WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.599 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:15.280 use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:30.200 Good morning Christ Church. 00:00:30.380 --> 00:00:35.840 My name is Susie and I'll be reading today's scripture lesson from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:42.219 1, verses 11 through 17 and 67 through 80, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:46.680 A reading from the Gospel according to Luke. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:52.600 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:56.199 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 00:00:56.699 --> 00:00:59.919 But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah. 00:01:00.339 --> 00:01:01.559 Your prayer has been heard. 00:01:02.559 --> 00:01:05.739 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:12.000 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:13.280 be great in the sight of the Lord. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:18.379 He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:19.939 Spirit even before he is born. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:24.179 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:29.480 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:34.439 parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:35.959 a people prepared for the Lord. 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:42.579 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, Praise be to the Lord, 00:01:42.699 --> 00:01:45.780 the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:51.359 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he said 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:53.060 through his holy prophets of long ago. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:58.820 Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our ancestors 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:00.600 and to remember his holy covenant. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:05.820 The oath he swore to our father Abraham, to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:10.819 to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:17.180 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:23.139 to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness 00:02:23.139 --> 00:02:29.019 of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:35.439 heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:40.500 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilderness, 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:42.680 until he appeared publicly to Israel. 00:02:43.579 --> 00:02:45.239 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:47.560 Praise to you, Lord Christ. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:50.099 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:59.319 I'd love to just begin today by saying how much I love the elders of Christ Church. 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:07.959 These are men and women sitting in our pews this morning who've been gifted and called to the work of overseeing 00:03:07.959 --> 00:03:09.479 and shepherding this church. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:16.840 And I just have so much trust in them, so much respect for each of them in most situations, 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:23.060 except for when it comes to our annual Christmas party and our white elephant gift exchange, 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:28.280 which happened last night, in which case all trust and all respect just goes completely out the window. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:37.099 These are some of the most vicious, cutthroat, cold-blooded, ruthless, heartless people you could ever meet. 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:41.460 They will not hesitate to steal from you, to kill your hopes. 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:48.439 So I just want to say trust your elders unless there's a competition of some sort with a reward on the line, 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:53.740 and in that case stay very, very far away from these callous and cruel people. 00:03:53.740 --> 00:04:04.060 So with that introduction to the sermon, we are in a series that we're calling the Songs of Christmas 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:08.580 because this gospel, Luke's gospel, begins that way. 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:09.580 It begins with songs. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:16.840 It begins with singing about who the Messiah is, about why he's coming into the world, what he's going to do, 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:21.079 and they're meant to give us understanding about the true meaning of Christmas. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:26.599 And so far we've looked at the song Ave Maria in Luke chapter 1. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:34.740 It's the combination of these words to Mary from the angel Gabriel and from this fellow believer Elizabeth. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.339 And the words of Ave Maria say, 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:43.659 Hail Mary, you who are highly favored of the Lord. 00:04:43.799 --> 00:04:47.659 Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:47.900 Jesus. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:51.680 We looked last week at Mary's song, The Magnificat. 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:52.080 She says, 00:04:52.220 --> 00:04:53.660 My soul magnifies the Lord. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.360 My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:04:56.400 --> 00:04:58.280 These songs, Ave Maria, The Magnificat, 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:02.540 there have been many, many works that have been produced, 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:06.540 countless musical works to reflect their beauty into the world. 00:05:07.400 --> 00:05:10.200 Next Sunday we're going to look at the Song of Simeon, 00:05:10.700 --> 00:05:11.560 the Nunc Dimittis, 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:16.819 and maybe this song particularly rings in our hearts for some of us this Christmas. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:17.379 It says, 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.360 Lord, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:22.540 for my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:26.759 And then on Christmas Eve we're going to be reflecting on the Song of the Angels, 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:29.379 the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:31.379 which is so well known to us. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:33.980 It's in so many of the Christmas carols that we sing. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:41.060 But today we're going to look at what I would consider to be the least known of all these songs in Luke's gospel. 00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:43.439 And it's the Song of Zechariah, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:46.520 often known by its Latin title the Benedictus. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:48.980 And it's this beautiful song of joy. 00:05:50.080 --> 00:05:53.819 It's been one of the most well-known songs of the New Testament 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.740 throughout the history of the church, 00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:59.660 and yet it's probably the least known to us today. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:01.260 And so on this third Sunday of Advent, 00:06:01.900 --> 00:06:04.840 I'm hoping that I can just help us get better acquainted 00:06:04.840 --> 00:06:07.960 with this Christmas song that's been sung by the church, 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.000 it's been sung by God's people for the last 2,000 years. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.940 And I hope that you'll be able to sing it maybe in a fresh way after today. 00:06:16.080 --> 00:06:18.160 I want to look at it under three headings. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:21.480 First of all, that it's a song of benediction, 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:24.960 and then that it's a song of liberation, 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:29.000 and that it's also a song of preparation. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:33.340 All right, so this is a song of benediction, liberation, and preparation. 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:36.660 And let's look, first of all, at a song of benediction. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:40.600 If you look at verse 67, it says, 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:44.140 His father, John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:45.740 was filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:06:46.440 --> 00:06:48.440 and he prophesied, saying, 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:51.580 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:55.480 So what's the first word out of his heart and out of his mouth? 00:06:55.480 --> 00:07:01.020 The Greek is eulogitos, which is where we get the word eulogy. 00:07:02.020 --> 00:07:02.240 Right? 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:05.520 And the Latin word is benedictus, where we get the word benediction. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:07.360 And what is a eulogy? 00:07:07.460 --> 00:07:08.340 What is a benediction? 00:07:09.020 --> 00:07:11.580 It's a good word about someone. 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:13.100 It's a word of praise. 00:07:13.259 --> 00:07:14.200 It's a word of blessing. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.819 A word of worship and adoration. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:23.319 And what we've seen in this little group of Elizabeth and Mary and Zechariah, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:27.819 this little community of believers right here at the beginning of Luke's gospel, 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:30.420 is that they're just a people who are full of praise. 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:31.680 Right? 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:37.159 They're people who they can't contain their love for the Lord 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:40.379 and the sense of joy that they find in Him. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:46.519 Their souls are just bursting forth with songs that they hope will bless the Lord 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:51.500 and exalt the Lord and please and delight and honor and praise the Lord. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:59.860 And this is showing us, I think, that worship is not primarily about us. 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:01.000 Right? 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:05.560 Worship is not primarily about our experience. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:08.279 It's not about what we receive. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.979 It's not about whether or not we feel blessed. 00:08:11.859 --> 00:08:12.339 No. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:15.339 Worship is about making sure the Lord is blessed. 00:08:16.239 --> 00:08:17.959 It's making sure that He is praised. 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:21.239 And Mary is a beautiful model of this, as we saw last week. 00:08:21.359 --> 00:08:23.500 Zechariah is a brilliant example of this, 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:27.099 of how we can offer up these Holy Spirit-filled songs, 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:31.639 these prophetic and divinely inspired hymns that bless the Lord. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:37.799 And what do we notice immediately about the theme and the focus of this song 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.419 that's meant to praise and to bless the Lord? 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.719 Well, Zechariah says this. 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:41.620 He says, 00:08:42.459 --> 00:08:44.719 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, 00:08:44.839 --> 00:08:48.839 because He has come to His people and redeemed them. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:54.000 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:57.679 I hope you have a pen or a pencil or something, 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:01.779 because I'm going to encourage you to underline or circle some words today. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:05.279 And kids, if you're following along, you've got a crayon or something, 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:07.659 you can circle a couple words. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.299 So look at verse 68. 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:11.100 You'll see a word that says, 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:11.740 Redeemed. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:12.620 Circle that word, 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:13.539 Redeemed. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:14.460 Okay? 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:16.639 And then in verse 69, 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:17.740 you'll see this word, 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:18.419 Salvation. 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:19.299 Circle that word, 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.220 Salvation. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:23.180 And then look down in verse 71, 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:24.080 you'll see that word again, 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:24.700 Salvation. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.300 Circle that word. 00:09:27.560 --> 00:09:29.779 And if your eyes scan down the passage, 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:30.720 verse 74, 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:31.940 it says, 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.120 you'll see this word, 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:33.580 Rescue. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.060 Circle that word, 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:36.480 Rescue. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:39.180 And then again in verse 77, 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:39.940 you'll see the word, 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:40.580 Salvation. 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:41.860 Just circle that word, 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:42.820 Salvation. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:49.060 Why is Zechariah full of praise and thanksgiving? 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:55.299 Why is he letting us know that the Lord is worthy and deserving to be praised? 00:09:55.839 --> 00:09:59.379 What is he telling us about the true meaning of Christmas here? 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:03.399 He's telling us that God is sending his son. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:04.719 God is sending the Messiah. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:07.439 God is sending a new David to what? 00:10:07.699 --> 00:10:08.839 To redeem us. 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:10.579 To save us. 00:10:11.219 --> 00:10:12.759 To rescue us. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:16.959 This is not a song about how we save ourselves. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:22.920 It's not even a song about the God who helps those who help themselves. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:29.379 This is a song about the Lord God of Israel who's come to redeem and save and rescue, 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:33.720 just as he promised he would do a long, long time ago. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.460 And this is what he says in verse 69. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:36.800 He says, 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:49.319 God, about a thousand years before Zechariah is singing this song, 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:52.959 God gave a promise to David. 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:55.879 And he said to David in that promise, 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:56.299 he said, 00:10:56.299 --> 00:11:02.339 you're never going to lack a king from your royal line to sit on the throne of Israel. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:04.159 And he promised David, 00:11:04.219 --> 00:11:04.459 he said, 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:09.019 one of your descendants is going to rule and reign forever over Israel. 00:11:09.199 --> 00:11:10.019 And from Israel, 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.559 he's going to reign over all the nations of the world. 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.699 And his kingdom is never, 00:11:14.959 --> 00:11:16.439 ever going to end. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:20.720 It's a massive promise that God gave to David. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:24.360 And yet with that massive promise comes a massive problem. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:29.280 Because the problem of the Old Testament is that David's throne fell. 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:30.660 Right? 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.660 David's kingdom crumbled. 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.820 When Zechariah is singing the song, 00:11:35.900 --> 00:11:41.780 there's been no king in David's line to sit on the throne of Israel for 600 years. 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:44.540 They've been dominated by Babylon. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:47.519 They've been dominated by foreign power after foreign power. 00:11:47.599 --> 00:11:49.039 Even now when Zechariah is singing, 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:50.919 they're dominated by Rome. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:57.379 Now I wonder if any of us here today have ever found ourselves supporting a losing team. 00:11:58.219 --> 00:11:59.500 Anyone know what that's like? 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:04.899 To support a team that's had a losing streak for a very long time? 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.620 How many of your teams have been losing for 600 years? 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:13.779 Okay, Israel has been losing for 600 years. 00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:18.079 And God is telling Zechariah that I'm about to turn things around. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:24.019 That I'm going to fulfill my promise to put a king on David's throne 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:27.899 who's going to redeem and save and rescue my people. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.799 And through this coming Messiah, 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:33.159 through this new David that I'm going to send into the world, 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:36.379 he's going to fulfill all the promises that I've ever made. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.319 Not just to David, 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.259 but to Abraham as well. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:41.080 Look at verse 71, 72. 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:44.639 He says that God is going to show mercy to our ancestors 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.679 and remember his holy covenant, 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:49.500 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:53.120 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:57.500 Mary sang this last week in her Magnificat. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:01.179 She said God made promises to Abraham in Genesis. 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:03.379 And he promised that Abraham, 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:06.099 and through Abraham and his offspring, 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:08.039 all the nations are going to be blessed. 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:11.079 And one of God's great promises to Abraham 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:15.339 is that through one of your singular particular descendants, Abraham, 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:19.799 I'm going to make your name so very great. 00:13:21.079 --> 00:13:23.159 And you see, God's promises to David, 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.679 God's promises to Abraham, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:27.039 they really go all the way back to the beginning, 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:29.039 all the way back to Adam and Eve. