Christmas Untold: Stories of Encounters, Dreams, and Wonder ● Discovering the untold stories of Christmas and how a few people went from the mundane to the miraculous through encounters, dreams, and wonders of the supernatural occurring in their lives. o What will you do when the miraculous (Christ) encounters your mundane (life)? Big Ideas: ● Mundane doesn’t have to mean the absence of the supernatural ● Zacharias (Zechariah) and Elizabeth’s UNTOLD story of encounter and wonder ● Live out your supernatural mundane life for God’s glory Mundane doesn’t have to mean the absence of the supernatural ● Mundane means natural, ordinary, commonplace, practical, dull, or lacking excitement. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NKJV) 11that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ● Mundane doesn’t have to mean complacent but may mean contentment in Christ. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV) 6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ● God has a reason and purpose for our lives. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ● God has a plan and a purpose for all history… including your life. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ● The question isn’t “how God fits into your plans,” but rather “how do you fit into God’s plan.” Psalm 37:23 (NKJV) 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Zacharias and Elizabeth’s UNTOLD story of encounter and wonder Luke 1:5–7 (NKJV) 5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. ● They still served and honored the Lord even in the midst of the broken dream of having a child since Elizabeth was barren, and they were old. Habakkuk 3:17–19b (NKJV) 17Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. ● They were faithfully living their mundane life for God. Luke 1:8–10 (NKJV) 8So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. ● God starts doing things before we know, according to His plans and timing. ● There were people outside praying while he offered the incense. o When another gets honored, will you pray and bless the Lord or become upset that you didn’t get chosen? Isaiah 43:18–19 (NKJV) 18“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. ● Zacharias was chosen by lot to be the one to go into the temple, which was a huge honor. Luke 1:11–17 (NKJV) 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” ● Zacharias encounters the miraculous, and he receives a promise. o It was a suddenly of God. Isaiah 48:3 (NKJV) 3“I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. ● REF: Numbers 12:4, 2 Chronicles 29:36,Luke 2:13,Acts 2:2. Act 9:3, Acts 16:26, others ● 3 Names and meanings o Zacharias (Zechariah)- God Remembers o Elizabeth- God’s Oath or God’s Promise o John- The Lord is Gracious ● Zacharias’s prayer could have been for the Messiah’s advent or a son. Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV) 6For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. ● Either way, their promise from God was interwoven into God’s greater plan of Christ’s story. o Do you see the promises God has given you as isolated to only your benefit or part of God’s greater plan for His Kingdom? Luke 1:18–25 (NKJV) 18And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” ● Zacharias looked at the natural but not at the power of God in his response. ● He had an encounter and received a promise, but still, he had a part to play after he went home and was intimate with Elizabeth. She conceived a child. o You may have received the promise, but have you done your part in accomplishing it? 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. ● Elizabeth hides herself for five months. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) 23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ● Do you want your promise to be spectacular to bring you glory or supernatural to bring glory to God? Luke 1:36–45 (NKJV) 36Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 39Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” ● When it comes to supernatural living, remember that nothing is impossible for God. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. ● God still speaks to His people through His Word, The Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, and angels. John 10:27–28 (NKJV) 27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ● The baby leaped- it wasn’t just a kick but an exuberant expression of joy. o What does the promise you are carrying do when it encounters the presence of Christ? ● While you are waiting, remember that God’s thoughts, ways, plans, and timing are not yours. Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV) 8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. ● Don’t give up on what the Lord has spoken to you. Galatians 6:9–10 (NKJV) 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV) 3For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. ● Elizabeth didn’t fall into jealousy and competition with Mary over each of their promises (children) but celebrated what God was doing in their midst. o Can you celebrate someone else’s promise while still waiting to receive what God has promised you? Luke 1:57–66 (NKJV) 57Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. 59So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” 61But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. ● Stay steady until the fullness of time comes, and you receive your promise. ● It wasn’t the birth that caused Zacharias’ mouth (and ears) to open once again. It was after he obediently fulfilled what God had asked Him to do – naming his child John. o Have you obeyed what God has asked you to do concerning your promise? ● The Encounter, the Sign, the Miracle, the Wonder, and the Promise occurred not just for the family but for the people, and it set up the mission and ministry of John the Baptist. It gave him credibility that he had a specific purpose, reason, calling, and mission. Luke 1:76–80 (NKJV) 76“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. ● John’s calling and mission was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ! Mark 1:2-4;7-8 (NKJV) (Ref. Matthew 3:1-3 & Isaiah 40:3) 2As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” 3“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ”John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins… 7And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John 3:22–36 (NKJV) 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. Live out your supernatural Mundane life for God’s glory ● We can relate with those in the Old Testament waiting and longing for the advent of the Messiah. o The first advent of Christ coming as a lamb has happened, and we celebrate it at Christmas, but He is coming again as a lion, fulfilling the promise of God. ● Like John the Baptist, we are called to continue to prepare the way of the Lord by making Christ known to the world around us. 1 Peter 2:9–10 (NKJV) 9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. ● When we abide in Christ, we produce fruit that’s supernatural living. John 15:5 (NKJV) 5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ● When we give God our natural lives, He makes our mundane lives supernatural. Romans 8:10–11 (NKJV) 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Take away questions: ● How have you disdained your mundane (natural) life and not looked for how God might work in supernatural ways in the small things of life? ● What part of Zacharias’ and Elizabeth’s story do you currently most identify with? ● How will you live out your supernatural mundane life for God’s glory in a greater way? ● What will you do when the miraculous (Christ) encounters your mundane (life)? It’s all about Jesus! Live your life for Him, and He will reward your faithfulness. Colossians 3:23–25 (NKJV) 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Hebrews 10:23–25 (NKJV) 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25notforsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 13:20–21 (NKJV) 20Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.