Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. A special angelic visit was made by Gabriel to Zacharias

2. The angel had brought a special message:

a) Of personal joy to Zacharias
He and his wife would be blessed with a son

b) Of spiritual significance to Israel
Their son would become a special servant-prophet of God

3. But Zacharias could not believe what the angel had said

a) Spiritual darkness had engulfed the land of Israel

b) It had affected everyone, including those who were serving as priests

4. In God’s mercy and grace

a) Unbelief was dealt with

b) A new-found faith appeared

c) A new light had shone in his heart

d) He could now see the gracious hand of God

AFFIRMING THE WORD OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:76-79

1. The Ministry of John in the future

a) He will be a prophet of God

b) He will go before the Lord (a forerunner)

c) He will speak of the salvation that God offers to mankind

2. He will be the special forerunner of the Saviour of the world

a) John will proclaim great knowledge about God’s plan of salvation

b) He will proclaim that God will forgive all sins

c) He will speak of the tender mercy of God

THE DAYSPRING FROM ON HIGH

1. The Lord Jesus is described as “the Dayspring from on high”

a) The word “dayspring” is a special way of describing the rising sun

b) He came from heaven and thus he is said to be “from on high”

c) He comes with tender mercy to all who seek:

i) Light amidst darkness

ii) Hope amidst helplessness

iii) Strength amidst weakness

iv) Salvation from sin and Satan

2. The Light that the Dayspring will bring:

a) To those who sit in darkness

b) To those who are sitting in the shadow of death

c) The Lord Jesus offers Light:

i) Gentle Light

ii) Light that can dispel darkness

iii) Light that brings hope to the heart

iv) Light that brings warmth to the soul

v) Light that will remain with us forever

3. In full agreement

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:4-5

a) In the Lord Jesus is Life

b) The life He gives is marked by Light

c) The Light He gives shines in the darkness

4. Beyond the Gift of light

a) The Lord Jesus will give Guidance

b) We live in a very complex world

c) How wonderful to be able to have the promise of divine guidance

THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

1. To have deliverance from Darkness

2. To have the Dayspring shine upon our life

3. To find a genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

4. To find New Hope and renewed strength to face the challenges of life