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Message Notes 08/12/2024 - Gareth
When what's true becomes truth, we move from silence to song.
What moves you? Songs? Stories? Sport?
What doesn’t move you… facts. (Cold hard facts)
1/ True: Community is good for you
2/ Truth: Going through something and people rally around you
1/ True: R13.2 Million People live on less than R1,109pm
2/ Truth: when it's personal - when what's true becomes tangible
Here's why it matters:
1/ The Christmas story can be true, but until it becomes truth, it won't move you.
2/ The Gospel can be factually true, but until it becomes foundational truth, it won't transform you.
3/ You won't be changed because you understand the facts of the Gospel … but because something burns in your heart. The Story comes alive by the Spirit!
When we get Revelation we can choose to doubt (which leads to silence) or lean in with faith, be filled with Spirit & respond in praise (song)
Imagine if the story began to come alive in you!
Zechariah’s Story is one where he goes from silence to song as what's true becomes truth.
A priest with a prayer… He and Elizabeth were old and had no children (a social disgrace).
With 20000 priests allocated in small teams for a 2 temple service week rotation, he is chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary to burn incense as people pray outside. He's only got "one shot".
Gabriel appears with a promise, not just an answer to Prayer but a purpose. They will have a son and are to name him John. Doubting, he asks "How can I know this to be so?"
In the supernatural revelation, he looks to natural limitations.
He is stating the reasons why it won't work.
He focuses on the facts (what's true), instead of putting faith in the story and discovering the truth.
Gabriel says "Because you have not believed my message. You will be silent until the day this comes true." Perhaps his faith was not yet at the level it needed to be to be part of the story so he was silenced to stop more negative talk.
When the baby is born, he still can't speak. Only when 7 days pass, he aligns with the promise by writing that the boy is to be called John. Immediately, his mouth is opened, he is filled with the Spirit, and he sings this song that has been sung for thousands of years.
Benedictus (blessed) Canticle - most used in Anglican / Church of England Morning Prayer
Luke 1:67-79 GNT
67 John's father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke God's message:
68 “Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel!
He has come to the help of his people and has set them free.
69 He has provided for us a mighty Savior,
a descendant of his servant David.
70 He promised through his holy prophets long ago
71 that he would save us from our enemies,
from the power of all those who hate us.
72 He said he would show mercy to our ancestors
and remember his sacred covenant.
73-74 With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham
he promised to rescue us from our enemies
and allow us to serve him without fear,
75 so that we might be holy and righteous before him
all the days of our life.
76 “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God.
You will go ahead of the Lord
to prepare his road for him,
77 to tell his people that they will be saved
by having their sins forgiven.
78 Our God is merciful and tender.
He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us
79 and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death,
to guide our steps into the path of peace.”
Are you in silence, or inspired by the Spirit?
Is this Gospel story true, or is it truth?
Is there a promise that you need to come into alignment with?
When you have a revelation of God, the response is to express yourself back to him!
Lift your hands and voice in praise!
Psalm 63:1-5 GNT
O God, you are my God,
and I long for you.
My whole being desires you;
like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land,
my soul is thirsty for you.
2 Let me see you in the sanctuary;
let me see how mighty and glorious you are.
3 Your constant love is better than life itself,
and so I will praise you.
4 I will give you thanks as long as I live;
I will raise my hands to you in prayer.
5 My soul will feast and be satisfied,
and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.
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