WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.960 If you're looking at the few Bibles, that is page 856. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:15.179 In this Advent season, we're looking at four songs, which open up the Gospel of Luke. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:19.039 Last week we looked at Mary's song, the song of joyful praise. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:23.500 This week we'll look at Zacharias' song, the song of confident hope. 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:27.320 Next week we'll look at the angel song, the song of good news. 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:32.920 And on Christmas Day we'll look at Simeon's song of blessed peace. 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:39.600 And in the way that Luke organizes Gospel and introduces Jesus to us, 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:44.120 these are songs that prepare us for the arrival of Jesus. 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:48.000 And then invite us to join in, to sing along in our hearts. 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:52.900 As I said this morning, this song is focused on the theme of confident hope. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:58.179 Where does your hope and confidence come from in this holiday season? 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:03.700 What are you waiting, anticipating, longing for? 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.480 I've put Zacharias' song in context before I read it. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:12.379 The beginning of Luke chapter 1 tells about Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:17.879 For many years they have been waiting, longing, praying, particularly praying for a child. 00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:21.879 But they were now a older couple, yet they were childless. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:26.119 And yet one day, Zacharias was in the temple and the angel appears to him and says, 00:01:26.859 --> 00:01:29.539 God's going to give you and your wife a son. 00:01:30.979 --> 00:01:34.319 And Zacharias' initial response was, yeah right. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.120 We're past the age. 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:41.019 This is not going to happen. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:42.859 And the angel says, well yes it will. 00:01:43.679 --> 00:01:44.679 And you'll be silent. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:47.520 You won't say anything until it does happen. 00:01:48.380 --> 00:01:53.340 So Zacharias is unable to speak until, and yet, the angel's promise comes true. 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:54.400 Elizabeth gets pregnant. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:59.040 And verse 57, the time came for Elizabeth to give birth and she bore a son. 00:02:00.300 --> 00:02:04.480 And soon after he was born, a debate broke out as to what the child should be named. 00:02:04.540 --> 00:02:06.680 Should he be named Zacharias Jr.? 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:10.800 Or should he be named John, as the angel had said? 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:16.480 And Zacharias writes, his name is John. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:18.200 And then his mouth is opened. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:23.060 Verse 64 says, his mouth is opened, his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 00:02:23.200 --> 00:02:25.480 And this is where he sings his song. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:28.800 So he's been waiting, longing, hoping for a long time. 00:02:29.580 --> 00:02:32.600 And yet now he has the hope of a new beginning. 00:02:32.599 --> 00:02:43.259 So today as we look at Zacharias' song, we'll see the source of our confident hope in this Christmas season as we look at this song. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:48.560 So Zacharias' song, starting at verse 67 of Luke chapter 1, let's read it together. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:52.579 His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 00:02:52.580 --> 00:03:04.360 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, 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:12.740 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from a gold, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:19.719 To show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:26.060 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear. 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:30.219 And all his glory will be opened all our days. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:36.260 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:41.620 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:48.000 Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:56.819 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 00:03:58.020 --> 00:04:03.740 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:07.980 Well, this song is structured in two parts. 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:13.019 Verse 68 to 75, as you may notice, they're in the past tense. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:22.379 They're talking about God in the third person, specifically talking about how God has been faithful to the promises he made in the past. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.740 And then verse 76 to 79 are in the future tense. 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:31.159 Zachariah is speaking to his little baby son, John. 00:04:32.099 --> 00:04:35.279 Speaking about what God will do through him in the future. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:37.599 And so those are the two themes we're going to focus on today. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:41.979 God has been faithful to his promises in the past, number one. 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:48.319 And two, because of that we can have confident hope as we look toward our future. 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:51.159 So let's start by looking at the first theme. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.119 God has been faithful to his promises in the past. 00:04:54.779 --> 00:05:00.119 Now, if you have a bulletin, turn to the middle page of your bulletin. 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:11.180 I've put in this insert to show how this first section, or how the song is arranged structurally. 00:05:12.220 --> 00:05:27.980 Because there's a sequence of seven words in this song that appear in one, as you see, visited, people, salvation, prophets, enemies, hand, fathers. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:33.280 And then they appear exactly in reverse order in the second half of the song. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.680 And so I don't think this is just a coincidence. 00:05:37.700 --> 00:05:42.520 I think this is an intentional part of how the song is structured, perhaps even a way for it to be remembered. 00:05:43.900 --> 00:05:46.939 And when you have this kind of structure, sometimes it's called a kai of them, 00:05:47.520 --> 00:05:52.160 most often the author is particularly trying to draw attention to what's right in the middle. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.879 Or what's right in the middle of the sandwich. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:58.879 Verse 72 and 73 says, 00:05:59.659 --> 00:06:02.560 He has shown the mercy promised to our fathers. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:06.159 He has remembered the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:12.199 In other words, God has been faithful to the promises that he made to our spiritual ancestors in the past. 00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:15.659 And I want to look a little bit at these seven words. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:21.620 Because I think these seven words that appear in this song, that each appear twice, 00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:28.280 they point back to a particular way that God had been faithful to the people of Israel in the past. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:32.200 Now the song mentions Abraham, and it mentions David. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:39.899 But these seven words all points back, I think most, more than anything else, to the story of the Exodus. 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:45.300 Each of these seven words are key words when you think about the story of the Exodus. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:48.519 So first, God has visited his people. 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:49.740 First two words. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:54.319 If you look at the end of the book of Genesis, Joseph's last words are, 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:00.480 I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land, 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:04.220 to the land that he swore, that he promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:05.300 Exodus chapter 4. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:10.199 The people believed when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel, 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:12.740 and he had seen their affliction. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:19.519 And God had visited not just one person here and another person there and somebody else over there, 00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:20.860 but he had visited his people. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:24.720 That is, God has come near to bless and save his people. 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:29.680 Moses says to Pharaoh in Exodus, let my people go. 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:36.040 Exodus 6-7, God promises, I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God. 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:41.780 So we see that God had visited his people in the time of the Exodus and drawn near to them. 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:47.599 But he hadn't just come close to them and sympathize with them in their state of bondage. 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:54.299 He visits them to intervene, to rescue them from their helplessness, from their hopelessness. 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:59.639 In other words, he brings salvation as announced through his prophets. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.419 Those are the next two words, salvation and prophets. 00:08:04.239 --> 00:08:09.939 Again, Exodus 14-13, when the people have come out of Egypt and when they're facing the Red Sea, 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:18.639 Moses says to the people, fear not, stand firm, and you will see the salvation of the Lord. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:23.560 Exodus 15, after they've crossed the sea, the song of Moses, 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:28.319 Moses says, the Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:34.480 And the salvation, God's work of salvation, delivering his people, has been announced by the prophets. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:43.799 In Exodus, God raised up Moses and Aaron to be prophets, to speak on his behalf, to represent him, 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:49.899 to announce his authoritative word, to announce his acts of deliverance and judgment, 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:52.819 to Pharaoh and to the Israelites. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:59.860 In fact, at the end of Deuteronomy, it says, there has never been another prophet since, like Moses. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:05.220 Right, so God visits his people, he announces his salvation through prophets, 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:09.040 and the result is, people are delivered from the hand of their enemies. 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:10.320 Those are the next two words. 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:16.720 Again, book of Exodus, Exodus 3, verse 8, God says, 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:19.540 I've come now to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:25.179 Exodus 14, after the Red Sea, the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians. 00:09:26.099 --> 00:09:30.539 So Moses, your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:31.980 shatters the enemy. 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:37.459 God intervened by his mighty hand to deliver his people from the hand of their enemies. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:44.039 And of course, all this was according to God's promise to their fathers, their ancestors, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:47.500 to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:51.120 That's what God says when he introduces himself to Moses in Exodus 3. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:53.259 I am the God of your father. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:57.059 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:02.919 And Moses says, this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:05.500 So as you see, all seven of these words 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:10.059 are key words in the story of God saving the people of Israel 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:14.419 from slavery in Egypt and bringing them out to be his own people 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:17.899 and to be delivered from the hands of their enemies, 00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:20.019 just as he had promised to their fathers. 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:25.739 So that's the story that Zechariah's song would bring to mind, 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.759 especially if you were hearing it in the historical context, 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:31.259 the story of the Exodus. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.879 But notice this. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:36.500 Zechariah's not just looking back and saying, 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.500 and reminiscing, 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:41.340 about what happened 1,500 years ago. 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.139 He's not just saying, 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:44.779 oh, those were the glory days 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:47.779 when God saved our people out of Egypt. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.819 Wasn't that a good thing, 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.879 that he did so, so long ago? 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.179 No. 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:57.100 What is Zechariah responding to? 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.860 He's responding to the birth of his son. 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:01.600 But, just as the angel foretold, 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:05.700 when it seemed like he and his wife had hit a wall, 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.980 they were helpless and hopeless, 00:11:07.300 --> 00:11:09.779 when it seemed like they had no future, 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:13.120 God intervened to do a new thing. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:16.159 And that's what Zechariah's responding to. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:19.560 Basically what Zechariah's saying is, 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.800 God did it in the past, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.740 and he's now going to do it again. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:28.600 Just like God saved his people from slavery in Egypt, 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:30.399 he came to visit them, 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:32.800 he announced his salvation through the prophets, 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:35.019 he came to deliver them from the hand of their enemies, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.139 all this is like, 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:37.300 as he promised to our fathers, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.259 he's come to do it again. 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:43.340 Now, Zechariah hadn't seen the complete fulfillment 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:45.720 of God's plan yet, right? 00:11:45.800 --> 00:11:47.180 Jesus hadn't even yet been born. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:51.800 His son John was, it seems like, 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:53.180 only eight days old at this point. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:57.559 And yet, Zechariah saw God has begun. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.939 God has begun to fulfill his plan. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:04.699 He's begun to carry out his salvation. 00:12:05.599 --> 00:12:06.679 And so in his mind, 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:09.279 the work was as good as done. 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.359 That's why he speaks in the past tense, 00:12:13.099 --> 00:12:14.059 even when he says, 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:17.719 the Lord God of Israel has visited and redeemed his people, 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:20.320 and has raised up a heart of salvation for us. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:24.019 Now, literally, right? 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.399 Jesus hasn't even been born yet. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.240 Yes, and he certainly hasn't died on the cross 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.160 and resurrected yet. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.580 So, in that sense, 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:32.040 God hadn't yet redeemed his people. 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:32.920 But Zechariah is saying, 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.340 no, it's as good as done. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.800 God has promised it. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.800 He's begun his work. 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.639 And because he's begun his work, 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:43.240 he's going to complete what he's begun. 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:45.240 And so I can speak with confidence 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:47.360 about what God has promised, 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.919 because he's going to carry it through completion. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.820 God had intervened 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.840 in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.220 He had brought new life. 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:01.019 And Zechariah is acknowledging here, 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.740 God mercifully intervened, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:05.019 despite my initial unbelief. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.620 When the angel said to Zechariah in the temple, 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.600 you're going to have a son, 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.600 and he'll be great, 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.419 and he'll be the prophet of the Most High, 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.700 and Zechariah said, 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:13.960 really? 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.639 How in the world is that going to happen? 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:20.200 And Zechariah's acknowledging here, 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.460 God's intervened. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.740 God carried out his plan, 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:25.159 despite my initial unbelief. 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:28.340 You know, God doesn't always wait for us 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:30.919 to believe in wholeheartedly 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:33.320 before he intervenes in our lives 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:34.139 for our good. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.879 He intervenes in his mercy 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:39.120 so that we may come to believe 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.879 and trust him more fully. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:44.240 and recognize him for who he really is. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.340 And that's why Zechariah rejoices. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.179 Because God has intervened. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.320 You know, maybe, maybe, 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:54.759 I wonder how many of you can say, 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.439 well, Zechariah, 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:57.720 God intervened in my life 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.720 despite my initial unbelief 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.879 and or resistance. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:04.439 And now I do believe. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.399 Now I can sing this song 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.480 of confidence and hope 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.840 in the God who's faithful to his promises. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:11.980 Just take a moment, 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.480 think about what the Lord has done 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.620 in the past. 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.480 Just think about your own life for a moment. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.399 Think about how it could 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.299 broaden you to faith. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:23.220 Verse 69 mentions David. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:26.180 And David grew up 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:27.139 as the son of Jesse, 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.779 who was the son of Obed, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.259 who was the son of Boaz and Ruth. 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.060 In other words, 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.600 he grew up in a believing family 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.940 with a godly heritage. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.080 Maybe you can identify with David. 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:37.060 Maybe you can look back 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.940 for generations 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.379 in your family history. 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.620 You can see God's faithfulness 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.379 to your parents 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.560 and your grandparents 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:44.200 and your great-grandparents. 00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:45.240 Maybe you look back 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.800 at your childhood 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.259 and you can't remember a time 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.660 when you didn't believe in Christ. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.379 God was there 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.560 even before you knew it. 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:53.479 He hasn't left you 00:14:53.479 --> 00:14:54.599 and He's kept you 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.399 from leaving Him. 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.759 Praise God. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.019 That's a wonderful testimony. 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.159 But verse 73 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.399 also mentions Abraham, 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:06.779 another one of the fathers of Israel. 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:08.039 And Abraham's story 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.759 was very different. 00:15:09.979 --> 00:15:10.839 Abraham's parents 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:12.959 and great-grandparents 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:13.739 and great-grandparents 00:15:13.739 --> 00:15:14.459 worshipped idols. 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.659 They didn't know God at all. