WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:10.759 All right. Are you prepared for Christmas? It's coming. It's next Saturday, in case you haven't figured that out yet. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:19.199 Are you prepared for Christmas? Usually we think of this question in terms of the cultural and family celebrations and traditions we have. 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:28.640 Is the menu set and the food bought? Are the presents purchased, wrapped, or hopefully on their way in shipping? 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:37.520 Is the tree up and decorated? These are the sorts of questions that we often think about. Are we prepared for Christmas? 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:49.019 But, you know, as we come to the Scriptures, as we come to the Bible, it asks the same question, are you prepared for Christmas, but with a much more profound focus. 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:59.100 Are you prepared for the first Christmas? Are you prepared for God's work in your life and in the world? 00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:11.420 As we come to our text this morning in the book of Luke, and we'll turn there in just a few minutes, but as we look at the Gospel of Luke and the story there of the coming of Jesus, 00:01:11.820 --> 00:01:16.200 we recognize that for 400 years God had been silent. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:27.820 And as we come to the people in the context of the New Testament, were they prepared for Christmas? 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:32.120 Were they prepared for what God was about to do? 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:37.359 Were they ready for Him to come and fulfill His promises? 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:42.939 And as we think about them, we think about ourselves as well. 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:51.980 For this Christmas, are you prepared for what God wants to do in your life and in our world this Christmas? 00:01:51.980 --> 00:02:02.800 If you want to turn in your Bible, we're going to look today at Luke chapter 1, verses 57 through 80. 00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:05.640 It's on page 804 in the Pew Bible. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:16.740 And as Pastor Nick has mentioned in the past, there's this beautiful structure in the beginning of the book of Luke where there are two announcements. 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:21.000 The announcements of the birth of John the Baptist and then the announcement of the birth of Jesus. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:31.379 And then last week he preached on the coming together of Mary and Elizabeth, these two mothers surprisingly preparing to give birth. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:37.039 And then we come to then, as Luke continues, the structure then continues. 00:02:37.159 --> 00:02:38.180 There are two birth narratives. 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:42.479 There's one we'll do right now on the birth of John the Baptist. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:46.719 And then on Christmas Eve, we'll look at the birth of Jesus Himself. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:03:00.000 So, as we're looking at these things, one of the things that's important to notice is that as we come to this part, what God has already been doing has been private up to this point. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:02.919 And now God is making it public. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:06.919 So, let's look at the passage together and read. 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:10.579 Book of Luke, chapter 1, verse 57. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:11.699 Let's read together. 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:16.099 Now, the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 00:03:16.739 --> 00:03:22.259 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:28.739 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they would have named him Zechariah after his father. 00:03:29.459 --> 00:03:33.120 But his mother answered, No, he shall be called John. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:38.780 And they said to her, None of your relatives are called by that name or by this name. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:43.960 And they made signs to his father inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:48.980 And he asked for a writing tablet, and he wrote, His name is John. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:51.300 And they all wondered. 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:56.740 And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, Blessing God. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:59.400 And fear came on all the neighbors. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:05.300 And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea. 00:04:05.480 --> 00:04:12.040 And all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What then will this child be? 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:16.199 For the hand of the Lord was on him, was with him. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:27.339 And the father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:36.599 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:42.520 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 00:04:42.520 --> 00:04:47.220 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:51.180 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham to grant us, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:59.520 that we, being delivered from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 00:05:00.280 --> 00:05:04.180 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:08.900 for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:14.980 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:17.840 because of the tender mercy of our God, 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:21.100 whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:25.420 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:28.259 to guide our feet in the way of peace. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:31.460 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:36.659 and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:38.639 Let's pray together. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:49.259 Lord Jesus, this morning as we, during this Advent season, 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:53.060 prepare to celebrate your coming to earth, 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:59.860 Lord, we pray this morning that your word would speak to us, 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:05.560 that your Holy Spirit would take it and would teach our minds the truths, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:11.199 would teach our hearts, Lord, to respond in love and willing submission, 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:15.480 Lord, that we would be filled with joy, 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:20.060 filled with the joy at what you are up to, 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:23.899 the things that we celebrate in Christmas. 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:28.800 Help us, Lord, to have a renewed joy this morning in all these things. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:31.360 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:32.319 Amen. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.959 So as we look at this passage, there are two clear parts. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:38.500 The first half is the narrative. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.000 The second half is the words of Zechariah. 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:46.819 The first half tells us about the amazing arrival of John the Baptist, 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:50.819 and the second part tells us about the amazing role of John the Baptist. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:53.319 So let's look at these things in order. 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:55.399 First, the amazing arrival. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:07:00.219 You know, it's fun to look at this narrative arc in 57 through 66. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:03.399 One of the most remarkable things is that the birth of the baby is the very, 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.159 it's the setup. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.079 It's not the point, right? 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.879 The baby is born in verse 57, 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:11.800 and then we move on to how everybody responded and what happened afterwards. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:13.420 So the baby coming, 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:17.580 we've already sort of dealt with that at the beginning of chapter one about how amazing that is. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:20.000 So that's not the point of this. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:24.319 What seems to be the main focus of this is what is this baby's name going to be? 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:28.200 Because the people assumed that they were going to name it after his father, 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:32.540 but both Elizabeth and Zechariah said, 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:36.379 no, no, the name will be John. 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:39.060 And interestingly, when you look at the way John, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:42.240 the way Zechariah phrases it in verse 60, 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:43.720 it's actually clear in the original. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:46.500 What Zechariah literally said was, 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:48.339 John is his name. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:52.579 It's the first word of what he wrote was, 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:54.160 the emphasis is that John, 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:56.340 and here's the amazing thing, right? 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:00.300 Phil Riken, who's the president of Wheaton College now, 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:02.040 and a pastor for many years, 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:03.480 wrote a great commentary on Luke. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:08.580 And he pointed out that the name Zechariah means that God remembers. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.780 The name Elizabeth means God is faithful. 00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:13.840 But John means God is merciful. 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:21.460 And this was the name that Zechariah and Elizabeth gave to their son 00:08:21.460 --> 00:08:25.460 because it is the name that God had given them through the angel. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.620 His name shall be called John. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:35.860 And in response to the agreement of this husband and wife, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.460 we don't know all the background. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:40.080 We don't know if this was a supernatural agreement. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:42.560 We don't know how much communication they had. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:45.360 But clearly, they stood against the will of the people to say, 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.519 his name is John. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:47.539 God is merciful. 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:51.340 And it seems like the way Luke writes this whole story 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:55.799 is to point us to the question that the people ask at the very end, 00:08:55.799 --> 00:09:01.159 which is, what then will this child be? 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:04.299 What role is he going to play? 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:08.019 God's done something amazing to bring this baby about 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.599 from a woman who's too old to have children. 00:09:11.359 --> 00:09:15.620 What then is God up to in this? 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:21.359 Before we move on, I just want to stop and pause for a second. 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:24.319 It's a good question for us to ask. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:25.760 Michelle actually asked us this week. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:28.160 We were talking about, well, lots of things. 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:30.840 And she just said, you know, I just wonder, 00:09:31.040 --> 00:09:32.980 what is God up to in the middle? 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.480 We were talking in the middle of trials and challenges 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.420 that we're facing and different things like that. 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:39.379 What is God up to? 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:43.060 And it's a good question for us to ask. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:46.280 Look, these last two years have been really hard. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:49.880 They've been challenging for many of us. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:52.920 They've been challenging for all of us in different ways, haven't they? 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:59.599 Some of us have experienced isolation, depression, separations, divisions, 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:03.360 losses of people or of hopes and dreams. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:08.620 Some of us have had lots of time with family, and that's been wonderful. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:11.360 Some of us have had lots of time with family, and that's been terrible. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:22.200 Sometimes it feels like it's easy for the darkness to be winning. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:25.759 And we ask the question, what is God up to? 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:30.080 It reminds me of a scene from Lion and Witch in the Wardrobe. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:34.820 You remember the four Pivensey children are brought into this magical world, 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:38.700 but it's winter, and it's cold, and they're unprepared. 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:41.920 And as they come back the second time, the four of them, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.260 they find Mr. Tumnus is gone, 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:48.540 and his house has been destroyed, and they're afraid. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.280 And then they meet Mr. Beaver. 00:10:53.160 --> 00:10:55.960 And Mr. Beaver says this. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:11:00.900 They say Aslan is on the move. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:03.740 Maybe he's already here. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:07.700 And now a very strange thing happened. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.840 C.S. Lewis goes on. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:12.040 None of the children knew who Aslan was, 00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:15.160 but the moment the beaver had spoken these words, 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:17.900 everyone felt very different. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:22.220 It was like in a dream when someone says something you don't understand, 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:25.620 but in the dream it feels like it is very important. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:29.879 Either it's a terrible thing that turns the whole dream into a nightmare, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:34.259 or else a beautiful one that makes the dream so wonderful 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:36.879 that you remember it all your life. 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:39.139 It was like that now. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:45.080 At the name of Aslan, each of the children felt something jump inside of them. 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:53.379 Aslan, of course, is an allegory of Jesus. 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:57.160 And in Luke 1, we see something similar. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:12:00.180 God is on the move, and he's making it known. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:03.879 This miraculous baby has come, and there's a similar response. 00:12:04.020 --> 00:12:07.100 The people are amazed when they find out, 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.540 Elizabeth, you're pregnant? 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.840 You had a baby! 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.160 That's unbelievable! 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:13.939 And then the way this naming happens, 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.819 and when Zechariah's mouth is loosed, 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:21.259 they were amazed and fearful and filled with awe. 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:28.319 What will this amazing arrival be? 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:30.240 What will he do? 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.539 And this is what Luke sets us up with all this question. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:36.439 And then we say, well, what's the answer? 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:39.879 Well, the answer is in the words of his father, right? 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:42.740 Because it seems like from verse 67 on, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:47.000 we get Zechariah's words that are referred to in verse 64. 