The Preparation for Ministry

Luke 3:1-23

When Jesus Christ came to Palestine there was only one advance man. It was the task of John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of God and then to get out of the way. And there is a sense in which all of us are to prepare the way for the coming of Christ in the lives of others. Let’s see five ways that John prepared for the coming of Christ and learn from his example.

I. John’s

Reveal Answer

. (vv. 1-2)

A. John lived

from most people.

1. His

   Reveal Answer
   was different.

2. His

   Reveal Answer
   was different.

3. His

   Reveal Answer
   was different.

B. We can help prepare people’s hearts for Christ by being

different.

1. By living

   Reveal Answer
   .

2. By dressing

   Reveal Answer
   .

3. By not

   Reveal Answer
   .

4. By

   Reveal Answer
   for people.

5. By practicing a diet of

   Reveal Answer
   .

II. John’s

Reveal Answer

. (vv. 3-60)

A. Baptism was a maverick,

practice.

B. When we get

it can be a way of preparing the way for

Reveal Answer

to receive Christ.

III. John’s

Reveal Answer

. (vv. 7-14)

A. John’s preaching was

.

B. John’s preaching was not all

thinking and building up people’s

Reveal Answer

.

C. John welcomed even the

to his audience.

D. One of the

ways we help to prepare people’s hearts for the coming of Christ is through

Reveal Answer

.

IV. John’s

Reveal Answer

. (vv. 15-18)

A. John knew his

and humbly

Reveal Answer

it.

B. A

of

Reveal Answer

goes a long way in helping other people to receive Christ.

V. John’s

Reveal Answer

. (vv. 19-23)

A. John was

, but he wasn’t a

Reveal Answer

.

B. We can prepare the way by being

without being

Reveal Answer

.