★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Jesus Revelation Assembly,
Tudun Wada Ring-Road
Jos - Plateau State
25th December, 2015
SERMON
☆ Speaker: Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak
☆ Topic: How Not To Talk To An Angel
☆ Text: Luke 1:5-20;
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| Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak |
☆ Question: Why do we bother celebrating (Christmas & New Year) when things are not going the way they should go?
* Zachariah asked angel Gabriel a question that got him into trouble.
★ Verse 18: Then Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this, since I am an old man, and my wife is getting older?”
→ In other words, he doubted the information passed on to him from God
* NOTE: Gideon asked a similar question but 'escaped' God's wrath
→ See: Judges 6:12-21
* Many times, we are also skeptical of the efficacy of God's Word, especially in challenging circumstances
* How long you have walked with God is not an automatic ticket to know all of God's ways
→ those 'experienced' in God's ways and knowledge also doubt Him sometimes
* Many people doubt God's Word by believing that nothing will work out fine because of the unfavorable circumstances around them
* Many people will never access what God has in store for them because their unbelief acts as a barrier.
→ They want concrete proof before they believe God
* Compare Zachariah's response with Mary's response to the angel's message (Luke 1:34-38)
→ Mary submitted to God's will in faith
* God does not bless people that hoard
→ They do not release blessings to others
→ God blesses people that are liberal and generous in everything
* Many people treat God as if he is a man. They do not trust him
☆ What is so Special about Christmas?
→ Historically, Jesus was not given birth to on the 25th of December
→ Jesus never requested to be celebrated on the 25th of December of every year!
* NOTE: The only thing Jesus expressly requested that we should frequently remember is his death and suffering (through communion), not his birth! (1 Corinthians 11:24)
→ Unfortunately, this is what we do infrequently and without as much excitement which is always associated with Christmas
* There are certain situations in your life that cannot be reversed without God's divine visitation
* There is nothing too hard or too late when it comes to God
★ Luke 1:37 →"Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.” (lSV)
* Maybe God allowed you to see today so that you can trust him for the reversal of your (negative) situation
→ But you must believe that He is capable of doing anything
* Maybe you are in that particular difficult situation so that you can learn to believe in God for deliverance
* God is the "impossibility specialist"
(a) an old couple giving birth;
(b) a virgin giving birth without intercourse
* It is easier for younger people to give birth, not old couples. This expains Sarah & Abraham's scepticism when God promised that Sarah will give birth to a child in her old age
→ See: Genesis 17:17; 18:12-13
★ POINTS TO NOTE:
1. Even very strong believers can stumble in an area of unbelief
→ You will have what God has already ordained for you, regardless of what happens
→ If the Lord said it, it will definitely happen
2. Sometimes, long delays can cause you to have unbelief
→ no matter how dire your condition is, you must never accept what God has not ordained for you
→ When it comes to God, he does not have 'time'. He is limitless!
→ Do not be tired of trusting God
★ Luke 1:10 →"And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned."
* There may be times in our lives when we feel as if God does not hear our prayers and everything looks hopeless
* There are times that it seems God does both good and bad at the same time:
★ My Confession:
"My own life will not remain like this; In the next few years my situation will this around for good"
3. Man's Unbelief will not cancel God's plan
☆ Luke 1:19-20 →"The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. But because you did not believe my announcement, which will be fulfilled at its proper time, you will become silent and unable to speak until the day this happens.”
* Your celebration will not be complete till your situation is turned around
→ Trust Him for something definate today!
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| Rev. Tongsmang Dasbak |
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| The Church Band ministering |
