All In
Scott gave a great devotion last week before communion, challenging you to go “all in”
This is exactly how John the Baptist (and Luke) began telling Jesus’ ministry
The Setting (28-29 AD) Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,...
LK 3:1 - 17
How do we prepare the way for the Lord?
This is all about a New King in town Repent - Mind Shift Change your allegiance - Prepare the way!
Change of allegiance is followed with action.
All about bearing good fruit.
We care more about orthodoxy then orthopraxy
They cared more about pedigree than
Abe’s children - big deal! Today’s deliverance - What does repent mean - look like - how do I change?
Two parts - change your mind - then change your behavior!
Repentance is separate from Producing fruit, but both are essential.
Repentance without fruit is insincere
Fruit without repentance is worthless
ALL IN with behavior - you haven‘t fully repented until you change!
But repentance isn't stopping sinning or starting good deeds
By time Bible was being translated into Latin, the idea of changing your mind or direction began to be described as penance - that your sins could be atoned for by penance - acts of contrition -
We need to recover the meaning of Repentance - to change our minds, or our allegiances!
METANOIA… "…only those who can "think" through these new ideas truly learn it.
New idea of Messiah - save the world - sins forgiven - so now act like it - now you can change.
Content "dies" when one tries to mechanically learn it. Cram for a history exam!
Content has to take root and only then can it transform the way we think and act.
Something has to click - a light must be turned on
I can't really change by willing myself into it very easily
I know that I must stop _________ or it will harm me.
Just once hear a doctor say, “you have 6 months to live if you don’t stop”
Why didn't you say that in the first place?
LK 3: 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.
What's in your life that will not withstand the fire?
What can’t you bring into God’s kingdom?
LK 3:19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Forever the shining symbol of this change of allegiance - was Baptism!
Next Step - Dare me to be like Jesus
Do you need to repent?
Do you need to be baptized?
How can we help you on your spiritual journey?
What crooked paths in your life need to be made straight, what valleys need to be filled in, what mountains need to be leveled?