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:51.200 In his blessing God, he would also answer the question, 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:55.820 who will this child be, and what will he do? 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.019 So let's look at that together. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:10.759 Starting in verse 67, we see Zechariah's mouth opened. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.679 We see him loosed to speak after, remember, 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:18.659 nine months of silence when he was made mute 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:22.019 in judgment for his unbelief at the announcement 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.919 of the coming of his child. 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:27.340 And when we get to the answer to the question, 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:31.000 we actually will get to it in verses 76 and 77. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:33.600 So there are 10 verses before then. 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:39.840 Zechariah first begins by saying, 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.220 I want to praise God, 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:44.120 and then I will tell you what the role of my child will be. 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:47.259 He begins by blessing God, 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:51.440 and he reminds us of what God is up to. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:55.440 He goes back and he pulls in all this imagery 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.279 from the Old Testament. 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:58.620 He doesn't even seem like he's quoting things, 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.679 but remember, he's a priest in the temple, 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.620 and he's just pulling from his knowledge 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.940 of what he knows God has already done, 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:08.799 that God has always been up to being a God 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.879 who would redeem a people for himself, 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:13.000 that he was going to take the initiative, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:15.659 that he would come and visit his people, 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:18.100 that he would fulfill what he has spoken, 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:21.039 the promises to David to create a kingdom, 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:24.379 the promises to Abraham to make a people for himself 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:27.620 and to bless them and to make them a blessing to the world. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:33.080 And if you look through 68 through 75, 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:35.240 you see over and over again, 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:38.139 the central theme of God's redemptive work, 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.460 his saving work. 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:42.600 So you see in verse 68, 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:44.480 he says, God will redeem his people. 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:48.000 Verse 69, God will raise up a horn of salvation. 00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:52.019 Verse 71, God has saved us from our enemies. 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:56.580 72, that God will show the mercy that he promised. 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:59.820 And verse 74, again, that he will deliver us 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.980 from the hands of our enemies. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:08.100 Before Zechariah gets to talking about his son, 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:10.060 he wants to talk about his God 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:13.879 and say, this is what God has been up to 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.420 for all of history. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:22.420 And then he says, and my son is the next step 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:26.220 in that process of what God is doing in this world. 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:31.540 So look with me in verse 76 and 77 again. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.259 Let's read it. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.639 This is what John says. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.600 Can you imagine? 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:36.879 This is the first words he said in nine months 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:40.259 and he gets to speak this blessing over his son. 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:44.139 And he says, and you child will be called 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.779 the prophet of the most high. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:50.299 For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:53.480 to give knowledge of salvation to his people 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.720 in the forgiveness of their sins. 00:15:56.720 --> 00:16:03.899 After 400 years of silence, God is going to speak again. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.519 And here's the prophet. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:08.480 Here's the last Old Testament prophet. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.960 My son will be the last one to speak 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:15.920 of the one who is coming to fulfill these promises, 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:19.300 to finally do the work that will be the centerpiece 00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:21.960 of all of history and all of what God will do. 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:27.840 God knew that Jesus would need a herald 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:30.100 to go before him to prepare the way. 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:34.060 And John the Baptist would be it. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.360 I don't know if you guys are Disney fans. 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:39.400 We've seen a lot of Disney in our household. 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:43.379 And one of my favorite ones is Disney Robin Hood. 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:46.540 It's one of the offbeat ones. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.700 It's not as well known, but it's really funny. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:52.320 The Phony King of England is a great song. 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:57.860 But one of the things that happens, spoiler alert, 00:16:58.020 --> 00:17:00.440 at the very end, the real king comes back. 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:03.080 King Richard, whatever he is, I can't even remember. 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:06.480 But he shows up and do you remember what happens? 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.920 He shows up and before him goes this trail 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:14.960 of people on horses with horns and they're blaring. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.799 He's here, he's coming. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.559 Here comes the king. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:20.680 They go before him to proclaim 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:24.039 that the king is about to arrive. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:29.339 And this is what John the Baptist is coming to do in the world. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:32.259 John the Baptist is gonna go out into the wilderness. 00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:35.159 He's gonna preach a baptism of repentance 00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:37.159 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:39.539 That's what it says in Luke 3. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:43.259 That this is what John the Baptist is going to do 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:46.319 to say there and he's gonna do that 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.000 and then he's gonna say, 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.619 there's one coming behind me, 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.740 one who is more worthy than I, 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:54.759 one who is so worthy I can't even tie his shoes. 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:57.099 There's one coming behind me 00:17:57.099 --> 00:18:00.140 and he's the one that you're waiting for 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:03.500 because he's gonna come 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:06.559 and bring the forgiveness of our sins. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:14.559 Remember that in the context of first century Israel, 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.299 the nation of Israel, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.960 what kind of salvation were they longing for? 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:21.039 What kind of redemption were they looking for? 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:23.079 Probably a political and a social one. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:25.779 They're looking for freedom from the yoke of Rome, 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:28.879 for a reestablishment of the glory of Israel 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:30.700 after years of subjugation. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:33.859 They were looking for a renewal of a society 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:37.240 and a righteous society that Israel and Jerusalem, 00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:39.199 again, would be a light to the world 00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:41.959 where all people would come and see the greatness of God 00:18:41.959 --> 00:18:44.919 because of their sociopolitical situation. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:49.439 But John says, I have a better message than that. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.500 I have a greater message for you 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:55.439 and that is that this one is gonna come 00:18:55.439 --> 00:18:58.659 and bring the forgiveness of sins. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:00.319 And my role is to tell you 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:02.459 that with him will come the knowledge 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:04.380 of that forgiveness of sin. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:09.259 Now, before we go on, 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.900 let's think about this for a minute 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:14.160 because we don't like to think about sin, 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.819 certainly not during Christmas. 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:17.240 It's kind of depressing. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:22.079 We think of sinners often culturally as bad people. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.120 There are some people who are bad enough 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:25.819 we can label them as bad. 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.400 There's Hitler and there's Bin Laden 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:29.160 and that sort of thing. 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:33.100 And then we often have our own pet peeve list 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:35.460 of the people who are really sinners in the world, 00:19:35.540 --> 00:19:37.800 the people who park in handicapped parking spots 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:40.140 or who don't recycle their recyclables 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:42.540 or who drive a gas guzzling car 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:44.340 or who drive an electric Prius 00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:46.460 or who watch CNN. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.680 We can go across a spectrum 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:50.940 and we all have our own sins 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:53.340 that we condemn others for. 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.240 And obviously those are all lighthearted. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:58.819 Let's not get into the details of that. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.539 But more deeply we do, 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:03.480 there are things that we all think. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:06.039 There are sinful people out there, 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:09.120 but they're not typically us. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.599 We don't think of ourselves 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:13.240 as being sinners very often. 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:16.640 We often think of them as sinners 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.039 and we excuse ourselves. 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.359 We know we're not perfect, 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.180 but aren't we good enough? 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:25.080 But the Bible tells a different story, 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:27.660 a much darker story, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:30.000 because it tells us that our sin 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.799 is deep and comprehensive 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.860 and that the darkness in our hearts 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:35.720 has always been there since Adam. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:39.279 And it shows because we are selfish 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:41.980 and proud and self-centered 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.519 and morally weak. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:47.500 As the book of Romans tells us, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.240 there is no one righteous, 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.859 not one. 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:52.579 We are all sinful. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.440 We don't believe God. 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.660 We don't trust God. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.220 We don't serve God. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.359 We don't honor Him in our hearts. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.920 And this problem of sin 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.960 then raises a question, 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.619 how can God have fellowship 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:10.359 with darkness and death from sin? 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:15.039 And John the Baptist has come to say, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.619 God is on the move 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:18.599 to deal with that very question. 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:21.219 God is on the move to bring one 00:21:21.219 --> 00:21:24.839 who will bring the forgiveness of sins 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:27.219 to the world once for all. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.139 He will come and bring light 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:31.179 into the darkness of our sinful world. 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:32.699 He will come to bring light 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:34.599 into the darkness of our sinful soul. 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:38.619 He will make peace with God possible again 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:40.639 through the forgiveness of sins. 00:21:41.239 --> 00:21:43.379 And He will do this at great cost. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.639 For the cross of Christ 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:48.539 hangs over the manger, does it not? 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:53.439 Jesus will earn forgiveness for us 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:56.059 by bearing the punishment of our sins. 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:58.859 Because a just God must rightly 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.799 and justly condemn all sin, 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:02.159 including ours. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.839 Yet Jesus comes and He says, 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:07.319 if you trust in me, 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:10.379 if you believe that what I have done 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.059 is sufficient, 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.559 and if you will throw yourself 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.619 by faith desperately 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.939 onto what I am about to do, 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:23.480 I will bear the punishment for your sin 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:27.019 and I will give to you instead 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:29.599 forgiveness for your sin. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:32.319 I will lift your burden. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.339 The guilt and the shame 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.839 will be taken away. 00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:37.799 I will tear down the barrier 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.159 so that you can now 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:42.259 enter into the household of God 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:45.679 and know that He accepts you 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:47.379 and He embraces you 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.779 and He welcomes you. 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:51.240 This is what the forgiveness of sin 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.879 does for us. 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.740 And just like in the first century, 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.819 the religious people sometimes, 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.319 the religious people like us, 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.679 sometimes have the hardest time 00:23:00.679 --> 00:23:01.419 accepting that. 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.480 Because we don't think 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.119 we're that bad, 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.079 so we don't think 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.659 that we need this very much. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.839 And it's those of us 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.839 who are broken, 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:12.220 who know how bad we are, 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.319 who have a hard time 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.079 believing that God 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.200 could ever love us 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.839 and accept us, 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.720 who are closer to understanding 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.960 how amazing 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:21.859 this message of forgiveness of sins 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:23.000 really is. 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.859 John's announcement is that 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.259 in Jesus there is forgiveness. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.139 for the sins of all. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.019 This is the story 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.839 of the book of Luke. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.339 If we were going to read 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.859 through the rest 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.559 of the book of Luke, 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.980 we would see the paralytic 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.359 who could not walk 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.299 was raised 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:42.079 and his sins were forgiven. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.339 We would see a greedy tax collector, 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:44.919 Zacchaeus, 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.579 forgiven and transformed 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:48.079 to generosity. 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.839 We see a woman of the city, 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.519 probably a prostitute, 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.599 who is forgiven 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.259 and welcomed 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.579 to table fellowship 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.460 with Jesus. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:57.180 We see the unworthy 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.440 gathered and welcomed 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.440 in the parable 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.440 of the great feast. 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:02.380 We see the prodigal son 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:05.460 who had rejected his father, 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:07.259 forsaken his family 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.539 and gone off 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.740 in selfish living 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.720 using all of the blessings 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.880 that he had been given 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:15.100 simply for his selfish gain. 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:18.000 Be embraced by the father, 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.079 being given a robe 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.600 and a ring 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.159 and sandals. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.480 As God said, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.159 come back. 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.619 The only way 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.439 that this happens 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:29.059 is because of Jesus. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:31.240 Because Jesus came 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.359 for the forgiveness 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.500 of our sins. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:36.079 And John the Baptist, 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.539 when he saw Jesus, 00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:38.399 he said, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.899 behold the Lamb of God 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.919 who takes away 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:43.019 the sin of the world. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.159 This is the light 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:48.099 that John proclaims. 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.399 This is the one 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.519 that he is coming before 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:52.220 to prepare the way 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.720 for a world 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.480 to prepare the way 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.680 in our hearts 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.440 to receive this. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.240 A light that brings forgiveness 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.039 and peace with God. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.400 So friends, 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.139 what do we do 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.700 in response to this text? 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:10.279 How do we respond to this? 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.720 There are two things 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:13.559 that we must do this morning. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.559 One, 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.579 prepare our hearts 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.900 to acknowledge our need 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:19.860 and to embrace 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.780 God's provision. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:21.700 You know, 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.820 Advent historically 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:24.259 has actually been a season 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:26.259 not of joy and celebration 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.080 but of repentance. 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.500 In the church calendar, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.800 Advent is preparing 00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:33.220 like Lent is for Easter. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:35.060 A time where we prepare 00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:36.440 by acknowledging 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.740 our sin and our need. 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.579 God's provision 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:41.160 and it is as we do this 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.359 that we see 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.700 how wonderful, 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.440 how amazing 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:47.200 the gift 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.180 of Jesus 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.420 is for us. 