Trusting God's Perfect Timing

Introduction – When Our Timing Falls Apart

If you’ve ever tried to get your family ready for church on a Sunday morning, you know timing can fall apart fast.

Somebody can’t find their shoes. Somebody else is still brushing their teeth. Another one is making last minute edits to his sermon...

And by the time you’re finally backing out of the driveway, somebody says, “Did we turn on the crock pot?” And now, while singing the third worship song, everybody’s thinking about what they are going to do for lunch after church.

If we can barely orchestrate a single Sunday morning, imagine orchestrating the entire storyline of redemptive history with absolute precision.

Not just people, but empires.

Not just empires, but genealogies.

Not just genealogies, but wombs—one barren, one virginal.

All perfectly aligned, right on time.

That is exactly what God is doing in Luke 1.

In this Christmas series, we’re talking about “Knowing the Real Christ in Christmas.”

Not the sentimental, warm fuzzy, seasonal, hardly ever mentioned, version of Jesus…

…but the real Christ, who stepped into real history, fulfilled real prophecy, and came to accomplish real redemption.

Luke starts the Christmas story not with twinkling lights and a manger scene, but with real people in real pain.

He drops us into the days of Herod – a dark, oppressive time –

and into the home of an older couple whose hearts are heavy with disappointment.

And out of that tension comes a question that every Christian eventually asks: How can we trust God’s plan when our hopes are delayed?

Luke’s answer is our main idea today...

Main Point: Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule.

That’s the Real Christ of Christmas.

And if God’s timing was perfect for Christ’s first coming, we can trust His timing in our lives, too.

As you can see, Luke 1:5–80 is a huge chunk of text!

If we went verse-by-verse, we'd be here until Easter and I know the team needs to set up for the banquet tonight...

So today, we're going to zoom out and see the three grand movements of God's perfect timing…

So let’s fly over this chapter and see a bird’s - eye view of how God’s perfect timing unfolds.

1. From Delay to Announcement (vv. 5–25)

Luke begins with a couple we might call “the faithful, forgotten ones.”

A. The Delay of the Righteous (vv. 5–7)

Listen to how he describes them:

Luke 1:6–7 “They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.”

Zechariah and Elizabeth are not casual believers.

Luke uses words like “righteous” and “blameless”—words that in the Old Testament describe covenant-faithful people like Noah and Job.

So Luke wants us to be absolutely clear: their suffering is not God punishing them. Their delay is not God rejecting them.

Elizabeth’s barrenness isn’t just a random detail; it echoes a pattern in Scripture—Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah.

Over and over, God uses barren wombs to make a very loud point: His purposes move forward not by human strength, but by divine power.

If this were today, Zechariah and Elizabeth would be that sweet, older couple at church.

They serve faithfully, they pray faithfully, they’re always encouraging others.

And yet there’s this private ache in their hearts—this prayer that seemed to go unanswered for years, and now it feels… too late.

Their personal delay mirrors something even bigger: Israel’s delay.

For 400 years, since the prophet Malachi, there has been no fresh word from God. No prophet. No Scripture. Just silence.

So when you read about this godly, older couple living with long disappointment, you are meant to feel the weight of centuries.

The ache of a nation is living inside this little house.

And that’s where some of us live, too.

We love the Lord. We’re seeking to walk faithfully.

And yet there’s an area of life where God feels silent, where hope feels delayed.

Luke wants us to know: delay is not abandonment. God’s clock is still running, even when we can’t hear it ticking.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And that schedule includes seasons that feel like silence.

Now watch what God does next.

B. The Announcement of Preparation (vv. 8–25)

Zechariah is serving as priest in the Temple.

Out of thousands of priests, he’s chosen by lot to offer incense in the Holy Place.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For most priests, this was the biggest spiritual moment they’d ever have.

Think of it like the spiritual Super Bowl. Zechariah is probably thinking, “Don’t trip. Don’t sneeze. Don’t mess this up.”

Then God interrupts his nice, liturgical routine.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.’”

God says, “Your prayer has been heard.”

That’s not just the old prayer for a child; it’s the much older, deeper prayer of God’s people for redemption.

Then listen to how Gabriel describes this child’s mission:

Luke 1:17 “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah… so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

So God is not just giving them a baby.

He is raising up the forerunner—the one promised in Malachi and Isaiah, who would prepare the way for the Lord Himself.

Think about the timing here.

Luke tells us Zechariah was chosen by lot.

They rolled something like sacred dice.

But Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

God is saying, “Zechariah, I did not randomly pick this day.

