The Favored Life
God SEES, SENDS, SAVES, STRENGTHENS
READ: Luke 1:28
CHALLENGE: Experience God’s Favor
We can experience it by acknowledging that it exists to start with. To open our eyes and see how blessed we truly are.
A.GOD SEES
V26 – In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
1.God Sees the Small Places
John 1:45-46 – 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered.
2.God Notices Humble People
Vv27-28 – to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
It all reminds me of – Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
B.GOD SENDS
C. GOD SAVES
Vv28-30 – The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
(trans.) How does the favor show up?
1. Gift of Presence
V28 – You are highly favored.
V30 – You have found favor with God.
What is favor? He told her that God was with her! Remember what the Matthew said about Jesus? He fulfilled the prophecy You shall call him Immanuel and that means, “God with us”. That means that God will help her to do what she’s being asked to do!
2.Gift of Service Opportunities
What was the favor? She would have the privilege to carry Jesus and give birth to the Messiah. She got to do a special service in this world which was a significant blessing in and of itself. His favor was that she got to do something remarkable for him. She can never take credit for it because it was all God.
3.Gift of Salvation.
Vv31-33 – You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Matthew 1:21 – Name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.
D.GOD STRENGTHENS
Vv34-37 – “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
God SEES, SENDS, SAVES, STRENGTHENS
2023 EBC Children’s Christmas Program
The EBC Jr. Church Children preformed in “What is Christmas?” The joy of the season shone through as kids beautifully shared the true meaning of Christmas.
If you are looking for a church to spend Christmas Eve, We invite you to spend it with us! EBC will be having 3 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services. December 24th – 3pm, 5pm & 7pm. The services will also be live streamed on YouTube & Facebook.
Christmas Songs
Welcome to a special holiday episode with Pastors Bill and Eric from Eagleville Bible Church, where we embark on a festive journey exploring the enchanting world of Christmas music. In this heartwarming podcast, we’ll unravel the rich histories and meanings behind some of your favorite yuletide tunes.
So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, gather your loved ones, and join Pastors Bill and Eric as they unwrap the gift of Christmas music, reminding us all of the true reason for the season. What kind of Christmas music do you like?
Join us for a straightforward and uplifting conversation that goes beyond the surface, providing a guide to navigate life’s challenges with renewed hope. Subscribe now to be part of a community dedicated to exploring faith, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope.
Connect with Eagleville Bible Church:
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Session 264: Christmas Songs
Welcome to a special holiday episode with Pastors Bill and Eric from Eagleville Bible Church, where we embark on a festive journey exploring the enchanting world of Christmas music. In this heartwarming podcast, we’ll unravel the rich histories and m…
The Favored Life (Full Service)
Thank you for joining Eagleville Bible Church. We are so glad that you have decided to spend some time with us, and we hope that as a result you will be drawn closer to God as you worship with us today. God bless.
If you want to give in support of this ministry, please click here; http://eagleville.church/give. You can also send a check to 1981 St. Rt. 45 Rock Creek, OH 44084.
Keeping Hope Alive: A Journey of Faith and Forgiveness
Dive into an impactful episode as Pastors Bill and Mark from Eagleville Bible Church explore the theme of keeping hope alive. Drawing inspiration from the timeless story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1, this podcast transcends the specific narrative to offer insights on resilience, faith, and the transformative power of forgiveness.
Join us for a straightforward and uplifting conversation that goes beyond the surface, providing a guide to navigate life’s challenges with renewed hope. Subscribe now to be part of a community dedicated to exploring faith, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope.
Connect with Eagleville Bible Church:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/eaglevillebiblechurch
Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…
Apple – http://appstore.com/eaglevillebiblech…
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/eaglevilleb..
YouTube – / @eaglevillebiblechurch
Session 263: Keeping Hope Alive: A Journey of Faith and Forgiveness
Dive into an impactful episode as Pastors Bill and Mark from Eagleville Bible Church explore the theme of keeping hope alive. Drawing inspiration from the timeless story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1, this podcast transcends the specific narra…
Our Best Hope
READ: Luke 1
CHALLENGE: Living a Life of Hope
A. HOPE IN LIVING RIGHT
Vv5 – In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
1. Normal People are in God’s Plan
2. Righteousness Counts
v6 – Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly
3. Heartache Is Not a Determiner of Blessings
V7 – But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 – He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
B. HOPE IN PRAYER (v8-10)
Vv8-10 – Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
It was Scriptural and they continued obeying. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. David prayed, “May my prayer be set before you like incense” (Psalm 141:2). In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne “were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people” (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). As Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple in Luke 1:10, “all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.”
You praying creates an opportunity for God to do amazing things.
1. Prayers Lead to Startling Results
Vv11-12 – Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
Like Jeremiah 29 says…I know the plans I have for you. God knows the future. He knows the plan. You keep doing right and praying and he’ll take care of the rest. God can show up suddenly! Keep the faith.
2. Prayers are Heard
V13 – But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
3. Prayer Leads to Rejoicing
V14 – He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
4. Prayers Are Answered Above and Beyond
V17 – And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
C. HOPE OF RESTORED RELATIONSHIPS
Vv15-17 – for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 -And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
1. Relationship with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
2. Restored Relationships with God
V16 – He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
Mark 1:4 – And so John the Baptist.
Malachi 2:6-7 – True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.
1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ also suffered once.
This is a role of the church as well – it’s to help connect people with God.
3. Restore Family Relations
This is a quote from Malachi 4:5-6 – “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
4. Restored Relationship with the Truth
Forgiving
Pastors Bill and Mark discuss forgiving others.
Matthew 18:21-27:
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go
* WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
* SHOULD WE FORGIVE IF THE PERSON DOESN’T REPENT?
* DOES FORGIVENESS MEAN WE FORGET?
* DOES FORGIVENESS MEAN THAT I HAVE TO TRUST YOU?
* DOES FORGIVENESS MEAN WE ARE CONDONING IT
This Podcast is a produced by Eagleville Bible Church, and you can stay connected with us by following us on Social Media here:
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Session 262: Forgiving
Pastors Bill and Mark discuss forgiving others.
Matthew 18:21-27: 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven t…