Let’s start off this morning with a little game. I am going to begin some phrases and I want you to finish them up. Alright?
1) Don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched)
2) A bird in the hand is worth (two in the bush)
3) A stitch in time (saves nine)
4) If you keep making that face (it will freeze like that)
5) If it sounds too good to be true (it probably is)
You probably have recognized a couple of these to have been attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was known as a pragmatic man, that is that he was sensible and a realist. He put his trust in that which he knew could be proven or what was the sure thing. Now the couple of other phrases also reflect this same type of logic and it is advice that we like to tell ourselves that we believe. But friends, we are a curious people, aren’t we? We want to try out and test that which we are told is true. And sometimes, that can get us into trouble.
(Clip from A Christmas Story where Flick sticks his tongue to the flagpole)
I love this clip from it because, you know, I can identify with it in so many ways. I can envision myself as one of those who stood by and watched as Flick stuck his tongue to the flagpole, as being the one who dared him, even to the extent double-dog daring him, and yes, I can see myself as gullible, but proud Flick. How about you?
There is a story in the Bible that can be seen as similar to this clip. I would like to invite you to read this passage along with me as we read Luke 1:6-24.
Luke1::6-24
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 barren, and now 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 and burn incense in the Lord's presence. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11 Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. 13 But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom." 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know 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 And now, since you didn't believe what I said, you won't be able to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time." 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures that he must have seen a vision in the Temple sanctuary. 23 He stayed at the Temple until his term of service was over, and then he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.
(Prayer)
Believe it or not, I think that Flick and Zechariah have a lot in common. As we look both their stories, there are four distinct parts that share a common thread:
The Darer (that is the one who makes the dare), The Dare itself, The Dare-Taker (or the one who accepts the dare), and The Dare Witnesses. Now, let’s look at each element.
A. The Darer (Shwartz/Angel)
- Messengers
- not exactly the same, but share a common task
- Each implore Don’t be afraid
- Both knew some type of info
- each was a messenger, telling what the Father proclaims
B. The Dare (Tongue to Flagpole/You will have a Son)
- each is expected to believe
- Flick to believe that the tongue will freeze to the flagpole
- Zechariah to believe in God’s promise to give him a Son
C. The Dare Taker (Flick/Zechariah)
- each is filled with a certain amount of fear
- each has questions about the validity of the claim, but their response and consequence are different
- Flick takes up the challenge – leads to him being unable to speak
- Zechariah tries to dissuade with logic – leads up to him being unable to speak
D. The Dare Witnesses
- both sets witness the outcome
- Flicks are astonished and run away
- Zechariah’s are astonished and see that he has been given a vision
What is it that you and I can take away from the reading of this story?
- Should we not put our tongues to a frozen flagpole?
- What is our response to God’s vision?
- Vision came from Zechariah’s prayer
- Evidently, Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a child a long time before, but had given up hope.
- God is diligent
Be careful with what you pray for - God hears prayers
There is a story about a bar that was built right next to an old church. The people of the church were mortified to have this den of iniquity built right beside their place of refuge. So the church people began to pray – pray that somehow the bar would go out of business. For months and years they prayed their fervent prayer, to no avail – until one night a horrendous storm came up. If by miracle, lightning struck the bar and it quickly burnt to the ground. The church folk were overjoyed until they were called into court – they were being sued by the bar owner. He was claiming that it was the church’s fault that his bar burnt down. The church folk were flabbergasted and said they were not at fault. After listening to each side, the judge made his decision for the bar owner, citing that of the two parties, the bar owner believed in prayer and the church did not.
Sometimes, I think we, the Church forget the power that has been entrusted to us. I think we forget the good news we have been given. I think we I think we forget that we have are given this message of hope to share with the world. We know this message of God’s saving grace and it is screaming to be shared
Let’s put this back into this formula we spoke of a few moments ago and see if we can figure out what to do with it.
The Dare – Tell what Christmas is about
Dare Witnesses – Many have their own concept (gifts, children, family,…)
Darer – Today, that's me. I’m issuing a dare for you to tell what you know about Christmas.
What do you know? (Allow response)
Dare Takers – You? Are you up for it?
How will you do this? (Allow for some Interaction Time)
So, Sunrise, are you up for the dare?
Let’s do it!
I triple dog-dare you!
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