1. How do you prepare for an encounter with greatness?

2. “Repentance is having the humility to see that what you have made of your life so far is not what God wanted you to make of it.
Repentance means you come to a full stop, turn around, and go full tilt in a fresh direction, this time not of your own choosing, this time not for your own ends, this time not by your own strength, this time not out of your own weakness, this time not for your own glory. This time on God's terms.” Mark Buchanan

3. John was prepared to see Jesus. His expectancy was satisfied
by an encounter with the Almighty.
Do you have an expectancy for God in your life?

4. Do you have an expectancy for God in your life?
Expectation sets us up, almost always, to be disappointed, and once disappointment sets in, it quickly hardens into apathy, bitterness, suspicion. Expectancy, on the other hand, sets us up, almost always, to be thrilled. When we live in that attitude, we're rarely disappointed.
Do you have an expectancy for God in your life?

5. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…”
Prepare for your own encounter:
welcome Jesus in your home (life)
“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…”
Luke 1:41-42
Is there room in your life for Jesus?

6. John felt inadequate but
Prepare for your own encounter:
welcome Jesus in your home (life)
search for Jesus in the scriptures
recognize Jesus’ incarnation (identity)
obey Jesus’ calling
John felt inadequate but
he did not allow his reluctancy to keep him from doing what Jesus had called him to do.