In an age when futility and passion,

and pessimism and animosity are so pervasive,

does John the Baptist's message of hope still have anything to say to us today?

We'll find out on Truth for Life as Alistair Begg teaches us from the first chapter in the Book of Luke.

We began to look at this section in Zacharias song,

and we said that there were essentially two verses in the song that he's singing,

the first verse which goes from 68 to 75,

and then the second verse which goes from 76 to 80.

And in the first verse, Zacharias is magnifying God for his grace in the plan and purpose of redemption.

And then in the second segment, he turns to describe the part which his son, John the Baptist,

was to have in the unfolding purpose of God.

So then, designation of Prophet of the Most High,

you will go on before the Lord, preparation, verse 77,

to give His people the knowledge of salvation.

Now, this knowledge is not a formal academic kind of knowledge,

like whatever pi r squared is it is, you know.

When he talks about a knowledge of salvation,

he is not talking about mere mental perception,

as when we know of something that we do not have.

But he is talking of a knowledge of actual possession and experience.

I'd like to issue a word of challenge at this point,

to some who are here, and all that you know of salvation is up here in your head.

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