THE SURPRISING PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS!
LUKE 1:8-17
DECEMBER 7, 2014
What is the relationship between the heart of John the Baptist’s ministry and the coming of
Jesus and His ministry? (Luke 1:17)
Who were the Fathers?
The fathers were those spiritual, national, and family leaders!! (Biological and
spiritual.)
They were respected and revered and followed.
Strong, courageous, leaders. (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Prophets, Priests,
Kings, Deborah, Esther, Mary, Priscilla)
Return …. Implies departure, distance
Heart …. Your presence, counsel, approval of who I am, affirmation (believe in you …. am for
you!) …. Painful to live without affirmation. Something stays broken!
The attitude of the religious leadership was rooted in outward performance …. Self Righteous
attitudes …. Legalism ….Dead inner man (“father is the devil” – John 8:44)
Distance and brokenness had developed …. Their hearts had drifted away from each
other.
They embraced religion (self-effort and promotion) but had lost intimacy with their
Father.
When that happens, sin and hardness of heart develops.
What attitudes cause the Fathers’ heart to distance themselves from the children?
Disconnection of interest …. Substitute work, own activities.
Failure to Affirm their value (allow own standard of success to become the measure
by which we judge their value)
Steve Franklin Ministries®
P. O. BOX 43331 * BIRMINGHAM, AL 35243
www.sfmin.com * [email protected]