WEBVTT

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 We are beginning in Luke, and so we will be starting a new book of the Bible.

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 So if you guys can turn to Luke chapter 1.

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 If you have a blue Bible, it's on page 855, and there are blue Bibles in the middle area right here for you to use.

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 Page 855 in the blue Bible, Luke chapter 1.

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 We're going to read verses 1 through 38.

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 If you don't own a Bible, we do have some white ones at the middle tables as well for you to take home with you.

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 Luke chapter 1.

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 In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,

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 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us.

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 It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past,

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 to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

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 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah,

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 and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

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 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord.

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 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

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 Now while he was serving as priest before God, when his division was on duty,

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 according to the custom of the priesthood,

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 he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

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 And a whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

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 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

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 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

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 But the angel said,

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 Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard,

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 and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

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 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

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 For he will be great before the Lord, and he must not drink wine or strong drink,

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 and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

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 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

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 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

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 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,

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 and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,

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 to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

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 And Zechariah said to the angel,

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 How shall I know this?

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 For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.

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 And the angel answered him,

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 I am Gabriel.

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 I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you,

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 and to bring you this good news.

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 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place,

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 because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.

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 And the people were waiting for Zechariah,

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 and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.

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 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

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 and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple.

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 And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.

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 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

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 After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived,

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 And for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,

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 Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me,

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 to take away my reproach among people.

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 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

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 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David,

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 and the virgin's name was Mary.

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 And he came to her and said,

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 Greetings, O favored one.

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 The Lord is with you.

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 But she was greatly troubled at the saying,

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 and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

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 And the angel said to her,

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 Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

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 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

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 and you shall call his name Jesus.

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 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

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 And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

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 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

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 and of his kingdom there will be no end.

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 And Mary said to the angel,

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 How will this be, since I am a virgin?

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 And the angel answered her,

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 The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

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 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

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 Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.

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 And behold, your relative Elizabeth, in her old age, has also conceived a son.

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 And this is the sixth month with her who is called barren.

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 For nothing will be impossible with God.

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 And Mary said,

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 Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.

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 Let it be to me according to your word.

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 And the angel departed from her.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Good morning.

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 My name is Sean,

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 and I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church,

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 if you're visiting here for the first time.

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 And we just concluded a 21-week series through the book of Jeremiah.

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 And by word count,

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 Jeremiah is actually the longest book in the Bible.

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 So if you've been with us for the whole series,

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 you should feel pretty accomplished.

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 And the book of Jeremiah concluded with the fulfillment of God's judgments

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 and a reminder of God's promises of restoration of the kingdom of God

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 through the Messiah,

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 who would come from David's line.

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 And that brings us to today,

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 the second week of Advent.

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 Looking forward to celebrating the life,

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 death,

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 the birth,

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 life,

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 and the death,

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 and the resurrection of our Savior King.

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 And that's what the book of Luke deals with.

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 And at the beginning of each sermon series,

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 I introduce the book

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 to kind of as an orientation toward the series.

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 And Luke 1,

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 chapter 1,

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 verses 1 to 4,

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 is a great introduction for that.

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 Please read with me.

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 It begins,

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 Inasmuch as many have undertaken

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 to compile a narrative of the things

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 that have been accomplished among us,

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 just as those who,

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 from the beginning,

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 were eyewitnesses

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 and ministers of the word

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 have delivered them to us,

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 it seemed good to me also,

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 having followed all things closely

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 for some time past,

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 to write an orderly account for you,

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 most excellent Theophilus,

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 that you may have certainty

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 concerning the things you have been taught.

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 Now,

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 this tells us several important things about the book.

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 First,

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 the author takes care to note

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 that the Gospel of Luke

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 is not a novel undertaking.

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 Many have undertaken

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 to compile a narrative

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 of the things that have happened already.

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 So Luke is not innovating.

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 He's building on the foundation

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 that others have laid.

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 And this is also not fiction.

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 It's an account,

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 it says,

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 of the things

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 that have been accomplished among us.

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 And that's significant

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 because these things

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 were not accomplished in secret.

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 Many founders of religions

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 have claimed

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 a private divine encounter

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 that no one can independently verify.

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 But Jesus,

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 the things that were accomplished

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 by Jesus

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 were accomplished among us

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 in public

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 for all to see and judge.

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 And then it says,

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 those who from the beginning

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 were eyewitnesses

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 and ministers of the Word

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 have delivered them to us.

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 Now,

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 deliver is a technical word

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 that conveys

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 the official transmission

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 of the authoritative

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 apostolic Gospel.

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 So the first eyewitnesses

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 and some of them

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 who became the ministers of the Word

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 handed down the Gospel

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 to the next generation.

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 And the author of this book

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 is a recipient.

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 He's part of that second generation

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 because he says,

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 those who from the beginning

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 were eyewitnesses

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 and ministers of the Word

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 have delivered them to us.

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 So Luke is part

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 of that second generation.

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 We know that Luke

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 is the author

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 because of the unanimous testimony

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 of the church fathers

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 from as early as

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 second century A.D.

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 and he was a companion

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 of the Apostle Paul

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 as we know from Paul's letters.

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 In fact,

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 a third century Greek historian

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 Eusebius reports

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 that the Apostle Paul

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 sometimes quoted

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 from the Gospel of Luke

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 saying,

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 according to my Gospel.

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 So Paul's authoritative

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 apostolic witness

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 is behind the Gospel of Luke.

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 It's because he was the source

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 really for much of Luke's writing.

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 And having received

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 the apostolic transmission,

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 Luke says,

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 it seems good to me also

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 having followed all things

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 closely for some time past

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 to write an orderly account

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 for you.

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 He has followed all things

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 related to the Christian movement,

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 not just some things,

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 and he has followed them closely

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 or carefully,

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 not haphazardly or casually,

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 and he has done this

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 for some time past.

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 So literally the phrase

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 means from above

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 or from the top.

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 So for example,

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 when we say,

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 hey,

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 like the music ministry team

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 is practicing here

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 and say,

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 hey,

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 let's take it from the top.

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 That means let's start over

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 from the top, right?

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 So from the beginning.

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 So it means to start over.

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 Luke has gone back

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 to the very beginning,

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 origin of Christianity,

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 and he's investigated

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 the matter carefully,

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 and he is now writing

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 an orderly account,

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 an organized,

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 systematic treatment

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 of the person

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 and work of Jesus Christ

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 for the benefit

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 of his readers.

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 And this book

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 has a recipient.

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 Verse 3 says,

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 This is like a dedication page

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 in a book.

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 The fact that it's dedicated

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 to Theophilus

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 who may have been

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 the patron

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 who funded this project.

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 We don't know that for sure.

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 But the fact that it's dedicated

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 to him doesn't mean

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 that it's not written

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 for anyone else.

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 It's written for all of us.

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 As 4th century pastor Ambrose

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 put it cleverly,

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 because the name Theophilus

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 means lover of God.

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 He said,

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 If you love God,

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 it was written to you.

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 So you should receive it

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 as God's word

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 written for you.

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 And Theophilus needed

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 to grow in certainty

00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.220
 regarding these matters,

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 Luke writes.

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 That's why he wrote this.

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 So if you are someone

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 who is uncertain

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 or seeking,

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 searching the truth as well,

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 then this book

00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:16.340
 is a great place for you.

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 And I hope you stay with us

00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.120
 for the whole series.

00:10:19.820 --> 00:10:21.139
 The book of Acts

00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:22.120
 is the sequel

00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.460
 to the Gospel of Luke,

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 even though they're separated

00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.580
 in our New Testaments.

00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:27.120
 We know that

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 because Acts 1.1

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 begins this way.

00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.019
 In the first book,

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 O Theophilus,

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 I have dealt with

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 all that Jesus began

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 to do and teach.

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 So the main theme

00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:41.200
 of Luke Acts,

00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.160
 it's a series,

00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:43.860
 is that God fulfilled

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 his salvation promises

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 to Israel

00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:46.900
 by creating a body

00:10:46.900 --> 00:10:47.259
 of believers

00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.360
 from both Jews

00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.100
 and Gentiles.

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.160
 The entire Gospel of Luke

00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:51.860
 is a movement

00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.379
 toward Jerusalem,

00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.960
 where Jesus dies

00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:55.639
 and is raised

00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.139
 from the dead

00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.560
 for our sins.

00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:59.580
 And the entire book

00:10:59.580 --> 00:10:59.960
 of Acts

00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:00.460
 is a movement

00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.879
 away from Jerusalem

00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.120
 with the apostles,

00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:04.100
 the followers of Christ,

00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:04.860
 taking the Gospel

00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.700
 from Jerusalem

00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:06.920
 to all Judea and Samaria

00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:07.440
 and to the ends

00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:07.980
 of the earth.

00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:10.500
 And the Gospel of Luke

00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.780
 follows a similar

00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:12.860
 Gospel outline

00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.639
 with the birth

00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.320
 and preparation

00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.600
 for Jesus' ministry,

00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.040
 the ministry in Galilee,

00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.120
 the journey to Jerusalem,

00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.320
 and then the suffering

00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:19.980
 and resurrection.

00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.960
 It will take us

00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.019
 about 29 weeks

00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.460
 to get through

00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.259
 the Gospel of Luke,

00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.340
 which will bring us

00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:25.860
 to the beginning

00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:26.440
 of summer.

00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.600
 And it has been

00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.440
 two years now

00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.240
 since we were last

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.460
 in one of the four Gospels.

00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.659
 And I'm eager

00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.480
 to get back

00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.840
 to a Gospel

00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:37.320
 because the Gospel

00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:38.460
 of Jesus,

00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:40.120
 it's about Jesus, right?

00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:40.539
 Of course,

00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.820
 the whole Bible

00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:42.519
 is about Jesus.

00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.879
 And we learn about him

00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.300
 and the things

00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:44.860
 that he did

00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.779
 and the significance

00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:46.580
 of all those things

00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.259
 for our lives.

00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.580
 But in the Gospels,

00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.240
 we encounter

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:49.939
 the person

00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.120
 of Jesus himself,

00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:51.840
 his life,

00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:53.159
 the things he said,

00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.980
 how he interacted

00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.500
 with people.

00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:55.939
 And I think

00:11:55.939 --> 00:12:00.860
 as early 17th century writer

00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:02.439
 or 19th century pastor

00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:04.080
 J.C. Ryle said

00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:05.659
 that he who wants

00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.379
 to be conformed

00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.200
 to Christ's image

00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.439
 and become Christ-like

00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:10.039
 should acquaint themselves

00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:11.460
 with the life of Christ.

00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:14.500
 This should be precious

00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:14.939
 to us,

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.879
 everything that we find

00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.500
 about Christ

00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.460
 in this book.

00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.899
 Today's particular passage

00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.860
 teaches us

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.879
 that we should be,

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.419
 we should believe

00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:23.919
 the word

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:25.299
 that God has graciously

00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.700
 sent Jesus

00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:28.500
 as the messianic king.

00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:29.500
 That's the main point

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.620
 of this passage.

00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.480
 And first,

00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.299
 we see the promise

00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.860
 of a prophet

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:34.000
 and then we see

00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:34.639
 the promise

00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.340
 of the king

00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:38.639
 in verses 26 to 38.

00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:41.200
 Verse 5 gives us

00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.440
 the historical backdrop.

00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:43.320
 So read with me.

00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.539
 It says,

00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:44.919
 In the days of Herod,

00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:45.860
 king of Judea,

00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.159
 there was a priest

00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:48.179
 named Zechariah

00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:48.939
 of the division

00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:49.719
 of Abijah

00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:51.139
 and he had a wife

00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:51.779
 from the daughters

00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.279
 of Aaron

00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:52.959
 and her name

00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:53.819
 was Elizabeth.

00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.259
 So Herod,

00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:55.839
 here called

00:12:55.839 --> 00:12:56.919
 the king of Judea,

00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.199
 is what history

00:12:58.199 --> 00:12:59.599
 calls Herod the Great.

00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.719
 He was appointed

00:13:00.719 --> 00:13:01.719
 to rule over Judea

00:13:01.719 --> 00:13:02.659
 by Mark Antony,

00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.099
 the general

00:13:03.099 --> 00:13:03.919
 of Julius Caesar.

00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:04.839
 Now,

00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:05.679
 Herod reigned

00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:07.539
 from 37 to 4 BC

00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.939
 and he was the one

00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:09.419
 who kind of

00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:10.199
 styled himself

00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:11.339
 as this messianic

00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.539
 Davidic king.

00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.299
 And so he engaged

00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:15.559
 in massive building projects

00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:17.799
 including expanding

00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.319
 the temple of God

00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:21.199
 and for this reason

00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.240
 because of how

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.199
 he saw himself

00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:24.519
 when he heard

00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.099
 that a baby

00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:25.899
 named Jesus

00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:27.480
 whom some claimed

00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.439
 were the promised

00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:29.500
 Messiah was born,

00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:31.000
 he ordered the massacre

00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.699
 of the innocents

00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:33.120
 killing all newborn

00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.899
 male babies

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.019
 two years or younger

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.360
 from that region

00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.139
 as Matthew 2

00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.659
 talks about.

00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.279
 So he is not so great

00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:39.819
 after all.

00:13:40.459 --> 00:13:41.199
 And during the reign

00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:41.819
 of this Herod,

00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.500
 he says there was

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.180
 a priest named

00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.020
 Zechariah of the

00:13:44.020 --> 00:13:45.420
 division of Bija

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:47.240
 and so Zechariah

00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:47.920
 was a priest

00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:49.280
 but not only

00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:50.040
 was Zechariah

00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:50.420
 a priest,

00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:51.300
 verse 5 tells us

00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:52.020
 also that he had

00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:53.160
 a wife from

00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:53.660
 the daughters

00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:54.240
 of Aaron

00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.040
 and her name

00:13:56.040 --> 00:13:56.860
 was Elizabeth.

00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.920
 Aaron and his

00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.780
 descendants were

00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:00.820
 set apart for the

00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.820
 priesthood in Exodus

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.300
 28 and the rest

00:14:03.300 --> 00:14:03.860
 of the members

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:06.100
 of the Levitical tribe,

00:14:06.520 --> 00:14:07.420
 the Levites,

00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.780
 became assistants

00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.399
 in the temple.

00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.579
 And because of this,

00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.299
 there was provisions

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.079
 for a priest

00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:15.339
 to not marry,

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.819
 commands not to marry

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.860
 a prostitute or woman

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.939
 who has been defiled

00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:20.439
 and it was considered

00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.539
 particularly good

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.299
 for them to marry

00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.299
 their own people

00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:26.279
 among the priestly tribe,

00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.000
 the Levites.

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.720
 In chapter,

00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.559
 Leviticus 21,

00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.659
 14 talks about that.

