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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
When John the Baptist, or 'John the plunger' walked onto the scene his preaching was not only challenging but radical. There had never been anything approaching this for many years. This passage may shock and may cause questions to arise. Good questions can be good and healthy and for most good questions there are sound solid answers, so never be afraid to ask. In Luke Chapter 3 and at verse 7, John addresses repenting needy sinners as a generation of vipers. Have you just come to escape the horrors of judgment? Have you just come to escape the coming judgment of… ( Click for more )
Waiting for Almighty God to move anew and afresh is seldom easy.
Waiting for Almighty God to answer prayer can present us with a real challenge.
Waiting for Almighty God to act almost requires a very special quality of believer and discipleship.
We see this in the life of John in Luke Chapter 3, and we see it in the lives of the disciples of Jesus in Acts Chapter 2. And, are there not profound glimpses of this in Acts Chapters 9,10 and 13, when people were expectantly awaiting a move of God and not knowing what might be involved.
This is why it is so… ( Click for more )
Having been studying these opening two Chapters of Luke, let’s continue in Luke. It is good to read and study the Gospels because the Gospels keep us focused upon what are the basics and sometimes we can move away from these too easily and seek that illusive notion of ‘the deeper life’!
It is also good to ask good questions and if you have good questions do ask them. For most of the questions we have, there are sound solid answers.
The Gospels remind us how our Christian Faith was birthed and launched and of course we also need the book of Acts too… ( Click for more )
We are reading in Luke Chapter 1 verses 57 – 80, where we read of the birth of the baby who grew up to become known as John the Baptist. So much has been going on - we have looked at some of those events which happened over these weeks and months, as God was preparing the way for John and Jesus to walk onto the world’s stage.
Angels - appearing in the Temple - and to Mary at Nazareth - the reactions of the individuals involved - the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary - so much was going on.
Time has come for Elizabeth to give birth to John. It is a real family affair.… ( Click for more )
In Luke Chapter 1 verse 39, we read of Mary making her way to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth at Ein Karen, a village outside Jerusalem and around 70 miles south of Nazareth. Some 9 months later this same virgin, Mary, would make the 80 miles journey south, with Joseph, to Bethlehem.
Mary arrives at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth, and greets Elizabeth. Mary knows all about Elizabeth, but Elizabeth knows nothing about Mary. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she speaks with a loud voice… ( Click for more )
We were reading in Luke Chapter 1, of how the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple while he was going about his duties leading the people in prayer and worship, and because Zechariah did not fully believe what the angel had said, he was given a sign. He was struck dumb and would remain silent until what God had said would happen actually happened. Dr Luke then tells us that his wife, Elizabeth, conceived.
Now, we have been through Luke Chapter 2 and part of Luke Chapter 1, but we did not have the opportunity to complete Chapter 1.
Verse 26. Six months later,… ( Click for more )
Many people are very interested in signs and wonders and superficial ‘spiritual’ excitement, but this is very different.
We have been reading in Luke Chapter 2, but now we return to complete Chapter 1 before going on with our studies in the book of Revelation.
In Luke Chapter 1 at verse 17, we learn that one main task of John’s ministry was to prepare a people for the coming of Jesus Christ. This is part of our ministry - TO MAKE A PEOPLE READY FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD.
After all this had been announced concerning the birth of John, Zechariah, this… ( Click for more )
We move on to Luke Chapter 2 and verse 40, where we read that the child, Jesus, grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Here we see Jesus growing in every way. In Jesus, there is a perfect development and balanced growth, physically, emotionally, socially and of course, spiritually.
Sometimes we see young people develop in a few of these ways, but Jesus shows us how we can grow and mature in various areas of our lives.
Place some people, who think they are so able, capable and mature, in a Prayer Meeting, and they become… ( Click for more )
As we launch out into this New Year may there be that dedication and commitment in your heart and mind to serve our living God, faithfully and loyally and obediently and graciously.
We are in Luke Chapter 2 and at verse 25, we read of an old man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and godly. He was waiting to see the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord and to make the required sacrifice, and this man Simeon had been waiting for this very moment.
Do you notice how Luke uses the word… ( Click for more )
We come to Luke Chapter 2 and verses 21 to 40. Amazing circumstances surrounded John when he was 8 days old. Let’s look at the amazing and wonderful things which happened, and which were said, when Jesus was 8 days old.
When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.
These verses will appear quite unfamiliar to many. This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just a week after the angels appeared to the shepherds. I am not aware… ( Click for more )
Many will be considering preaching on, and teaching and speaking about, the birth of Jesus Christ over these next few days.
We will come back to Luke Chapter 1, but because of the time of year, let us move into Luke Chapter 2, although we do need to remember too that Jesus was not born in ‘December’ but more likely during the Feast of Tabernacles.
In Luke Chapter 2 we read of a ruler issuing a decree. Everyone in the Roman Empire is to be registered. Caesar Augustus orders a census, and this involves all the heads of households - all the men folks - to… ( Click for more )
We are reading and studying these opening verses of Luke Chapter 1. Zechariah was a faithful priest in a day when there was not a lot of faithfulness around.
I wonder how many people thought, “Look at that silly old priest going away to conduct a service - and say prayers - and preach something - a message - which no-one really wants to hear.” How many people might say that of us as we meet for Worship and Prayer week by week?
Ignore it - forget it - overlook it. Let people say what they want. If you know you are right in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ,… ( Click for more )
As we move into December let us take time, and set aside time, to consider what the Scripture actually teaches regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. We will look afresh and anew in the Gospel of Luke.
