Sermon-"Pray for Joy" based on Luke 1:5-25; 67-79
Introduction: Joy. It is a word that we hear often during this time of year. We even sang about it this morning. We read it often throughout Scripture and especially with the announcement of Jesus birth. It is a fruit of the Spirit. “An attitude God’s people adopt not because of happy circumstances but because of their hope in God’s love and promise.” (The Bible Project) What brings you joy?
Discourage vs. 5-7,18,24-25
·
Christmas time
is typically a time of joy, but for many it is a time of discouragement.
·
What causes
discouragement in you? It might be a friendship, a strained relationship in
family, a loss of job, a loss of a loved one, frustrations at work or school,
health issues, COVID.
·
Zechariah and
Elizabeth are experiencing discouragement as well.
o
Vs. 7-They had
no children & They were advanced in years
o
Vs. 18-I’m old
and my wife is advanced in years
o
Vs. 25-Take away
reproach (disgrace or state of dishonor, shame, cursed) of my people
§ Similar to Genesis 30:23 from Rachel & Jacob-“God
has taken away my reproach.
§ Some believed barrenness was punishment for sin, but
note that both Elizabeth and Zechariah are described as righteous, walking
blamelessly
Deeds
vs. 8-17
·
Vs. 8-9-It’s
Zechariah’s family’s turn to serve and he is chosen to burn incense.
o Each priestly order or division served two weeks a
year. It was estimated that 18,000 priests served in the temple and no priest
was permitted to offer incense more than once in his lifetime[1] This occurred morning and
evening. (Exodus 30:7-8- “And
Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when
he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when
Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering
before the Lord throughout your generations.”)
o In Scripture incense is connected to prayer-“golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8)
·
Vs. 10-People
are praying (multitudes-great number)
o It is a Lukan characteristic to point out that major
events are associated with prayer.[2]
·
Vs. 11-Angel
appeared
·
Vs. 13-Answered
Prayer-you will have a child, a son, shall call him John
·
Vs. 14-You will
have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at this birth because he will be
great
·
Vs. 15-He will
be great & He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb
o
A reminder that
in the OT the Spirit came and went. Often upon prophets, priests, leaders, etc.
·
Vs. 16-17-He
will go before and he will turn (Malachi prophecy in 4:5-6)
§ Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And
he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of
children to their fathers…
o
In the spirit
and power of Elijah
§ when “power” is mentioned, one can usually assume
that it is the Spirit who is empowering[3]
Declare:
Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79)
·
After the birth
of John and at his circumcision, what is Zechariah’s response to experiencing
God in his discouragement and as God has proven Himself by His deeds? Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesies. Zechariah declares.
·
Vs. 68-Praise the Lord, the God of Israel
o
Why? He has come, Immanuel-God with us. He
has redeemed his people
·
Vs. 69-Salvation
o
The Messiah was to be Israel’s horn of
salvation (v. 69). The horns of an animal symbolized its power. Thus the
Messiah would be strong and would deliver the nations from her enemies[4]
o
Vs. 69-For us in house of David (see this
in Luke 1:32 & other verses too)
o
Vs. 71-From our enemies & those who
hate us
·
Vs. 72-Mercy to our fathers
·
Vs. 72-73-Remember
o
Covenant with Abraham--Genesis 17:1,2,7-
“When Abram was ninety-nine years
old, …2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and
will greatly increase your numbers.” 7 I will establish my
covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants
after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your
descendants after you.
·
Vs. 74-Rescue
o
Hand of our enemies
·
Vs. 74-75-Enable us to serve Him all our
days
o
Without fear, In holiness, In
righteousness
·
Vs. 76-Prophecy of his son, John
o
Prophet of Most High, Prepare the way
o
Parents, speak life over your
children. Speak God’s truth and promises
and identity over them.
·
Vs. 77-Give knowledge of salvation &
the Forgiveness of sins
·
Vs. 78-Because of tender mercy of God
·
Vs. 79-To shine on those living in
darkness & shadow of death, To guide our feet into path of peace
·
Just like Zechariah, we too have an
opportunity to respond as God meets us in our discouragement and God works His
deeds. We too can declare through testimony, through worship, through prayer.
Closing:
Pray for Joy for yourself. Pray for Joy
for others (ask God).
[1]
Marshall, I. H. (1978). The Gospel of Luke:
a commentary on the Greek text (p. 54). Exeter: Paternoster
Press.
[4]
Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 207). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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