The scripture reading today comes from Luke chapter 1 verses 57 to 80.
Please follow along on your bulletin on the screen or in your own Bible.
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth and she bore a son and her neighbors and relatives
heard that the Lord has shown great mercy to her and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day
they came to circumcise the child and they would have called him Zechariah after his father
but his mother answered no he shall be called John and they said to her none of your relatives
is called by this name and they made signs to his father inquiring what he wanted him to be called
and he asked for a writing tablet and wrote his name is John and they all wondered and immediately
his mouth was open and his tongue loosed and he spoke blessing God and fear came on all their
neighbors and all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea and all
who heard them lay them up in their hearts saying what then will this child be for the hand of the
Lord was with him and his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied saying
blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of
salvation for us in the house of his servant David as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of
old that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to show the mercy
promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant the oath that he swore to our father Abraham
to grant us that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days and you child will be called the prophet of the
most high for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God whereby the sunrise shall
visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our
feet into the way of peace and the child grew and became strong in spirit and he was in the wilderness
until the day of his public appearance to Israel this is the word of God
good morning everyone that was pretty good
if you don't know me my name is Oscar can you hear me okay is it clear I'm one of the leaders here at
watermark let me actually join me in praying for us as we receive God's word today
father we humbly come before you we want to want our hearts to be ready to and be prepared to receive
your word today God thank you for your word which is powerful and is alive and dynamic and works
into the inner workings of our hearts we don't want to just come away from here with some interesting
advice or some uplifting talk and just forget about it tomorrow God we want to be changed and transformed
the liking of Jesus to to know him and love him more and to be like him help me God as I articulate
this message today help me to speak clearly and I pray God that my heart would be just as
in love with Christ as all of us as we receive your word today in Jesus name we pray amen
sorry guys
that okay Chris thanks for your help
what does it mean to be a man or woman of your word do we really mean it when we make a promise
we'll say hey let's have lunch tomorrow meet you at 12 o'clock 12 sharp but the next day 11 45 we
rush out the door the MTR is late we miss the bus and we get there late we commit to go into a
community group on Friday night but when something better comes around we we go to that we skip CG
when we meet a friend that we haven't seen in a while we bump into them we'll say hey it's great
to see you let's catch up I'll whatsapp you we meet up for lunch or coffee but then life gets busy we
forget and we move on by the way I've done all these things myself many times what does it mean to keep a
promise
well today as we celebrate the last Sunday of this season of Advent we're going to look into this
passage concerning the birth of John the Baptist the cousin of Jesus and inside this passage is this
beautiful song or prophecy by John's father Zechariah the song is often called the Benedictus which means
blessed it means blessed in Latin after the first word of this song blessed be the Lord God of Israel
similar to Mary's song from last week the Magnificat which means magnifies the Benedictus is a song of praise
and blessing to God it's a song that exudes thanksgiving to God because God has indeed honored his promises
to his people Israel because God isn't like us we struggle to keep our promises but the sovereign God of the Bible
always has always and always will keep his promises it's intrinsic to his very nature God always keeps his promises
so in this month of Advent as we have been preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas
we've been looking at the first book of the first chapter of the book of Luke
first we saw the angel Gabriel he visited
Zechariah to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would give birth to a son
Gabriel tells Zechariah that his son John would prepare people for the coming of their Savior
Zechariah's response was perhaps
unsurprising he struggles to believe
Gabriel after all his wife Elizabeth was barren for many years and both
he and Elizabeth were past the typical age of childbearing
and as a result Zechariah was unable to speak he was struck mute
