CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?                                            EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series, #1)                                                                                           November 13, 2005

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

TEXT: Isa. 40:1-9

INTRODUCTION

· “He is the one to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,  'Look! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, to prepare the way before you.'”   Luke 7:27 (TLB)

1) WHERE IS THE WILDERNESS NOW?

· “Even the wilderness and desert will rejoice in those days; the desert will blossom with flowers.  Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!  The deserts will become as green as the Lebanon mountains, as lovely as Mount Carmel's pastures and Sharon's meadows; for the Lord will display his glory there, the excellency of our God.  With this news bring cheer to all discouraged ones.”   Isa 35:1-3(TLB)

· The wilderness is any place devoid of God’s presence in action.

· “For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.”   Isa 32:6 (NIV)

2) WHO IS JOHN THE BAPTIST NOW?

· “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"   Isa 6:8 (NIV)

· Identifying Characteristics of John:

a. Calling

b. Authenticity

c. Passion

3) WHAT SHOULD BE CRY OUT?

· Three things we should cry out:

a. Life is short

b. Look to the Bible

· "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words remain forever.”   Matt 24:35 (TLB)

c. God is here

4) WHEN WILL GOD RESPOND?

· The truth of this passage teaches: if I cry out He will show up!

· He responds in different ways:

a. Tends

b. Gathers

c. Carries

d. Leads

CONCLUSION

· Three ways God wants His voice to be heard through me:

e. ______________________________________________

f. ______________________________________________

g. ______________________________________________