Episode 64 :: Advent with Dr. Chris Williamson :: Zechariah and the Light that Pierces the Silence
Today we are kicking off our Advent series with Dr. Chris Williamson who is a local Pastor of Strong Tower Bible Church in Franlkin, TN. Pastor Chris is just the best, he’s wise, he’s profound, he’s hilarious, and he just tells it like it is and y’all, we are going to CHURCH today. We talk about the double edge sword of this Christmas story, where there’s a romance to the story we like to stick to, the cuteness of Christ and the holy Hallmark, as Pastor Chris says, but there is also suffering in this story. And while that can sometimes be disconcerting, I think this year, more than ever before, I find that so comforting. That our Savior entered the atmosphere in a season of simultaneous joy and pain.
We spend time unpacking what we know from the Word and what we can just imagine because of the context and from being human what it must have been like during those days where a messenger of Light burst onto a dormant scene while Zechariah was going on about his daily life, and God met him in the mundane, and then it all broke loose. But no matter how chaotic any of it appeared to be then, or how chaotic it is now, God’s will cannot be thwarted. It is not in jeopardy. The Savior is still coming, praise God, He will come again.
This is such a unique Advent season and we have a unique opportunity to respond to it as we long for the Light after such a dark year, during the darkest part of the year, we must fight for this hope, and we hope that this conversation can help hold the Light for y’all today. Wherever you are. However your day looks. I hope that every time you see a light turn on, you remember that His Light never fades, and He will fan even the smallest spark in you. You matter, friend. You are seen, you are known and you are so loved. Your story matters.
References & Resources:
-Dorena Williamson -- Part 1 and Part 2 episode of the SSP and her books: Colorfull, Thoughtfull, Gracefull
-What is a tract :: Here are some examples of what they are
-Run DMC
-LL Cool J
-Grand Master Flash
-Beastie Boys
-The Fat Boys
-What is a concordance :: Here’s an example of one I use
-Chris’ rap group Transformation Crusade
-DCTalk - Toby Mac
-”Hee Haw”
-Minnie Pearl and Roy Clark
-Experiencing God- Richard Blackaby
-Strong Tower Bible Church in Franklin, TN
-Tiffany Bluhm and Ashley Abercrombie
-Tribe of Levi - descendants of Aaron- Priests
- casting the lots for the priestly duties
-Warren Wiersbe- God has a way of showing up in the mundane, none of us can steer a parked car, we can only steer a car that’s moving.
-Solomon’s temple destroyed
-Rudolph and the Reindeer and the Island of the Misfit Toys
-Harold Wilmington
-John Rankin- the light in the window for slaves crossing from Kentucky to Ohio
-Mailing a hug
-Jesus Storybook Bible version of the Christmas story (you can hear it again here)
-My Advent conversation with my Dad
Scripture:
Matthew 4:19-Jesus told them they need to be fishers of men
Exodus 30-Zachariah’s role as a priest to light the incense
Malachi 4 - is the last book of the Old Testament and the last word from God for 400 years
1 Corinthians 12:12-16:41-Biblical Diversity
Ephesians 4:32-have compassion and understanding
Psalm 66:10-He’s always refining us
Psalm 66:2 //Psalm 115:1 -He makes us better for His sake
Matthew 6:10-On Earth as it is in Heaven
1 Corinthians 12:12-27-The body of Christ needs all its parts
Romans 12:6-8-We all have gifts God has given us
Colossians 1:16 // Romans 11:33-God is sovereign
Psalm 47:8-God is on His throne
Matthew 20:16 -The last will be first and the first will be last
Ecclesiastes 12:14 / Romans 2:2 / James 2:13 / Revelation 20:12 - God is a judge, there is a judgement and will judge those who mistreat His creation
Deuteronomy 32:4 /Job 34:12/ Psalm 9:7-8/ Psalm 99:4 /Isaiah 30:18 / Isaiah 61:8 / -He’s a God of justice
Ephesians 6:10-18-Armor of God (Breastplate of righteousness and Shoes of Peace)
Amos 6:1-At ease in Zion
Luke 2:8-20-the angels came and sang “glory in the highest”
Matthew 2:16-18-Herod goes on a killing spree (and Jeremiah 31:15 about Rachel weeping)
Ephesians 6:12-We are not war with flesh and blood
Luke 1:5-25-Zachariah and Elizabeth were childless and yet righteous
Psalm 23-He can lead through the valley of the shadow and still have goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life
Isaiah 9:6 / Ephesians 2:13-18-He’s the prince of Peace
Luke 12:49-56-The Gospel will divide families
Revelation 5-He is the Lamb AND the Lion
Matthew 2-the wise men bringing their best gifts
Revelation 1:16-Jesus in revelation brings a double edge sword out of his mouth
Hebrews 4:12-Scripture is a double edged sword
John 1:14-He is the Word made flesh
Galatians 4:4-7-At the fullness of time, God sent His Son
Exodus 3-out tending sheep, and then a burning bush -- also where Moses argues with the Lord
1 Samuel 17:34-50-killing a lion and a bear while tending sheep, and then kills Goliath
Romans 12:1-be a living sacrifice
Mark 3:35 / Luke 10:27 -do the known will of God
Luke 16:10-be faithful with little and you will become faithful with much
Exodus 30:7-8-incense offered in the morning and evening
2 Corinthians 2:15-a sweet smelling sacrifice
Judges 6-Gideon and his multiple chances
Luke 1:22-Zechariah comes out mute and gesturing
Genesis 12 and etc-Abraham and Sarah
Luke 1:63-65- “The name will be John” and then he gets to praise God
Luke 1:26-38-The angel comes to Mary when Elizabeth is 6 months along, fresh out of her seclusion
Luke 1:15 / Luke 1:39-56 -John the Baptist is full of the Spirit in the womb and that overflows to Elizabeth and THAT overflows to Mary
Luke 1:64-80-Zechariah’s praise to God when he could speak again
Mathew 2:13-Angel tells them to flee to Egypt, and again to go home after Herod dies (Matthew 2:19-23)
Romans 5:5-Our hope will not be put to shame
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11-The Savior has come and is coming again
Isaiah 61:3-There’s beauty still coming from the ashes
Haggai 2 -The Jews came back to rebuild the temple (Zerubabel’s temple). The Jews who knew the old temple, cried when they saw the new because they thought it wasn’t beautiful. The Jews who were born in captivity cried because they had never seen something so beautiful. A greater glory is going to be on this shanty of a temple (built out of rubble)
2 Chronicles 7:14 // Judges 6:25-29 -Heal our land -- we have to take down some idols
Psalm 46:10-Be still and know who God is
John 8:12-Light of the World
Matthew 2:9-Follow the star
-Revelation 1 - the lampstands, are just the bearers of the light, they don’t create the light, and we are called to bear the Light
John 1:8-John was not the light, but called to bear witness to the Light
Matthew 5:16-Let your light shine before men
*Our Advent series intro music is by Chris & Stephanie Teauge of Out of the Dust. We’re so grateful for their generosity in allowing us to share their song “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Listen on Spotify to the rest of this song and the remainder of their Christmas EP here.
*Instrumental filler/outro music is from audionautix.com
*Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel
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*The reading I shared in the outro is from Every Moment Holy: Volume 1 by Douglas McKelvey
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