I lined up your priestly division, your assignment, this exact moment, and even where you’re standing in the Temple… so that when I broke My silence, you’d be right where I wanted you.”

Zechariah, understandably, struggles to believe what he hears.

He looks at his age, Elizabeth’s age, and he says, “How in the world can this be?”

And God, in grace and discipline, gives him nine months of silence.

It’s like God says, “Zechariah, the nation has had 400 years of silence. You’re going to picture that silence just a little longer. And when I open your mouth again, you’re going to proclaim My salvation.”

Here’s the point: When it feels like God is doing nothing, He is often doing more than we could possibly imagine.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And that schedule included a priest, a lot, a barren couple, and 400 years of silence.

But if John’s birth is amazing, the King he announces is even more incredible.

2. From Promise to Confirmation (vv. 26–56)

The story now shifts from the big, impressive Temple in Jerusalem to a tiny little town off the map.

A. Promise Declared (vv. 26–38)

Gabriel is sent to a young virgin named Mary in Nazareth.

If Nazareth had a welcome sign, it might say, “Nazareth: Population… who cares?”

This is nowhere. You don’t move to Nazareth; you move through Nazareth.

Mary is probably a teenager....compared to Elizabeth who is advanced in years..

She’s engaged, planning her life, maybe daydreaming about her wedding.

And suddenly Gabriel shows up and basically says, “Mary, God is about to write you into the center of His story.”

He tells her: Luke 1:32–33 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; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Those are loaded words.

That’s 2 Samuel 7. That’s Daniel 7. That’s the promise of an eternal King.

Compared to Zacharias, she doesn’t doubt God, she doesn’t understand how?

Then he explains how this will happen: Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

That word “overshadow” is the same word used in the Greek Old Testament for the cloud of God’s glory filling the tabernacle.

In other words, the glory that once filled a tent is now going to fill a womb.

God Himself is entering human history in the person of His Son.

This is the Real Christ of Christmas.

Not a just a baby…The eternal Son of God taking on flesh.

And how does Mary respond?

Not with a list of demands, not with terms and conditions.

She simply says, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”

In other words, “I’m Yours. I trust Your timing. I submit to Your plan.”

That’s the kind of response the Real Christ calls for.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And Mary’s faith bows to that schedule.

But God doesn’t leave her alone with this staggering news. He gives her confirmation.

B. Promise Confirmed (vv. 39–56)

Mary travels to visit Elizabeth—probably 70 to 80 miles. And when she walks into the house and greets her…

Luke 1:41–43 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?”

Unborn John leaps. Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, recognizes Mary as “the mother of my Lord.”

That word “Lord”—Kyrios—is Luke’s favorite title for Jesus.

This is the first Spirit-inspired human confession of Jesus’ deity in Luke’s Gospel.

Before Jesus ever preaches a sermon…Before He does a single miracle…The Holy Spirit has already testified: “This Child is Lord.”

Even unborn John recognizes Him. Some kids start moving early and never stop.

Mary responds with that beautiful song we call the Magnificat.

She celebrates God’s mercy, His reversals, His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Here’s what this means for us: Before Jesus is even born, God is already making it crystal-clear who He is.

Promised King. Divine Lord. Savior who comes in mercy and power.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And God confirms His identity before the world even sees His face.

Now the stage is set for the final movement: What is this King going to do? What’s His mission?

3. From Prophecy to Redemption (vv. 57–80)

A. The End of Silence (vv. 57–66)

John is born, and on the eighth day they gather for his circumcision and naming.

The whole group all assumes, “Of course you’re going to name him Zechariah Jr...that is the norm...

Elizabeth says, “No, he shall be called John.”

They argue with her.

This is where “we’ve never done it that way before” originated...

So they turn to Zechariah, who still can’t speak, and ask what the name should be.

Luke 1:64 “And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.”

The moment Zechariah agrees with God’s revealed will, his tongue is loosed.

The 400 years of prophetic silence ended…

…and the first thing out of his mouth is praise.

Not complaint.

Not shaking his fist and saying “God, that was unfair or unjust.”

Praise.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And now Zechariah is ready to explain what that means.

B. The Declaration of Salvation (vv. 67–79)

Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to prophesy:

Luke 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”

“Visited” and “redeemed” are Exodus words.

They describe a God who sees the misery of His people and steps in to rescue them.

Later in the song he turns to John and says:

Luke 1:76–77“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.”

John would be the prophet who proclaimed the heart of Christmas: Jesus did not come just to give us a holiday. He came to bring salvation through the forgiveness of sins.

Then Zechariah lands on this beautiful image: Luke 1:78–79 “Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

That’s Christmas.

