The Happy Christian Luke 1:5-20
There 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. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But 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. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For 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. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He 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.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And 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. 20 But 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.”
During this special holiday season, as you tell someone, “Merry Christmas” you are actually saying, “Happy Christ.” Are it could mean, “I’m a Happy Christian, are you?” You see, Jesus loves to share His gifts with His chosen ones. It satisfies Him to bless you. There shouldn’t be any complaints when you are born again. In fact, you should be the happiest person on the face of the earth.
There’s so much in these fifteen verses that I cannot give it justice; however, I hope to help you at the beginning of this wonderful Christmas season with a simple word. “Stop complaining.” This is easier said than done though.
Your complaints and faithlessness are brothers and sisters. Complaints are verbal expressions of negative beliefs. Complaints keep a little leaven in you heart. (Remember, just a little spreads like cancer.)
How prevalent is complaining? Two groups of psychology students were wired for audio and assigned a period to socialize freely. One group knew the experiment would measure the level of complaining in normal conversation, the other did not. Afterwards, both groups were shocked by how frequently they complained. The informed group complained almost as much as the uninformed one.
Why does this matter? Because complaining is hated by God, and it’s falls under the same category as lying.
Remember, Genesis 3:12-13 When Adam and Eve were confronted by God because of the sin of betrayal, from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They both lied and then offered God rebuttals of complaining.
“She made me, he tricked me!” God gave them their sentence-A ban from Eden forever.
In Number 11:1 as the Israelites complained and talked faithless, God’s anger raged, so He brought fire down upon the outskirts of the camp and it killed many.
Verse 1 says, and the Lord heard everything... God’s powerful, forever present and all knowing ears are opened.
Through out scripture God detest His peoples complaints, and He gave them His wrath over and over again.
What did Gaberiel know about Zacharias as he told him about the destiny of John’s future? 1. That Zacharias’ mouth would stop him from God’s best. 2. That Zacharias did this often. 3. That he would poison those waiting outside. 4. That he would poison Elisabeth. 5. Zacharias complaints of faithlessness could halt history, and millions would be robbed from this babies future.
Did you know according to scripture Luke 1:62 Zacharias wasn’t only mute, he was also deaf. (The people made sign language.)
When you complain you stay the victim. Phil. 2: 14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
You’ve heard people who die of a self-inflicted gun shot? Well, your spirit is overwhelmed, not by problems (we all have our share) but it stays self-inflicted by your own complaints.
Why do we complain? Because it’s easier than dealing, and solving a real problem.
Psalm 77:3 I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah
Positive outcomes don’t grow in negative soil! James 3:10-11 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
You have to understand if you have Christ Jesus living on the inside, you are never inferior. You cannot afford to be a complainer!
How do I handle legitimate complaints? 1.Do nothing without talking to God. 2. Before you say anything, do an attitude check.
When your complaint is legitimate: 1. Talk to the person with whom you have an issue. 2. Speak in love, not with words meant to hurt.
Final thoughts: 1. Don’t make a complaint, make a request. (There’s a big difference) 2. All right, you’ve said it, now let God work. (Wait on Him) 3. What should you do while waiting on God to work? While you wait, take the high road, and remain fruitful.
