Sunday, December 20, 2020 - Luke 1 - Freedom Community Church - Pastor Rob Lloyd

Sunday, December 20, 2020 - Luke 1 - Freedom Community Church - Pastor Rob Lloyd - Battle Ground, Washington, US

Sunday Service Time: 10 AM
Sunday Service Location: 1919 SW 25th Ave, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: (360) 975-9356
Email: info@freedomcommunity.church
Prayer Request: wepray@freedomcommunity.church
Mailing Address: 1400 NE 136th Ave, Ste 201, Vancouver, WA 98684

Sermon Notes:
Luke 1

As we begin the gospel of Luke, I want to start in a different way. Jeanne and I just finished a TV series that’s a love story wrapped in a spy show. The young lady comes from a broken home and has no idea what love is or how to love. She’s saving the world but can’t fix her heart. But she meets a man who instantly falls in love with her and as they work together, he relentlessly loves her until they both recognize the beauty of what they have. Then one day a computer is uploaded into her brain and makes her forget him. He refuses to let it go at that, so he pursues her to win her back. In the end, he finds her sitting on the beach and sits with her. She knows she lost something amazing but simply has forgotten everything, so it closes with her saying, “tell me our story again”.
• At this point your saying, “ok, what does this have to do with Luke?” Folks, sometimes we go along with life uploading all kinds of information, from all kinds of sources, and we can begin to live as though we’ve almost forgotten pieces of Gods love and deliverance for us. We can forget the power he’s given the church in reconciliation. We can forget the freedom He’s given us from anxiety and fear. We can forget He’s taught us how to love our enemies. We can forget He’s given us a way of escape from every temptation. We can forget He’s given us eternal life with Him. Maybe not totally but at least partially.
• And just like the young man telling this young woman their story again, we need to regularly return to the gospels to be reminded of the rescue plan God enacted for us because of His unimaginable love.
• And both today and Wednesday we will jump into this account in perfect timing as we celebrate Christmas, when God sent His only begotten Son into the world.

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus [likely his employer], 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Of the four gospel accounts, Luke’s is put together like a defense you might see, because the details are so systematic and orderly. And its written to Theophilus, whose mane means “loved by God” - very fitting!
• And even though we pick up with the account of the birth of John the Baptist, we need to remember this plan was constructed before the foundations of the earth. And God waited until the perfect timing to bring it about.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

What a great reminder this account starts when the Jewish people were still under the law. And these two were seriously committed to serving and honoring God with their lives. Now to be sure, this isn’t saying they were perfect people, because the bible tells us no one is (Rom. 3:23). But what it is saying is they really desired to please God and to live like it. So, He chose them to bring in the one who would prepare the way for Jesus!
• And Herod is mentioned to remind us the world they were living in was in was under unrighteous rule.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Offering the incense in the temple was a once in a lifetime experience with up to 20,000 priests in 24 divisions. So, this was one very special day for him. But I bet he wasn’t expecting this.
• It reminds me of 1 Cor. 2:9 which tells us “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
• Folks, don’t freak out in the face of the unknown. God’s prepared great things for us who love Him!
13 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. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

We all need some good news, so let’s take a break with Zacharias and join in with the joy and gladness and rejoicing he was experiencing.
• Just as John would be the one to herald the coming of Jesus, we too are being told through prophecy, the coming of Jesus is near. Now of course most wouldn’t know Jesus as Messiah for more than 30 years, but I’m really don’t think we’re going to have to wait that long before we He call us out of here.
• And what these two events have in common, is they both foretell of a greater promise coming. And that’s worth celebrating!!!
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Do you remember the similarity of this description of the Nazarite vow when we read of Sampson? It was also in a season when everyone did what was right in their own eyes and ignored Gods divine authority.
• But this will be an entirely different story, for in our time, just as the Holy Spirit entered John, we have received the gift of God (Jesus Christ our Savior), and the Holy Spirit is living in us.
• So, we have already met this Savior he would introduce the world to. And because of that we are set apart to live for and worship God.
16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 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.”

