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

Change for the Better

Amidst commercial hype, do we forget the meaning of Christmas? What are some of the most important things that a human being can do at Christmas, things we don’t want to neglect? Let’s look at Luke 3:7-18 and see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming.

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? Do John and Jesus show that public correction is sometimes warranted?

When a preacher gets cranked up and preaches what we call hellfire and brimstone, why are we offended? Is God trying to tell us something? Is such a preacher’s correction God’s love? Is religious dedication without repentance worthless? Such strong preaching was not Jesus’ everyday mode, but it was occasionally.

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.” What fruits might evidence repentance (Matthew 5:16)?

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.” Like apostolic succession, is physical descent from Abraham irrelevant to the fruit of repentance? Can God use stones?

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.” A fruit, good deeds?

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 nothing, just have faith? Do we prove our repentance by good deeds?

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.’” Is fruit or evidence of repentance doing good deeds, works?

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” Christ means literally, the anointed One, the Messiah, anointed with oil, chosen by God for a special purpose, usually a king.

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.”

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.” Winnowing is the process of separating a grain from its hulls or chaff using moving air.

Preaching is like winnowing. Some repent. Some will burn. Do we share our clothing and food? Do we collect more than is honest? Do we take money by force, with false accusations? Are we content with our wages? 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.” Preaching calls us near to hear. How do we react to the appeals made in our churches? Do we dismiss the urging? Is the most important instruction on the planet, the Bible, boring to us?

Are we lost in commercial glitz, forgetting what’s really important? Does remembering the coming of the Christ lead us to repentance? Do we share? Are we honest? Do we forcefully take? Do we falsely accuse? Are we content? Are we among wheat or chaff? Christmas is about Jesus the Christ.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Preparation

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

Caesar

Luke 3:1 “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.” This is the historical setting.

The 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign was around 29 AD. A tetrarch is like a monarch, but one of four joint rulers. Judea was around Jerusalem, Galilee in the north, Iturea and Trachonitis in the northeast, and Abilene north of that around Damascus. These were Roman provinces under Caesar.

Wilderness

Luke 3:2 “in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.” Tiberius was cruel and depraved. Annas and Caiaphas were puppet high priests appointed by Roman authority. Unlike great and corrupt politics, God’s work seems insignificant.

Do not despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:9-10), because God’s great works often begin small yet are of far greater significance than what’s currently in the news headlines. John’s ministry began in the wilderness, picturing a new Exodus and a new beginning preparing the way for Christ.

Repentance

Luke 3:3 “And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John the Baptist traveled the wilderness region both sides of the Jordan with a message containing essentially the same two concepts that Jesus preached, repentance and forgiveness.

John’s baptism was a repentance-baptism, connecting physical Old Testament ritual washings with the spiritual idea of repentance. Repentance presupposes that we lack something and need to change, to turn to God. Human sins cause great harm around the world, but God’s forgiveness provides healing and restores unity in the community.

Human sins bring so much heartache. John prepared the way for true the Savior of the world. Many things crowd out the Christmas message like incompetent politics and incessant commercialism. The message of Christ’s coming is far more important. It was announced with a baptism of repentance in a wilderness.

Luke 3:4 “as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.” Is an announcement in the barren spiritual waste of modern society a hopeless message?

Luke 3:5 “Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; And all flesh will see the salvation of God.” This message is not a waste. It is preparing the way for Christ’s coming.

John fulfilled Isaiah 40:3-5. Basic principles of highway construction are making things straight, level and smooth. Paved streets dating back before Abraham have been found in Ur. The Roman Empire built roads covering almost 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles). The world now copies the great German-American freeway system.

To create a modern highway, surveyors calculate the best route, civil engineers design and regional authorities give approval, land is purchased, rock and earth are removed, depressions are filled, and embankments, bridges and tunnels must be constructed. Drainage and water courses are integrated. Prescribed maximum gradients help improve fuel efficiency.

