Book of Luke

Christ’s Divine Ability

/ Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

The Certainty Of Christ’s Divine Ability

Book of Luke 2:39-52

We must realize that any attack on the deity of Jesus Christ is an attack on the bedrock of Christianity!

The heart of our beliefs is in recognizing that Christ Jesus died a substitutionary death to provide salvation for a lost humanity.

If Jesus Christ were only some mere man or only some prophet, He could not have died to save the world!

We can be certain of Christ’s divine ability to provide the only sacrifice that was approved of our righteous God!

Divine means, those things that pertain to the true God!

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Let’s begin.

*****Luk 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

As a babe, Jesus was led by His parents to fulfill all the law of the Jews.

We sometimes forget that we have the 10 moral laws of God but in actuality there were 613 commandments given to the Jews.

God sent the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to fulfill all the law, which included not only these 613 commandments but also all the prophesies of the Messiah!

Only by fulfilling all these 613 laws given to the Jews could Jesus become perfectly righteous, the true example for all mankind, and the acceptable sacrifice to appease the wrath of God!

Jesus Christ who is 100% God had to also be a 100% Perfect Man!

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and never failed in one single point.

Jesus Christ is the epitome of “perfection”.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In order to fulfill the Law Jesus had to keep every observance of the Jewish Law!

By His example, Jesus was showing the world what God expected from each of us!

God already knows that we as humans simply do not have it in us to be sin free!

Everyone who follows Jesus will be covered by His sinless perfection, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.

Everyone who follows Jesus Christ by faith, will be covered by His righteousness because we simply do not have any.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Every religion in this world will teach that you must work your way to appease God but God says that is impossible for you to do on our own!

So for these reasons God led Joseph and Mary to fulfill all the Law for their child.

A baby dedication is always more about the parents than it is about the child!

We see that the childhood home of Jesus was in the city of Nazareth.

Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

It is also in Nazareth where Jesus began His public ministry.

Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Nazareth was an ideal place for the Messiah to be brought up.

Nazareth was a quiet town, it was a small town, and Nazareth had a bad reputation, which kept the Jews close together.

Nazareth was a place where the Jews could meet the rest of the world.

Two major roads passed within eyesight of this little city.

One road connected the East to the West.

The other connected the North to the South.

All types of people traveled these roads.

So, Nazareth became an obscure place, despised and a reproach to most all Jews.

Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Jesus was born in a stable, the lowest of all places.

Jesus was raised in Nazareth the lowest of all places.

Jesus made Himself of no reputation!

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We can be sure God had His own reasons for all these things.

*****Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

We must have a clear understanding Jesus was 100% human and still 100% God.

As a child, Jesus was already strong in the Spirit.

As a child, Jesus was already filled with wisdom.

The idea given to us by Luke, is that Jesus the human grew as a normal child and had a vigorous growth in the Spirit.

Jesus did not just grow in wisdom, Jesus was filled with wisdom.

Jesus grew in His humanity as well as any child could grow, well and healthy.

Jesus is the only child born to this earth that was perfect in His growth at every stage of His childhood!

Jesus Christ came into this world not only to save all those that believe on Him but He also came to be our the perfect example in all things!

Jesus Christ is our example at every stage of development from child to adult.

Jesus suffered through these experiences so He could personally know how we feel in this world full of temptation and sin.

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

God needed to demonstrate the simple truth to all mankind!

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Christ experienced every situation, every condition, and every trial of man in order to become the perfect Savior.

When we begin to complain about our lives we need to remember Jesus.

Jesus was born to an unwed mother.
Jesus was born in a stable.
Jesus was raised in a poor family.
The life of Jesus was threatened as a baby.
Jesus was raised in a most despicable place.
The adopted father of Jesus died while He was young.
Jesus had to help His brothers and sisters support His mother.
Jesus started His ministry without a home or a place to lay His head.
Jesus was hated and opposed fiercely but all religions.
Jesus was charged with being insane.
Jesus was charged with demon possession.
Jesus was opposed by His own family.
Jesus was rejected, opposed, and hated by many who heard Him preach.
Jesus was betrayed by a close friend.
Jesus was left alone, rejected and forsaken by all His friends.
Jesus was tried in a false court, with false witnesses, and charged with treason but was innocent of all charges.
Jesus was executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death.

The next time things are not going our way and we want to complain we should remember the things our Savior went through just so we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven!

Jesus in His person, possessed the “Grace” of God.

We should also remember Jesus was never forced to do all these things it was His choice!

Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Even from a child Jesus was always faithful in His worship!

*****Luk 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Joseph had adopted Jesus and the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were faithful in their worship because “it was their custom” to keep the Feast of the Passover.

All male Jews who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem were required by Law to attend the Temple three times a year, at Passover, at Pentecost, and at the Feast of Tabernacles.

The women were exempt by the Law but they could attend if they so wished.

Mary chose to be with her family!

We see that they all worshiped by choice!

It was also at these times that the Word of God was read and also explained where it could be understood.

Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that “could hear with understanding”, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Jesus belonged to God but God had entrusted His keeping in the hands of Joseph and Mary.

They had the same responsibilities as any and all parents!

Jesus was just 12 years of age on this trip but when Jewish boys turn 13 they are expected to keep all the Jewish Laws by knowing them.

It was also a custom of most parents to bring the boys to the Temple a year or two early so they could become familiar with the Temple and the Feasts.

We can see that God expects all children to be taught from the very first about God and true worship.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The worship of God has not changed!

Every child needs to become familiar with God and seek their own personal relationship with Him.

Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Then as the parents of Jesus reached that time to go back home, Jesus was not quite ready.

*****Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

Jesus was, is, and always will be, the preeminent child of God. The relationship Jesus had with His Father could only be achieved by Him.

But even in this, Jesus is our perfect example of our own personal relationship with our Father in Heaven.

God wants each and everyone of us to have an unbroken knowledge and communion with Him.

God wants each of us to do His will He has for each of us!

Jesus social development was as any normal Jewish child of God fearing parents.

Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus had finished their worship obligations and were returning home to Nazareth.

Without their knowledge Jesus had remained behind.

Joseph and Mary would have traveled in a large caravan along with all others who had made the same journey for the same reasons.

Many pilgrims attended the Feast in Jerusalem.

It was common for the children to gather together as the caravan began and Jesus was not missed.

Joseph and Mary were so sure of these things, that they did not look for Jesus until nightfall and they did not find Him.

When they did not find Him then at daylight they returned to Jerusalem.

It had been 3 days to find Jesus because Joseph and Mary had traveled a full day, it took a full day to return and it was on the 3rd day when they found Jesus at the Temple.

We see that even as a child, Jesus was in the midst of other people!

Jesus is in the midst wherever, 2 or 3 are gathered in His name even today.

And Jesus will stand in the midst of the redeemed when we all get to Heaven.

Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

So, They found Jesus in the Temple, “in His Father’s house”.

*****Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Those “doctors” would have been the scholars of the Jewish Law. There were many in that day and time but it is very possible that Nicodemus and Gamaliel could have been among this group of men.

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Jesus’ knowledge of the Scriptures was surprising to these men of the Jewish Law.

We should understand that it was a custom among these men to hold open classes and discussions so the public could listen and learn.

But such a young man with such knowledge and understanding would have certainly gotten their attention!

The parents of Jesus had been traveling but Jesus had been amongst these scholars for 3 days.

Jesus was making use of every opportunity He had, notice He was both “hearing and asking questions”.

The word “astonished meant that they were amazed, overwhelmed, and wondered at His understanding of the Word of God!

We talk a lot about Jesus being our example and we should consider that He was and is our example in all things.

We should understand that we need to take every opportunity to learn the truth of the Word of God!

We should seek the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word!

Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Even His parents were amazed at what they saw when they found Him!

*****Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

The term “parents” is an acceptable term because Joseph had adopted Jesus as his own son and had also taught Him many things. Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus was later known as a carpenter.

We should never forget who Jesus is!

Jesus said:

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who came to save all those that believe upon Him.

But Jesus is also God and He is always about the business of meeting our needs!

To Mary, Jesus was her son and certainly she was grieving at His absence.

Even Mary had a tendency to forget what the angel Gabriel had said:

Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

BUT, There is absolutely no excuse for us to deny who Jesus is!

*****Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

As a boy, we can see that Jesus had already become a deep student of the Scriptures. Jesus had a purpose in seeing what was taught by these scholars of the Bible.

Remember how He has cautioned the world about the Scriptures:

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Even in His humanity at the age of 12 Jesus had already began to identify with the purpose He had come into this world!

We must never forget who Jesus is, The Lord God Almighty!

Joseph and Mary did not clearly understand what their young son was saying.

BUT, Jesus clearly understood that He was the Messiah!

Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Jesus clearly knew who His Father was!

Jesus was always doing what His Father in Heaven wanted Him to do and His Father in Heaven was always pleased with Him!

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus did not come to please mankind because we would all send ourselves to Hell as many will still do!

Jesus came to please His Father, because salvation is His Father’s plan and God wants us all to be a part of His Salvation Plan!

God has only One Son, His name is Jesus, but God is in the adoption business!

When we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this causes God to adopt each of us as His own child and we than are also placed into the Father’s care!

Jesus said:

Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

God is in the saving business!

At this time Mary and Joseph could not understand what it is to be a true servant of God. They like most Jews were bound by the Laws of Moses but God offers true freedom from religious rituals and religious laws.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall “make” you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Then Jesus returned with His parents.

*****Luk 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Even though Jesus is the actual Son of God in accordance with the Triune God, He still obeyed His earthly parents.

It was the will of God that He lead by example!

Jesus set the perfect example of what a child should be toward his parents!

In the Bible the phrase “subject to” is frequently translated “submit to” or “be obedient to”.

The Bible says we are to “be subject to one another”:

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

God expects us to be a humble and caring people!

No doubt that Jesus was well aware of the work He had been sent by His Father to do.

But, it was also the will of His Father to set that example for all men.

It was the will of His Father that He return to Nazareth with His parents, for now was not the time for Him to begin His ministry.

Jesus submitted Himself to His parents and for some 18 years after this incident He lived and worked as a “Carpenter” at Nazareth, with Joseph and Mary whom His Father had chosen to be His earthly parents.

We will also realize that Joseph is not heard from again after this story and it may be that Jesus with His carpentry skills sustained His own family for some period of time.

Mar 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Mary again kept all these things in her heart.

Mary never boasted about her son. Mary did not discuss these things with her relatives. Mary knew she had a unique son who was destined to do great things for the Lord.

It seems that she knew, that at the right time, God would reveal Him and His salvation plan to the world!

*****Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

The truth is that Jesus is God and God is omniscient but Jesus the man increased in wisdom and stature.

God cannot increase in wisdom!

Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the God-Man.

Jesus was fully God and yet fully man “but had no sin”.

It is very hard for us to comprehend just what all this means.

The Bible explains this thing.

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus made Himself of no reputation which means that God “emptied Himself”.

God set aside all of His “omni” attributes in order to take “the form of a servant”!

In the records of the life and the teachings of Jesus we can see with surety the evidence of His deity, including His own claims and the evidence of His humanity, including the fact that Jesus the man increased in wisdom and grew in stature!

As God:

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

As man:

Joh 11:35 Jesus wept.

Joh 4:6 Now Jacob’s well was there. “Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey”, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

Jesus grew in favor with God and man.

Jesus learned just as all children learn, Jesus just learned perfectly.

Jesus grew just as all children grow, Jesus was a real man, Jesus was not a wimp!

Jesus was strong in the Spirit.

Jesus had the favor of God.

Jesus looked to God in perfect obedience.

Jesus grew in favor with those around Him.

Jesus was friendly, loving, caring, helpful, unselfish, pure, honest, and still humble.

Jesus increased in these things because His goal was that the world would believe on Him and all be saved!

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

We must always remember God is much more about the timing of events than He is about time itself!

It was not yet time for Jesus to begin His ministry, just as it is not now quiet time for Jesus to return!

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We can be certain of Christ’s Divine abilities!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

The Virgin Birth Of Christ

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Certainty Of Christ’s Virgin Birth

Book of Luke 1: 26-56

Very little information is given to us in the Bible about Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus but God did give us the important things.

God had promised a “sign” for Immanuel which means “God with us”, the Messiah who would deliver all of God’s people from their enemies.

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew confirms that this prophesy was of Christ Jesus and this virgin was Mary.

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Remember Luke said we could believe his “Gospel” because these things came from eyewitness accounts.

We should never have any reason to doubt the Word of God!

*****Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

This same angel, Gabriel, who had been sent to Daniel and to Zacharias was now sent to Mary the mother to be of Christ Jesus.

Again we have a time line, it was six months after Elisabeth’s conception.

Mary lived in Nazareth, a city of Galilee.

Galilee was on the border of the Gentile nations and was sometimes called Galilee of the Gentiles.

Nazareth was a despised city by most of the Jews and considered to be inferior to other Jewish cities.

Remember what Nathanael said:

Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Nazareth was a place that the Jews despised and the Romans dominated.

The truth is God is, no respecter of persons and God would send a message to Nazareth as quickly as He would to Jerusalem.

And we should take note, God does not judge a city or even a nation by it’s action or it’s advantages, but only by the righteous people within it’s borders.

We must remember Sodom and Gomorrah where God found only Lot to be righteous and God removed Lot from that evilness and destroyed those places of evil.

God will do the same thing to this entire world when He removes His church and fulfills His promises to Israel!

