Bible Verses for Sunday Service December 4, 2022
Luke 2:30-32
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
Announcements:
It is that time of year again, time to update the church directory so please fill out the insert if your contact information was wrong or needs changed. If you are not listed in the directory and want to be listed, please fill out the form and let Pastor Jim know.
Through the church directory from, you can let us know about your prayer chain preference. You can receive updates via text, email or phone.
Pastor changed the deacons meeting to December 7th at the Witschis’ home. Topics for discussion are items for consideration at the annual meeting in January.
It with joy we share what perhaps you already know, that Madison Orelup and Malichai Warenke will get married in December. We will provide them with a basket bridal shower. If you wish, please bring a gift and leave it in the basket in the foyer. They are also registered at Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Please make sure your gift is in by December 11.
We would like to have some special musical numbers on December 18, choir or children. Please let Pastor Jim know if you are planning to have a special.
Sermon:
In honor of the birth of Our Savior, Pastor continued his series in Luke with a “Promise to a Priest based on Luke 1:5-25 and 57-66. These passages reference God’s promise to Zacharias about a son who would be a messenger to bring the good news that a Messiah would come.
This prophecy to Zacharias was a promise given by the angel about his son to come. His son would be unique, and he was in many ways. Mathew 11:11 tells us that John the Baptist was greater than all those who came before him. That uniqueness came from being a Nazarite, a separated person, and the Holy Spirit continually working in his life. Besides being unique we should consider the emphasis of John the Baptist’s preaching, repentance. He preached a continual turning away from sin, and a turning to the Lord. This turning enables to see God more clearly, which in turn enables us to see those around us more clearly and love them appropriately.
Unfortunately, Zacharias illustrated the worst of human nature in hearing of this promise; he demonstrated a lack of faith. But, it one thing to be given a promise and another to believe it. He also had a hard facts around him to bolster his unbelief, and an old wife. So he makes the mistake of asking the angel for a sign. Pastor explained that this lack of belief comes from having the wrong focus. Zacharias focused on himself, not on the promise or on God’s power to deliver it. While the punishment for this lack of faith was in the inability to speak until the birth of his Son, John the Baptist, Pastor reminded us that these failings can lead to a missed blessing. We should be mindful of God’s blessings, and prayerful about our needs. We will then have free lips, lips to testify to God’s goodness to us, and how he He has fulfilled his promises.
Reading ahead in Luke to the end of chapter 2 shows that God’s promise through the angel was fulfilled. Elizabeth conceived as the angel promised, and baby was born. Such a realizing of God’s promises should help us to be certain about them. God keeps His word. Given all the uncertainties in the world, we should reconsider God’s word, which is sure. We should be sure to build our life and faith on Him.
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