00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:31.139
 So the fact that

00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.759
 Zechariah,

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.419
 a priest,

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.860
 is married to Elizabeth,

00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.159
 a woman of priestly,

00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:36.500
 Aaronic ancestry,

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.100
 is a sign of special

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:39.600
 privilege and piety.

00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:41.039
 So in other words,

00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.259
 this is an exceptionally

00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.899
 good pedigree.

00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.759
 If any good

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.519
 is going to come,

00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.659
 if anyone great

00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.299
 spiritually,

00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.360
 of great spiritual

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.059
 stature is going to come,

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.799
 it's going to come

00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.379
 from this family.

00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.019
 That's kind of what

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.960
 this is laying down

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.240
 for you.

00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.360
 This is a family tree

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.240
 worth bragging about

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.539
 in short.

00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:56.960
 And not only were

00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.779
 Zechariah and Elizabeth

00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:59.019
 a priestly lineage,

00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.840
 they carried on

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.139
 a great spiritual legacy.

00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.519
 Verse 6 tells us

00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.259
 that they were both

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.539
 righteous before God,

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.379
 walking blamelessly

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.480
 in all the commandments

00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.360
 and the statutes

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.840
 of the Lord.

00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.460
 So not only were they

00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.840
 well-bred,

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:15.080
 they were well-raised

00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.580
 and grown,

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.980
 and they were righteous.

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.100
 Not in the legal,

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.840
 technical sense

00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.759
 that they're blameless

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.980
 entirely before God,

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.799
 or perfect before God,

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.580
 but that they

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.779
 walked with Him

00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.200
 and were faithful to Him

00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.980
 to the degree

00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.740
 that any sinful

00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.559
 human being can.

00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:30.379
 So they lived

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.179
 moral lives.

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.580
 And so they are

00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:34.000
 a spiritually exemplary

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.379
 couple,

00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.740
 but they lacked

00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.120
 one thing.

00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.480
 Verse 7 says,

00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.919
 But they had no child,

00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.259
 because Elizabeth

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.019
 was barren,

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.620
 and both were advanced

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.259
 in years.

00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.840
 So the word but

00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.399
 kind of signals

00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:51.580
 that contrasting,

00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.480
 those two contrasting

00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:52.860
 realities.

00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:53.860
 Because throughout

00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.539
 the Old Testament,

00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.360
 motherhood is viewed

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.419
 frequently as a,

00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.539
 actually,

00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.000
 motherhood is seen

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.059
 as a crowning joy

00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.940
 and achievement

00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.300
 of a woman's life.

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.480
 And for that reason,

00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.860
 infertility was viewed

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.000
 frequently as a sign

00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.580
 of divine disfavor.

00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.580
 And childless married

00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.460
 women were viewed

00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.240
 with contempt.

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.560
 But,

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.300
 this wasn't the case

00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:16.180
 with Zechariah and Elizabeth.

00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:16.820
 Well,

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.760
 they did receive contempt,

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.800
 but they weren't

00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.760
 cursed by God,

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.440
 because it says

00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.040
 they were righteous

00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.660
 before Him.

00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.020
 Elizabeth's barrenness

00:16:24.020 --> 00:16:24.740
 was not a sign

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.520
 of God's judgment.

00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.400
 And this unfortunate

00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.940
 situation is intended

00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:29.480
 at this point

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.279
 to remind us

00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.700
 of many great

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.800
 Old Testament saints

00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:34.340
 who had experienced

00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.820
 prolonged infertility,

00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:37.279
 but God intervened

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.120
 in a dramatic way

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.000
 to give them children.

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.899
 We can name several

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.899
 off the top of our heads.

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:41.980
 Like Isaac,

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.460
 for example,

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.340
 from Abram and Sarah.

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.259
 Samson,

00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.460
 from Manoah

00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.440
 and his wife,

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.759
 in Judges 13.

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.639
 And then Samuel,

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.560
 the great prophet

00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.340
 and the last judge

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.820
 of Israel,

00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.580
 born to Hannah,

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:53.120
 who had no children.

00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.399
 And,

00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.300
 and,

00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.759
 and Isaac's comparison

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.740
 is particularly relevant

00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.720
 because it says

00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.759
 that Abraham and Sarah,

00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.620
 when they had Isaac,

00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:02.960
 were old and advanced

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.419
 in years,

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.579
 exactly the same way

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.940
 that Elizabeth

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.900
 and Zechariah

00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.839
 are described here.

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.680
 So this current account

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.700
 fits the pattern

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.740
 of how God has intervened

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.799
 at critical junctures

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.680
 in human history

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.259
 to,

00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:17.200
 so it kind of builds up

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.200
 the expectation

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.900
 as we're reading

00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.819
 this gospel.

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.140
 It's God's preparing

00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.279
 something great

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:24.160
 through this infertile couple.

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.099
 Verses 8 to 9

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.960
 continue the story.

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.920
 Now,

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.559
 while he,

00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.240
 Zechariah,

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.900
 was serving

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.120
 as priest before God

00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.960
 when his division

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.740
 was on duty,

00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:33.980
 according to the custom

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.799
 of the priesthood,

00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.059
 he was chosen by lot

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.200
 to enter the temple

00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.680
 of the Lord

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.700
 and burn incense.

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.279
 Israel's priesthood

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.759
 was divided

00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:42.100
 into 24 divisions

00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:43.120
 in the first century

00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:44.440
 and priests

00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.480
 from each division

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.720
 were expected

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.200
 to serve

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.920
 two one-week periods

00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.460
 per year

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.440
 at the temple

00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.860
 and the custom

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.420
 was to choose by lot

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.319
 which one of those

00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.039
 many priests

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.380
 would actually enter

00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.160
 the temple of the Lord

00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:57.920
 and burn incense.

00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:00.060
 So this was a special honor

00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:01.600
 that a priest would receive

00:18:01.600 --> 00:18:02.600
 at most once

00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:03.220
 in his life

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.620
 and Zechariah is here

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.100
 performing the greatest

00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:07.560
 really act

00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.200
 of his priestly ministry,

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.220
 greatest act of service

00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.020
 that he can render

00:18:11.020 --> 00:18:11.960
 to God as a priest.

00:18:13.020 --> 00:18:14.320
 And then verses 10 to 17

00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:15.240
 tell us what happened

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.320
 during this momentous occasion.

00:18:17.820 --> 00:18:18.560
 As the people

00:18:18.560 --> 00:18:19.420
 are waiting outside

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:19.920
 praying,

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.180
 Zechariah is offering

00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:21.580
 the incense

00:18:21.580 --> 00:18:22.440
 and Angela the Lord

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.600
 appears on the right side

00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.600
 of the altar of incense

00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.879
 and that understandably

00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:27.639
 fills Zechariah with fear

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.639
 it says he was troubled

00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:30.019
 which is a typical

00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.779
 human response

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.139
 to something

00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:32.199
 that we don't know,

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.279
 we're not familiar with

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:35.219
 and that's the typical

00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:35.899
 response we see

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.579
 throughout the Bible

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.779
 when a divine being

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.819
 or an angelic being

00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.839
 appears.

00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:40.980
 But the angel

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.699
 reassures him

00:18:41.699 --> 00:18:42.439
 in verse 13,

00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.919
 do not be afraid

00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.639
 Zechariah

00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:46.119
 for your prayer

00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.939
 has been answered

00:18:46.939 --> 00:18:48.179
 for your prayer

00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:48.839
 has been heard

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.259
 and your wife Elizabeth

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.579
 will bear you a son

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.619
 and you shall call

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.639
 his name John.

