Luke 1:13-17

Luke 1:13-17

1. We learn here that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed.
2. We learn that no children cause such true joy, as those who have the grace of God.
3. We learn the nature of true greatness.
4. We learn that children are never too young to receive the grace of God.
5. We learn the character of a really great and successful minister of God.

"Delay of answer," says an old divine, "must not discourage our faith. It may be, God has long granted, before we shall know of His grant."

"Grace is the principal portion that we should desire for our children. It is a thousand times better for them than beauty, riches, honors, rank, or high connections."

"Without such men, learning, titles, endowments, and splendid buildings, will keep no Church alive. Souls will not be saved--good will not be done--Christ will not be glorified, except by men full of the Holy Spirit."

Questions:

1. How do we view God’s answers to our prayers, especially when they do not happen the way we ask quickly? Do we despair or stop asking immediately? Does that last quote “delay of answer must not discourage our faith. It may be God has long granted, before we shall know of His grant” encourage us in prayer?

2. Parents and grandparents, what do we truly want for our children? Do our actions and words show we want eternal riches or worldly riches for them?

3. Are we seeking greatness here and now, or in an eternal world? Are we seeking to live as servants of Christ or servants of man? Are we living for the glory of man or of God?

4. I have mentioned in the past that I would not edit any of Ryle’s words as I want to faithfully let him speak his own convictions and be faithful to what he said. That said, there is no clear verse in the NT that would teach Ryle’s view on infant baptism. If such a verse existed, all of Christendom would practice it! All hints are a far cry from what is clear in descriptive and prescriptive texts: baptism is done in response to faith and repentance in the Lord Jesus Christ. That said, parents, are we being diligent to pray for and raise our children in the ways of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit can work in even our young children?

5. Do we pray for our pastors to be faithful to preach and teach God’s Word?