Preparing Hearts for the Coming of Christ

 

Summary

In the heart of Isaiah 40:3-5, we find a profound message about the coming of the Lord and the preparation required for His arrival. This passage is not just a historical prophecy but a timeless call to recognize the unique and transformative event of God sending His Son into the world. The essence of Christianity is not merely about moral living or philosophical insights; it is about the unprecedented act of God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ. This event is unparalleled in history, marking a new covenant and a new way for humanity to receive divine blessings.

The world often misunderstands Christianity, reducing it to a set of ethical guidelines or a cultural identity. However, the true Christian message is about God's intervention in human history through Jesus Christ. This intervention is not just a philosophical idea but a tangible reality that demands a response. The preparation for the Lord's coming involves a radical transformation of the heart, symbolized by the leveling of mountains and the raising of valleys. This imagery signifies the humbling of human pride and the exaltation of the humble, preparing a straight path for the Lord.

The incarnation of Christ is the central event that makes salvation possible. It is through Jesus, fully God and fully man, that we receive forgiveness and new life. This is not achieved through human effort or religious rituals but through faith in the finished work of Christ. The message of comfort and redemption is available to all who recognize their need for a Savior and turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The essence of Christianity is the unique and unprecedented event of God becoming man in Jesus Christ. This is not just a philosophical idea but a historical reality that demands a response from each individual. [17:48]

- True Christianity is not about moral living or cultural identity but about recognizing and accepting the transformative work of Christ. It requires a radical transformation of the heart, symbolized by the leveling of mountains and the raising of valleys. [27:31]

- The incarnation of Christ is central to the Christian message. Jesus, fully God and fully man, is the only way through which we receive forgiveness and new life. This is not achieved through human effort but through faith in Christ's finished work. [23:52]

- The preparation for the Lord's coming involves a recognition of our sinfulness and a turning away from self-reliance. It is about humbling ourselves before God and acknowledging our need for His grace and mercy. [39:19]

- The message of comfort and redemption is available to all who recognize their need for a Savior. It is a call to repentance and faith, leading to a new life in Christ and the blessings of God's kingdom. [45:38]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Isaiah 40:3-5
[01:13] - The Essence of the Christian Gospel
[02:40] - Misunderstandings of Christianity
[05:25] - God's Message of Comfort
[09:17] - How Salvation Comes
[12:45] - The Centrality of Jesus Christ
[16:11] - The Uniqueness of the Christian Message
[20:41] - The Incarnation of Christ
[26:02] - The Preparation for the Lord's Coming
[30:15] - The Significance of the Incarnation
[35:19] - The New Way of Salvation
[39:05] - The Call to Repentance
[44:10] - The Essential New Way
[50:25] - Benediction and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 40:3-5

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the imagery of leveling mountains and raising valleys in Isaiah 40:3-5? How does this relate to the preparation for the Lord's coming? [00:33]
2. According to the sermon, how does the world often misunderstand Christianity, and what is the true essence of the Christian message? [02:40]
3. What role does the incarnation of Christ play in the Christian message, as discussed in the sermon? [23:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the necessary preparation for the Lord's coming into our lives? [39:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the uniqueness of the Christian message compared to other philosophies or religions? What makes the event of God becoming man in Jesus Christ unparalleled? [17:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the incarnation of Christ is central to receiving forgiveness and new life? How does this differ from achieving salvation through human effort? [23:52]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of recognizing our sinfulness and turning away from self-reliance in preparing for the Lord's coming? [39:19]
4. How does the sermon describe the message of comfort and redemption available to those who recognize their need for a Savior? What is the call to action for believers? [45:38]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of Christianity. Have you ever viewed it as merely a set of ethical guidelines or a cultural identity? How does the sermon challenge that perspective? [02:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for a radical transformation of the heart. What areas of pride or self-reliance might you need to address to prepare a straight path for the Lord in your life? [27:31]
3. Consider the role of faith in the finished work of Christ for your salvation. How does this understanding impact your daily walk with God? [23:52]
4. The sermon calls for a recognition of our sinfulness and a turning away from self-reliance. What practical steps can you take this week to humble yourself before God and acknowledge your need for His grace and mercy? [39:19]
5. How can you actively share the message of comfort and redemption with others who may not yet recognize their need for a Savior? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ in your community? [45:38]
6. Reflect on the imagery of leveling mountains and raising valleys. What personal obstacles or challenges do you need to address to make way for the Lord's work in your life? [00:33]
7. The sermon highlights the importance of repentance and faith. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of ongoing repentance and reliance on Christ's finished work? [39:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unprecedented Act of God Becoming Man
The essence of Christianity is the unique and unprecedented event of God becoming man in Jesus Christ. This is not just a philosophical idea but a historical reality that demands a response from each individual. The incarnation of Christ is a profound mystery that signifies God's deep love and commitment to humanity. It is through this act that God bridges the gap between the divine and the human, offering a new way for humanity to experience His presence and receive His blessings. This event is unparalleled in history, marking a new covenant and a transformative path for all who choose to follow Christ. [17:48]

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Reflection: How does the reality of God becoming man in Jesus Christ change the way you view your relationship with God today?


