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Sunday School Special : Lesson 40

Text: Luke 1:76-80
27 December 2020

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 27 December 2020

Text: Luke 1:76-80

Subject: Future of John the Baptiser foretold

INTRODUCTION

1. We conclude our reading of the prophecy given by Zacharias

2. The ministry of the Holy Spirit

a) His work is needed
b) He needs to enlighten
c) He needs to empower
d) This is done by “filling”

3. Prophecies

a) Concerning what God was going to do (Luke 1:68-75)
b) Concerning the infant John (Luke 1:76-79)

THE FUTURE MINISTRY OF JOHN

1. He will become a prophet of the Highest (Luke 1:76a)

a) The Highest
This is a reference to God
b) A prophet
i) A servant of God
ii) Special ministry of prophesying
iii) A special status in this context

2. Prophets

a) Their ministries including prophesying
b) Their ministry also includes preaching
c) They fulfil special roles assigned to them
d) Some were non-writing prophets
i) Elijah
ii) Elisha
e) Others were writing prophets
i) Isaiah
ii) Jeremiah

3. John’s role as a special prophet of God

a) This was already made known by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:15-17)
i) He will be great in the sight of the Lord
ii) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit
iii) He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God
iv) He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah 
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
v) And the disobedient to the wisdom of the just
vi) To make ready a people prepared for the Lord
b) Zacharias did not believe the word of the angel Gabriel at first
c) Now Zacharias speaks as a prophet of God predicting the future ministry of John, his infant son 
i) He will go before the face of the Lord (Luke 1:76b)
ii) He will prepare His ways (Luke 1:76c)
iii) He will give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of sins (Luke 1:77)
d) The greater ministry of the Messiah
i) The great mercy of God would be shown
“the tender mercy of our God” Luke 1:78a
ii) The Dayspring from on High has visited us (Luke 1:78b)
iii) To give light to those who sit in darkness (Luke 1:79a)
iv) And the shadow of death (Luke 1:79b)
v) To guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79d)

THE NECESSARY GROWTH OF JOHN

1. The child grew (Luke 1:80a)

2. And became strong in spirit (Luke 1:80b)

SPECIAL PREPARATION

1. In the deserts

2. Till the day of his manifestation to Israel (Luke 1:80c)

LESSONS THAT ARE APPLICABLE

1. The Plan of God

a) There is always a plan
b) The challenge is finding knowledge and wisdom

2. The Power of God

a) This is needed
b) It is to be found in being Spirit-filled

3. The People chosen by God

a) Chosen for salvation
b) Chosen for service

4. A Program for Growth

a) Knowledge
b) Faith
c) Strength
d) Service