for not believing that God had the power
to give him and Elizabeth a son
then Gabriel visits Mary
tells her that she would also become pregnant
Mary the virgin would become pregnant but she would carry
the Messiah
Jesus Christ the foretold Savior of the world
and Mary responds with great reverence and surrender
and finally last week we looked at Mary's
visit to her cousin Elizabeth who was also
pregnant carrying John the Baptist
in her womb and we saw Mary's joy
as she burst into song that beautiful song the Magnificat
my soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God
my Savior
and in today's passage which Iris so beautifully read
Elizabeth has just given birth
eight days into the birth of their son John
it was time to circumcise the baby in line with Jewish tradition
and so family and neighbors they gather around
expecting the excited parents to name their baby boy
after his father Zechariah
that would have been expected I guess
honor the family's line
honor the father's line by naming the firstborn son
after the father
but Elizabeth and Zechariah knew their son would be set apart
remember the angel Gabriel said that John must never drink alcohol
but instead would be filled with something different
the Holy Spirit
and so Elizabeth says
no no no
not Zechariah
his name is John
of course the neighbors don't believe her
and so they go to the man
and they say
hey Zechariah what do you think
of course he was still mute
he grabs a writing tablet
and he writes also
his name is John
John means God is gracious
the birth of John
would signal a new paradigm
in the history of the world
this era of grace
that we all live in
no longer would man
only hear from God
through prophets
no longer would man need
a priest
to sacrifice animals
to atone for our sins
because of the birth
of Jesus
at Christmas
you and I
amazingly
can have a personal
intimate relationship
with our creator
God
and through the cross
of Christ
we can be perfect
before God himself
and after nine months
of waiting
after nine months
of not speaking
imagine all the pent up things
that Zechariah wanted
to say
reflecting on his
visit with the angel
Gabriel
contemplating the
implications
of his son's
birth
Zechariah's tongue
is finally loose
and what does he say
I know what I would have said
first of all
I would have said
finally I can talk
thank you
I can finally speak
oh that was so difficult
so many things
I wanted to say
I would have been
self-focused
or maybe we would have
expected Zechariah
to say
thank you God
for the birth of my son
what a gift
what a blessing
it is
to have a child
is it not
but Zechariah's
first words
are not about himself
nor even about
his son John
Zechariah says
blessed be the Lord
God of Israel
for he has visited
and redeemed
his people
Zechariah blesses God
not for the birth
of his son John
but for fulfilling
the promises
that he made
to Zechariah's forefathers
to the people of Israel
many many many years ago
blessed be the Lord
God of Israel
the Benedictus
let's consider
these two parts
of the Benedictus
our savior is coming
and preparing
the way
now in the Benedictus
Zechariah speaks
of two Old Testament
covenants
they were about
to be fulfilled
in the birth
of Jesus
he refers to these
covenants
in a few ways
or a few times
in the Benedictus
verse 70
as he spoke
by the mouth
of his holy prophets
from of old
verse 72
to remember
his holy covenant
verse 73
the oath
that he swore
to our father Abraham
these covenants
weren't just
made a few years
before the birth
of Jesus
these were not
spur of the moment
decisions
that God made
when I struggled
to think about
what I want to give
my kids for dinner
at the last minute
I'll order pizza
on the Deliveroo
God doesn't operate
that way
God doesn't make
decisions like we do
these covenants
were hundreds
and thousands
of years
in the making
and what is a covenant?
well one way
to think about a covenant
is that it's a relationship
between two parties
that is one half legal
and one half love
a covenant
is one half legal
but it isn't just
simply a business
contract
between two partners
that is devoid
of any love
or intimacy
a covenant
is also
one half love
but it isn't
like any relationship
that can just be
broken
with no legal
consequences
the late Tim Keller
said it like this
a covenant
is a relationship
that is more loving
and intimate
than a merely legal
relationship
but more binding
enduring
and accountable
than a merely
personal relationship
it's a stunning blend
of law and love
marriage is an example
of a covenant
husband and wife
unite in love
and under the law
but of course
in our day and age
unfortunately
divorce is
quite common
that this example
of marriage
doesn't fully capture
the magnitude
of the biblical covenants
between God
and his people
and so
what are these
covenants
that Zachariah
so joyfully
sings about
that were about
to be fulfilled
in the birth
of Jesus
well the first
is this so-called
Davidic covenant
let's go to
verse 68
the very first verse
of the Benedictus
blessed be the
Lord God of Israel
for he has visited
and redeemed