Day 2: Transformation of the Heart
True Christianity is not about moral living or cultural identity but about recognizing and accepting the transformative work of Christ. It requires a radical transformation of the heart, symbolized by the leveling of mountains and the raising of valleys. This imagery signifies the humbling of human pride and the exaltation of the humble, preparing a straight path for the Lord. The call is to allow Christ to reshape our hearts, removing obstacles that hinder our relationship with Him and others. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and renewal. [27:31]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your heart that needs transformation today, and how can you invite Christ to work in that area?


Day 3: The Centrality of Christ's Incarnation
The incarnation of Christ is central to the Christian message. Jesus, fully God and fully man, is the only way through which we receive forgiveness and new life. This is not achieved through human effort but through faith in Christ's finished work. The incarnation is the foundation of our salvation, emphasizing that it is not by our deeds but by God's grace that we are saved. This truth calls us to rely wholly on Christ, trusting in His power to redeem and renew us. [23:52]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own efforts for salvation, and how can you shift your focus to trust in Christ's finished work?


Day 4: Humbling Ourselves Before God
The preparation for the Lord's coming involves a recognition of our sinfulness and a turning away from self-reliance. It is about humbling ourselves before God and acknowledging our need for His grace and mercy. This humility is essential for receiving the fullness of God's blessings and experiencing true transformation. By recognizing our limitations and surrendering to God's will, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength, allowing Him to work powerfully in our lives. [39:19]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of God's grace, and how can you practice humility in that area today?


Day 5: The Call to Repentance and Faith
The message of comfort and redemption is available to all who recognize their need for a Savior. It is a call to repentance and faith, leading to a new life in Christ and the blessings of God's kingdom. This call invites us to turn away from our old ways and embrace the new life that Christ offers. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but about making a conscious decision to change direction and follow Christ wholeheartedly. Faith in Christ opens the door to a life filled with hope, peace, and purpose. [45:38]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to turn away from an old habit or mindset and embrace the new life that Christ offers?

Quotes


Christianity is not just good living or trying to be helpful and decent and kind, it is primarily an account of something that has come from God, the God whom we think is against us, the God whom we as natural men and women hate because we always think he's against us. [00:05:39]

Christianity is not something man has discovered, not something man has invented, not something man does. It's all of what God does, and it's this great announcement that the Warfare is accomplished or ended, that her iniquity is pardoned. [00:07:41]

The Christian message stands absolutely alone. There's never been anything like it; there never will be. It's not in series with any philosophy, with any Outlook upon life whatsoever. It has a uniqueness and a distinctness and a separateness that puts it entirely in a category on its own. [00:18:00]

The way in which God gives us this Mighty blessing is not only something new and strange, it is nothing less than this: the coming into this world of time of the Son of God himself. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, what does he cry? Prepare the way of the Lord. [00:20:35]

God the Eternal God is sending out of Heaven his only begotten son down into this world of time right onto the Earth. That's Christianity. It's this in its Essence, not that mankind in its painful process of evolution, not that men as the result of study and research and inquiry and investigation at last have arrived at something. [00:22:49]

The message of Christianity is not that God is love and that God's prepared to forgive us if we repent and drop on our knees and say forgive me and give me life and strength and power. No, no, it isn't that. It's this amazing astounding thing which tells us that into this world in which you and I are alive at this moment, the very Son of God himself has come. [00:24:18]

The message of Christianity is I say to tell us that the Son of God has been in this world, has come into it, and has done something in it that has led to this wonderful blessing. But you know this, it's here again, let me point it out to you, that for his coming, the preparation of a new way is absolutely essential. [00:26:59]

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make a highway in the desert for our God. Every Valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and Hill shall be made low, and the Crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places shall be made plain. [00:27:28]

The problem of sinful men and the Forgiveness of sins does indeed raise a problem even in the mind of God. God has given his law to Mankind, and God insists upon that law being kept. How can that law be kept? There is no man who can keep the law of God. [00:28:55]

The Incarnation, do you know what the Incarnation means? Well, I'll tell you. Here is the description of it: every Valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and Hill shall be brought low. Before you can have this even Highway, this level Road along which he can come, it is necessary to bring down, it's necessary to raise up. [00:30:10]

The Son of God became the son of men that the sinful sons of men might be made sons of God. Are you a son of God? That is the only condition, the utter absolute recognition of your desperate hopeless need, what he has done and what he can do for you and in you, what he will do if you but ask him to do it. [00:45:44]

In the midst of life, we are in death. We are but passengers and strangers and sojourners in this world. There's no greater tragedy than for a man to go out of it without knowing that the Son of God came into it to bring this great Redemption. [00:50:00]

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Transcript
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