“Fire & Fruit: John the Baptist’s Recipe for Reform”

Luke 3:7-18  Dec.13/09 3rd in Advent   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    JUST DRIFTING THROUGH LIFE?

    ○    need the way cleared - of snow / sin (3:3ff)
    ○    repentance a radical change, turning toward God, seeking forgiveness

●    FACING UP TO THE FRAUD GODS

    ○    not mincing words in warning people about the coming wrath (7,9,18)
    ○    FAMILY: not taking pride in ancestral background (8; Php 3:4ff)
    ○    FINANCES: extra tunic / food should be shared with needy (11; Eccles 9:11; Acts 4:32; 1Chron 29:14; Lk 12:34)
    ○    FINAGLING: can’t trust your ‘smarts’ compared to God’s wisdom (13; 19:8; Is 55:9; 1Cor 1:20)
    ○    FORCE: not to extort / bully / accuse, unlike current rulers (14)

●    FIRE AND FRUIT: THE DIFFERENCE MESSIAH MAKES

    ○    inner work of baptism with Holy Spirit & fire: passionate for Christ (16; Ac 2:3; Gal 5:22f; 1Cor 3:13; Php 3:3,10)
    ○    outer work of fruit that shows we’re living for the Lord (8f)

●    A SNOWBOARDER’S 180 (SPIRITUALLY)

    ○    champion won numerous winter games, but depressed/empty until committed herself to Christ