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.539 God called Abraham 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.299 out of the blue 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:20.759 when he was 75 years old. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.479 To leave his homeland 00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:23.279 and followed him 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:23.919 on a journey 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:26.279 toward the promises of God. 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:28.739 Abraham wasn't following 00:15:28.739 --> 00:15:30.339 a well-worn path. 00:15:31.119 --> 00:15:32.119 He was a trailblazer 00:15:32.119 --> 00:15:33.619 made to breaking new ground. 00:15:34.599 --> 00:15:35.519 Being led only 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.219 by the Spirit 00:15:36.219 --> 00:15:36.899 and the Word 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.599 and the providence of God. 00:15:39.979 --> 00:15:40.799 If you can identify 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.779 with Abraham's story, 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.059 God interrupted your life 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:43.779 even when you weren't 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.659 looking for Him. 00:15:45.239 --> 00:15:45.939 God called you 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:47.359 into a new family in Christ 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:49.259 even when you perhaps 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:51.139 didn't have much 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.019 of a family left. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.620 Or perhaps your family 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.960 didn't understand that. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.940 Christ called you 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.940 into a new way of life 00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:58.820 following Him. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.399 Perhaps some of the people 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:03.639 that you hang around with 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.600 or used to hang around with 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.919 think that's a little strange. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.399 You might be one of the first 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:08.899 in your family 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.539 to follow Christ 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.240 but now you have 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:12.080 spiritual fathers and others. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.139 Abraham and Sarah, 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.259 Moses and Mary, 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.439 Boaz and Ruth, 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.399 Mary and Joseph, 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.600 Zechariah and Elizabeth. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.139 You know, 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.139 that part of why the Bible 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.840 is full of so many stories. 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.720 So we can see 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.679 how God has been faithful 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.879 to His people in the past. 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.539 People with all kinds 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.360 of different backgrounds 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.419 and all kinds of different 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:31.120 pathways to faith 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.600 and all kinds of different stories 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.480 that led them to where they are 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.240 and all kinds of different 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.319 struggles and weaknesses 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:37.100 and challenges. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.439 People who are both 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.500 very different from us 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:42.120 and very much like us. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:45.059 God has been faithful 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:45.759 in the past. 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.279 That's what He wants us to see. 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.659 When we look at our own lives, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.639 when we look at others' lives 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.340 around us, 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.659 when we look at this church, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:55.559 when we look at the church worldwide, 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.620 when we look at the story 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.720 of the scriptures, 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:58.720 we can see the ways 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.699 that God has been faithful 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:01.259 to His people in the past. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.860 That's the first thing you see. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.900 And the second thing 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.339 we see in this song 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.460 is that God will continue 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.579 to be faithful in the future. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.000 That we can approach 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.559 the future with confident hope 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.000 in the promises of God. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:15.960 Look down again 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.420 at the first half 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.540 of this psalm. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.920 Verse 68 to 70 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:24.200 speaks about what God has done. 00:17:25.800 --> 00:17:26.420 He's visited, 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.380 redeemed His people, 00:17:27.540 --> 00:17:28.440 raised up to salvation 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.480 just as He spoke 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.160 by the prophets. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.259 And then verse 71 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.800 begins with the word 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:33.840 that we, 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.780 or we can translate it, 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:36.820 it must be translated, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.340 so that we. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.520 Pointing to the purpose 00:17:40.520 --> 00:17:42.580 of what God has done. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.199 so that we should be saved 00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:44.879 from our enemies 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.500 and from the hand 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.299 of all who hate us. 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.399 Then verse 72 to 73 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:50.139 goes back to what God has done. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.199 He has shown the mercy, 00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.639 promised to our fathers, 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.339 He has remembered 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.199 His holy covenant, 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.879 the oath He swore to Abraham. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.579 And then a similar phrase, 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:59.079 to grant us that we, 00:17:59.199 --> 00:18:00.500 beginning in verse 74. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:03.539 And then being delivered 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.460 from the hand of our enemies, 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.500 that's what He already said 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.400 in verse 71. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.359 And then this comes 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.180 to the climax 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.380 of the first half 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.960 of the psalm, 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.880 that we might serve Him 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:15.799 without fear. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.460 In holiness and righteousness 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:20.200 all our days. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.359 You see how the first half 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.779 of the psalm 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.880 leads up to this 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.799 great purpose 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.359 of what God has done 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.700 in intervening 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.460 and visiting 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.859 and redeeming His people. 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.099 It's so that we would 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.799 serve Him 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.240 without fear 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:38.460 all our days. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.740 You might wonder 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.559 what are the enemies 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.919 that Zechariah is talking about? 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.879 It talks about being delivered 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.899 from the hand of our enemies. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.960 Was He speaking about 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.319 external oppression 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.659 or internal division? 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.399 Was He speaking about 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:52.279 political enemies 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.259 or spiritual enemies? 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.720 Well, 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.940 He doesn't specify. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.299 But I think in the context 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.980 it seems to, 00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:59.160 the enemies seem to be 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.940 anything that prevents us 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.140 from serving God 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.299 in holiness 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.519 that is having a pure 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.799 love for God 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.360 and righteousness 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.600 that is being faithful 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.740 and just 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.120 toward our fellow human beings 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:13.660 and without fear. 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.299 Alright, 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.120 what prevents you 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:19.240 from serving God 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.940 wholeheartedly 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.840 without fear? 