LESSON AIM

1. We will be able to explain how the HOLY SPIRIT equips us to do the will of GOD

2. We will be able to understand the importance of preparation for GOD’S use

3. We will commit ourselves to completing the things of GOD that HE has called us to.

KEEP IN MIND

“And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the LORD to prepare HIS ways” (Luke 1:76).

Zacharias and Elisabeth became the parents of John the Baptist. Today’s Scripture is the praise song prayed by Zacharias when John was born. Zacharias primarily thanked GOD that he was raising up the promised forerunner of the SAVIOR who would come to save people from their sins. John’s role was to prepare the way for the MESSIAH. John grew strong and lived in the desert.

By way of background, GOD silenced Zacharias after an angel had told him that his wife Elisabeth would give birth to a son. Elisabeth was barren, and she and Zacharias were up in years. Elisabeth was a relative of Mary, the mother of JESUS, and a descendant of Aaron. Zacharias was a priest who belonged to the

priestly division of Abijah. Both lived their lives honoring and obeying the commandments of the LORD (Luke 1:5-7).

While Zacharias was performing his priestly duties in the LORD’S temple, an angel of the LORD, Gabriel, appeared before him. Gabriel told Zacharias that his wife would give birth to a son and that he would be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT from birth and be great in the sight of GOD. His mission would be to turn the people of Israel back to GOD and prepare the people to receive the coming MESSIAH. He would walk in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. Gabriel told Zacharias that his son’s name would be John and that John would bring joy and delight to him and his wife (Luke 1:11-17).

Zacharias was fearful and did not believe the angel’s words, and because of his unbelief, Gabriel silenced his tongue so he could not speak until the prophecy was fulfilled (Luke 1:12, 18, 20). When Zacharias left the temple, he was speechless. People were amazed and realized that he had seen a vision from GOD. When his time and service were over, Zacharias returned home, and after awhile, his wife became pregnant (Luke 1:8-11, 21-24). The LORD sent the angel Gabriel to a young virgin named Mary and told her that she would conceive a child by the HOLY SPIRIT and that HIS name would be JESUS, SON of the MOST HIGH GOD. Mary believed the angel and was able to sing praises to GOD for showing her favor (Luke 1:8-19, 26-55). After the birth of his son, Zacharias spoke, prophesying and praising GOD for HIS mercy and goodness (Luke 1:67-80).

1. POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 1:67)

The HOLY SPIRIT gives believers the power to claim the promises of GOD with boldness. When Zacharias prophesied, he was moved by the HOLY SPIRIT to proclaim the Spirit-given WORD of GOD (Joel 2:28). From his mouth poured forth the news of the coming MESSIAH and of the forerunner who would prepare the path.

GOD had set HIS plan if redemption in motion. The birth of John, the forerunner of CHRIST, was part of this plan, and since GOD’S plan would change man’s destiny forever, intervention on GOD’S part was necessary. Zacharias’ communication abilities were confined to gestures and writing in order to prevent human frailty, doubt, and unbelief from stifling the MASTER’S plan.

Since his ability to speak was revoked, Zacharias internalized his feelings. He watched in awe as his wife carried their firstborn child. Since he could not speak, he jotted down his feelings and thoughts on tablets.

Zacharias was no stranger to the WORD of GOD. He was a Jewish minister who worked in the temple teaching the Scriptures, directing worship, and managing the upkeep of the temple. He and his wife were obedient to the Law and were upright in the sight of GOD (Luke 1:5-8). Since Zacharias already knew the WORD of GOD, it was easy for the HOLY SPIRIT to remind him of what was written in Scripture. The accumulation of events helped Zacharias see the illuminating POWER of GOD. The knowledge of GOD’S WORD became a reality to Zacharias, and through his life experiences his faith increased.

The HOLY SPIRIT has the ability to lead us into the truth about CHRIST. The HOLY SPIRIT speaks only what HE hears from GOD. HIS role is to point us to CHRIST and glorify GOD (John 16:12-14). The truth of CHRIST was revealed to Zacharias when he met Gabriel in the temple. Gabriel told Zacharias that his prayer for a son had been answered and that the child’s birth would be of major significance. He would be great in the sight of the LORD, he would turn many Israelites back to GOD, and, most importantly, he would prepare the way for the MESSIAH (Luke 1:14-17).

The SPIRIT guided Zacharias into the truth about CHRIST when HE recalled to his mind the visit of Mary, the mother of JESUS, who had spent time with Elisabeth when she was six months pregnant. No doubt he remembered what Elisabeth had shared with him concerning that wonderful occasion and how excited she was when the HOLY SPIRIT revealed to her that Mary was carrying the MESSIAH in her womb (Luke 1:36-45).

The HOLY SPIRIT has the ability to give insight into future events: The HOLY SPIRIT revealed GOD’S redemptive plan to Zacharias by allowing him to witness the birth of his son and the greatest miracle of all, the birth of the MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST. The HOLY SPIRIT gave Zacharias a glimpse of the future when he witnessed the unfolding prophecy of GOD’S WORD.

2. PEOPLE REDEEMED (vv.68-71)

Zacharias praised GOD for providing the long awaited MESSIAH (v.68). The Old Testament PROPHECY WAS COMING TO PASS. The Israelites thought GOD was sending a redeemer to relieve them from their suffering under the powerful Roman Empire. They were expecting a SAVIOR who would be dressed in military armor, a warrior and conqueror, one who would raise a military army against the oppressive power of the Roman dynasty. Little did they know that their SAVIOR WOULD BE A GENTLE AND HUMBLE MAN SENT TO SAVE PEOPLE FROM SIN, RECONCILE THEM TO GOD, AND GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM (John 10:28).

The MESSIAH would come from the royal family of David, fulfilling GOD’S promise that a descendant of David would rule forever (v.69).

GOD spoke through HIS prophets years ago (v.70). HE told the Jews HE would send a “righteous branch” that would sprout from the line of David and reign in the hearts of HIS people (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15-16). The Jews believed that GOD would change their situation by snatching them out of the hands of their oppressors’ (v.71). However, GOD’S VIEW OF THE SITUATION WAS NOT MAN’S VIEW. The LORD would not come to fight a physical battle but a spiritual war. Salvation would come to the Jews and later to the Gentiles through faith in CHRIST. Not only would the Jews remain among their enemies and be persecuted, but JESUS would teach them how to love and pray for those who hated them (Matthew 5:43-44).

3. PROMISES OF GOD (vv.72-75)

GOD had made a covenant with Abraham (v.72). GOD told Abraham he would be blessed and a father of many nations.

The covenant GOD made with Abraham had one condition: Abraham had to obey GOD (v.73). Even when the nation of Israel proved to be faithless and disobedient, GOD kept HIS promise.

GOD’S desire was to rescue HIS people from the devastating consequences of sin and purify their hearts so they could lovingly serve HIM (v.74). Man’s miserable condition was a direct result of his disobedience to GOD. GOD’S redemptive plan included the reconciliation of HIS people and the restoration of righteous fellowship with HIM; this would be accomplished through the new covenant in CHRIST (Hebrews 9:14-15).

In order to serve GOD in holiness and righteousness, the hearts of the people had to be purified (v.75). Purification would come through believing in and receiving JESUS CHRIST as LORD. This gave mankind the right to be called the sons and daughters of GOD, enabling them to serve HIM the rest of their lives (Ephesians 4:24).

4. PREPARE THE WAY (vv.76-77)

After praising GOD and recalling the years of GOD’S sovereign work, Zacharias reminisced over the past few months and rejoiced in knowing that his child would usher in the coming MESSIAH (v.76). No doubt his joy was indescribable. Out of all the Jewish families, GOD had chosen his! GOD chose a barren woman to bring forth the forerunner of CHRIST.

John would be set apart to do the LORD’S work. John’s role would be similar to that of the Old Testament prophets: encouraging people to forsake their wicked ways and return to their first love, GOD. Preparing the way meant to restore and soften the hearts of many that had become hardened and resistant to the things of GOD. John would soften the hearts of men to receive the LIVING WORD, which would come in the form of JESUS CHRIST (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:9-10).

John would call people to repentance (v.77). He would tell them they needed to be forgiven of sin. John’s voice would echo GOD’S truth by convicting the hearts of men and showing them the error of their ways. He would operate in the power of the HOLY GHOST, not forgetting his role as forerunner and always pointing the people to CHRIST (Mark 1:4).

5. PRECIOUS LIGHT OF GOD (vv.78-79)

JESUS, the Redeemer, would be sent to man by GOD in heaven (v.78). GOD’S mercy and grace prevented people from dying in their sinful condition, and only through GOD could we be saved from eternal death. The LORD revealed HIS unconditional love for mankind by sending HIS only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST, to redeem man from eternal separation from HIM (Malachi 4:2).

JESUS, the LIGHT, would reveal the deeds of wickedness done in darkness and give life to those who believed in HIM (v.79). GOD promised to send a light that would shine on everyone living in the “shadow of death,” a phrase that refers to those separated from GOD, living in sinful conditions, and participating in that which leads to death. JESUS, called the “WONDERFUL COUNSELOR” and “MIGHTY GOD” (Isaiah 9:2-6), would give people life, removing the sting of death. In John, JESUS is described as a light, and in John 8:12, JESUS refers to HIMSELF as “the LIGHT of the world” (Isaiah 59:9, Matthew 4:16; Acts 26:18).

6. PUBLIC MINISTRY (v.80)

Prophets of the Bible would retreat to the desert to get closer to GOD and enhance their spiritual walk with the LORD. This private time kept their focus on the things of GOD and gave them little time to worry about the necessities of life. It kept them separated from the political and social ills of society. John was set apart by GOD, called to serve GOD from birth. To prevent his messages from being tainted with the hypocritical practices of the religious leaders, John was isolated from others. His focus was to preach the kingdom of GOD in purity and truth.

The important role that John the Baptist played in the redemptive plan of GOD required that he remain untouched by the destructive influences of man. He was born filled with the HOLY GHOST. GOD spoke over his life, declaring the circumstances in which he would live. When GOD chooses individuals to do great work in HIS Kingdom, HE will lead them to “private wilderness” experiences in order to prepare them for public ministry.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr., DD

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