I have recently read much about statements credited to Pat Robertson's beliefs about Haiti. Unfortunately, most of what I have read misquotes and is an exaggeration of what he actually said. If one would like to hear what he actually said there are plenty of Youtube post to hear for yourself. Additionally one could go to his own web site to see what he said. http://www.patrobertson.com/pressreleases/haiti.asp Additionally at his site you will see how his ministry has helped the country of Haiti before and after this horrible catastrophe. My point here is not to defend Pat Robertson. I Actually know little about his show. I don't watch it. I do want to point out that we live in a megaphone world. We are quick to point out what we perceive to be wrong with others. We often do so without listening to each other. I read one blog that deplored what was deemed as Robertson's judgmental attitude. This same writer later wrote, "Go to Hell, Pat Robertson ." Can someone define irony for me?
Let me make clear that there are things that I differ with Pat Robertson, but assigning Hell is not our job. In fact, that is the ultimate judgment. It is the job of God alone.
This does leave us with the question that was raised by all of the attention to Mr Robertson. Did the people of Haiti deserve this tragedy?
I would like to turn to Jesus to answer these questions. Recorded in Luke's Gospel is an event when Jesus spoke to some people about some other horrific events.
Luke 13:1-5 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. (2) And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? (3) "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (4) "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? (5) "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
In the instance above, Jesus makes it clear that we should not think others are any worse sinners than we are because of some tragedy that has taken place. In fact, Jesus levels the playing field. He speaks of a universal brokenness. Just like Pat Robertson and every other person in this world, you and I were born into a world that is broken. The world is not as it should be. I fall short of who I have been called to be. I am thankful that Christ came to heal and save a broken world and a broken people. The Christmas story tells us this.
Matthew 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Did the people of Haiti suffer because they are worse sinners than others? I believe Jesus would say no. At the same time Jesus would invite us to move away from the I am OK your OK idea of the world. We are all broken people in continuous need of God's healing. God has called us into a relationship with Him today. What will your response be God?
What then should our response be to the people of Haiti? It should be the same as Jesus. He saw our need for a Savior, and he met that need. Do we see the need?
Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (38) Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Baptism and Dying and Rising With Christ
Romans 6:1-6
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.
Paul begins this chapter with an absurd question. Shall we continue to sin . . .? He has just spent the previous five chapters presenting a righteousness that is apart from the law (Rom 3:21). The answer Paul gives here addresses a couple of things. One is how do we get people to live right if it is not by carefully following of the law? Two: If grace increases through sin, why not sin more?
Romans 6 & 7 clearly point to sin's rule and reign over the living. Christ died to and for our sins. Sin was defeated on the cross of Calvary. Our identification with Christ through faith makes us co-crucified with Him (Gal 2:2). What Christ did for us on the cross is something the law could never do.
In Chapter 6 Baptism is used to illustrate what has taken place in our lives. The word baptize literally means to dip, plunge, or immerse. A Messianic translation of this passage reads this way:
Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that all of us who have been immersed into Messiah Yeshua were immersed into His death? (4) Therefore, we were buried with Him through immersion into death, in order that Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too we might walk in renewal of life.
I like the word "immersed". It reminds me that I am completely surrounded by Christ Jesus. I have left one way of living and I am completely submerged into a new way. Jesus, said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me". The old is now dead to me and I dead to it. As Christ rose from the dead, we too rise to newness of life.
What does it mean to be immersed in Christ?
Think of people at a lake. Some people sit at the shore and put their feet in the water. Others stay far from the water. There are others who like to float around on some floatation device. They are sort of half in half out. There are others enjoy diving deeply into the waters.
Which of these best describe your relationship with Christ? All of these are great options when enjoying the lake. But, when Christ calls us into a relationship, the invitation is to be immersed in Him.
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.
Paul begins this chapter with an absurd question. Shall we continue to sin . . .? He has just spent the previous five chapters presenting a righteousness that is apart from the law (Rom 3:21). The answer Paul gives here addresses a couple of things. One is how do we get people to live right if it is not by carefully following of the law? Two: If grace increases through sin, why not sin more?
Romans 6 & 7 clearly point to sin's rule and reign over the living. Christ died to and for our sins. Sin was defeated on the cross of Calvary. Our identification with Christ through faith makes us co-crucified with Him (Gal 2:2). What Christ did for us on the cross is something the law could never do.
In Chapter 6 Baptism is used to illustrate what has taken place in our lives. The word baptize literally means to dip, plunge, or immerse. A Messianic translation of this passage reads this way:
Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that all of us who have been immersed into Messiah Yeshua were immersed into His death? (4) Therefore, we were buried with Him through immersion into death, in order that Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too we might walk in renewal of life.
I like the word "immersed". It reminds me that I am completely surrounded by Christ Jesus. I have left one way of living and I am completely submerged into a new way. Jesus, said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me". The old is now dead to me and I dead to it. As Christ rose from the dead, we too rise to newness of life.
What does it mean to be immersed in Christ?
Think of people at a lake. Some people sit at the shore and put their feet in the water. Others stay far from the water. There are others who like to float around on some floatation device. They are sort of half in half out. There are others enjoy diving deeply into the waters.
