What do you do when you’ve been faithful… and you’re still waiting?

Advent is a season of waiting—waiting for God to move, to speak, to fulfill what He has promised. In this message from Luke 1:5–25, we sit with Zechariah, a righteous and faithful priest who learns what it means to trust God in the silence.

Zechariah’s story reminds us that waiting is not wasted time. It is often the place where God shapes our faith, deepens our trust, and prepares us for what’s to come. Even when God feels quiet, He is never absent.

This sermon launches our Advent series, “They That Wait on the Lord,” where we explore how God forms His people while they wait—through silence (Zechariah), hope (Simeon), and worship (Anna).

If you’re waiting for clarity, healing, direction, or breakthrough, this message invites you to discover how God is present and at work—even in the quiet seasons.

Scripture: Luke 1:5–25, 57–64

Series: They That Wait on the Lord

Church: Identity Church | Daytona Beach, FL

In this week’s session of How to Read and Study the Bible, Pastor Byron Cogdell walks us through the practice of Observation — learning to slow down and really see what’s in the text before asking what it means.

We’ll discover how careful observation deepens our understanding of God’s Word, how to recognize what’s repeated, emphasized, and true to life, and how to move from casual reading to spiritual attentiveness.

By the end, you’ll know how to approach Scripture with fresh eyes — not just reading the Bible, but letting the Bible read you.

Many people know about Jesus — but do they truly know Him? In Matthew 7:13–23, Jesus warns that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This week, Pastor Byron unpacks one of the most sobering and clarifying passages in the Sermon on the Mount, reminding us that real discipleship isn’t about performance or appearance—it’s about a living relationship with Christ

What if God’s silence isn’t His absence, but an invitation to draw nearer?

In one of Jesus’ most comforting—and challenging—teachings, He tells us to ask, seek, and knock. But this isn’t about getting whatever we want. It’s about learning to trust the goodness of a Father who knows what we need.

This week, we’ll explore what persistent prayer really means and how it forms us into people who live by faith, generosity, and love. We’ll also discover how this passage connects directly to Jesus’ call to treat others as we’d want to be treated—the golden rule that flows from a heart shaped by prayer.