SERMON TITLE: A Promised Birth
SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:1-25 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 12-15-24
Watch the sermon here
Take notes here
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.
Before we get to the sermon — I want to thank the folks in Bucyrus for the gift they brought to us this week. Marsha and Michelle — two of their members — stopped by earlier this week to give us a handmade nativity set as a thank you for all that we’re doing for them while they continue their search for a pastor. It’s a beautiful wooden set made by a local woodcarver in Bucyrus. So — to our friends in Bucyrus — thank you for the gift. We love you and are continuing to pray for you and your pastoral search.
Now — I know it’s a bit later than we’re used to around here — but we’re starting our Christmas series this weekend. And — this Christmas — we’re returning to a familiar passage in the Bible that tells the Christmas story. So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to the gospel of Luke. We’ll be in Luke chapter one — beginning in verse one — today.
Now — if you’re newer to the Christian faith or are trying to figure out what you believe and are unfamiliar with the Bible — it’s important to understand why Luke wrote down what we call the gospel of Luke. This is Luke’s account of the life of Jesus — that’s what the word gospel indicates. And — as you may or may not know — there are four gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Four separate accounts of the life of Jesus. Mark and John leave out the birth of Jesus in their gospels so — at Christmas time — the stories of Jesus’ birth that we’re familiar with — come from Matthew and Luke.
Something else you should know about Luke’s gospel is that it’s really part one of a two part work. The book of Acts is part two of Luke’s work where he investigates carefully both the life and ministry of Jesus and — subsequently — the birth of the church. In fact — this is exactly what Luke tells us he’s done in the opening words of his gospel and the book of Acts.
Luke 1:1–4 (ESV)
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
And the book of Acts begins with…
Acts 1:1–5 (ESV)
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Notice how Luke begins Acts with the words, “In the first book…” There he’s referring back to the gospel of Luke where he records Jesus’s life, ministry, and teaching. Obviously we don’t have time to cover the entire gospel today — but that’s what you’ll encounter when you read Luke’s gospel.
Also — notice Luke’s point in writing his gospel. He acknowledges that others have gone before him — others have already written down a record of the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus — he’s probably referring to Mark’s gospel — though maybe Matthew’s as well. But Luke’s writing down his account with a specific purpose in mind. He wants this guy — Theophilus — to be certain about what he’s been taught about Jesus.
You see — right away — we learn something: People alive two thousand years ago weren’t so gullible that they just naively believed the stories about Jesus. Luke wrote his gospel to offer Theophilus proof. So think of this as investigative journalism — a fact-finding expedition to make sure that Theophilus hasn’t been led astray to believe in something that’s not true.
And — given this is his goal — where does Luke begin his gospel: With an angelic announcement about the birth of a child. But not the child you’re probably thinking about.
We’re in verse five.
Luke 1:5–17 (ESV)
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will 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 for the Lord a people prepared.”
So Luke — being a good investigative journalist — starts out with some of the basics: who, what, where, when, and so on. We’re in the “days of king Herod” — also known as Herod the Great. He’s called Herod the Great — not because he was a great man — but because he was his dad’s oldest son. In fact — it’d be more truthful to call him Herod the Not so Great — or Herod the Horrible — whichever you prefer.
“Well Josh, that’s not a very nice thing to say about someone.” A few not so great facts about Herod. He murdered his wife — and his two sons — because they found out that he’d murdered their mom. This led to there being a saying in these days, “Better to be Herod’s pig than his son.” Additionally he had ten — count ‘em — ten marriages. And he’s also the guy — who upon getting word that the King of the Jews had been born in Bethlehem — had male infants put to death in the region in an attempt to kill Jesus. Like I said — Herod the Horrible.
But Herod’s in charge of the land where another man — Zechariah — lives. Zechariah is a Jewish priest married to a woman named Elizabeth. And notice all of the details that our investigative journalist — Luke — gives us about these two.
And — in a seemingly insignificant detail — Luke tells us that Zechariah’s division of priests were on duty — which only happened twice a year — and that he’d been chosen by lot — the modern equivalent of rolling dice or pulling a name out of a hat — to go into the temple to perform the special duty of burning incense.
So — right away — we start to see all of these “and it just so happens” kind of details — what some might call coincidences — what Christians call God’s providence. God’s providence is his working behind the scenes in our lives so that what he wants to happen happens.
And — this isn’t just true for Zechariah — God is actively involved in all of our lives. He’s working out things — behind the scenes in our lives — so that his promises are accomplished in his own time. And this truth is meant to encourage us. It’s meant to strengthen our trust in God’s plan — even when circumstances seem improbable — like you and your wife being well past the years of having children.
And — now — we finish Zechariah’s conversation with the angel. We’re in verse eighteen.
Luke 1:18–25 (ESV)
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Zechariah doubts God’s plan. Now — his doubt isn’t powerful enough to frustrate God’s plan — neither is our doubt — instead — Zechariah will learn a lesson about the power of a promise from God.
Luke 1:64–66 (ESV)
64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
“What then will this child be?” The angel Gabriel has told us.
Luke wrote his gospel to give Theophilus confidence — to give ease to any doubts he may have had in believing the stories he’d heard about Jesus.
Zechariah expresses doubt when the angel Gabriel tells him that his barren wife will become pregnant and give birth to a son who will make ready the way for the Lord.
And — here’s what I hope you’ll leave here knowing today: If you’ve come here with doubts of your own — regardless what your doubts are about — I hope you’ll leave here knowing that God is always faithful. And he always fulfills his promises to his people — and he does so — even when we doubt.
In Zechariah’s day — God’s people had been waiting for hundreds of years to hear from God. There were so many promises they were holding on to — but when hundreds of years go by — and there’s only silence — doubt starts to creep in.
And — here — at the beginning of his gospel — Luke reminds Theophilus — and us — that:
And not even Zechariah’s doubt can interrupt God’s plan — including God’s plan for his son — John — who thirty years later will prepare the way for the Lord — God’s promised Messiah.
And — more importantly for us — more importantly to you: Not even your doubt can interrupt God’s plan for your life.
May this news give you hope, joy, peace, and rest — for the God who so loved the world that he sent his Son to be born of a virgin — is the God orchestrating his good plan for your life. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, what a wonder-working God you are. Where — in your providence — you’re orchestrating all things — working behind the scenes — so that your will is done in each of our lives. May this truth soften our doubts — strengthen our trust in you — ease concerns we have due to conflict in our lives — and encourage our hearts to know that — you so love and care for us — that you are intimately involved in the details of our lives.
Spirit of God, speak clearly to all of our doubting hearts right now — for we all have our doubts. Where — like Zechariah — there’s a promise you’ve made, a word you’ve spoken, or a command you’ve given — that we question. Forgive our fickleness — forgive us for distrusting your reliability. And we thank you for your forgiveness.
And — Jesus — as we prepare our hearts for this Christmas season — where we celebrate your birth — your coming to rescue us who could not rescue ourselves — may our spiritual eyes see the love you displayed for us in being born — for coming to earth to be the Lord whose path John prepared the way for. For you are the promised Savior — the King of kings and Lord of lords — whose birth we remember and celebrate this Christmas. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.
May you be assured of God’s love for you — and may his love soften your doubts and strengthen your trust in him. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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