Preparing for Christmas

Background to passage: Last of the prophets to speak before the 400 year intertestamental silence. Written as a conversational book of indictment against Israel of their idolatry and contempt. In the passage today God speaks about his messenger that would come to prepare the way for the Messiah who would come with love and justice, grace and judgment.

Malachi 2:17–3:5 ESV

You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 4:5 ESV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Opening illustration: The Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives traced its roots to precedents from the Continental Congresses, where officials controlled access to private meetings. On April 2, 1789, the First Federal Congress created the position by resolution without debate. The Doorkeeper was elected by the House at the start of each new Congress, typically through a simple resolution. One of the duties that he had that was unique and important was introducing the POTUS to Congress. In 1995, the position was replaced by the Sargent at Arms who now does the duty of introducing the President to the Speaker of the House for the State of the Union address

Main thought: This morning we will look at the prophecy of the Messenger that God would send before the Messiah. Specifically, we will look at two ways that we can be like John in preparing for the coming of Messiah, besides jumping in the womb.

1) Pointing to Jesus (John 1:26-30)

John 1:26–30 ESV

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’

1) Pointing to Jesus (John 1:26-30)

Explanation: The prediction in this text is that there would be a messenger from God sent to prepare the way for Christ. Numerous other texts speak to this coming as a type and shadow of Elijah. This is not Elijah being raised from the dead, but one likened to Elijah. All four gospel writers quoted this passage linking them to John the Baptist. He is/was the messenger that would go before.

Isaiah 40:3–5 ESV

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Illustration: What if I told you that every Sunday morning in 2026, I was going to hand you a notecard and you would write down the name of the person that you talked to about Christ or invited to church?

Application: This Christmas we must take a page from John’s notebook. I don’t mean that we have to dress up in camel skins and eat grasshoppers, but we must point the way to Jesus. John says, “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” Who was the last person that you told had sin that needed to be forgiven? Why is it that we (many of us) are not disciplined, or do not desire, or let sin keep us from sharing our faith?

We must repent, and change our behavior for a number of reasons. 1) God is that awesome, satisfying, and beautiful. 2) People need love, forgiveness, and rescue. 3) Our church must reach people, and it will not if we do not invite, ask, and share. It’s that simple.

According to church records, there has been a slow decline in attendance, baptisms, finances, and ministry for the past 21 years. To the church: you cannot continue to only casually mention church from time to time and expect to win people to for the church to make disciples. It’s 2025, the culture does not operate like it did 20 years, or 40 years, or 60 years in the same way. People don’t think the same. They don’t act the same. It’s a radically different world, mindset, worldview, political climate even since Covid.

So here are some practical steps. 1) Pray: provide opps, help me see them, give courage. 2) Practice: you can’t mess this up. 3) Begin coming to Wed nights in January.

2) Decrease for Jesus to Increase (John 3:28-30)

John 3:28–30 ESV

You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

2) Decrease for Jesus to Increase (John 3:28-30)

Explanation: Other than the “brood of vipers” opening that he began a sermon with, this could be the best statement that John is known for. The context is that John had been pointing people, quite literally, and his disciples asked him about giving all the glory to Jesus. After a brief explanation, this was his summary. However, Jesus said that John was the greatest “born among women.”

If you think about it, this is what Jesus did at Christmas. He took on flesh so he could become like us, to serve us, to die for us, and he was the infinite God, preeminent in all things, King of kings and Lord of lords, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 11:11 ESV

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Illustration: “Give more credit that someone else earned, and receive less credit than you did,” Amy Carmichael taught and lived that there was so much meaning, value, and kingdom respect in small jobs as well as big ones. Heard of a Christian musician and his wife that are very public, recognizable, and prominent. They spoke about how they try to serve regularly without being “special.” They serve at there local church - nursery, ministry team, background roles

Application: 1) Look for ways you can serve others, especially unseen or undeserved. Be humble in not needing the spotlight when things go great due to your investment. 2) look for places to say thank you or praise others for doing what they do, give them credit. Christmas gifts are a great time for encouragement, not just niceness or obligation. 3) Begin training someone to do the work that you do, maybe a recipe, maybe children’s church, maybe teaching, maybe sound or slides, maybe greeting or security, and when they begin to shine brighter than you, simply pull back and give them the reigns.

It’s just really about humility. It’s really about your heart. It’s really about your love for and gaining the center stage or the first chair or the MVP. Are you willing to be guy that warms the bench?

A. Closing illustration: Cliff Barrows just being the opening act for Jesus, 60 years with Billy Graham.

B. Recap