December 7th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"The Voice in the Wilderness" (Matthew 3:1-12)

Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday of Advent — December 7, 2025

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7,18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

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Call to Worship (based on Matthew 3:1-12)

Leader: In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming a message:

People: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Leader: This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:”

People: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”

Leader: People from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the region around the Jordan went out to John and were baptized by him, confessing their sins.

People: We too come to confess our sins and prepare our hearts for the Lord.

Leader: John said, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees.”

People: Help us, O Lord, to produce good fruit in our lives.

Leader: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but One who is more powerful than I is coming after me. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

All: Come, Lord Jesus! Prepare our hearts to receive You. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Isaiah 11:1-10)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You this morning with grateful hearts, thankful for Your faithfulness and Your steadfast love. We praise You for the promise given through the prophet Isaiah—that You would send One who would bring justice, righteousness, and peace to all the earth.

Lord, we ask that You would fill us with Your Spirit as we worship together today. Grant us wisdom and understanding as we seek to follow You. Give us discernment in our decisions and strength to do what is right. Help us to grow in our knowledge of You and in reverence for Your holy name.

We pray for our world, O God, which is so often marked by division and conflict. We long for Your kingdom to come, where peace reigns and all people are treated with justice and compassion. Work in and through us to be instruments of Your peace in our homes, our workplaces, and our community.

We lift up to You those who are hurting and those who feel forgotten. May we be a people who see others as You see them and who act with mercy and righteousness on their behalf.

Prepare our hearts now to hear Your word and to respond in faith. May our worship honor You and transform us into the people You have called us to be.

We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]

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Sermon Outline: "THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS"

Based on Matthew 3:1-12

Introduction:

• The Second Sunday of Advent: preparation and repentance

• John the Baptist bursts onto the scene

• A wild prophet with a radical message

• His words still challenge us today

I. CRYING (vv. 1-6)

A. The Prophet Appears

B. The Place of Preparation

C. The Prophetic Fulfillment

D. The People’s Response

II. CALLING (vv. 2, 7-10)

A. The Core Message

B. The Confrontation with Religious Leaders

C. The Call to Genuine Repentance

D. The Challenge to Presumption

E. The Coming Judgment

III. COMING (vv. 11-12)

A. The Contrast Between John and Jesus

B. The Confession of Unworthiness

C. The Coming Baptism

D. The Coming Separation

CONCLUSION:

A. The Advent Message of John

B. The Challenge for Today

C. The Hope in the Coming One

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Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers