Gift Two: A Greater Faith

Luke 1:5-7,18-20
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.

¹⁸ Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”  ¹⁹ Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! ²⁰ But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

I Peter 1:5-9
⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

• You Love Him
  • Heart
  • Soul
  • Mind
• You Believe in Him
  • Who He is
  • What He Did
  • What He Say
  • Fully trust Him with everything
• You are filled with Joy
  • Words Cannot express
  • To cause the dignity and worth of God to become manifest and acknowledged
• You have Salvation
  • Saved from the penalty, power, presence and the pleasure of sin.

¹⁶ I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me,  and I shook in terror.  I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

¹⁷ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,  and there are no grapes on the vines;  even though the olive crop fails,  and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields,  and the cattle barns are empty,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord!   I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength!   He makes me as surefooted as a deer,  able to tread upon the heights.