Luke 1:5-25

The Moves of the Master

Well its become known as the game of century. It took place on the 17th of

October 1956. And it featured Donald Burn the well- established chess-master

of his day. And his opponent was the newcomer. A 13 year old boy named

bobby fisher. And there was lots of media hype for this game. People were

excited about this new kid on the block. But as the game began, people started

to wonder if all the excitement and all the media hype had disturbed Bobby

Fisher, because he started to make a few mistakes. And he seemed to be losing

control of the board. And by the 7th move of the game, he’d lost his knight. And

if you know anything about chess, that’s the little horse that can jump over

pieces. Its not a good piece to move.

But then it happened. On the 16th move of the game. He moved his queen into

harms way. And even though everyone could see, unless he moved his queen,

he would lose it. On the 17th move, he still hadn’t moved it and he lost his

queen.

Now if you know anything about chess, that’s your final nail in the coffin. Once

you lose your queen, you as good as dead. And you might as well surrender. its

almost impolite to keep on playing.

But Bobby Fisher kept playing. And to everyone’s amazement from that point

on he started to wipe the board. And he kept his opponents queen cornered

on the one side. And through a series of attacking moves, he eventually had his

opponent check mate.

And afterwards, when the experts analysed the game, they came to realize

that even from the start, Bobby fisher never actually made a mistake. And

those supposed mistakes were actually part of his genius plan which only

became clear at the end. And from then on no one ever referred to Bobby

Fisher’s moves as unconventional. They referred to them as genius.

Well this morning we come to start of Luke’s gospel account. Last week we

considered his reason for writing: that we might have certainty about what

we’ve been taught. Now this morning we come to the account itself.

And you need to understand, before this, there’s been 400 years of prophetic

silence - no prophecy from God. No Scripture that’s been written. And the

people have just been waiting for God’s promised salvation. And now into this

silence, we see the first moves of God as He starts to fulfil his promise. And

this morning we gona see some of these first moves. And some of them might

seem unconventional. And some of them might see random. But in fact there’s

nothing accidental about them.

They all the genius moves of the master as He accomplishes His great plan.

And so 4 moves God I want us to notice this morning. And the first one is that

God determines the co-incidences. And you can see that in verses 5-9.

1) He determines the co-incidences (v5-9)

In verse 5 We introduced to Zechariah and Elizabeth. And we told about their

ancestry. that they both belong to the priestly line of Aaron. And we told in

verse 5 that Zechariah belongs specifically to the priestly division of Abijah.

And basically thats because were about 20 thousand priests living at this time.

And so obviously you can’t have 20 thousand priests serving at the temple at

the same time. and so they divided into 20 different groups of about 1000

priests each. And each group is then given a turn to serve at the temple and to

perform all the duties and to offer all the daily sacrifices. And each turn would

last for about one week at a time.

And that’s what we find in verse 8. Zechariah’s division is on duty.

And so you need to understand the significance of this moment

I’m sure we all had those childhood dreams of a future moment where wed

fulfil the destiny of our lives. And whether its some performance as a musician

in front of a massive crowd or whether its receiving some award for an

academic achievement or whether it was representing your country at some

sport and scoring the winning goal or hitting the winning runs,

Whatever it is, I’m sure we all dreamed of that one life-defining moment

And that’s pretty much whats being described for Zechariah in verse 9. You see

not only is his priestly division on duty, but in verse 9 he’s chosen by lot, to go

into the temple of the Lord and burn the incense.

And you mustn’t miss the significance of this moment. According to the

commentator, Kent Hughes, at this instant, “he was at the apex of his personal

history.”

You see, the burning of incense wasn’t just done anywhere in the temple. It

was only done behind the curtain, in the holy place. And only one priest could

go in. And because there were all these thousands of priests, it was a great

honour to be the one chosen. And you could only be chosen once. After that

you couldn’t be chosen again. But nevertheless, some priests would go

through their whole lives without being chosen. And so here’s Zechariah. We

know from verse 7, he’s an old man. And so day after day, year after year, he’s

performed his priestly duties, but not once has he been chosen.

And now suddenly, this is the day, this is the moment. Out of all these

thousands of priests, the lot falls to him.

And some people might say: this is pure luck! its just a co-incidence

Zechariah’s division just happens to be on duty and the lot just happens to fall

on him. and he just happens to be chosen.

But not according to the Bible.

Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the

Lord.”

And so here’s the wrong application of this verse: that whenever we need to

make a decision in our lives, that we simply need to toss a coin or throw a dice.

And we don’t need to put in the hard effort to make wise and careful

decisions. That’s not what this verse is teaching. But what it is teaching is that

even the random events and the supposed co-incidences and the “lucky” or

unlucky moments of our lives. Its all been determined by God.

