(The Preacher’s Magazine 1988-89)

ELIZABETH'S SONG Luke 1:39-45

Introduction: Relate the situation of Zacharias and Elizabeth: she barren, he a priest. An angel appeared to him and announced that a son would be born. In the fifth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Mary came to visit.

I. Elizabeth Blessed the Savior (v. 42)

A. Even before His birth

B. She called Him "Lord," not know­ing the full importance of her words.

C. We, knowing His position as we do, ought to lift up the name of Jesus Christ.

II. She Who Was Barren Bore the Forerunner (vv. 41, 44)

A. Barrenness was considered a sign of God's displeasure.

1. Sarah-Isaac

2. Hannah-Samuel

B. Her barrenness was not a hin­drance to faith (v. 6).

C. Her child fulfilled prophecy (Mal. 4:5).

D. Her child prophesied fulfillment (John 1:23-27).

III. She Believed God

A. Abraham believed and was counted righteous.

B. We are justified through belief (Gal. 2:15-16).

Conclusion: Elizabeth's song is an ex­ample of Christian behavior. It contains praise and blessing; hope in the face of discouragement. Most of all, it ex­presses faith, not just in what is, but that what God has promised He will deliver.

Introduction: Prophecy did not end with Malachi. John the Baptist, Jesus, and John the Revelator all prophesied. And in this passage, we find the priest Zach­arias prophesying of a prophet yet to come, His forerunner, and the fore­runner's message.

I. Salvation (v. 71) This quote (Ps. 106:10) shows Zach­arias' knowledge of Jewish literature -a poem dealing with deliverance from Egypt.

A. Salvation promised from the house of David (v. 69)

B. Salvation by mercy, not law (v. 72)

C. Salvation without fear (v. 74)

1. Holiness (v. 75)

2. Righteousness (v. 75)

II. Preparation (v. 76) In preparing for the Promised One yet to come, John would act as:

A. Prophet (v. 76)

B. Forerunner (v. 76)

C. Teacher (v. 77)

III. Illumination (v. 79; cf. Isa. 9:2) Christ is the sunrise in verse 78.

A. Dispels the darkness

B. Lights the way through death

C. Guides to eternal peace

Conclusion: The song of Zacharias tells us of salvation that is ours, preached by the forerunner and delivered by the Ful­fillment. He tells us of preparation, not in piety but in righteousness, to receive Christ. And he tells us of the illumination that Christ brings, lighting the way to everlasting peace.

Introduction: In the first two chapters of Luke, we find the angel Gabriel as God's messenger, making the announcement of the ages. This is a substantial portion of biblical material describing angels' function as God's messengers. Observe the two announcements described here.

I. Song of the Forerunner: "To Make Ready"

Announced to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist

A. Announced a miraculous birth

B. Announced an answer to a per­sonal prayer

C. Announced a restoration of true religion

D. Announced a prophecy of the Savior

II. Song of Fulfillment: "To Reign With­out End"

A. Announced a miraculous concep­tion

B. Announced an answer to a na­tion's prayers

C. Announced a restoration of Da­vid's throne

D. Announced the fulfillment of promise

1. Fulfillment of Abrahamic cov­enant

2. Fulfillment of the Virgin Birth (lsa.7:14)

3. Fulfillment of a new govern­ment (Isa. 9:6)

Conclusion: These songs remind us that God fulfills His promises, not as we expect them but as He wills them. Zach­arias and Mary both believed God's promises; but Zacharias did not believe that .he would be a part of them, whereas Mary accepted God's choice unreservedly. We need to believe and to be willing to participate in God's plan.

Luke 1:46-55

Introduction: Response to a visitation from God

I. A New Awareness of God's Holi­ness (v. 49)

A. Isaiah's response (Isaiah 6)

1. Awe

2. Surrender

B. Egyptian deliverance (Exod. 15:11) Holiness seen

C. John saw victors newly aware of God's holiness (Rev. 15:4).

II. A New Awareness of God's Work (v. 51)

A. Israel recalls Egyptian deliverance.

1. Numbers 20

2. Psalm 106

B. Prophets predicted a new work.

C. Mary was the first of a new "Chris­tian" awareness.

D. First-century Church (Stephen).

III. A New Awareness of God's Mercy (v. 50)

A. Jewish legalism left no room for mercy.

B. Mercy, "loving-kindness" (Ps. 1 03:17)-Kindness shown not out of duty, but out of love, unde­served.

IV. A New Awareness of God's Faith­fulness (v. 54)

A. God had always been faithful; Mary was more aware because of fulfilled promises.

B. Abraham became aware in the ful­fillment of promises.

C. Psalm 99

Conclusion: A visitation from God pro­duces a new awareness of who God is: (1) holy; (2) at work through us; (3) mer­ciful to and through us; (4) faithful con­cerning His promises.

Introduction: This passage contains the announcement of the ages and a song of praise for the Gift announced.

I. Announcement of the Ages (vv. 10-11)

A. Fear is gone (v. 10)

Pagans fear their gods. The Jews had often kept the law because of fear. Fear was a way of life. "Fear not" ushered in a new age.

B. All people

It would be several years before the gospel was available to Gen­tiles, but this is a forecast. Proph­ets had told it (lsa.11:1 0-12; 42:6). It was now being delivered.

C. Good news-joy-gospel!

II. A Host of Angels Praising

A. Glory to God

1. Such high praise had been all but lost amid the legalism of the Pharisees.

2. Such high praise had been all but lost under Roman occupa­tion.

3. Such high praise may be lost if we fail to consider the wonder of salvation. "Oh, the wonder of it all, / Just to think that God loves me."

B. Peace on earth

The promise of peace has not been forgotten. The failure of peace between nations does not over shadow spiritual peace on earth or eternal peace beyond. These are the possession and promise of those on whom God's favor rests - His children.

Conclusion: We are given both in­struction and examples by the angels' song: instruction to cast off fear and re­ceive the good news of Jesus Christ; example to praise the God who has de­livered such a gift here and in the life to come.