Two Babies, One Savior

Book Context: Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke. He wrote these things to make sure that we might be certain about the things that have been written about Jesus.

Prior Context: Luke’s introduction gives Theophilus and us a great certainty that the things we will read are true and sought for carefully.

M.O.T: Evangelistic

C.I.T: God has provided a Savior in Jesus for us.

Thesis: God has given us a Savior, we are to tell others about Jesus and treasure him.

“Two Babies. One Savior.”

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Introduction:

1. The miracle of life is a wonderful thing. Having a baby born into this world is a gift from Almighty God. Each and every person in this room was born. How do I know this? Because you’re here today duh! But nobody was born into this world like Jesus. He was born from a virgin; His father was God himself. Nobody was born like Jesus, nobody lived like Jesus he never sinned. And nobody died like Jesus, he died a death that would pay for the debt of sinners. There is no one like Jesus. And just like we talked last week the greatest announcement ever made was that Jesus would be born the savior of the world. Likewise, the greatest birth in history was when Jesus Christ was born into this world! Everything about Jesus is great, and every event about Jesus is the greatest event in history! This evening we are going to look at two babies that were literally born into this world. Two babies, but only One savior. One would prepare the way for salvation, the other would be the means of salvation. We must understand the reason for these two baby boys that were born two thousand years ago. They reveal the right understandings when it comes to the plan of salvation. As, always there are three facts about the plan of salvation that we must know and believe.

Fact #1 You are Captive to Sin

1. The time had come for John the Baptist to be born. His mother who was old in age is ready to go into labor, and she delivers this baby boy who was predicted by the Angel Gabriel to be born. The Angel told Zechariah, the father of John, that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit and make ready for the Lord a prepared people. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. The delivery is successful, and John is born. Eight days later they go to circumcise him according to the law as a Jewish boy and they are ready to name him. Luke tells us that they are multiple people here during this, because they try to help name this baby. They were going to name him Zechariah which is the same name as his father. Maybe because they thought how great a miracle this was that Elizabeth got pregnant in her old age, I’m not sure. Whatever the reason, they wanted to name him Zechariah. But Elizabeth protests and says his name should be John. This is interesting because only Zechariah encountered the Angel Gabriel in the Holy of Holies during his priestly duties. Only he would have known that his name was supposed to be John. But Elizabeth led by the Holy Spirit wants to name him John. The people look to the Father for help, because the Father would have to ultimate say in the matter. They are trying to get him to affirm that John is a stupid name because no one in the family has that name. But Zechariah writes on a tablet that his name will be John. Remember Zechariah is still in captivity to the punishment by the Angel for not believing in God’s Word. Do you know what it is called when you don’t believe in God’s Word? And because of that you disobey him? It is called SIN! It’s not a boo boo, or a oopsie. It is an offense to a Holy God, it is SIN. Because of his sin, Zechariah is in bondage. He cannot speak, this process has been going on for 9 months now because of the length of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. His mouth has been shut for nine months, some of you guys can’t even keep quiet for 30 min during a sermon, imagine not being able to speak for 9 months. Especially after the event of seeing an Angel who gives you great news! Sin always destroys and has consequences. Listen to me teens and parents, sin will ruin and wreck your life. Sin separates you from God and holds you captive. Captive to what, to judgement! It only takes one sin to have enough evidence for God to convict you as guilty and sentence you to a fiery prison called Hell for eternity. That is the correct and right response from God because he is Holy and a good judge. We can see from this man Zechariah as a living example of what sin does to you spiritually. It holds you captive, you can’t escape, or run from it, and it always comes out. It wasn’t because the Angel was supposed to give a sign or something like that, it was because Zechariah sinned! Because he is a sinner! Do you know why you sin? Because you ARE a sinner! Sin always destroys and holds you captive, helpless. It wasn’t until God set him free that he began to speak. That’s the nature of salvation, you and I are held captive by sin because we are sinners, and we deserve judgement and punishment from God but in his great mercy he sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin as a substitution so that he could set us free! But when it comes to the plan of salvation you must know and believe the fact that you are in captivity, and you cannot get out without God intervening. The Bible says his tongue was set free and he began to speak and praise God and because of this fear came over the people around and in the area. When God sets you free spiritually and you’re saved, you begin to praise him and others see it. If you were mute and deaf which he was because it says they motioned him over because he couldn’t hear also, because of your sin, and God allowed you to speak again even though you didn’t deserve it, because Zechariah didn’t deserve it, the first words you say, would it be praise God? Let me ask you this, what are some of the first words you say every day? When you get up in the morning is it thank you God for allowing me another day? Thanking him in prayer? Is it glorifying to God? I hear through some of your conversations in here things that are not pleasing to God because they are inappropriate things regarding sinful behavior and what not, why would you allow those things to come out of your mouth? You think Jesus died for you so you could be gross and speak immoral things? Or make fun of someone, or gossip? God has graciously allowed you all in here to speak, hear, and see, so let every Word you say, everything you look at, and everything you hear be God glorifying. You’ll want to glorify God the more you understand that you were captive to sin.