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.180
 Zechariah,

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.480
 like the crowd

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.360
 waiting outside the temple

00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.440
 was probably praying

00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.580
 on behalf of his nation

00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:00.800
 as he was offering

00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:01.980
 incense on their behalf

00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.140
 but this is not

00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.080
 the only prayer

00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.400
 that has been heard.

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.200
 Zechariah and Elizabeth's

00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.320
 personal prayers

00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:09.400
 for a child

00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.340
 over the years

00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:12.100
 have also been heard

00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.880
 in this answer

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.800
 that God brings

00:19:13.800 --> 00:19:14.660
 through his angel

00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.120
 Gabriel.

00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:15.840
 So Elizabeth

00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:17.400
 will bear a son

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.560
 whose name shall be

00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:19.020
 John

00:19:19.020 --> 00:19:19.580
 which means

00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:20.820
 the Lord has been

00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:21.560
 gracious.

00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:23.619
 And it says

00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.399
 in verse 14

00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.039
 and you will have

00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.619
 joy and gladness

00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.980
 and many will rejoice

00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.599
 at his birth

00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:30.059
 for he will be great

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.859
 before the Lord.

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.619
 Not only will John

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.519
 bring joy

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.319
 to Zechariah

00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.539
 many will rejoice

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.039
 at his birth

00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.419
 because

00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:38.359
 for he will be

00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:38.899
 great

00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.440
 before the Lord.

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.919
 Later in chapter 7

00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.539
 verse 28

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.299
 Jesus says

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.359
 in fact that John

00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.119
 is

00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:48.799
 very great

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.019
 he says

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.959
 among those born

00:19:49.959 --> 00:19:50.399
 of women

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:50.799
 he says

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.159
 none is greater

00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:52.779
 than John.

00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.159
 But note well

00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:56.039
 that this is a greatness

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.979
 before the Lord

00:19:56.979 --> 00:19:58.819
 not before men.

00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.339
 John is definitely

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.419
 not great

00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.559
 by worldly standards.

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.939
 He was imprisoned

00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:05.839
 and decapitated

00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.179
 and yet

00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:08.819
 before the Lord

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.859
 he was great.

00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:12.899
 and that's the greatness

00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.839
 that truly counts

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.719
 that we should seek.

00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.199
 And how is John

00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:17.099
 great before the Lord?

00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.359
 John is set apart

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.039
 for a special

00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.919
 God-given mission

00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:21.000
 and for that reason

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.679
 verse 15

00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.500
 says that he must not

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.419
 drink wine

00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.240
 or strong drink

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.939
 and he will be filled

00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.839
 with the Holy Spirit

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.619
 even from his mother's womb.

00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.379
 In the Old Testament

00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.199
 Nazarites

00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.339
 people who had taken

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.559
 a special vow

00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.219
 of service to God

00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:33.679
 were commanded

00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:34.500
 to abstain

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.519
 from drinking

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.119
 for their entire lives.

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.399
 And much like

00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.219
 Prophet Samuel

00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:39.819
 who was dedicated

00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.459
 by his mother

00:20:40.459 --> 00:20:41.119
 in this way

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:42.359
 John will have

00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.259
 a special commission

00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.959
 from the Lord

00:20:43.959 --> 00:20:45.199
 and he will be filled

00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:45.979
 with the Holy Spirit

00:20:45.979 --> 00:20:47.559
 even from his mother's womb.

00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.919
 So this shows that

00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.559
 John is kind of

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.599
 a transitional figure.

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.719
 In the Old Testament

00:20:51.719 --> 00:20:52.299
 people

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.579
 the great people of God

00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.139
 prophets

00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.659
 the priests

00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:55.159
 and the kings

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.099
 were filled by

00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.419
 the Spirit of God

00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:58.519
 at particular moments

00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.879
 to do the great things

00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.719
 that God was calling them

00:21:00.719 --> 00:21:01.139
 to do.

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.039
 But they were not

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.799
 indwelled by the Spirit

00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.719
 of God permanently.

00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:05.079
 And here John

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.159
 seems to be filled

00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.879
 with the Spirit of God

00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.760
 from birth

00:21:07.760 --> 00:21:10.180
 in a more permanent way.

00:21:10.780 --> 00:21:11.400
 And that too

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.320
 will be superseded

00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.780
 by the Pentecost

00:21:13.780 --> 00:21:14.720
 when all believers

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.260
 are filled

00:21:15.260 --> 00:21:16.420
 by the Spirit of God.

00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.300
 And so this filling

00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:18.960
 of the Holy Spirit

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.660
 is necessary

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:21.140
 because of the divine

00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.320
 calling that John has

00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:22.860
 which is of

00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:24.220
 unprecedented importance.

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.580
 It says in verses

00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.700
 16 to 17

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.460
 And he will turn

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.300
 many of the children

00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:29.800
 of Israel

00:21:29.800 --> 00:21:30.880
 to the Lord their God

00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.760
 and he will go

00:21:31.760 --> 00:21:32.400
 before him

00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.920
 in the spirit

00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:34.020
 and power of Elijah

00:21:34.020 --> 00:21:35.640
 to turn the hearts

00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.380
 of their fathers

00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.180
 and to the children

00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.480
 and the disobedient

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.100
 to the wisdom

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.860
 of the just

00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.860
 to make ready

00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.580
 for the Lord

00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.840
 a people prepared.

00:21:43.780 --> 00:21:44.540
 John's mission

00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:46.220
 is to go before God

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.480
 in the spirit

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.680
 and power of Elijah

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:50.140
 to call the people

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.720
 of Israel

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.660
 to repentance

00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:53.060
 to make ready

00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.980
 for the messenger

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.360
 the Lord

00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.880
 to make ready

00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.320
 for the Lord

00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.160
 a people prepared.

00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.060
 This is a fulfillment

00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:00.660
 of Malachi

00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.920
 chapter 3 verse 1

00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.700
 which said

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.360
 that a prophet

00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:05.000
 like Elijah

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.940
 would come

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.480
 to prepare

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.840
 the way

00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.460
 before God.

00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.120
 He's the one

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:11.019
 who goes before God

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.440
 in the spirit

00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.320
 and power of Elijah.

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.000
 So the Lord

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.380
 is coming

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.300
 to save Israel

00:22:14.300 --> 00:22:15.460
 and John's mission

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.660
 is to go before him

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.519
 to prepare

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.460
 the people of God

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.440
 like a servant

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.860
 that goes before the king

00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:23.140
 to lay down

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.680
 the red carpet

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.180
 so to speak

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.080
 to announce his coming

00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.800
 to make way

00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:26.539
 for the king.

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:28.639
 And it's because

00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.420
 of this

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:31.139
 that not just

00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.839
 Zechariah

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.599
 and Elizabeth

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.359
 will rejoice

00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.779
 but many will rejoice

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.680
 because John

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:37.099
 because of what he represents

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.240
 he's the forerunner

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:40.019
 to the Lord himself.

00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.879
 The words joy

00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.420
 and rejoice

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.399
 occur frequently

00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.099
 throughout the gospel

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.599
 of Luke

00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.680
 and they are

00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.759
 particularly associated

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.460
 with the joy

00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.200
 that's produced

00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:50.000
 by Jesus' mission

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.579
 of seeking

00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.680
 and saving the lost.

