2023/09/09 - Luke 3: John the Baptist & Jesus’s Baptism & Genealogy
Jerry Starling
Online Activity Today
Daily Check-in at 8:30 a.m. I.D. 846 941 77976 Passcode: meet
Reading: Luke 3 – John the Baptist & Jesus’s Baptism & Genealogy
Verse for Today:
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)
Daily Devo
John Appears
“The word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
This was in the fifteenth year of Caesar Tiberius, which would be 28 or 29 AD during the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.
He came as it is written in Isaiah, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’
John said to the crowds, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’ for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.”
The Axe at the Root
Every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. The crowds asked what they should do. John said, “He who has two coats must share with anyone who has none. Whoever has food must do likewise."
Tax collectors coming for baptism asked, “What should we do?” John said, “Collect no more that is prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked, “What should we do?” John said, “Do not extort money from anyone by false accusations and be content with your wages.”
People wondered if John might be the Messiah. John said the one coming after him is more powerful than I, “and I am not worthy to untie his thong. I baptize in water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a blessing given by Jesus (1 Cor 12:12-13). Baptism in fire is punishment, for it is unfruitful trees that are cut down and thrown into the fire (v. 9). Those who pray for baptism in fire do not know what they are doing.
Jesus’s Baptism
When Jesus was baptized and was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased.”
John’s Imprisonment
John gave many exhortations and proclaimed the gospel. “Herod had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and after all the evil things he had done, added to them by shutting John in prison.”
Jesus’s Genealogy
Luke’s genealogy of Jesus traces Mary’s lineage back to David through David’s son Nathan and goes past Abraham to Adam “who was the Son of God.”
This chapter has more of John the Baptist than of Jesus. Jesus’s baptism and genealogy plus John’s testimony about Jesus being greater than he and that He would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire is all there was of Jesus. Jesus is center stage after this.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Pray for Yourself
Father, John the Baptist was so humble before Jesus, and it is his humility that I need. Do what it takes for me to find humility such as John had. In the precious, holy name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!
My Prayer for You (and for me)
Father, I offer this prayer for all who may read these words. May each of us meditate on the relationship between Jesus and John. Jesus was baptized by John, though John thought that he needed to be baptized by Jesus. And from prison, John showed some doubt. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!
Updates for Central
Top Golf at ½ Price on Sept. 12th at Top Golf off Lake Emma Road in Lake Mary. Be there at 7:00 p.m. Signup sheet in the church Lobby.
Ladies Book Club Night is also on Sept. 12th at 7:30 p.m. The study is the book Pursuing Contentment. The group meets on Zoom the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. Zoom Meeting I.D. 919 473 5097 Use Password: kidsmeet.
The Kid’s Club is on Saturday, September 16 from 6:00-8:00 pm., ages five to twelve. Melissa Knowles will be the teacher. Kids can come and have fun while Mom & Dad relax.
Mission Romania Jerry Holder will have a report on his Romanian work at the Morning service on September 17. He was there in July.
Sunday Night for the Master will be on September 17. Light snacks will be provided following the evening worship.
Our Donation for Eastern European Mission’s Million Dollar Sunday will be on September 24. The entire contribution that day will go to EEM for Bibles in the old Soviet bloc of nations in Eastern Europe. Last year increased by 24% over 2021 with the most Bibles ever given away at about 1,964,000 Bibles distributed. They are hoping for more this year. What began as smuggling Bibles, after the fall of Communism, became an open mission with public schools and many other clients asking for Bibles, which EEM provides free of charge.
The Next Fellowship Lunch will follow the Morning Service on Sunday, September 24.
Prayer Needs
Tina Phillips tested positive for Covid Tuesday. Tom said she is tired but so far he has not caught it. Pray for her and for Tom that he does not get it.
Pat Duncan’s friend’s grandchild, Daniel, is home. Keep the family in your prayers.
Shane Ledford tested positive for Covid Friday morning, a week ago, and Tom followed the next day. Pray for both Ledford's.
Susan Allen came home Thursday following her procedure. Keep her in your prayers.
Cindi Criss had her surgical procedure Friday, late in the day, stayed two nights in the hospital, but was discharged on Sunday, September 3. Keep her in your prayers.
Jennifer San Juan asked for more prayer for her daughter, Dawn. She is not doing very well, and Jennifer is deeply concerned. Keep them in your prayers.
Carl Bolli asks for prayers, as he fell a few weeks ago. He missed his CAT scan d/t the storm and is rescheduled for September 8. Keep him in your prayers.
Joan Berry, Joanna Turner’s Mother, needs our prayers.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. Ruth said he is in rehab, and they are looking for a nursing home for him. Their daughter is also still recuperating from her broken ankle. She needs prayers as does the whole family.
Kristi Holder says she is really improving with her neck but is tired of the neck brace. She will have the hard brace until the end of October, so she still has weeks of wearing that brace. Keep her in your prayers.
Joy Bland found she has a broken bone in her foot that requires a boot to help it heal. She will have it for about six weeks and had a CAT scan. She is considering further treatment.
Gale Harnish is home, but not well. Keep her in your prayers.
Susan Allen’s sister Debi is not well at all. Please remember her in your prayers.
Please let us know when you have events to publicize, are in the hospital, or are sick and need prayers. If you request prayer for someone, let us know when to take them off the prayer list. You can contact me by text or phone at 407-453-5392.