¹Many Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. ² They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. ³ Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, ⁴ so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Luke 1:1-4, NLT

¹³“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. ¹⁴ You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…  ¹⁶ And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

Luke 1:13-14,16-17a, NLT

¹⁹ “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! ²⁰ But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Luke 1:19-20, NLT

 “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Luke 1:63b-64, NLT

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David,⁷⁰ just as he promisedthrough his holy prophets long ago.⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemiesand from all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71, NLT

Key Point: God keeps his word.

 ¹⁷ I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, ¹⁸ and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Genesis 22:17-18, NIV

⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestorsby remembering his sacred covenant—⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oathto our ancestor Abraham.⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

Luke 1:72-75, NLT

Key Point: God pours out his mercy.

Key Point: God restores our hope.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High,because you will prepare the way for the Lord.⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Luke 1:76-79, NLT

Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 

Matthew 25:34, NIV

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 

Matthew 25:41, NIV