THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING

Introduction:

A. Who Was The Most Important Person In Bible History?

1. Abraham - followed God's call to become a great nation?

2. Moses - followed God's call to lead Israel?

3. John the Baptist - prepared the way of the Lord!

B. The Work Of A "Leader."

Body: Luke 3: 1 - 6

I. A Difficult Time.

A. The Influence of the Roman Emperors.

B. The Influence of the Regional Governors.

C. The Influence of the Tetrarchs.

D. The Influence of the Religious Leaders.

1. Two High Priests? (Annas = A.D. 7 - 14) (Caiaphas = A.D. 18 -37)
2. High Priesthood had become a political office.

II. The Word Of God.

A. Came to John.

1. The Spirit filled his mind, heart and mouth.
2. It had been missing from the leaders.

B. He preaches.

1. Was all around the region of the Jordan.
2. Baptism of Repentance for Remission of Sin.
a. Is this what we teach?
b. John's baptism was to prepare people for Christ.
c. We baptize people into Christ (Gal. 3: 27; Romans 6: 3).

III. The Voice Of One Crying...

A. Prepare the way for the Lord!

1. Make a way for His arrival.
2. Fill in needs and tear down obstacles.

B. All need to see God's salvation.

Conclusion:

A. What Is Our Purpose?

1. To seek and to save the lost.

2. To serve.

3. To prepare the way for the Lord to touch people's lives.

B. The Way To Lead.

1. The first shall be last (Matthew 11: 11).

2. Go before the Lord to make disciples of Jesus.