JOHN’S MINISTRY OF PREPARATION

Luke 1.17: “And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (NASB) All four gospels communicate that John the …

JOHN THE BAPTIST BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

Luke 3.2-3: during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. (3) And he went into all the region around the Jordon, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (ESV) The expression, “the word of God came” is used frequently in the Bible to …

THE YEARS OF PREPARATION

Luke 2.51-52: And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (ESV) When Jesus had finished his time in the Temple with the scholars he returned home …

GEHENNA – NEW SONG INTRODUCTION

The two words in the New Testament describing the place of eternal punishment for people who are opposed to God are “hades” and “gehenna”. Hades is used ten times and Gehenna is used nine times. Jesus used Gehenna eight times, three times in the Sermon on the Mount, and he speaks of it with such warning that he certainly means …

JESUS AMAZES AT THE TEMPLE

Luke 2.46-47: After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (47) And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (ESV) Verse 41 of chapter 2 tells us that Jesus and his family travelled every year to Jerusalem at the time of the feast …

JESUS GROWS AS A CHILD

Luke 2.39-40: And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (ESV) And so it was by the decree of the civil government of Rome that Joseph …

THE FALL AND RISING OF MANY – PART B

Luke 2.34: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (35) (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (ESV) The words of Simeon regarding …

THE FALL AND RISING OF MANY – PART A

Luke 2.34: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (35) (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (ESV) After Simeon blessed Mary and …

A LIGHT FOR REVELATION

Luke 1.29-32: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; (30) for my eyes have seen your salvation (31) that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (ESV) The above words were spoken by a man named …

THE REVELATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Luke 2.8-12: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring …