(Luk) 1:16-17, 77-79 CJB “He will turn many of the people of Isra’el to Adonai their God. He will go out ahead of Adonai in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a people prepared.” by spreading the knowledge among his people that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven through our God’s most tender mercy, which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven, to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the paths of peace.”
When God announced the ministry of John the Baptist, He revealed more than a prophetic role. He revealed a pattern.
Before God sends revival outward, He sends renewal inward.
Before He transforms nations, He transforms homes.
Before He uses men publicly, He reshapes them privately.
Scripture says the hearts of fathers must turn to their children.
This is not accidental.
This is foundational.
God has not truly taken hold of a man’s life until that man begins discipling his own.
A man may attend church.
He may serve on teams.
He may know theology.
But if he neglects spiritual leadership in his home, something is missing.
The first evidence of real spiritual life in a father is this:
He teaches his children God’s Word.
He models obedience.
He leads in prayer.
He points them to Christ.
Discipleship does not start in a classroom.
It starts at the kitchen table.
Luke says John would turn “the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.”
That requires community.
No man becomes godly in isolation.
We need other men.
We need brothers who challenge us.
Encourage us.
Correct us.
Pray for us.
Walk with us.
Scripture calls this iron sharpening iron.
Jesus Himself discipled men in community.
Paul trained Timothy in relationship.
Growth happens in fellowship.
A lone man is a vulnerable man.
A connected man is a strengthened man.
There is only one perfectly righteous man.
Jesus.
Every other man needs grace, accountability, and instruction.
We grow together.
We stumble together.
We repent together.
We rise together.
God never designed Christian maturity to be a solo project.
It is a brotherhood pursuit.
Luke tells us the mission is to spread knowledge of forgiveness through God’s tender mercy.
That mercy has a name.
Jesus.
He lived without sin.
He died for our sins.
He rose in victory.
He reigns as Lord.
Through Him, we have peace with God.
Not by works.
Not by effort.
Not by religion.
By repentance and faith.
Every man of God is called to proclaim this message.
First in his home.
Then among brothers.
Then in the world.
Sin shattered God’s good creation.
It brought pain.
Brokenness.
Death.
Division.
But God did not abandon His world.
He entered it.
In Jesus.
Christ came to restore what sin destroyed.
And now He sends His people to carry that restoration forward.
This is our mission.
You do not need a pulpit to preach.
You need obedience.
You preach with:
Your integrity.
Your priorities.
Your leadership.
Your love.
Your faithfulness.
From your home to the nations, God intends to use faithful men to prepare people for His Son.
Until every knee bows.
Until every tongue confesses.
Until Christ is honored everywhere.
Run Today’s Play:
1. Lead Your Home First
If you have children:
Open Scripture with them.
Pray regularly.
Talk about Jesus daily.
Model repentance.
Don’t outsource their discipleship.
Own it.
2. Lock Arms With Other Men
Find brothers who love truth.
Meet regularly.
Confess honestly.
Study faithfully.
Challenge each other biblically.
Isolation kills growth.
Community fuels it.
3. Share the Gospel Boldly
Make Christ known.
At work.
In conversations.
With neighbors.
Through service.
Speak of forgiveness.
Speak of mercy.
Speak of Jesus.
4. Live Like a Prepared Man
Ask daily:
Am I growing in holiness?
Am I leading well?
Am I walking closely with Christ?
Am I preparing others?
Don’t drift.
Be intentional.
