God wants to work in a new way in all of our lives but first we must be prepared for what’s coming. Before the glory of the Lord is revealed, there must be a time of preparation. As Isaiah 40:4-5 tells us, valleys, representing whatever has brought you low, have to be raised up. Mountains and hills of pride need to be brought low. Rough places and rough edges in our lives need to be made smooth.

The role of John the Baptist was very simple: to prepare a generation and the world, to make way for the glory of God to be revealed in Jesus (John 1:6-8). The four gospels show us John the Baptist was a man who wasn’t concerned about what other people thought about him. He was purpose driven, bold and courageous. He wasn’t concerned with trying to ingratiate himself to the Pharisees, the ruling religious leaders of the day, and had a successful ministry and a large following. He thought of himself as lower than a slave, not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals, and wasn't concerned about profiting in any way from the message he was declaring about Jesus being Christ, the Messiah. John saw himself as a prophet pointing people to Jesus, telling them that the only way they would be saved is if they got right with God, recognised who He was, and repented of their sins.

There is much to learn from the example of John the Baptist about how we can prepare the way for God to come into our lives, our families, churches and communities.

1. Prepare our hearts (John 1:33; John 1:29; Jeremiah 29:11)
2. Prepare by changing how we live (Luke 3:8-14)
3. Prepare to receive the Holy Spirit (John 1:32; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19-20)

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Have you realised who Jesus is and how much you need Him to change your heart? Before John the Baptist could minister to others, he first had to have a revelation in his own heart and mind about Jesus. It’s interesting that John said he didn’t know Jesus although He was his cousin (John 1:33). It wasn’t until the dove came down on Jesus that His divine nature was revealed to John. He then realised Jesus was more than just a family member, an amazing teacher and prophet: he understood Jesus was the Messiah. Many people have a stumbling block getting beyond knowing Jesus as just the ‘great teacher’ or great historical leader. They struggle to see Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Once we, like John, recognise who Jesus is, we then must recognise our need for Jesus. John said, “I’m just a voice, calling out in the wilderness”. When we live without God, we are in a spiritual wilderness. We wander with no direction, no purpose and we often don’t realise our poor spiritual condition. God invites us to know Him. He tells us to come to Him because “He has great plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants us to be all that we can be by living a fulfilling life in His purposes. But to prepare the way of the Lord we must first realise who Jesus is and how much we need to come to Him in humility asking for a changed heart.

Do you need a change of lifestyle so that the Lord can come in power and glory in your life? Every crooked part of our lives has to be straightened out. John was a no-nonsense preacher who called sin 'sin'. He was not afraid to say that whoever you were, you needed to repent and start living God’s way. The Pharisees questioned why John was baptising people as they believed there was no need for a Jewish baptism because they were already clean due to their religious cleansing ceremonies. However, John taught that everyone needed to be baptised, Jew or gentile, to be cleansed of their sins. John was saying we are not made pure by our bloodline, but through our repentance. Repentance is recognising our sin and turning from it to receive God’s grace to us. It’s not about feeling condemned or accused, but rather having conviction of the things that are preventing us from drawing near to God. John was not interested in superficial change but real, radical change that removes evil and dark roots from our lives (Luke 3:8-14). This kind of real and specific repentance prepares the way for the Lord to come in power and glory in our lives.

Have you received both baptism in water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit? John baptised with water but Jesus would baptise people with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32). John’s baptism wasn’t a baptism of salvation, but rather preparation. He was the forerunner to Jesus who baptises with the Holy Spirit, which is to receive salvation identifying the person with the spirit of God. Scholars estimate John the Baptist baptised over 1 million people. The word ‘baptism’ originates from the Greek, baptizma, which means ‘to dip, plunge or immerse’ (e.g. when a garment is dyed, immersing it so it is thoroughly covered and comes out a new colour looking completely different, like a new garment). So when we are fully immersed in a baptism, we come up out of the water different - the Holy Spirit is then covering us. Jesus’ ministry started after He was baptised by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16-17). Baptism in water and in the Holy Spirit opens heaven to us. When we receive the Holy Spirit by being baptised in the Holy Spirit, we become a new creation, and we also begin to recognise we have a responsibility to be a mouthpiece for Jesus and to tell others about him. If we consider the Greek translation of ‘baptise’ as ‘immerse’, it puts a slightly different slant on Matthew 28:19-20 to what we are used to. It’s not possible to half-heartedly immerse something. It’s either fully in or not. We have to be fully immersed, fully submitted to Jesus to be used by the Holy Spirit. So make a decision to prepare the way of the Lord by softening your heart, straightening up your life and receiving the Holy Spirit.

