Salvation is Coming

Introduction

Nearly 250 years was a defining moment in the history of our country as the opening shots of the Revolutionary War were fired on April 19th of 1775. British soldiers began marching from Boston to Lexington and Concord in order to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Given the fact that tension was riding high, there were several Patriot riders who discovered what was happening and rode ahead of the British to alert local militias and towns and, as legend has it, Paul Revere simply said, “The British Are Coming… The British Are Coming!” Is this more myth than history? Maybe… But this powerful message is what we remember today and it set the stage for the next few years as our country eventually won independence as they rallied with one another to defeat a common foe.

The British Are Coming - a simple statement that meant that action was coming. That things were about to get serious. This was a call to action because conflict was coming.

Last week in the Gospel of Luke we saw that the angel Gabriel gave a couple of serious announcements to Zechariah about the future birth of his son John, and to Mary about how she would give birth to a baby named Jesus. A simple statement that changed everything. The people in darkness will see the light. Today, Zechariah’s message is not one of conflict like Paul Revere, but one of celebration. It is not the British Are Coming… His message is: The Savior is Coming. This isn’t a message of violence, but one of victory. Let’s read in Luke 1 about this incredible news of hope!

Luke 1:57–80 CSB

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.” 61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him. 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. 72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant— 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 74 since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Last week we saw how God provided life for both Elizabeth and Mary. How He hears His people and answers them in the best way possible - even when that answer might not be what we expect. Today, we see what our response to God should look like. Today, let’s ask God to remind us of the joy that we experience because of what Jesus has done, let’s pray.

God’s Mercy Produces Joy (57-66)

Last week we covered a lot of ground in our study of Luke’s Gospel and saw how the Angel Gabriel gave 2 pregnancy announcements to 2 families in completely different seasons of life. Today, we see the first of those announcements come to fruition as Elizabeth truly gave birth to a son named John. We see that the God of the Bible truly came through on His promise for this couple. At this point, we might wonder why? Why did this happen? Was it because of Zechariah? Was it because of Elizabeth? Was it because of John? It might appear like these are the main players in this story, but there is another individual who is driving this narrative and bringing about these events: God! God is the main actor. Verse 66 reminds us of this by saying that “the hand of the Lord was certainly with them.” Have you ever experienced the hand of the Lord? You look back at your life and the only explanation is that the Lord not only showed up but He showed out!

The most well known song in the world is Amazing Grace, by John Newton. We know that song. We love that song. That song resonates with so many of us because it begins by noting the fact that it is God’s grace saves a wretch like me! John Newton wrote that song after participating in and profiting from the slave trade. Aren’t you thankful that God is better at saving than you and I are at sinning? Jesus saved John Newton… and whenever Jesus saves you, Jesus changes you. John Newton had a new heart because he had experienced God’s mercy. And this produced joy in his life. Joy that he couldn’t keep inside. Joy that expressed itself in song and in his life. The only way you could explain this change was God. Have you been there? We all have different stories, but I pray you have a story of God’s mercy and grace saving you and changing you.

Look at what our text says at the beginning, “The Lord had shown her His great mercy and they rejoiced with her.” Not only did Zechariah and Elizabeth receive God’s mercy, but the text says “great mercy.” Sometimes as Christians we get mercy and grace confused a little bit. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. This is seen in

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

Do you see a definition of grace here? We don’t deserve salvation, it is called a gift that we receive from God, not through our works! Grace is amazing. And mercy is too! Mercy is God NOT giving us what we DO deserve.

Titus 3:5 CSB

5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

God saves us from what we do deserve, separation from Him because of our sins. Imagine you’re driving down Highway 160, and you’re going past South Gate. The speed limit here is 55mph. You and I both know that a lot of people don’t go 55mph. A lot of people go 70+! Let’s say that this is you and you happen to not only go over the speed limit, but you get pulled over by an officer. What is mercy? Mercy is the officer saying that you deserve a ticket, but that he isn’t going to give it to you. Grace is the officer not only not giving you a ticket, but then the officer gives you $100 to go and fill up your car with gas! What the Bible reminds us of over and over is that God gives us “great mercy” in the sense that He doesn’t give us what we do deserve, punishment for our sins, but that He also gives us grace, He gives us salvation that we don’t deserve. He adopts us. He changes us. He saves us.