All this preparation takes place before the first level of road bed is put down. Road layers may consist of subgrade, sub base, base, intermediate and surface layers. The thickness of these layers varies widely around the world. John’s use of Isaiah’s road building metaphor pictures preparation to receive Christ.

Luke 3:6 “And all flesh will see the salvation of God.” Preparation for Christ’s coming is in turning to God with a changed heart. Jesus died rejected by the world. He comes to a people prepared to receive him. Straight, level and smooth describes lives prepared to receive Jesus.

God is often involved in small things, far away from the power and wealth that this world seeks, in an insignificant wilderness. The big things of this world are really insignificant. The seemingly small things of God are more important than all the power, wealth and celebrity of the world.

Do Christ’s teachings find a fast freeway into our hearts, or rocky access? We are preparing for an observance of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh. As our season of joy approaches, let us remember that most important preparation is turning stoney hearts into smooth roads to welcome Christ’s coming.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Remember Your Baptism

Intro

Is it important to remember your baptism?

Purpose

Let us examine history’s most important baptism and see some relevant lessons for our own baptism.

Plan

We will look at Luke 3:15-22 and the baptism of Jesus.

Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and 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 proclaimed the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to 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.”

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1. How is the Messiah Different? (vs. 15-16)

John the Baptizer explained three distinctions1 of the Messiah. 1) He would be more powerful. 2) John said that he was not even worthy to perform essentially a slave’s task for the Messiah. John’s attitude was not the feigned humility of polite company, but the genuine self-assessment of a man honest enough to face the truth of our weak human condition. Perhaps that is one of many reasons why Jesus’ description of John was that in his brutal honesty about self was true greatness (John 7:28). Compare that to the boasting of politicians and the pretentiousness of the elite. 3) The Messiah would baptize very differently to John. Christ’s is a baptism with the Holy Spirit (wind2) and fire.

2. Is the Winnowing Over? (vs. 17-18)

Did John the Baptist indicate that the winnowing process was already over? The only thing left to do seemed to be clearing the threshing floor, gathering the wheat and burning the chaff. Was John saying that his ministry was the winnowing and that Jesus’ ministry finishes the task? Is there an expectation of imminent judgment by Jesus in John the Baptist’s preaching? As we explore the ministry of Jesus, we discover that judgment, while it may begin with our response to Jesus’ first coming, will not take place until his second coming. The discussion here leaves us with a couple of questions. When and how will the judgment take place? For partial answers to those questions, we must look elsewhere.

3. What did Jesus’ Baptism Mean?

The Bible does not tell us how Jesus was baptized, but Luke points out three important things. 1) Heaven was opened, 2) the Holy Spirit descended and 3) a voice came. These things occurred after Jesus’ baptism while he was praying. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove. In a Bible where the words of Jesus are in red, let us not forget the voice of God the Father who declared Jesus as his Son. Reminiscent of Isaiah 42:1 Luke writes that God is well-pleased with his Son, Jesus. We might say that we are proud of a son. Pride can be misunderstood as a wrong attitude, pridefulness. God uses a much better word, well-pleased, unmistakably a positive emotion.

4. What Did Origen3 Believe about Baptism?

Origen was born around 184. At 17 his father was murdered for his faith. His mother hid his clothes, preventing Origen from going to die with his father. The government confiscated the family’s assets, forcing Origin to support younger siblings. He became the Church’s first theologian. Origen taught literal and allegorical interpretations of the Bible. In 250 Emperor Decius imprisoned and tortured him. Origen subsequently died at age 69. In his life he produced perhaps 6,000 separate writings. His famous comment on baptism was, “The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles… knew there are in everyone innate strains of sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit”

5. What did Maximus4 Teach about Christ’s Baptism?

Ancient bishop Maximus wrote of Jesus’ baptism, “At Christmas he was born a man; today he is reborn sacramentally… When he was born a man, his mother Mary held him close to her heart; when he is born in mystery, God the Father embraces him with his voice when he says: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: listen to him... The mother holds the child for the Magi to adore; the Father reveals that his Son is to be worshiped by all the nations… Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the water, but to make the water holy, and ...when the Savior is washed all water for our baptism is made clean…”

Outro

Let us remember our baptism, the importance of being in prayer and our anointing by the Holy Spirit.