Today we start a new series called Discovering the Real Jesus, looking at the gospel of John. Jesus Christ is like no one else who ever lived. He is the central personality of history dividing it into the time before Christ and after Christ. Today of course plenty of people know about Jesus, but do we really know who Jesus is? Do we have good reason to believe in Him? And not least does our belief actually change our lives for good? Does it make us more alive and confident of eternal life?

John wanted everyone to know that Jesus was unlike anyone else (John 1:14 and 18). John stated very clearly his reason for writing this gospel in John 20:31, and the full meaning from the Greek means ‘these are written that you may go on believing that Jesus was the Son of God and by going on believing you will go on having eternal life.’ God wants to change your life both now and forever and this book of John can open up that possibility to each one of us.

John was part of the inner circle of disciples, along with his brother James and Peter. John was the closest and last surviving disciple of Jesus. John was with Jesus all through His earthly ministry and was there at the cross when Jesus asked him to look after His mother Mary. John knew from firsthand experience that Jesus was far more than a good man or a miracle worker but that he was, and is, actually the Son of God. At one time he didn’t know that. But then everything he witnessed showed him that Jesus really was who he claimed he was. And so, he became not only a believer but went on to be part of the world changing, history making group of 12 disciples. In his introduction, John 1:1-18 lays a strong foundation about the uniqueness of Jesus. So who was Jesus?

1. Jesus is God of both eternity and time (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Matthew 1:21)
2. Jesus is God who is both fully divine and fully human (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15-16)
3. Jesus is God who is full of both grace and truth (John 1:14-18)
4. Jesus is God who offers life and light to all who receive Him (John 1:4-13)

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You may know about Jesus but do you really know Him? Put simply Jesus existed long before He appeared on earth (John 1:1-3). He was right there at the beginning of time and before time. He is the God who created everything. It is through Jesus that the whole universe came into being (Colossians 1:16). Jesus was the name given when He came to earth (Matthew 1:21). So what was He called before then? John calls Him the Logos or the Word as it is translated in most Bible versions. John was trying to communicate to both Jews and non-Jews. For Jews they would remember the words of God in creation and how the prophets declared the Word of the Lord. For Greek readers, the Word was associated with the search for the meaning of life. So John was saying I am going to tell you about what you have always been searching for. Jesus was with God at the beginning and was and is God. And then in a moment of time, the eternal timeless God stepped into time and as John 1:14 says He 'made his dwelling among us'.

Do you have confidence that Jesus will help you in every battle you face in life? Jesus is both the God of glory, the One and only son who came from the Father and also the One who lived as a human being (John 1:14). He was both physical and spiritual, earthly and heavenly, fully human and fully divine. John’s gospel portrays Jesus as more human than the other gospels for example recording in the shortest verse in the Bible that Jesus wept. He tells of Him being hungry and thirsty and tired and feeling His constant need to pray. But he also emphasises the divinity of Jesus that Jesus claimed for Himself in the 7 ‘I am’s’ and in the seven miracles he mentions that are signs of His divinity. There are very real consequences for us to understand that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. For because of this we can be forgiven as He alone is the bridge between sinful people and a holy God. Because of this we don’t have to think of God as far off but as one who comes near us to help us in every battle we face in life. He is able to empathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16). Also this discovery that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine will help us to live balanced, well-adjusted lives as Christians. We won’t become so super spiritual and heavenly minded that we don’t care about the state of the world we live in and the very many needs of real people. Neither will we get so caught up in practical, good-works Christianity at the expense of our spiritual development. Nor will we divide our lives into the secular and sacred of church and everyday life. The real Jesus will help us live real lives in the real world with God and for God.

Do you daily live in the grace of God? Do you need a fresh revelation of God's grace for you? Jesus was the perfect combination of grace and truth (John 1:14-18). He came to uphold the laws and commandments of God, but He also showed mercy to all who broke those commandments. What drew people to Jesus? His knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and miracles? Of course, all of these did. But something else and very different stood out about Jesus: His grace and compassion for people. He befriended despised tax collectors and sinners. He offered forgiveness not condemnation to the woman caught in the act of adultery. And because of His great mercy He gave His life to rescue undeserving sinners. To show Jesus to our world we too must be very clear in our commitment to the teachings and standards of the Scriptures and the realities that all have sinned and face the judgement of God. But we must equally be loud and clear in communication the message of Salvation and reject harsh, self-righteous religion that is full of accusation and damnation.

Do you enjoy life and live in the light and life of Jesus every day? Jesus is the true light who overcomes all darkness and evil (John 1:4-13). When His light shines on us and in us, we really begin to experience and enjoy life. But we must choose to receive this light and not live lives of moral and spiritual darkness. Today if you will receive Jesus, you too can experience His light and life.

Wisdom is so important if we want to make the best of this year and every year. We all need wisdom to make the right decisions in life. The decisions you take in life are very important and will determine your future. Sometimes we make wrong decisions because we rely on our own wisdom and understanding. This year we all need to make the right call to rely on God’s wisdom, not our own human wisdom.

Proverbs 2:1-13 shows that wisdom brings success and protection from many temptations and trials. Wisdom is needed at all times and in all stages of life. God is willing to give us wisdom: we must learn how to receive it. Let’s look at how we can do that and live wisely in 2022.

1. Ask for wisdom (James 1:5)
2. Believe to receive wisdom (James 1:5-8)
3. Treat people well (James 3:13-16)
4. Be humble (Revelation 3:17; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 18:12)

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How much are you asking God for wisdom, not just in times of trouble but in your everyday life, in your family, business and career? Wisdom doesn’t just automatically come to you from God: you must really pray for wisdom all the time (James 1:5). You must seek wisdom like you are hunting for treasure that has to be discovered and guarded. When James says, “If any of you lack wisdom,” he is not suggesting that some have it together so well that they have no need of wisdom. The Greek here implies that we all lack wisdom. It might be that you think you have it all together, but the reality is that you are struggling more than you know or need to. James realises that in times of trials, God’s people often do lack His wisdom on how to endure trials with joy. The important questions to ask when a trial hits are: ‘How can I understand and gain wisdom from God’s perspective? How can I navigate through this storm in such a way as to bring glory to God? How can this trial help me grow in maturity?’ We should daily ask God for His wisdom in every area of our lives.

Do you have any doubts that God will give you wisdom? In James 1:5-8 the Greek word for "double-minded" literally is a “double-souled” man. It refers to people whose hearts want both to follow God and the temptations of the world. They are not sure that they want to know God’s wisdom, because they are not fully committed to submitting to it. It would be nice to know God’s wisdom but before committing to obeying, they need to find out if they like it. In reality they are shopping for answers that fit what they want to do. If God’s wisdom sounds good, they’ll follow it, but if worldly wisdom sounds better, they’ll follow that. James says that such a person will not receive anything from the Lord. To have wisdom you can’t have any doubts that God will give you wisdom. No matter how difficult the situation you are in, you must believe that God will give you all the insights you need to deal with it. You must have faith that when you ask you can receive wisdom that will solve problems not increase them.

Do you consistently treat people well? Do you live out the word of God in your attitudes and actions towards others? Rather than just theoretical understanding, biblical wisdom focuses on practical living in obedience to God’s revealed will (James 3:13). The fool in Proverbs is not the man who is mentally deficient, but rather the man who is morally deficient. He ignores God’s commandments and lives according to human wisdom. The wise man lives in obedience to God (James 3:14-16). If you want to be wise you must get rid of putting yourself first and putting others down. Stop being so self-centred. Stop comparing yourself with others and being jealous of them as that only leads to trouble. Wisdom is treating everyone well and respectfully and doing all the good you can.

Is there any pride in your heart and attitudes? Are you humble and willing to receive correction and instruction in all areas of your life? To receive wisdom, we must humble ourselves and admit that we do not know what we need to know in order to live joyfully in the face of challenges. In fact, a main reason that God allows trials is to humble us from our pride so that we look to Him. The proud Laodicean church thought that they were rich and had no needs, but God’s view was that they were “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). By nature, all of us are self-sufficient and independent. But wisdom is to be teachable and willing to learn. A disciple of Jesus is someone who has learnt to be obedient. A wise person will be humble enough to ask for direction and be prepared to receive correction. Children should listen to the counsel of their parents. Parents should be wise enough to perceive why their children are acting as they are. Husbands and wives should develop the habit of listening carefully to each other. And in the church there are many blessings when we are humble enough to follow the directions and biblical teachings of spiritual leaders (Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 18:12). Here we have some great keys to living wisely in 2022. Don’t worry if you don’t feel very wise right now or even if you have made some foolish decisions. This year can be very different when you ask God for wisdom, when you believe God for wisdom, when you treat people well and when you live with a humble attitude.

At the beginning of each year we usually have many expectations and dreams and make many commitments. But we often also have many questions and we want to know the answers. The Bible makes clear that our answers from God are very closely linked to our relationship with God. In the Old Testament book of Joel, we see that when the people of God really get serious about serving God and seeking God, God promises to answer in powerful ways.