And that’s why Christians often say: there is no such thing as luck. There are

no co-incidences. All of it is part of God’s determined plan.

And maybe you say: okay I can see God is working through this co-incidence in

Zechariah’s life. But he’s a biblical character. I mean He’s a key player in God’s

great plan of salvation. As for Me, I’m just a common Christian. Whos to say

he’s doing the same thing for me?

Well let me just show you 3 passage to prove that even in your life, the co-

incidences are part of God’s plan. If you taking notes, you might wanna jot

these 3 passages down.

Firstly, Proverbs 16:9 – “in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord

determines his steps.”

And so we do have real choices to make and its right for us to come up with

real plans and strategies in our hearts. But we need to remember this:

Ultimately it’s the Lord who determines our steps.

That’s why James says it’s arrogant to plan your steps as if God doesn’t exist.

We’ll go to that city. We’ll spend a year there. We’ll carry on business. We’ll

make money. Instead we ought to if it’s the Lord’s will we’ll be able to stay

alive and carry on breathing and do this or that.

Clint Archer puts it like this: we write our lives in pencil, but God is the one

who writes it in ink.

2nd passage:

Proverbs 20:24 – “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can

anyone understand his own way?”

And that’s often how we feel. We can’t understand our ways. Why did I end up

living in this place? Why did I end up doing this job? Why did I end up married

to this person? We can’t understand it. But God has directed our steps. And He

is working out His plan. And its not an accident that He has brought you exactly

where you are.

3rd passage

Acts 17:26 – “From one man God made every nation of men, that they should

inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the

exact places where they should live.

And so again it’s not an accident that you are living at precisely this time in

history with these events taking place. And its not an accident that you are live

in this country and in this city and In this suburb and this street. And that you

have these neighbours and that you work in this job. And that you attend this

church.

None of Its an accident. Its all been determined by God. And here’s the great

purpose: as the next verse says:

“God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and

find Him.”

And so that’s God’s purpose for placing you here in this place, at this moment

in time; its that He might be found by you and that through you, others might

be brought to Him

And so Don’t underestimate the co-incidences and the details of your life. Its

all been determined by God.

But then secondly, God determines the co-incidences. Now secondly, He

answers the prayers.

And you can see that in verses 10-13. Notice what all the other worshipers are

doing as Zechariah enters the holy place. Verse 10. “And when the time for the

burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.”

And this comes from the Jewish understanding of the incense; that as it was

burned on the altar, there’d be this beautiful smell and this white smoke would

waft up and arise out the top of the temple. And all the worshipers outside,

this great multitude of people who are praying, they could see this white

smoke rising up and ascending into the sky. And this would be a beautiful

picture for them of their prayers and that their prayers are ascending up to

God. And He hearing their prayers and that it’s a pleasing aroma to Him.

Psalm 141:2 expresses this: May my prayer be set before you like incense;

And so that’s the significance of what’s taking place here. As Zechariah burns

this incense. It’s a picture of the people’s prayers.

And in verse 11 we find the answer. Suddenly an angel appears. And Zechariah

is gripped with fear. But the angel says: Don’t be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer

has been heard.”

And that shows us: Zechariah himself was also praying. And its unlikely that he

was praying for a son, because we’ll see latewr that he’s long given up hope

that he or his wife would ever bear a son. But he’s probably praying for the

same thing as all the worshipers outside. That God would bring His salvation.

And that’s exactly what the angel announces. God has answered His people’s

prayer.

And so we mustn’t underestimate the importance of prayer. You see, some

people think that the sovereignty of God; the fact that He’s already

determined all the events and all the details of our lives, that this undermines

the importance of prayer. I mean why pray? if God’s already decided what’s

gona happen, then why pray? But here we see that in the genius wisdom of

God He hasn’t just decided the results of his plans. He’s also decided the

means by which those results will be reached. And He’s decided that a key way

in which He’ll accomplish His plans is in answer to His people’s prayers.

And so this adds massive significance to our prayers. That God has determined

to fulfil His plans in answer to prayer.

And we see a wonderful picture of this in Revelation 5 where we taken up into

the throne room of God and we see this vision of God seated on His throne.

And there’s a scroll which represents the purposes of God in the world. And

John, who’s witnessing this vision is crying because there’s no one who can

open this scroll. And if this scroll doesn’t get opened, then none of these great

purposes get fulfilled. But then suddenly he sees a lamb, and it looks as if its

been slain. and standing in the center of the throne. And its Jesus. And He

steps forward and he takes the scroll. And He is worthy to open the scroll and

accomplish God’s plans for the world.

But right in the middle of this dramatic scene. at this moment of climax as

God’s plans are about to accomplish His plans. At that very moment, we see

this beautiful picture. You can see it on the screen. Revelation chapter 5 verse

8.

