Two great quotes that relate to our lesson for this coming Sunday:
"[Scrooge] became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the old city knew...Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh..." from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
"How many there are...who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God." Missionary Lottie Moon, Tungchow, China, 1887
We are all saved to serve and made for a mission. The old hymn 'Go, Tell it On the Mountain' echoes this sentiment perfectly. And so does Zechariah's song of praise and prophecy in Luke 1. He affirmed that Messiah would come to bring redemption and peace to all people, and that those who would be delivered should serve Him without fear. As you prepare for Sunday School this week, focus on those three words: redemption, peace, serve. If you have enjoyed redemption through Jesus Christ, how are you enjoying that peace? How can you spread Christ's message of redemption and peace by serving Him?
The real story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of transformation. When his heart was changed, he was changed. The real story of Christmas is one of transformation. God became a man-child so we could become children of God. Jesus came to die so we could be transformed into the likeness of God. Only the redeemed can truly understand the meaning of Christmas, because the Christ-child came to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21b).
Those who have experienced God's redemption through Jesus Christ enjoy peace with God. At the end of Zechariah's prophetic song of praise in Luke 1 he declares that Messiah will "guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Deliverance from sin through Jesus brings us peace with God, but also ushers us into a life of peace as we learn to depend on Him by faith. Luke uses the Greek word 'eirene' for peace 14 times, more than any other New Testament book. It implies the presence of safety, security, and justice. That is certainly a benefit worth proclaiming!
The theme of serving, and proclamation, is the center of Zechariah's song in Luke 1:72-77. "He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days" (Luke 1:73b-75). We are saved to serve and made for a mission. it is a mission of proclaiming His offer of redemption.
The earlier quote from missionary Lottie Moon shows that she understood well the meaning of this passage in Luke's gospel. Read her pointed words again and determine to share Christ with someone this Christmas!!
BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of December 20, 2009
Go, Tell It On the Mountain Luke 1
Two great quotes that relate to our lesson for this coming Sunday:
"How many there are...who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God." Missionary Lottie Moon, Tungchow, China, 1887
We are all saved to serve and made for a mission. The old hymn 'Go, Tell it On the Mountain' echoes this sentiment perfectly. And so does Zechariah's song of praise and prophecy in Luke 1. He affirmed that Messiah would come to bring redemption and peace to all people, and that those who would be delivered should serve Him without fear. As you prepare for Sunday School this week, focus on those three words: redemption, peace, serve. If you have enjoyed redemption through Jesus Christ, how are you enjoying that peace? How can you spread Christ's message of redemption and peace by serving Him?
The real story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of transformation. When his heart was changed, he was changed. The real story of Christmas is one of transformation. God became a man-child so we could become children of God. Jesus came to die so we could be transformed into the likeness of God. Only the redeemed can truly understand the meaning of Christmas, because the Christ-child came to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21b).
Those who have experienced God's redemption through Jesus Christ enjoy peace with God. At the end of Zechariah's prophetic song of praise in Luke 1 he declares that Messiah will "guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Deliverance from sin through Jesus brings us peace with God, but also ushers us into a life of peace as we learn to depend on Him by faith. Luke uses the Greek word 'eirene' for peace 14 times, more than any other New Testament book. It implies the presence of safety, security, and justice. That is certainly a benefit worth proclaiming!
The theme of serving, and proclamation, is the center of Zechariah's song in Luke 1:72-77. "He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days" (Luke 1:73b-75). We are saved to serve and made for a mission. it is a mission of proclaiming His offer of redemption.
The earlier quote from missionary Lottie Moon shows that she understood well the meaning of this passage in Luke's gospel. Read her pointed words again and determine to share Christ with someone this Christmas!!