WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.200 So yeah, so we're at the end of Luke 1, from verse 57 to 80, and that will conclude our series in Luke. 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:18.000 And then next week, we're in here again, so not next door, in the hall, we're in here for the carol service. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:28.280 So that is something to look forward to, and if you have friends and colleagues and neighbours and people you know who might be interested in coming, 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:36.019 please do invite them. Chris has some flyers that you can take with you and hand out, and please do bring people along. 00:00:36.020 --> 00:00:44.340 Yeah, back to Luke 1. The birth of John the Baptist, verse 57. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:49.140 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:57.100 And her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:01.480 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:07.119 And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:10.379 No, he shall be called John. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:14.879 And they said to her, None of your relatives is called by this name. 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.979 And they made signs to the father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:23.319 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:25.780 His name is John. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:28.439 And they all wondered. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:34.519 And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, Blessing God. 00:01:35.379 --> 00:01:37.719 And fear came on all their neighbours. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:42.560 And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:46.219 And all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:49.859 What then will this child be? 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:53.560 For the hand of the Lord was with him. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:01.420 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:10.280 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:15.900 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:20.659 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:25.960 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:31.280 to show the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:35.159 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.000 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.439 might serve him without fear, 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:47.560 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:53.300 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:57.620 for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:00.979 to give knowledge of salvation to his people, 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:03.259 in the forgiveness of their sins, 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:07.159 because of the tender mercy of our God, 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:11.120 whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:14.679 to give light to those who sit in darkness, 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:16.620 and in the shadow of death, 00:03:17.519 --> 00:03:21.099 to guide our feet into the way of peace. 00:03:22.239 --> 00:03:25.060 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:30.879 and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.680 It is the loving and active word of God. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:38.460 What is the point of Christmas? 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.759 It's a fair question to ask at this time of the year, isn't it? 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:46.640 If you ask around, you'll probably hear something like 00:03:46.640 --> 00:03:52.280 family, thankfulness, togetherness, happiness, presence, 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:54.699 especially if you ask children. 00:03:55.580 --> 00:03:56.360 Food, maybe? 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:59.199 A couple of nice carols, 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:02.520 and mulled wine to make us feel warm inside, 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:05.080 in the cold, dark winter months. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:09.520 Some vague mention of peace on earth, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:11.319 and how nice that would be, maybe. 00:04:12.980 --> 00:04:16.180 But I suspect if someone does mention that, 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:17.360 peace on earth, 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:22.600 it won't happen other than people mumbling through a carol, 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:24.899 they probably don't know that well anyway. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:28.540 Or it'll be a throwaway line, 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:31.220 and no one will really want to dwell on that, 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:35.519 because it doesn't really look like a very peaceful place in the world right now, 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:36.040 does it? 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:41.500 Because who wants to spoil Christmas with talk about enemies, 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:43.900 and rescues from enemies? 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.200 Who has those anymore? 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:51.060 We don't go about talking about our enemies like in the medieval times. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:55.280 And that's not what those cute nativity scenes are about, 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:56.300 are they? 00:04:56.839 --> 00:05:01.160 Who wants to talk about enemies when you've got a cute little baby Jesus, 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:02.339 away in a manger, 00:05:02.540 --> 00:05:03.740 no crib for a bed? 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:08.819 Why on a bleak midwinter would you talk about those things? 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:10.660 Can't he wait? 00:05:12.460 --> 00:05:14.360 Well, Zechariah doesn't think so, it seems. 00:05:15.460 --> 00:05:17.040 His promised son, John, 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:18.860 is born, 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:19.720 finally, 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:22.420 and that's where he goes. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.579 He talks about enemies, 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.660 and rescues from enemies, 00:05:26.660 --> 00:05:28.580 and people who hate us. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:32.360 This special child has now finally come. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:34.280 This child, 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:36.580 he couldn't believe would be born, 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:39.100 when the angel Gabriel told him, 00:05:39.500 --> 00:05:42.040 and prophesied to him about who this child would be, 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.620 and what he would do. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:47.420 This child that seemed impossible, 00:05:47.940 --> 00:05:48.720 humanly speaking, 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:49.440 to us, 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:51.960 to be born in their old age, 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:53.600 for Zechariah and Elizabeth. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:54.600 But, 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.320 before we get to why he talks about enemies, 00:05:58.560 --> 00:05:59.300 and rescues, 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:01.420 we need to understand what's happening, 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:02.640 in the first part of this scene, 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:03.180 don't we? 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:04.860 Now, 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:07.300 cast your minds back five or six weeks or so, 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.180 it's incredible, 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.540 it's been that long, 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:09.920 isn't it? 00:06:10.580 --> 00:06:12.580 And you remember that when the angel Gabriel, 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.700 spoke to Zechariah, 00:06:13.760 --> 00:06:14.260 the priest, 00:06:15.020 --> 00:06:17.040 at the beginning of this chapter of Luke's gospel, 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.660 Luke couldn't believe this promise, 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:21.420 of the messenger of God. 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:24.080 And he was struck temporarily, 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:25.120 with muteness, 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:25.680 wasn't he? 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:27.280 Well, 00:06:27.319 --> 00:06:28.540 the baby's now been born. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:32.199 God's promise has come true, 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:34.640 as they always do. 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.520 And Zechariah has now realized, 00:06:37.700 --> 00:06:38.620 the error of his way, 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:39.319 so to speak. 00:06:39.960 --> 00:06:41.920 And he realizes who the son is, 00:06:42.520 --> 00:06:44.759 and what he must do. 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:46.520 But more than that, 00:06:46.520 --> 00:06:47.420 he realizes, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.220 who the God is, 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:50.520 who sent the son. 00:06:52.280 --> 00:06:53.800 And when they come to naming the son, 00:06:54.460 --> 00:06:56.400 the people here expect a family name, 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:58.439 they automatically assume it's going to be Zechariah. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:03.000 Anyone who's got a strong tradition of family names, 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:04.160 in their families, 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.600 knows the pressure and difficulties, 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:07.439 this can cause, 00:07:07.520 --> 00:07:09.540 when it comes to naming children, 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:10.920 grandchildren especially. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:14.180 The story of how I came to be called, 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:15.240 by my second name, 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:15.600 Lawrence, 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:16.879 and not my first name, 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:19.480 is too long to bore you with today. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.280 But there was a whole lot of family drama, 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:22.420 involved in there, 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:23.100 I can tell you. 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:26.540 And even more so in those times, 00:07:26.700 --> 00:07:27.980 names had a meaning. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.460 They told you something, 00:07:30.520 --> 00:07:32.100 about the person being named. 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:35.800 And God had already, 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:36.879 by means of Gabriel, 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:38.280 given the son a name, 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:38.900 hadn't he? 00:07:40.260 --> 00:07:40.780 John. 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:42.920 He told Zechariah, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.240 this child should be named. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:46.340 And John means, 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:47.900 God is gracious. 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:51.539 It's another sign, 00:07:51.659 --> 00:07:52.939 that probably doesn't immediately, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.579 lead us to think of enemies. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.439 And Zechariah's song, 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.579 and the content of that, 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:00.199 God is just, 00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:01.099 or something like that, 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.659 might trigger us to think about enemies, 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:05.799 and those who need God's mighty justice, 00:08:05.919 --> 00:08:06.459 and punishment, 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:07.859 for how they've wronged us, 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:08.519 don't they? 00:08:10.419 --> 00:08:12.259 And then when Elizabeth tells them, 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:13.199 in verse 60, 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:14.379 that he'll be called John, 00:08:15.299 --> 00:08:16.419 they don't believe her. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:19.019 There's no one in your family, 00:08:19.099 --> 00:08:19.779 by that name. 00:08:22.179 --> 00:08:23.419 They don't realize, 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:24.739 who this child is yet, 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:25.679 do they? 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.579 When I try to go around her, 00:08:28.659 --> 00:08:29.439 to Zechariah, 00:08:30.179 --> 00:08:32.199 maybe the father of this child, 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.139 has a different opinion. 00:08:33.459 --> 00:08:34.159 It's almost like, 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:35.000 children, 00:08:35.459 --> 00:08:36.360 playing off parents, 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:37.039 against each other, 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:38.120 and going to the other one, 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.759 when the first one, 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:39.740 has already said no, 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:40.959 to staying up later, 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:44.059 hoping they'd get a different answer. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.279 And he tells them, 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:47.399 on this writing tablet, 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:47.779 that no, 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:50.100 he won't be called John, 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.939 his name is John. 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:56.399 Isn't that incredible? 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:58.699 From a doubter, 00:08:59.459 --> 00:09:01.639 who didn't believe this promise, 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:02.319 to effectively, 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:04.120 someone who says, 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.959 this child already has a name, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:09.939 because he's from God, 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:10.740 for God, 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:11.960 to do God's work, 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.480 like Gabriel had promised. 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:15.899 He's a special child, 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:17.340 with a special name, 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.100 from God, 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:21.080 because he'll go before, 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:22.060 the promised Lord, 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:22.700 the Messiah, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.220 to prepare his way. 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.560 He's saying more, 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:27.720 than just saying a name, 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:28.159 isn't he? 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.500 What's in a name? 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.300 Pretty much, 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.800 at least in this case. 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:34.299 God's, 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:36.179 and immediately, 00:09:36.599 --> 00:09:37.120 we read, 00:09:37.719 --> 00:09:38.759 which in Luke's gospel, 00:09:38.859 --> 00:09:39.339 is usually, 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:40.579 a signal for us, 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:41.859 that the miracle has happened, 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.759 he can speak again. 