The Power of Faith in Community
The Power of Faith in Community
Scripture
Luke 1:17
With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Observation
The prophetic word had come to Zechariah that he would have a son. This child would call out to the people and turn their hearts toward God. Revival would result in a restoration of family relationships, a reconciliation. Families and communities would corporately prepare to accept the coming Messiah.
Application
John's message of preparation rings through the ages and to us during this season of advent. It is a message of intergenerational hope to be found in the good news of Jesus Christ. It also points to the power which can be found in a multigenerational faith community. The young people are brought to Christ and will follow righteousness, while at the same time the older generation will begin to share or understand the views of the younger generation. The perspectives will be united because of Christ and the common mission of the gospel.
The presence of the Messiah points toward parental fidelity which occurs when Christ is the center of the home. The social corruption of the world will be hard pressed to break the bonds created in a strong community of faith. The greater the number of links within the community the more difficult it is to break. The enemy has been attacking the family unit on a massive scale. This battle is not to be fought alone, but as God's people unite, both as families and communities of faith; people of every generation and race, grounded in the Messiah. John was preparing the way, Jesus was making it a real possibility and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in the reality.
The prophetic voice is heard by us today. We must respond by intentionally working at our family relationships. Good marriages and parental relationships don't just happen by accident but by effort. Intergenerational worship won't just happen, but is possible when we respect one another and choose to learn from young and old. The power of the Holy Spirit emanating from a community of faith bound together in the purpose of knowing Christ is transformative. May our hearts be turned this advent season.
Prayer
Lord, please help me be still and listen to your voice and leading. May my home be a place that glorifies you. Amen.
Scripture
Luke 1:17
With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Observation
The prophetic word had come to Zechariah that he would have a son. This child would call out to the people and turn their hearts toward God. Revival would result in a restoration of family relationships, a reconciliation. Families and communities would corporately prepare to accept the coming Messiah.
Application
John's message of preparation rings through the ages and to us during this season of advent. It is a message of intergenerational hope to be found in the good news of Jesus Christ. It also points to the power which can be found in a multigenerational faith community. The young people are brought to Christ and will follow righteousness, while at the same time the older generation will begin to share or understand the views of the younger generation. The perspectives will be united because of Christ and the common mission of the gospel.
The presence of the Messiah points toward parental fidelity which occurs when Christ is the center of the home. The social corruption of the world will be hard pressed to break the bonds created in a strong community of faith. The greater the number of links within the community the more difficult it is to break. The enemy has been attacking the family unit on a massive scale. This battle is not to be fought alone, but as God's people unite, both as families and communities of faith; people of every generation and race, grounded in the Messiah. John was preparing the way, Jesus was making it a real possibility and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in the reality.
The prophetic voice is heard by us today. We must respond by intentionally working at our family relationships. Good marriages and parental relationships don't just happen by accident but by effort. Intergenerational worship won't just happen, but is possible when we respect one another and choose to learn from young and old. The power of the Holy Spirit emanating from a community of faith bound together in the purpose of knowing Christ is transformative. May our hearts be turned this advent season.
Prayer
Lord, please help me be still and listen to your voice and leading. May my home be a place that glorifies you. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment