Repent At Christmas

Prelude

Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? Purpose: What can we do to make it more meaningful? Plan: Let’s see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18.

Vipers

Luke 3:7 “So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”

Was John unconcerned about being liked? Why are people offended at occasional strong preaching? Is God trying to tell us something in love? Is Christianity without repentance worthless?

Bear Fruits

Luke 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.”

Do our good works “so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)?

The Axe

Luke 3:9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Is our family or national heritage a stumbling block of pride?

Share

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Do we share with the needy?

No Extortion

Luke 3:12-13 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.”

Do we extort anyone? Do we take more than is due us?

Contentment

Luke 3:14 “Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, ‘And what about us, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.’”

Do we take money by force or slander? Are we content with our wages?

Wondering

Luke 3:15 “Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ”

Are we expectant of Jesus’ coming?

Humility

Luke 3:16 “John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Are we humble or flaunt any religious titles?

Unquenchable Fire

Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Preaching is like winnowing, separating the chaff from the grain by wind. Some repent. Some will burn. On judgment day, will we be among the wheat or the chaff?

Luke 3:18 “So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.”

Do we dismiss such preaching? Is the most important message on the planet boring to us? Are we among the Christmas wheat or chaff? Is our Christmas about material things, or Jesus?

Postlude

What fruits of repentance do our lives show? Have we made a change for the better? Do we share? Do we extort? Are we content with our wages? Let’s let our good works shine and give God the glory.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7