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The Birth Narrative of Jesus

Text: Luke 1:1-25
10 February 2013

THE BIRTH OF THE FORE-RUNNER OF THE MESSIAH

1. Prophecy of Isaiah          Isaiah 40:1-11

2. Prophecy of Malachi          Malachi 4:5-6

PARENTS OF THE FORE-RUNNER

1. Zachariahh          Luke 1:5-7

2. Elizabeth          Luke 1:5-7

3. Outstanding commendation

a) Both righteous before God
b) Walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless          Luke 1:6

ANGEL GABRIEL’S WORD TO ZACHARIAH

1. Zachariah serving in the temple of Jerusalem          Luke 1:8-10

2. Angel Gabriel appears and gives him a message          Luke 1:11-17

a) Personal to Zachariah and Elizabeth
i) They would have a son          Luke 1:13b
ii) They are to call him “John”          Luke 1:13c
iii) They will find joy in being parents          Luke 1:14
b) Future Ministry of John
i) He will be great in the sight of the Lord          Luke 1:15a
ii) He will not drink wine nor strong drink          Luke 1:15b
iii) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit          Luke 1:15c
iv) He would go before Him (fore-runner) in the spirit of Elijah          Luke 1:17a
v) He would make prepare people to receive the Messiah          Luke 1:17b

THE UNBELIEF OF ZACHARIAH

1. Zachariah could not bring himself to believe what the angel Gabriel said

a) He was old
b) Elizabeth was well advanced in age too          Luke 1:18

2. Unbelief of Zachariah rebuked

a) He had not comprehended the significance of this word of God          Luke 1:19
i) It came from an angel
ii) It came from the angel Gabriel who stands in the presence of God
b) Chastening of Zachariah         Luke 1:20
i) He will be mute
ii) He will remain mute till Baby John was born
c) The word of the angel Gabriel will be fulfilled in its own time          Luke 1:20

COMPLETION OF TEMPLE DUTIES

1. Zachariah completed his temple duties as a priest

a) Offering incense
b) Offering prayer on behalf of the nation          Luke  1:8-10

2. He emerged from the Holy Place

a) He was speechless           Luke 1:22
b) The people in the temple concluded that he had seen a vision from God           Luke 1:22

FULFILMENT OF THE WORD FROM THE ANGEL GABRIEL

1. Elizabeth conceived         1:24

2. Elizabeth’s word         1:25

a) God had looked upon her (with favour)
b) Her “reproach” had been taken away from her