Which of these best describe your relationship with Christ? All of these are great options when enjoying the lake. But, when Christ calls us into a relationship, the invitation is to be immersed in Him.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Why did Jesus let John Baptize Him?
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. (14) But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (15) But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. (16) After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, (17) and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
Why did Jesus let John Baptize Him?
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Jesus had no sin that He needed to repent of. John recognized Jesus' holiness. "I am not fit to remove His sandals". John actually tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized. If He is not a sinner then what is the point?
It seems that answer to these questions are found both in the immediate context and in the light of Jesus' overall missional purpose.
Context
In the context we have religious leaders who are sinners but either refuse or are denied baptism because of the unwillingness to humble themselves and allow God to bring forth real fruit in their lives (Matthew 3:7-9). Jesus would later confront these leaders about John's baptism. Matt 21:25-26. "'The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men'? And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' (26) 'But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet."
Instead of humbly admitting what they were (sinners), these leaders put themselves above other people. They missed the point of true spiritual leadership and they could not lead because in all actuality they feared men more than God.
In contrast, Jesus who was not a sinner identifies Himself with sinners. He doesn't fear people, He loves them. His motivation is to "fulfill all righteousness" (please the father).
overall missional purpose
Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Jesus set us free by His death on the cross. Jesus baptism is a metaphorical picture of His earthly ministry. In Romans we are told that our Baptism is an identification with Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Jesus came, identified Himself with the lowly, denied himself, and gave up His life. Paul put it this way.
Philippians 2:5-9 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name"
The one who had no need of baptism submitted and was exulted. Those who were in desperate need of repentance exulted themselves and were brought low.
In your area of influence are you more like the religious leaders or Jesus?
When someone humbles themselves, is that a strength or weakness?
What does this mean for your own Baptism? How does the life you live reflect on your baptism?
Are there other issues in this text you would like to discuss?
Why did Jesus let John Baptize Him?
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Jesus had no sin that He needed to repent of. John recognized Jesus' holiness. "I am not fit to remove His sandals". John actually tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized. If He is not a sinner then what is the point?
It seems that answer to these questions are found both in the immediate context and in the light of Jesus' overall missional purpose.
Context
In the context we have religious leaders who are sinners but either refuse or are denied baptism because of the unwillingness to humble themselves and allow God to bring forth real fruit in their lives (Matthew 3:7-9). Jesus would later confront these leaders about John's baptism. Matt 21:25-26. "'The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men'? And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' (26) 'But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet."
Instead of humbly admitting what they were (sinners), these leaders put themselves above other people. They missed the point of true spiritual leadership and they could not lead because in all actuality they feared men more than God.
In contrast, Jesus who was not a sinner identifies Himself with sinners. He doesn't fear people, He loves them. His motivation is to "fulfill all righteousness" (please the father).
overall missional purpose
Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Jesus set us free by His death on the cross. Jesus baptism is a metaphorical picture of His earthly ministry. In Romans we are told that our Baptism is an identification with Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Jesus came, identified Himself with the lowly, denied himself, and gave up His life. Paul put it this way.
Philippians 2:5-9 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name"
The one who had no need of baptism submitted and was exulted. Those who were in desperate need of repentance exulted themselves and were brought low.
In your area of influence are you more like the religious leaders or Jesus?
When someone humbles themselves, is that a strength or weakness?
What does this mean for your own Baptism? How does the life you live reflect on your baptism?
Are there other issues in this text you would like to discuss?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Church: The Sign of Christ in the World
Ephesians 3:1-12 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- (2) if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; (3) that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. (4) By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, (5) which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; (6) to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, (7) of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. (8) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, (9) and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; (10) so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. (11) This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, (12) in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
Is the church an extra option that is available for believers to participate in? Paul describes the church as something that is "in accordance with the eternal purpose" of God. Does this fact cause you to rethink your view of the church?
How would you describe the church? Robert Webber described the church this way: “The Church is the sign of Christ in the world—the continuing manifestation of Jesus in the world. The church is not primary a building, diocese, or denomination but a people. I am the church; you are the church.” Do you agree with Webber? If we are the church and a sign of Christ in the world, how shall we live? Does this challenge you to live any differently than the rest of the world.
When Paul wrote this he was confirming that Gentiles had equal standing in the church as Jews. This was an astonishing revelation to most. This is not as astonishing to most today. However, are there people within the church today that are not seen as equal before God? Who are the Gentiles within our community that need to hear the hope of the gospel? Are there those within the church that need to hear this message?
Is the church an extra option that is available for believers to participate in? Paul describes the church as something that is "in accordance with the eternal purpose" of God. Does this fact cause you to rethink your view of the church?
How would you describe the church? Robert Webber described the church this way: “The Church is the sign of Christ in the world—the continuing manifestation of Jesus in the world. The church is not primary a building, diocese, or denomination but a people. I am the church; you are the church.” Do you agree with Webber? If we are the church and a sign of Christ in the world, how shall we live? Does this challenge you to live any differently than the rest of the world.