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.880 And when we see that, 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.720 then it leads us 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.920 to the joyful worship, 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.440 to grateful thanksgiving, 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:58.259 and the humble service 00:25:58.259 --> 00:26:00.160 that God 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.559 calls us to 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.660 when we know 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.900 what we are saved from. 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.820 Oh, 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.740 what great joy 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.800 it is. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.140 So if you've placed 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.200 your faith in Christ, 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:12.100 let the joy 00:26:12.100 --> 00:26:13.220 of your salvation 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.440 be renewed 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.880 this Advent season. 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.660 And if you're here 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.240 this morning 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.620 and you've never known 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.720 this forgiveness of sin, 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:21.900 you've never acknowledged 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.860 that this is true of you, 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.340 but this morning 00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:26.200 you've seen it 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.580 or you've seen 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:29.100 how great forgiveness 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.019 would be 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:32.380 and you long for it, 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:34.740 take it this morning. 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.840 Take Christ by faith 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:38.260 and know 00:26:38.260 --> 00:26:39.440 that He has forgiven 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.140 your sins. 00:26:42.540 --> 00:26:43.680 And then we can all 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.420 sing together. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.340 Oh, holy child 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:47.160 of Bethlehem, 00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:48.180 descend to us, 00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:48.720 we pray. 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.700 Cast out our sin 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.120 and enter in. 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.100 Be born in us today. 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:56.260 We hear the Christmas angels, 00:26:57.020 --> 00:26:58.660 the great glad tidings tell. 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.520 Oh, come to us, 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.540 abide with us. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:01.940 Jesus, 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:03.759 our Lord Emmanuel. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.799 So friends, 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.879 the first response 00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:09.059 is in our own hearts 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.940 to acknowledge our need 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.799 and to be renewed 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.460 in the joy 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.480 of what it means 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.519 that Jesus has come. 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:16.440 But like John the Baptist, 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.899 we also have a role 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.579 in the world. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.119 We have a role 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.619 in the world 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:22.559 to prepare the world 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.759 for the coming of Jesus 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.980 into places 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.440 where He is not yet known, 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.879 where He is not yet received, 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.059 where His forgiveness 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.879 has not yet taken root. 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:33.539 Just as Zechariah's tongue 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.339 was loosed 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.299 and he praised God, 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:37.180 so too would this be true 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.039 for us. 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.379 That this Christmas season, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.359 we would prepare the way 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:44.539 in the hearts of our friends 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:46.319 and our neighbors, 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:49.200 our family that we gather with 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.379 in these holidays. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:53.480 that we would, 00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:55.720 by our worshipful lives, 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.740 by the way that Christ 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:59.160 is Lord of all things, 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:01.040 and by the verbal testimony 00:28:01.040 --> 00:28:02.820 that what we celebrate 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.460 on Christmas 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:06.060 is the coming of a Savior 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:09.660 who will save us 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.560 from our sins. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:14.919 John the Baptist came 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:16.379 to prepare the world 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.480 for the coming of Jesus. 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.019 May we, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.460 may our hearts be prepared 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:24.220 for the coming of Jesus as well, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.679 and may we help those around us 00:28:26.679 --> 00:28:28.980 to prepare for His coming 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.599 into their lives as well. 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:34.539 This is what God is up to 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.539 in the world. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:37.159 Let's pray together. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:42.960 Lord Jesus, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.360 we come to you this morning 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.080 acknowledging, 00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:47.480 Lord, 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:49.200 that you are a wonderful Savior, 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:52.460 that you have worked for us 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:54.540 forgiveness of sins 00:28:54.540 --> 00:28:57.180 in an amazing way. 00:28:58.300 --> 00:28:58.900 Lord, 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.580 we thank you 00:28:59.580 --> 00:29:01.980 that in your redemptive history 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.180 you sent John the Baptist 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:05.080 to prepare the way, 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.580 to make known 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.460 who is coming 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:09.019 so that you would prepare 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.439 the world to receive Him. 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.559 Lord, 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.539 we pray this morning 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:14.639 that we would receive Him still. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.679 Thank you, Lord. 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.179 We pray these things 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:24.919 in Jesus' name. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:25.819 Amen.