his people
and has raised up
a horn of salvation
for us
in the house
of his servant
David
1,000 years
that's a long time
1,000 years
before Zachariah
was singing
this Benedictus
God entered
into a covenant
relationship
with King David
and in that covenant
God promised David
that one of his sons
would be king
would serve as king
on his throne
not just for one
or two generations
more
but for all time
for eternity
and Zachariah
being a priest
knowing the scriptures
filled with the Holy Spirit
he invokes his prayer
of blessing
and praise
of King David
that King David
made a thousand years
before
a blessed be the Lord
God of Israel
was the exact
proclamation
made by King David
in the book
of first kings
David said this
as he joyfully
handed over
the throne
to his son Solomon
as God
had promised
it was a tense time
in the house of David
David was getting old
he was
he was getting weak
and many of his sons
were jostling
for the power
of his throne
but David held on
to the promises
that God made him
back then
Psalm 132
says
the Lord swore
to David
a sure oath
from which
he will not turn back
one of the sons
of your body
I was set
on your throne
2 Samuel 7-16
God tells David
your house
and your kingdom
shall be made sure
forever before me
and I will establish
your covenant
forever
also
in Psalm 132
in verse 17
God declares
that there I
God
will make a horn
sprout
for David
and a thousand years later
fast forward
back to Zechariah
Zechariah sees
that God
was about
to fulfill
this promise
to raise up
this horn
of salvation
from the house
of David
this image
of a horn
is like the horn
of a buffalo
or an ox
think about
a buffalo
lifting up
his horns
tossing them about
in a display
of strength
and power
the Messiah
was about to come
in strength
and power
and Zechariah
sang the Benedictus
with his closest
friends
and his family
around him
holding his
eight day old
baby
John
he had this vision
that God
was right on the cusp
of fulfilling
his covenant
with David
in the birth
of Jesus
for God
always keeps
his promises
God always
honors
his covenants
the Savior
is coming
and the second
covenant
that Zechariah
references
was between
God and Abraham
this so called
Abrahamic covenant
verse 72
we read
to show mercy
promised to our fathers
and to remember
his holy covenant
the oath
he swore
to our father Abraham
to grant us
that we
being delivered
from our enemies
might serve him
without fear
rewinding
even
further back
from King David
David was a thousand years
Abraham was 1700 years
before Zechariah
in Genesis
God
in his sovereignty
chose Abraham
to be the father
of Israel
and as part of
appointing Abraham
to this crucial role
God entered into
a covenant with Abraham
which covered
a number of aspects
I'll go over them
quickly
the verses are on the screen
here
I'm not going to read them out
but you can reference them
as I explain
first
that God would grant Abraham
and Abraham's descendants
their own land
the land of Canaan
forever
and second
that Abraham's descendants
would be as the stars
of heaven
and as the sand
on the seashore
that the world over
would be blessed
through them
but the overarching
covering
of this covenant promise
was that God said
to Abraham
Abraham
I will be your God
and you will be
my people
there was a relationship
there
an intimate
loving relationship
I will protect you
I will cherish you
I will care for you
I will watch over you
I will build you up
and strengthen you
you are my set apart people
because of my love
for you
and to show Abraham
that he would stand
by his word
to prove to Abraham
the magnitude
of this promise
and to confirm
to Abraham
that he would indeed
fulfill this covenant
the God of the universe
swore an oath
on himself
since there was no one else
greater to swear by
God swore an oath
on himself
kind of a weird thing
to think about
isn't swearing an oath
like an earthly thing
that people do in court
maybe
or maybe when really
really really want to promise
something
will swear
on someone's grave
it's a weird thing
to think about
isn't it
for God to do
but the God
who created the world
God created the mountains
the sky
the sea
and the stars
he came down
to the level
of a man
to help Abraham
understand
Abraham
this mere mortal
to help him understand
hey
you can trust me
my love for you
for your people
will cause me
to enter
into this covenant
relationship with you
driven by my love
leave it to me
I'll take care of it
all you have to do
trust me
and obey me
and this speaks
to the nature
of God
we sang some of these
we sang some of it today
in these songs
that God isn't far off
living in some king's palace
he is with us
he understands us
he's not far removed
from day to day grind
of what we go through
every single day
only communicating with us
through middle men
because of Christmas
God was born
into the world
to become one of us
to know us
and for us
to be able to know him
and in the benedictus
Zacharias sings
that God
indeed
remembered his holy covenant
that he swore to Abraham
that this horn of salvation
this Messiah
would come
to save
Israel
and what does Israel
need saving from?