00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.960
 So that's what's

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.539
 going to happen

00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.539
 and John is the forerunner

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.740
 of that announcing

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.539
 that and preparing

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.019
 the people

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.859
 by bringing

00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.460
 reconciliation

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.180
 repentance

00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.399
 and reformation

00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.039
 among the people

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.440
 of God.

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.159
 But Zechariah

00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.819
 responds to the angel

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.039
 with skepticism

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.960
 in verse 18.

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.339
 How shall I

00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.720
 know this?

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.339
 For I'm an old man

00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:18.279
 and my wife

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.299
 is advanced in years.

00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.200
 Much like Abraham

00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.619
 and Sarah

00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.460
 who doubted

00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.240
 God's promise

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.680
 of a son

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.240
 because they were

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.980
 old and advanced

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.440
 in years

00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.360
 Zechariah

00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.500
 is doubtful

00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.580
 and he's asking

00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:29.539
 for a sign.

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.460
 He said

00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.380
 how shall I

00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.299
 know this?

00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.519
 What you're telling

00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.640
 me sounds really good

00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:38.059
 but let's be real here.

00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.140
 My wife and I

00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.720
 are well past

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.580
 childbearing age

00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.580
 so how can I

00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:43.240
 know for sure

00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.400
 that this

00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.460
 will indeed happen?

00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.320
 Give me some

00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.320
 kind of sign.

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.860
 So throughout

00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.519
 the gospels

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:51.360
 asking for a sign

00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.580
 is usually frowned upon.

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.140
 It's the same

00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.940
 in the gospel

00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.279
 of Luke

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.580
 as well.

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.180
 It's an evidence

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.100
 of unbelief.

00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:57.920
 And so the angel

00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.759
 kind of takes this

00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.259
 personally.

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.980
 He takes personal

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.600
 offense to this

00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:01.980
 question.

00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:03.080
 He answers in

00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.640
 verse 19

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:05.620
 I am Gabriel.

00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.820
 I stand in

00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:09.059
 the presence of God

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.860
 and I was sent

00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:11.680
 to speak to you

00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.759
 and to bring you

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.500
 this good news.

00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.279
 How can you know

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.820
 for sure?

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.440
 You have any idea

00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.100
 who I am?

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.660
 I am Gabriel

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.720
 an angel of God

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.680
 in fact

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.460
 I just came

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.040
 from the very

00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:24.759
 presence of God.

00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.779
 He was the one

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.300
 that told me

00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.019
 to tell you this

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.040
 God you know him

00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:29.060
 the creator

00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:30.100
 the one who made you

00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.480
 yes

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:33.860
 for this unbelief

00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.320
 the angel

00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:35.600
 rebukes Zechariah

00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.560
 and inflicts him

00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:37.240
 with the temporary

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.820
 judgment

00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.920
 that will be

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.740
 a sign to him

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.340
 that the word

00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:41.080
 will come true.

00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.480
 The angel says

00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.080
 in verse 20

00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:44.120
 and behold

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.340
 you will be silent

00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:46.340
 and unable to speak

00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:47.120
 until the day

00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.779
 that these things

00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.400
 take place

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.720
 because you did not

00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.759
 believe my words

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.040
 which will be fulfilled

00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.700
 in their time.

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.340
 God does grant

00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:55.360
 Zechariah a sign

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.340
 but it's a sign

00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:57.940
 that's also a judgment

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.360
 of his temporary

00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.360
 loss of speech

00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:02.200
 until John's birth.

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.800
 It seems likely

00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:05.080
 that he lost hearing

00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.920
 also because

00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:07.019
 people have to use

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.980
 a sign to communicate

00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.660
 to him

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.580
 in chapter 1

00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:10.240
 verse 62.

00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.080
 So the unbelieving

00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.740
 Zechariah

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.960
 becomes unhearing

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.019
 and unspeaking

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.140
 until the words

00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.480
 of God

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.140
 are fulfilled

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.900
 in their time.

00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.420
 The concept

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.240
 of fulfillment

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.700
 and the appointed time

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:23.180
 is significant

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.840
 throughout the gospel

00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.280
 of Luke.

00:25:24.540 --> 00:25:25.519
 They speak of the truth

00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.220
 that God

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.180
 in his sovereign

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.720
 perfect timing

00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.640
 fulfills

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:31.019
 all of his purposes.

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.100
 Even though

00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.220
 things might not happen

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.840
 on our timetable

00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:36.040
 God's timing

00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.060
 his appointed time

00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:37.660
 always

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.920
 is perfect

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.660
 it's fulfilled

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.900
 it will be fulfilled.

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.360
 So Zechariah

00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.000
 goes home

00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.880
 as a mute man

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.660
 after completing

00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.720
 his temple service

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.700
 and verses 24 to 25

00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.519
 tells what happened

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.940
 afterward.

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.900
 After these days

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.740
 his wife Elizabeth

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.440
 conceived

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.900
 and for five months

00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.620
 she kept herself

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.319
 hidden saying

00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.860
 thus the Lord

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.940
 has done for me

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.759
 in the days

00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.500
 when he looked

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.059
 on me

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.840
 to take away

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.640
 my reproach

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.279
 among people.

00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.500
 After becoming

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.080
 pregnant

00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.059
 Elizabeth keeps

00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.120
 herself hidden

00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.880
 for five months

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:11.299
 because she had

00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.340
 borne so much

00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:13.080
 reproach

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.500
 and scorned

00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.379
 from other people

00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:15.859
 due to her

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.539
 barrenness.

00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.619
 It's hard

00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.159
 to imagine

00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.559
 nowadays

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.460
 because people

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.779
 especially

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.359
 Massachusetts

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.960
 actually has

00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.839
 the people

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.740
 in Massachusetts

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.359
 have children

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:26.779
 the latest

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.259
 of all the

00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.039
 places in the country.

00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.139
 Childbearing

00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.799
 is not really

00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.779
 prioritized

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:34.000
 in this part

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.439
 of the country

00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:36.179
 and so it's hard

00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.899
 for us to imagine

00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:37.579
 but childbearing

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.559
 was such a significant

00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.039
 thing

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.720
 in this time

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.379
 ancient world.

