As everyone knows, Christmas is on Sunday this year. Sweden Church will have singing and a service at 11 a.m. only, no Sunday school and no evening service. Come and spend an hour with us. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.
John the Baptist was one of only a few born to barren women mentioned in the Bible. The others that come to mind are Isaac, Joseph, Samuel and Samson. Probably the reason for saying that the mothers were barren was to show that God can accomplish what He sets out to do. He chose women to make a point. John’s mother was well past child-bearing age as was Isaac’s mother. It was through these special examples that the people of the times knew that something was happening that was out of the ordinary (Luke 1:58-63). Hence, their interest in following the history of these men.
It is well-known that John the Baptist was called to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ (Matthew 3:3) which he did. Could he have chosen to not carry out this mission? Did he have free choice? Was God holding a gun to his head and said, “Either you do this or you’ll be zapped into outer space.”?
God is a God of free choice. Of course, with choices there are consequences—some good and some bad. John was the son of parents who came from priestly backgrounds. He was reared in this environment. His free choice was to accomplish his calling—which turned out to be at great cost.
John probably knew that his cost could be great. The Romans were still in charge and were both frightened and insulted by John’s influence. They, too, knew the story of John and his followers.
What do we do with our free choice? Is it squandered on meaningless things? Have we ever done anything that we’re willing to pay a cost for?
Copies of the sermon are available and free. Call (4l7) 543-6219 to get a copy. Have a God-blessed, God-inspired, and God-filled week.