00:09:47.339 --> 00:09:48.299 He's confessing, 00:09:48.359 --> 00:09:49.339 the gospel is a miracle. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:52.740 Despite all the evidence, 00:09:52.800 --> 00:09:53.560 of God's kindness, 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:54.480 and his existence, 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.000 even, 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.240 the Bible tells us, 00:09:56.280 --> 00:09:57.780 the heavens declare his glory, 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:00.160 despite God speaking to us, 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:02.100 through all the prophets, 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:02.899 in the Old Testament, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.700 and now through his word, 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.840 despite Jesus, 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:08.320 his son being born, 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:10.000 as he was promised by God, 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:12.300 it's still a miracle, 00:10:12.300 --> 00:10:13.860 every single time, 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:14.580 someone, 00:10:15.660 --> 00:10:16.960 confesses the truth, 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:17.780 of the gospel. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.060 You, 00:10:21.300 --> 00:10:21.519 me, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.019 anyone, 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:23.360 who calls himself a Christian, 00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:25.980 Romans 5, 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:26.740 10 tells us, 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:27.920 we were enemies of God. 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:30.440 And none of us, 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.019 would have been able, 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.800 to believe God's promises to us. 00:10:33.280 --> 00:10:33.720 None of us, 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:34.680 wanted to believe, 00:10:34.780 --> 00:10:36.139 God's promises to us. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:38.560 And not even mentioning, 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.700 calling upon God, 00:10:39.780 --> 00:10:40.280 for forgiveness, 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:41.440 or returning to God, 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:41.940 ourselves. 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:45.680 You see, 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.120 it wasn't, 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:50.320 when this miracle happened, 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:51.039 it wasn't just, 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.080 Zechariah and Elizabeth, 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:52.700 who realized, 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.879 something was going on. 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.320 We know that, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.179 because the people, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.679 talked about it. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.700 The people realized, 00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.419 the hand of God, 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:00.340 was on this child. 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.759 Because what had happened, 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.379 was unusual, 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.080 wasn't it? 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.259 They realized, 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:07.519 this is a child from God, 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.820 here to do God's work. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.539 And the hand of God, 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:11.299 was upon him. 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:13.740 Now, 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:15.339 we must realize, 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.000 obviously, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.839 Israel was, 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:19.500 under Roman occupation, 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.199 and they'd lost, 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.219 their own state really, 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:21.519 and, 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.099 you know, 00:11:22.099 --> 00:11:22.839 since they came back, 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:23.539 from exile, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.579 things just never really, 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:26.539 were the way, 00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:27.859 they were before. 00:11:28.839 --> 00:11:29.819 They never really, 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:30.839 were the same again. 00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:32.699 And so, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.279 they've been waiting, 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.659 for a political savior. 00:11:34.839 --> 00:11:35.379 They have. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.079 They had real enemies, 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:37.919 oppressing them. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:40.240 But, 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.199 Zechariah, 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.179 is inspired here, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:43.159 by the Holy Spirit, 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:43.979 isn't he? 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:45.299 He was filled, 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.259 with the Holy Spirit, 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.240 and he prophesied. 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:48.439 You get, 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:48.939 it's interesting, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.539 the one who didn't believe, 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.159 the prophecy, 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:52.339 of the angel Gabriel, 00:11:52.479 --> 00:11:53.299 is now the one, 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.459 who prophesies, 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.059 by the power of God. 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.699 And he prophesies, 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.599 about more than, 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:00.519 than, 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.159 than political saviors. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.459 Doesn't he? 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.099 You see, 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.279 this promise, 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.459 that was made to him, 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.479 has now been fulfilled. 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:11.279 And he sees, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.259 that in that promise, 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.379 lies a deeper promise. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.479 A new, 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.860 an old promise, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.799 made anew, 00:12:19.459 --> 00:12:20.819 of the savior to come. 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:21.479 The savior, 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.259 that his son, 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.599 would prepare the way for. 00:12:26.719 --> 00:12:27.740 And that's why, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.219 we have to think about enemies, 00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:30.939 and opposition, 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:31.599 at Christmas. 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:34.299 Because if we don't, 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.240 we miss the point. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.940 And we miss the miracle, 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.480 of Christmas. 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:41.560 You see, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.259 if John the Baptist, 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.100 didn't come to be, 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:44.480 the last prophet, 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.879 the one who prepared, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.759 the way for Jesus, 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:48.960 then his birth, 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.379 would have been, 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.379 nothing more than, 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:51.960 a private miracle, 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.919 for Zechariah, 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:53.500 and Elizabeth. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.180 An old couple, 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.379 from an unknown town, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.220 in the hill country, 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:57.879 of Judea, 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:58.840 circa, 00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.860 0 AD. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:03.000 But even more so, 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.560 his preparing, 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.560 the way for Jesus, 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:07.139 only means something. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.899 Because if Jesus, 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:12.620 didn't come to rescue us, 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.240 the birth of, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.300 the son of God, 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:15.820 as a man, 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:17.039 2000 years ago, 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.980 which we spend, 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.460 billions of pounds, 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.919 celebrating every year, 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.720 is nothing more, 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.779 than a private miracle, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:25.019 for a virgin girl, 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.740 from Galilee. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.259 And it doesn't really, 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.440 mean much for us. 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:31.640 The reason Christmas, 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.920 is so important, 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.400 is this thing, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.220 that Zechariah, 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.520 puts his finger on. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.680 That we're in desperate, 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.680 need of salvation. 00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:43.340 Our biggest problem, 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.120 if we're honest, 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.820 is not external enemies, 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:49.100 even though some Christians, 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.800 around the world, 00:13:49.880 --> 00:13:50.560 will tell you, 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.160 absolutely incredible, 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.040 horror stories. 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:55.760 Christians in North Korea, 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:57.100 literally risk their lives, 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.740 when they tell, 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:59.220 their children the gospel, 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.000 but they do, 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.759 because they know, 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.759 what the gospel means, 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.419 and how important it was, 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.240 that Jesus came, 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.299 to be born as a man. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.620 The government, 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.180 in countries like North Korea, 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:10.899 is an enemy, 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.680 of God's people. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.840 And Christians, 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:14.299 they know, 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:14.860 what it means, 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:15.779 to put their trust, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.460 in a saviour, 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.560 who is more powerful, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.799 than any oppressive regime. 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.680 Even more powerful, 00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.960 than the Roman Empire, 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:23.720 that oppressed, 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.000 the Jews, 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.200 and the early Christians. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:29.660 It's an incredible miracle, 00:14:30.020 --> 00:14:31.160 that a man, 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.740 the God man, 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.180 but a man nonetheless, 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.140 will be the one, 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:38.640 to finally overthrow, 00:14:38.640 --> 00:14:41.180 all tyrannical regimes, 00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:43.120 and bring peace forever. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.259 A man, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.620 who is God's eternal king, 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.920 will defeat God's enemies, 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.400 and those who hate his people, 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:52.259 will reign justly, 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.179 for all time. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.439 But it isn't even, 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.799 it isn't even Satan, 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.959 and his demonic forces, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:00.279 who are our biggest enemies, 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:01.179 in some ways. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.240 Powerful as they are, 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.100 God made clear, 00:15:05.459 --> 00:15:06.259 right at the beginning, 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.079 of our problems, 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:07.740 at the fall, 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.799 in the garden of Eden. 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.419 Didn't he? 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.139 That Satan, 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.980 would be crushed, 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.459 by this promised Messiah, 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.039 the promised saviour, 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.799 and that he is ultimately, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.480 just another created being, 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.579 under God's authority. 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:21.959 And, 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.439 although he will be, 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.360 overthrown to, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.799 overthrown to, 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.819 by this conquering, 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.639 Son of God, 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.899 God become man, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.699 will demolish, 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.539 the one who tried, 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:32.599 to deceive man. 