Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 23 November 2025
Text : Luke 1:61-67
Title : “Filled with the Holy Spirit”

INTRODUCTION

1. Focusing on the theme…”The Dayspring from on high has visited us”

2. Learned many deep lessons from Luke 1

3. The title of this morning’s message is “Filled with the Holy Spirit.”

4. Luke wrote, “Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:” Luke 1:67

5. What is it that we want to learn about the filling of the Holy Spirit?

PORTRAIT I… THE ABSENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. The darkness prevented Zacharias from seeing the light

2. The darkness that was in Israel… A series of woes Isa 5

a) Searching for wealth Isa 5:8

b) Drinking problem Isa 5:11

c) No knowledge Isa 5:13

d) Iniquity Isa 5:18

e) Darkness for light, light for darkness Isa 5:20

f) Wise in their own eyes Isa 5:21

g) Taking away justice Isa 5:23

3. Serving in the absence of the filling of the Spirit

a) Could Zacharias serve without the filling of the Spirit? The answer is Yes!

b) But he could not go beyond a certain level

c) Some things were affected as there was no filling

4. The danger of serving without the filling of the Holy Spirit

PREPARATORY WORK

1. Repentance

a) The Lord chastened/rebuked Zacharias

i) The rebuke of the angel’s words Luke 1:19-20

ii) The rebuke of the Scriptures

iii) The rebuke of the example of Mary and Elizabeth Luke 1:39-56

b) He needed the humility to repent from his sin

c) Example of a prayer for cleansing and restoration Ps 51:7-11

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

2. Reviewing the word of God

a) The words of the angel

b) Reviewing the Scriptures

3. Return to God and to obedience

“And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.”

Luke 1:63

a) Returning to God

b) Returning to obedience by fulfilling what the angel said

PORTRAIT II… THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. There was the filling of the Holy Spirit

“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:”

Luke 1:67

a) It is specific

b) It is episodic

c) It is temporal

2. Praise

“Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.”

Luke 1:64

a) Zacharias’ first response

b) The Holy Spirit caused him to give praise

3. Prophecy

“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,”

Luke 1:67, 68

a) The Holy Spirit gave to Zacharias the gift of prophecy

b) The power of the Spirit was at work

c) Before Zacharias’ prophecy

d) A glorious declaration of prophecy Luke 1:68-79

4. What a difference from portrait I to portrait II

CONCLUSION

1. To see and be alert to the danger of spiritual darkness

2. To humbly submit to the preparatory work needed for the filling of the Spirit

3. To seek to be filled with the Spirit of God