Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 20 December 2020
Text: Luke 1:56-80
Subject: “Blessed is the Lord God”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Benedictus of Zacharias (Luke 1:67-79)

2. This Benedictus
(Latin… Named after his opening words “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel”) (Luke 1:68)

3. There are 2 Parts to the Benedictus

a) A prophetic utterance of Zacharias concerning God’s salvation (Luke 1:68-75)

b) A prophetic utterance concerning his own son, John (Luke 1:76-79)

A PROPHETIC UTTERANCE

1. The last prophet of note was Malachi

2. There was a gap of 400 years of silence

3. This was a rare prophetic utterance given by Zacharias

THE SALVATION GOD WAS REVEALED THROUGH ZACHARIAS

1. Zacharias was functioning as a prophet of God at this point

a) He was forgiven fully

b) He was filled with the Spirit of God

c) He spoke as a prophet of God

2. He sought to reveal God’s Involvement

a) Blessing the Lord God of Israel Luke 1:68a

i) He could not but bless the Lord

ii) His heart and mind were greatly enlightened

iii) He was no longer filled with doubts

iv) There was no more unbelief in his heart

b) Personal Reasons for blessing the Lord

i) His heart was filled with a new sense of thanksgiving

ii) He was greatly enlightened by the Spirit of God

c) Profound reasons for blessing God

i) God had visited His people (Luke 1:68b)

ii) He has redeemed His people (Luke 1:68c)

iii) He has raised up a horn of salvation (Luke 1:69a)

iv) In the house of His servant David (Luke 1:69b)

d) Remembering God’s prophetic word

i) God had spoken by His prophets (Luke 1:70a)

ii) God has always been speaking to Israel (Luke 1:70b)

iii) That His people would be saved from their enemies (Luke 1:71a)

iv) And from the hand of all who had hated them (Luke 1:71b)

e) The mercy of God

i) Mercy had been promised to the forefathers (Luke 1:72a)

ii) He had given to Israel a covenant (Luke 1:72b)

iii) God will perform (fulfil) His word (Luke 1:72)

f) The oath God gave to Abraham

i) God had given an oath to Abraham (Luke 1:73)

ii) God would honour that word

g) The promise of deliverance

i) Deliverance from enemies (Luke 1:74a)

ii) That Israel, saved, would serve Him (Luke 1:74b)

h) Serving God

i) Without fear (Luke 1:74c)

ii) In holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:75a)

iii) All the days of our life (Luke 1:75b)

A GREAT PROPHETIC CHALLENGE

1. To Comprehend the Salvation that God gives

a) Renewal of appreciation

b) To stand in awe of God

c) To desire to respond to God appropriately

2. A deeper understanding of the Promise God gave to Israel

a) To Abraham

b) To the forefathers

c) Through the prophets

3. The basis of God’s salvation

a) The mercy of God

b) The Person of God

i) He is a Promise-keeping God

ii) He is a Powerful God who can and will fulfil all that He has said

c) That Salvation would be given through the Lord Jesus Christ

4. The Results of God’s Salvation

a) Redeemed

b) Delivered

c) To serve God

i) With courage

ii) With gratitude

iii) With holiness and righteousness

iv) Faithfully to the end of our life