When Paul wrote this he was confirming that Gentiles had equal standing in the church as Jews. This was an astonishing revelation to most. This is not as astonishing to most today. However, are there people within the church today that are not seen as equal before God? Who are the Gentiles within our community that need to hear the hope of the gospel? Are there those within the church that need to hear this message?
Friday, December 18, 2009
The New Self
Passage for Sunday December 27th.
Colossians 3:12-17 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on (clothe yourselves with) a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (14) Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (17) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
The above italics are mine.
Earlier in this chapter Paul told his hearers things they are to "put off."
For example: Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:8-9 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (9) Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Now he tells us to "put on" or "clothe ourselves." this is important for several reasons.
1. The christian life is not about our best efforts. It is really about God's redeeming work in and through us. Notice the metaphors of Christ working in us: "Put on"; "Let the peace of Christ rule"; "Let the word of Christ richly dwell."
Are there areas of your life that reveal your need to clothe yourself with Christ?
2. The life God has called us to is not about just avoiding certain behaviors. But God is calling us to live our lives in a way that is visibly different from the world. The New Self is stamped with the very image of Christ. All of the things listed here are attributes of Christ Himself. What clothing are you wearing? Have you put on Christ? What do these passages tell us about the local body of Christ?
May God bless us as we dive deeply into His Word. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:12-17 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on (clothe yourselves with) a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (14) Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (17) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
The above italics are mine.
Earlier in this chapter Paul told his hearers things they are to "put off."
For example: Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:8-9 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (9) Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Now he tells us to "put on" or "clothe ourselves." this is important for several reasons.
1. The christian life is not about our best efforts. It is really about God's redeeming work in and through us. Notice the metaphors of Christ working in us: "Put on"; "Let the peace of Christ rule"; "Let the word of Christ richly dwell."
Are there areas of your life that reveal your need to clothe yourself with Christ?
2. The life God has called us to is not about just avoiding certain behaviors. But God is calling us to live our lives in a way that is visibly different from the world. The New Self is stamped with the very image of Christ. All of the things listed here are attributes of Christ Himself. What clothing are you wearing? Have you put on Christ? What do these passages tell us about the local body of Christ?
May God bless us as we dive deeply into His Word. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Monday, December 14, 2009
May it be done to me according to your word
This weeks passage is in
Luke 1:26-38 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, (27) to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28) And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." (29) But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. (30) The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. (31) "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (32) "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." (34) Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (35) The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (36) "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. (37) "For nothing will be impossible with God." (38) And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Some of my beginning thought s and questions are as follow:
1. Mary is a virgin. This fulfills the prophesy in Isaiah 7:14. It speaks of God's faithfulness and God's miraculous working to bring about His plans in the world. Is God asking you to do anything today that seems beyond the realms of possibilities?
2. Why does the angel say do not be afraid? Is it the his appearance is so great that she is trembling? It seems if this where the case he would have said this first. Perhaps, he is telling her not to be afraid of what is going to happen. What do you fear God is asking you to do? How do the words, "nothing will be impossible with God" comfort you?
3. What holds us back from saying, "may it be done to me according to your word."
Luke 1:26-38 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, (27) to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28) And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." (29) But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. (30) The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. (31) "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (32) "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." (34) Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (35) The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (36) "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. (37) "For nothing will be impossible with God." (38) And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Some of my beginning thought s and questions are as follow:
1. Mary is a virgin. This fulfills the prophesy in Isaiah 7:14. It speaks of God's faithfulness and God's miraculous working to bring about His plans in the world. Is God asking you to do anything today that seems beyond the realms of possibilities?
2. Why does the angel say do not be afraid? Is it the his appearance is so great that she is trembling? It seems if this where the case he would have said this first. Perhaps, he is telling her not to be afraid of what is going to happen. What do you fear God is asking you to do? How do the words, "nothing will be impossible with God" comfort you?
3. What holds us back from saying, "may it be done to me according to your word."
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Bearing Fruits in Keeping with Repentance
This weeks passage is copied here below.
Luke 3:7-18 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8) "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. (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." (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." (15) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, (16) John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (17) "His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (18) So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.
Some of the questions and observations I have are listed here:
1. John seems to indicate that water baptism and confession alone are not sufficient evidence that someone has repented or is following God.
2. What is John's expectation? Does this differ from what we hear in Christian circles?
3. Verse 18 says that John preached the Gospel. What is the Gospel? Did he preach it in verse 16? Is there a connection to what John is saying with Romans 1:16-17 and Romans 12:2?
Please write out your own thought, questions, or examples.
Luke 3:7-18 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8) "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. (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." (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." (15) Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, (16) John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (17) "His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (18) So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.
Some of the questions and observations I have are listed here:
1. John seems to indicate that water baptism and confession alone are not sufficient evidence that someone has repented or is following God.
2. What is John's expectation? Does this differ from what we hear in Christian circles?
3. Verse 18 says that John preached the Gospel. What is the Gospel? Did he preach it in verse 16? Is there a connection to what John is saying with Romans 1:16-17 and Romans 12:2?
Please write out your own thought, questions, or examples.
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