Whenever we experience God’s mercy, we rejoice! This is the scene in our text. The people praise God. The baby has arrived. But there’s a problem! Gabriel told Zechariah that the baby was to be named John… but remember from last week? Zechariah doubted God’s ability to deliver on this promise and as a result, Gabriel said that Zechariah wouldn’t be able to speak for the whole pregnancy! Yet, somehow, Elizabeth knows. Luke doesn’t tell us how she knows, but she does. Eventually, Zechariah writes down on a tablet, that the name is to be John. What a crazy process! This couple knew suffering. But they also knew that God had a purpose. At this very moment of belief and obedience, we see that his mouth opens. JC Ryle said this about this moment, “Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.” In other words, there are things that we go through, difficulties, sufferings, afflictions, and we wonder why! If they sanctify us, that is, if they make us more like Jesus, they are spiritual promotions.

The sorrow that humbles us and drivers us nearer to God is a blessing! These 9 months of being mute didn’t eliminate his faith, it increased it. He trusted in the Lord and at this point, Zechariah’s mouth was opened, his tongue was set free, and he was praising God.

Friend, in your time of suffering and affliction, you have a decision to make. Will I allow this test to be a part of my testimony or not? Will I run away from this thing, or will I embrace it? Will I blame the Lord, or will I trust in the Lord? James 1 reminds us that God has purposes in difficult seasons

James 1:2–4 CSB

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

We can rejoice even when we experience trials because of what God inside of us during them. See, our seasons of suffering either make us bitter or better. Zechariah started out unbelieving in God’s promise of a son… but this season of being speechless made him “better” in the sense that he learned more about God than he did before. Spurgeon once shared “The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.” It is in these times of difficulty, pain, suffering when we trust in the Lord the most. And whenever that season ends, or whenever our perspective changes, we suddenly have an opportunity to help others. Don’t waste that season of difficulty whenever God uses those seasons to help us grow the most.

God’s Activity Leads God’s People to Action. God was true to His Word and Zechariah began to speak. God’s activity leads His people to act. Zechariah spoke and praised God… and as he told people what God had done, that news spread throughout the countryside. Do you know where Christianity is spreading the quickest in our world today? It’s not in the United States. It’s in China. Iran. Vietnam. Afghanistan. Places where persecution persists. We wonder why? Why would Christianity spread and grow at increasing rates in places where God’s people are thrown into prison and even killed for their faith? Because their tongues have been set free, and all they can do is praise the Lord who has saved them and changed them. Our world is so fast paced, so regimented, so scheduled, “church” can be such a normal part of our life, that we compartmentalize so easily… but it’s not meant to be this way. As those who have experienced God’s mercy, our response should be like that of Zechariah as we praise the Lord and tell others what He has done in our lives!

God’s Mercy Provides Salvation (67-80)

One of the reasons why it can be difficult to share the Gospel is because of the darkness that surrounds us in this world. Sometimes we wonder if us sharing the Gospel will even make a difference. If the darkness can even be defeated. Have you ever driven in a tunnel, and all you can see is the lights of cars in front of you and the electric lights on the side, making things as bright as possible? In Switzerland, lies the longest and deepest rail tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, at over 35 miles long. This tunnel cuts through the Alps, one of the largest and tallest mountain ranges in all of Europe. This tunnel not only is 35 miles long, but it goes over 1 mile beneath the surface of the mountain! You go from underneath massive mountains, in the heart of the earth, surrounded by darkness, then suddenly you come out the other side and the sunlight covers the train, and you see the beautiful countryside everywhere you look. Have you ever found yourself in a dark tunnel, wondering when you’d finally “see” the light? Been there this week! This is a picture of what the Gospel does - there truly is light at the end of the tunnel and this salvation light changes everything! Think again about the darkness that these people were living in - 400 years of silence. Another foreign power was in control of their country. Had God forgotten about them in the midst of the darkness? They knew that God made a promise, but many generations had come and gone in the darkness… when would the light break through?

Zechariah, at the end of Luke 1, sings a song of praise right before the sunrise. His song is full of Scripture - some believe that there are 33 Old Testament references in this final section a he praises God for His goodness and faithfulness in sending this promised Messiah. Lets hit some of the highlights about God’s faithfulness!

