John the Road-builder

Rev Buell Abraham

Malachi 3:1-4 The Lord Almighty answers, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Thn the Lord youa re looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenget you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant." But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings. Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the Lord will be pleasing to him, as they used to be in the past.

Luke 1:68-79 "Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to the help of his people and has set them free. He has provided for us a mighty Saviour, a descendant of his servant David. He promised through his holy prophets long ago that he would save us from our enemies, from the power of all those who hate us. He said he would show mercy to our ancestors and rremember his sacred covenant. WIth a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham he promised to resuce us from our enemies and allow us to serve him without fear, so that we might be holy and righteous before him all the days of our live.

"You, my child,will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him, to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine from heaven on ll those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace."


Luke 3:1-6 It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip was ruler of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias was ruler of Abilene, and Anna and Caiaphas were high priests. At that time the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. So John went throughout the whole territory of the River Jordan, preaching, "Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins." As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah;

"Someone is shouting in the desert: 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel! Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth. All mankind will see God's salvation!'"

6/12/2009

Isaiah 11:6 Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them.

*Christ is willing to come in our lives to transform us
*Eternal death = eternal life
*2nd advent= he returns the 2nd time
*none of us are evil
*Prayer and fasting is about God, that he wants to have a conversation with you
*God did many things to prove his existence but we always turn away from him
*How can we praise God with distress and difficulty
*Am I or are we like that?
*Why are there, church differences?
*Do we examine ourselves in the light of the teaching of God's Word?
*He loves us so dearly, he wants to see repentence
*Are we transparent with God?
*Are we pursueing holiness and sincerity in all our dealings?

2 Corinthians 1:12 We are proud that our conscience assures us that our lives in this world, and especially our relations with you, have been rules by God-given frankness and sincerity, byt hte power of God's grace, and not by human wisdom.

*Being honest with others about where we are spiritually

Ephesians 4:25 No more lying, then! Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow-believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ.

*being willing to be admonished by those who love us

Proverbs 27:6 A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his arm round your shoulder- watch out!

*Most of the time, we don't listen to God, instead, we do things our own way
*When you pray, he will reward us openly
*Be willing to accept God
*Are we willing to be purified by Jesus?
*God speaks to John. Through the middle of the chaos of the world, the world of God comes
*Time is wasting. So, turn! Turn yourself, and turn the world. The revolution begins in you.
*John the Baptizer is also John the Road-builder
*Are we willing to listen like John who preached about repentence and forgiveness?

Luke 3:3-6

*Able being to work with others without any personal agenda so that God can work through you
*Each person should have the testimony of Christ
*Try and reconcile, never be a troublemaker

*Be a people-builder this Christmas

Hebrews 10:24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.

A reminder for communion

1 Corinthians 11:29-30 For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord's body when he eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and several have died.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**