When God removes His church then this world we live in will become like Sodom and Gomorrah and we see our world reaching this point now!

Mary had lived a life of purity and had remained a “virgin” and was at this time, espoused to Joseph.

Many teach today that the Greek word “parthenos” only means a marriageable maiden but in actuality it means a woman who has never known a man sexually!

Even the Hebrew word for virgin “alma” which is “young maiden” has the intent of meaning a “virgin”!

Those that teach other wise are only trying to discredit the divinity of Christ Jesus and they will stand before this “virgin” born Son of God one day and answer for their sin.

To be saved is to turn from all unbelief and to trust Christ Jesus.

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Mary was espoused to Joseph.

Being espoused, was something like an engagement except it was legally binding and lasted for one year.

Two things were very important in an espousal.

During the espousal, sexual contact was still considered adultery and was punished by stoning which resulted in death.

This espousal was so serious a matter, that if it were broken a divorce was required.

Joseph was of the “House of David”, through his son Solomon, which meant it was in his bloodline to have been King but both Mary and Joseph were godly people and to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament they were chosen to be the parents of of God’s Son.

Mary was also of the “House of David” through his son Nathan.

BUT, God would have never chosen an immoral man or woman for this thing which is so important to the Church and to the world.

The truth is, it is the will of God that both men and women to remain pure before they marry!

The truth is. God is looking for such people that He can use in the ministry of the ‘Gospel”.

What is the will of God for all young people?

1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Many ask, “why would God’s Son have to enter this world through a virgin”?

1) The birth of Christ Jesus required a miracle, a sign just as it was written.

2) His birth would indicate that He was much more than just some mere man!

2) Christ already existed and all Christ needed was a body.

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

4) For God to fulfill the Scriptures of the Old Testament then the Messiah would have to identify with man but He also had to remain God!

Christ Jesus would never have been accepted without a birth.

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

It is foolish to believe that God does not have the power to do these things!

God sent His Son into this world, not through a man and a woman but through a miraculous act of His own and upon the “virgin” Mary!

The Messiah had to be 100% God but also 100% Man!

As the God-Man, by living a sinless life could Christ be the proper sacrifice and secure righteousness.

As the God-Man, when the Lord gave His life on Calvary’s cross He was the perfect and ideal man who bore all our sins.

As the God-Man, Christ had the power to arise from the dead. He gave His life so He had the power to pick it back up.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

As the God-Man, Christ was exalted to sit on the right hand of God.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The birth of the Messiah had to be different from all other births!

The Son of God does exist and we must hear what He says, to be saved!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The “virgin” birth of Christ Jesus proclaims Him to be the only begotten Son of God “and not the Son of God and Mary”!

*****Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Mary was highly favored and was offered a unique privilege.

Our lesson is, that when God favors us, He saves us, He gives us gifts, and then He uses us to complete His plan!

The Church has also been given a unique privilege!

The Lord was also with Mary. She would not go through this thing alone.

God would have had to observed Mary throughout her lifetime to know all these things about Mary.

God would also be with Mary throughout all her future life.

God promises He will never leave us nor forsake us!

Throughout Mary’s lifetime, she was never left to live alone!

Mary would be blessed among women!

The truth is that Mary has been called and then blessed from that time forward, but she is certainly not to be worshipped!

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Mary was only another human.

Mary showed no fear of the angel Gabriel but was concerned for the message he gave her.

Mary was just a humble young virgin espoused to Joseph who would have been a king under different circumstances.

Mary did not consider herself to be special and did not know how she could do anything for the God she loved.

It is a fact that God gives more “Grace” to those who humble themselves before Him!

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

The miraculous conception of the baby Christ was unusual in that it took place directly in the womb rather than first in the tubes.

No man was involved, nor could they have been!

The Holy Seed was placed directly in the womb of the virgin Mary.

Though these things seem impossible, we must remember the Word of God:

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This miracle is not much different than that day when God made Adam.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Adam had no genetic connection to a father or mother and Christ would have no genetic connection with Mary.

Since the earth was cursed after God made Adam, it was not possible to make the second Adam in the same way.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Jesus Christ was directly formed of God!

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

It was not possible for there to be a genetic connection to Mary nor Joseph since they also fell under the same curse.

Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Jesus was a special creation at the hand of God just as Adam had been a special creation.

To think other wise is to call God a liar!

1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

This was God’s method of fulfilling all the Scriptures!

AND, There are no mistakes in the Scriptures!

*****Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Now Mary understood the the child she would bear would be the Messiah though she still did not understand how this could happen.

Jesus Christ is to reign upon the throne of David but we know the people rejected Him and would not allow Him to rule over them.

This Scripture is specific, it would be the Lord God that would place Him upon the throne of David!

Jesus Christ will one day soon rule over the nation of Israel, the entire house of Jacob, which includes all 12 tribes and of His kingdom their will be no end!

This promise is not only spiritual but it will also be literal!

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

God will never forget His covenant to Israel and God will never forget His promises to the Church!

BUT, All these things were incredible to Mary.

*****Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Mary was expected to believe these things of the angel Gabriel.

Mary was not doubting or not trusting, she was just puzzled.

Mary did not ask for a sign like Zacharias had.

Mary was just a virgin, she was single, and she had never known a man sexually.

Mary did not know how she could ever have a child without a man being involved.

Many today still say these things could never happen but they just don’t worship the same God that I do!

God means what He says and God says what He means!

Gabriel explains this to Mary because Gabriel was also a special creation of the Lord made in even another way during creation week.

*****Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

When we read, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee”, we should never interpret that to be as the manner of a man, but only as the manner of God’s Spirit!

Some would say “what is the manner of God’s Spirit’?

God ‘s Spirit sets apart!

God’s Spirit activates!

God’s Spirit creates!

God’s Spirit recreates!

God’s Spirit, simply speaks and things are done, no matter what it is that needs to be done!

Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psa 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

It was the Holy Spirit that brought the humanity of Christ into being!

BUT, The deity of Christ was His own from all eternity and did not begin at the time of His birth!

Christ became incarnate when His eternal Person took on the human form of Jesus!

It was the Holy Spirit that caused the humanity of Christ to originate because that is His act of generation!

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Notice Jesus on the cross:

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

The flesh died and the Spirit of Jesus continued.

Mat 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Mar 15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Psa 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Paul said:

Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

It is the Holy Spirit that comes forth from the Father and the Son!

It is that same Holy Spirit that brought the entire creation of God into existence, that overshadowed a virgin who had dedicated her young life to God!

And it was the Tri-Une God Himself that looked after the whole matter!

Those that reject the Holy Trinity of God are all fools!

The Christ child’s conception, His growth during pregnancy, and His birth and His life were under the shadow and the wings of the Almighty God, Elohim!

Not some angel, not some human, and not any other creature!

That child that was born of Mary was Holy!

The problem with most humans is unbelief!

Jesus said:

Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

God says:

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

We do not have to understand these things that God says, we must only believe what God says!

*****Luk 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Gabriel offered Mary some encouragement:

All her life Mary had known that her cousin Elisabeth had been unable to have children.

Remember a barren woman was frowned upon by the Jews.

The fact that God had also caused Elisabeth to be with a child reassured Mary of the power of God!

We know as humans that there many things impossible for us to do but with God nothing is impossible except sin.

God expects us to believe in His power, “regardless of the circumstances”!

Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

We should not forget this is God’s plan of salvation and God does not need our help to complete His own plan!

*****Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The one thing we all have to do to be saved is to submit to the will of God!

When the Lord Jesus Christ bought us with His own blood, we all became bond slaves of God but God did not save us to be slaves.

God saves us to be “willing vessels” to carry the “Gospel” to all those who have never heard the “Gospel”!

God saves us to be “willing vessels” to be able to give an answer to all those who are seeking the God of the Bible!

To “Surrender” is to yield to the awesome power of God without Him having to use the power.

Mary was willing to sell herself to God!

The word handmaiden means “slave-girl”!

Mary acted according to the Word of God and Mary is a great example for us all!

1) Mary would be an unwed mother which would cause her much ridicule.

2) No one would ever believe Mary’s story!

3) Mary was espoused to Joseph, how would He act to this thing. Broken trust and personal embarrassment are things we all find it hard to overcome.

4) If God did not have the power He said He had, then there was a real possibility that Mary would be stoned to death as an adulterer.

There were a lot of things for this young virgin to consider!

The truth of Mary and the truth of each one who is accepted into the family of God, is that to surrender to God is an absolute essential both for salvation and for service!

Jesus said:

Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

And then Mary had a great desire to see Elisabeth.

*****Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luk 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Elisabeth had hidden herself for 5 months but in her sixth month she proudly displayed the fact that she was with child

When Mary arrived is was evident to her that what the angel Gabriel had said was true and this encouraged Mary.

Mary had already known that Elisabeth was with child but Elisabeth did not know that Mary was with child until she arrived at her home.

Immediately when Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary she realized how special this day was.

1) The baby John, still within the womb of his mother, had kicked before this day because they do this by the sixth month in most all pregnancies

On this day the baby leaped and it was something different than just a kick.

Elisabeth realized that Mary was also with child.

2) Elisabeth was immediately filled with the Holy Ghost and she began to prophesy.

We already know that the baby inside his mother Elisabeth had already been filled with the Holy Ghost

Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

Elisabeth realized she was standing before the mother of the Messiah, the Savior of our world.

3) Elisabeth spoke in a loud voice. Elisabeth was full of joy and praise for the Messiah and was full of emotion.

Elisabeth was the very first to proclaim that the baby Mary carried was indeed the Lord!

Elisabeth became the very first person to honor the Son of God!

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Mary was indeed blessed of God but she was blessed because of the child she carried within her!

*****Luk 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Elisabeth was under the influence of the Holy Spirit and she realized that Mary was greatly blessed but it was the Lord that she carried in her womb that made her to be blessed.

This was the promised Messiah, the Son of the Highest, and God Himself!

To Elisabeth, her own son was the thing that had fulfilled all her wishes.

The angel Gabriel had said that John would be a great man but Elisabeth realized that One greater than John was carried by the Virgin Mary.

TODAY, We do not have to see the Lord to know that He is present with us!

We must remember the sign:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

There are many today who doubt the Virgin birth of the Messiah.

There were many in the day of Luke that doubted the Virgin birth of the Messiah.

BUT, Elisabeth did not doubt that Mary carried the Savior of the world!

As soon as Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary at the door and she had entered, Elisabeth’s heart leaped for joy, her own child leaped in her own womb, and they both realized they were in the presence of God, not Mary “but that small less than a month old babe in the womb of Mary”.

The abortionist do not realize that there could be many children that could make great strides in our world that are simply murdered everyday in the name of freedom.

Shame on America for allowing such sin!

Shame on our world to destroy such treasures!

Elisabeth began a personal relationship with her Lord.

Her own babe John would have to experience his own personal relationship.

Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Joh 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

There should be little doubt that Mary was encouraged by these things because Elisabeth had recognized the truth that the angel Gabriel had told to her.

Mary needed assurance and God sent her to where she could find that assurance!

That’s what God does for us all as He will provide all our needs!

Mary had believed what the angel Gabriel had told her.

She had not doubted as did Zacharias.

She had not doubted as Joseph would soon do.

Mary’s faith was increased when she saw Elisabeth.

But Mary also was related to Christ in a very special way!

1) Our lesson is that we must have faith!

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

2) We must believe all the Word of God!

Luk 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

3) We must become related to Jesus Christ!

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

When we can do these things, we will then see that God keeps all His promises.

Mary saw the promises of God being fulfilled before her own eyes!

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And Mary began to magnify the Lord.

*****Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Mary considered herself to be only a humble servant of the Lord.

Mary’s song was not about herself but about the Lord inside her womb!

Mary had just completed the long trip to the house of Zacharias and Elisabeth but she still took time to praise and magnify the Lord.

Mary forgot her tiredness, her own faith was being increased greatly.

Mary and Elisabeth were having themselves a spell!

Mary realized that Gabriel the messenger of God, had foretold her of all these things.

Gabriel was real. Gabriel’s message was real.

And she as a “virgin” was already with a son and not just any son but the Son of the God that she had worshiped since her childhood!

God will increase our faith if we just ask Him.

God will show us the reality of faith when we believe His Word.

Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Faith can even over come tiredness and exhaustion!

Mary was truly blessed of the Lord!

Being blessed should increase our praise of God and should not increase the sin of pride for being so blessed!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

God knew that Mary and the entire world was in need of a Savior.

Mary recognized that she needed a Savior.

Mary recognized that God was that Savior.

In the eyes of the world Mary was just a nobody, a poor insignificant girl, with no purpose, whose life had little meaning.

Mary was a “handmaiden” which probably meant she was the least in her own family.

God is more apt to choose this type of person to perform great things!

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

We must all know these same things that Mary came to know!

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We must all approach God being as humble as was Mary!

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

God will remember all those that trust Him as He did Mary!

Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

For God is Holy!

Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Mary proclaimed God’s holiness.

*****Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

We serve an awesome God!

1) God is a powerful Creator.

Mary realized that the promised Messiah was now to be born.

The hope of the world was being fulfilled.

God’s power would be demonstrated in a way that had never been witnessed before.

A “Virgin” would have a child!

Impossible yes, but not for our powerful God.

2) God is Holy.

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

God is holy in name.

God is holy in being.

3) God is merciful.

Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

4) God is set apart.

God is set apart from any that are called god.

God is different from any that are seen as god.

