Advent 2021 - Preparation

READ Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist, the 1st cousin of Jesus, came from the wildnerness to preach “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The crowds came for John, but John was not there for the crowds.

John the Baptist prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ.

South Africa - Church in Welkom. “I’m here to make sure you listen to Donna.”

“God is coming! God is coming! All the element we swim in, this existence, Echoes ahead the advent. God is coming! Can’t you feel it?” - Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Today, we focus on preparation for the messiah, Jesus Christ.

Read Isaiah 40:3-5

“In the wilderness” Clear the way of

God would lead the remnant through the wilderness from Babylon to Zion, just like the Exodus from Egypt.

Why the wildnerness?

God led Israel through the desert out of Egyptian bondage. It was there that God revealed Himself from Mount Sinai.

Custom for centuries.

Eastern monarchs traveling through their domain would send men before them to prepare their way by removing stones.

Leveling, picking up trash, and making the road more pleasent.

When you go hiking, those trails did not make themselves.

God would create a smooth path for the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

The ministry of John the Baptist was to point people to Jesus.

The fact that we are together today is proff that God has prepared a way.

Bible translations

Christian conversations

Dates on the calendar

Trails to Jesus are all around us pointing toward His message, His glory. The question we must ask ourselves is “Am I trail that points others to Jesus?”

“V. 4”

John’s duty was to bring people to obedience and remove all self-confidence, pride in national privileges, hypocrisy, and irreligion, so that the people would be ready for his coming.

Certainty of arrival.

V. 5 lit. “The Lord in all of his glory”, the fullness of his personal presence.

All creation shall see the salvation of the Lord.

On April 16, 1775, Paul Revere gathered tips that the British were planning a raid for the city of Concord in the coming days. There were 2 routs the British could take: by land through the Boston neck or by sea across the Charles River. He arranged to have a signal lit in the Old North Church - One lantern if land and two by sea.

John the Baptist was certain that Jesus would come and he built his ministry on it. He gave his life to prepare the way for Jesus.

Modern Christians

Do we believe that Jesus Christ has come to the world? How will we celebrate Christmas based on this understanding?

Takeaways from todays message:

We are on a path that God has already prepared.

Christians are certain of God’s presence.

The church is the worlds preview of what’s to come.

God’s glory will be seen by everyone.

(ka-bod) heaviness, burden, riches; reputation, importance; splendor, distinction, honor.

Christmas is the testimony of God’s glory.