17 Dec Born is the King | Part 4 “Go Tell It On The Mountain” – Milford Guide
MOVED BY THE GOSPEL
Key Verse: Luke 1
It is a fitting call to tell people about Jesus. This is the easiest time of year to invite people to church, but many of us are not comfortable inviting someone to church never mind talking about Jesus or sharing our testimonies in any meaningful way.
Zechariah was a temple priest; an old man,; a righteous man; a man with ‘good fortune’; a hardworking man who wanted a family.
On a day where he was out at his job, working hard, an angel appears and tells him his prayers have been heard and his wife will bear a son! The angel even tells him how important his son will be for the Lord’s purposes. But, because he is human, he questions if this is enough of a sign. He doubts because he is old ( physical circumstance) and he has no children (past experience). He let’s these things cloud his mind from the PROMISES of God. He doubts the same way his ancestor Abraham did before him. So Gabriel rebukes him and makes him mute. He then goes home to his wife not being able to tell her what he had heard. He could only make signs with his hands. During that nine months of his silence, Zechariah has a heart change and one day is awakened to the Good News of the coming Messiah.
Q. Have you ever seen a clear sign from God and questioned it? Why did you question it and what were the consequences of questioning this clear sign?
Zechariah demonstrates that he has been changed (by declaring what God has already done!), and immediately his mouth is opened and his tongue is loosed, and the first thing he does is praise God. In his prophetic ‘song’, there are clear characteristics of being moved by the Good News of Jesus.
1. WHEN WE ARE MOVED BY THE GOSPEL, WE ARE CONTINUALLY REMINDED OF WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR US.
When were are reminded of what He has already done, we spend less time thinking about what God should do for us and more time thinking about what He has already accomplished. Zechariah pinpoints the gospel in three words- VISITED, REDEEMED, RAISED. Zechariah’s name means ‘Yahweh has remembered’. Before he questions how will he know and now everything is past tense!
Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit when he declares a messianic song of prophecy. Mary was also filled with the Holy Spirit as well when she declares a messianic song of prophecy.
Q. What are some ways you need to be reminded about God’s goodness by what he has already done for you? What has he delivered you from in the past ( perhaps even last week or yesterday) that you need to be reminded of because you question what is happening now?
2. WHEN WE ARE MOVED BY THE GOSPEL, WE ARE EMPOWERED TO SPEAK BOLDLY ABOUT THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS.
Luke 1:67; Luke 1:70; Luke 1:76
The word prophet – to declare, say; to bubble over, as from a fountain; to illuminate, bring to light. We are like prophets in a way because Jesus said we are ‘the light of the world’. We are called to speak the hope of Jesus into a world desperate for it. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Q. What has been the difference for you when you have tried to share the Gospel with someone in your own strength vs. being filled with the Holy Spirit? What has been the outcome of both instances (whether good, bad or indifferent)?
3. WHEN WE ARE MOVED BY THE GOSPEL, WE ARE TRULY AWAKENED TO THE MISSION OF INVITATION.
The Good News is no longer just a means of inspiration or information, it’s a reason for invitation. Going to church stops being all about our needs and wants. We start to spend less time looking into the mirror and more time looking out through the windows of heaven. We start to see people the way God sees them, with the same compassion, gentleness and urgency.
Q. When you first received salvation, did it move you to share it and how did you go about sharing the Good News with others?
THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS IS NOT LONGER ‘JUST FOR ME’.
THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS IS NOW ‘COME AND SEE’.
GO TELL IT!
While shepherds kept their watch, O’er silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light
Chorus: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ was born.
The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Saviour’s birth
Chorus
Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born; And God sent our salvation That blessed Christmas morn
Chorus
When I was a seeker I sought both night and day I sought the Lord to help me And He showed me the way.
Chorus
He made me a watchman Upon the city wall And if I am a Christian I am the least of all
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, THE LOST, CHRISTMAS SERVICE, CAMPUSES, LEADERS AND NATION.
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