Table of Contents:
Week 1. Hope (Prophecy and Promise) The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold Luke 1: 5-25
Welcome
Good morning, friends! It’s such a joy to gather with you today as we begin the first in a 4 week series centered on Advent.
Today we focus on Hope, it’s not just wishful thinking; it’s a confident expectation rooted in God’s promises. Today, we’ll look at an incredible story that reminds us of God’s faithfulness, even in what seems impossible—the foretelling of John the Baptist’s birth. Let’s open our hearts to hear what God has to say to us this morning.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. We come with hearts full of expectation because You are a God who keeps Your promises. As we open Your Word, give us ears to hear and hearts to respond. May Your Spirit guide us as we grow in faith and hope through the truth of Scripture. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Optional Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Ceremony
Introduction to Scripture
Today’s passage is from Luke 1:5-25. It’s a story of hope fulfilled through the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an older couple who longed for a child. In their waiting, God revealed His perfect timing and His plan to bring salvation into the world. This story reminds us that no matter how long the wait, God’s promises are always worth holding onto.
The Events in the Passage
In this passage, we meet Zechariah, a priest serving in the temple, and his wife, Elizabeth. They were righteous and faithful, but they had no children and were advanced in years. While Zechariah was performing his priestly duties, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that they would have a son—John—who would prepare the way for the Lord. Though Zechariah doubted, God’s plan moved forward, showing His power to work beyond human limitations.
Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 (NIV)
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Intercessory Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the hope You give us through Your promises. Just as You brought joy and purpose to Zechariah and Elizabeth, we ask You to work in our lives in ways that reveal Your power and faithfulness. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to prepare our hearts for Your plans. Amen.
Congregational Prayer Response
Heavenly Father, we trust in Your Word and Your promises. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we choose to place our hope in You, knowing that Your plans are good. Let our lives reflect Your faithfulness as we wait for Your purposes to unfold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sermon: The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold Luke 1: 5-25
I. God’s Promise in the Waiting (Luke 1:5-10)
Paragraph Explanation
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous, faithfully obeying God’s commands even though they had endured years of heartache and unanswered prayers. They lived in a culture where childlessness was seen as a disgrace, yet they chose to stay faithful. This section reminds us that God sees our faithfulness and works behind the scenes, even when we can’t see the results.
Personal Thoughts
As I reflect on this part of the story, I’m struck by how easy it is to give up on prayer when answers seem delayed. Zechariah and Elizabeth show us that true discipleship means staying faithful, not for the rewards, but because we trust in God’s goodness. It’s not about perfect circumstances but about living in obedience.
Personal Commentary
This passage challenges me to think about the areas in my life where I’ve let disappointment cloud my trust in God. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s faith was steady, rooted in their relationship with God, not their circumstances. That kind of faith isn’t developed overnight; it’s cultivated through consistent prayer and obedience.
Personal Commentary on Christian Discipleship
Christian discipleship is about learning to trust God’s heart even when His hand seems distant. Zechariah and Elizabeth were disciples not because of their titles but because they lived a life of obedience and trust. Discipleship means walking in faithfulness, even when our prayers seem unanswered, trusting that God’s timing is perfect.
Personal Reflection Commentary on Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth often happens in the waiting. Waiting teaches us patience, deepens our trust in God, and shapes us into vessels for His purposes. Elizabeth and Zechariah grew spiritually through their years of waiting, becoming examples of faith for generations to come.
Ask Yourself This Question
Am I willing to trust God in the waiting, believing that His promises are worth the patience and faith required?
II. God’s Message of Hope (Luke 1:11-17)
Paragraph Explanation
When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, he brought incredible news: God had heard their prayers, and Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would prepare the way for the Lord. This wasn’t just about personal fulfillment for Zechariah and Elizabeth; it was a piece of God’s redemptive plan for the world. God’s promises always come with a purpose bigger than ourselves.
Personal Thoughts
I find it amazing that God’s answers to prayer are often far greater than what we imagined. Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a child, but God gave them John, who would change the world. It’s a reminder that God’s plans for us are always bigger and better than our own.
