PEACE: The Voice in the Wilderness

Theme: Preparing the Way

Isaiah 40:3 NLT

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!

Open Your Bibles to Luke 3:1-6 to follow our message today

Introduction:

The Wilderness Voice

Let’s be honest—when you hear the word “wilderness,” what comes to mind? Camping? Mosquitoes? That one time you tried hiking and got lost with granola bars and no cell signal?

Wilderness is not where we expect to hear clarity. It’s where GPS fails, where paths disappear, and where silence reigns. Yet in Luke 3, it’s precisely where the voice of God breaks through.

“The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:2)

Not in the temple. Not in the palace. Not in the city. But In the wilderness.

Why? Because the wilderness strips away distractions. It’s where God gets our attention.

Main Teaching

1. God Speaks in History, Not Abstraction

Luke begins with a long list of political leaders:

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea… Herod tetrarch of Galilee… Annas and Caiaphas were high priests…” (Luke 3:1)

It’s tempting to skim past this verse like the credits of a movie. But Luke is making a point: God acts in real time, in real places, among real people.

This isn’t mythology. This is history. God doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He enters messy politics, broken systems, and wilderness hearts.

Illustration: If Luke were writing today, he might say: “In the third year of the presidency of Donald Trump, when Eric Holcomb was governor of Indiana, and Chuck Fewell was mayor of Greenfield, the word of God came to a voice in the Midwest.”

God speaks here. Now. In our wilderness.

2. The Wilderness Is a Place of Preparation

John’s message is simple:

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Luke 3:4)

Preparation is not passive. It’s active. It’s not “sit and wait.” It’s “clear the clutter.”

John uses vivid imagery:

“Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low, the crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways made smooth.” (Luke 3:5)

This is spiritual excavation:

Valleys of despair must be filled with hope. Mountains of pride must be leveled with humility. Crooked paths of compromise must be straightened with truth. Rough places of bitterness must be smoothed with grace.

Joke: It’s like spiritual roadwork. And if you’ve ever driven through Indiana construction, you know it’s slow, messy, and full of orange cones. But it’s necessary.

3. The Voice Is Often Unexpected

John the Baptist was not polished. He wore camel’s hair. Ate locusts. And preached in the desert.

He wouldn’t have made it past most church search committees.

But God chose him. Because the voice of truth often comes from unexpected places.

Illustration: There’s a story of a pastor who was preparing a sermon on humility. He asked his 6-year-old daughter, “Sweetheart, what do you think humility means?” She said, “It’s when you don’t act like you’re the boss of everyone — even if you are.”

Out of the mouths of babes, right

Sometimes the clearest voices come from the margins. From the wilderness. From those not trying to impress, but trying to prepare.

4. Preparing the Way Means Repentance

Luke tells us:

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3)

Repentance is not shame. It’s invitation. It’s turning around. Realigning. Making room.

Advent is not just about candles and carols. It’s about clearing space.

Joke: It’s like cleaning your house before guests arrive. You shove everything into the closet, light a candle, and hope they don’t open the wrong door.

But God sees the closets. And He doesn’t shame us — He helps us clean.

Repentance is not condemnation. It’s preparation.

5. The Promise: All Will See God’s Salvation

Luke ends this passage with a promise:

“And all people will see God’s salvation.” (Luke 3:6)

This is the goal of preparation — not perfection, but revelation.

We prepare not to impress God, but to receive Him. We clear the path not to earn His love, but to welcome it.

Illustration: Imagine a parade coming through your town. You don’t build the floats. You just make sure the streets are clear so everyone can see.

That’s Advent. We don’t create salvation. We make space to see it.

Closing Application: How Do We Prepare?

Make space for silence. The wilderness is quiet. Let God speak.

Name your valleys and mountains. What needs filling? What needs leveling?

Practice repentance. Not guilt-driven, but grace-driven. Turn toward the light.

Be the voice. Like John, speak hope. Prepare others.

Expect salvation. Not just on Christmas Eve — but every day of the year.

Closing Prayer

God of the wilderness, You speak not from stages, but from silence. You call us not to performance, but to preparation. Help us clear the clutter, level our pride, and straighten our paths.

Let our hearts be ready, our lives be open, and our voices echo Your truth.

As we wait, may we prepare. As we prepare, may we hope. And as we hope, may we see Your salvation.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.