A TIMELY WARNING

Text: Luke 3:1- 9

It is wonderful joy to see another new year. The lord has done it again for us and we are glad. I thank God for giving us this online fellowship family and for the way He has kept us going all these years. May his holy name be praised for the impact he is making with this ministry. I also wish to appreciate all our commentators and readers. May God keep you satisfied in him always,  Amen! 

John the baptist began his ministry at a definite and identifiable calendar period. Verse 1 says it was in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Ceasar, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee etc etc. Why did God ensure that the dates and political background of this period is perfectly documented? It is because He wants us to know that it is not a fable. It happened real; flesh and blood. John the baptist was here at a certain determinable time in the past. Today makes it 2022 years after Christ Jesus died, resurrected and ascended to heaven. So, what we are sharing is not questionable there are physical proofs available for all that may want to check. 

Furthermore, John had a message. And his life has  a lot of lessons for the modern day believer. He lived in the desert a Nazarene. He didn't jump the gun. He stayed put hidden, secluded, waiting in preparation until the word of God came to him in the desert that it was time.  He had known before hand what he was to do. It was written about him in the prophets. At his birth it was announced again, yet, he waited on the lord for the appointed time of his manifestation. When he eventually did; the whole region around the Jordan river knew that a prophet has indeed risen among them. 

Therefore , we are called, first to be with the lord, (then) that he might  send us. We must be made properly first in the quarry before we can be ready for the work of ministry. Second, John's message was a timely warning for the people of Judea. It is also a timely warning for us today:  "prepare the way for the Lord; make straight path for him". Jesus promised that he is going to prepare a place for us after which he is coming to take us home. Each new year brings us closer to this unmarked calendar period. As we celebrate the new year today may we reflect on how prepared we are for Jesus' second and imminent appearing. 

The Christ in us is our only hope of glory. How much have you transformed by the renewing of your mind? How much have you become like Jesus? How much have you borne fruits of repentance. Calculate the number of years you've known the lord and take stock of the percentage of 'the Christ' in you. Christ is the kind of man the kingdom of God is meant for. Are you yet found in his image? Only those who are found in the similitude of Christ will have a portion in the Kingdom we are expecting. Today, new year day, is a good day to get down to the business of getting ready for his appearing. I wish you an intentional new year 2022 devoted to getting ready for Jesus second coming. God bless you!