Fact #2 You need Salvation

1. Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit after he can talk again, and begins to prophesy about things concerning the Lord and salvation. He proclaims about God’s faithfulness to keep his promises and talks about redemption for the people of God. Then he mentions John and his role. He says they he will “go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death”. John’s job and purpose on earth was to show people their need for salvation. And who was John pointing to? He was pointing to Jesus. Zechariah said, “the dawn from on high will visit us”. What is he saying? That Jesus, the Light of the World would live among us, he would visit us. How many of you enjoy a good sunrise? The dawn is referring to when the sun comes up, it is another way of saying the Messiah. Darkness is around before dawn, but at dawn the light shines through. Jesus is the light of the World! And you need him to save you. Let me just be honest with you today, there is not a person in this room here tonight that is not an evil and wicked sinner who deserves eternal punishment in Hell from God. Not one. And that’s what it takes for you to be saved, recognizing that you’re a wicked sinner in need of forgiveness, that you are unworthy and cannot help yourself whatsoever, to the point where you fall on your knees before a Holy and almighty God and beg him for mercy and salvation through Jesus. You need salvation. Your parents are guilty sinners, you are guilty sinners, and I am a guilty sinner. You need salvation! And John the Baptist was going to be the one that would preach this message and prepare the people to believe and receive Jesus. Do you think people know they are snoring when they are asleep? No. Because they are asleep, they aren’t functioning in an awake state and so they don’t know. You have to wake them up, then tell them they’re snoring to help correct it. You are waking them up and giving them knowledge, telling them they’re need for something to change. John brought forth the knowledge of salvation, to wake people up to see their need for a sacrifice to pay for their sins, Jesus Christ.

2. You don’t think you need saving.

a. You may think Jesus died for sinners, but it’s for really bad sinners like murderers and rapists, not good sinners like me. That’s an oxymoron, there is no such that as a good sinner. Just like there is no such that as a good watercress, those two don’t go together. All sinners are rotten sinners, evil sinners, and unworthy of God’s salvation! That’s you and that’s me. Unworthy. And there is no other way for you to be saved and forgiven but through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the only way, no other religion or any other god can save you. Your good deeds can’t save you. Only Jesus. ARRON RODGERS You may not think you need saving, but you do.

3. You know you need saving but you don’t know from where.

a. You recognize you’re a guilty sinner, but you don’t know who can help you. Let me tell you friends, nothing in this world created or man-made can help you and forgive you. The guilt of your sin weighs on you, that’s why you’re depressed, tired, lonely, angry, anxious, it’s because you’ve got sin weighing down on you and you don’t know that Jesus is ready to carry it for you through the cross so you can be forgiven. Run to Jesus. Not to a video game, or social media, or another pill or bottle, but to Jesus.

4. Without Christ you are in the dark. You were born into the dark, you lived in the dark, and only the light of the World which is Jesus Christ can change your heart and put light into your life to forgive you and change you.

