WHEN GOD LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS
LUKE 1:15-25; 57-80
Introduction:
There is a wise saying I heard a few years back that speaks great truth.
“Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away.”
Some breathtaking moments for me.....
1. The day I watched my bride walking down the isle to become my wife.
2. The days my son and my daughter were born.
3. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon mesmerized by God’s work.
4. The first time I shared Christ with someone who prayed to receive Him.
5. The first time I preached a Crusade in Moldova in the soccer stadium and the altar was filled with people ready to receive Christ.
* When amazing things happen it often takes our breath away. Another way we express this same feeling is saying “I was speechless”.
Turn in your Bibles to Luke 1. I want to share with you the experience of a man named Zacharias who was left speechless and I want to share with you what to do when God leaves you speechless.
Read Luke 1:5-7
Zacharias and Elizabeth faced an impossible situation. They desperately wanted a child, but could not have children. Now, they were too old. Unless God intervened, they would never have children.
Have you ever faced a problem or was in a situation that unless God intervened, you would fail?
Read Luke 1:8-12
Zacharias and a whole group of people were gathered to worship, hoping God would “show up”. Surprising to them, He did just that.
Read Luke 1:13-17
all those years they had prayed for a child. They had really given up.
But God had heard every one of those prayers. He could have answered that prayer at any time He desired.
But God was waiting for the proper time. He wanted to bless them with so much more than they were asking for.
** You see, sometimes God does not answer our prayers immediately or quickly at all. At times:
1. We are not yet ready to handle the blessing we ask for.
2. The world is not ready for the blessing we ask for.
3. And, sometimes, God is waiting for the proper time, so that He can give us much, much more than we asked for or could even hope for.
When the awesomeness of God leaves you speechless you should respond by:
1. FAITHFULLY BELIEVING THE PROMISE- Luke 1:18-23
Zacharias was a little slow in this area of believing. I’m not sure why he didn’t immediately believe.... with an Angel standing there talking to him. But we, too, often have doubts when God speaks to us. When God is speaking, though, our first duty needs to simply believe what He is saying.
* When Zacharias left the Temple, he was a changed man.
A. He knew in his heart God had spoken to him.
B. It was obvious to others God had spoken to him.
* When God speaks, He usually confirms things in various ways. For me in a couple of big decisions in my life God spoke through visions and through other people and circumstances.
It was not left for me to guess what He was saying.
He spoke to me.
He confirmed His message.
He gave me peace about the message.
* Zacharias was left speechless, literally. God is still in the business of leaving us speechless.
Many times God does amazing/miraculous things in our lives.
Whether it is:
* healing our bodies when the doctors say we will almost surely die.
* saving our marriage when our spouse just wants to give up and quit.
* providing us with a job when the one we’ve had ends.
God is still in the miracle business.
God desires to abundantly bless His children who are faithful to Him.
But, when God provides you with a “just in time miracle.....
When God speaks to you.....
When God reveals His amazing plan to bless you:
Don’t question it.
Don’t try to rationalize it.
And, never ever doubt it.
Just believe His promise and get ready to see God do something amazing!
GET READY FOR GOD TO LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS.
When the awesomeness of God leaves you speechless you should respond by
2. JOYFULLY RECEIVING THE GIFT- Luke 1:24-25, 57-63
Can you imagine the joy and excitement this couple are facing. Elizabeth had wanted a child for many years. I imagine she had grown discouraged and had given up on it ever happening.
Zacharias, too, likely had felt the same way. They had been praying for a long time, though, and at just the right time God answered their prayers in an amazing way.
* It must have been an awesome time for them. To finally, in their old age, have the son they always longed for... the son that God had planned for them.
* They would have been satisfied with just a regular baby..... they would have been thrilled to have a son that was beautiful and healthy... but God surpassed all that talk of “we don’t care if it’s a boy or girl as long as it is healthy.....” God gave them a baby that would become the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Their child would be called by Jesus “the greatest of all prophets.”
* Sometimes we pray for things that are normal and ordinary.
We pray for things that we can comprehend. But sometimes God wants to do so much more.
Sometimes He wants to do something amazing. Sometimes He wants to bless our socks off.
** When God wants to bless you, then receive that blessing with great joy as did Zacharias and Elizabeth. Don’t let God do something amazing and then you act like it is just ordinary. Don’t rationalize it as just luck or a good break. God is not in the business of luck. He is in the Miracle business!!
* One of my favorite quotes I have ever received in an email came from a Chinese Christian I have known for some time....
“It is far too easy to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as ‘wonders’, while we overlook all God has done, regarding them as merely ordinary.”
** When God blesses you with a miracle, believe it and receive it with great joy...... but don’t let it end there.....
When the awesomeness of God leaves you speechless you should respond by
3. THANKFULLY PRAISING THE LORD- Luke 1:64-79
Zacharias was overcome with joy and thankfulness. And he didn’t just sit there with his hand over his mouth keeping quiet like one of those monkeys with hands over ears, eyes, and mouth.
* Quite a few times over the years I have preached messages that I knew God had showed up and that God was speaking to people, yet the folks were totally quiet. And I couldn’t understand the silence. A number of times, someone has literally came up to me after the service and said “Today was awesome. I could feel the Spirit of God welling up inside of me so strong that it was all I could do to keep quiet. I just wanted to shout out “Amen” or something.”
And I’m left there wondering why we sit in church daring ourselves not to shout and praise God and forcing ourselves to remain solemn and completely quiet.... all the while the Spirit of Almighty God is saying “shout!” .... “Don’t just sit there, Praise Me in My house!”
* and say it with boldness. Don’t be afraid people will think you’re some kind of nut or something. Because they already do.
And, don’t be scared that others will think your crazy, go ahead and give them confirmation that you are!
All I am saying is that when God does something amazing in your life, you should be thankful enough to express it with praise.
When God speaks to your heart, praise Him!
When God gives you hope to replace despair, give a shout for joy!
When God provides you a just in time miracle, don’t keep your gratitude suppressed, thank the good Lord and tell the world how wonderful He is!
God’s people today are good at religion.
We’ve mastered going to church. We understand how to pray and ask God for all kinds of things.
We know how to enjoy receiving great blessings.....
* What is often missing in our spiritual lives?
Thankfully praising God for the Awesome blessings He provides.
This Christmas season, please set aside some time the thank our Good Lord Jesus Christ for coming down to earth and bringing hope to our world. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you....
