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John the Baptist proclaiming the Word of Go

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[Luke 3:4-6]

As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.

And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"

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The prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament prophesied that a person would prepare a way for Jesus to come.

“A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ;

make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)

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The prophecy of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled by John the son of Zacharias before Jesus preached the gospel. The Word of God came to John, and John went out into the wilderness to preach the word of God.

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John walked through many areas along the Jordan River and cried to repent.

"Repent! Heaven is near! If you do not bear fruit worthy of repentance, the great wrath of God will come to you." John's cry of repentance began to move people's hearts.

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John said to those who think they will not be judged because they are the sons of Abraham. “Do not think that Abraham is your fathers and that there will be no judgment against you. The ax is already in the root of the tree.

A tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire.”

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Many people who heard John's message came to John and said,

“Then how can we avoid this judgment?”

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John said to them, “Give to those who have two pieces of clothing to those who do not have one, and to those who have no food, to those who do not.”

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The tax collectors also asked John what they should do. John told them.

“Do not collect more than the amount ordered to pay taxes.”

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The soldiers came to John and asked what they should do. John also spoke to them.

“Do not take money from people by force. Do not be accused of lying, but be satisfied with the money you receive as a wage.”

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Many people heard John's teachings, acknowledged their mistakes, and repented. John baptized them with water.

The meaning of baptizing with water meant that their repentance was accepted.

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People began to misunderstand whether John was the Messiah they were waiting for.

John, knowing that they thought so, told them decisively.

“I baptize with water. but he will come one who is more capable than I am.

I cannot even loosen his shoelace. he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

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John pointed to himself and said to the people, ‘I am only the one preparing the way of the coming Messiah.’

John was a very humble man who faithfully proclaimed the Word according to his mission, which God had entrusted.

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John also pointed to the sins of Herod, who was then king.

It is a sin that took Herodias, Herod's brother's wife. John was not afraid of man.

Those who sinned with courage to repent of their sins, regardless of their status.

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Jesus was also baptized by John. When Jesus was baptized and then prayed, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came to Jesus!

Jesus, the Messiah, began to preach the kingdom of God in earnest, beginning with the baptism of John.

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We call this John, John the Baptist (baptizer) who baptized people and Jesus.

He lived in the wilderness all his life, wearing leather clothes, eating locusts and wild honey, and preaching the word of God.

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Later Jesus said that the words prophesied in Malachi 3:1 were made by this John.

Also, Jesus praised John as the greatest of the sons born of women.

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Jesus said that all those who believed in Jesus and became children of God were greater than John in the kingdom of God.

We must realize how great it is that we have become children of God.

We should always be thankful for God's amazing blessing.

I also want you to be all your friends who are devoted to the announcement of Jesus coming back like John the Baptist who prepared Jesus's way.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)