Pastor How to Read LukeSample

Please read the Gospel of Luke 1:80,

80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

John the Baptist grew strong in spirit. This means that as Christians, we can be weak or strong in spirit. Let’s be strong Christians. And together we make a Strong Church.

So how to grow strong?

Sometimes we have to be in the wilderness. It is like our spiritual gym.

Convenient, comfortable Christianity results in complacent Christians. In other words, weak Christians.

Before his public ministry, John the Baptist lived in the wilderness.

Jesus was also in the wilderness before His public ministry began. There is a pattern here.

No public ministry before private preparations.

The wilderness is a tough place with extreme conditions. So we learn to be spiritually resilient and resourceful.

The wilderness is dry and dangerous. So we learn to drink from the fountain of living water – Jesus.

The wilderness can be lonely and depressive too. So we learn to find solace in solitude with God.

The wilderness is a place and time of preparation.

It is not a delay or detour but a development towards your destination and destiny.

If you are in a wilderness right now, it’s time for your spiritual workout.