Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church Sermon Podcast

It is fitting for such a noble entry as that of our Lord Jesus, to be introduced in regal display. Hence God prepares for Jesus to be born by preparing His forerunner, John. In this message, we will look at the circumstances surrounding the birth of John the baptizer.

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to be one of His disciples. At that time tax collectors were viewed as sell-outs to the Roman empire by proper Jews. When Levi was called, he joyfully threw a party in honor of Jesus and invited all his friends: other unacceptables from society.

Paralysis today is a nearly incurable spinal injury that prevents the victim from moving and feeling. In the time of Jesus, it was entirely untreatable. This paralytic man had no hope of being restored, until one day when Jesus came to town. His friends carried him to Jesus and lowered him through the ceiling so that he could have a divine encounter. Jesus heals his injury, but also gives him something we all need, a healing in the soul.

Leprosy is an incurable and deadly skin disease that forced victims out of their community. In Jesus day, a man with leprosy came seeking cleansing. Jesus touched him, spoke with him, and healed him instantly.

Jesus calls His first three disciples, fisherman named Simon, James, and John. In calling them, He calls them and us to not only be disciples, but also to make disciples.

Jesus began teaching and healing in Capernaum. Luke outlines the events after the pattern in Luke 4:18, the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61.

Jesus was rejected by the people that knew Him best. Sometimes we are so familiar with Him and His teachings that we get a ho-hum attitude about Jesus.

Jesus was tempted to sin just like we are. How He withstood gives us insight into how we too can overpower our temptations.

Jesus identifies with us in many ways in this passage. He is baptized to connect with us. He is approved by Father and in Christ we are approved by the Father as well. He enters the human world through a genealogy in order to identify with us.

After he writes of the birth of Jesus, Luke now begins to tell the story of these two cousins grown up, John and Jesus. What was the purpose of John and his ministry? How did his preaching affect the people of Israel leading up to the public entrance of Jesus?

As we begin the Gospel of Luke, Luke introduces us to the main character, Jesus, as well as why he wrote the book.

Is it all up to us? To be convincing and winsome enough that someone would make a decision to trust Christ? NO! The Holy Spirit is the one that empowers believers and awakens recipients to follow Christ.

So we want to share the Good News with our friends - so what do we say?

Jonah is regretting that he was part of Gods plan. Are there reasons we hesitate to join the mission?

When God calls, we need to trust and follow. Obey Him and leave the results to Him.

When God forgives and restores us, He does so in order to send us into someone elses life to help them.

There are times when we know what God wants us to do and we do not want to obey. Do we run away or do we follow Him despite the difficulty?

God has promised His exiles deliverance from their adversity. As Daniel looked forward to the end of Babylonian captivity, let us look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus when He will make all things right!

In four major stories from Daniels life, God shows us how exiles need to be fearless as they represent Him to the world.

God wants us to use the opportunities to influence others for His Gospel. With God no chances are by chance!