2018-12-23 
Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We’ve spent a lot of time in the Old Testament over the past few weeks looking forward to the birth of Christ. Last week, we spent some time in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 as well as the OT. Today, we’re going to spend our time in a passage that is often missed at this time of year but it encompasses the true meaning of Christmas.

Luke 1:67-79 (NLT) Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: 68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, 70 just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago. 71 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. 72 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering His sacred covenant— 73 the covenant He swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. 76 “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77 You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

1. God Visited

a. Vs 68a Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited…

b. Visited – “episkeptomai” = “to look after, to examine with the eyes, in order to help of benefit”

c. After 400 years of virtual silence of prophetic promises, God acts

d. God is always present, active, and involved in our daily lives

2. God Redeemed

a. Vs 68b …and redeemed His people

b. Redeemed – “lytrosis” = “a ransoming, deliverance from the penalty of sin”

c. God has always provided a way of redemption

3. Just as He promised

a. Vs 69-70 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, 70 just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago.

b. Vs 71-73 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. 72 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering His sacred covenant— 73 the covenant He swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.

c. In multiple OT prophecies, it is promised that through the line of David a Savior would come

d. We are the beneficiaries of God’s promise to Abraham

4. So We Can Serve

a. Vs 74-75 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

b. A response is warranted to God’s act

5. So We Can Share

a. VS 76-77 And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77 You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

b. Prepare – “hetoimazo” = “to make ready, prepare the path”

c. Just as John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, we too should “prepare the way” for His coming

6. For The World To Have Hope

a. Vs 78-79 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.

b. Matthew 1:21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.