1_-_Promise_In_The_Silence.docx

In this sermon, we explored the often-overlooked beginning of the Christmas story: the long silence between the Old and New Testaments. Rather than being a void, this silence was a season of preparation, where God was actively working behind the scenes to fulfill His promises. Through the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi, and the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, we see that God’s timing is always perfect—even when it feels like nothing is happening. The message calls us to examine the “silent” or hardened places in our own hearts, to trust God’s promises even in the dark, and to surrender our waiting and brokenness to His faithful timing.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Waiting Is Not Wasted God’s silence is never a sign of His absence. The 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Christ were not empty—they were a time of hidden preparation. In our own lives, the seasons that feel barren or silent are often the very places where God is planting seeds for future growth. Trust that what feels like delay is often God’s way of preparing you for something greater than you can see.
• 2. Hold Fast to God’s Promises in the Dark Faith is not just believing when everything is clear, but holding onto God’s word when circumstances seem to contradict it. Like Israel waiting for the Messiah, we are called to trust what God has spoken, even when fulfillment seems far off. The promises of God do not expire with time or circumstance. Let your hope be anchored in what God has already said, not just in what you can see.
• 3. God Prepares Hearts Before He Fulfills Promises Before the arrival of Jesus, God was at work turning hearts, restoring relationships, and preparing people to receive Him. Spiritual readiness is often the unseen work that precedes God’s visible action. Ask God to soften the hardened or closed places in your heart, so you can fully receive what He wants to do in and through you. True celebration of Christmas begins with a heart open to Christ.
• 4. God’s Timing Is Perfect, Even When It Feels Late The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth reminds us that God’s promises arrive exactly when they are meant to. What seems impossible or “too late” to us is never a barrier for God. His plans are never rushed or forgotten, and every moment of waiting is purposeful. Surrender your timelines and trust that God is orchestrating something beautiful, even in the silence.
• 5. Surrender the Silent and Broken Places to God We all have areas of our lives that feel barren, broken, or marked by long silence. Instead of hiding these places or growing discouraged, bring them honestly before God. He specializes in bringing life out of barrenness and hope out of silence. This Advent, invite God into your waiting, and trust Him to do what only He can—turning silence into song and promise into fulfillment.

1. In Isaiah 9:2, what kind of situation are the people experiencing, and what does Isaiah promise will happen?
2. According to Malachi 4:5–6, what is God promising to do before “the great and dreadful day of the Lord”?
3. In Luke 1:5–15a, what details are given about Zechariah and Elizabeth’s situation before John the Baptist is born?
4. What is the first thing Zechariah and Elizabeth do after John is born, according to Luke 1:57-60?

1. Why might God have chosen to be silent for 400 years between the Old and New Testaments? What could He have been accomplishing during that time?
2. What does it mean that God is “turning hearts” before fulfilling His promises, as mentioned in Malachi and the sermon?
3. How does the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth show that God’s timing is different from ours? What might their years of waiting have felt like?
4. The sermon compared the 400 years of silence to Christmas Eve anticipation. How does this comparison help us understand what it’s like to wait on God?

1. Are there areas in your life right now that feel silent, barren, or like God is not speaking? What are they, and how do you usually respond in those seasons?
2. The sermon said, “Waiting is not wasted.” Can you think of a time when you felt like nothing was happening, but later realized God was preparing you for something? What did you learn from that experience?
3. Malachi talks about God turning hearts and restoring relationships. Is there a relationship in your life that feels broken or distant? What would it look like to invite God to begin restoring it?
4. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth shows that God’s promises can arrive when it seems “too late.” Is there a promise or hope you’ve given up on because it feels impossible or overdue? What would it look like to trust God with it again?
5. The sermon challenged us to examine the “hardened” or “closed” places in our hearts. Are there parts of your heart that you’ve closed off to God because of disappointment, pain, or busyness? What would it take to open those places to Him this Advent?
6. When you think about Christmas, do you focus more on the outward celebration or on preparing your heart for Jesus? What is one practical way you can make space for Jesus in your heart this season?
7. The sermon encouraged us to surrender our waiting and brokenness to God. What is one specific area you want to surrender to God’s timing and control this week? How can the group support you in this?