BIBLE 8 BLESSED MOTHERS: ELIZABETH - MOTHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Eight (8) Blessed Mothers in the Bible Who Served God Well
a) Eight mothers in the Bible played key roles in the coming of Jesus Christ. None of them was perfect, yet each showed strong faith in God. God, in turn, rewarded them for their confidence in him.
b) These mothers lived in an age when women were often treated as second class citizens, yet God appreciated their true worth, just as he does today. Motherhood is one of life's highest callings. Learn how these eight mothers in the Bible put their hope in the God of the Impossible, and how he proved that such hope is always well-placed.
2. ELIZABETH - Mother Of John The Baptist
a) Barren in her old age, Elizabeth was another of the miracle mothers in the Bible. She conceived and gave birth to a son. She and her husband named him John, as an angel had instructed. Like Hannah before her, she dedicated her son to God, and like Hannah's son, he also became a great prophet, John the Baptist. Elizabeth's joy was complete when her relative Mary visited her, pregnant with the future Savior of the World.
3. Profile of New Testament Bible Character Elizabeth
a) The inability to bear a child is a common theme in the Bible. In ancient times, barrenness was considered a disgrace. But time and again, we see these women having great faith in God, and God rewards them with a child.
b) Elizabeth was such a woman. Both she and her husband Zechariah were old, she past child-bearing years, yet she conceived through the grace of God. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah the news in the temple, then made him mute because he did not believe.
c) Just as the angel foretold, Elizabeth conceived. While she was pregnant, Mary, the expectant mother of Jesus, visited her. The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy on hearing Mary's voice. Elizabeth gave birth to a son. They named him John, as the angel had commanded, and at that moment Zechariah's power of speech returned. He praised God for his mercy and goodness.
d) Their son became John the Baptist, the prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
4. Elizabeth's Accomplishments
a) Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were holy people: "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly." (Luke 1:6, NIV)
b) Elizabeth bore a son in her old age and raised him as God had commanded.
5. Elizabeth's Strengths
a) Elizabeth was sad but never became bitter because of her barrenness. She had enormous faith in God her entire life.
b) She appreciated God's mercy and kindness. She praised God for giving her a son.
c) Elizabeth was humble, even though she played a key role in God's plan of salvation. Her focus was always on the Lord, never herself.
6. Life Lessons
a) We should never underestimate God's tremendous love for us. Even though Elizabeth had been barren and her time for having a baby was over, God caused her to conceive. Our God is a God of surprises. Sometimes, when we least expect it, he touches us with a miracle and our life is changed forever.
7. Hometown
a) Unnamed town in the hill country of Judea.
8. Referenced in the Bible
a) Luke Chapter 1.
9. Occupation
a) Homemaker.
10. Family Tree
a) Ancestor - Aaron
b) Husband - Zechariah
c) Son - John the Baptist
d) Kinswoman - Mary, the mother of Jesus
11. Key Verses
Luke 1:13-16
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. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 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. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God."
Luke 1:41-45
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
1. Eight (8) Blessed Mothers in the Bible Who Served God Wella) Eight mothers in the Bible played key roles in the coming of Jesus Christ. None of them was perfect, yet each showed strong faith in God. God, in turn, rewarded them for their confidence in him.
b) These mothers lived in an age when women were often treated as second class citizens, yet God appreciated their true worth, just as he does today. Motherhood is one of life's highest callings. Learn how these eight mothers in the Bible put their hope in the God of the Impossible, and how he proved that such hope is always well-placed.
2. ELIZABETH - Mother Of John The Baptist
a) Barren in her old age, Elizabeth was another of the miracle mothers in the Bible. She conceived and gave birth to a son. She and her husband named him John, as an angel had instructed. Like Hannah before her, she dedicated her son to God, and like Hannah's son, he also became a great prophet, John the Baptist. Elizabeth's joy was complete when her relative Mary visited her, pregnant with the future Savior of the World.
3. Profile of New Testament Bible Character Elizabeth
a) The inability to bear a child is a common theme in the Bible. In ancient times, barrenness was considered a disgrace. But time and again, we see these women having great faith in God, and God rewards them with a child.
b) Elizabeth was such a woman. Both she and her husband Zechariah were old, she past child-bearing years, yet she conceived through the grace of God. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah the news in the temple, then made him mute because he did not believe.
c) Just as the angel foretold, Elizabeth conceived. While she was pregnant, Mary, the expectant mother of Jesus, visited her. The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy on hearing Mary's voice. Elizabeth gave birth to a son. They named him John, as the angel had commanded, and at that moment Zechariah's power of speech returned. He praised God for his mercy and goodness.
d) Their son became John the Baptist, the prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
4. Elizabeth's Accomplishments
a) Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were holy people: "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly." (Luke 1:6, NIV)
b) Elizabeth bore a son in her old age and raised him as God had commanded.
5. Elizabeth's Strengths
a) Elizabeth was sad but never became bitter because of her barrenness. She had enormous faith in God her entire life.
b) She appreciated God's mercy and kindness. She praised God for giving her a son.
c) Elizabeth was humble, even though she played a key role in God's plan of salvation. Her focus was always on the Lord, never herself.
6. Life Lessons
a) We should never underestimate God's tremendous love for us. Even though Elizabeth had been barren and her time for having a baby was over, God caused her to conceive. Our God is a God of surprises. Sometimes, when we least expect it, he touches us with a miracle and our life is changed forever.
7. Hometown
a) Unnamed town in the hill country of Judea.
8. Referenced in the Bible
a) Luke Chapter 1.
9. Occupation
a) Homemaker.
10. Family Tree
a) Ancestor - Aaron
b) Husband - Zechariah
c) Son - John the Baptist
d) Kinswoman - Mary, the mother of Jesus
11. Key Verses
Luke 1:13-16
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. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 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. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God."
Luke 1:41-45
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
The End ...
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