References: 1Green, Joel B. NICNT. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids, Mich. W.B. Eerdmans. 1997. 2Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at crossmarks.com/brian/ 3Origen. Commentaries on Romans 5:9 [A.D. 248] 4Maximus. Sermo 100, de sancta Epiphania 1, 3: CCL 23, 398-400

Profound Transformation

Intro

In all the commercial hype surrounding Christmas, do we forget the most profound and important things of all?

Purpose

Let’s look at some of the most important things that a human being can do at Christmas, things we don’t want to neglect?

Plan

We will look at Luke 3:7-18 and see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming.

Luke 3:7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” 10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” 15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

(Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.)

1. Meaningless Religion (vs. 7-8)

In Isaiah 1:10-17 God chastised Israel for performing religious duties while having their hands covered with the blood of innocent victims. Stand up, sit down, genuflect, raise your hands, cross yourselves, put up Christmas lights, exchange gifts, sing Amen, shout Hallelujahs, praise the Lord, speak in tongues, bow your heads and swing that incense censer. None of these things is evil. They are all good if they come from God and are used for good. But John the Baptist called some religious people the children of snakes. Was it an allusion to the devil? Was he saying that, without repentance all or any religious dedication is worthless? Is he saying to us that, genuine religion is evidenced by seeking justice and helping the oppressed as James wrote (1:27)?

2. Nationalism (vs. 8-14)

Nationalism is not new. It creates in us an air of superiority. The British Empire was the “kingdom of God on earth”1 and the royals were “defenders of the faith.”2 Then we learned the truth about British atrocities in many countries. America used the polite term “regime change”3 when overthrowing popularly elected governments to set up puppet dictatorships, while we believed it was making the world safe for Democracy. Nationalism blinds any people to their country’s sins. John the Baptist preached that his fellow citizens believed they were alright with God because faithful Abraham was their ancestor. They were blind to widespread national tax corruption, extortion and injustice in treating the poor and hungry. From government and industry leaders to ourselves, our whole nation needs to repent.

1 Brendon, Piers. The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997. Vintage Books, 2010. 335. 2 Sir Richard Baker, Edward Phillips, Sir Thomas Clarges. A Chronicle of the Kings of England. H. Sawbridge... B. Tooke... and T. Sawbridge. 1684. Great Britain. 321. 3 Kinzer, Stephen. Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq. Times Books. 2006.

3. Confirmation of Repentance (vs. 12-16)

Repentance is primarily a change of heart, confirmed by fruits, good works. John the Baptist addressed the need to change our hearts and our deeds. We see John’s concerns even today, exploitation of taxes for personal gain and misuse of military might to enrich ourselves. Baptism is confirmed in a decision to repent. Baptism by fire is threefold: a baptism by fire occurred as flames of fire resting upon people’s heads on that first Pentecost, a baptism by fiery trials and judgment to come in which the “chaff” will be burned with unending fire. Hell “fire and brimstone” preaching can easily be overdone or ignored completely. Yet, Jesus does preach about final judgment in fire. He also appeals to us to repent so that we don’t have to face it.

4. Winnowing and Burning (vs. 17-18)

Winnowing is the process of separating a grain from its hulls or chaff using moving air. Chaff is indigestible to humans, but cattle can eat it as fodder. It can be plowed into the ground or burned. Response to John the Baptist’s preaching was like winnowing. Now is the day to respond to today’s message and repent. Jesus will judge, then burn up the chaff and preserve the wheat based on familiar criteria. How do we treat the hungry and thirsty? How is our hospitality to strangers or foreigners? How is our giving to those who need clothing? What is our treatment of those who need health care? How do we treat imprisoned criminals (Matthew 25:31-46)? Where will we be on the judgment day, among the wheat or chaff?

Outro

Don’t get lost in the commercial glitz and forget what’s really important. Let us remember the profound transformation that Christmas has brought to us.

