John the Baptist challenged a culture that was clinging to religion by pointing out their need for a Savior. His message of repentance - turning away from the things God calls sin - was preparing the way for Jesus and his ministry to come. His message is just as important for us today as it was for his audience 2,000 years ago.
As Highlands celebrates its 25th anniversary, it’s important to pause and remember God’s incredible, unwavering and overwhelming faithfulness to His church.
Even as a boy, Jesus recognized his purpose to represent the Kingdom of God coming down to earth. As a 12-year-old in the template, Jesus was giving the temple leaders (and his parents) a taste of his ministry to come, recognizing his call from the Father to seek and save the lost.
Even as a child, Jesus was making an impact on the world around him. Through the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph to God’s law, to the recognition by Simeon of God’s plan for salvation, we can see the value of answering God’s call on our lives. We’re encouraged to remain faithful as God works in, around, and through each one of us.
The humble birth of Jesus is so much more than a baby in a manger. As the heavenly host declares the arrival of Christ the Lord, we see the reaction of angels, shepherds, bystanders and Jesus’ mother - reactions of awe, wonder and celebration. When we come to understand who Jesus is and the salvation he brings, what will our reaction be?
In the midst of our day-to-day successes and struggles it can be easy to miss the larger story that God is weaving through our lives and the world around us. In the busyness of life, there’s value in taking time to pause and remember God’s goodness, watching Him work in us and the people around us.
God works through regular, humble people to do His work in the world. When Mary is told by the angel Gabriel that she’s been chosen to carry the Savior, her response is one of humility and willingness to serve as she gives God the glory. Her example serves as a great reminder that when God works through us, we should give Him our praise and worship.
God is faithful to keep His promises. As He orchestrates His plan and purposes throughout history, God proves His love for us as He hears our prayers and perfectly provides for us. As God reveals His answer to Zechariah’s prayer for a child, He reminds us all of His goodness.
The Gospel of Luke is the most detailed and comprehensive telling of the life and ministry of Jesus. It presents Jesus, the hero of the gospel, in every aspect: teacher, servant, healer, miracle worker, savior and king. A study of Luke’s gospel is to encounter the fullness of who Jesus is, leaving the reader with no choice but to make a decision: is Jesus your Lord?
The end of Jonah’s story reminds us of the danger of judging others as ‘unworthy’ of God’s grace. The truth is that we’re all sinners in need of God’s grace. The grace and mercy we receive through Jesus Christ should motivate us to want to share that good news with everyone around us, no matter our perception of them from the outside. Every person on earth is someone God desires to reach with His gospel. Will you go and tell who God is calling you to?
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