A Song of Grace

Title: A Song of Grace

Text: Luke 1.67-80

Advent 2024 - Advent of Grace

I pray our time in Luke’ Gospel this Christmas season is blessing you and your family as we celebrate God’s Grace poured out on undeserving sinners like ourselves, which began with the incarnation of the Son of God.

We are not there yet in Luke 2, but we have been uncovering the miraculous works of God in bringing about His will in ways that can only be attributed to His name and for His glory.

Luke 1.5-25, A Glimmer of Grace (Week #1)

After 400 years of silence, God finally speaks out at the perfect time. The Birth of John the Baptist (JTB) is foretold to Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were both advanced in years, but our Lord was not limited by their situation.

A son is promised to Zechariah in the temple, but like the disciple Thomas… he has his doubts. Zechariah is silenced until John’s arrival, and then JTB is promised to “make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” (Lk1.17)

Luke 1.26-38, Grace That Changes Everything (Week #2)

An angel of the Lord visits the virgin Mary, a woman betrothed to a man named Jospeh. The angel declares her in favor with God and chosen for a glorious purpose: She will supernaturally conceive and bear a son named Jesus, the Son of God.

His reign on the throne of David will be forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Mary questions how this is possible, but the angel assures her “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Lk1.37)

Mary proclaims boldly that she is but a servant of the Most High God. “Let it be to me according to your word.” (Lk 1.38)

What are we missing in v39-66???

Mary Visits Elizabeth (v39-45)

At Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit proclaims Mary blessed along with the fruit of her womb, for she believed the word of the Lord that was proclaimed to her.

Mary’s Song of Praise (v46-56)

Mary responds in a glorious and God exalting song of praise. Mary rejoices in the Lord’s work through her. Holy is his name, and His mercy will be poured out on all those who fear Him. God has not forgotten His covenant with his people, but He who promised is faithful.

The Birth of JTB (v57-66)

The word of the Lord comes to pass, and JTB enters the world. They called his name John which brought about much confusion to those unaware of the Lord’s miraculous work. Zechariah’s mouth is released from its silence, and He blesses God in a mighty way so that all around him wonder what will become of this baby boy.

________________________________________________

Text: Lk 1.67-80, Zechariah’s Prophecy

Introduction: Do you ever just burst into song?

Joy, Sadness, Love, Despair, Excitement

I know this happens with our theater kids here at COTV, but this has never happened to me.

It does in the movies, though! Characters (if it is a musical) burst into song and maybe even dance, sometimes in perfect unison with the strangers around them they have never met.

They express what they are experiencing, seeing, or feeling through music.

In a similar way, this is exactly what Zechariah does at the end of Luke 1. By the guidance of the Holy spirit, he proclaims what God has planned for the beginning of time is now coming to fruition. His son (JTB) will prepare the way for One who will give all of Himself as a gracious gift for the redemption of His people. And in this redemption, Zechariah declares such grace poured out for us should change everything about us.

Outline

God’s Grace Produces Godliness (v67-75)

God’s Grace Brings Light Amidst Darkness (v76-80)

Main Idea:

God’s Grace brings transformation and does not promote stagnation in our faith.

PRAYER

Luke 1:67–75 ESV

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

1. God’s Grace Produces Godliness (v67-75)

The priest Zechariah who served the Lord his entire life is now empowered by the Spirit of God and he PROPHESIES.

I think this word tends to make us nervous in the church today, especially those like me from a Baptist background. When the author Luke says that Zechariah was filled with the Spirit of God and prophesied…. what does that actually mean?

Easy enough! The Greek word used here means: to prophesy.

The extended definition means:

“The act of revealing something that is hidden, disclosing the will of God, or foretelling the future.” Michael Scott Robertson, “Divine Revelation,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

Elizabeth Filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:41–43 ESV

41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

In the same way that Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit to proclaim the unborn Jesus of Nazareth as Lord, her husband is filled with the Spirit of God to proclaim the great works of God to all who would hear.

In this context and solely by God grace, the priest who questioned the Lord’s revelation is now empowered to deliver His proclamation.

What did Zechariah have to say?

1. God Has Graciously Provided What We Need (v68-71)

Visited and Redeemed

In a fallen world, we are a people who are in great need of many things. But we all have one common great need that far exceeds all others - we need a Redeemer.

The Greek word used here literally means “accomplished redemption”. The theme of redemption runs freely throughout the Scriptures, maybe most notably in the Exodus.

Furthermore, the God of Israel graciously humbled himself and visited His people (John 1, Phil 2). This idea is somewhat foreign and contrary to other major world religions, but it is essential to the Christian faith.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Our Lord’s visitation and entry into humanity for His people stems from His great concern and love for His people.

Our Lord was on a rescue mission, and as Zechariah proclaims here in a forward looking view: He accomplished our redemption!

A Horn of Salvation Raised Up

This is a metaphor for strength, assurance, and security. For the animals in the Far East with horns, this was/is the strongest part of their design.