Personal Commentary
Zechariah’s initial fear and doubt resonate with me. How often do we question God’s plans because they seem too good to be true? This passage shows that God’s promises don’t depend on our ability to understand them; they depend on His ability to fulfill them.
Personal Commentary on Christian Discipleship
Discipleship means aligning our hearts with God’s greater purposes. When we pray, we’re not just asking God to meet our needs; we’re asking Him to use us for His kingdom. John’s role in preparing the way for Jesus reminds us that discipleship is about serving God’s greater mission.
Personal Reflection Commentary on Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth comes when we embrace God’s bigger plan for our lives. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we grow by trusting that God is weaving our stories into His greater purpose. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story teaches us to pray with expectation, not just for our needs but for God’s glory.
Ask Yourself This Question
Do I trust God enough to pray for His purposes, even when His answers may take me beyond my comfort zone?
III. Responding to God’s Promise (Luke 1:18-23)
Paragraph Explanation
When Zechariah doubted Gabriel’s announcement, he was struck silent until the promise was fulfilled. His doubt didn’t cancel God’s plan, but it did remind him—and us—that faith is an essential part of receiving God’s promises. God’s plans are unstoppable, but our response determines how we experience them.
Personal Thoughts
Zechariah’s doubt is so relatable. How often do we ask God for a sign or reassurance instead of trusting His Word? Yet, even in his doubt, God was patient and faithful. This gives me hope because it shows that God’s grace is greater than our weaknesses.
Personal Commentary
Zechariah’s silence wasn’t just a punishment; it was a season of reflection and preparation. Sometimes, God uses silence in our lives to draw us closer to Him and teach us to listen more deeply.
Personal Commentary on Christian Discipleship
Discipleship means choosing faith over fear, even when God’s plans seem impossible. Like Zechariah, we may stumble in our trust, but God’s grace invites us to grow. True discipleship is about learning to trust God’s promises, even when they challenge our understanding.
Personal Reflection Commentary on Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth often involves wrestling with doubt and learning to trust God in new ways. Zechariah’s silence gave him time to reflect and grow in his faith, preparing him to embrace God’s plan fully. Growth happens when we let God shape us in our moments of weakness.
Ask Yourself This Question
Am I willing to trust God’s promises, even when they seem impossible, and let Him use my doubts to grow my faith?
IV. God’s Faithfulness Revealed (Luke 1:24-25)
Paragraph Explanation
When Elizabeth became pregnant, her joy was overwhelming. She praised God for His faithfulness and declared that He had removed her disgrace. This moment reminds us that God always fulfills His promises and that His faithfulness brings hope and renewal.
Personal Thoughts
Elizabeth’s response of gratitude inspires me. How often do we pause to thank God when He answers our prayers? Her joy reminds us that every fulfilled promise is a testimony of God’s goodness and grace.
Personal Commentary
Elizabeth’s story reminds us that God’s faithfulness is not just about fulfilling our desires; it’s about transforming our lives and bringing glory to Him. Her joy wasn’t just about having a child; it was about experiencing the depth of God’s love and purpose.
Personal Commentary on Christian Discipleship
Discipleship means living with gratitude and proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Elizabeth’s testimony challenges us to share our stories of hope, encouraging others to trust in God’s promises.
Personal Reflection Commentary on Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth happens when we recognize God’s hand in our lives and respond with praise. Elizabeth’s joy wasn’t just personal; it was an act of worship that pointed to God’s goodness. Growth comes when we let God’s faithfulness draw us closer to Him.
Ask Yourself This Question
How can I share the joy of God’s faithfulness in my life with others, pointing them to His goodness?
Final Thoughts
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth reminds us that God’s promises are always worth waiting for. In the waiting, in the receiving, and in the fulfillment, God is shaping us into faithful disciples who trust Him fully. As we move forward in our Christian lives, let’s embrace waiting as a season of growth, pray with confidence in God’s purposes, and celebrate His faithfulness by sharing our testimonies with others.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the hope You give us through Your Word. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, teach us to trust in Your timing and to remain faithful in the waiting. Help us to embrace Your greater plans for our lives and to grow as disciples who reflect Your love and faithfulness. Strengthen our faith, renew our hope, and fill our hearts with joy as we see Your promises fulfilled. May our lives bring glory to You in every season. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.