February 19, 2023
Prepare Yourself
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Is there any area of your life you know God wants you to turn away from?
Luke 3:3 NIV
"He (John the Baptizer) went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
Matthew 3:4-6 NIV
"John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River."
Baptism - “βάπτισμα” (“baptisma). Definition: the result of dipping or sinking.
Luke3:4 NIV
"As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"
Luke 3:5 NIV
"'Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation.'"
Repentance is the act of changing one's mind so completely that it results in a change of actions.
Luke 3:7 NIV
"John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?'"
Matthew 3:7 NIV
"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?'"
Luke 3:8-9 NIV
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones, God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
This is directed at anyone who foolishly thinks they are saved because they are good enough without turning to Jesus for salvation.
Luke 3:10 NIV
"'What should we do then?' the crowd asked."
Luke 3:12 NIV
"John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.'"
Generosity is A key marker of repentance.
First Gifts Sunday | February 26, 2023
Bring whatever you can to get the work started!
Luke 3:12-13 NIV
"Even tax collectors came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, "what should we do?' 'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' he told them."
There is hope even for the worst of us.
Luke 3:14 NIV
"Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?' He replied, 'Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.'"
Doing good, fair, and honest work is important to God.
Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
Ephesians 5:11 NIV
"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."