Early in his ministry Jesus sent his followers out into the world to be salt and light. He was training men and women who would start the church later, he was sending laborers into the field. We must be about his Father’s business.
The Kingdom has come and the Kingdom is coming. All according to the Father’s time table.
Make Jesus Known is the theme for this year’s Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. It may seem early but Easter is March 31st so it’s only a few weeks away. The week of prayer for North American Missions will be March 3 – 10. We will be sharing stats about the work done in previous years, missionary stories, specific ways to pray and more. The national offering goal is $75 million.
Jesus said at age 12 that he must be about his Father’s business. It is clear during the earthly ministry of Jesus that the Father was in the driver’s seat. He had a purpose and a plan and the 40 day fast, ending with being tempted by Satan himself, was part of that plan.
This sermon is not about the baptism of Jesus but rather John the Baptist and the message he preaches. John prophesies about the ministry of Jesus; he will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire but also of his role as righteous judge. Our work is not to judge but to warn that Jesus will. Jesus elaborates in parables found in Matthew 13.
At the age of twelve, confused as to why his parents were looking for him, Jesus stated that he must be about his Father’s business. We are going to spend the next few weeks considering what that meant for him and what it means for us. We must be about the Father’s business.
The Bible is the written Word of God. Jesus is the incarnate Word of God. Today’s sermon is a little different than our usual fare. I share some of my personal testimony with a focus on Bibles that I have been given over the years. Several events in my life – the night I was saved, college graduation and my ordination into the ministry – were marked with pastors or churches giving me a Bible. I don’t want to take any gift for granted, especially a Bible, so I have worked hard to make each of those gifts count.
There are many things we do not know about the wise men but of course their visit is recorded in Matthew 2 for a reason. The most important things to focus on are what we do know, and we do know that wise men came looking for Jesus, found him and fell down in worship.
Last week we looked at the prophecies of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and Mary’s Song of Praise the Magnificat. 40 days after Jesus was born Joseph and Mary met two individuals at the temple, Simeon and Anna, and found the Holy Spirit still at work.
The Song of Mary, also known as the Magnificat, and Zechariah’s prophecy regarding the ministry of John the Baptist are both found in Luke 1. Let’s spend some time in these passages on this Christmas Eve meditating on what God is about to do in the world.
Unity Baptist Church 