verse 71
that we should be saved
from our enemies
from the hand
of all who hate us
for a thousand years
since King David
up until the birth
of Jesus
the people of Israel
had been attacked
persecuted
exiled
from their homeland
by the Assyrians
the Babylonians
the Persians
the Greeks
and at the time
of Zacharias
singing this benedictus
the Roman Empire
controlled Israel
and many in Israel
knowing the Davidic
and Abrahamic covenants
were waiting
with bated breath
for the Savior
to come
with an army behind him
with swords
and chariots
and spears
to free Israel
once and for all
from the neighboring enemies
but a neighboring enemy
wasn't Israel's greatest
but an enemy nation
wasn't Israel's greatest enemy
sin
was Israel's greatest enemy
Israel's constant sin
was the reason
why it faces
constant military oppression
and for us
our stressful jobs
our money problems
these are real concerns
I don't want to diminish them
these things
that we are facing
our kids getting into schools
some of the things
that I am thinking about
even our health
none of these
are our greatest problem
and none of these
are actually
our greatest enemy
is a sin
that resides
right here
in my heart
and in yours
as well
and maybe you're a Christian
and you know this
but you are struggling
and actually
that sin
that enemy
is winning the battle
you know
that that porn habit
you've entertained
has led to addiction
and will corrupt
the intimacy
of marriage
or maybe you know
that deep down
your security
is found
in your net worth
in your bank account
in your stocks
and bonds
that you hold
in your real estate
and money
has gripped your heart
and you find it difficult
to give money back to God
or maybe
if you're truly honest
with yourself
Jesus is not
your first love
you say he is
you sing it on Sunday mornings
you talk about it
in your CG
but actually
he's not
something else
is your first love
maybe it's your job
and your title
the promotion
you're seeking
maybe it's your
significant other
or maybe it's a desire
to have a significant other
but hey
let's not give up
let's keep fighting
that good fight
of sin
knowing that one day
when the Lord returns again
when Jesus returns
all who trust him
will be fully free
of sin
because the antidote
to sin
has come
in the birth
of Jesus
this is the message
of Christmas
our Savior Christ
was born into the world
to save us
from our sin
and this morning
if you're not
a Christian here
today
this is the gospel
we're all sinful
every one of us
me
the person
trying to give
the sermon today
I'm sinful
our wonderful music leaders
who just sang beautifully
and
and facilitated
a worship of God
through music
they're sinful
all the leaders
of this church
are sinful
the elders
no one is perfect
but God so loved
the world
that he made
Abraham and David
this promise
that I will
I will bring a Savior
to come into the world
to save you
from your sin
and God so loved
the world
that that promised
Savior Jesus
came to fulfill
that promise
to die in our place
to defeat this enemy
of sin
so that we may receive
freedom
and eternal life
and to do that
which all of us
were born to do
to know our creator
to be in communion
with him
to know and love him
always
as Hannah said to us
a couple weeks ago
during her baptism testimony
to come home
all God asks of us
is to acknowledge
that we're sinful
and in need of the
saving grace of Jesus
that's it
and so that's you
this morning
and you want to live
in freedom
let's chat after the service
and for those of us
here this morning
who are followers
of Jesus
because God
does indeed
keep his promises
we can look back
at how he has fulfilled
his promises
to give us a confidence
and faith
to look ahead
at this time of year
many of us
are probably doing
a little recap
of 2024
how did we do this year
how much money
did I make this year
what did I accomplish
this year
how did I accomplish
this year
compared to previous years
I guess those are
okay things to do
I often do that myself
but it's better
to look back
at the promises
of God
in our lives
yes
God has blessed
many of us
with our families
our health
our friendships
but above all
God has blessed us
with Jesus
his son
our savior
so this Christmas
let's look back
at the birth
of the world's
promised Messiah
and be thankful
and let the hope
of Jesus
give us joy
and purpose
in the year ahead
as we face
the joys
of this year
and the challenges
of this year ahead
and so
