Sunday PM Devotional
Teachers
Lesson Summary
During the February 5, 2023 Sunday evening devotional, Richard Sutton led the class through a study of John the Baptist as presented in Luke 1 and the prologue of John. He began by sharing how a worship song had moved him to tears and then invited the congregation to open their Bibles to Luke 1:5‑25, emphasizing John’s lineage, the miraculous angelic announcement, and Zacharias’ temporary muteness for his doubt. Sutton highlighted that John, though appearing ordinary, was uniquely appointed by God, characterized by a wilderness lifestyle, a diet of locusts and wild honey, and a fiery call to repentance. He then moved to John 1:1‑14, underscoring the Word’s eternal existence and John the Baptist’s role as a witness to the Light. Sutton argued that John’s mission was to turn “the hearts of the fathers to the children” and to prepare the people for the coming Lord, a message still relevant for believers who may become complacent in religious routine. He reinforced Jesus’ commendation of John as the greatest born of woman and challenged the class to emulate the righteousness of Zacharias and Elizabeth, trusting God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible. The central message was that true discipleship requires bold proclamation, repentance, and readiness for Christ’s return.
Key Scriptures
And behold, your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great before the Lord, and he will drink no wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and to make ready for the Lord a people prepared in the spirit.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.