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:35.480 No, 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:36.620 I think if we are honest, 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.579 we are our own, 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:39.500 worst enemies, 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:40.860 aren't we? 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:43.120 It is our own sin, 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.279 that is our undoing. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.340 It is our own, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.580 hatred of God, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.220 that makes us, 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.220 enemies of God. 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.139 And so, 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.460 the miracle of Christmas, 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.539 and the reason, 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.460 why we desperately, 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.759 need to realize, 00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.500 that deliverance, 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.159 from enemies, 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.320 is crucial, 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:01.940 to properly, 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.080 understanding Christmas, 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.019 more than family dinners, 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.560 and presents, 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.519 and Christmas specials, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.060 on the telly, 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.379 is that we need, 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.000 deliverance, 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.019 from ourselves, 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.899 by a God, 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.320 whom we fought, 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.879 and hated. 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.679 It isn't something, 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.539 we could do. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.399 A wise man, 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.139 once told me, 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.519 there are two kinds, 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:23.980 of problems, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.740 in this world, 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.000 your problems, 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.940 and my problems. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.740 There was a deeper, 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.559 point to that, 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.960 that because if you, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.539 have a problem, 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.279 I can help you, 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.000 with your problem. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.120 If I have a problem, 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.820 you can help me, 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.419 with mine. 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.379 But by definition, 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.679 if we have a problem, 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.019 we are in trouble. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.279 We needed someone, 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.059 to save us, 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.279 from our worst enemies, 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.659 ourselves. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.659 And in Jesus, 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.899 God has provided, 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.559 the Savior. 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:54.340 Not because of anything, 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:54.899 we have done, 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.159 but because of the kind, 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.259 of God that he is. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.639 That is what Zechariah, 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.480 is singing about here, 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.320 and prophesying. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.500 He is a God, 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.559 who can make promises, 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.619 come true, 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.740 across time. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.000 verse 69, 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:11.120 verse 70, 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.720 as he spoke, 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.279 by the mouth, 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.240 of his holy prophets, 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.339 from of old. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.480 And he has made, 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:16.940 one, 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.559 coherent promise, 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.759 across human history, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.079 through all the prophets, 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.319 who spoke on his behalf, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.740 over thousands of years. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.480 And he has kept, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.200 that promise. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.799 He is the kind of God, 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.539 who makes promises, 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.420 who enters into, 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:29.960 a covenant, 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.819 with people, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.640 despite, 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.620 what they have done, 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.160 to him. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.400 To people, 00:17:36.520 --> 00:17:37.160 who are his enemies. 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:39.220 And he is faithful, 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.300 to those promises, 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.500 even when, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.340 we are not. 00:17:44.300 --> 00:17:45.180 He is a God, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.960 who desires, 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.480 a people, 00:17:46.780 --> 00:17:47.480 who will know, 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.220 and love him, 00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:49.220 and live rightly, 00:17:49.320 --> 00:17:50.000 before him. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.220 Verse 75, 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.300 that we might serve him, 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:53.920 without fear, 00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:54.580 in holiness, 00:17:54.780 --> 00:17:55.540 and righteousness, 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.420 before him, 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.620 all our days. 00:17:58.820 --> 00:17:59.820 And he does, 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.740 what is necessary, 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.900 to make that possible. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.160 Raising up a saviour, 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.020 who is able, 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.800 to redeem us, 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.720 from our sins. 00:18:08.280 --> 00:18:09.280 He is a God, 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:09.980 who acts, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.280 not because, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.620 we force him to, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.460 but because, 00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:16.120 of his tender mercy. 