as Zacharias
sings of Jesus
the savior
has come
to fulfill
the promises
of God
how is Israel
to respond
to serve him
without fear
in holiness
and righteousness
before him
all our days
verse 74
now on the one hand
verse 74
speaks about
eternity in heaven
in a way
the promised Messiah
Jesus
coming to save us
from our sins
the fulfillment
of that
is that one day
if we truly
love and trust Christ
we will be with him
forever in heaven
and yes we will serve him
in heaven
in holiness
in righteousness
perfection
for all time
but it's also a call
for us to respond
to the gift
of Jesus
today
right now
and Zacharias
son John the Baptist
shows us the blueprint
he shows us how
to respond
two thirds
into the Benedictus
Zacharias
finally speaks
into the life
of his newborn son
verse 76
and you child
will be called
the prophet
of the most high
for you will go
before the Lord
to prepare his ways
to give knowledge
of salvation
to his people
in the forgiveness
of their sins
from birth
actually before birth
even in his womb
John was set apart
even in Elizabeth's womb
John was set apart
called by God
to go before Jesus
to prepare the people
of Israel
for the coming
of Jesus
what does it mean
to prepare the way
I used to work
for a large
US financial institution
and one time
the CEO
from New York
was
he planned a visit
to Hong Kong
and before he came
he asked his people
to
to liaise
with us
on the ground
here in Hong Kong
to prepare the way
for the CEO to come
to prepare
the agenda
of the meetings
when he would come
that type of stuff
the CEO's people
their job
was to
get the CEO ready
and get us ready
to prepare the way
for the CEO
to come to Hong Kong
to meet us
but the focus
was never on
the CEO's people
the focus
was on the CEO
or it's like
when a president
visits a foreign country
before the visit
the president's
officials
would liaise
with the host
country's officials
and set an agenda
when the media
can come visit
when they
shake hands together
what would be discussed
the agreements
between two countries
the job
of the president's
officials
is to
is to maximize
the president's visit
to provide focus
to the president's visit
but the focus
was never
on the president's people
it's always
on the president
and John
was to prepare
the way for Jesus
John was opening act
John was the appetizer
warming up the stomach
for the main course
John himself
even referred to his role
as that of the best man
at a wedding
his purpose
was to magnify
the greatness
of Jesus
the groom
John's job
was to say
hey Israel
wake up
I know it's been
400 years
God hasn't spoken
to us
it seems that we're
kind of
in the dumps
Romans still
oppress us
but hey
tide is turning
the sun will rise
again
so get ready
pull up your socks
the most important
time of your life
is upon us
focus
the foretold
savior
is finally here
and for those of us
who are followers
of Jesus
John's calling
is also
our calling
as well
we're called
to be
little
John's
not
Johnny
Lynn
or
John
Jr
that's a
different
little
John
but like
John the
Baptist
who prepared
the way
for the
first coming
of Jesus
our calling
is to prepare
the way
for the
second coming
of Jesus
and like
in John's
time
in our
day and age
people are
confused
people are
distracted
by the things
of the world
people are
putting their
energy
into
work
and money
and pleasure
and all
these things
but they're
grasping at
straws
and they don't
know Jesus
of course
as a father
of three
a busy guy
I understand
we are busy
one of the biggest
challenges in Hong Kong
is that
our works
are just so
overwhelming
and the city
is just so
fast paced
and we have so
many worries
I get it
I'm not going to
throw on you
guys
on us
a billion
different
to-do lists
or approaches
or techniques
in sharing
the gospel
but I want
to just
ask us
this week
to spend
time reflecting
on two things
the first
is this
what is our
own conviction
that the gospel
is good news
and so desperately
needed
in our own
hearts
and lives
especially
at Christmas
how much
of our joy
at Christmas
if we really
think about it
is coming
from the thought
that
no need
to go to work
I'm going to
fly off soon
to some hot
or cold place
have a great
lot of fun
that is what
I'm looking forward
to
that is really
why I love
Christmas
and by the way
again I am going
on holiday too
so I'm not judging
anyone here
but how much
of our joy
at Christmas
is when we
reflect
when we're by
ourselves
or with our