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:33.480 And you can sort of just trace this golden thread of God's promises 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:37.299 all the way back to that mother promise in Genesis 3, 15 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:40.240 that says the offspring of the woman is going to come, 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:42.379 and he's going to be terribly wounded, 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:46.039 and yet he's going to crush the head of the serpent. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.639 And you know, if you're a Jew in the first century, 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:53.799 a Jew like Mary or a faithful Jew like Zechariah, 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:58.159 you absolutely cherish these promises 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.979 from Genesis to Samuel to Psalms to the prophets. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:04.679 And if you were to decorate your home 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:06.879 for the coming of the Messiah, 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:09.959 do you know what kind of things you would put in your front lawn 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:11.740 if you were a faithful Jew in the first century? 00:14:12.479 --> 00:14:15.240 You would not put Santa Claus, right? 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.859 It would not be Charlie Brown. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:19.740 It wouldn't be Frosty the Snowman or the Grinch. 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:22.179 No, who would you have in your front lawn? 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:26.259 You would put these real historical people, 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.099 these people who had real relationships with the living God, 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:34.879 Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:39.319 the prophet Nathan, King David. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:42.759 These are the people you'd be excited about 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:45.719 when you're celebrating the coming of the Messiah 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:49.139 because you're seeing that now all of these, 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:52.800 through all these people and the promises God made to them, 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.779 God is fulfilling his promises. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.920 And that is what, 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:00.440 what is it that gives Zechariah such joy and such delight? 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:04.279 What is it that causes him to want to bless the Lord, 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.100 the God of Israel? 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:09.980 What causes him to sing so passionately with praise and thanksgiving? 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.620 It's that these ancient promises, 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.899 that God would send a child of Eve, 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:17.879 that God would send a son of Abraham, 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:20.159 that God would send a king in the line of David 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.920 to redeem and save and rescue his people, 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.500 that these promises are coming true now. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:30.039 And so that's the question for us is, 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:34.059 is this what Christmas means to you? 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:39.199 Will your time and your energy, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:42.240 will your attention and your money in the season ahead 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:47.679 be primarily devoted to praising and blessing the Lord 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:50.819 and singing enthusiastically about the one 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:52.259 that he sent to redeem us? 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:56.139 Or will our time and our energy and our money 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.759 be devoted to something else, 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:01.379 to lesser things that pale in importance 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:04.059 and really don't matter all that much in the end? 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:07.299 So Zechariah is inviting us 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.939 and he's challenging us 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:11.620 to make Christmas about benediction, 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:14.779 to make Christmas about blessing the Lord, 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:16.679 the God of Israel with words of praise, 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:20.100 words of adoration for keeping his promises 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:23.980 to redeem and save and rescue his people. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.600 Does that make sense? 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:27.840 It's a song of benediction. 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.860 And that's what the church is meant to sing, 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:32.019 songs of benediction to God. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:36.080 But secondly, it's not just a song of benediction, 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:38.000 it's a song of liberation. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.399 A song of liberation. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:43.580 You want to circle and underline some more words? 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.379 You guys ready for that? 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:49.180 Verse 71 says that God is going to give us salvation 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:52.440 from our enemies who hate us. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.879 Circle that word, enemies. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:57.460 And you'll see it again in verse 74. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:01.059 God is going to rescue us from the hand of our enemies. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:03.240 Circle that word, enemies. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.980 Here is Zechariah. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.420 He's filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:10.140 He's been given prophetic insight 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.720 into what God is going to do 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.920 through his coming Messiah. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:15.460 And what he tells us in this song 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:18.019 is that Christmas is all about liberation 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.400 from our enemies. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:22.420 Christmas is about being released 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:25.900 and set free from our enemies. 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.420 And the critical question here is, 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:28.880 who are our enemies? 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.240 Who are these enemies who hate us? 00:17:32.320 --> 00:17:34.759 These enemies who hold us in their iron grip 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.900 of their oppressive hands. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.019 And if you're in the first century, 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.360 you know the obvious answer 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:40.900 about who your enemies are 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.900 is it's the Romans. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.080 Romans. 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.800 They're clearly the enemy. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:46.640 Right? 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:49.200 This occupying power 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.320 of these pagan, 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.120 non-Jewish, 00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:54.140 idol worshipers 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:56.040 who enforce the Pax Romana 00:17:56.040 --> 00:17:57.900 by crucifying their enemies 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:00.660 and confess that Caesar is the Lord. 00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:02.680 Those are the enemies, right? 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.960 I mean, isn't that, 00:18:04.060 --> 00:18:05.100 isn't the Roman Empire 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:07.560 the hand of the enemies who hate us? 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.080 Surely the enemy. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.379 Surely the problem with the world 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:14.839 is out there somewhere beyond us. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.919 They're the baddies 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.599 and we're the goodies. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:22.199 And God is surely sending his Messiah 00:18:22.199 --> 00:18:24.639 to deal with them, right? 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:27.339 Isn't that what this prophetic song 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:29.199 of Zechariah is all about? 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:32.939 Take that as an amen. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:34.980 Bam. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.039 Bam. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.440 Bam. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.819 So I want you to underline 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.940 and circle a couple words 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.240 that might feel a little uncomfortable 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.899 this morning. 