Prelude to the Advent

Prelude to the Advent

Series: “The Gospel Truth”

Text: Luke 1:1-38; John 1:6-8;15

Introduction: (What?)

Although the author of this book does not identify himself, all evidence points to Luke, a medical doctor who was a companion of Paul as he was enroute to Rome. This book is the first of two (Acts) authored by Luke. He seems to have been a Gentile believer with a great deal of knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures and practices. He wrote with Gentiles in mind (Jesus’s genealogy). His purpose was to take previous written and eyewitness accounts and present an organized rendering of the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Examination: (Why?)

1. To Whom and Why

Luke 1:1-4 “1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.”

Luke was recording the story (narrative) of the fulfillment of the OT prophesies concerning the coming of Messiah. In preparation He studied the prophesies, read the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, and interviewed several eye-witnesses to the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. Then, as any good scientist (Luke was an MD) would do, he organized the information in a logical order that could be read and understood by the common people. He specifically addressed his writing to a man named Theophilus (friend of God) whom he called “most excellent” which might mean that he was part of the Roman hierarchy.

2. The Prediction Concerning John the Baptist

Luke 1:5-25 “5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah (the LORD has remembered). His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth (my God is an oath). 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. 8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.)the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth (my God is an oath) will bear you a son, and you will name him John (the LORD is gracious). There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the LORD and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the LORD their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the LORD a prepared people.

‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel (strong man of God), who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.’

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

Zechariah was supposed to come out after seven days and bless the people who were outside. Evidently his interaction with Gabriel added some time to his stint in the Holy Place.

When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ‘The LORD has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.’”

The important job description given to John Baptist was written by the Apostle John.

John 1:6-8 “6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.”

John 1:15 “15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ”)”

In those days the priests rotated the responsibility of burning incense before the Holy of Holies. Zechariah was chosen by lot for this once in a lifetime experience which lasted a week. It was while he was there the LORD sent His angel to speak to him. The message of the angel was signifying the fulfillment of at least 3 OT prophesies.

(700 BC) Isa 40:3-5 “3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

(345 BC) Mal 3:1 “1 “See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.”

Mal 4:5 “5 Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”

Jesus quoted that last prophecy in Matt 11:14 “14 And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.”

3. The Prediction of Jesus’ Birth

Luke 1:26-38 “26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. And consider your relative Elizabeth---even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God. ‘See, I am the LORD’s servant,’ said Mary. ‘May it happen to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”

Notice that Matthew used the word “virgin” regarding Mary twice in v 26. He was underlining the fact that the child to be born of her would not have a human father because Mary had never had sexual relations with a man. Mary alluded to this in v 34 when she asked, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” Understand that according to Jewish custom she would have been between 12-16 when she became engaged to Joseph. That being true, she was probably around 14 when the angel appeared to her. Her spiritual maturity at that age is amazing. She recognized that she was in the presence of a messenger from God. She asked an honest question and then was satisfied with the answer. And finally, in v 38 she surrendered her will to the will of God. I find it interesting that when Jesus was about the same age, He was in the temple conversing with the priests and astounding them with His spiritual maturity.

In 2 Peter 1:5-8 Peter gave us the pattern for spiritual growth.

“5 For this very reason,(vv 3-4) make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Evidently Mary’s parents had done a good job of leading their young daughter to such maturity. BTW, your first disciples SHOULD be your children. The vast amount of spiritual and scriptural illiteracy today is the result of Christian parents NOT discipling their children. We are paying the price for that daily.

Application: (How I will respond to this message)

Realize that with God all things are possible. You are never too lost to be saved. You are never too sinful to be forgiven. You are never too insignificant to be used by God for His purposes.

Recognize that spiritual growth begins with surrender to Jesus and obedience to His commands.

Repent of any sin that God brings to mind, and give yourself fully to following Him daily.