Being called to be set apart (Lk 1:1-25)

Zechariah is an ordinary man
- In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. (‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ NIV) -- there are so many priests that they have to be divided into divisions and be scheduled to go into temple. And serve two times a year, each time one week.
- So many priests that a priest was mere ordinary back then. Opportunities come by drawing lot (he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. (‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ NIV)
- Not only was he ordinary, he was discouraged (barren wife, unanswered prayers despite serving and praying)
- We often feel so tiny before circumstances and world but God still come to us and look for us.
Zechariah was lacking in faith
- 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 NIV)
- Though a priest, sometimes he is more troubled by the common struggles and daily struggles the life inflict on us
- We too get swallowed up by the world too
- Why do you have no anticipation
- No matter how startled you are to the situation (old age, barrenness, lack talent) and how God hasn't been answering your prayers, God is still God -- this is the condition God can use, so as to tell people that He is God who transcends all limitations
- Sometimes we doubt God and ask God to convince us-- is it because we still look at our conditions. We don't let God be God (what He says count)
- Do we trust God as He is? (Or do we trust God + a + b...)
- Do you pray habitually or with anticipation?
  - With the problems and things you have been praying about, has the "unanswered prayers" or weaknesses become more real than God, that we no longer pray with anticipation?
- Compared to Abraham (Ro 4:19-20) who is in the situation same as him
  - Without weakening in his faith, strengthened and give glory to God even body as good as dead
- So even if God talks to you (thru prayers, altar message, your shepherd..) --> when you hear God's word, do you believe?
- But if you believe first, you will see the evidences follow you
- If you do not believe God, God will discipline (eg mute zec) -- temporary discipline
- Set your mind to believe in God, God will be delighted in you and will reveal increasingly to you
- Our disbelief will not change God's plan , but it will change our involvement in that plan
- since you cannot change God's plan anymore - a wise and blessed person will pray to turn to God and restore the faith quickly
- Actually if we are upright in life, when we are disciplined by God --> God will tell us in which area we have not been trusting God, needs repentance, and He will show you grace
  - eg disbelief in God's promise at the crucial moment
God can do impossible -

- when God comes to look for the ordinary person --> he becomes the main character
- v20 - God's word will fulfill at the appointed time, whether you believe or not. it will not be nullified by your lack of faith/ conditions ==> let this be our motivation to fight our disbelief

We are chosen to be set apart

- not on your faith, but based on God's promise

v15 -> Great in the sight of the Lord - Lk 7:28, Mt 11:11)
- who do people think as great? (looks, educations, noble and giving people, skilled people, many medals, good bodies etc)
- but what so great? is this person great in the sight of the Lord
- God's definition of greatness
- World:
  - smart, pretty, successful etc
  - popularity - many likes, many followers (but John lived in isolation, Jesus was not the most popular man but the most important man!)
  - long lasting outcomes, promotions (But John was great because he just prepared the way for Christ, though he lived short)
- God:
  - fulfil His plan --> Direct people to christ
- Spiritual greatness > human greatness (the least of spiritual greatness still far exceeds fullest of human greatness)
- John was filled with the HS before birth ---> predestined unconditional selection
- we are already great in the eyes of Lord! but has it gotten into you, this spiritual reality?
  - by the way you live --> if you have understood how great you are, you will live in a fitting manner (Eg John will not touch wine; a president won't be caught getting drunk; i won't smoke in the hospital)
  - inner and outer life are reflector of one another
  - you will desire holiness
Dignified mission --> Point to Christ
- if you know that you're great in the eye of Lord, you will also want to inherit the mission of Christ
- we are also called to testify for christ like JOhn
- God's power will commensurate with your calling (how much you go into the depth of your calling, God's power will increase in proportion) --> so are your days, so are your grace! 日子如何，力量也如何
- John's preaching turn people to God
  - not a mere message, head knowledge --> cut to the heart, turns people to face God, turns people to battle
  - help people to establish a r/s with God & enjoy the emmanuel blessings
  - pray:
    - we are also called to be the minister of reconciliation 2 Co 5:18-20
    - we are all ambassadors of Christ, through 2 things: message and live out
    - image.action <> reflector
    - ambassadors are people in foreign countries. they meet up, spend time with people to promote Christ to them, and help them understand what so nice about Christ promises
    - your answers to situation is tied to the commissional heart of yours!
      - e.g.: it's precisely of my limited condition that his gospel can be elevated
      - when you have this right lifetime goal, only then can you piece your problem to this "ambassador" role
    - needs to be touched by God before you can share God to others - how?
      - be reminded of how you were called into this lineage, how you're called to be set apart because of God not how great you are
      - HS will touch you through the word that you've heard