Luke 3:2-6

Prepare the Way of the Lord

The primary message of John the Baptist was repentance.

(repentance = metanoia, to change the mind, to change your mind about your purpose or about something you have done.)

Throughout scripture, repentance from sin is a requirement for receiving God’s forgiveness.

The primary ministry of John the Baptist was to introduce Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Savior.

John taught that repentance was a necessary requirement for Jesus the Savior to enter into our lives.  (Jesus later continued to teach repentance.  Mark 1:15 “Repent and believe the good news”)

 John said (V4) “Prepare ye the way of the Lord”.

This was a metaphor drawn from the custom of sending persons ahead to level and repair a roadway making it smooth and passable for a King and his entourage.  This preparing of the way was always done before a King traveled to any city.  The road would be made as straight and level as possible.  

John was describing the preparation of the human heart that would receive the King of Kings.

Every valley shall be filled!  (ruts and worn away places were to be filled) Any deficiency of will and desire was to be repaired.

Every mountain and hill shall be brought low! (mounds and high places were to be leveled).  Pride is to be replaced with humility.

The crooked shall be made straight! (Crooked or curved places were to be straightened.) Every bit of crookedness, perversity or wickedness is to be made straight, upright and true.)

The rough ways shall be made smooth! (The rough and rocky parts of our personality are to be made to be smooth, gentle and mild.)

To choose these changes of our nature and human condition is necessary to receiving the Lamb of God, the Savior.  

This repentance and choice prepares the Way for Jesus to come into your life!  

The decision to be repaired is how we become prepared for Jesus!

Luke 3:7-14

John the Baptist preached a change of lifestyle.

Believers and Receivers of Jesus are to live a different kind of life!  …a life of Righteousness rather than a life of sin!

John preached against Sin!  Why?

Because…sin not only separates people from God…Sin kills!

“sin, when it is finished brings forth death”  - James 1:15

Sin has the power to kill us, eternally, spiritually, physically.

Sin destroys relationships, families, finances, health and all sorts of good and wholesome things.  Sin is our enemy!

Most people don’t think correctly about sin.

Sin isn’t natural. (it’s unnatural and abnormal)

Sin isn’t acceptable. (It’s never allowed by God)

Sin isn’t controllable. (It deceives and enslaves)

Sin isn’t funny. or cute.(Caused fall of Adam, death of Jesus, judgment of the world.)

Sin isn’t expected. (1 Jn. 2:1 “Sin not”)

Sin is Forgivable!

Proverbs 28:13

1 John 1:9    

Sin is Escapable!

1 Corinthians 10:13

Romans 6:12

The Lord is coming back!

Let’s prepare the way of the Lord!

2 Peter 3:10-14, 17-18