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:25.480 That's what Zechariah says 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.339 Jesus Christ has come 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.220 to deliver you 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.939 from the hand 00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:31.099 of those enemies 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.379 that, 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.919 the things that prevent you 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:34.339 from serving God 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.919 without fear. 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:37.459 And think about 00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.199 some of the fears 00:19:38.199 --> 00:19:40.439 that we experience. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:42.000 Fear is a very powerful thing. 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.039 It motivates us 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.019 in all kinds of ways. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.000 What are some of the fears 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.659 that are competing 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:49.119 for your heart 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.059 this morning? 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:52.639 is it the fear 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.279 of being alone? 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.759 The fear of being alone 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.379 can drive people 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.980 into unhealthy 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:01.599 and codependent relationships. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.599 The fear of being alone 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:07.259 can drive us 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:10.359 to compulsive habits, 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.879 to feel comfort, 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:15.139 to feel companionship, 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.279 even if it's from a thing 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.000 and not a person. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.680 What about the fear 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.299 of being known? 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:23.200 The fear of becoming vulnerable? 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.299 If you feel like 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.500 if anyone really knew you, 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.259 if you would really 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.119 open up to them, 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.339 that they will one day 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.059 turn on you. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.140 For some of you, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.920 maybe that's a fear 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.720 deeply reinforced 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.059 by past experience. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.380 You've been rejected 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.079 by people 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.740 who were close to you. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.680 You've been gossiped 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.339 about by people 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.019 who you thought 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.139 and said 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.579 were your friends. 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.379 You've been ignored 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.759 though 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.939 when you became 00:20:51.939 --> 00:20:52.819 no longer useful. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.299 So we can 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.740 live by that fear. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.039 We can close ourselves off. 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:00.419 That fear 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.179 of being known 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:02.079 and being vulnerable 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.579 and being rejected 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:06.459 and constrained. 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.000 So perhaps 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.959 it's a fear of opposition. 00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.959 So what the Israelites 00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:11.459 experienced 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:11.959 when they 00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:13.659 had left Egypt, 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.980 when God 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.880 had intervened 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.460 in their lives 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.160 and saved them, 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.019 they'd become his people 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.700 but then they came 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.380 to the Red Sea. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.040 In other words, 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:20.640 they faced 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.660 a seemingly 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:23.040 insurmountable obstacle 00:21:23.040 --> 00:21:24.880 that was bigger 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.500 than anything 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.720 they had faced before. 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:28.900 They had Pharaoh's army 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:31.620 coming behind them 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.460 and they had 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.140 the big Red Sea 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.060 with no way, 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.759 no seemingly, 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.259 no way 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.160 to look in front of them. 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.920 Have you felt that way? 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.440 Do your life 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.160 follow Christ? 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.640 Yes, 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.279 Christ has done 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.120 something in the past. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.480 Yes, 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.380 you've received 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.500 his salvation 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.320 but now you're 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:53.019 facing something 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.080 that's bigger 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:54.519 than anything 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.560 you've ever faced before. 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.240 And you don't 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.220 see a way forward 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.880 and maybe like 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.259 the Israelites 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.720 you think, 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.600 why don't I just, 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.640 it'd be a lot easier 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.460 just making you turn 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:05.960 right now. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.940 Go back to Egypt, 00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:08.660 go back to my 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.279 old way of life, 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.360 go back to the way 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.960 I used to deal 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.519 with things. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:16.700 Fear can drive us 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:18.519 into debilitating 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.220 anxiety 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.019 and paralyzing 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.500 depression 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.560 or it can drive us 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.320 into a frenzy 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:22.940 of anxious 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.560 and panicked 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.120 activity. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.400 Listen to these words. 00:22:29.300 --> 00:22:29.960 The Lord God 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.480 has visited 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.100 and redeemed 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:31.600 his people. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.400 He's delivered us 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.920 from the hand 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.600 of our enemies 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:37.300 that we might 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:37.960 serve him 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.740 without fear. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.920 without being 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.579 controlled 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.180 by our fears. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.799 Now it doesn't 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.240 mean you will 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.339 never feel fear, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.960 that's probably 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.660 unrealistic 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:49.620 for most of us 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.160 to expect 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.640 you will never 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.440 feel fear, 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.980 even very strong 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.720 feelings of fear, 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.559 but it's saying 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:55.819 that 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:58.839 by God's power 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:00.099 that we might be 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.940 unable to serve 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:02.580 him and not be 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.460 driven by our 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.860 fears, 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:06.039 but be led 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.700 by the Holy Spirit 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.720 and by faith 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.539 in him. 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.400 And it's not just 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.860 sometimes, 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.580 it's not just most 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:12.980 of the time, 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.860 but all our days. 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.759 This is a promise 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.019 for all our days, 00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:18.980 for every day 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.519 of our life 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.420 and every situation 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.559 we find ourselves in. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:25.460 we may feel fear 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.299 for all kinds 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.960 of reasons, 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.879 but we have a God 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.619 whose power 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:32.139 and mercy 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:33.839 and faithfulness 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.019 are bigger 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.079 than all of our fears. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.019 And when we sing 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.659 his praises, 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.539 when we declare 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.419 his faithfulness 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:41.039 in the past 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.940 and look back 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:43.480 at how he's been 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:45.240 faithful to me 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.879 and to the people 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:49.059 of my brothers 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:50.119 and sisters in Christ 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.480 and to our spiritual 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.099 ancestors, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.640 those who have 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.480 gone before us 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.519 and finished the race 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:56.480 and who are now 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.319 at worshiping Jesus, 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.480 we can serve him 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.019 by faith 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.559 instead of being 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.400 driven by fear. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.500 We don't have to fear 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.099 being alone 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:08.700 because God has promised 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:10.039 to be ever present 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.640 with us, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.799 to never leave us 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.720 nor forsake us. 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.259 Jesus is a Savior 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.559 who is interceding 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:19.220 for us day by day, 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.299 moment by moment, 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.240 on our behalf. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.539 He is our advocate 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.639 before God the Father 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:25.099 in heaven. 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.819 So you can sit all day 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.819 by yourself 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.639 and commune 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.879 with God the Father 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:33.099 and God the Son 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:34.519 and God the Holy Spirit. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.839 You can have 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:37.200 his Spirit abiding in you 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.740 in the depths 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.579 of your inner being, 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.399 filling you with love 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.039 and light 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.139 and hope 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.960 and joy. 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:46.980 We don't have to fear 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.299 becoming vulnerable 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.160 and being known 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:51.319 because you know 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.180 how we have God 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.460 who has made himself 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:53.880 known 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.019 and who made himself 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.059 vulnerable to us. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.299 Jesus Christ knows 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.000 what it's like 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.000 to make himself 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.480 vulnerable 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:04.059 and then be rejected 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:06.099 and slandered 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.700 and betrayed 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:09.639 and crucified. 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.179 And that continues 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:14.740 to happen to him 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.559 every single day. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.059 Right? 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.139 God's children 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:20.519 say we love him 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.419 and yet sometimes 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.259 we ignore him 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:25.839 and reject him. 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:29.879 He can empathize 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.179 with that 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:31.119 more than anyone else. 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.619 And yet despite 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.619 our rejection of him 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.659 he has opened himself 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.099 to us 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.159 that we might know him. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.000 That we might be 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.639 known by him 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.519 and be loved by him 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.459 and know his grace. 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:42.419 That he will not 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.019 reject us. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.279 That he knows us already. 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.959 That it was while 00:25:46.959 --> 00:25:47.759 we were yet sinners 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.019 that he died for us. 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:51.659 And we might begin 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.599 to find our security 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.559 in his acceptance 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.619 of us by his grace. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:58.500 When we have 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.259 that security 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.039 in knowing 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:01.919 who we are in Christ 00:26:01.919 --> 00:26:04.059 then we can use 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.299 wisdom and discernment 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.220 in opening ourselves 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.799 up to others. 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.379 It doesn't mean 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.839 that we should 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.799 open ourselves 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.679 without restrictions 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:10.899 to everyone and anyone. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.539 That's not wise. 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.779 There are some people 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.919 that you should not trust. 00:26:16.959 --> 00:26:17.679 And you should only 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.819 trust God completely. 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.399 But when we know 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:22.980 the security 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.179 of belonging to Christ 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.900 and being known 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.320 by him 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.560 and being deeply loved 00:26:27.560 --> 00:26:28.519 eternally loved 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.039 by him 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.840 then we can 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.620 gradually 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.019 with wisdom 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.680 and discernment 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.860 open ourselves 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.600 to be known 00:26:34.600 --> 00:26:35.680 by others. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.340 And to be vulnerable 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:40.080 to our brothers 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.940 and sisters in Christ 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.740 because that's partly 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.920 how God communicates 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.840 his grace to us. 00:26:44.560 --> 00:26:45.900 By a physical person. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.299 And I think 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.759 one of the most 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.840 powerful things 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.220 that Christians 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.720 can do 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.920 with one another 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.000 is to confess 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.440 our sins 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.000 to one another 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.060 and pray for one another. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.460 That's what 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:59.220 James 5.16 says. 00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.900 Confess your sins 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.480 to one another 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.500 and pray for each other 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.640 so that you may be healed. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.700 And when you open up 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.279 to another 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:07.080 brother or sister in Christ 00:27:07.080 --> 00:27:07.920 and say this is what 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.860 I've been struggling with 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.380 and here's where 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.340 I've been falling 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.019 and failing. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.160 And to have someone else 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.740 come alongside 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.560 and say if you confess 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:16.500 that sin to the Lord 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:18.420 why don't we speak 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:18.800 to the Lord 00:27:18.800 --> 00:27:19.580 about that now. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:21.659 And you can pray 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.439 and confess that 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:22.960 to the Lord 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.919 and then you can have 00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:25.159 another person say to you 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:26.879 the Bible says 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:30.500 1 John 1.9 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.839 that if we confess 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.379 our sins 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.339 God is faithful 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:34.960 and just 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:36.500 to forgive our sins 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.319 and purify us 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.599 from all unrighteousness. 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.740 We can give each other 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.460 that assurance 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:43.159 that God has promised 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.500 of his forgiveness 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.879 and his grace. 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.139 That's what we do 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.599 when we gather 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.159 every morning. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.899 Every Sunday morning 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.879 we have a prayer 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.439 of confession 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:54.159 then we have songs 00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:54.919 about God's mercy 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:55.379 and pardon 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.019 and then we have 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.139 that word of assurance 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.519 that always comes 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.339 right from the scriptures 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.799 speaking to us 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:02.019 about the forgiveness 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.960 and the redemption 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.699 and the assurance 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:04.279 that we can have 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.839 in Christ. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.000 We can do that 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.639 one to one 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:09.679 and encourage 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:10.199 one another. 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.379 We don't have to 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.059 fear failure 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.299 when we face 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.299 seemingly insurmountable 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.720 obstacles 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.500 bigger than anything 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.579 we've previously faced 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.220 because our God 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.799 is stronger 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.779 and he can make 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.319 a way forward 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.220 even when there seems 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.000 to be no way. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.299 Has he not done so 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.900 in the past? 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.920 Brothers and sisters 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.920 we can look to the future 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.759 without fear 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.299 but with confident hope 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.400 in the promises of God. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.160 And that's what we see 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.720 in verse 76 to 79 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:40.799 Zachariah as it were 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.920 turns to his 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:43.740 eight day old son 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.059 and speaks directly 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.600 to him. 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.960 And you child 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.420 will be called 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.600 the prophet of the most high 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:52.400 for you will go 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.019 before the Lord 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.059 to prepare his ways 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.779 to give knowledge 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.400 of salvation 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.240 to his people 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.839 and the forgiveness 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.740 of their sins 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.339 because of the tender 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.380 mercy of our God 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:03.600 whereby the sunrise 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.360 shall visit us 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.019 from on high 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:06.720 to give light 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.400 to those who sit 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:07.859 in darkness 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.559 and in the shadow 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.059 of death 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.460 and to guide our feet 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.420 into the way of peace. 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.440 Zachariah's vision 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.579 is that a new day 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.420 is dawning. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.779 The sunrise 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.759 shall visit us. 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:19.859 It's a vision 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.740 of a new start 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.400 for God's people 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.639 knowledge of salvation 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.519 and his assurance 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.440 of salvation 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.339 and the forgiveness 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.879 of their sins. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:30.039 This is good news. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:32.500 This is the good news 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.519 that the apostle Paul 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.059 proclaimed throughout 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.519 the world. 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:35.899 He said, 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.500 through Jesus 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.839 the forgiveness of sins 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.859 is proclaimed to you 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.519 through him. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.599 Everyone who believes 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.279 is set free 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.480 from every sin 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.200 of justification 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.319 you were not able 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.960 to obtain 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.940 under the law 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.480 of Moses 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:50.740 or anywhere else. 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.799 And the apostle John 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.379 later writes, 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.159 I am writing to you 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:54.659 dear children 00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:55.720 because your sins 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.259 have been forgiven 00:29:57.259 --> 00:30:00.740 on account of his name. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.759 Have you received 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:05.619 that assurance 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.339 of salvation, 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.059 the forgiveness 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.819 of your sins 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.000 through Jesus Christ? 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.759 Or do you still live 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:13.019 under the burden 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.519 of guilt 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.879 and fear 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:15.660 of condemnation? 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.819 It's perhaps 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.259 one of the most 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.200 powerful fears of all. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.539 The good news 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.480 is that in Jesus Christ 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.940 God has come 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.900 to release us 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.379 from the burden 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:25.960 of guilt 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:27.279 and fear 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.480 of condemnation. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.100 That we might have 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:31.120 knowledge of salvation 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.900 and the forgiveness 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.620 of our sins. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.480 This is the reason 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.380 why Jesus Christ 00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.340 came into the world. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.039 So turn to him today 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.600 if you haven't already. 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.740 Ask him for it. 00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:43.039 Acknowledge that you 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.480 are a sinner 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.079 and that you need 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.660 his grace 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.039 and receive his promise 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.600 of forgiveness. 00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:48.279 And if you've done that, 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.240 know that his promise 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.900 is for you. 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.400 Don't live like 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.140 it's not true. 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.840 It's a true promise. 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:57.399 And God is faithful 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:58.159 to his promises. 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.519 This is the message 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:04.799 that Zechariah's son 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.759 John will proclaim. 