Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
February 7, 2010
Luke 1:1-25
A People Prepared for the Lord
Turning Hearts
Introduction Revelation - Jesus is coming, prepare the way of the
Lord. Luke 1 John the Baptist was to prepare people for the coming
of the Lord.
Luke 1
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative
of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those
who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word
delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect
understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you
an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know
the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain
priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they
were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because
Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the
order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood,
his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the
Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside
at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to
him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And
when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias,
for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you
a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy
and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will
be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine
nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even
from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children
of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in
the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel,
who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you
and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute
and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because
you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own
time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered
so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak
to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple,
for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed,
that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife
Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25
“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked
on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Introduction 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power
of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.”
I. Why do people need to be prepared for the Lord? Sounds like the
Lord is coming, and people are not ready to meet Him as they are.
II. What is necessary for people to be prepared for the Lord? What
does the Lord expect? To turn their hearts to their children, and
from disobedience to the wisdom of justice.
The heart is the seat of our emotions, the source of the will, the
determination of our priorities and value system. The heart decides
whether we will seek and follow the Lord, or go after lies and worthlessness.
To be prepared for the Lord, the issue is the heart, turning the
hearts. Notice the methods used:
1. Logic and Proof
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative
of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those
who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word
delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect
understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you
an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know
the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Luke was a young physician, Theophilus was his medical school professor.
He had sent Luke to investigate the news reports about Jesus’
healing ministry. Jesus was already gone back to Heaven, but Luke
saw the evidence, believed in Jesus, traveled with Paul and saw
more healing miracles, and wrote back the his professor the books
of Luke and Acts. He wanted to give Theophilus a full understanding
of Jesus and the power of God in healing people.
What would turn the heart of a medical school professor, and prepare
him for the Lord? Logic and proof.
2. Godly Role Models
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the
daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were
both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth
was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
Their hearts had been turned to the Lord, to wisdom, to righteousness,
and to their future children.
3. Prayer
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the
order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood,
his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the
Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside
at the hour of incense.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias,
for your prayer is heard
4. Angelic Visitation
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right
side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he
was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias,
for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you
a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy
and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will
be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine
nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even
from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children
of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in
the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel,
who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you
and bring you these glad tidings.
5. Prophetic Ministry
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy
Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many
of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also
go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the
Lord.”
a. Powerful Preaching
b. Signs and Wonders
6. Fulfilled Prophecy
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel,
who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you
and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute
and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because
you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own
time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered
so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak
to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple,
for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed,
that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife
Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25
“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked
on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
So, how are hearts turned to the Lord?
Logic and proof, godly role models, prayer, angelic visitation,
prophetic ministry, fulfilled prophecy.
III. There are consequences for not turning your heart, not believing
1. God’s correction
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel,
who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you
and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute
and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because
you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own
time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered
so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak
to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple,
for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
2. Curse
17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.”
Mal 4
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.”
Conclusion
17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.”
The heart is the seat of our emotions, the source of the will, the
determination of our priorities and value system. The heart decides
whether we will seek and follow the Lord, or go after lies and worthlessness.
Are you ready for the Lord? Is your your heart, is your life prepared
for Him?
What will it take to turn your heart to the Lord, be prepared for
Him?
Logic and proof, godly role models, prayer, angelic visitation,
prophetic ministry, fulfilled prophecy?
What will it take to turn the hearts of your love ones to the Lord?
Are we willing to do what it takes? Logic and proof, godly role
models, prayer, angelic visitation, prophetic ministry, fulfilled
prophecy.
Pastor Steve Boggan
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
Heritage Ranch by Lake Nacimiento, CA
Website - livingwaters.cc