We need to know and our people need to know the facts, as compared with the rumours and myths and legends and superficial assumptions which have been received and embraced over these past years.
Many people had been writing about Jesus, and writing about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We have some of these writings.
There were many rumours going around - many myths… ( Click for more )
There are times when we do not need to get anything from the Service of Praise and Worship. There can be Sundays and occasions when gather, with only one thing in our hearts, and that is to give to Him. Praise Him. Worship Him. Thank Him. Tell Him what you think of Him, and how much He means to you. Never mind about getting anything, just be concerned about giving Him praise and glory. Concentrate on Him. You will not go away empty. We can never give God more than He gives us. There is that sense here of moving from singing, to praise, and into… ( Click for more )
The book of Revelation is a book of blessing - a book of Grace and Peace - and not confusion, perplexity and puzzlement. Verse 3. There appears to be a special blessing for those who turn to this book. It is unique, so you take it to heart, and allow it to shape you and fashion your life and mould your thinking. Verse 4. This amazing book comes from John, and John is so positive. Even when in prison on the isle of Patmos, there is no bitterness - no rancour - in no way whatsoever is he negative - but he declares God's holy Word. It is a word to a cluster… ( Click for more )
We have done 84 studies in these first 14Chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. Let's take a break, and turn to the book of Revelation. Revelation Chapter 1, and here, right at the beginning of Chapter 1, we see God giving a word to Jesus, and Jesus gives this word to an angel, and the angel shares it with John, and John writes it all down, so that we can read something right from the Throne of the God the Father. We see here the eternal submission of the equal Son to the Father, which we read of in John's Gospel too, and it is sheer mystery. In the Gospel it is… ( Click for more )
We have been reading and studying in Matthew Chapter 14, and looking at the corresponding passage in John Chapter 6, and now we are in the middle of the Lake of Galilee, in a storm, and Jesus comes walking on the water, and calls Peter to come to Him having given reassurance as to who it is. We all need reassurance.
In verse 30, we read of what has been called the failure of faith as Peter saw the consequences of the storm. Peter was suddenly assailed by fear and doubt, and fear engulfed him.
Faith has begun to fail, and doubt has begun to choke faith, and Jesus… ( Click for more )
That evening, following the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 men, the disciples sailed off across the lake, but without Jesus Christ.
Now that is always a dangerous thing to do – to move off and away without Jesus.
It was dark, and on that lake, some 13 miles by 8 miles, a storm arose, and they are in danger of losing their lives.
These tough seasoned fishermen were only three miles or so from the shore – right in the middle of the lake. They are worn out – weary – and getting nowhere – when they see a figure walking on the water… ( Click for more )
What do we learn here from this miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 men, plus women and children? We are in Matthew Chapter 14, and we have also read John Chapter 6.
We are given an amazing insight into Jesus’ knowledge of people. Jesus knew their needs. Jesus knew they were hungry.
Jesus knows when we are hungry and in need.
He knew His disciples were in danger, when they sailed off on the Lake of Galilee, without Him.
He knows too when we are afraid – or when we are about to fail – or when we are lonely or insecure – or in danger.… ( Click for more )
This incident where 5,000 men are fed is called a miracle.
Many years ago at a young folks Bible Class we agreed that “A miracle is God at work”. Is that not such an easy description of what happened in Matthew Chapter 14? We do not know how many women and children were present, but they too would receive what Jesus realised they needed to receive, to strengthen them and nourish them on that occasion.
Jesus wanted no-one to leave unfed – unfilled – dissatisfied – ever – not when He is around. Jesus continues to have that concern… ( Click for more )
We are moving on to Matthew Chapter 14 and verse 13. The setting is after the death of John the Baptist and Jesus continues ministering. Nothing would put Jesus off. It was as if Jesus wanted to get away and be on His own. His cousin had just been beheaded.
It is as if He is being interrupted, but He had compassion upon needy people.
Nevertheless the crowds came. Jesus welcomed them, and spoke to them, healing those who needed healing. Wonderful!
He feeds them with spiritual food, and, when they are hungry He feeds them with physical from what is available… ( Click for more )
We are in Matthew Chapter 14 and we have been reading the various aspects of this complex passage about John and Jesus Christ and King Herod and his wife Herodias. It is not the passage we might choose as our favourite one on which to preach and teach, but we must be faithful to the whole of the Word of God. People need to be taught and informed from every part of the Word of God.
Share this and preach this and teach this and let these truths from the Word of God be proclaimed and published abroad, because people do need to know the truth and it is our task and… ( Click for more )
We are in Matthew Chapter 14, and we have been reminded that John the Baptist did not preach a nice comfortable message, and nor would he do so to Herod and Herodias, and he had an extraordinary price to pay for his ministry of the Word of God.
Herod reveals just how weak and how easily influenced a man can be at times. It was his father who arranged that appalling slaughter of the children at the birth of Jesus. It was Herod who handed Jesus over to be crucified.
A weakened will can do such destructive damage.
Herod did have a fear of John and tried to protect… ( Click for more )
John the Baptist had been beheaded but the living Lord Jesus Christ is now going around preaching and healing and exercising a most powerful ministry and the man who was responsible for the death of John, King Herod, is deeply troubled. Yes, kill a prophetic John and you have a Jesus to reckon with.
Kill a prophet and you have to face the living God.
It is possible to kill a messenger of God, but the Holy Spirit enables the message to live on.
John had lived a selfless and sacrificial life. John had brought the Word of God at a time when the Word of God, coming… ( Click for more )
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