Darkness to the Light of Peace

Luke 2 and the birth of Jesus

Untold stories reminded me of my early years working with my dad and grandpa.

We worked on barns repairing them and turning them into event venues.

Paul Harvey.

 

Listened during a break or lunch

 

Does anyone remember Paul Harvey?

 

“The Rest of the Story”

 

He would dig into the parts of more well known stories or events and tell

the rest of the story.

 

There is usually another side of a story we don’t hear as much about.

Today I want to introduce you to a couple we don’t hear much about.

 

Digging into the stories less highlighted

Turn to Luke 1 – instead of reading this whole story, I am going to summarize.

■ Turn in your Bible. If you don’t have one, pick one up in the back or

come up front after the service. We would love to give one to you

for free.

■ Read this later in the week to get some more information.

 

Zechariah and Elizabeth

I want to give you a brief introduction to this couple

 

Zechariah was a priest at the temple.

 

They had both prayed for a child but were never able to conceive.

 

V6 says, “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all2

the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.”

 

Even though they were blameless they had no children.

An angel, Gabriel, appeared to him as he offered an offering of incense to

God in the temple. (Prayer is incense to the Lord)

■ Revelation 5:7-8

■ Zechariah made a distinction between him and his wife…

■ He is “very old” and his wife is “well along in years”

 

Elizabeth was barren and had never conceived a child.

The angel told him because he didn’t believe he wouldn’t be able to speak

until the child was born.

 

Zechariah went home and everything the angel had told him came true.

 

8th day in the temple

■ Circumcision ceremony- Josh mentioned this last week but didn’t

define what that is. I’m sure he would love to tell you after service.

Pick the story up in verse 57 of Luke 1.

The baby is born at this time

At the circumcision everyone wanted to name the baby Zechariah after his father.

 

This was custom at that time for the child to be named after the father

Zechariah took a tablet to write on and made sure everyone knew the baby’s

name would be John.

At that moment Zechariah was able to speak.3

His first words are praise to God.

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

Prophesy: “the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God” Vine’s Expository

Dictionary

I. to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict

I want to work through this prophecy Zechariah made after his son John was

born.

Zechariah’s Song

Zechariah praised God for salvation yet didn’t know of Jesus or have a

relationship with him.

The horn of Salvation is referring back to a Psalm of King David:

 

Psalms 18:2

It symbolizes a strong king

Jesus is that Strong King

The oath he swore to Abraham refers back to Genesis 15 where God makes a

promise and covenant with Abraham the Father to the Israelite nation.4

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

Isaiah 40:3

A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness prepare

the way for the LORD[a];

make straight in the desert

a highway for our God.[b]

 

There is a lot in these verses.

Zechariah spoke words of life over his son John.

The closing of this song is where I want to focus

The rising sun will come to us from heaven is a wonderful word picture

 

For a rising sun to be needed, there must be darkness.

It has come to shine for those living in darkness and the shadow of death.

Have you ever felt like you are living in darkness?

Story about hunting in Gaylord. (Short)

 

I used to go hunting with my friend and his family up in Gaylord

 

Lost – like very lost

 

Not just lost like your wife tells you to stop and ask for directions lost

 

It was pitch black- complete darkness

Darkness is scary: feeling overtaken

 

No direction

Hopeless

Stuck in addiction

Loneliness- isolated

Loss

Overwhelmed

 

Aimlessly walking, lacking peace in your life.

 

Feel like a constant state of anxiety, a cloud over you.

Jesus has come to be the light of the world.

Jesus is the way to peace.

Peace is obtained by…

 

Salvation– Deliverance from sin and its consequences

 

Mercy– undeserved favor or kindness- we can’t do this ourselves. We

need a Savior.

 

Righteousness– acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt

or sin.

 

Holiness– we are called to live holy lives.

■ Walking in the light. Not living in darkness

This story isn’t really about Zechariah and Elizabeth, it’s pointing to Jesus as the

path to peace.

That is this week’s focus.

Jesus can be that for you.

Salvation

Renewal to take place

Personal Notes: