2014 Christmas Series (December 7, 2014)
Sermon 2 – Zechariah’s Praise
Luke 1:5-25; 57-66; 67-80
Introduction
- Obvious question: “What is Advent?”
-- The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."
-- The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ
-- His birth is his First Advent, his first coming, to a world in great need
-- Also reflects on the anticipation of the return of Christ in his Second Advent
- Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history.
-- It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ
-- It is where ALL of creation might be reconciled to God because of Jesus Christ
- Last week we talked about Mary’s visit with Elizabeth
-- Elizabeth’s baby leaped in the womb when he heard Mary’s voice
-- Elizabeth was delighted to see what God had done in her life, and in Mary’s
-- Mary responded in worship that her soul glories the Lord (it’s not about her)
- This morning, we are going to examine the events surrounding John’s birth
-- Many would ask why we’d look at him at Advent, well, he was a proclaimer!
-- His job was to proclaim the coming of the King, and we’d be wise to follow him
-- APP: It is our job to tell others about Jesus; not just me, not you, but OURS!
- John the Baptist was the forerunner, much like Isaiah, who proclaimed the truth
-- From his life we are encouraged that we too can be proclaimers, always!
-- But, it has to start somewhere – this morning, let’s see where HIS story starts
- Lots of scripture to cover; different teaching (not expository); preaching
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – Experiencing brings Change (v5-25)
- Read Luke 1:5-25
- Zechariah was a man who was faithful in the sight of God; a priest under Herod
- While performing his duties, God found favor with him and sent an angel
- Many ask today if God is still speaking to us, and I believe that He is - always
-- APP: If we are faithful, God will speak to us – and then we must follow Him
- v13 is a specific command that he will name his son to be, John
-- He will be a prophet to be used by the Lord to bring people back to God
- IMP: But, good old Zechariah had some problems in the area of faith
-- He doubted (he questioned the angel) rather than just hearing God and accepting
- v19, “The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”
- I’m thinking about this time Zechariah has a clue that he may be in trouble here
-- Take a look though at what is happening in this scenario …
-- He is standing in church, doing church stuff, and NOW he wants to doubt God?
- v20, “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
- Meanwhile, everyone is outside waiting for church to end. Consider this …
-- Probably wondering what was taking so long for him to complete his “duties”
-- Normally, he is pretty routine when it comes to things he does at the temple
-- He goes in, burns the incense, comes out, and off to Ryan’s we go … right?
- There’s a lesson here for us – that sometimes church is more than what we expect
-- IMP: Sometimes, God has a few more things planned for us than what we plan
-- So he comes out, he is mute, and then people are wondering what happened!
- IMP: When we get into the presence of God, we ought to experience a change
-- Of course, when cannot all be stricken mute, but there ought to be a life change
-- Others ought to be able to see that we’ve spent time with God; Zechariah did
- APP: When God says He is going to do something – we can count on it
-- DEEPER: When God shows up, a mighty experience MUST be expected!!
- TRANS: So, here is Zechariah, now mute, about to be a Dad, and willing to obey
∆ Point 2 – Following God’s Command (v57-66)
- Read Luke 1:57-66
- 9 months in and Zechariah hasn’t said a word, but he has God’s promise (v57)
-- And so when John was born, and was preparing for the circumcision/naming
-- Cue neighbors (prob. same ones wondering what took him so long at the temple)
-- Expecting one thing because “they’ve done all this before” (sound familiar?)
- IMP: But, there is more here than meets the eye and this we must grasp:
- Zechariah knew that God was faithful, and that he must follow Him totally
-- When he followed/obeyed God, he could speak again (v63); he was healed!
-- To the astonishment of the Jones’s, this miracle happened and then they talked
-- v66, “What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.”
- APP: When we follow God – we MUST reveal/tell what He has done
-- Then (not before) then the work of what is to come belongs to the Lord, not us!
- TRANS: Lastly, we see that following God’s direction leads to healing/praising
∆ Point 3 – Praise at Advent (v67-80)
- Upon being able to speak, Zechariah begins to glorify God in Heaven
- Read Luke 1:67-80
- v69 is a song of praise; it is the fulfillment of prophecy and what OT has said:
-- Isaiah 9:6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
-- Ezekiel 29:21, “On that day I will make a horn grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
- And this promise is revealed to us as truth in the New Testament:
-- Matthew 1:1, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham”
- Now, why is this celebration important for us to see at Advent?
-- Why would we sing “Mary’s Song” like we discussed last week at Advent?
- Glorifying God means that we praise Him with everything that we have
-- When God’s power moves upon us, we need to submit and obey what He says
-- When we were saved we praised God, but are we praising Him today?
-- DEEPER: Are we grateful for what God is doing even in the terrible times?
- When you consider Advent, and what God has already done for us …
-- Can we not be thankful to God for the gift of Christ?
∆ Big Ideas
- John the Baptist was born for the sole purpose or making the way for Jesus
-- Jesus Christ was given to this world for the sole purpose of dying for you
∆ -- When God promises us something he is faithful to complete it
-- Philippians 1:6, “… being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
∆ - What is God asking you to be faithful to Him in everything about?
-- The critical application is that we’d sing like Zechariah; or like Mary did
- v46-48, “And Mary said, My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.”
∆ - Can we sing and glorify like Zechariah and Mary? It’s not about us!
-- Perhaps we need to take the time to glorify the One who came for one purpose?
- With every eye closed and every head bowed …
- I’d like to ask you just to listen for a moment as God speaks to us
-- For us, there is a part here that we must fulfill … we must OBEY what He says
- This morning, what has God promised to you that you are not doing your part?
-- Is there something that you need to pray about and ask for forgiveness?
- Perhaps ask for repentance and give the praises to Him?
-- We cannot come to church, sit here, and go home without meeting with Him
-- Think of old Zechariah and how God dealt with Him in His house
-- Does God need to strike you mute to get your attention?
-- Do we need to obey because God is speaking?
- Pray
-- Salvation, Repentance, Church Membership
