Post by Les Brewer on Apr 1, 2014 13:11:03 GMT
Grace Ministries Facebook Bible Study
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part 2)
“For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
John’s ministry is prophesied in Isaiah 40:3-5 which states, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed , and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” John, because of his upbringing, was acutely aware of the class distinctions of that society and religious system. He had been in a position to observe how the poor and the rich were treated by the religious leaders of that day. Isaiah’s word picture here of the valley mountain, hill, the crooked and the rough places depicts men from every walk of life. John’s assignment from God was to prepare the hearts of men from all walks of life for the coming of the Messiah. His message proclaimed that the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ brings everyone on even ground. That message has not changed. There is no big “I” and little “you.” I would like for you to ponder these questions. Are there class distinctions within the local church today? My brothers and sisters take an honest look at your church is there class distinctions within your church?
“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”
As mentioned in part one of this study, John was courageous enough to renounced the comforts of his Levitical inheritance and accepting God’s call on his life. God called him out and set him apart. He was ordained to live different, dress different, and God even gave him a specific and very different diet. John was not afraid to be different. Has God called you out set you apart? Has He called you to eat differently, dress differently, and live differently? Has he called you out of the traditionalism of the church? Do you hear the Lord saying to you “Be not afraid?” Our God is calling some out to be different and your difference is going to impact the world. John’s message and his difference impacted the world around him as we can observe in the next verse.
“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,”
John’s difference made a difference. The people of that day were looking for truth and were not finding it in the religious system of that day. The anointing of God that was on John drew people from all over the region. They came out of the beautiful temples and synagogues into the wilderness to hear this anointed man of God. He spoke truth. He had no gimmicks, no programs. He had the Spirit of God and the truth. My brothers and sisters that is all you need, the anointing of God and the truth and the people will be draw by God’s Spirit to you. So many are seeking truth and have been and are completely disillusioned by the church. God is calling you to reach them. I said at the onset of this study that being obedient to the Lord is always a rewarding experience. If He has called you out be obedient and experience the awesomeness of our God.
Join us next time for part 3 of Matthew 3. Do not be afraid to be different, it is part of your anointing.
Discipleship the Way Jesus Did It
Matthew 3 (part 2)
“For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
John’s ministry is prophesied in Isaiah 40:3-5 which states, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed , and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” John, because of his upbringing, was acutely aware of the class distinctions of that society and religious system. He had been in a position to observe how the poor and the rich were treated by the religious leaders of that day. Isaiah’s word picture here of the valley mountain, hill, the crooked and the rough places depicts men from every walk of life. John’s assignment from God was to prepare the hearts of men from all walks of life for the coming of the Messiah. His message proclaimed that the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ brings everyone on even ground. That message has not changed. There is no big “I” and little “you.” I would like for you to ponder these questions. Are there class distinctions within the local church today? My brothers and sisters take an honest look at your church is there class distinctions within your church?
“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”
As mentioned in part one of this study, John was courageous enough to renounced the comforts of his Levitical inheritance and accepting God’s call on his life. God called him out and set him apart. He was ordained to live different, dress different, and God even gave him a specific and very different diet. John was not afraid to be different. Has God called you out set you apart? Has He called you to eat differently, dress differently, and live differently? Has he called you out of the traditionalism of the church? Do you hear the Lord saying to you “Be not afraid?” Our God is calling some out to be different and your difference is going to impact the world. John’s message and his difference impacted the world around him as we can observe in the next verse.
“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,”
John’s difference made a difference. The people of that day were looking for truth and were not finding it in the religious system of that day. The anointing of God that was on John drew people from all over the region. They came out of the beautiful temples and synagogues into the wilderness to hear this anointed man of God. He spoke truth. He had no gimmicks, no programs. He had the Spirit of God and the truth. My brothers and sisters that is all you need, the anointing of God and the truth and the people will be draw by God’s Spirit to you. So many are seeking truth and have been and are completely disillusioned by the church. God is calling you to reach them. I said at the onset of this study that being obedient to the Lord is always a rewarding experience. If He has called you out be obedient and experience the awesomeness of our God.
Join us next time for part 3 of Matthew 3. Do not be afraid to be different, it is part of your anointing.