Not primarily a cradle, but a cosmic sunrise.

The Real Christ of Christmas is the Light breaking into the world’s darkness, guiding our feet into peace with God.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And He came not just to impress us, but to save us.

Now before we move into the application of all this, I want you to see something absolutely crucial—because Luke tells us why he wrote this chapter… and why he wrote his entire Gospel.

As we said last week Luke gives us his purpose statement in verse 4...Luke 1:4 “…so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”

Luke wants certainty. Not guesswork. Not seasonal feelings. Not Christmas nostalgia. Certainty.

And what he’s just described—these births, these promises, these songs, these prophecies—is meant to give two groups of people two very different but equally important gifts: assurance for believers and clarity for unbelievers.

FOR BELIEVERS — This Story Anchors Our Confidence

Christian, Luke recorded these events so we would not build our faith on our emotions, or our circumstances, or the sentimentality of Christmas… but on certainty.

Luke wants us to be certain that:

God is not late.

God has not forgotten us.

His silence is not absence.

His timing is not random.

His promises do not have expiration dates.

Our faith is not built on a feeling—it is built on facts.

Historical facts. Theological facts. Covenant facts. Redemptive facts.

Luke 1 is God saying to every discouraged believer in this room: “You can trust Me. My timing is perfect. My plan is unstoppable.”

So if your life feels like Zechariah’s—long delay, long silence, long disappointment—Luke wrote this so you would have certainty that God is still working, even when you can’t see Him.

This is part of “Knowing the Real Christ in Christmas.”

Not the sentimental Christ…The certain Christ. The trustworthy Christ. The sovereign Christ.

FOR UNBELIEVERS — This Story Invites Your Surrender

But maybe you’re here today and you’re not yet a believer. You’re curious. You’re listening. Or maybe you’re skeptical.

Luke wrote for you too.

He wants you to be certain that Jesus is not a legend, not a tradition, not an inspiring holiday symbol… but the Son of God who stepped into real history to save you.

Luke presents:

Eyewitness testimony

Miraculous signs

Fulfilled prophecy

Divine intervention

Historical detail

Spirit-filled declarations

And the arrival of the Sunrise from on high

This is not myth. This is not folklore. This is God entering history for you.

And for you, the invitation is simple: If Jesus really came, then you really must respond. If Jesus truly forgives sins, then forgiveness is truly available. If Jesus is the Sunrise, then staying in darkness is a choice.

Friend, Luke writes so that you may know with certainty that Jesus is Lord— and that He came for you.

Believer, be certain in your faith. Unbeliever, be certain enough to surrender.

Luke wants us all to walk away today knowing this: Christ did not simply arrive on time—He arrived to make us certain.

Life Lesson – Trust the King Who Holds Our Timelines

So let’s circle back to the question we started with: How can we trust God’s plan when our hopes are delayed?

Luke 1 answers: Because Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule.

God synchronized empires, covenants, prophecies, priests, pregnancies, and even lots being cast… to bring Jesus into the world at the exact right moment.

If He did that with the first coming of Christ, then you can trust Him with:

The timing of your relationship

The timing of your diagnosis

The timing of your prodigal child coming home

The timing of your unanswered questions

Let's frame it like this:

1. Trade impatience for providence.

If God so carefully orchestrated the coming of Christ, He can orchestrate the details of our life. The delays, the detours, the disappointments—they are not random. We may not see the whole pattern now, but His providence is at work.

2. Trade doubt for His purpose.

Don’t settle for a sentimental Christ we pull out once a year. The Real Christ came with authority, identity, and a clear purpose: to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.

3. Trade fear for submission.

Mary shows us what trusting God’s timing looks like.

When we can’t understand His timing, we can still trust His character.

Christ Connection — Jesus Christ did not simply arrive on time. He is the reason time exists.

If you remember nothing else...remember that truth....

Every moment in Luke 1 moves toward Him. John exists for Him. Elizabeth rejoices because of Him. Mary submits to Him. Zechariah proclaims about Him. The covenants are fulfilled in Him. The sunrise dawns through Him. Redemption is accomplished by Him.

He is not just in God’s timeline— He is the One who defines it.

And here is the Christmas connection: If God orchestrated all of history to bring Christ to us, then we can trust Him to orchestrate the details of our life to bring us to Christ and we can be certain He empowers us to live for Him.

So this Christmas, don’t just celebrate a season—trust the Savior. Don’t just cling to tradition—cling to His timing.

Christ arrived perfectly on God’s trustworthy schedule. And He is more than ready to work in ours.