Word@Work Luke 18 - Luke 1:69-75
Published: Fri, 01/15/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SALVATION DESCRIBED
Luke 1:69-75 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us - to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (NIV)
Zechariah now believed that God's Word was true: he had moved from doubt to faith, from silence to open confession. He was filled with the Holy Spirit who put God's words into his mouth. And so the father of John the Baptist was privileged to start the prophetic ministry which John would continue. Zechariah's prophecy remained in the family archives (and our Bible), and would have been a ministry model and encouragement to John long after his father's death. Fathers: the best way to encourage your children in ministry is to do it yourself!
As Zechariah praised God, he also described the nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. Firstly, it is a 'horn' - that means it is strong to overcome every enemy. Secondly, it is the same salvation which has been consistently prophesied through the Old Testament. Thirdly, it is to rescue us from our greatest enemy, the devil and the fatal darkness of his kingdom. Fourthly, it vindicates the faith of God's servants (see Hebrews chapter 11). Fifthly, it is the active fulfilment of God's promises (and the covenant to Abraham, in Genesis 12:1-3, included Jews and Gentiles) to redeem his people. Sixthly, it takes away our terror of God's judgement. Seventhly, it not only rescues us from sin and Satan, but establishes us as God's holy people who live in His righteousness and learn to serve Him in a right way. All of that describes the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more).
So, salvation through Christ not only provides release from the devilish magnet which is dragging the world to hell with him, it also commissions us to serve God in a way which pleases Him, and without dreading His wrath. These are the believer's great privileges, but they are linked and must not be separated. Rescue from Satan's slavery is also our commission to serve the Lord. It was never His intention for us to escape the clutches of hell in order to serve our own interests. Alas for many, the church has become a playground for self-indulgence and power, rather than a training camp for the battleground of spiritual warfare. Those who have misunderstood salvation or ignored its meaning should repent and start to serve the Lord. And don't forget that He provides as many opportunities for service at work as in the church; so look out for them today!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for Your salvation which was Your plan to lift me out of the slimy mud of sin, so that I can be secure in fulfilling Your purposes. Please forgive me when I take the privilege of salvation but fail to give myself wholeheartedly to your service. Help me to value the honour of being Your child, that I will want to work with You, to Your praise and glory. Please help me to see those opportunities for service which You have arranged for me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Zechariah now believed that God's Word was true: he had moved from doubt to faith, from silence to open confession. He was filled with the Holy Spirit who put God's words into his mouth. And so the father of John the Baptist was privileged to start the prophetic ministry which John would continue. Zechariah's prophecy remained in the family archives (and our Bible), and would have been a ministry model and encouragement to John long after his father's death. Fathers: the best way to encourage your children in ministry is to do it yourself!
As Zechariah praised God, he also described the nature of salvation through Jesus Christ. Firstly, it is a 'horn' - that means it is strong to overcome every enemy. Secondly, it is the same salvation which has been consistently prophesied through the Old Testament. Thirdly, it is to rescue us from our greatest enemy, the devil and the fatal darkness of his kingdom. Fourthly, it vindicates the faith of God's servants (see Hebrews chapter 11). Fifthly, it is the active fulfilment of God's promises (and the covenant to Abraham, in Genesis 12:1-3, included Jews and Gentiles) to redeem his people. Sixthly, it takes away our terror of God's judgement. Seventhly, it not only rescues us from sin and Satan, but establishes us as God's holy people who live in His righteousness and learn to serve Him in a right way. All of that describes the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more).
So, salvation through Christ not only provides release from the devilish magnet which is dragging the world to hell with him, it also commissions us to serve God in a way which pleases Him, and without dreading His wrath. These are the believer's great privileges, but they are linked and must not be separated. Rescue from Satan's slavery is also our commission to serve the Lord. It was never His intention for us to escape the clutches of hell in order to serve our own interests. Alas for many, the church has become a playground for self-indulgence and power, rather than a training camp for the battleground of spiritual warfare. Those who have misunderstood salvation or ignored its meaning should repent and start to serve the Lord. And don't forget that He provides as many opportunities for service at work as in the church; so look out for them today!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for Your salvation which was Your plan to lift me out of the slimy mud of sin, so that I can be secure in fulfilling Your purposes. Please forgive me when I take the privilege of salvation but fail to give myself wholeheartedly to your service. Help me to value the honour of being Your child, that I will want to work with You, to Your praise and glory. Please help me to see those opportunities for service which You have arranged for me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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