PREPARING FOR THE NEW PREPARING FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION

(The overlap of John and Jesus)(The overlap of John and Jesus)--Luke 1:5-15--Luke 1:5-15

Luke 1:5-15 (New Living Translation) 5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

Luke 1:5-15 (New Living Translation)

14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.

Luke 1:5-15 (New Living Translation)

TA

KE

HO

ME

When God’s voice becomes unfamiliar somebody must reintroduce Him to us.

John the Baptist is the morning star, Jesus the rising sun.

Elegance, ritual and formality give way to a new day of ‘wall-less’ religion and ‘everybody-a-priest’.

Op

en

ing

Pra

yer

Op

en

ing

Pra

yer

An

nou

nce

men

tsA

nn

ou

nce

men

ts

Wors

hip

Wors

hip

AFTER 400 YEARS OF SILENCE GOD PROMISES A NEW, BOMBASTIC PREACHER/PROPHET

Zacharias’ story

Big promises and more silence for him

Gabriel, the Good News Angel

Elizabeth And Mary, John And Jesus.Continuity And A Welding Of Old And New

The old and new orders overlap, creating a smooth transitionJohn straightens and smoothes Messiah TurnpikeThe backgrounds of John and Jesus give notice of things to come

WALL-LESS RELIGION WITH EVERYBODY-A-PRIEST DYNAMICS, A WELCOME CHANGE

It is the Good News that is still needed today.

Lowly is often better.

Spontaneity is often more rewarding and real

Priests now serve more as gas station attendants and bank clerks than religious types in holy attire.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I trust Him as my Lord and Savior.C

on

fess

ion

Con

fess

ion

Off

eri

ng

Off

eri

ng

Wors

hip

Wors

hip

Wors

hip

Wors

hip

Pra

yer

Pra

yer

TA

KE

HO

ME

When God’s voice becomes unfamiliar somebody must reintroduce Him to us.

John the Baptist is the morning star, Jesus the rising sun.

Elegance, ritual and formality give way to a new day of ‘wall-less’ religion and ‘everybody-a-priest’.

Go, Make This Your Go, Make This Your Best Year In The Best Year In The

Lord!Lord!