Sermon Tone Analysis
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Open: Christmas is a season for gift giving.
While we give gifts to others, we also receive them.
Depending upon the gift we receive, our response can be very different.
This video shows one type of reaction (kids freak out over Disney World surprise, uploaded by Rumble Viral)
We can respond to God’s Gift by offering Him Praise ()
Explanation: Zechariah has been unable to speak for over 9 months.
His involuntary silence had been imposed by Gabriel when Zechariah expressed serious doubt about God’s power.
Upon the birth and naming of John the Baptist, Zechariah’s ability to speak was returned, and he used his first words to praise and bless the Lord God of Heaven.
Zechariah served as a priest in the Temple and he was familiar with the OT prophecies of the Promised Messiah.
Zechariah assuredly remembered Gabriel’s words concerning John’s mission of preparation, and he was probably in the house when Mary visited Elizabeth.
Zechariah was aware of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus, and had heard of, or been made aware of, Mary’s song of praise for the Savior who was on the way.
Because Zechariah partially understood the magnitude of what they were receiving from the Hand of God [no one could have a full understanding] he responds with praise to God.
Zechariah is praising God for being faithful and for providing such a wonderful and undeserved gift.
Argument: The gift of Jesus to the world is arguably the greatest gift ever given.
While there are millions in our country who disagree with this statement, it does not change the truth.
We certainly should not expect unbelievers to even acknowledge the existence of Jesus, let alone consider Him to be the greatest of anything.
For those of us who are believers, our response to Jesus should be markedly different.
We who have been redeemed from the cesspool of sin know how undeserving we are to have received this grace!
Believers should never be able to “get over” being saved.
We should always live with a fresh appreciation for the positive impact Jesus has had, and continues to have on our lives.
We should always be like kids at Christmas, excited by the gifts we are given.
Application: Are you still staggered by the grace that was shown to you personally?
Are you still excited about being on the team?
Do you still have a sense of being on an adventure with Jesus, with Him calling the shots?
We can respond to God’s Gift by serving Him with Personal Holiness ()
Explanation: Zechariah continues his song of praise by reminding his listeners that God is giving the Messiah for a purpose.
The Messiah was not leaving the glories of heaven to come to Earth just to hang out.
His arrival on this planet was full of meaning and purpose.
The Messiah came for many reasons, but included in them was to fulfill the promises made, to serve as a Redeemer, and to bring Glory to the God of Heaven.
Zechariah focuses on one purpose of the Messiah, the one that would allow the Jewish believers to serve God without fear in personal holiness.
One important note: Zechariah was unable to see the Cross at this time and would most likely think that the Messiah’s arrival would serve as the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.
That Kingdom would be a time when Messiah reigned, death would be limited, and the Jewish nation would be restored to glory.
In such a kingdom, the Jews would be free to worship as they were taught, and to live their individual lives according to the covenant of holiness
Illustrate: learning gifts for kids.
There is fun and enjoyment with the toy, but its purpose is to assist the learner with colors, animals, sounds, and letters.
When we just turn the little ones loose without any guidance, the learning toy is not being used to its full potential.
Argument: The Millennial Kingdom is still in the future as the time between the first and second Advents of Christ continues to lengthen.
But believers do not have to wait until the Second Coming to serve God in righteousness and personal holiness.
Indeed, we dare not wait, but wisely use the time we have been given to live for Jesus in the present!
Application: Christian service comes from a grateful heart.
We know we cannot earn our salvation, but we want to express our love through serving.
You can live a holy and righteous life in the present time - you do not have to wait until you are taken to glory.
Living for Christ and having a desire to please Him should be first and foremost in our lives!
We can respond to God’s Gift by sharing our light with those in darkness ()
Explanation: Zechariah’s song of praise is now directed at his son John.
Zechariah knows that John is going to be a prophet, one called to deliver a message from God to the people.
Zechariah also knows that John’s specific message is one of preparation: John is going to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Messiah when He comes.
John is to proclaim the need for repentance, for the people to turn from their self-centered lives and to turn back to the LORD God with their hearts and lives.
In essence, John’s message was a message of hope; he was bringing the light of forgiveness and salvation to those who had been living in the darkness.
Illustration: Construction zone lights for roadwork at night can produce between 400,000 and 500,00 lumens.
Using these lights basically turns night back into day; they are very bright.
Consider this: you are driving on a very dark night on the interstate and you almost hit a construction worker because you didn’t see him.
You pull the car off the road and get out to try to find out why he was working in the dark.
You notice the portable light stands and ask why they weren’t turned on.
One of the workers replies, “we don’t use the lights because it really isn’t that dark.”
Argument: Jesus left the glory of Heaven and came to live among men because there was a need.
And the need still exists
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