Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Malachi 3:1 – 4 1 The Lord Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.” 2 But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears?

Malachi 3:1 – 4 He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. 3 He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings. 4 Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the Lord will be pleasing to him, as they used to be in the past.

Gospel Reading Luke 3:1 – 6

Luke 3:1 – 6 1 It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip was ruler of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias was ruler of Abilene, 2 and Annas and Caiaphas were High Priests. At that time the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.

Luke 3:1 – 6 3 So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.”

Luke 3:1 – 6 4 As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: “Someone is shouting in the desert: ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel! 5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth. 6 The whole human race will see God's salvation!’”

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 .

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music …

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music … A time to receive gifts

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music … A time to receive gifts A time to catchup with families

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music … A time to receive gifts A time to catchup with families And we do so much to prepare

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music … A time to receive gifts A time to catchup with families And we do so much to prepare Reading = time when the Lord will come

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Christmas is coming Decorations, lights, goods & music … A time to receive gifts A time to catchup with families And we do so much to prepare Reading = time when the Lord will come Messenger will come to prepare the way

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 3:1“I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord 3:1“I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord V3 So John went throughout …preaching, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.”

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance V3 So John went throughout …preaching, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.”

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Change of heart Change of behavior As one expects the coming judgement V3 So John went throughout …preaching, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.”

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance V4b ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path V4b ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path New paths, new ways V4b ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path New paths, new ways V8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path New paths, new ways = bring your best to God V8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Valleys must be filled V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Valleys must be filled – top up where you lack V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Valleys must be filled Hills & Mountains must be levelled off V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Valleys must be filled Hills & Mountains must be levelled off – reduce that which is unhelpful, ungodly V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths How? V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths How? Fellowship with God V5 Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain levelled off.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths V5b. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Straighten & Smoothen the pathways V5b. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Straighten & Smoothen the pathways Vision: reflect God’s love, by faithfully following Jesus as we reach out to the community. V5b. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth.

Malachi 3:1 – 4 & Luke 3:1 – 6 Prepare the way for the Lord By baptism of repentance Make a straight path Make level paths Straighten & Smoothen the pathways V6 The whole human race will see God's salvation!’”