INTRODUCTION

1. Prophecies of the Messiah were many

a) His Virgin Birth Isaiah 7:14

This was fulfilled Luke 1; Matthew 1:23

b) His birthplace Micah 5:2

This was fulfilled Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 2:5-6

2. A prophecy of a Fore-runner

a) This was prophesied Isaiah 40:3-5

b) Another prophecy Malachi 4:5-6

c) These were fulfilled too Luke 1:15-17

 

A SPECIAL BABY FOR A SPECIAL MINISTRY

1. Zacharias and Elizabeth

a) They had no children in their marriage

b) Both of them were very old Luke 1:18

2. The Announcement of the angel Gabriel to Zacharias

a) That Elizabeth would bear a son Luke 1:13a

b) He was to be called “John” (Johanan) Luke 1:13b

i) Focus: The Grace of God

ii) This baby has been “graced by God”

c) That they would be able to have a child at all

would highlight the giving of the grace of God

d) Zacharias struggled to believe this word Luke 1:18

 

THE SPECIAL WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN JOHN’S LIFE

1. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit Luke 1:15a

2. Even from the mother’s womb Luke 1:15b

a) Protection

b) Power

 

THE MINISTRY OF JOHN

1. He will go before Him

In the spirit and power of Elijah Luke 1:17a

2. This is in fulfilment of Malachi’s prophecy

⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet

Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

⁶ And he will turn

The hearts of the fathers to the children,

And the hearts of the children to their fathers,

Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

a) Elijah the prophet 1 Kings 17- 2 Kings

b) Mighty ministry of Elijah

3. The Ministry of John described

a) Spirit and Power Luke 1:17a

His power is likened to that of Elijah

b) Effect of Ministry

i) Turning the hearts of fathers to children Luke 1:17b

ii) The disobedient to the wisdom of the just Luke 1:17c

iii) To make ready a people

prepared for the Lord Luke 1:17d

Zacharias struggled with unbelief Luke 1:20

 

WHEN FAITH WAS FINALLY RENEWED IN ZACHARIAS

1. He prophesied about the future ministry of John

2. Features:

a) He will be called “the prophet of the Highest” Luke 1:76a

b) He will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His way Luke 1:76b

c) He will give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sin Luke 1:77a

d) He will speak of the tender mercy of God Luke 1:77b

 

THE ACTUAL MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER

1. John’s fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy

He was a voice in the wilderness Luke 3:4; Isaiah 40:3-5

2. Effectiveness of John’s Ministry

a) Multitudes came to be baptized by him Luke 3:7a

b) He preached powerfully and fearlessly Luke 3:7-18

 

THE WITNESS OF JOHN

1. John as a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ John 5:33

He bore a powerful witness

2. He spoke of the Lord Jesus Luke 3:16-17

a) He is mightier Luke 3:16a

b) He is greater than John Luke 3:16b

c) He is not worthy to attend to the sandals of the Lord Jesus Luke 3:16c

d) He will baptize with the Holy Spirit Luke 3:16d

e) He will gather the wheat to the barn Luke 3:17a

f) He will gather the chaff to be burned Luke 3:17b

 

CONCLUSION

1. Certainty of Faith through the Testimony of John

2. Certainty through the Spirit of God working in our heart

3. Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus

a) A new Faith

b) A renewed Faith