Introduction
The last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, foretold the coming of the Lord in judgment and redemption. After Malachi, prophecy fell silent for 400 years. All of that changed in the sermon text for this Lord’s Day. God promised a priest, Zechariah, and his wife a child in their old age. This child would grow to be the greatest of all prophets for he would identify the Christ who is the culmination of prophetic history.
The events in the sermon text revolve around Zechariah’s priestly duty in the Holy Place, as he offered incense and prayed for the redemption of Israel. Our hymns mirror the old’s priest experience before the throne of grace as he prayed for the Lord to come and redeem his people. God answered his prayer, but not in a way he expected.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 28:6-9
Invocation
Prepared Music Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him
Choir
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 42 Praise Ye the Lord!
Worship through Giving
Response: Psalm 116b
Hymn 670 Behold the Throne of Grace
Scripture Reading Malachi 3:1-5; 3:16-4:6
Note: At the conclusion of the Old Testament, the Lord declared impending judgment on Israel for her relentless rebellion. However, he promised redemption and reconciliation for a righteous remnant. The final two chapters promise that the Lord would send Elijah to prepare His way. Our sermon text quotes these passages and applies them to the baby given to Zechariah and his wife.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 87 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Message The Silence is Broken!
Luke 1:5-25
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 627 (tune: 238) Rejoice, Believer, in the Lord
Prayer Response John Miles
Benediction John Miles