00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:08.379 Repentance, 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:09.459 a baptism of repentance 00:31:09.459 --> 00:31:10.240 for the forgiveness 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.919 of sins. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.519 Now John's role 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.139 was unique. 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.480 It was to prepare 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.459 the way for Jesus 00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:19.240 as a prophet. 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:22.319 And yet in some ways 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:24.399 the pattern of his life 00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:26.579 is also the pattern 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:29.200 that we are called to 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.500 in some ways. 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.659 His calling is not 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.240 to be great 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.079 for his own sake 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.779 but to point 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:38.279 to a greater one 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.980 who was to come. 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.700 And if you look at 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.639 Luke chapters 1 and 2 00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.200 as a whole, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.939 it's the story of 00:31:46.939 --> 00:31:48.939 the birth of John the Baptist 00:31:48.939 --> 00:31:49.919 and the birth of Jesus 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:51.600 and they're woven together 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.420 but in the way 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:53.140 they're woven together 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.720 you can see 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:55.200 that John is meant 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.740 to point us 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.400 toward Jesus. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.160 Right? 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.660 If you look at 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.960 the beginning of chapter 1 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:01.080 verse 5 to 25 00:32:01.080 --> 00:32:02.500 John's birth is announced 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.160 in advance 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:03.960 he will be great 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.820 before the Lord. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.400 And then 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.720 verse 26 to 38 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:09.160 Jesus' birth is announced 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.720 to Mary 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.940 he will be great 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:12.320 and will be called 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:13.500 the Son of the Most High. 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.700 He will reign forever 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.519 and of his kingdom 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.580 there shall be no end. 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.259 You see Jesus 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.100 will be even greater. 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.480 And then we have 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.719 57 to 66 00:32:22.719 --> 00:32:23.279 the birth 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.519 and circumcision 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.939 and naming of John 00:32:25.939 --> 00:32:27.219 with relatives 00:32:27.219 --> 00:32:28.439 and neighbors rejoicing 00:32:28.439 --> 00:32:30.199 followed by 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:31.480 Zacharias' prophecy. 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:34.339 But then chapter 2 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.199 the birth 00:32:35.199 --> 00:32:36.199 and circumcision 00:32:36.199 --> 00:32:37.379 and naming of Jesus 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.019 chapter 2 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:39.039 verse 1 to 21 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.919 with not just 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.519 neighbors 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.719 and friends rejoicing 00:32:41.719 --> 00:32:42.339 but angels. 00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:44.619 The armies of heaven 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.459 are rejoicing 00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:48.079 because God's peace 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.879 has come to earth. 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:52.299 Simeon and Anna 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:54.079 greet Jesus 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:57.619 with words of prophecy. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.659 Chapter 1 verse 80 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.219 says John 00:33:03.219 --> 00:33:03.939 grew and became 00:33:03.939 --> 00:33:04.939 strong in spirit. 00:33:06.439 --> 00:33:07.359 But then in chapter 2 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:07.879 verse 40 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.379 and 52 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:09.019 it says Jesus 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.740 not only grew 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.579 but became strong 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:11.699 but he was full of wisdom 00:33:11.699 --> 00:33:13.159 and the favor of God 00:33:13.159 --> 00:33:13.919 was upon him. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:15.919 See if you look 00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.859 at these two chapters 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.979 God's doing a great thing 00:33:18.979 --> 00:33:19.619 in the birth of John 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:19.979 the Baptist 00:33:19.979 --> 00:33:20.439 but he's doing 00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:21.500 even a greater thing 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.679 in the life of Jesus. 00:33:24.479 --> 00:33:25.299 That's who he's meant 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.819 to point to. 00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:28.939 John the forerunner 00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:31.079 would point to the light 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.240 but Jesus would be the light. 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.119 John would proclaim 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:34.119 forgiveness of sins. 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.000 Jesus would purchase 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:36.059 forgiveness of sins. 00:33:36.419 --> 00:33:37.439 John would prepare the way 00:33:37.439 --> 00:33:38.299 but Jesus would say 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:39.699 I am the way 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.860 and the truth 00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.880 and the life. 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.180 This is what we're called 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.600 to do 00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:47.160 as believers in Christ 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:48.140 is to have our lives 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:49.400 point to 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.440 the greatness 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:52.460 the all surpassing 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.700 greatness of Jesus Christ 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.819 the light of the world 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:57.759 the hope of the nations. 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:00.580 John's life 00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:01.580 wasn't an easy one. 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.519 Zachariah was speaking 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.539 with confident hope 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.059 about his 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.440 new child 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:10.900 well that child 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.460 would grow up 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.340 to live in the wilderness 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:15.300 not the easiest place 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:15.760 to live. 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.980 He was a bit strange 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.039 but Dr. Mark says 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.440 that he ate 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.599 focused and wild honey 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:23.400 not sure that 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.700 that's in the parents 00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:25.539 ambition 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.720 for their children's diet 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:28.880 the one 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.420 little odd. 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.880 John would later 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.760 be thrown in prison 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:33.900 for speaking the truth 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.659 to King Herod 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.860 and while he was in prison 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.000 John would have doubts 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.480 about Jesus 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.579 he would send messengers 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.240 in Luke 7 00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:42.220 saying are you the one 00:34:42.220 --> 00:34:42.900 who is to come 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.660 or should we look 00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:44.140 for another? 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:46.820 And then eventually 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.740 John would be beheaded 00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:50.019 by King Herod. 