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  THE HERALD PREPARES THE WAY
  by F.B. Meyer
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Summary: To properly appreciate the Redeemer, we must expose ourselves
to the refining fire of self-examination and humility.

Topics: "Repentance", "Preparation for Christ"
Scripture References: Matthew 3:1

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DESCRIPTION
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F.B. Meyer emphasizes the role of John the Baptist as the herald who
prepares the way for Jesus, breaking a 400-year silence with a powerful
call to repentance and the announcement of the Kingdom's nearness. His
compelling message drew crowds to the Jordan, illustrating the impact of
a genuine voice that speaks truthfully about God. Meyer encourages
believers to embrace the refining process of self-examination and
repentance, recognizing their need for Christ and the transformative
power of His grace. The sermon highlights the importance of authenticity
in faith and the necessity of preparing our hearts to truly appreciate
the Redeemer.

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CONTENT
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Matthew 3:1-12

Matthew’s Gospel heralds the Kingdom. We are allowed to see and listen
to the forerunner, whose voice again awoke the hearts of men with
prophetic utterance after a silence of four hundred years. He leaps into
the arena with the suddenness of Elijah.

His message was twofold-the need for repentance and the announcement of
the nearness of the Kingdom; it thrilled his generation with a strange
wonder and interest. All of the southern part of the country seemed to
empty itself into the Jordan valley. Yes, if a man is not a reed shaken
by the wind, not effeminate in court dress, not a copy but an original,
who speaks what he sees and knows of God, men will come to Him in every
age.

To us also John the Baptist must come, if we shall properly appreciate
the Redeemer.

We must expose ourselves to the fire, the ax, the winnowing-fan, that we
may learn what we really are and come, like Paul, to reckon our own
righteousness as loss, if only we may win Christ and be found in Him.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/fb-meyer/the-herald-prepares-the-way/
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