REPENT OR PERISH (Outline)
March 19 2006 - Lent 3 - Luke 13:1-13
INTRO: Considering mankind we want to note two things. First, in the sea of humanity differences abound. People are tall/short, young/old, skinny/not-so-skinny and the list of differences is endless. Just as much as people all over this planet are different there is also a similarity that none can escape or deny. Second, mankind from the youngest to the oldest is infected with the deadly disease of sin. Eze-kiel said “the soul who sins is the one who will die”. Everyone dies because everyone sins. No matter where you live or who you are sin infects and affects every aspect of our earthly life. There is no escaping that simple fact that binds us all together. "There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(ROMANS 3:22b, 23). No wonder Jesus repeats the simple phrase in our text today: REPENT OR PERISH. We want to consider these words of Jesus as our theme for this text:
REPENT OR PERISH. We learn
I. All sins are equal.
II. The time is limited.
I. ALL SINS ARE EQUAL
A. Jesus was making his last journey to Jerusalem before his crucifixion.
1. Jesus was in the region of Galilee. Here many still listened and followed Jesus.
2. Verse 1 has a concern from the crowd. Pilate had killed worshipers in God’s temple.
3. The blood from them mixed with their sacrifices. This was sacrilege.
B. The people thought that Jesus should get even with Pilate for this despicable act.
1. Jesus explains in verse 2 that no one ought to think these people deserved death.
2. Jesus emphasizes that these people were not worse sinners because of what happened.
C. Instead, the emphasis for everyone was repentance. Verse 3.
1. Jesus even presents his own example of the 18 killed by the tower of Siloam, verse 4.
2. Again, were they worse sinners? No, repentance is needed. Verse 5.
D. In today’s society many do not see a need for repentance. After all sin is an old-fashioned idea that has no relevance for today’s enlightened people. All too often, many sins have now been called and categorized as a sickness or disease. If some sins have become a sickness that means man can treat them and even provide healing. Yet, man’s wisdom is not God’s wisdom. Drinking too much, eating too much, gambling too much are not diseases but addiction to sin. Sin cannot be covered up. Sin can-not be explained away. Sin is sin is sin is sin. Jesus reminds us to repent or perish. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us"(1 JOHN 1:8).
E. Worse than not recognizing or admitting sin is to think we can live a life good enough to make God happy. People often feel that their lives have not been that bad. After all, many conclude that they have not killed anyone or robbed a bank. Remember that sins are committed not only with actions but with word and even thoughts. God’s word reminds us that all sins are equal. God sees sin as sin, no matter how we may try to rate them. Breaking God’s law does not require many sins either. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it"(JAMES 2:10). One sin breaks all of God’s law and yields death. Repent or perish.
F. Our society’s philosophy would have us believe that living a good life, or at least trying to live a good life is all that matters. After all, God would not keep a do-gooder out of heaven. Yet, good works cannot save anyone. People need faith. From faith flow good works. Still, remember that eve-rything on this side of heaven is tainted by sin. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away"(ISAIAH 64:6). It is not our works that save but the work of Christ our Savior. It is not our obedience that makes any difference but the willing obedience of Christ to die for all our sins!
TRANS: With sin so prevalent no wonder Jesus reminds us: Repent or perish. We learn that all sins are equal. Then Jesus also teaches that II. The time is limited.
II. THE TIME IS LIMITED
A. Jesus continues with a parable. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
1. Verse 6 describes a man with a vineyard. He comes looking for fruit on a fig tree.
2. The owner of the vineyard did not find any fruit on that fig tree.
B. Verse 7 tells of the owner’s reaction. After 3 years of unfruitfulness the tree should be cut down.
1. This was a drastic reaction. Fruit trees were very valuable because they produce food.
2. After defeating their enemies that Israelites could destroy everything except the fruit trees.
C. This parable now points out that there is one who intercedes.
1. In verse 8 the caretaker states that the tree should be given another year.
2. The caretaker will try again. Verse 9 reveals the outcome of fruitfulness / unfruitfulness.
D. One easily sees the Savior as the one who intercedes on our behalf. We are reminded this morning of the patience of our Lord God. Our loving Lord gives us a time of grace here on earth to repent or perish. Day after day we sin. Day after day our gracious God offers his divine, free forgiveness. God is patient. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"(2 PETER 3:9).
E. There is a limited time to everyone’s time of grace. Some may have a long time of grace and oth-ers a relatively shorter time. We are also reminded that no matter the length (or shortness) of one’s time of grace that for everyone that time is limited. Just as God is patient there is also a limit to God’s time of grace. Jesus has said he will return on the Last Day. This Last Day, Judgment Day, is just that. It is the end of the time of grace for God’s creation. There is no second chance, there is no 1,000 years for repentance or mind changing. Rather, now is the day of the Lord’s salvation. "While people are saying, ’Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape"(2 THESSALONIANS 5:3).
F. As believers, saved by grace, we are privileged and blessed to be able to live each day as the last day of our time of grace. We look forward to our Lord’s return. We are not scared but pray thy king-dom come. We have come to know and believe (by the gift of the Holy Spirit) that our salvation does not depend on us, our works or anything else. Our eternal salvation only depends completely and solely on the redemptive work of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins"(COLOSSIANS 2:13). The time of grace is limited but God’s grace and forgiveness is limitless.
CONCL: Yes, in the vast sea of humanity, which we call mankind, there are many, many differences. Some of these differences are great. But, no matter the differences we also are all alike. Everyone sins and deserves only death and eternal punishment. Our gracious God in his infinite love and mercy gives each of us a time of grace. In the midst of our daily sinning we are afforded the opportunity to repent. Repent means to turn. When the believer sees his sin and turns from it there is only one place to turn – toward God. We cannot turn in two directions at once. As we turn from our sins (repent) we turn to God and celebrate our time of grace on earth. Peter pointed out to the crowd that they were re-sponsible for Jesus’ death. They did not know what to do. The answer was simple. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"(ACTS 3:19). Our sins also crucified Jesus. The answer is still the same. “Repent…that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
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Lent 3 readings: EXODUS 20:1-6; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25; JOHN 2:13-22