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.680
 it was like I said

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.320
 the crowding

00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.740
 achievement

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.160
 of a woman's

00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.460
 life

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:47.020
 and so you

00:26:47.020 --> 00:26:47.600
 could imagine

00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.280
 the talk

00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:49.020
 and the reproach

00:26:49.020 --> 00:26:49.420
 that they

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.780
 bear from people

00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.320
 the neighbors

00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.600
 that woman

00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.820
 Elizabeth

00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:55.760
 she hasn't

00:26:55.760 --> 00:26:56.640
 given her

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.220
 husband

00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.040
 that godly

00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:59.000
 priest of a

00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.340
 husband

00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:00.840
 a child

00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:03.260
 she hasn't

00:27:03.260 --> 00:27:03.740
 given him

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:05.420
 a son

00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:07.480
 let alone

00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.140
 any children

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.680
 what a useless

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.120
 wife

00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:12.599
 Elizabeth

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:14.539
 she acts

00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.379
 all pious

00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:15.959
 and put

00:27:15.959 --> 00:27:16.259
 together

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.519
 on the

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:16.959
 outside

00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:18.319
 but she

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.679
 must be

00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:18.939
 hiding

00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.259
 something

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.639
 terrible

00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:19.939
 on the

00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.199
 inside

00:27:20.199 --> 00:27:20.699
 because

00:27:20.699 --> 00:27:21.439
 she's

00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.139
 infertile

00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:23.039
 she must

00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.639
 be cursed

00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.239
 by God

00:27:24.239 --> 00:27:26.719
 every

00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:27.319
 family

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.799
 gathering

00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.299
 when all

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.919
 the relatives

00:27:28.919 --> 00:27:29.559
 have gathered

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.939
 around

00:27:29.939 --> 00:27:30.339
 with their

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.799
 children

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.439
 and

00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.039
 grandchildren

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.679
 around the

00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:32.959
 table

00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:33.359
 there would

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:33.500
 be

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.059
 Zachariah

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.599
 and Elizabeth

00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.459
 alone

00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:36.919
 with some

00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.459
 chatty

00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.459
 relatives

00:27:38.459 --> 00:27:39.639
 giving unsolicited

00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.100
 advice

00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.420
 hey

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.800
 have you

00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.160
 have you

00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.600
 tried this

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.220
 herbal medicine

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.680
 you're not

00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.259
 trying hard

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.680
 enough

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.560
 have you

00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.300
 consulted a

00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:46.680
 fertility

00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.360
 specialist

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:49.700
 all that

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.480
 pent up

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.160
 sorrow

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.960
 shame

00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.700
 reproach

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:57.000
 gone

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.040
 as Elizabeth

00:27:58.040 --> 00:27:58.560
 says

00:27:58.560 --> 00:27:59.440
 thus

00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.480
 the lord

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.200
 has done

00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.840
 for me

00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.540
 in the

00:28:02.540 --> 00:28:03.140
 days when

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.720
 he looked

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.380
 on me

00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.100
 to take

00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:05.660
 away my

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.320
 reproach

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.759
 among

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.279
 people

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:09.399
 she

00:28:09.399 --> 00:28:09.919
 knows

00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.439
 the

00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:10.619
 people

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:10.839
 won't

00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.139
 believe

00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.379
 her

00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.460
 so

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:12.639
 she

00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:12.919
 waits

00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.099
 for

00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.379
 five

00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.679
 months

00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:13.879
 which

00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.019
 is

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.319
 about

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.000
 how

00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.259
 long

00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.399
 it

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.599
 takes

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:15.779
 for

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.039
 first

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.279
 time

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.579
 moms

00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:16.740
 to

00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.159
 develop

00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:17.379
 an

00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:18.319
 unmistakable

00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.639
 baby

00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:19.000
 bump

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:21.119
 this

00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.420
 account

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:21.920
 reveals

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.160
 the

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.519
 wonderful

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.940
 kindness

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.140
 of

00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:23.380
 god

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:23.720
 right

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.200
 here

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.359
 is

00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.680
 god

00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.140
 bringing

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.660
 the

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:25.900
 good

00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.220
 news

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.380
 of

00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:26.819
 salvation

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.140
 to

00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.319
 the

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.900
 nations

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.619
 he's

00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.500
 unfolding

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.900
 his

00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.500
 cosmic

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.279
 salvation

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.740
 plan

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.079
 that's

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.279
 been

00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.660
 in

00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.000
 the

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.380
 works

00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.579
 for

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:33.960
 thousands

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.160
 of

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.440
 years

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.880
 and

00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.180
 as

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.500
 he's

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:35.819
 doing

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.460
 that

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.859
 as

00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.000
 he's

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.339
 preparing

00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:37.819
 the way

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.079
 for the

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.599
 messianic

00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:38.940
 kingdom

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.539
 this

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.000
 high

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.200
 and

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.460
 mighty

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.980
 god

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.559
 looks

00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.000
 on

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.619
 lowly

00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.380
 Elizabeth

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:47.420
 he

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.779
 looks

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.339
 on her

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.559
 with

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.119
 kindness

00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:51.759
 it

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.119
 takes

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.339
 away

00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.500
 her

00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.099
 reproach

00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.980
 god's

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.159
 not

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.419
 too

00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:55.700
 busy

00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:55.960
 for

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.480
 us

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:59.419
 he's

00:28:59.419 --> 00:28:59.859
 intimately

00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.359
 involved

00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:00.539
 in

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:00.740
 your

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.179
 lives

00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.639
 and

00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:02.779
 he

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.159
 looks

00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.519
 on

00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:03.799
 you

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.099
 with

00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.700
 kindness

00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.279
 if

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.379
 you

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.679
 belong

00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:05.859
 to

00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.159
 him

00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:07.579
 god

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.159
 sees

00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.359
 you

00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:08.559
 when

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.659
 you

00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:08.799
 are

00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.200
 lonely

00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.519
 and

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.099
 isolated

00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.480
 god

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.200
 sees

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.819
 you

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:13.119
 when

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.359
 you

00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:13.599
 are

00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:13.919
 sleep

00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.200
 deprived

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.579
 from

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.000
 seemingly

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.419
 endless

00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:15.940
 studies

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.379
 god

00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.259
 sees

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.179
 you

00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.980
 when

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.140
 you're

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.660
 exhausted

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.440
 from

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.700
 taking

00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:20.960
 care

00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.100
 of

00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.440
 children

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:21.620
 when

00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:21.720
 you

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:21.880
 feel

00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.420
 sad

00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.600
 and

00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.060
 depressed

00:29:23.060 --> 00:29:23.420
 when

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.519
 you

00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:23.740
 feel

00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.340
 rejected

00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.880
 and

00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.420
 worthless

00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.920
 when

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.039
 you

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.200
 are

00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.759
 wronged

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:26.840
 and

00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:27.080
 taken

00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:27.660
 advantage

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.120
 of

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.600
 god

00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.100
 sees

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.279
 you

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.420
 in

00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:29.580
 all

00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:29.740
 those

00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.259
 situations

00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.339
 things

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.220
 he

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.579
 looks

00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:32.940
 on

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.240
 you

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:35.700
 so

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:35.900
 when

00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:36.000
 you

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.259
 cry

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.500
 out

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:36.619
 to

00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:36.759
 him

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:36.879
 you

00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.059
 can

00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.519
 know

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.859
 that

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:37.980
 he

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.400
 will

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.140
 hear

00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:39.660
 and

00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:40.359
 answer

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.119
 god

00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.680
 answers

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.319
 every

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.879
 single

00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.299
 prayer

00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.599
 that

00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:43.900
 his

00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.319
 people

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.660
 pray

00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:44.879
 to

00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.200
 him

00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.900
 he

00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.180
 may

00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.680
 say

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.220
 no

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.960
 and

00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.279
 redirect

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.640
 you

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:48.779
 to

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:48.920
 a

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.079
 better

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.420
 way

00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.680
 he

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:50.960
 may

00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.259
 say

00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.539
 not

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:51.839
 yet

00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.019
 and

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.299
 make

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.559
 you

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:52.960
 wait

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.180
 for

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.339
 the

00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:53.519
 word

00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:53.640
 of

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:53.759
 the

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.039
 lord

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.359
 to

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.519
 be

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.980
 fulfilled

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.379
 in

00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:55.640
 his

00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:56.039
 time

00:29:56.039 --> 00:30:06.859
 but you should never doubt that God hears and he cares that he's looking upon you as he did

00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:14.659
 for Elizabeth Elizabeth is proof of that reality so that's the promise of a king

00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:20.119
 now we see the promise of the king the promise of the prophet that was now we see the promise

00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:29.379
 of the king in verses 26 to 28 verses 26 to 27 tells the context it's in the sixth month of

00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:36.719
 Elizabeth's pregnancy so now the news is out and it says a city in the city of Galilee the angel sent

00:30:36.719 --> 00:30:42.419
 Zechariah to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph

00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:48.119
 of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary we learned two important details here about

00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:54.639
 Mary first she is a virgin so she is a desolate woman she is a chaste I mean she is a chaste woman

00:30:54.639 --> 00:31:02.719
 she hasn't been she hasn't known a man and second she is betrothed for Jews during this time the

00:31:02.719 --> 00:31:07.819
 marriage process had two stages the first stage was the betrothal an agreement to marry which was

00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:14.599
 formalized by the presence of witnesses and the exchange of the bride price after that first stage

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:20.419
 this engagement the woman was considered to legally belong to to her husband and they were called

00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:27.019
 husband and wife but it would be another year until their marriage would be consummated in a wedding

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:33.119
 ceremony and that would be the second stage of the marriage process and so before that though if you

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:39.299
 break off the engagement it was still considered the divorce which is why in Matthew 119 Joseph finds

00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:45.079
 that Mary's pregnant and considers quietly divorcing her so the betrothal the first stage of the marriage

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:51.720
 process that's where Joseph and Mary are currently but the wedding is still probably a ways off usually

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:56.799
 took about a year and we also learned something about Joseph in this verse it says that Joseph was of

00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:04.159
 the house of David since Jesus is born of the virgin Mary Jesus is technically not Joseph's biological son

00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:11.180
 but because of Mary's marriage to Joseph Jesus's lineage will be traced through Joseph and he will be

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:18.040
 counted as as belonging to the house of David he's a descendant of King David and the angel greets Mary

00:32:18.040 --> 00:32:25.880
 this way in verse 28 greetings oh favored one the Lord is with you the word favor is the same word

00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:33.660
 that's often translated in the New Testament as grace it refers to unmerited favor a favor shown to someone

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:40.120
 who does not deserve it this word is repeated again in verse 30 when the angel tells Mary that she has

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:46.220
 found favor with God and and the word greetings actually also looks and sounds very much like the

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:53.259
 word grace in Greek so there's this alliteration and repetition that really emphasizes this idea of grace

00:32:53.259 --> 00:33:00.620
 Gabriel's message to Zechariah earlier was an answer to his prayer but Gabriel's message to Mary comes

00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:08.559
 unsolicited it's an act of divine grace unmerited favor and verse 29 tells us that Mary was greatly

00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:14.619
 troubled at the same and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be what does it mean that I

00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:20.619
 found favor with God what does it mean that I have received his grace and the rest of the conversation

00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:28.939
 reveals the meaning of that verses 30 to 33 please follow along as I read 30 to 33 and the angel said to her

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:36.200
 do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God and behold you will conceive in your womb

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:43.980
 and bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus he will be great and will be called the son of the

00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:49.600
 most high and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house

00:33:49.600 --> 00:33:58.220
 of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end there are many intentional parallels between the

00:33:58.220 --> 00:34:04.620
 two birth announcements in this chapter so in both cases right it was Gabriel that came from God in

00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:11.260
 both instances with Zechariah and Mary were troubled uh it says and filled with fear then Gabriel assures

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:16.740
 them both and tells them do not be afraid and then he gives he gives a reason why they should not fear

00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:22.039
 and then the births then are promised and Gabriel tells them what the names of the baby will be

00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:27.199
 and Gabriel also says that both of them will be great and explains their significance so very similar

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:33.439
 accounts of the birth and because of this intentional parallelism the differences between the two

00:34:33.439 --> 00:34:39.859
 strike us even more and it's intended to because if you compare them side by side there's some notable

00:34:39.859 --> 00:34:46.480
 differences Luke is highlighting by doing this the superiority of Jesus to John the announcement of

00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:53.599
 John's birth was amazing but the announcement of Jesus's birth is even more amazing when Zechariah first

00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:59.099
 encounter the angel he was troubled but after hearing the angelic greeting it says Mary was greatly troubled

00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:06.599
 John was born of a barren woman Jesus is born of a virgin woman John's name means Lord is gracious

00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:13.880
 Jesus's name means the Lord saves John's described in verse 15 as great before the Lord but verse 32

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:22.319
 simply says that Jesus will be great in the old testament no one but God is described as great in an absolute

00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:32.600
 sense in the for example Moses is described as great but it's qualified he's great in the land of Egypt in the side of Pharaoh's

00:35:32.600 --> 00:35:38.360
 servants and in the side of the people it's Exodus 11 3 likewise Mordecai is described as great in

00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:45.260
 in the in Esther but it says that he's great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers

00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:56.140
 but only God is great period stop only God it's like an attribute of God only he is great in who he is and that's all so

00:35:56.140 --> 00:36:04.900
 Jesus is described in those significant terms he has unqualified inherent greatness and John was described as a

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:13.100
 Nazarite as a prophet set apart for the Lord in verse 15 but verse 32 says that Jesus will be called the son of the

00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:20.039
 most high and the Lord God will give him the throne of the father his father David and he will reign over the house of

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:28.179
 Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end most high is a title that's exclusively applied to the one

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:36.460
 true God and here Jesus is described as the son of the most high it's another way to say what's what he says in

00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:45.519
 verse 35 that he'll be called holy the son of God Jesus who is a son of God is also a son of David

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:53.519
 and he will reign as the Davidic king this is in fulfillment of 2nd Samuel chapter 7 verses 12 to 14

00:36:53.519 --> 00:37:00.559
 God had promised this to David he said I will raise up your offspring after you who shall come from your body

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:05.779
 and I will establish his kingdom he shall build a house for my name and I will establish the throne

00:37:05.779 --> 00:37:14.139
 of his kingdom forever I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son so this language of

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:21.139
 sonship is a fulfillment of that messianic promise and in an immediate sense of course that prophecy was

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:29.139
 fulfilled in the reign of David's son Solomon who built the temple of God but the kingdom that Solomon

00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:34.960
 built as well as the temple came tumbling down as we saw in the book of Jeremiah so in an ultimate sense

00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:40.519
 Solomon did not fulfill this promise the one who fulfills this prophecy in an ultimate sense

00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:49.059
 is King Jesus who's the one who alone establishes an eternal kingdom that will last forever and that's why

00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:55.839
 it's significant that Joseph's lineage is traced as his as an adoptive earthly father of Jesus traced back to King David

00:37:55.840 --> 00:38:07.019
 as we saw in verse 27 so in every sense John's making a point Jesus is superior to John and John is the servant prophet and Jesus is the king

00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:14.200
 Jesus is the hero and John is the sidekick that's the point that Luke is driving home with these announcements

00:38:14.200 --> 00:38:19.059
 but John and Jesus are not the only people who are being compared in this passage

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:27.179
 because verses 20 34 to 38 also compare Mary's response to the angel with Zechariah's response to the angel

00:38:27.179 --> 00:38:34.239
 like Zechariah who asked the angel a question in verse 18 Mary too asks a question she says in verse 34

00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:41.320
 how will this be since I am a virgin that's a sensible question right the angel's announcement suggested an

00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:46.719
 immediate pregnancy which would have doubtlessly been alarming for a betrothed virgin

00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:55.539
 my wedding day is still kind of far off right so how will this happen right will something happen to me

00:38:55.539 --> 00:39:03.839
 will Joseph do something to me before our marriage right I mean that's the question right he's asking

00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:09.480
 how will this happen and the angel reassures her in verse 35 the holy spirit will come upon you

00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:14.859
 and the power of the most high will overshadow you therefore the child to be born will be called holy

00:39:14.860 --> 00:39:20.519
 the son of God the son of God that's the answer baby Jesus will not be conceived through physiological

