<“Christmas 2016: Prelude to Christmas
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. WE ARE ASTOUNDED BY THE GOSPEL
A. GOD’S TIMING
>1. PRELUDE
Lk 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Lk 1:5-7 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zecharias, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Lk 1:8-12 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zecharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear paralyzed him. (also Col 4:10-11, 14)
>2. PRAYER
Lk 1:13-14 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
B. GOD’S REMEDY
>1. PLAN
Lk 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must not drink wine or strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (also Num 6; Mt 11:11)
>2. POWER
Lk 1:16-17 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (also Mt 11:14; 17:12; Mal 4:5-6)
Rest of the story + annunciation to Mary and her going to meet Zecharias and Elizabeth in next 30 verses, But we’ve talked of that last week. Part two of the Prelude to Christmas begins . . .
II. WE ARE REJOICING IN THE GOSPEL
A. GOD’S GLORY
>1. PERSONAL PRAISE
Lk 1:46-47 And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (also I Sam 2:1-10)
>2. PERCEPTION
Lk 1:48-49 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. (also Lk 11:27-28; 8:19-21)
B. GOD’S MERCY
>1. PRESERVATION
Lk 1:50 His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
>2. PROVIDENCE
Lk 1:51-53 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
>3. PROVISION
Lk 1:54-55 He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Now it is Zacharias’ turn to sing! Part three of the Prelude to Christmas begins after John the Baptist is born and Zacharias has back his voice . . .
III. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE GOSPEL
A. GOD’S DESIGN
>1. PURPOSE
Lk 1:67-69 “Now John’s father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,”
Lk 1:70-72a “As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to fulfill the mercy promised to our fathers” (also Ps 69:30)
>2. PROMISE
Lk 1:72b-75 “And to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”
B. GOD’S INITIATIVE
>1. PREPARATION
Lk 1:76 “And you, John, will be called the ‘Prophet of the Highest’; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways”
>2. PARDON AND PEACE
Lk 1:77-79 “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Conclusion: While we love to sing of the baby, shepherd, angels and wise men, let us stop this week before Christmas and focus once again on the Gospel and in the prelude to it
To WONDER at the Gospel, seeing God’s plan for the Messiah to come (and die) unfold
To REJOICE in the Gospel, magnifying God for His grace to the humble
To be THANKFUL for the Gospel, recognizing promises fulfilled and redemption at hand