Sermon text: Luke 1,5-22 Preacher: Olaf Latzel / Ev. St. Martini Parish Bremen (Schlachte) Homepage: https://st-martini.net/ Mp3 download: https://st-martini.net/audio/2024/202... St. Martini Parish Donation Account: Bank: NORD/LB IBAN: DE04 2505 0000 1070 1400 09 BIC: NOLADE2HXXX In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the order of Abijah, and his wife was of the lineage of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth. Now they were both devout before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. And they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren and both were well advanced in years. And it came to pass, as Zacharias ministered as priest before God in his turn, that according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense. And he entered into the temple of the Lord. And all the multitude of the people stood without, praying at the hour of incense. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear came upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and shall be filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb. And he shall turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will 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 for the Lord a people prepared. And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am old, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to you and to tell you these things. And, behold, you will be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall come to pass, because you have not believed my words, which must be fulfilled in their time." And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he remained so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he beckoned to them, and remained dumb. (Luke 1:5-22) The Zechariah Paradoxes 1. The Pregnancy of the Barren Old Woman And they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. (Luke 1:7) 2. The Unbelief of the Believing Priest But they were both devout before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. (Luke 1:6) The angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you these things. And behold, you will become dumb and will not be able to speak until the day when these things shall take place, because you did not believe my words. (Luke 1:19-20) 3. The End of the Temple at the Coming of God And he beckoned to them, and remained silent. (Luke 1:22) Homework: Monday: Luke 1:57-80 Tuesday: Psalm 85:1-8 Wednesday: Luke 3:1-20 Thursday: 2 Samuel 7:1-18 Friday: Matthew 11:1-19 Saturday: Isaiah 11:1-16 May the Lord God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep you! Streaming of church services, devotions and Bible studies: Information about GEMA & VG Musik can be found at the following link: https://www.ekd.de/informationen-zur-... © This YouTube channel is operated by the Evangelical St. Martini Congregation (Martinikirchhof 3, 28195 Bremen).