The Announcement of John's Birth

Introduce the Series

The Metaphor of the Rising Sun

Read /

The significance of light is clear. We are dependent on it. We need it to see clearly (guidance)

Jesus’s coming is like the sun rising, bringing Joy, dispelling gloom, giving spiritual knowledge. “A great visitation has come”

We now know God and his will fully

Isaiah 60:1–2 ESV

1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

Before Jesus men dis have some natural knoweldge

\like cunfucious or the code of hammurabi but they were all like little candles in a dark place, the provided some insight, but low visibility. Some understanding.

Then God reveals to Moses and shows himself to his people. He gives them his law and spearates them as his people. That was a greater light and gave greater visibility.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

This was a greater lamp than the rest and was sufficent for it’s time and purpose but it wasn’t a full illumining.

-But when Jesus came, it was no lamp, or mere candle, it was as if the sun with all it’s rays had risen. Everything was illumined!

A full revelation of God, and of his plan to save men, his way to save men.

All the hopes and expectations of the OT promises were realized.

I am the light of the world, In Him was light!

God drew back the curtains and revealed fully who he is and what he desires of men.

And now through the Gospel, God shines in our hearts to give the light of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus. God gives us the ability to see and appreciate the Glory of God revealed in Jesus.

So the significance of the Christmas story is that the Day Has Dawned, the sun is rising.

The Sun’s Effects as seen prior to it being revealed!

Destiny and I on Cruise ship watching the sun rise.

This is John the Baptist, he is the twilight before the sun. He is the starting act, but he’s not the main feature. He is sent to go before him. He came to bear witness of that light! The sun is rising!

The Silence Is Broken

The Setting

Jerusalem around 8-6 b.c.

During the Reign of Herod the Kind (A Harsh Roman Ruler who though he was Israel’s savior)

400 Years Since God Had Spoken

Read ,; Israel’s Sin

Read , God’s Promise

God keeps his promises

God is not slack, he will return.

God’s Good Providence

Their dilemma

They were faithful yet unfulfilled. They did not have Children

-It was God’s doing

Daniel 5:21 ESV

21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

God kills, and he makes alive.

-It was to accomplish God’s good purpose.

God has bigger designs than merely meeting my desires. God wanted to highlight the significance of John as his forerunner so he delayed his birth. (This is similar to Sarah/ Abraham, and Hannah)

God delights to show his love by blessing his children. (He could have decided not to give them children, but he did, he fulfilled their desires.

Psalm 84:11 ESV

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

The Ministry of John the Baptist

A Nazarite () Meaning dedicated to the Lord.

Who’s Purpose Was to Turn People Back to God (Elijah Like)

Calling out compromise and complacency

Calling for restoration in family relationships

Calling for obedience to the example of the Just (Your father Abraham)

To Prepare People for Christ!

He is a pattern for all New Testament ministry. The messiah is coming, we should turn our hearts to him!

Zachariah’s Unbelief

-He doubted whether God would fulfill it!

We also doubt

-God is faithful anyways! He is good and kind to doubters!