Sunday, December 11, 2011

Prepare Ye the Way


image courtesy photobucket.com


Be prepared; Get ready, the King is coming - - was the title of Sundays sermon by our Pastor Carl. I share here my notes as I gleaned from his message.

Pastor selected his scriptures from Isaiah 9:6-7 where the prophet Isaiah proclaimed that the King would come, and the reading from Matthew 3, where John, the last Old Testament prophet declared saying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

The crowds asked John if he was the Christ, but his answer was, “I am preparing the way, for one comes after me whose shoes I am not worthy to undo.” John’s message was Repent and Believe in order to be ready.

Advent is the season of preparation. We search our inward being and prepare our hearts.

Preparation always makes things better and easier.

A gardener prepares the soil prior to his planting.

A cook plans the menu and purchases the necessary ingredients before hand.

A teacher plans the lesson.

The traveler coordinates his schedule and route.

Spiritually we must plan ahead and get ready for the coming of our Lord.

We prepare for worship, opening our heart to receive the seed of the word. We come with a willing and teachable spirit, and a loving and generous attitude.

God is always well prepared. His wisdom has planned every last detail from Genesis to Revelation, announcing the coming of the King, arranging the census so that Bethlehem as prophesied would be the place of Christ’s birth. Even the life, death and resurrection of Jesus were all in God’s design. Jesus came back from death with new life.

The plan of salvation, secured for us eternal life and forgiveness of all our sins. On the cross, Jesus took all our sins upon himself so that we could be free from guilt and shame.

Jesus told his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you can be also.” We have an eternal inheritance prepared for us. The question was asked, “How can we know the way?” Jesus replied, “I am the Way the truth and the Life, he that believes on me shall live.” When Jesus was baptized in water by John, a voice from heaven spoke and declared, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.”

Today, we are to cry out like David, “Have Mercy O Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.” 

May I ever be prepared to meet you, Oh Lord my King!

 
Linking today with: Michelle, Joan and Deidra.
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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is amazing how much effort we put in to preparing for things - for holidays, for babies arrivals etc, but for the King of Kings so little. Thanks for the reminder to prepare.

Michelle DeRusha said...

I think I do a lot of preparing for Christmas, not not nearly enough of that preparation which is of the spiritual kind. Thank you for the reminder, Hazel!

Sheila said...

He'll come as a thief in the night.

We should all be good scouts.

Anonymous said...

May my heart be prepared for the coming King.

Joan Davis (Jo) said...

I am preparing my heart for Him!

Blessings, Joan

floyd said...

Only one way for us to be prepared... Seek Him. But, most of can always use a reminder. Thanks for your's today.