Isaiah 9:2,6-7 - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
SIGNS OF A MESSIANIC MESSENGER
Isaiah 40:3 - A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Malachi 3:1 - “See, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me
SIGNS MESSIANIC MESSENGER – FULFILLED
John 1:23 - {John} said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord —just as Isaiah the prophet said.”
John 1:6-9 - 6 There was a man named John who was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
PREACHING WILDERNESS WILD-MAN
Luke 3:2-3 - God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
Matthew 3:1-2, 4 - In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near! 4 John himself had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Matthew 3:5-6 - 5 Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were flocking to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.
Luke 3:15-16,18 - 15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…. 18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE A VOICE CRYING OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS OF OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES — THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND WANDERING — WITH THE HOPE WE’VE FOUND IN JESUS.
OUR WISH LIST SHOULDN’T JUST BE FILLED WITH THINGS, BUT OF PEOPLE WE DESIRE TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS.
WE ALL HAVE A VOICE, TESTIMONY & SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, AND WE ARE CALLED TO SHARE ABOUT JESUS SO OTHERS CAN COME TO KNOW JESUS.
Romans 10:13-15 - 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!
