The birth of John the Baptist. Prayer doesn't have an expiration date.

1. Luke 1:5-25; 57–79
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Surprise Gift

2. Key Concept
The things which
are impossible with
men are possible
with God.
Luke 18:27b 2

3. Luke 1:5-25; 57–79
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Surprise Gift

4. How they were seen
Luke 1:5 (ESV)
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a
priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And
he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her
name was Elizabeth.
Luke 1:7 (ESV)
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was
barren, and both were advanced in years.
4

5. The proud parents to be
Zacharias
Elizabeth
Childless couple 5

6. How God saw them
They were both
righteous in the
sight of God,
walking blamelessly
in all the
commandments
and requirements
of the Lord. 6

7. How God sees them
Righteous
Blameless
7

8. A special day
He was performing his priestly service before God
…he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the
Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude
of the people were in prayer outside at the hour
of the incense offering.
8

9. Something different happened
And an angel of the Lord
appeared to him,
standing to the right of
the altar of incense.
9

10. The angel Gabriel has a
message
Do not be afraid,
Zacharias, for your petition
has been heard, and your
wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you will
give him the name John.
You will have joy and
gladness, and many will
rejoice at his birth. 10

11. Great News!
For he will be great in
the sight of the Lord;
and he will drink no
wine or liquor, and he
will be filled with the
Holy Spirit while yet in
his mother’s womb.
11

12. Better than a sonogram
Great
Nazarite
Filled with the Holy Spirit
12

13. His purpose
And he will turn many of
the sons of Israel back to
the Lord their God. It is he
who will go as a forerunner
before Him in the spirit and
power of Elijah,
13

14. His purpose
to turn the hearts of the
fathers back to the children,
and the disobedient to the
attitude of the righteous, to
make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.”
14

15. His purpose
And he will turn many of
the sons of Israel back to
the Lord their God. It is he
who will go as a forerunner
before Him in the spirit and
power of Elijah,
15

16. A baby with a promising future
Prophet
Great message
People will respond
Prepares the way for
the Messiah
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17. Wow, Great News!
God has spoken to me
Great personal news
A child and a boy no less
Given a message that fulfills the last chapter of
Malachi
What’s the reaction?
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18. 18
Doubt
How will I know
this for certain?
For I am an old
man and my wife
is advanced in
years.

19. Never let your perceptions limit God
I’m too old
My wife isn’t a spring chicken
God saw doubt in Zechariah
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20. What’s the Lord’s promise to you?
Salvation
Gifting
Calling
His intervention
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21. A stern rebuke
I am Gabriel, who stands
in the presence of God,
and I have been sent to
speak to you and to
bring you this good
news. And behold, you
shall be silent and
unable to speak
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22. A stern rebuke
until the day when
these things take
place, because you
did not believe my
words, which will be
fulfilled in their
proper time.
22

23. A stern rebuke
Doubt
23

24. Meanwhile
The people were waiting for Zacharias and were
wondering at his delay in the temple. But when
he came out, he was unable to speak to them;
and they realized that he had seen a vision in
the temple; and he kept making signs to them
and remained mute.
24

25. God keeps His promises
When the days of his priestly service were ended,
he went back home. After these days Elizabeth his
wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in
seclusion for five months,
25

26. A blessing
This is the way the Lord has dealt
with me in the days when He
looked with favor upon me, to take
away my disgrace among men.
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27. God’s promise
fulfilled
Now the time had come for
Elizabeth to give birth, and
she gave birth to a son. Her
neighbors and her relatives
heard that the Lord had
displayed His great mercy
toward her; and they were
rejoicing with her.
Luke 1:57–66 27

28. According to the Law
And it happened that on
the eighth day they came
to circumcise the child,
and they were going to
call him Zacharias, after
his father.
28

29. According to the Law
But his mother answered
and said, “No indeed;
but he shall be called
John.” And they said to
her, “There is no one
among your relatives
who is called by that
name. 29

30. Ask dad
And they made signs to his father,
as to what he wanted him called.
And he asked for a tablet and
wrote; “His name is John.”
30

31. Unexpectedly
And at once his mouth was
opened and his tongue
loosed, and he began to
speak in praise of God. Fear
came on all those living
around them; and all these
matters were being talked
about in all the hill country
of Judea.
31

32. Another Gift
And his father Zacharias was
filled with the Holy Spirit,
and prophesied
Luke 1:67–79 32

33. Speak a good word
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He
has visited us and accomplished
redemption for His people, And has raised
up a horn of salvation for us In the house
of David His servant—
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34. YHWH Elohim
Covenant
Redemption
Salvation
34

35. Physical deliverance
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets
from of old—Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And
FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; To show
mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His
holy covenant, The oath which He swore to
Abraham our father,
70-73 35

36. Not something new
Promise to Abraham
Prophesied by many
The Covenant
36

37. By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because
you have done this thing and have not withheld your
son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and
I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the
heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore;
and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.
In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
This promise
Genesis 22:16–18 37

38. A gift we can use
To grant us that we, being rescued from
the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him
without fear, In holiness and righteousness
before Him all our days.
74-75 38

39. Gift of redemption
Fear Not!
Messiah’s work
Freedom to serve
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40. Blessing his son
And you, child, will be
called the prophet of the
Most High; For you will
go on BEFORE THE LORD TO
PREPARE HIS WAYS;
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41. Eulogy
Speak a good word
Speak life
Speak blessing
41

42. Defines his mission
To give to His people the knowledge of
salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will
visit us,
77-79 42

43. Defines his mission (continued)
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND
THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into
the way of peace.”
77-79 43

44. A fatherly blessing
Prophet of God
Prepare the way
Message of life
44

45. Our Take-Away
1. It’s not how “they” see you but how “He” does.
2. God’s promises don’t have expiration dates.
3. You are never too old or young to be blessed.
4. Receive the gift that God has for you.
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46. Luke 1:5-25; 57–79
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Surprise Gift