In this lesson, we will be hearing of the ministry of John the baptist, Luke 3:1-20.

Luke is careful to fully document the time frame in which John appeared in the wilderness as found in Luke 3:1-2. In the next 3 verses, we hear his message, where he preached, and what he preached.

Luke writes that John fulfilled the specific prophecy of Isaiah 40:3-5. John gave the people warnings and exhortations.

It is most notable that John gives a personal testimony concerning the Lord Jesus in verses 16-17. Here he exalts the preeminence of the savior and His coming work of separating the true Jewish believers in Christ from out of the nation of Israel at a future time.

Let’s turn to Luke 3 with our teacher, Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

Jesus, in submission to his parents, lived life growing in wisdom and strength and the grace of God was upon Him.

Then Luke gives us a record of Jesus as a child of 12 going to Jerusalem for the passover. And instead of returning home to Nazareth, He stayed in Jerusalem ministering His Father’s business in the temple.

Jesus astounded the religious leaders with His questions and answers. But Mary and Joseph were distressed, thinking He was lost in the city, they found Him in temple.

Jesus was the center of attention from both his parents and the religious leaders.Jesus should be the focus of our attention, affection and faith.

Here is Dr. Mitchell, Luke 2:39, on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

In this study, we now meet a man by the name of Simeon who was promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah, that is, Jesus as a baby. The Holy Spirit was upon him. This man also blessed God with a song.

His song revealed that this child, Jesus, the Lord’s Messiah, would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of God’s people Israel. Our Lord is the focus of his song.

Does your song focus on and feature the Lord Jesus preeminently? It blesses God who is our audience.

Not only Simeon but also Anna, a widow, came into the temple and giving thanks to God, began speaking to all those around her about this Jesus.

Let’s turn to Lk.2:25 with Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

Our study in the Gospel of Luke continues in chapter 2 starting in verse 11 with the shepherd’s visit to the place where Jesus was born. As we have heard, they were divinely directed there by the angel who announced to them the birth of the Savior and how to identify him.

They didn’t waste any time in traveling into Bethlehem to see this baby and they found Him lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them. God’s word is always true.

This visit caused Mary to treasure up and ponder all these things in her heart.

Luke also goes on to write about Jesus’ presentation in the temple where He is formally called by the name “Jesus” which the angel previously told both Mary and Joseph.

With Jesus’ birth on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast here is Dr. Mitchell, Luke 2:11-25.

Each Christmas we hear and read of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this study, Luke 2:1, we hear of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem where her child would be born into a humble family in a humble location and first seen by a few humble shepherds.

As we begin, Dr. Mitchell explains a bit of background to this time frame when Christ was born, stating that God is always on time. The king on a throne of authority in a country far away from Israel was used of God to orchestrate the circumstances for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The book of Daniel states “the Most High is ruler over all nations.” (Dan.5:21)

But, Jesus is born and laid in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Here is Dr. Mitchell with Jesus’ birth on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast beginning in Luke 2:1.

Our studies in the Gospel of Luke resume in chapter 1 beginning at verse 67.

Luke provides us an inspired account of both the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus Himself.

When John the Baptist was born, his Father Zachariah filled with the Spirit prophesies. He refers to God’s fulfillment of His Word through the former prophets by the birth of his son John the Baptist. He also speaks that his son John would be a prophet of the Most High to provide four things.

1st, He would go before the Savior to prepare His ways.

2ndly, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of sins.

3rdly, to give light to those who sit in darkness

4th & lastly, to guide our feet in the way of peace.

Let hear more about John, Luke 1:67, on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast with Dr. Mitchell.

After Mary visited Elizabeth and received confirmation of what the angel had told her, she would now extol and bless and magnify the LORD.

We are reading Luke 1:46-66.

Mary extols the LORD for His fulfilled promise to Israel first spoken to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She praised the Lord for His mercy, His strength and His might. She expressly rejoiced in her spirit calling the Lord, "God my savior."

Here she acknowledges her need for a savior as all who know that sin has made them a people of humble circumstances.

Dr. Mitchell says of Mary, “her heart was fully occupied with the Lord.”

Are you and I occupied with the Lord Jesus and His finished work for us?

Let open our Bibles and turn to Luke 1 verse 46 with our teacher, Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

In Luke chapter 1 verse 34 the angel Gabriel answers Mary's question as to how she a virgin could bear a baby since although she was betrothed she was not yet married and had no husband.

The author of Hebrews chapter 13 verse 4 the author reminds us 'let marriage be held in honor among all and the marriage bed undefiled for God will judge immorality and adultery'.

This was Mary's attitude towards marriage just as Joseph's was found in Matthew chapter 1.

Dr. Mitchell looks at the scriptures dealing with the birth of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1 concerning Joseph as well.

Now here in Luke 1 verse 38 we see Mary's faith in what God had said would take place and she waited for his fulfillment.

Then the Lord is gracious to give Mary an encouraging confirmation of His words found in Verses 39 through 45.

Well let's join Dr Mitchell here in Luke chapter 1 verse 34 on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

As we are going to read, this angel Gabriel is sent once again from God to bring a message to a young woman who was a virgin in a city named Nazareth of Galilee.

We are in Luke chapter 1:26.

Just like Zachariah, Mary too was troubled by the presence of the angel. But Gabriel quieted her fear with comforting words of grace.

He would tell her about the son she would bear. He gave her his Name, His Position, His Power, and the means of His birth.

As we learn, the Name Jesus means Jehovah saves. His name derives from the Hebrew word Jehosua, or Joshua which means the same thing, the great I AM, YaWeH saves.

Let’s join Dr. Mitchell in Luke 1:26 on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast as he shares the good news of Jesus Christ.

We are in the gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 14 through 25.

You will note that the angel Gabriel does most of the speaking in this passage as he spoke to Zachariah the priest in the temple.

Dr. Mitchell will look at the prophecy from the the angel Gabriel concerning the son who would be born to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth.

There are several things said about this boy whose name would be John.

Dr. Mitchell goes on to look at the results of the forthcoming ministry of this man John the Baptist as told by the angel.

Do you ever pray to the Lord and when He answers you have doubts about it? Zachariah did. He wondered how this birth could be given their age.

Let’s find out with Dr. Mitchell in Luke 1:14-25 on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.