Sermon
Text:
Luke 1:26-38
Scripture
Reading:
Luke 1:5-25
Review
Two weeks ago: The Certainty of Christianity. Every person on the planet lives a
faith-based life. The way you choose to live your life is predicated upon facts
(real or perceived) you know, what you cannot know, reason, and a decision to
trust something. Luke is writing to assure us of what we believe by careful
research and the documentation of facts.
Last week, we discussed the birth announcement
of John the Baptist. We observed the heritage and high commendation of
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s walk with God. It is hard for us to imagine the significance
and personal impact Gabriel’s announcement meant to a devoted Israelite. The
announcement broke 400 years of silence between God and Israel. The
announcement predicated the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promise in
Genesis 22:18.
It was at the highest moment of Zechariah’s
professional career and spiritual walk that Gabriel met him.
Much like those praying for Peter’s release
from prison (Acts 12:12-16), Zechariah refused to believe even when given the
answer he had requested.2 Zechariah was punished with silence for at
least nine months for the soul-ruining sin of unbelief. Unbelief is the sin under every sin.
Application
from last week (4/29/12)
How
does this work?
Read 1 John 5:1-5:
- Obedience is the chief expression of our love and trust of God.
- What is the world? Read 1 John 2:15-17
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that
I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). So, you are sitting in front of your computer
and you are tempted – the Holy Spirit brings Psalm 84:11 to your memory. You
then think, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit
is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41); “Since then we have
a great high priest who passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let
us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted
as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne
of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”
(Hebrews 4:14-16). You then drop to your knees and pray, “I believe; help my
unbelief” (Mark 9:24b).
Your life is made up of trillions of those
little moments and you stand or fall not on what you did or didn’t do but if
you believed or disbelieved.
Introduction
Last week, we mentioned the significance of
the writing style and parallelism. The birth announcements, births, and
ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus are all chronicled by Luke. This week I would like to begin by noticing
that Zechariah was given news in response to something he was specifically
praying for.
“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was
barren, and both were advanced in years” (Luke 1:7). “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’” (Luke 1:13).
Read
Luke 1:14-17
Zechariah responds with unbelief in Luke 1:18
and we know this is not an “I believe, but help my unbelief” moment because of
v. 20.
Sermon
Title: The “Problem” with Grace
Thesis:
Believers from all centuries and cultures have a problem with grace.
Isn’t it true? A few examples to illustrate
my point are Abram and Sarai; Israel entering the Promised Land; The Prodigal
(one thought he was too unworthy and the other thought he was worthy); Zechariah
and Elizabeth.
The Gospel is that God, in his own
initiative, comes and lifts a burden and gives a gift (voluntary and
vicarious).
In America, we cannot even begin to imagine
the implications of Elizabeth’s barren womb. The primary source of your significance
as a woman in this culture was having children (see Leah, Rachel, Hannah,
Sarai). The implications of child bearing were endless: militarily;
economically (shops and crops); politically (influence); socially
(significance; stature).
Luke
presents to us the strong difference between Gospel-living and the contrary
through contrasting the response of Zechariah and Mary.
Zechariah disbelieves
(Luke 1:20) and Mary sings (Luke 1:46-56).
Obedience to God and a joyful and meaningful life are only consistently
produced through a heart that is made to sing through the song of the Gospel.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). But
why is John writing?
- “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4).
- “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin” (1 John 2:1a).
READ
ISAIAH 54:1-10
What could make a barren woman sing? “For
your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name” (Isaiah 54:5a).
There is a beauty, worth, value, joy, and satisfaction apart from children –
this can only be created by the Gospel.
- Romans 2:4 (the goodness of God leads man to repentance)
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 (For Christ’s live compels us)
- Titus 2:11-12 (the grace of God trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives)
Voluntary
Gabriel, a representative of the Lord, came
to both Zechariah and Mary and said: God is going to voluntarily give you
something. The Gospel eliminates in the heart both
entitlement and indebtedness. Think about how absent this is from your own
life.
We are a culture who has a problem with
grace. There are many who struggle with indebtedness. You cannot receive
without being a debtor (going out to eat; birthday presents; baby shower
presents). If you cannot freely receive dinner, how can you freely receive the
Gospel?? There are also many who struggle with entitlement. There is an
expectation to receive because of unwritten rules our culture plays by (going
out to eat; birthday presents; baby shower presents). If you freely receive,
but there is found a hint of indebtedness, it is not grace but wages you are
receiving.
A burden is lifted and a gift is given. This
is why the doctrine of double imputation is central to our understanding of the
Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21). Close by illustrating with the last month of
my life including the sale of my old house and purchase of a new one.
How does this make me free from internal
shame and burden (I have to pay it back) and external oppressing structures???
This “double imputation” makes my heart sing. Now I can sit in my home without
being a slave to it or others (proving to them; satisfying them).
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