Family Bible Church weekly message Bob Corbin & Family Bible Church

* Up unto this point in our study of the Gospel according to Luke, we have been considering the Preparation of Christ's Ministry. We have considered birth and ministry of the Forerunner of the Messiah, and we have considered the birth, immersion, genealogy, and temptation of the Messiah.
* Today, we come to the point where Jesus publicly declares His Messianic Role to those with whom He had grown up.

* In our study of the Gospel account of Luke, we have considered Luke's description of the miraculous nature of both John's and Jesus' conception and birth, and the significance of John's ministry to the authentication of the Messianic claim of Jesus.
* Today, in our study of the Gospel account of Luke, we will be considering the final section of Luke's foundation of Jesus' Messianic ministry - His Baptism, Genealogy, and Temptation.

* We have been studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke.
* In the first message, we discussed Luke's purpose in writing this Gospel account - "That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed."
* We then considered "Where" Luke chose to begin this account ... at the angelic proclamation to Zacharias regarding the birth of John. Luke believed that it was critical for the believer to understand the miraculous nature of John's birth and ministry. Indeed, later when Jesus was questioned by the Scribes regarding His authority, He would point them back to the ministry and testimony of John.
* Today, we consider the Preparatory Ministry of John as the Forerunner of the Messiah.

* Four weeks ago, in our last message from the book of Luke, we saw the prophetic announcements of Simeon and Anna regarding he redemptive work of Christ. These announcements occurred 40 days after the birth of Jesus while Joseph and Mary were going to the Temple to present an offering for her purification according Levitical Law.
* Today's passage carries us up to when Jesus was twelve years old.
* As we consider the passage today, the major question that I am forced to ask myself is: "Where would I be found if others were looking for me?"
* Today, we consider the importance, and priority, of the Word of God in our lives.
* This message was presented on March 31, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* As we approach our spring week of Prayer and Fasting, I felt compelled of the Lord to spend two weeks focusing on the importance of prayer in the life of the saints. Though prayer is one of the most critical aspects of the life of the believer and the church, it seems to take the least priority in the lives of many believers and churches.
* Last week, we focused upon The Posture of Prayer. Though we are adopted by God and afforded the privilege of calling Him: "Abba," yet, He is still the Holy God who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of the Universe - and of all mankind. Hence, though I may boldly enter into His presence because of the blood of Jesus, I must always remember: He is the Potter and I am the clay. There must be an attitude (or posture) of humbleness, and not arrogance or pride as I come before His throne. In the Scriptures, this attitude is conjoined with a physical posture of kneeling before Him. In fact, this posture is embedded into the Hebrew word (shakhah) and Greek word (proskuneo) for "worship."
* Today, we want to consider the powerful impact of prayer in the realm of the Spiritual War that we fight.
* This message was presented on March 24, 2024 by Bob Corbin.

* Our spring week of Prayer and Fasting is Monday-Friday, March 25-29.
* Prayer is one of the most critical aspects of the life of the believer and, hence, the life of the church. Yet, it seems to take the least priority in the lives of many believers and churches.
* This week, I was burdened by the Lord to teach two messages regarding the important impact of prayer. Hence, Lord willing, over the next two weeks we will be considering The Posture of Prayer and The Warfare of Prayer.
* By definition, "Prayer" is "A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship. ... An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship." Communion is defined as: "The act or an instance of sharing, as of thoughts or feelings. Religious or spiritual fellowship."
* The Bible is filled with many "balances" for our Christian walk (e.g. predestination v. free will; the perseverance of the saints v. the preservation of the saints). My definition of prayer reflects another of those balances; prayer is: "Communication with God in worship." When you believe on Jesus as your Savior, you are adopted as a child of God. Your loving heavenly Father has a desire for you to communicate with Him; He calls upon us to cast all of cares upon Him, because He cares for us. However, we need to remember ... He is still God.
* As we consider the "Posture" of prayer today, we are focusing upon the latter part of that definition - the aspect of prayer being conducted in the demeanor of worship. Our "posture" refers both to our position and our disposition as we approach the throne of God above!
* This message was presented on March 17, 2024 by Bob Corbin.