Mic 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Mic 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

5) God is able.

*****Luk 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luk 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luk 1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luk 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

God reverses the ways of this world!

1) Those that are proud think they are better than everyone else.

God will scatter the proud along with all their imaginations.

2) The mighty are all those who sit in positions of power today in our world.

God will dethrone the mighty and exalt all those of low degree.

3) Those who seek to be rich in the world’s goods will one day see their riches given to who are hungry.

God will fill the hungry and empty the rich.

4) God will restore Israel as He promised to David and fulfill all the promises to Abraham.

Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

And Mary remained with Elisabeth for 3 months.

*****Luk 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

No doubt that in that 3 month period Mary knew for sure that she was certainly pregnant.

Mary had needed the encouragement of Elisabeth.

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Mary has shown us all the truth of the “Gospel”.

Mary was assured of our Savior.

BUT, Now Mary had to face Joseph!

Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

God has a plan and we just need to accept the plan of God and we will see Him in person some day!

We can certainly trust that a virgin named Mary gave birth to the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

The Forerunner of Christ

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Certainty Of Christ’s Forerunner

Book of Luke 1:1-25; 57-80

A forerunner is a messenger who was sent forth to proclaim the approach of another.

It can also be said that a forerunner is also a sign of something that is to come.

As we begin in the Book of Luke, which is what we say, one of the “Gospels”, we can understand that this book was written by Luke who also wrote the Book of Acts.

The authorship of Luke was never questioned by the early church and we should not question it now.

It seems that Luke was also a Gentle who was raised in Troas which is now called Old Constantinople.

It is probable that Luke found the Lord Jesus Christ through the Apostle Paul, when Paul was on his second missionary trip where he joined Paul on his trip to Philippi.

We know that Luke was also a physician, which would lead us to believe that he was highly educated.

This should also assure us that God provided this man Luke, for Paul’s health.

It is probable that Luke was the last one to remain with Paul before Paul became a martyr for the Lord and his head was removed.

It is probable that both the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts were written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD because this thing is never mentioned.

Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ but Luke sets forth an eyewitness account of Jesus, the Son of Man, the Savior to the world.

Luke assures each of us that he obtained his information of Jesus from those who were eyewitnesses and Luke was an eyewitness to all those things he wrote of the Apostle Paul!

Luke writes to someone called Theophilus.

The name Theophilus means “lover of God”.

It is believed that this man was probably a Roman, probably a person of rank, to whom Luke dedicated both of his books to, but we can be sure the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts were written to all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ!

It can be said that the Book of Luke is the “Gospel to the Gentiles”.

Just like the rest of the Bible, the “Gospel” of Luke is a record of historical events!

Christianity is based on historical facts and not the false theories and false ideas of man as are all other religions.

All man-made religion are based on the notions of some man and not on historical facts.

The Book of Luke is a written proclamation of the truth of Jesus Christ!

Let’s Begin:

*****Luk 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Luk 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
Luk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luk 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

We see that word “many” for many had written about the life and the work of Christ but they were not as complete nor as orderly as Luke wished to record.

We will see that Luke includes many more things than the other two Synoptic Gospels which are the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark, for the Gospel of John had not been written at this time.

Because that we have four written records of the life of Christ, it is in itself strong evidence that all these events are true!

We need all 4 “Gospels” to get the full picture of these events.

Luke says these things “are most surely believed”!

In fact the Greek words that were translated into English actually mean they were fulfilled, that they were actually performed and they had run their full course.

The events in the life of Christ before His ascension, actually took place, they had their purpose, they were accomplished and they were fulfilled.

We have the written records of the truth of Jesus Christ!

The things that were accomplished and believed were the things of the Old Testament which were fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament.

Therefore the whole Bible is a record of these things and the whole Bible can be believed as the truth!

So Luke begins:

*****Luk 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

The time of Herod the Great can be proved, so when Luke mentions “the days of Herod” it establishes a time line for these events.

Herod was the son of Antipater, who Julius Caesar gave control of Judaea in 47 BC.

Herod was awarded the title King of Judaea by Mark Antony in 40 BC.

Herod by blood line was also a descendant of Esau.

During the time of David, the priests that served the Temple were divided into 24 courses and each priests served at the Temple twice each year for one week at a time.

The priest of the course of Abia were the eighth of the 24 courses.

Zacharias, which means “remembered of Jehovah”, was a descendant in the line of Aaron and the father of John the Baptist.

Elisabeth was also from the line of Aaron, the first of the High Priest, and the older brother of Moses.

Elisabeth, which means “one whose oath is to God”, was the mother of John the Baptist and was also a related cousin of Mary the virgin mother of Jesus.

Elisabeth was the daughter of a priest.

She was a pure women and a virgin at her marriage as God gave Aaron the laws of the priesthood.

Lev 21:14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

So we see that both the parents of John the Baptist were of the bloodline of Aaron which was a coveted distinction in Israel.

******Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

They were both righteous in the eyes of God.

They were both joined together and committed to each other.

They were both walking in the commandments of the Lord and seeking to please Him in all that they did.

Remember there 613 commandments especially to the priests.

They were blameless but this does not mean they were perfect.

They were living in such a way that no one could charge them with open sin.

These are basically the same qualities God requires of us all!

*****Luk 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

We see even though they were righteous and walking in the ways of the Lord, they still had human problems.

Christians will never be isolated from the human problems in this world until the Lord returns!

AND, We should clearly understand that all believing Jews knew of the prophesies of the Messiah.

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

To be childless in the believing Hebrew society, was a terrible calamity in that day.

Children were considered as a blessing from God and they are a great heritage to all families.

If the wife of a believing Jew could not bear him children, she was thought to be cut off from God and certainly could not bear the Messiah.

It was every female Jew’s wish to bear the Messiah.

A believing Jew was expected to divorce his wife and remarry to some one who could bear him children.

All these things weighed heavy on Zacharias and Elisabeth, but they clung on to their marriage.

They were now elderly and all the problems that come with growing old were also upon them.

BUT, They were not aware of the plan of God.

*****Luk 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
Luk 1:9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Next we see that these were parents who worshipped the Lord.

Zacharias was faithful to his priesthood and he had been all his days.

Zacharias was faithful in his duties even though God had not given him a son.

You know, if the Lord never does anything but save us, we have already gotten more than we deserve!

Zacharias would have seen the birth of a son as the greatest blessing that he could have received!

Zacharias’ job of burning the incense was considered to be the highest of the priestly duties and not many ever got this opportunity.

We should remember that incense was burned upon the altar by a priest before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice.

The burning of incense reminded all those who could smell it, that the sacrifices were being made for their sins.

The aroma of the incense was just like prayer, it enveloped the sacrifice and carried the sacrifice before the throne of God!

God says:

Jas 5:11 Behold, “we count them happy which endure”. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

And we know that Elisabeth was a faithful wife all those years she was married to Zacharias.