As Jesus takes the scroll, “the four living creatures and the twenty four elders

fell down before the lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding the

golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

And the picture’s the same. Just like Zechariah offer incense on the altar to

God, in the same way our prayers are like golden bowls full of incense. And

they get carried right in the throne room of God. And as Jesus steps forward to

accomplish God’s purposes in the world, He does it in answer to prayer.

And so please don’t underestimate the value for your prayers. When you pray

for the salvation of an unbeliever?. When you pray for gospel to spread. When

you pray for the growth of the church? When you pray for Jesus to return?

You are doing something very significant. That prayer is a pleasing aroma in

God’s sight. It makes it all the way to His throne . And He uses it to accomplish

His plan.

But then thirdly, God uses the co-incidences. He answers the prayers. And then

thirdly, He defines true greatness

And you can see that in verses 13-17.

The angel predicts the arrival of John. And in verse 15 he predicts that he’ll be

great in the sight of the Lord. And its worth just pausing for a moment to think

about what that means. I mean What does it mean to be great in the sight of

the Lord?

And I want you to imagine you’ve got a great big flashlight. Its one of those

fancy flashlights they use on game drives. When they go out at night. And you

shine it out into the darkness. And it exposes the bush and all the animals

hiding in the dark. It’s a great bright flashlight that shines in the dark.

But the thing about that flashlight is it only seems great when its dark. And as

soon as the sun rises and it floods the whole world with light. Then suddenly

your flashlight doesn’t seem so great.

And that’s really what its like to try and be great in the sight of the Lord.

You see, its one thing to be great in the sight of other people. We might have

more accomplishments or more intelligence or more attractiveness or more

possessions. And these things might make us seem great to one another. But

what does it mean to be great in the sight of God? He knows everything, He

owns everything. He made everything. There’s nothing that we could ever

bring that would seem impressive to God.

And yet this is what the angel says: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord.”

And the following verses unpacks what this means.

Firstly, he mustn’t drink any wine. And this doesn’t mena that wine is wrong

But this was a requirement of a Nazirite in the OT as an outward sign of being

devoted to the Lord.

Secondly, he’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Literally, even

from his mother’s womb.

And we see a sign of that later in the chapter where Elizabeth is pregnant with

John. And Mary is pregnant with Jesus. And Mary comes to visit Elizabeth. And

as soon as she arrives, what does John do inside his mother’s womb? He leaps

for joy. and that’s always the sign of the holy Spirit. He makes you excited for

Jesus. Even in his mother’s womb John was leaping for joy, because of his

excitement for Jesus.

And then thirdly, he will bring people back to the Lord. And I that’s really what

verse 17 is all about. It’s a quote from Malachi where God’s covenant has been

forgotten. And the father’s haven’t been concerned for their children, to teach

them God’s ways. And the children haven’t been attentive to their fathers to

learn God’s ways. But when John comes, he’ll turn the hearts of the fathers to

their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. He’ll bring

people back to the Lord

And then finally, in all these ways – he’ll prepare people for the coming of the

Lord.

And so that’s what it means to be great in God’s sight.

Its really to live a God-focused life

To be devoted to God. to be filled with the Spirit so that you love Jesus. to be

used by God to turn people back to Him. to get people ready for the coming of

the Lord.

And its so different from the way we naturally define greatness where its all

about us and our status and our possessions and our accomplishments. And

how foolish it is to think that on the great day of judgment, when we stand

before God in the light of His presence, that these things could make us great.

They won’t. To be great is to take the spotlight off of yourself and to focus it

on God and on Jesus and to be used by God to point people to Him.

And by the way that gives great hope to people like me. because we might be

weak people and poor people and simple people. But according to God, if we

turn our lives to Him and we follow Him and we point people to Him, then we

will be great in His sight.

But now finally, He controls the co-incidences. He answers the prayer. He

defines true greatness. And now finally, He overcomes the doubt. And you can

see that in verses 18-25.

Zechariah responds to this announcement. And Its not a good response. Look

at verse 18. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure?”

In other words, its not enough for me that Ive just been chosen by lot. And iv

just entered the holy place. And at the very moment im busy pryaing to you my

answer arrives and I see an angel. That’s not enough for me. I need more

evidence.

And you can see the source for his doubt if you look at verse 18 again. Here’s

his reason for doubt. Verse 18

He says: how can I be sure of this: I am an old man… and my wife is well on in

years.”

And this comes across strongly in the Greek. It’s a special Greek construction

that’s super emphatic. It shines all the spotlight on himself. You could translate

it as “I myself and no other am an old man.”

In other words, he’s saying: “look at me Gabriel! Look who I am. I’m old! This

isn’t going to happen.

But its very striking how the angel responds. He uses exactly the same Greek

construction. He says: I myself and no other …am Gabriel!

In other words, don’t look at you. Look at me.

