Luke 3:1-14 Can You Hear Me Now?
Introduction:
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. "It has been ten years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Bed... hard..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk's office. "It has been ten more years," said the head monk. "What are the two words you would like to speak?"
"Food... bad..." said the monk.
"I see," replied the head monk.
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked, "What are your two words now, after these ten years?"
"I... quit!" said the monk.
"Well, I can see why," replied the head monk. "All you ever do is complain."
Probably most of us have seen the commercials of the guy who goes around on his cell phone saying, “Can you hear me now? Good.” It has been 400 years since God has had a public spokesman. Well, except for when He revealed His message to Mary and Zacharias and some shepherds in Bethlehem. But John the Baptist is to be the bridge between the Old and New Testament. He was a prophet sent to prepare the way of the Lord and introduce the Messiah to Israel.
I. DECLARATION-
We have a conglomerate of wicked men ruling over God’s people at this time
Annas had a monopoly on the position of high priest and had managed to be the de facto high priest for 30 years through his sons and then his son-in-law Caiaphas
During this political and religious darkness “the word of God came to John”
God was not speaking to these wicked men but God gave His message to John
You’ll remember that John was the son of a Levitical priest named Zacharias
He could have served in the temple, dressed in the finest clothes, eaten the best of meats
Instead, he dressed in a camel hair garment, a leather belt and ate locust and wild honey
John was the fulfillment of prophecy through the prophet Isaiah- Forerunner
In preparation for a king’s arrival, a king’s highway would be constructed
The point was to allow his caravan to travel without difficulty, smooth new road
John was sent to remove the obstacles and prepare a road into people’s hearts for Christ
Isaiah 57:14 Prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
This does not mean that baptism brings forgiveness of sins.
In fact, John’s baptism followed each person’s repentance and was a sign of it.
John’s preaching made people examine their lives and change- Turn back to God
He was preaching that God’s Salvation would be revealed when Jesus was revealed
This was the universal message that salvation comes by repentance and faith
What mountainous obstacles are hindering you? What gulleys of sin? Crooked paths?
II. DEMONSTRATION-
Matthew 3 identifies this multitude that has come out as Pharisees and Saducees
They had previously sent priests and Levites to investigate John and his ministry
At which time, John told them that He was not the Messiah, but the forerunner
Now the head honchos come out to the wilderness where John was baptizing
When he sees them, he challenges them to authenticate their faith with works
We aren’t saved by good works, but our works testify to the nature of our faith
If we are saved, we will bear fruit for the Lord, we will serve Him and act differently
But these men were counting on Father Abraham to rescue them
John called them a bunch of snakes and the most poisonous of all snakes- Nice
John argues that God is able to convert stones into Children of Abraham
We can’t count on the denomination, or the church, or our family or our works
The only way we can get to heaven is to repent and accept Christ as our Savior
The axe is ready to chop down the unfruitful trees that waste the fertile ground
Unfruitful trees take up the space that rightfully ought to go to trees that bear fruit
If we were to thin the grove today, would you be mistaken for an unfruitful tree?
There are people who lay claim to a specific pew who never do anything for God
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The sincerity of our relationship with God will be evidenced through our actions
III. DISTINCTION-
The people began to wonder what God’s plan was for each of them
God has a universal plan for our salvation and service, but it is personalized to each of us
He has provided us with different talents and skills and abilities and roles in His plan
When John answers their question of what they should do, we see Christianity
There is a concern for others that is expressed through helping them in their need
Being a Christian on the job and being ethical and honest in our dealings with others
Not taking advantage of others simply because we can, but be fair and kind
Don’t fight or tell lies about others and be content with your wages
A heavy focus on materialism isn’t healthy or beneficial to us spiritually
1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
There were tax collectors and soldiers, poor and affluent people, city and country
But God had a plan for each of them that would make them better people
And God has a unique plan for your life- A specific way that His will unfolds for you
Genuine repentance and faith will effect the way we live and relate to others
It may begin with a sorrowful heart, but it must end with determined action.
Conclusion:
The answers are different but they are the same. There is a unique plan for each of us but they are all part of a master plan and have common elements. Don’t let anyone or anything keep you from accepting Christ as your Savior. Let Him change your life. God wasn’t really silent for 400 years, it is just that no one was listening. Can you hear Him now?