God Provides a Horn (68-71)

God made a covenant with King David in the Old Testament. Whenever God makes a covenant, it’s a promise, and God always comes through! We know that David’s son Solomon grew up to be king and built a mighty temple for God. But God made a covenant with David that he would have an offspring that would rule as King forever and ever. We know this isn’t Solomon because he ruled for a season and then died. Luke shows us that God is fulfilling this promise and providing from the house of David, a horn of salvation. What is this business with a “horn of salvation?” That’s a strange metaphor

1 Samuel 2:10 CSB

10 Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered; he will thunder in the heavens against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to his king; he will lift up the horn of his anointed.

Horns display power. In Africa lies a powerful animal, the Cape Buffalo. Local hunters say that when one of these buffalo scuff the ground, and start to swing its horns back and forth, it is preparing for a deadly charge. This is the picture in our passage - this horn of salvation, this mighty Savior, will charge and do something powerful. What will Jesus grow up to do? He will redeem sinners by dying in their place, and He will deliver them. We have to remember that our redemption required the sinless Son of God to take our sin upon Himself! This is what was promised thousands of years before Jesus was even born. Genesis 3 tells us that God promised to send a snake-crushing Savior. Isaiah 7 and Isaiah 9 tell us that Jesus would come as a child and grow to rule as this promised King. How would Jesus do this? For us to be saved, it would require Jesus to come and die for our sins on the cross. This is what our redemption would cost.

Some don’t understand the cross. After all, 1 Corinthians tells us this

1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.

The cross cuts against our human nature that tells us that we’re pretty good people. We’re better than most. We’re not that bad. The cross reminds us of what we deserve because of our sin. See, the cross is both good news and bad news. It shows us that God deals with sin seriously and that God’s grace is greater than our sin. I’ve heard Christians wonder why we talk so much about sin at church - especially in the sermon. Sin isn’t encouraging. I’m saved, why do I need to be told about my sin? Sin is foundational to the good news of the Gospel. See, if we didn’t sin, we wouldn’t need Jesus. But Jesus came because of our sin. Romans 5:8 tells us that God proves His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. This is what we believe! This is why we remember our sin regularly. We don’t deserve salvation. That’s why it’s called grace and mercy!

God Provides Rescue (72-75)

As we read Scripture, we’re reminded that this was God’s plan - Revelation calls Jesus the lamb slain before the foundation of the earth. The cross stands as the center of Scripture and the center of history and the cross not only frees us from sin, but frees us to worship. Whenever you are delivered from sin and shame, the result is that you serve God. Paul calls himself a slave of Christ - this is what happens to us whenever we are saved. People talk about freedom in our world. About following yourself. Doing what you want. As Christians, this isn’t our mindset. We have been bought with a price and we are saved in order to serve Jesus. We belong to Him. We exist to serve Him alone! One way that we do this is by worshiping Him and serving Him without fear.

Several years ago there was a movie that came out called “The Ultimate Gift.” A wealthy grandfather passed away and one of this grandsons is tasked to do several tasks before receiving his inheritance. He has to learn the value of hard work. Serving others. Giving back. Having basically nothing. The grandson becomes a different person during this time and eventually does receive a massive inheritance, only to give much of it back. Why would he do this? Because he was a changed man. He didn’t need all of those blessings for himself. He was given much, and wanted to give much. Brothers and Sisters, we are saved by grace in order to serve greatly in God’s Kingdom. This is what Christians have done for thousands of years. We serve without fear because we have been given an eternally significant gift.

Today, as you look at your life, how do you see yourself serving the Lord? Students, with school starting, you have a golden opportunity to serve the Lord by telling people about the good news we call the Gospel. You can share your Christian Worldview (God Created. Sin Destroys, Jesus Comes, Salvation is a Gift, Heaven is our Home, Earth isn’t the End, Our Purpose is to be Holy, God’s Word has the answers - vs Non-Christian Worldview - Big Band, No Sin, No Jesus, No salvation, No heaven, Earth is Home, Purpose is to be happy, look inside for answers) with people around you that desperately need the hope that we have in Jesus! As we look around South Gate, there are many opportunities to serve the Lord! Behind the scenes. Welcoming people on Sunday. We serve the Lord inside these walls and outside the walls as well! How are you currently serving? With what attitude are you currently serving? I’m going to shout out our greeters - whenever I have a pastoral interview with someone seeking to become a member at South Gate, one of the questions I ask them is why do you want to be a member at South Gate? One of the most given answers is that they felt welcome here. Imagine greeting people with a scowl instead of a smile. Serving out of compulsion, not conviction. That’s not what we want! We serve God because we have been saved by God. We welcome others because we have been welcomed by God!