While the people prayed outside the Temple during the burning of the incense, God sent His messenger to Zacharias.

*****Luk 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Luk 1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luk 1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

As Zacharias was performing his duty of burning the incense, he was praying to the Lord and the multitude, still outside in the courtyard, were also praying.

All those outside were to be as much involved in this worship service, as was Zacharias.

Remember the incense was burned before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice.

You see our prayers are to be well seasoned with love and devotion, lest we offer strange incense that will bring the wrath of God!

We see in the Book of Revelation that “incense” symbolizes the prayers of the Saints:

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Rev 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Those prayers were to be directed to God through our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

We can see that if our church is as much involved in the worship and the prayers as our pastor we can certainly move the hand of God, especially when it involves any part of His plans and His will.

After all what had God said:

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

John the Baptist was to be that messenger!

We can see that Zacharias and Elisabeth needed a son and had been praying for a child for many years. God had said that He would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord, so God met the need of this family in a very special way.

Notice this was not a dream nor was it a vision, Zacharias was in the presence of an actual angel sent from God.

Certainly Zacharias was troubled.

According to the Scriptures we are always in the presence of God’s angels, but they just are not visible to us.

Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

And for those who want to know the language of angels we see that this angel spoke in a language that Zacharias clearly understood!

*****Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luk 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Luk 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

It is probable that Zacharias was still praying for a child even in his old age.

We know that there is nothing to hard for God!

It is probable that Zacharias was also praying for the Messiah, no doubt he was praying for the redemption of Israel because Israel was in the hands of the Roman government at that time.

We do know that both prayers were answered and this angel said that the prayer of Zacharias had been heard!

Elisabeth would indeed bear a son and his name would be John.

The name John actually means “Jehovah’s gift”.

John would be a great man in the sight of the Lord.

Jesus said:

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

John would make his parents proud because of the life he would live.

John would cause many others to rejoice with his message.

John would live a disciplined and controlled life.

Notice again, that those that serve the Lord should abstain from all alcoholic beverages!

John would abstain from any appearance of doing evil all the days of his life.

John would be filled with the Holy Ghost from the very first, a vessel chosen by the Lord for a special service in a very special way!

God asks no more than this from us all:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We can see the truth of God that He will bless those that are faithful to Him!

John would be a prophet or a preacher who would turn many back to the Lord Jehovah.

John would be the forerunner of the promised Messiah!

John the Baptist was to be that messenger.

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

John the Baptist was the first great “Gospel” preacher.

We should also remember, it had been more than 400 years since God had inspired the words of Malachi.

*****Luk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

John the Baptist was not the Elijah that was to return to this earth for that has not even happened yet, up to our day and is still in the future.

John did come with the same Spirit and the same power of Elijah!

Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things”.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

We will next see Elijah as described in the Book of Revelation:

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Elijah will be one of those two witnesses with the other being Enoch.

These two did not see their own death.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Now we see where Zacharias made a simple mistake.

*****Luk 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luk 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

When we pray we must believe that God has the power to answer our prayers!

Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

When we do not believe that God can do the impossible we are hindering our own prayers.

Zacharias just could not believe the message this angel had.

Zacharias prayed in faith but but Zacharias thought that God would never answer his prayer.

It is possible that God answered this prayer more for us, that He did for Zacharias!

We need to see and understand the truth of the Scriptures!

There is absolutely nothing to hard for God!

Zacharias said to Gabriel, it just too late for us now, for such a thing to happen and Zacharias asked for a sign.

The name Gabriel means “the mighty one of God” or “God is my strength” .

Gabriel said, he stood in the presence of God ready to do whatever He commanded.

Gabriel said, it was he who was appointed to bring good news to men.

Gabriel had shared good news to Daniel.

Gabriel had shared good news with Zacharias.

Gabriel had shared good news with Mary.

Gabriel would share good news with Joseph.

Zacharias had failed to believe the words of Gabriel which came directly from the mouth of God, so his sign was he had to be disciplined.

Zacharias had let his tongue speak and not his heart, so God stopped his tongue from speaking.

We must understand that we have the true Word of God, we have the truth.

The sin of unbelief, is the greatest sin of all, and the only sin that cannot be forgiven.

God will certainly discipline us all if we speak words of distrust and unbelief!

The day is soon coming when God will stop all disbelief, and every knee will bow to Him!

While these things were going on inside the Temple, the people outside the Temple who had been praying became restless and concerned.

*****Luk 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
Luk 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Luk 1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

When Zacharias came out of the Temple he was suppose to tell all the people how the sacrifices had been made and their sins were forgiven and how they were blessed of the Lord.

BUT, Zacharias could not speak.

All Zacharias could do was make motions with his hands.

The people who had taken the time to come to the Temple then realized that Zacharias had been in the presence of God, because there was no other answer. They thought Zacharias had seen a vision.

Coming to church is a wonderful thing and also a commandment of God.

Those times that it seems that God is right there in the house with His people are certainly special times!

Even though Zacharias could not speak, he stayed on to fulfill his duties.

It was certainly not time to get mad and quit on God!

*****Luk 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
Luk 1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Elisabeth hid herself for five months and the best answer for this seems, that she wanted to spend some time alone with God and her husband.

She and Zacharias had many things to prepare if they were going to raise a son at their age.

We must remember Abraham and Sarah went through this same thing.

Elisabeth was not hiding her pregnancy, because she proudly went out in public in her sixth month when it would certainly be noticeable.

She was excited that God had taken away her reproach among men!

God had promised Abraham a multitude of descendants, as the stars in the sky and a woman who was barren was looked down on, especially by the Jewish men.

Skip too Verse 57

*****Luk 1:57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Luk 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

The birth of any child is a precious event to most every family but the birth of John the Baptist was a significant event for all the world.

The birth of John the Baptist showed the awesome power of God!

Both Zacharias and Elisabeth were far beyond childbearing years yet she was with child.

Zacharias had been visited by Gabriel, God’s messenger, and every word he had said was proved to be the truth.

We see that it is God who is able to control all the things of nature.

We will also see that God is able to fulfill the promises of the Bible, just as He has written them down for us!

God will never break a promise!

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The birth of John the Baptist also showed the mercy of God.

God was merciful to Elisabeth, just a simple woman who had been faithful all her days.

God was merciful to the entire world because He would use John in His plan of salvation.

John the Baptist was instrumental in pointing us all to the Messiah, the Christ child, Jesus.

John the Baptist would fulfill his God-given purpose, just as we are all to fulfill the purpose that God has given to us.

We are all born with a purpose!

And his name would be John.

*****Luk 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Luk 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Luk 1:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Luk 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Luk 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luk 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

By God’s commandment, all Jewish males were circumcised on the eighth day after their birth.

