Preparing Our Hearts for the Coming of Jesus
Summary
In this second week of our series on the three gifts of Christmas, we delve into the gift of preparation. Last week, we explored anticipation, which involves waiting on God and trusting in His timing. This week, we shift our focus to preparation, a responsibility that falls on us as we await the coming of Jesus. Preparation is not just about getting ready for the holiday season; it's about making room in our lives for Jesus, who is coming again. This involves prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of the distractions that clutter our lives.
The story of my family's unexpected encounter with Vice President Cheney serves as a vivid illustration of the importance of preparation. Just as the Secret Service meticulously prepared for the vice president's visit, we too must prepare for the arrival of someone far more significant—Jesus. This preparation is not just about external tidiness but about internal readiness. It's about making space in our hearts and lives for Jesus, prioritizing His kingdom above all else.
Isaiah's prophecy to the Israelites, who were lost in their busyness and chaos, reminds us that God desires to comfort us and make our paths straight. In our own wilderness seasons, we are called to prepare the way for the Lord, trusting that He will level the valleys and smooth the rugged places in our lives. John the Baptist's message echoes this call to preparation, urging us to turn our lives around and make room for Jesus.
As we navigate the busyness of the Christmas season, we are invited to prepare by making space for God, prioritizing what truly matters, and righting the wrongs in our lives. This preparation is a gift, allowing us to focus on the eternal rather than the temporary. By doing so, we align our lives with God's purposes and ready ourselves for the coming of Jesus, both now and in the life to come.
Key Takeaways:
- Anticipation and Preparation: While anticipation involves waiting on God, preparation is our active role in making room for Jesus in our lives. It requires us to prioritize what truly matters and let go of distractions. This dual approach helps us align with God's purposes and ready ourselves for His coming. [03:03]
- The Gift of Preparation: Preparation is a gift that allows us to prioritize the important things in life. It gives us the opportunity to make space for what truly matters, pushing back against the busyness and chaos that often consume us. By preparing, we can focus on the eternal rather than the temporary. [14:18]
- Prioritizing Eternity: In the midst of life's demands, we must ask ourselves how we are prioritizing eternity. This involves seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added to us. By doing so, we ensure that the important things in life do not fall apart. [30:50]
- Righting Wrongs: Preparation also involves righting the wrongs in our lives. If we knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what relationships would we mend? What forgiveness would we extend? This introspection helps us align our lives with God's call to love one another. [33:12]
- Internal Readiness: True preparation is not just about external tidiness but about internal readiness. It's about what's happening inside our hearts and whether we are producing fruit. This internal transformation is what truly prepares us for the coming of Jesus. [35:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:03] - The Gift of Anticipation
- [04:18] - The Gift of Preparation
- [06:07] - Preparing for Important Guests
- [09:36] - Unexpected Encounter with the Vice President
- [10:28] - The Stress of Preparation
- [11:49] - The Importance of Hospitality
- [13:23] - The Consequences of Lack of Preparation
- [14:18] - Preparation as a Gift
- [15:05] - Prioritizing the Important Things
- [16:10] - Isaiah's Prophecy of Comfort
- [17:14] - God's Comfort in Our Wilderness
- [18:28] - Leveling the Valleys and Mountains
- [19:32] - Israel's Anticipation and Waiting
- [20:49] - John the Baptist's Message
- [21:36] - Preparing for Jesus' Return
- [23:02] - Three Ways to Prepare for Jesus
- [24:35] - Making Space for God
- [26:13] - Prioritizing What Matters
- [30:50] - Melody's Example of Prioritization
- [32:08] - Righting Wrongs in Our Lives
- [34:02] - John the Baptist's Call to Repentance
- [35:06] - Internal Readiness for Jesus
- [36:15] - The Beauty of Christmas
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 40:1-5
- Matthew 3:1-3
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 40:1-5 suggest about God's desire for His people during times of chaos and busyness? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of preparation? [17:14]
2. How does the story of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1-3 illustrate the concept of preparation for Jesus' coming? What was his main message to the people? [20:49]
3. In the sermon, what was the significance of the pastor's story about the unexpected encounter with Vice President Cheney? How does it relate to the idea of preparation? [09:36]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the distractions that can prevent us from preparing for Jesus' coming? [15:05]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 40:1-5 about making paths straight and leveling valleys and mountains symbolize the internal preparation we need to make for Jesus? [18:28]
2. What does John the Baptist's call to repentance and preparation in Matthew 3:1-3 teach us about the importance of internal readiness over external appearances? [34:02]
3. The sermon mentions the importance of prioritizing eternity over temporary distractions. How can this perspective change the way we approach our daily lives? [30:50]
4. How does the pastor's story about his family's preparation for the vice president's visit serve as a metaphor for our spiritual preparation for Jesus? [06:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life situation. Are there any "valleys" or "mountains" that you need to address to prepare the way for the Lord in your life? How can you start this process? [18:28]
2. Consider the distractions in your life that prevent you from making space for God. What specific steps can you take this week to minimize these distractions? [23:02]
3. Think about the relationships in your life. If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what relationships would you mend, and what forgiveness would you extend? [33:12]
4. How can you prioritize God's kingdom in your daily routine? Identify one specific change you can make to ensure that your focus remains on eternal matters. [30:50]
5. The sermon emphasizes internal readiness. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a heart that is ready for Jesus' coming? [35:06]
6. Reflect on the concept of preparation as a gift. How can you view your current season of life as an opportunity to prepare for what God has in store for you? [14:18]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of hospitality in your life as a way to prepare for Jesus' coming? What changes might you need to make to welcome others into your life and home? [11:49]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Anticipation and Preparation: A Dual Approach
Preparation is an active role we play in making room for Jesus in our lives. While anticipation involves waiting on God and trusting in His timing, preparation requires us to prioritize what truly matters and let go of distractions. This dual approach helps us align with God's purposes and ready ourselves for His coming. By actively preparing, we create space in our hearts and lives for Jesus, ensuring that we are not just passively waiting but actively engaging in our spiritual journey. [03:03]
Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV): "A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'"
Reflection: What distractions in your life are preventing you from fully preparing for Jesus' presence? How can you actively create space for Him today?
Day 2: The Gift of Preparation: Focusing on the Eternal
Preparation is a gift that allows us to prioritize the important things in life. It gives us the opportunity to make space for what truly matters, pushing back against the busyness and chaos that often consume us. By preparing, we can focus on the eternal rather than the temporary, aligning our lives with God's purposes. This preparation is not just about external tidiness but about internal readiness, ensuring that our hearts are open and receptive to Jesus' coming. [14:18]
2 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities today? What steps can you take to ensure your life reflects this focus?
Day 3: Prioritizing Eternity: Seeking First God's Kingdom
In the midst of life's demands, we must ask ourselves how we are prioritizing eternity. This involves seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added to us. By doing so, we ensure that the important things in life do not fall apart. Prioritizing eternity means aligning our daily actions and decisions with God's eternal purposes, allowing His kingdom to take precedence in our lives. [30:50]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can prioritize God's kingdom today? How can you trust Him to take care of the rest?
Day 4: Righting Wrongs: Aligning with God's Call to Love
Preparation also involves righting the wrongs in our lives. If we knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what relationships would we mend? What forgiveness would we extend? This introspection helps us align our lives with God's call to love one another. By addressing these areas, we prepare our hearts for Jesus' coming, ensuring that we are living in accordance with His teachings and commands. [33:12]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to reconcile with or forgive today? How can you take a step towards healing that relationship?
Day 5: Internal Readiness: Transforming Our Hearts
True preparation is not just about external tidiness but about internal readiness. It's about what's happening inside our hearts and whether we are producing fruit. This internal transformation is what truly prepares us for the coming of Jesus. By focusing on our inner spiritual growth, we ensure that our lives are aligned with God's will and ready for His presence. [35:06]
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: What area of your heart needs transformation today? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to produce His fruit?
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Quotes
"Christmas is a really great reminder for us that we get to make room for Jesus because he's coming into our lives." [00:16:10] (9 seconds)
"Jesus himself told us in his own words, Jesus said, seek first my kingdom, seek first my righteousness, and what? All that other stuff, the career, the hobbies, the house projects, the kids' sporting events, the vacations, all that other stuff, he says, will be added to you." [00:31:07] (25 seconds)
"Preparation is this gift that gives us the opportunity to go, how can I love someone today? How can I reach out to someone today? How can I make right that thing that I need to make right today?" [00:33:52] (13 seconds)
"What matters is what's happening on the inside of you. Are you producing fruit? It's what's happening inside of your heart. It's not just about cleaning up the outside. It's not just about putting on a suit to go see the vice president. It's about what's happening on the inside of you." [00:35:06] (21 seconds)
"That he let us know he's coming again, or let us know what we have to expect on the other side of this life. And all we got to do is take time to prepare for that. We just got to make some space, create some margin, prioritize what's important." [00:36:15] (14 seconds)
"Right a few wrongs in our lives. The beauty of Christmas that we celebrate every year is not just that heaven came to us one time and is now waiting for us to get there." [00:36:56] (14 seconds)
"Learning to live our lives with expectation that God is going to do something. The interesting thing when it comes to the two gifts that we've opened so far, the gift of anticipation that we talked about last week is really about leaning on, it's about depending on God to do his part." [00:03:03] (15 seconds)
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