SERMON NOTES:
Wonder?
Luke 1 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 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.”
8 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “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. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Wonder is:
- restored as we engage the story in all its depths and details,
- faith’s weapon to battle fear,
- comfortable with mystery allowing for God possibilities,
- targeted by the enemy!
Wonder Tools:
Study Guide
Solitude, Scripture & Prayer
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …”Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”
Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!
Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God
You are encouraged to use the daily Advent devotional booklet, “I Wonder as I Wander”, in addition to meditating on the following readings:
Monday – Luke 1:1-10
Tuesday – Luke 1:11-25
Wednesday – Colossians 1:13-22
Thursday – Revelation 5:6-14
Friday – Malachi 4:1-6
Saturday – Psalm 148
Got questions? Continue the discussion. Follow the link @ https://goo.gl/Jd93J7