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.160 John didn't live 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:52.599 an easy 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.260 or comfortable 00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:54.599 or prosperous 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.400 life 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:58.940 and yet Zachariah 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.599 was happy 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:01.059 at the birth 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.680 of his son 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.360 not because 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.940 John's life 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.620 was promised 00:35:03.620 --> 00:35:04.640 to be smooth 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.179 and comfortable 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.759 and easy 00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:07.879 but because 00:35:07.879 --> 00:35:08.500 John's life 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.179 could point 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.579 faithfully 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:12.019 to the light 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.539 of the world 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:14.299 to the coming 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:14.679 King 00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:16.900 to the great 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.400 Redeemer 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.359 to the Savior 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:22.240 so as we look 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:22.800 as we think 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:23.320 what does it mean 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:23.840 to look toward 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.240 the future 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.180 with confident hope 00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:27.340 it doesn't just 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:27.920 mean wishing 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:29.940 and hoping 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.480 that our life 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.059 is going to be 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:32.160 easy and smooth 00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:32.599 and comfortable 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:35.120 God never promises 00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:35.500 that 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:38.019 but it means 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.920 that by his grace 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.700 our lives 00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.400 can point 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.380 to the light 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.940 of the world 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:46.640 our lives 00:35:46.640 --> 00:35:47.240 can be rooted 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:47.940 in the tender 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.960 mercy of our God 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.780 verse 78 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:51.500 it says 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.280 that all this 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:55.139 John being raised 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.900 up as a prophet 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:57.659 salvation 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.240 and forgiveness 00:35:58.240 --> 00:35:58.699 of sins 00:35:58.699 --> 00:35:59.820 it's all because 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.599 of the tender 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:01.320 mercy 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:03.340 of our God 00:36:03.340 --> 00:36:06.659 that phrase 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:06.980 is 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.539 that we're tender 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.820 it's a word 00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.220 that means 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:11.240 deeply felt 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:12.099 compassion 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:13.659 it's a word 00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.059 that's used 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.800 sometimes to talk 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.119 about 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.519 your guts 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:20.280 that really 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.659 down 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:21.059 deep 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.759 feeling 00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:24.900 saying 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.599 this word 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.139 of salvation 00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.480 that God 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:26.920 has promised 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.460 the light 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:27.880 of the world 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.820 dawning upon us 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.880 it's all because 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.000 of the deeply 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:32.099 felt compassion 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.059 compassionate 00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:33.900 mercy 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:35.199 of our God 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:37.320 that's what we 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.900 can be confident 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.199 in 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:40.380 that's what we 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:40.940 can be confident 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.139 in 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:41.739 that's what can 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:42.320 sustain us 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.059 above all else 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.460 is the 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.599 compassionate 00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:45.380 mercy 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.480 of our God 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:48.940 God's been 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.719 faithful to his 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.380 promises in the 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:50.799 past 00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:52.239 so we can look 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:52.699 to the future 00:36:52.699 --> 00:36:53.239 with confidence 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.579 in them 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:55.340 let's pray 00:36:55.340 --> 00:37:03.519 Father we thank you 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:06.059 for Zachariah's song 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:07.820 we thank you 00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:08.000 Lord 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.400 that you 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:10.019 gave him 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:12.139 Lord not just 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:13.759 words to speak 00:37:13.759 --> 00:37:14.279 but a song 00:37:14.279 --> 00:37:14.739 to sing 00:37:14.739 --> 00:37:16.920 we pray that 00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.480 this song 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.379 would come to 00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:19.059 resonate in our 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.480 hearts 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:23.059 Lord that we 00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:24.900 would look 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.319 back 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:27.079 at the 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:27.739 faithfulness 00:37:27.739 --> 00:37:29.460 that you 00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:30.019 have shown 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.679 to your people 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.319 in the past 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:34.119 to Abraham 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:36.279 and Moses 00:37:36.279 --> 00:37:38.039 and David 00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:39.960 Zachariah 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:40.319 and Elizabeth 00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:41.940 Mary 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.420 and Joseph 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:45.220 or that we 00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:45.480 would look 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:45.880 back 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:47.180 at the past 00:37:47.180 --> 00:37:47.440 that your 00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:48.019 faithfulness 00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.440 that that 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:48.960 would enable 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.600 us to look 00:37:49.600 --> 00:37:50.240 towards our 00:37:50.240 --> 00:37:50.880 future with 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.300 confidence 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:51.740 and with 00:37:51.740 --> 00:37:52.080 hope 00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:54.320 and we 00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:55.000 pray Lord 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.480 that like 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:56.220 John the 00:37:56.220 --> 00:37:56.500 Baptist 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:56.920 you would 00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.280 make us 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:57.880 people who 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:58.280 point 00:37:58.280 --> 00:37:59.640 to the 00:37:59.640 --> 00:37:59.980 light of 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.340 the world 00:38:00.340 --> 00:38:02.480 make us 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:03.080 people who 00:38:03.080 --> 00:38:04.420 shine with 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.740 the light 00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.140 that you 00:38:05.140 --> 00:38:05.519 have given 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.039 to us 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:09.559 Lord we 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:10.039 pray that 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.420 you would 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.259 draw near 00:38:11.259 --> 00:38:11.699 to us 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:11.940 in our 00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:12.380 fears 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:14.519 draw near 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:14.940 to us 00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:15.460 in our 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:18.320 loneliness 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:19.980 in places 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:20.320 where we 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:20.639 feel the 00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.000 lack of 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.199 hope 00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.559 we pray 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:21.880 that you 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.139 would 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:25.039 shine your 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.599 light upon 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:25.980 us 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:27.599 Lord that 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:27.920 we might 00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:28.360 walk on 00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:28.880 the paths 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:29.420 of peace 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:31.920 and that 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.260 we might 00:38:32.260 --> 00:38:33.059 be filled 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:33.880 with your 00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:34.220 spirit 00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:34.840 with hope 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:37.639 and joy 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:39.559 believing in 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:39.760 you 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.559 we pray 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:40.840 this in 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:41.340 Jesus name 00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.119 amen