Repent

When we think of all that is wrong in this world, we like to think of ourselves as basically good people. We do what is right, try to keep from doing wrong, go to church, give to the poor, etc. However, in this week’s sermon, we ask the question, What are we going to do about our own sin? Join us as we hear a stern warning from an outspoken and interesting New Testament prophet.

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
   ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
   make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
   every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
   the rough ways smooth.
And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

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? 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.”

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

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.”


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Stop Trying to Kid Him delivered on Christian Crusaders October 20, 2002.

The Word says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.” We do not have to lie. We do not have to project our guilt onto another person. We do not have to rationalize our sins. We do not have to be a Pharisee. All we have to do is confess these sinful motives to our Savior, and he will forgive us. How relaxing. Why continue to live all tied up in our hypocrisy? Listen to these inspired words: “Let the wicked forsake his ways and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will abundantly pardon him.” That is the Gospel.


Christmas Sermons on CD
It’s not too late to order a last-minute gift – copies of Christian Crusaders’ gift set of Christmas sermons are still available! This audio CD set of sermons based on Isaiah 9:6 is available for a gift of any amount. Call 1-888-My Faith or visit ChristianCrusa-ders.org to order. It might be a meaningful gift for a faraway friend, a next-door neighbor, or someone from your church who is lonely around the holidays.


The Origin of Some Best-Loved Christmas Hymns
O Little Town of Bethlehem
This beautiful, well-phrased hymn was written by Phillips Brooks, one of America’s most outstanding ministers of the nineteenth century. It is based upon Luke 2:4, and tells the glorious message of Christmas.

During a trip to the Holy Land in 1965, Brooks was deeply moved when he worshiped at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Three years later, while pastoring the Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia, Brooks desired to have a special carol for the children to sing in their Sunday school Christmas program. Recalling the peaceful scene in the little town of Bethlehem, Brooks completed the writing of the text in just one evening. He gave a copy of the words to his organist, Lewis R. Redner, and requested him to compose a melody that would be easy for the children to sing. On the evening just before the program was to be given, Redner awakened suddenly from his sleep with the present melody in his mind – and he quickly wrote it out. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” has been a favorite with children and adults around the world since that time. (Taken from “Amazing Grace” by Kenneth W. Osbeck.)


On the Light Side
Our family-owned restaurant is the setting for many of our family discussions about how to handle the customer who asks, “What’s good tonight?” Obviously, we would never serve anything we didn’t think was good.

I braced myself one Saturday night when I heard the dreaded question posed to my husband.

He calmly replied, “Anything over $13.95.”