Advent 2

Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12

Prepare by repenting

Introduction: Is repentance only for the so-called “sinners” of our day? John the Baptist reminds us that religious people need repentance also. He called to the religious leaders of his day – Pharisees and Sadducees – to repent. John called those within the covenant to repent. Likewise we too need repentant hearts and lives.

Why do church people need repentance? They need repentance… IF they come as spectators of repentance. IF they fail to produce the fruit of repentance.  IF they fail to produce the fruit of repentance.  IF they trust only in church membership.  THEN they face judgment.   

1. Even church people need repentance - IF they come as spectators of repentance – v 7 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: ‘You brook of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’” 

The Pharisees, [“hyper- Europeans” ] where  a legalistic and separatist group who strictly, but often hypocritically, kept the laws of Moses and the unwritten “tradition of the elders” In Matthew 15:1-3 we read,  Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,  “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”  Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 

The Sadducees, [“Jesus Firsts”] were worldlier and politically minded, and were theologically unorthodox – among other things denying the resurrection, angels, and spirits. In Acts 23:8 explains for us,  The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

These words of John are hard for some to hear. For he is calling us back into repentance. He is calling us to repent of our sins and receive spiritual cleansing. Is the church today not also in need for a call to repentance? Consider the sins of the church today – pride, gossip, apathy, selfishness, materialism, moral laxity, strife. Even within the church there is a need to afflict the comfortable in the church today. 

Transition: Is there a need for repentance within the church today? There is a need for repentance if people merely come as spectators of repentance. There is a need for repentance if people fail to produce the fruit of repentance.

2. Even church people need repentance - IF they fail to produce the fruit of repentance – v. 8 “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” What is the meaning of repentance? How important is it in our salvation from sin? Is it the same as godly sorrow? Must we admit or acknowledge our sins to be forgiven? What other conditions must we meet to be saved?  

What about faith and baptism? Should Christians ever repent or is it just for alien sinners? What are the fruits of repentance?

The gospel emphasizes repentance because repentance is essential to changing our attitudes and our life. Until we are willing to change our lives, God is not willing to forgive our sins!

If you have sinned, you must admit the sin and be sorry. Then you must make up your mind to change. Have you done so, or are you just expecting everything to be forgotten because you said you were sorry? Forgiveness comes only after a decision to change!  Remember, repentance is a decision to do what God's word says. When a person sees what God's word says but will not do it, that person is not showing true fruits of repentance.

There is a difference between repentance and the fruits of repentance. Sometimes people go through the motions of baptism (or of public confession), but do not truly repent. These people will never truly be forgiven until they first truly repent.

Other people really did repent and intended to change their lives, but never followed through. These people may have been forgiven the first time but now are back in sin. They need to repent again and this time produce the fruits of repentance.

The fruits of repentance require more than just deciding to do right "next time" or to "never do that again." To the extent possible we must attempt to go back and correct the harmful effects of our sins on other people.  This can be a difficult principle to apply because sometimes the effect of a sin cannot be undone (for example, murder). But it is a Bible principle and must be accomplished to the extent possible.

Transition: Is there a need for repentance within the church today? There is a need for repentance if people merely come as spectators of repentance. There is a need for repentance if people fail to produce the fruit of repentance. There is a need for repentance if people trust only in church membership.

3. Even church people need repentance - IF they trust only in church membership – v. 9 “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.”

Faith involves more than just mere assent to certain historical facts. Even the devil has that kind of faith. You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? (James 2:19-20). Faith that saves is a faith that works. If it doesn’t work in your life, then it doesn’t work in your salvation, either.

Does that mean you work your way into God’s good graces or that you someone earn or merit salvation? Not at all. It is God who saves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Your salvation comes through faith. It does not come as a result of your works. No one will ever be able to boast about their contribution to the work of their salvation. But that verse goes on to point out that your salvation is not an end unto itself. You were not saved BY good works, but you were saved FOR good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

You are God’s workmanship. He has does the work of creating in you a new life. The result of being saved is that you will walk in those good works for which you were created.

Transition: Why do church people need repentance? They need repentance… IF they come as spectators of repentance. IF they fail to produce the fruit of repentance.  IF they fail to produce the fruit of repentance.  IF they trust only in church membership.  THEN they face judgment.  

4. If people will not repent - THEN they face judgment – v. 10 “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.” {See Malachi 4:1 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord Almighty. Not a root or a branch will be left to them.”}

Forgiveness of sins is a dominant concept both the Old and New Testament. The word, “forgiveness,” comes from a Greek word, “let go.” God lets go of our sins; we are also to let go of our own sins and the sins of others around us.

There is the story of a zoo that was trapping monkeys. The zoo trappers placed coconuts underneath a coconut tree, and these coconuts had holes drilled in them. The holes were about the size of a tightly-squeezed-fist of a monkey. The monkey would squeeze its hand through the hole and grab the white coconut inside. The monkeys would find more coconuts and would do the same thing with their other hand and then their two feet. By doing so, their hands and feet became larger and they could not withdraw their hands and feet through the coconut holes.

The only way to become free was to “let go.” To let go of the white coconut inside the coconut shell.

Likewise with us. The only way to emotional freedom in life is to “let go.” To “let go” of what our mothers or fathers did to us in childhood.

To “let go” of all the mistakes that we have made in our lives. To “let go” of the accidents or tragedies that have happened to us or that we have caused. We never become free until we “let go.

We, as human beings, do not “let go;” but the Presence of Christ in us shapes our daily lives and heals us. The Spirit of Christ inside of us heals us, and therefore we gradually “let go.”

Conclusion: In this Advent season we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through repentance. John, the Elijah of his day became the forerunner sent by God to prepare the way of the Messiah. We prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas with not merely the words but the fruits of repentance.

+Soli Deo Gloria+