Sermons on John The Baptist Prepares The Way:

When Things Haven't Turned Out The Way You Expected

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 8, 2010

A look at John the Baptist's astonishing admission of doubt about who Jesus is and why we often have similar doubts.

OUR COMPLAINT: “This is not what I signed up for.” - Matthew 11:2a – John in prison. - I cannot read the mind of John, but I can’t help but believe that a prison cell was the last place he expected to end up. - He is the great prophet of God, the forerunner of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing Ourselves For The "way Of The Lord"

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Dec 2, 2019

on the second Sunday of Advent we have John the Baptizer proclaim the coming of the Lord

Matthew 3:1-12 Today we begin the second week of Advent – a time of preparation as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and anticipation of His Second Coming. The message of John the Baptizer, who prepared Judea for the first coming of Jesus, tells us how to prepare for the coming of Jesus in this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Begin With The Beginning

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 19, 2013

As Mark's Gospel opens, we find that the stage is almost set for Jesus' ministry to begin. John the Baptist is on the scene. He was there to prepare the way so that the people would be ready to receive the King.

Mark 1:1-8 "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Prepare For The Coming Of Jesus

Contributed by Craig Condon on Oct 28, 2015

When John the Baptist told the people to repent, he was telling them to turn away from their sins and ask for forgiveness. John the Baptist told the people that if they repented, their hearts would be ready for God because they turned toward God.

Good morning boys and girls! Are you starting to get excited for the coming of Christmas? Are you starting to get ready for the holidays? How about your moms and dads? Are they starting to get things ready for Christmas? There’s always a lot of things to do to get ready for Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Word Of God Comes

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Jan 13, 2013

John the Baptist received the word of God in the desert, and prepared the people for the coming of Christ by calling them to repentance.

We are in the season of Advent. We prepare now for the coming of Christ at Christmas, and we recall that He will come again with power and great glory on the last day. The Incarnation was long foretold by the prophets and looked for by God’s faithful people. The secular world prepares for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Anglican

Preparing The Way: The Dawn Of God’s Mercy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 19, 2024

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also reflect on the profound truths revealed in Scripture about His coming. Today, we focus on a prophecy spoken by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, in Luke 1:76-78

Preparing the Way: The Dawn of God’s Mercy Introduction: Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also reflect on the profound truths revealed in Scripture about His coming. Today, we focus on a prophecy spoken by Zechariah, the father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:76-78, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1-2, John 1:29, Luke 19:10, Ephesians 1:7, Malachi 4:2, John 8:12, Isaiah 9:2, Lamentations 3:22-23, Acts 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

John the Baptist told people to make preparations to meet Jesus that were very different from our preparations for Christmas.

I hope we are all making some progress towards being ready for Christmas. We know the drill, decorations, shopping, Christmas cards, wrapping presents, cooking, and so on. Today we meet John the Baptist, who gives us a very different list of things we need to do to be ready to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

Adding And Subtracting

Contributed by Glenn Abel on Mar 21, 2017

A sermon on John the Baptist that focuses on John's humility and acceptance of his work as the one who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. John's life is summed up in the words "He must increase and I must decrease."

Adding and Subtracting John 3:22–30 (ESV) “He must increase, but I must decrease” The third chapter of John is best known for Nicodemus and John 3:16 But this chapter also records an incident that is very important to the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus I. The ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Of John Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 14, 2016

One day, John the Baptist would stand at the water's edge, see his cousin Jesus walking towards him, and would cry out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Luke 1:57-80 The Birth of John 12/19/04 D. Marion Clark Introduction Is there a more momentous event than the birth of a child? We hear people say when they have experienced some great achievement or honor, “Next to the birth of my child this is the greatest experience of my life.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preparations Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Intro: Preparations for Christmas: decorations, shopping, food, company, travel, programs, parties, etc., etc. Read Luke 3:1-6. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. Misconceptions about the Messiah’s first coming. Thought to be political and military. Reality it was spiritual. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

John The Baptist (Luke 3:1-18)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 12, 2007

My favourite sermon. JB is always the herald of Christmas for me - a guy with an attitude that is a long way from the fat elf in his red plush suit! ...

The season of Christmas is upon us! At what point did this realisation hit you? * When you saw decorations going up in shopping centres - something which always seems to happen way to early (ie. October)? * When your family first rang you to organise a Christmas luncheon or dinner, which never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Zacharias’ Prophecy Of The New Covenant Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 9, 2019

Zachariah’s son was the prophet God chose for a key role in the drama of the ages. Jesus was to do the work of deliverance; John was to prepare the way for Him.

LUKE 1:76-80 ZACHARIAS’ PROPHECY OF THE NEW COVENANT In the first part of Zechariah’s Song he has exalted God for establish His glorious covenants starting with Abraham and then for bringing His covenants into glorious fulfillment through the coming of the Messiah. The Hymn then blesses God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:76-80

Denomination: Baptist

Faith That Follows Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Nov 8, 2025

Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission. When we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even ordinary moments can become divine appointments that change lives.

Live Volume 3: Get Going — Week 2: Faith That Follows Text: John 1:19–34 (NLT) Theme: Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission: to prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-17 - Surprise! I'm Already Here! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 21, 2010

Why are people still turning up to Jesus as John's disciples and wanting TO KEEP ON PREPARING THE WAY. Jesus has come. The Bridegroom has arrived. Get with the plan, people! He's here. All that is left is to celebrate the wedding!

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-15 - SURPRISE! I'M ALREADY HERE! My youngest grandson had his first birthday recently. My daughter wanted to make it special for him and she invited all her friends with young children to come. SHE SPENT WEEKS PLANNING THIS PARTY. We spent a good week just setting it up. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing The Way For Christmas

Contributed by Perry Anderson on Dec 2, 2015

Before we can go out into the world to share the good news of Christ, we must first prepare our own hearts. An Advent sermon for Holy Communion Sunday.

Preparing the Way for Christmas Mark 1:1-8 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible