Pastor Nam Park.
God is Holy. Definition by negation: God is without sin. Yet holiness can also be translated as being "consecrated" and "set appart." Our God is distinct and above other gods. Usually, the opposite of being holy is something that is normal and mundane.
In light of that, how should we live our lives since we are not without sin? A: We are to live a life that is consecrated and set appart for a holy purpose.
Recap: Why was John's Preparation ministry necessary? A: The people had forgotten that they needed a savior. John understood what Jesus would be sent to do and John cried out John 1:29b "...Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
This message was offensive to the Jews who didn't readily admit that they were sinners that needed forgiveness.
The Jews believed that they were saved by their birth-right. They were "born" physical children of Abraham. Yet Galatians 3 states that it's by faith that we are Sons of Abraham. We are not to rely on our birthright for salvation. God is not obligated to save us in this manner.
Galatians 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
It is urgent that we believe NOW.
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.
John Piper mentions: It is good news when someone wakes you up and says, "Quick the hotel is on fire, but there is still time. I'll show you how to get out." The gospel must always contain a warning of God's wrath: "The chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."
Then the crowds questioned John what they should do?
Luke 3: 10-14 10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 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.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 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.”
John instructs:
1. Share clothing, Share food. [Basic necessities. Material care for those in need. Not giving away all that you have, but rather he commanded them to SHARE.]
2. Tax Collectors (grouped with sinners since they had committed themselves to a life of sin by their conscious career choice) were instructed to only collect what was necessary. They were to be a testimony by their transformed life to those they had previously cheated (who would now know the prior evilness) and to the other tax collectors (who might possibly persecute them for collecting only what was right).
3. Soldiers (who might have bullied the people by falsely accusing the people) were instructed to be content with their wages and seek no excess unjustly from the people.
We are to demonstrate a difference in our life, not by running away, but by staying where God has placed us and being different. At home. At work. In all things that we do.
Remember that we are to be an aroma to the world.
We are to demonstrate a difference in our life, not by running away, but by staying where God has placed us and being different. At home. At work. In all things that we do.
Remember that we are to be an aroma to the world.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
Living It: Be different than the world. An aromatic testimony to those that don't know the gospel.
Living It: Be different than the world. An aromatic testimony to those that don't know the gospel.
