John Prepares the Way

HOOK

INTRO

Difference between planning vs preparation.

Planning is based on the expectation of order

Preparation is base on the expectation of chaos

Statistics from Forbes Australia and Psychologist find preparation beats planning for success due to readiness

We read about John fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of preparation. Preparing for what?

Pray

BOOK Luke 3: 1-22

What is going on in the text?

Context

Who is John the Baptist?

Son of Zechariah the Priest and Elizabeth cousin to Mary, Jesus’ mother.

Cousin of Jesus

Predetermined by God to go before the Lord to establish Jesus’ ministry.

Grease the skids- expects friction and rough transition and helps to ensure things run smoothly.

Importance of Baptism

Tax Collectors Vs 12

Soldiers Vs 14

Trinity Vs 22

Tension in the Text

I plan more than I prepare- Story of planning river trip but failing to prepare for the trip.

Greek word Eptizome- make ready for a purpose. Equip in advance.

I can plan how I’m going to grow with God. I plan how I’m going to get closer to Jesus, but I fail to actually prepare.

Christian growth is based more on preparation than planning. To grow closer to God you need to focus on preparing yourself to encounter God.

Why Planning fails over preparing

Planning focuses on setting goals and achievements

Preparing focuses on cultivating habits and behaviors

Planning is man controlled

Preparing is surrender

Why does God want us to prepare over planning more?

Prepare takes us out of the seat of control instead of trying to control

Prepare say’s I’m ready

Plannings say’s this is how to get ready.

God has already made the plan, he just needs you to be equipped in advance prepared to receive it.

Let me do this, nope

Let me establish, nope

Just posture your heart open up towards God’s plan.

True spiritual growth involves trusting in the plan of God prepared to receive that plan. Taking away our biases, our understanding, our idea of what it is. That’s planning getting in the way. It’s not preparing, cultivating the plan already established.

LOOK

Be- Cultivating Vs 4-5

Illustration- Green house and mums

Application- Are you establishing behaviors and routines for God to come in? Intentional time in silence, prayer, reading?

Know- The Good News is for ALL People Vs 6

Tax Collectors

Soldiers

Application. When we plan to do ministry, we neglect the ministry of God. I am biased. I feel comfortable doing ministry around people I like. The people coming to hear John are people the Jewish people do not like.

Vs 5- Crooked shall become straight. All Flesh shall see the salvation of God

Do- Inventory your levels?

Illustration: Pool levels

Application: Do you see suffering and feel for it? Vs 10. Do you have moral standards to not abuse? Vs 11? Are you content with what you have Vs 14?

TOOK

So, What

John prepares us for what is to come. Vs 16

Therefore

Focus more on preparation than planning