I mean what more do you want. Im an angel.

And I’m not just any angel. Im Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and I’ve

been sent by God to give you this wonderful message. What more do you

want!

But before we point all our fingers at Zechariah, lets just examine ourselves.

iIsn’t this always the source of ours doubt. When we’ve taken our eyes off of

God and his word and we’ve become consumed with ourselves our

circumstances and our struggles. And we say look at me God! And we fail to

look at Him.

And that’s the source of our doubt.

And we need to realize this is an insult to God.

Imagine youv just been paid a Christmas bonus of an extra thousand rand. And

youj decide, instead of keeping this money for yourself, you gona give it to

someone who’s in real need. And you come to this person and say: here’s a

thousand rands. And instead of saying thank you, he gets this suspicious look.

And out of his back-pocket he pulls out this ultra-violet light. And he starts to

examine these notes. And only after he’s examined each one of these notes,

only then does he thank you.

What would you think of that? Would you think: I suppose that’s reasonable.

There are so many corrupt people around. It makes sense he’d wanna check

me out. No, surely you’d be insult. I mean why would you give him fake money

as a donation! Its an offensive lack of trust.

And what makes this especially offensive, is that Zechariah is a priest. And that

means he knows all the stories of the OT. You think of Abraham and Sarah. And

Sarah’s barren. And they both in their 90’s. and yet God gives them a son.

You think Samuel and Samson who were also born to barren women.

Over and over again. This is a regular way God acts in His Word. And Zechariah

knows these stories. He’s studied them all his life as a priest.

And so we might expect this type of doubt from an unbeliever, but not from a

saint. Not from a priest.

And Charles Spurgeon puts it like this: “if there can be one sin more heinous

than the unbelief of a sinner, it is the unbelief of a saint. For a saint to doubt

God’s word, for a saint to distrust God, after innumerable instances of His love,

after 10 thousand proofs of his mercy, exceeds everything.”

And surely Spurgeon’s right. If it’s offensive for an unbeliever to doubt God,

how much more so for a believer who’s received so much evidence of God’s

love.

But what really shows us the offensives ness of this doubt, is the punishment

of Zechariah. And you can see it in verse 20 where the angel says:

“And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens,

because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper

time.”

And so clearly God is offended. And there’s a connection here between

Zechariah’s sin and the punishment he suffers.

It reminds me of a book by Don Carson titled the gagging of God. If you ghag

someone it means yuou cover their mouths so they cannot speak. And that’s

what our modern society has done. When we doubt God’s Word and we refuse

to believe it. We basically gagging God. We don’t allow Him to speak.

And so that’s what God does for Zechariah. He gives him a taste of what that’s

like. Trying to talk to people. But because of their stubborn doubts and their

unbelief, it’s as if you’ve been gagged

And you can imagine how frustrating this is for Zechariah. Not only have you

just fulfilled your childhood dream of being chosen to offer the incense. Not

only have you justv entered the holy place. But more than that youve just

witnessed an angel. And Not only has he just been promised your dream of

having a child. But even more than that he’s just promised the long awaited

salvation of God.

And you’ve had the most incredible experiences of your life. And surely this is

one of the best thing about an amazing experience. Its being able to tell other

people.

But now you walk out of this temple. And here hundreds and hundreds of

worshipers waiting for you. Wodnergin why you’ve taken so long. And you

can’t say anything. And then you go home to your wife and you can’t wait to to

tell her everything. But you can’t say anything. And for the next 9 months you

are confined to silence.

I mean how frustrating can you get!

That’s what its like for God. As he deals with our stubborn and unbelieving

hearts. And he’s got this wonderful salvation to reveal. But its as if there’s this

barrier to His words. They can’t penetrate because of our stubborn unbelief.

And so we mustn’t miss the offensiveness of this doubt. It is an insult to God.

But here’s the great truth of this passage. The faithfulness of God overcomes

the doubt.

And in verse 23 Zechariah goes home and his wife Elizabeth becomes

pregnant. And this great prediction of the angel begins to come true.

We so saw last week that doubts are serious. That they can do damage to our

faith. And we’ve seen this morning that doubts are offensive. They cause insult

to God.

But here’s the good news this morning. That God’s a gracious God. And He can

forgive our doubts and He can answer our doubts and He can overcome them

by His faithfulness to His Word.

And so here we’ve seen 4 Moves of the Master. And they might seem

unconventional or random or strange. But in fact they typical of the way God

still works today. He determines the co-incidences. He answers the prayers. He

defines true greatness. And He overcomes the doubts.

And I suppose the main application is simply to live a more God-focused life.

And that we’ll have our eyes more fixed on him. That we’ll be more devoted to

prayer. That we’ll trust Him more fully and that praise Him more for what He’s

doing in our lives.

Let’s pray.