“A Horn of Salvation came and redeemed us” (Lk 1:57-80) KV 68,69 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”

Outline 1) v.57-66“Baby + God’s great mercy = Our joy” 2) v.67-71 (KV) “Horn came and redeemed” 3) v.72-80 “Basis & purpose of salvation”

I. Baby + God’s great mercy = Our joy (57-66) “Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” (58) Mercy: “Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward other person in one’s power”

“His name is John” “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.” (64) While he couldn’t speak, he thought and prayed more.

II. Horn of salvation came and redeemed us (67-71) “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.” (68) Who will come? God or Israel? “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” (69) Horn: Power, Beauty, Glory, Honor

Horn

Salvation Main purpose and focus of Jesus! Salvation from whom? “salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (71) Who are our enemies? Enemies force their wills on us and make us what they want They want to make us their slaves

Jesus the horn today after salvation We are ALREADY saved! – by accepting Jesus So many evil horns are still out there Jesus came to always stay with us Acknowledge the daily need of Jesus Come to Jesus each day Bible, Pray, Daily Bread, Love one another Jesus can & will save us from deadly horns yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

III. Basis & purpose of salvation (72-80) Basis of salvation (72-73) “to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham” Purpose of salvation (74-75) “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days”

Serving God “serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days” (75b) Slaves vs. Servants We serve God without fear “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18) We serve God in holiness and righteousness Originally Jesus’ but now ours who believe in him We serve God all our days No Expiration date, No termination or retirement

John’s mission “And you, my child will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation…” (76-77a) Salvation is… “through the forgiveness of their sins” (77b) “because of the tender mercy of our God” (78a)

Rising Sun “by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (78b-79) Hope & Victory No matter how dark it was, no darkness ever beats the rising sun

Conclusion: Jesus, the reason for Merry Christmas! Because of His salvation for us “Horn of salvation” ‒ Power, Honor and Glory No longer slaves to enemies (sins & devil) Forgiveness of our sins with his tender mercy / based on the Holy Covenant We serve God Without fear In Holiness and Righteousness All our days The Rising Sun