Title Matthew 3:1~10 (2011.7.5)
Contents
Title: Prepare the Way for the Lord
Text: (Matthew 3:1~10)
Hymns: 531. The merciful Lord is calling
Date: July 5, 2011 (Tuesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
People often say, 'The future belongs to those who prepare.' So we predict the future and strive to live a successful future. So, what kind of future awaits believers? And how should we prepare for the future? Today's Word has the answer.
1. Prepare the way for the Lord
Before Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptist urged people to repent. He was the ‘voice’ he cried out in the wilderness preparing the way for the king. In other words, before Jesus came, the people prepared their hearts to meet Him. For this kind of work, John lived in the wilderness and had a deep fellowship with God. Later, he was praised by Jesus as the greatest man born of a woman. When the time was fulfilled and John the Baptist proclaimed the end and repentance to the people, thousands of people came to him and were baptized. If John the Baptist was the one who prepared for the Lord's first coming, we are the ones who prepare for the Lord's second coming. How are we now preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus?
2. Confess your sins
At John's proclamation, people confessed their sins and were baptized. Repentance means turning from the wrong way, and sin means missing the mark. In order to receive Jesus, we must solve the problem of sin. The baptism performed by John the Baptist signifies the death of the old man and the rebirth of a new man. Furthermore, it belongs to God. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul compared baptism to the Exodus, saying that Israel was baptized in the sea. This exodus baptism is a renunciation of a life full of sin. And like a child of God, we must abandon our old habits and live in the way of the kingdom of God. We cannot live such a life on our own. It is only possible by the grace of God.
3. Bear good fruit
John the Baptist declared that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. He specifically rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Here, fruit means action. They were law experts who taught the word of God, but they did not produce good fruit. Because he lived a life of eating out. They believed that the fact that they were descendants of Abraham would keep them safe. But just as the stones are not God's people, so those without works have nothing to do with God's people. The Apostle James said that faith without works is dead faith. So what about our lives? Are you bearing fruit that is good in the sight of the Lord? Or are you living a life that will be cut down and thrown away for lack of fruit?
Sent to prepare for the first coming of Jesus, John the Baptist asked people to repent and live a fruitful life. We must prepare for the second coming of Jesus by living a life that bears good fruits. That is the secret to best preparing for the future. I hope you live a life that bears good fruits today as well.
<Prayer>
1. Prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord and bring forth many good fruits!
2. Let the youth discipleship be transformed into a life filled with the Holy Spirit!
3. Heal and restore our weak members!