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.940 Words we might not like to hear 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.279 but words that are nevertheless 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.559 part of the story of Christmas. 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:51.399 And in verse 77, 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.500 you'll find it says, 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.940 God's gonna give his people 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.940 knowledge and salvation 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.639 through the forgiveness 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.119 of their sins. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.319 Circle that word, sins. 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:02.119 And then in verse 79, 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.460 it says that he's gonna shine 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.879 on those living in darkness, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:06.579 circle that word darkness, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:10.000 and those living not only in darkness 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.259 but in the shadow of death. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.599 Circle that word, death. 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:16.639 Now do you see who our enemies are 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.440 who hate us 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:19.619 and who hold us in the iron grip 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:21.220 of their oppressive hands? 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.059 It's sin. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.599 It's darkness. 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.940 It's death. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:27.319 This is what we human beings 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:29.539 need to be liberated from. 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.980 Sin is not out there. 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.339 It's not beyond us. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:34.299 It's not over there in those baddies. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.980 No, sin, Zechariah says, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.740 it's in here. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.039 It's inside of us. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.399 It's in those of us 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.420 who think we're the goodies. 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.379 Right? 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.859 We don't need to be liberated 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:47.059 politically and sociologically 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.859 from Rome 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:50.500 or from whoever is the governing power 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:52.599 that's creating all the problems. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.159 No, he says, 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:56.159 what we need to be liberated from 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:58.179 is not a sociological problem 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:59.279 or a political problem. 00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.939 It's a spiritual problem 00:20:00.939 --> 00:20:02.559 and it's a moral problem. 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:04.179 What we need to be liberated from 00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:05.539 is ourselves. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.939 It's ourselves. 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:13.759 What is sin? 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:14.880 Right? 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.240 Why is it so bad 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.360 that God had to become 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.080 a human being 00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:18.740 and die 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.960 to deal with it? 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.980 Sin in a word 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.220 is self-centeredness. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:25.779 Right? 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.920 Sin is rebellion 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.759 of the self 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.820 against the authority 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.799 and the love of God. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.360 Sin is self-assertion 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.200 against God. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.240 Sin is a dethroning 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.940 of the Lord 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.819 and an enthroning 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.180 of myself 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.960 in place 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.059 of the Lord 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.580 where He deserves to be. 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.860 Sin is simply 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:45.759 self-deification. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.620 It's behaving 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:49.940 as if I were the Lord. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.420 And because that's true 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.100 in my heart, 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.160 because that's true 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.299 in your heart 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.360 and in every heart, 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.380 we're living 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.980 under a cloud 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.559 of darkness 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.620 and death. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.120 The effect of sin 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.559 in this world 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.319 is darkness 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.099 and death, 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.019 Zechariah says. 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.500 He gives us 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.980 this amazing picture 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.879 in verse 79. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.740 And he says, 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.480 I just want you 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.179 to imagine 00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:13.019 a picture 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.799 of a number 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.279 of people. 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.539 They're going 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.460 on a long journey 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:18.440 and they're traveling 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.299 a far distance 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.960 to this certain city 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.899 and they believe 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.419 that if only 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.679 they reach that city 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.639 and they get 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.319 to that city 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.799 and they get 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.000 inside of that city, 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.299 they're going 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.059 to be satisfied. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.419 They're going 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.980 to be happy. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.419 But alas, 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.379 with this whole group 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.240 of people traveling 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.900 on this road, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.240 the sun has set 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.700 on them. 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:35.960 Right? 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.299 The night has descended 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.059 upon them 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:40.279 and the whole place 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:40.960 where they are 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.700 is covered 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.240 with a thick darkness 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.980 so that they just 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.700 can't see 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:46.279 and they can't go on 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.400 and they're living there 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.440 and they're settled there. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:48.900 In fact, 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.299 it says that they're 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.039 sitting there 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.440 in hopelessness 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.680 and in despair. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.220 Right? 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.660 The city 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.480 that they were seeking, 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.680 they can no longer 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.660 even see the city. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.099 They've lost the road 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.659 to the city. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.379 They don't know 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.259 where they are. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.299 They see no path 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.359 in front of them 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:04.919 and so they just 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:06.639 simply sit down. 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.740 And that's just, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.480 that's not even 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.359 the end of their troubles 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.519 because they realize 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:13.619 that they're exposed 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.119 out here 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.299 in this open country 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.339 on the way 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.699 to this place 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:20.079 to terrible dangers. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:20.939 Right? 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.500 They're not only 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.819 sitting in darkness 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.480 but they're also 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.899 sitting in the shadow 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.480 of death. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.240 They realize 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.939 that out here 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.900 at any moment 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.700 they can be attacked 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.759 by wild beasts 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.460 and set upon 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.140 by robbers 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.700 and thieves 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.840 and murderers 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.500 because out here 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.980 there's no city wall 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.039 in the open country 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.059 to protect you. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.000 There's no police 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.640 to come and defend you. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.600 They don't know 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.340 where they are. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.059 They don't know 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.920 how to get to where 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:47.120 they thought they were going. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.580 They're just helpless 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.720 and they're hopeless 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.840 just sitting there 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.660 in the darkness. 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.940 At any moment 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.320 they might be overwhelmed 00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:56.920 and be put to death. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.160 And the result 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.420 of this darkness 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.100 and this threat 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:03.539 of death 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:05.580 is a deep unhappiness, 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.660 a deep misery 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.720 and anxiety. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.059 They're living 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.860 in a deep sense 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.799 of discontentment 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.400 and depression 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.680 and despair. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.100 And Zechariah says 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:16.080 this is the picture 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:17.960 of our hearts in sin. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.860 It's the picture 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:21.160 of our world in sin 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.299 that we're lost. 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.340 We're stranded. 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.420 We're stuck 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.420 in a state of darkness 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.380 and death 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.060 and we're unable 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:28.680 to arrive 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:30.440 at our desired destination 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.600 where we would be safe 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:33.380 and where we would be satisfied. 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:35.820 Sin and darkness 00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:36.640 and death, 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.720 these are the enemies 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.380 who hate us 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.480 and are constantly 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.420 attacking us 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:42.519 and holding us 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.420 in the iron grip 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.460 of oppression. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.880 And this, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.779 Zechariah says, 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.640 is the reason 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.200 for Christmas. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.759 This is the condition 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:52.460 from which we need 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.200 to be liberated 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.340 and released 00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:55.620 and set free. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.080 And without this, 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:58.700 we simply cannot understand 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.299 what Christmas means. 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.279 We can't understand 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.059 why God would send 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.519 a Messiah for us. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.799 But it's this bad news 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.860 that makes the good news 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:10.240 shine all the brighter. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.779 Because look at verse 77. 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.400 It says, 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.539 that the rising sun 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.340 will come to us 00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:16.819 from heaven 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:18.920 and shine on those 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.720 living in darkness 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.420 and in the shadow 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:20.900 of death. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.880 And He is the one 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.440 who will give us 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:23.900 the forgiveness 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.440 of our sins. 00:24:26.540 --> 00:24:27.440 The question is, 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.900 who is this rising sun 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.500 from heaven? 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.700 Who is this, 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.480 as the old King James Version 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:33.740 says, 00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:35.040 who is this day star, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.140 this day spring 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.180 from on high 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.560 that will shine upon us? 00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:41.880 Is it not Jesus Himself? 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.120 Jesus who says 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.220 in the Gospel of John, 00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:45.580 He says, 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.180 I am the light 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.720 of the world. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.700 Whoever follows Me 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.440 will never walk 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.920 in darkness 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.680 but will have 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:52.100 the light of life. 00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:55.100 Christmas says 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.580 that Jesus 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:58.240 is our sunrise. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.019 Jesus, 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.920 in the midst 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.500 of this world 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.039 and darkness 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.720 and sin 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.160 and death, 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:04.019 Jesus is 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.460 the morning sun 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:05.940 who comes 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.580 and scatters 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:07.220 the night away. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.779 Jesus is the one 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.259 who brings 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.200 the dawn 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.019 of a new day. 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:14.100 A dawn of a new day 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:15.000 that brings forgiveness 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.839 and healing 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:17.519 that brings beauty 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.299 and joy. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.460 The dawn of a new day 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.839 that enables our feet 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.519 to be guided 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.279 in the path 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.059 that we lost, 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.019 the path of peace, 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.339 the path of peace 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.799 with God 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.460 and peace with each other. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.500 And this is why 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.480 we love to sing 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.940 this great hymn 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.500 of Advent 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.180 when we sing, 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:35.019 O come thou 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.660 day spring, 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.759 O come thou 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.600 rising sun, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.620 come and cheer 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.779 our spirits 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.620 by thine advent 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.039 here. 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:43.080 Disperse the gloomy 00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:44.080 clouds of night 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.820 and death's dark 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.700 shadows put 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.519 to flight. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.320 Rejoice, 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:47.980 rejoice, 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.160 Emmanuel 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.539 shall come 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.060 to thee, 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.299 O Israel. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.100 My question 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:54.600 for you, 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.360 if you're here today 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.039 and exploring 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.720 Christianity 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.480 and you're just 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.779 kind of curious 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.619 and open 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:01.139 and discovering 00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:02.759 who Jesus is 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.660 and what he claimed 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.779 to be for the first time, 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.099 my question for you is 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.779 are you able 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.920 to deal with your enemies? 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.619 The real enemies 00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:14.000 that threaten you 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.599 and haunt you, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.920 the enemies of sin 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.879 and darkness 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.339 and death, 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.879 are you able 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.480 to deal 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.859 with those enemies 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.519 in your own 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.379 limited resources 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.960 and your own 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.379 finite strength? 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.700 Or do you need 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.839 someone much greater 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.220 than you, 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.920 much stronger 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.619 than you 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.819 to come 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.239 and be 00:26:30.239 --> 00:26:31.639 your liberator, 00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:32.339 to come 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.279 and give you 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.779 liberation? 00:26:35.459 --> 00:26:36.099 And if you're 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.519 a Christian, 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.419 my question for you 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.599 is does this liberation, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.579 the liberation 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.419 that our Messiah 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:42.379 Jesus brings, 00:26:42.479 --> 00:26:43.719 does that thrill you? 00:26:44.739 --> 00:26:45.659 Does that kind of 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.699 overwhelm you 00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.699 like it overwhelms 00:26:47.699 --> 00:26:48.159 Zechariah? 00:26:48.239 --> 00:26:49.099 Does it cause you 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.879 to burst forth 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.599 with song 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.919 and say praise be 00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:53.719 to the Lord, 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.279 the God of Israel, 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.859 because he's come 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.419 to save us 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.239 from our enemies? 00:26:58.619 --> 00:27:00.899 It's a song 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.759 not only of 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.899 benediction and praise, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.659 but it's a song 00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:04.779 of liberation 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.519 and rescue. 00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:08.479 But finally, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.099 I want you to see 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.719 it's a song 00:27:09.719 --> 00:27:11.399 of preparation. 00:27:12.239 --> 00:27:12.679 It's a song 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.259 of benediction, 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:13.759 it's a song 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.799 of liberation, 00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:15.599 and finally, 00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.059 it's a song 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.839 of preparation. 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.019 Because Zechariah, 00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:20.519 he gives us 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.719 this Holy Spirit 00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:24.099 filled prophetic song, 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.639 and it's a song 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.279 about the Lord, 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.759 it's a song 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.579 about the Messiah 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.299 that the Lord 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.759 is sending 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.460 to save us 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.079 from our enemies. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.039 But it's also 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.679 about the role 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.399 that his son, 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.720 John the Baptist, 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.439 is going to play. 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.359 It's about how 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.220 John the Baptist 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.099 is going to prepare 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:40.019 people and make 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.000 them ready for the Lord. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.679 And that's what it says 00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:43.419 in verse 76, 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:43.919 it says, 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:44.919 and you, 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.539 my child, 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:45.859 you, 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.059 John the Baptist, 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.740 you're going to be 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.500 called a prophet 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.159 of the Most High, 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.059 for you will go on 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.960 before the Lord 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:53.860 to prepare the way 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.779 for him. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.640 And if you know 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.279 anything about 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.600 John the Baptist's life 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.680 and his ministry, 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.579 you know that part 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.400 of preparing 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.500 the way of the Lord 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.000 meant that John 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.340 simply just stood there 00:28:06.340 --> 00:28:07.059 in front of people 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.660 and he pointed, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.039 right? 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.640 He would just point 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:12.860 to Jesus. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.720 And the main thing 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.380 John would say 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:15.819 is he'd say, 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.420 behold, 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.240 the Lamb of God 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.880 who takes away 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.580 the sin of the world. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.400 John would just stand 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.020 there and he'd point 00:28:24.020 --> 00:28:24.480 and he'd say, 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.340 this is the one. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.900 This is the one 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:28.140 that God has sent 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.260 to bear our sins 00:28:29.260 --> 00:28:30.060 and our punishment 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:30.880 in himself 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.100 on his cross. 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.880 This is the one. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.820 He's the only one. 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.260 The only means 00:28:35.260 --> 00:28:37.360 by which God's tender mercy 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:38.420 can flow into our lives. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.160 The only means 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.840 by which God's forgiveness 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:42.660 can come to us 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:44.640 in a life-transforming way. 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.900 And what's the whole point 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.260 of being redeemed, 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.060 being saved, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.259 being rescued, 00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:51.559 being forgiven by him, 00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:53.079 Zechariah sums it up 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.779 in verse 74. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.559 He says he's going to 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.440 rescue us from the hand 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:55.980 of our enemies 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.359 to enable us 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.859 to serve him without fear 00:28:58.859 --> 00:29:00.659 in holiness and righteousness 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:03.139 before him all our days. 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:04.679 And that's what 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:05.539 John the Baptist 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.019 was preparing people for. 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.079 Right? 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.799 He said this is the whole point 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.759 that God desires 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.879 for all the people 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:13.480 that he's made 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.240 in his image 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.419 to rediscover 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:15.919 the meaning 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.700 of their existence. 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:19.220 He wants all people 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.559 everywhere 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.299 to rediscover 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.019 the purpose 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.420 of their lives 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.860 which is 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.019 that they might become 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.660 his fearless servants again. 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:28.080 That people everywhere 00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:28.840 might become 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:30.299 his holy servants again. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.519 That people might become 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.799 the righteous servants 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.140 of God. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.700 That is what 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.500 John the Baptist 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.860 is preparing 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:38.120 men and women 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:39.500 and children for. 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.240 And that, 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.720 frankly, 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.640 is what the church 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.080 is here 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:44.539 to prepare people for. 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.379 That's what 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.399 we're all 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.000 to be preparing 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.720 people for. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.460 See, 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.039 John the Baptist 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.819 had a unique 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:52.359 historical role 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:54.680 as the forerunner 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.500 and the preparer 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.319 of the Messiah. 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.740 And yet it's true, 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.119 isn't it, 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:00.920 that all Christians 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.119 have a responsibility, 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:02.759 all Christians 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.539 have a privilege 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:03.899 to, 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.539 as it says about John, 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.799 go on before the Lord 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.819 to prepare the way 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.680 for him. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.819 And that means 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.299 that we, 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.139 all of us, 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:13.819 would share our lives 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.159 and we would share 00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:15.679 our faith 00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:16.460 with our family, 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.379 our friends, 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.939 our neighbors, 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.659 our coworkers. 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.519 That we would just 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.559 stand there like John 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:23.000 and do this. 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.579 And that we would 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.439 just bear witness 00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.579 to Jesus 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.419 and we would introduce 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.419 other people 00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:30.200 that God is preparing 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.939 for himself 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:32.099 to Jesus. 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:35.039 And why do we do this? 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.079 Why does the church, 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.539 why does a healthy church, 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.419 a living church 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:41.740 engage in this project? 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:44.380 Why are we praying 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.099 for people 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:47.160 who don't know the Lord 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.400 that they might be curious 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.000 about the Lord? 