Sermon Summary: Explores the backstory of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1, emphasizing God's perfect timing and plan for our lives. Pastor Joe examines how this elderly, barren couple waited decades for God to answer their prayers, ultimately receiving not just an answer but God's best—John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. The message encourages believers to trust God during seasons of waiting, recognizing that delays often mean God has something better in store. The sermon warns against unbelief, showing how Zechariah's doubt hindered both himself and others, and calls believers to stand on God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible. As we approach Christmas, this message reminds us that God breaks 400 years of silence with the announcement of John's birth, demonstrating that God never forgets His people and His timing is always perfect.

Description:

God's Timing is Perfect | Testing of Waiting Time | God Has Better in Store for Us | A Couple that Waited & Got God's Best | They Were Righteous Before God | As Are We Through Faith in Jesus | Blameless Before God | Both Zacharias & Elizabeth Were from Priestly Line | They Both Were Elderly & Didn't Have Children | It Was a Disgrace in the Culture Then to Be Barren | But God Didn't Look Down on Elizabeth | It was Zacharias Turn to Go Before God in the Temple of the Lord to Put Incense on the Altar | Symbolizing Prayers of the People | A Crowd Outside was Praying Seeking the Lord | 3 Priests Get to Visit the Holy Place | First Two Set the Altar Up | The Last Priest Was Privileged to Go to Holy of Holies to Offer the Incense on the Coals | Our Prayers Are an Sweet Smelling Aroma to the Lord | God Loves When We Spend Time in Prayer | He Knows Our Thoughts Before we Think Them | Be Used By the Lord | Pray Without Ceasing | Lord Takes Pleasure in His People | Angel Appeared to Zacharias on the Right Side of the Altar & Fear Fell on Him | Angel Gabriel Told Him Not to Be Afraid for His Prayer was Heard | His Wife Elizabeth Will Bear a Son & You Shall Call Him John = God is Gracious | If God is For You Who Can Be Against You | The Forerunner of Jesus Christ | They Probably Slowed Down Praying for a Child when Elizabeth Neared 50 Years Old | Many Will Rejoice at His Birth | A Huge God's Miracle | God Will Sometimes Have Us Wait to Give Us His Best | J. Elliot: God Always Gives His Best to Those who Leave the Choice with Him | Waiting on the Lord & Be of Good Courage & He Shall Strengthen Your Heart | God Will Be Glorified |John was Prophesied to Be Great & Filled with Holy Spirit | Even from His Mother's Womb | He is to Turn Many to the Lord | Up to This Point God was Silent for 400 Year | In Malachi in Old Testament God Spoke of Elijah Coming before the Great Day of the Lord | Dual Prophecy | Elijah to Come Physically before Jesus's Second Coming | John Came in the Spirit of Elijah | Our Disappointments are God's Appointments | Pastor Joe Ministering in Nursing Home was Discouraging Until He Met Vincent | Paralyzed by Stroke He Received the Lord & Cried and Laughed after Being Silent & Emotionless for Long Time | God Wants to Use You | Trust Him & Be Patient | God is with You | Lord Will Perfect what Concerns Me | He Won't Forsake Us | Zacharias Doubted the Angel & Gabriel Punished Him Making Him Mute | Unbelief Will Hinder You | Be Encouraged God Has a Plan for You | We Serve the Same God Who Opened Elizabeth's Womb | Wait for God's Best |

Key Points:

- God's timing is perfect, and waiting periods often mean He has His best in store for us
- Zechariah and Elizabeth waited decades (50+ years) for a child, and God answered when Elizabeth was between 70-90 years old
- The miracle of John the Baptist's birth was greater because of the waiting—it glorified God more powerfully
- Unbelief hinders God's work in our lives and can affect others around us
- Zechariah's inability to speak after doubting the angel prevented him from blessing the people
- Prayer is a sweet aroma to the Lord, and He delights when His people pray
- Our disappointments are often God's appointments
- God's word will not return void—we must trust it even when we don't see immediate results
- The same God who opened Elizabeth's womb is the same God we serve today—nothing is too difficult for Him
- God picked up after 400 years of silence exactly where He left off, mentioning Elijah in both the last words of the Old Testament and the first announcement of the New Testament (Luke 1:17)

Scripture Reference:

- Luke 1:5-25 (Primary passage about Zechariah and Elizabeth)
- Psalm 138 (Opening scripture reading, especially verse 8: "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me")
- Malachi 4:5-6 (Last words of Old Testament about Elijah)
- Luke 1:17 (First words of New Testament about Elijah)
- Numbers 6:24-26 (Aaronic blessing)
- Psalm 27:14 ("Wait on the Lord")
- Psalm 149:4 ("The Lord takes pleasure in His people")