galatians 5). Our detractors say that, across the board, we are not working: our hands do not work because we are jobless; our hormones do not work, and we are childless; our head does not work, so we are not privy to the thoughts and acts that occur away from our physical presence. But the Holy Spirit speaks to those who humbly submit to Him. His voice drowns out the jeers and jokes of our detractors. At the right time, His word of truth will pour out of us to encourage, save, and deliver all who seek to draw near to Him.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer. (Rev. George Croly, 1854)