We would imagine Luke’s gospel – an account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – to begin with the story of Christ’s birth. However, Luke does not start with the announcement of the coming Messiah,  but with the announcement of the coming messenger, John the Baptist: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me” (Mal. 3:1). God had promised to send a prophet who would proclaim the coming of the Lord and announce the need of repentance to the people; after four hundred years of silence, He proved yet again to be faithful to his promises. In this sermon, Pastor Dave illustrates the character of our great God who is sovereign, who hears our prayers, who is faithful to do what he has said he will do, who is worth of trust, and who graciously includes us in his purposes of redemption.