Fact #3 A Savior was born for You

1. There is a scene change, a couple months down the road because Elizabeth was about 6 months further along than Mary. Mary and Joseph that this point are making their way to Judea in a city called Bethlehem which was the city of David to be registered because they family line was through David. Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David. They make their way there and Mary goes into labor. Her water probably broke, and she tells Joseph it’s time. I am a Man and can only imagine what it is going on in Josephs mind right now. Like, “Oh man I got to find a place quick!” He’s banging on Hotel doors, and no one has room available for them. He ends up lowering his standards and even knocks on a motel 6, but they refuse him as well. Now he is thinking, “what am I going to do? It’s cold outside, the sun is down, and I can’t have my wife deliver this baby boy outside.” He ends up finding a place, a barn for animals. Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and lays him in a feeding trough that was meant to feed animals in. The King of kings, and Lord of lords, enters into humanity to save them, but yet even in the womb is rejected and forced to be born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough. The greatest of all, who created all things, didn’t get a triumphal entry, no-body had a camera taking pictures as the greatest day in human history, the red carpet wasn’t rolled out for him, He humbly came into this World and was born like no one else had been born. Why was he Born? To save you. In verse 8 we have a scene where shepherds are watching their flock at night. And an Angel appears to them with God’s Glory shining around them making the Shepherds terrified. Can you imagine watching sheep, walking around making sure everybody is doing good, there’s no wolves, nobody starting fights with on another and then boom! An Angel appears and says don’t be afraid! READ VERSE 10-12 This Angel appears and says I’ve got great news to tell you, the greatest news there is, a savior was born today in the city of David which God had foretold in the Old Testament, and He was Born for YOU! He is the Messiah, the redeemer, the Lord capital L because He is God himself who decided to be born as a man to live a perfect life and die for your sins. He is the Savior, and He has come for you.

2. How many of you have called the police before? How many have you seen the police called and then they show up? Did that relieve you when they got their? Did you feel better and safer knowing they were there to protect you and potentially save you? When I worked with security, I called the cops a lot. And I told you guys before there was one instance where I got a gun pulled on me after chasing a guy who stole from us into a nearby neighborhood. After he pulled the gun I drove away and had my friends call the cops. I was on edge for a while and when the police showed up it was a relief. You call for help and you know help is on the way, it provides you with courage, and when they arrive it’s a good feeling. I worked the rest of my shift unafraid because cops were roaming the neighborhood all night and staying nearby. I called for help, and they came. Jesus Christ was not just help for humanity, he was not an aid to help us get to heaven, he was the savior for humanity to redeem us, to save us, to pay our sin debt to God so we could be forgiven! And we didn’t call for him, God planned from the beginning to send him to save us! There is no greater relief, no greater joy than knowing that Jesus Christ was born for me even when I was rejecting him and hating him, he still died for me, he still rose again for me, and this is good news, the savior has arrived two thousand years ago to save people from their sins and the judgement of God, all you must do it call out to him in repentance and faith! And he will save you.

3. The Angels tell the shepherds, and then more angels show up and begin a heavenly song of praise with an angel choir singing to God saying Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!” What a picture, this was a great day in history. The Angels then leave, and the Shepherds decide to go find this savior that was born. It says they hurried off to go see them, I can imagine. The best news ever was given to these lowly shepherds, and they run to see their savior, the one who would die for them! They saw him exactly as described. There are two things I see that I want to share before we close.

4. One is their response. They hear about Jesus and it overwhelms them, they run to see him and when they see him it changes them! They leave begin to tell everyone about Jesus, this savior that the Angels had described to them.

5. Have you told anybody about Jesus lately? Does Jesus bring you joy that you can’t help but hurry and tell someone that you saw Jesus, the savior of the World? In verse 20 it says they returned, where? They returned to their fields, but they were different, they returned glorifying God and praising God for the things they saw and heard about Jesus. You cannot tell me you have been saved by Jesus if you life doesn’t glorify and praise him! When you truly meet Jesus through repentance and faith, you are changed, you’re not the same person. And the shepherds glorified God. They returned back to their same old life but with new purpose to glorify God because of what he has done for them!

6. The second thing in Mary. She was meditating on these things in her heart. What things? She is treasuring all things that have happened since chapter one, God chose her to bear his Son to save the World. This poor girl from Nazareth. God chose her relative Elizabeth to bear John the Baptist who would prepare the way for Jesus. He allowed them to have a stable to dwell in for Jesus to be born, it wasn’t special at all but it was something, that God’s grace! He brought the Shepherds to sing and praise God. And you know the Shepherds told Mary and Joseph about what happened! She was treasuring the things about Jesus that God had done for her. Do you see Jesus as precious? Do you treasure him in your heart and think about all that God has done for you in Jesus? He saved you. Forgave you of all your sins past present and future because Jesus took your sin on himself. He called you a son or daughter, he granted you eternal live in his presence when you die. He gave you Jesus’ life record as your righteousness, meaning God looks at you and sees that you kept all the laws perfectly like Jesus, even though you didn’t. He allowed you to hear this wonderful message, brought you to this Church. He gave you your family. He has done great things for you. Do you treasure Jesus?

7. If not, don’t leave without calling out to Jesus in faith today. He is ready to save you. There were two babies born, but only one savior. Praise God for Jesus.