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:26.720
 means but by spiritual means and there's a threefold structure in verse 35 that reveals

00:39:26.720 --> 00:39:33.240
 a wonderful redemptive activity of the triune God the holy spirit will come upon you and the power of

00:39:33.240 --> 00:39:40.680
 the most high will overshadow you therefore the child to be born will be called holy the son of God the

00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:48.359
 three persons of the trinity we see that their redemptive activity through the virgin birth and early in

00:39:48.359 --> 00:39:54.639
 verse 20 gabriel said to zachariah and behold you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that

00:39:54.639 --> 00:40:00.599
 these things take place and zachariah's muteness was the sign that this will surely take place and here in

00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:08.039
 verses 36 to 37 gabriel provides sign to mary as well saying using the same introductory phrase and behold your

00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:13.599
 relative elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son and this is the sixth month with her who was

00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:20.179
 called barren for nothing will be impossible with God so the fact that elizabeth mary's old and barren

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:26.300
 relative is now pregnant serves as a sign for mary that nothing will be impossible with God and she

00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:32.320
 will surely have a child as a virgin a dutch theologian comments on this verse he says the laws

00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:40.180
 of nature are not chains which the divine legislator has laid upon himself they are threads which he

00:40:40.180 --> 00:40:48.500
 holds in his hand and which he shortens or lengthens at will God as his as the creator is not bound by

00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:54.180
 the laws of nature and that's what he intends to do to bring about a virgin birth and mary's response

00:40:54.180 --> 00:41:01.940
 is exemplary in verse 38 she says behold i am the servant of the lord let it be to me according to your word

00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:08.960
 this is an extremely humble and faith-filled response right she refers to herself as a servant

00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:15.760
 of God a bond servant a slave expressing total submission to him and his word because conceiving a child

00:41:15.760 --> 00:41:22.539
 in this way would have been a no small risk for mary think about it right she was risking being accused of

00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:28.500
 promiscuity and infidelity and being pregnant with an illegitimate child

00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:35.800
 the marriage that she was looking forward to could have been called off as in fact joseph

00:41:35.800 --> 00:41:43.300
 tries to do until he is stopped by the lord and in spite of all of and if that had been broken up

00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:49.460
 she would have had to bear the shame of a prostitute for the rest of her life and yet knowing that she

00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:56.260
 responds in faith and submission and says behold i am the servant of the lord let it be to me

00:41:56.260 --> 00:42:05.159
 according to your word that's what it means to be a servant of the lord that's what it means to be a

00:42:05.159 --> 00:42:13.780
 follower of jesus christ are you willing to obey and submit to the will of god as mary did even a

00:42:13.780 --> 00:42:16.780
 significant pain and cost to yourself

00:42:16.780 --> 00:42:25.460
 are you or are you only willing to obey god when his will suits your will and preferences

00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:33.140
 i pray that all our church members will be characterized by as mary's kind of humble submission

00:42:33.140 --> 00:42:39.900
 and humility and unconditional allegiance to god so we say in whatever situation let it be to me

00:42:39.900 --> 00:42:46.460
 according to your word and mary's faith forms a stark contrast with zechariah's unbelief because

00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:50.940
 remember zechariah asked for a sign and even though they both ask a question the tone of their questions

00:42:50.940 --> 00:42:57.220
 are completely different right because zechariah was asking us for a sign to know for sure that this is

00:42:57.220 --> 00:43:03.519
 going to happen mary believes that it will happen as as god had told her he would but she wants to know

00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:10.280
 how it will happen so zechariah's question stems from unbelief as the narrative notes but mary's

00:43:10.280 --> 00:43:16.519
 question stems from faith that is now seeking more understanding she asks questions from a place of

00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:22.880
 belief and faith so becoming a christian likewise doesn't automatically mean that you fully understand

00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:28.519
 everything about god and about the christian life but it does mean that you believe god and you take him

00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:35.059
 add his word as mary does and you from that place of faith you seek to grow in further understanding

00:43:35.059 --> 00:43:41.280
 not unbelief that's the main point that this passage is driving home here that we should believe the word

00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:45.940
 that god has graciously sent jesus as the messianic king

00:43:45.940 --> 00:43:54.619
 we celebrate christmas uh every year so it's easy for us to take this revelation for granted

00:43:54.619 --> 00:43:59.319
 but let's reflect briefly as we close on how momentous of an announcement this is

00:43:59.319 --> 00:44:03.859
 because the announcement of the birth of this messianic king was something that the jews have

00:44:03.859 --> 00:44:11.960
 been earnestly and eagerly waiting for and praying for for 600 years after being conquered by the

00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:17.900
 babylonians under nebuchadnezzar and then after uh being after being taken over by the persians under

00:44:17.900 --> 00:44:23.380
 cyrus and then by the macedonian greeks under alexander the great and then after that by the roman

00:44:23.380 --> 00:44:30.380
 republic which later becomes the roman empire for 600 years the israelites have known subjugation

00:44:30.380 --> 00:44:36.380
 and oppression and the worship of god had been in disarray and the worship and people have been

00:44:36.380 --> 00:44:43.340
 doubting and have been falling away from the lord and they were waiting come oh come emmanuel

00:44:43.340 --> 00:44:48.539
 come messiah deliver us hosanna

00:44:48.539 --> 00:44:55.539
 come and establish your kingdom forever that's what they've been waiting on

00:44:55.539 --> 00:45:04.260
 i was watching um lion king yesterday with my daughter while uh hannah was away at a birthday party

00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:13.800
 and it reminded me of this right the illegitimate king the the tyrant scar takes over the kingdom

00:45:13.800 --> 00:45:23.700
 of pride lands everything is terrible people animals are dying right there's no food they're about to get

00:45:23.700 --> 00:45:31.900
 wiped out and it's the rightful king simba who must take the throne to bring restoration

00:45:31.900 --> 00:45:40.519
 he is the promised king the one that was to rule and that's really all of these stories great stories

00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:45.480
 lord of the rings another example all these great stories about kings who return to take their throne

00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:53.380
 is a type it points to the story the ultimate story of jesus he is the ultimate king the promised king

00:45:53.380 --> 00:46:00.440
 the messianic king who finally comes to establish the kingdom for a people that have been trampled on

00:46:00.440 --> 00:46:07.500
 for many many years but this messianic king established his kingdom in a surprising way

00:46:07.500 --> 00:46:13.480
 turns out that he has bigger fish to fry than these wimpy kings and emperors

00:46:13.480 --> 00:46:21.340
 ephesians 2 2 tells us that we were all once following the prince of the power of the air the spirit

00:46:21.340 --> 00:46:27.159
 that is now at work in the sons of disobedience all of humanity that's not under the lordship of christ

00:46:27.159 --> 00:46:34.719
 are under the tyranny of satan and they are enslaved by their sins to his power and jesus

00:46:34.719 --> 00:46:41.399
 saves them rescues them to form a kingdom of his own by dying on the cross for the sins of his people

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 and paying the penalty of sin and redeeming them from their slavery and defeating satan decisively

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 once and for all on that cross and now he reigns from heaven as the resurrected and ascended king

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 and that's what it means to be a follower of christ to say that's my king

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 i don't serve the kings of this earth anymore that's my king

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 and that's the vow that we have the privilege of seeing some some of our own people make today

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 in getting baptized they're renouncing the world they're renouncing their lives as they go into the

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 water it symbolizes their death to sin death to their own life and they rise again with new life

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 united to jesus that's my king

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 you