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MESSAGE NOTES:

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. - Matthew 3v1-6 (ESV)

THE WAY - a New Testament term used for the earliest followers of Jesus.

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. — Acts 9:2 (ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. —  John 14:6 (ESV)

The Way is an invitation, to resist the ways of the world, and adapt a lifestyle aligned with the Kingdom of God.

Prophesy the Way

3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Matthew 3v3 (ESV)

Prophecy - a declaration of something to come

3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 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. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” - Isaiah 40v3-5 (ESV)

Prophecy is forthtelling

forthtelling – explaining the present from God’s perspective and bringing strength to God’s people to overcome the situation and move into his purposes.

“But one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NIV)

Prophecy will always require surrenderance

Prepare the Way

“He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people PREPARED” (Luke 1:16-17)

Johns main message was “repent”

In Hebrew (Teshuva)=to return to the creator

From (bible study tools.com) "What I mean is that what is passed down is not a “curse” in the sense that God is cursing the family line. What is passed down is the consequence of sinful actions and behavior. Thus, a generational curse is really a function of sowing and reaping passed down from one generation to the next."

Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24)