What’s on the
Inside
Law/Gospel Theme: As Christians, it’s essential to live in a way that shows others who we are. We want to not only call ourselves Christians, but act like it by demonstrating love and sharing with others.
John the Baptist admonished people to share their faith authentically. And this same message speaks to us also.
While we are saved by faith alone. We should act in a manner that reflects the Holy Spirit within us.
It’s important to remember doing good is not required for salvation. The work that Jesus did frees and saves us. And we cannot do anything that will make God love us more or less.
Some people in John’s time thought that they could be saved simply because of family ties or just saying they would do good.
John wanted them to know true repentance should be evidenced by change.
As people who love Christ, it should be obvious that we are His people in the way that we live and how we love and serve others.
Because we are thankful for Jesus, we live that out and influence people around us.
Prayer: Stir up Your power, O Lord and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymn: # 33 Great is Thy Faithfulness
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the
forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins.
Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your
Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of
life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you
all your sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He
strengthen you in all goodness.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Luke 3:7-18
John said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him,
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping
with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for
Abraham.
9 Even now the axe is laid
to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he
answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and
whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what
shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also
asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort
money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your
wages.”
15 As the people
were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John,
whether he might be the Christ,
16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
Hymn: #34 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
I’m sure you would be upset and
disappointed if you got . a Christmas present, opened it up to find nothing
wouldn’t you?
As strange as it might seem. To get a
gift that turns out to be an empty box. There are unfortunately times when we
might act like an empty box!
If we say that we love the Lord, but we
don’t always live it out like we should. We don’t demonstrate any evidence that
God is part of our lives.
In the Bible. A man named John the
Baptist was sent to prepare people for Jesus. John criticized those who
emphasized family connections as a way to God.
Or who didn’t really act on their faith.
He admonished people to not only say they were repentant, but live it.
He urged them through sharing with others
and being truthful and responsible.
Now, it’s important to remember that we
all sin and make mistakes. Doing good things for other people is not a way to
be saved from our sins.
Jesus does that for us. And His saving
blood is all we need for Heaven. We recognize that all we do and say should
point to Him and honor Him.
However, if we truly love the Lord. We
should want to do what He values. We want others to be able to see evidence of
our faith.
If we love God. We should love and care
for people. We should want them to know the power of Jesus and His love, too.
If we say we love God, but don’t show
kindness, it’s kind of like that empty box.
We might have a label or fancy wrapping
on the outside. But that means nothing if we don’t have Jesus inside, too!
We want to be authentic people. That
means that we are real and genuinely show Christ’s love.
We can pray that God would help us do
that. And read His Word to know how we can be authentic, inside and out!
Let’s pray now and thank God for Jesus, asking Him to help us honor Christ in how we live. Thank you, Jesus our Lord and King. help us to demonstrate your love to others. May our lives reflect the work of Jesus within us. Thank you for cleansing us on the inside. Thank you for your love and care. [1]
The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.
The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.
The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord for our national life.
The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grass and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.
The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer. [2]
[1] What’s
on the Inside? Children’s Sermon from Luke 3:7-18 - Ministry To Children
[2] September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org)
Advent image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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