Friday First - Zechariah's Song of Salvation (1)

Sunday begins the first part of a two part series that we’ll do this weekend and finish on the 30th. This year, as we focus on Jesus, it is our intention to understand who Jesus is. As we studied during December, He is God, John 1.1. He also became flesh and dwelt among us, John 1.14. Why did He come? Matthew 11.5-6 says He came to bring hope. The New Testament says He came to show us God. Ephesians 1.4-8 says He came to fulfill a plan. Christianity is no accident.

Our text on Sunday will focus on Zechariah’s song of praise at the birth of John the Baptist. He understands, via inspiration of the Spirit, that everything is coming to pass. He is literally standing at the pivot point of history. He understands, everything going on … everything happening to him and his family, is the direct fulfillment of everything promised in the Old Testament.

In Zechariah’s song of praise, a.k.a., the Benedictus, We will see how this moment was as if the dawn was breaking … after 400 years of darkness and death. We’ll try to capture the true joy and excitement this would have brought … not only with Zechariah, but also by many messianic Jews who were looking forward to the coming Messiah. We want to feel the emotion in these passages of praise … for the birth of the Messiah. Finally, over 2000 years since the incident in the garden, hope has emerged! Now, because of the Messiah’s work humanity looks forward to being set free from all the disruption, disease, disaster, mayhem, and death.

On Sunday we’ll talk about two important things:

• The Breaking of the Dawn.
• Zechariah’s Praise for Mercy.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

• How much teaching/preaching have you heard regarding the birth of Christ? Do you think we’ve paid enough attention? Why/Why not?
• Mainly, from what perspective have we approached the birth of the Savior?
• In this text, why was it such a big deal that Zechariah was speaking?
• What does our text display regarding God’s power? Promises? Mercy? Love?
• Where would we be had Jesus not come?

OPENING / WELCOME
Rich Walker

SONG LEADER
Roy Pyle

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Rich Jacobs

LORD'S SUPPER
Eric Renegar

SCRIPTURE READING
Dan Spargo
Luke 1.67-80

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Russ Robins

WELCOME CENTER
Emily McDonald / Diane Coffman / Sadonna Schofield

USHERS
Jim Rutter / Roger Robins

CLOSING THE BUILDING
Dru McLaughlin