TITLE: PREPARING FOR JESUS’ COMING
TEXT: LUKE 3:1-14
INTRODUCTION
A. The Word of God came to John [the Baptist]
1. Tiberius – Caesar
2. Pontius Pilate – governor of Judea
3. Herod – tetrarch of Galilee
4. Philip – tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis
5. Lysanias – tetrarch of Abilene
6. Annas and Caiaphas – high priests
B. The Word of God came to John, son of Zacharias, in the wilderness
C. John’s mission: Prepare the way for the coming King [Jesus]
1. Spiritual Preparation – Baptism of Repentance
a. Identified With and Immersed Into John’s message of repentance
b. John’s Baptism was an outward washing of an inward change
2. Physical Preparation – Transforming of Attitudes and Actions
a. Paths straight – Removal of debris of distractions
b. Valleys filled – Valleys of ignorance filled with truth
c. Mountains/hills made low – Mountains/hills of pride lowered
d. Crooked places straight – Straighten crooked thinking
e. Rough ways smooth – Smooth out rough attitudes and actions
IT IS TIME TO GET TOUGH
A. Brood of snakes
B. Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
C. Prove by the way you live that you have repented
D. Your connection with Abraham means nothing
1. God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones
2. Even now, the ax is laid at the root of the tree
3. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and burned
4. Not about your roots – about your fruits
WHAT SHALL WE DO?
A. There must be Outward Evidence of Inward Transformation
B. Whoever has two tunics, give one to someone who does not have one
C. If you have food, give some to someone who is hungry
D. Tax Collectors - Collect no more than what is appointed for you
E. Soldiers - Do not intimidate or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages
