Nov. 20, 2022

THE WORLD INTO WHICH JESUS WAS BORN PART 5       

A LIGHT IN THE DESERT

Isaiah 49:6 “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Matthew 5:14–15 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

- ISOLATION VS INSULATION

- Is the Goal of the Christian Life to become as Holy & Sinless as I can by the time I DIE?

- OR, is it to impact the World with the love of God, while seeking to walk with God?

- THE SCRIBES:

Luke 11:45-46 One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also." Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry.

- The ESSENES: 

- Essenes authority for moving to the Desert was taken from…

Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

John 1:22–23 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make straight the way for the Lord.

- Luke’s account adds John quoting more of that passage out of Isaiah 40…

Luke 3:6 And all people will see God’s salvation.

- And WHY is that so important? (Because John is reminding them that the purpose of Messiah is not just for the Jews, but for all people!)

Luke 3:10–14 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

John 17:15–21 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world… “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.