Christmas Time with John the Baptist for 12/6/2009
Introduction:
A preacher got up around this time of the year and said, “Today we are going to talk about the special birth of a baby boy over 2,000 years ago. His birth was predicted by the Old Testament prophets. An angel appeared to the father and told him what to name the baby. Once the child was born, the Lord’s hand was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit.” What is the name of that special baby? John the Baptist
Let’s spend some Christmas time with John the Baptist
WBTU:
A. Luke and Matthew tell us the story of Jesus’ birth. Luke also tells us about the birth of John the Baptist and we often leave it out. Luke 1 weaves the two births together.
B. Read Luke 1:5-25, 57-66, 80
C. Go back to vs. 17. This is a partial fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6- read it.
D. The last words of the OT talk about another Elijah coming. 400 years has passed since that prophecy. In anticipation of this, Jewish homes set a place at the table for Elijah at Passover, just in case he might come on that night to announce the news that Messiah has come. An empty chair and a cup that is filled but never drank is a testimony to their anticipation of Elijah’s coming.
E. Jesus said about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11-14- read it.
F. If we compare the life and ministry of Elijah from the OT with John the Baptist we see many similarities. Wild guys- unconventional, lacking in social graces.
G. (Mat 3:4 NIV) John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
H. Getting back to Malachi 4:6 and Luke 1:17- How does all of this apply to families?
Thesis: How did John the Baptist fulfill this mission of turning the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers?
For instances:
I. We see it happening in John’s family
A. What kind of a relationship did Zechariah and Elizabeth have with John?
B. Considering that they did not think they could have children and then to be blessed with this child, I am sure they spent a lot of time with him. Don’t know how many years they had with him because they would have been dead by the time that John began his public ministry to Israel. Made every moment count!
C. (Psa 127:3 NIV) Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
D. They raised him in the ways of the Lord- Luke 1:6. Also, (Deu 11:19 NIV) Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
E. We take our children to church and to youth group. The church will teach them the Bible. No, it is the parent’s responsibility. Church is to help but not main source.
F. (Eph 6:4 NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
II. By his message of repentance
A. From Malachi 4:6 and Luke 1:17, turning the hearts is an image of repenting. What does repentance have to do with the family?
D. Creighton Beatty- If men repented and cleaned up their acts, cleaned up their homes, then future generations would be blessed by a dad who has gotten right with God and gotten his home back together.
E. Heath Vogel- The repentance that John taught would bring about a change in heart and lifestyle, which in turn would impact the family. For example, when dad gets right with God it will improve his relationships with his kids and vice versa.
F. Dan Wagner- Along with repentance comes restored relationships.
B. Read Luke 3:2-3, 7-14
C. Ronnie Woolard- John’s message was one of repentance. John gave to those who asked him guidance on what true repentance looks like in their lives. His response included different things to different groups of people. From that you could surmise that a lot of John’s preaching focused on practical matters of daily living which would naturally include family relationships.
G. Charles Francis Adams, a 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted.” His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still inexistence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: “Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!”
H. On the TV show, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, they took a poll of 8 to 12 year olds and asked them, “What do you most enjoy about the holidays?” A) Decorating the house B) Spending time with family and relatives C) Receiving presents. What do you think most of the children said? Answer: B.
I. At Christmas time the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children and vice versa. Such sentiment is somewhat unique to Christianity. Before the gospel of Jesus Christ came to the Auca Indians of Ecuador (from the movie End of the Spear), the parents would laugh when their children stepped barefooted upon a hot coal. Children, under certain circumstances and in that culture, could bury their parents alive and they would show no remorse. Both of these concepts are inconceivable in a Christian community.
J. An awful rift exists between generations, between parents who in their selfish pursuits have set aside their children, and children who in their selfish pursuits have set aside their parents. This is just one of the consequences of our selfish and materialist age. Only way to bridge generation gap is through self sacrifice and humility.
III. He took a stand for the Biblical family
A. Read Luke 3:19-20
B. The family of Herod the Great (the ruler at the time of the birth of John) was worse than any soap opera. Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, had several half brothers, and one of them, Philip, was married to a woman named Herodias. Herod Antipas became infatuated with Herodias, who being an ambition woman, agreed to divorce her husband and marry him, if he got rid of his present wife. After divorcing his wife, Herod Antipas eventually got his beloved Herodias. Only John had the courage to bring this affair to light and for his trouble he was thrown into prison and eventually beheaded.
C. Herod was a Jew. He was supposed to follow the laws of God. Leviticus 18 gives laws condemning sexual relations outside of marriage. Here is one that applies here: (Lev 18:16 NIV) “’Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
D. This situation was against the Biblical understanding of a family. One man and one woman, who come together in marriage for as long as they both shall live, and from this union they have children.
E. In recent years we have people who are trying to redefine what a marriage and what a family is. Homosexuality, bisexuality, polygamy, and the like are against God’s design.
F. Most families do not have a problem with this, but almost every family has been affected by divorce. 4 Christmases is a movie (I haven’t seen it) about one couple who has to go to 4 Christmas celebrations; One for her mother, one for her father, one for his mother, one for his father because all of them are divorced. Does anyone see a problem?
H. (Mal 2:15 NIV) Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.(Mal 2:16 NIV) "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.
I. Seeking godly offspring- Many problems caused for children because of divorce. When the family is in turmoil because of these things, we see the words of Malachi 4:6 coming true. There is a curse upon the land.
J. I have messed up. Some things cannot be repaired, be faithful today.
K. Word to parents, turn your hearts to your children: don’t give them the leftovers of your life. Don’t be unkind. Don’t constantly criticize. Let the bitterness go, at least from your side forgive, and role the burden onto God.
L. And the word to children is this: turn your hearts toward your parents. Don’t rebel, obey! If older (like John the Baptist’s parents) don’t forget them or neglect them, care for them. Bad relationship with parents- the road to restoration may be as long as life. Give up feeling like the victim and seek reconciliation.
Conclusion and invitation:
A. (2 Cor 5:19 NIV) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
B. First be reconciled to God- 2 Corinthians 5:20
C. Then be reconciled to others. (James 3:18 NIV) Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
D. (Luke 3:8 NIV) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
E. (Luke 3:16 NIV) John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
F. Fire could refer to judgement. Fire could refer the Holy Spirit burning away impurities in our lives. But I like to think of a fireplace where people gather around and warm themselves. The Lord warms up our hearts to others like our brothers and sisters in Christ, our immediate families, and our spouses.