Joel prophesied to the Jewish people after they had known times of great trouble and judgement and when they needed great hope. In fact, they had experienced such devastation that it was like a plague of locusts had destroyed everything good in the nation. But in this book of only three chapters Joel shows the people of God how they must turn back to God and how they can expect great blessings from God when they do that. All this is very relevant for us if we want to receive our answers from God in 2022. In Joel 1:13-20 and Joel 2:1-17, Joel says several things about seeking God:

- Everyone needs to cry out to God (Joel 1:14)
Crying out to God is not just saying prayers but calling on God with all our hearts.

- Everyone needs to seriously repent with fasting (Joel 1:12-13)
This means really turning from sin and from everything you have not been doing right. It means to mourn and weep and be sad for having a hard, sinful and proud heart. It means coming back to God and choosing to living close to God.

- Everyone needs to consecrate themselves fully to God (Joel 2:16)
The Lord is calling everyone to give themselves fully to God. This is not just for a few individuals. There is no exception of people; young old, even the recently married; we all need His help, His mercy, His compassion, His favour, His grace. Powerful things happen when whole families, whole churches and even whole nations turn to God. To consecrate yourself to God means that you put all your life in His hands. It means putting our family, our marriage, our finances, our ministry, our talents at His service. When we surrender to His will and give everything to our creator, He will give us the best. He will send us blessings in abundance.

So, first Joel speaks of how people really need to change and come close to God. And then he speaks of the great answers that we can receive when we fully return to the Lord.

1. God will show mercy (Joel 2:18; Joel 2:13)
2. God will deliver you from your oppressors (Joel 2:20)
3. God will change your fear into joy (Joel 2:21-22a; Psalm 30:11)
4. God will make you fruitful (Joel 2:19,22,24,26)
5. God will restore you for years of trouble (Joel 2:25)
6. God will always be with you (Joel 2:27)
7. God will pour out Hs Holy Spirit everywhere (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:39)

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Do you trust that the Lord will be merciful to you this year? Even when you have gone far from God, in your actions and in your heart, God is ready and willing to show you mercy (Joel 2:18). When you really say sorry to the Lord and humbly return to Him, He is willing to receive you and restore you even though we don’t deserve a second or another chance. The Lord really does listen when we approach Him with a pure heart, when we pray with sincere tears and when we fast (Joel 2:13). You can start this year clean and confident when you can receive His mercy and forgiveness. His grace really is amazing and everyone who repents can really experience this.

What or who is oppressing you right now? Are you depressed, feeling trapped and overwhelmed? Just as the Lord delivered the Israelites many times from their enemies, so the Lord can free you from all oppression (Joel 2:20). He can deliver from plagues, viruses, illnesses, violence, destruction and all those attacks that have been raised against you. This is your time to be set free from all oppression. This is your year of freedom.

Do you need the Lord to change fear to joy in your life this year? 2022 should be a year of great joy and praise and worship for you and for this church (Joel 2:21-22a). It’s time to be glad and not sad. There is no need to be afraid when the Lord is with us and working for us. Faith is the opposite of fear. If we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can understand that there is no need to fear because He bore our sins and pains and carried your illnesses, shedding His holy and precious blood for us at the cross of Calvary more than 2000 years ago. Jesus destroyed evil, hell, death and now in 2022 we have no reason to fear if we believe and if we are close to Him (Psalm 30:11).

Do you have faith for great fruitfulness in your life this year? Joel speaks of abundant blessing (Joel 2:19,22,24,26). So, this the time to rejoice in the Lord and thank Him for all the provision that He has in store. We can know overflow in our finances personally and in the church. 2022 can be a year of seeing great fruitfulness and multiplication naturally and spiritually. This is the year to see blessings that we have never seen in our lives, in our homes and in our ministries.

Do you believe that this year God will restore you for past troubles? The image of a plague of locusts refers to great trouble and loss. Although Israel had been devastated physically and spiritually, Joel prophesied that God would bring total restoration (Joel 2:25). And He can do the same for you, even if you have had many years of being robbed and seeing your hopes destroyed. Maybe for a long time you have been attacked in your body perhaps by an illness or an oppression in your soul or in your spirit. Maybe the fruit that you have sown in business, in finances or in people has been stolen. But now is the time to see your restoration after many years. God says ‘I will repay you.’ Imagine, the Lord himself will reward you! He will do wonders for you.

Are you confident that the Lord will always be with you throughout this year? God’s faithfulness is tremendous (Joel 2:27). He will be with us in all situations. Jesus promised before going to heaven that He would never leave us, that He would always be with us. So we can know that we are never alone.

Are you praying for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Today we are living in the age of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:39). All over the world God is pouring out His Holy Spirit. We are no longer orphans. The Holy Spirit has come to us. Every day He makes Jesus more real to us. Because of the Holy Spirit we can know God’s power and overcome every problem and take hold of every opportunity that God has in store for us in 2022.