I hope your past week was healthy and good. Did I ever tell you about the time the police was called to our house in Norwood, Ohio for loud music? With two teenage boys, it was bound to happen sooner or later. As a matter of fact, the music was so loud it could be heard the next block over. When the police came to the door and knocked, they were not even heard. By now you are wondering which boy it was: Vic or Greg. Actually it was neither. It was Dad! That’s right, Dad was busted for disturbing the peace! Dad liked his Southern Gospel music, and he liked it loud. His favorite group was The Kingsmen Quartet. At that time, Dad was singing with the Revelators Quartet, and he had decided to hook the turntable to The Revelator’s sound equipment, The equipment was the best available at that time, and the speakers were capable of handling mega sound. Dad hooked it up, put the album on the turntable, turned it on, and laid on the floor between both speakers. He had it LOUD.
The policeman came to the door, and fully expected my brother or myself to be the culprit. When he found out it was Dad, he laughed so hard his stomach hurt. The officer told Dad he also liked the Kingsmen, but advised him to turn it down. All Dad got out of it was a handshake and a new friend. Vic or Greg would never have turned it up that loud, because we knew what Dad would do if the police ever had to come to our door. We teens had to laugh; at least in private behind closed doors when Dad wasn’t around. Dad was a good man, but you didn’t want to rankle his feathers!
We had a good service at Friendship Harmony yesterday, but the attendance was slightly down. It was raining pretty hard. My former pastor, B.J. Thomas, used to say it only took nineteen raindrops to keep twenty Baptist home. In my 42 years of ministry, I can pretty much attest to the fact that his words ring true.
We have been following the advent Sunday schedule, and yesterday was Preparation Sunday. John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Messiah. While the other prophets announced the Messiah was coming, John announced, “He is here!” The sermon notes are below, and the video should be ready by Tuesday. You can see it by going to www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Be sure to tell others about the blog and the video. They can only bless someone if they see them. Thank you for helping both to grow.
Third Sunday of Advent - Preparation! ©
Isaiah 40:3
3rd in a series of 4 By Victor Cooper
11/29; 12/13,14/13
Intro: The expectation has been alive since God announced to the serpent that a deliverer was to come. The proclamation had been made many times. The time of preparation had come. Jesus would definitely be here,
I. Isaiah’s prophecy is concerning John the Baptist.
A. He was to prophecy the Messiah is here.
1. Other prophets could only tell that He was coming.
B. John’s first prophecy/announcement concerning Jesus was when Mary visited Elizabeth.
Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
C. John’s most celebrated prophecy/announcement came at Jesus’ baptism. John 1:29 …John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
II. John was committed to introducing the Messiah.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
A. John was popular. He drew crowds.
B. It would have been easy for John to hang on to that popularity.
C. John knew Jesus personally; they were cousins. They might even have played together as children.
D. It is very likely his parents, told him about the incident of Mary’s visit.
1. Elizabeth knew it. Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
2. Zecharias knew it. Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
III. John, as well as his parents were saying, “Get ready. The time is now!”
A. It should not have come as a surprise. Prophets had preached, “Get ready.”
1. In Micah 5:2 we are told He would be born in Bethlehem.
2. Hosea 11:1 tells us that He would take flight into Egypt.
3. Daniel, in chapter nine told when He would come.
Conclusion: Back at the first advent, many in Israel was not prepared. You must be prepared to meet Jesus. Are you prepared? You will face Him one day.
Thanks for being such a faithful reader. You can never know how much it means to me to meet with you on this blog site. Have a good week, and enjoy your Christmas preparations. Be careful in the shopping center parking lots. There are people there who are looking for victims. Please don’t you be one. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
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