Luke - Story of Zechariah

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Today we are going to be looking at the story of a couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth and the pending birth of their son John. This is a story most of us have heard many times. But this morning we are going to take a look at it and try to find what in this story can apply to us, especially during this Christmas season.

If you will please turn to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1.

While you are turning there we need to understand something about studying a narrative like this one. there are some things in someone elses story in scripture that apply only to them. For example, we are going to read about Elizabeth being barren an old age and then being promised a son. I think it is obvious this does not apply to all of us.

Explain examining narratives.

This means I will approach this sermon a little differently and have some takeaway points.

Let’s start with

We are introduced to this couple, Zechariah a priest and his wife Elizabeth, they are devout followers of God. They were good people. The only problem is they do not have a child. And not only do they not have a child but they are advanced in years, meaning they are past child bearing years. It seems that it is too late for them. There was no hope of a future through an heir.

POINT 1: When there seems to be no hope, God is faithful.

During this Christmas season we will encounter, and many of us personally know those who have no hope.

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Luke 1:18–20 ESV

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Luke 1:18-20POINT 2: When we do not trust God’s faithfulness we are left without a voice.

POINT 2: When we do not trust God’s faithfulness we are left without a voice.

During the Christmas season, if we do not trust the hope and joy that is in Christ alone, how could we possible speak into others?

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Now lets move ahead to verse 39-45

POINT 3: Our joy and hope is in the Lord

We celebrate the hope of the world

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POINT 4: Those who trust in the Lord are blessed

We have a hope to share

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We will now move ahead to verse 57

POINT 5: Our testimony of God’s faithfulness brings great joy

During this season we need to share what God has done in our lives

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POINT 6: When we stand up for God we are given a voice

We must stand in the face of adversity

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POINT 7: Our voice must be to share the gospel

Christmas is the perfect time for the gospel message, why do we not take advantage of it?

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POINT 8: We can be used to soften even the hardest heart

Prepare the way for the Lord

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This Christmas, be sure to give the greatest gift, the gospel of hope for all people. The christ child born to take away the sin of the world!