Words of Life
What Child Is This
December 22, 2019
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Using Luke 7 in an Advent series on Christ's offices, the sermon presents Jesus as the compassionate prophet whose words and actions give perspective in grief, call us to watchful worship, and urge us to rely on the Spirit to hear him today.
Summary
In this Advent message on the office of Christ, Luke 7 is used to show Jesus functioning as God's prophet: speaking 'Thus saith the Lord,' reading the circumstances of his people, and acting with compassionate word and deed toward a grieving widow. The sermon emphasizes that prophetic ministry is more than future prediction — it brings perspective, comfort, and direction amid destitution and mourning, turning lament into watchful worship and opportunities to serve others. Because our culture's resources can dull our urgency to seek God's voice, we need the prophetic word now as much as the early church did, and we ask the Holy Spirit to give us ears to listen and the power to obey.
Key Points
- Advent series focus: exploring Christ's offices, today as Prophet
- 'Thus saith the Lord' identifies prophetic speech and authority in Scripture
- Prophecy varies by circumstance and is not only future prediction; Hebrews connects all prophecy to Jesus
- Jesus' prophetic role in Luke 7 is timely and relevant for our era
- The widow's story highlights real human grief, destitution, and the need for God's perspective
- Jesus' compassion leads from feeling to concrete words and actions, not mere consolation
- Healthy lament is necessary, but we must also 'watch' for how God will work through tragedy
- True response to God's prophetic action is worship and glorifying God
- We need the prophetic word today and pray for the Holy Spirit to enable us to hear and follow Jesus
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