SERMON OUTLINE FOR SUNDAY AM, December 13, AM, 2009


Pastor Peter Hogeterp

Covenant Christian Reformed Church

Winnipeg, Canada

           

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-20
Sermon Title: MAKING THE WORLD READY: JOHN THE BAPTIST (Social Action)

Introduction:
John the Baptist’s stream of spirituality is identified as “social action.” He’s the man who echoed the words of Isaiah, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” What does that mean? And how does that fit in Advent?

  1. Who was John the Baptist?
    1. He is the son of the elderly priest Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth; both were good people (Luke 1:6), and they had no children (1:7)
    2. An angel appeared to Zechariah: “your prayers have been heard” (1:13)
    3. He is a relative to Jesus (1:36); Jesus’ mother was probably his cousin. Mary went to visit while both she and Elizabeth were expecting (1:39-45)
    4. Elizabeth gave birth to their son; they named him “John” which means “the Lord is gracious” (1:57,60)
    5. Zechariah’s song identifies John as the “Prophet of the Most High.” (1:76)
  1. What was his message?
    1. His clothing was of camel’s hair and leather belt (Matt.3:4); his food was locusts and wild honey; a protest against self-indulgence
    2. People flocked out into the countryside to hear him preach, and to be baptized (vs.7)
    3. He called his “congregation” a brood of vipers, and told them to repent
    4. He baptized people with water, as a symbol of repentance (vs.3)
    5. He was preparing the way for the Person who is coming after him, “the thongs of whose sandals he is not worthy to untie” (vs. 16)
  1. How does his message “prepare the way for the Lord”?
    1. Old Testament believers knew a second Elijah would precede the Messiah (1:17)
    2. He identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sin (John 1:29)
    3. Jesus has nothing to do if the world is not a cruel and heartless place (Matt. 9:13)
    4. John preached a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”
    5. John’s job: “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (1:17) “What should we do then?” the crowds asked John (vs.10)
    6. Share; give; be honest; be truthful; (repentance means going in the opposite direction that you naturally feel like going)

 

Conclusion:
How would you like someone like John the Baptist to be our next pastor? He calls people names and reams them out, all to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. The church needs to recommit itself to spreading this message urgently! In our celebrating Advent, we also look forward to Christ’s return? How do we prepare the way for His Second Coming? Will He find faith in us? (Luke 18:8)