community group
or with our
family of God
we're reflecting
of how amazing
the love of Christ
he came into the world
to love us
to die for our sins
so one
reflecting on the gospel
in our own hearts
and second
what is our own
intentionality
in sharing the gospel
I was so encouraged
Hannah where are you
Hannah
that was such an
encouraging testimony
thank you so much
for sharing
Simon Sherman
incredible example
for all of us
what is our own
intentionality
in sharing the gospel
now
sometimes
it's simply
helpful
to sit down
and think
why has God
put certain people
in my life
the friends
you grew up with
your fellow colleagues
at the trenches
at work
that you see
ten hours a day
your neighbors
in your building
the buddies
you see each week
when you hang out
or play sports
with them
why has God
put them in your life
probably a reason
for that
if they don't
know him
and name them
as you pray
for God's spirit
to move their hearts
to know him
but don't just pray
for them
build an authentic
relationship with them
get to know them
well
understand them
pray for God
to move you
to share the gospel
with them
and when he does
prompt you to do so
be ready to do it
I've often wondered
why did Jesus
need John
John as we have seen
was a great man
but yet next to Jesus
John was just
a mere mortal
John didn't die
for our sins
and yet Jesus
gave John
this great privilege
and honor
of serving him
and Jesus gives us
that great privilege
and honor
as well
today
to serve him
but time is of the essence
Jesus came once
to fulfill
the promise
to die on the cross
but when he comes
again
and no one knows
when that will be
it will be the last
and final time
that Christ comes
and so Zechariah
ends the benedictus
showing us exactly
what glory looks like
when our Lord Jesus
returns that second time
verse 78
79
the sunrise
shall visit us
from on high
to give light
to those
who sit in darkness
and in the shadow
of death
to guide our feet
into the way
of peace
left to our own
devices
all of us
sit in darkness
all of us
are held down
and gripped
by the depravity
of our own hearts
and tossed around
by the winds
of the world
but there is hope
we can be saved
but there is only one hope
and only one savior
and his name is Jesus
and when Jesus returns
again
all will be set right
in our hearts
and in the world
and for all of us here
who have
who love and trust Christ
who have persevered
into the very end
the light of Christ
will shine on us
forever
for eternity
and we'll finally experience
the peace
of God
the shalom
isn't that
what we're all desiring
freedom
from all the anxieties
and all the worries
all the busyness
the restlessness
the future uncertainties
that we don't know of
finally when Christ returns again
we receive
that peace
and shalom
the rest
that peace
is Christ
with us
face to face
the church
this week
let's be a church
that goes out
into the world
this week
full of the gospel
in our hearts
preparing the way
for Jesus
proclaiming
that the great
promised savior
of God
our Lord Jesus
has come
let's pray together
thank you
Father God
thank you
blessed be the Lord God
of Israel
thank you God
for Jesus Christ
our Lord
we acknowledge
that Jesus
could have
stayed in heaven
forever
he was
very comfortable
more than comfortable
there
and yet
he was born
into this world
this broken world
he was born
into this world
in such a humble fashion
in a lowly manger
in a backwards town
of Bethlehem
that no one knew about
because of his love
for us
his great love
thank you
that you're not
a whimsical
God
who makes
spirit of the moment
decisions
and promises
that you
make your promises
and you keep
your promises
and help us
this week God
as we go about
spending time
with family
celebrating Christmas
seeing some friends
catching up
opening presents
perhaps
flying off maybe
help us to remember
and reflect
on this great promise
you have
fulfilled
in the birth of Christ
in the cross of Christ
the saving grace
of Christ
and maybe be a church God
maybe have boldness
and courage
to do what
Hannah and Simon Sherman
and that CG has done
to go out into Hong Kong
to share our faith
not worrying about
what the outcome is like
not thinking that
it all rests on our shoulders
because you're sovereign
and you're in control
and you just call us
to obey you
to love you
help us to do that
out of our love for you
out of our desire
to serve you
because you're a good God
in Jesus name
Amen