Circumcision meant that the child was offered up and dedicated to God.

It should not surprise us that a baby dedication is more for the parents than it is for the child!

The eighth day was also the official day for naming the child.

It was a common practice to name a son after his father or at least someone in the family and Zacharias was a popular name because it meant “remembered by Jehovah”.

Elisabeth would not allow this to take place and insisted that he be named John which means “gift of God”.

To Elisabeth, this child was certainly a precious gift from God.

The naming of a child was reserved for the father so these relatives took this matter to Zacharias.

Zacharias shocked them all by writing the name John and they all marveled at what Zacharias had written.

Our lesson is, that the name John proved what Gabriel had said to Zacharias and immediately the tongue of Zacharias was loosed and he could speak again.

Why are these details so important?

We must be able to trust that the Word of God is the truth and the Lord Jesus Christ said He was the truth but also much much more than the truth.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Luke, keeping to his truth recorded these things from eyewitness accounts!

When the tongue of Zacharias was loosed, it was also a sign to all those who questioned Zacharias.

*****Luk 1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Luk 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

The family and friends of Elisabeth and Zacharias saw an actual miracle that day as Zacharias began to speak.

It had been nine months since Zacharias had seen God’s messenger, Gabriel, and he had much to say.

Those family members were not frightened but they did have a reverent fear of God for what they had witnessed.

They wondered at what was about to happen because they were witnessing the hand of God in this family that they had known for so many years.

Today, God is still doing miracles but most of them go unnoticed!

These events became the talk of the town and then the talk of all Judaea.

A child that had the touch of God from his birth was born into the world!

These people kept these things in their heart for they were not about to forget this day.

What is the truth of God?

Psa 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

And Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost!

*****Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Zacharias became the third person in the Book of Luke to be filled with the Holy Ghost and all three were his family. Elisabeth, The baby John, while still in the mother’s womb and himself.

It was time to give God the praise!

This group of Scriptures is known as “The Benedictus”!

When the tongue of Zacharias was loosed it proved that his sin had been forgiven because he had obeyed God.

In “typology” this joy and praise is a picture of what happens to each Christian.

We believe and obey God and we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. God immediately forgives us of our sins and then immediately fills us with the Holy Ghost!

Verse 68: We see Zacharias as a Christian who is looking back to the cross.

“For the Lord God has visited and redeemed His people”!

Zacharias became a prophet. Zacharias began to praise the Lord who had not yet been born.

It was God Himself who came to this earth in the person of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah!

In the Old Testament, God is involved in the affairs of the world.

In the New Testament, God gets personal, one on one, with every believer!

God paid a tremendous price for each believer to be saved!

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

It is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was the mighty Savior from the house of David!

It is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the “horn of salvation”!

The “horn” symbolizes strength, power and might.

AND, Only the Messiah is able to save His people!

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

David was raised up by God to deliver and rule the people of Israel.

Christ, the Messiah was raised up to deliver and to rule over God’s people!

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It is the Messiah, Christ Jesus, who will fulfill the entire covenant to Abraham!

It is the Messiah, Christ Jesus, who will fulfill all His promises to Israel!

It is Jesus Christ, the Messiah who will fulfill all His promises to the Church!

Verse 76 confirms the purpose of John the Baptist.

We can just imagine as Zacharias looked down at his son knowing that he would be called a prophet of the Highest.

There had been no prophet in Israel for over 400 years and John would be the first since Malachi.

Christ was called the “Highest”, the “Most High God”!

Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

John the Baptist was to be the prophet of the Most High God!

John was to proclaim salvation, “by the remission of sins”.

Salvation is conditional, our sins must be forgiven!

They cannot be forgiven until we ask the Lord for forgiveness!

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John the Baptist was to proclaim the rise of the Lamb of God.

John the Baptist was to proclaim Jesus as the “Dayspring” from on High, “the Dawn of the Morning”.

Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

John the Baptist was to proclaim that Jesus was sent to give light, to guide our path, and not only the Jews but also to the Gentiles, and to all those who sit in darkness.

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb of his mother and he began to grow in the Lord.

*****Luk 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Here we see the only Scripture that tells us of the childhood of John the Baptist.

John may have grown as a normal child but there are certain things that we must observe.

1) John advanced far beyond a normal child spiritually.

John was committed even as a child to follow and obey the Word of God.

2) John was raised in a different environment than most all other children.

John was raised in the desert.

John was raised away from all the things of the world.

3) John stayed away from world until God called him into His service.

John led a life of obedience.

If we are going to be the servants of God, we need to avoid the things of the world and obey the Word of God!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Those that doubt the ministry of John the Baptist are denying the truth of the Scriptures!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

New Testament Survey (Mark and Luke)

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

“NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY” [Mark and Luke]

THE BOOK OF MARK

INTRO:

The Book of Mark is one of the three “synoptic” Gospels. The other two being Matthew and Luke. A synoptic Gospel offers us a general view of the life of Jesus and His ministry.

If you were on the scene of an accident along with two other eye witnesses and some one asked you what you saw, you would of course give your view of how the accident happened. The other two witnesses would offer their view of the
same accident. In most all, if not all, cases the reporting officer would have three slightly different reports of the same accident.

When we read Matthew, Mark and Luke then we get three slightly different views of the same time in the life off Jesus Christ. By the way Christ is not the last name of Jesus but is used in place of the word “Messiah”. Jesus Christ
was and is the Jewish Messiah. “The ANNOINTED ONE”. His coming was told from the very beginning of the Bible. We should study and read all the Bible.

2Ti 3:16 [All] scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Messiah = MESSI’AH,

a. [Heb. anointed.] Christ, the ; the Savior of the world.

Joh 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

This man Mark was a cousin to Barnabas. The same Barnabas that helped the Apostle Paul.

Col 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and [Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas], (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

This is the same Mark that had parents that allowed a Church to begin in their home.

Act 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Act 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Act 12:14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

This also the same Mark that was part of the dispute between Paul and Barnabas. Did we notice that even in dispute “neither Paul Nor Barnabas quit their ministry”.

Act 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
Act 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Act 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

We can see that Paul later thought very highly of Mark:

2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. [Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry].

And we can see that Mark was probably led to the Lord by the Apostle Peter

1Pe 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth [Marcus my son].

The Book of Mark is thought to have been written in 65ad. Before the Temple was destroyed.

I.) THE MESSAGE:

1.) The Book of Mark stresses the importance of the right “DOCTRINE”.

Mar 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Mar 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mar 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

We can learn from The Book of Mark the Why, the What, the When and the Where of how we believe like we believe.

Most people of our time choose the Cafeteria style of Doctrine. They pick and choose: (a little this, a little that and no, no, None of that). WE EITHER ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD OR WE HAVE NOT ACCEPTED HIM AT ALL.

2.) The Book of Mark shows us that “MIRACLES” are “natural” with God.

Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that [the Son of man hath power on earth] to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Mar 6:41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, [he looked up to heaven], and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

Mar 7:34 And [looking up to heaven], he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

3.) The Book of Mark tells us(me) there WILL BE OPPOSITION IF I LIVE FOR GOD.

Mar 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Mar 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

Mar 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

4.) The Book of Mark “HIGHLIGHTS” THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS.

Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

II.) THE BOOK:

1.) The Introduction:

Chapter 1:1-13 Tied to the Old Testament Prophets:

Mar 1:1 [The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God];
Mar 1:2 [As it is written in the prophets], Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Jesus is “Mightier” than those prophets and John the Baptist:

Mar 1:7 And preached, saying, [There cometh one mightier than I after me], the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

Proper Baptism:

Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Trinity:

Mar 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that [Jesus] came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and [the Spirit like a dove descending upon him]:
Mar 1:11 And there came [a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased].

Temptation:

Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, [tempted of Satan]; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

2.) His work at Galilee (The land area near and around the Sea of Galilee).

Chapters 2-7

It was the scene of some of the most memorable events of Jewish history. Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life. The first three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord’s public ministry
in this province. “The entire province is encircled with a halo of holy associations connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.” “It is noteworthy that of his thirty-two beautiful parables, no less than
nineteen were spoken in Galilee. And it is no less remarkable that of his entire thirty-three great miracles, twenty-five were wrought in this province. His first miracle was wrought at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and his last
, after his resurrection, on the shore of Galilee’s sea. In Galilee our Lord delivered the Sermon on The Mount, and the discourses on ‘The Bread of Life,’ on ‘Purity,’ on ‘Forgiveness,’ and on ‘Humility.’ In Galilee he called his
first disciples; and there occurred the sublime scene of the Transfiguration”.

The Galilean accent differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader and more guttural.

Mar 14:70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and [thy speech agreeth thereto].

Highlights:

healing

Mar 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The sick need a physician Jesus came for sinners:

Mar 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mar 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Mar 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. <
Mar 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

3.) The Move North:

Chapters 7-9<

Tyre and Sidon

Mar 7:24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

Four thousand fed

Mar 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Mar 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

Peter's famous words

Mar 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

The transfiguration at Mtn. Hermon

Mar 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Mar 9:4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Mar 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mar 9:6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

4.) The Move South:

Chapters 10-13

Mar 10:1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

Acknowledges Creation by the Book of Genesis

Mar 10:6 But [from the beginning of the creation] God made them male and female.
Mar 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Mar 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

None good but God

Mar 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

When Jesus comes nigh

Mar 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

My house a House of Prayer

Mar 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The sinner cannot know the scriptures

Mar 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

The Greatest Commandment

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

The Gospel must be published among all nations

Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

5.) The Focus: (important meat of the message)

Chapters 14-16

Focus on Christ

Mar 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
Mar 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: [but me ye have not always.]

It is better to not have ever lived than to deny Jesus Christ!

Mar 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

The false counsel:

Mar 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

6.) THE CONCLUSION:

Chapter 16:9-20

Go tell them but especially tell Peter

Mar 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Mar 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
Mar 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Mar 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
Mar 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Mar 16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

The Commission, Be a witness:

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

THE BOOK OF LUKE

INTRO:

We know that men are saved from all walks of life. Luke was a physician. We know how doctors keep accurate records and go into a lot of detail. Well we can see that Luke goes a little further into detail on many things in
The Gospel according to Luke.

Paul wrote:

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Luke wrote like a doctor.

I.) THE MAIN THEMES

1.) Luke talks about "JOY" and "PRAISE" over and over again. Luke was an educated man. It seems that most highly educated men have a liking of joy.

Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

2.) Luke talks a lot about the "Holy Spirit".

The Holy Spirit is the oil the makes the machinery of God run smoothly and keeps it running.

Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

3.) Luke talks a lot about "Forgiveness".

Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: ([forgive], and ye shall be forgiven):

The forgiveness we get from God must be passed on in forgiveness of "ALL" others.

4.) Luke talks a lot about "Prayer".

Luk 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

5.) Luke talks a lot about "MONEY".

Luk 11:41 But rather [give alms of such things as ye have]; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Luk 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and [not to leave the other undone].

6.) Luke talks a lot about women and children.

Luk 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and [other women that were with them], which told these things unto the apostles.

Luk 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

(Chapter 8:40-56 Chapter 9: 37-43)

II.) THE BOOK:

1.) The Early Days. Chapters 1-4

Luke captures more of the Early life of Jesus.

The Birth, The Baptism, The Childhood, The Carpenter, The Saviour:

Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31  Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

2.) The beginning of the Ministry of Jesus.

Chapters 4-9

Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

He allows us to see our faults.

Luk 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; [for I am a sinful man], O Lord.

He points to the truth.

Luk 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

He honors faith.

Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

The seed.

Luk 8:11 Now the parable is this: [The seed is the word of God].

Our AWESOME GOD.

Luk 9:43 [And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God]. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

3.) The WORK in Jerusalem.

Chapters 9-19

Is Jesus in the (your) House.

Luk 10:6 And if [the son of peace] be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

Teach me to pray.

Luk 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, [teach us to pray], as John also taught his disciples.

Fear the Lord God.

Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Who binds us in sickness.

Luk 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, [whom Satan hath bound], lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

I must bear my own cross.

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Heaven rejoices with every salvation.

Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The law of Grace.

Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: [since that time the kingdom of God is preached], and every man presseth into it.

Don’t mess with God’s Children.

Luk 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Will there be anyone left who believes when He comes.

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Zacchaeus, get down out of that tree.

Luk 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Luk 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

4.) Jesus proves He is the Messiah.

Chapters 19-24

I was a wild colt one day.

Luk 19:33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
Luk 19:34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

He teaches the truth.

Luk 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

Tithing is giving part of what you need.

Luk 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Jesus Proves He is the Messiah.

Luk 22:34 And he said, [I tell thee], Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Jesus prophesied the future.

{The Rooster that preached to Peter and brought him under conviction}.

Luk 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

[Did God pinch that Chicken]

The future was just as Jesus said.

Peter remembered.

Luk 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. <
Luk 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

A true Christian cannot sin without and it not bother him. Conviction will eat you up.

The hypocrites true side shows.

Luk 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

Luk 23:10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

The Day of the Lord(Sunday)

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
Luk 24:3  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

5.) TO THE LOST:

THE BOOK OF LUKE PROVES I NEED A SAVIOUR.

6.) TO THE SAVED:

THE BOOK OF LUKE TELLS ME ” I NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN GOD’S WORK”.

Luk 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, [while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures]?

Luk 24:36 And as they thus spake, [Jesus himself stood in the midst of them], (and saith unto them, Peace be unto you).

Are you involved?

Amen