Prepare the Way

Intro 

I have two questions for you: What does building a highway have to do with preparation for Christmas? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s coming?

Goal 

I want us to understand what preparation Christ expects.

Sermon Plan

We will discuss Luke 3:1-6 and preparing the way for Christ.

Luke 3:1 It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”

(Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.)

1. Big and Small Things (vs. 1-2)

Rome invented the word dictatorship. Roman Emperor Tiberius reigned 14-37 AD. He was a gloomy and reclusive man, infamous for his cruelty and shameless debauchery. Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip and Lysanias were various local Roman governors in and around Judea. Annas and Caiaphas were puppet high priests over the Roman Judea, appointed by the local Roman governor, yet with great power over the Jewish people. The allusion to this world’s great and corrupt leaders sets the scene for what is to follow beginning in an insignificant corner of Israel. Do not despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:9-10), because God’s great works often begin small yet are of far greater significance than what’s currently in the news headlines. John’s ministry began in the wilderness, picturing a new Exodus and a new beginning preparing the way for Christ.

2. John’s Ministry (vs. 3)

John the Baptist traveled the region both sides of the Jordan with a message that was fundamentally the same as Jesus’, repentance and forgiveness. John’s baptism was basically a repentance-baptism, connecting the need for cleansing and repentance. Repentance presupposes that our society lacks something and needs a change. In John, we see repentance as turning away from old ways and pledging allegiance to God. Human sins cause great harm around the world, but forgiveness provides healing and restores unity in the community. In an era when prominent people and events of significance bring so much destruction, what John did in a corner prepared the way of peace. Many things crowd out the Christmas message like insipid politics and pathetic commercialism. The message of Christ’s coming is far more important. It was announced with a baptism of repentance in a wilderness.

3. Road Building

John the Baptist described three basic principles of highway building, making things straight, level and smooth. Paved streets dating back before Abraham have been found in Ur. The Roman Empire built major roads covering almost 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles). To create a modern highway, surveyors must calculate the best route, it must be designed and approved, land must be purchased, rock and earth must be removed by blasting and digging, depressions must be filled, and embankments, bridges and tunnels must be built following prescribed maximum gradients. Drainage and water courses must be integrated. All this is before the first level of road bed is put down. That may consist of aggregate base, base, intermediate and surface layers. The thickness of these layers varies around the world. John’s use of a road building metaphor pictures preparation to receive Christ.

4. Preparation (vs. 4-6)

John fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5) in a fresh manner. Preparation for Christ’s coming is in turning to God. Jesus died rejected by the world. He comes to a people prepared to receive him. Making things straight and level and smooth is far more important than who has the power, fame and fortune in the world. Straight, level and smooth describes what happens in a changed heart prepared to receive Jesus. God is often involved in small things in this world’s eyes, things far away from the fame and fortune that this world seeks, like John’s ministry far from Rome and in an insignificant wilderness along the Jordan. The seemingly big things of this world are really insignificant. The seemingly small things of God, changed hearts are more significant than all the politics, wealth and celebrity of this world.

Outro/Take Home

While we prepare for our observance of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh, let us remember that most important preparation of all is to prepare our hearts. Repentance is preparation for Christ’s coming. What are we doing to prepare for his coming?

Advent's message: repent

Intro 

The first Advent season John the Baptist prepared for Christ’s ministry. What does his message tell us about preparing for the Advent of our Lord today? 

Goal 

Let us understand that John’s message is relevant for Advent today. 

Sermon Plan 

We will look at Advent’s message of repentance, snakes, good capitalism, sharing and fire. 

Advent’s message: repentance 

When we think of fruits of repentance what comes to mind? Some churches speak about dancing, alcohol and card-playing none of which are explicitly forbidden by the Apostles and one of which Jesus even engaged in on occasion. In Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist gave some examples which would show genuine repentance. Specifically, he mentioned donations of clothing and food to the less fortunate, not taking advantage of unjust government regulations for personal gain, not extorting money or being a false accuser. When I think of the trite rules that men make up as examples of godly principles, they are often easy outward forms, looking good externally without really needing to change our hearts. Biblical examples of what repentance looks like usually involve something deeper than a silly rule. Those examples of repentance involve real change from the heart. 

Advent’s message: snakes 

I have often lamented that pastors are paid by those to whom they preach. It can be blackmail. “Don’t you dare preach against my political parties’ sins, just the other guys.” “Don’t you dare tread on my toes, just the lady across the room. She needs to hear it.” Eventually, if pastors are browbeaten enough, it’s either time to move on or the congregation gets over it and grows. We never will agree on everything, but we must love each other anyway. Loving our neighbors includes our pastors, even disagreeing lovingly. If we are offended by our pastors sometimes, imagine having John the Baptist or Jesus as our local pastor. Jesus told Peter get behind me Satan and John told one of his audiences, “You brood of snakes, who told you to flee from God’s coming wrath?” (Luke 3:7-18)* 

* Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

Repentance old and new 

The Greek word for repentance means a change of heart. The Hebrew word shub means to turn back, but the Greek meaning focuses on the mind, not mere outward actions. It highlights a major difference between the Old and New Covenants. The Greek word comes from meta meaning after and nous meaning thought, so any definition involving actions alone is not sufficient. That being said, a change of heart is only genuinely proven by relevant outward fruits (Luke 3:7-18). The end result is the same even if the way we get there is now new. The problem with an outward repentance is that we can start in the wrong place. A change of actions can be from a wrong heart. Without a change of thinking in relation to sin, we have mere outward conformity and not real lasting change. 

Extortion and a just price 

In Luke 3:7-18 John instructed a group of tax collectors and soldiers not to engage in extortion of money. Today, extortion is more commonly found in the price of goods and services. The question of what is a just price was proposed by early church theologians like Thomas Aquinas to combat usury, apply the Golden Rule and create fair standards in the marketplace. The argument is that an unjust price is a kind of fraud. For example, when retailers raise building material prices to profit from a disaster, that is extortion. When bankers charge poor people higher interest rates than wealthy people that is unjust. When manufacturers manipulate international politics so as to profit up to 1800 percent from wars that is legalized racketeering.* Charging a just price and treating everyone fairly is the goal of every sincere Christian. 

* Butler, Smedley. Major General, USMC. War is a Racket. Speech. 1933 

Advent’s message: share 

Among the many messages of Advent and the Christmas season surely none can create a more joyful experience than to share. In Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist encouraged a crowd of people to donate extra clothing. Many Christians follow John’s instructions today. The Volunteer Guide reports that in America 3.5 million homeless people need clothing, more than a third of them are children. Donating clothing helps the environment by extending their life. Many charities actually do not follow the spirit of John’s instruction. Rather than give clothing away, according to ABC News many actually resell about 10% of clothes in thrift stores and 90% to clothing manufacturers for recycling. For the Christian who wants to do more than support another charity scam, find one that actually gives to the poor without cost or give personally to the needy. 

Advent’s message: fire 

Among the many messages of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for Christ’s ministry was that people would be baptized by fire (Luke 3:7-18). The baptism by fire in Acts 2:1-4 is one interpretation of this passage. This is a problem for Baptists who believe that baptism must be a literal immersion, but this baptism by fire was only on people’s heads. That being said, Luke’s context reveals another side to the baptism of fire. The chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Hell is pictured by many metaphors, outer darkness, blackness, eternal separation from God and fire. One picture is that those whose names are not written into the book of life will be cast into a lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). This is a baptism of fire that nobody wants in their future. 

Outro/Take Home 

Part of Advent’s message is repentance from dead works, which includes engaging in righteous business practices and sharing our wealth with the less fortunate.

Advent's message: giving

Intro 

I have two questions for you today: Who is the most popular Christian outside of the Bible and what does Wednesday have to do with Christmas? 

Goal 

I want us to understand that one of the most important messages of Advent is giving. 

