The Voice: The Story-tellers of Christmas

Nov 29 The Voice in the Wilderness (Mark 1:1-8)

Dec 6 The Voice of our Past (Matt 1)

Dec 13 The Voice of our Heart (Luke 1:46-55)

Dec 20 The Voice of the People (Luke 2:1-20)

Dec 24 The Voice of God (John 1:1-18)

Prayer

Introduction

surgery, phone, waiting room

uncertainty

sense of loss

fear

isolation

questioning

grief

anticipation

hope

Mark 1:1–8 NIV

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Big Idea: God sends messengers of Hope into the Wilderness of Fear

1. Learn from John the Baptist

Into the wilderness of Israel, God sent John to prepare their hearts, for the coming hope.

Malachi 3:1 NIV

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

Isaiah 40:3 NIV

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Wilderness - a harsh environment. A lonely place. Rocky, uneven. unkept and wild.

Wilderness is also: new beginnings

Ex 2:15 for the nation of Israel

1 Sam 23 - for the kingdom of David

1 Kings 19 - for Elijah (and other prophets)

John - a prophet (someone who speaks for God)

prophets look at the state of a culture or a people and compare it to the Kingdom of God. Prophets announce the truth of God.

To Prepare - lots of road construction involved here.

4wd roads. ungraded, hard to use.

IL: Long Way Up.

2. Remember Our Mission

Into the wilderness of our culture, God is sending us to prepare the hearts of our community, for the coming hope.

The mission of Branchline Church is to connect people to a growing relationship with Jesus.

We are the prophetic voice to our community.

Our community needs Jesus. More than ever.

This means that there is hope for a growing relationship with Jesus.

We must continue to experiment and try to find new ways to grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Transition:

So what does the near future look like?

We won’t stop and sort of put things on hold until Pastor Next arrives.

Relationships - I want to get to know you and learn from you. You have much to share about your own story. Part of this will help me to understand Branchline.

Assessment - We’ll probably do some more formal assessment of the strengths and growth areas. (before we make a level path we need to survey the landscape.)

Facilitate Action - Begin to make changes on a few important things.

Strategic Plan - help us see down the road and prepare for a new chapter of ministry

Coach the Search - help us select the best pastor based on our needs and strengths, and strategic plan

3. Prepare Your Heart during Advent

In the wilderness of our lives, God wants to prepare our hearts, for the coming hope.

uncertainty

sense of loss

fear

isolation

questioning

grief

anticipation

hope

Ways to make this season more meaningful

Be intentional - Bible intake, prayer, journaling

4 weeks to make a new habit or strengthen one

Be Focused

Wilderness

Your Role

Jesus

Confrontation of Cosmic Forces

Read ahead on future talks

Pick up an Advent devotional

Close in Prayer