Sunday, November 29, 2020 ~ Theme: AT HIS FEET WE HUMBLY FALL ~ Series: THE BABY WHO CHANGED THE WORLD ~ Message: He Redeems The World ~ Scripture: Luke 1:57–80 ESV ~ Speaker: Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Images: Zechariah Writes John's Name. Domenico Ghirlandaio (1490 Fresco in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence)

WELCOME

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Series: The Baby Who Changed The World

Message: He Redeems The World

Scripture: Luke 1:57–80 ESV

Speaker: Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Image: First Week of Advent ~ The Candle of Hope

The Candle of Hope

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. – Jeremiah 33:14–15

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit… – Isaiah 11:1

…The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear

a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. – Isaiah 60:1–3

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with

the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see,

we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:18–25

I’m thankful for Pastor Lutzer’s support and encouragement as I’ve stepped into this role. It takes guts and humility to pave the way for another. I’m grateful for God’s grace in this transition and for the friendship we have.

I’m also grateful for our Elders, Trustees, Deacons, and Deaconesses. Their love for the Lord and for this church are demonstrated in their prayerful care and shepherding leadership. I get to see their hearts up close and in person. Their love is genuine and from the heart. We are so blessed.

So thank you. And thanks be to God for His mercies in this season!

Always remember: you are loved, more than you know!

Pastor Philip

I’m especially grateful for our team of pastors, directors, and staff. It’s easy to take for granted the beautiful gifts God has blessed us with in His servant-leaders. One of my greatest joys has been to get to know the team here over the past months. And I can assure you, we are blessed beyond measure at the quality and faithfulness of each member of our team.

I want to thank you for being our new family and for making us feel

so very welcome. Despite the limitations of this pandemic, you have showered our family with love and kindness. Thank you for the cards and emails. Thank you for the gift cards, groceries, and meals. Thank you for reaching out with connections for our kids. Thank you for the Garrett’s popcorn and Lou Malnati’s pizzas. Thank you for your warm embrace and heartfelt welcome. Chicago is feeling more and more like home, and we are delighted to be a part of the Moody Church family.

This year I wrote “The Moody Church” on the gourd I ended up with, because we are particularly grateful for you, our new church family. Last year at this time, we had no idea what massive changes God was about to bring into our lives. In His grace, God made His calling clear and

we began the process of uprooting and stepping into a new city, a new ministry, and a new church family.

Our family has a Thanksgiving tradition of inscribing our gratitude on decorative fruit each year. It’s a little cheesy, but it’s fun to place the fruit all over the house as decorations and look back on the blessings God has given us over the years. It reminds us of how good God is to us.

He Redeems the World

Luke 1:57–80

Speaker: Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Zechariah was struck dumb because of his lack of faith, but when his son John was born, his speech returned. In joyous celebration he gave God praise for Jesus and the redemption He would bring.

The old prophet made these points:

1. God fulfilled His promises to David

2. God fulfilled His promises to Abraham

3. God fulfilled His promises to Zechariah, and to us

The bottom line:

1.

2.

3.

PASTOR TO PEOPLE

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

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

68

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has visited and redeemed his people

69

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

70

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

71

that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us;

72

to show the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant,

73

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

74

that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve him without fear,

75

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

77

to give knowledge of salvation to his people

in the forgiveness of their sins,

78

because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us[h] from on high

79

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Series: THE BABY WHO CHANGED THE WORLD

Audio: Luke1 ESV

Scripture Reading Luke 1:57-80 ESV

Series: The Baby Who Changed The World

Message: He Redeems The World

Scripture: Luke 1:57–80 ESV

Speaker: Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Message: He Redeems The World

Sunday, November 29, 2020

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Translator: J. M. Neale 1851