Sermon Plan 

We will discuss small things, significance, the most popular Christian outside of the Bible and why he still is so popular. 

Advent’s message: small things 

Some pastors enter politics. Most say that would be a demotion. They are already doing the most important work on earth today. Luke compares political and religious events to what would take place in an insignificant corner of Israel. Small things are often of far greater significance than what’s in the news headlines. Making things straight and level and smooth (Luke 3:1-6) may seem like small things, but they are far more important than who has the political power in the world’s capitals or who has what religious titles today. When we get about doing the Lord’s work, we find that he is often involved in small things in this world’s eyes, things far away from the fame and fortune that this world seeks. The big things of this world are insignificant compared to the small things of God. 

Advent’s message: significance 

What are the most significant events taking place on earth today? Is it the stuff that makes the news? Is it what world leaders, national leaders or even regional leaders are doing? What about the things being done by bishops and other religious leaders? If we compare the history described in Luke 3:1-6, we will see that at that time, none of those things was significant compared to a much more important event. At this time of year, we also see many things which try to crowd out the Christmas message like insipid politics, religious pomp and commercial sales. What is the message of Christ’s birth? It is a message that is far more important than any: prepare the way of the Lord, make things straight and level and smooth. All people will see the salvation of the Lord. 

Advent’s message: Nicholas 

Who is the most popular Christian outside of the Bible? We may think of famous theologians or reformers but the most popular is Nicholas of Myra, who was loved by many in his time and those who read his story today. The fiction surrounding him has grown to the point that he is the second most important Christmas character after Jesus. Why is he so popular? Though he was very wealthy, he spent his life giving it away and touched the lives of thousands. He saved many from financial ruin, helped out in disasters, defended people in court from false charges, provided food during famines, saved children from slavery, travelers from murder and prayed and saved sailors from shipwreck. The real Saint Nicholas is loved because he made crooked roads straight and rough ways smooth (Luke 3:1-6). Shall we? 

Advent’s message: giving 

Nicholas was born of wealthy Christian parents in what is today southern Turkey. It was a Greek area at the time. He followed Jesus’ comments to a wealthy young man (Matthew 19:16-30) to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. He spent the rest of his life doing just that and is known for his generosity to those in need. One story tells of his providing a dowry for three daughters who, without it, were bound for a life of sexual slavery. Little bags of coins were tossed in a window landing in stockings and a shoe, giving rise to several Christmas traditions. As we think of making crooked roads straight and rough ways smooth in preparation for Christ’s coming (Luke 3:1-6), it is good to follow a wonderful example of giving like Saint Nicholas’. 

Dar 

How can any of us match such wonderful giving, especially since most of us are not wealthy? Over the past year, I got to know a gentleman by the name of Dar. Was his name Darling or Darrel? I asked. He was named after a beloved citizen of Hancock, Maryland. Dar, the original Dar, was not wealthy like Nicholas, but of meager means and yet known for his generosity. If someone needed help, he was there. He repaired things for neighbors without asking for payment. He generously gave whenever there was a need. Though not a wealthy person like Nicholas of Myra, Dar’s giving was not limited by a lack of funds. His funeral was one of the well-attended one’s in that city’s history. He was loved by all. Though we may not be able to give as Nicholas did, we can follow his example as he followed Christ who gave it all. 

Epilogue 

What does Wednesday have to do with Christmas? Woden or Oden was once a pagan god. Possibly once a tribal king whose history has been lost and later turned to myth, he was known throughout the European northwest as a wild hunter who rode on horseback. Many of today’s myths surrounding Santa Claus go back to stories of this ancient northern god sometimes called Father Winter. His name was also given to the fourth day of the week, Woden’s day or Wednesday. The story of the real Saint Nicholas is of a man who was devoted to giving. Because of his generosity, he has become the most popular Christian outside of the Bible.

Outro/Take Home 

One of the great messages of Christmas is giving. A Savior was born who would give it all. A saint is remembered who spent his life giving away his fortune. We are reminded that giving is the thing. Let us think about ways to give.