Preparing the Way

The Spirit & Power of Elijah - Message 10 - Preparing the Way. John the Baptist was the greatest prophet who himself fulfilled prophecy. He was the one who was to come before the Messiah prepare the way for the Lord. We know that he was known around the region for his preaching the message of repentance, but what does it actually mean that he prepared the way for the Lord? Preparing the way involves preaching the truth of the gospel. A heart that is prepared for the coming of the Messiah is a heart that is confronted, convicted, convinced, contrite, and confessing. John confronted sinners of every class of people throughout society with their need to flee the wrath to come and to be prepared for the coming of the kingdom of God. His message convicted them of sin and the need to repent from it. As the Holy Spirit used him and his preaching he convinced people of the truth and their need for righteousness before God - a righteousness that they could not produce on their own. The gospel message then was used by the Spirit to produce contrition in the hearts of those being drawn to the Savior and as they repented of their sin they made a public confession by submitting to John's baptism. A heart that is prepared to receive Christ then is a heart that has heard the gospel preached and cries out and pleads, "What must I do to be saved?" The prepared heart is ready to do whatever is necessary in order to quench the awesome desire to be rescued, redeemed, and restored to fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. How do you proclaim the gospel to others? Do you diligently use the Word of God to prepare the way for the Sav