In the World–December 18, 2022

Download “In the World” for December 18, 2022 here.

REMOVING OBSTACLES TO GOD IN AFRICA

In a commencement address at Coal City University Enugu in Nigeria this fall, Senator Anthony Agbo called on Africa’s universities to lead the way in turning to Scripture for how to live. He urged his countrymen to turn from pagan gods and lay aside internal conflicts, basing their lives on the Bible in order to avoid the obstacles caused by those ancient prophecies. He urged them to turn to the Word of God, “whose power, authority and impeccable truth have defied the coordinated onslaught of misguided men of all ages, including those of elevated but sinister institutions; to produce the greatest nations on earth and most insightful men of all time.”

REMOVING OBSTACLES TO GOD IN ISRAEL

John the Baptist was raised up by God to go in the spirit of the Old Testament prophets to make the people’s hearts ready to welcome their King. His ministry would be to remove all obstacles from the path of the Lord’s coming. Every valley would be raised, every mountain flattened, and every crooked way straightened to hasten the arrival of the Son of God.

1. What correlations are there, if any, between a nation that reveres the Word of God and that nation’s status?
2. What Old Testament judgments are still in effect today?
3. In what way did John’s ministry remove obstacles for the coming of Jesus?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

• Music Video, Traditional: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by The Petersens
• Music Video, Multicultural: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Maverick City/TRIBL
• Music Video, Contemporary: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by The Petersens
• Guzik’s Commentary on Luke 3
• Coffman’s Commentary on Luke 3
• Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Luke 3