CHRISTMAS FROM THE FOUR GOSPELS – Part 1
Prepare The Way
Mark 1:1-8
INTRODUCTION:
A. Planning and Preparation is something we all know something about.
1. From about the age of 5, sometimes younger, we each start thinking in terms of organization
2. Let me give you a few examples
a. Tell a five year old that after daddy gets off work tomorrow and finishes the yard work they will go get an ice cream cone.
1) The child starts thinking – is it tomorrow yet?
2) Tomorrow comes and he starts asking when will daddy get off work
3) Then, have you got the yard done yet? If you say almost, they start getting their things together and putting on their coat. They are ready.
b. Teenage girl: prom is in a few weeks, what’s happening
1) They are planning: date, outfit, friends, ride, etc…..
2) Almost nothing is left to chance for most.
c. As adults we plan for jobs, vacations, and trips.
1) We buy insurances, take vitamins, exercise with a goal in mind.
2) Even Christmas: were planning what to buy, how to celebrate and of course, as Baptists, what we will eat at the Christmas meal.
B. It Should, Therefore, Not Surprise Us Our God A Planner
1. He began before the world was formed planning the coming of His son.
2. Following creation and in the history of man we find all sorts of indications of His planning and preparation
a. The virgin conception of Christ written of by Isaiah (7:14), some 700 years prior
b. His birth in Bethlehem spoken of by Micah (5:2), 730 years before
c. And then one we are presently concerned with, the coming of a forerunner to the Messiah, spoken of in both Isaiah (40:30) and Malachi (3:1)
C. Listen to our scripture passage for this morning found in Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
1. As we consider the topic “Prepare the Way” we will keep it simple with only two points
a. First, John’s Preparation
b. Second, Our Preparation
2. May God’s preparation for the Messiah find its fulfillment in our lives today.
PRAY
Let’s begin by taking a look at
I. JOHN’S PREPARATION, Mark 1:1-8, Note first
A. John’s Reason for Preparation – Mark 1:2 Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
1. I want you to think about this for a moment: John’s conception, birth and life were all about one thing – Jesus!
2. How be it a very in a very special way.
3. He would be the one prophesied about in both Isa 40 and Malachi 3 which stated Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: Malachi 3:1
4. God saw fit to make preparations for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God through John the Baptist
5. He was to get people thinking about the Messiah – they should not be taken by surprise at His coming because John was sent to “prepare” the way
- Thayer’s Greek Dictionary gave this definition: to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings
6. It was a special reason for preparation
B. Secondly let us take note of the Manner of Preparation, Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
1. Matthew writes Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. John’s manner was to preach the word of God, announce the arrival of the foretold Messiah and proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand.
3. His message included:
a. Repentance of Sin
b. Confession of sin
c. Affirm the coming of the Christ
d. And baptism
4. Why? Because he was preparing the hearts of men for the Son of Man!
C. Thirdly, I would like you to see the Self-sacrifice of Preparation, Mark 1:6-7 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
1. The first thing that jumps out at me is his dress – camel’s hair - have you ever felt a camel’s hair: rough and thick
a. He was not spending a lot on his wardrobe
b. And it was not going to start a fashion renaissance
2. Then there is his food: Locust & honey
a. I’m not a fan of honey, but I can see eating it
b. But locust – big grasshoppers, not my favorite
- As a matter of personal note, it probably has more to do with the idea than the insect (I have had chocolate covered grasshoppers before – not bad)
- Then again, it might have been the chocolate!
3. He was concerned about his self-esteem: note two statements
a. One found here: There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. Luke 1:7
b. The other in John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
4. He was not looking out for or even worried about himself – his focus was on the Messiah and he was willing to do what ever was necessary, at what ever cost, to prepare the way of the Messiah.
D. And finally there is the Goal for the Preparation, Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
1. John’s goal was for a person to be ready to accept the Messiah as the Savior and having believed receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
2. This is what Paul was writing about when he penned Ephes. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
3. All the preparation was to set the stage for the entrance of the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.
4. This is the true meaning of the Christmas celebration!
If you read the accounts of Jesus’ life from conception to birth you will find that a lot of preparation when into His coming that first Christmas morning. With this in mind I want us to look at
II. OUR PREPARATION – As we prepare for Christmas this year why not consider the following:
A. I want you to think back – remember what I said about John’s Reason for Preparation
1. It was special.
a. Why? Because the occasion was to be special
b. He was preparing for the coming of the Messiah
2. Do we see this Christmas season as something special?
a. Now I don’t mean special in the manner of getting gifts, having parties, going to family gatherings or in hanging decorations
b. I mean do we see the Christ of Christmas
1) Do we really give special meaning to His birth
2) Do we make preparation for Him?
3. John’s life was given to the preparation of Christ’s coming
a. What is our life all about?
b. Are we preparing our families, especially our children, to accept Christ?
- Some parents start a college fund for their child at birth or when they start school, but what about preparing their hearts to receive the Savior?
c. What about using the season to prepare our hearts for what the Lord might want to do in our lives?
B. We also looked a John’s Manner of Preparation – it is no different for us.
1. The word of God
a. It is the word of God that will bring faith by the working of the Spirit of God: whether unto salvation or consecration
b. Do we read it? Do we teach it to our children? Do we obey it?
2. Repentance and confession of sin is important, as well.
a. Do we acknowledge our sin to God
b. Are we confessing it and asking for forgiveness?
3. It is hard to really prepare for Christmas without these things.
C. Then there was the sacrifice for preparation
1. I had to ask myself a few questions:
a. “Did I sacrifice anything from my Savior this year?”
b. “Do I live more exorbitantly than I should?”
c. “Am I more worried about my self-esteem, how I look, than esteeming Christ?”
2. These are hard questions to ask anytime, but especially at this time
3. So much of our time is going into preparing for the Christmas season
4. But maybe its time for all of us to ask these questions? And then take action as necessary when we come to conclusion.
D. And finally, the Goal for our Preparation
1. What is our goal in this Christmas season?
a. Is it to perpetuate Santa Claus or praise Christ!
b. Is it to see how much stuff we can get for ourselves or what we can give to Jesus?
2. Are we even interested in the Christmas story
a. Listen to what Christmas is all about: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:9-14
b. The true story of Christmas is filled with joy, peace and glory all found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ!
c. Do you have HIM?
CONCLUSION:
A. It is by God’s grace that the Babe of the manger became the sacrifice on the cross
1. Has God made preparation in your heart for Jesus this morning?
2. Are we prepared for Christ’s second coming?
B. We need to prepare the way this Christmas
1. In the words of Steve Moore and David Clydesdale taken from the Easter musical Eyes of Faith: Prepare the way the way for our redeemer…Make ready your heart; make ready your home; make ready the people of God!
2. Prepare the Way!
3. Remember John’s example
4. Rejoice in Jesus’ coming!
