Stay Focused!
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Mark 1:4-5 NKJV
The last great prophet, John the Baptist.
A man filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb.
A vow to serve God, no matter what.
The one that would introduce the whole world to The One!
What a task God had for him.
John the Baptist had been doing the work of the Kingdom of God. He was obedient to the instruction of His God!
Preparing not just the way but the hearts of those that would hear.
Who have you introduced to Jesus lately?
Who have you been ministering to let them know there is a way, hope, peace and salvation?
Imagine in your mind how many people were on the Banks of the Jordan River.
Listening to the words coming from John’s mouth. Hearing these people accepting the Baptism of Repentance by confessing their sins before being submerged. Spiritual rebirth to those with faith.
Leaving the old dead man in the waters of the Jordan.
But he is preparing the way for the One Greater than coming after him, The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World!
John the Baptist expects Him at any time!
How much anticipation do you have for the return of Jesus?
How are we preparing for His arrival?
The bigger question is are you prepared to receive your King!
Many know all the passages in God’s Word about His return. We study the times that are upon us. They are so scary and exciting in the same breath!
Even though we know all the warning signs we prepare in the wrong way.
We should be preparing the hearts of those that have no hope!
Leading them to the only One that can soften and heal the hardest of hearts.
Instead we neglect them all to prepare ourselves.
Many will spare no expense trying to ensure that their physical walls are impenetrable, but leave the gates to their Spirit wide open!
Some are preparing more for Armageddon than they are for the return of their Lord!
We get so easily distracted by our surroundings. We want to be in the know, especially when there’s something exciting happening around us.
For that split second we take our eyes off what the Lord has us doing we can stumble and fall because we have set our gaze on something other than the Lord!
When we do the work of the Kingdom, there will always be distractions and opposition.
It comes from our inner thoughts or from outside influences.
Either way it’s a distraction that can keep us all from bringing more in the Lord’s fold!
Stay focused and do the work God has called you to do!
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Matthew 3:7 NKJV
John didn’t allow these men to distract him or turn him from what the Lord had him doing!
Scripture says.
Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized.
So many hearts are ready to open. So many ears are ready to be unplugged. So many are searching today. These people went to John to seek!
“What must I do to be saved”?
When we speak the Word of God’s truth, people are attracted to it. I believe that humanity knows deep down something is missing. We are made in His image and are in His likeness.
But not all are His children until they repent, believe and follow!
For many that don’t know Jesus there is a sense of unworthiness.
“My sin is too big. How can He forgive me?”
For others they think that they are in no need for a Savior.
” I am my own god”.
All walks of life were on the Banks of the Jordan River.
Some desperately waiting for hope.
Others, ready to disprove and critique.
Either way John was the mouthpiece to speak truth!
Jesus comes.
Just as all the Prophets had said He would.
The Messiah finds John doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing,
Preparing the way!
When the Lord comes back, how will He find you?
For the first time in all of history something happens. All of humanity was and is to this day on the same playing field.
It no longer matters who you are. Where you came from. Your position at work. Your religious affiliation. Rich or poor.
The announcement of Jesus Christ the Messiah brings every heart and soul to the same position, the need to repent and the need of a Savior!
Everyone is on common ground now.
Jesus doesn’t play favorites,The Father doesn’t play favorites. All are welcome to the Table of God’s mercy and grace.
All of our common hope is now in the forgiveness of sins, Salvation, and Eternal rest in Heaven with our God through this Son who would be the One who would make it all happen.
The wait was finally over for not only the Jews but for the whole world to receive its new King!
It was John the Baptist that introduced the world to the Messiah!
Who are you introducing Him to?
Do your Spirit good today.
Live like Jesus is coming now.
Serve Him out of obedience and not obligation.
Be the mouthpiece to speak of the coming of the King of Glory.
Let them know no one is worthy of heaven.
We all need to repent and turn from our ways.
But then give them the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus!
Jesus makes them worthy!
Be found doing what He has called you to do.
Stay focused and do the work God has called you to do!
There are many on the Banks of the Jordan River ready and waiting to hear what you have to say about your God!
Speak to them today.
Pastor Ed