What shall we do?
Preparing the way for Jesus
Luke 1:13-20 (NKJ)
John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus.
How was John the Baptist able to prepare the way for Jesus?
Luke 1:15 b He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (NKJ)
When we receive Christ as savior, we become born again and the Holy Sprit is put in us and we have the power to be witnesses and to prepare the way for Jesus.
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (NKJ)
We see John the Baptist was being a witness.
John 1:29-34 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (NKJ)
How can we be a witness for Jesus today and prepare the way for others to see Him?
Luke 3:10-14 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”
11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” (NKJ)
1) John says start by giving.
James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (NKJ)
1 John 3:16-18 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (NKJ)
Real love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving.
The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others.
How can we lay down our lives?
• By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return.
• Are you as generous as you should be with your money, possessions, and time?
When you give you are being a witness for Christ.
2) John says do what the Lord requires of you.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (NKJ)
• Are you fair in your dealings with people?
• Do you show mercy to those who wrong you?
• Are you learning humility?
Are you treating others the way you want to be treated?
Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NKJ)
This is commonly known as the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule as Jesus formulated it is the foundation of active goodness and mercy- the kind of love God shows to us every day.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NKJ)
When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults.
Have you talked behind someone’s back?
Have you focused on other’s shortcomings instead of their strengths.
Remind yourself of Jesus command to love others as you love yourself.
When you treat people justly and with mercy and love your neighbor as yourself you are being a good witness.
3) John says “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely.
Exodus 23:1-2 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. (NKJ)
• "Don't pass on malicious gossip.
• "Don't link up with a wicked person and give corrupt testimony.
• Don't go along with the crowd in doing evil.
• Don't fudge your testimony in a case just to please the crowd.
Leviticus 19:11 ‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. (NKJ)
Lying to one another disrupts unity by destroying trust. Be committed to telling the truth.
When you tell the truth and don’t gossip or pervert justice you are a good witness for Christ.
4) Peter says Repent
Acts 2:36-39 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (NKJ)
To repent means to turn from sin, changing the direction of your life from selfishness and rebellion against God’s laws.
At the same time, you must turn to Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and purpose.
Baptism identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith.
Not only did people ask what shall we do?
What must I do?
5) Paul and Silas say Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:29-31 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (NKJ)
Paul and Silas were about to share something his whole family should hear, and the whole household heard the gospel proclaimed.
The whole family came to faith in God. Acts 16:34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. (NKJ)
To become a witness you have to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ , repent turn from your sins and turn to the one you put your faith in the Bible says Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (NKJ)
How can we be a witness for Jesus today and prepare the way for others to see Him?
1) Being a good witness
2) Giving of money, possessions, and time.
3) Treating people justly and with mercy and love your neighbor as yourself.
4) Telling the truth and don’t gossip or pervert justice.
We should be the marten day John the Baptist.