EXAMPLE: There is a reason that rhinos and angry mountain goats ram things with their horns…. because they trust in its strength. It is their power source.

This is a common phrase among the OT authors to describe the strength and power of the Lord. In His grace, the God of Israel has continually provided for and delivered His people from their great enemies (physically).

Both Hannah and David proclaimed their strength and refuge (physically and spiritually) were found in the Lord alone.

Hannah’s Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1 ESV

1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

David’s Song of Deliverance

2 Samuel 22:1–3 ESV

1 And David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 3 my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 2. Zechariah’s Song: The Benedictus (1:67–80)

The power of salvation resides in the Savior

In His grace, the Lord has redeemed His people by His own strength through the only Son, the God Man, Jesus Christ. This is exactly what we needed!

The House of David

Zechariah declares that the salvation the Lord has graciously provided for us in His great strength has come through the house of his servant, David.

This would not have been a shock for the people of Israel, but an expectation!

David’s Kingdom to be Forever

2 Samuel 7:12–16 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

No wonder Matthew begins with the genealogy we all skip over most of the time! Matthew is proclaiming that what has come to pass in Christ was the Word of the Lord from long ago (Matt 1.1).

Saved from our enemies

In a physical sense, this was very true historically for the people of Israel. If you are part of our Community Groups, we are presently walking through 1 Samuel together.

The victory or defeat of the Israelites against the Philistines or Amalekites was solely according to the Lord and His will. When the people remained before the Lord according to the Law, blessing remained on them as promised.....But in their rejection of the Lord and His Word, judgment/defeat would come upon them.

In a spiritual sense, our enemy is the world and the Adversary, Satan, who continues to work tirelessly to keep people in spiritual darkness. We have been freed from our slavery to sin, our former Master that controlled us, and one day our salvation will be complete on the day of Jesus Christ.

So..... God has come to us! He has redeemed us! Our redemption is complete and secure in the hands of Christ our King. For He alone is strong enough to accomplish such a great salvation. He came through David’s line as prophesied by the prophets and victory is ours today and forever only because of Christ.

According to Zechariah, why has the Lord done this?

2. God Proves Himself Faithful to His Covenant (v72-75)

Zechariah declares the Lord has done all the above to show His mercy! Again brothers and sisters, let us not forget that we are not deserving of our position in the family of God. We stand here today justified and in the process of our sanctification purely by His mercy and grace.

The people of Israel time and time again rejected the Lord their God. They cast aside His love and care for them in their ambition to be more like the world. “Give us a king!” they declared, as if the Lord who created and sustains all things was not good enough. This is how wicked the hearts and minds of men and women can become! But even then, the Lord had made a promise.

EXAMPLE: Taking someone at their word.

I am naturally not trusting of people. This is not one of my best attributes, but it is true. What causes this?

Getting burned in a relationship. You rely on someone in a major way or maybe continually in smaller ways, and they are not true to their words or commitments.

Isn’t it a breathe of fresh air to be able to trust someone completely at their word?

He Who Promised is Faithful

Micah 7:20 ESV

20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Zechariah and Micah can declare these things about our Lord because “faithfulness” is a defining characteristic of our a great God. He lacks in nothing and is always true to His Word.

In v72, we see that the coming our the Lord Jesus in human form was to show God’s mercy and to remember the covenant He made to Abraham.

The Lord’s promise to Abraham was to make through him a great nation and bless him so that he would be a blessing, for he would be a father of many nations (Gen 12, 15). And when the Lord made this covenant, He put Abraham to sleep and swore by Himself alone to keep it.

Hebrews 6:13–14 ESV

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”

Psalm 105:8–11 ESV

8 He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.”

APPLICATION

This covenant was never about just the ethnic people of Israel! In Galatians we read that the descendants of Abraham are those that share in his faith. Thus, from the beginning, the Lord had all of the faithful from all nations, tribes, and languages on His mind as part of this great promise to Abraham.

All of these things: the promises and covenants with his people are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In Christ and the Good news of his Gospel, we have received all things because of His faithfulness from the beginning with Abraham.

********APPLICATION********

Why has God in His grace given us what we need (salvation) and proven Himself faithful to His covenant through the incarnation of Christ?

Luke 1:74–75 ESV

74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

We are a people called out of darkness, into the light SO THAT we will serve our Lord without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days.

There is quite a lot in that sentence, but in plain terms in means this: We were not saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ to spend the rest of our days doing nothing with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Example: What does pursuing holiness look like in the Christian life?

Pradeep tasked our team with teaching on two topics in Nepal.

When considering P&E in Ministry, I sought out much guidance and wisdom from fellow brothers and pastors.

A good friend suggested the small book of Titus.

TITUS BACKGROUND

Paul returned to Crete at some point for ministry and left Titus there to continue the work. Much like Paul did with Timothy, urging him to remain in Ephesus while Paul traveled into Macedonia (1 Tim 1.3), Paul leaves Titus in Crete to do a much similar work.

