Preparing the Way

Intro

How did a choir robe start my journey towards finding Jesus?

Who prepared the way for you to follow Jesus?

Mark 1:1–8 NLT

1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. 3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” 4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

Our God is a God of preparation

Promised Land

Exodus 23:20 NLT

20 “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.

Heaven

John 14:2–3 NLT

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Plan Ahead

Sending my messenger ahead

before you, in front of you

What does that look like in the church?

Planning for people that are not here yet

Praying, organizing teams, improving areas

Counting the cost

Luke 14:28–30 NLT

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

Clear the Road

What are obstacles that may prevent someone from coming to Jesus?

Traditions

Environments

Attitudes

Isaiah 57:14 NLT

14 God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.”

Know Your Role

We are to prepare the way for Jesus, not be Jesus.

Don’t try to get in front of God.

Not about our agendas, ideas, traditions, or what makes us comfortable

It’s about preparing the way for lost people to find Jesus

John 14:6 NLT

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Vision: Becoming a Place of Hope

Phase 1 “Heal”

Healing from past hurts and losses

Healing our ways and methods

Healing our facilities

Mission: Love God, Love People, Share Hope, and Make Disciples

What part will you play in preparing the way for lost people to follow Jesus?