Pastor Metzger - The Parents of John the Baptist

“The Parents ofJohn the Baptist”Pastor MichaelMetzger  12/14/2025Sun ValleyChurch MT in Florence, MontanaLuke 1:5-235 -  There was in the days of Herod, the king ofJudaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wifewas of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.6 -  And they were both righteous before God,walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.7 -  And they had no child, because thatElisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.8 -  And it came to pass, that while he executedthe priest's office before God in the order of his course,9 -  According to the custom of the priest'soffice, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.10 -  And the whole multitude of the people werepraying without at the time of incense.11 -  And there appeared unto him an angel ofthe Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12 -  And when Zacharias saw him, he wastroubled, and fear fell upon him.13 -  But the angel said unto him, Fear not,Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee ason, and thou shalt call his name John.14 -  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; andmany shall rejoice at his birth.15 -  For he shall be great in the sight of theLord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filledwith the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.16 -  And many of the children of Israel shallhe turn to the Lord their God.17 -  And he shall go before him in the spiritand power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and thedisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for theLord.18 -  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Wherebyshall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.19 -  And the angel answering said unto him, Iam Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee,and to shew thee these glad tidings.20 -  And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and notable to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thoubelievest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.21 -  And the people waited for Zacharias, andmarvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.22 -  And when he came out, he could not speakunto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for hebeckoned unto them, and remained speechless.23 -  And it came to pass, that, as soon as thedays of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.