God Provides Light (76-80)

Zechariah’s son, John the Baptist, will go before the Lord to prepare His ways. This is John’s purpose in life - to prepare people for the Messiah. In fact, this was promised back in Malachi!

Malachi 3:1 CSB

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.

This is fascinating. This was his purpose - to clear the way. Alistair Begg once shared that John the Baptist is the model preacher - declare the way, clear the way, and then get out of the way. John knew that he wasn’t the center of the story. His life wasn’t about himself. His purpose was to prepare people for Jesus.

Would you be content to learn one day that your life purpose wasn’t about yourself but about telling those around you about Someone greater than yourself? 

John the Baptist says a resounding YES to this! Friends, we aren’t the hero of our story. We aren’t the center of our story. It’s all about Jesus! We exist to prepare people for Him. To declare the good news. To plant seeds. To water seeds. To pray that God would bring about a harvest in His perfect time. Whenever you realize that your purpose is to glorify Jesus and to point people to Him, that provides so much freedom in life. You don’t have the pressure to have to figure out what you’re supposed to do - you’re just supposed to be obedient in the background. To shine His light in your life with everything that you do.

For John the Baptist, that meant preaching - to give people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. See, John preached a message of sin and repentance - today, this is part of the Gospel message that this pulpit proclaims as well. This is what men preach today too. We don’t celebrate sin - we crucify sin. We don’t praise sin, we praise our Savior. We don’t rejoice in evil, we repent from evil.

Why at South Gate does this pulpit preach on sin and repentance? Because this is the message of the Gospel. You don’t need a sinless Savior if it weren’t for sin. You wouldn’t need to repent if it weren’t for sin. A Christian is one who is convicted of their sin and who turns away from that sin. This means that Christian preaching is needed for non-Christians because it shines a light onto the reality of our greatest problem: sin. The punishment of that problem. The gift of salvation that Christ offers. This is what Christian pastors have preached for thousands of years and what men will continue to preach until Christ calls us home. But Christian preaching is also what the Christian needs because it reminds us of where we were and our continued need to repent when we do sin, and to continue becoming more and more like Jesus Christ! We need to remember what we have been saved from - the wrath of God against sin. The punishment that we all deserve. This requires both God’s mercy and God’s grace - God’s mercy in not giving us what we do deserve, and God’s grace in giving us what we could never deserve. Today, let me tell you, we have a good, merciful, and gracious King!

Today, have you been saved by Jesus? Has the light of the world lit up your world? Has He given you peace as verse 79 says? Forgiveness? Salvation? This is God’s gift. And it’s all because Jesus really came.

Application

2000 years ago, Zechariah shared that Salvation Is Coming. Today we know that salvation is available. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection isn’t just good news for these Jewish people 2,000 years ago, it’s still good news today because Jesus is still in the business of seeking and saving sinners like you and I. 3 ways that this gift of salvation impacts us in 2025!

Salvation Depends on God’s Faithfulness, not our Feelings

My present circumstances don’t change God’s perfect character! There are seasons in life when you’ll feel it… and there are others when you won’t. Remember that God promises to finish the work that HE started (Philippians 1:6). This is your salvation. God started this work. God will finish it too! You weren’t saved because of your perfection or because of your good works, and you aren’t kept because of your perfection or good works, either. You’re saved because of God’s perfect faithfulness. Remember that and rest in that truth, especially when you don’t “feel” it.

Salvation Delivers us to Serve God Without Fear

How Are You Serving Today? Even if you’re in an unfamiliar season, we remember that God is God and that He has a purpose and a plan for us. There are things that we won’t always understand… We won’t be able to fully understand the mysteries of God, but we can always stand in His Word and submit to His plan.

Salvation Shines a Light Into the Darkness

Let your Light Shine bright for all to see. God doesn’t save us and leave us, He gives us His Spirit. Matthew 5 reminds us to let our light shine. We aren’t saved to live in isolation. We aren’t saved to sit and sulk. We are saved to serve and to let His light shine bright! How are you letting your light shine today?

Salvation has come in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Have you responded to Him today? Whatever season you’re walking in today - turn away from sin, trust alone in Jesus, and experience a peace unlike anything this world has to offer! As we pray, let’s respond to God’s Word obediently!