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.819 Why are we praying 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.819 right now as a church 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:52.519 that our friends 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.599 would open their minds 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.180 and their hearts 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.960 to just explore faith 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.099 for maybe the first time 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.740 or the first time 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.380 in a long time? 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:01.579 Why do we go before 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.000 the Lord 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.620 to prepare the way 00:31:03.620 --> 00:31:04.019 for him 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.880 by inviting people 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:05.339 to just come 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.019 and share a meal 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.559 at our table? 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.720 Why are we 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:10.960 sharing our lives 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.799 with people? 00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:12.779 Why are we engaging 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.220 with them 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.839 in simple 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.039 and serious 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.279 and spiritual conversations? 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:16.919 Why are we putting 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:17.779 so much energy 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.539 and time 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.399 and effort 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:21.619 into our Alpha course 00:31:21.619 --> 00:31:22.480 starting this spring? 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.079 Well it's right there 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.839 at the very end 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.759 of Zechariah's song 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.679 in verse 77. 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.379 The reason 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.460 we're preparing people 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.079 for the coming 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.539 of the Lord 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.299 into their lives 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.720 is that 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:35.819 we want them 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.460 to experience 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.440 what we've experienced. 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.559 We want them 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.000 to know 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.299 the joy 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.100 of what it's like 00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:43.160 to have their sins 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.720 being forgiven. 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.559 We want them 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:46.839 to know 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.360 the joy 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:48.019 of what it's like 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.240 for their darkness 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.880 to turn into light. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.559 We want them 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:52.940 to know 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.700 the joy 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.500 of being released 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.180 from the fear 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.680 of death 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:57.579 and having a sense 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.579 of victory over death. 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.039 We want them 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.620 to know 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:01.440 what it means 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.819 to have feet 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.299 that are led 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:03.879 into peace 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.559 with God. 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.779 Not a conflicted 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.159 relationship 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.559 with God 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.419 but peace 00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:08.059 and reconciliation 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.819 with God. 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.339 Peace 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.799 and reconciliation 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.639 with other people. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.500 That's what we want 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.379 people to know 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.139 that ultimately 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:16.339 they would come 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.019 to experience 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.680 the freedom 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:19.119 and the joy 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.139 that we've experienced 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:21.419 that they would 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:22.619 serve the Lord 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:24.099 without any more 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:25.159 fear in their lives. 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:26.559 That they would 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.359 serve the Lord 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.500 in holiness 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.319 before God 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:29.960 and righteousness 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.819 before God 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.980 all their days. 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.200 That is the task 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.940 and the mission 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.039 of the church 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.620 collectively 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.700 that is the task 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.819 and the mission 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:40.380 of every Christian 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.480 individually 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:43.500 is to go 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.120 before the Lord 00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:45.160 to prepare people 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.720 for his coming 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.360 into their lives. 00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:50.279 And my friends 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.720 the question 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.420 for us today 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:51.759 is 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:54.080 do you accept 00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:54.539 the mission? 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.240 The mission 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.120 should you choose 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:58.960 to receive it 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.720 is to go 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.420 before the Lord 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.400 to prepare people 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.279 for his coming 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.720 into their lives. 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.960 And so this Christmas 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.680 will we pray? 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.720 Will we plan? 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:11.440 Will we make invitations? 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.319 Will we engage 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.140 in conversations 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.059 in such a way 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:16.000 that at least one person 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.440 that God 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.559 has put into our lives 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:19.740 might be made ready? 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.860 Might be prepared 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:23.100 for the coming 00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:23.640 of the Lord 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:25.259 into their lives? 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:27.720 May it be so 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.700 in the name 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.099 of the Father, 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:29.379 Son, 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.099 and Holy Spirit. 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.859 Amen. 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:30.919 Amen.