Titus 1: Pursue Holiness in the Pastorate

Like Titus, we have been tasked with establishing Christ-like leaders in our churches. Such an endeavor begins with personal holiness. The qualifications for the pastorate are ultimately a reflection of Christ, which every believer should seek to adopt in their personal life.

Titus 2: Teach Truth in Confidence

Like Titus, we must teach the same sound doctrine on which the church was founded. By the Spirit, the teaching and practice of biblical truth produces spiritual fruit and maturity in our church families. Reject the world and its desires. Live godly lives as redeemed saints who are zealous for good works as we await His return.

Titus 3: Walk Worthy of the Gospel

Like Titus, we must live with in a manner that reflects Christ instead of the world. He saved us, adopted us, and has pronounced us as heirs with his Son so that we might devote ourselves to the good works of evangelism and discipleship.

APPLICATION:

Believer, according to the Holy Word of God, you and I were not called by grace to faith in Christ to sit stagnant without practice until the effectiveness of our faith dies.

You and I were called by His grace into communion and relationship with Him. We are called to deny ourselves, and follow Him. We are called to live lives worthy of the gospel, the power of God that saved our souls.

True saving faith through knowledge of the truth results in a new life of godliness. Knowledge of the gospel should lead to godliness in our lives, meaning what we believe affects how we live.

James 1:22–24 CSB

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.

It is time to set aside the things in our lives that keep us from living in accordance with godliness and join Zechariah in declaring “Blessed by the Lord, for He has come! Salvation is only found in Him.”

Luke 1:76–80 ESV

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

2. God’s Grace Brings Light Amidst Darkness (v76-80)

Zechariah turns here to his newborn child, John, to declare the Lord’s will concerning his life.

JTB will be the final prophet to come and declare the word of the Lord before the Greater and Final Prophet comes. John would prepare the people for the arrival of the Messiah.

Luke 1:17 ESV

17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

John’s role was simple, but far from being easy. The Lord had set him apart to teach truth and soften the hearts of the people before His arrival. He was to give them a knowledge of salvation.

What kind of salvation were the Jews expecting?

Political and Military victory over the Romans

The Israelites were an oppressed people under Roman rule who spent their days wondering when David’s throne would be reestablished like the Lord promised. Even so with the disciples that were from a background of Judaism.

Even at the end of His earthly ministry, they still did not get it!

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:18–21 ESV

18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

Acts 1:6–8 ESV

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The salvation our Lord provided was not the one they thought they needed or even wanted, but in His grace He provided the one they needed in his visitation and work of redemption. A salvation that will never fail or fade, for now they are citizens of heaven and their King is Eternal and perfect in every way.

Like we see here in Luke 1, this salvation brings the forgiveness of sin. They thought this was not needed as Israelites, for they are God’s people!

Romans 2:1–4 ESV

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Our great God had been so patient with them (as He is with us), and JTB’s ministry was beginning the time of their visitation. The Lord in his forbearance had passed over former sin and brought them graciously to this point so that some may be lead into repentance in faith.

A sunrise was coming from on high - Christ the Lord.

Example:

Sunrise on the airplane to Nepal

This is a breathtaking thing to take in. Above the clouds, there is nothing impeding your view.

First, the smallest glimmer of light. Just enough to see that something is happening.

In a short amount of time, great beams of light burst forth and it is almost impossible not to stand in awe of the new day the Lord is creating.

This is what was happening in 1st century Israel.

Malachi 4:1–6 ESV

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

PURPOSE:

Zechariah’s final words here not only detail the reason our Lord came to us, but it parallels the reason His church exists.

The church exists to give light to those who sit in darkness and to guide their feet towards the way of peace.

Isaiah 9:2–6 ESV

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Him we proclaim!

God’s grace has called us our of darkness into eternal life with Him. We have been bought with a price! The life we now life is not our own, but we are indebted to our Savior to be lights of His righteousness and grace to a lost a dying world.

STORY: I will call his name Ajay (Satyam)

Faith in Christ when visiting one of the Tabernacle churches

Already with one leg amputated and with infection in the other.

It may look different here in the US, but many around us are just as sick as Ajay but spiritually, and they don’t even know it.

Are we going to be lights that illuminate their sickness, and then turn and illuminate His grace?

Final Thoughts:

This glimmer of grace that began with miraculous birth of JTB prepared the way for the Christ, the Son of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things who upholds the universe by the word of His power, to step down into time and flesh and graciously give Himself fully to the will of God the Father, securing our salvation and adoptions as sons and daughters of the Most High King and transforming us by His grace....SO THAT… we will pursue holiness and shine the light of the gospel in a dark world.

This is why we celebrate Christmas - GRACE

My prayer this week and this Christmas season is that we will join with Zechariah in celebrating the gracious and merciful coming of our Lord and then join together in gospel mission for the sake of His name, His glory, and not our own.