Time to Recognize

Luke 3:7-20
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.
19 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

We can take these words and apply them literally today. Think about it, we are all called to witness to the world boldly, why? Boldly is defined as not hesitating or being fearful in the face of actual or possible danger.

Look at James 2:14-20.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Now look back at Luke 3:8, do you understand what is required of all that believe and have faith in Christ?

When was the last time you really showed your faith to the world? I mean a time that you stepped out and were counted as faithful by God. Give an example?

In verse 8 the statement …”We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham” sounds much like what battle cry of today’s Complacent Christians.

Complacent is defined as being pleased with ones self and own merits often without awareness of some potential danger.

Are to take verse 9 literally or metaphorically?

The teaching of Ethics: Good Christian Living is freely available to everyone. Read verses 10-14 again.

In verse 11, if you have two shirts, give one to the poor, has an interesting sub meaning. Sure the literal is giving, but Luke goes further. The shirt or garment mentioned here was a “tunic” or “shirt” (chiton), which was worn next to the skin by both men and women as a basic element of covering. We must remember the cultural significance of this passage. John is clearly calling all Jews, men and women to repentance openly & publicly.

How about those dirty IRS dudes in verse 13, they don’t deserve God’s grace, do they? The tax collectors of those days also commonly know as publicans were Jews but also business partners with the Roman Government. The Roman Government did not care and even encouraged the tax collectors to over charge the taxes to their fellow countrymen. So here is John, collect what is required, but no more. The same held true for the soldiers. If they wanted (coveted) some ones property they would take what they wished and then threaten them with their authority. So soldiers serve as you are required and be satisfied with the life you have. Bringing glory to God each day through your job.

Think a little harder about verses 10-14. Do you see a deeper meaning?

Verses 10-14 are a wonderful reminder to us all. The promise that no mater how bad we are God is eager to accept us. Just think how the Jews felt when the tax collectors and brutal soldiers asked “What should we do?” I have no doubt that those Jews that heard the request thought to them selves, as if God would ever consider them.

Let me sum it up this way, John is simply saying that if you are a tax collector, you reveal that your a Christian by the way you collect taxes. This example can be used for everyone; soldiers to housewives. Look at Matthew 7:17-23 and Galatians 5:19-26.

How are you living? What fruit is being produced through your life?

Do you feel that there is urgency in John’s message? Why?

Do we have the same urgency?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.
2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.