Zechariah’s Song Series

Zechariah’s Song

Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult

Heaven and Nature Sing / Christmas / Luke 1:67–79

Zechariah’s praise to God is relatable for us, because as Christians our hopes and dreams of what this life should be have also been radically changed by God

INTRODUCTION

OPENING SLIDE

• Can you believe that Christmas 2025 is almost here?

• Jerry began our four-week series, Heaven and Nature Sing, last week.

• Our four-week series looks at the Christmas story from the songs sung in the Gospels before, during, and after Jesus’s birth.

• These songs reveal the songwriters’ heart for the Messiah, the hope of the world; they will warm your heart, stir your soul, and challenge your worship.

• Today we move to our next song that involves a unique situation.

• Have you ever noticed that silence can speak volumes?

• There are moments in life when God seems to press the pause button on our words—when we want to speak but can’t.

• For nine long months, Zechariah lived in that silence.

• He had doubted God’s promise that he and Elizabeth would have a son, and as a result, his voice was taken from him.

• Imagine that—a priest who couldn’t pronounce a blessing, a father who couldn’t announce his son’s name, a person who couldn’t share his joy.

• According to Luke 1:57-58, on the eighth day after the miracle baby was born, the neighbors and family gathered with great joy.

• Look at Luke 1:59 with me.

Luke 1:59 NET 2nd ed.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.

• This was expected since Zechariah was the father; however, Elizabeth said the baby’s name would be John.

• Look at verses Luke 1:61-63

Luke 1:61–63 NET 2nd ed.

61 They said to her, “But none of your relatives bears this name.”

62 So they made signs to the baby’s father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son.

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

• The Bible says, “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.”

• What a moment! Out of months of silence came a song—a Spirit-filled song about the faithfulness and mercy of God.

• When Zechariah finally opens his mouth after months of silence, you’d expect him to start with something personal—maybe, “I can talk again!” or “Look at my miracle baby!”

• But he doesn’t.

• Instead, his very first words are about God, not about himself, Elizabeth, or even John.

• Luke tells us, “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them.’”

Zechariah’s heart overflows with praise because he sees what God is doing.

• Zechariah’s song isn’t just ancient poetry—it’s a testimony of what happens when God redeems a doubting heart and turns it into a worshiping one.

It’s a reminder that the God who visited Zechariah’s family still visits us today—to redeem, to remember, and to reveal His salvation through Jesus Christ.

• That’s what we’re all about here at First Christian—“Changing Lives by Connecting People with Christ.”

• Because when Christ visits your life, your silence turns to song, your fear turns to faith, and your waiting turns to worship.

• He realizes that this little baby in his arms is part of something much bigger—God is keeping His ancient promise to redeem His people.

• The long night of waiting is ending.

• The dawn of salvation is breaking.

• And that’s where his song begins: with the God who redeems.

• Let’s look at verses 67 through 71 and see how Zechariah sings of the God who steps into our story to bring us back to Himself.

Luke 1:67–71 NET 2nd ed.

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,

71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

MAIN POINT 1 SLIDE

SERMON

The song of Zechariah is about:

I. The God Who Redeems

• Zechariah is filled with praise for the God who kept him silent for 9 months.

• He starts his song of praise by marveling at how God came to His people.

REDEMPTION SLIDE

A. Redemption Begins with God’s Initiative