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:18.440 Verse 78. 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:21.380 And you know, 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.780 it is only when we realize, 00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:24.540 we more than anything, 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:26.360 need salvation, 00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:27.160 from ourselves, 00:18:27.280 --> 00:18:28.340 and from our own sin, 00:18:29.780 --> 00:18:30.480 and that it is not, 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.700 enemies out there, 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.759 that we have to worry, 00:18:32.840 --> 00:18:33.680 about firstly, 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.480 but the fact, 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.200 that we have made, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.279 an enemy of God, 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:39.019 that we can really, 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.940 fully appreciate, 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.140 what Christmas means. 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.000 They say, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:44.799 it is only when you, 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.440 put a diamond, 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.640 on a black cloth, 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.720 that you appreciate, 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.380 its beauty. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.480 It is always, 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.000 darkest, 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.980 before the dawn, 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.539 and it is only, 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:54.980 when you see, 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:55.960 the darkness first, 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.840 that you appreciate, 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.500 the brilliance, 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.460 of the sunrise. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:01.460 It is only when we, 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.200 when we realize, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.700 the darkness, 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.680 in our own hearts, 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.299 when we realize, 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.420 the dark truth, 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.200 of death, 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.200 hanging over us, 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.259 because of our sin, 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.460 the punishment, 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.220 we deserve, 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:12.900 for making, 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.519 an enemy of God, 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.079 that we, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.779 appreciate, 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:17.920 the in-breaking, 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.840 of light, 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.220 that Zechariah, 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.500 sings about there, 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.120 isn't it? 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.160 Verse 78. 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.600 That we appreciate, 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:25.680 the in-breaking light, 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:27.340 the sun rising again, 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.740 that Christmas, 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:29.579 represents. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.279 Perhaps, 00:19:32.459 --> 00:19:33.000 that's something, 00:19:33.199 --> 00:19:34.720 you need to, 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.159 maybe that's something, 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.199 you want to do, 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.359 for the first time, 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.039 this Christmas. 00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:42.259 Don't let the shimmer, 00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:43.039 of tinsel, 00:19:43.199 --> 00:19:44.059 and fairy lights, 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.819 blind you, 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.379 to the reality, 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.559 that you need, 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.740 salvation by God. 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.599 You see, 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.279 the point of Christmas, 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.039 is that we were, 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.019 enemies of God, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.240 but we are, 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:55.859 no longer, 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.939 because, 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.879 of God. 00:19:58.959 --> 00:19:59.939 We are those, 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.179 Zechariah talks about, 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.139 in verse 79. 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.799 Those who are sitting, 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:04.459 in the darkness, 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.759 and shadow of death, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.479 unless, 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.859 because of the birth, 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:11.359 of Jesus, 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.500 a new light, 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.719 guides our feet, 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.039 unto the way of peace. 00:20:17.719 --> 00:20:18.240 Zechariah's, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.240 song of, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.959 praise, 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.659 and prophecy, 00:20:20.979 --> 00:20:21.019 is, 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.219 usually known, 00:20:22.479 --> 00:20:23.779 as the Benedictus, 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.279 the Latin word, 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.759 that is the first word, 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.379 of the song, 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:29.819 in Latin. 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.720 Blessed be, 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:33.259 the Lord God of Israel, 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:35.220 for he has visited, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:37.139 and redeemed his people. 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.579 Blessed is he indeed. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.359 Blessed is the God, 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.980 who rescued his enemies, 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.399 from themselves, 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:48.079 and raised up the one, 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.379 who would save us. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.580 blessed is the God, 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.740 who became one of us, 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.600 two thousand years ago, 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.240 because he, 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.520 had mercy, 00:20:58.300 --> 00:20:59.060 on us. 00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:01.320 Amen. 00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.480 Let me pray.