Week #34 – A Prophet of the Most High

Luke 1:76-80 – And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.    

 

Zechariah’s prophetic utterance now directly addresses his infant son John, declaring his mission and purpose as the forerunner to the Messiah.  About thirty years before it would happen, John’s father prophecies that “he will be called a prophet of the Most High” and that “he will prepare the way” for the coming of the Lord.  This description of John’s ministry role should fit the job description of every minister of the Gospel.  Every minister of the Gospel should be called a prophet of the Most High.  It is our role to prepare the way before the Lord, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.  We have no other message, no other mission!  It is imperative that Gospel preachers and teachers recognize and declare the tender mercy of our God in sending the Light (His Son) from heaven for the benefit of those living in darkness and heading to destruction, that they may be guided into the path of peace and safety.

Peter modeled this kind of ministry on the day of Pentecost as he admonished his hearers, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38.  This is the message of the first Gospel preachers and teachers and is repeated often in Peter’s ministry.  It is noted again when he first proclaimed the Good News to the gentile Cornelius and his household (Acts 10).  He exalted Jesus as Savior and Lord as he proclaimed to them salvation through the forgiveness of their sins in His Name.  Anyone who is called a minister of the Gospel must understand this subordinate role to the Most High!  We have no other mission or purpose than to prepare people’s hearts and minds to believe and receive salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.  “There is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved!” – Acts 4:12. 

Even as Andrew’s first mission and ministry was to bring his brother, Peter, to Jesus, so it is the same for us.  No matter how bright and charismatic one may be, there is only ONE SAVIOR who has the words of eternal life!  Like the Apostle Paul, we should resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified – 1 Corinthians 2:2.  Any minister of the Gospel who may find this mission and message insufficient has not spent enough time living in the desert, growing and becoming strong in spirit, before they begin their public ministry!

 

Thursday:                                                                                                         

• Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
• Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.         

Friday:                                         

• Give thanks for those who have helped pave the way in your life for you to know Christ.
• Pray for the Good News families of the week: Ben & Jen Martin (Emma, Grace, Benjie, Callie), Barr & Sherry Miesch, Laura Mohr.

Saturday:       

• Thank God for His mercy and His salvation!

Sunday:                                                                      

• Pray for those ministers of the Gospel, that they may effectively prepare people’s hearts to receive God’s salvation in Christ Jesus through the forgiveness of their sins.

 Monday:                                                                                              

• Pray that your own testimony may help others come to a saving knowledge of Christ and an intimate relationship with Him!
• Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.

 Tuesday:       

• Praise God for shining His Light into our sinful world so that we might be called out of darkness into His glorious light!

Wednesday:   

• Pray that your feet may be guided into the path of peace!

 

Prayer Challenge: We have heard the joyful sound, “Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!”  Spread these glad tidings all around, “Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!”  Spread the news to every land!  Climb the mountains, cross the waves; onward ‘tis our Lord’s command – “Jesus Saves!  Jesus Saves!”  HE STILL DOES!