All is Bright: The Light of Renewal

All is Bright: The Light of Renewal

In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:1-9 (NLT)

In this series, we are going to discover some of the many colors that make up the light spectrum of life in Christ. Today, we will unpack green and how it reminds us of God’s renewal.

What’s the longest time you’ve waited to get a gift or something you really really wanted?

Have you ever wanted something for so long that you almost forgot why you wanted it in the first place?

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. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. John 1:5-13a (NLT)

Can I preach to you for a minute? Don’t stop praying for good things you want from the Lord just because it is an improbability! He can do the impossible! Won’t He do it?

Did you notice the first and vitally important part of this story? Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes! Wow! AND they didn’t get what they wanted in time…

They weren’t unable to conceive because of sin: don’t give the enemy a foothold in your mind! A delay or denial from God is not always from His displeasure: Maybe you are not ready to take care of your gift. Maybe you’re not mature enough. Maybe He’s protecting you from you! Somebody thank God for delayed/denied requests!

I’m here to preach to those who have been faithful to God and have been giving God your best, and yet there are still some unborn promises…some dreams that have been received but have yet to be conceived.

Our God is the God of renewal: He can make our inability into ability. He can make our infertile life produce eternal spiritual fruit! When we are weak, He is strong!

In Jewish thought, green often represents life, growth, and renewal, as it is the color of thriving vegetation and springtime.

The Hebrew word for green, yerek, is associated with plants and greenery, which symbolize vitality and flourishing in both physical and spiritual realms.

Green is linked to the renewal of the land of Israel, as seen in agricultural celebrations like Tu BiShvat (the New Year for Trees).

Have you noticed new growth in the natural world is often green? Older parts of the tree are brown, gray, white…but new growth is almost always green.

God is bringing light to your life in this season church…the light includes green growth…a renewing and a refreshing of the many things we thought were lost to us.

You may have witnessed a branch or two of your life fall away…but God is going to bring new life to your life! How do we receive this light of renewal? Let’s learn from our teachers…

Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 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. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

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.” 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! 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.”

Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”
“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.”

So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. John 1:13b-20, 24-25, 57-66 (NLT)

Did you catch the challenge Zechariah offered the angel? Zechariah was not ready to win! He couldn’t handle God’s good news!

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3 (NLT)

What!!! BE READY TO PRAISE AT ALL TIMES! You and I need to perpetually practice our victory dance! Be ready! Get ready Stay ready so you don’t waste time getting ready!

Zechariah had been accustomed to being in the presence of the Lord (not angels) and was still wanting assurances. Often when people come for prayer they want assurance: YOUR PROMISE IS PRESENCE! Don’t you see? He IS WITH YOU!

The Angel said: I live in the presence of God! The presence of God IS the promise of renewal!

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.

We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. John 1:67-80 (NLT)

In our modern context, green represents earthly stewardship. It also speaks to recycling to faithfully and responsibly use natural resources. I just want to say I am so glad our God is a recycler! He is super GREEN! Ha!

Aren’t you glad our God is not done with us?
God has a plan to renew you!
God has a plan to put you to good use!
God has a plan for your business! Your family! Your mind! Your talents! Your kids!

Even though the last time Zechariah spoke, he was in the wrong headspace, God not only returned his voice, He FILLS him with prophetic words of life!

Church, you’re at your best when you’ve allowed God to recycle you into a supernatural weapon of mass transformation! Let Him use you!

It’s time to let the light promote new growth in our lives:

1. Trust the word of the Lord
   -keep your doubt mouth shut
2.  Prepare yourself with worship
   -worship opens your eyes to witness God’s goodness
3.  Allow God’s words of life to flow out of your mouth and life
   -make your world bright