Luke 1:67-76

JOY HAS COME - Luke 1:67-76

INTRO: 2nd Sunday in Advent. ILLUS: Jamal’s birth and my joy.

Zechariah the priest is transformed into a prophet at John’s birth.

BACKGROUND of Silence of Zechariah. Now, JOY Has Come.

How has JOY come?

Joy has Come through Redemption - 67-68

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them.

After no visits for 400 years, God has finally come. Visited Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary.

God’s timing is alway perfect. He doesn’t always show up when you expect…but He does show up in His timing.

REDEEMED - That was Jesus’ purpose…to redeem us from the stronghold of sin.

Ephesians 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Titus 2:14 - Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

1 Corinthians 6:20 - For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

ILLUS: Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 3) - Go to your wife again; Love her as the Lord loves His people; 15 shekels of silver, 5 bushels of barley and some wine.

Jesus said “Son of man came to serve and give His life for many.”

SO - Praise the Lord Jesus has come and redeemed us.

Joy has Come through Deliverance - 69-71

There’s a word we use...”HATERS.”

Kanye West “Love your haters – they’re your biggest fans.”

Nicki Minaj “Respect your haters, they’re the only ones who think you’re better than them.”

Drake “Haters will broadcast your failure, but whisper your success.”

They’re talking about people. We know better.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We might have a misunderstanding; different ways of raising children; different ways to doing ministry…BUT we are commanded to LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Remember, we are purchased by His blood for His purpose. UNITY!

Our real enemies are the rulers of darkness of this world; spiritual wickedness in high places.

Demons - fallen angels;

Demons can inhabit a human body, BUT NOT THE BODY OF A BELIEVER.

Demons attempt to thwart God’s plan; hinder God’s people.

That’s why the Bible warns us in 1 Peter 5:8-Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

HOPE has come to deliver us from our enemy, not from one another.

Joy has Come through the Messiah - 76

v 76 - And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him.

ILLUS: Prepare the way of Kings; President.

Who is the Most High? Jesus.

The Savior of the World

The Redeemer of all Mankind

The Bread of Heaven

The Only Begotten Son

The King of Kings

The Lord of Lords

The Compassionate One

The Wonderful Counselor

The Mighty God

The Prince of Peace

The One who is coming again to receive us

CLOSE: JOY has come because The Messiah has Come.

We REJOICE in our Deliverance.

We REJOICE in His Redemption.