What an amazing description of John. Can you imagine being described with Elijah? But the truth is their both being identified as empowered by God for the work of the reconciliation of man to God.
• And folks, God has since passed on the ministry of reconciliation to all who have received Jesus.
• Our world needs the message of reconciliation with God so desperately, and we have been equipped by God to bring it! Let’s not let this message get lost in the mail.
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

This isn’t “Touched by an Angel”, but rather “Rebuked by and Angel”. And why? Because of unbelief. So now go back and ask yourself how you responded when I just mentioned we’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation. Do you believe Gods Holy Spirit in you has called you to this, or are you speechless?
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Just a thought, but was it a blessing to him that he couldn’t speak, being all his energy would be talking to God and contemplating what had occurred. I think we’d all be blessed in a season with our full focus only on God.
• And Elizabeth now came to the understanding of the plans God had for her that she couldn’t imagine.
• But now another birth is about to be announced!
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Gabriel, the angel, told her to name Him Jesus, or Yeshua in the Hebrew. Which means “to deliver” or “to rescue.” And then he goes on to give this description that any Hebrew girl would have known was talking about Messiah! Can you imagine what went through her head and heart in this conversation?
• It was just another of many rough days for the Jews and there is no way she could have expected this. But God had in store for her what Eye had not seen, nor ear heard, Nor had entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for her who loved Him.

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

I love that communion has two elements, because if the bread was only to represent the crucifixion, then there would be no need to the cup which is the new covenant in His blood. That bread also represents 1) the body that God the Son would take on this very day. 2) The body that would reveal Him in the flesh before His creation. 3) That body that would be crucified in our place. And 4) that body that would be resurrected incorruptible 3 days later, 5) ascend into heaven and 6) which we will see again in Rev. 5, and which we will be like when we return with Him in Rev. 19. But unlike us, He would never use it to sin because He is the perfect Son of God!
36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

When those who love God speak of things concerning Him, its always good news for us! And even when the world looks its darkest. God is ready to do through us who believe, things we couldn’t even imagine.
• And unlike Zacharias, when Mary heard all these things, she believed it and received it. The words of the angel (which came from God), were going to happen, but she believed. Do we? What God has promised is still going to come to pass, but its so much more glorious when we receive them in faith!
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Both she and the baby in her womb knew instantly that the Messiah just came to visit. And all she could do was praise and stand in awe. Oh, how I pray we never forget the first encounter we had with Jesus!
• And how I pray we both continue to have them, and are just as in awe with Him now as we were the first time; so blown away that He would come to where we are to meet us again.
• And what a great season to learn to jump for joy for Him again. Remember the rescue of His love!
46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation [that includes us]. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly [oh how we need that now]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy [and we need some of that], 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. 57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

This would have been a holy slumber party indeed. Can you imagine the celebration during this time? And being Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant when Mary arrived and she stayed three months, it sounds like she was there for this birth. And now everyone is coming together to praise the Lord and celebrate.
• And in this season, that’s what we are doing too. We are coming together to worship and celebrate.
59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

I can’t help but see that once again obedience leads to greater deliverance (such as Zacharias tongue being loosed) and also a chance for God to be glorified among those who watch such transformations.
• John was indeed specially set apart for an amazing work of the Lord. You and I are not John the Baptist, but we have also been set apart to be used by the Lord. And when our obedience leads to greater deliverance, you can count on God being glorified.
67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied [first prophecy in 400 years], saying: 68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began [God’s been telling us of the story He’s written for us since the beginning- the Jew first and then the gentile], 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Jesus was still in the womb, but Zacharias spirit knew God had entered the world to visit and offer redemption to humanity. Kind of like our hearts know Jesus will be coming in the clouds soon!
• And is it just me or is it strangely comforting to know when Jesus came into the world it was a bad situation for all who loved God and were hated by others for their faith in Him?
• Its because our God is a covenant keeper who is set on delivering us. But I also think its great that this prophecy notes the deliverance wasn’t so they could do nothing and wait. It was deliverance that they “Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”
• Folks, there is a deliverance that comes so we can serve God without fear and there’s serving God without fear that delivers us. And this Christmas has a special joy for me as we’ve been serving in the fire response. If you’re not in the mood for celebrating Him yet, maybe its time to serve Him first.
The prophecy continued: 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit led him to make a declaration of truth in salvation that finds us right where the rubber meets the road! For truly he has covered every state or condition which anyone could be in when the good news of Jesus is revealed to them.
• And in every state, we find Jesus (the Dayspring from on high), has brought light and peace to those who would receive it.
• Its so overwhelmingly wonderful, and yet sometimes we allow the other things bombarding our mind and thoughts to somehow steal it. So, just like the lady in the show who lost her memories, we say, “Jesus, would you tell us our story again”. And He gets so excited to do that very thing.
• I pray you will fall in love with Jesus all over again this Christmas and through this book!!!