Luke 3

THE WAY

VISION

Prepared people preparing the way of the Lord

We focus a lot about the “prepared people” and about preparing the way.

But what is the way that God will come?

ATONEMENT COVER/ MERCY SEAT

“I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for

the people of Israel.”

Exodus 25:22

Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law--before the atonement cover that is over the tablets

of the covenant law--where I will meet with you.

Exodus 30:6

ATONEMENT COVER/ MERCY SEAT

“LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.

You have made heaven and earth.”

Isaiah 37:16

It translates to the “seat of grace” or “thing that atones”

It was where the High Priest would sprinkle the blood from the sin offering to atone and ask for mercy for the sins of Israel.

ATONEMENT COVER/ MERCY SEAT

Hebrews 9-10 says that Jesus is now the only sacrifice we need for our sins to be forgiven and now we come to Jesus to ask for

forgiveness when we have sinned. Jesus has become our mercy seat.

When we ask Jesus for forgiveness he comes to meet us in that moment.

1st way of the Lord is our repentance.

PRAISES

Psalm 22:3 “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel”

God’s Throne, his home, is on the praises of his people

2 Chronicles 29:20-31

Hezekiah restoring the temple, the place of God’s presence.

PRAISES

Real praise comes out of a sacrifice. John 4:24 says we need to worship in Spirit (through God inside us) and in truth (not faking it or living a lie but coming out of things

we know and live).

When we come to God through a sacrifice of praise it shows God that we are serious. It takes

Spirit- the strength to let things go

Truth- knowing that God is greater and deserving of it. And living a life that reveals that.

PRAISES

The 2nd way of the Lord is our sacrifice of praise.

Sacrifices can be a physical things or even just coming and laying our life down again for God

PRAISES

Worship time is more important then the message that is spoken.

Because if God is not invited to the meeting, then what is the point.

The reason for a message is to teach us truth so that we have another reason and/or way to praise

God.

WHAT IS THE “WAY” OF THE LORD?

What Highway will God enter on?

In the old testament God came to his people through the temple.

Exodus 40:34 “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

2 Chron 7:1 “When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and

the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple”

WE ARE THE WAY

What Highway will God enter on?

His prepared people1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God's temple

and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are

that temple.”

WE ARE THE WAY

Repentance and praise are more like gates that we have to open so that ourselves (the highway) is open for God to

travel down.

HOW DO WE BRING GOD’S PRESENCE?

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

We are the image of God. Everyone of us.

Obviously we are not all the fullness of the image of God, otherwise we would all be God.

But we each have been made in some part the image of God,

Ex. Like children are to their parents, or a puzzle.

IMAGE OF GOD

We are all different parts of the image of God but when we come together in unity with one heart and mind we resemble God. And the more people that are unified the more of God that is

revealed to us and the people who see it.

“And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” John 12:32

1 Corinthians 12- body of Christ, we are not just one part but many

Eph 4 when we come together in unity the body of Christ matures to a point where it is not shaken.

IMAGE OF GOD

This is why worship time is important. Not only does it draw us together in unity but it opens the gate for God to enter, and it reveals God through us and to us. And also

draws people to God.

If we are coming to God in repentance and laying our lives down through our praise, God will come reveal Himself

through us.

BE AN OPEN ROADListen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,“Clear the way

through the wilderness for the Lord!Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!

Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.

Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”

Isaiah 40:3-5

CLOSED ROADS

If we are not coming to God in spirit and in truth and purity then we are keeping the presence of God from entering.

The road is rough, curvy and missing pieces.

If we are not allowing God to use us or we are holding back from what God may be asking us to do (not being a sacrifice), we are closing the Gate on God’s presence.

PREPARED PEOPLE ARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

What things may be roughing up the highway of God in your life?